NEW CHRISTMAS RELEASES FROM JOHNNY MATHIS, MARY J. BLIGE, ANDY WILLIAMS, VINCE GUARALDI TRIO, MAD MEN CHRISTMAS, BOBBY DARIN

JOHNNY MATHIS - SENDING YOU A LITTLE CHRISTMAS

Johnny's first collection of new seasonal recordings since the release of The Christmas Album in 2002, Sending You A Little Christmas is the artist's first holiday duets album (and first duets album since 1991's Better Together) and finds the singer sharing the Yuletide spirit with a number of special guest artists including Susan Boyle ("Do You Hear What I Hear"), Jim Brickman ("Sending You a Little Christmas"), Natalie Cole ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"), Gloria Estefan ("Mary's Boy Child"), Vince Gill and Amy Grant ("I'll Be Home for Christmas"/"White Christmas"), Billy Joel ("The Christmas Song"), and The Jordanaires ("Home For The Holidays"). Sending You A Little Christmas is the artist's sixth album of newly recorded seasonal sounds since Merry Christmas, his 1958 perennial, established Mathis as a warm and familiar holiday presence on home and car radios around the world.  Few recording artists are more associated with the sound and spirit of the Christmas season than Johnny Mathis.  On Sending You A Little Christmas, Mathis lends his incomparable vocal stylings to a rich selection of Christmas standards and future yuletide classics. Sending You A Little Christmas was produced by Fred Mollin, who first collaborated with Johnny on 2010's Grammy Award nominated Let It Be Me: Mathis In Nashville. Johnny Mathis' million-selling previous holiday albums have included Merry Christmas (1958), The Sounds of Christmas (1963), Give Me Your Love For Christmas (1969), Johnny Mathis For Christmas (1984), and Christmas Eve With Johnny Mathis (1986).

Johnny Mathis - Sending You A Little Christmas tracklisting: 1. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (Duet with Billy Joel) / 2.  Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Duet with Natalie Cole) / 3. This Christmas / 4. Sending You a Little Christmas (Duet with Jim Brickman) / 5. Mary's Boy Child (Duet with Gloria Estefan) / 6. This Is A Time For Love / 7. Do You Hear What I Hear (Duet with Susan Boyle) / 8. Home for the Holidays (featuring The Jordanaires) / 9. Merry Christmas Darling / 10. Decorate the Night / 11. I'll Be Home for Christmas / White Christmas (Duet with Vince Gill and Amy Grant) / 12. Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)

MARY J. BLIGE - A MARY CHRISTMAS

Iconic Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Mary J. Blige has teamed up with the best musical talents in the business. Blige, for Matriarch Records/Verve Records/Interscope Records has completed her first-ever holiday album titled, A Mary Christmas making it the first album collaboration between Blige and legendary producer and Chairman of The Verve Music Group, David Foster. "The past few months have been such an amazing time for me, the highlight being my work with David Foster.  I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to make this soulful and classic Christmas album with David. David's music has touched so many talented artists and I am grateful to be a part of this collaboration.  I am so proud of what we created and I believe my fans will love the album as much as I do," says Mary J. Blige. A Mary Christmas features Blige's soulful interpretation of classic holiday tunes including "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," and "The Christmas Song." Blige is joined by a number of A-list guests, starting with Barbra Streisand, who duets with Blige on "When You Wish Upon A Star," along with Jessie J on "Do You Hear What I Hear" The Clark Sisters join Blige on "The First Noel" and "Noche de Paz," is a Spanish collaboration with Mark Anthony. Other highlights on the album include "Little Drummer Boy," "My Favorite Things," "This Christmas," "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," and Tino Rossi's "Petit Papa Noel." Track Listing: Little Drummer Boy, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, My Favorite Things,.This Christmas,.The Christmas Song, Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer, and When You Wish Upon A Star – Duet with Barbra Streisand. 

ANDY WILLIAMS - THE COMPLETE CHRISTMAS RECORDINGS

Andy Williams didn’t gain the nickname “Mr. Christmas” for nothing. His first Christmas album, 1963’s The Andy Williams Christmas Album, remains one of the most popular holiday releases of all time, vaulting to #1 on the charts and staying there for nine weeks, and re-entering the Christmas charts 10 straight years after that, twice at #1! It also spawned a #1 holiday hit with his rendition of “White Christmas” and offered the definitive rendition of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” His second Christmas album, 1965’s Merry Christmas, also went to #1, this time for “only” three weeks, and re-entered the Christmas charts for five straight years, twice more at #1 (it, too, featured a Christmas charting single, the #18 hit version of “Do You Hear What I Hear?”). Yet, despite all this artistic and commercial success, there has never been a collection that compiled every seasonal side that Andy Williams recorded during his legendary career…until now! Andy Williams: The Complete Christmas Recordings collects all three classic Christmas albums cut for Columbia—the aforementioned LPs The Andy Williams Christmas Album and Merry Christmas plus his 1974 album Christmas Present—plus the Columbia single “Ave Maria,” unreleased Spanish and Italian-language versions of “White Christmas” and, as a special added treat, the 1955 single of “Christmas Is a Feeling in Your Heart/The Wind, the Sand and the Star” that were the first two songs the young singer cut for the Cadence label back in 1955. John Alexander’s notes touch on the many high points of Andy’s career, and the package also includes photos from the Columbia vaults. 42 tracks that will form the cornerstone of any Christmas music collection.

