Wednesday, October 15, 2014

NEW RELEASES - ANTONIO SANCHEZ - BIRDMAN; TRU - BACK FOR MORE, KASIA LINS - TAKE MY TEARS

ANTONIO SANCHEZ - BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) FILM SOUNDTRACK

"Birdman" is the new film by visionary Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Amores Perros, Babel, Biutiful....). Part comedy, part tragedy, "Birdman" tells the story of a washed-up actor (Michael Keaton) who once played an iconic superhero. He must now overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory. This unique film features a drum score composed by acclaimed drummer Antonio Sanchez ( player on the Pat Methany Unity Group). The soundtrack features a selection of classical music. Fox Searchlight is releasing the film on 10/17. ~ Amazon

TRU – BACK FOR MORE

A contemporary set, but one that's got a really classic harmony feel – great work from the Philly trio Tru, a group who really keep that old school sound alive and well! These guys have a care with their harmonies that really takes us back to the O'Jays, Delfonics, and other great groups on the scene decades ago – and the production is relatively laidback and unobtrusive, so that the strongest focus is always on the vocals – with just bits of mellow rhythms drifting through the mix to keep things going! Butch Ingram produced, and the rest of the Ingram family provided the instrumentation – and titles include "I'm In Love Again", "To Be True", "I'm Back For More", "Say You Love Me", "Touch Me In The Morning", "Once IN Awhile", and "Let's Spend The Night". ~ Dusty Groove

KASIA LINS – TAKE MY TEARS

The self-composed album recorded at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville with a host of seasoned musicians including jazz pianist and arranger Nick Manson, Zoro (drummer from Lenny Kravitz Band), Tower of Power members Larry Braggs (vocals), Jerry Cortez (guitar) and Tom Politzer (sax) and Pat Bergeson (guitar). This cool debut seamlessly blends pop, R'n'B and jazz with a laid-back vibe. Includes: Liar, Reason, Ain't Gonna Wait, Go Away, Hold On, Yesterday, Sober, and Take My Tears.


NEW RELEASES - KENNY WERNER - COALITION; PHILLY CREAM - GROOVIN'; TOMEKA REID - SOUNDTRACK TO HAIRY WHO

KENY WERNER / LIONEL LOUEKE / MIGUEL ZEON / FERENC NEMETH / BENJAMIN KOPPEL - COALITION

Kenny Werner assembles a new band, borne out of his desire to extend his reach and play alongside path-finding instrumentalists. Guitarist Lionel Loueke and altoist Miguel Zenon are two such individuals. Once coupled with drummer Ferenc Nemeth and Danish saxophonist Benjamin Koppel, a true Coalition emerged. Werner's singular sensibilities may have initiated the group as his own, yet Coalition proves itself a rare manifesto on collaborative interplay. This studio project - Werner's sixth recording for the Half Note label - reinforces his reputation as a conceptualizer and 'effortless master' without peer. ~ Amazon

PHILLY CREAM – GROOVIN'

The wonderful return of Philly Cream – a group who made some great records at the end of the 70s, and who seem like they haven't missed a beat at all! The style here is really in the old school Philly harmony mode – maybe the modern soul variant, with some slight contemporary touches in the instrumentation – but an overall feel that has all the vocals coming together wonderfully! Old group member Art Austin is working here with younger female singers Simone Talley and Adrienne Aje – and the record has plenty of musical support from Ingram, with Butch Ingram at the production helm – in a similar mode to the other great recent sides on Society Hill. Titles include "Somebody Told Me", "A Beautiful Morning", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Slow Down", "Cowboys To Girls", and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".  ~ Dusty Groove

TOMEKA REID – SOUNDTRACK TO HAIRY WHO & THE CHICAGO IMAGISTS


Some of the coolest music we've ever heard from Tomeka Reid – a soundtrack for a film based on the Chicago school of imagist painting in the 60s – nicely scored with music from the windy city itself! Reid composed the different selections on the soundtrack – most of which are different themes for Hairy Who artists, such as Ed Paschke, Ray Yoshida, Jim Nutt, and others – and the music features Reid's cello and the percussion of Adam Vida, plus some slight vocalizations at a few haunting moments! The music is surprisingly tuneful at most points – and quite beautiful as well – and titles include "Jizz & Jazz", "Hairy Shoes", "Tin Eared Tenor", "Dappled Pleasure Dress", "O Number I", "The Design & The Dilemma", and "Snooper Trooper".  ~ Dusty Groove


NEW RELEASES: ERIC DARIUS - RETRO FORWARD; THE ILLUSIONS - LOVE; HEAVY WEATHER - MOVIN' EASY

ERIC DARIUS – RETRO FORWARD

Eric Darius is one of the true rising stars of Smooth/Urban Jazz. Adored by his growing legion of fans, Eric tours constantly with such superstars as Maxwell, Joe, Mary J. Blige, Prince, and many others. Additionally Eric is a mainstay of Smooth Jazz radio, having already had 8 Top 10 hits in his young career. Eric s first single from Retro Forward, a remake of Pharrell s Happy is already climbing up the Smooth Jazz radio charts, and promises to be Top 5 at the time of the album s release. Superstar producers Tony Dixon(Babyface, Beyonce) and Bluetooth (Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks) ensure that Retro Forward is brimming with today s hit sounds while still retaining a firm footing in the world of Jazz. Highlights include Eric s hit single Happy , the heartfelt ballad Never , the funky title track Retro Forward , and much more.~ Amazon

THE ILLUSIONS – LOVE

Warm harmony soul in the best Philly mode – work from the Illusions trio, who've got one of their city landmarks featured very prominently on the cover! The group have a style that's a nice throwback to older east coast harmony soul of the 70s – that great moment when groups like this were really able to focus on their sound, and come across with a mature, classy style that few acts from other cities could do this well! The Illusions continue that great tradition, and work here with strong Philly help from Butch Ingram and other Ingram members – who keep things in a perfectly laidback mode to fit the mellow spirit of the vocals. Titles include "Let's Make A Baby", "Darlin Darlin Baby", "I'll Never Love The Same Way Twice", "What's Come Over Me", "I Told You So", and "Think About Tomorrow".  ~ Dusty Groove

