Friday, June 03, 2016

NEW MUSIC: NANCY WILSON - JUST FOR NOW / LUSH LIFE (BONUS TRACKS); RALPH MCDONALD – COUNTERPOINT; NATASHA WATTS – SECOND TIME AROUND

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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