The Andy Williams Christmas Album (1963): 1.  The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire); 2.  Sweet Little Jesus Boy; 3.  O Holy Night; 4.  Silent Night, Holy Night; 5.  The Little Drummer Boy; 6.  Away in a Manger; 7.  Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells; 8.  Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season; 9.  It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year; 10. A Song and a Christmas Tree (The Twelve Days of Christmas) 11. The First Noël; 12. White Christmas /// Merry Christmas (1965): 1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas; 2. Winter Wonderland; 3. Silver Bells; 4. Mary’s Little Boy Child; 5. Some Children See Him; 6. Do You Hear What I Hear?; 7. Christmas Holiday; 8. Sleigh Ride; 9. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!; 10. My Favorite Things; 11. Little Altar Boy; 12. The Bells of St. Mary's /// Christmas Present (1974) 1.Christmas Present; 2. Joy to the World; 3. O Little Town of Bethlehem; 4.Christmas Bells; 5.It Came upon a Midnight Clear; 6. Ave Maria; 7. O Come All Ye Faithful; 8. Angels We Have Heard on High; 9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; 10. Ave Maria; 11. What Child Is This?; 12. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day; 13. The Lord's Prayer /// Singles: 1. Christmas Is a Feeling in Your Heart; 2. The Wind, the Sand and the Star; 3. Ave Maria /// Unreleased: 1.White Christmas (Spanish Version); 1.White Christmas (Italian Version)  

VINCE GUARALDI TRIO - A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

The 2012 Remastered & Expanded Edition CD will feature the original 1965 recording newly remastered with 24-bit technology from the original analog stereo master tapes. It also contains three holiday bonus tracks that did not appear on the original LP: “Greensleeves,” “Thanksgiving Theme,” and “Great Pumpkin Waltz.” The digi package includes a 20-page booklet featuring memorable Peanuts character images from the beloved A Charlie Brown Christmas television special and engaging new liner notes by Peanuts and Vince Guaraldi historian Derrick Bang, author of Vince Guaraldi at the Piano (McFarland Press). Concurrently, Fantasy will issue a 2012 LP pressing of the classic album on green vinyl.

When Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas album was inducted into the Library of Congress, the Library’s media release noted, “A Charlie Brown Christmas introduced jazz to millions of listeners.” According to annotator and Guaraldi biographer Bang, “The importance of [that] sentence can not be overstated.” Children all over the world who had resisted jazz as the music of their parents were given an introduction. Berkeley-based Fantasy Records wisely released a soundtrack LP of the San Franciscan pianist’s work on the show. (Completing the Northern California scenario, Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz built his final studio in Santa Rosa, and it’s there where the Charles M. Schulz Museum was established as a permanent home to Snoopy and the gang. So too the sweet voices heard on “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” are from San Rafael’s St. Paul’s Church Children’s Choir.)

For this new edition of the soundtrack for A Charlie Brown Christmas, reissue producer Nick Phillips and remastering impresario Joe Tarantino resurrected the original stereo analog master tapes along with the original stereo mixes. Longtime fans may have purchased the album before, but the sonic differences between the new edition and the album’s debut CD released in 1988 are vastly different, since analog-to-digital conversion has improved over the past quarter century as a side-by-side listening comparison will reveal.

The album’s centerpiece track, today as it was in 1965, is “Christmas Time Is Here,” particularly the long, soulful instrumental version that clocks in at just over six minutes.

MAD MEN CHRISTMAS: MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE HIT TV SERIES ON AMC (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Concord Records has partnered with Lionsgate to release Mad Men Christmas: Music from and Inspired by the Hit TV Series on AMC on October 8, 2013. This 12-track release, available on CD exclusively at Target® stores nationwide, will feature several iconic 1960s Christmas tracks and one previously unreleased remix of the celebrated “Zou Bisou Bisou” as performed by character Megan Draper (played by Jessica Paré) in the season five premiere. Mad Men Christmas opens with the familiar Mad Men theme song “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2, which has accompanied the opening credits since the show’s beginning, followed by the sultry and hypnotic voice of Paré in an exclusive remix of the French pop tune “Zou Bisou Bisou (Scotch + Sofa remix)” by IAMX. The album continues with many of the era’s best-loved Christmas songs, including Dean Martin’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” Rosemary Clooney’s “White Christmas,” Tony Bennett’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Otis Redding’s “Merry Christmas Baby” and Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here,” to name a few.

Mad Men Christmas: Music From and Inspired by the Hit TV Series on AMC Track List: 1.  “A Beautiful Mine” (The Mad Men Theme) – RJD2 / 2.  “Zou Bisou Bisou” Remix (Scotch + Sofa Remix by IAMX) – Jessica Paré / 3.  “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – Darlene Love / 4.  “Baby It’s Cold Outside” – Dean Martin / 5.  “The Christmas Song” – Mel Tormé / 6.  “Christmas Waltz” – Nellie McKay / 7.  “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Tony Bennett / 8.  “White Christmas” – Rosemary Clooney / 9.  “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” – Johnny Mathis / 10. “Merry Christmas Baby” [take 1]– Otis Redding / 11. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” – Teresa Brewer / 12. “Christmas Time Is Here” – Vince Guaraldi /

BOBBY DARIN - THE 25TH OF DECEMBER WITH BOBBY DARIN

Bobby Darin was probably the most versatile and fearless vocalist of his generation, fully capable and willing to tackle The Great American Songbook, rock and roll and even folk music with his impeccable phrasing and warm tone. So why should his Christmas album be any less adventuresome? The 25th Day of December with Bobby Darin alternates between reverential, traditional readings of songs like “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Ave Maria” and “Dona Nobis Pacem” to rousing, gospel-inflected numbers like “Child of God,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “Jehovah Hallelujah,” with great backing (on the gospel songs) by the Bobby Scott Chorale. This all-time Christmas classic from 1960 has somehow been out of print for a while; our Real Gone release offers a first time ever STEREO reissue, complete with a bonus track (in mono), “Christmas Auld Lang Syne.” Darin expert James Ritz provides the liner notes and rare single picture sleeves.

