Tuesday, February 18, 2014

NEW RELEASES: SHARKY'S MACHINE - THE SOUNDTRACK MUSIC; EDDIE KENDRICKS - LOVE KEYS; PETER BERNSTEIN - SOLO GUITAR: LIVE AT SMALLS

SHARKY'S MACHINE - THE SOUNDTRACK MUSIC

One of the coolest soundtracks ever for a Burt Reynolds film – an a hip mix of soul and jazz tracks that's gone onto become a classic over the years! The album's a compilation of sorts, but most of the material was recorded fresh for the film – and the different artists really work together here to forge some great backdrops for the action on the screen! Al Capps handled the larger charts, but most numbers really spotlight an individual artist – and highlights include Randy Crawford singing a new version of "Street Life" – different than the one with The Crusaders – Sarah Vaughan singing "Love Theme From Sharky's Machine", Peggy Lee vocals on "Let's Keep Dancing", and Julie London singing "My Funny Valentine" – as one of the first recordings after many years of retirement. Other great numbers include "Dope Bust" by Flora Purim & Buddy DeFranco, "Sharky's Theme" by Eddie Harris, "Before You" by Sarah Vaughan & Joe Williams, "8 To 5 I Lose" by Joe Williams, and the instrumental cuts "Sexercise" and "High Energy" by Doc Severinsen. ~ Dusty Groove

EDDIE KENDRICKS - LOVE KEYS

Having recently released a quartet of albums by David Ruffin, Real Gone Music now turns its attention to Ruffin’s former running mate in the Temptations, Eddie Kendricks, whose mellifluous tenor and falsetto were such an integral part of the group’s sound. Kendricks began his solo journey in 1971, leaving Motown in 1977 for a two-album, two-year stint at Arista Records.  In 1981, Eddie signed with Atlantic Records for the one-off LP, Love Keys, which would be his last major label album (aside from a 1987 collaboration with fellow ex-Temptation, David Ruffin). Produced in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama by the team of Johnny Sandlin (best known for his work with Southern rock artists like the Allman Brothers, Bonnie Bramlett, Elvin Bishop, and Wet Willie) and Randy Roberts, Love Keys featured backing from the Muscle Shoals Horns and the Southern soul group the Controllers on songs written by Lou Courtney ("I'm In Need Of Love"), David Pomeranz ("Old Home Town") and Eddie's former Motown colleagues, Brian & Eddie Holland (for the track, "(Oh I) Need Your Lovin,'" a Billboard Top 50 R&B single). The album represented Eddie Kendricks’ first venture into Southern soul, and was the last charting solo set for the great soul singer, who passed away in 1992. It makes its worldwide CD debut here, with notes and added photos. A must for fans of Kendricks and the Temps, brought to you by Real Gone and SoulMusic Records! Tracks: (Oh I) Need Your Lovin’; I’m in Need of Love; I Don’t Need Nobody Else; Bernadette; You Can’t Stop My Loving; Never Alone; Hot; Looking for Love; and In Love We’re the One. ~ Real Gone

PETER BERNSTEIN - SOLO GUITAR: LIVE AT SMALLS

Sublime solo guitar from Peter Bernstein – an artist who's already had a group outing in the Smalls Live series, but who sounds completely different here on his own! Bernstein's always got these chromatic qualities that make his work with other players so wonderful – and that aspect of his music comes even more to the forefront in this stripped-down setting – an amazing ear for tones and colors that easily mark him as one of the most compelling guitarists in mainstream jazz – with a style that's sensitive, yet quite strong too – but never overdone. Most tunes are familiar numbers, really recast anew in the hands of Bernstein – and tracks include "Pannonica", "Django", "Crepuscule With Nellie", "Giant Steps", "The Tender Trap", "Wise One", "Yesterdays", and "Put Your Dreams Away".~ Dusty Groove


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