Saxophonist
Azar Lawrence has been having a hell of a renaissance in recent years – and a
record like this only helps move that process forward – providing a mighty
large feather in Azar's ever-growing cap! The album's a great one from start to
finish – a evolution of the spiritual vibe that Lawrence had in the 70s, with
maybe some slight Latin currents in the rhythms – all rolling along with this
vibe that's soaring and freewheeling, but never too far outside – just boldly
stepping into the cosmos, amidst some great new tunes by Lawrence himself, and
a few more by pianist Benito Gonzales – whose work here is a key part of the
album's sound! The group also features Jeff Littleton on bass, Munyungo Jackson
on percussion, and Marvin Smitty Smith on some tremendous drums – on titles
that include "African Chant", "La Bossa", "Eye Of The
Needle", "Brazilian Girls", "Koko", "Sing To The
World", and "Solar Winds". ~ Dusty Groove.
A pair of
70s soul classics from arranger Gene Page – back to back on a single CD! First
up is Hot City – an excellent album of Barry White-styled instrumentals – put
together by Barry's right hand man Gene Page, and produced by Barry himself!
The record's one of the best that Gene Page ever cut – apart from his seminal
blacksploitation soundtracks – and it's very much in the mode of White's Love
Unlimited Orchestra albums from the same time, although perhaps with less of a
string section – and more of an emphasis on funky drums at the bottom. Players
are an all-star cast of LA studio groovers that includes David T Walker and Ray
Parker on guitar, Ernie Watts and Wilton Felder on saxes, and Clarence McDonald
on keyboards – and tracks are mostly originals by Page and White. Titles
include "Jungle Eyes", "She's My Main Squeeze", "I Am
Living In A World Of Gloom", "Satin Soul", and "To The
Bone". Lovelock features Gene Page at the height of his 70s powers – using
all the talents he forged as a background artist for other soul talents, and
all the majesty he added to his soundtrack work – all focused nicely into a
sweet set of warmly soulful grooves! The style's a bit clubby, but also has
some wider depth too – maybe an undercurrent of fusion that comes from players
like Lee Ritenour and David T Walker on guitar, Joe Sample and Sonny Burke on
keyboards, and Oscar Brasher on trumpet – who find a way to work wonderfully
alongside the albums vocals from singers Merry Clayton, Edna Wright, and Jim
Gilstrap – all with a style that's not unlike some of the best Quincy Jones
material of the time! As with Quincy, there's a sense of care and confidence
that really holds the album together – on titles that include "Higher My
Love", "Organ Grinder", "Into My Thing", "Wild
Cherry", "Fantasy Woman", "Straw In the Wind", and
"Together Whatever". ~ Dusty Groove
The language of saxophonist Nat Birchall has always been pretty cosmic – but this time around, he seems to be reaching out even more – working on these long-spun tracks with a really unique quartet! The group features sublime work on harmonium from Adam Fairhall – an instrument that we don't normally associate with jazz, but which works perfectly in Birchall's slow-building spiritual style – really shading in the tunes with otherworldly sounds which are then cut through by Nat's searing, soulful work on tenor! The album moves at a meditative pace, but there's also plenty going on, too – and the tracks draw plenty of energy from the work of Michael Bardon on bass and Andy Hay on drums and percussion. We've been following Nat on his musical journey for over a decade, and he's never let us down – and this time around he takes us to even farther reaches – on titles that include "Dervish", "A Prayer For", "Man From Varanasi", and "Humility". ~ Dusty Groove
No comments:
Post a Comment