Monday, June 01, 2015

NEW RELEASES: SIMPLY RED - BIG LOVE; CHARENEE WADE - OFFERING; TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON - THE ACT YEARS

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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