JEFF PARKER –
NEW BREED
The record
we've been waiting years for Jeff Parker to make – a fantastic funky set that
shows off a whole new side of his talents! Parker's guitar has been on plenty
of great albums over the past decade or two, but this set may well be one of
his greatest moments so far – a really unusual, really personal set that takes
his music to a whole new level – partly schooled by vintage funk, as you might
guess from the cover – but also partly set up in a spirited new direction that
propels Jeff farther forward than any other record! Parker plays guitar and a
range of keyboards – and the album almost has a laidback Shuggie Otis vibe at
points, but is a lot more complex overall – thanks to excellent rhythm work
from Paul Bryan on bass and Jamire Williams on drums – who ground the sound,
but can take off freely with Parker, too – as does Josh Johnson on alto, flute,
and some other keyboards too. The whole thing almost puts Jeff into Robert
Glasper territory – in its unique blend of jazz, funk, and soulful currents –
but very unique, a genre unto his own, really well-deserved after all these
years. The album's brilliant from start to finish, with cuts that include
"Executive Life", "Para Ha Tay", "Here Comes
Ezra", "Jrifted", "Visions", "How Fun Is It To
Year Whip", and "Get Dressed". ~ Dusty Groove
INCOGNITO –
IN SEARCH OF BETTER DAYS
Incognito
hardly need to go off in search of better days – as all the many years they've
given us music, the days have always been pretty darn great! Yet the title's
also a great reminder of the group's unflagging positive energy and optimism –
a quality that made them one of the key forces helping to reinvigorate soul
music at the start of the 90s, and still has them burning strong all these many
years later! The trademark blend of jazz, funk, and soul is perfect throughout
– led by the legendary Bluey, and featuring vocal contributions from top-shelf
singers who include Tony Momrelle, Maysa, Avery Sunshine, Vanessa Haynes, and
Imaani. The whole thing's great – we wouldn't expect anything less – and titles
include "Just Say Nothing", "Love Born In Flames",
"Echoes Of Utopia", "Racing Through The Bends",
"Love's Revival", "Selfishly", "All I Ever
Wanted", and "Better Days". ~ Dusty Groove
MARQUIS HILL
– THE WAY WE PLAY
Perhaps the
best to date from trumpeter Marquis Hill – still a young player, but he plays
with a depth of Chicago soul jazz history in his musical DNA, even as he brings
in profoundly modern touches! Marquis was splitting his time between Chicago
and NYC by the time The Way We Play was recorded, but he's really showing a
deep love for Chicago here, from the cover art to the choice of material, in
which he's invigorating classic numbers with fresh, youthful urgency. Core
players include Makaya McCraven on drums, Christian McBride on alto, Justin
"Justefan" Thomas on vibes and Joshua Ramos on bass – with guest
vocalists Christie Dashiell and Meagan McNeal, poet Harold Green III,
percussionist Jan Pastor and trombonist Vincent Gardner. Includes "The Way
We Play/Minority", "Moon Rays", "Polka Dots And
Moonbeams", a truly fresh, slowed down and moodier take on the Herbie
Hancock classic "Maiden Voyage" with some emotive wordless vocals,
"Fly Little Bird Fly", "Beep Durple", "Straight, No
Chaser", "My Foolish Heart" and "Smile". ~ Dusty
Groove
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