LISA STANFIELD – DEEPER
It may be years since Lisa Stansfield last topped the charts
– but the singer's lost none of her charm, and is still completely at the top
of her game – as you'll discover in this wonderfully grooving set! At some
level, it's as if nothing has changed at all – the rhythms are strong, the
songs upbeat, and Stansfield's vocals have that surprisingly soulful quality
that's always made us love her classic records! But there's also a depth here
that comes with maturity and growth – and in some ways, Lisa's developed here a
lot like Corinne Drewery has over the course of the later albums by Swing Out
Sister – even more of a fully-fleshed soul singer, and well-deserving of
classic status. Titles include "Desire", "Twisted",
"Everything", "Hole In My Heart", "Deeper",
"Butterflies", "Love Of My Life", "Billionaire",
"Hercules", and "Never Ever" – plus a great remake of The
Chimes' classic "Ghetto Heaven".
~ Dusty Groove
CORTEX – AVANT-GARDE PARTY MUSIC
The title might be a bit goofy, but it's actually a pretty
great way to sum up the spirit of this group – as the contemporary Cortex come
from avant roots, but also have a vibrancy that makes their music sound more
celebratory than confrontational! The quartet features endlessly creative
rhythms from the duo of Olya Hoyer on bass and Gard Nilssen on drums – topped
by beautiful interplay between the trumpet of Thomas Johansson and saxophonist
Kristoffer Berre Alberts – both players who can sometimes be completely in step
with each other, sometimes almost at odds, and individually really work to make
the whole record soar when it's time for their solos. Titles include "Mac
Davis", "Grinder", "Chaos", "Waltz",
"Disturbance", "Obverse/Reverse", and "Off
Course". ~ Dusty Groove
RENEE ROSNES – BELOVED OF THE SKY
Pianist Renee Rosnes blows us away once again – returning to
work with in a very similar mode as the one she used on her last album for the
Smoke Sessions label – which was a real revelation, and a set that had us
falling in love with Renee's music all over again! If anything, the energy here
is even sharper and more focused – as Rosnes' piano comes on full force amidst
the vibes of Steve Nelson, and alto and flute of Chris Potter – driven on by
fantastic work from Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums – a rhythm
duo who can be laidback when needed, then completely bold at all the right
moments! Nelson's got some sharply chromatic elements in his vibes that offset
some of the darker tones from Potter's saxophone – and Renee somehow finds a
way to bridge the space of everyone with the warm of the chords on her piano.
The songs are almost all originals, and are as painterly as the cover – yet
still quite swinging too – and titles include "Elephant Dust",
"Scorned As Timber Beloved Of The Sky", "Mirror Image",
"Black Holes", "Let The Wild Rumpus Start", and
"Rhythm Of The River" – plus a version of Bobby Hutcherson's
"Rosie". ~ Dusty Groove
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