JOHNNIE BASSETT - I CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN

Guitarist Johnnie Bassett is a special bluesman, possessing a certain inspired individuality and skill set rarely found these days. In a career dating back to the early 1950s, the spry 76-year-old has earned many accolades--just last year he copped Detroit Music Awards for "Outstanding Blues/R&B Instrumentalist" and "Outstanding Blues Artist/Group." Well regarded in the Great Lakes region and blues America, yes, but arguably even more admired in Europe, where he's a favorite of festival-goers. Bassett's familiarity with jazz, R&B and soul is just as considerable as his blues knowledge; he's held his own in the fast company of luminaries from various strains of great American music including Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Smokey Robinson, Tina Turner, Dinah Washington, former neighbor John Lee Hooker and a young guitar fledgling named Jimi Hendrix.

For all his talent, Bassett has made just a handful of feature albums. The best of the five is his new one, I Can Make That Happen (Sly Dog Records)--its release is cause for celebration. Bassett, even-tempered and polite, says, "My sound and the way I play and tune my guitar is different from anybody. I designed it that way when I was getting into the business. I heard all the other guitarists coming up and they all sounded the same to me -everybody wanted to be B.B. King or T-Bone Walker. I wanted to be different-sounding." He realized his goal long ago through his open tuning, his impeccable timing, his personal way of bending notes, his mix of playfulness and relaxation in phrasing, and his arsenal of signature licks. Only a few of Bassett's peers play from the heart as convincingly as he does on his trusty old Gibson, Heritage and Conrad guitars.

The Florida-born septuagenarian turns in fine performances on strong original material for I Can Make That Happen, supported by ace musicians belonging to two popular Detroit bands. Keyboardist Chris Codish, bassist James Simonson and drummer Skeeto Valdez are The Brothers Groove. The Motor City Horns consists of saxophonist Keith Kaminski, trombonist John Rutherford, and trumpeters Bob Jensen and Mark Byerly. (Each of these players also contributed to the success of Bassett's 2009 Sly Dog release, The Gentleman Is Back.)

"The whole experience was electrifying," says Bassett about recording the new album. "We rehearsed three days. I like what we got out of that." Codish, who produced with Kaminski, recalls, "It was a lot of fun. All of us have been playing together for a long time and we were comfortable with each other. And I think we've grown as a band since the first record." So, what's it like to play with Bassett? "Johnnie's the top of the groove pyramid,' says Chris Codish, "where he sets the time with his playing, it's very natural for the rest of the band to fall in beneath him to support and follow him. He makes it fun."

Happily, Bassett and his friends show no interest in churning up the same old chord progressions on threadbare songs, as do hordes of blues recording artists year in and year out. Instead, the Motowners freshen up the blues using elements of jazz, R&B and soul on a program of superior songs mostly written by Chris Codish and his father, Bob. Bassett even refurbished rock and soul classics. The bandleader opines, "I think people will like the choices made as far as the material is concerned."

Opener "Proud to Be From Detroit" is a funky blues born of a band studio-jam based on a bass riff. "We thought with all the problems in the city," comments Bassett, "this song would make people forget about them." Bassett's singing of his own words about the city's virtues has a slow-burning intensity; likewise, his guitar work is wonderfully expressive, a shining beacon of accumulated technique. Note the drama built by the mighty horns before Bassett sings. "You can dance to that all day," he laughs.

"Love Lessons" has a more relaxed groove, spun off the piano rhythm; here, Bassett gives Bob Codish's risqué lyrics a real-life shimmer. "I don't know why we keep using Bob's stuff," jokes the bandleader, "but it all turns out well for us." Ditto for "Spike Boy," still another bawdy tune, this one packed with wicked train metaphors and enlivened by the jaunty confidence of the crackerjack band. "There's a bit of a Henry Mancini-meets-the-blues feel to this one," observes Chris Codish.

Bassett, as a singer and guitarist, has the capacity to sound fresh and involved emotionally at all times. But he seemingly outdoes himself with his excellent guitar solo on "I Can Make That Happen," a number that began life as a short duet demo by Chris Codish and fellow songwriter Jim "Moose" Brown, a top Nashville sessions guitarist and co-writer of "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere." Strikingly, Bassett translates emotions into bent phrases and tone with startling clarity and timing. Revitalizing soul great Solomon Burke's "Cry to Me," Bassett proves once again that integrity and entertainment aren't mutually exclusive. "Solomon was one of my favorite balladeers," Bassett replies when asked how they happened to cover the 1962 R&B chart hit.

On Bob Codish's "Teach Me to Love," Bassett joins "Detroit Diva" Thornetta Davis in resting their splendid vocals on what Chris calls a "warm background pillow of harmony" generated by the horns. Kaminski weighs in impressively with a tenor saxophone solo. Next up is the album's sole instrumental, "Dawging Around," penned by Kaminski in honor of Bassett's Blues Insurgent Band saxophone player, the late Scott "E. Dawg" Petersen. The musicians' comfort level with swinging jazz is obvious. Let's hope Bassett, a veteran of many jazz organ combos, and always musically intelligent, records more instrumentals on the jazzy side of blues in the future.

The blues, of course, is about rising above difficulties, and "Cha'Mon!" and "Let's Get Hammered" both emphasize the fun factor. Bob Codish's "Motor City Blues" acknowledges the harder times of Detroit residency but it derives its emotional clout from Bassett singing witty lyrics that are optimistic about the future. Bassett and his producers unleash the biggest surprise near the album's end with a stirring rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary." Bassett hosted a Sunday night jam session decades ago in Seattle where a young Hendrix regularly attended and performed, often picking up tips and licks from watching Bassett. The enterprising guitarist brings their connection full circle as he and his colleagues locate many new pockets of freshness in the familiar song.

Bassett, after all, isn't just playing for the blues crowd. "My style of playing is laid back. I try to play my music where everybody of all ages can enjoy it," he says with characteristic graciousness. "That's what keeps you working, and I've been doing it since 1953. I hope the new album catches on." Rest assured, Mr. Johnnie Bassett will make that happen.

Johnnie Bassett · I Can Make That Happen
Sly Dog Records · Release Date: June 19, 2012

PETE BELASCO – LIGHTS ON

While Pete Belasco is truly one of the most satisfying singers of our time, seven years is a very long wait without getting some... Some of that seductive slow groove, some soulful crooning and some cleverly, evocative lyrics. Sure, Pete Belasco’s signature sound lingers, which is why radio stations worldwide continue to support his two previous recordings (Get It Together and Deeper)… with Lights On, the wait is over my Belasco-starved friends! This new project is everything you’ve been holding out for! Subtle, sexy and intelligent with skillfully crafted tunes in a similar vein as vintage favorites Mayfield, Marvin and Smokey. Fans of today’s neo soul, will also enjoy discovering Pete’s Lights On… a relevant musical tale of a sweet, sweet life. We are so fortunate that this sensitive artist was willing to venture back into the recording studio to deliver 12 entrancing new songs, plus 2 bonus tracks. Favorites for me include the infectious “Rock It” and the stunning “My Eyes.” Radio will be thrilled and fans will be relieved… and I can finally relax as I am Belascofied once again! ~Sandy Shore / Smoothlounge.com.

1. Ain’t Doin It
2. Lights On
3. Rock It
4. Down
5. My Eyes
6. Repay You
7. Stubborn (Stay Focused)
8. Later
9. One
10. Just Me
11. Sweeter
12. Who’s The Man
13. My Eyes (Organic Mix)
14. One (Organic Mix)

LEGACY: THE BEST OF TAB BENOIT

In a career of more than two decades, blues guitarist/vocalist Tab Benoit has generated an impressive body of work — every note of it rooted in the rich and centuries-old musical and cultural traditions of his native Louisiana. While his earliest recordings and performances may have established him as a genuine blues musician, his ever-expanding body of work has become even more resonant in the years since Hurricane Katrina and its devastating aftermath in 2005. Through his environmental advocacy work with Voice of the Wetlands — which actually predates Katrina by a few years — Benoit has counterbalanced his musical career with a tireless commitment to protecting the precarious landscape of his home state.


