Monday, August 20, 2012

NEW RELEASES – SHAWN LEE, JOE MORRIS/WILLIAM PARKER/GERALD CLEAVER, DON CHERRY


SHAWN LEE – SYNTHESIZERS IN SPACE

A fresh new sound from the Shawn Lee universe – one that's every bit as funky as before, but which has some great twists and turns too! The album definitely lives up to its title – and offers up plenty of keyboards soaring off into space – but there's also some unexpectedly gritty rhythms at the bottom, making for a nice degree of acoustic funk – and not just the drum machine bits you might expect! And in fact, there's even some sweet congas and other percussion at points – bringing in a deeper, rootsy quality that's a great contrast to the moogy moments – almost as if Jean Jacques Perry was sitting in some some lost combo from the funky 45 years! Titles include "Black Hole", "Galactica", "Celestial Waltz", "AJ's Mood", "Low Riders In Space", "Jupiter's Jam", and "Tiger Style". (Includes download card.) ~ Dusty Groove

JOE MORRIS / WILLIAM PARKER / GERALD CLEAVER - ALTITUDE

A strong trio set from guitarist Joe Morris, bassist William Parker and drummer Gerald Cleaver – their first together – and it's an exciting one! Recorded live at The Stone, in NYC , it includes a pair of great 25+ minute pieces – "Exosphere" and "Thermosphere – plus the shorter, but plenty spacious Troposphere" and "Mesosphere". It's great stuff! It's all about the free trio dynamic here. Each player asserts himself throughout – in an energetic, but never too far out manner. ~ Dusty Groove .


DON CHERRY – ORGANIC MUSIC SOCIETY

Early 70s greatness from Don Cherry – a double album's worth of profoundly spiritual soundscapes paired with lots of weird effects – and a very laidback groove overall! Tracks are written by Cherry, Terry Riley, Pharoah Sanders, and Nana Vasconcelos – and include performances by Don on trumpet, voice, and harmonium. Lots of cool percussion elements by the group, with some tabla and other Indian instrumentation. Titles include "Elixir", "Relativity Suite (Parts 1 & 2)", "Terry's Tune", "Hope", "The Creator Has a Master Plan", and "Resa". In a cool, trippy gatefold, too! ~ Dusty Groove

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