GEORGE CABLES – GEORGE CABLES SONGBOOK
George Cables looks incredibly young on the cover of this
album – and his music sounds quite young, too – as if we've just discovered the
pianist as a new player, with a sense of surprise that wins us all over again!
The core trio on the record is great enough – with Essiet Essiet on bass and
Victor Lewis on drums – a combo that help Cables hit this wonderful flow on
part of the set – but then things really open up once other artists join in –
including Craig Handy, who blows tenor or flute on four tracks – and the
fantastic singer Sarah Elizabeth Charles, whose performances on six of the
album's tracks almost remind us of the magic that Carmen Lundy brought to music
with her brother Curtis! Charles is a fantastic singer, and her work on
George's tunes here just brings in a whole new dimension to his music – the
kind of collaborative association that makes jazz such a wonderful art form in
the first place. Titles include "The Dark The Light", "Traveling
Lady", "Baby Steps", "Think On Me", "Face The
Consequences", "The Mystery Of Monifa Brown", and "For
Honey Lulu". ~ Dusty Groove
PLUNKY & ONENESS – JUJU JAZZ FUNK
One of the best records we've heard from reedman Plunky in
years – a set that really takes us back to the late 70s groove of his Oneness
Of Juju ensemble! As with that period for the group, the style here is a hybrid
of jazz, funk, and soul – with occasional touches of some of the deeper
percussion they brought to their earliest spiritual jazz material, but with a
much more soul-based delivery overall! Plunky sings and plays saxophone – and
the group's also got some strong vocals from two female singers, too – who
really open up the more righteous currents in the lyrics. The sound is
definitely contemporary, but the approach is strongly rooted in the long legacy
of Plunky's music – and titles include "Nu Juju Drum Song", "One
Love One Us", "Seize The Time", "Move Forward",
"Wisdom Peace & Love", "Afro Future Dialogues", and a
great remake of "Plastic Is Easy To See Through". ~ Dusty Groove
BOBBY HEBB – SUNNY
Sublime pop soul genius from Bobby Hebb – a standout record
that really made his career, and a dusty nugget we never tire of hearing! Bobby
was really unique at the time – singing a mixture of soul and pop that kept
things real while still crossing over big – earning him an equal audience on
both sides of the charts. Part of the credit for the album goes to producer
Jerry Ross and arranger Joe Renzetti – who work here in a careful, almost
gentle approach to pop – one that's never overblown, and which really lets
Bobby's vocals step out front on the title hit "Sunny", plus other
tunes that include "Crazy Baby", "I Am Your Man",
"Where Are You", "Yes Or No Or Maybe Not", and "Love
Love Love". (Heavy vinyl 50th anniversary pressing – with bonus booklet
too!) ~ Dusty Groove
No comments:
Post a Comment