NEW RELEASES - MUDDY WATERS, JOHN LEE HOOKER, HOWLIN' WOLF

MUDDY WATERS - CAN'T GET NO GRINDIN'

A back-to-basics return to electric blues for Muddy – after a few more funky albums for Chess. The style is pretty nice – and shows that Muddy had enough growing power at the time that he could get Chess to let him return to a purer Chicago electric blues style – one that would serve him well into later years, way beyond the style of his funk recordings! Titles include "Funky Butt", "After Hours", "Garbage Man", "Love Weapon", "Muddy Waters' Shuffle", and "Mother's Bad Luck Child". ~ Dusty Groove

JOHN LEE HOOKER - HOUSE OF THE BLUES

A rootsy cover, and some rootsy blues to match – a fairly stripped down session from John Lee Hooker –- and one that mostly just features vocals and guitar, plus some occasional added guitar and piano! Most of the recordings here are from the early 50s, pulled together in a full LP at the end of that decade – and they represent the formative roots of the Chess Records sound – a key bridge between Chicago blues and work from earlier scenes. Titles include "Ramblin By Myself", "Ground Hog Blues", "Women & Money", "High Priced Woman", "Sugar Mama", "Walkin The Boogie", "Love Blues", and "Union Station Blues. ~ Dusty Groove

JOHN LEE HOOKER PLAYS AND SINGS THE BLUES

About as pure as you can get for John Lee Hooker – a classic set of cuts for Chess, recorded with a feel that's almost folksy at times! The guitar has a raw edge that goes way back to the delta – and the overall approach is much more gritty than even some of Hooker's labelmates at the time – a really classic vibe that's supported in the liner notes by Studs Terkel! Titles include "The Journey", "Hey Baby", "Mad Man Blues", "Worried Life Blues", "Apologize", "Lonely Boy Boogie", and "Just Me & My Telephone". ~ Dusty Groove

HOWLIN' WOLF - THE BACK DOOR WOLF

Later Chess work by Howlin Wolf – but done in a rootsier electric mode that's similar to his earlier forays for the label! The set's from the years when Chess was backing off that great funk approach they brought to blues work at the end of the 60s – kind of a "back to basics" approach for which Wolf was a key contender. The album's got a fair bit of organ or electric keys alongside the guitar and harmonica – and titles include "Speak Now Woman", "Watergate Blues", "Leave Here Walking", "Back Door Wolf", "Coon On The Moon", and "Moving". ~ Dusty Groove

THE JAPANESE JAZZ PLAYS SERIES - BOSSA NOVA, SOUL, THE BEATLE SWING BLUE & RED ALBUMS

JAPANESE JAZZ PLAYS BOSSA NOVA (VARIOUS ARTISTS)


Brilliant bossa from 60s Japan – a killer collection of sounds from some of the scene's hippest musicians! The late 60s Japanese scene was a real hotbed of bossa nova activity – home to some of the best bossa jazz outside of Brazil – with a care and quality to rival the best American experiments on labels like Verve or Impulse! This collection brings together some of the best of that bunch – rare Japanese cuts that you'll be hard-pressed to find otherwise – served up as a set that's a perfect introduction to this unique musical moment. There's loads of great percussion, acoustic guitar, flute, vibes, and more – and the set features 20 tracks that include "Summer Samba" by Kazuo Yashiro, "So Danco Samba" by Stargazer Hiroshi Okazaki, "One Note Samba" by Tokyo Cuban Boys, "Meditation" by Minoru Muraoka, "For Me" by 5 Brass Quintet, "Orfeu Negro" by Hiroshi Matsumoto, "Dindi" by Kazumi Watanabe, and "Berimbau" by Shigeru Mukai. ~ Dusty Groove

JAPANESE JAZZ PLAYS SOUL (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Soulful sounds from 70s Japan – a host of tracks that offer up fresh versions of American soul tunes – mostly done as instrumental numbers with lots of funky touches! There's a fair bit of Stevie Wonder tunes on the collection – as well as other Motown moments and Atlantic Records numbers too – all played by Japanese jazz musicians who really know how to open up the groove! Arrangements are all mighty nice – usually going for interpretations that are fiercer and more full-on than the original vocal recordings – which allows the soloists to really stretch out and do their thing. Styles run from late 60s soul jazz to tighter fusion – and the set features 19 tracks that include "Bird Of Beauty" by Eri Ohno, "Sunny" by Toshiyuki Miyama, "Living For The City" by Jiro Inagaki, "Sir Duke" by Terry Herman Trio, "Boogie On Reggae Woman" by Akira Ishikawa, "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" by Jiro Inagaki & Black Rhythm Machine, "Hold On I'm Coming" by Nobuo Hara, "Never Can Say Goodbye" by Sound Machine Drum, and "Love Child" by Toshiyuki Miyama. ~ Dusty Groove

JAPANESE JAZZ PLAYS THE BEATLE SWING – BLUE ALBUM (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Late 60s Beatles tunes – regrooved wonderfully by a host of Japanese jazz musicians! The set's a great illustration of the cool ways that Japanese jazz was changing during the 60s – picking up a real flair for larger arrangements mixed with tighter solos – and really starting to use some of the best new studio technology to further improve the sound! The result is a great batch of grooves like this – instrumental numbers that really push past the obvious modes you might expect – expanding the sound with lots of cool twists and turns – yet still keeping things pretty soulful overall – almost like some American soul jazz grooves of the time. Titles include "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" by Terumasa Hino, "Lady Madonna" by Kazuo Yashiro, "Get Back" by Tokyo Cuban Boys, "Come Together" by Nobuo Hara & Sharps & Flats, "Glass Onion" by Hiroshi Matsumoto & Sadanori Nakamure, "Long & Winding Road" by Kiyoshi Sugimoto, and "Ballad Of John & Yoko" by Toshiuki Miyama. ~ Dusty Groove

JAPANESE JAZZ PLAYS THE BEATLE SWING – RED ALBUM (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

The music of The Beatles – served up by a fab batch of Japanese jazz musicians! This "red" set focuses mostly on the earlier tunes by the group – some of their jaunty numbers from the mid 60s, which turn out to be a perfect setting for instrumental jazz modes – as the players on the tracks really let loose with a range of Hammond lines, horn parts, and guitar riffs! There's a bit of vocals, but most tunes are instrumental – and most of them are plenty darn funky too – not kitschy takes on the tracks, but the same sort of smoking jazz versions of Beatle numbers you might find on late 60s Atlantic or Prestige records here in the US. Titles include "Hard Days Night" by Miyama Toshiyuki, "Norwegian Wood" by Ohno Eri, "Eleanor Rigby" by Hiroshi Suzuki, "Here There & Everywhere" by Norio Maeda, "And I Love Her" by Sadao Watanabe, "Rain" by Jiro Inagaki, and "Michelle" by Count Buffalo. ~ Dusty Groove

THE ROLLING STONES TO RELEASE 'GRRR!' A GREATEST HITS COLLECTION TO MARK 50 YEARS

The Rolling Stones, ABKCO Music & Records and Universal Music Group are pleased to announce the release of GRRR! by The Rolling Stones on the 12th of November 2012 for the World Excluding North America and on the 13th of November 2012 in North America.

