FREDDIE HUBBARD - BACKLASH
One of Freddie Hubbard's greatest records – a soaring bit of
soulful modernism that's almost a precursor to 70s sounds on record labels like
Black Jazz or Strata East! Freddie's at his early best here – stepping aside
from some of the more serious Blue Note modes, and definitely feeling himself
more strongly – reaching out with this righteous vibe that's quite different
than later electric work in the 60s – and which, quite honestly, almost comes
through best on this record than anywhere else! The group are wonderful too –
and James Spaulding turns in some killer flute and alto work for the date –
perfect for Freddie's lines on trumpet. Titles include "Backlash",
"The Return Of The Prodigal Son", "Little Sunflower", and
"On The Que Tee". (SHM-CD pressing!)
~ Dusty Groove
PHIL FRANCE – THE SWIMMER
Beautiful keyboard lines from Phil France – served up here
in a mode that's partly jazz, maybe partly more laidback – and often in the
kind of slow-building style we love on other records on the Gondwana label!
There's almost a meditative vibe to the music – somewhere in the Carlos
Nino/Miguel Atwood-Ferguson mode, but maybe more compact – as Phil's keyboards
are mixed with light use of violin and cello, plus some additional sound
elements as well – all in a way that makes us almost think that France would be
great at scoring soundtracks, although these instrumental tunes have a nicely
changed-up sense of complexity overall. Much deeper than just the usual "soundscape"
album you might mistake this one for – with tracks that include
"December", "Animator", "London Park Hotel",
"Kubrick", "Joy Of Brass", and "The Swimmer". ~ Dusty Groove
CHICO MANN / CAPTAIN PLANET – NIGHT VISIONS
One of the most tuneful albums we've ever heard from Chico
Mann – and a set that moves into much more song-based territory than some of
his earlier work! The style here is a unique hybrid of beats, breaks, and Latin
– almost in a mode that could crack a larger global market, if the right forces
were in place – with very catchy Spanish-language songs that are perfect for
the dancefloor! There's echoes of more mainstream modes in the approach, but
the overall presentation is as hip as you'd expect from Chico and Captain
Planet – on titles that include "Can't Let Go", "Somos
Candela", "Oye Bien", "Como Me Miras", "La
Oscuridad", "Cuentos De Anoche", and a remake of Manu Dibango's
"New Bell". ~ Dusty Groove
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