NEW RELEASES - SEAN HAEFELI, LAVERNE BUTLER, HOUSTON PERSON

SEAN HAEFELI - RISE

Berlin based pianist, vocalist, lyricist, and composer Sean Haefeli mesmerized us with his vocal jazz that’s sprinkled with welcome notes of Jose James and Gil Scott-Heron. Others have referenced Last Poets, Roberta Flack, Michael Franti, Bobby McFerrin, and Gregory Porter when speaking about his music. Looks like dude has a pretty fail proof thing going on as far as many are concerned. Sean’s sound blends jazz, soul, hip hop, and spoken word to birth warm, honest, and intimate music perfect for cozying up to as winter approaches. RISE marks his third album, which similar to his previous two is self-produced and released. Touring will begin in late October through November of this year. Go here to stream the album and to download the title track for free http://www.giantstep.net/ . ~ Giant Step

LAVERNE BUTLER - LOVE LOST AND FOUND AGAIN

A beautiful, sweetly jazz-based set from LaVerne Butler – and we can't imagine why you'd lose the love for her voice and style, if you've ever found it in the first place – but this is great place to find it! Bruce Barth is on piano and handles the arrangements, with the great Houston Person on tenor for over half the set – and the group is rounded out by bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Rudy Royston. That intimate, though elegant small combo approach works really well! Includes "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home", "Be A Sweet Pumpkin", "Everybody's Somebody's Fool", "The Bluest Blues", "Travelin' Light", "In My Own Little Corner", "I'll Never Be Free", "Smile" and more.  ~ Dusty Groove

HOUSTON PERSON - NATURALLY

Naturally great work from soul jazz legend Houston Person – who's still going strong – and delivers one of the best of his High Note records to date! Person has always had an easygoing approach, which is probably something of a recipe for graceful aging – but whatever his secret may be, Naturally is a remarkably strong record – and he makes it sound easy! It's a timeless quartet jazz set – featuring fellow legend Cedar Walton on piano, Ray "Bulldog" Drummond on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. Includes a nice take on Milt Jackson's classic "Bag's Groove", plus "That's All", "Namely You", "My Foolish Heart"", "Red Sails In The Sunset", "Don' Cha Go 'Way Mad", "It Shouldn't Happen To A Dream" and "Sunday". ~ Dusty Groove

EGYPTIAN PROJECT - YA AMAR

With all the news that’s been coming out of Egypt over the last year, it’s surprising that more music has not been circulating. Years before the term ‘Arab Spring’ was coined, French producer Jérôme Ettinger devoted himself to exploring, preserving and spreading the sound of the North African country he fell in love with. Assembling world-class musicians and layering in tasteful electronic rhythms beneath virtuosic playing, his Egyptian Project debut, Ya Amar (Six Degrees Records), is the most potent album to arise from this country since the political upheaval began.


More of an infusion than a fusion, Egyptian Project is the result of a long and commited collaboration between the defenders of Egyptian musical tradition and a young French musician who mix the sounds of the Nile delta and Cairo with the ambiances of trip-hop, electro, hip-hop, and even classical music. « The fluvial meeting of oriental fragrances and minimalist electronic sounds » makes for a journey into unexplored territories.

‘My idea was to mix electronic and Egyptian music,’ he says. ‘I chose one string instrument player, one singer, one percussionist and one rababa player. They are all my family now—I manage and organize everything for all of them.’

As his passion for Egyptian culture and music grew, Ettinger assembled a team of renowned artists for a touring band: percussionist Ragab Sadek, rababa player/violinist Salama Metwally, oud player Ihad Radwan and singer Sayed Eman, whose epic vocals decorate many of this album’s 10 songs. With all musicians between the ages of 50 and 60, Ettinger has played an important role in introducing these incredible artists to the world beyond the Nile.

The band has already performed numerous times to tremendous acclaim in Egypt and throughout Europe, including a recent show at the famed Paleo festival in Switzerland. Expect a U.S. tour in early 2013.

:::: SOURCE: Six Degrees Records ::::

AARON NEVILLE ANNOUNCES JANUARY 22 RELEASE FOR HIS BLUE NOTE DEBUT MY TRUE STORY

ALBUM FEATURES NEW VERSIONS OF HIS FAVORITE DOO-WOP SONGS PRODUCED BY KEITH RICHARDS & DON WAS

Iconic soul/R&B vocalist Aaron Neville has announced a January 22, 2013 release date for My True Story, his debut for EMI’s Blue Note Records. The record, produced by Keith Richards and Blue Note Records President Don Was, finds Neville revitalizing some of his favorite songs from the doo-wop era and beyond.

“Aaron Neville is one of the most expressive and soulful artists of all time, it’s such a thrill to hear him sing,” Was says. “His vocals have a way of reaching into your heart and stirring something really deep inside. It’s a huge honor to welcome him to Blue Note Records and to be involved, along with the legendary Keith Richards, in the production of this album.”

All of the tracks were hand-picked by Neville himself as they are songs that have remained close to his heart since he was a child. “When I was a kid, doo-wop was like medicine to me,” Neville explains. “I didn’t care what else was goin’ on in the world as long as I could sing along with Pookie Hudson and The Spaniels, The Flamingos, The Clovers, Sonny Til and The Orioles, Clyde McPhatter—I was like a kid in a candy store.”

A stellar group of session players was assembled to lay down these tracks. In addition to Keith Richards on guitar other musicians include: Greg Leisz on guitar (Beck, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams), Benmont Tench on organ (founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), George G. Receli on drums (Bob Dylan, James Brown), and Tony Scherr on bass (Bill Frisell, Norah Jones, Rufus Wainwright). Richards sheds some light on the atmosphere in the studio as he explains, “This was a dream session. The band fell right into the groove and Aaron sang like an angel. It was an honor!”

During Neville’s five decade recording career, he has displayed a chameleon-like ability to perform, collaborate and contribute to a wide range of genres. From the funky soul and R&B cuts with the Neville Brothers to a triple platinum, Grammy winning duet with Linda Ronstadt in 1989, “Don’t Know Much” (off an album the duo received two Grammys for), to the title track of 1993’s The Grand Tour which put Neville on the Country charts for the first time, to his several Gospel records including his most recent project, I Know I’ve Been Changed in 2010.

The track listing for My True Story is as follows:
1. Money Honey (Jesse A. Stone)
2. My True Story (Eugene Pitt & Oscar Waltzer)
3. Ruby Baby (Jerry Leiber & Michael Stoller)
4. Gypsy Woman (Curtis Mayfield)
5. Ting a Ling (Nugetre)
6. Be My Baby (Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich & Phillip Spector)
7. Little Bitty Pretty One (Robert J. Byrd)
8. Tears On My Pillow (Sylvester Bradford & Al Lewis)
9. Under The Boardwalk (Arthur Resnick & Kenny Young)
10. Work With Me Annie (Hank Ballard)
11. This Magic Moment / True Love (Medley) (Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman)
12. Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams) (John S. Marascalco & George Motola)

:::: SOURCE: Blue Note Records ::::

EASY STAR'S THRILLAH - A REGGAE ADAPTATION OF MICHAEL JACKSON'S THRILLER

Following up on the hugely successful reggae tribute albums of Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread and Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band comes the reggae adaptation of the greatest selling record of all time – Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The album titled Easy Star’s Thrillah brings back several of the reggae stars from previous albums, such as vocalists Michael Rose, Steel Pulse, Luciano, Mojo Morgan, alongside the diverse playing of guests Yossi Fine, Joe Tomino, Andy Farag, and horn tracks courtesy of Israel’s highly-acclaimed funk/hip-hop band Hadag Nachash.

