JUNGLE FIRE - TROPICOSO
A heady
sound from Jungle Fire – a group who seem to be equal parts 70s Afro Funk and
Latin – with percussion that rivals the best of the latter, and horns and
guitar that match the best of the former! The group's got a super-sharp
approach, but one that's never slick or commercial either – just really
well-crafted instrumentation in a mostly vocal-free setting – which allows for
plenty of great moments from the individual members, especially some of the
reed players! The group have kind of snuck into our world through a handful of
7" singles, but they've really got our attention with this full length set
– a record that includes the tracks "Firewalker",
"Tropicoso", "Culebro", "La Mano", "Village
Hustle", "Chalupa", "Snake Pit", and
"Comencemos". (Includes bonus download, too!) ~ Dusty Groove
DAVE & ANSEL COLLINS - DOUBLE UP!
Wonderful
work from the team of Dave and Ansell Collins – a key act in helping Jamaican
music transition from rocksteady to reggae at the start of the 70s – and a duo
who had a surprising impact in the US, thanks to their funky style of work!
Ansell handles all the keyboards – including acoustic piano produced with an
echoey sound, and some great Hammond too – and Dave doesn't always sing so much
as shout – in ways that are a bit like calls from a DJ in a set, but which also
clearly have some James Brown inspiration too – but more in the way that James
might shout and urge on his band. Their music here is heavy on soulful elements
from America, but also has some plenty trippy early dub styles too – and tracks
include "Sexy Dream", "Hot Sauce", "007",
"Liquidator Shuffle", "Johnny Dollar", "Great Shocks
Of Mighty", "Girl Of My Dreams", and "Mister
Talkative". ~ Dusty
Groove
ELIZABETH
SHEPHERD - SIGNAL
Some of
the greatest sounds we've heard from Elizabeth Shepherd in years – a record
that really returns the singer to her funky roots and soulful styles! There's a
stripped-down vibe to the record we really love – mostly just Fender Rhodes
from Shepherd, alongside her vocals – mixed with relatively loose, spontaneous
work from a small group of rhythm players – who, like Elizabeth, are all
stepped strongly in jazz, but find a way of making the music come across at a
more funk-based level! The lyrics are wonderful, as always – a bit less
singer-songwriter than some recent years, in a good way – and titles include
"Baby Steps", "I Gave", "Willow", "What's
Happening", "The Signal", and "Lion's Den". ~ Dusty Groove
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