NEW RELEASES: FARMERS BY NATURE - COVE AND GHOSTS; DAVE DOUGLAS / URI CAINE - PRESENT JOYS; WILLIAM ONYEABOR & OTHERS – WHAT?: WILLIAM ONYEABOR REMIXED

FARMERS BY NATURE - COVE AND GHOSTS

Farmers By Nature is the phenomenal trio of drummer Gerald Cleaver, bassist William Parker, and pianist Craig Taborn, each an internationally renowned master musician-improviser-composer-bandleader. When they work together as FBN, it is as a complete musical collective; every communion is an auspicious and deeply rewarding event. They are without question one of the finest improvising units in the world today. Love and Ghosts is their long-awaited third release, following 2011 s Out of This World s Distortions, and was recorded during their inaugural tour of Europe that same year. The rapidly varying landscapes they traveled through, and the blessed ability to freely cross borders as citizen musicians, inform the two extraordinarily fertile nights of sound fluency and invention captured in highest fidelity and presented here. ~ Amazon

DAVE DOUGLAS / URI CAINE - PRESENT JOYS

Dave Douglas may well be one of the most collaborative musicians in jazz working today – yet even in a catalog rife with interesting combinations, this sweet little set really stands out – as it presents the trumpeter in one of the most intimate, lyrical settings we've heard in years! The record has a surprisingly poetic feel, even for Douglas – and all instrumentation comes from just his trumpet and the piano of Uri Caine – who plays in a style that's every bit as dynamic as his own recordings, but given a really special sort of focus here. Some of the music has spiritual overtones, but in a more ancient American way – and Douglas chose some of the tunes for their link to the tradition of shape-note singing. There's a gentle beauty to the record that's undeniable, and which has us appreciating Douglas all over again – and titles include "Old Putt", "Zero Hour", "Soar Away", "Ham Fist", "Bethel", and "Supplication". ~ Dusty Groove

WILLIAM ONYEABOR & OTHERS – WHAT?: WILLIAM ONYEABOR REMIXED

The mad music of William Onyeabor has gained many admirers over the years – a diverse array of artists from a diverse array of scenes – some of whom have come together in this mighty hip tribute to the master! The tunes here are either remixes, reworks, or complete covers of Onyeabor's incredible electric grooves from the late 70s and early 80s – and the project's so special, Luaka Bop even called in the help of Moog to put it together – no surprise, given how moogy some of William's music could be! The remixes are all very faithful, as are the reworks – and even the covers aren't the sort of cloyingly selfish sort you usually get on tribute albums – but instead feel like some great later iteration of Onyeabor's genius. Titles include Hot Chip's cover of "Atomic Bomb", Joakim & Akwetey's cover of "Good Name", David Terranova's remix of "Body & Soul", The Vaccines' remix of "Do You Want A Man", JD Twitch's (Optimo) cover of "Why Go To War?", Javelin's remix of "Heaven & Hell", Scientist's remix of "Body & Soul", and the track "Ye Ye", which is Daphni's rework of "When The Going Is Smooth & Good".  ~ Dusty Groove