Tuesday, November 01, 2022

New Music Releases: Ben Wendel Quartet, Sunbear, Elvin Jones Quartet, Mozanto Sound

Ben Wendel Quartet - Live At The Village Vanguard

Saxophonist Ben Wendel proudly announces his upcoming week at the legendary Village Vanguard, November 1-6, 2022. Wendel will be recording a live album during the week for release in 2023, with a Quartet of modern-day venerated stalwarts, Gerald Clayton on piano, Linda May Han Oh on bass and Obed Calvaire on drums. Wendel and co. will be playing new music, and tunes from many of his earlier albums, including Simple Song (2009), What We Bring (2016) and The Seasons (2018).On his fourth time leading a band at the storied venue, Wendel said, "some of my favorite albums of all time come from the Village Vanguard. John Coltrane quartet, Joe Henderson with Ron Carter and Al Foster, Sonny Rollins, etc. I still have to pinch myself every time I get to play at this venue. When stepping on stage, I feel the history and spirits, the joy and creativity absorbed and collected in this space - it is truly a magical and potent place that pushes you to play your best. With that in mind, it is truly an honor and bucketlist moment to be able to join the continuum of this music and document an album at this historic venue. The quartet I've assembled is made up of dear friends that I have had the pleasure of playing, touring and recording with for many years. I plan on writing new material for the occasion, dusting off some older pieces of mine from earlier albums and finally arranging some standards that have often been played at the club over the years by masters such as Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, etc."

Sunbear - Sunbear 

Sunbear’s one and only album released on LA’s Soul Train in 1977 has buried itself in the wants-list of many a record collector, not least for its undeniably incredible album artwork. Contained within though are 10 tracks of unadulterated jazz funk gold, with standout number ‘Let Love Flow For Peace’ channelling Herbie Hancock-esque synth-work and magical vocals. Timeless business and a favourite of the likes of Gilles Peterson, Floating Points, Charlie Bones and Volcov. Also includes: Long; Heard The Voice Of Music Say; Mood I L.O.V.E.; Fantasy; Don't Overlook The Feelings; Mood II Love At First SIght; Rhythm Of Our Souls; and Mood III Oliver.

Elvin Jones Quartet - Revival: Live At Pookie's Club

Revival: Live at Pookie's Pub is a thrilling previously unissued recording of Elvin Jones’ quartet out November 18 that captures the legendary drummer’s emergence as a bandleader at a little-known New York City club where he had a weekly residency after leaving John Coltrane's band. The album features Joe Farrell on tenor saxophone, Billy Greene on piano & Wilbur Little on bass, Revival: Live At Pookie's Club was recorded in July 1967, just 2 weeks after John Coltrane died. The session was co-produced by Zev Feldman & Ashley Kahn, the 3-LP & 2-CD sets include a booklet with stunning photos, essays, interviews & more. 

Mozanto Sound - The Fool

Monzanto Sound release The Fool, the second single from their upcoming EP Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow due in Autumn 2022. Off the back of their incredible debut Time Lapse EP in 2021 and keyboardist Mali-I’s phenomenal debut LP ‘In Session’, Monzanto Sound return with new vocalist Mimi Koku to deliver an exceptional new 4 track EP. After the psychedelic neo-soul groove of Nuff Blues comes the deep dub jam The Fool. The Fool is a rhythmic yet defiant dub jam with a steady groove, killer bass line and a smooth roots vocal. Lyrically irreverent, it pulls together themes of disillusionment, rebellion and reflections on never-ending cycles of state violence. The dub version was featured on Mali-I’s debut album In Session, and now the full vocal track is released.


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