SLY & THE FAMILY STONE—LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST OCTOBER 4th & 5th 1968, a four-disc set of previously unreleased live shows set for release on July 17

Epic/Legacy has announced the debut release of SLY & THE FAMILY STONE—LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST OCTOBER 4th & 5th 1968, a four-disc set of previously unreleased live shows recorded during the band's rise at New York City's legendary venue. The set is scheduled to be released on Friday, July 17.

Sly & The Family Stone's reputation as one of the most influential bands of the 1960s has rarely been in denial. The group effortlessly combined upbeat, funky melodies with socially conscious lyrics, which would paint a vivid picture of the sociopolitical landscape of the '60s while also creating a road map for pop music in the decades to come. This four-disc anthology presents a lesser-known side of the band: not the dominant soul-funk-pop juggernaut of the late 1960s, but an up-and-coming ensemble whose onstage energy could not be contained.

On October 4th and 5th, 1968, shortly after the release of the band's third album Life, Sly & The Family Stone took the stage at Bill Graham's legendary Fillmore East in New York City. Along with the success of Dance To The Music, which was released earlier that year and spun off the Top 10 hit of the same name, Sly & The Family Stone were making a name for themselves on the concert circuit, with their dynamic, high energy live performances.

Epic Records, the group's record company, recorded all four of these concerts (two shows per night) with plans to release a live album that would consist of selections from these performances. But the release was shelved after the release of the single "Everyday People," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 and anticipated the band's breakthrough year, with the acclaimed album Stand! and an increasing spotlight in the public eye culminating in an appearance at Woodstock that summer.

Sly & The Family Stone—Live At The Fillmore East October 4th & 5th 1968 features all four of these energetic shows, which mark not only the first release of these sets but the first official release primarily highlighting live material from the group. The collection will be preceded by a double-vinyl 'best-of' featuring highlights from all four shows compiled by "Captain" Kirk Douglas, guitarist for The Roots. This special package will be exclusively available at participating independent record retailers on Record Store Day (April 18, 2015).

"Captain" Kirk Douglas, guitarist for The Roots states, "This performance is living breathing evidence of how much of a force of nature Sly & the Family Stone were at this point of their career. Every member of the group shines in a way that I can only describe as a revelation. It was enjoyable listening to the band break free from the studio arrangements of the songs we know and love to find new interpretations. And to think they did this twice in one evening! The heaviest of rock and the funkiest of soul jumps out of the speakers combined with a message just as relevant today as the day it was recorded. This deserves to be played LOUD!"

The complete SLY & THE FAMILY STONE—LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST OCTOBER 4th & 5th 1968 track listing is below:

CD 1 (Recorded Live at the Fillmore East, NYC, October 4, 1968-Early Show)

1. Are You Ready

2. Color Me True

3. Won't Be Long

4. We Love All (Freedom)

5. MEDLEY: Turn Me Loose / I Can't Turn You Loose

6. Chicken

7. Love City

CD 2 (Recorded Live at the Fillmore East, NYC, October 4, 1968 -Late Show)

1. M' Lady

2. Don't Burn Baby

3. Color Me True 

4. Won't Be Long

5. St. James Infirmary|

6. MEDLEY: Turn Me Loose / I Can't Turn You Loose

7. Are You Ready

8. Dance To The Music

9. Music Lover

10. MEDLEY: Life / Music Lover

CD 3 (Recorded Live at the Fillmore East, NYC, October 5, 1968-Early Show)

1. Life 

2. Color Me True  

3. Won't Be Long 

4. Are You Ready 

5. Dance To The Music

6. Music Lover 

7. M' Lady

CD 4 (Recorded Live at the Fillmore East, NYC, October 5, 1968-Late Show)

1. M' Lady

2. Life 

3. Are You Ready 

4. Won't Be Long 

5. Color Me True  

6. Dance To The Music 

7. Music Lover 

8. Love City MEDLEY: 

9. Turn Me Loose / I Can't Turn You Loose

10. The Riffs 

The SLY & THE FAMILY STONE—LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST 2LP track listing is below:

