A range of special projects, guest
appearances, and b-sides from Eric Roberson – and music that's mostly still
better than the top-shelf recordings from most other artists! Eric's a singer
we've loved for years, no matter what the setting – and he's got a richly
collaborative spirit that's had him working with lots of the best of the
underground for the past decade or so – lending his sublime vocals, songwriting
skills, and even production talents to a range of really wonderful projects.
This overdue collection pulls together all the best of those moments, and
throws in a few special Roberson recordings too – all to make for one hell of a
great record that's bursting with some of the best ideas going in contemporary
soul. Titles include "Touch" with Collette, "Butterfly
Girl" with DJ Spinna, "Let Me Know" with Angela Johnson,
"Games" with M-Swift, "This Could Be The Night" with Zo,
"She Was Fly" by Full Crate & Mar, "Far Away Girl" by
Aaron Camper, "Fortune Teller" by DJ Kemit, "Deja Vous"
with Les Nubians, and "Postcards From The Edge" with Wes Felton –
plus the tracks "Fantasy" and "Anymore". ~ Dusty Groove.
JAMES BRANDON LEWIS - DIVINE TRAVELS
A
wonderful showcase for the tenor talents of James Brandon Lewis – a player
who's just starting out on what will most likely be a rich career – but who's
already able here to match his energy with the great William Parker on bass and
Gerald Cleaver on drums! The album's got this loose trio format that really
hearkens back not just to older avant eras – especially the New York scene of the
60s and 70s – but also the Sonny Rollins trio mode of the late 50s, heard most
famously on his Blue Note recordings with Wilbur Ware. Like Rollins, Lewis has
a great way of respecting the bassist in this format – often working with
Parker's energy to find this deep soul which serves as a platform to then step
out and soar – relatively free at times, but never too far outside to lose the
sense of spirituality that drives the record. At some level, the set's almost
got a vibe that's like the best David S Ware/William Parker collaborations –
and titles include "Tradition", "Desensitized",
"Divine", "A Gathering Of Souls", "Enclosed", and
"No Wooden Nickels". ~ Dusty Groove
.
STEVE FIDYK - HEADS UP!
Drummer
Steve Fidyk is a hell of a sharp talent on the kit – and he's working here with
a mighty tight group that features Terell Stafford on trumpet and Tim Warfield
on tenor! Fidyk's got a way of propelling things forcefully one minute, then
stepping back and providing this carefully compelling rhythm the next – a quality
that really makes him a well-balanced player, but also one with an inherently
rhythmic focus even in the mellower moments. All players really seem to catch
the fire of his leadership – including guitarist Shawn Purcell, who rings out
with some beautiful tones at times, in a group that also features Regan Brough
on bass. Titles include the originals "Untimely", "Might This Be
Bop", "TTJ", and "The Bender" – plus versions of
"Make Someone Happy" and "Love For Sale". ~ Dusty Groove
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