Wednesday, July 10, 2013

NEW RELEASES - CORNELL CAMPBELL MEETS SOOTHSAYERS, THE BEST OF BRUNSWICK, ESTHER PHILLIPS

CORNELL CAMPBELL MEETS SOOTHSAYERS - NOTHING CAN STOP US
A brilliant meeting of two top talents – reggae legend Cornell Campbell and underground funk combo The Soothsayers – working here together on a set that feels like it could have been pulled from the vaults of Studio One! The Soothsayers have already demonstrated their global leanings on albums of their own – and here, they display a remarkable ear for classic sounds from Kingston – working together with the tightness of some legendary reggae backing group, and really giving Campbell some of the best sonic settings he's had in years! Cornell's vocals are wonderful throughout – crackling and soulful, at a level that really lives up to his legendary status – and the production is just the right sort of laidback to make the whole thing work perfectly. Titles include "Jah Jah Me No Born Yah", "Nothing Can Stop Us", "Conqueror", "I'll Never Leave", "Ode To Joy", "With You My Heart Belongs", and "Never Give Up".  ~ Dusty Groove

THE BEST OF BRUNSWICK - GROOVE& SOUL

Soaring grooves from the mighty Brunswick Records – cuts pulled together from a time when the label was easily one of the greatest sources around for Windy City soul! The package features some of the bigger names from Brunswick, plus a few non-Chicago artists from later years too – all wrapped up in a collection that really gets at the charm and undeniably positive energy that Brunswick had when they were working at their best! Titles include "Higher & Higher" and "Let's Love Again" by Jackie Wilson, "Something You've Got" by Tyrone Davis, "There Was A Time" by Gene Chandler, "Funky Chicken" by Willie Henderson, "The Lovomaniacs" by Boobie Knight, "Keep On Dancin" and "Bohannon's Beat" by Bohannon, "I Like What You're Doing To Me" by Young & Co, "Are You My Woman" and "Too Good To Be Forgotten" by The Chi-Lites. ~ Dusty Groove

ESTHER PHILLIPS - FROM A WHISPER TO A SCREAM

One of our favorite-ever albums from Esther Phillips – an album that really helped her transform her sound for the 70s! The approach here is a lot more jazzy than before – served up with a good dose of funk, thanks to arrangements from Pee Wee Ellis – fresh from his work with James Brown, but even more electrically-oriented here! The groove is great – and the album's one of the best Kudu sides from the early 70s – a perfect blend of soul, jazz, and funk – all wrapped up with a new level of sophistication that benefits all parties involved. Other players include Richard Tee on keyboards, Eric Gale on guitar, Bernard Purdie on drums, Airto on percussion, and Hank Crawford on alto sax. Titles include an incredible cover of Gil Scott Heron's "Home Is Where The Hatred Is", plus "From A Whisper To A Scream", "Till My Back Ain't Got No Bone", "Your Love Is So Doggone Good", Scarred Knees", and "Baby, I'm For Real".  ~ Dusty Groove

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