AKIRA - TANA - JAZZaNOVA
Akira Tana, an elite jazz drummer since the mid-1970s, has
been immersed in the verdant hothouse of Brazil’s surging rhythms and sensuous
melodies his entire career. His new album JAZZaNOVA, reflects an abiding
passion kindled by his formative experiences with some of Brazilian jazz’s
foundational figures. It’s a treasure trove of Brazilian riches, with
beautifully crafted arrangements designed to shine a lustrous new light on
classic material. Featuring a cast of top-shelf Bay Area players, JAZZaNOVA was
designed to showcase a superlative cast of singers and instrumentalists
interpreting some of the Brazilian Songbook’s definitive standards and lesser
known gems, with a couple of songs en Español included for good measure.
Saxophonist Branford Marsalis or Cuban-born trumpeter Arturo Sandoval contribute vivid solos on almost every track, providing incisive commentary for
the six extraordinary vocalists. Throughout the session, Tana renders the
various grooves with taste and an unerring ear for textural support. As
authoritative as he is behind the drum kit, he’s emerged in recent decades as a
savvy producer who can turn a concept into a singular musical communion. With
JAZZaNOVA, he’s staked a rightful claim to the Brazilian jazz
canon, joined by a redoubtable cast of collaborators.
NICOLE WILLIS & UMO JAZZ ORCHESTRA - HAUNTED BY THE DEVIL / (EVERYBODY) DO THE WATUSI
BODY HEAT
GANG BAND – BODY DISCO HEAT
"Body
Heat Disco", the debut album by Italian collective Body Heat Gang Band,
mixes together nu disco, boogie and funk with dance, house and electronic
music. Originally founded in Milan, Italy in 2013 as an independent label, Body
Heat is a multi-faceted, funk-fuelled dance project that developed into a club
night and a collective of artists, musicians and producers united under the
name Body Heat Gang Band. Masterminded by label boss, DJ and producer Rocoe,
the intent of Body Heat is to create new music for the dancefloor, bridging the
gap between funk, disco, boogie and the world of clubbing, house and electronic
dance music. Entirely self-produced, "Body Heat Disco" is the first
full album by Body Heat Gang Band, and brings together all the group's
influences in 10 tracks that give a nod in the direction of commercial pop but
with a firm foundation in the independent music scene. Synths, slap bass,
soaring horn lines and bubbling arrangements create a cohesive and exciting
collection of tunes aimed at the contemporary dancefloor but with a distinctly
retro vibe. With their debut album Body Heat Gang Band draw from the past to
step into the future, and you're invited along for the ride!
Willwork4funk
and Persephone Records proudly present new double-sider 45 "Haunted By The
Devil" / "(Everybody) Do The Watusi" by American soulstress
Nicole Willis together with UMO Jazz Orchestra. Nicole Willis' new double-sider
45 showcases two album favorites from recent full-length "My Name Is
Nicole Willis" together with renowned Finnish band UMO Jazz Orchestra.
This single is the first for Persephone Records in 7” format and will be a very
limited vinyl pressing."Haunted By The Devil" exhibits the many
influences of Ms Willis, touching on the challenges of establishing
individuality in a seemingly compromised world. "(Everybody) Do The
Watusi" is a song that was frequently performed live with The Soul
Investigators, but had never been recorded. It's a Northern Soul dance tune
that lends to heavy rotation.Both tracks are among those specifically written
by Nicole Willis, Jimi Tenor & guitarist Pete Toikkanen for the album,
which was produced by Ms. Willis.
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