20 years ago, Blue Note released a hard-to-categorize album by an unknown 22-year-old singer, songwriter, and pianist. Come Away With Me, the debut album by Norah Jones, would go on to charm the world and introduce one of the greatest voices of our time. The album steadily grew into a global phenomenon, reaching #1 in 20 countries, selling nearly 30 million copies, and sweeping the 2003 GRAMMY Awards with eight wins including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. On April 29, Blue Note will release Come Away With Me: 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition, a remarkable 44-track collection that reveals for the first time the full story of the making of this now-classic album. In addition to a remaster of the original album, which was produced by Arif Mardin, the Super Deluxe Edition also includes 22 previously unreleased tracks including the original demos that Norah submitted to Blue Note, the complete First Session demos she made after being signed, and the first version of the album that Norah made at Allaire Studios with producer Craig Street, most of which has never been heard before and offers a fascinating look at the album that might have been.
TriTone Asylum is based in Southern California. Spear-headed by Peter Sepsis (bass) and Philip Topping. Through their unique instrumentation, they have masterfully developed an electro acoustic sound that melds Jazz, funk, and music from around the world. TriTone Asylum brings together some of the most experienced and collaborative musicians in Los Angeles. Philip Topping (electronic valve instrument, Ian Vo (saxophone) Andy Waddell (guitar), Mitch Forman (keyboards), Peter Sepsis (bass) and Dave Johnstone (drums) form the foundation of this accomplished ensemble. Through their unique instrumentation, they have masterfully developed an electro acoustic sound that melds Jazz, funk, and music from around the world. TriTone Asylum’s music reflects the varied musical landscape of the sounds and street rhythms of Los Angeles. Their original songs are influenced by a variety of artists including Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Pat Metheny, as well as artists from the ECM Label. TriTone Asylum is frequently featured at Baked Potato and other noted jazz venues of LA.
Following the recent reissues of Pop Impressions (UR000651) and Super America (UR000651), Underdog Records label follows-up to the series with another brilliant album by French underrated composer and producer, Janko Nilovic. Janko Nilovic certainly was one of the greatest studio talents of Europe in the 70s! He is a musician who devotes himself to music, which resulted in a great number of published works, but most of them made for library music labels and also not available for sale. His oeuvre stretches from classical, jazz and funk to pop, psyche and easy listening. And has been sampled many times by hip-hop artists such as JAY-Z, DAFUNIKS or GUTS...
Good Vibrations Music dives straight into 2022 with a bang courtesy of ‘Harold Matthew Jr’ (aka Big Ed) with his long player project; "Peripheral Vision". Chicago-based Harold wrote his first releases in the early 90’s with artists like Ron Trent, Terry Hunter, Maurice Joshua and Ron Carroll with songs such as "Ritual Of Love" and Barbara Tucker’s "I Get Lifted". Throughout the late 90’s he was well known for his songs under his ‘Blak Beat Niks’ alias with production partner K. Fingers on PAN Records, Large Music and his own label Melodious Fonk with "The Sun Will Shine". The 2000’s saw him move on to further projects with the likes of Slip N Slide, Mark Knight, Peppermint Jam, Glenn Underground, Makin’ Moves and Sean McCabe. Moving into the next chapter, "Peripheral Vision" is a genre-spanning journey, drawing influences from a multitude of angles and providing a true reflection of Harold’s passion for song writing and spoken word, with a host of guest producers and vocalists. "Deep Into My Sleep" opens the release and brings Cardiff’s ‘Black Sonix’ to the party and Harold’s sublime vocals provide the narrative to the afro tinged beats. It’s got soulful undertones a plenty with warm rushes of BVs and percussive rhythms to keep feet dancing way into the late night hour. "Put Your Hands Together" gets serious on the dancefloor with driving beats and an explosion of synth flicks, hits and stabs. It’s Sean’s subtle nod to the Trax era, suggested by Harold, and set to become a firm fave with those that like their groove a little more analogue. Effortlessly moving through the soulful gears, Harold and Sean McCabe’s "Into You" brings guest vocalist Dawn Williams onboard for a lazy, hypnotic and sumptuous slice of house. Set amongst an uplifting backdrop of smooth chords and lushed out riffs, the vocalists playfully bounce off each other asking questions and telling answers whilst keeping all elements sat firmly in the sweet spot. Another Cardiff-based producer ‘DJ Fill’ shifts up the groove with "Pause". Still oozing the soul but with a more Hip Hop-meet-Broken Beat vibe and peppered with smooth Rhodes, niggly electronic arps and a bassline that ain’t letting you go. Harold and Syl Messi go head to head with the lyrics, bringing together a smooth and edgy vocal balance for something truly special and unique. Proving that all good things must come to an end, the title track "Peripheral Vision" closes things out featuring guest raps and production from Chicago’s own ‘Nickel Slick’ on their mission to rebuild and re-educate through the power of lyrics. It’s a heartfelt track with a strong and relevant message for today’s testing times.
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