A bouncy little set from Angela Clemmons – a record that's
got a bit more beats at the bottom than some of her previous outings – but in a
way that seems to only make things sound even groovier overall! There's a number
of catchy groovers that help the set take off right from the start – tunes that
are playful, and maybe a bit aimed at the charts – yet which still let Angie
soar on those magnificent vocals of hers. Titles include "One Night Baby",
"Miracles", "Love Life", "BYOB", "Nothing Can Stop My Love", "I Could Love You
Better", and "Rock & A Hard Place". CD features two bonus tracks – "BYOB
(12" mix)" and "This Is Love (inst)". ~
Dusty Groove
Tremendous work from bassist/percussionist Juma Sultan – a
wealth of wonderful tracks from the loft jazz years of the 70s! Sultan's a
player who doesn't always get his due on record – especially during this
formative generation – so the release is a much-needed look at his mighty
talents back in the day – and a picture of a very underground level of American
jazz that goes deeper than even some of the more-recorded avant players of the
time! Most of the tunes are quite spiritual, and feature a shifting lineup that
really keeps things fresh – players who include Sultan on bass, percussion, and
flute – plus Ali Abuwi on drums, flute, and oboe; Kasa Allah and Earl Cross on
piano, Art Bennett on tenor, Talib Kibwe on flute and oboe, Paul Williams on
guitar, and Ora Borman and Charlotte Richardson on vocals. Titles include "Darn
My Socks", "She Made Me Feel Like Glory (parts 1 & 2)", "Sundance & Hand
Clapping (parts 1 & 2)", "AMS", and "Shake Your Money Maker". ~ Dusty Groove
A really compelling blend of sounds – and a set that's billed as a hip hop album,
but which is way way more than that – more a wonderful hybrid of global styles,
all wrapped up with the crispness of the contemporary Brazilian underground! The
set begins with a number that's straight out Afro Funk, the rolls into tracks
that really run the gamut – a hip hop number or two, other African styles, and
most especially, some of those cool genre-defying moments that we've really come
to love from Brazil in recent years. Criolo's vocals are wonderful, especially
when he's singing – with a warmth that takes us back to singers of the samba
soul generation – and titles include "Bogota", "Mario", "Subirusdoistiozin",
"Linha De Frente", "Lion Man", "Sucrilhos", and "Samba Sambei". ~ Dusty Groove.
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