A set done in the spirit of Etta James, but with a vibe that's definitely Leela James all the way through! There's definitely a rasp to the album that echoes the spirit of James' generation – enforced by a crispy sound of a stylus hitting a record at the start of the CD – but the backings are definitely contemporary, and in that bouncy, bubbly style that makes Leela's vocals slide out soulfully! Leela may not sound like Etta – but honestly, the results are much better than if she was just doing some sort of Etta remake record. Titles include "It Hurts Me So Much", "I Want To Ta Ta You Baby", "At Last", "Sunday Kind Of Love", "It Hurts Me So Much", "Something's Got A Hold On Me", and "Soul Will Never Die". ~ Dusty Groove
A brilliant meeting of talents – legendary Ethiopian saxophonist Getatchew Mekuria, and the ever-amazing Ex – paired together in a set of work that's even better than their previous collaboration! This time around, it The Ex feel even more like an Ethio-inspired group – often serving up spare but complicated rhythm patterns that are a perfect fit for Mekuria's tenor – letting him really stretch out in the lead, and direct most of the energy of the music with a tone and sense of timing that are soulful in ways that go beyond expectations! Titles include "Aha Gedawo", "Ambassel", "Tezeta", "Bati", "Ene Eskemot Derese", and "Zerafewa/Eregedawo" – and package also features a full bonus CD, with live material by The Ex with Mekuria and the ICP Orchestra! ~ Dusty Groove
The songs of Freddie Redd – re-arranged wonderfully by tenorist Chris Byars – and played by an octet who really make some new magic with the music! Redd's one of our favorite talents from the late 50s/early 60s scene – a budding modernist who also never failed to swing – a quality that Byars clearly admires too, and shows strongly in the way he opens up and grooves these great tunes! Even the larger lineup of trumpet, trombone, alto, and baritone can't hold things back – and instead, give the tunes more punch than we remember – strong leads that explode into tight solos – driven on nicely by the comping piano work of Sacha Perry. Titles include "The Thespian", "Old Spice", "Emily Reno","Just A Ballad For My Baby", "Minor Interlude", and "Somewhere/Music Forever". ~ Dusty Groove
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