Songs: 1. O Come All Ye Faithful / 2. Poor Little Jesus / 3. Child of God / 4. Baby Born Today / 5. Holy Holy Holy / 6. Ave Maria / 7. Go Tell It on the Mountain / 8. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks / 9. Jehovah Hallelujah / 10. Mary, Where Is Your Baby? / 11. Silent Night / 12. Dona Nobis Pacem / Bonus Track: 13. Christmas Auld Lang Syne

NEW RELEASES - BRIGITTE BARDOT, JACQUES BREL, PIERO PICCIONI

BRIGITTE BARDOT - BARDOTMANIA

More of a celebration of Brigitte Bardot in general than a straight collection of her own recordings – a really cool 2CD package that features music from famous Bardot films, some tracks sung by Bardot herself, and a few other numbers by different singers too! The orchestrations are lush at the start, with lots of the slinky tones you'd expect from postwar French films – but as things move on, they get leaner and jazzier – especially as the new wave starts to dawn. The package has two smaller sleeves and a booklet inside a larger slipcase – and features material from the films Manina La Fille Sans Voiles, Une Parisienne, Les Bijoutiers Du Clair De Lune, Et Dieu Crea La Femme, Doctor At Sea, Vie Privee, La Bride Sur Le Cou, La Verite, and other films. ~  Dusty Groove

JACQUES BREL - SUIVE L'ETOILE: INTEGRALE DES ENREGISTREMENTS STUDIO ET LIVE 1953 TO 1977

An incredible tribute to one of the greatest singer/songwriters of the 20th Century – an artist we've loved for decades, and love even more in this wonderfully complete package! The massive edition brings together 21 CDs in a 12" square hardcover book – complete with 60 pages of writings on Brel, photos, and details on his music – interlaced with discs that include every single original album recorded for Barclay, plus 16 unissued alternate tracks, 2 never-issued compositions, and 5 recordings making their debut on CD! And in addition to the studio albums, the set also features three rare concerts – Les Trois Baudets (1957), Les Adieux A L'Olympia (1966), and Le Dernier Concert Roubaix (1967). The package is amazing, limited and numbered – and blows away even any other previous attempts at collecting Brel's music! (Numbered limited edition.) ~ Dusty Groove

PIERO PICCIONI - IO LA CONOSCEVO BENE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK

Wonderful wonderful stuff – exactly the kind of mod soundtrack we've really come to love from the legendary Piero Piccioni! The music's a very cool blend of jazz and more 60s-styled rhythms – including some groovers in the "jerk" or "shake" modes – all served up with instrumentation that includes some of those great organ lines that Piccioni used so well in La Deccima Vittima/The Tenth Victim – plus some strong tenor and flute lines that really echo his earlier work in jazz! The whole thing's wonderful – a blend of jaunty numbers and dreamy instrumentals – all remastered nicely, and presented in a very vivid package. (Limited to 500 copies.) ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - JOEY DEFRANCESCO, 74 MILES AWAY, BRADD MARQUIS

JOEY DEFRANCESCO - ONE FOR RUDY

The Rudy in the title is Rudy Van Gelder – who does a perfect job recording this wonderful set from Hammond maestro Joey DeFrancesco! The organ has this wonderfully lean, clean sound – a vibe that recalls Rudy's work with players like Don Patterson or Johnny Hammond back in the 60s, served up here by Joey on tight tunes that are filled with plenty of soul, and some of those surprisingly modern changes that would always show up on the most inventive Prestige Records sessions back in the day! DeFrancesco's trio-mates are very well-tuned to this groove – and include Steve Cotter on guitar and Ramon Banda on drums – on titles that include "Budo", "I Don't Wanna Be Kissed", "One For Rudy", "Monk's Dream", and "Way Out West". ~ Dusty Groove

74 MILES AWAY - GEAR CHANGE

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A fully instrumental set from this cool keyboard combo – a group who've recorded previously for Melting Pot and Brownswood, but who somehow sound even greater here than ever before! The group features two guys on keys – including Fender Rhodes, moog, and Wurlitzer – mixed with guitars and samples, and some sweet funky flute too – all at a level that trips easily between 70s and 80s spacey funk modes – a vibe that handles all aspects of influence from Herbie Hancock, plus lots more exciting bits from the underground too! There's plenty of jazz in the mix, but the tunes also have a forward funky flavor too – and titles include "Looking Good", "Little Fatima", "Brusseleiro", "Axel Foley", "Sly", and "Seven Four". ~ Dusty Groove

BRADD MARQUIS _ THANK YOU

Joyous sounds from Bradd Marquis – an album served up after a few years of hardship, described in the notes – yet done with a very powerful, positive, upbeat feel throughout! Bradd's definitely back on top with this sweet little set – a batch of well-crafted cuts filled with sweet hooks and some nicely stepping beats – never too over the top, and certainly not the kind of chartbound soul of the mainstream – but really well focused and put together overall! The tunes themselves really show the optimism of Bradd's spirit in the set – as titles include "Winner", "Bounce Back", "Thank You", "Love Will Find A Way", "Free", and "Happy Home".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES -GEORGIA ANNE MULDROW, PATCHWORKS GALACTIC PROJECT, THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE

GEORGIA ANNE MULDOW - JYOTI DENDERAH

One of the most stunning records we've heard from Georgia Anne Muldrow in years – even more mindblowingly cosmic than just about all her other recent work! The set features mostly instrumental tracks – heavy on keyboards, both acoustic and electric – and played with this spiraling righteous vibe that recalls the 70s energy of Herbie Hancock and Lonnie Liston Smith, but with some of the trippier touches of the Madlib keyboard generation – as lots of the record veers into the distorted spaciness of Yesterday's New Quintet! But whatever the references, the set's also a very individual one too – really unique and really compelling, and put together with the feeling of a live record – even though the lack of notes make it hard to determine if this is an actual concert performance or some liveness cooked up in the studio. Titles include "Turiya's Smile", "Sup", "Optimus Prime", "Rubber Rhumba", "Denderah", "Theodosia 3:23", "Siderealin", and "Pedal Pusher".  ~ Dusty Groove