HEAVY WEATHER – MOVIN’ EASY


Killer funk from Heavy Weather – a contemporary combo, but one who groove like it's 1982! The group have a tight ensemble approach that rivals that of The Gap Band, Cameo, or Con Funk Shun at their best – all instrumentation right on the money, with a sharp focus that hardly belies the size of the group! The sound is sharp and tight, but never slick or smooth – and these guys use a fair bit of keyboards amidst their snapping grooves and basslines – but always with a touch that's more than warm enough to match the vocals. Butch Ingram produced – and the set shows all his great experience in funky soul over the years – and titles include "Movin Easy", "Let The Music Take You On A Ride", "Ain't No Thang", "Wonderlove", "Stick To It", and "I Came To Dance".  ~ Dusty Groove


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

NEW RELEASES: TINEKE POSTMA / GREG OSBY – SONIC HALO; GEORGE SPANOS - BEYOND DREAMS; THE DOWNTOWN AVENGERS

TINEKE POSTMA / GREG OSBY – SONIC HALO

This album is promising an absolutely fresh and intriguing music. Osby's modern energetic and acoustic conceptual sounds will meet the melodic European influences of Tineke. A recording with two soprano saxophones has hardly ever been done before; it’s pretty uncommon. The intriguing mix of male and female ingredients from Greg and Tineke will show that times have changed and jazz is not a music style dominated by males anymore. Greg Osby was Tineke’s mentor once, now Greg admits they are peers and he has a lot to learn from her. It is a multicultural project uniting the greatest young musicians from the NYC scene, the Netherlands and Australia.  Also features, Matt Mitchell on piano, Rhodes, Dan Weiss on drums, and Linda Oh on bass, the CD will be released October 14 on Challenge Records. This is the first album of Tineke in the last 3 years and for the first time she has been recording as a co-leader with Greg. This album will show her new musical developments influenced by her long stays in NYC and performances with top artists of the US jazz scene.

GEORGE SPANOS - BEYOND DREAMS

George Spanos, from Athens, Greece, is a drummer/composer based in New York City. Spanos’ recent highlights include performances with John Zorn, Ikue Mori, Juini Booth, Lawrence Clark, Marc Ribot, On ka’a Davis, Sylvie Courvoisier, Erik Friendlander, Steve Swell, The Downtown Avengers and many other incredible artists. He has appeared in concerts and jazz festivals in Europe, United States and Canada. His debut recording, Jungle of Illusions 2011 received great critical acclaims among the critics in Europe and the United States alike.  Spanos is a newcomer in the New York City progressive jazz scene, and on this release he’s brought together an impressive cast of musicians including bassist Juini Booth (Sun Ra, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams and Art Blakey), guitarist On ka'a Davis (Sun Ra), saxophonist Lawrence Clark (Rashied Ali) and Ikue Mori (John Zorn), as well as vocalist and Evolver Records founder Lola Danza, clarinetist Vasko Dukovski, tubist Ben Stapp, violinist Fung Chern Hwei, cellist Adam Fisher, percussionist Sayun Chang, trumpeter Keaton Akins, and pianist Simone Weißenfels. ~ evolverrecords.com

THE DOWNTOWN AVENGERS

The Downtown Avengers gathers an international cast of musicians from colorfully varied backgrounds. Fung himself is a Malaysian born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, who grew up with a variety of musical cultures including his ethnic Chinese music, Malay traditional music,Bollywood film music and much more; Vasko Dukovski, Macedonian clarinet mad man, is deeply rooted in both European classical music and Balkan folk music; percussionist Sayun Chang, a native Taiwanese whose half­Seediq (an aboriginal tribe in Taiwan, also pronounced “Seejiq” in her Truku dialect) origin allowed her a beautiful blend of native Taiwanese and Classical concert percussion sounds; George Spanos, freshly landed in the States last year from Greece, is an Athenian who integrates his jazz training with his Classical background, Greek folk music, and his love of avant­garde jazz; Ben Stapp, Californian tubist and the winner of the 2nd Annual Bob Stewart Tuba Competition who tirelessly explores new territories and possibilities for his instrument; last but not least, Lola Danza, the founder of Evolver Records and a fearless adventurer in vocal art, who, although an American, has a Korean background that shines through her music in every way. These musicians, individually worked with the likes of John Zorn, Ornette Coleman, Uri Caine, John Corigliano, Gunter Schuller and George Lewis, are each equipped with very special skill sets, much like characters from the superhero comics and are a breath of fresh air to this musical genre that’s often perceived as “difficult to understand” or “too cerebral”. ~ evolverrecords.com


NEW RELEASES: JACO PASTORIUS – ANTHOLOGY: THE WARNER BROS. YEARS; JAMES BROWN – LOVE POWER PEACE: LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA PARIS 1971; KARL DENSON’S TINY UNIVERSE – NEW AMMO

JACO PASTORIUS – ANTHOLOGY: THE WARNER BROS. YEARS

Stunning work from bassist Jaco Pastorius – a player who'd already wowed audiences with his seminal 70s sides with Weather Report, and on his own – but an artist who really finds a way to grow even more on these early 80s sessions for Warner Brothers! Pastorious continues to push the electric bass into so many different spaces – from fast rhythmic riffs, almost like a drum – to spare, ethereal lines that have a very evocative quality – to meloic pulses that make Jaco as important to his generation as Jimmy Blanton was to a previous era. Many numbers here feature largeish lineups – with musicians who include Michael Brecker, Wayne Shorter, and Bob Mintzer on tenor; Hubert Laws on flute, Peter Erskine on drums, Don Alias on percussion, Toots Thielemans on percussion, and Randy Brecker on trumpet – and titles include a previously unreleased version of "Donna Lee" – plus songs recorded with other artists – "Nativity" with Airto, and "Mood Swings" with Mike Stern – as well as Jaco material from the albums Word Of Mouth, Birthday Concert, and Word Of Mouth Big Band Live in Japan. Titles include "Okonkole Y Trompa", "Sophisticated Lady", "Fannie Mae", "Amerika", "Reza", "Punk Jazz", "Domingo", "Invitation", and "Chromatic Fantasy".  ~ Dusty Groove

