DETROIT RISING – COSMIC FUNK JAZZ ADVENTURE
A proudly Detroit-based, Parliament/P-Funk veteran-helmed
cosmic soul, funk & jazz adventure that bridges past to future! What we
appreciate most is how Detroit Rising uses the sprawling Parliament Funkadelic
legacy – and the project players' experience in that universe – as a
springboard for a timeless cosmic soul vibe rather than replicating old school
sounds. It's really about celebrating the history while looking to the future,
and they do that with a diverse batch of tunes worthy of the legacy! The set
features both veteran and contemporary figures from the mothership including
guitarist DeWayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight on guitar, Danny Bedrosian on
keys, drummers Gabe Gonzalez and Benjamin "Benzel" Cowan, singers
Tonysha Nelson (George Clinton's granddaughter) & Steve Boyd, Lige Curry on
bass and Greg Thomas on sax – along with United Sound Studios players Duminie
Deporres & Kern Brantley and guest singer Sue Ann Carwell. Includes
"Lashing Out", "Litttle Bit", "My Heart Is
Frozen", "Rocket Love", "What's That You Heard?". (On
colored vinyl – includes album download with bonus tracks – and initial copies
come with a free t-shirt! Quantities extremely limited!) ~ Dusty Groove
BETTYE LAVETTE – THINGS HAVE CHANGED
Bettye Lavette on Verve Records – a move that also signals a
shift in her music too – in a way that we can really approve! Bettye's getting
some richer care in the backings – more of a classic soul approach, in terms of
warmth – never trying too hard to cast the singer in modes that might be a bit
forced, and instead almost echoing a Muscle Shoals sort of vibe at times –
which leaves Lavette to provide more than plenty of edge to the music with her
vocals! All of the tunes here are Bob Dylan covers, but are wonderfully
transformed – and even the presence of guest stars like Keith Richards or
Trombone Shorty can't get in the way of the lady and her message. Titles
include "Emotionally Yours", "Going Going Gone",
"Seeing The Real You At Last", "Don't Fall Apart On Me
Tonight", "Things Have Changed", and "Ain't Talkin". ~
Dusty Groove
ESTHER PHILLIPS – AT ONKEL PO’S CARNEGIE HALL HAMBURG 1978
Esther Phillips might be best known for her studio records
in the 70s – that great line of classics she recorded for the Kudu Records
label – but she's completely on fire here in a live setting, where she
stretches out even more than usual – and really reminds us of her genius! Most
tracks are nice and long – and some are very very long – and Esther's working
with a hip small combo that includes Henry Cain on piano and keyboards, Wes
Blackman on guitar, Phil Upchurch on bass, and James Levi on drums – players
that can get funky when needed, then kick back at other moments to let Phillips
take the lead – often expressing herself in ways that we never heard in the
studio. Titles include "MS", "One Night Affair",
"Native New Yorker", "The Blues", "Man Ain't
Ready", "I've Never Found A Man", "Cherry Red", and
"What A Difference A Day Makes". ~ Dusty Groove
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