Luxury
Soul 2020 – Various Artists
The leading
independent soul label Expansion Records commences each year with one of the
label’s most anticipated collections, “Luxury Soul”. The success of the series comes down to the
quality of tracks sourced from independent soul music artists, often unsigned
or with recordings previously unissued or on limited release elsewhere. Included on this unique collection is an
exclusive Glenn Jones track “Better Man”, first time on CD releases by Tyra
Levone, Alex Puddu featuring Breakwater’s lead singer Gene Robinson Jr, St.
Paul (formerly of The Time), Tompi (produced by Incognito), Blue Soul Ten, Paul
Johnson and Incognito themselves with “Jakarta Dreams”. The Rockie Robbins
version of “Together” is from 1979, Halo’s “Let Me Do It” another ‘rare groove’
to accompany the contemporary soul by an impressive array of artists.
Juewett
Bostick - Shades of Blu
True to the
fascinating, multi-faceted title concept of his latest album Shades Of Blu,
masterful guitarist Juewett Bostick – whose fluid, funky axe has backed
recording royalty including Grover Washington Jr., Nancy Wilson, and Barry
White – soulfully blends his cool, urban jazz style with elements of the
classic blues & jazz as well as neo soul jazz. Bridging beloved traditions
with current musical innovations, Bostic creates a rich, colorful sonic world
featuring female vocals, exotic vocal textures, spoken word conversations,
state-of-the-art technology and global rhythms. These caress a blend of buoyant
originals and re-imagined classics by Jimi Hendrix, Thelonious Monk, Lee Morgan
and Hank Mobley. ~ smoothjazz.com
Phaze II
- No Cover Charge
Phaze II’s
fifth and latest album boasts the clever title No Cover Charge, but their kind
of finely honed, supremely cool eclectic magic is worth any price! Now well
into their third decade lighting the jazz, funk, Latin and R&B fires in
their hometown of Washington, DC, the six-piece super-ensemble Phaze II –
onetime winners of the Capital Jazz Challenge Competition - alternates their
flow between silky, seductive cool, fiery, wild energy storms and infectious,
easy grooving mid-tempo tunes. They balance their more muscular, rocking
offerings with dreamier pieces clearly and designed to melt the heart. ~ smoothjazz.com
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