PATCHWORKS GALACTIC PROJECT - SPACE

One of the coolest projects so far from Bruno "Patchworks" Hovart – a set that's put together as a tribute to all the spacey electronic 70s grooves from artists like Patrick Adams, Alain Goraguer, or Jean Pierre Massiera! Patchworks definitely gets the sound right for the set – and mixes tight funky backings with some amazing work on keyboards – a rich array of keys that are heavy in moogy and synthy moments, yet have some warmer Fender Rhodes touches too – all served up in a way that's never gimmicky or cheesy at all, and which makes the album every bit as appealing as any rare record of this nature from years back! There's no vocals at all that we can tell – which leaves even more room for the cool keys – and titles include "Cosmic Tripping", "Approaching The Black Whole", "Behind The Moon", "Visions", "Gobblins Are Gone", "Cruising Through Space", and "Time & Space".~ Dusty Groove

THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE - LOVE IN FLYING COLORS

The best yet from Foreign Exchange! FE began as a transatlantic collaboration between rapper/singer Phone in NC and producer Nicolay in Holland – who literally got it done by exchanging files online – but since Nicolay moved closer, they've grown into one of finest indie soul acts in the US! They're much more than duo, too – co-running their own label and serving as a linchpin of a soul scene that includes Zo!, Sy Smith, Jeanne Jolly and others. As a project, FE is more community-based than ever! Their roots as a leftfield hip hop soul project are still healthy, with crisp, easygoing beats and occasional rhymes by Phonte – but Phonte has grown more confident as soul singer over the years, and that continues stronger than ever. Nicolay's pedigree as a multi-instrumentalist and spacey soul producer has also grown nicely! Love In Flying Colors features the above mentioned guests, plus Carmen Rodgers, Carlitta Durand, Gwen Bunn, Eric Roberson and others. Includes "If I Knew Then" with Carmen Rodgers, "Right After Midnight" with Sy Smith, "Better" with Shana Tucker & Eric Roberson, "On A Day Like Today", "Listen To The Rain", "Call It Home", "The Moment", "Can't Turn Around" wih Gwen Bunn, "Dreams Are Made For Two" with Carlitta Durand and "When I Feel Love". ~ Dusty Groove

MARQUIS HILL - THE POET

Already an established presence in his native Chicago, trumpeter/composer Marquis Hill will see his star continue to rise on the national jazz scene with the release of The Poet, his third CD in as many years. The dynamic session, featuring his working band, the Blacktet, is due October 22 from Skiptone Music. The title of the new CD was inspired by remarks made by Hill's friend, poet Kevin Sparks, after hearing his previous release, 2012's Sounds of the City. "Your music is so poetic," Hill recalls Sparks saying. "It's modern, but at the same time, it's in the tradition. It reminds me of great poetry. "

Hill spent considerable time and care preparing his band for the recording of The Poet, including performing songs from the upcoming album during a February engagement at Chicago's Jazz Showcase less than two weeks before he entered the studio. Among those in attendance was Chicago Tribune arts critic Howard Reich."Considering the melodic beauty of Hill's themes and the subtle ways the band dispatched them, the recording could be an important one for this ensemble," Reich predicted in his review. 

The Poet opens with "Mary's Intro," a poem written by Kevin Sparks and recited by Mary E. Lawson, and closes with "Legends Outro," a Free Style by Keith Winford of the Chicago hip-hop band Legend Haz It. Hill's sextet, which he calls the Blacktet, provides the instrumental backing on both. The remaining 13 tracks place the spotlight on the Blacktet -- Hill, alto saxophonist Christopher McBride, vibraphonist Justin Thomas, pianist Josh Moshier, bassist Joshua Ramos, and drummer Makaya McCraven -- with Juan Pastor adding his Latin percussion prowess to three. All, with the exception of brief improvised interludes by Thomas, Moshier, and Hill and a rendition of the Bill Lee ballad "Again Never" from his son Spike's motion picture Mo' Better Blues, were composed by the trumpeter.

The remarkable empathy between Hill and saxophonist McBride stems from their having played together since they were classmates at Northern Illinois University (NIU) nearly a decade ago. McBride played on Hill's two earlier CDs -- Sounds of the City and 2011's New Gospel -- as did pianist Moshier.

"The thing that really, really attracted me to Chris is the way that we blend," Hill says. "He has a really dark sound for an alto saxophone, and I try to go for a dark sound on the trumpet. We're kind of like the same person when it comes to playing horn parts and cutoffs and how to articulate and how much vibrato to put on the notes."

Marquis Hill, 26, was raised in the Chatham neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. He took up drums in the fourth grade but soon switched to trumpet after hearing his older female cousin playing one. (He still has a drum set and does occasional gigs as a drummer.) By the time he was in sixth grade, the young trumpeter was a member of the South Shore Youth Jazz Ensemble. It was one of several prestigious student bands in which Hill played while growing up, including the Ravinia Jazz Scholars, in which he first came in contact with future mentors Bobby Broom, Tito Carillo, and Willie Pickens.

Hill graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2009 with a B.A. in music education and from DePaul University in 2012 with a M.A. in jazz pedagogy. For the past four summers, he has taught high school students at the Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, and he recently joined the faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2012, he won the International Jazz Trumpet Competition in Atlanta.

While still a student at NIU, Hill became one of the most in-demand jazz trumpeters in the Windy City. When not leading his Blacktet, the trumpeter currently works with saxophonist Ernest Dawkins (another major mentor), pianist Willerm Delisfort, bassist Matt Ulery, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and groups led by his own sidemen McBride and Thomas.