In selecting Thriller, Easy Star Records co-founder Lem Oppenheimer says, "We've always tackled the greats - The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Radiohead - but while we wanted to take on another huge album, we also wanted to blaze new trails. In Thriller we found those new trails in a number of firsts for the series: the first album by an American artist, the first non-concept album, the first R&B/soul record, as well as the first release from the 80s.”

“For me, I was most excited for Thriller,” says producer/arranger/guitarist Michael Goldwasser. “I was always more of an R&B/soul and reggae kid growing up and I have an intense personal connection to Michael Jackson’s music.” As usual, the process initially involved Goldwasser spending a few months on arranging the songs. “Writing the arrangements for this album was a cool challenge. I didn’t have to try to make non-dance music into dance music as on our previous albums because the original Thriller is so danceable already, but I needed to find ways to make each song groove in a different way from the original version. I didn’t want any of the arrangements to be obvious in that regard.” In the end, Goldwasser’s arrangements are some of the most interesting in his career.

Now that the hard work in the studio is done, the band is looking forward to bringing this music on the road, adding some dance/pop songs to their already varied sets. The band’s live show, which was nominated for a UK Festy Award in 2009, already features tracks from the band’s previous three tribute albums, along with original material. An extensive fall tour of the US and UK is already set up (US dates listed below), with more to come over the next year. As the original Thriller album comes up on its 30-year anniversary in November, what better way to celebrate this timeless album than to catch the Easy Star All-Stars perform their reggae-infused versions of this pop masterpiece.   :::: SOURCE: GiantStep.net ::::

NEW RELEASES - BIRELI LANGRENE, THE PYRAMIDS, JIMI TENOR AND KABUKABU

BIRELI LANGRENE - MOUVEMENTS

Blues with a little bit of harmony is how French guitarist and bassist Bireli Langrene describes his latest release Mouvements. On Mouvements he's joined by fellow musicians Franck Wolf saxophones), Jean-Yves Jung (Hammond organ), and Jean-Marc Robin (drums). Besides the blues, you also get a bit of jazz and rock mixed in to give it a sound that is decidedly eclectic and electric both at the same time. Among the tracks, the title track "Movements") appears to be a real gem. This is indeed harmony! The tracklisting also includes "Jay", Maybe Tomorrow", "Oleo", Where's Frankie:, plus six more. Mouvements is available on the Universal Music France label. Bireli Lagrene will be in concert in Paris, Saturday, October 20, 2012 at the Trianon.

THE PYRAMIDS - OTHERWORLDLY

The long-awaited return of The Pyramids – easily one of the hippest spiritual jazz ensembles of the 70s! This new recording has all the earthy brilliance of the group's classics – with leadership from reedman Idris Ackamoor, who's continued a dedication to righteous sounds on his own during the past few decades – which means he's hardly coming out of retirement here, just re-focusing his ongoing energy towards the classic Pyramids sound! Instrumentation is heavy on percussion and organic elements – and the tunes do a great job of blending freewheeling performance with more focused grooves – an Afro-avant mode that really lives up to the group's legacy, carried off here by players who include Kenneth Nash on drums and percussion, Kimathi Asante on bass, Kash Killion on bass and cello, Bradie Speller on congas and electronics. Titles include "Memory Ritual", "Time Capsule", "What The World Needs Now", "Nebulosity", "Otherworldly", "Boundless Eternities", "Cloud Rider", "Uttering Sacred Words", and "They Came From Chicago". ~ Dusty Groove.

JIMI TENOR AND KABUKABU - THE MYSTERY OF AETHER

Anyone familiar with Jimi Tenor will already know that his esoteric style has already earnt him a unique place somewhere between the worlds of jazz, techno, afrobeat, latin and many other cosmic ensembles. But with this latest LP Aether, Jimi delves even deeper to bring us one of his most expansive visionary records yet. Aether has come together over the course of a couple of years, and illustrates some of the different projects that Jimi’s been working on. One of the main seeds was planted after Jimi collaborated with OG afro-beat originator Tony Allen, after the sessions for their LP for Strut’s ‘Inspiration Information’ series. Others songs were developed from Jimi’s long-running tete-a-tete with Berlin-based afro ensemble Kabu Kabu. Throw in a touch of Martin Denny-esque exotica, some Arkestra-inspired space waltzes, and a few of Jimi’s homemade instruments, and the result is a collection of tracks bristling with percussive energy, big band arrangements, inter-galactic spirituality.

Tracks like ‘Dance Of The Planets’, ‘Eternal Mystery’, and the opener ‘Selvanakija’, clearly owe a debt to Sun Ra, condensing the Arkestra’s galactic space-walks into taut afro-cuban work-outs underpinning Jimi’s trademark melodies and brass harmonics. But it’s not just musically that the Arkestra has inspired the sounds on Aether. “I read about Pat Patrick making his own bass marimbas, so I went and got a book from the library about making your own instruments,” said Jimi. “Making your own instruments is good, you can find your own unusual tunings and overtones. It’s a bit like when Sonic Youth make their own tunings on their guitars. It’s all about making something a bit different from the usual temperate scale. That just doesn’t sound interesting anymore. “

The track ‘Universal Love’ is one example of Jimi’s home-made sound coming through, with an epic build-up climaxing with an instrument that sounds like an elephant had wandered into the recording session at Berlin’s Lovelite studio. “I just went into the forest and chopped down a big branch. I carved it myself, like one of those alpine horns or something.” This DIY approach is Jimi’s way of bringing people together. “I hope that when people see it live, they feel like they’re a part of a sort of unprofessional group, like a hippy family or something. Sometimes when I see the latin percussion set-ups on stage, it all just looks so polished and clean. I’m often making my own claves for the whole band, just to get a bit of a different sound.”

A sense of togetherness is at the heart of Aether, and not just in the concert hall. It permeates Jimi’s whole world-view, even embracing other worlds. Lyrically, the song ‘Resonate And Be’ captures what the LP is about, exploring the drama of the cosmos for our own spiritual and material well-being. Jimi explains, “in our view there is only aether. Everything material is the resonance of the aether. We are, because our particles resonate the song of cosmos. We are all one.” ~ KindredSpirits.nl

FELA – NEW 6-LP BOX SET FEATURING FELA AND GINGER BAKER LIVE / ROFOROFO FIGHT / CONFUSION / ALAGBON CLOSE / HE MISS ROAD / NA POI

A killer array of funky grooves from Fela Kuti – served up in a 6LP box set, with records chosen by Ginger Baker! Baker's a key choice to work on the set – given his famous recordings with Fela, heard here on the album's leadoff record – Fela & Ginger Baker Live!

Next up is Roforofo Fight – an early full-length Fela LP, filled with 4 tight groovers that stand with his best work! "Go Slow" begins with this mad trumpet solo that you'll recognize from a famous sample, especially as it mixes in with keyboards; "Roforofo Fight" is a fast-time groover that has the drums working overtime to keep up with the political power of the cut.

Confusion features a monster 26 minute track – and it begins with Sun Ra Arkestra-like washes of sound and spaciness, before leaping into a bass-heavy groove that provides a perfect platform for heavy jamming and vamping by the band.

