Orpheus
(Jarrod Lawson) – Visions (Limited Edition Vinyl LP)
Izipho Soul
Records presents the vinyl element of Jarrod Lawson’s pseudonym project, Orpheus
– a beautiful, bewitching, viby brew of acoustic & electronic elements,
featuring lush, soulful vocal textures and elegant melodies.In Jarrod’s words –
“VISIONS, a non-lyrical album of all original music which has been carefully
crafted and tailored to tease your senses and guide you thru a peaceful,
spiritually enriching experience. I am truly honored and humbled to have been a
creative conduit through which came this vivid tapestry of dreamy, visionary
tales. The original concepts which gave birth to these compositions are, in my
mind, not unlike “visions” which are imparted to shamans during traditional
consciousness-altering ceremonies, and much like the healing that comes through
the use of associated sacred plant medicines, my intention is for THIS MUSIC
also to produce healing vibrations, to soothe, and be a sort of medicinal balm
for your soul. I have chosen to release this under the pseudonym, Orpheus, whom
was a legendary musician in Greek mythology known for his unique ability to
charm the very animals and trees of the forest with the enchanting melodies he
performed on his lyre. It was important to me that I create some division
between Jarrod Lawson, the soul singer as I have come to be known, and Jarrod
Lawson, the purveyor of alternative artistic pursuits, such as this. Essentially,
an alias gives me artistic freedom to explore other creative territories and
(hopefully) not alienate my fervent supporters, to whom I am most appreciative
and grateful!”
Aurra – Satisfaction
The mythical
‘Satisfaction’ album by Aurra has been folklore for three decades.There were
rumors that a 5th Aurra album produced by Dayton Ohio Funk Legend Steve
Washington was recorded just after the Salsoul years. The Album was recorded in
1983 with his wife Sheila who had just finished writing and touring with The
Brides Of Funkenstein. Plans were made for Quincy Jones’ newly formed Qwest
Records, but legal troubles complicated it’s release. No one was quite sure
what happened to the master tapes, not even Steve himself. Then in 2012, the
tapes surfaced and Family Groove delivered the music back to Steve Washington
& Sheila Brody. This is Electronic Funk and R&B at it’s finest,
recorded during a pivotal year in Modern Funk music. Post-Disco, right at the
beginning of Hip-Hop’s finest hour when Boogie and Electro music was making the
scene in New York. Making this an important milestone in music and documenting
the inception of the drum machine. The grooves smoke, as Washington delivers
the Dayton Funk style. Mean and lean basslines, irresistible hooks &
towering vocal riffs with crisp, tight dance rhythms. The relentless flow gives
the feeling of an endless party, which the Satisfaction album definitely
provides.
Light Mellow
Malaco (Various Artists)
You might
know Malaco Records as a hotbed of deep soul during the 70s – but as the decade
progressed, the southern label also really opened up to some of the warmer,
more sophisticated styles that were brewing up north – all to create a
magnificent sort of hybrid that really helped move its music forward! The vibe
is a bit hard to describe, but maybe imagine late 70s Philly soul with some
deeper soul vocals – warm, but never too polished or commercial – and still
very close to the best traditions of earlier soul music, while sounding a bit
more mature. Artists here include some older southern soul acts from the 60s,
mixed with up-and-comers in the 70s, and a few special acts that Malaco helped
discover themselves – in a great set of 20 tracks that include "Sweet
Life" by Frederick Knight, "Girl Overboard" by Dorothy Moore,
"Trust In Me" by Natural High, "Sara Smile" by Latimore,
"Let Me Be" by The Duncans, "Show Me" by Mosley &
Johnson, "Come To Bed" by Denise Lasalle, "So In Love" by
Freedom, "Groovin" by Power, "I Wonder Where The Love Has
Gone" by Shirley Brown, "I Need Your Love" by Patterson Twins,
"Just To Love Someone Like You" by Sho Nuff, "Take A Chance On
Me" by Eddie Floyd, "Let Your Love Rain Down On Me" by Jewel
Bass, and "When Can We Do This All Over Again" by ZZ Hill. ~ Dusty
Groove
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