Available in various different formats -- including a three-CD 50 track version featuring 50 tracks, and a four-CD Super-Deluxe version gathering a whopping 80 tracks -- the collection tells the fascinating ongoing story of the Greatest Rock'n'Roll Band In The World, from their high octane version of Chuck Berry's Come On, their first single issued in June 1963, via the thrilling chart-toppers The Last Time, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Get Off Of My Cloud, Jumping Jack Flash and Honky Tonk Women and the perennial juke-box and concert favorites Brown Sugar, Tumbling Dice, Miss You and Start Me Up, all the way to the present day with the inclusion of Gloom And Doom and One Last Shot, two new studio recordings recently completed by the group in Paris, France.

These brand new recordings constitute the first time Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood have all been together in the studio since completing the exalted A Bigger Bang album in 2005, and follow on from the critically-acclaimed expanded re-releases of the historic 40th Anniversary live Madison Square Garden concert "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!" in November 2009 and of two of their seventies masterworks, Exile on Main St., in May 2010, and Some Girls, in November 2011.

All GRRR! formats will feature a striking painting by award-winning American artist Walton Ford, who has created the latest in a long line of iconic artwork that has always been part of the band's DNA.

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were school friends who lost touch, met up again at Dartford train station in 1960, and bonded over a shared love of rock'n'roll and Chicago blues. Within a couple of years, they were joined by guitarist Brian Jones and pianist Ian Stewart and became part of the rich rhythm and blues scene that gravitated around Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies in London. By January 1963, they had added drummer Charlie Watts and bassist Bill Wyman and were playing a repertoire of Chess Records favorites Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters -- whose Rollin' Stone composition provided their name -- and Howlin' Wolf -- whose Little Red Rooster became their second UK number one in 1964. Jagger and Richards forged a creative partnership that endures to this day and has produced some of the most memorable songs in music history, including the much-covered Ruby Tuesday and Wild Horses.

The Jagger-Richards catalogue is remarkably consistent, full of unexpected lyrical and melodic twists which helped shaped popular music. Compositions like 19th Nervous Breakdown, Paint It, Black, Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow? and Let's Spend The Night Together articulated the feelings and frustrations of the counterculture generation and held a mirror to British society. In 1968, the Rolling Stones made the seminal Beggars Banquet album, featuring the heart-of-darkness opener Sympathy For The Devil and the finely-observed Street Fighting Man whose 'what can a poor boy do, except to sing for a rock'n'roll band?' lyric sounds more apposite than ever. They survived the loss of Jones, replaced by Mick Taylor who proved a sterling contributor to Let It Bleed, the influential 1969 album which included the elegiac You Can't Always Get What You Want and the ominous, eerily prescient Gimme Shelter.

With Jagger, the ultimate showman setting the gold standard for other lead singers, and Richards, the iconic guitarist raising the bar in riff-making, the Rolling Stones were the first band to master the art and craft of playing arenas and effortlessly made the groundbreaking move into stadiums in the seventies. They have remained the world's top concert attraction with every successive record-breaking tour, as effective performing beautiful ballads like Angie and Fool To Cry as the out-and-out rocker Respectable, their 1978 riposte to the punks who copped so many moves from them. The arrival of Wood, who took over from Taylor in the mid-seventies, added his signature slide and pedal steel guitar to an already heady brew and proved the perfect partner in the 'ancient art for weaving' for Richards on tracks like Beast Of Burden, coincided with the funkier direction of the dance floor fillers Hot Stuff and Emotional Rescue. In 1983, the edgy, sonically-adventurous Undercover Of The Night showed the group still had their finger on the pulse of alternative culture; the controversial Undercover video, directed by Sex Pistols associate Julien Temple, provided another highlight in a storied career that has seen them collaborate with world-famous film-makers like Nicolas Roeg, Jean-Luc Godard, Martin Scorsese, the Maysles and Peter Whitehead.

The Rolling Stones overcame the mid-eighties hiatus that nevertheless saw them score one of their biggest successes with their superior version of Bob & Earl's Harlem Shuffle, and returned stronger than ever with the Steel Wheels album and its irresistible lead-off track Mixed Emotions in 1989. Following Wyman's exit in 1993, they soldiered on and hit another purple patch with the Voodoo Lounge and Bridges To Babylon albums and their respective singles, the harmonica-led Love Is Strong and Anybody Seen My Baby, their first hit to feature sampling and rapping. In 2005, the soulful, gospel-infused ballad Streets Of Love, from A Bigger Bang, became a worldwide smash 42 years after their first chart entry, while the 1972 outtake Plundered My Soul helped the expanded Exile On Main St. return to the top the UK album charts 38 years after its original release, a feat unmatched by any artist.

Cherry-picking timeless hit singles and classic album tracks from their peerless catalogue and bringing the story up to date, the various formats of GRRR! offer the perfect package to help Rolling Stones fans celebrate the group's fiftieth anniversary in style. In celebration of the Rolling Stones' incredible journey, an innovative campaign has been launched to reveal their GRRR! Greatest Hits album sleeve using 3D Augmented Reality.

During a three week teaser campaign, fans were invited to download the free uView app in preparation for a big announcement. From today, using the uView app fans can scan the GRRR! sleeve and watch the stunning imagery come to life in 3D animation right before their eyes. The campaign will have further exciting updates coming soon. The use of one of the most advanced forms of mobile technology currently around solidifies The Rolling Stones as one of the most innovative bands in the world and as relevant as they have always been. The technology has been developed in partnership with Aurasma, the leaders in image recognition and augmented reality technology.

GRRR! GREATEST HITS FORMATS:
50 Track 3CD album
3CD / 50 tracks in a digipack with 24 page booklet

50 Track 3CD Deluxe Edition
3CD / 50 tracks in a DVD size box with 36 page hardback book and 5 postcards

Super Deluxe Edition Box Set
4CD / 80 tracks plus Bonus CD, 7" Vinyl, Hardback book, Poster, 5 postcards in a presentation box

12" Vinyl Box Set
5x 12" Vinyl / 50 tracks in a casebound LP Box

GRRR! by The Rolling Stones will be released November 13, 2012 in North America

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LARRY ROSEN CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF GRP RECORDS AND 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF JAZZ ROOTS

GRP 30 -- 2-CD Retrospective Album Set for Release Sept. 25; JAZZ ROOTS 2012/13 Concert Series Kicks Off Sept. 21

"Larry Rosen's JAZZ ROOTS is the most important new concert and educational jazz series in America." - Quincy Jones

It's hard to believe 30 years have passed since musicians/producers and entrepreneurs Larry Rosen and Dave Grusin made music history as co-founders of GRP Records. Not only did the innovative groundbreaking jazz label known as the "Digital Master Company" create a home and launch the careers for some of the finest jazz musicians of our time, the label was the first to adopt an all digital recording philosophy for all of its releases and was instrumental in the launch of the compact disc world-wide. GRP built a special relationship with music fans and was the first to market itself as a lifestyle brand which brought GRP to become Billboard's #1 Contemporary Jazz label for five consecutive years.

