Thursday, February 23, 2012

HAMMOND EXPRESS - ANOTHER STEPPIN' SOUL

If you shiver everytime you hear a Hammond organ twirl, possibly played by Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Larry Young or Booker T., then you’re not one to miss the latest album entitled Another Steppin’ Soul from Hammond Express. It’s a timeless homage to classic organ soul from Italy's Hammond Express – paying tribute to Booker T & The MGs, The Tams, Groove Holmes, John Barry, Brian Auger, Curtis Mayfield and others!

Their debut album, Rendez-Vous (2003) was a new-lounge compilation (released by the Italian label Scenario Music), was a futuristic trip into dance jazz, through spy-movie soundtracks (“Modern City Blues”), sci-fi atmospheres (“Space”), ‘70’s bossa nova (“Bossa Rouge – Vibrato Mix”) and easy-listening evergreens, like the Carpenters “We’ve Only Just Begun”. Not the usual Hammond combo, but something modern for a “future lounge” party with a psychedelic touch.

Now producer and keyboardist Francesco Gazzara infuses soul with the sweet sound of the 60s. Singer Lily Latuheru joins Gazzara, bass player Massimo Sanna, drummer Juliano Ferrarri, percussionist Mirtao and flute & horns player Dario Cecchini. The set opens & closes with solid originals, but the focus is choice covers. 14 tracks in all. "The Glorious Revolution", "Never For Me", "I Can't Help Myself", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Nobody Does It Better", "Move On Up", "Inner City Blues". "Mercy", "What", "Goldfinger", "Stadium", "The House In The Clouds" and more. Francesco Gazzara by the way is already well known as the leader of his own group GAZZARA, as well as being the author of the book “Lounge Music: Il Blues Dell’Uomo Bianco.”

Hammond Express - Another Steppin' Soul Tracklist:
1. The Glorious Revolution
2. Be Young Be Foolish Be Happy
3. Never For Me
4. I Can't Help Myself
5. Diamonds Are Forever
6. Nobody Does It Better
7. Move On Up
8. Inner City Blues
9. Mercy
10. What
11. Goldfinger
12. Stadium
13. You Can't Hurry Love
14. The House In The Clouds
15. Batucada Express
16. Ass Enchillada

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