Hill and the Blacktet return to the Jazz Showcase 10/31 through 11/3 to celebrate the release of The Poet. "I want my music to feel good," Hill states. "No matter how modern it sounds, I want the swing and the groove and the feeling to be there." 

www.marquishill.com

NEW RELEASES - CHUCK BERRY, DUKE ELLINGTON, CHRIS CONNOR

CHUCK BERRY - SAN FRANCISCO BLUES

One of the weirdest Chuck Berry albums ever – and one of the greatest, too! The sound here is very different than the hard rockin Berry of the early days – and the record's got kind of a laidback, trippy, and slightly bluesy approach – one that has Chuck singing in these homey vocals we really love, and playing guitar with this kind of watery tone that's really unique – almost airy, but still with a bit of bite – and really quite hard to peg! Backing is relatively spare – electric and acoustic piano, rhythm guitar, bass, and drums – and the whole thing is very rootsy, with tracks that include "Your Lick", "Festival", "Bordeux In My Pirough", "My Dream", "Viva Rock & Roll", "Lonely School Days", and "Let's Do Our Thing Together".  Dusty Groove

DUKE ELLINGTON - ELLINGTON 65

Hey, we like this album – and if you don't, we're willing to fight about it! Sure, you might call it a sellout – as The Duke's playing arrangements of mid 60s pop tunes like "Fly Me to The Moon", "More", "The Second Time Around", "Blowin In The Wind", and "Never On Sunday" – but the sound is actually pretty darn hip, with a strong swing to the whole album, and a good groove that brings life into the songs on the set. The overall feel is like some of the hipper Basie backings at the time – very in the pocket playing, and short jazzy renditions of songs that we like in any form – but which come off here even more nicely with some real jazz touches from the Ellington group! ~ Dusty Groove

CHRIS CONNOR - WITCHCRAFT

A lovely side by Chris Connor for Atlantic, recorded not too long after her stint at Bethlehem – where she'd perfected an icy cool style of singing that's still to be matched to this day! The album features larger arrangements by Richard Wess – but still has a light jazzy feel, intimate in approach, despite the larger musical backings. Chris' voice is at once personal and removed – a razor's edge of emotion, repressing some impulses, and opening up surprisingly at other moments. Titles include "Skyscraper Blues", "The Lady Sings The Blues", "Come Rain Or Come Shine", "When Sunny Gets Blue", "Just In Time", "Baltimore Oriole", and "How Little We Know".  ~ Dusty Groove

THE BLACKBYRDS – THE ESSENTIAL SELECTION 1973 TO 1980

Some of the sharpest, jazziest funk you'll ever hope to hear – a smoking collection of the legendary 70s work by The Blackbyrds on Fantasy Records! The group started as a jazz combo under Donald Byrd's supervision – right at a time when Byrd was making his own fantastic funky records in the 70s – but working for the Bay Area Fantasy label, they really took off into an amazing groove that was all their own – still informed by jazz, but free to open up to lots of funk and soul elements too – sometimes with vocals in the lead, sometimes more focus on the kinds of solos that always set them apart from all their contemporaries! 

The cuts have some wonderful keyboard work from a young Kevin Toney – who's gone onto a lot of fame over the years – and production on all cuts is either by Larry Mizell, Donald Byrd, or George Duke – key 70s jazz funk forces who keep things mighty tight in the studio! The package features work from all Blackbyrds albums of the 70s – including the Cornbread Earl & Me soundtrack, and the Night Grooves remix set – and the package features 25 titles that include "Enter In", "Party Land", "Do It Fluid", "Gut Level", "Summer Love", "I Need You", "The Baby", "Blackbyrds' Theme", "City Life", "Rock Creek Park", "Walking In Rhythm", "A Hot Day Today", "Wilford's Gone", "One Gun Salute", "Supernatural Feeling", "Mysterious Vibes", and "Soft & Easy". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - RICARDO SILVEIRA / VINICIUS CANTUARIA, BENNIE GREEN, ELMO HOPE SEXTET

RICARDO SILVEIRA / VINICIUS CANTUARIA - RSVC

One of the warmest, most intimate records we've ever heard from Vinicius Cantuaria – and one of the most beautiful too! The set's got Vinicius on vocals and guitar, in the company of guitarist Ricardo Silveira, and no other instrumentation at all – which makes for a wonderfully airy sort of record, and one that really lets Cantuaria open up! We might dare to say that the album's got a more classic bossa approach than some of Vinicius' other records – but the music isn't really bossa, either – and instead has all these fresh, individual inflections that really come from the simple, yet stunning work from both guitar players – and Cantuaria's well-measured use of lyrics – often in ways that have them taking second stage to the guitar instrumentation. Titles include "Perritos", "A La Dori", "Sessao Das Onze", "E O Fim", "Trilha Polar", and "Dia Del Sol".  ~ Dusty Groove

BENNIE GREEN - WALKING DOWN

A stone classic from the great Bennie Green – working here at a sharp 50s level that easily makes him one of the most hard-edged players in jazz at the time! Bennie's rooted in bop, but has plenty of deeper soulful elements too – a groove that others would expand more in the soul jazz generation, but which Green unleashes here with a really raw sort of energy – a tightness that's almost more suited to the trumpet than modes you'd usually hear from other trombonists. The setting's almost a blowing session one, but a bit tighter overall – and the quintet features Eric Dixon on tenor and Lloyd Mayers on piano – plus raw rhythms from Sonny Wellesley on bass and Bill English on drums. Titles include "East Of The Little Big Horn", "Walkin Down", and "But Not For Me". (SHMCD pressing.)  ~ Dusty Groove

