Wednesday, June 15, 2016

NEW RELEASES: ZO! - SKYBREAK; MASS PRODUCTION - IN THE PUREST FORM / MASSTERPIECE; BARRY WHITE , LOVE UNLIMITED & THE LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA - TOGETHER BROTHERS

ZO! - SKYBREAK

We've been loving Zo's music for years, and he just seems to get better and better – easily one of the most important contemporary talents repping the Detroit scene, and a visionary soul artist who carries on the legacy of that city's most righteous sounds! Zo's keyboards are as wonderful as ever – and he's got some great singers along for the ride this time, to really open up the music with a deepened sense of soul – thanks to help from Carmen Rodgers, Phonte, Sy Smith, Eric Roberson, and others – all working together beautifully under Zo's direction! The unity of the record's a strong testament to the vision of its leader – and the whole thing's the kind of record that better make the world sit up and take notice. Titles include "Lake Erie", "Packing For Chicago", "Starlight", "For Pops", "Steal My Joy", "I Don't Mind", and "Wishing You Well".  ~ Dusty Groove

MASS PRODUCTION - IN THE PUREST FORM / MASSTERPIECE

2 classics from funk legends Mass Production – back to back in a 2CD set, with 11 bonus tracks too! First up is In The Purest Form – a set that has Mass Production stepping forward as one of the best soul acts in the Cotillion Records roster at the end of the 70s – and maybe one of the hippest modern funk ensembles of the time! These guys have a way of making things sound nice and lean, despite a larger lineup – with a very strong focus on bassline currents, which seem to draw all the other elements into their wake in a mighty nice way! Yet the album's also not a slap-bass affair – as the deeper sounds are used with a nicely understated vibe, and even come through nicely on the mellower numbers – which might be our favorites. Tracks include "Our Thought (Purity)", "With Pleasure", "Next Year","Love You", "Firecracker", and "Can't You See I'm Fired Up". Also includes the great cut "Strollin" – which is a jazzy instrumental with trumpet and vibes, really working together in a tightly jamming groove! Massterpiece features more sweet grooves from Mass Production – a great little set that goes way beyond the usual ensemble funk and boogie at the start of the 80s! The set begins with a slightly mellower, more laidback feel than some of the other records by large funk acts – and that really sets the scene for the rest of the album – keeping a more well-rounded feel to the record, even when things get back into the more uptempo styles the group is known for! There's still plenty of bass in the mix, but the keyboards sparkle equally well – and the record's got some great instrumental moments too. Titles include "Enkuf", "Angel", "Forever", "Shante", "Gonna Make You Love Me", "Your Love", and "Nature Lover". Bonus tracks include 12" single versions of "Love You", "Firecracker", "Can't You See I'm Fired Up", and "Eyeballin" – and 7" mixes of "Shante", "Firecracker", "Love You", and "Angel". ~ Dusty Groove


BARRY WHITE , LOVE UNLIMITED & THE LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA - TOGETHER BROTHERS 

A stunner of a soundtrack from the maestro Barry White – his only entry into the blacksploitation film genre of the 70s, and a complete doozy throughout! For the album, Barry's stripped down the bigger space of his own records, and his Love Unlimited productions – into some shorter tracks that really focus on that blend of funk and strings that he could do so well – making for a batch of killer instrumentals that really offer up a special Barry White take on the funky film sound of the 70s! Love Unlimited also sing on two tracks – "Somebody Is Gonna Off The Man" and "People Of Tomorrow Are The Children Of Today _- but most of the record is instrumental, played by the Orchestra – and tracks include "Killer's Lullaby", "So Nice To Hear", "Killer Don't Do It", "Can't Seem To Find Him", "Alive & Well", "Theme From Together Brothers", "Do Drop In", and "Here Comes The Man". (Limited edition!) ~ Dusty Groove


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