Elemental
genius from Eric Roberson – an artist who's already touched on Earth and Wind
with previous records, but who's really on fire with this sweet little set! As
with the others in the series, the album's an EP – but the 8 tracks here are
even deeper than most longer albums you'd get from any other artist – and
continue as proof that Roberson is easily one of the greatest soul singers of
the 21st Century – even though his genius comes without any help from anyone
else! By that, we mean that when the record companies turned their backs on
Eric two decades ago, he went on to make incredible soul records that were
better than anything else they were putting out – a legacy that's continued
well into the present, as Roberson just keeps on getting better and better as
both a singer and songwriter, and works here with a sense of presentation
that's simply stunning. Wonderful throughout – uplifting, positive, and
downright soulful – with tracks that include "Slave Owners",
"Tamir", "Everything", "Show That", "Love Is
All That Matters", "Leave The Door Open", and "More Than
Stars". ~ Dusty Groove
ANCESTRAL
ALLIANCES – IN THE TRADITION
Fantastic
sounds from this ultra-hip Detroit ensemble – a contemporary group, but one
whose musical message takes us back to the sounds of older acts like Fertile
Ground or Oneness Of Juju! As with both of those groups, the style here mixes
jazz with a wider sense of message and purpose – music that soars out to the
skies with pride and positive energy, while also offering a deeper, more
introspective conception of its role and power in culture. Tracks are
instrumental and vocal – and the double-length album has nary a slow moment at
all – as the group burst forth in a warm array of percussion and horns –
sometimes a bit funky, always quite spiritual throughout. Olujimi Tafataona arranged,
produced, and provided creative vision – and titles include his own "We
Cry Freedom", "Stephen", "Brother Chokwe Lumumba",
"War Is Here", "Assata", and "Fantasy For Violin &
Four Winds" – plus versions of Lee Morgan's "Caramba", Jimmy
Heath's "Gemini", John Coltrane's "The Sleeper", Wayne
Shorter's "Footprints", and the Kool & The Gang classic
"Chocolate Buttermilk". ~ Dusty Groove
IKEBE
SHAKEDOWN – WAY HOME
A fantastic
album from this increasingly hip combo – a group who were already pretty darn
funky at their start, but who've just kept on moving into really amazing
territory over the years! The sound here is maybe the equivalent of the depth
and shifts that El Michels brought to the deep funk underground – a new fusion
of elements, and a way of playing the sonic field that helps the group divorce
their style from its roots, and make it very much their own sound in the
process! Sure, there's elements of 70s styles – Afro Funk, funky jazz, and
instrumental soul – but the overall presentation is inflected with all these
really unusual sounds and colors, and cool currents of darkness that show an
increasing understanding of the sonic possibilities of familiar
instrumentation. Don't worry, things are still plenty funky throughout, but
also very individual too – on titles that include "She's Knocking",
"Assassin", "Brushfire", "Penny The Switch",
"Blue Giant", "Supermoon", "Shifting Sands", and
"Where The Day Breaks". ~ Dusty Groove
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