Alagbon Close is a lesser-known 70s session from Fela – but a great one too, and a record that captures the Africa 70 group at all their early raw best! Tracks are both very long – stretching for a side of the record apiece – and the title track "Alagbon Close" features some amazing keyboard lines on the intro, all tinny and thin – and done with this other-worldly almost Sun Ra-like quality! The other tune, "I Get No Eye For Back", also has some amazing electric piano too – but intertwined with some very strong horn work from the group!

He Miss Road brings back Ginger Baker – who's producing the group, and gives them a sweet progressive vibe. Titles include "He Miss Road", "Monday Morning In Lagos", and "It's No Possible".

Last up is the Na Poi album, with two long cuts cuts – "Na Poi" and "You No Go Die Unless"! Both have a freer feel than usual, with heavy percussion added into the usual mix of keyboards and sax solos. All records in original cover art, too! ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO, VIVIAN GREEN, SWING OUT SISTER

MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO – POUR UNE AME SOUVERAINE: A DEDICATION TO NINA SIMONE

Continuing proof that Meshell Ndegeocello is one of the most compelling soul singers of the past few decades – as she steps forth here in a tribute to Nina Simone, all with a rich criss-crossing of styles that's unlike any of her previous work! Meshell's vocals are right on the money – with a slight rasp that really suits Nina's spirit well – and the instrumental backings are mighty fresh, and really different than the straighter jazz you might expect from a staid Simone tribute – more in the mix of folk, rock, blues, and jazz elements that Nina used during some of her hippest sides for Philips Records in the 60s! Yet there's also a sparkle that's definitely Meshell's own, too – and the album also features guests work from Cody Chestnutt, Lizz Wright, Toshi Reagon, and others. Titles include "Suzanne", "House Of The Rising Sun", "Turn Me On", "Feeling Good", "Either Way I Lose", "Four Women", "To Be Young Gifted & Black", "See Line Woman", and "Be My Husband". ~ Dusty Groove

VIVIAN GREEN – GREEN ROOM

Vivian's in the green room, and more than ready to step out on the stage – sounding tighter, smoother, and more confident than ever – easily one of the strongest leading lights in contemporary soul today! The set's got a nice sort of crackle right from the start – a crispness that we didn't always hear on the last few releases – almost as if she's going back to basics, yet still hanging onto all the poise and class she's developed over the years. Guests include Algebra Bessett, Freeway, and Brian Culbertson – and titles include "Anything Out There", "Free As A Bird", "X", "Forever", "I'm Not Prepared", "Heaven", "Still Here", and "Light The Universe". ~ Dusty Groove

SWING OUT SISTER – PRIVATE VIEW

We've loved Swing Out Sister for more than a few years – and over that time, the duo's only gotten better! It's records like this that keep us coming back again and again – a brilliant blend of soul currents and hook-heavy arrangements that feel like a blend of late 60s UK and the best of the contemporary global Neo Soul underground! Corinne Drewery's vocals grab us right away with their depth and upfront sense of personality – and the sweet keyboards of Andy Connell hold the whole thing together with the kind of jazzy undercurrents the group has had since their start. The set includes some sweet remakes of older tunes – and titles include "You On My Mind", "Incomplete Without You", "Notgonnachange", "Am I The Same Girl", "Breakout (fabulous party mix)", "Mama Didn't Raise No Fool", and "Now You're Not Here (Taj Calder inst)". ~ Dusty Groove

RICK BRAUN - SWINGIN' IN THE SNOW

“Swingin’ In The Snow” showcases a stellar cast on timeless seasonal classics with album sales benefiting the Autism Society of America

As cool as a winter’s eve, as warm as a holiday dinner with loved ones, and as beautiful as an exquisitely ornamented Christmas tree , Rick Braun’s Swingin’ In The Snow is a celebration of “the most wonderful time of the year” featuring some of the contemporary jazz star’s talented friends. Braun produced the elegant 11-song set that will be released by Brauntosoarus Music on October 16th. The merry band of musical elves who joined the trumpeter-vocalist in his workshop include Mindi Abair, David Benoit, Gregg Karukas, Dave Koz, Philippe Saisse, Kirk Whalum, Peter White, a string quartet and a gospel choir led by R&B crooner Jeffrey Osborne. Braun will donate one dollar from each album sale to the Autism Society of America.

“Since I was a kid, I spent every Christmas enjoying classic holiday recordings by artists like Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald, which inspired Swingin' In The Snow. I had a blast recording these great tunes and am honored that so many of my dearest friends, who happen to be incredible musicians, shared their talent with me to create this wonderful project. This is real music being played by real musicians and my hope is that you will enjoy listening to us as much as we enjoyed making the record,” said Braun, who will again be touring this holiday season as part of A Peter White Christmas with White and Abair, an 18-city U.S. trek that begins the day after Thanksgiving (November 23) in Austin, Texas and concludes December 22nd in San Diego.

Counting off with a dose of big band bombast, the album opens in full swing on “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.” Wide-eyed with excitement, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” is as enchanting as ever. The flugelhorn and piano intro for “Oh Tannenbaum” adds a moment of seasonal solemnity before a pitter patter beat sets the stage for Braun’s suave and sophisticated vocals and a children’s chorus. Braun and Abair’s charming voices flirtingly frolic on “Baby Its Cold Outside.” Saisse crafted a traditional arrangement for “The Christmas Song” whereas Braun and White’s fresh take on “Sleigh Ride” is a cheerful acoustic guitar and percussion powered jaunt. Braun bewitches on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” with an assist from an embracing Koz sax solo. The Allentown, Pennsylvania native gives a shout out to his home state on “No Place Like Home For The Holidays” followed by a mesmerizing rendition of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” In an imaginative tribute to The Drifters, “White Christmas” becomes a finger-popping doo-wop number. “Silent Night” is beatified by a celestial choir and inspired offerings from Braun’s flugelhorn and Whalum’s sax.

Stylistically, Swingin’ In The Snow is a continuation of Braun’s mid-career reinvention that began with last year’s Sings With Strings disc. After 18 years as an instrumentalist who repeatedly topped the contemporary jazz albums and singles charts both as a recording artist and as an in demand producer, songwriter and featured guest musician, the suburban Los Angeles resident realized a dream by stepping up to the microphone to sing standards. Although he sung backup for Rod Stewart, Sade and others earlier in his career, the horn man had never sung before as a frontman on a gorgeously orchestrated project. His consistently growing catalogue of radio hits and years of performing on the concert stage has made Braun an enduring fan favorite. For more information, please visit www.rickbraun.com.

