FARNELL NEWTON – BACK TO EARTH
This might be the first date as a leader we've ever seen from trumpeter Farnell Newton – but it's already one that will have us looking out for more! Newton's got a tight, soulful sound on his horn – deft at times, but often more concerned with a longer, wider flow – which is balanced sonically by the trombone of Kyle Molitor – and given a nicely lyrical twist from the piano of Greg Goebel, a musician who may well be the second star of the set! We love Goebel's presence – which maybe reminds us of early Cedar Walton at times – and his warmly ringing tones are supported by work from Dylan Sundstrom on bass and Christopher Brown on drums. As with many of the best Posi-Tone label releases, much of the work here is original, and written by the leader – with titles that include "The Roots", "Transcendentals", "Crossing The Tracks", "Sons Of The Sun", "Gazillionaire", and "Road To The South". ~ Dusty Groove
BRAXTON COOK – SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
Braxton Cook is a singer, but he's often one who speaks
first with his alto sax – which he blows in this wonderfully sharp way – often
with cascading notes that set this beautiful mood for his tunes! The music is
mostly electric – filled with Fender Rhodes, bass, and guitar – so the acoustic
contributions from Cook really stand out in this great way, even though both
his singing and saxophone work seem imbued with an electric sensibility of
their own! Rhythms are quite fresh – maybe in a post-Robert Glasper style that
makes the whole thing as compelling as it is complex – very down to earth in
presentation, even though the record is bristling with new ideas. Titles
include "FJYD", "You're The One", "Until",
"I Can't", "Hymn For Trayvon", "Never Thought",
and "Pariah". ~ Dusty Groove
ENNANGA VISION – ENNANGA VISION
One of those records that definitely lives up to its cover –
as it's not only a great mish-mash of styles, it's also got some 80s instrumental
currents that might come as a surprise if you know other records on the
Soundway label! The work recasts older elements of Ugandan music with old
school keyboards and drum machines – all at a level that's almost in the
territory of some of the best post-punk global experiments – such as work on
the Crammed Discs label, and maybe some of the more creative groups from the
French and Belgian scenes of the time! The notes describe the music in somewhat
enigmatic terms – but there's a straightforward appeal that really makes the
whole thing great – a quality that's very unique, and very different – all with
a sensitive approach that never goes for easy sorts of gimmicks or tricks.
Titles include "All This Blue", "Abbanna Kange", "Kampala
Auto Chase", "Endongo Moogs", "Silimu",
"Jaja", "New Sunshine", "Essembi", "Killing
Ghosts", "Happy Birthday Wonder", and "Otim's War". ~ Dusty Groove
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