LENNY
WILLIAMS – CHOOSING YOU
A killer
set from Lenny Williams – done in a smoothly jazzy mode that echoes with a real
Fantasy Records groove! Lenny's clearly drawing some great inspiration here
from the East Bay scene – working with older Motown producer Frank Wilson on a
set of warmly modern numbers that really help him state a strong voice as a solo
act. The grooves are all just perfect for Lenny's vocals – funky, but never too
much so – and smooth without being slick – a rare balance, but one that comes
off perfectly here, and makes the set a great one! Essential mellow soul
throughout – with tracks that include "Look Up With Your Mind",
"Riding The High Wire", "Choosing You", "Shoo Doo Fu
Fu Ooh", "Please Don't Tempt Me", "Trust In Me", and
"I've Been Away From Love For Too Long". CD features lots of bonus
tracks – "Choosing You (12" single)", "Choosing You
(7" single)", "Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh (7" single)", and
"Look Up Your Mind (7" single)". ~ Dusty Groove
RUDY
ROYSTON – 303
The
first album as a leader from drummer Rudy Royston – a player we've enjoyed for
years in the company of others, and one who emerges here with a really fresh
voice of his own! Rudy's drums are bold, but also have this way of opening up
and allowing magical interplay between all the other members of the group – a
warm combo that features Jon Irabagon on saxes, Nadja Noordhuis on trumpet, Nir
Felder on guitar, Sam Harris on piano, and either Mimi Jones or Yasushi
Nakamura on bass. The guitar and piano combo is wonderful – ringing with these
compelling chromes, especially on the tracks that feature Jones' wonderfully
soulful work on bass. Most tracks are originals by Rudy – furthering the
personal voice of the record – and titles include "Mimi Sunrise",
"Play On Words", "Miles To Go", "Gangs Of New
York", "High & Dry", and "Bownze". ~ Dusty Groove
RICHARD
BONNET / TONY MALABY / ANTONIN RAYON / TOM RAINEY - WARRIOR
Post-musical
tones from a very powerful lineup – a quartet who make some really amazing
sounds from very familiar instruments – all used at levels that are quite
different than you'd hear in standard jazz, or even most avant work as well!
The group features Richard Bonnet on guitar, Tony Malaby on tenor and soprano
sax, Antonin Rayon on Hammond, and Tom Rainey on drums – but the overall sound
is way different than any tenor/organ/guitar combo we've ever heard! The
Hammond is especially amazing – used to generate these offbeat sounds, which
are then echoed by Bonnet's guitar – and laced with reed lines that are
sometimes melodic, sometimes more textural – on titles that include
"Warrior", "Bonne Resolution", "World Of Signs",
"Kala", and "Coney Island Line". ~ Dusty Groove
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