Monday, June 30, 2014

NEW RELEASES: BENJAMIN TAUBKIN – AL QANTARA A PONTE / THE BRIDGE: BRAZIL & MOROCCO; NANCY WILSON - THIS MOTHER'S DAUGHTER; KELLYLEE EVANS - I REMEMBER WHEN

BENJAMIN TAUBKIN – AL QANTARA A PONTE / THE BRIDGE:  BRAZIL & MOROCCO

A beautiful set that delivers exactly what it promises in the title – a wonderful criss-crossing of Brazilian and Moroccan modes – all with a vibe that's quite different than previous records from pianist Benjamim Taubkin! Many tracks are long, and flow with a wonderful blend – Taubkin's piano, with warm jazzy currents – mixed with oud, gimbri, accordion, bass, and percussion – often with a modal feel in the rhythms, and qualities that take us back to some of the hippest 60s experiments in crossing western jazz with eastern styles! Titles include "O Deserto E Aqui", "Hijaz", "Quilombo", "Salsabile", and "Hamdouchia".  ~ Dusty Groove

NANCY WILSON – THIS MOTHER’S DAUGHTER

One of Nancy Wilson's hippest albums from the 70s – a great record of smooth mellow tracks produced by Eugene McDaniels, handled with some nice jazzy flourishes, and a warm soulful sound that brings out the best in Nancy's vocals! If you've dug her vocals on the Life, Love, & Harmony album, you'll find that this one's pretty similar – with some great easily grooving tunes that well mark her move into modern soul – and a sophistication that goes way beyond her work of the 60s! Titles include "China", "I Don't Want A Sometimes Man", "From You To Me To You", "Stay Tuned", "When We Were One", and "Now".  ~ Dusty Groove

KELLYLEE EVANS – I REMEMBER WHEN

Singer Kellylee Evans works here with the great Eric Legnini – the European keyboardist whose own records are always a delight, and who brings a sharp sense of funky soul to this vocal outing! Kellylee has a style that's rooted in jazz, but expressed in more contemporary soulful modes – which works perfectly for Legnini's strong sense of rhythm – especially on the original tunes that the pair co-created together! Most numbers feature a small combo, often with a romping vibe that's a nice change from the usual neo soul set – and in addition to the originals "Only You", "I Remember When", "One More Lover", "Built To Fly", and "Jungle" – the set also features remakes of "Amazing", "If I Was Your Woman", and "Lose Yourself".  ~ Dusty Groove


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