Grant Green
- Carryin' On
One of Grant
Green's late great funky albums for Blue Note! Carryin' On is a solid groover
with heavy jazz funk grooves that won't stop, and that vibe carries all the way
throughout – in the same mode as some of Lou Donaldson's classic sounds from
the time! The group features Idris Muhammad on drums, playing his trademark
funky breakbeat sound from the late 60s – plus Jimmy Lewis on bass, Willie
Bivens on vibes, Claude Bartee on tenor sax and Clarence Palmer on keys. Titles
include a great versions of James Brown's "I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me
Nothin", The Meters' "Ease Back", and Neal Creque's "Cease
The Bombing" (featuring Creque on electric piano) plus Green's own
"Upshot". ~ Dusty Groove
Marcos Valle
- Sempre
Wonderfully
groovy work from Marcos Valle – one of the artists who first inspired us to
start a record store many years ago! Marcos is back, and in very soulful
formation – working here in a mode that recalls some of his fantastic
soul-based sounds in the early 80s – including his great collaborations with
the legendary Leon Ware! The tunes are upbeat and funky, but still have all the
personal warmth that Valle brings to his music – a special blend that few folks
could ever touch, even back in the day – and which, all these many years later,
reminds us just how distinct the music of Marcos has always been. Valle sings
and plays plenty of great keyboards – and the whole thing was produced and
arranged by Daniel Maunick, a perfect partner in crime for Marcos. Titles
include "Minha Roma", "Olha Quem Ta Chengado",
"Sempre", "Sitancia", "Vou Amanha Saber",
"Odisseia", and "Alma". ~ Dusty Groove
Abdullah
Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) - Balance
Really
fantastic material from legendary pianist Abdullah Ibrahim – a set cut with a
larger group of musicians, which we like even more than Ibrahim's work in a
solo or trio format! The group here is his Ekaya ensemble – who flesh out
Abdullah's larger musical ideas in a really great way – providing this
sensitive soul and spirit for his work on piano – which, after all these years,
still echoes the rhythmic impulses that made him such a standout in the 60s – but
which also has this matured approach to color and tone that's really wonderful
– and beautifully illuminated by the group! Players include Cleave Guyton Jr on
alto and flute, Lance Bryant on tenor, Andrea Murchison on trombone, and
Marshall McDonald on baritone – and the rhythm section features great work from
Will Terrill on drums, and Noah Jackson on bass and cello. Titles include
"Jabula", "Tuangu Guru", "ZB2",
"Dreamtime", "Nisa", "Tonegawa", and
"Devotion". ~ Dusty Groove
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