Braun’s “Swingin’ In The Snow” contains the following holiday chestnuts:
“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm”
“It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”
“Oh Tannenbaum”
“Baby Its Cold Outside”
“The Christmas Song”
“Sleigh Ride”
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
“No Place Like Home For The Holidays”
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
“White Christmas”
“Silent Night”

NEW RELEASES - FAY HALLAM & BONGOLIAN, STAFF BENDI BILILI, MICHEL LEGRAND

FAY HALLAM & BONGOLIAN

One of the coolest projects we've heard from Bongolian in years – a great collaboration with vocalist Fay Hallam, who really helps his grooves find a great sense of focus! Unlike other efforts of this nature – the usual "soul diva with funk group" outing – Fay and Bongolian have gone for a sweet approach that's somewhere in the best mod modes of the 60s, but which also have some nice early 80s touches too – almost the kind of mod revival energy you'd find filtered through the London scene in the years after punk – but put together with the kind of deeper contemporary sound we'd expect from Bongolian – a real respect for the right recording styles for Hammond organ, bongo beats, and other key instrumental touches. Fay is great, too – with a vocal approach that almost has a Swing Out Sister kind of ear for really classic inflections, but without ever sounding like a copycat style at all – a rare balance that really makes the music sparkle! Titles include "Shallow Moon", "Lost In Sound", "Freefall", "Dancing", "Lights Are Coming Down", "Get Off The Bus", "I Can't Cry", and "Gathering". (Limited numbered edition of 500 copies.) ~ Dusty Groove

STAFF BENDA BILILI - BOUGER LE MONDE

A real smoker from Staff Benda Bilili – a record that really grooves right from the start, and which more than holds its own as a musical text – even away from the group's unique stature! Tracks are mostly upbeat, and filled with a frenzy of percussion and guitar – and vocals that leap into the fray boldly, often stating political messages with a misleadingly catchy quality. Titles include "Osali Mabe", "Sopeka", "Bilanga", "Tangu I Fueni", "Kuluna Gangs", "Souci", "Djambula", and "Ne Me Quitte Pas". ~ Dusty Groove
 

MICHEL LEGRAND - MICHEL LEGRAND RECORDED LIVE AT JIMMY'S

One of a few key efforts done by Michel Legrand for RCA in the 70s – sessions that stand out as some of his best jazz work from the decade, and which present Legrand in unfettered brilliance, both as a player and arranger! This live date still has the original compositions and sense of arrangement that we love so much in Legrand's soundtrack work – but it's also looser and freer, with more room for improvisation to expand upon the gentle warmth of Michel's imagination. Legrand is on piano – both electric and acoustic – and other players include Phil Woods on alto, Ron Carter on bass, Grady Tate on drums, and George Davis on guitars. Legrand sings a bit, in his beautiful sort of way – scatting wonderfully on a version of "Orson's Theme", and performing the lyrics on the haunting "Blue Green Grey & Gone". Other titles include "Organ Eyes", "I Will Wait For You", and "Watch What Happens". (Blu Spec CD.) ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - THE MUSIC OF LAURA NYRO, ART ENSEMBLE, CHARLES EARLAND

SASSAFRAS & MOONSHINE – THE MUSIC OF LAURA NYRO (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

A great tribute to the songwriting skills of Laura Nyro – presented here in a package that features key covers from some of Nyro's contemporaries, and which also includes a surprising amount of soul music too! Laura's one of those key 60s talents who started writing for others, then got the chance to spread her wings on her own – and while her own recordings have really continued to reach new audiences over the decades, it's great to have a package like this to remind us of Nyro's songwriting roots! The set's mostly heavy on material from the late 60s and early 70s – with a fair bit of female soul tunes in the mix – and it also includes a few more contemporary numbers that come as a nice surprise. Like others in Ace's "songwriter" series, the production and packaging is great – and titles include "Stoney End" by The Blossoms, "Time & Love" by The Supremes, "Wedding Bell Blues" by Bobby Gentry, "Captain St Lucifer" by Melba Moore, "Save The Country" by Thelma Houston, "Lazy Susan" by Liane Carroll, "He's A Runner" by Mama Cass, "Buy & Sell" by Nnena Freelon, "Lonely Women" by Linda Hoyle, "Eli's Coming" by Friends Of Distinction, and "Stoned Soul Picnic" by Staple Singers. ~ Dusty Groove

ART ENSEMBLE – EARLY COMBINATIONS

An important pre-Art Ensemble Of Chicago moment – one that has most of the group coming together in a pair of rare recordings in the home of Lester Bowie – already sounding amazingly creative as a unit! The sound is almost freer than later work by the group – or certainly at the fierceness they hit right at the start of the 70s – and the lineup here includes both Roscoe Mitchell and Joseph Jarman on a range of reed instruments, Lester Bowie on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Malachi Favors on bass – plus strong input from Thurman Barker on drums, and an appearance on one track from Curtis Clark on bass! The sound is wonderfully raw, and surprisingly clear for a home recording – and the power of the music is undeniable. Both tracks – "A To Ericka" and "Quintet" – were previously part of the Art Ensemble box set on Nessa – but that's been out of print for years, and together these compositions work wonderfully as a full album! ~ Dusty Groove

CHARLES EARLAND – EARLAND’S JAM

Stellar grooves from Charles Earland – a great mix of jazz, soul, and funk – put together in a way that's quite different from his previous records on Prestige or Mercury Records! The sound here is tight 80s soul – put together by Tom Tom Washington, who gives the whole thing a sophisticated Chicago vibe – and one that matches Charles' sweet keyboard solos with wickedly sharp rhythms, and some occasional vocal bits too. Singers include Larry Blackmon, TC Campell, and Charles himself – but there's still a focus that seems to be more on the instrumentation overall – served up with some mighty nice organ lines from Earland. Titles include "The Only One", "Marcia's Waltz", "You Belong To Me", "Never Knew Love Like This Before", "Guilty", "Laser Lips", "Earland's Jam", and "Animal". CD features "Never Knew Love Like This Before (single)", "Guilty (single)", "Animal (12" version)", and "The Only One (12" version)". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - JESSE COOK, GRP 30TH ANNIVERSARY, VICTOR WOOTEN

JESSE COOK – THE BLUE GUITAR SESSIONS

Canadian guitarist Jesse Cook released his eighth studio album last week entitled The Blue Guitar Sessions. Inspired by Adele’s blockbuster album 21, Jesse says that what impressed him about her album was the simplicity of it. “For me it was amazing that an album, where many of the tracks were just voice and piano, was a pop record. I loved it.” He spent the summer of 2011 writing the songs for The Blue Guitar Sessions which was released on September 25. The project is a big departure from his previous flamenco inspired work. Jesse specifically searched for vintage microphones to replicate the mood and sound of the recordings of the Miles Davis era. The Juno Award winning guitarist will be on tour in Canada beginning in November and will kick off a U.S. tour in January 2013. ~ smoothjazztop20.com

GRP 30: THE DIGITAL MASTER COMPANY 30TH ANNIVERSARY (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Universal Music has released a two-CD compilation entitled GRP 30: The Digital Master Company 30th Anniversary. GRP Records was founded by artists Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen and was often referred to as the Digital Master Company. They were the first record company to adopt digital recording technology for all its releases, launch every release on CD world-wide, and one of the earliest to market itself as a lifestyle brand. The albums will feature music from Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, Patti Austin, George Benson, Ramsey Lewis, Diane Schuur, Larry Carlton, Yellowjackets and Spyro Gyra, among others. A special anniversary show will take place at the famed jazz club, the Blue Note in New York City on October 9-14. The line-up includes GRP alumni Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, John Patitucci, Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets) and Diane Schuur. ~ smoothjazztop20.com

VICTOR WOOTEN - SWORD AND STONE / WORDS AND TONES

Legendary bassist and five time Grammy winner Victor Wooten returns to the Compass Records family via his Vix Records imprint. Vix Records bows with a simultaneous, two album release, including Sword And Stone, an all instrumental affair, and Words And Tones, featuring female vocalists in collaboration with Wooten, with both albums showcasing Wooten's multi-faceted approach to music, performance and songwriting. The albums were produced, engineered and mixed by Wooten and feature him on a variety of fretless, electric and acoustic bass guitars, cello, keyboards, percussion and strings, as well as vocals, with plenty of jaw-dropping bass solos to satisfy those who thrive on Wooten's amazing technical skills.