ELMO HOPE SEXTET - INFORMAL JAZZ

Quite possibly the most "all star" session ever cut by pianist Elmo Hope – and one of his few dates to feature horns as well! The album's one of a few cut for Prestige by the modern piano giant – and it's done in an open-ended, long song format that was very much in keeping with the label's "blowing session" mode of the time – a setting that lets Hope really stretch out with players that include John Coltrane, Donald Byrd, Hank Mobley, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. And while the album has less of the angular, more tightly wound modern lines of some of Hope's better known work, it's still an extremely strong set overall – more of a showcase for all players involved, but still featuring 2 Hope original compositions – "Weeja" and "On It" – as well as versions of "Polka Dots & Moonbeams" and "Avalon". (SHMCD pressing.)  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - 9 MILE ROAD, THE LIBERATORS, FAREED HAQUE

9 MILE ROAD (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

9 Mile Road is a great compilation album which features an array of successful singles from current Woodward Avenue Records recording artists as well as our new recording artists on the label. This album is truly a multi-genre treat that reflects the way most people like to listen to music. Different artists and different sounds, but all great music. Artists featured on the album are Paul Brown, Jonathan Fritzen, Andre Delano, Joey Navarro, Tierra, Grace Kelly, Nate Najar, Michael J. Thomas, Melba Moore, Orrick Ewing, Sara Wasserman and "313 The D." ~ amazon.com

THE LIBERATORS - POWER STRUGGLE

Produced by Nate Goldentone aka Nathan Aust (Dojo Cuts, The Liberators) Australian premier afrofunkjazz combo The Liberators are back with the brand new album "Power struggle". Born in an unused factory space in urban Sydney, The Liberators - a compelling 10-piece Afrofunkjazz steamroller - have relentlessly pushed their sound to become leaders in the Australian Afrobeat resurgence. With their second album "Power Struggle", The Liberators have gone deeper and darker into the polyrhythmic, horn-driven realms of Afrobeat, producing eight weighty songs worthy of fueling any revolution. With a maturing mix of jazz, latin, soul and funk, it's obvious the sounds of fracturing world events echo throughout the album. The Liberators produced Power Struggle in Sydney, recording straight to tape in a no-nonsense, no-overdub fashion, capturing the phenomenal vibe of their live shows. Some of these shows include a roof destroying performance alongside Mulatu Astake and Craig Charles at Russ Dewbury's legendary "A Night at Jazz Room". Power Struggle will leave you nodding your head, fist in the air, ready to join the uprising. The Liberators are back, harder and stronger than ever. ~ amazon.com

FAREED HAQUE - TRANCE HYPOTHESIS

A powerful blend of groove jazz, world music, electronica and Punjabi folk, Trance Hypothesis is Fareed Haque's debut as a leader for Delmark. Driven by Haque's incisive and funky bebop guitar playing the album also features a diverse cast of world musicians including Essam Rafea, oud; Indrajit Banerjee, sitar; Matthew Tembo, kalimba; young tabla virtuoso Shiva Ghoshal and jazz musicians Tony Monaco, Hammond B3 organ and Willerm Delisfort, piano. Haque originals include Hymn of The Ancient One, Poonjob in The Punjab, Chitlins & Chutney and more. Also available: Ethnic Heritage Ensemble - Hot 'N' Heavy (DMK 574, DVD DMK 1574) with Fareed Haque, and Edward Petersen, Upward Spiral (DMK 445) with Fareed Haque. ~ amazon.com

NEW RELEASES - DR. JOHN / DONALD HARRISON, CRAIG YAREMKO ORGAN TRIO, JOHN STOWELL / DAVE LIEBMAN

DR. JOHN / DONALD HARRISON - DR. JOHN MEETS DONALD HARRISON: NEW ORLEANS GUMBO

Dr. John brings his own very personal style of New Orleans R&B to meet the raucous rattle of the Mardi Gras Indians and Donald Harrison in this contemporary slice of New Orleans musical history. Both men are in their way ''the living embodiment of New Orleans culture'' - Dr. John has brought his ''Night Tripper Gris Gris'' to augment the Guardians of the Flame chants and tambourines with the Mardi Gras Indians inspired jazz saxophone of Donald Harrison, one of New Orleans' favorite sons. New Orleans unique milieu and underlying principles drive this session - ''Coming from New Orleans it's just about having a good time with the music'' says Donald, and Dr. John agrees ''Accidental stuff happens and it's better than anything you could plan.'' ~ amazon.com

CRAIG YAREMKO ORGAN TIO - CYO3

The New York-based saxophonist, along with organist Matt King, drummer Jonathon Peretz, and special guest guitarist Vic Juris, push the limits of the tradition while displaying a powerful group chemistry. The band swings hard on originals by both Yaremko and King, as well as putting fresh spins on jazz classics by Monk, Strayhorn, Hubbard and Waller. CYO3 is Yaremko's debut on OA2 Records and his fourth as a leader following his recording Sync, which was a Top Ten pick from New York's Hot House Magazine for Release Of The Year in 2007. ~ amazon.com

JOHN STOWELL / DAVE LIEBMAN - BLUE ROSE

The singular guitarist John Stowell and saxophone legend Dave Liebman have been friends and colleagues for decades and occasionally find time to perform or record together, such as on Stowell's 2002 release, 'The Banff Sessions' (Origin). For 'Blue Rose,' Stowell and Liebman gathered at a studio in the heart of the Pocono Mountains for an intimate set of duets, performing standards such as Cole Porter's 'Everything I Love,' along with compositions from modern jazz composers, including Wayne Shorter's 'Black Eyes' and Kenny Wheeler's 'Everybody's Song But My Own.' ~ amazon.com