JAMES BROWN – LOVE POWER PEACE: LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA PARIS 1971

A lost treasure from James Brown & The JBs – a vintage live performance from the early 70s, and one that captures the group at the height of their powers! The format here is very similar to the excellent Revolution Of The Mind set – a totally funky, totally righteous live performance that has James and the group even more energized than in the studio – working with the kind of razor-sharp intensity that made them a legendary funk act – leaping from tune to tune with nary a break at all! Bobby Byrd acts as the MC, and joins James for a bit of vocals – and the group at this point still includes Bootsy Collins on bass, plus loads of great guitar from Catfish Collins, and Fred Wesley on trombone and Jabo Starks on drums. Dave Matthews handled some of the arrangements – and titles include "Soul Power", "Sex Machine", "Bewildered", "It's A New Day", "Ain't It Funky Now", "Brother Rapp", "Super Bad", "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose", and "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag/I Got You/I Got The Feelin". Note – this is the first presentation of the material exactly the way that James Brown intended – as a 3LP set, without the remixing from the previous CD – pulled right from the original reels! ~ Dusty Groove

KARL DENSON’S TINY UNIVERSE – NEW AMMO


Karl Denson's definitely got some new ammo this time around – a sharper, more hook-based approach to work with his usual funky groove! Denson's tenor and flute are still strong in the mix, and the record's still got the requisite Hammond, Fender Rhodes, funky basslines, and horns – but there's also a strong presence from DJ Williams on both guitar and vocals – adding in some rockish touches that are bound to push Denson's music to an even bigger new audience. Some titles have the guitar very strongly in the lead, others showcase Denson's reeds a bit more – and titles include "Cheerleader", "Grenadiers", "Three Trials Of Strength", "New Ammo", "The Duct", "My Baby", and a version of "Seven Nation Army" – perhaps the most-covered song ever by contemporary funk bands.  ~ Dusty Groove


NEW RELEASES: CANDIDO – THE MASTER; GIL SCOTT-HERON – VILLAGE GATE NEW YORK 1976; ROB MAZUREK AND BLACK CUBE – RETURN THE TIDES: ASCENSION SUITE & HOLY GHOST

CANDIDO – THE MASTER

It's hard to imagine anyone making music for as many years as the legendary Candido – nor anyone who might still sound as great after so many decades in music! This set's definitely well-titled – as the congolero works here with a gorup of Latin jazz musicians, on an album that's one of his best in many years – a record that has maybe even more traditional Afro-Cuban elements than even Candido's work of the 50s, but which also brings in some strong jazz elements as well. Ray Santos arranged the set, and heads up the group – and the lineup includes tenor, flute, trombone, and trumpet – as well as some other percussionists next to Candido, and even a bit of tres and guitar as well – which further the rootsier side of the music. Candido's not totally on fire – maybe not a thousand-finger man here – but is still amazingly rock-solid, and really helps ground the whole record with his work on congas. Titles include "Arcason", "Salsibiri", "Conga Descarga", "Mulatacha", "Conga Blues", and "Lagrimas Negras".  ~ Dusty Groove

GIL SCOTT-HERON – VILLAGE GATE NEW YORK 1976

Gil Scott-Heron like we've never heard him before – working live at the Village Gate, with a style that's even more open and personal than some of his other live records at the time – given the small, intimate setting of the club! The group is very jazzy – with plenty of keyboards from Brian Jackson, and some sweet flute lines that really help warm up the tunes next to the vocals – and the whole performance was captured for a radio broadcast, so the overall quality is nice and strong – and the tracks have a long, open flow that's mighty nice! Titles include "17th Street", "It's Your World", "Home Is Where The Hatred Is", "Must Be Something We Can Do", and "Johannesburg" – plus a nice "Intro Jam" too. ~ Dusty Groove

ROB MAZUREK AND BLACK CUBE – RETURN THE TIDES: ASCENSION SUITE & HOLY GHOST

Rob Mazurek just keeps stunning us more and more over the years – growing way way past his earlier straight jazz roots, and even his key work in the Chicago underground – to a level where he's easily encompassing many different styles and genres at once – then finding a way to make the sounds all his own! This project has Rob furthering the electronic sounds of recent records, while still holding onto a core element of jazz with his work on cornet – an instrument he uses here with wonderfully rich acoustic tones, and hardly at any sort of easy Miles electric modes, or anything like that. The players here are all part of his scene in Sao Paulo – including Mauricio Takara on drums, Guilherme Granado on keyboards, Thomas Rohrer on electronics and soprano sax, and Rogerio Martins on percussion – but all players also take on other instruments, add in bits of voice, and work with the production and processing to really create some amazing sonic energy throughout. All tracks are long – and titles include "Let The Rain Fall Upwards", "Return The Tides", "Oh Mother", and "Reverse The Lightning". ~ Dusty Groove


VINYL BOX SET OF PIVOTAL BILL EVANS LIVE PERFORMANCES, THE COMPLETE VILLAGE VANGUARD RECORDINGS, 1961

Concord Music Group is proud to announce the forthcoming vinyl reissue of Bill Evans’ The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961, one of the greatest live jazz recording sessions of all time. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl, the four LPs are packaged with a 12-page booklet, complete with new liner notes by reissue producer Bill Belmont, as well as the original liner notes by the producer of the initial recordings, Orrin Keepnews. Reproductions of Keepnews’ session annotations and photographer Steve Schapiro’s proof sheets from the performances add vintage context to the packaging. As a bonus, a stunning metallic and black poster of the famous cover — Evans, in profile, deep in concentration at his piano — completes the box set.

