BBC archivists have uncovered a whole series of unreleased Ella Fitzgerald footage, which has been digitally re-mastered and presented here in a CD + DVD package. The CD features a selection of her best performances, while the DVD contains 4 full length shows, including her 1977 performance at Montreux, 2 TV appearances from 1965 and a performance at Ronnie Scotts' from 1974. Record Collector (magazine) (p. 82) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[With] a televised performance from the 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival. Utterly enthralling." Tracks include: Lady Is A Tramp, Mack The Knife, Manhattan, Here's That Rainy Day, Cheek To Cheek, and many others ~ CD Universe
Arguably, the members of Pleasure were among the unsung heroes of 1970s funk and soul. The band enjoyed a small but enthusiastic cult following, but one thing that it didn't have was a lot of major hits on R&B radio. For the most part, R&B radio ignored Pleasure, although quiet storm formats did play some of its more mellow album tracks. The exception to that rule came in 1979, when black radio proved to be quite receptive to "Glide." A pearl of a funk single, "Glide" is an infectious party jam that the African-American working class easily related to. The tune isn't really sociopolitical, although it isn't mindlessly fun either -- essentially, "Glide" is telling listeners to hang in there and be positive despite the challenges that life presents. And you don't have to be African-American to relate to the song's message. "Glide" was the only song on Future Now that could be called a major hit, although it isn't the album's only gem. Those who acquired this 1979 LP also found a lot to admire about jazz-influenced material that ranges from funk smokers like "Nothin' to It" and "Space Is the Place" to the smooth quiet storm offerings "Strong Love" and "Thoughts of Old Flames." Without question, Future Now is among Pleasure's most essential albums. ~ Alex Henderson Released in our Jazz & Funk Classics series, "Future Now" was Pleasure's penultimate album for Fantasy Records. It saw the band experimenting with a new sci-fi influenced funk sound and gave them their biggest US hit 'Glide'. ~ CD Universe
With his third CD, vocalist/pianist John Proulx broadens his musical palette to include more contemporary pop and originals to complement favorite standards. Accompanied once more by veterans Chuck Berghofer on bass and drummer Joe La Barbera, along with several guests on selected tracks, Proulx's light but warm voice and intimate piano make the most of the music. He's an accomplished interpreter of standards, opening with a brisk treatment of Irving Berlin's "The Best Thing for You (Would Be Me)" and a decidedly different bossa nova setting of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love." Bill Cunliffe sits in on piano as Proulx's sole accompanist for the bittersweet ballad "In the Days of Our Love," a touching composition by Marian McPartland with lyrics by Peggy Lee that deserves to be performed with more regularity. Proulx scats in unison with trumpeter Ron Stout in a delightful take of Cannonball Adderley's rarely heard "Wabash." The difference between Proulx and many younger jazz artists who try a similar path is that he has a gift for finding new approaches to pop material, while also choosing songs that have strong melodies. A perfect example is "Sing," turned into a midtempo ballad with a bossa nova undercurrent, with understated solos by acoustic guitarist Larry Koonse, Proulx, and Berghofer. His loping rendition of Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" features a harmony vocal by Sara Gazarek and Jeremy Boersma's warm arco cello. The leader also uncovers a gem in Billy Joel's "And So It Goes," an excellent showcase for Bob Sheppard's soprano sax. Proulx contributed several originals, including the playful bop vehicle "Jogger Chronicles," featuring Sheppard on tenor sax and the leader's hip piano, while "Before We Say Goodnight" is another engaging bossa nova, with Sheppard adding a nice touch on flute. John Proulx's broad musical palette and ability to build upon the strengths of each song separate him from the pack of jazz artists of his generation. ~ Ken Dryden 'Vocalist/pianist John Proulx (pronounced Prue) presents 'The Best Thing For You,' his third MAXJAZZ recording. Proulx, a Grammy Award-winning composer, offers a fresh take on a number of standards as well as some original compositions. 'The Best Thing For You' features some stellar musicians including Chuck Berghofer on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums. Guest artists include vocalists Michael Feinstein and Sara Gazarek and saxophonist Bob Sheppard. ~ CD Universe
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