New Music Releases: Martin Freeman & Eddie Piller Present Soul On The Corner; Noah Preminger – After Life; Cleopatra Jones Soundtrack

Martin Freeman & Eddie Piller Present Soul On The Corner (Various Artists)  

Two dapper British gents on the cover, but the album's filled with classic American soul – really great cuts from back in the day, served up in an array of well-chosen tracks that really go past the obvious! Both Martin Freeman and Eddie Piller (of Acid Jazz fame) put the set together – but the real stars here are the classic singers and groups who make the music so great – and who together represent a much hipper, more sophisticated version of classic soul than the usual hits or oldies collection! A number of cuts here are quite rare, and others are a mix of unusual songs by bigger names – mixed with just a few tracks from leftfield to keep things interesting. Titles include "Just To Be With You" by Bobby Dukes, "Finally Made It Home" by Arnold Blair, "You & I" by Goodie, "How Could You Break My Heart" by Bobby Womack, "Lucky To Be Loved By You" by Willie Hutch, "Now That I Have You" by Tommy McGee, "Thirty One" by Laville, "Oooh Baby" by Pamoja, "I'm Goin Left" by Syreeta, "Shoes" by Brook Benton, "I Like The Things About Me That I Once Despised" by Wayne Davis, "Lucky" by Lewis Taylor, "Fan The Fire" by Earth Wind & Fire, "Daylight" by Georgie Fame, "A Raggedy Ride" by Barbara Acklin, and "Hit & Run Love" by Tommie Young. ~ Dusty Groove

Noah Preminger – After Life

An album of subtle majesty from tenorist Noah Preminger – done with a sound that builds and flows wonderfully – partly from the guitar work of Max Light, who may well be the lynchpin of the quintet! The switch of guitar for piano gives the whole thing a different vibe – as Light's playing has this strong sense of glow – which resonates between the bass of Kim Cass and drums of Rudy Royston, to illuminate the strong trumpet of Jason Palmer next to Preminger's tenor – both players with a measured sense of blowing that comes of beautifully in the album's original compositions by Noah. Titles include "World Of Twelve Faces", "World Of Growth", "Senseless World", "Hovering World", "World Of Hunger", and "Island World". ~ Dusty Groove

Cleopatra Jones Soundtrack (Various Artists) (1973)

One of the great Blaxploitationfilm scores of the ‘70s, finally back on vinyl where it belongs! This 1973 feature introduced one of the great characters in the whole genre, starring the indomitable, six-foot-two Tamara Dobson as Cleopatra Jones, a taller, hipper, and blacker James Bond. In this film, she thwarts a lesbian L.A. drug lord as played by Shelley Winters, all accompanied by the musical efforts of what is pretty much a ‘70s soul/jazz/funk dream team. On vocals, you had the leading male and female lights of the Spring label, the great Joe Simon (performing the hit title theme) and Millie Jackson . And on the instrumental side, jazz trombone giant J. J. Johnson (in collaboration with the underrated Carl Brandt of Mod Squad score fame). The result: a prime example of the symphonic funk that became the siren song for Blaxploitation soundtracks throughout the ‘70s. For its first domestic vinyl reissue, we’ve pressed up just 700 copies in red and blue starburst vinyl, with original artwork intact...oh so tasty!