Tuesday, April 15, 2014

NEW RELEASES: STANTON MOORE – CONVERSATIONS; THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS – THERAPY; NICOLE MITCHELL’S BLACK EARTH ENSEMBLE – INTERGALACTIC BEINGS

STANTON MOORE – CONVERSATIONS

One of the most solid records we've ever heard from drummer Stanton Moore – and a set that's got to be his greatest jazz session to date! Moore's still got all the playful kick he brought to his drums during more funk-based years – but he's working here in a trio with the wonderful pianist David Torkanowsky, who's awash in great tones and colors that we'd never expect from a Stanton Moore album – really long, fluid lines that sometimes follow in the tradition of Cedar Walton or Kenny Barron, other times have a more punctuated feel that works well with the drums, and the basslines of James Singleton. Titles include "Waltz For All Souls", "Magnolia Triangle", "Lauren Z", "Driftin", and "Big Greaze".  ~ Dusty Groove

THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS – THERAPY

Some of the grooviest, funkiest work we've ever heard from New Mastersounds – and that's saying a lot, given how much we dig all their other records! We've been following these guys for over a decade, and they've never let us down – and they're one of the rare funky combos who really seem dedicated to making their sound even sharper, tighter, and more interesting at each new step – working here at a level that still holds onto all the spontaneous energy of their famous recordings, but which also trips things out at a really cool level too! The drums have this crackle we don't remember as strongly before – and Eddie Roberts' guitar and production ranges from unusual psych touches at some times to really well-fleshed jazz impulses at others – really balancing out the record with a tremendous sound overall. These guys have never faltered a bit, but they really knock it out of the park this time around – on titles that include "Monday Meters", "Old Man Noises", "Morning Fly", "Soul Sista", "Stop This Game", "Slow Down", "WWIII", and "Detox".  ~ Dusty Groove

NICOLE MITCHELL’S BLACK EARTH ENSEMBLE – INTERGALACTIC BEINGS


Mindblowing sounds from Chicago flute player Nicole Mitchell – a set of work inspired by the science fiction writings of Octavia Butler – with a striking style to match! Although the music has some arch qualities that live up to the darkness of Butler's writings, the performance here is also still mostly acoustic – in the mode we're used to from Mitchell's Black Earth group – but with odd tones and weird bits of phrasing that keep have us checking the notes to figure out the different instruments! The approach is a bit like the early cosmic visions of Sun Ra – especially when Mitchell hits more spiritual and rhythmic moments – and the well-matched ensemble of players features Nicole on flute, David Boykin on tenor and bass clarinet, David Young on trumpet and srali thom, Renee Baker on violin, Tomeka Reid on cello, Josh Abrams on bass, Jeff Parker on guitar, and Avreeayl Ra on percussion. Mankwe Ndosi sings just a bit on the record – and titles include "Dripping Matter", "Web Of Hope", "Fields Of Possibility", "Resisting Entanglement", "The Inevitable", and "The Ooli Moves".  ~ Dusty Groove


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