NEW RELEASES - ANNE BISSON, BRIAN GEPHART, GEORGE COLLIGAN / LARRY GRENADIER / JACK DEJOHNETTE

ANNE BISSON - BLUE MIND

Anne Bisson delivers a masterpiece of exceptional music that is sure to take your breath away! This fantastic audiophile recording features a rich and warm midrange, with sultry tones that envelop and embrace. The first time you hear Bisson's crystal clear voice, you'll likely get shivers, while subsequent listens will reveal a depth and emotional core that resonate long after the final chord has sounded. Melodies soar with a delicate confidence through changes that are a unique blend of jazz and vocal pop. Blue Mind was recorded live July 21-22, 2008, at Reference Studio in St-Calixte, Quebec. It was mastered by Marc-Olivier Bouchard, assisted by Rene Laflamme, at Pure Mastering in St-Calixte. There are no overdubs on any song except Dragonfly. With the exception of Hoping Love Will Last (Steve Hackett), all songs were written by Anne Bisson. Deluxe edition now in jewel case with brand new artwork & full-color 12-page booklet with complete lyrics! ~ amazon.com

BRIAN GEPHART-  STANDING ON TWO FEET

For his debut Origin release, veteran Chicago saxophonist Brian Gephart assembled a group of some of the Midwest's finest jazz musicians to interpret this set of nine heavily-swinging original compositions. To his regular working quartet of guitarist Neal Alger, bassist Kelly Sill, and drummer Eric Montzka, Gephart adds the dynamic pianist Karl Montzka and trombonist Tom Garling for this recording. Release is scheduled for November 19, 2013.

GEORGE COLLIGAN / LARRY GRENADIER / JACK DEJOHNETTE - THE ENDLESS MYSTERIES

As a member of Jack DeJohnette's touring band for the last several years, pianist George Colligan has developed a striking and powerful musical rapport with the legendary drummer that serves this, his 24th album as a leader, extremely well. With DeJohnette and virtuoso bassist Larry Grenadier, Colligan's ten original compositions positively soar from the deep and masterful interpretations of this incredible trio. The Endless Mysteries displays three peerless improvisors at the top of their game and marks a significant moment in time for the classic piano trio.~ amazon.com

NEW RELEASES - YUSEF LATEEF / ROSCOE MITCHELL / ADAM RUDOLPH / DOUGLAS R. EWART, ROBERTO SANTAMARIA, THE SWINGLE SINGERS

YUSEF LATEEF / ROSCOE MITCHELL / ADAM RUDOLPH / DOUGLAS R. EWART - VOICE PRINTS

From around America they came, from Massachusetts (Lateef), northern California (Mitchell), southern California (Rudolph), from Minnesota (Ewart), they gathered in Minneapolis to play together for the first time, in this concert. Are you surprised to discover ex-Detroiter Lateef improvising along with three leading ex-Chicago free spirits? ''He has such a wide musical spectrum and a musical vision,'' says Ewart. ''His vision is inclusive, not exclusive - he welcomes younger musicians and other visions,'' and Rudolph emphasizes Lateef's ''deep feeling and spiritual awareness.'' Of course, these Chicagoans are musical globetrotters themselves. Like Lateef, all three have worked with African musicians, plus Jamaica-born Ewart has also studied flutes in Japan and Australia and Adam Rudolph has lived in West Africa and studied North Indian percussion. All four have so much to share, to inspire each other - there are no barriers. ~ amazon.com

ROBERTO SANTAMARIA & HIS LATIN JAZZ STARS - FIESTA AL JAZZ

Elegance, virtuosity, and Caribbean feeling: the triad of virtues that characterizes their concerts. ""The people ... enjoy the unusual, upbeat combination of Cuban cha-cha-chá with elements of funk, soul and, of course, jazz. And they are fascinated by their explosive yet intricate playing style ..."" wrote Lorenz Erl in the Donaukurier about the band's concert in the Audi-Forum in Ingolstadt in April 2012. It was the band's first public appearance. A gig in the BIX jazz club in Stuttgart followed in November, a live recording of which is included as a promo CD. The seven musicians really get off on their groove, sending out sparks that immediately ignite the audience--which is why they decided to record a studio CD in 2013 and are planning many more concerts. ""Latin is out,"" claims the market. But this band proves that the condemned always live longer than expected. Every one of the band's concerts resuscitates this brand of jazz, which filled stadiums and conquered hit parades in the 60s and 70s. ""Beauty never dies"" says its leader, Roberto Santamaría, with conviction. The Cuban, a nephew of ""Conga King"" Mongo Santamaría, has lived in Germany since 2011. There he has assembled a seven-member international ensemble that thrills both jazz lovers and Latin fans. ~ amazon.com

THE SWINGLE SINGERS - WEATHER TO FLY

Weather To Fly is the Swingle Singers' first full-length album since 2009 and the first of two discs to be released in the group's fiftieth anniversary year. A punchy, electrifying set that holds all the excitement of a live show, Weather To Fly celebrates the best of the group's current a cappella repertoire. All-vocal arrangements of songs from Turkey, Spain, Italy and Argentina sit alongside re-imagined British pop from Elbow, Florence and the Machine and The Beatles. ''This is, quite simply, the album our audiences have asked for after every performance,'' says bass singer Edward Randell. For half a century, The Swingle Singers have pushed the boundaries of what the human voice can achieve. Their vocal agility and blend, combined with captivating showmanship, have thrilled audiences across the globe. Celebrating their 50th anniversary in the 2013-14 season, today's young and gifted Swingle Singers represent the group's evolution from baroque jazz pioneers to contemporary a cappella phenomenon. ~ amazon.com

EARTH, WIND & FIRE'S NOW, THEN & FOREVER TOPS THE BILLBOARD 200 AND R&B CHARTS

Now, Then & Forever, the first new studio album in eight years from international superstars Earth, Wind & Fire, has entered the Billboard 200 at #11 and #5 on the top R&B album charts marking the group's highest-charting album, since Raise! hit #5 on the Billboard 200 in 1981. It’s the first Earth, Wind & Fire album of new studio material since 2005, Now, Then & Forever  is also the group's first full-on new studio album for Legacy Recordings. "This album is really about the legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire. The spirit of the band has always been about uplifting the consciousness of humanity.  There's a hope that this Earth, Wind & Fire music will go on forever," said co-founder Philip Bailey before the album's release on September 10.