To mark this milestone, a 2-CD retrospective album titled GRP 30 will be released by Universal Music on September 25, along with 10 classic albums re-mastered and re-released digitally in the new Hi-Res audio format. Among the GRP artists featured are Dave Grusin, Chick Corea, Patti Austin, Diane Schuur, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Lee Ritenour, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Valentin, George Benson, Yellowjackets, Gary Burton, Tom Scott, the GRP All-Star Big Band, Larry Carlton, Eddie Daniels, Kevin Eubanks, BB King, David Benoit, the Rippingtons, and many more. In celebration of GRP 30, a series of anniversary shows is confirmed for Oct. 9 - 14 at NYC's Blue Note featuring a who's who of GRP alumni, including: Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, John Patitucci, Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets) and special guest Diane Schuur.

Rosen has spent his life bringing quality jazz to the masses and preserving the art form. His current passion, JAZZ ROOTS - A Larry Rosen Jazz Series, which is celebrating its 5th Anniversary, is a concert and educational program created for performing arts centers across America. The JAZZ ROOTS series was first launched in 2008 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. Subsequently, the series debuted in 2009 in Dallas at the AT&T Performing Arts Center; 2011 at the Palladium Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana; and in 2012 at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, The Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta, and NJPAC in Newark, NJ.

JAZZ ROOTS artists presented include: Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Bobby McFerrin, Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Esperanza Spalding, Paquito D'Rivera, John McLaughlin, Patti Austin, Count Basie Orchestra, Ramsey Lewis, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Valentin, Nestor Torres, The Machito Orchestra, Eliane Elias, Ivan Lins, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Manhattan Transfer, Al Jarreau, Jon Hendricks, Dave Grusin, Jon Secada, Eddie Palmieri, Michel Camilo and many more.

To date JAZZ ROOTS has sold over 100,000 tickets to music fans, reached out to 10,000 students, and presented over 100 major jazz artists.

Keeping a finger on the pulse of technology and media, the JAZZ ROOTS GRAMMY® nominated all-star concert, An Evening with Dave Grusin, was recorded live and is now being broadcast nationally on PBS TV, and released on CD and Blu-ray on Concord Records, and is available as an iPad app. As part of JAZZ ROOTS at NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center), Rosen is producing the first annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, along with presenting partners NJPAC and WBGO-FM. The winning female jazz vocalist will be announced on October 21, 2012 at the live performance finals presented at NJPAC.

The JAZZ ROOTS series includes educational and outreach programs that organically connect to local community groups, art centers, and local boards of education. The goal of the educational component is to teach, inspire, and enrich young people through unique active learning opportunities to experience jazz, both in the concert hall and in the classroom. Students are offered the opportunity to go behind the scenes with the artists at rehearsals and sound checks, attend master classes, and experience first-hand the artistic process.

States Rosen: "I believe it is extremely important that young people get to understand the history of America's music and its roots, especially today when music education has been almost eliminated from our public school system."

JAZZ ROOTS has formed an alliance with Sony Masterworks, Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium, BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), and the Jazz Educators Network (JEN) to help implement music curriculum in public schools. As part of this alliance Sony Masterworks recently released the first JAZZ ROOTS product titled; The Music of the Americas, a two-disc compilation tracing the story of African drums and their effect on the musical DNA of the Americas. The 36 track compilation features iconic performances by jazz masters from Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington to Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, and from Herbie Hancock to Wynton Marsalis.

For a complete schedule of JAZZ ROOTS shows across America please go to www.jazzroots.net.

NEW RELEASES - LOVE VIBES, LE BEAT BESPOKE, SHIRLEY HORN

LOVE VIBES (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

A wicked little collection that really lives up to its name – a set that's filled with warmth and good energy throughout – not to mention a great array of overlooked soul tracks too! Most of the numbers here are lesser-known gems from the late 70s and early 80s – upbeat, but not in a disco way – and usually somewhere in a space between modern soul and boogie, which works perfectly for the positive vibes of the tunes! There's a soaring feel that definitely takes off from an Earth Wind & Fire sort of style – and although most of the artists here are familiar, you'll really be surprised at the tracks chosen for the set. Titles include "Love Vibes" by The Emotions, "Something On Your Mind" by Melba Moore, "Razzle Dazzle" by Heatwave, "Better Things" by Sylvia St James, "Riding" by Michael Henderson, "Can You See Where I'm Coming From" by Instant Funk, "All In The Way You Get Down" by Ray Parker Jr & Raydio, "Sweet Fire" by Mighty Fire, "Here I Am" by Dynasty, "No One" by Flakes, "Love Is Such A Crazy Thing" by The Spinners, "Wonderful" by GQ, and "When I'm Dancin" by Lenny Williams. ~ Dusty Groove

LE BEAT BESPOKE 5 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Underground mod, garage and otherwise raucously R&B-fueled singles from the late 60s – rugged, raw and fuzzy, though melodic and unstoppably danceable, no matter how freaky – and possibly the best yet in the Le Beat Bespoke series! The songs are almost all deeply obscure and completely irresistible – rare stuff from around Europe and the US, plus a few other freak scenes around the world – wild, groovy stuff from The Deep Set, Los Delphines, The Hush, Satin Bells, Maximus, Tobias, Jay & The Hot Kids, The Outcasts and many more! Along with the above-mentioned kaleidoscope of styles on Volume 5 is more than a little bit of funky psych – and it all flows brilliantly thanks to driving dancefloor rhythm and the freewheeling era that Le Beat Bespoke represents! Includes "Make Love" by The Grabbeltons, "That's The Way Life Goes" by The Deep Set, "Sunset Show" by Sense Of Humor, "Turn Out The Lights" by Sand Of Time", "I'd Like To Know" by Tobias, "One Fine Morning" by James Curtis, "Loving You Sometimes" by The Outcasts, "A Better Mind" by Maximus, "Come C'Mon" by Satin Bells and more. 16 tracks on the vinyl version. ~ Dusty Groove

SHIRLEY HORN - LOADS OF LOVE

Early greatness from Shirley Horn – and a set that already has her stretching out her talents as a vocalist! Shirley sings some somber ballads over large orchestrations by Jimmy Jones – in a mode that's different from recent small combo work, but which also shows that she's a great singer with a really sensitive style – a vocalist who can be traditional when needed, yet still hold onto some hip modern inflections too. The set's got a committed, honest, slightly sad style that's quite striking, considering that this was one of Shirley's first albums – and titles include "That's No Joke", "Love For Sale", "Ten Cents A Dance", "Who Am I?", "Only The Lonely", and "Wild Is Love". ~ Dusty Groove.

