New Music Releases: Robert Glasper; Kuzu; DJ Muro

Robert Glasper - F**k Yo Feelings

Easily the most powerful album cover and title to date from the mighty Robert Glasper – an artist who's evolved so much in recent years, he's shifted from the world of conventional jazz to the role of an elder statesman in funk, soul, and hip hop as well! This album's got all of those sides of Glasper firmly in place, thanks to a wide array of guests – but there's also that warm, core groove that we've always loved from Robert's keyboard work – that magical flow that set him apart from the pack, and which continues to shape the sound of a generation. With the guest singers and artists, the record rivals the vibe of Glasper's Black Radio projects – and is even billed as a Black Radio Production on the front – with a lineup that includes Yasiin Bey, Herbie Hancock, Bilal, Denzel Curry, Andra Day, Song Bird, Queen Sheba, Affion Crockett, Buddy, Mick Jenkins, James Poyser, Bridget Kelly, and others – on titles that include "I Want You", "Aah Whot", "All I Do", "Liquid Swords", "In Case You Forgot", "F*ck Yo Feelings", "Let Me In", "Gone", "This Changes Everything", and "Endangered Black Woman". ~ Dusty Groove

Kuzu (Dave Rempis/Taqshi Dorji/Tyler Damon) - Purple Dark Opal

A tremendous single improvisation by this very hip trio – Taqshi Dorji on guitar, Tyler Damon on drums, and Dave Rempis on alto, tenor, and baritone sax! The drums have this very resonant quality at times – almost acting with elements that make up for the lack of a bass at times – while the guitar moves through more abstract sonic textures that are maybe some of the sharpest elements in the set – as Rempis blows with a beautifully soulful vibe, and really helps balance the sound, and ground the whole thing with his amazing, never-ending sense of imagination! The set features the 55-minute piece "To The Quick" – recorded live at Sugar Maple in Milwaukee. ~ Dusty Groove

Muro King Of Diggin – Diggin' Brunswick

DJ Muro mixes it up with the catalog of legendary soul label Brunswick Records – really digging deep into output of the mighty imprint – to come up with a wicked pastiche of funky tunes that includes bits of 40 tracks in all! The mix is more complicated than some of Muro's other outings – and while he still leaves in the best core of each tune, he also weaves them together in a wonderful way that draws definite strands together in Brunswick production, instrumentation, and songwriting – a wonderful tribute to the Chicago soul genius that flourished on the label at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s. The package features way too many snippets to mention here – but includes work from Ginji James, The Lost Generation, Tyron Davis, Bohannon, Lost Generation, Gregory James Edition, Fred Hughes, The Chi-Lites, Erma Franklin, The Eliminators, Exit 9, Gene Chandler, The Directions, Barbara Acklin, Young Holt Unlimited, and many more! ~ Dusty Groove