SIDE ONE: M' Lady ;  Life ;  Are You Ready SIDE TWO: Won't Be Long ; Color Me True ; We Love All (Freedom) SIDE THREE: Dance To The Music ; Music Lover SIDE FOUR: Love City ; MEDLEY: Turn Me Loose / I Can't Turn You Loose ; The Riffs

NEW RELEASES: APOLLO 5 – WITH A SONG IN MY HEART; ELINA DUNI QUARTET - DALLENDYSHE; WES MONTGOMERY – IN THE BEGINNING

APOLLO 5 – WITH A SONG IN MY HEART

'With A Song In My Heart' is the debut album from the dynamic British a cappella quintet, Apollo5. The group performs a repertoire ranging from retro jazz, pop and classical arrangements to Christmas a cappella and has been praised for its engaging and entertaining performances. Performances in London have included St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Royal Albert Hall, the Troxy, Café de Paris, the Houses of Parliament, Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, The Crazy Coqs and Kings Place. Recent UK festivals include The City of London Festival, The London A Cappella Festival and the Petworth Festival. Apollo5 is part of the VCM Foundation, and is involved in its innovative education programme aiming to inspire creativity through music. The programme, led by VOCES8, reaches 20,000 young people annually, working in over 200 schools in the UK, France, Sweden, the USA and Asia. The foundation has its home at the Gresham Centre, at St Anne and St Agnes Church in the heart of the City of London. In partnership with the Diocese of London, VCM is establishing a hub for excellence in education, outreach and the performance of vocal music. The album brings together some of Apollo5's favourite songs, arrangements of favourites ranging from spirituals, folk, jazz, soul and pop. Most are arranged by Matt Greenwood, who has written for the group for several years. ~ Amazon

ELINA DUNI QUARTET - DALLENDYSHE

On 'Dallendyshe' ("The Swallow"), her second ECM album, Elina Duni sings songs of love and exile. The troubled history of the Balkan regions has inspired many such songs and the pieces here, primarily from Albanian traditional sources, are interpreted with intensity and insight by Elina and her band. The Tirana-born and Swiss-raised singer has become an exceptional musical storyteller embodying the songs' narratives, in a way that transcends genre definitions and language limitations. "This time there is a sense of lightness to the feeling and energy of the album," says Duni. "Even though we are dealing with tragic themes of exile it is not as dark as 'Matane Malit' [her ECM debut]. One of the fascinating things about music of the Balkans, in a lot of the folk music, is the idea that the pain has to be sung. And in singing you go beyond it. That's what the blues is about, of course, and you find a similar sensibility in these Albanian songs about exile and lost love." Duni's journey to the emotional centre of Albanian song began a decade ago, when she and pianist Colin Vallon were students at Berne's Hochschule der Kunste. Looking at Albanian folk music rather than jazz standards as an improvisational resource led them to a whole range of discoveries. Elina found her own voice in the old songs, and in reclaiming them could also free them: the quartet's experimental yet pure acoustic versions have been received with gratitude in Albania where folk themes were once harnessed for propaganda purposes. ~ Amazon

WES MONTGOMERY – IN THE BEGINNING

'In the Beginning' features rare previously unreleased recordings by jazz guitar icon Wes Montgomery spanning the years 1949 to 1958. This deluxe 2-CD set includes 26 newly discovered live and studio recordings. The set includes a complete 1955 Epic Records session produced by Quincy Jones, newly discovered 78 RPM sides with Wes as a sideman recorded for Spire Records (1949), a live recording from the home of Ervena Montgomery, Indianapolis (1956), live recordings from the Turf Club (1956), the Missile Lounge (1958) in Indianapolis, and the C&C Music Lounge in Chicago (1957). 'In the Beginning' features extensive liner notes, and meticulously designed artwork that have become Resonance Records' trademarks. The 2-CD version includes a 55-page booklet of liner notes by journalist and noted jazz historian and biographer Ashley Kahn, legendary producer Quincy Jones, guitarist Pete Townshend of The Who, alongside rare never-before-published photos from The Montgomery Estate and friends in Montgomery's native Indianapolis. Since Wes Montgomery's passing in 1968, only two other albums of predominantly unreleased material have been released - 'Willow Weep for Me' (Verve, 1968) and 'Echoes of Indiana Avenue' (Resonance, 2012). Resonance Records is pleased to introduce the third such archival offering with 'In the Beginning'. ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: FRANK SINATRA – ULTIMATE SINATRA; PORTICO – LIVIING FIELDS; STEVE GADD BAND – 70 STRONG