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY- RATTLE THEM BONES

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, longtime purveyors, custodians and distillers of a modern big band swing sound, are back and newly signed with Savoy Jazz. In celebration of twenty years bringing an irrepressible groove to the adoring masses, the band has recorded Rattle Them Bones - their eighth studio album which is available today. Founding members Scotty Morris and Kurt Sodergren, plus the five other original members, continue to keep their sound fresh coming off the 2009 release of their tribute to Cab Calloway. Produced by Morris and Joshua Levy with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the band has honed their musicality to a fine point, effortlessly striking a balance between respect for the authenticity of the swing sound and the original ideas they incorporate into the mix. The band features Morris (vocals, guitar, banjo), Joshua Levy (piano, arranger), Kurt Sodergren (drums), Dirk Shumaker (acoustic bass, vocals), Glen "The Kid" Marhevka (trumpet), Karl Hunter (soprano, alto, tenor saxophones and clarinet) and Andy Rowley (baritone saxophone, vocals). Rattle Them Bones is available everywhere today.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is truly a pioneering band having inspired a movement with their fierce dedication to fully inhabiting their particular musical world. It's a sound that spans many eras—think the prohibition era of "Boardwalk Empire" to the lounging swing of 60's "Mad Men." With Rattle Them Bones Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has put together an album of originals and hand-picked covers that would evoke a certain mood—a mood influenced by some surprisingly diverse sources ranging from Mark Twain to Randy Newman, Django Reinhardt to George Gershwin.

ROD STEWART'S 'MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY' ALBUM FEATURES DAVE KOZ, CHRIS BOTTI, TROMBONE SHORTY & ELLA FITZGERALD

Grammy Award®-winning, two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Rod Stewart, the newest world-class megastar to join the roster of the Verve Music Group, has completed Merry Christmas, Baby, his first Christmas album of his career, it was announced today by Lucian Grainge, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Music Group and David Foster, Chairman, Verve Music Group. Foster serves as producer and arranger of Merry Christmas, Baby, which is set to arrive in stores on October 30th and is available for pre-order on iTunes today.

"I have always been tempted to do a Christmas album," said Rod Stewart. "And now that I once again have young children, the timing couldn't be better. Additionally, Merry Christmas, Baby gave me a chance to reunite with David Foster." Added Foster, "And I'm thrilled that this is the first project for both of us on Verve."

Merry Christmas, Baby, an album of standards and traditional songs finds Rod Stewart joined by a number of A-list guests, starting with Michael Buble, who duets with Rod on "Winter Wonderland." "We Three Kings" is a duet with Mary J. Blige; and the title tune "Merry Christmas, Baby" is a duet with Cee-Lo Green featuring New Orleans' favorite son, Trombone Shorty. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" features Dave Koz on saxophone and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" is a very special 'virtual' duet with Ella Fitzgerald featuring Chris Botti.

The balance of the tunes on Merry Christmas, Baby comprise "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," "Blue Christmas," "When You Wish Upon A Star," "Silent Night," and "Auld Lang Syne." The album's one original track, "Red-Suited Super Man," is composed by Rod Stewart, David Foster and Amy Foster and features Trombone Shorty.

As a preview for audiences, Rod Stewart will return to the Home Shopping Network (HSN) on October 26 at 8 p.m. (ET) to kick-off the holidays with the debut of his first-ever holiday CD before its official release on October 30 (Verve Music Group). In 2010, Rod Stewart shattered HSN music records with his exclusive debut of Fly Me To The Moon, selling more than 25,000 units during his one-hour performance. He continues to be the largest selling music artist on HSN.

"We are thrilled to have Rod return to HSN to launch his first holiday CD with us," said Andy Sheldon, EVP of Television, Live Events and Creative for HSN. "Rod knows how to engage an audience with his incredible voice and irresistible charm and we look forward to another successful appearance when he takes the stage with David Foster in October. HSN Live has become a highly respected launch platform within the music industry and we are excited about the high caliber of artists that want to debut their latest projects."

"We are excited to bring Rod Stewart back to the HSN audience," said Mike Rittberg, VP Artist Development & Promotion, Verve Music Group. "They've been a great partner for Rod in the past and this is a great opportunity to showcase Rod's talent and this amazing new CD for millions of fans."

HSN customers will have the opportunity to pre-order an exclusive 2-disc bundle for $14.95 which includes the new release, Merry Christmas, Baby and a "Best Of" CD that features Stewart's greatest hits, including Maggie May, Reason to Believe and Twistin the Night Away.

MERRY CLAYTON REISSUES - GIMME SHELTER, MERRY CLAYTON & KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE SPARROW

MERRY CLAYTON - GIMME SHELTER

A classic from Merry Clayton – and a record whose title follows from her big fame of singing on the original version of "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones! The sound here is a lot more soul-based, as you'd guess – arranged beautifully by Gene Page, with a really righteous feel that's perfect for Merry's deeply soulful vocal approach – and produced to perfection by Lou Adler, with some surprising help from Curtis Amy – one of our favorite saxophonists ever. Music is by a hip cast of top-shelf talents from the coast – including Billy Preston on organ, Joe Sample on piano, David T Walker on guitar, and Paul Humphrey on drums – all nice and tight, but totally right in the pocket with their grooves. Titles include Merry's classic version of "Gimme Shelter", plus "Tell All The People", "I've Got Life", "Here Come Those Heartaches Again", and "Good Girls". ~ Dusty Groove

MERRY CLAYTON - MERRY CLAYTON

Righteous and rocking soul from Merry Clayton! The set was done in LA with arrangements by insiders that include Jerry Peters, Carole King, and Billy Preston – and features some tight and sometimes funky backing from players that include David T Walker, Wilton Felder, Paul Humphrey, and Curtis Amy. Some of the tunes are a bit too rock-soul for our taste, but there are a few tasty bits on here that we really like – including a hip Leon Ware tune called "Whatever", a nice cover of Bill Withers' "Grandma's Hands", and Jerry Peters "Love Me Or Let Me Be Lonely". Other tracks include "Southern Man", "Same Old Story", "Walk On In", and "A Song For You". ~ Dusty Groove

