SIMPLY RED - BIG LOVE
Simply Red release their first new studio album in eight
years with Big Love out June 1st on East West Records. When the band announced
a massive world tour to celebrate their 30th anniversary last autumn, main man
Mick Hucknall started thinking about recording again. “Once I began wondering
how Simply Red were going to sound, I started writing songs,” says Mick. And
once he started, he couldn’t stop. Big Love is the first Simply Red album to
feature only original compositions since 1995’s ‘Life’. All twelve tracks are
written by Mick Hucknall and produced by Andy Wright. Highlights include the
celebratory first single ‘Shine On’ driven by their trademark blue-eyed soul
sound and ‘The Ghost Of Love’, a big soul song punctuated by wah-wah guitar and
the kind of bold orchestral strokes that once powered Barry White and his Love
Unlimited. The break has done Mick Hucknall a power of good, newly refreshed he
now has a much clearer appreciation of Simply Red’s considerable legacy. He
admits that the band’s last studio album in 2007, ‘Stay’, was an attempt to
pull away from their sound. “With ‘Stay’ I was running away from Simply Red,”
Mick admits. “But now I’m comfortable with the notion of us as a blue-eyed soul
group. I had to stop myself fighting that idea. Our sound is original too. I
honestly don’t know of another band that has pulled so many musical strands
together.” Quite simply, Big Love is Simply Red at their best, 12 tracks to
cherish. With a 16 date UK tour this winter, including 3 shows at London’s 02
Arena, Simply Red are once again a band in their prime. Simply Red are: Mick
Hucknall (vocals), Ian Kirkham (sax), Steve Lewinson (bass), Kenji Suuki
(guitar), Kevin Robinson (trumpet and flute), Dave Clayton (keyboards) and new
drummer Ronnie Roth. ~ Amazon
CHARENEE WADE - OFFERING
“Gil makes you think about what you can do as an artist,”
comments Motéma recording artist Charenee Wade. “Most artists today don’t use
their platform to shift consciousness like Gil and artists of his day used to
do. He inspires me to do my own thing, to not be afraid to say what I want to
say.” In tribute to the late artist, Wade dropped her version of GSH’s classic
“Ain’t No Such Thing As Superman” from her upcoming Offering: The Music of Gil
Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson LP. Wade’s forthcoming Motéma release will be
dropping on June 23rd and will feature a host of luminaries including Christian
McBride, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Lakecia Benjamin, Stefon Harris, Marcus Miller,
and many more. Scroll down to listen to “Ain’t No Such Thing as Superman.” Stay
tuned for more on Charenee Wade and Offering. -DanMichael, Revive-Music.com
TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON - THE ACT YEARS
Terri Lyne Carrington is one of the world s most-sought
after drummers and one of jazz s leading female media figures. Her recording
and touring with Herbie Hancock and Dianne Reeves have elicited rave reviews
internationally. In addition to her recording and international performing, she
is renowned for her role as a producer and jazz educator. She has won Grammy
Awards both for Best Jazz Vocal Album (2011) and Best Jazz Instrumental Album
(2013). This compilation includes tracks from Carrington's two ACT albums as a
leader, and from Nguyen Le's Jimi Hendrix tribute album Purple, on which she played
in Le's quartet. Musicians featuring on the repertoire include Wallace Roney,
Greg Osby, Meshell Ndegeocello, Terence Blanchard, Herbie Hancock, Gary Thomas,
Kevin Eubanks and many more. ~ Amazon
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