NEW RELEASES - JACKIE GLEASON PRESENTS, HENRY MANCINI, PAUL MAURIAT

JACKIE GLEASON PRESENTS - OPIATE D'AMOUR / REBOUND

Here’s a pair of late 50s gems from Jackie Gleason – back to back on a single CD! Opiate D'Amour definitely has the drug promised in the title – thanks to some lush arrangements from the legendary Jackie Gleason! But the set's also got some other charms, too – thanks to solo instrumental passages by some surprisingly great guests – including Al Caiola on guitar, Lawrence Brown on trombone, Bernie Leighton on piano, and Romeo Penque – who plays the "oboe d'amore"! The album's definitely got Gleason at the top of his game – working well within the specific concepts Capitol allowed him for the record – on titles that include "The Girl", "It's All Right With Me", "Pink Lace", "Casa D'Amor", "Caress", and "Pale Blues". Rebound features beautiful music for the blue at heart – and the kind of record that really helps get us through a late night after a big breakup! Jackie Gleason is at his moody best here – with orchestrations that are full, but nicely restrained – and some great solo inflections from Bernie Leighton on piano, and reedman Romeo Penque – who plays a special instrument here named the "oboe d'amour"! Titles include "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me", "Satin Doll", "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Nevertheless", "Long Before I Knew You", "I'm Making Believe", "Without Love", "Close Your Eyes", "You Stepped Out Of A Dream", "More Than You Know", and "I Just Couldn't Take It Baby".  ~ Dusty Groove. 

HENRY MANCINI - THE MANCINI GENERATION / HANGIN' OUT WITH HENRY MANCINI

Overlooked genius from Henry Mancini – and two albums back to back as a single set! The Mancini Generation is one of the first great electric moments for Henry Mancini in the 70s – and a record that's got a way groovier sound than you might expect from the title! Things are still very much in the best soundtrack Mancini mode – and pretty jazzy, too – but there's also a bit of Arp on the record, played by Hank himself – which makes for some mighty cool electronic touches! The rest of the lineup is pretty wonderful too – and features key work from west coast jazz soloists – including Clare Fischer on organ, Jerome Richardson on flute and soprano sax, and Jimmy Rowles on Fender Rhodes – all of whom sound great alongside the Arp. Titles include "The Mancini Generation", "Memphis Underground", "Killer Joe", "A Blusih Bag", "Charade", and "The Masterpiece". Hangin Out is very cool work from Henry Mancini – and one of the key 70s albums to feature the maestro himself playing an Arp! The added electric presence of the instrument really brings a lot to the usual Mancini charts here – creating some cool spacey and soulful moments you wouldn't expect, and some of those surprising Mancini funky bits that show up on records from the time! The set features a great medley of Barry White's "Love Theme" and MFSB's "TSOP"; classic soundtrack material like "The Thief Who Came to Dinner", "Theme From White Dawn", and the great "Theme From The Girl From Petrovka" (which was sampled by Pete Rock) – plus the tracks "The Sex Symbol", "Hangin' Out", "Song For Anna", "The Stripper", "Dolce" and "The Entertainer".  ~ Dusty Groove

PAUL MAURIAT - UN JOUR UN ENFANT / JE T'AIME...MOI NON PLUS

Late 60s magic from Paul Mauriat – a pair of records from a time when he was really riding high on the instrumental charts! Un Jour Un Enfant is filled with groovy 60s touches – that special bounce that Mauriat could bring to his rhythms, mixed with orchestrations that are full but never overblown, and served up with some especially nice moments on a keyboard that seems to be an electric harpsichord. Some numbers are upbeat and groovy – and titles include "Love Child", "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me", "Abraham Martin & John", "My Girl", and "Catherine". Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus is worth it alone for the title track – a sweet instrumental cover of the Serge Gainsbourg/Jane Birkin hit, done with some groovy touches that nicely differ from the original! Other tunes follow in Mauriat's best late 60s modes – these nicely streamlined pop instrumental passages that have lean orchestrations, groovy undercurrents, and some especially nice standout guitar and piano bits! Titles include "Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus", "Alors Je Chante", "Let The Sunshine In", "De Musique En Musique", and "Que Je T'Aime". CD also features a bonus single mix of "Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - RUSSELL SLEDGE CONTINUUM, SERGIO MENDES. JEFF WISELY

RUSSELL SLEDGE CONTINUUM - IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING

Russell Sledge Continuum’s It’s Been A Long Time Coming takes you back to the Blue Note era of the 50's and 60's with their debut recording.  This set offers plenty of Hard Bop, and it features William Knowles, piano and Sebastian Whittaker, drums. It's Been A Long Time Coming is the culmination of a musical journey lasting several years. This debut recording by the Russell Sledge Continuum aims to pay homage to the players and the style of Jazz that flourished in the 50's and 60's. Containing mostly original material from Russell Sledge, with one from pianist William Knowles, the remainder of the CD is rounded out with music from bassists Paul Chambers and Oscar Pettiford and the legendary John Coltrane. If Swing, Be Bop, and Hard Bop are to your liking, then this CD should have no problem fitting in nicely with your current collection. Tracks include: Whims Of Chambers, Basingstoke 2, Spirit Led, Triotism, DC Drive, Hide And Seek, Oxen Hills Road, and Lazy Bird.