Ranked time after time as one of the best live jazz recording sessions in history, and yielding two of Evans’ most classic albums (Waltz for Debby, Sunday at the Village Vanguard), The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 represents the pinnacle of spontaneous musical communication: three men breathing as one on a tiny bandstand.  The performances on these LPs demonstrate a new and more interactive approach to playing as a trio, one in which all instruments carry melodic responsibilities and function as equal voices.  Keepnews recalls in his liner notes that “from the very first moments of the recording, it was impossible to ignore the importance of these performances.”

Everything Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro, and Paul Motian had been working on for the previous 18 months led to this moment on June 25, 1961. The little-known pianist and his trio performed afternoon and evening sets that Sunday to a small audience that unknowingly sat through what would become a very famous — and final — set by the trio (the 25-year old LeFaro died tragically in a car accident just days later).  These recordings provide something of a sonic time capsule: sequenced in the original order of the five sets, the audience’s murmurings and applause are peppered throughout; even an interrupted take is left intact. Belmont recalls the process of piecing the performance back together during the remastering process: “As was the practice with early live recording, the songs [on the original album] were faded just after the last note, and much, if not all, of the audience and banter from the stage was removed. So the first stage of the process was to find the reels—if they existed—and try and make a reconstruction of everything that was recorded…The task was to try to make the show flow as closely as possible to what had been recorded.”

Fans of Bill Evans will be thrilled to note that The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 is just one of several box sets hitting stores over the coming months, joining an array of vinyl titles currently available on the Original Jazz Classics imprint, including the magnificent Waltz for Debby, Explorations, New Jazz Conceptions and Interplay. A 12-disc reissue of The Complete Riverside Recordings, set for release in early 2015, presents all 20 recording sessions from the pivotal eight-year period (1956-63) that launched Evans’ career and defined his position as one of the most significant jazz pianists of all time. These 151 performances are presented in a sleek brick box, along with a 32-page illustrated booklet. Due in January, 2015 is four-LP set The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings, which encompasses the sublime duets of top song stylist Tony Bennett with Evans, recorded in 1975 and 1976. New liner notes by acclaimed music critic and co-author of Bennett’s autobiography, Will Friedwald, complete the package.
  
Track Listing for The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961
Disc 1
Side A:
1. Spoken Introduction 00:43
2. Gloria's Step (Take 1, Interrupted) 5:41
3. Alice In Wonderland (Take 1)6:57
Side B:
1. My Foolish Heart 4:55
2. All Of You (Take 1) 8:14
3. Announcement And Intermission 1:44

Disc 2
Side A:
1. My Romance (Take 1) 7:11
2. Some Other Time 5:02
3. Solar 8:57
Side B:         
1. Gloria's Step (Take 2) 6:10      
2. My Man's Gone Now 6:21
3. All Of You (Take 2) 8:29

Disc 3
Side A:
1. Detour Ahead (Take 1) 7:17     
2. Discussing Repertoire      00:31
3. Waltz For Debby (Take 1) 6:46 
4. Alice In Wonderland (Take 2) 8:31      
Side B:
1. Porgy (I Loves You, Porgy) 6:09
2. My Romance (Take 2) 7:26      
3. Milestones 6:31   

Disc 4
Side A:        
1. Detour Ahead (Take 2) 7:41     
2. Gloria's Step (Take 3) 6:48      
3. Waltz For Debby (Take 2) 7:00 
Side B:
1. All Of You (Take 3) 8:18 
2. Jade Visions (Take 1) 4:12       
3. Jade Visions (Take 2) 3:57       
4. ...A Few Final Bars 1:15 


Monday, October 13, 2014

NEW RELEASES: OLIVER LAKE ORGAN QUARTET – WHAT I HEARD; IRA KRIS – JAZZANOVA; JUDY GARLAND - DUETS AND MORE FROM THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW

OLIVER LAKE ORGAN QUARTET – WHAT I HEARD

Really great work from the Oliver Lake Organ Quartet – a group that features the excellent Jared Gold on the Hammond – one of our favorite jazz organists in recent years! Gold's got this way of blocking sound and shapes that almost reminds us of Larry Young – but with a twist that's definitely Larry's own – and his free-thinking approach to the instrument is really a great fit for Lake's work on alto and flute – especially since he's not really the kind of jazz musician to go for a traditional sax and organ session! Instead, the reeds and Hammond come together in these really great waves of sound – augmented by trumpet from Freddie Hendrix, and given some structure by the drums of Chris Beck. Titles include "Lucky One", "Root", "Palma", "Cyan", "What I Heard", and "6&3". ~ Dusty Groove


IRA KRIS - JAZZANOVA


One of the best lost MPS albums from the classic years – and a very tasty batch of jazzy Brazilian grooves! Guitarist Ira Kris leads a groovy little combo that includes 2 guitars, flute, bass, and drums – and the group runs through a tight set of bossa groovers with a breezy jazzy sound. Highlights include some great versions of "Canto De Ossanha", "Reza", and "Casa Forte" – but the album also has some nice originals like "Inside My Head" and "Juanito". The sound's a bit like a Baden Powell album, but it's a lot more lively – especially since there's 2 guitars jumping around in the mix. Plus, the bassist is the great Jimmy Woode (from the Clark Boland Big Band), and he gives the record a nice soulful bottom sound – more depth than you might expect from the usual bossa jazz record of this nature. ~ Dusty Groove

JUDY GARLAND - JUDY GARLAND AND FRIENDS: DUETS & JUDY GARLAND - THAT OLD FEELING: CLASSIC BALLAD FROM THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW

Songstress Barbra Streisand has been garnering incredible attention and sales for her "Partners" album, but Savoy Jazz has a few of the brightest gems in her duet repertoire—her duets with icon Judy Garland.  The songs featured on two Savoy Jazz releases-- "Hooray For Love" medley which appears on "Judy Garland and Friends: Duets" and the all-time classic "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" medley taken from "That Old Feeling: Classic Ballads From the Judy Garland Show"—are priceless recordings from the early 60's. Both albums are collections of hand-picked performances taken from the 1963 CBS-TV series "The Judy Garland Show." Compiled by Emmy-winning historian John Fricke, the stellar sets feature unforgettable performances (as well as many previously unavailable on CD), showcasing the talents of entertainers such as Streisand, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Lena Horne, Count Basie, Vic Damone and others.  Also included in the packages are rare black and white photographs taken from rehearsals and tapings of the Garland series. "The Judy Garland Show" was a much-deserved star vehicle for an artist now considered to be one of the greatest entertainers—if not the greatest—to hit the stage and screen.  The series is much revered for its fascinating showcasing of Garland's talent and the many, many stars that appeared and indeed, paid homage to the legendary performer.  This compilation provides an even greater look at Judy's joy in music and the heightened level of enthusiasm she achieved in her teamings with both friends and with some of the timeless vocalists of the Twentieth Century. 



Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet Set to Release Side Up - November 4

Mutation is defined as the changing of a structure, resulting in a variant form. That is a clear reflection of saxophonist and 3-time Grammy® Award-winner Jeff Coffin's philosophy that music must continue to change and mutate in order to grow. Side Up (available November 4 on Ear Up Records), the 6th release with his critically acclaimed band Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet, showcases the astounding range of influences Coffin has absorbed as an in-demand sideman to a "who's who" of musicians. 

Having performed with Béla Fleck & the Flecktones from 1997-2010 and Dave Matthews Band since 2008, Coffin has been traveling the globe as a saxophonist, bandleader, composer and educator since the late 20th Century. He has shared the stage with musicians such as Branford Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, John Scofield, McCoy Tyner, Galactic, and Kirk Whalum, as well as a wide variety of esteemed groups such as Phish, My Morning Jacket, Van Morrison, The Dixie Chicks, Umphrey's McGee, Widespread Panic, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others. 

Featuring 5-time Grammy® Award-winning drummer Roy 'Futureman' Wooten, electric bassist Felix Pastorius, trumpeter Bill Fanning and pianist/keyboardist Chris Walters, Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet strive to expand their horizons, as well as their fans, with music flavored by their eclectic interests on Side Up. The compositions blend sounds from the deep wells of New Orleans Second Line, African music, Indian Ragas, Brazilian music, folk, Gypsy, and straight ahead jazz. 

These influences are shown throughout the album with tunes including the African-inspired "The Scrambler" and the Indian-inspired "Mogador" - both of which feature the breathtaking talents of tabla master Zakir Hussain. As a nod to his jazz roots, "Steppin' Up" is the changes to John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" done with a different melody and in the style of a New Orleans brass band.

The album also spotlights compositions inspired by personal experiences and relationships. "Yukemi" was written for his wife's parents before one of their visits to the U.S. from their home in Northern Japan. The song's title is a combination of his wife's parents' first names Yukichi and Akemi. Continuing on that path, "And So It Begins" was written for two friends who were getting married at his Nashville home in 2013. "Two weeks before they were to be married, the bride to be was diagnosed with breast cancer (she is now cancer free!), and so they were starting a number of journeys together," states Coffin. "It seemed like an appropriate way to start the album."

Coffin has assembled a world-class lineup of guests for this outing - Zakir Hussain on tabla, Herlin Riley on tambourine, Radha Botofasina on harp, Rod McGaha and Mike Haynes on trumpet, Roy Agee and Barry Green on trombone, Denis Solee and Evan Cobb on tenor saxophone, Pat Bergeson on harmonica, James DaSilva on guitar, R. Scott Bryan on congas, and Ryoko Suzuki on harmonium. 

The Mu'tet's mission is to deliver music that sends shockwaves down people's spines with their fierce soloing and memorable compositions. Coffin and Fanning aim for that goal sometimes by using guitar effects on their horns, which they call 'electro-sax' and 'space trumpet.' These techniques are featured on "Scratch That Itch," one of the funkier tunes on the album, which Coffin co-wrote with New Orleans drummer, Doug Belote and Nashville bassist Michael Rinne. 

Side Up marks the second consecutive recording which Coffin has extensively collaborated compositionally with The Mu'tet. Notes Coffin. "A great lesson I learned from Béla Fleck is to give the musicians freedom in finding their 'voices' in the music." Following that philosophy, Coffin only gave the sidemen a skeleton of sorts, which was then worked out in rehearsals to form an entire fleshed out body of work. Coffin continues, "These are some of the finest musicians I have ever had the opportunity to play with. What they bring to the musical table is astonishing." 

The members of the band have the same admiration for Coffin as well. "I've been playing alongside Jeff Coffin now for well over a decade and I can easily say, without a doubt, that I would not be the person or musician I am today if it wasn't for that invitation to join The Mu'tet," reflects Pastorius who is also currently a member of the acclaimed Yellowjackets. "For years now, Jeff has been a constant reminder of dedication and hard work, and I believe it is no more apparent than in his sound and his music." 

Upcoming Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet Performances:

November 1 / Vermont Jazz Center / Brattleboro, VT
November 2 / Bridge Street Live / Collinsville, CT
November 4 / River Street Jazz Cafe / Plains, PA
November 5 / Blues Alley / Washington, DC
November 6 / DROM / New York, NY
November 7 / Clementine Cafe / Harrisonburg, VA
November 8 / Isis Music Hall / Asheville, NC
November 9 / 3rd & Lindsley / Nashville, TN
November 19 - 22 / Jazz at the Bistro / St. Louis, MO


Neosoul artist, Alma to Release Album Tactics on October 17

New neo-soul artist Alma will release her first full length album, Tactics, on October 17. Alma, a talented singer and songwriter, is a Madison, WI native.