This fierce commitment to creative and environmental ideals comes to the forefront in a compilation of recordings from Benoit’s years, so far, on the Telarc label. Legacy: The Best of Tab Benoit gathers 14 tracks that mark some of the high points in the career of an artist who has been aptly described as “the new kid from the old school.” Legacy is set for release on Telarc, a division of Concord Music Group.

“Benoit is a true Louisiana resource, the product of a life steeped in music — blues, country, Cajun, rock and soul,” according to the liner notes by John Swenson, author of New Atlantis: Musicians Battle for the Survival of New Orleans. “Tab brings all these elements to bear in a style uniquely his own, a delivery built around one of the greatest voices of his generation and powered by an exciting guitar sound. Benoit stands out as a blues player because he never, ever overplays, making every note count the way greats like Albert King and Johnny Copeland could do it. Benoit is also a fine songwriter whose heart shines through his work and who conveys an earnest message in every story he tells.”

All of these virtues are apparent throughout Legacy, which opens with the potent “Shelter Me,” a Buddy Miller song about overcoming adversity. Benoit’s version, from his 2007 album Power of the Pontchartrain, was produced by David Z (Prince, Jonny Lang, Buddy Guy), who thought it carried the appropriate message for a post-Katrina album.

“[David] had worked with me before Katrina when I told him what Voice of the Wetlands was about,” says Benoit. “I described what was going on with the wetlands and what the problems were. I’d been trying to warn people about what would happen. And then it happened. Of course there’s frustration and all kinds of other emotional things. We’ve worked enough together that he knows I’m still optimistic. I don’t give up the fight. I think a lot of that is in that song.”

The foot-stomping next track, “Night Train,” comes from Benoit’s 2005 release, Fever for the Bayou. “It was one of those songs that kind of writes itself,” says Benoit. “I’d just driven home from Chicago or someplace. I drove straight through, about 20 hours. It’s like being on a night train going all night and trying to get home.”

Throughout the collection, Benoit is joined by other luminary bluesmen with whom he has collaborated during the past 13 years. Among them are guitarists Kenny Neal (“I Put a Spell on You”) and Jimmy Thackery (“Nice and Warm,” “Whiskey Store”), vocalist Billy Joe Shaver and fiddler Wayne Thibodeaux (“Comin’ on Strong”), vocalist/percussionist Cyril Neville (“The Blues Is Here To Stay”) and harpist Jimmy Hall (the live “New Orleans Ladies,” featuring Louisiana’s LeRoux).

The album closes with “Bayou Boogie,” a wild jam taken from Whiskey Store Live, Benoit’s 2004 recording with Thackery (and the follow-up to the 2002 Benoit-Thackery studio project, Whiskey Store). Also on hand for this balls-out free-for-all are saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter, Ken Faltinson on Hammond B-3, bassist Carl Dufrene, and dual drummers Darryl White and Mark Stutso.

“Me and Jimmy have been friends since I got out on the road. We had a chance to play and tour together and we had a ball doing it. On the road we’d pair our bands together so we’d have two drummers, my bass player playing bass and his bass player playing B-3. Both bands had a chance to hang out together and become friends. That was a lot of fun.”

The fact is, “it’s always a lot of fun when Tab comes to play,” says Swenson. “Legacy: The Best of Tab Benoit allows his fans to share in that fun back at home.”

1. Shelter Me 5:05

2. Night Train 4:17
3. I Put a Spell on You 4:51
4. For What It's Worth 5:17
5. Nice and Warm 7:38
6. Muddy Bottom Blues 4:20
7. Darkness 4:40
8. Comin' On Strong 3:25
9. The Blues Is Here To Stay 6:01
10. Medicine 5:47
11. These Arms of Mine 4:16
12. Whiskey Store 3:28
13. New Orleans Ladies 5:44
14. Bayou Boogie

Concord Music Group

BASIA – FROM NEWPORT TO LONDON

The Polish-born vocalist, who began her career with hits throughout Europe by Matt Bianco and then made the transition to become a very successful solo artist in the '90s, is in stunning form at this recent concert recorded in Lodz, Poland. As well as hits such as "Promises", "New Day For You" and "Cruising For Bruising", Basia also performs "Astrud" (about Astrud Gilberto) and the new studio recordings "Wandering" and "From Newport to London". Danny White, who also began with Basia in Matt Bianco, is again her musical director, producer and co-writer. The album also includes three brand new exclusive studio recordings. Jazz FM

Tracklisting:
1. Third Time Lucky (Live)
2. Drunk On Love (Live)
3. Cruising For Bruising (Live)
4. How Dare You (Live)
5. If Not Now Then When (Live)
6. Love Lies Bleeding (Live)
7. I Must (Live)
8. Astrud (Live)
9. New Day For You (Live)
10. A Gift (Live)
11. An Olive Tree (Live)
12. From Now On (Live)
13. Promises (Live)
14. Time and Tide (Live)
15. Copernicus (Live)
16. There's A Tear (Acoustic Version)
17. Wandering
18. From Newport To London

NEW RELEASES: HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUENOTES, KOOL & THE GANG & ROYAL GROOVES

HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES – TALK IT UP (TELL EVERYBODY) (WITH BONUS TRACKS)

Later work by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes – but proof that the sound of a great group will never die! The record was cut for the small Philly World label, but it's got plenty of elements that really echo the best Philly elements of the glory years – snapping groovers that provide a solid midtempo style for the vocals to soar from – and some warm ballads that are filled with that beautiful glow that the group had from the Teddy P years onwards! Titles include "Time Be My Lover", "Don't Give Me Up", "I Can't Let You Go", "What We Both Need", "I Really Love You", and "Today's Your Lucky Day". CD is overflowing with bonus tracks – almost as many as the original album – with titles that include "Don't Give Me Up (12" long)", "Today's Your Lucky Day (single)", "I Really Love You (single)", "I Can't Let You Go (single)", "Don't Give Me Up (12" M&M dance mix)", "Today's Your Lucky Day (12" instrumental)", and "Don't Give Me Up (12" M&M dub)".

KOOL & THE GANG

A landmark album of funky genius – and one of the first times a batch of funky 45s had ever been so tightly sewn into a full LP! By the time of this album's release, Kool & The Gang were already underground legends – cutting it up in small clubs around the east and midwest, and working hard to push their excellent early singles on the De-Lite label – the kind of indie funky 45s that went on to shape the sound of a generation to come! This album brings together a number of those singles – really great little tracks that you can't really ever find on wax, and which have the group's perfect blend of bass/drum rhythms, choppy guitar, and hard-blaring horns – a massive groove that's still tighter here than any of the countless combos the record went onto inspire. The LP's a non-stop jam all the way through, with funk so pure it could be considered the blueprint for a generation – and titles include "Give It Up", "Raw Hamburger", "Kool's Back Again", "Breeze & Soul", "Sea of Tranquility", and "Kool & The Gang".