FRANK SINATRA – ULTIMATE SINATRA

The defining voice of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra enjoyed a legendary recording career that spanned six decades, beginning with his earliest session in 1939 and culminating with his last in 1993, for his world-renowned, multi-platinum Duets and Duets II albums. Ultimate Sinatra presents key recordings spanning the Chairman of the Board s recordings for Columbia, Capitol and Reprise, together for the first time. Ultimate Sinatra opens with 'All Or Nothing At All,' recorded with Harry James and his Orchestra on August 31, 1939 during Sinatra's first studio session. Ultimate Sinatra's 4CD edition boasts 100 tracks celebrating 100 years (plus a never before released bonus track), including many more luminous recordings that reinforce Sinatra's well-deserved moniker, The Voice. The chronological collection dives deeper into Sinatra's musical world of iconic recordings, before closing with a previously unreleased rehearsal version of 'The Surrey With The Fringe On Top' recorded in 1979. The deluxe edition also features an 80-page booklet with a new essay by Sinatra historian and author Charles Pignone, as well as rare photos and quotes from Frank Sinatra and his children, Nancy, Tina and Frank Jr., as well as Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Quincy Jones, and others. ~ Amazon

PORTICO – LIVIING FIELDS

Where do you start talking about a suite of recordings so concerned with the commonalities between beginnings and ends? You could start by saying that 'Living Fields' is an album of catharsis and  redefinition, born of a desire to create newness out of loss and change. You could also say that the band Portico themselves have undergone a process of ending and re-beginning, but none of this quite captures what you will hear. The best thing you can do is listen. Portico make music which moves forward towards distant places while offering rare intimacy as well, arriving somewhere between structured pop songs and a disintegrating ambience, a unique blend of the sublunary and the celestial. Reverb drenched piano meshes with swathes of studio noise while vocals float high above a world of textural atmosphere. Drum machines crisply puncture the air around shimmering arpeggios of synth and electric bass.You can be untethered, detached in space only for a moment of detail to rush into focus. Melancholia and euphoria sunk into each other. The effect is profoundly emotional without ever needing to emote. Portico are Duncan Bellamy, Milo Fitzpatrick and Jack Wyllie. Previously they were three-quarters of the highly successful and critically-acclaimed Portico Quartet. But 'Living Fields' is no continuation under a shortened name. As far as the band are concerned this is a debut. There are three remarkable singers on this record: Jono McCleery, Joe Newman (Alt-J) and Jamie Woon. These are not just guest performances and it shows. Woon shared a house with Portico in East London when they were writing and recording the album that would become Isla and he was working on "Mirrorwriting." Joe Newman is a childhood friend of Wyllie's and Jono McCleery was introduced to Portico by Jamie Woon and has opened for them in the past. These existing relationships allowed for a consistency of thought and expression which makes this a truly remarkable record. ~ Amazon

STEVE GADD BAND – 70 STRONG

The follow-up to the same group’s Gadditude , this release celebrates drums master Steve Gadd s 70th birthday. The other members of this phenomenal instrumental dream quintet, with enviable CVs, are trumpeter Walt Fowler (Frank Zappa, Buddy Rich, George Duke, Billy Cobham), guitarist Michael Landau (Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd), keyboardist Larry Goldings (Michael Brecker, Jack DeJohnette, Maceo Parker, Jim Hall) and pioneering 5 string bassist Jimmy Johnson (Allan Holdsworth, Billy Childs, Stan Getz). A richly satisfying panoramic sound palette of groove and grace. Tracks include: Foam Home, Freedom Jazz Dance, Written in Stone, The Long Way Home, Sly Boots, Duke's Anthem, Elegant Squares, Desu, De Volta Ao Samba, Oh, Yeah?, and Blues For... ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: JANKO NILOVIC - SOUL IMPRESSIONS; DAVID AKE – LAKE EFFECT; ANDY SHEPPARD – SURROUNDED BY SEA

