NEW RELEASES: NICOLA CONTE PRESENTS MYSTIC PRESTIGE – DEEP AFROCENTRIC MODAL JAZZ FROM PRESTIGE ARCHIVES; ISAAC HAYES - FOR THE SAKE OF LOVE; RORY PARTIN - EVERYBODY'S GOT SOMEBODY BUT ME

NICOLA CONTE PRESENTS MYSTIC PRESTIGE – DEEP AFROCENTRIC MODAL JAZZ FROM PRESTIGE ARCHIVES

Nicola Conte digs deep into the catalog of Prestige Records – and comes up with a host of spiritual and modal jazz tunes in the process! Conte's ears are always wonderful – not just on his own albums, or his work with Schema Records – but also when he's given material like this – sounds that might seem familiar at the outset, but which really bristle with new energy in his hands! You'll recognize most of the artists here, but Nicola's done an excellent job of pulling out really special tracks – including some under-heard album gems that resonate with some of the earliest examples of spiritual undercurrents in jazz. Titles include "Taboo" by Yusef Lateef, "Poinciana" by Jerome Richardson, "Blues In Bloom" by Gigi Gryce, "Cubano Chant" by Art Taylor, "Talkin Bout JC" by Larry Young, "Barengo" by Barry Harris, "Quiet Dawn" by Cedar Walton, "Feeling Good" by Andy & The Bey Sisters, and "Stolen Moments" by Eddie Lockjaw Davis. (SHMCD pressing.) ~ Dusty Groove

ISAAC HAYES - FOR THE SAKE OF LOVE

One of our favorite Isaac Hayes albums from the post-Stax years – a wonderful late 70s set that has the man returning strongly to the mellow roots of his early solo years! Ike sounded great on his disco tracks at the time – but we really love his mature, laidback way of laying down a tune on this sweet set – mostly longer numbers that feature lots of the spoken, soulful passages that Hayes delivered on his first few albums of the 70s. The record does have two great groovers – a remake of "Shaft" – called "Shaft II" – one that really follows the format of the original, but extends the length of the tune significantly, throwing in lots of instrumental fills for the disco crowds – and the quirky "Zeke The Freak". But the mellower cuts are our favorites here – and include "Believe In Me", "Just The Way You Are", "If We Ever Needed Peace", and "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight". CD features bonus cuts – "Shaft II (12" disco)" and "Zeke The Freak (single version)".  ~ Dusty Groove.

RORY PARTIN - EVERYBODY'S GOT SOMEBODY BUT ME

Here's a new single from powerhouse of Blue-eyed Soul Rory Partin. A multi-instrumentalist, Partin has toured internationally with 5-time Grammy winner Larnelle Harris, Partin brings his signature heartfelt and powerful vocals to Hunter Hayes' modern day classic, "Everybody's Got Somebody But Me". The first taste of his 2014 fan-funded album due out this summer, the new single featuring Partin's 18-piece All Star Big Band, keeps the swing era alive while still sounding distinctly contemporary. "The grittiness and his beautiful upper register, coupled with the hard-swinging, popping big band arrangement gives you chills.” (Brent Music Reviews) / "Glass-smooth voice curled with a Louisiana accent." (Hollywood Progressive) ~ www.rorypartin.com