NEW RELEASES: STEFANO BOLLANI - JOY IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING; BOBBY MOORE AND THE RHYTHM ACES - SEARCHING FOR MY LOVE; WILSON PICKETT – I WANT YOU

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