Tactics opens with just Alma and a microphone as she poetically invites listeners to examine the flaws of our human nature, a running theme through the album.  Her vocals are smooth, soulful and precise, layered with tight background vocal arrangements. Tactics’ stylistic leanings, a catchy mix of pop, R&B and jazz are reminiscent of Joss Stone, Emily King and Adele. Alma even experiments with spoken word and rap within Tactics.

“The project itself came together in less than five months, from the moment I sat down and said, ‘Okay, I should probably make a record,’ to the day I got the final mixes,” Alma says. She credits the accomplishment to bassist and producer Chris Thigpen, whom she met while studying voice at Columbia College in Chicago.

The two carefully arranged each song before hitting the studio in August. The product of their teamwork is eight unique yet cohesive tunes, from the hard-hitting “Take 21” to the gentle piano-driven “Head Rush,” each addressing a different aspect of human nature.

“I basically just put all my dirt out there,” Alma says, referring to her candid confessions of her own human nature. Topics like jealousy (“Blind Side”), doubt in God (“Worn”) and even an ugly sugar addiction (“Honey”) can be found on Tactics. Her openness endears her to fans, who donated over $5,000 to the project through crowdsourcing.

With a love for performing, an ear for musical arrangement and a passion for delivering a meaningful message, Alma (full name Alma Cook) provides soulful, thought-provoking and genre-defying original music. She developed her style in her hometown of Madison, WI, before moving to Chicago in 2011 to study vocal performance at Columbia College. In 2012, she released a demo titled Pass It On that featured a more acoustic sound.  Alma’s pop/soul single “For a Poet” was released in June 2014.

Tactics will be released on October 17, 2014. 




DJ Tudo's third studio album is a pure and authentic multicultural celebration in which Brazilian traditions are mixed amongst each-other

Pancada Motor is a term used amongst musicians of the Baiana, Samba de Matuto and Cambinda traditional rhythms of the North Eastern state of Alagoas, Brazil. Not only is Pancada Motor a name for the sound, it also highlights a paradigmatic outlook towards cultural activity, which holds local community, shared experience and tradition at its core. This traditional roots outlook works as DJ Tudo's musical and artistic foundation. But the album sees Tudo reconnect with his musical past. Having spent time soaking up Dub music in London, Tudo clearly picked up an ear for a certain type of sonic experimentation and the use of Dub FX. The album also administers an appropriate dose of psychedelia and spirituality, harking back to Tudo's experience of rave culture and jungle music in 90s London, while Dr. Das's big fuzzy bass lines emulate Tudo's teenage anarcho-punk days.

The opening track 'É Hoje é hoje' is a great reflection of Tudo's unique sound: A big, funky experimental take on a very traditional roots based sound which is broadened further by a punchy brass section with a phased tenor sax solo with hints of a spiritual jazz influence. The album also draws heavily upon Brazil's rich African influenced sound of the North East. This is exemplified in tracks like 'Meu Natural', a fuzzy, roaring, psyched out Afro-Funk jam.


The album is clearly a truly global project, both sonically and practically, It was recorded around the world "in little communities, beaches, friends’ houses and studios and edited on trains, boats, planes, hotel rooms, waiting rooms and other spaces." During Tudo's live performances he uses sampled vocals collected throughout Brazil, which he uses alongside his eight-piece band Sua Gnete de Todo Lugar. Yet while Tudo's music is global in its sound and outlook, his belief in the importance of cultural identity, tradition and community give the album a very local Brazilian focus.

~ Far Out Recordings


Friday, October 10, 2014

NEW RELEASES: THE HOT SARDINES; DAVID VIRELLES - MBOKO; RON MILES - CIRCUIT RIDER

THE HOT SARDINES

Bandleader Evan Bibs Palazzo and lead singer Miz Elizabeth combine with the Sardine ensemble of powerhouse musicians and their very own tap dancer to play hot jazz as it was in the era when live music was king...with a little glamour, a little grit, and a lot of passion. Even while giving voice to the history-defining jazz of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, the Hot Sardines vibrant performances bridge generations and captivate 21st century audiences. Forbes Magazine calls them One of the best jazz bands in NYC today The Hot Sardines have a distinctive recipe for making musical magic: take a blustery brass lineup, layer it over a rhythm section led by a stride-piano virtuoso in the Fats Waller vein, and tie it all together with a one-of-the-boys front-woman who sings in both English and French with a voice from another era. The brainchild of Bibs and Miz Elizabeth, the Sardine sound fuses musical influences from New York, Paris, and New Orleans that were nurtured from the Prohibition era through the Great Depression, WWII and beyond. ~ Amazon

DAVID VIRELLES - MBOKO

With Mboko, pianist-composer David Virelles based now in New York but born and bred in Cuba has taken the folkloric rhythms of Afro-Cuban religious ritual and transmuted them into a 21st-century music resonating with mystery and meaning. The main title, Mboko, can mean fundament or sugar cane or The Voice, not the human voice but The Voice that is believed in Abakua culture to be the voice of a spirit, or spirits. Sound is an element revered in this culture, and that idea the worship of sound itself was a shaping force in the performances of Virelles compositions on Mboko. The albums subtitle Sacred Music for Piano, Two Basses, Drum Set and Biankomeko Abakua indicates both the ritualistic intent of the 10 pieces and their sound, with piano as lead voice alongside dual bass drone and the polyrhythmic percussion of a traditional trap set and the all-important four-drum biankomeko kit, manned by Roman Díaz. Virelles has tapped into a musical impulse that is simultaneously ancient and modern, communal and personal, meditative and propulsive. Mboko casts a spell. ~ Amazon

