Thursday, November 21, 2013

NEW RELEASES - LES MCCANN, HANK CRAWFORD, QUINCY JONES BIG BAND

LES MCCANN - LIVE AT MONTREUX

The 70s genius of Les McCann – opened up here wonderfully in the space of a double-length live performance! Tracks are all nice and long – and Les steps out strongly on Fender Rhodes and clavinet, ringing out with amazing tones that are really wonderful – kind of the electric depth of the Circles record, mixed with some of the sharper soul of other early 70s albums! The small group features great conga work from Buck Clarke, who kicks in some great elements to really drive the rhythms – and the open space of the record really gives Les plenty of room to sing alongside his keyboards. Titles include "Carry On Brother", "Home Again", "Get Yourself Together", "Compared To What", "Cochise", and "Price You Got To Pay To Be Free". ~ Dusty Groove

HANK CRAWFORD - MR. BLUES

A sweet soulful stepper from the mighty Hank Crawford – a set that's got a bit of the bluesy lines promised by the title, but which also has some snappier soul jazz modes played by a larger ensemble! Hank plays a bit of piano, in addition to his trademark alto sax – and the set's got a style that bridges his roots with Ray Charles and some of the cooler, groovier modes of Atlantic Records jazz in the 60s. Other players include Wendell Harrison on reeds, and Sonny Forriest on guitar – and titles include the originals "Mr Blues", "Smoky City", "Hush Puppies", and "The Turfer" – plus versions of "Danger Zone", "Route 66", and "Lonely Avenue". ~ Dusty Groove

QUINCY JONES BIG BAND - FREE AND EASY

Rare live work from Quincy Jones – recorded in Sweden at the start of the 60s, with an ultra-hip lineup that really helps Q hit some wonderful lines throughout! The players are a mixed assemblage of American and European musicians – the kind of groups that Jones had been putting together on the continent for the past few years, in a way that really helped create a strong crossbreeding of jazz talents – with a legacy of expatriate players for years to come! The group features Benny Bailey and Clark Terry on trumpets, Melba Liston and Ake Persson on trombones, Phil Woods on alto, Budd Johnson on tenor, Jerome Richardson on tenor and flute, and Sahib Shihab on baritone sax – and the tunes include lively readings of "Ghana", "Birth Of A Band", "Big Red", "Walkin", "Moanin", "I Remember Clifford", and "Phantom Blues". ~ Dusty Groove


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