Thursday, May 04, 2017

NEW RELEASES: PATTI LABELLE – BEL HOMMAGE; JAMIE BRANCH – FLY OR DIE; EMANUELA CAMPANA - FORTISSIMO

PATTI LABELLE – BEL HOMMAGE

A great little jazz album from Patti Labelle – and that's right, we did say "jazz" and not soul – as the whole thing's got a wonderful old school style that really suits the singer's voice perfectly! There's a classic presentation to the record, but also one that's never trapped in cliched gimmicks – as the live jazz backing seems to unlock more spontaneity in Patti's vocals than we remember hearing in recent decades – as she takes each song and gives it a wonderful personal performance. The lady also mixes in some deeper bluesy currents to her phrasing, in a way you'd never expect from her 70s albums – and titles include "Jazz In You", "Moanin", "Moody's Mood", "Softly As I Leave You", "Peel Me A Grape", "I Can Cook", "Folks Who Live On The Hill", "Song For Old Lovers", and "Go To Hell".  ~ Dusty Groove

JAMIE BRANCH – FLY OR DIE

An incredible debut from trumpeter Jaimie Branch – an artist who seems ready to be one of the boldest new voices in jazz on the Chicago scene! Branch works here at a level that both lives up to an AACM legacy of experimentation, and the rich exploration in new jazz forms that we love from the International Anthem label – a short-lived imprint, but who who've really opened up a wider audiences for the best creative efforts from our home town! Branch's group here is great – with Tomeka Reid on cello, Jason Ajemian on bass, and Chad Taylor on drums – the last of whom brings his wonderfully loose, open, yet still-swinging style to play – and creates this magical flow that only seems to inspire Jaimie's bold trumpet work even more. The record is constantly creative, but deeply spiritual too – and also includes guest performances from Josh Berman on cornet and Matt Schneider on guitar. Titles include "Jump Off", "The Storm", "Waltzer", "Fly Or Die", "Leaves Of Glass", and "Meanwhile".  ~ Dusty Groove

EMANUELA CAMPANA - FORTISSIMO

A sweetly sultry singer – and one whose style will grab you nicely, even if you don't understand Italian! The style here is laidback and jazzy – with a warm glow that comes from some very well-crafted arrangements – sometimes with a bit of bossa in the rhythms, sometimes kind of a soulful 70s vibe – often very mellow, but in a way that lets the voice of Emanuela Campana really open up and glow! The set features a great remake of Morricone's classic "Metti Una Sera A Cena" – plus "D'Improvviso", "Cu'Mme", "Brividi", "El La Chiamano Estate (Papik disco rmx)", "All Around The World", and "La Voglia La Pazzia".  ~ Dusty Groove




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