NEW RELEASES: DETROIT RISING – COSMIC FUNK JAZZ ADVENTURE; BETTYE LAVETTE – THINGS HAVE CHANGED; ESTHER PHILLIPS – AT ONKEL PO’S CARNEGIE HALL HAMBURG 1978

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