MILES DONAHUE – THE BUG
A prominent jazz critic called versatile horn savant Miles
Donahue “a jazz treasure and a best-kept secret, equally adept on trumpet and
saxophones and a composer of grace and originality.” Once you hear Donahue’s work, you won’t
disagree with that assessment. He is a
world-class player, and an adept arranger, author and educator. His new album, curiously titled The Bug, is
an eclectic, glorious celebration of different jazz vernacular, from
meticulously arrange funky fusion complete with searing electric guitar, to
more traditional, but still exciting jazz settings, from Weather Report to
Miles to Mingus and Monk. Through each track, Donahue leads the way with different
instrumentation, lending the album a nice variety, and a full spectrum of
harmonic sophistication, melody and intimate expression. He is a masterful musician and the genuine
article. While intermittency may have
prevented him from finding his way into your ears up until now, jazz fans far
and wide can and should now rejoice the re-emergence of a classic talent.
S-TONE INC FEATURING TOCO - SUPERBACABA
A great pairing of Schema Records talents here – as the
grooves of S-Tone are topped with vocals from Toco – who brings a nice bit of
his own Brazilian vibe to the music! "Superbacana" is featured here
in both standard and dub versions – both with Toco vocals, and both with this
snapping funky style that mixes Fender Rhodes with beats and live percussion!
"Zona Norte" has almost an early 80s Brazilian boogie vibe – with
some wonderful riffing guitar – and "Zuzu" is a bit more upbeat, but
pretty great too – plenty funky, and with a guest appearance from 4 Mare! ~ Dusty Groove
JAMES L’ESTRAUNGE ORCHESTRA – CLOSER / GROOVIN’ YOU
"Closer" is a fantastic groove – wickedly jazzy,
and filled with lots of Fender Rhodes and strings – soaring to the skies on a
slightly broken rhythm that almost recalls the best London work of a decade
before! Yet there's also a stronger soul vibe here too – thanks to the vocals
from Ricky Reid, who really seems to be emerging as a major talent in the more
righteous side of the spectrum! "Groovin You" is equally jazzy – with
a fantastic bassline that bumps and dips over snapping snare drums – topped
with some strong solos on tenor, flute, and trumpet! A beautiful track – like
some lost jazz dance number from the 70s, but with a more modern sense of
rhythm. (Limited to 200 copies!) ~ Dusty Groove
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