MERRY CLAYTON - KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE SPARROW

A really cool collaboration between Merry Clayton and Eugene McDaniels – a producer who really takes her music into new territory here! As with other perfect productions by McDaniels in the 70s, Gene really grabs the whole thing up and makes it his own – adding a lot more funk to the mix than you might expect, and electrifying the instrumentation in ways that bump up Merry's vocals nicely. Even better, though – he wrote a number of tunes for the set – the kind of offbeat soul numbers that we love from Eugene's own work, which help Merry move into a hip range of themes and topics. There's a righteous mix of funky jazz and soul on the record – a bit like the sound of Marlena Shaw's Blue Note albums – and McDaniels titles include "Gold Fever", "If I Lose", "Do What You Know", "Gets Hard Sometimes", and "Sink Or Swim". Also includes a great version of Baretta's theme – "Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow" - plus "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" and "How'd I Know". ~ Dusty Groove

SON YAMBU - LA MARAVILLA

• First ever Cuban son (Son cubano) album recorded in the UK

• 11-track latin album available on CD and as a digital download

• Follows in the tradition of bands such as the Buena Vista Social Club and Sierra

• Features original compositions and also forgotten gems by legendary Cuban composer Arsenio Rogriguez

• Son Yambu play within the ‘son conjunto’ style as a dance band

• Yuri Moreno and Alfonso De Jesus Gomez provide vocals on the album

For the first time in the UK a new generation of Cuba’s talented musical diaspora have gathered together to record and release a Cuban Son album. La Maravilla, recorded entirely in London, is presented by Son Yambu and honours the very best of original and classic Cuban son, the music considered by many to be the ‘soul of Cuba’. With a mix of original compositions, and forgotten gems, Son Yambu maintain the pure tradition of son's East-Cuban roots, featuring musicians from Santiago De Cuba and specially commissioned original songs from composers living in the city today.

The band play a style known as ‘son conjunto’, which expands the small band format of the original style from sextet to a fuller dance band format, with the addition of a conga player and a second trumpet. Son Yambu have, however, resisted the need to add piano to their line-up, maintaining a rootsier acoustic sound, irresistible for dancers with songs that will hold up on any salsa dancefloor. Baila Con Mi Tumbao, Mujer Majadera, Le Sumba El Mango and Virgen Milagrosa are original compositions, and it is also fitting that the godfather of son conjunto, the legendary blind musician and composer, Arsenio Rodriguez, is represented on this release by three of his classic compositions; Cangrejo, No Me Llores and Dundunbanza. Other tracks, such as Ay Papacito, will have a familiar ring to anyone with a love of Cuban and world music.

The Cuban musicians featured on the album are all distinguished exponents of the genre, and they’re accompanied by lead vocalist Yuri Moreno, who has been compared to a young Celia Cruz. The band are also joined by Alfonso De Jesus Gomez, who has sung with Fania legends Lalo Rodgriguez, Larry Harlow, Adalberto Santiago and Sid Gauld (whose credits include Tom Jones, Blur and Ray Charles).

La Maravilla will be released on September10  through Apollo Sound, an independent record label founded in 1964 by Heinz Herschmann. The label produced two of the first Latin jazz LPs to be recorded in UK and this is their first Latin release for 40 years. Apollo Sound are immensely proud to be the first record label to release a home-grown Cuban son album in the UK.

Tracklisting:
01. Baila Con Mi Tumbao
02. Co Co Mai Mai
03. Mujer Majadera
04. Cangrejo
05. Le Sumba El Mango
06. En El Delirio Habanero
07. Rita La Caimana
08. No Me Llores
09. Ay Papacito
10. Dundunbanza
11. La Virgen Milagrosa

THE TERENCE BLANCHARD RELAUNCHES TERENCEBLANCHARD.COM

We've received an announcement of the birth of the new Terence Blanchard website — a project that has been in the works for quite some time. Designed to share all of the many wonderful aspects of Terence's ever-evolving life as a musician, film and theatre composer, touring artist, writer of Opera and all-around Renaissance man, www.terenceblanchard.com features the latest news on upcoming projects, tour dates, exclusive photos, an in-depth discography and filmography, press information, music and film trailers, and ever so much more.

The new contemporary website embodies Blanchard's futuristic vision, his commitment to fans and his goal of broadening the global reach of Jazz. As a 5-time Grammy Award winning Jazz artist with over 25 years in a transforming music industry, Blanchard has embraced the technological advancements and retail shifts by creating an interactive socially driven site that is fan-centric, sales driven and that coalesces his multiple brand platforms.

Special features in the new site include an in-depth discography and filmography that provide fans with sought after recording credits and often requested purchase links for hard to find recordings and films. The site also features a quick and easy Tour page, enabling fans to not only see all upcoming shows but also allows them to add shows to their schedule and share via social media sites. The site also offers an extensive press archive and a wealth of video and audio interviews including never seen concert footage. The Collaboration page gives breadth to Blanchard's numerous artistic partnership and programs including Blanchard's specially curated Paradise Jazz Series with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, his work with the Detroit Jazz Festival and Opera Theatre St.Louis.

As a bridge to his social media platforms, the site allows for one click access to Terence Blanchard's youtube channel, his @T_Blanchard Twitter feed, a community generated Flickr page and the Terence Blanchard Facebook page. Also a very special new feature includes a Resonate page where fans can resonate with Blanchard and learn more about his favorite top ten Jazz albums, his favorite restaurants in New Orleans and can enjoy a special curated Boxing playlist from Songza.

The site also introduces the new Terence Blanchard logo, a personal abstract signature of a gold trumpet, anchored by a partially visible silhouette of the famed trumpeter in his signature blowing stance with his name imprinted in a strong Black modern Gotham font. The branded logo and streamlined site was designed by Dan Rosen of Dan Rosen Design, developed by Nick Sagona of moc10media with strategic branding and marketing guidance by Laura Tennyson of Lura Belle Productions.

UPCOMING TERENCE BLANCHARD SHOWS
August 31, 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival, MI
September 19, 2012 Jazz at the Bistro, MO
October 5, 2012 Macalester College, MN
October 13, 2012 McGlohon Theater, NC
October 19, 2012 New Jersey PAC, NJ
November 1, 2012 Duc des Lombards, France
November 4, 2012 Domicil Club, Germany
November 6, 2012 Blue Note, Germany
November 7, 2012 A-Trane, Germany
November 8, 2012 London Jazz Festival, England
November 13, 2012 Nardis Jazz Club, Turkey
November 15, 2012 Novi Sad Jazz Festival
November 16, 2012 Padova Festival
November 18, 2012 Domicile Jazz Club
November 20, 2012 Widder Bar
December 12, 2012 Museum of Modern Art

TATIANA LADY MAY MAYFIELD - A PORTRAIT OF LADY MAY

Smooth, refreshing, unique and beautiful are how many have described the voice of Tatiana Mayfield, a jazz vocalist from Fort Worth, Texas. Miss Mayfield received her degree in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas and was a member of the Jazz Singers I ensemble. She also is featured on the famous University of North Texas Two-O' Clock Lab Band CD released in 2009. She received the “Outstanding Performance” award in the college “Jazz Vocal Soloist” category in DownBeat magazine’s June 2009 and 2010 Student Awards issues. In addition, she also received the award for “Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Jazz Studies” from the University of North Texas jazz department in 2009. In October of 2010, she was chosen as one of the twelve semi-finalists to compete in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition that was held in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian Museum.

