SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS – THE PLANET SESSIONS
An incredible lost moment in the career of Screamin Jay
Hawkins – material that was recorded in London in the mid 60s, and with a very
different flavor than most of Hawkins' other material! There's a mod jazz
approach to this set that's totally great – as Jay's raw vocals come into play
with a sweet-grooving Hammond, in a combo that also features some sharp work on
guitar, and some strong sax solos too! The upbeat, jazzy vibe is totally great
– and gives Screamin Jay a whole new focus for his vocals – and for his
songwriting, too – as most of the material here is original. And while Hawkins
is always best remembered for his spooky, gimmicky cuts, this material is
equally great in a totally different way – and, if it were pursued further,
might have given the man a whole new direction in his career. Make no mistake, there's
still plenty here to love if you're a longtime fan of Screamin Jay Hawkins –
but you'll also really appreciate the mod grooves in the set as well! Titles
include "I Wanna Know", "In My Dream", "Change Your
Ways", "Serving Time", "Please Forgive Me", "Move
Me", "My Marion", and "All Night". Plus, CD features a
whopping 12 bonus tracks – a few alternate takes, and other versions of album
songs – plus the titles "I'm Lonely" and "Stone Crazy". ~ Dusty Groove
CARMEN LUNDY – CODE NOIR
Fantastic work from Carmen Lundy – one of our favorite jazz
singers of all time, and an artist who keeps on giving us her best as the years
go on! This album's definitely some of Carmen's best – as it features the
singer working with a wonderful group that includes Jeff Parker on guitar,
Patrice Rushen on piano, Ben Williams on bass, and Kendrick Scott on drums – a
tight core combo who really find a way to push Lundy's energy even more than
usual – while Carmen herself handles other keyboards with her vocals, and
serves especially righteous material! There's a bit more politics here than on
previous records – perfect for the spirit of the moment – but Carmen also mixes
a lot of warmth and love into her music as well. Titles include "Black
& Blues", "Afterglow", "Whatever It Takes",
"I Keep Falling", "The Island The Sea & You",
"Have A Little Faith", and "Another Chance". ~ Dusty Groove
RALPH TOWNER – MY FOOLISH HEART
The guitar of Ralph Towner has been an important part of the
ECM sound since the label's first decade – and here, after so many years later,
it still comes across with a brilliance that few players can match! Towner
plays both classical and 12 string guitars here – in that spacious, open style
that made him a huge influence on younger musicians back in the 80s – and which
still has a power that none of his acolytes can match – an acoustic sensitivity
that's immediately explosive with color, but always in an understated way –
always more powerful here in a solo setting, than if any other musician were on
board. Titles include "Clarion Call", "Ubi Sunt",
"Blue As In Bley", "Rewind", "My Foolish Heart",
"Dolomiti Dance", and "Saunter". ~ Dusty Groove
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