BEST OF FAR OUT 2017 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)
In the label’s 23rd year, release number 200 arrived in the
form of a ridiculously ahead of its time long lost album from 1976 by the
musical god Hermeto Pascoal. Mystical Brazilian psych-folk from the Quartin
catalogue was unearthed in the form of Piri’s Voces Querem Mate? Sabrina
Malheiros made a very welcome return with her first studio album in four years
and it was well worth the wait. São Paulo’s can-do-no-wrong 10-piece Nomade
Orquestra did no wrong with their earth-traversing second album EntreMundos.
And the dancier side of things saw scorching heat from some ultras of
underground music including Ron Trent, Dego and Ig Culture as well as newer
names on top of their game like Max Graef, Glenn Astro and Contours, who each
did Ivan Conti Mamao proud reworking a groove from the Azymuth drummer’s
forthcoming solo album. Here’s a selection of some of our Far Out highlights of
the year. Includes: Hermeto Pascoal - Danca Do Paje; Azymuth - Fenix (Ron Trent
Remix); Nomade Orquestra - Jardins de Zaira; Piri - Reza Brava; Philippe Baden
Powell – Chica; Sabrina Malheiros - Salve O Mar; Arthur Verocai - Bis (feat.
Azymuth); Ivan Conti - Azul (Max Graef Remix); Sabrina Malheiros - Clareia
(2000Black Remix); Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra - Vendetta (Al Kent Dub Mix);
Dokta Venom - I Owe U Something; and Ivan Conti - Mamao's Brake (IG Culture
Remix).
CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD FEATURING KEN KNOX – WORDS LEFT UNSAID
Wonderful contemporary work from the legendary Chairmen Of
The Board – not exactly the same version of the group that climbed the charts
at the start of the 70s, but one that definitely gets their spirit completely
right! The album's a recent recording, but it features plenty of vintage talent
on board – including the Philly songwriting team of the Steals Brothers, and
Detroit soul legend McKinley Jackson on production work – handling things with
an approach that really reminds us of the kind of group soul albums they cut
back in the day! Ken Knox is the lead here, with a very different style than
that of General Johnson – and in a way, the album's maybe thought of best as a
criss-cross between classic Philly group and Detroit modes, rather than just
another Chairmen Of The Board set. Titles include "Each Morning I Wake
Up", "Words Left Unsaid", "No One Else", "I'm
Ready Willing & Able", "Get Your Lovin", "All I Need Is
You Tonight", and "Get Your Lovin (DJ mix)". ~ Dusty Groove
SUGARAY WAYFORD – THE WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN
Sugaray Rayford looks like a vintage soul singer on the
cover, and he sounds like one too – here on an album that may well be the first
time he really found his groove! Previous Rayford efforts have been a bit more
blues-based, but the approach here goes strongly for a deep funk style – using
a tight backing combo, and sometimes a trio of female backup singers – all to
bring Sugaray's strong vocals into the territory of older southern soul! The
instrumentation's never too overdone – and respectfully always leaves the
tremendous vocals in the lead – on titles that include "Home Again",
"Don't Regret A Mile", "Take Me Back", "Keep
Moving", "What Do We Own", "The World That We Live
In", "Troubles", and "Ain't Got No Business To Die". ~
Dusty Groove
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