RON MILES – CIRCUIT RIDER

A compelling, inviting trio date with guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Brian Blade, which combines the singing melodicism of American folk music, the heightened communication of progressive jazz, and an entrancing, airy openness! Master trumpeter Ron Miles injects his radiant, lyrical tone directly into the lifeblood of American music on his latest release. The album finds three genre-defying musical masters at their creative best, lacing easy camaraderie with virtuosic interaction. Featuring performances of grace, elegance, and luminosity, this is modern jazz chamber music in the best sense of the term. ~ Amazon

 





CHRISTMAS RELEASES: EARTH, WIND & FIRE - HOLIDAY; RENEE FLEMING - CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK; PETER FURLER - CHRISTMAS

EARTH, WIND & FIRE - HOLIDAY

Earth, Wind & Fire are celebrating the season with their first-ever holiday album.  Holiday features seasonal standards, traditional carols and future holiday classics, Release is set for Tuesday, October 21. Holiday is a spirited celebration of the holiday season, bringing together brand new recordings of seasonal standards, beloved carols, a traditional Japanese winter song, a modern-day Christmas song, future Earth, Wind & Fire classics and "December" (inspired by "September") featuring original vocals from Maurice White. Philip Bailey says, "This album is the band's first and only holiday music project. We are very proud to offer it as a labor of love to all of our fans and soon to be. Enjoy and happy holidays from our families to all of yours." "The Holiday album was a joy to record, it is a celebration of tradition, love and spirituality, some of the elements of Earth, Wind & Fire. From our families to yours, we wish you a happy holiday", said Verdine White.


RENEE FLEMING - CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK

American soprano Renee Fleming s first-ever holiday album celebrates the beloved and iconic Christmas season in New York City. From the holiday windows lining 5th Avenue to the red and green-lit spire of the Empire State Building, the essence of the city at the most wonderful time of year is captured on Christmas in New York. Pop, Broadway and jazz greats Chris Botti, Kurt Elling, Wynton Marsalis, Brad Mehldau, Kelli O Hara, Gregory Porter and Rufus Wainwright join Renée as she lends her sublime voice to hits like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Silver Bells and other gems, including Central Park Serenade, a brand new duet by songwriting legend Diane Warren. In total, Fleming and her guests have won 16 Grammy awards across multiple categories. Fleming s lush vocals, elegant persona, and intimate delivery of holiday classics make this album the perfect soundtrack for holiday parties, and a gift that will delight anyone who loves music. An exclusive recording artist with Decca since 1995, Fleming is known around the globe as a classical singer with a voice as warm and rich as a fine single malt, (The Times, London), and a career that has ranged from the stages of world s greatest opera houses to concerts and recordings of jazz, the American songbook, movie soundtracks and indie rock. In February 2014, Fleming became the first classical singer in history to perform the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, which was enjoyed by more than 111.5 million viewers in the US. ~ Amazon


PETER FURLER - CHRISTMAS


From the traditional orchestration of 'O Come All Ye Faithful' to the deconstructed 'O Come O Come Emmanuel', the arrangements reflect a solemn respect for these timeless Christmas classics. For example, Furler's introspective vocal delivery on 'We Three Kings' coupled with haunting melodies of the Duduk (Indigenous Armenian wind instrument), reinvigorates the often dismissed Christmas carol. The signature vintage sound of David Ian stays true and develops as he draws from his own cultural background. This album equally suits a meditative evening by the fire, or a dinner party with family and friends. Grammy Nominated Australian Singer-Songwriter, Peter Furler delivers his debut Christmas record. He has over 7 million album sales to his credit alongside extensive worldwide touring throughout the course of his career. With an international perspective in mind, he collaborates with 2013 Wall Street Journal favorited, Canadian-born David Ian whose unique affinity for the Vintage Christmas sound reaches a new level. Using singers and musicians from around the world including America, Armenia, Lebanon, Russia, and South Africa, the artists bring you an unparalleled cultured Christmas experience ringing sounds of the holiday season from ancient past to present. ~ Amazon


NEW RELEASES: ARETHA FRANKLIN - SINGS THE GREAT DIVA CLASSICS; SINKANE - MEAN LOVE; JONATHAN SIGLER - HARD WATER

ARETHA FRANKLIN - SINGS THE GREAT DIVA CLASSICS

Aretha Franklin, the incomparable "Queen of Soul," will release her highly anticipated brand new studio LP Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics on October 21st, featuring the . album s lead single, Adele's "Rolling In The Deep (The Aretha Version)."

Aretha's unsurpassed vocal styling permeates on popular diva classics ranging from Barbra Streisand's "People," and Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train To Georgia," to Alicia Keys' "No One," and a mash up of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and Destiny's Child's "I m A Survivor," and more. Also lauded as a skillful pianist, Aretha tickles the ivories on The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On." On The Great Diva Classic Aretha Franklin reunites with Sony Music Entertainment's Chief Creative Officer Clive Davis as they take the helm as co-producers to bring Davis' album concept to fruition. A-List producers Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, André 3000, Harvey Mason, Jr., Terry Hunter and Eric Kupper add their award-winning production skills. Rightfully earning the #1 spot on Rolling Stone magazine's prestigious "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" list, and #9 on 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list, Franklin has won a total of 19 Grammy Awards and is one of the best-selling female artists of all time, having sold over 75 million records worldwide. ~ Amazon

SINKANE – MEAN LOVE

The best yet from Sudan-born, Brooklyn-dwelling Sinkane – distilling a lot of diverse sonic influence into his own distinct still, pretty strongly rooted in adventurous soul! There's a lot going on here, inspiration wise – with modern synth-stoked twists on 70s Afrobeat influences, tropically-inflected R&B and lots of other stylistic twists and turns – but it all works together really well, thanks in no small part to memorable songs and his airy voice. Very cool stuff! Titles include "How We Are", "New Name", "Yacha", "Young Trouble", "Moonstruck", "Mean Love", "Hold Tight", "Galley Boys", "Son" and "Omdurman".  ~ Dusty Groove

