That's the later Kool & The Gang logo on the front cover, but this killer set brings together all their greatness from the early days – a fantastic run of funk that set a whole new standard for the 70s! Right from the start, the group had something different going on – a leaner, sharper vibe that took some of the raw energy of the 60s, and gave it a sharper focus – heard first on an assortment if important funky 45s, then brought together on their first album, and expanded into some tremendous developments as the 70s moved on! All that greatness is here, featured in one amazing box – a full CD of singles from the time – plus the full albums Kool & The Gang, Music Is The Message, Good Times, Wild & Peaceful, Light Of Worlds, Spirit Of The Boogie, Love & Understanding, Open Sesame, Force, and Everybody's Dancing – plus the incredible concert albums Live At PJ's and Love At The Sex Machine. A fantastic set – essential for any fan of funk and soul! ~ Dusty Groove
Both artists here are ones you might know from other UK jazz projects – bassist Milo Fitzpatrick hails from Portico Quartet and saxophonist Jordan Smart is part of Mammal Hands – and together, they work in these spare duets that are really beautiful, and often very different than their previous recordings! There's a nice sense of space in both the way the bass and sax are recorded – so that the larger sound of the production wraps their sounds together nicely – almost an ECM sense of space, but without the coldness that label always seems to have – which makes for a key difference here in the way things come across. Titles include "Train To Kyoto", "Spiral Slow", "New Planet", "Epic Dream", "Red Moon Rising", and "Thoughts Shifting". ~ Dusty Groove
Bassist Neil Swainson almost never gives us a record as a leader, but when he does, it's usually something special – which is definitely the case on this well-crafted set! Swainson's kind of a secret talent – a great player in his own right, an excellent composer, and one of those leaders who really seems to pull something extra out of the players in his group – as you'll hear here in the quintet session with Rene Rosnes on piano, Lewis Nash on drums, Brad Turner on trumpet, and Kelly Jefferson on tenor! Both Turner and Jefferson aren't as well-known as the rhythm players, but they do a fantastic job of illuminating Swainson's set of all-original material – tracks that really set things up for the horn solos as they take off. Titles include "Late Afternoon", "Fell Among Thieves", "Standing Back", "Cascades", "Fools Gold", "Kyushu", and "Silver Mine". ~ Dusty Groove
Rudi Mahall and Michael Griener have known each other for many years – a fact that becomes instantly clear on hearing their rapport here in improvisation – Griener on drums and vibes, and Mahall on bass clarinet and baritone saxophone – instruments used in these stark, lean settings that really get at the heart of what makes free jazz so wonderful! Griener doesn't use vibes that often, but when he does, the approach is great – and no matter what the reed instrument, Mahall always has a way of crafting these notes that are sharp and distinct, and full with a subtle sense of emotive power. Titles include "Minute Spater", "Nach Entsprechenden", "Derweil", "Viele Tassen Beruhigungstee Spater", and "Und So Nahm Die Sache Ihren Lauf". ~ Dusty Groove
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