ROYAL GROOVES – FUNK & GROOVY SOUL FROM THE KING RECORDS VAULTS

Mighty recordings from the funk years of King Records – amazing grooves that follow the initial inspiration that James Brown gave to the label – but take things into wild new territory too! The late 60s & early 70s were kind of a strange and tumultuous time at the longtime Cincinnati operation – which was adapting to the changes in funk, soul and R&B music that James Brown almost single-handedly ushered in – at King and throughout the entire culture! What's most impressive here, beyond the exceptional quality of each song and performer, is the diversity – as the set's not all front-to-back JB-style funk – and also features some funked up bluesy soul, strains of gospel, the convincing move towards funk from veterans such as Hank Ballard & Bill Doggett – all topped off with righteous storytelling, sweet female soul leads, and some amazing grooves down at the bottom! Titles include "Getting Down (With Hoss)" by Kastle, "Love's Sweet Water" by Barbara Burton And The Messengers, "Baby Don't You Know" by The Brownettes, "Clay Tyson (Man On The Moon)" by Clay Tyson, "Cool Jerk" by The Coasters, "The Boo Boo Song" by King Coleman, "Unwind Yourself" by Hank Ballard, "Steal Away" by Leon Austin, "Peter Rabbit" by The Presidents, "Lookin For A Woman" by Robert Moore, "Push & Shove" by Willy Wiley, "Ball Of Fire" by Connie Austin, "Sad But True" by Elaine Armstrong, and "You Keep Me Hanging On" by Bonnie & Sheila.

Dusty Groove

HIROSHIMA - DEPARTURE

Hiroshima have released their latest album, Departure, the follow-up to their 2010 Grammy-nominated Legacy CD. Co-founder and leader of the band, Dan Kuramoto has stated, “After more than 30 years in the recording industry -- and almost 4 million records sold we’ve decided to leave record companies behind and venture on our own. “It is a new beginning for us in many ways. This actually is something that many other artists are now doing since they all now have the ability to self-market themselves with distribution through various website. Having said that, Departure is a journey of nine songs -- all originals with just one guest artist, the incredible harmonica player Tetsuya “Tex” Nakamura

Here are some of the album highlights:

The opening track “Have You Ever Wondered,” is a luscious, textured piece featuring Nakamura and June’s shimmering koto.

“Koto Cruise,” is the second song and features a funky groove and a burning koto solo, “Blues for Sendai,” a soulful jazz blues piece, is dedicated to the spirit of the Japanese people who are rebuilding after the tragedies of March, 2011.

The rockin’ blues in “Smiling Jack,” recalls the music of the 80’s and features the roaring B3 organ playing of Kimo Cornwell.

The sensual soul of “See You Again,” is a tribute to our friend and mentor James Moody. If you listen closely you’ll hear “Moody’s Mood for Love.”

After many years of requests, we offer our first live taiko recording, “Yamasong Duet” - - capturing the voice and the thunder of Shoji’s taiko and Danny’s fierce percussion interplay.

The power and spirit of “First Nation,” a composition by the Hawaiian Kimo Cornwell, is a song embracing many native cultures - - and some serious jazz.

Departure ends with two new visitations to our most popular songs, “Thousand Cranes,” and a soulful version of “One Wish,” done as an acoustic trio.”

“Also on our website at hiroshimamusic.com we ask you to join the Hiroshima community. By signing up and giving us your email addresses we will provide information about the band, special discounts, free music, and an interactive network of arts, culture and lifestyles.

www.hiroshimamusic.com
facebook.com/hiroshimamusic
www.listn.to/hiroshima
www.listn.to/junekuramoto

BEN E. KING @ THE JAZZ CAFE, LONDON, UK APRIL 13-14

Jazz Cafe and Soul Motion present

BEN E KING

April 12 – 13- 14

Intimate London shows for legendary soul artist

Born Benjamin Earl Nelson, in Henderson, North Carolina, young Ben’s family relocated to New York City when he was at the tender age of nine. Possessing one of the most elegant baritone voices ever, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alumnus Ben E. King’s imprint on the musical landscape is so indelible that an optimum barometer has been set for countless aspiring performers. From a youngster in Harlem to an embraceable solo artist, Ben E. King’s contributions to the pop music spectrum are incalculable.

From the first cut of his upcoming release, I’ve Been Around, to the very last track on this superlative disc, Ben E. King magnifies his presence as a monumental force in the ever-changing entertainment arena. I’ve Been Around is a twelve-track rainbow collection of fresh, eclectic tunes, including the title track, “I’ve Been Around,” which is a rapturous mix of R&B and indefatigable jazz-funk; “Comparing Her To You,” a lingering ballad laced with a smidgeon of new country; and “I Bet You That,” a vocally infectious jam with a uniquely frenetic pulse. In addition to these and a plethora of other novel selections, keep an ear open for the surprise bonus track.

As a member of The Drifters, Ben sang lead on such chart-stoppers as “Dance With Me,” This Magic Moment,” “Save The Last Dance,” and “I Count The Tears.” In 1960, and in the midst of unimaginable success as a Drifter, Ben made the decision to aim even higher by pursuing a lifelong dream to choose and perform many of his own tunes as a solo artist. This also called for Ben to create a stage name to distinguish the solo artist from the Drifter. By shortening his original name, by using his middle initial, and by displacing his last name, he now became known universally as Ben E. King.

In 1961, as Ben E. King the icon that the world has come to cherish, his first hit was one that even the Queen of Soul was moved to cover, the magnificent “Spanish Harlem.” But his second heart-melting single, “Stand By Me,” reached gargantuan proportions. That # 1 R&B hit and top five pop jam (written by Ben E. King, Leiber and Stoller) has been sung or covered by almost everyone who ever walked into a recording studio. Why, even Hollywood film-director Rob Reiner was inspired to select “Stand By Me” as the title for his 1986 feature film and sound score by the same title. During that same period “Stand By Me” was re-released as a single, rose to the top ten in the US, and rocketed to the # 1 spot in the UK.

Ben E. King is still recording and pleasing fans from Tokyo to the streets of L.A. Truly, one of the premier group and individual artists to ever clutch a microphone, Ben E. King’s rich, velvety voice is a priceless national treasure. From a youngster in Harlem to an embraceable solo artist, Ben E. King’s contributions to the pop music spectrum are incalculable.

solaradio.com

KHARI CABRAL SIMMONS - CLEMENTINE SUN / SUN GODDESS - THE BEST OF RAMSEY LEWIS

KHARI CABRAL SIMMONS - CLEMENTINE SUN

Atlanta-based musician and songwriter Khari has come up with a stunning collection of uplifting, airplay-friendly tunes which fuse soul, bossa nova and jazz. Clementine Sun was mixed by Bluey from Incognito who add their horns to the hooky 'How Can We Go Wrong?'. India.Arie is guest vocalist on a delightful treatment of Stevie Wonder’s 'Never In Your Sun' which is already attracting a lot of airplay and Sabrina Malheiros sings on 'Major Bossa'.

Clementine Sun tracklisting:
1.Clementine Sun
2.Never In Your Sun (feat India.Arie)
3.Coolamon Waltz
4..Get Back (feat Chantae Cann)
5.Ninos (feat Oteil Burbridge & Russell Gunn)
6.The Dove
7.Belle Of Byron Bay (feat Monday Mi-chiru)
8.How Can We Go Wrong? (feat Incognito)
9.Major Bossa (feat Sabrina Malheiros)

SUN GODDESS - BEST OF RAMSEY LEWIS

This one is the most comprehensive collection of Columbia recordings by fusion keyboard legend Ramsey Lewis. The 32-track double CD focuses on his iconic 1974 album Sun Goddess produced by Earth Wind & Fire and further collaborations and solo albums made over a productive 16-year period. Many of the tracks here have never previously been on CD or are extremely rare. Special guests include Stevie Wonder, Grover Washington Jr. and Nancy Wilson.

