A sublime setting for the vocals of the great Ivan Lins – wrapped up here in some really inventive arrangements from the SWR Big Band, who bring an energy to the album we haven't heard from Lins in years! Ivan's vocals take on this soaring, fluid quality that reminds us why we first fell in love with his music so many years ago – a transcendent quality that's really let loose the more the band seems to energize their rhythms and horn charts – almost scatting at times, given the jazzy vibe of the whole record! Arranger Ralf Schmid really makes magic on the record – and the album also features work from Paula Morelenbaum on guest vocals, and a bit of vocals from a South African choir. Tracks include "Samba De Vision", "Missing Miles", "Guantanamineira", "Roda Baiana", "Trem Bom", and "Awa Yio". ~ Dusty Groove
Sublime soprano sax duets from the team of Lol Coxhill and Michel Doneda – both playing at a level that's almost more about sound overall than just notes and music – that great ear for textures and shapes that have made us love Coxhill's work since the 70s! The tracks are mostly long, and clearly improvised – very well-recorded live performances that really capture the subtle sounds and lower-end moments, then burst into bright colors when more tunefull passages appear. Doneda really echoes the inherent warmth of Coxhill's horn – and the set features four duets, plus a solo track each from Lol and Michel. ~ Dusty Groove
A great step forward for PJ Morton – an artist we've followed right from his start in the Neo Soul underground, and one who still sounds great here in the context of a much bigger label! The album's sure to get PJ plenty of exposure, yet it's still put together with that nicely crackling sort of energy that's always made his music so great – a mode that's sometimes a bit more funky than some of his male soul contemporaries, but in a way that's never gimmicky – and instead underscores all the earnest, honest vibe he brings to his lyrics. And Morton really maintains that slightly raspy quality in his vocals – a mode of singing that echoes classic eras without ever copying their style at all. The set features guest appearances from Stevie Wonder and Busta Rhymes – and titles include "Only One", "Never Get Over You", "Hard Enough", "Heavy", "Work It Out", "Trade It All", "First Sight",a nd "Motions". ~ Dusty Groove
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