JANKO NILOVIC - SOUL IMPRESSIONS

One of the funkiest records ever cut by studio jazz genius Janko Nilovic! This set definitely earns the "soul" in the title – as Janko blends his usual mad mix of studio sounds with some heavier 70s elements – including a fair bit of fuzzy guitar, funky beats, and some nice horn fills. About half the tracks on the album benefit from this sort of approach – kind of a cross between blacksploitation soundtrack scoring and the tighter instrumental moods of work by The Duke of Burlington. The other half is more in Janko's usual bag – nicely groovy jazz numbers, some with a slinky 70s edge! Titles include "Hippocampus", "Open Country", "Crazy Enterprise", "Drug Song", "Soul Impressions", "Man Of Genius", "Push Push", and "Family Tree". ~ Dusty Groove

DAVID AKE – LAKE EFFECT

The lake effect here is a powerful one – a way of building up songs in these blocks of sound that relies heavily on the piano of David Ake, but also draws a lot from the well-crafted saxophone lines of Peter Epstein! Ake's approach is somewhat in the more contemporary school of jazz piano – that way of moving boldly with very carefully-chosen chords – but his work also has a darkness that's very unique, and a balanced sense of pacing that really makes the work of Epstein even more powerful than it might be in a more freewheeling setting. The group's completed by equally-thoughtful work on bass by Sam Minaie and drums by Mark Ferber – and titles include "Lone Pine", "The Cubs", "Tricycle", "Two Stones", "Silver Thaw", and "Palhaco".  ~ Dusty Groove

ANDY SHEPPARD – SURROUNDED BY SEA

Extending the range of his widely-praised Trio Libero project with French bassist Michel Benita and Scottish drummer Seb Rochford, Andy Sheppard adds the Norwegian guitarist and electronics wizard Eivind Aarset to his band for 'Surrounded by Sea'. With Aarset's ambient drones and electronic textures as a backdrop, Sheppard and co seem to have even more space to explore than on the saxophonist's acclaimed Trio Libero recording. The music embraced here includes new compositions by Sheppard, Benita and Rochford, open improvisations, the Elvis Costello tune "I Want To Vanish", and the Gaelic traditional ballad "Aoidh, Na Dean Cadal Idir" which appears in three variations, a thematic thread through the album. 'Surrounded by Sea' was recorded at Lugano in August-September 2014 with Manfred Eicher producing. The prodigiously gifted Andy Sheppard famously took up the saxophone at 19, inspired by Coltrane, and played his first gig with it three weeks later. After a period in Paris, he returned to the UK in the mid-80s, recording the album 'Andy Sheppard' with Steve Swallow as producer, the beginning of a long musical association. Since then he's recorded extensively and written trans-idiomatic music for ensembles of every size (his Saxophone Massive project has included 200 sax players) as well as for theatre, film, dance and mixed media. ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: CHRIS POTTER UNDERGROUND ORCHESTRA – IMAGINARY CITIES; CHARLES LLOYD – WILD MAN DANCE; BEN WOLFE – THE WHISPERER

CHRIS POTTER UNDERGROUND ORCHESTRA – IMAGINARY CITIES

Beautiful sounds from reedman Chris Potter – working here with an expanded string lineup, although one that's more of a string quartet added to the core combo – and maybe not the full orchestra you'd guess from the cover! Still, those subtle strings really add a lot to the record – creating this sonic balance that's really sublime, even before Potter comes into the mix on either tenor, soprano, or bass clarinet, depending on the track – and the quartet often shades in the tunes with a gentle introduction, before more familiar Potter associates come in and deepen the sound – including Craig Taborn on piano, Steve Nelson on vibes and marimba, and Adam Rogers on guitar. Titles include "Firefly", "Sky", "Shadow Self", "Lament", and the extended "Imaginary Cities" suite.  ~ Dusty Groove

