NEW RELEASES: FARNELL NEWTON – BACK TO EARTH; BRAXTON COOK – SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN; ENNANGA VISION – ENNANGA VISION

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