THIEVERY CORPORATION – TEMPLE OF I & I
Maybe one of the most sharp-edged albums in years from
Thievery Corporation – if not ever – thanks to the presence of a fair bit of
hip hop guest stars, in a large roster of talent that includes Mr Lif, Raquel
Jones, Zee, Notch, Lou Lou Ghelichkhani, Shana Halligan, Elin Melgarejo, and
Puma! The duo definitely have that classic approach to a groove that you'd know
from their earlier work, but they've also moved way past the bossa, easy, and
soundtrack references of before – to modes that embrace more 70s funk and soul,
as well as vintage hip hop production – plus some Jamaican currents that you
might guess from the album's title. Tracks include "Ghetto Matrix",
"Strike The Root", "Love Has No Heart", "Lose To
Find", "Weapons Of Distraction", "Fight To Survive",
"Babylon Falling", and "Drop Your Guns". ~ Dusty Groove
CRAIG TABORN- DAYLIGHT GHOSTS
The moody title's a great one for this album by pianist
Craig Taborn – given the spare melodies and ghost-like traces of sound that
move the album forward! The album's a perfect match between Taborn's music and
the ECM aesthetic – as space and air mean as much to the record as the sound of
the players – who work together in this really thoughtful way to shape the
slow-flowing evolution of the tunes! In addition to piano, Taborn also plays a
bit of electronics – and the album features some especially great clarinet from
Chris Speed, who also plays tenor – plus bass from Chris Lightcap and drums
from Dave King. Titles include "Abandoned Reminder", "The
Shining One", "The Great Silence", "Ancient",
"Phantom Ratio", and "Subtle Living Equations". ~ Dusty
Groove
GILSON PERANZZETTA – COMO VINHO 70 ANOS
A beautiful tribute to the career of Brazilian pianist
Gilson Peranzzetta – a musician who's been adding his talents to records of
some of the greats of that scene from the 70s onwards – including recordings by
Ivan Lins, Simone, and Gal Costa! Peranzzatta's both a great musical
accompanist for singers, and a hell of a musician on his own – and both sides
of those talents are showcased here – in a live set that has Gilson playing a
grand piano with a wonderfully rich sound – and leading a larger group as the
set moves on, with space enough for guest appearances by Leny Andrade, Mauro
Senise, Valerie Lobao, and the Quarteto Radames Gnattali. Most tunes are
original compositions by Gilson – showcasing his strengths as a composer, too –
and titles include "Como Vinho", "Pro Rada", "Cantos
Da Vida", "Sorriso De Luz", "Vivencia", "Paisagem
Brasileira", "Dois Na Rede", and "Braz De Pina Meu
Amor". ~ Dusty Groove