The dual release concept is a window into Wooten's unique perspective on music and the interconnectivity between all things and all of us. The word play in the titles of the two albums hints at this underlying message (move the s from the end of both Words And Stones and place it in front of each to get Sword And Stone.) Wooten elaborates on that theme by including both vocal and instrumental renditions of many of the same songs on the albums, giving the listener at least two ways to experience the compositions. Wooten comments, 'There's something for everyone - music and messages for every age. I wrote about what was on my mind and in my heart. If the listener wants to learn, be entertained, or just casually listen, it's all available on these two CDs. Just figuring out the significance behind the two titles may be enough to make one smile.'

Featured vocalists on Words And Tones include Saundra Williams (Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings) and Divinty Roxx (Beyonce) as well as a collaboration with Me'shell Ndegeocello and a beautiful duet featuring Joey Kibble (Take 6) and Cheryl Morse. Sword And Stone is a predictably virtuosic set, with instrumental renditions of many of the songs from Words And Tones enhanced by different arrangements, solos, instrumentation and musicians (Ndegeocello, Kibble, Divinity, The Wooten Bros.). ~ amazon.com

NEW RELEASES - HAL RUSSELL, KARRIEM RIGGINS, MAX ROACH

HAL RUSSELL NRG ENSEMBLE

A mindblowing moment on the Chicago avant scene of the 80s – a key flowering of the talents of Hal Russell – a musician who'd been working the Windy City since the early 60s, yet who really came into his own in these later years! Hal challenges both the AACM and the European underground with this smoking little set – opening up with unbridled energy on a range of instruments – including drums, vibes, C melody sax, cornet, and even zither – and working with equally energetic younger players who include Chuck Burdelik on tenor, alto, clarinet, and flute; Brian Sandstrom on bass, trumpet, and gong; Curt Bley on bass; and Steve Hunt on vibes and drums, alternating the instruments with Russell from track to track. All tunes are originals, and sound incredibly fresh all these many years later – with titles that include "Uncontrollable Rages", "Kit Kat", "Linda Jazz Princess", and "Seven Spheres". CD features two previously unreleased tracks – "Lost Or" and "C Melody Mania". ~ Dusty Groove

KARRIEM RIGGINS - TOGETHER

The Together sides of the Alone Together project from producer, beatmaker and instrumentalist Karriem Riggins – who's a brilliant jazz drummer, when that's what he wants to do – and also a beat-heavy hip hop production guru when duty calls Together finds Karriem wearing his hip hop instrumentalist hat, and he wears it very well – in a way that reminds us a bit of fellow Detroit-raised maestro J Dilla. Karriem's pedigree as a live drummer informs his MPC 3000 experimentation very nicely, too – as he holds an insistent jazzy soul beat underneath boundless sampler atmosphere. Together titles include "Belle Isle Reprise", "Tom Toms", "Because", "Boy Is Doin It Right", "Back In Brazil", "Live At Berts", "Voyager 5000", "Matador", "Bring That Beat Back (Next Time)", "J Dilla The Greatest" and more. (Includes MP3 download.) ~ Dusty Groove

MAX ROACH - LOADSTAR

An amazing album – one of our favorite records ever from drummer Max Roach, and a set that also features some of the best 70s work by tenorist Billy Harper too! The session's a unique date done for the Horo label – and soars even farther than other Horo classics from the time – with a one-of-a-kind energy that makes it a really special record right from the start – even better than any other Roach/Harper pairings from the time. Max has a killer quartet here – no piano at all, just himself on drums, Billy on tenor, Cecil Bridgewater on trumpet, and Reggie Workman on bass – a group that's filled with soulful spirit – and manages to stretch out without ever getting overindulgent, nor too free – that special kind of balance we're used to hearing on Harper's Japanese 70s sessions – which is carried through strongly here. The album only features two long tracks – "The Matyr" and "Six Bits Blues" – each of which strech out for both sides of a record! ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - IDREES SULIEMAN & BENNY BAILEY, PHIL WOODS / EDDIE DANIELS / STUFF SMITH / LEO WRIGHT, KENNY WHELLER & ALAN SKIDMORE

SWISS RADIO DAYS VOLUME 25 – IDREES SULIEMAN & BENNY BAILEY

Two American trumpeters – both of whom hit some of their best work ever in European recordings like this! The album's a perfect showcase for both Benny Bailey and Idrees Sulieman – and really rivals any of their American sessions for range of imagination, depth of soul, and unbridled expression! Benny Bailey is up first – really soaring on two different sessions with the Jazz Live Trio of pianist Klaus Koenig – one from 1970, and the other from 1983 – with Benny sounding completely mindblowing on the long original "Sanza", then reminding us how he can really transform a tune on versions of "Summertime" and "Stella By Starlight". Sulieman's an equally great pleasure here – again on one 70s recording, and another from the early 80s – both with Jazz Live Trio – on titles that include "Wee", "Misty", "I Can't Get Started", and "Now's The Time". ~ Dusty Groove

SWISS RADIO DAYS VOLUME 27 – PHIL WOODS /  EDDIE DANIELS / STUFF SMITH / LEO WRIGHT

Great American soloists – presented here in rare European work from the late 60s! The album has each individual player delivering a small set with the Jazz Live Trio – a combo led by pianist Klaus Koenig, with a great ear for shifting modes to bring out the best in a strong-voiced guest soloist. Phil Wood's performance is definitely proof of that – worth the price of admission alone, as Phil snakes out beautifully on long, soulful alto lines that rival any of his other work of the time – on the tracks "Freedom Jazz Dance" and "I Remember Bird". Leo Wright is wonderful too – kicking into high gear on alto and flute, really showing off his association with Dizzy on "Groovin High", then sliding into a soulful style on "The Shadow Of Your Smile". The set also features Stuff Smith sliding nicely on "C Jam Blues" and "How High The Moon" – plus Eddie Daniels, back when he still had a bite, on "Some Day My Prince Will Come". ~ Dusty Groove

SWISS RADIO DAYS VOLUME 28 – KENNY WHEELER & ALAN SKIDMORE

Two British jazz giants, three different recordings, all of them wonderful! The set's a perfect showcase for both the trumpet of Kenny Wheeler and tenor of Alan Skidmore – as the recordings, done with the Jazz Live Trio of pianist Klaus Koenig, offer plenty of space for each soloist to stretch out and really do their thing – most importantly in the sort of straighter jazz setting that wasn't always recorded at this point in each player's career. Wheeler begins the album on long takes of "Come Sunday" and "A Simple Toon" – then Skidmore really smokes on "Would Jubilee Vit" and "K & A Blues" – and the last tracks feature work by both soloists together, on "Ruby Doo" and "Red Daffodil". ~ Dusty Groove

LES DION - BACK 2 SMOOTH

Les Dion is emerging from the shadows of the Jazz/ R&B world fully aged and in full command of his craft, his identity, and his music. His new album Back 2 Smooth is a captivating and moving debut release "40 years in the making". It is the perfect blend of extraordinary life events, mixed with jazz overtones, and a sweet uplifting taste of oldschool R&B that only Les can deliver. "Nothing can prepare you for a lifelong journey of obscurity in this crazy, everchanging Music Business", says Les. The Back 2 Smooth Project delivers that 40 year story eloquently, at times tearfully, but always in a unique Jazzy groove that is distinctly Les Dion.