SERGIO MENDES - RENDEZ-VOUS

New from Bossa-Nova and Jazzmaster Sergio Mendes is a Japanes only release (2013) that includes 10 songs that are sung by different Asian vocalists (nine from Japan and one from Hong Kong). Celebrating over 50 years in the music business, Sergio Mendes shows no signs of slowing down. Tracks include: Ummer Champion featuring Gille; Ultima Batacada featuring Yoshie Nakano (Ego-Wrappin’); Tasogare No Begin featuring Sumire; Ue Wo Muitre Aruko (Sukuyaki) featuring Beni; Manha De Carnaval featuring Miyuki; Shimbalaie featuring Julia Oki; Hoshni No Love Letter featuring Minmi; O Amor E Pra Se Amar featuring Rimi Natsukawa; Killing Me Softly With His Song featuring Karen Mok; and Real In Rio (Favo De Mel) featuring Marcia.

JEFF WISELY - BEYOND BOUNTRIES

Jeff Wisely's new album - Beyond Bountries - offers a fresh new concept to familiar songs like "In a Sentimental Mood" and Mo' Better Blues." Jeff, along with producers Mike Harrison and Mike Allen, has released this latest CD that stretches creativity and musical talent. Beyond Boundaries features classic standards of jazz, pop, swing, and gospel that's sure to become an instant favorite. Tracks include: Mo' Better Blues; The Nearness of You; Blue Moon; Child is Born; You Are So Beautiful; Fields Of Gold;        In A Sentimental Mood; Have I Told You Lately That I Love You; Leaning On the Everlasting Arms; and America The Beautiful.

THE WEE TRIO LIVE AT THE BISTRO

The Wee Trio, James Westfall (vibes), Dan Loomis (bass) + Jared Schonig (drums), have announced the September 17, 2013 release of their fourth recording, Live at The Bistro, recorded live to sold-out crowds at the award-winning venue, Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis' Grand Center Arts District, on February 8 & 9, 2013.

Live at The Bistro is the ultimate blueprint of what The Wee Trio has been doing since their inception in Brooklyn in 2008. With three critically-acclaimed studio albums to their credit (Capitol Diner Vol. 1, and Capitol Diner Vol. 2 Animal Style and Ashes To Ashes - A David Bowie Intraspective), and numerous requests from fans, the group felt it was the perfect time to take the next exciting step in the evolution of the band, a live album. With this album, the band has captured the otherworldly experience of hearing a singular, chameleon-like trio that can maneuver like a hummingbird, and in the next moment, thunder like a pack of Harleys. Drummer Jared Schonig elaborates, "prior to the shows at The Bistro we had been touring a lot, and a lot of our original recorded material had morphed into something new and something even greater. We felt that our ears were in incredible shape and the band was sounding better than ever. It definitely was the perfect time to record a live album, especially considering that the experience of hearing The Wee Trio live has always been the zenith of our existence. We had two nights coming up at Jazz At The Bistro, and we knew it would turn out to be the perfect place to record Live at The Bistro. The energy is magnificent, and it's simply one of our favorite clubs in the world."

Jazz at The Bistro also has a deep personal meaning for the rest of the Trio as well; "I am personally from St. Louis and grew up playing there. The Bistro is a world-class jazz club and it always brought some of the best jazz musicians around for weeklong engagements. Hearing the great voices in jazz there week after week formed my conception of jazz. It's The Wee Trio's second home!" (bassist Dan Loomis); "Being invited to perform there was a fulfillment of a jazz dream. While I was a student a The University of New Orleans, two of my favorite CDs were both live records from the Bistro, and one of those was coincidentally recorded by one of my teachers - Peter Martin: "Something Unexpected" was the name of the record, and it was in my CD player non-stop. The other disc was Benny Green/Russell Malone - "Jazz At The Bistro". These records were very influential in my formative years. Hopefully our Live at The Bistro recording can have the same influence and provide the same musical inspiration as these particular recordings have done for me," (vibraphonist James Westfall).

