STANTON
MOORE – CONVERSATIONS
One of
the most solid records we've ever heard from drummer Stanton Moore – and a set
that's got to be his greatest jazz session to date! Moore's still got all the
playful kick he brought to his drums during more funk-based years – but he's
working here in a trio with the wonderful pianist David Torkanowsky, who's
awash in great tones and colors that we'd never expect from a Stanton Moore album
– really long, fluid lines that sometimes follow in the tradition of Cedar
Walton or Kenny Barron, other times have a more punctuated feel that works well
with the drums, and the basslines of James Singleton. Titles include
"Waltz For All Souls", "Magnolia Triangle", "Lauren
Z", "Driftin", and "Big Greaze". ~ Dusty Groove
THE NEW
MASTERSOUNDS – THERAPY
Some of
the grooviest, funkiest work we've ever heard from New Mastersounds – and
that's saying a lot, given how much we dig all their other records! We've been
following these guys for over a decade, and they've never let us down – and
they're one of the rare funky combos who really seem dedicated to making their
sound even sharper, tighter, and more interesting at each new step – working
here at a level that still holds onto all the spontaneous energy of their
famous recordings, but which also trips things out at a really cool level too!
The drums have this crackle we don't remember as strongly before – and Eddie
Roberts' guitar and production ranges from unusual psych touches at some times
to really well-fleshed jazz impulses at others – really balancing out the
record with a tremendous sound overall. These guys have never faltered a bit,
but they really knock it out of the park this time around – on titles that
include "Monday Meters", "Old Man Noises", "Morning
Fly", "Soul Sista", "Stop This Game", "Slow
Down", "WWIII", and "Detox". ~ Dusty Groove
NICOLE
MITCHELL’S BLACK EARTH ENSEMBLE – INTERGALACTIC BEINGS
Mindblowing
sounds from Chicago flute player Nicole Mitchell – a set of work inspired by
the science fiction writings of Octavia Butler – with a striking style to
match! Although the music has some arch qualities that live up to the darkness
of Butler's writings, the performance here is also still mostly acoustic – in
the mode we're used to from Mitchell's Black Earth group – but with odd tones
and weird bits of phrasing that keep have us checking the notes to figure out
the different instruments! The approach is a bit like the early cosmic visions
of Sun Ra – especially when Mitchell hits more spiritual and rhythmic moments –
and the well-matched ensemble of players features Nicole on flute, David Boykin
on tenor and bass clarinet, David Young on trumpet and srali thom, Renee Baker
on violin, Tomeka Reid on cello, Josh Abrams on bass, Jeff Parker on guitar,
and Avreeayl Ra on percussion. Mankwe Ndosi sings just a bit on the record –
and titles include "Dripping Matter", "Web Of Hope",
"Fields Of Possibility", "Resisting Entanglement",
"The Inevitable", and "The Ooli Moves". ~ Dusty Groove
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