One of
contemporary urban jazz’s most prolific hitmakers since the late 90s with 13
Billboard Top 10 singles and 6 #1s, Chris Standring takes the opportunity on
his 13th solo album to acknowledge the sometimes-harsh twists and turns of Real
Life. Yet rather than give into circumstances beyond his control, the British
born, L.A. based guitarist offers a truly uplifting way forward on this joyful
soul-jazz infused retro-flavoured set. Includes: Is There A Doctor In The
House?; Out Of The Blue; Whatever She Wants; In Other Words; Shake You Up; What
Goes Around; Living The Poetry; Another Train; Tell Me A Bedtime Story; This
Mess Is A Place; and Prelude From Bach Cello Suite 1.
Muriel Grossmann - Reverence
Tremendous sounds from Muriel Grossmann – a saxophonist
who's fast becoming one of our favorite on the planet! As with Muriel's
previous records, there's a strongly spiritual vibe going on here – but there's
also a difference, too – as the group's expanded to a quintet, with the
addition of the organ of Llorenc Barcelo next to the familiar trio of Radomir
Milokovic on guitar, Gina Schwarz on bass, and Uros Stamenkovic on drums! The
rhythms of the combo are every bit as wonderful as Muriel's soaring, searching
solos – very modal, but also with deeper rootsy currents too – often mixed with
sounds from the organ that are unlike anything you'd hear in a more
conventional Hammond setting, which further creates this exotic, otherworldly
vibe to the whole record. Grossmann blows soprano, alto, and tenor – and all
titles are originals, and include "Chase", "Tribu",
"Okan Ti Aye", "Morning", "Afrika Mahala", and
"Water Bowl". ~ Dusty Groove
Afrodyssey Orchestra - Under The Sun
Great diaspora sounds from Afrodyssey Orchestra – a group
who bring so much more to their music than most of their contemporaries – in
ways that both tap into their native cultural history in Greece, and really
open up some of the deeper jazz currents of their songs! Instrumentation
includes the percussion elements you might expect – but we're even more
captivated by the work on keyboards and tenor – which really sparkle
throughout, and which make the record often feel like some futurist fusion
reimagining of Afro Funk inspirations – with a nice lean sound that's more
small combo than "orchestra"! Titles include "One For Ry",
"Under The Sun", "Sisters & Brothers", "Three
Tigers & Three Baby Tigers", "Soil Festivities", and
"Mama Africa". ~ Dusty Groove
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