From Label deals at 12 years old with All-Platinum/ SugarHill Record's Hiphop mogul Sylvia Robinson, to world tour appearances with New Edition, and Earth Wind and Fire, Les Dion has prepared for this moment a lifetime. Through the 70'sand 80's, he persued musical success relentlessly, even forsaking multiple Pre-Med Scholarships and, a stellar six year Military Tour of Duty. "The only thing more elusive than a successful Music Career may have been Bin Laden", jokes Les, but the battle to maintain Musical focus throughout his amazing journey has been no joke at all.

Upon coming to terms with the disappointing realities of the Record Business in 1989, Les Dion settled into family life with a new wife, determined to raise a family of seven honorably. The family responsibilities somehow never overshadowed the burning drive to write and record the story of his amazing life. From the victory of a gruelling 10 year Leukemia battle faced by his courageous wife, to the crushing blow of burying his two 20 year old sons, the challenges have been both enormous and relentless. "Raising five children was a daunting task, but burying my precious sons 2 years apart was just pure hell", proclaims Les, but as the tragedies mounted, so did the songs.

After producing and recording multiple Contemporary Christian Albums on his JJireh Records Label from 1996-2003, the music industry realities continued to thwart every effort. With no major label affiliation, distributors and radio personalities were simply not interested. Depleted of energy and drive after his second son's death, Les had begun to lose hope in ever having any real success in music but, by God's grace, 2006- 2012 brought dramatic change. " I had time away from work to heal emotionally, and of course we all know how dramaticlly the Music Industry began to change with the rise of Bitorrents, Youtube, Facebook, and internet Radio. An Artist like myself who had been independent for decades suddenly had all the tools that were once only availabe to the Major Labels". Les Dion's musical vision suddenly had new hope. He developed an Elegant solo jazz show with pianist Rolando Salva called "The Classic Standard Show" performing hits from the greats like Sinatra, Bennett, Mathis, and Cole. "That Era brought forth some of the greatest vocalist and best songs of our time, so its a blast to have the opportunity to interpret them and I still perform the show, but I realized one day that my journey was really about telling my story, through my own songs. Realizing that I could now publish them worldwide with no restrictions was an enlightening moment", says Les. "The road has been long and steep but if my songs can help people improve their relationships with each other and more importantly, improve themselves, then I will have succeeded and, my tragic losses will not have been in vain".

Back 2 Smooth is the vehicle that delivers this soul felt message to a worldwide audience. The project is an ambient musical blend of smooth Jazz meeting old school R&B. Drenched in warm emotions, and syncopated rhythms, it is sure to please musical pallets of all kinds. No matter where your genre preferences lie, "Back 2 Smooth" brings a melodic delight of Jazz shades and R&B hues that will find you humming, dancing, thinking, and escaping from the worries of life. From the soothing melodies in the title track and 1st Single "Back 2 Smooth", to the Jazzy rhythms of "Love is What I Need", the insightful harmonic flow never looses its velvety touch. The scatty syncopated feel of "Getaway", is subtly complimented with the beautiful falsetto cries of "callin". " I even got a chance to record the classic "Teach Me Tonight" by the great Sammy Cahn"! The silky flow of  Back 2 Smooth makes it Les's favorite ( with the great Patrick McDonald on guitar), but the raw emotional message of "Heaven" may be the most powerful recording on the Album. "Heaven was the easiest song I've ever written lyrically because of the pain from my family lose, yet it was by far the most difficult song I've ever recorded".

Les Dion has created and is now delivering "the Album of a lifetime" precisely the way he has always wanted through his music and film companies Entrascope Music Group, and LD Films. Be sure to experience the Quintuple threat that is Les Dion; singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and music executive, with his highly anticipated new release..... Back 2 Smooth.....the culmination of where this multi-talented Artist has been, and where he is destined to go.

Back 2 Smooth is scheduled for release in January 2013.

~ lesdion.com

NEW RELEASES - BNEGAO & SELECTORES DE FREQUENCIA, CONRAD HERWIG, DAVE DOUGLAS QUINTET WITH ADOIFE O'DONOVON

BNEGAO & SELECTORES DE FREQUENCIA - SINTONIZA LA

A brilliant mix of live funk and lead MC work from Bnegao – and just the sort of unique criss-crossing of styles we'd never see up here in the US! The album's not really a hip hop record – despite the lead raps of Bnegao – and instead, it's kind of a funk record with spoken lyrics over the top – loads of tight drums, heavy horns, and riffing guitar – all topped with lyrics that are almost called/shouted over the top – a bit like Soil & Pimp Sessions from Japan, but with a distinctly Brazilian vibe overall. There's a great sort of warmth to the record, and the production really does a lot with the live instrumentation – giving it even more spark than you might expect. Titles include "Recao", "Vamoi", "Essa E Pra Tocar No Baile", "Subconsciente", "Bass Do Tambo", "Sintoniza La", "O Mundo", and "Proceder/Caminhar". ~ Dusty Groove

CONRAD HERWIG - A VOICE THROUGH THE DOOR   Conrad Herwig really has a way of making other players cook – a special sort of something that comes through in both his rich vision for the music, and his strong inspiration as a soloist too! This album's key testament to that quality in Herwig's music – as it has all players sounding really a cut above – and soaring with Conrad's trombone in a marvelous batch of original tunes with a really fresh feel! The rhythm section grooves right from the start – often with some modal energy at its core, giving the record the feel of some lost European jazz set from the 70s at points – yet definitely holding onto its own spirit amidst all of Herwig's original compositions. Piano from Orrin Evans is a key part of the album's success – but the set also features great work from Ralph Bowen on tenor, Kenny Davis on bass, Donald Edwards on drums, and Herwig himself on trombone. Titles include "Traceless Moon", "The Sun Within", "Morning Shade", "Thorn Witness", "Free Action Reaction", and "The Voice Through The Door". ~ Dusty Groove

DAVE DOUGLAS QUINTET WITH ADOIFE O'DONOVON - BE STILL   Quite a compelling project from trumpeter Dave Douglas – a record that has him working strongly with singer/guitarist Aoife O'Donovan, whose presence really helps transform the sound of the set! Aoife's got a folksy touch on her vocals, and colors things in with some great earthy tones that are a surprisingly good fit for Douglas' lines on trumpet – sometimes jazzy, sometimes sparkling with a rich sense of American history – yet delivered in a subtle, linear way. The blend works a lot better than it sounds on paper – thanks to help from other musicians who include Jon Irabagon on tenor, Matt Mitchell on piano, Linda Oh on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums. Titles include "Barbara Allen", "Living Streams", "Be Still My Soul", "High On A Mountain", "God Be With You", and "This Is My Father's World". (Includes album download.) ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - CBS JAZZ ALL STARS, BLACK MIGHTY WAX, SOUL TOGETHERNESS 2012

