IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE
A really
fresh group with a very unique sound – a combo that's partly rooted in older
Afro Funk modes, but who also deliver their groove with kind of a leaner, New
York street soul vibe as well! The album's cover image really gets the groove
right – as the vintage is more 70s through 80s – with some playful
crisscrossing of modes that never hurt the core soul of the music, but which
provide some really fresh touches throughout! Some rhythms are programmed, but
in a spare old school mode – and then mixed with acoustic drums and percussion,
warmed up with keyboards and horns – and carried off with some great vocals
from Eno Williams Uffort in the lead! Imagine Fela recording for 99 Records –
or ESG getting some time in Lagos – but that's only part of the album's appeal,
which only broadens with repeat listens. Titles include "Voice Of The
Bird", "Ibibo Spiritual", "Got To Move Got To Get
Out", "Let's Dance", "The Tortoise", "Uwa The
Peacock", and "The Talking Fish". ~ Dusty Groove.
BADBADNOTGOOD - III
The best
work so far from this ultra-hip trio – an amazing combination of keyboards,
bass, and drums – served up in styles that are rooted in funk and jazz, but go
to so many other places as well! The drums crackle with a quality schooled in
70s breaks and beats, stripped down to their core – and the mix of keyboards
echo a range of innovators from CTI to Money Mark, with a spacious flow that
leaves plenty of room for the basslines to drive the tunes! Other
instrumentation includes bits of guitar and percussion from the group, plus
some guest tenor and strings as well. Titles include "Hedron",
"Differently Still", "Confessions", "Triangle",
"Can't Leave The Night", "CS60", and "Since You Asked
So Kindly". ~ Dusty
Groove
PAUL BLEY - PLAY BLUE: OSLO CONCERT
Some of
the best material in years from pianist Paul Bley – a sublime solo set recorded
live, and done with the warmth and personal expression of Bley's best albums
from the 70s! The tunes have this balance between modern ideas and slightly
more sentimental touches – the latter of which never overwhelm the freshness of
Bley's piano, but definitely serve to humanize it a bit – such that the range
of soul here is greater than we can remember in many years! It's great to hear
Paul still find this sort of space – and it's even more captivating when he's
out there on his own, which seems an even greater reminder of all the
contributions he's made to jazz piano over the decades. Titles include
"Far North", "Way Down South Suite", "Flame",
"Longer", and "Pent-Up House". ~ Dusty Groove
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