JONATHAN SIGEL – HARD WATER

Sweet soulful trumpet from Jonathan Sigel – an artist who's got a really great ear for the best fusion styles of the 70s – particularly work by some of the more R&B inflected trumpet players of the time! The grooves are awash in warm keyboard lines, and sometimes feature either a bit of vocals or sax – and although the record's an indie production, it's got this warm glow that takes us back to crossover classics by Herb Alpert or Chuck Mangione in the late 70s – with maybe some echoes of Freddie Hubbard's more R&B work too! Titles include "Partido", "Mr Why", "Orange Blossom", "Darkness & Light", "Journey To Plex", and "Agua Dura".  ~ Dusty Groove


NEW RELEASES: THE GRITS - MAKE A SOUND; U-NAM - C'EST LE FUNK; DIGGS DUKE - UPPER HAND AND OTHER GREAT ILLUSIONS

THE GRITS – MAKE A SOUND

The Grits make a mighty sound here – one that's even deeper, harder, and funkier than their previous records – thanks to some especially sharp drums at the bottom! These guys have really rediscovered the power of a classic break – and use the drums to really get all the cuts going right from the get-go – creating such an infectiously funky vibe, all the other elements of the tunes are just like icing on the cake! Most numbers feature vocals from Sophie Adler-McKean – a soulful singer in the Alice Russell mode – and the rest of the group features trumpet, tenor, bass, and keyboards – but the credits list three different drummers – so these guys are definitely serious about that part of the record! Titles include "Make A Sound", "Psycho", "Yeah No", "Funky Mile", "Six Pack", and "Heel & Toe".  ~ Dusty Groove

U-NAM – C’EST LE FUNK

Wicked guitar work from U-Nam – a contemporary musician, but one who's drank deeply of the best vintage modes from CTI and Kudu Records – and who is one of the few who can really get such a classic sound just right! This album's got all the sharp edges of a 70s funky fusion set by George Benson or Eric Gale – with tight, thoughtful solos from U-Nam out in the lead – supported by soul-drenched rhythms that really make the whole thing move – deep sounds that almost have the feel of Incognito in an instrumental mode – all arranged and produced by the leader himself. Easily the best record so far from this modern funky jazz giant – with titles that include "Throwback Kid", "Smoovin", "C'Est Le Funk", "Starlight Lover", "City Lights", and "Just Like That".  ~ Dusty Groove

DIGGS DUKE – UPPER HAND AND OTHER GREAT ILLUSIONS


Sublime soulful sounds from Diggs Duke – one of the freshest artists we've heard in years – and one of the few who really live up to the cosmic promise of the Brownswood label! Duke's got this way of singing, speaking, and playing Fender Rhodes with a really righteous sort of vibe – almost a modern day Weldon Irvine, but with an ear for heavier beats as well – and able to do more in this short EP than most artists can do in a full album! Titles include "The Pinnacle", "Secrets Seem Rehearsed", "Covered In Cloth", "Our Love Was Brand New", and "A Private Island". Why isn't this guy huge? (Includes bonus download too!). ~ Dusty Groove


NEW RELEASES - THE HELIOCENTRICS & MELVIN VAN PEEBLES – THE LAST TRANSMISSION; CRISTINA ZAVALLONI – THE SOUL FACTOR; VICTOR HAYNES - MY TIME IS HERE

THE HELIOCENTRICS & MELVIN VAN PEEBLES – THE LAST TRANSMISSION

A mindblowing collaboration between The Heliocentrics and underground film legend Melvin Van Peebles – a set that has the group serving up some madly trippy grooves, while Melvin speaks and sings some wisdom of his own! Van Peebles already blew our minds years ago with his insane soundtrack to Sweet Sweetback's Baaaadasss Song – still one of our favorite records of all times – and The Heliocentrics follow in the odd spirit of that gem, by mixing lots of sounds and styles together in a mad cacophony of music – then leaving just the right amount of space for Melvin to come into the mix! Instrumentation is often fuzzy and psych-oriented, but always with a funky, soulful vibe as well – of the sort you'd hear on vintage records from Van Peebles – and titles include "Big Bang Reincarnation", "Transformation", "Infinite List", "Trust The Cosmos", and "Blue Mist". Special package also features a full bonus disc of instrumentals too!  ~ Dusty Groove

CRISTINA ZAVALLONI – THE SOUL FACTOR

A great collaboration between Italian vocalist Cristina Zavalloni and mighty keyboardist Uri Caine – a set that's surprisingly soulful overall, and one of Uri's funkiest records to date! The style is more soul than jazz – and Zavalloni works well as an old school styled singer, with almost a 70s vibe – one that's underscored nicely by Caine's heavy use of Hammond and Fender Rhodes! The rest of the group is pretty spare – often just guitar, bass, and drums to sharpen up the funky rhythms – and almost all the tracks are original numbers written by the duo. Titles include "For You", "Dear Presences", "A Day In Zory", "Tough Girls", "Hated Woman", and "Aretha's Song".  ~ Dusty Groove

VICTOR HAYNES – MY TIME IS HERE


Victor Haynes' time has been here for a few years now – as he's really be serving up some great music over the past few releases – but this album's definitely got a positive, confident feel that really lives up to its title – jazzy, upbeat, and rock-solid all the way through! The record's a great example of underground soul that's tight, but very far from commercial – put together with all the classic elements of an old school record, but done with an indie vibe that's nice and lean – and which is very well suited to Victor's vocals and lyrics. There's a jazzy undercurrent throughout – almost a bit of an Incognito vibe, and we mean that in the best way possible – and titles include "Feel", "Sleep Over", "Serious", "Get Back", "My Time Is Here", "Love Will Conquer All", and "Give Me The Reason".  ~ Dusty Groove


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