NEW RELEASES - JACK FULKS, SHOKAZULU, MARK MASTERS ENSEMBLE

JACK FULKS - FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS

An excellent set from reedman Jack Fulks – a player who's hardly ever recorded as a leader, but who we remember well from his spiritual jazz work in LA's Creative Arts Ensemble! This gem of a set has Jack playing in territory that's right back with his older roots – often stretching out on tenor next to the alto sax of Rene Pineda – in a warmly soaring style that reminds us of the 70s Muse sessions by the great Earl & Carl Grubbs! Rhythms on the set are mostly modal – given a nice sense of balance in the piano of David Edelstein – but it's definitely Fulks' talents that make the whole thing come together – his beautiful songs, soulful work on flute and tenor, and the warmth and energy that drives the whole session. Titles include "Liberation", "Panama", "Nautical Times", "Congo Rio", "Bandoleros", "Reflections", and "Pastels".  ~ Dusty Groove

SHOKAZULU - SHOKAZULU

Here's a brilliant bit of business from the 4 Hero side of the musical universe – some very cosmic grooves from Kaidi Tatham – filled with complex rhythms and soaring keyboards that mix together equal parts jazz, funk, and London broken beat! The tunes are stripped-down, but never spare at all – given the fierceness of the instrumentation, which often has live percussion interacting with programmed rhythms – in a way that's very layered and dense, yet still forward-moving and very progressive – in the best 4 Hero style! The keyboards are spare and often follow the rhythms strongly – but in a way that seems to set two sorts of fires at the same time – really burning strongly to lift the music to the heavens. Titles include "Sammy Sebastian", "Sour Grapes", "Pie", "Lightning Strike", "Hips Don't Fail Me Now", and "Ditzy Blue Jacket". ~ Dusty Groove

MARK MASTERS ENSEMBLE - EVERYTHING YOU DID: THE MUSIC OF WALTER BECKER & DONALD FAGEN

A tremendous take on the music of Steely Dan – one that doesn't just serve up instrumental versions of these classics, but instead creates whole new themes and sounds based on the originals! All tracks here are penned by the legendary team of Donald Fagan and Walter Becker – but Mark Masters' arrangements really take them to rich new places – almost working like mini-soundtracks for each number – using these complex horn passages and bold tones to transform the songs, almost with a narrative-like power! Of course, it also helps that the group features some excellent players – including Billy Harper on tenor, Tim Hagans on trumpet, Oliver Lake on alto, and Sonny Simmons on English horn – all of whom help shape things strongly. Anna Mjoll sings a bit on the record, but the overall feel is really instrumental – and titles include "Boshisattva", "Show Biz Kids", "Charlie Freak", "Black Cow", "Aja", "Fire In The Hole", "Josie", and "Chain Lightning".  ~ Dusty Groove