Lonnie Smith – Think!
A seminal album from Hammond giant Lonnie Smith – a bold
statement that really gives the organist his own identity after some killer
work in the combos of Lou Donaldson and George Benson! Lonnie's one of the key
flag-fliers of the new style of funky organ jazz – a mode different from the
earlier styles of Jimmy Smith or Jimmy McGriff – leaner, cleaner, and often
tied heavily to the drums – which, in this case, are handled by Marion Booker
Jr, but in a way that recalls some of the Idris Muhammad greatness on other
Blue Note albums of the time. The mighty Pucho (of Latin Soul Brothers fame)
plays added timbales, and there's also two more conga players – ensuring a
tight, yet complex sort of groove – and the frontline features Lee Morgan on
trumpet, David Newman on tenor and flute, and Melvin Sparks on guitar. Tracks
are long, with complicated rhythms – and soulful yet sophisticated solos to
match – and titles include the seminal "Son Of Ice Bag", a great
cover of "Think", and the tracks "Slouchin", "Call Of
The Wild", and "Three Blind Mice". ~ Dusty Groove
Roy Budd – Get Carter
Maybe the greatest moment ever from Brit soundtrack genius
Roy Budd – an artist who started with his roots in jazz piano, but who really
explodes here in a range of groovy styles! The main title is an incredible
blend of Eastern percussion and moody jazz – and other cuts bring in some
trippier elements, mixed with funkier bits and warmer moments – all at a level
that have Budd even outdoing the best late 60s work by Lalo Schifrin! The
keyboards are often at the forefront – either acoustic or electric – and the
album's got so many groovy grooves, with such variety, it's got a feel that's
much richer than the usual soundtrack set. Titles include "Love Is A Four
Letter Word", "Carter Takes A Train", "Looking For Someone",
"The Girl In The Car", "Livin Should Be This Way",
"Manhunt", "Goodbye Carter", and
"Hallucinations". This fantastic 3CD set is overflowing with
greatness! First, the whole thing comes in a heavy book-style cover – with
dozens of pages of notes, photos, and images from the film – and CD2 features
18 more rare mixes of songs from the film – a great addition to the 22 tracks
on CD1 – making for a whopping 40 tracks in all. CD3 features 19 more Roy Budd
grooves, mostly from soundtracks – songs that include "Mr Funker",
"Diamond Fortress", "No Cooperation", "Cassette
Jazz", "How Can We Run Away", "Fear Is The Key",
"Who Needs Love Anyway", "Versailles Exit", and "Jazz
It Up". ~ Dusty Groove
Kaina – Next To The Sun
A soaring effort from Kaina – one we're sure to remember as
a major creative statement from a versatile singer and as a vital snapshot of a
burgeoning era in Chicago's indie soul scene! Kaina's triumph here is the way
she sets up a dreamy mood that holds throughout the album – wherein her layered
vocals carry it along as if on a wave – then takes it to an even deeper level
thanks to her soulful lyricism. She's got a good creative partner in Sen
Morimoto, whose roots in genre defiant jazzy hip hop production are used to
such hypnotic effect behind Kaina's beautiful voice. Next To The Sun coming out
so soon after similarly fresh and inspired material from fellow Chi voices like
Jamila Woods, it feels like the dawn of an era! Includes "House",
"Ghost", "Next To The Sun", "What's A Girl",
"Waiting On A Day", "Joei's Secret", "Could Be A
Curse" feat Sen Morimoto", "So Small/So Vast" and
"Green". ~ Dusty Groove
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