Wednesday, October 12, 2016

NEW RELEASES: RAMSEY LEWIS - HOT DAWGIT THE ANTHOLOGY: THE COLUMBIA YEARS; GREGORY PORTER – LIVE IN BERLIN; JORDAN YOUNG – JAZZ JUKEBOX

RAMSEY LEWIS - HOT DAWGIT THE ANTHOLOGY: THE COLUMBIA YEARS

Fantastic sounds from Ramsey Lewis – killer work from a time when the legendary pianist was electrifying his sound – and transforming the worlds of jazz, funk, and soul in the process! By the time of these sides, Ramsey already had more than a decade of incredible Chess Records material under his belt – soul jazz piano numbers that really rocked the 60s – but here, Lewis is often moving between acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, and other keyboards – really opening up his groove at a level that not only shows a strong relationship with Maurice White and Earth Wind & Fire, but which also moves into a love of Brazilian music, spacey funk, and lots lots more. The 2CD set is the best we've ever seen to focus on this period – and features 37 tracks that not only include some key Rhodes classics, but also open up into some important collaborations, unusual instrumental settings, and even some equally great acoustic numbers that show that Ramsey never lost his roots, even while expanding his sound. Titles include "Don't It Feel Good", "Brazilica", "Hot Dawgit", "What It Is", "Slipping Into Darkness", "Eternal Peace", "Lakeshore Cowboy", "Kufanya Mapenzi", "All The Way Live", "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In", "Whisper Zone", "Come Back Jack", "Slow Dancin", "7-11", "Eye On You", "My Love Will Lead You Home", and "Sassy Stew" – plus duets with Nancy Wilson on "Midnight Rendezvous" and "The Two Of Us". ~ Dusty Groove

GREGORY PORTER - LIVE IN BERLIN

Filmed in the round at the Philharmonie Berlin on the 18th May 2016, with minimal staging and simple lighting, it captures Gregory Porter and his band performing tracks from across his recording career. There’s also a bonus feature interview with Gregory Porter and the members of his band about their background, influences and the way they work together as a group. ‘Gregory Porter: Live in Berlin’ is released November 18th 2016 on DVD and Blu-ray. Tracklisting: Holding On; On My Way To Harlem / What’s Going On; Take Me To The Alley; Don’t Lose Your Steam; Hey Laura; Liquid Spirit; Consequence Of Love; Bass Solo / Papa Was A Rolling Stone; Musical Genocide; Don t Be A Fool; Work Song / Drum Solo; In Fashion; Be Good (Lion s Song);1960 What?; Water Under Bridges; and Free / Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).

JORDAN YOUNG – JAZZ JUKEBOX

Drummer Jordan Young has a great quartet here – one that features Brian Charette on Hammond, who shapes the sound as much as Jordan's drums! In fact, the organ's so up front in the lead, the record might almost come across as being under Charette's leadership – but, like the time when drummer Joe Dukes was the leader for organist Jack McDuff, we can also hear Young's influence on the whole thing too – that tight snap and crackle that brings a strong focus to the tunes, along with the guitar of Matt Chertkoff and tenor of Nick Hempton. Hempton gets in plenty of great solos too – and titles include the originals "Giant Deconstruction" and "Sao Paulo Nights" – plus versions of "Paris Eyes", "ESP", "I'm Only Sleeping", "Son Of Ice Bag", and "Time In A Bottle" – plus a wonderfully groovy take on the "Love Boat" theme! ~ Dusty Groove


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