NEW RELEASES: JARROD LAWSON – AT THE BBC; WARSAW AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA – WENDELU; CHANGE - TURN ON YOUR RADIO

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