While The Wee Trio counts many jazz aficionados among their fanbase, new fans to the music and the band often find themselves experiencing a revelation. Bassist Dan Loomis explains, "we play every show like it's our last, and we have so much fun PLAYING (in the musical and jovial sense) with each other. People are always coming up to us after shows and saying things like, 'I don't usually like jazz but I loved THAT!'. We feel that you don't have to be a jazz fan to love hearing the interaction and witnessing the joy happening onstage. So this record is really about us wanting to 'bottle' the live experience of The Wee Trio and share it with our fans."

The Wee Trio routinely flies from genre to genre, sometimes even within a single tune. They have forged all of their disparate influences into a unified, distinct entity. On Live at The Bistro we find the gents returning to their roots a bit and swinging as if their lives depended upon it! "Until now the band has never really revealed our love of Jazz with a capital J, so to speak. That is, we all grew up listening to, loving and playing swing. It has informed everything we do and we have always played it live, but it has never been featured so prominently into the band's sound on record," said Loomis. Live at The Bistro is therefore the most musically complete Wee Trio recording to date. From classic standards like "Cherokee" and "There Is No Greater Love", to free playing, to rock, funk, and much more, this recording features the full musical spectrum of the band, comprised of compositions from each of their previous three recordings, and brand-new originals, "Sabotage" (Schonig), "White Trash Blues" & "New Earth" (Westfall) and "Ranthem" (Loomis).

"As The Wee Trio, we challenge ourselves to never play a song the same way twice. In every live performance we stretch to find something new in that moment, and this act of reaching is a riveting experience for us as well as our listeners. We have been wanting to make a live record and capture this experience for a long time. Recording this album over the course of a weekend at The Jazz Bistro was a real dream. St. Louis has been a favorite destination of ours since our inception, and this engagement marked our third time back at this club. The great feeling of this place and the incredible crowd helped us find more than a few of those magic moments we strive for, and we hope you hear what we felt, too." - The Wee Trio

With the release of Live at The Bistro, The Wee Trio offers audiences a portrait of the band in full flight, and a glimpse of the auspicious future that is in store for this modernistic trio. Available September 17 on Bionic Records.

The "Live at the Bistro" Tour:

Sep 18, Boston, The Beehive, 8 PM-12 AM

Sep 19, Detroit, Cliff Bells, 9 PM (one set), James Cornish will open, $10 cover

Sep 20, Chicago, The Green Mill, 8 PM-12 AM (three sets), $12

Sep 21, Chicago, The Green Mill, 9 PM-1 AM (three sets), $12

Sep 23, St. Louis, The Principia Upper School, Clinic & Performance

Sep 24, St. Louis, Jefferson College, Clinic & Performance

Sep 25, St. Louis, Chaminade High School

Sep 27, Toronto, Humber College, Clinic & Concert, 4:30 PM

Sep 28, Kitchener, The Jazz Room, 8:30-11:30 PM, $12

Sep 29, Toronto, The Rex, 9:30 PM, $8

Sep 30, New York, Subculture, 7:30-9:30 PM, $12, opener TBD

Dec 4, San Francisco, Yoshis, 8 PM (one set), $18

www.theweetrio.com 

NEW RELEASES - TONI BRAXTON & KENNY 'BABYFACE' EDMONDS, ERIC SCOTT, MATT SAVAGE

TONI BRAXTON & KENNY 'BABYFACE' EDMONDS - HURT YOU (FROM LOVE, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE)

Multi-platinum artists Toni Braxton and Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds have finally teamed up for their first album of duets together, Love, Marriage & Divorce,set for release on December 3rd via Motown Records.  The album celebrates the strong bond that has been in place between the two artists ever since Babyface and Toni's duet on her smash 1992 debut, "Give U My Heart," which was co-written and co-produced by Babyface (from the Boomerang movie soundtrack). The first single from Toni and Babyface, "Hurt You," was co-written by the duo (with Daryl Simmons and Antonio Dixon), and produced by Babyface, who also handled all guitar, drums, and keyboard programming on the track. For Babyface, Love, Marriage & Divorce is his first new studio album in six years, since Playlist (released 2007), Top 10 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on the strength of his Top 10 AC version of James Taylor's "Fire & Rain."  For Toni, Love, Marriage & Divorce is her first new studio album in three years, since Pulse (2010), the #1 R&B album containing the hit single "Yesterday".

