YUSEF
LATEEF - THE GENTLE GIANT
One of
the greatest Yusef Lateef albums on Atlantic Records – and that's saying a lot,
given the high level of quality he was hitting at the label! The album's a
perfect blend of the newly-funky Lateef style with some hipper, more
sophisticated touches – a mode that hints at his bigger-concept recordings to come,
but which is still pretty lean and clean overall – and damn funky on most of
the best tracks! Yusef plays a host of hip flutes here, plus tenor and oboe –
and an almost equal star on the record is Kenny Barron, whose electric piano
lines really make the album something special. The album begins with a long
take on Barron's "Nubian Lady" which begins the record – and Kenny
also contributed the tighter grooving "Jungle Plum". Other tracks
include "African Song", "Queen Of The Night", "Poor
Fishermen", "Below Yellow Bell", and a strange version of
"Hey Jude" that goes on for a long time, and really messes with the
volume – listed on the cover with the note "Do not adjust the playback
level on your audio equipment – readjust your mind!" ~ Dusty Groove
JOE MAGNARELLI - LOOKIN' UP
A storming set from trumpeter Joe Magnarelli – working here in an excellent
quintet that also features equally great trombone from Steve Davis – a perfect
partner from Joe in the front line! Davis has sharp phrasing that really
matches Magnarelli's deft trumpet lines – and the pair get a soulful swing from
a tight rhythm trio that features Anthony Wonsey on piano, Mike Karn on bass,
and Jason Brown on drums – a group that brings in bold, strong tones right from
the start – and still finds a resonant depth even on mellower numgers. Many
tunes are originals from Joe, mixed with a few well-chosen classics – and
titles include "44", "Third Set", "Inner Beauty",
"Miles Mode", "In Walked Lila", "Blue Key", and
"Easy Transition". ~ Dusty Groove
JASON
MCGUINESS – A WHITFIELD / STRONG TRIBUTE
A sweet
little 3-track EP spearheaded by producer/synth programmer Jason McGuiness –
who enlists some of the leading players in the LA funk scene to pay tribute to
Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, and the psych soul era of Motown Records!
Includes freshly-arranged, straight up incredible takes on "Smiling Faces
Sometimes", "Cloud Nine", and "Papa Was A Rolling
Stone" – with vocals by Mix Master Wolf (Breakestra) and Stephanie Karr,
Dexter Story on Rhodes and Hammond, Todd Simon on turmpet, Kamasi Washington on
sax, T'Amir Sweeney on drums and more. ~
Dusty Groove
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