She performed before a panel of legendary jazz vocalists that included Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves, Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Kurt Elling. In the fall of 2009, she released her debut album 'From All Directions', a collaboration album with pianist Erskine Hawkins III. It was given a positive review by JazzTimes magazine in February 2010 and was also reviewed by jazz journalist, Scott Yanow. In July 2011, the Fort Worth Weekly awarded her as the “best jazz artist” in their yearly music awards. She was also nominated for a Dallas Observer Music Award in the fall of 2011. Other awards and achievements in her career so far include receiving a National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) Award for Jazz Voice in 2006 and performing on the “Showtime At The Apollo” television show in 2004. She also has performed in several festivals, restaurants, and clubs nationwide and opened for artists such as Kirk Whalum, Randy Brecker, Dave Valentin, Bobbi Humphrey, and The Main Ingredient. She has also appeared on “Good Morning Texas” on WFFA channel 8 in Dallas on several occasions.

Visit THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE "A GREAT PLACE TO HANG" at: http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

NEW RELEASES - RUBY VELLE & THE SOULPHONICS, CHICO BUARQUE, THE BROKEN ORCHESTRA

RUBY VELLE & THE SOULPHONICS – IT’S ABOUT TIME

A smoking debut from this funky Atlanta combo – a group who've worked together for years, and have a totally top-shelf quality on this first album! Vocalist Ruby Velle is firmly in the lead – hitting hard with a soulful punch that rivals some of the most soulful female singers on funk projects from labels like Tru Thoughts or Record Kicks – working with very sharp rhythms from the Soulphonics combo – whose horns are as sharp as their grooves on drums, bass, and guitar! Titles include "The Man Says", "Medicine Spoon", "The Agenda", "Looking For A Better Thing", "Longview", and "Mr Wrong". (Includes download of full album & bonus tracks too!) ~ Dusty Groove

CHICO BUARQUE – NA CARREIRA – AO VIVO

An incredible live album from Chico Buarque – one that really grabs us right from the start, and holds us rapt in ways that go far beyond the boundaries of language! Chico's recent albums have all been pretty darn great, but there's really something special to this set – a perfect blend of larger arrangements and the spontaneous setting of a live performance – as Buarque's lead vocals and guitar come into play with some larger orchestrations from Luiz Claudio Ramos – nice and lean, but full of power – and giving Chico some of the best backdrops he's had in years! The record has a sophisticated emotive power – one that's very subtle, and which recalls the careful balance of modes used during the bossa years – even though the record itself is quite a different thing than bossa. Key proof that Buarque's many years in music have continued to be pretty darn great – with titles that include "Sinha", "Futuros Amantes", "Na Carreira", "De Volta Ao Samba", "Rubato", "Querido Diario", "Valsa Brasileira", "Sou Eu", "Geni E O Zepelim", "Baioque", and "Ana De Amsterdam". ~ Dusty Groove

THE BROKEN ORCHESTRA – SHIBUI

Dusty, Laid Back, Groove, Soulful, Chopped, Horns, Melodic, Percussive, Organic, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acoustic, Mellow, Eclectic... are all words that can be associated with The Broken Orchestra. The debut LP from The Broken Orchestra entitled Shibui is the culmination of the best part of two years writing, recording and mixing. At the heart of The Broken Orchestra are producers Pat Dooner and Carl Conway-Davis, who, along with a select group of talented musicians and artists sculpt simple ideas into full blown compositional pieces. What started out as a simple collaborative studio experiment quickly developed into much more enlisting the help of Moby’s lead singer Inyang Bassey, Leeds based vocalist Anna Stott and the subtle but beautiful vocal sounds of Natalie Gardiner. Other guest appearances come from the smooth Bell, the unusual Lauren Jade and the introspective emcee Lady Paradox. The debut LP from The Broken Orchestra entitled Shibui is the culmination of the best part of two years writing, recording and mixing will be available on iTunes, Amazon, phonosaurus.com and many more on October 23. ~ phonosaurus.com

NEW RELEASES - QUINCY JONES & RAY BROWN, JOHNNY MATHIS

QUINCY JONES & RAY BROWN – THE ADVENTURERS

A rare groover from the team of Ray Brown and Quincy Jones – a smoking little set that completely revises the music for The Adventurers! The original score for the film featured tunes by Antonio Carlos Jobim, played by Deodato – a great combination at the time, but completely different than the heavy funk laid out here by Ray and Quincy! The pair really cook things up strongly here – hitting some of the best funky vibes you'd hear on Quincy Jones scores from the late 60s and early 70s – or some of Ray Brown's funkiest jazz sessions of the time. Brown leads the band, and the set's produced by Quincy – who also arranged some tracks – with help from JJ Johnson, Tom Scott, and Jimmy Jones too. Titles include "Fat Cat Strut", "Polo Pony", "El Lobo's Marc", "Wishful Thinking", "Love Theme From The Adventurers", and "Go Down Dying". ~ Dusty Groove

JOHNNY MATHIS – TENDER IS THE NIGHT / WONDERFUL WORKD OR MAKE BELIEVE

A pair of Mercury Records albums from Johnny Mathis – on CD for the first time ever! Tender Is The Night is tremendous work from Johnny's short years on Mercury – a set that has the singer hitting a new level of maturity in his music – thanks in part to arrangements from Don Costa! Costa's scored plenty of singers before this set – but with Johnny, he hits a level of sophistication that's really amazing – the depth of tones and colors that Frank Sinatra was getting on his late 60s years at Reprise – perfect for the new level of expression that Mathis was hitting in his vocals. There's loads of numbers here that go way beyond what you might expect from the usual hits from Johnny – and titles include "Laura", "No Strings", "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes", "Forget Me Not", and "Tomorrow Song". Wonderful World Of Make Believe features Mathis working with arranger Allyn Ferguson – who often gives Johnny the same sort of shimmering charts he might get from Glenn Osser, but who takes a bit more liberties here with the "make believe" modes promised in the title! Lots of the tunes are numbers from shows – but those of a whimsical, wistful variety – postwar tunes with a fantasy vibe that's perfect for the inherent sense of longing in Mathis' vocals. Titles include "Shangri La", "House Of Flowers", "Beyond The Sea", "Camelot", "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows", "Sands Of Time", and "When You Wish Upon A Star". ~ Dusty Groove

