JOHNNY
BRISTOL – MODERN SOUL CLASSICS 1974-1981
Johnny
Bristol first got his start at Motown – where both his songwriting skills and
studio talents graced an excellent range of singles and album tracks in the
late 60s – but as the 70s moved in, Bristol really became a strong singer on
his own – with a fantastic sound that we'd rank right up there with the best of
the period, even though Johnny never fully got his due! In a way, Bristol was a
bit like Lamont Dozier – another background talent who turned out an equally
fine range of records as a solo star – and like Dozier, Johnny always remained
his own man throughout his solo years – never giving into easy commercial
tricks, or overdone disco cliches. Instead, the man was pure class, all the way
through – with an especially strong ability to hit a mellow soul groove that's
maybe rivaled only by Leroy Hutson or a rare few others. This package collects
together all the best of those solo cuts, most of them sweet midtempo steppers
or warm mellow numbers – with titles that include "Lusty Lady",
"Go On & Dream", "Memories Don't Leave Like People Do",
"Have Yourself A Good Time", "She's So Amazing", "I'm
Waiting On Love", "Strangers In The Dark Corners", "Love No
Longer Has A Hold On Me", "Take Me Down", "Till I See You
Again", "I'm So Proud Of You", "Hold ON To Love",
"Do It To My Mind", and "Woman Woman". ~ Dusty Groove
KENNY
WELLINGTON – FREE SPIRIT
A fantastic
album from trumpeter Kenny Wellington – one that shows us that the 70s spirit
of artists like Roy Ayers and the Mizell Brothers is alive and well – as long
as you know where to look! The record's contemporary, but has a really classic
blend of jazz and soul – one that still allows plenty of space for Kenny's
soaring solo work, but also has a wonderful focus on sharp rhythms and a
righteous overall sound! The balance is no surprise – given that Kenny's got a
legacy that goes back to classic work in the groups Central Line, Light Of The
World, and Beggar & Co – but this album's way deeper and more powerful than
anything Wellington gave us back in the day – and features some especially nice
work on vocals, by a quartet that's headed up by Augie Johnson, who brings in a
vibe that's similar to his music with Side Effect and the LA Boppers. The whole
thing's wonderful – righter than most folks sound when they go for a groove
like this – and titles include "Heading Home", "Dreaming Of Futures
Bright", "Fat Cherry", "Kings For A Day Masters Of The
Night", "You Can Run", "E3 Symphony", and "Miles
2 Go". ~ Dusty Groove
BLACK BOMBAIM & PETER BROTZMANN
One of the
headiest Peter Brotzmann albums we've heard in years, thanks to the sound of
the Black Bombaim group from Portugal – who play with a guitar-heavy drive that
almost takes us back to Brotzmann's Last Exit recordings of the 80s! The group
play with a forward energy that takes off right from the start – heavy drums
and full-on fuzzy guitar, plus some deep electric bass as well – all of which
puts the reedman in a different setting than most of his recent projects, and
one that reminds us just how well-suited he can be for such an experience! Some
of the performances here really blow our minds all over again – with a tone
that's strong, and incredibly clear – sometimes even more focused than on some
of Brotzmann's other recent records, but still very free and sharp-edged
overall. The album was recorded live in the studio, with a very jamming vibe –
and the CD seems to have one more track than the vinyl LP. ~ Dusty Groove
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