CBS JAZZ ALL STARS - MONTREUX SUMMIT VOLUME 1

A really amazing little record – way more than usual for this sort of live recording – given that it features some very unique performances together by artists we've never heard on the same stage otherwise! The premise is simple, but wonderfully effective – in that the album brings together some of the leading lights of the Columbia/CBS jazz stable at the time – a massive lineup of talent from a few key generations in jazz, sounding surprisingly great hear together! All tracks are nice and long – and titles include a brilliant version of "Infant Eyes" by a quartet with Stan Getz on tenor and Bob James on piano; "Fried Bananas" with Dexter Gordon on tenor, Slide Hampton on trombone, Woody Shaw on trumpet, and George Duke on piano; "Bahama Mama" with Bob James on keyboards, Bobbi Humphrey on flute, Eric Gale and Steve Kahn on guitars, and Billy Cobham on drums – and the long jam session tracks "Montreux Summit", "Blues March", and "Andromeda" – which feature work from most of the players above, all working in one large group – plus added flute from Hubert Laws and Thijs Van Leer, percussion from Ralph Maconald, and bass from Alphonso Johnson. ~ Dusty Groove

CBS JAZZ ALL STARS - MONTREUX SUMMIT VOLUME 2

A wonderful follow-up to the first Montreux Summit album – and like that classic, a groundbreaking assemblage of some of the best jazz musicians of the 70s! The format here is slightly different – with more of a focus on smaller groupings of musicians, but still with a really fresh ear for unusual combinations – especially with players you're not always likely to hear together – all stretching out on some sweet longer tracks. Tunes include a version of "Moontrane" with Woody Shaw on trumpet, Dexter Gordon on tenor, Slide Hampton on trombone, and George Duke on Fender Rhodes; "Two Part Invention" with Bob James on piano and Hubert Laws on flute; "Kanon For Flutes", with work by Bob Militello and Thijs Van Leer on flutes, alongside Bob James on Fender Rhodes, Eric Gale on guitar, and Peter Erskine on drums; "Red Top" with Dexter Gordon and Stan Getz on tenor, and Maynard Ferguson and Woody Shaw on trumpet; "Rites Of Darkness" with George Duke on Fender Rhodes, Bob James on keyboards, and Steve Kahn on guitar; "Be Cool" with James on Fender Rhodes, Duke on keyboards, Bobbi Humphrey and Hubert Laws on flute, and Eric Gale and Steve Kahn on guitar; and a sweet take on James' "Night Crawler" – with Stan Getz on tenor, Bobbi Humphrey and Hubert Laws on flute, Eric Gale and Steve Kahn on guitars, and Bob James himself on Fender Rhodes! ~ Dusty Groove

BLACK MIGHTY MAX - WE THE FAMILY

It's been quite a few years since we last heard from Black Mighty Wax – but it's definitely been well worth the wait – as these guys are deeper and more sophisticated than ever, with a range of sounds we never would have expected on the last release! Soul styles are still very much at the front of their mix – and the record features vocals from a range of great singers who include Sarah Jane Morris, Neffa, Ricardo Phillips, Lily Latuheru, Silvia Donati, and others – set to grooves that still sparkle with the same keyboard elements that have always made Black Mighty great – but which also have more acoustic touches from time to time, and a rhythmic variation that goes way past the usual Irma groove! Titles include "Shake Your Heart", "We The Family", "Let Me Go", "Pull Down", "Follow That Fellow", "Riverside", and "Nightdriver" – and the CD features a few bonus remixes too! ~ Dusty Groove

SOUL TOGETHERNESS 2012 - 15 MODERN SOUL ROOM GEMS (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Soul sounds that work perfectly together – on a set that's maybe the most compelling of the Soul Togetherness series so far! There's loads of great contemporary numbers here – some nuggets from the underground, a few more mainstream tracks, and even a few mixes that really transform the tunes – making their key appearance here in CD format. The vibe is deeply soulful throughout – as the set's put together by folks who also have a strong ear for classic soul and funk – and titles include "Turn It Up" by Kenny Thomas, "Don't Give Up" by Aaries, "Taking It Too Far" by Big Brooklyn Red, "Don't Wanna Wait" by Lew Kirton, "Save Our Freedom" by Bah Samba, "Running Around" by Cool Million, "1960 What (Opolopo kick & bass rerub)" by Gregory Porter, "Woo" by Anthony Hamilton, "Let It Go" by Jazzanova, "Thinking About You" by Maurissa Rose, "Share My Love" by R Kelly, and "You Did It Again" by Soulpersona & Princess Freesia. ~ Dusty Groove

PHAREZ WHITTED - FOR THE PEOPLE

Trumpeter's Label Debut Features Same Chicago Sextet as 2010's "Transient Journey": Guitarist Bobby Broom, Pianist Ron Perrillo, Saxophonist Eddie Bayard, Bassist Dennis Carroll, & Drummer Greg Artry

In 2010, after a 14-year hiatus from recording, Chicago trumpeter/composer Pharez Whitted made a deep impression on the jazz public with the release of his long-overdue third CD as a leader, Transient Journey. Fortunately, admirers will not have to wait as long for its follow-up. His sparkling new album, For the People, will be released by Origin Records on October 16. He's rejoined on the new disc by his world-class sextet of guitarist Bobby Broom, pianist Ron Perrillo, bassist Dennis Carroll, drummer Greg Artry, and the tenor and soprano saxophonist Eddie Bayard.

"It's been my pleasure to work with Pharez and to be involved with his artistry," says Broom, who co-produced the new date (and the previous one) with Whitted. "On this record, through his tunes, we've been able to create the perfect environment to display his jazz vision and unique voice on his horn."

For the People basks in tradition -- not only with its infectious hard bop, but also with its commitment to serving listeners. "Music is meant to lift people up, get them to do something positive, whether it's hugging their kids, giving up a parking space to someone, or just smiling at the sunshine," says Pharez.

Steeped in the prime time Blue Note sounds of Freddie Hubbard, the Jazz Messengers, and Horace Silver, For the People fully lives up to its title, whether capturing the joy of dancing on "Watusi Boogaloo," communicating the need for all of us to "get outside our own skins and come together" on "Freedom Song," or honoring the victims and survivors of recent disasters including the 2004 tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2010 earthquake in Chile.

"These are all very serious musicians," says Whitted of his bandmates, "who make real sacrifices in putting the group before themselves. For all of us, the collective always has more meaning than the individual."

Based since 2001 in Chicago, where he is Associate Professor of Music at Chicago State University, the 52-year-old Whitted was born in Indianapolis and grew up amidst local jazz royalty -- his own large and prodigiously talented family. His parents -- drummer Thomas Whitted Sr. and singing bassist Virtue Hampton Whitted -- were members of a jazz orchestra called the Hampton Band. It included Pharez's uncle Slide Hampton, soon to become a world-renowned trombonist and arranger, as well as his uncles Marcus and Maceo on trumpets, uncle Russell on tenor saxophone, uncle Duke on vibes and trombone, aunt Carmelita on baritone saxophone and vocals, aunt Altetra on piano, and aunt Dawn, who sang and danced. His grandparents, painter Deacon Clark Hampton and wife Laura, regularly invited Indianapolis musicians such as Freddie Hubbard and Wes Montgomery and his brothers Monk and Buddy to practice at their house. Pharez's three older brothers are musicians -- Tommy a trombonist, Leo a trumpeter, and Henry a saxophonist -- while sister Tamar is a singer, and sister Venture, the only non-musician of the bunch, is an artist. (The song "Venture" on For the People was named for her.)

