LAURA
DREYER – VIDA. ARTE. AMOR.
Of her
current work she says, "I discovered an intrinsic emotional quality in
Brazilian music that helped me find a deeper level of self-expression. After
having performed many times with Brazilian jazz artists throughout the years in
New York City and Brazil, I began to envision recording my newest album in Rio
de Janeiro. I had worked with world-class Rio-based jazz artists in Brazil, and
realized that I had found the perfect group of musicians to perform my music
and complete my vision." In the spirit of creating a multi-cultural
recording, vocalist and music educator Professor Roger Wesby wrote lyrics in
Spanish for one of Dreyerʼs
compositions. Brazilian vocalist Débora Watts adapted these lyrics to
Portuguese, and penned lyrics to another one of Dreyerʼs songs. Vocalist Teri Koide
contributed her vocal talents and English lyrics to another piece, and Karen
Rodriguez helped with further Spanish lyrics and stellar vocals. The repertoire
was completed with the addition of two arrangements of a composition by the
legendary Romeo Santos.
DAN
MASTROIANNI – TEARS AND WHISPERS
Recorded
in 1984, Mastroianni recorded his album with banks of keyboards, and a few
musician buddies. The ‘experimental’ nature of the album shines through on
nearly every track. This was new technology, and it sometimes sounds like
Mastroianni was finding out exactly what each machine could do, as he did it!
He also provided the edgy vocals, making for a very idiosyncratic
artist/writer/producer album. Many of you will now know the brilliant uptempo
boogie of Just One Touch (which was featured on BBE’s own Americana 2
compilation last year) but whatever you are expecting from this ultra-rare
private press, you are likely to be surprised. Style, tempos and moods changes
throughout, the only constant being Dan Mastroianni’s harmonic adventurousness,
and primitive, expansive synth sounds that never quite let up. You can tell he
was having fun making the album, and was coming from a place all of his own,
though one might guess he’d listened to a fair amount of Weather Report, Yellow
Magic Orchestra, George Duke and funk/boogie before he committed himself to
wax. Some highlights: You and I is in floaty mid-tempo soul mode and features
some fine soloing from Dan. Lead On is blue-eyed boogie, bringing to mind the
likes of David Bendeth; Million and One is nothing short of trippy with its
manic bassline and swelling synth chords. Blame It On Love has enough changes
of direction for three tracks, and again showcases what a good player Dan was
when he soloes. Shine could conceivably get the two-step vote. And look out
throughout for some noteworthy playing from Dan’s brother on reeds. As Dan
says, this album was a ‘fusion’ concept in every sense: a fusion of man and
machine, of ‘carbon and silicon’, mind and matter… it was recorded as a labour
of love, and now, three decades later, it’s time for the rest of the world to
share the love! ~ bbemusic
MEGA
JAWNS – TEN LETTERS FROM HOME
Mega
Jawns were born on March 10th 2014 in a basement studio deep beneath the frozen
streets of West Philadelphia. The product of a chance meeting between two veteran
producers, both named Will. Their debut LP ‘Ten Letters From Home’ was written,
recorded and mixed within seven days of the pair first shaking hands and is due
to be released later this year on BBE. Philly keyboard player, vocalist and
producer Will Brock has been a journeyman on the international soul & jazz
scene for many years, touring and performing alongside the Stylistics, Miles
Jaye & Marion Meadows others. Equally at home in the studio as behind the
piano, Will has seen releases on King Street Records & recorded with
Stephanie Cooke & King Britt as one half of production outfit Soul Dhamma. UK
producer & DJ Will Sumsuch has been a stalwart of the European deep house
scene for over a decade, playing shows from Brighton to Barcelona, Hoxton to
Helsinki. His unique brand of deep-thinking electronic production has found
favour with discerning DJs the world over, among them Ben Watt, Osunlade,
Justin Martin & Jody Wisternoff. The
duo initially worked together on Sumsuch’s single ‘Simpatico’, which was
released on his own label Colour and Pitch in 2013, garnering support from
legendary house vocalist Robert Owens among many others. Following the release,
Sumsuch decided to hop on the plane to connect in person, and maybe make a
couple of tracks too. The pair joked about making an LP, but neither really
thought it would happen in a week… The
resulting music can only be described as the joyous sound of two talented
musicians and producers working together in unison, completing each other’s
sentences. With the full weight of Philly soul tradition underpinned by unmistakably
restrained European electronica, this record captures a character that neither
performer could have summoned up alone. “Spirits were with us in the studio
that week” says Brock and for once, the usually jovial Sumsuch simply nods
solemnly. Joy is a taster from the the album, due to be supported in the clubs
by John Morales, Louie Vega, Boddhi Satva and Kerri Chandler. ~ bbemusic
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