LEE FIELDS & THE EXPRESSIONS – SPECIAL NIGHT
A really fantastic album from the legendary Lee Fields – a
set that blows us away every bit as much as his stellar My World album! Like
that set, this one's got kind of a moody early 70s vibe – almost a New Jersey
soul approach at times, but tinged with more southern modes – mixed with bits
of Lee's more familiar funk at others – but often with this moody, almost
mellow vibe that's such a fresh take on the territory that Fields has been
exploring for years! Lee's lost none of the deep soul elements in his vocals,
but there's a shift in arranging styles that's really great – and superbly
delivered by the Expressions – a subtle darkness that shows why Fields is
really one of the true greats out there in the contemporary funk underground –
a true soul singer who's never content to just rest on the laurels of previous
success. Titles include "Let Him In", "Lover Man",
"Make This World", "How I Like It", "Special
Night", "I'm Coming Home", and "Where Is The Love". ~
Dusty Groove
CHARLIE HADEN & LIBERATION MUSIC ORCHESTRA – TIME/LIFE
The last Liberation Music Orchestra effort from the great
Charlie Haden – offered up here in a set that brings together two live
performances from a time when he was still on the planet, plus three more songs
by the group on their own – working under the guidance of longtime musical
partner Carla Bley! The set begins with a beautiful reworking of Miles Davis'
"Blue In Green" – redone here by Haden and the group as a masterpiece
of color and tone – and the record closes with a version of Haden's "Song
For The Whales", both recorded with Charlie and the group in 2011. In
between are three more new performances, post-Haden – the beautiful titles
"Time Life/Silent Spring", and "Utviklingssang" – all of
which really live up to that long legacy of amazing colors and tones that the
group did so well. The two different slices of music come together beautifully,
and make for a surprisingly unified set in the end. ~ Dusty Groove
REINER WITZEL & DATFUNK – STEPPIN’ UP
A great mix of jazzy, soulful and funky grooves from
Germany! Reiner Witzel plays sax and flute with Datfunk, a solid group who
seamlessly blends the above mentioned styles into a unique sound that's some
both relaxed and exciting – never too smoothed out, but rarely venturing into
raw funk, either. Nice stuff on the always reliable Unique label! The tracklist
has a few great Witzel originals, which fit perfectly with distinctive takes on
diverse tunes by Jackie Mittoo, Nat Adderley, Kenny Barron and others. Titles
"Get Up And Get It", "Awakening", "Circus Of
Deseaster", "Athens After Midnight" , "Lato",
"Hummin'", "Hot Tamale", "Sunshower" and
"Athens After Midnight Part 2". ~ Dusty Groove
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