ERIC SCOTT - WHERE THE WATER RUNS DEEPEST

With comparisons to John Mayer, Marvin Gaye, and Lenny Kravitz, singer-songwriter Eric Scott releases his full length album, "Where the Water Runs Deepest." Co-produced with Scott Smith, and originally intended as a four or five song acoustic EP, the album evolved into a collection of twelve soulful pop tunes. Eric Scott brings originality to the usual label of singer-songwriters as a 6'4", bass playing frontman.  With a balanced mix of powerful acoustic ballads like "Break Me Open" and uplifting tunes such as "Boston" and "Get To Me," Where the Water Runs Deepest is both thought-provoking and engaging. The album encompasses relatable emotions and scenarios that drive listeners to draw connections to their own personal experiences. In Scott's own words, "An acoustic record doesn't have to be slow and somber. I tried to make a record that gets you thinking, reveals a little more about me, gets your toes tapping and your head bobbing—and when you're done, you're smiling and feeling hopeful."

MATT SAVAGE - A BIGGER CELEBRATION

Jazz pianist, composer and recording artist Matt Savage will release his tenth album, A Bigger Celebration, on September 17th. Composed and arranged entirely by Matt, A Bigger Celebration was produced by Grammy-nominated Jonathan Wyner. Ten-time Grammy-winner Tom Bates and Latin Grammy-nominated John Weston engineered the album. A Bigger Celebration is Matt’s first new album in three years, following his critically acclaimed CD, Welcome Home. A musically defining collection of songs, A Bigger Celebration reflects Matt’s life and travels through eclectic tracks that are upbeat and multicultural. The album also celebrates Matt’s arrival in New York, where he is studying for a Master’s degree at Manhattan School of Music. An impressive lineup of musicians is featured on A Bigger Celebration. Joining Matt on piano/keyboards are tenor saxophone great Jerry Bergonzi (a top player on the Boston music scene), colleague Bruce Gertz on bass, Richie Barshay (of Herbie Hancock/Chick Corea fame) on drums and special guest Mark Zaleski on alto/soprano saxophone. The fast-paced title track opens the album with colorful harmonies on top of unpredictable time signatures. Other highlights include the Latin-tinged “Some Beach Somewhere,” the Asian-influenced “Dream of the East” and the sweeping, mysterious “Howler Monkey.” The collection takes on new directions with “Power Pop” and “A Fast Car In Summer,” fusing rock and jazz influences. 

PAUL SIMON - THE COMPLETE ALBUM COLLECTION TO FEATURE 12 STUDIO ALBUMS + TWO FULL-LENGTH LIVE CONCERT RECORDINGS

Paul Simon - The Complete Albums Collection brings together, in a deluxe library box with magnetic closure, the 12 studio albums and two full-length live concert recordings which comprise the official canon of an extraordinary writer and tunesmith whose voice and music inform six decades of popular culture. This 15-disc collection will be released on October 15, 2013 via Legacy Recordings.

Included on Paul Simon - The Complete Albums Collection are the artist's seminal and groundbreaking solo recordings from the 1960s (The Paul Simon Songbook), the 1970s (Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin' Simon, Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin', Still Crazy After All These Years), the 1980s (One-Trick Pony, Hearts and Bones, Graceland), the 1990s (The Rhythm of the Saints, Paul Simon's Concert In The Park - August 15, 1991, Songs from The Capeman), the 2000s (You're The One, Surprise) and the 2010s(So Beautiful or So What).

Each of the titles in Paul Simon - The Complete Albums Collection includes the original album in entirety, plus reissue bonus material not appearing on the original 12" vinyl releases (37 bonus tracks in all).  The 15-disc collection includes a 56-page book of photos with new liner notes penned by American music historian Ashley Kahn. The deluxe complete set includes The Paul Simon Songbook, an acoustic album--recorded in London in the summer of 1965--showcasing solo versions of many songs that would become central to the Simon & Garfunkel repertoire. 

During the period covered (1965-2011) in Paul Simon - The Complete Albums Collection, Paul Simon continually expanded his musical vocabulary, each new album taking the artist beyond six-string acoustic accompaniment into whole new worlds of sound, while remaining consistent and true to the crafts of writing and recording. In the 1970s, he explored reggae, progressive jazz and Latin music.  By the 1980s and 1990s, Simon was creating new music steeped in Louisiana zydeco and South African jive, Brazilian street samba and Puerto Rican salsa.  On 2011's So Beautiful or So What, he channeled Indian ragas, Delta blues, and West African kora music, even sampling Reverend J.M. Gates' 1941 recording for "Getting Ready for Christmas Day."