CHARLES LLOYD – WILD MAN DANCE

Charles Lloyd makes a step over to Blue Note Records – and the result is one of his richest, most organic albums in years! The whole thing's a live performance from Poland – done as a suite of longer tracks that feature a core acoustic quartet with Lloyd on tenor, plus added cymbalom and lyra – both used very heavily, with these open, sonic properties that are especially great – almost a way of bringing in some of the exoticism of Lloyd's earlier recordings, but with less focus on the reeds. The group also features Gerald Clayton on piano – and both he and Lloyd can be airy one minute, powerful the next – as the tunes build up slowly, and form this wonderful painting in sound. Titles include "Gardner", "Lark", "River", "Wild Man Dance", "Invitation", and "Flying Over The Odra Valley".  ~ Dusty Groove

BEN WOLFE – THE WHISPERER

Bassist Ben Wolfe's first record for Posi-Tone is as strong as any headline sets we've heard from him to date! Wolfe is leading an excellent quartet session here for the most part – with the always great Orrin Evans on piano, Donald Edwards on drums and Stacy Dillard on saxes – plus a sharp guest appearance by trumpeter Josh Evans on one track. With the exception nice, nocturnal reading Jerome Kern's "All The Things You Are", it's all Wolfe originals – led strongly by Wolfe's prominent, but never overbearing bass and brilliant rhythmic interplay with Evans and Edwards, with plenty of room for Dillard to shine. Includes "Heroist", "Hat In Hand", "Community", "Love Is Near", "Chronos", "All The Things Yo Are","STFU" with Josh Evans, "The Whisperer", "Becoming Brothers", "The Balcony", "Camelot's Lean'", "Hat In Hand"" and "If Only".  ~ Dusty Groove

FORT KNOX FIVE ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM - PRESSURIZE THE CABIN

Unbuckle your seatbelt. Keep the tray-table down. Dance in the aisle. It’s time to Pressurize The Cabin with Fort Knox Five, but there’s no way you’re sitting still. To create their latest album, Fort Knox Five—based in Washington, DC—has flown all over the globe, from the Shambhala Music Festival in British Columbia to the Volt Festival in Hungary to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Across 5 continents and 30 countries, they’ve formed deep musical relationships with some of their favorite vocalists and musicians, some of whom are featured on Pressurize the Cabin.

San Diego’s Vokab Kompany is featured on the title track, which captures the upbeat, all-night-party vibe of the album. Legendary British trombonist and soul crooner Ashley Slater takes it back with a retro electro-swing groove, Fire In My Belly. The nonstop party continues with Ready Go, featuring Raashan Ahmad from Oakland’s Crown City Rockers, delivering a fresh true-school hip-hop sound. Sleepy Wonder from Thievery Corporation delivers his signature rapid-fire dancehall ska on 24 Hours To Set It Off.

Mustafa Akbar, a longtime friend of Fort Knox Five, is featured on two electro-funk tracks that will be lighting up dance floors worldwide, Whatcha Gonna Do and Keep it Poppin. Another DC favorite, Flex Mathews, is also featured on two tracks; his party-rocking lyrics are a perfect fit with the Fort Knox Five funk. Frankie Rosado and Felix Perez of the Empresarios can be heard on the anthemic Latin funk track Cinco To The Brinco. Rounding out the album is Mission to the Sitars, an instrumental track featuring Fort Knox Five’s own Rob ‘RPM3’ Myers — his sitar and guitar work have also been highlighted by Thievery Corporation and See-I.

Pressurize the Cabin is a true follow-up to 2008’s Radio Free DC. The earlier album focused on some of DC’s amazing vocalists and musicians, while Pressurize the Cabin has a global scope. Funk is the common denominator, tying it all together, but the grooves on this exciting new artist album range from Hip-Hop to Disco to Electro to Latin. So get on board and prepare for takeoff!

