New Music Releases: Cornell CC Carter; Ashley Henry; Dego

Cornell CC Carter – Absolutely 

The eagerly anticipated follow up to ‘One Love’, which was last year’s number one independent soul album of the year, is soon upon us. ‘Absolutely’ is an album described by Cornell as ‘Songs that came through my Soul and out of my Heart!.’ No sales pitch required – suffice to say it’s all killer – no filler. Eight original songs and two classic covers from our heroes Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye (Mr Gaye’s heavenly spirit filled the room when CC & Co laid this one down!) These songs have never been heard before until now, apart from the taster track and U.K Soul Chart / Sweet Rhythms Chart summer hit ‘I See Love’. Tracks include: “Say Yes”, “I See Love”, “Earn It”, “Come Live With Me Angel”, “I Could Never”, “Ever Since”, “Love Thang”, “Morning Touch”, “Ghosted”, and “We’re A Winner”. 

Ashley Henry - Beautiful Vinyl Hunter

Tremendous work from pianist Ashley Henry – a British pianist who seems to be soaring out of the underground to become one of the leading figures in overseas jazz – a role that he definitely fills with this fantastic major label debut! The set's every bit as great as Henry's previous material, but also expands the palette too – showcasing a bold musical vision that's equally great on vocal and instrumental fronts, as Henry welcomes in a lineup of guests who include Makaya McCraven on drums, Theo Croker and Keyon Harrold on trumpets, Judi Jackson and Milton Suggs on vocals, and the team of saxophonist Binker Golding and drummer Moses Boyd. Yet the work is clearly Henry's own – great tunes that have a soaring, spiritual current – maybe rooted in a tradition that runs from Woody Shaw through Robert Glasper, then finds its flowering in the really rich soil of the contemporary London scene. Titles include "Realisations", "Star Child", "I Still Believe", "Sunrise", "Battle", "Dark Honey", "Ahmed", "Introspection", "I Still Believe", "Colors", and "Between The Lines". ~ Dusty Groove

Dego - Too Much

A fantastic full length set from Dego – one of the few members of the 4Hero scene who've kept the music flowing and growing into new territory in recent years – especially with the same longform vibe that we always loved from that legendary group! Although short doses of cosmic sound can be great, there's nothing to compare with a full dose like this – a rich musical vision that holds us rapt throughout, as it moves through shifting rhythms and different modes of contemporary soul – thanks in part to vocal guests who include Ivana Santilli, Samii, Lady Alma, Sharlene Hector, and Sarina Leah! A few tracks have bold, long instrumental workouts – blinding keyboards and quick-changing rhythms – and titles include "A Strong Move For Truth", "My Standards Are Not Too High", "A Where Pringle Deh", "Come Of Age", "Just Leave It", "Life Can Be Unreal", "You Are Virgo", "Remini Dream", "I Don't Wanna Know", "Good Morning", and "Unknown Faults". ~ Dusty Groove