Van Morrison
- The Prophet Speaks
The Prophet
Speaks is Van Morrison’s 40th studio album and proves he remains in fine form.
This fourteen-track album follows a recent run of hugely acclaimed albums (Roll
With The Punches, Versatile and You’re Driving Me Crazy), each of which has
delved deep into the musical styles that have continued to inspire Van
throughout his life – vocal jazz and R&B. Here, Van takes on a series of
unarguable classics by the likes of John Lee Hooker, Sam Cooke and Solomon
Burke (among others) and makes them unmistakably his own. Alongside these
reinterpretations, The Prophet Speaks features six phenomenal new Van Morrison
compositions.
Betty Bryant
– Project 88
Betty Bryant
has a long and storied career as a pianist, composer, and singer. Besides
performing regularly around Los Angeles to packed houses, Bryant is releasing
PROJECT 88, her ninth CD. The title is a double entendre, since the piano has
88 keys and Bryant turned 88 a year ago. The album features a mix of standards
and originals penned by Bryant. Saxophonist and flutist, Robert Kyle, who
produced this project, bestowed the sobriquet “Cool Miss B” on Bryant because
of her cool demeanor and the swinging, bluesy style that she developed in her
early years in her hometown of Kansas City, MO. A mainstay on the Southern
California jazz scene, The “Betty Bryant Birthday Bash” in Hollywood has become
a hugely popular annual event. She’s performed internationally and spent 13
years shuttling back and forth to Tokyo for a regular gig. She’s also performed
in Brazil, Panama, and the Middle East. Betty Bryant lives and breathes music.
It’s why she keeps a busy schedule playing and recording year after year.
Despite her age, she hasn’t missed a beat. Rather, her singing and playing show
the depth and assurance that come when inborn talent is enhanced by great
experience.
Tokyo Ska
Paradise Orchestra – Glorious
From their
beginnings in the Japanese club scene, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra rose to
fame in their native country and have taken their live show worldwide,
performing to festival audiences the world over, including Glastonbury,
Supersonico, Coachella, and Vive Latino. TSPO celebrate their 28th anniversary
with their 21st studio album, Glorious. The album continues on with their
unique mix of ska, jazz, funk, rock and soul. Guest vocal appearances include
iLe (from Calle 13), Kosuke Saito (from Japanese electro-pop rockers Unison
Square Garden), Toshi-Low (of Japanese punk band Brahman), and Brazilian MCs
Emicida and Fioti on “Believer” remixed by DJ FPM (Fantastic Plastic Machine).
No comments:
Post a Comment