Fort Knox Recordings is the renegade funk n’ soul label from Washington DC. Established in 2003, our mission is to explore the funkier side of global music. Fort Knox is set to ‘Tell It Like It Is’ by smashing the artificial barriers established by the ‘System’ that keeps all ‘Good’ music down. Forget about tempos and genres – we want to take you back to the roots and reunite all music from our funk, dub and soul brothers – you dig? So stop being so serious, this is music, it’s supposed to be fun.

NEW RELEASES: PETER BRENDLER – OUTSIDE THE LINE; HAILEY NISWANGER – PDX SOUL; JON DAVIS – MOVING RIGHT ALONG

PETER BRENDLER - OUTSIDE THE LINE

Bassist Peter Brendler is at the helm of the set, but we're especially enamored of the trumpet work here – played by Peter Evans on both standard and piccolo trumpet – the latter of which has this wonderfully personal sound! Almost all tunes are originals from Brendler, who turns out to be a pretty great writer – and sets up these strong showcases for Evans' trumpet lines, which seem to leap right out front even before his solos – when he's still sharing the lead with tenorist Rich Perry. Perry's pretty great, too – but there's a freshness to Evans' phrasing that's really great – bold at some minutes, with lots of offbeat twists and turns – and more fragile and honest on the piccolo trumpet tunes. Drummer Vinnie Sperrazza completes the group – and titles include "Blackout Reunion", "Drop The Mittens", "The Darkness", "Blanket Statement", "Lawn Darts", and a surprisingly nice cover of "Walk On The Wild Side".  ~ Dusty Groove

HAILEY NISWANGER – PDX SOUL

Most artists, if they re lucky, wait many years to rack up the kind of rave reviews that Portland, Oregon-based alto and soprano saxophonist Hailey Niswanger already boasted in her teens. Nat Hentoff, one of the most renowned jazz critics of all-time, wrote that Hailey plays with remarkable authority and drive considering her relative youth, and with the élan and dynamics of an unmistakable pro, while the prestigious All About Jazz website, reviewing Confeddie, Niswanger s 2009 debut album, said she and her group bring the goods on a program refreshingly free of the typical chestnuts and brimming with melodic invention...Niswanger pulls no punches. Now, with the release of PDX Soul, Hailey Niswanger takes her artistry to the next level. Rich in funky rhythms, instantly hooky melodies and sophisticated songcraft several of its eight tracks are written and arranged by Niswanger and brimming with fine-tuned improvisational acumen, PDX Soul is the showcase that Hailey has been building toward. Working with a collective of superb players, Hailey moves beyond the rising star designation that s been affixed to her since she came on the scene and proves one of the most innovative and talented young musicians in contemporary jazz.

JON DAVIS – MOVING RIGHT ALONG

A great little album from pianist Jon Davis – a player who's got this way of cascading out notes with effortless ease – almost at a level that's thinking a few steps forward of the bass and drums in the trio, but never with a style that loses its groove at all! We love the way that new ideas continue to leap forward from Davis' piano – especially on the album's original tracks, which have this way of blocking sound and color together that's extremely tuneful, but in a very personal, unique sort of style. Bass is by Yasushi Nakamura and drums are by Shinnosuke Takahashi – but it's clear that Davis really directs the sound, with leaps and steps that are sometimes subtle, sometimes bold – and always pretty darn fresh! Titles include "Dania", "Just In Case", "Pensive Puff", "Moving Right Along", "Moment's Notice", and "Under The Stairway".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: TOWER OF POWER – EAST BAY GREASE / BUMP CITY (ORIGINAL RECORDING MASTER LIMITED EDITION); TOM TALLITSCH – ALL TOGETHER NOW; TIM BERNE’S SNAKEOIL – YOU’VE BEEN WATCHING ME

TOWER OF POWER – EAST BAY GREASE / BUMP CITY (ORIGINAL RECORDING MASTER LIMITED EDITION)