PAUL SIMON - THE COMPLETE ALBUMS COLLECTION

The Paul Simon Song Book (1965)

1. I Am A Rock

2. Leaves That Are Green

3. A Church Is Burning

4. April Come She Will

5. The Sound Of Silence

6. A Most Peculiar Man

7. He Was My Brother

8. Kathy's Song

9. The Side Of A Hill

10. A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission)

11. Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall

12. Patterns

13. I Am A Rock (alternate version) *

14. A Church Is Burning (alternate version) *

Paul Simon (1972)

1. Mother And Child Reunion

2. Duncan

3. Everything Put Together Falls Apart

4. Run That Body Down

5. Armistice Day

6. Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard

7. Peace Like A River

8. Papa Hobo

9. Hobo's Blues

10. Paranoia Blues

11. Congratulations

12. Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Demo - San Francisco 2/71) *

13. Duncan (Demo - San Francisco 2/71) *

14. Paranoia Blues (Unreleased Version) *

There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973)

1. Kodachrome

2. Tenderness

3. Take Me To The Mardi Gras

4. Something So Right

5. One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Floor

6. American Tune

7. Was A Sunny Day

8. Learn How To Fall

9. St. Judy's Comet

10. Loves Me Like a Rock

11. Let Me Live In Your City (Work In Progress) *

12. Take Me To The Mardi Gras (Acoustic Demo) *

13. American Tune (Unfinished Demo) *

14. Loves Me Like A Rock (Acoustic Demo) *

Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin' (1974)

1. Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard 

2. Homeward Bound 

3. American Tune 

4. El Condor Pasa (If I Could) 

5. Duncan 

6. The Boxer 

7. Mother And Child Reunion 

8. The Sound Of Silence 

9. Jesus Is The Answer 

10. Bridge Over Troubled Water 

11. Loves Me Like A Rock 

12. America 

13. Kodachrome (Alternate Version) *

14. Something So Right (Alternate Version) *

Still Crazy After All These Years (1975)

1. Still Crazy After All These Years

2. My Little Town

3. I'd Do It For Your Love

4. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover

5. Night Game

6. Gone At Last

7. Some Folks' Lives Roll Easy

8. Have A Good Time

9. You're Kind

10. Silent Eyes

11. Slip Slidin' Away (Demo) *

12. Gone At Last (Original Demo w/The Jessy Dixon Singers) *

One-Trick Pony (1980)

1. Late In The Evening

2. That's Why God Made The Movies

3. One-Trick Pony

4. How The Heart Approaches What It Yearns

5. Oh, Marion

6. Ace In The Hole

7. Nobody

8. Jonah

9. God Bless The Absentee

10. Long, Long Day

11. Soft Parachutes (Unreleased Soundtrack Recording) *

12. All Because Of You (Outtake) *

13. Spiral Highway (Unreleased Soundtrack Recording) *

14. Stranded In A Limousine *

Hearts and Bones (1983)

1. Allergies

2. Hearts And Bones

3. When Numbers Get Serious

4. Think Too Much (b)

5. Song About The Moon

6. Think Too Much (a)

7. Train In The Distance

8. Rene And George Magritte with Their Dog After The War

9. Cars Are Cars

10. The Late Great Johnny Ace

11. Shelter Of Your Arms (Unreleased Work-In-Progress) (Bonus Track) *

12. Train In The Distance (Original Acoustic Demo) (Bonus Track)  *

13. Rene And George Magritte with Their Dog After The War (Original Acoustic Demo) (Bonus Track) *

14. The Late Great Johnny Ace (Original Acoustic Demo) (Bonus Track) *

Graceland (1986)

1. The Boy In The Bubble

2. Graceland

3. I Know What I Know

4. Gumboots

5. Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes

6. You Can Call Me Al

7. Under African Skies

8. Homeless

9. Crazy Love, Vol. II

10. That Was Your Mother

11. All Around The World Or The Myth Of Fingerprints

12. Homeless (Demo) (Bonus Track) *

13. Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes (Unreleased Version) (Bonus Track) *

14. All Around The World Or The Myth Of Fingerprints (Early Version) (Bonus Track) *

15. You Can Call Me Al (Demo) *

16. Crazy Love (Demo) *

17. The Story of "Graceland" (As told by Paul Simon, Recorded January 2012) *

The Rhythm of the Saints (1990)

1. The Obvious Child

2. Can't Run But

3. The Coast

4. Proof

5. Further To Fly

6. She Moves On

7. Born At The Right Time

8. The Cool, Cool River

9. Spirit Voices

10. The Rhythm Of The Saints

11. Born At The Right Time (Original Acoustic Demo) (Bonus Track) *

12. Thelma (Bonus Track) *

13. The Coast (Work-In-Progress) (Bonus Track) *

14. Spirit Voices (Work-In-Progress) (Bonus Track) *

Paul Simon's Concert in the Park (1991)