JOHNNY MATHIS – LOVE IS EVERYTHING / UNRELEASED BROADWAY ALBUM

Two gems from Johnny Mathis' mid 60s years at Mercury Records – one classic album, and another previously unreleased session! First up is Love Is Everything – an album that's got Johnny working with arranger Glenn Osser – who always seemed to set the right tone to unlock the best side of Mathis' 60s vocals. Orchestrations are lush, but never sleeping – and have that wonderful pillow of sound approach that really lets Johnny open up and soar vocally. Titles include "A Thousand Blue Bubbles", "Never Let Me Go", "This Is All I Ask", "People", "One More Mountain", and "Go Away Little Girl". Next up is Broadway – a record that was recorded for Mercury, yet never issued at the time! The album's got a nicely unusual feel – a range of songs that really moves past the usual ballads and love songs you might normally know from Johnny Mathis – and which, at some times, shows sides that are a bit more upbeat and playful. Titles include "Get Out Of Town", "Manhattan", "Don't Rain On My Parade", "When I'm Not Near The Girl I Love", "Ridin High", "She Loves Me", and "Ain't It De Truth". ~ Dusty Groove

BURT BACHARACH CLASSICS REISSUED AS JAPANESE PAPER SLEEVE EDITIONS

BURT BACHARACH

Insanely wonderful work by Bacharach – in a way that we can hardly begin to describe (but we'll certainly try!) By the time this one was recorded – 1971 – Burt's reputation as a songwriter and arranger were so firmly established that he had an incredible amount of freedom in the studio. Here, working with tunes that were mostly well-worn, plus a new one or two – Burt comes up with an amazingly complex set of arrangements, opening up his tunes like little flowers, focusing on a particular instrumental tendril, and drawing it out into incredible lines of melody and color. Proof of this is the album's extended version of "Wives & Lovers", or its suite for orchestra, entitled "And The People Were With Her". All tracks are great – from Burt's intimate vocal on "Hasbrook Heights", to the jangly instrumentation of "Freefall", to the completely recast versions of hits like "One Less Bell To Answer", "April Fools", and "Mexican Divorce".

BURT BACHARACH - BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID

Forget everything you know about "Raindrops Are Falling On My Head", and give Burt kudos for this gem of an album! Sure, "Raindrops" shows up here a few times – instrumentally, and in 2 BJ Thomas vocal versions – and it's not a bad tune at all. But the real gems are some of the instrumentals – which have Burt almost doing a Tijuana take on his classic A&M sound – in a style that's really wonderful! Our favorite cut is the amazing "South American Getaway" – a breezy vocal scatting number that seems to take the best of the Swingle Singers and I Cantori Modern and roll them into one groovy tune that soars, dips, turns, twists, and holds our dear heart close for 5 minutes and 13 seconds! It's a real gem, and worth the price of the album alone – but you'll also get a few other nice ones, like "The Old Fun City", "The Sundance Kid", "Come Touch The Sun", and "Not Goin Home Anymore".

BURT BACHARACH - FUTURES
The maestro never fails to let us down – and even on this late 70s album, Burt Bacharach still sounds great – stepping out in a swirling mix of strings, jazz, and studio arrangements that are still far beyond the work of most of his contemporaries! There's a sophisticated, adult quality to this record that really stands out – one that's not as catchy pop as some of Burt's 60s work, and which features some even more serious lyrics on the album's vocal tunes – numbers that still have him leaning towards the soul side of the spectrum at times, thanks to lead work by Joshie Armstead on a number of the best tracks – who joins a vocal cast that also includes Peter Yarrow, Jamie Anders, and Mellisa Mackay. At times, the sound is more personal and contemplative than even on other late Bacharach records – but that's also a great change too, and opens up into that warm world of Hasbrook Heights that Burt first started showing us as he grew. Titles include "I Took My Strength From You", "The Young Grow Younger Every Day", "When You Bring Your Sweet Love To Me", "Another Spring Will Rise", "Us", "We Should Have Met Sooner", and "No One Remembers My Name".

BURT BACHARACH - HIT MAKER! BURT BACHARACH PLAYS THE BURT BACHARACH HITS

A great batch of early work from Burt Bacharach – one of the first albums to be issued under his own name, and proof that Mr B was head and shoulders above most of the other arrangers and composers of his time! At some level, the style here is a bit more traditional than some of Burt's later work – with strings and vocal chorus used on many numbers – but the tight, focused, syncopated Bacharach groove is already very firmly on place – on a set of all original numbers, done as instrumentals with some really incredible production! Voices float next to tinkling piano, sweeping strings, and stepping rhythms that show that even when things are mellow, they can still be a bit funky – and the record easily takes 60s easy to a whole new level of maturity and sophistication. Titles include "Wives & Lovers", "Trains & Boats & Planes", "What's New Pussycat?", "The Last One To Be Loved", "Saturday Sunshine", "24 Hours From Tulsa", and "A House Is Not A Home". CD features 4 bonus tracks that include "And So Goodbye My Love", "My Little Red Book", "What's New Pussycat", and an alternate version of "Saturday Sunshine.

BURT BACHARACH - LIVE IN JAPAN

An incredible live recording by Burt Bacharach – and one that wasn't issued in the US! This early 70s concert is great proof that the Bacharach magic didn't come from any studio tricks – but from the genius of Burt himself – as the maestro's working here in a fantastic larger-than-life setting, one that offers slightly different takes on the magical tunes of his A&M years. The arrangements include a large instrumental group, plus strings and uncredited singers – and Burt himself delivers some wonderful vocals on a few tunes too. Titles include "Promises Promises", "The Look Of Love", "Walk On By", "Come Touch The Sun", "Bond Street", "Close To You", "A House Is Not A Home", and 2 nice medley tracks!

BURT BACHARACH - LIVING TOGETHER

Quite possibly the greatest moment ever for Burt Bacharach – and that's saying a heck of a lot, considering the greatness of all of his work! The record's a slightly-overlooked gem from Burt's 70s years – a record that steps off the compressed sophistication of his best 60s work for A&M, but pushes things slightly into even more adult territory – a space that's beyond simple instrumental pop, and which features complicated rhythms, amazing songwriting, and a batch of tunes so great, you'll be coming back to this one for years to come! The record leads off with the sublime "Something Big", a building vocal number that always sends chills down our spine – then follows with the skittish rhythm of "Monterey Peninsula", almost drum and bass at times! Even the mellower tracks are great – somewhat soulful, and always touched with unusual phrasings, timings, or jazzy changes that are simply mindblowing. Other tracks include "The Balance of Nature", "Lost Horizon", "Walk The Way You Talk", "Reflections", "Long Ago Tomorrow", and "I Might Frighten Her Away".

BURT BACHARACH - MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF

Fantastic work by maestro Burt Bacharach – subtle genius, and an album that offers more to us every time we listen to it! Burt's work has been recorded by many – but few ever gave it the kind of treatment that he did – as you'll hear in this brilliant array of sweeping strings, sly syncopation, and well-placed instrumental solos! The sound is breathtaking throughout – a new level of maturity and majesty for 60s instrumental pop – and the record's an enduring classic that deserves a place in every sensitive record collection. Includes the amazing cut "Pacific Coast Highway", plus great versions of other classics, like "Wanting Things", "She's Gone Away", "Knowing When To Leave", and "This Guy's In Love With You".

