New Music Releases: Grant Green - Carryin' On; Marcos Valle - Sempre; Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) - Balance

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