Disc 1

1. The Obvious Child

2. The Boy in the Bubble

3. She Moves On

4. Kodachrome

5. Born at the Right Time

6. Train in the Distance

7. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard

8. I Know What I Know

9. The Cool, Cool River

10. Bridge Over Troubled Water

11. Proof

Disc 2

1. The Coast

2. Graceland

3. You Can Call Me Al

4. Still Crazy After All These Years

5. Loves Me Like a Rock

6. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

7. Hearts and Bones

8. Late in the Evening

9. America

10. The Boxer

11. Cecilia

12. The Sound of Silence

Songs From the Capeman (1997)

1. Adios Hermanos

2. Born in Puerto Rico

3. Satin Summer Nights

4. Bernadette

5. The Vampires

6. Quality

7. Can I Forgive Him

8. Sunday Afternoon

9. Killer Wants to Go to College

10. Time Is an Ocean

11. Virgil

12. Killer Wants to Go to College II

13. Trailways Bus

14. Shoplifting Clothes *

15. Born in Puerto Rico (Demo with Jose Feliciano) *

16. Can I Forgive Him (Original Demo Recorded March 1993) *

You're The One (2000)

1. That's Where I Belong

2. Darling Lorraine

3. Old

4. You're the One

5. The Teacher

6. Look at That

7. Senorita with a Necklace of Tears

8. Love

9. Pigs, Sheep and Wolves

10. Hurricane Eye

11. Quiet

12. That's Where I Belong (Live) *

13. Old (Live) *

14. Hurricane Eye (Live) *

Surprise (2006)

1. How Can You Live in the Northeast?

2. Everything About It Is a Love Song

3. Outrageous

4. Sure Don't Feel like Love

5. Wartime Prayers

6. Beautiful

7. I Don't Believe

8. Another Galaxy

9. Once Upon a Time There Was an Ocean

10. That's Me

11. Father and Daughter

So Beautiful or So What (2011)

1. Getting Ready for Christmas Day

2. The Afterlife

3. Dazzling Blue

4. Rewrite

5. Love and Hard Times

6. Love Is Eternal Sacred Light

7. Amulet

8. Questions for the Angels

9. Love and Blessings

10. So Beautiful or So What

* Expanded CD reissues conta

~ Legacy Recordings

NEW RELEASES - THEO PARRISH'S BLACK JAZZ SIGNATURE, LEBRON, MARCUS GOTTSCHLICH

THEO PARRISH"S BLACK JAZZ SIGNATURE - BLACK JAZZ RECORDS 1971-1976

Detroit – Chicago – Berlin. Two out of three of those cities call Theo Parrish their own. Arguably one of the world’s most important underground dance music producer/DJs lends his hands to selecting and mixing a set of jazz and funk records licensed from and originally released on the Black Jazz label 1971-1976. World renowned for his DJ sets and remixes/productions, this Chicago-raised artist is near impossible to pigeonhole. Revered by a wide spectrum of dedicated music fanatics, he is known for his otherworldly DJ sets, and his serious approach to DJ’ing as an art form. Theo gives special attention to fellow Chicago musicians The Awakening (3 consecutive tracks, 4 total on the mix), one of the best funk/fusion groups that the Black Jazz label released, and whose only output was on that label. The set itself is a masterful “2 turntables all vinyl” execution, a format that Theo is dedicated to – no mp3, no CDr, just the vinyl palette for the true aural experience. Sit back and be drawn into his world, hear things his way. ~ blackjazz.com / groove attack.com

LEBRON - SHADES

Saxman Lebron releases Shades, his major label CutMore Records debut, a revealing musical masterpiece that is sure to turn some industry heads. Working alongside Lebron is producer Darren Rahn who crafts melodies and hooks better that result in pure magic. Not content with one super producer on the project Paul Brown joins in and takes a ride with cameos on the lead radio single 'Groove City', an infectious number propelled by a driving bass line and sweet guitar licks in all the right places. So pocket that you ll find your change rumbling around with it. Shades should do well to move Lebron to the top of the stack, not to become just another needle, but to set fire to it.
8 out of the 10 sides could easily be huge radio hits and present a unique challenge for the record label picking singles with this much meat on the bone.

