VERBAL KENT – ANESTHESIA
Rugged independent hip hop from underground Chicago
classicist MC Verbal Kent – a master of clearly focused rhymes and spat with
dexterous skill, be it straight forward storytelling or verbal acrobatics! VK
is in as fine of form as we've ever heard him, backed by his most impressive
roster of guest voices and producers, including Oh No, Marco Polo, Freddie
Gibbs, Kaz 1, Torae, Apollo Brown and more. Tough, brilliant work from
underrated voice. Includes "September", "Suit Case Switch"
feat Freddie Gibbs, "Notes", "Add Anesthesia", "Is
This My Life", "Cyclops Muscle" feat Torae, "Save
Face" feat Red Pill, "Are You Ready" and more. ~ Dusty Groove
JOE MAGNARELLI – THREE ON TWO
A killer from trumpeter Joe Magnarelli – an artist we've
already begun to appreciate a lot for his recent work on the Posi-tone label –
but a player who really wins us over with this sweet little set! The record
sparkles right from the start with contributions from key labelmates – the
mighty Brian Charette on Hammond, Mike DiRubbo on alto, and the great Steve
Davis on trombone – all players who leap into the fray with Magnarelli right
from the start, and come up with these lines that are sophisticated, but always
swinging too – stunningly soulful at all the best moments, with a nice sort of
sparkle,b ut no too-commercial polish. Solos are great, and Magnarelli writing
is very nice on the album's original tracks – and titles include
"Easy", "26 2", "Central Park West",
"Paris", "Outlet Pass", "Clockwise", and "My
Reverie". ~ Dusty Groove
CECILIA STALIN / KHARI CABRAL SIMMONS – THE STORY OF LOVE
We've always loved vocalist Cecilia Stalin, no matter what
the setting – but here, she might be in the best company ever – working with
jazzy backings from Khari Cabral Simmons and other members of the Atlanta scene
– on a record that's drenched in soul from the very first note! Stalin hails
from London, was born in Sweden, and worked with Koop and other overseas acts –
but she's also got this strongly soulful quality that's always made her a
favorite with American listeners too – and here, working with Khari, she's
almost returning the favor by giving a special sort of Atlanta spin to her
music! The music's based on strong basslines from Simmons, and features lots of
warm keyboards – and all the rhythms are live, with a spontaneous jazzy
undercurrent that works perfect with Cecilia's lovely vocals. Our only
complaint might be that we would have loved a full record from the duo – but
the four songs here offer maybe more than most other full LPs. Titles include a
great reworking of Jon Lucien's "Sunny Day", plus "He Loves
You", "The Story Of Love", and "Norwegian Wood". ~ Dusty Groove
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