BURT BACHARACH - ON THE FLIP SIDE

An obscure and wonderful chapter in the career of Burt Bacharach – material penned for a 1967 TV musical starring Rick Nelson and Joanie Sommers – all of it perfect 60s Bacharach pop all the way through! The plot of the musical is a bit silly, but the performance isn't – tightly-crafted vocal numbers that often mix Burt's older Brill Building style with a bit more of a Sunshine Pop kind of approach. Although penned by Bacharach, the music is actually conducted by Peter Matz – who does a great job of retaining the maestro's sense of space and timing, but also unlocks some bolder flourishes in the tunes, and manages to get some really amazing vocal performances out of both Sommers and Nelson! There's a sophistication here that goes beyond the roots of both singers – and the record's filld with lesser-known tracks that still sparkle with plenty of Bacharach brilliance – including "It Doesn't Matter Anymore", "They're Gonna Love It", "Juanita's Place Montage", "Try To See It My Way", "They Don't Give Medals", "Fender Mender", and "Juanita's Place".

BURT BACHARACH - REACH OUT

Fantastic! We love Burt Bacharach in so many ways that it's easy to forget the genius of these early A&M sides – but going back to them is always a treat, and it's wonderful to hear the way that Burt lays down his own work when given the chance! You know the tracks – "House Is Not A Home", "Bond Street", "Reach Out For Me", "Are You There", "Windows Of The World" – but you may not know the arrangements, which are superb – quite different than the more famous vocal versions you've probably heard ad infinitum, and recorded at a level that brings a whole new magic and majesty to 60s pop! An essential record for any fan of all things groovy – and an album of new pleasures each time we hear it!

BURT BACHARACH AND THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY - WOMAN

An ambitious album by Burt Bacharach – recorded with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, but done in one 4 hour session – so that there's a sense of liveness and spontaneity that's quite fresh, and which escapes some of the 70s studio overindulgence of the time! Most tracks are instrumental, and although orchestral, they're done with a good sense of rhythm – and a wonderful feel that really hearkens back to the Bacharach charm of the late 60s A&M years, while also offering a few soundtracky twists. Titles include "Magdalena", "Riverboat", "Summer Of 77", "New York Lady", "There Is Time", "The Dancing Fool", and "Woman".

~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - SOPHIA DOMANCICH / MARK HELIAS / ANDREW CYRILLE, RICHARD BONNET / TONY MALABY, JANKA NABAY & THE BUBU GANG

SOPHIA DOMANCICH / MARK HELIAS / ANDREW CYRILLE – COURTEPOINTE: LIVE AT THE SUNSIDE

Pianist Sophia Domanchic gets some wonderfully freewheeling company here – the bass of Mark Helias and drums of Andrew Cyrille – both perfect accompaniment for her long, lively lines on piano! The tunes are all quite long – most stretch past the 10 minute mark – and have a very open, expressive feel – a way of being quite bold on the keyboard, yet still managing to swing, too – the kind of groove that could only come with such accomplished rhythm players like these. The set's got a sparkle and charm that's undeniable – and both Helias and Cyrille get in some beautiful solo moments that are quite inventive. Titles include "Vestiges", "How To", "Dr Licks", "En El Barrio De Triana", and "Aubade". ~ Dusty Groove

RICHARD BONNET / TONY MALABY - HAPTEIN

A double-drone spectacular – the guitars of Richard Bonnet and saxes of Tony Malaby – both wrapped together in extended sonic explorations! The tones of the two instruments intertwine nicely – with lots of long, low notes that are often pretty darn noisy – Malaby on tenor and soprano sax, Bonnet on a 7 string electric that sounds nice and gritty! Titles include "Vibrations", "Synapse", "Gaba", "Kainate", "Verticale De L'Instant", "Trains D'Ondes", and "Intelligence Divergente". ~ Dusty Groove


JANKA NABAY & THE BUBU GANG - EN YAH SAH

One of the most compelling albums we've heard from Luaka Bop in awhile – a set of tracks that draws from Sierra Leone roots and 70s African psych – all recorded with an intensity and urgency that really drives the album along, right from the get-go! Rhythms are fast, but never out of control – and certainly not in the too-bombastic mode that you'd hear from more hip hop-styled African work of late. Instead, they've got this bubbling, quick-stepping quality that's really wonderful – fast paced amidst the more echoey, fuzzy-edged sounds on the keyboards and guitars – all held together beautifully by the vocals fo Amed Janka Nabay! Titles include "Somebody", "Rotin", "En Ya Sah", "Kill Me With Bongo", "Feba", "Ro Lungi", and "Eh Mane Ah". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - JEFF KASHIWA, NILS, BOB JAMES

JEFF KASHIWA - LET IT RIDE

A 2012 release, the eighth solo project from Rippingtons saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa. Featuring a who's who of special guests, including pianist David Benoit, Rippingtons guitarist Russ Freeman, Spyro Gyra keyboardist Tom Schuman, and guitarist Chuck Loeb, Let It Ride is being released in between a hectic tour schedule as featured soloist for the Rippingtons and the Sax Pack, a sax trio supergroup he fronts with saxophonists Steve Cole and Marcus Anderson. His last few albums have all debuted Top 10 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart, and this album should be no different. ~ Amazon.com

NILS - CITY GROOVE

Nils new album, City Groove captivates the exciting vibrant sound of the best of today's jazz grooves. The album includes 12 original compositions featuring some of today's hottest musicians accompanying Nils on lead guitar. The players include Ricky Lawson and Simon Phillips on drums; Alex Al, Reggie McBride and Daryl Jones on bass; Clydene Jackson and Mitch Forman on keyboards and Oliver Brown percussion. Nils is also joined by chart topping artist Jeff Golub on a great instrumental duet. Tracks include: City Groove, Casablanca, Sunset Blvd., Let's Bounce, Funk In Da House and 7 more. ~Amazon.com

BOB JAMES - JOY RIDE

Adorned with contributions from roughly two dozen friends and guests, Joy Ride serves as a smooth-jazz group hug, and at its center is pianist Bob James, exuding warmth and ample feel-good energy throughout this disc's 12 selections. Concluding his fourth decade as a recording artist, the ageless pianist surrounds himself with a new guest list on almost every track, and the diversified results are flavorful, predictable, and eminently satisfying for fans of the genre. James's rotating ensemble at times included guitarist Chuck Loeb (who also produced and helped write two cuts), Boney James (who glows on the album's lone sax-dominated tune, "Raise the Roof,"), Chris Botti, Lee Ritenour, Norman Brown, Jonathan Butler and, well, on it goes. Name a musical flavor--urban, pop, funk, R&B, even faint traces of world music--and James stirs it into his stew for all seasons. ~ Terry Wood / Amazon.com