New Music Releases: The Brand New Heavies; Corey Christiansen; Bill O'Connell & The Afro Caribbean Ensemble

The Brand New Heavies - TBNH

Can it really be thirty years since The Brand New Heavies first sashayed into the public eye with a romantic's heart, a hedonist's spirit and a Superfly sensibility? A heady cocktail of Chic-style funk-pop, sunshine grooves and scorched soul balladry, the release of TBNH sees The Brand New Heavies writing a new chapter in what has been an illustrious journey whilst also marking a return to their spiritual home, Acid Jazz Records. Refined, reimagined and revisited, TBNH was recorded under the watchful eye of producer Sir Tristan Longworth, as Andrew elaborates; "as fathers of young kids, time was important, and we needed someone to crack the whip." Adding further with a grin; "he also makes these amazing gin and tonics with chilli's in. The pair also decided to feature various vocalists on these tracks, not only reuniting with Heavies alumni, N'Dea Davenport and Siedah Garret but collaborating with soul legends Beverley Knight and Angie Stone alongside current singer Angela Ricci and new boy on the block, label mate Laville - to present a gilt-edged collection of songs making arguably the best album of their career. Summed up by its cover artwork- shot in the suitably louche environs of ultra-hip nightspot Annabel's - Simon explains with a smile; "It's a bit clubby, a little bit sleazy, with a bit of luxury and a smidgen of street."

Corey Christiansen - La Proxima

With his collection of recordings over the last decade, guitarist Corey Christiansen reflected heavily on the great vistas of his Utah home, the West, and traditional melodies, while still fully imbuing his music with a modern jazz aesthetic. With that same penchant for exploring 'roots,' Christiansen's 6th Origin release borrows inspiration from the music that influenced him from Africa, through Cuba and into the States. While not an Afro-Cuban album per se, the more specifically explored rhythms & grooves that have always informed his playing, and that of his bandmates here - bassist David Belove, drummer Colin Douglas, and percussionist/co-producer Michael Spiro - add new layers of perspective, dance and feel.

Bill O'Connell & The Afro Caribbean Ensemble - Wind Off the Hudson

The art form commonly referred to as Latin Jazz is a musical expression of the heart and soul of New York, an exciting reflection of the rhythms and spirit of the city's merging of Latino and African-American cultures. The music of Bill O'Connell is a product of that environment. Since the 1970's, when he first joined Mongo Santamaria's band, O'Connell has continually proven himself not only as a highly skilled pianist, but as an outstanding composer-arranger as well. The Afro Caribbean Ensemble, ACE for short, makes their recording debut on this album and the star-studded roster perform O'Connell's tricky arrangements with virtuoso aplomb. O'Connell says, "I've been planning on this recording for the better part of the past decade." His dedication is evident in every bar. "Bill O'Connell's piano playing highlights his total command over the keys. Everything you could possibly look for in a pianist - taste, clarity of touch, technique, wit, erudition, harmonic depth, lyricism, rhythmic authority - is here for the taking."- Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz