Tuesday, September 02, 2014

NEW RELEASES: HAMILTON DE HOLANDA / DIOGO NOGUEIRA - BOSSA NEGRA; JASON ADASIEWICZ'S SUN ROOMS - FROM THE REGION; RONNIE DYSON - PHASE 2 / BRAND NEW DAY

HAMILTON DE HOLANDA / DIOGO NOGUEIRA - BOSSA NEGRA

Some of the most incredible music we've ever heard from Hamilton De Holanda – a set that brings his work on bandolim into a whole new focus, by teaming him with the younger singer Diogo Nogueira! The album has this spare power that really grabs us right away – amazing interplay between the vocals and acoustic strings – with a rhythmic pulse throughout, which almost takes us back to some of the best post-bossa experiments in Brazil during the late 60s! Nogueira's vocals are wonderfully soulful, but never overdone – and the only other instrumentation is percussion and acoustic bass, used in these warm, rootsy ways that giev the music an earthy feel and a timeless spirit. Tremendous stuff throughout – with titles that include "Bicho Da Terra", "Bossa Negra", "Ta", "Ate A Volta", "Mundo Melhor", "Doce Flor", "Mais Um Dia", and "Salamandra". ~ Dusty Groove

JASON ADASIEWICZ'S SUN ROOMS - FROM THE REGION

Amazing work from one of the greatest jazz musicians working today – vibist Jason Adasiewicz, a player with a sound that's unlike anyone else we can think of! It's been years since we've been this excited about anyone on the vibes – and Adasiewicz not only returns the instrument to the prominence in avant jazz that it had during Bobby Hutcherson's "new thing" years, but also pushes the instrument forward in this incredible flurry of tones, sounds, and timings! And while these qualities have always been showcased in all of his albums as a leader – and his great dates with other players too – they really come to the forefront in this sublime trio session – a date that only features Jason on vibes, Mike Reed on drums, and Ingebrigt Haker Flaten on bass. The trio are incredible throughout – and the record's a modern jazz treasure that you could easily stack next to your most forward-thinking classics on ESP, MPS, or even Blue Note in the mid 60s. Titles include "Two Comes One", "Mae Flowers", "Classic Route", "Leeza", "I Forgot The Words", and "Cubane". ~ Dusty Groove


RONNIE DYSON - PHASE 2 / BRAND NEW DAY

The late Ronnie Dyson (1950-1990) began his career when he landed a lead role in the famed Broadway musical Hair, singing "Aquarius" (the song most associated with the show) at the age of eighteen. Signed to Columbia Records in 1968, Dyson continued his stage career in Salvation, achieving his first chart single with the US Top 10 with "(If You Let Me Make Love to You) Why Can't I Touch You" from the show. The young singer then cut a cover version of The Delfonics' "When You Get Right Down to It," -- produced and co-written by Thom Bell -- which became a Top 40 R&B US hit and a Top 40 UK charted single. In the wake of its success, Columbia teamed Dyson with Bell and the result was the 1973 best-selling album One Man Band, the title track for which was another pop and soul hit for the Washington, DC native. After recording a number of singles and three more albums for Columbia, Ronnie signed with Cotillion Records in 1982, teaming up with producer Bobby Eli to record "Phase 2". For the occasion, Eli used top-notch New York musicians including drummer Yogi Horton, guitarist Doc Powell, bassist Francisco Centenato and keyboardist Ray Chew, along with famed MSFB arranger/conductor Don Renaldo's strings and arrangements by Richie Rome and Eli. The album included a revival of the Gamble & Huff-penned Soul Survivors' 1967 hit, "Expressway to Your Heart," and the double-sided R&B charted single, "Heart to Heart" and "Bring It on Home." In 1983, Ronnie teamed up with another renowned Philadelphia producer, Butch Ingram, for his final Cotillion album, "Brand New Day". Recorded in Philly with members of the Ingram family, the eight-song set focused on a mix of dance-oriented material ("You Better Be Fierce"), ballads ("Tender Loving Care" and "I Gave You All of Me"), a duet with premier Philly background vocalist Barbara Ingram on "Let the Love Begin," and spawned Ronnie's final Top 30 R&B charted single, "All Over Your Face." The Real Gone Music reissue of "Phase 2/Brand New Day" in association with SoulMusic Records marks the worldwide CD debut for both albums, featuring liner notes by noted American journalist Roshod Ollison. ~ Real Gone Music


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