Thursday, December 11, 2014

NEW RELEASES: KONRAD ELFERS - FUNERAL IN BERLIN (ORIGINAL FILM SOUNDTRACK); ELLA FITZGERALD - SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE; DUKE PEARSON - THE PHANTOM

KONRAD ELFERS - FUNERAL IN BERLIN (ORIGINAL FILM SOUNDTRACK)

One of the grooviest Michael Caine spy films of the 60s – given an equally groovy soundtrack by Konrad Elfers! We don't know Elfers from other work of the time, but this album's a real standout – not the usual spy sort of work, although still with some great jazzy touches at times – including some wonderful reed passages – which are then mixed with some of the more tense, thriller-style elements that are served up with larger orchestrations – but always given this odd, offbeat style that reflects the unusual feel of Caine's films as Harry Palmer in the 60s. Titles include "The Funeral", "Fate Of Two Pawns", "Skating Rendezvous At Europa Centre", "Palmer Meets Samantha", and "Checkpoint Charlie". New version features better mastering than the previous CD, new notes, and four bonus tracks too!  ~ Dusty Groove

ELLA FITZGERALD - SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE

Very cool, very groovy, and one of Ella Fitzgerald's hippest albums of the 60s! The set was recorded in San Francisco in the late 60s, but was issued by MPS in Germany as proof that the label always had an ear for bringing something different out of a mainstream artist. And although live, the album's got a romping, hard grooving style that's filled with plenty of soul – arranged surprisingly by Tommy Flanagan, with a bouncing, bottom-end groove that even gets a bit funky at times! The centerpiece of the album is Ella's funky cover of the title cut – Cream's big hit "Sunshine Of Your Love" – proof that even an old gal can get funky with the right material! Other tracks include "This Girl's In Love With You", "Watch What Happens", "House Is Not A Home", and "Hey Jude". ~ Dusty Groove

DUKE PEARSON - THE PHANTOM

Incredible work from pianist Duke Pearson – a darkly-tinged album of grooves that surpasses all his other gems for Blue Note! The record showcases some great work from Bobby Hutcherson – slid into the mix in a really sly way, so that his jazzy vibes color all the tunes with an edgey feeling that's missing from most of Duke's other albums. The group's slightly largeish – with Jerry Dodgion on flute and alto, Sam Brown and Al Gafa on guitar, plus added Latin percussion on a number of tracks – but although the larger group format often made for softer edges on other Pearson sessions from the time, the mix here is quite different – at a level that works in complicated rhythms, rich colors and tones, and warm harmonics that have a slightly unsettling undercurrent. The album's worth it alone for the mighty title cut "The Phantom" – but the whole thing's great, and other tracks include "Bunda Amerela", "Say You're Mine" and "Blues for Alvina". CD features a bonus track – Komeda's great "Theme From Rosemary's Baby"! (SHM-CD pressing!) ~ Dusty Groove


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