NANCY WILSON
- JUST FOR NOW / LUSH LIFE (BONUS TRACKS)
A pair of classics from Nancy Wilson – with bonus tracks too! On the album
Just For Now, Nancy Wilson sings just for now – but in that way that could make
any of her late 60s Capitol sessions a timeless classic – a record that has a
lot more staying power than you'd guess from the title! Wilson's a genius at
this point in her career – trained in jazz, with phrasing that's impeccable and
at a level that brings a whole new sophistication to the music – but also able
to open up with a groove, too, even on the gentler numbers – as open to soulful
60s currents in her music as Lou Rawls was with his – which is why both
artists' Capitol sides are so incomparable! Arrangements are great –
well-suited to Nancy's voice, and handled by Billy May, Oliver Nelson, and Sid
Feller with a strong current of jazz – on titles that include "If He
Walked Into My Life", "Rain Sometimes", "What Now My
Love", "That's Life", "Born Free", "I'll Make A
Man Of The Man", and "Just For Now". Lush Life is genius work
from Nancy Wilson – the kind of Capitol Records gem that was partly jazz,
partly soul, and very much in that special territory that made Wilson one of
the most mature, sophisticated singers of the 60s! The record's got Nancy
working through some material with bluer currents, sometimes in a mode that's
late night in the instrumentation – but never in the older style of torch
tunes. Instead, arrangers Billy May, Olver Nelson, and Sid Feller really keep
things groovy – matching the newer spirit that Wilson brings to her music –
which results in superb readings of songs throughout. Titles include some nice
lesser-known material – like "River Shallow", "Free Again",
"Only The Young", "The Right To Love", and "Over The
Weekend" – plus versions of "Lush Life", "Midnight
Sun", and "Sunny". CD features four bonus tracks – "I
Concentrate On You", "Don't Look Over Your Shoulder", "Do
You Know Why", and "But Only Sometimes" – and records are
presented in their original mono mixes! ~ Dusty Groove
RALPH
MCDONALD – COUNTERPOINT
Maybe one of
the most soul-based records ever from percussionist Ralph MacDonald – partly
because Ralph does a bit of singing, in addition to playing the heavy congas on
the cover! Yet the record's still got the core jazz vibe of his other sets from
the late 70s – served up with an all-star lineup that includes Grover Washington
Jr on soprano and tenor, David Sanborn on alto, Randy Brecker on trumpet,
Michael Brecker on tenor, Richard Tee on keyboards, and Eric Gale on guitar –
all musicians who help give the whole thing the warm funky fusion vibe of late
70s albums on labels like Kudo or Tappan Zee! Some of the best cuts slide into
a snapping 80s groove that opens up nicely with the instrumentation – and Ralph
only sings a bit, leaving plenty of room for solos from the players. Titles
include the great Latin-inflected groover "East Dry River" – plus
"You Are In Love", "I Need Someone", "Tell The
Truth", and "Always Something Missing". ~ Dusty Groove
NATASHA
WATTS – SECOND TIME AROUND
It may be
the second time around for Natasha Watts, but the record's no sophomore slump –
as there's a sense of solid, soulful energy that makes the whole thing soar
right from the very first note! Natasha's got Rob Hardt along, helping out with
the keyboards and beats – and the whole thing's got this lean crackle that
really befits the slightly cosmic look of Watts on the cover – although her
vocal approach is much more down to earth, and we mean that in the best way
possible! Omar joins in on the track "Insatiable" – and his presence
is almost a good way of illustrating the sound of the set – as Natasha's got a
similar blend of electric and organic as you'll find in Omar's recent records.
Titles include "Love Who You Are", "Waited For You",
"Let Go", "Lonely", "Hit The Spot", "Easy
Come Easy Go", "Everything", and "Breath". ~ Dusty
Groove
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