Tuesday, February 09, 2016

NEW RELEASES: CLARENCE CARTER – THIS IS CLARENCE CARTER / THE DYNAMIC CLARENCE CARTER; IRENE SCHWEIZER / HANS BENNINK – WELCOME BACK; LES BAXTER – AFRICAN JAZZ

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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