Pharez earned his master's degree at Indiana University, studying with renowned jazz educator David Baker, and has been active as an educator ever since. He's been no less active as a performer, having formed a long-running jazz quintet, Decoy, following his graduation, and -- after his move to Chicago -- playing around town with saxophonists Ari Brown, Von Freeman, and Sonny Seals, and spending seven years as a member of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. His current sextet, which he put together six years ago, is a perfect showcase for his gifts as a trumpet player and composer, as well as for the outstanding musicianship of his band members.

"Music can be very therapeutic to those who create it as well as the ones who listen to it," says Whitted. "The creation of this project has helped me to see life in a more beautiful and creative way with an inspired sense of hope about the infinite amount of possibilities in front of me. My hope is that it will help the people who have the opportunity to hear it to do something along those lines as well."

www.pharezwhitted.com

NEW RELEASES - KARYN WHITE, MASSIVE ATTACK, LOVING ON THE FLIPSIDE,

KARYN WHITE - CARPE DIEM

Karyn White continues to "Seize the Day" as she sets to release her new CD "Carpe Diem," her first new release in over 18 years, on her website www.Karynsworld.me. Coming off of a spectacular debut, 3-night 4-show return to the stage at the exquisite, sophisticated Rrazz Room in San Francisco's Hotel Nikko in beautiful Union Square, Karyn is really embracing today's technology and taking full advantage of being able to touch and communicate with her own fan base. "What I realized is I don't need to be under the banner of any major record company or distribution system to be heard or felt by my fan base. They will find me if they want to and with the advent of social media, internet radio and digital distribution, with forward-thinking management, a great publicist and a strong social media team, you can be effective, efficient and successful doing this yourself!". Karyn's World is the exclusive outlet for those who visit her to purchase her new CD (Carpe Diem) as a digital downloadable album or a physical CD, her new book of positive affirmations and thoughts, "Carpe Diem," and a 2 ft by 3 ft poster of her Carpe Diem CD cover. To find out more about Karyn, visit her website at www.Karynsworld.me. "I'm just excited by what I see going on in the entertainment industry; it's so revolutionary and explosive and I've been gone for a long time, so I just want to say thank you to all of my fans, supporters and friends for waiting around for me to come back, and I just want to say Carpe Diem baby!!! Let’s seize this day! ~ karynsworld.me

MASSIVE ATTACK - PROTECTION

There's something about classic albums that take you back to a certain time and place. I think that it was my older brother that initially introduced me to Massive Attack's Protection. We were on the beach in North Carolina for a week and the album was pretty much on repeat. Being the hip hop kid that I was though, it took me a few years to really get it. Tracey Thorn's vocals on the title track initially threw me off, the closest thing to rapping on the album being Tricky's "Karmacoma." However, the tracks featuring Horace Andy are what really drew me in. The way that Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles, Grant "Daddy G" Marshall and Robert "3D" Del Naja were able to work with the legendary reggae vocalist on "Spying Glass," incorporating classic dub techniques, was nothing short of impressive. Massive Attack were able to use the studio to great effect and the instrumental tracks, especially the piano driven "Weather Storm," stand on equal footing with the rest of the album. In fact there does not seem to be a bit of filler on the record. Depending on who you ask though the live cover of The Door's "Light My Fire," again featuring Horace Andy, is the one love it or leave it moment on the record. Protection is a classic album that helped to define the then burgeoning trip hop and down tempo sound. ~ reviewed by The Voice 09/2012 (turntablelab.com)

LOVING ON THE FLIPSIDE - SWEET FUNK AND BEAT HEAVY BALLADS 1966 - 1977 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

An absolutely stunning anthology of beat-heavy soul jams and love ballads from Now-Again, the same folks that brought you that awesome Soul Cal comp! Loving On The Flipside contains some of the most incredible baby-making jams this here reviewer has ever heard. The songs contained here, mostly overlooked funk 45 B-sides released between the years of 1966 and 1977, are a potent combination of sweet soul and deep funk - a style of music the label lovingly refers to as "sweet funk." It is the dichotomy of heavy funk rhythms with sweet, soulful harmonies that are at the root of the sweet funk genre, a combo heard through and through on every selection featured on the release. Obviously it is no easy task to find jams of this caliber, so Now-Again actually reached out to New York's Truth & Soul to help find more sweet funk swooners and beat-heavy ballads to round out the release. Thanks to their help, Loving On The Flipside features 21 sweet funk gems from the likes of the Darling Dears, The Equatics, Black Velvet, Black Exotics, Eunice Collins, Symphonic Four, Rhythm Machine, and many others. The double LP version is presented in deluxe gatefold packaging (similar to the Soul Cal comp) with 80 page, full color, perfect-bound book featuring extensive liner notes highlighting the artists featured on the compilation. CD version includes the book as well. Highly recommended. ~ reviewed by TKB 10/2012 (turntablelab.com)

BETTY WRIGHT REISSUES - EXPLOSION!, I LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE & DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE

BETTY WRIGHT – EXPLOSION!

Betty Wright explodes with soul on this sweet 70s classic – really stretching out past the simpler grooves of her roots, and showing the world she's got more than enough talent to be one of the standout soul divas of her generation! The record's also a great illustration of the way that Miami soul was growing up at the time, too – and sparkles with Willie Clarke production that help balance some of the new smoother modes with Betty's core down-home energy – captured perfectly here with a quality that makes the record southern enough to appeal to longtime fans, yet hip enough to get plenty of play up north too. Vocals get nice and complicated at times, almost jazzy with a Rufus/Chaka touch – and titles include "Do Right Girl", "I Think I'd Better Think About It", "Smother Me With Love", "Open The Door To Your Heart", "Life", "If I Ever Do Wrong", and "Don't Forget To Say I Love You Today". CD features four bonus tracks – "To Love & Be Loved", "Ooola La", "Slip & Do It", and "If I Was A Kid". ~ Dusty Groove

BETTY WRIGHT – I LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE

A breakout album by Betty Wright, the record that spawned the cut "Clean Up Woman" – the choppy funky track that really pushed her over the top in a big way, and which has remained fresh for years –thanks to a strong sample history in hip hop! That cut's more than enough reason to buy the record – but the whole LP's great – and features loads of other original tracks written by Clarence Reid and Willie (Little Beaver) Hale, hitting hard in a sweet 70s Miami soul style – titles that include "I Love the Way You Love", "I'm Gettin' Tired Baby", and "Pure Love" – plus a groovy cover of "Ain't No Sunshine". One of the turning points in the emerging Miami soul scene of the 70s – soon to provide a second home to Atlantic Records! ~ Dusty Groove

BETTY WRIGHT – DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE

Massive music from Betty Wright – an album that really has her coming into her own – and showing the world how great Miami soul can be, when it's done this right! The album's overflowing with key help from TK legends like Willie Clarke, Clarence Reid, Steve Alaimo, and KC – all of whom bring in a cool shifting set of grooves to really expand Betty's style – still with all the charm of her early hits, yet also showing a classy, sophisticated side that we never would have expected before – a vibe that's even more powerful than Gwen McCrae on her albums from the time. Titles include the classic "Tonight's the Night" – made famous in a later live take, but done here in the original studio version – plus the tracks "Show Your Girl", "Where Is The Love", "Everybody Was Rockin", "Love Don't Grow On A Love Tree", "Don't Thank Me Baby Thank Yourself", and "Shoorah Shoorah". CD features lots of bonus tracks – including "Secretary", "It's Bad For Me To See You", "Value Your Love", "My Baby Ain't My Baby Anymore", and "One Thing Leads To Another". ~ Dusty Groove