Thursday, June 30, 2016

NEW MUSIC: AXWELL – BLACK SUMMERS’ RIGHT; THE RIPPINGTONS FEATURING RUSS FREEMAN – TRUE STORIES; JASPER HOIBY – FELLOW CREATURES

MAXWELL – BLACK SUMMERS’ RIGHT

It's taken us a bit longer than expected to get this second installment in Maxwell's Black Summers' Night series – but it's been well worth the wait, given the greater depth in the music! All that we love about Maxwell's previous records is alive and well here – but there's also kind of a sharper edge to the sound, too – these fuller bottom currents that almost seem to be adding a second sort of instrumental commentary, alongside the lyrical activity up top – all while the whole thing is wrapped together with that warm keyboard flow that first made Maxwell stand out so many years back! There's almost this double edge to the whole thing – rough with the smooth, or turmoil under peace – which gives the whole thing a lot more power than this sort of record from some of Maxwell's contemporaries. Score another win for the mighty one – on tracks that include "The Fall", "Lake By The Ocean", "Lost", "Gods", "Fingers Crossed", "Hostage", "1990x", and "All The Ways Love Can Feel". ~ Dusty Groove

THE RIPPINGTONS FEATURING RUSS FREEMAN – TRUE STORIES

True Stories is the 30th Anniversary release from The Rippingtons. Russ Freeman has been at the forefront of the contemporary jazz, smooth jazz, and instrumental pop music genres! They have sold over 3 Million albums to date. Every new Rippingtons album has Debuted in the Top 5 of the Billboard Jazz Chart including 4 Number 1 Debuts! With every album a new chapter has been written with their innovative songwriting, in studio production and inventive instrumentation. The Rippingtons throughout their storied history have featured an incredible array of talented musicians who have gone on to wonderful solo careers including Dave Koz, Kenny G, Paul Taylor, Kirk Whalum, and Omar Hakim. For True Stories, rejoining the Rippingtons for this milestone, is saxophonist Brandon Fields, who first performed with the band in 1986 in the pioneering breakthrough hit album, Moonlighting. My Promise features Special guest Jeffrey Osborne, who had a hit single with the Rippingtons in the mid nineties.

JASPER HOIBY – FELLOW CREATURES

Fellow Creatures is the new album from the prolific and formidable bassist, bandleader and composer Jasper Høiby. This vital new project combines a strong sense of groove, driving energy with atmospheric textures and contrapuntal rhythms. It is described by London Jazz as '..fusing the infectious grooves of a Phronesis rhythm section with the off-kilter hooks of Polar Bear'. This landmark album from Jasper Høiby builds on the meteoric rise and continuing critical success of his glowing international career as one of the most creative, innovative and powerful performers, composers and bandleaders of his generation in Europe. The band includes leading lights young and old(-er) of the UK jazz scene, with Mark Lockheart on tenor sax, Laura Jurd on trumpet, Will Barry on bass and Corrie Dick on drums. Primarily known for his ongoing work with Phronesis, the trio he formed in 2005, Jasper is also one third of Malija and has performed / recorded with a number of original artists including Mark Guiliana, Django Bates, Shai Maestro, Julian Joseph, Kurt Elling, Antonio Loureiro, Tom Arthurs, Mark Lockheart, Liam Noble, Julia Biel, Marius Neset, Kairos 4tet, Jim Hart and Ivo Neame. He has appeared at jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals across the world.


No comments:

Post a Comment