New Music Releases: Raphael Saadiq, Enrico Rava & Joe Lovano, Moonchild

Raphael Saadiq - Jimmy Lee

The deepest, most political album we've ever heard from Raphael Saadiq – a set named after his brother, Jimmy Lee – an addict who died an unfortunate early death! Saadiq takes all the pain from his brother's trauma, and works it into a series of songs that go farther than anything we've ever heard from the singer before – music that still carries that full, rich punch that's always made the mature Raphael far more of a soulful force than we ever would have expected in his youth – but in ways that are tremendously resonant today, and do a fantastic job of linking the personal and the political. Titles include "This World Is Drunk", "So Read", "Kings Fall", "Something Keeps Calling", "My Walk", "Belongs To God", "Glory To The Veins", "Rearview", and "Rikers Island Redux". ~ Dusty Groove

Enrico Rava & Joe Lovano - Roma

A beautiful pairing of two very distinct jazz talents – trumpeter Enrico Rava and tenorist Joe Lovano – each masters of phrasing, but in very different ways – working here together in a relaxed live setting that really lets them shine! The set was recorded in Rome, with open tracks that have a different feel than they would if ECM had captured the duo in the studio – and support is from a very thoughtful, sensitive trio that features Giovanni Guidi on piano, Dezron Douglas on bass, and Gerald Cleaver on drums – two rhythm players who keep things soulful, but in subtle ways – and a pianist who can punctuate the solos wonderfully, and really keep them moving along. Titles include "Secrets", "Interiors", "Divine Timing", "Spiritual", and "Drum Song". ~ Dusty Groove

Moonchild - Little Ghosts

We've been loving Moonchild over their past few records, but this set may well be their greatest moment so far – a really well-conceived set of 21st Century soul – put together with a style that's lean, but a sound that's rich and vibrant all the way through! The group are just a trio, with great lead vocals from Amber Navran – and although most tracks feature beats and keyboards, they've evolved the approach strongly past more familiar modes used a decade or two back in the neosoul underground – to a point where the style is completely fresh, and very well-suited to the vocals! Titles include "Wise Women", "The Other Side", "Get To Know It", "Nova", "Whistling", "Come Over", "What You're Doing", "Sweet Love", and "The Other Side". ~ Dusty Groove