BBE Music
continues its long and fertile partnership with vibraphone legend and godfather
of neo-soul, Roy Ayers, with the first ever reissue of his 1983 album Silver
Vibrations. Originally released in the UK only on Uno Melodic Records, ‘Silver
Vibrations’ shares some of its musical DNA with ‘Lots Of Love’, Ayers’ US album
from the same year. However, ‘Silver Vibrations’ contains four unique cuts all
of its own, plus extended takes of three songs, including the definitive
version of iconic song ‘Chicago’. The rarity of the original pressing has led
to eye-watering second-hand prices for this truly brilliant LP. ‘Silver
Vibrations’ was perhaps the last album to retain the sound of Ayers’ organic
‘classic’ period of the latter ’70s and manages to stand up well under its
current re-evaluation. “Chicago”, the unedited version of which is exclusive to
this L.P., received considerable airplay in its time and has barely faded from
earshot ever since; its woozy, mysterious vibe and cosmic ruminations from Roy
in the second half have certainly endured. The strutting, funky “Good, Good
Music” echoes Ayers at his pre-’80s, up- tempo disco peak, sporting a grittier
edge and an old-school party atmosphere. Title track “Silver Vibrations” was
only ever released in the U.K., both on this album and as a single, backed with
“Fast Money”. Both “Lots Of Love” and “Keep On Movin'” hark back to previous
times and are a pleasant listen without being at all taxing. “Smiling With Our
Eyes” is mid- tempo, lilting and jazzy, with a vocal vaguely reminiscent of
Stevie Wonder in places. The wistful “D.C. City”, a close companion of
Ubiquity’s original recording of “The Third Eye” is, in many ways, quintessentially
Roy Ayers. Pressed on heavyweight vinyl with original artwork and new sleeve
notes written by Sean P., BBE Music is delighted to share this special album
with a new generation of fans.
Brian Ellis –
Deep Clues
A soulful
solo set from Brian Ellis – a keyboardist we know from more jazz-based projects
in recent years, but who really soars out here in a warmly sunny mode! Brian
handles everything on the album himself – working like some LA maestro from the
70s in a multi-track studio – and while his keyboards are still at the core of
the album, there's also lots of vocals – sung in a style that's soul-based, but
also with this unusual sort of lightness – so that Brian's words glow nicely
alongside his keys! A few of these cuts almost feel like lost 70s demos for the
soulful side of the AOR scene – and titles include "Night Drive",
"My Favorite Song", "Brand New Love", "Here I
Am", "Bulletproof", "Deep Clues", and "Never Had
Nothin". ~ Dusty Groove
Scone Cash
Players - Blast Furnace!
Smoldering
Hammond funk from Scone City Players – led by organ player Adam Scone and
featuring members of The Dap-Kings, Menahan Street Band and an all-around
Daptone Records and Dunham Sound Studio all star roster – bringing a
combination a grit and soulful grooves! Scone is a native of Youngstown, Ohio
and the album and song titles are references to steel town grit, struggle and
resilience. The gritty soul of his timeless jazz funk instrumentals suits it!
The Hammond drives the sound all the way, backed by veteran funk players whose
skills are finely-honed to say the least, including Homer Steinweiss and Eric
Kalb on drums, Thomas Brenneck on guitar, Kevin Bujo Jones on percussion, Ian
Hendrickson-Smith on sax & flute and Freddie Hendrix & Marcus Parsley
on trumpets. Includes "1% Crown", "Bliss Machine",
"The Slitter", "Heavy Gauge", "Necking",
"Blast Furnace", Jet Cool", "Grinding Wheel". Call
& Receive No Call Back" and "Structural Failure". ~ Dusty
Groove
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