Thursday, October 06, 2016

NEW RELEASES: GEORGE CABLES – GEORGE CABLES SONGBOOK; PLUNKY & ONENESS – JUJU JAZZ FUNK; BOBBY HEBB – SUNNY

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


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