In response to their #11 debut Philip Bailey says, "I'm ecstatic! Onward and upward."  Longtime member and percussionist Ralph Johnson adds, "It is our best work in 20 years. Super proud of it."  EWF's co-founder Verdine White reflects, "Without the support of the fans around the world, the Earth, Wind & Fire journey would not have been possible.  We dedicate this album, Now, Then & Forever, to all the fans."

Now, Then & Forever - track listing :  Sign On / Love Is Law / My Promise / Guiding Lights / Got To Be Love / Belo Horizonte / Dance Floor / Splashes / Night Of My Life / The Rush

Earth, Wind & Fire, the groundbreaking funk-rock-soul-jazz ensemble who've been laying down their signature grooves for more than 40 years, are currently on the road, bringing the sounds of Now, Then & Forever to concert audiences across the country this fall. The brainchild of music legend Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire is to this day one of the top touring groups of all time with founding members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson performing to sold-out audiences around the world.

Earth, Wind & Fire US Tour dates:

September 20 / Chicago, IL / Chicago Theatre

September 21 / Chicago, IL / Chicago Theaatre  

September 22 / Cincinnati, OH / Horsehoe Cincinnati                       

September 24 / New York, NY / Beacon Theatre            

September 25 / New York, NY / Beacon Theatre            

September 27 / Atlantic City, NJ / Borgata Event Center         

September 28 / Atlantic City, NJ / Borgata Event Center                     

September 29 / Washington, DC / Warner Theatre            

October 1/ Fayetteville, NC / Cumberland Country Auditorium                                      

October 2 /Atlanta, GA / Fox Theatre                  

October 4 / Gretna, LA / Gretna Heritiage Festival                  

October 5 / Houston, TX / Bayou Music Center                  

October 6 / Dallas, TX / Verizon Wireless Theatre                  

November 1 / Knoxville, TN / Tennessee Theatre 

NEW RELEASES - KILL YOURSELF DANCING, TOMMASSO CAPPELLATO AND ASTRAL TRAVELER, JAZZ SOUNDTRACKS

KILL YOURSELF DANCINIG: THE STORY OF SUNSET RECORDS INC. - CHICAGO 1985-89 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

A killer look at one of the most compelling labels on the Chicago house scene of the 80s – a tiny imprint, but one that cut some mighty important music – especially sounds that would have great resonance in the global acid explosion at the end of the decade! The work here has edges that are often a bit sharper than those of more familiar house at Trax Records – and a rhythmic intensity that's very focused, very stripped-down, and very much distilled to the core essence of Chicago house – that harder punch that's informed by a lot of European work at the start of the 80s, but turned towards the decimated disco scene in the US – to rise up a whole new generation with a great burst of energy! The package is maybe the best we've seen so far from Still Music – and features these very detailed notes that tell the fascinating story of the label's rise and short history – really getting at the midwestern melting pot that made house music so great. Titles include "Kill Yourself Dancing" by Razz, "Lover Man" by Ben Mays, "It Could Be Acid" by White Knight, "Face The Music (dub mix)" by Boom Boom & Master Plan, "Persia" by Modern Mechanical Music, "Electric Baile (commercial mix)" by Master Plan, "I Want You (transcontinental mix)" by Hex Complexx, and "Rock The Nation (Kenny Jason rmx)" by Matt Warren. 2CD set features a whopping 21 tracks in all!  ~Dusty Groove

TOMMASO CAPPELLATO AND ASTRAL TRAVELER - COSMETHIC

A totally sweet set from drummer Tommaso Cappellato – a player who was mentored by legendary spiritual jazz maestro Harry Whitaker, and who works here in a groove that really recalls Whitaker's best music of the 70s! The album features a small group that's heavy on Fender Rhodes and moog – keyboards that really stretch out beautifully, in ways that are filled with soul and spirit – soaring out into space over Cappellato's tight drums, and mixed with these flute lines and voice that really add a heavenly quality to the set! The whole thing rests perfectly in a space between Strata East and some of the best of the Japanese releases of the 70s – including Whitaker's landmark Black Renaissance album – and there's even a bit of Lonnie Liston Smith elements to the record as well. Wonderful stuff throughout – with titles that include "Awakenings", "Consciousness", "Entering The Dream", "My Body Needs To Breathe I Doesn't", "Music Power", and "Cosmethic". ~ Dusty Groove

JAZZ SOUNDTRACKS / ATTILA ZOLLER - ORIGINAL MUSIC FROM THE ARTHOUSE FILMS OF HANS JURGEN POHLAND 1962-67

One of the greatest German jazz guitarists – heard here in some of his grooviest work of the 60s – an amazing batch of material recorded for the art house films of director Hansjurgen Pohland! Zoller already had a modern tone by the time of these recordings – a sublime sound on the guitar that rivaled that of Billy Bauer with the Lee Konitz group of the 50s, but which was also freer, and open to rich new ideas too – especially from a rhythmic and tonal standpoint, which always keeps Zoller's work compelling! Attila's way more than just another jazzy player on the instrument – and film material like this really lets him stretch his imagination – and unlock a whole whose of tones and colors that are quite imagistic in nature. Most tracks are played by a small combo led by Zoller – often working in front of the screen as images passed by – scenes from films that include Katz Und Maus, Tamara, and The Bread Of Our Early Years. This set marks the first release of the material actually recorded for those films on record – and titles include "Family Bricks", "Pilenz", "Road Song", "Minesweeper", "Cold Fusion", "Adam's Apple", "Hedwig's Departure", "Mousetip Strut", and "Mahlke. ~ Dusty Groove