Friday, September 01, 2017

NEW MUSIC: JOAO DONATO & DONATINHO - SINTETIZAMOR; JASON STEIN QUARTET – LUCILLE!; MISHA PANFILOV SOUND COMBO – EN ROUTE

JOAO DONATO & DONATINHO - SINTETIZAMOR

One of the most unusual projects we've ever heard from the legendary Joao Donato – not the bossa jazz of his roots, but instead a fresh new groove created with his son Donatinho! The music is heavy on keyboards, and definitely has the 80s vibe promised by the cover – with the younger member of the duo handling keyboards from that generation, and singing with a bit of electric crackle in his voice – while the older Donato brings in all his classic charms, and creates a great sense of counterpoint in the process! The whole thing's nicely funky – sweet 80s electro overall – but Joao's presence also gives the whole thing a lot more depth, and it's clear from their duo moments that the pair really have a lot of warmth in their hearts for each other. Titles include a remake of "Quem E Quem", plus "Luz Negra", "Clima De Paquera", "De Toda Maneira", "Lei Do Amor", "Interstellar", and "Vamos Sair A Francesca".  ~ Dusty Groove

JASON STEIN QUARTET – LUCILLE!

Brilliant modernism from Chicago reedman Jason Stein – a set that draws strong energy from the work of Lennie Tristano, but also instantly grabs us with a bold statement of Stein's own genius as well! The group features Stein on bass clarinet, and Keefe Jackson on contrabass clarinet and tenor – horns that are often presented in counterpoint, tangling around each other beautifully – but always in a way that inspires further flights of sound – ala Jimmy Giuffre on the thinner reeds. There's no piano in the group – just deft drums by Tom Rainey and bass by Josh Abrams – and the intersection of Stein and Jackson is breathtaking throughout! Titles include Tristano-era gems "Marshmallow", "April", and "Wow" – plus versions of "Dexterity" and "Little Rootie Tootie" – and Stein's own "I Know You Were", "Ryder's Uncle Dragon", and "Halls & Rooms".  ~ Dusty Groove

MISHA PANFILOV SOUND COMBO – EN ROUTE

An incredible record from one of the hippest funky talents around – an artist who can always match the rest of the deep funk scene for sharp-edged instrumentation – but also serve up so many other musical elements as well! Misha Panfilov has a way of blending core funky rhythms with lots of sonic surprises – at a level that maybe hasn't been done this well since the sound library generation – especially in the work of artists like Sven Libaek or Alan Hawkshaw! Misha himself plays guitars, organ, synth, bass, and handles lots of effects – and the album also has some might cool vibes, flute, alto, and tenor as well! Yet it's probably the "effects" that make the whole thing come together – weird spacey touches at some points, creating almost an otherworldly funk feel – yet one that never loses its soulful core. Titles include "Magnetism", "Follow The Clouds", "Reflections", "Get Well", "Bufo Bufo", and "Flaming". (Limited to 500 copies.)  ~ Dusty Groove

 

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