MARCUS GOTTSCHLICH - OF PLACES BETWEEN

Of Places Between is the aptly titled sophomore release from this Vienna Austria native that grew up in what was once Beethoven's apartment. This captivating release walks the harmonic tightrope between what is commonly referred to as the new sub genre of chamber jazz here in the United States when in reality this aesthetic format has been a lyrical exploration for performers in Europe over the last quarter century. Markus Gottschlich utilizes a small ensemble built around the more organic sound of the violin, cello, and accordion yet transcends any reasonable and often arbitrary tag that critics would enjoy placing on this and similar music just to make their life easier. While Of Places Between is a break in tradition for what is considered the norm for small ensemble pianists, I decided to continue my quest in rewriting the rules of critical review by asking Markus about his influences and feelings on where his improvisational wheelhouse is truly grounded. Tracks: Invitation; Sleepless Night; Wehmut; A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing; Schubert Impromptu Op. 90 Nr. 3; Sojourner; Lilly; Dark Horses.~ gottschlichmusic.com

NEW RELEASES - STEVE TURRE, JOE MCPHEE, PEDRO MARTINS

STEVE TURRE - THE BONES OF ART

This one is a really wonderful sound from trombonist Steve Turre – a set that unleashes a very hip three-trombone style in the lead, served up by a host of players who previously worked with Art Blakey! The set's way more than the usual Blakey tribute album – not just because the tunes are all originals, penned by Turre, Steve Davis, Robin Eubanks, and Frank Lacy – but also because the multi-trombone format really gives the record a fresh voice that's very different than any Jazz Messengers set – very rich and soulful, at that rare level we find in Turre's best work! The trombones have none of the hoke you might get in other sessions of this type – no attempt to hang on cliches of the JJ & Kai sound – and the strength of the record is a real testament to Steve's continuing growth as an artist. Titles include "Blue & Brown", "Slide's Ride", "Sunset", "4 & 9", "Fuller Beauty", and "Shorter Bu".  ~ Dusty Groove

JOE MCPHEE - SONIC ELEMENTS

The title really gets things right here – as Joe McPhee is in some of his most sonic territory – really working sometimes at a level that's way beyond music, yet still managing to bring a strong sense of soul to the set too! The album begins with "Episode One", dedicated to Don Cherry – and really featuring some incredible pocket trumpet work from McPhee – blown at a level that's very subtle in shape and texture, but which gains power as the track moves on. "Episode Two" is dedicated to Ornette Coleman, and features much more dynamic alto sax – handled at a level that's more tenor-like than Coleman ever would have done – with a free-flowing vibe that's really wonderful!  ~ Dusty Groove

PEDRO MARTINS - DREAMING HIGH

Pedro Martins is really soaring high here – working in these fluid waves of sound that have his guitar joining beautifully with tenor, bass, piano, and drums! The set's got a curved feel that's much warmer than the angular twists it initially presents – a way of arcing Martins' tonal colors wonderfully alongside the tenor of Josue Lopez, piano of Felipe Viegas, bass of Andre Vasconcellos, and drums of Alex Buck. The approach is hard to describe in words, but holds us rapt the minute the record begins – on titles that include "Anos Luz", "Viva O Hermeto", "Ciclo Da Vida", "Nas Nuvens", and "Sonhando Alto".  ~ Dusty Groove

DAVE HOLLAND SETS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

Craig Taborn / Dave Holland / Kevin Eubanks / Eric Harland
Photo:Ulli Gruber

Dave Holland and his band are embarking on an eight-city North American tour in support of his latest album – Prism., from  September 21 through November 30. The band, comprised of Kevin Eubanks on guitar, Craig Taborn on piano and Fender Rhodes and Eric Harland on drums, will be touring in support of their new album, Prism (available September 3). The tour will include performances at The Monterey Jazz Festival; The Dakota in Minneapolis, MN; Evanston Space in Evanston, IL; MIM Music Theatre in Phoenix, AZ; Royce Hall at UCLA; SFJazz Center in San Francisco, CA; Jazz Alley in Seattle, WA and Birdland in New York, NY.

In the 40 years since Dave Holland's recording debut as a leader, with his landmark album, Conference of the Birds, the bassist, composer, and bandleader has produced a remarkable series of recordings and groups documenting his eclectic musical journey.  On Prism, his latest album release on Dare2 Records (Holland's imprint, with distribution from Redeye), he introduces his latest working band (of the same name). With each band member contributing distinctive compositions, Prism sets forth a new musical direction for Holland - a horn-less quartet with an explosive and visceral edge, while maintaining an organic approach overall.

Debuting at the 2012 TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival last June, Prism brings together four musicians who are each forging their own musical path and together have created a unique and contemporary musical statement on this recording. Holland's groups have always reflected a collaborative spirit with the goal of creating a musical context that allows the musicians to express their creative individuality, a concept that is an underlying theme to the group's namesake and eclectic sound.  "I liked the image of a prism dividing light into spectrum of colors," says Holland. "A visual symbol of the one becoming many. The music being a unification of diverse parts."

