A fantastic chapter in the continuing evolution of trumpeter Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah – a set recorded at the Blue Note in New York, just days before the city had to shut down in 2020 – and a record that maybe carries with it some of the urgency of that moment! Scott's studio records in recent years have really blown us away – but it's maybe even more amazing here to hear him working with the group in this frenzy of colors, tones, and rhythms! In addition to conventional trumpet, Christian blows a reverse flugelhorn, which has an amazing sound – and his group features really intense work on drums from Cory Fonville, whose efforts on the kit seem to set everyone else on fire – a lineup taht features Lawrence Fields on piano and Rhodes, Kris Funn on bass, Weedie Braimah on percussion, and Elena Pinderhughes on flute. The music is tremendous – full of power, life, and message – on titles that include "Diaspora", "The Last Chieftain", "X Adjuah", "Huntress", "Incarnation", "Songs She Never Heard", "Guinnevere", and "Sunrise In Beijing". ~ Dusty Groove
Maybe the best work so far from Mr President – one of our favorite projects from the tireless French producer Bruno "Patchworks" Hovart! The set begins with a groove that would be right at home on some late 70s funky jazz playlist – kind of Roy Ayers or Kudu Records – then moves through a range of great cuts that really hold onto a vintage vibe, but with all the best sorts of underground modes that Bruno always brings to his work! Vocals shift from track to track – and include contributions from Hawa, Cindy Pooch, Celia Kameni, and Sabba MG – but the whole thing has a wonderfully unified vibe – warm, soulful, jazzy, and very very groovy. Titles include "Teasing Me So Bad", "Tears Keep On Falling", "Gabriel", "The Time Is Now", "Plenty Loads Of Loving", and "One Night". ~ Dusty Groove
The first release on Black Jazz was by pianist and label producer Gene Russell; for the label's second release, Russell chose another piano man of impeccable taste, Walter Bishop, Jr. But while much of Russell's record consisted of songs composed by others, Bishop's record features all originals, most notably 'Soul Turn Around,' a groover that later turned up on Freddie Hubbard's 1969 LP A Soul Experiment. Bishop had helmed several releases before this one, including dates with John Coltrane bassist Jimmy Garrison and Miles Davis drummer Jimmy Cobb among others, so it's not surprising he assembled a heavy hitting line-up for Coral Keys, including Woody Shaw on trumpet, Reggie Jackson on bass, Idris Muhammad on drums, and Harold Vick on flute, tenor, and soprano sax. Think Herbie Hancock's '60s Blue Note recordings gently polished with a soul jazz sheen; this is some tasty stuff that's been hard to find for way too long. Remastered by Mike Milchner at Sonic Vision, this long-awaited release includes notes by Pat Thomas, author of Listen, Whitey! The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965-1975, which place both the Black Jazz label and this album in a broader musical and societal context. Produced for reissue by Real Gone Music's own Gordon Anderson and decorated jazz archivist Zev Feldman.
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