CD 1:
1. Spring High
2. Every Chance I Get
3. Caring For You
4. Tambura
5. Romance Me
6. So Much More
7. Lynn [Live]
8. Caribbean Blue
9. Wandering Rose
10. Hot Dawgit
11. Love Notes
12. I Dig You
13. That's The Way Of The World
14. Slippin' Away
15. Paradise
16. Expansions

CD 2:
1. Sun Goddess
2. Sassy Stew [Live]
3. That Ole Bach Magic
4. What's Going On
5. Whisper Zone
6. Tequila Mockingbird
7. Brazilica
8. The Messenger
9. Fish Bite
10. Camino El Bueno
11. Lakeshore Cowboy
12. My Angel's Smile
13. All The Way Live
14. Skippin'
15. I'll Always Dream About You
16. Intimacy

Jazz FM

DOME RECORDS - TWENTY YEARS 3 CD SPECIAL EDITION

From Beverley Knight, Lulu and Hil St Soul in the Nineties to Incognito, Eric Roberson, Avery Sunshine and Drizabone Soul Family in the label’s second decade, Dome has always been able to deliver the very finest soul artists. CDs1 and 2 contain highlights from Dome’s first 20 years, while CD3 includes new songs, previously unreleased remixes, radio performances and exclusive live recordings. A stunning 3-CD collection covering the highlights of Dome’s 20-year history, with a lavish 40-page booklet containing notes by label founder Peter Robinson and many previously unpublished photos. Jazz FM

Disc: 1
1. Lulu with Bobby Womack - I’m Back For More
2. Richard Darbyshire - This I Swear (Knuckles & Morales Radio Mix)
3. Sinclair - I Want You Back
4. Beverley Knight - Moving On Up
5. Hil St Soul - Until You Come Back To Me
6. Mike Stevens feat Meli’sa Morgan - Tell Me (How It Feels)
7. Dennis Taylor - Smile
8. Beverlei Brown - Love You Yes
9. Full Flava feat Carleen Anderson - Stories
10. Cooly’s Hot Box - Make Me Happy
11. Angela Johnson - Rescue Me
12. D-Influence feat Dyanna Fearon - I Wanna Know You
13. Donna Gardier - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
14. Incognito - Can’t Get You Out Of My Head
15. Seek - Talk About It
16. Rosie Gaines - Honeychild
17. Rahsaan Patterson - Stop Breaking My Heart
18. Avani - Best Friend’s Lover

Disc: 2
1. Brenda Russell - Make You Smile
2. Conya Doss - Can’t Stop
3. George Duke feat Eric Benet - Superwoman
4. Martha Redbone - Children Of Love
5. Carleen Anderson - My Door Is Open
6. Julie Dexter & Khari Simmons - Fooled By A Smile
7. Anthony David feat India Arie - Words
8. Donnie - If I Were You (Radio Version)
9. Mikelyn Roderick - Slippin’
10. Full Flava feat Kelli Sae - Music Is My way Of Life
11. Gordon Chambers feat Ledisi - To Love Again
12. Eric Roberson feat Lalah Hathaway - Dealing
13. Angela Johnson feat Frank McComb - Play
14. James Taylor Quartet - Got To Give It Up
15. Don-E - Stay Awhile
16. Heston - No Way, No How
17. Avery Sunshine - All In My Head
18. Drizabone Soul Family - I Fell Apart

Disc: 3
1. Khari Cabral Simmons feat Sabrina Malheiros - Major Bossa
2. Anthony David - Location Location Location
3. Heston - She Lives In Me
4. Avery Sunshine - He Keeps On Doing Great Things For Me
5. Rahsaan Patterson - 6 A.M. (Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley Old Skool 330 Mix)
6. Angela Johnson - You’re Here With Me (Masheen remix)
7. Down To The Bone - Watch Me Fly (Earth Sold Remix)
8. Incognito - Freedom To Love (Reel People Rework)
9. Tortured Soul - Home To You (Ethan White Remix)
10. Avery Sunshine - Ugly Part Of Me (Mike Dunn’s BlackBall Soul Mixx)
11. Eric Roberson - Just A Dream (Live UK radio session)
12. Anthony David - Spittin’ Game (Live UK radio session)
13. Cooly’s Hot Box - It’s Alright (Mike Gee Choice FM radio drop)
14. Lulu with Bobby Womack - I’m Back For More (Peter Young - Jazz FM radio drop)

RALPH TEE'S LUXURY SOUL

Ralph Tee’s “Luxury Soul” show on Jazz FM is now a two CD collection on Expansion Records featuring 30 sublime recordings from the 70s and 80s. Ralph’s ‘vintage soul in revival’ played in the second hour of his show remembers a period of lush musical arrangements and productions from a golden age of soul. With talented singers and musicians releasing big budget, sophisticated soul through major record labels at the time, some of these artists had huge commercial success and are household name while many more became so popular with soul fans their music has endured the years and remains in demand today. Ralph’s compilation focuses on songs that are either currently rare on CD or previously unissued on CD that captures the essence of Ralph’s Sunday afternoon ‘niceness’ here at Jazz FM that he calls Luxury Soul. Jazz FM

CD 1
1. Let Somebody Love You - Phyllis Hyman
2. I Don't Know - Rene & Angela
3. New Found Love - Charles Veal
4. Diana - Earth, Wind & Fire
5. It's Over - O'Bryan
6. Never Been Here Before - Paulette McWilliams
7. Special Lady - Splendor
8. All My Reasons - Noel Pointer
9. I Wanna Be With You - David Ruffin
10. Are We Losing Touch - Nancy Wilson
11. It's The Last Time - Keni Burke
12. Glory Glory - Maxi Anderson
13. Different Kinda Different - Johnny Mathis
14. Just A Little Piece Of You - Betty Everett
15. Let Me Take You There - Major Harris

CD 2
1.I'm Just Warmin' Up - Eloise Laws
2. Let Me Be Yours - Lillo Thomas
3. Never Like This - Two Tons of Fun
4. I Can't Used To being Alone - Family Brown
5. Sometimes Love - Lenny Williams
6. Made For Each Other - Ben E. King
7. Only The Angels Know - Linda Clifford
8. Take Some Time - Ndugu & The Chocolate Jam Co.
9. Don't Take Me for Granted - Atlantic Starr
19.We Can Make It Alright - The Gap Band
11. Show You How - Cheryl Lynn
12.You Know Something I Wanna Know - Beau Williams
13. Good Inside - Bobby Lyle
14. I Get It From You - Pages
15. Spread Love – Brick

NEW RELEASES: WILD BELLE, NICK DE CARO & THIRD COAST KINGS

WILD BELLE – KEEP YOU / TAKE AWAY

An impressive intro to Wild Belle – the group fronted by the brother & sister duo of Elliot & Natalie Bergman! Elliot's best known around these parts for his work with global soundscape eclecticists Nomo – and if you follow Nomo, you know enough to expect the unexpected. That said, we still didn't expect something like Wild Belle! There's just 2 songs here, but it's fair to say that they have the potential to breakout huge, and pretty damn quick, too. "Keep You" has a bit of a breezy rocksteady vibe while "Take Me Away" is a seriously catchy pastiche of psych-pop-soul tunefulness. Their sounds are built from Rhodes, toy piano and other keys, sax, kalimba, guitar, bass, drums, autoharp and more. We haven't even touched on Natalie's vocals yet, which are easygoing and seductive at the same time. No genre, really. Just good. Get it!

NICK DE CARO – HAPPY HEART

One of the few albums as an artist from the great Nick De Caro – one of the hipper arrangers of the 60s, best known for his collaborations with Claudine Longet on A&M! Nick's a very subtle genius – one who can work firmly inside the mainstream, but also bring something different to the table – a magical way of inflecting a tune, spare use of silence, or controlled emotion that always made his backings a perfect fit for the adult sound of A&M. Instrumentation here is heavily strings, but never in a syrupy, sleepy way – and many numbers feature a standout lead instrument – such as piano by Lincoln Mayorga, soprano sax by Gabe Balthazar, or tenor sax by Bill Perkins. Nick sings on 2 tracks – "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" and "Caroline No" – in this compressed style that's totally wonderful – and other titles include "Love is All", "Quiet Sunday", "Lullaby From Rosemary's Baby", "Happy Heart", and "I'll Forget You". CD also features a bonus single edits of "Happy Heart" and "Spanish Flea". (SHMCD pressing.)

THIRD COAST KINGS

Sharply funky sounds from the third coast of Detroit – played by one of the best groups to emerge from the Motor City in years! Although the city's been known for its electric styles of the past few decades, recent years has seen a strong return to old school modes – and the Third Coast Kings are a perfect example of that – a group who really respect classic funk styles of the late 60s and early 70s, and really get the instrumentation, production, and overall conception right on the money! There's plenty of funky combos around these days, but these guys really do a hell of a job – and the overall sound of the record is so great, they easily give most of the more established funk acts a real run for their money. Titles include "Summalove", "Case Quarter", "On The Reel", "Gold Brick", "Emcee Marie", "Come On", "Give Me Your Love", and "Crush It".

Dusty Groove

ERIC MARIENTHAL - IT'S LOVE

Saxman Eric Marienthal is certainly no stranger in the world of contemporary jazz, and, more importantly, not a stationary or idle figure. Having worked with everyone from Chick Corea’s Electrik Band to the Rippingtons, he has firmly implanted himself as one of the most sought-after saxophonists in the biz. Here with his newest release, It’s Love, the versatile artist draws on the experience and support he’s received over the years.

The masterfully done project is produced by his longtime friend, guitarist/producer and Fourplay newest member Chuck Loeb. Loeb’s presence is almost immediately felt in the production. Says Marienthal of Loeb,”Working with Chuck on It’s Love was a great experience that was in many ways an extension of the creative live performances we had been doing together. His jazz melodies, harmonies, and solos constantly inspired me to up my game and took the album to a whole other level.” Yeah, it’s easy to see how Loeb can have that impact.

Adding to Loeb’s presence, Marienthal calls on (who else?) producer/keyboardist Jeff Lorber for his handiwork on the album, as well as Yellowjackets members keyboardist Russell Ferrante (with whom he’d worked before on such Marienthal projects as Got You Covered) and bassist Jimmy Haslip. The blend of all of these high profile artists splashes such color on the canvas of this project that it’s almost blinding.

In addition to some sparkling originals, Marienthal nods in appreciation to this likes of Brenda Russell, covering her “Get Here” flawlessly; the “Duke” (Duke Ellington), covering his “In A Sentimental Mood” so sentimentally and with much obvious respect; and the Fab Four (Beatles), covering “Can’t Buy Me Love” in a cool, laid-back interpretation of the classic.

The saxman takes care of these covers right up front as the first three tracks, then cuts loose on his original material which includes the romantic title track, co-written with Loeb, and the solidly jazz-lined “Two In One” and “Costa Del Soul,” also co-written with Loeb. On the latter piece, Lorber and Haslip are featured. Of course, as many know, both are now also integral parts of the revived Jeff Lorber Fusion. Lorber also co-wrote the snappy “Babycakes” (one of my faves) with Marienthal. More Yellowjackets influence appears as Ferrante’s keys figure nicely in “Café Royale.”

In the sweet and tender finale, “When I Found You,” keyboardist Brian Culbertson drops by to offer his fabulous skills to complement Marienthal’s telling sax. Alone by candlelight with your heartthrob, ‘nuff said.

There’s much to like here as a true smooth jazz aficionado. There’s not an overwhelming or overbearing amount of R&B here (it’s sprinkled in here and there on a few pieces). This is sweet contemporary J-A-Z-Z, tastefully written and performed. Marienthal’s sax is clear, definitive, and crisp as he announces each track from the depths of his soul. This is what it’s all about, jazz fans. Treat yourselves to a listen. – Ronald Jackson

Thesmoothjazzride.com

RAHSAAN PATTERSON - BLUEPHORIA

A conversation often heard is the one lamenting that soul music just isn’t as good as it was “back in the day”, and I often ponder with playful irony the memories of my elders sharing much the same sentiment as they complained about being made to suffer the musical outrages of the noisy, offensive and occasionally sexually suggestive content of soul artists of the seventies & eighties, especially when I consider that many of the accused – Parliament / funkadelic , Prince, Marvin Gaye, to name but a few - are now considered to be legends and highly respected amongst today’s soulful chattering class.


This thinly veiled – but stubborn - refusal to listen to anything that doesn’t immediately supply a hankering to be transported back to that coming of age / first job phase of ones lives has got to be at its very least creatively restricting for both the music lover and it’s makers. Some of the best soul music has come from artists who took the risk to challenge the “norm” and seek to create their own soundtrack to a particular phase in their lives in order to grow, experiment and to reflect their own experiences.

Rahsaan Patterson’s latest release Bleuphoria, is a prime example of a work which has been imagined and conceived through a particular phase of an artist’s romantic experience.

This, his sixth solo release in a successful song writing and recording artist career that has spanned over a decade and a half, finds Patterson in his most experimental mode to date, and draws subtly on the musical influences of Prince whist utilising Patterson’s Chaka Khan like vocals to a smooth and often dramatic effect. From the very first track - a spookily catchy cover of the Flamingo’s, “I only have eyes for you” – one is made aware that this is not going to be a run of the mill release.

There is no shortage of guest vocalists & arrangers on this project - Andre Crouch and Tata’ Vega. Jody Watley, Shanice Wilson, Faith Evans, and Lalah Hathaway – all enhance tracks which range in style from some beautiful thoughtful soul ballads, deep soulful house, gospel, mid tempo funk and even a more rock influenced mid tempo number. However it is in the Soulful mid tempo tracks and the Ballads that his song writing and vocal talents truly shine on this release.
As by now you may well have guessed this album is unusual, requiring the removal of any musical blinkers, and allowing yourself the time to accompany one of this generations most successful soul artists, on a musical rollercoaster ride, that rewards far more than it ever frustrates.

Soulbrother.com

ELLIOT YAMIN – LET’S GE TO WHAT’S REAL

Elliott Yamin has already earned a prestigious reputation as both a world-class recording artist and a deeply compelling live performer, having built an impressive body of work as well as an intensely loyal international fan base. On Let's Get to What's Real, the multi-talented artist raises the musical and personal stakes, tapping into the emotional honesty and sonic intimacy of classic soul to create the most inspired and distinctive music he's ever made. The resulting album is the purest expression to date of the musical talent and personal charisma that were first introduced to the public during Yamin's stint as one of the most acclaimed performers to Ever compete on TV's American Idol.

Elliott Yamins fresh new creative leap is apparent on such impassioned new tunes as the intimate, insistent Self Control, the rousingly upbeat Gather Round, the poignantly autobiographical Virginia and the commanding title track, whose lyrical sentiments underline the sense of personal commitment that Yamin brought to the project. Those tracks find the artist decisively reinventing his sound, reaching back to the heartfelt immediacy of vintage R&B while remaining firmly grounded in the present.

1. Gather Round
2. Self Control
3. Thinkin Bout You
4. Let s Get To What s Real
5. Poison
6. Downtown
7. Enough Love
8. Up, Down, All Around
9. I ll Be That Bridge
10. Virginia
11. 3 Words

Amazon.com

CONGO SANCHEZ – VOL. 1

Introducing Congo Sanchez, the backbeat of the Washington DC party scene. As one of the city’s most adept instrumentalists, he is the favored sideman and producer for dance bands and world music ensembles alike. His contributions to The Empresarios Bestia EP, Funk Ark’s From the Rooftops and Thievery Corporation’s Culture of Fear stand out with distinct character. He finally steps out on his own with his solo debut, Congo Sanchez, Vol. 1, out April 17, 2012 on ESL Music.

Musician and Selecta extraordinaire, Congo can generally be found in one of two places. If he’s not on the road drumming with DC’s own, Thievery Corporation or See-I: he’s jamming out to fresh vibes at the mysterious Lillypad studios. He is developing a unique blend of Afro-Latin Dub, as he evolves in to his own on the DC music scene. This EP-his first solo outing-proves that the sound is here, and Congo Sanchez is the ambassador. His over-all taste, and musical personality are a delight, with a superlative sense of rhythm and a musicianly approach to arrangements and melody.

“I embodied Afro-Cuban and Haitian rhythms while accompanying for world dance classes, and began composing pieces for Solo Percussion and Chamber Jazz Ensembles….built a DIY home studio and started to produce my own beats with these ideals in mind.”

Congo produces and performs everything on the EP, with two notable exceptions. Karen Joy McCoy plays shimmering violin on “Democrazy,” the opening track, while the horn section from Ikebe Shakedown – Morgan Price, sax; Jason Colby, trumpet; Nadav Nirenberg, trombone – add their blazing ensemble work to “T.E.T.O. (strut)” . Congo lays down subtle keyboard textures and multi-layered percussion tracks throughout, giving the music an otherworldly vibe rooted by his earthy backbeat.

“During college, I took interest world music. I learned of the Yoruba and Fon traditions of West Africa and how they remained vital throughout colonialization in the Western Hemisphere. All the time re-discovering these rhythms and melodies in music that I listened to growing up in suburban America.”

Congo Sanchez knows his roots and leads the listener on a fascinating journey along the vibrations of DC’s outernational sound.

Eslmusic.com

MARLENA SHAW - ANTHOLOGY

Marlena Shaw has been one of the most prolific soul and jazz female vocalists with a recording career spanning 35 years. Equally comfortable singing soul, jazz or cocktail lounge styles, her versatility and rich and sweet tones have graced albums recorded for Cadet in the 60's, Blue Note and Columbia in the 70's and independent labels, Polydor and Verve in the late 80's and most recently Concord Jazz.

On this anthology we have picked the cream of the tracks across her career for the first time on one album. We start this anthology in 1968, the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the States with the epic "Woman Of The Ghetto". An all time classic with poignant lyrics powerfully sung by Marlena. 'My children learn just the same as yours, as long as no one tries to close the door. We must all have identity - self respect is our separate task'. The song is backed by driving bass and Maurice White introducing the Kalimba sound with which he achieved great fame with Earth, Wind and Fire in the 70's. The track has long been in demand by both soul and jazz fans, but in the mid nineties the song with it's chorus scat was sampled by Blueboy on the club and chart hit "Remember Me", introducing it to a younger audience.

"California Soul" written by the then Motown stable writers Ashford & Simpson is a glorious late 60's soul song with Charles Stepney's string arrangement reminiscent of his more famous Rotary Connection sides also recorded for Cadet. Both these tracks are taken from Marlena's second Cadet album 'Spice of Life', which also featured the infectious but far too short "Liberation Conversation", a real powerhouse track featuring her distinctive scat vocals.

Marlena almost had a top 30 US R&B hit I 1967 with her second single, a cover of Cannonball Adderley's instrumental hit "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy". Her previous single, a cover of Ramsey Lewis' famous "Wade In The Water" which she co-wrote, failed to hit at the time but has rightly become a long time favourite of 60's soul collectors and Northern Soul dancers.

Marlena left Cadet after "Spice of Life" and toured with the Count Basie band for nearly five years, until 1972 when she became the first female singer to be signed to Blue Note.

Marlena stayed with Blue Note for five years recording five albums. Featured from that period here are the subtly funky and slinky "Lovin' You Was Like a Party", the wonderful mid tempo "The Feelings Good", the melancholy Carol King song "So Far Away" and her great version of Eugene McDaniels' "Feel Like Making Love" which really cooks.

On her last album for Blue Note It's Just A Matter Of Time, Marlena followed the trend and veered in the direction of Disco, which led to her being signed to Columbia in 1977. On Her first album for Columbia Sweet Beginnings, Marlena re-cut the Carole King/Goffin standard "Go Away Little Boy", which she had originally recorded on her 'Spice of Life' album in the 60's. This time inspired by her personal experiences and live performance ad libs, she included a straight talking introduction to the song 'Yu Ma' (her way of saying You Mutha) and made the definitive version of the song : her own classic. The track has been popular throughout the world ever since, and especially women who can relate to the lyrics. It also became the biggest hit of her long career reaching #21 in the US R&B chart.

The album also included the more jazzy "Look At Me Look At You", a delightfully breezy mid tempo number which has also been very popular for many years. Sweet Beginnings became Marlena's biggest selling album, reaching #62 in the billboard chart.

Her next album Acting Up, also produced by Bert De Coteaux in 1978, included three excellent 'two step' songs: "Rhythm of Love", "You Bring Out The Best in Me", and possibly the first recording of "Back For More". The latter was originally written by Kenny Stover for Leo's Sunship, but it is best known for Al Johnson's version featuring Jean Carn, recorded years later. 'Acting Up' also included the theme from the hit movie 'Looking For Mr Goobar' - "Don't Ask me To Stay Until Tomorrow", but the album failed to match the success of 'Sweet Beginnings'.

After an aborted album with producer Jack Gold and arranger Gene Page that was never released, she recorded her last album for Columbia Take A Bite in 1979, a mixture of disco and cocktail lounge songs, which included her disco version of "Touch Me In The Morning", a club hit at the time. It was four years later after leaving Columbia before Marlena recorded another album Let Me In Your Life for California indie South Bay Records. We include from that album the magnificent mid tempo two step "Without You In My Life" which was Gary Taylor's first recorded song.

In the same year (1983) she sang on guitarist Phil Upchurch's Name of The Game album for Jam Today, which features the uplifting, more up tempo "Could It Be You", which completes our anthology of this great and under-rated artist. Marlena still regularly performs, as she has since her debut at the Apollo Theatre NY at the age of 10, and tours Europe and Japan, enticing her audiences with many of the classic songs featured on this anthology.

Woman Of The Ghetto

California Soul

Mercy Mercy Mercy

Wade In The Water

Liberation Conversation

Loving You Was Like A Party

The Feeling's Good

So Far Away

Feel Like Making Love

Yu Ma/Go Away Little Boy

Rhythm Of Love

Without You In My Life

Look At Me, Look At You (We're Flying)
Back For More

You Bring Out The Best In Me

Could It Be You (w/Phil Upchurch)

Laurence Prangell April 2000

NEW RELEASES: MASABUMU KIKUCHI TRIO, SOUL SNATCHERS, ERIC ALEXANDER & VINCENT HERRING

MASABUMU KIKUCHI TRIO - SUNRISE

A beautifully fragile set from pianist Masabumi Kikuchi – one that still has all the sharp edges we loved in his earlier work, but also a great sense of space – and a surprising undercurrent of soul! The set begins with a ballad – one that shows a slightly warmer side of Kikuchi's playing, but still quite modern and revolutionary – thanks to help from Thomas Morgan on bass and Paul Motian on drums – both of whom guide the proceedings beautifully as other tunes move on – helping Masabumi work in a style of jazz that's more a measured utterance of short statements within a single song – rather than a unified message. The approach is quite striking, and hangs in the air with a great sense of suspense – one that's rewarded with brief moments of cohesion and illumination – before things are off again in an expressive array of shapes and sounds. Titles include "Ballad 1", "New Day", "Short Stuff", "So What Variations", "Sticks & Cymbals", "Uptempo", and "Last Ballad".