The resulting factor of these combined efforts on Prism, Holland's first album in nearly three years, is an electrifying outing that is equally groove-oriented as it is avant-garde. Holland attributes a portion of this new musical direction to the instrumentation. "The sound of this group is different from other projects I've done previously," reflects Holland. "Most groups have featured horn players and I've rarely worked with keyboards in the band. But I wanted a different sound for this group and started thinking about a quartet with guitar, piano doubling on Fender Rhodes, bass and drums. That certainly has opened up some different musical directions."

In conceiving the band's personnel, Holland first looked to reunite with one of his oldest collaborators: guitarist Kevin Eubanks. The two began working together on various projects in the late 1980s, and Eubanks soon after led The Tonight Show Band from 1995-2010. "It's usual for me that the inspiration for putting a group together begins with the musicians that I want to play with. I'd felt a strong musical connection with Kevin when we'd played together previously and the time was right for us to get back together again." Craig Taborn and Eric Harland joined the group shortly thereafter, having both worked with Holland in different contexts over the past few years, and Prism was formed.

Tour dates:

September 21 / Monterey Jazz Festival / Monterey, CA

September 28-29 / The Dakota / Minneapolis, MN

October 1 / Evanston Space / Evanston, IL

October 4 / MIM Music Theatre / Phoenix, AZ

October 5 / Royce Hall, UCLA / Los Angeles, CA

October 6 / SFJazz Center / San Francisco, CA

October 8-9 / Jazz Alley / Seattle, WA

November 26-30 / Birdland / New York, NY

NEW RELEASES - BILLY PRESTON, FATHER'S CHILDREN, BARRENCE WHITFIELD & THE SAVAGES

BILLY PRESTON - 16 YR. OLD SOUL

Many folks only became aware of Billy Preston in the late ‘60s through his work as a Beatles sideman and his signing to their Apple Records label as a solo artist. But Preston had actually been recording for many years before that, and his first big break came courtesy of none other than Sam Cooke. Preston—then still in high school—was hired to play on Cooke’s 1963 album Night Beat, and Cooke was so impressed with the teenager that he signed him to the Derby imprint of his SAR Records label, and got him in the studio right away to record 16-Yr. Old Soul. The album features a cookin’ batch of instrumentals propelled by Preston’s funky organ and piano licks leading two tasty combos, one composed of the legendary Earl Palmer on drums, Gene Edwards on guitar and Clifford Hils on bass, the other Hils, guitarist Tommy Tedesco and drummer Milt Turner. This CD debut—yours courtesy of Real Gone Music and ABKCO Music & Records—adds a couple of bonus tracks, “Sweet Thing” and “Win Your Love for Me,” with sound overseen by ABKCO’s Chief Audio Engineer Teri Landi and notes by Bill Dahl. ‘60s soul instrumental fans, take heed! Available 10/1/13.

FATHER'S CHILDREN - LOVE & LIFE STORIES

Warmth, wisdom and soul from DC area legends Father's Children! The Father's Children story is a pretty remarkable one – starting out with some creatively masterful, though long-time buried funky soul in the early 70s that finally saw light of day decades later, thanks the good fellows at The Numero Group -and later recording an excellent, should-be classic self-titled set for Mercury, which should have made them stars, but it fell through the cracks. All these years later, Father's Children are doing their own thing on their own terms, with a mature sound, solid group vocals and wise songcraft. Good stuff! Includes "Be Careful", "Saying I Do", "Strange Place", "Unspoken", "History", "For Better Or Worse", "Tunnel Vision", "The World Is Changing", "It's Time", "Conversation" and more.  ~ Dusty Groove

BARRENCE WHITFIELD & THE SAVAGES - DIG THE SAVAGE SOUL

Raucous rock 'n' soul from Barrence Whitfield & The Savages – who reformed and cut a killer record for the deep soul and garage rock diggers at Munster Records a few years back – and they're doing it with even more soul and savagery for our friends at Bloodshot! The band mixes wild-eyed vintage school rhythm & blues at it's most rugged, but without compromising the soul at the core. Barrence can growl and shout with the best of 'em, but he's got a tender side, when he wants to show it – which is rarely, but that's the point – this is all about the floor shaking and roof tearing good times. It's Savage Soul in both style and title – and dig it, we most certainly do! Includes "The Corner Man", "My Baby Didn't Come Home", "Oscar Levant", "Bread", "Daddy's Gone To Bed", "Blackjack", "Hey Little Girl", "I'm Sad About It", "Subar", "Turn Your Damper Down" and more.  ~ Dusty Groove