STEFANO
BOLLANI - JOY IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING
Stefano
Bollani is an artist of ebullient virtuosity, with uncommon sensitivity and
range. The Italian pianist has proved to be at home on ECM improvising solo or
leading a trio, as well as engaging in duos with Enrico Rava, Chick Corea and
Brazilian bandolim player Hamilton de Holanda. With Joy in Spite of Everything
an album of new compositions by the pianist for a trans-Atlantic quintet
Bollani has made his most beautifully textured and infectiously lyrical
statement yet. He recorded these nine pieces at New York Citys Avatar Studios with
the Danish rhythm section from his Stone in the Water trio bassist Jesper
Bodilsen and drummer Morten Lund plus two prominent American players and ECM
intimates: guitarist Bill Frisell and saxophonist Mark Turner. As its title reflects, Joy in Spite of
Everything brims with an indefatigable lightness of spirit despite the
inevitable shadows of life. ~ Amazon
BOBBY
MOORE AND THE RHYTHM ACES - SEARCHING FOR MY LOVE
A
wonderful album of southern soul – and the only full-length LP cut by Bobby
Moore and his long-lived Rhythm Aces combo! The group's the sort that slaved
away endlessly in live shows all over the south – playing on their own, or
providing extra backup for countless big stars touring through the area.
Bobby's on tenor, and the group has some incredibly rich vocal talents –
unnamed, but with a group harmony style that's equally at home with sweet
ballads or hard stompin party numbers. The latter style is the band's strongest
suit, though – with an approach that's somewhere between the hard soul of Sam
& Dave and the party grooves of Doug Clark & The Hot Nuts – and like
that group, Moore's style was probably forged out of years of playing at beach
dances, frat parties, and bar gigs, the real proving ground for a tight combo
like this! A great little LP, with a fresh sound throughout – and tracks
include "The Hamburger Song", "Follow Me", "Searching
For My Love", "Hey, Mr. DJ", "Searching For My Love",
"Jenny, Jenny", "Come Back Baby", and "We've Got
That". Recorded at Fame in 1966 with Rick Hall, too! ~ Dusty Groove
WILSON
PICKETT – I WANT YOU
Later
work from soul pioneer Wilson Pickett – working at EMI here, and in an updated
style – on a record that would be better remembered, if not for the
trailblazing importance of Pickett's earlier career. Having previously helped
define raw southern soul and deliver it to the masses, it's easy to see why
later, less revolutionary recordings in an more modern/contemporary vein would
fail to catch the zeitgeist. But the grit and emotional intensity that Wilson
delivers over some straighter, laidback 70s soul arrangements is still pretty
special! Produced by Andre Perry – with cuts that include "I Want
You", "Love Of My Life", "Shameless", "Live With
Me", "Groove City", "Superstar", and
"Granny". ~ Dusty Groove
No comments:
Post a Comment