JARROD
LAWSON – AT THE BBC
A
stunner of a set from Jarrod Lawson – easily one of our favorite soul vocalists
in recent years, working here in a format that's maybe even more powerful than
his excellent debut! The record has Lawson in the studios of the BBC – working
through material done for a special Gilles Peterson show, with Jarrod himself
on piano, playing as he sings in this magnificent mode that takes us back to
Donny Hathaway or DJ Rogers – with Lawson soaring vocally on these beautiful
long songs! The piano is wonderful too – a really surprising element that
didn't stand out as strongly on Jarrod's debut – and the other instrumentation
is only trumpet and guitar, which continues the unique flavor of the whole
record – and underscores that slightly jazzy quality that appears at times.
We've loved Jarrod right from the start – but with this set he really hits
legendary status – on four songs that include the originals "Soul
Symphony" and "Everything I Need" – plus versions of Bilal's
"When Will You Call" and Anthony Hamilton's "Point Of It
All". (Not on CD – and limited to 1000 copies!) ~ Dusty Groove
WARSAW
AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA – WENDELU
Warsaw
may seem like an unlikely place for Afro Funk to grow – but given the work of
this excellent combo, we're guessing we may well be hearing more from the scene
in years to come! The group's got a richer, more sophisticated vibe than some
of the other Fela-inspired groups on the scene these days – especially complex
in their vocal approach, which features a trio of singers who come together in
this really righteous, majestic way – not just aping older ideals and politics,
but finding a new vibe of their own that really makes the record stand out. And
the horns – tenor and trumpet – often have these lines that are a bit more
jazzy, and a bit more complicated than usual – not just horn blasts, but really
thoughtful musical expression that really enriches the groove! Titles include
"Usurpation", "No Such Thing", "Empty Words",
"Stop", "Signs", "Which Direction", and
"Your Way". (Includes download!) ~ Dusty Groove
CHANGE
– TURN ON YOUR RADIO (INCLUDES BONUS TRACKS)
A
great later album from Change – not nearly as well-known as their first few
hits, but still in that all-solid approach to the groove that was the Change
trademark during the early 80s! The sound is a bit more stripped down than
before – tight beats and keyboards, mostly in a mellow to midtempo mode – all
topped with vocals from male and female members of the group! Change still have
a great way with a hook here – an approach to soul that's tight and
professional, yet not nearly as cloying as some of the chart-climbing acts of
their generation. And as before, the keyboards are almost as great as the
vocals – with slight jazzy inflections that warm up the tunes nicely! Titles
include "Turn On Your Radio", "Examination", "Let's Go
Together", "Oh What A Feeling", "Mutual Attraction",
"If You Want My Love", and "Love The Way You Love Me". CD
features 7 bonus tracks too – including "Let's Go Together (12" Paul
Hardcastle rmx)", "Mutual Attraction (12" Nick Martinelli
rmx)", "Oh What A Feeling (12" Paul Hardcastle rmx)",
"Let's Go Together (single)", "Mutual Attraction (single)",
"Turn On Your Radio (single)", and "Mutual Attraction
(inst)". ~ Dusty Groove
1 comment:
Hi,
Does anyone know which between the BBR and Blue Bird/Funkytown Grooves remaster of Change 'Turn on Your Radio' is better? I've read quite disparaging comments about the BBR release. I'm only really bothered about album tracks rather than the bonus tunes...
Any help would be much appreciated!
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