SOUL SNATCHERS – SCRATCH MY ITCH

A solid second album from the Soul Snatchers – a confident, soulful set and the Dutch funky soul collective – bettering their debut and delivering one of our favorite records on the Unique label! Like some of our other favorite contemporary combos, The Soul Snatchers snatch from a diverse goodie bag of influences, and they do it with modern freshness and style to spare. There's some unstoppable JBs styled heaters, groove-based organ soul, vocal tunes and instrumentals. They have a pair of great vocalists in Curtis T & Jimi Bellmartin and they do their thing with some uncommon instrumentation on top of the cooking horns, drums and rhythm – vibes and violin, for instance, plus some guest female backing vocals on several tunes. A winner! "Do You Wanna Get Down", "Who I Am", "Good To Me"., "The Right Track", "Finish What You Started", "Show Me Love", "The Lick", "The Chase", "Soul To Soul", "Good & Plenty" and more.

ERIC ALEXANDER & VINCENT HERRING – FRIENDLY FIRE: LIVE AT SMOKE

Two of the most soulful reedmen working today – blowing together beautifully in a great little set! Despite the combative title, there's a really warm, collaborative feel to the record right from the start – a setting that sparkles with all the deep tones we always love in Alexander's horn, and which seems to give Herring even more focus than usual – a sort of energy that we haven't heard in years on some of his other records! Tight rhythms are a good reason for the album's success – played by a trio that features Mike Ledonne on piano, John Webber on bass, and Carl Allen on drums – really setting fire to the reedmen, and letting them take off with long-stretching solos after some initial grooving on the heads of the tunes. Titles include "Timothy", "Inception", "Sukiyaki", "Pat N Chat", "Dig Dis", and "Here's That Rainy Day".

Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: GANG COLOURS, ALKIBAR GIGNOR & FANNY FRANKLIN

GANG COLOURS – KEYCHAIN COLLECTION

Melodic and atmospheric sounds from Gang Colours – fragile and tuneful material that’s somewhat of a surprise from the Brownswood label! I guess we shouldn't really think of what Gang Colours does here as that much of a departure for the label, given their unpredictable oeuvre is never all that easy to pigeonhole, yet it still caught us off guard – in the best kind of way. Piano and synth float over intermittently spare and busier beats, vocals and textural waves of sound. What really sets it apart is the mood – we don't want to call it somber, but it's definitely got a haunting feel! Includes "Heavy Petting", "Forgive Me?", "To Repel Ghosts", "Pebble Dash", "Tissues & Fivers", "Botley In Bloom", "Fancy Restaurant", "On Compton Bay", "Rollo's Ivory Tale" and more.

ALKIBAR GIGNOR – LA PAIX

A group with a great blend of old and new modes – a mix of rootsy sounds from their native Mali, and some more focused guitar lines that really help revolutionize their music! The notes bill Alkibar Gignor as a "garage rock band" – and while we think that's a bit of a stretch, as there's not that much rock in their music, there is a nicely gritty style of production that really helps them keep their edge – a slightly muddy mode that's a great contrast from some of the "too clean" Mali recordings out there in recent years! The vocals get distorted at times, and the guitar workouts almost verge on fuzz – even though they spin out in clear lines that are much more Malian than Anglo – and the drums have a bumping quality under the vocal interplay, bringing an unexpected vibe to the record. Titles include "Adounia", "Lahidou", "Aniya", "Adibara", "Tamala", and "Dakou".

FANNY FRANKLIN – GET WET

The first solo set from funky soul songbird Fanny Franklin – and it's a great one! Fanny was the original singer for Orgone and she's been an in-demand voice for a few years now – collaborating with contemporary and legendary figures from Shawn Lee to Dennis Coffey – so it was about time she stepped out front, right? Right! The best part is that she's doing it on her own terms. Classic funk & soul-inspired songcraft, played with a youthful and modern spirit, by excellent musicians. We've loved her voice since we first heard her with Orgone, so to find out now that she also has the goods as a songwriter and primary creative engine, that feels like a total win! Tracks include "Rivers", "Get Wet", "Gasoline", "Good Stuff", "Pushin", "My World", "Open Your Eyes", "All The Pretty Girls", "Dug Up", "Yes You Do" and "Keep On Runnin".

Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: GEORGES ARVANTAS, RONNIE CUBER & FRANCO CERRI

GEORGES ARVANITAS – SOUL JAZZ

One of the most hard-hitting albums ever cut by pianist Georges Arvanitas – an early effort that's all soul jazz all the way through! Although Arvanitas is best known as a committed modernist, especially in later years, this sweet early 60s session is a stone cooker in the best mode of Blue Note dates of the time – tight, swinging, and perfectly poised with just the right space for some excellent solos from Francois Jeanneau on tenor, Bernard Vitet on trumpet, and Arvanitas himself on piano – all grooving in a style that would make the Jazz Messengers proud, but also one that's got some key touches of postwar Parisian jazz too. Bass is by Michel Gaudry and drums are by Daniel Humair – and titles include "Oblivion", "This Here", "Poco Loco", "Bouncin With Bud", "Bohemia After Dark", and "Mister X".

RONNIE CUBER - BOPLICITY

Ronnie Cuber in a bebop mode – one that works perfectly, given his always-fluid touch on the baritone sax! The group's a quartet – with Michael Wolff on piano, Cameron Brown on bass, and Johnathan Blake on drums – and the main focus is on Ronnie's deft solos, blown across a host of classics from the days of Diz and Bird! Titles include "Ow", "Quasimodo", "Cheryl", "Boplicity", "Now's The Time", "Night In Tunisia", and "My Little Suede Shoes".

FRANO CERRI – CERRIMEDIO A TUTTO

Beautiful recent work from Italian guitarist Franco Cerri – and a set that really expands upon that great sound he developed in the 70s! Right at the start, Cerri was already one of the best jazz guitarists on the European scene – but as the 70s moved on, he developed this wonderfully subtle style of using his instrument – one that was often incredibly soft on the attack of the notes, yet still managed to swing strongly – in ways that, because of the groove, were different than guitar styles that were budding up north with the ECM scene – almost as if he was quickly shifting together waves of sound with deft ease. This album brings that sound into focus nicely with a strong group of younger artists – including vocalists on a few tunes, who give things a bit of a bossa touch, too. Titles include "Foxology", "Leggenda", "Racconto", "Stazione Termini", "Fly", "Giovia", "Cerrimedio", "Il Blues Dei Framasteni", and "Nannerl".

Dusty Groove

ENNIO MORRICONE SOUNDTRACK REISSUES

LA STAGIONE DEI SENSI
A lesser-known soundtrack from Ennio Morricone – but one of his grooviest moments of the late 60s! The score is a great blend of heavy and light – and blends together that wonderful floating Morricone style with some heavier, fuzzier tunes that show the late 60s period of the film – all making for a really fleshed-out sound, of the sort that you're usually likely to hear in some of Morricone's classics! The album includes one great number that's got an extended sitar solo, and a few more with hard-edged male vocals by Patrick Samson that almost feel like late 60s French pop! Titles include "Gloria", "Sytar", "Una Voce Allo Specchio", "Tell Me Tell Me", "Sospendi Il Tempo", "In Tre Quarti", "Laila Laila", and "Dinamica Per 5 + 1".

VERGOGNA SCHIFOSI
A great little soundtrack from Ennio Morricone – with music that sports vocals both by I Cantori Moderni and Edda Dell'Orso – both of whom are working in prime Mondo Morricone modes! There's a dreamy feel to the best numbers on the set – heard most perfectly in the classic "Guardami Negli Occhi", which has Edda's vocals unfolding like tiny flowers dropping into a river – that magical sound she has, which no other singer can match – and which makes some of these Morricone soundtracks completely essential. All tracks are great, and other titles include "Matto Caldo Soldi Morto Girotondo", "Ninna Nanna Per Adulti", "Una Spiaggia A Mezzogiorno", and "Un Altro Mare".

TEOREMA
A great score for an incredible film! Teorema is a strange and wonderful early film by Pier Paolo Pasolini – and about half of the soundtrack was written by Ennio Morricone, in a mixture of dark, edgey themes, and some more groovy tunes with a great late 60s Italy feel – an early moment of genius for the maestro, augmented by some Mozart numbers that further complicate the soundtrack! The groovier material includes the beat-heavy "Fruscio Di Foglie Verdi", the bouncing wordless vocal "L'Ultima Corrida", and the jangly guitar instrumental "Beat No 3" – and other tunes include "Teorema", "Frammenti", and the "Messa Da Requiem" by WA Mozart, which is also used in the film – to very haunting effect!

Dusty Groove

AFROLICIOUS - PLEASURETIME EP

Following on the heels of the first EP this takes the Afrolicious sound to another level of songwriting, production, and dance heavy beats. Focusing on more uptempo tracks like title track Pleasuretime, and Never Let No One each featuring vocalist Fresh is Life from Trinidad, the hybrid of Afro-Beat and Disco-House is emphasized on these tracks and reflect a hybrid that has been explored since the first days of the Afrolicious party. Revolution is a hard hitting breakbeat with Afro-Beat, Funk, and electronica all meeting on a sure fire dance floor banger. Written as a news broadcast set to a funk beat and reflecting the various global movements over the last year. Featuring Pleasuremaker on lead vocals, other strong vocals were cut by Rhonda, aka Red the Black Blond, Ziek McCarter, and Diamond all from the Afrolicious organization. Finally Yacouba Diarra makes a return appearance on Bade Malou, a more uptempo follow up to the ‘Dub For Mali’ title track on the debut Afrolicious release. The deep and meditative vibes meet a danceable beat and baseline, and psychedelic effects are juxtaposed against the Ngoni, an acoustic stringed instrument from Africa. Here we have West Africa meeting breakbeats, electronica, dub effects, and psychedelia. 　Pleasuretime was produced by Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation, and co-produced by Pleasuremaker. The two bounce ideas off of each other betweeb their busy touring schedules and are also on track to finish the remainder of the full length album to be released later in the year! The connection of Rob Garza w- Afrolicious makes for some tasty productions that combine the best of organic and electronic elements, seamlessly brought together here in the mix by engineer Gianmaria Conti (Italy, Thievery Corporation live sound engineer).

eslmusic.com

CHICK COREA'S MARIKA GROOVE

Big Round Records has announced the world premiere recording of Chick Corea's Marika Groove,  available on iTunes on April 3, 2012.

Marika Groove is a twelve-minute instrumental tour-de-force by Chick Corea written for virtuoso marimba soloist Mika Yoshida and Grammy®-winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman. Drummer Steve Gadd and bassist Eddie Gomez join Yoshida and Stoltzman to capture Corea's composition in a sprawling, ebullient track featuring finely-honed instrumental interplay, muscular rhythmic structures, and ceaselessly inventive melodies, which Yoshida delivers with her signature inspiration and aplomb. The track was recorded at Avatar Studios in New York NY, engineered by Jay Messina and produced by Gadd and Yoshika.

“Creating this composition for Mika Yoshida was a pure joy, " says composer Chick Corea. "Her only request to the composer was to have 'groove' be part of the composition. So groove we have – especially for the special premiere with the great Steve Gadd and virtuosic Eddie Gomez. And a special joy to also write for my old friend Richard Stoltzman – the rubato solo in the middle is written especially for him.”

“We are delighted to release and premiere such an outstanding and historic recording as this, ” says Big Round parent company PARMA Recordings CEO Bob Lord. “We have had a longstanding, fruitful musical relationship with Mika Yoshida and Richard Stoltzman, and this marks a new and significant chapter in our collaboration.”

Marika Groove will be available on iTunes on April 3rd, 2012, a day ahead of its April 4th premiere performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. This is the second release from Big Round Records featuring the Yoshida/Gadd/Gomez trio, following the highly acclaimed live DVD, Mika Marimba Madness.

LIONEL RICHIE - TUSKEGEE

I met my wife to Lionel Richie's "You Are," so he'll always hold a special place on my iPod. But his three decade post-Commodores solo career has also been, for me, the source of conflicting emotions. There's never been a question of his talent, only of his judgment. While Richie has provided an abundance of memorable tunes and moments of brilliance, he has too often taken a path of least resistance. Like a politician before a general election, Richie has always gravitated toward the middle, sanding down the edges of his music to find as broad an audience as possible at every moment. Consequently, while his early Commodores days were filled with a balance of soulful ballads and real funk, over time his sound smoothed out until it represented the mildest of popular music, with ersatz soul, ersatz funk and lots and lots of soft, harmless ballads.

So it was with much trepidation that I approached Richie's highly hyped new project, Tuskegee. It screamed "gimmick" in the worst sense of the word, with Richie remaking many of his biggest hits in duet formats with country music stars. But as with those cat and laughing baby videos on YouTube, despite my trepidation I felt compelled to check out Tuskegee, perhaps only to find out how much of a train wreck it would be. My surprising conclusion: Tuskegee is far better than it has any right to be and will likely be happily welcomed by Richie's sizeable international audience.

Tuskegee is "country" in the same way that Urkel is "cool" when he becomes Stefan Urkelle or the way my accountant uncle is a Hell's Angel when he rides a Harley. In other words, you simply add the trappings of that to which you aspire -- here, a steel pedal guitar and some close harmonies -- and declare victory. But despite the quintessential country touches, this album is as close to adult pop as anything Richie's done in his 40 year career. And, once you get past the pretense, that's nothing to apologize about. Lionel Richie has as keen a sense of melody as any popular composer of his generation and he is almost incapable of making music that is less than listenable, even if it is occasionally uninspired. And it is that upbeat sense of melody that makes Tuskegee generally a success.

Whenever an artist creates an album that remakes his prior hits, there is an unavoidable measuring stick that compares the new versions with popular original cuts, and that is where Tuskegee outperforms expectations. Modern production and instrumentation spices up much of the album, in some cases resulting in songs that actually surpass the originals: "Dancing On the Ceiling," Richie's jump-the-shark dance song of the mid-80s, gets a surprisingly enjoyable new life as an upbeat Southern rocker with the help of Rascal Flatts. Similarly, the mid-2000s cut "Just For You" is beefed up with the help of Billy Currington. And Richie's treacly breakout song from 1981, "Endless Love," is quite enjoyable with new duet partner Shania Twain and a more muscular arrangement. Richie apologists have been quick to point out that he had a several country-influenced songs in his discography, and a number of them are reprised here in relatively strong fashion, including "Stuck On You" (with Darius Rucker), "Deep River Woman" (with Little Big Town") and "Sail On" (with Tim McGraw) -- though only "Stuck On You" adds much to the original version.

As expected, some other songs on Tuskegee would have been better left alone. Richie's gentle "Hello" is the most obvious, with Richie and the overpowering Jennifer Nettles approaching the song so differently that they sound like they were on different planets when they recorded their parts (where's the blind sculpter girl when you need her?). Less perplexing but also less interesting are the remake of "Lady" with Kenny Rogers, the DOA "All Night Long" with Jimmy Buffett and a duet with Willie Nelson on "Easy" (complete with forlorn harmonica and mandolin) that can't seem to decide if it is a 70s pop number or the backing track from a Spaghetti Western.

Maybe its because I came in with low expectations, or maybe its because Lionel Richie is, in many ways, the ultimate audience-pleasing performer, but overall I found Tuskegee to be a pretty enjoyable listen. Richie is able to freshen a batch of long-cataloged songs with a 21st century sheen and an A-List of crossover country co-stars who are working hard and with no perceptable sense of irony. It still has a bit of a novelty feel, and I doubt we'll all be listening to a trifle like Tuskegee two years from now, but for today I'll settle for this batch of well produced, earnest performances of songs most of us grew up with. Recommended.

By Chris Rizik
Soultracks.com