Monday, October 30, 2017

NEW RELEASES: BOOTSY COLLINS – WORLD WIDE FUNK; WILLIE JONES III – MY POINT IS; JAMES BLOOD ULMER "THE THING" - BABY TALK

BOOTSY COLLINS – WORLD WIDE FUNK

Bootsy Collins has always been a very collaborative artist – from his early work in the James Brown Band, to his famous recordings with George Clinton, to his own albums – which often included most of the leading lights of the P-Funk universe! That collaborative spirit is alive and well here – as Bootsy opens the door to invite a huge host of guests from the worlds of funk, soul, and hip hop – all to augment his groove, and help his classic music find a way to live anew in the contemporary generation! Nearly every track here has at least one guest – most have many more – and the album features contributions from Musique Soulchild, Doug E Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten, Dru Down, Mc Eiht, Bernie Worrell, Chuck D, Buckheat, and many others – all of whom participate in the general party vibe of the set. Titles include "Pusherman", "Thera-P", "World Wide Funk", "Candy Coated Lover", "A Salute To Bernie", "Hi On Heels", "Snow Bunny", "Worth My Wile", and "Come Back Bootsy".  ~ Dusty Groove

WILLIE JONES III – MY POINT IS...

Over the years, the name of Willie Jones III has really become one that makes us want to stop and check out a record – and this time around, not only does the set feature Jones' name on the front – but the quintet also includes great performances from Ralph Moore on tenor, Eddie Henderson on trumpet, Eric Reed on piano, and Buster Williams on bass! With a lineup like that, Reed just can't miss – and the record takes us back to the kind of instant classics we were hearing from Henderson, Moore, and Reed twenty years back – but given that sort of special vision that makes Willie both a great drummer and leader, one who's evolving into a one-man powerhouse of jazz – given that he also produces and releases his records himself. And yet there's nothing smalltime about this set – especially with Henderson and Moore in the lead, the latter of whom is always a treat to our ears. Titles include "Manhattan Melodies", "My Point Is", "The Wind Of An Immortal Soul", "The Maze", "Blues For Dat Taz", and "Early Morning".  ~ Dusty Groove

JAMES BLOOD ULMER "THE THING" - BABY TALK: LIVE AT MOLDE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2015

Over the years, the mighty Thing trio has turned out to be a wonderfully collaborative group – and here they join forces with legendary guitarist James Blood Ulmer, who may well be serving up one of his best performances in years! The unbridled energy of the core group is well-known – drums from Paal Nilssen-Love, bass from Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, and baritone and tenor from Mats Gustafsson – who's pictured perfectly on the cover, caught in the moment of one of his joyous expressions! Ulmer's of an earlier generation than the musicians, but fits in well – and they, in turn, know when to back off a bit and allow his complicated flurries of tones to get just the right sort of space in the spotlight. Titles include "Baby Talk", "High Yellow", "Proof", and "Interview".  ~ Dusty Groove

 

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