Randy Muller - Welcome to My Life
A fantastic return to form for Randy Muller – the man who
gave the world such great music in the 70s with the groups Brass Construction
and Skyy, then continued with a rich underground legacy over the years! Randy's
given us a few recent records in the past few decades, but this is his first in
a long time – and it really feels like he's been saving up his best, and
focusing his groove – coming up with this warm, wonderful blend of jazz, funk,
and soul – all topped by Randy's own vocals, plenty of keyboards, and some
especially great solos on funky flute! In fact, the flute work here really sets
the album apart from the rest – sometimes with echoes of the classic Bobbi
Humphrey/Larry Mizell music of the 70s, other times with more contemporary mode
that comes off equally well. Great to hear from Randy again – and the set is
another feather in his mighty full cap – with titles that include "What
Are We Gonna Do", "So Happy", "Over & Over",
"Nice & Slow", "Brazilian Nights", "Pimms &
Lemonade", "Lover To Lover", "I Cry", "Summer
Luv", and "Welcome To My Life". ~ Dusty Groove
Al Sunny - Planets
Al Sunny is a singer who really lives up to his name – as
his voice has this warm glow that's really wonderful, and which is a perfect
fit for the classic-styled backings on the set! And by "classic", we
mean a tight mix of soul and 70s AOR modes – laidback, but well-crafted – with
plenty of Fender Rhodes from Florian Pellissier – a keyboardist that we really
love for albums under his own name! Al comes across with this great vibe –
never too forcedly soulful, and right on the money – and he also brings plenty
of his own tight guitar work into the mix too, which helps underscore the
jazzier currents in the music. Titles include "Should I", "A
Million Miles Away", "How Does It Feel", "If Your Heart",
"You & I", and "Planets". CD features the bonus track
"Song For Two". ~ Dusty Groove
Sulu & Excelsior - Antimatter Suite
A sweet set from Sulu & Excelsior – essentially the solo
project of singer, rapper and trumpet player Steven "Sulu" Mallorca
despite the sprawling sound and stylistic breadth – with influences that
stretch from classic Motown, to late 60s funk, to live horn-backed hip hop and
the skills to fuse them seamlessly! Sulu is a soulful singer and solid MC,
often doing both in single rap, and handles most of the instrumentation – from
the beats, to piano & keys, to horns, with guests on vocals, bass and guitar
on just a handful of tunes – all the more impressive given the full band vibe
you get here. lncludes "My Own Volition", "You Don't Mind Me
Sayin' That", "Find Another" with Hiro-A-Key,
"Antimatter", "Lady Libby", "Mad Dog Magic",
"Equilibrium", "Space Suit", "Silver Fox",
"Gratitude", "Hate To See You Go". ~ Dusty Groove
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