For over four decades, Tower Of Power have been the one of the premier soul, funk and rock bands of our time. Captivating audiences all over the world, the mighty Bay Area ensemble continues to tour extensively and release great music but it all started with the two classic soul masterpieces you now have in your hand…1970’s East Bay Grease and 1972’s Bump City. East Bay Grease reigns as one of the most notable debuts in funk history. With six super long jams from the pens of founders Emilio Castillo (alto sax/vocals) and Stephen Kupka (baritone sax/vocals), the album was a perfect vehicle for the band to be one of the first artists to get signed to the late Bill Graham’s San Francisco Records label. It also did well on the underground radio format as well as r&b outlets across the country. Solid champions like Knock Yourself Out, Back On The Street Again and the soulful ballad groove of Sparkling In The Sand and the James Brown vibe of The Price made this album truly memorable. While only a member for this one Lp, Rufus Miller does a stellar job on vocals. Long time members David Garibaldi debuts his awesome TOP drum sound on this masterwork, along with the incredible five horn attack of Castillo and Kupka, with co-horts Greg Adams, Skip Mesquite and David Padron. Bump City was their debut release for the Warner Bros. label and it also included their first hit single You’re Still A Young Man. The band changed things up a bit for this fine album including a new lead singer with Rick Stevens as more success materialized for this hardworking band. Radio was more receptive as tunes like Down To The Nightclub and You Got To Funkifize made this the funk album of choice for many programmers in 1972. Frequent touring at larger venues and more exposure on major market radio stations and television made Tower Of Power a very popular entity in a very short time, which would reward their hard work with over forty years of success. Friday Music is no stranger to the soulful and funk sounds of the legendary superstars Tower Of Power. Therefore it is with much honor to continue our Tower Of Power & Friday Music Original Master Series with their first two albums in a first time two-fer collection East Bay Grease & Bump City (2 Lp’s on 1 CD). Impeccably mastered by Joe Reagoso (Tower Of Power, Isley Brothers) from the original San Francisco Records and Warner Bros. tapes, we’ve also included the original Lp cover graphics to further enhance your Tower Of Power experience. Knock Yourself Out! ~ Amazon

TOM TALLITSCH – ALL TOGETHER NOW

A great one from tenorist Tom Tallistch – a player we love more and more with each new record! Tom's not just a hell of a player, but a great writer too – and his compositions here are filled with a sense of life and soul that's much deeper than you might expect from the album's cover – that kind of subtle brilliance that's really making the Posi-tone label one of the best in contemporary jazz these days – especially with artists like Tallistch on their roster! The group also features work from other great labelmates – Mike DiRubbo on alto, Michael Dease on trombone, and Brian Charette on piano and organ – on a set of excellent tracks that include "Passages", "Slippery Rock", "Big Sky", "Border Crossing", "Curmudgeon", and "Dunes".  ~ Dusty Groove

TIM BERNE’S SNAKEOIL – YOU’VE BEEN WATCHING ME

Tim Berne really seems to have found his great energy of old while working with his Snakeoil group – that richly-expressive sense of tones and timings that made him such a powerful force at the start, and which has really gotten us listening to his music all over again these days! Berne's on alto, but that's only part of the equation here – as the group also features these amazing lines from Oscar Noriega on clarinet and bass clarinet – used at a sharper level, to bring out even more edge than Tim's instrument. The group also has some excellent piano from Matt Mitchell – whose acoustic lines are a masterpiece of space and strength – sometimes balanced by his own electronics, and use of vibes, timpani, and other percussion by Ches Smith, the group's drummer. The guitars of Ryan Ferreira are used selectively, but in a way that only increases their power – and titles include "Lost In Redding", "Angles", "You've Been Watching Me", "Semi-Self Detached", and "False Impressions".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: KENNY LATTIMORE – ANATOMY OF A LOVE SONG; CONFUNKSHUN – MORE THAN LOVE; JERRY LAWSON – JUST A MORTAL MAN

