NEW RELEASES - FABIANO ORCHESTRA, DON CHERRY, BARNEY KESSEL

FABIANO ORCHESTRA - BUTTERFLY ISLAND

A rare gem from percussionist JF Fabiano – a really unique little set of jazzy grooves that was recorded in Martinique, and features musicians both from the European and American scenes of the 70s! There's some mighty great horn work on the set – thanks to work from guests Clifford Jordan on flute, Marvin Peterson on trumpet, and Carter Jefferson on soprano sax and tenor – but the real strength of the album comes from the rhythms – which are a complicated blend of Fabiano's work on drums, gong, kalimba, and other percussion – then augmented by other percussionists, and electrified with some sweet work on Fender Rhodes, clavinet, mini moog, and guitar! The result is a record that's got the sharpness of a fusion outing, but the organic touches of a spiritual jazz set – all crafted in a space that's far away from the influence of mainstream studios of the time. Bunny Brisset-Fabiano sings on a few tracks, but most of the set is instrumental – and titles include "Half Moon Bay", "West Indian Meditation", "Butterfly Island", "Pointe Des Chateaux", "Creole", and "For Ca Change". (Beautiful vinyl pressing – super-heavy cover and vinyl, with bonus insert too!) ~ Dusty Groove

DON CHERRY - RELATIVELY SUITE   One of Don Cherry's most spiritual, far-reaching projects – a wonderful record that builds both on his key avant work of the 60s, and some of the globally-inspired sounds he was cutting overseas! This date was done in close collaboration with the New York underground of the time – and the large group features work from a rich array of great musicians – including Charles Brackeen on soprano and alto sax, Carlos Ward on alto, Frank Lowe and Dewey Redman on tenors, Charlie Haden on bass, Carla Bley on piano, and Ed Blackwell on drums – working with additional string and percussion players in a sound that's completely sublime! There's a great ear here for unusual sonic twists and turns, yet these are mixed with some deeper organic tones, and some freer jazz passages – all to really ignite a great fire as the set rolls on. Titles include "March Of The Hobbits", "Tantra", "Desireless", "Infinite Gentleness", and "Trans-Love Airways". ~ Dusty Groove

BARNEY KESSEL - HAIR IS BEAUTIFUL

A sweet sweet groover from Barney Kessel – his own hip take on the soundtrack for Hair – all those wonderful songs originally penned by the great Galt MacDermot! Barney's got an extra-trippy feel on some of the best cuts – a wider sound on his guitar, which rings out nicely alongside some sweet Hammond lines and electric bass, plus a bit of added rhythm guitar from Ike Issacs – who helps underscore the groove on the set. Unlike other Hair re-works, the instrumentation here is pretty spare overall – mostly in a small combo mode – and titles include "Frank Mills", "Walking in Space", "Be-In", "Good Morning Sunshine", and "Easy to be Hard". ~ Dusty Groove