SKINNY HIGHTOWER - EMOTIONS
Skinny Hightower is a smooth jazz pianist who is known for
his keen ability to draw influences from other genres of music, claiming that
he doesn't listen to smooth jazz. Nonetheless, the result is a smooth, complex
blend somewhere in between R&B, jazz, and soul. Skinny started out playing
drums as a young child, later developing an ear for piano, bass and guitar. He
recorded his first song at nine years old and realized that he'd found a niche
in songwriting and recording. As years progressed, Skinny continued recording
smooth jazz and has since worked with numerous artists behind the scenes as a
producer.
WILSON PICKETT – WILSON PICKETT SINGS BOBBY WOMACK
Two of the hippest soul artists of the late 60s – coming
together here for an incredible collection of work! Bobby Womack would explode
into huge fame as a star in his own right at the end of the decade – but at the
time of these recordings, he was mostly getting play as a songwriter – and the
young Wilson Pickett was one of the strongest supporters of his work! The
tracks here were all recorded between 1966 and 1968 for Atlantic Records –
including many excellent Muscle Shoals recordings – and the style of Womack's
writing is a perfect blend with the deep soul vocals of the Wicked Pickett – at
a level that almost seems to provide a blueprint for the mode that Bobby would
use on his first few length albums. The lyrics are wonderful – full of
fantastic feeling, and arguably more mature than some of the contemporary soul
from the time – and it's wonderful to hear all the selections together in one
place, especially with detailed notes that really frame the whole project.
Titles include "It's A Groove", "Let's Get An
Understanding", "People Make The World What It Is", "Trust
Me", "Remember I Been Good To You", "I've Come A Long
Way", "Sit Down & Talk This Over", "Nothing You Can
Do", "I'm In Love", "I'm Sorry About That", "I
Found A True Love", "We've Got To Have Love", and "Jealous
Love" – and the CD also features two great bonus tracks – an early Bobby
Womack single from Atlantic in 1967 – with Bobby singing "Find Me
Somebody" and "How Does It Feel". ~ Dusty Groove
BRENTON WOOD – OOGUM BOOGUM
A classic by Brenton Wood – one that crossed over big, and
which was a real bright spot on the indie soul scene of the late 60s! Brenton's
sound is kind of a swinging LA one – a bit pop in parts, but all-soul on the
vocals, which are a bit sweet, but with a raspy edge that's always made
Brenton's singles standout with soul fans over the years. The album includes
Brenton's big singles "The Oogum Boogum Song" and "Gimme Little
Sign" – as well as the tracks "Birdman", "I Like The Way
You Love Me", "Best Thing I Ever Had", and "Take A
Chance". Oddly, though, the album also features a psychedelic soul cover
of "Psychotic Reaction" – the garage classic by Count Five, who were
also on the Double Shot label, and who nicely let Brenton cut their song! It's
real crazy – trust us! ~ Dusty Groove
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