CLARENCE
CARTER – THIS IS CLARENCE CARTER / THE DYNAMIC CLARENCE CARTER (BONUS TRACKS)
A pair of
classic albums from Clarence Carter – back to back on a single CD, with bonus
tracks too! First up is the album This Is Clarence Carter – a seminal debut
from the great Clarence Carter – proof that there was still a lot of genius to
be heard in southern soul at the time! The 60s were just about over when
Clarence appeared on the recording scene – and it seemed that most of the big
names in soul had already grabbed most of the thrones in the kingdom. Clarence
was a real comer, though – and his sweet style of southern soul was immediately
popular, filling a void promptly after the death of Otis Redding, and setting a
bit more fire than some of the other Atlantic male singers, who were waning a
bit at the time. Of course, it certainly helps that that lil' ol' genius Rick
Hall was behind Clarence's move – arranging and producing this album with some
of the strongest, least cliched Muscle Shoals backings of the time. Titles
include "Slip Away", "Funky Fever", "Thread The Needle",
"Do What You Gotta Do", "Looking For A Fox", and
"Slippin' Around". Next is Dynamic Clarence Carter – seminal southern
soul from the legendary Clarence Carter – one of his early killers for Atlantic
Records, all of which really stand out from most of his work to come in later
years! There's a raw, raspy brilliance here that's undeniable – the blind
singer stepping out with incredible confidence on a host of tunes that really
run the gamut – numbers of love and loss, mixed with a few more contemporary
pop tracks – but all given a unique Muscle Shoals twist that really transforms
them. Carter wins our heart from the start with his version of "I'd Rather
Go Blind" – then keeps on soaring through cuts that include "Think
About It", "Steal Away", "Look What I Got", "That
Old Time Feeling", "Let Me Comfort You", "Weekend
Love", "Light My Fire", and "Too Weak To Fight".
Includes 5 bonus tracks – "Take Me Use Me", "I'll Be Over After
A While", "She Ain't Gonna Do Right", "There Won't Be
Another Sunset", and "I'm Happy Go Lucky". ~ Dusty Groove
IRENE SCHWEIZER
/ HANS BENNINK – WELCOME BACK
Two amazing
musicians who somehow sound even better here as a pair than on their own – and
that's saying quite a lot, given the musical legacy of pianist Irene Schweizer
and drummer Han Bennink! Schweizer's always been one of our favorite
improvisers – as she's got an ability to freely create, and cascade these
technically amazing sounds on her instrument – but she always seems to hang
onto a sense of tonality, and maybe sometimes a slight sense of wit! All that
really seems to inspired Bennink, too – who works here at some of his most
musical modes, with these light, lively sounds coming from the drums he attacks
with all these really special sort of touches. The pairing is superb – maybe
one of our favorite records from either player in recent years – and titles
include "Firewood", "Apus Melba", "Bleu Fonce",
"Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland", "Trap 5", "Kit
4", "Welcome Back", and "I Surrender Dear". ~ Dusty
Groove
LES BAXTER –
AFRICAN JAZZ
One of the
coolest, grooviest records we've ever heard from the great Les Baxter – and a
real standout set, even amidst his other exotica albums for Capitol! This one
really delivers on the "jazz" promised in the title – thanks to
strong tenor solos from Plas Johnson, who plays in this bold, lusty style
that's right out front in the mix – over cool exotic rhythms that come through
with more force than some of the other Baxter albums from the time! There's
some nice vibes on the album, and plenty of percussion as well – and titles
include "Congo Train", "Walkin Watusi", "Ostrich
Hunt", "Balinese Bongos", and "Mombasa After Midnight".
Fantastic stuff, and recorded with beautiful sound! ~ Dusty Groove
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