KENNY LATTIMORE – ANATOMY OF A LOVE SONG

Hailed by the New York Times as a modern soul man, Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter Kenny Lattimore is climbing the charts once again with another hit in the making: Love Me Back. The simple feel-good track is the lead single from Lattimore s seventh solo album, Anatomy of a Love Song. The project is the first release from the singer s eOne Music-distributed Sincere Soul Records. Says Lattimore, whose signature For You became an instant top 10 hit: This project brings together all the musical elements of songs I have loved throughout the years. From breakup and makeup songs, to the highs and lows I wanted to make sure this album touched everyone on my journey back to love. Focused on Lattimore s mesmerizing skill set tender vocals and penetrating, honest lyrics Anatomy of a Love Song reflects a 21st century perspective of love and relationships. To weave a seamless balance between modern and classic R&B, Lattimore recruited a production team comprised of established hitmakers like Carvin and Ivan Barias, J.R. Hudson, Rico Love, Vidal Davis, as well as the hot new production team The Sauce Boys. The set also features the songwriting contributions of such next-generation talents as Wreh Jolla, Jenna Hughes Taylor and Jamal McCoy as well as Lattimore himself. ~ Amazon

CONFUNKSHUN – MORE THAN LOVE

ConFunkShun is one of the great self-contained funk bands; since their 1976 breakthrough they have scored 18 Top 40 R&B hits, with 8 Top 10 smashes including such classics as Ffun, Chase Me and Electric Lady; lead vocalist Michael Cooper went on to a successful solo career with several Top 10 hits of his own; the band has re-united with Cooper and original second lead vocalist/multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Felton Pilate leading the way, wowing concert-goers across the country. More Than Love culminates the re-emergence of ConFunkShun with a beguiling 13-song set that captures that band at the peak of their powers. Produced by the same team behind Charlie Wilson s recent albums, More Than Love retains the classic ConFunkShun sound but with tastefully contemporary production. ~ Amazon

JERRY LAWSON – JUST A MORTAL MAN

With a capella group The Persuasions, Jerry Lawson made album after album (22 over 40 years), blending R&B, soul, pop, psychedelic rock, standards, doo-wop, jazz, and folk with voices alone. The Persuasions sang with Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Chuck Berry, Rod Stewart, and dozens more stars in the firmament of popular music - helping keep a cappella singing alive, while setting a new standard for the genre. Lawson's sweet and smoky lead baritone and his electrifying stage charisma defined the group s sound. Now, at age 71, Lawson is finally releasing an album of music under his own name: a solo debut, titled Just a Mortal Man, to be released on East Nashville label Red Beet Records. With the help of Grammy-nominated producer Eric Brace, Lawson transforms a selection of new and classic songs with his astonishingly rich voice. This is a chance for the world to hear one of the greatest singers ever, front and center, as he has never been heard before. "What Persuasions fans don't know is that all my life I've been wanting to record with instruments, says Lawson. Now I'm finally getting the chance." On Just a Mortal Man, Lawson covers songs recorded by soul greats David Ruffin and Bobby Blue Bland, as well as songs by Brace, Peter Cooper, Phil Lee, Ayo, Robert Hunter, and Paul Simon. The record features The McCrary Sisters and Jim Lauderdale as special guests. ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: IAN HERMAN / SEAN HARKNESS - DUET; JOYCE ELAINE YUILLE - WELCOME TO MY WORLD; RANDY ROBERTS & THE CAPITAL STROKES - CS

IAN HERMAN / SEAN HARKNESS - DUET

"Duet" is the dazzling joint venture from two of New York City's most ubiquitous musicians: pianist Ian Herman and guitarist Sean Harkness. Both are A-List arrangers, music directors, and accompanists for name brand artists and productions. This album is Ian and Sean sharing with you the music they compose on their own for the pure pleasure of creating. The all-original instrumental pieces include Jazz, Blues, Latin, Pop, and a little classical thrown in the mix. Ian and Sean met in the environment of accompanying great singers and theatre productions. Their musical and personal chemistry inspired them to explore their respective original compositions as duets. The results are extraordinary. If nothing else, it's a complete blast! Recorded live in the studio at Chung King Studios, New York by Ron Allaire.

JOYCE ELAINE YUILLE - WELCOME TO MY WORLD

Joyce Elaine Yuille co‐wrote most of the songs on the album, original compositions and her lyrics that reveal her profound nature through music – “I wrote a number of songs that kind of reflect my life situation, situations in my friends lives, world events, situations I see daily, maybe just walking down the streets.” Songs like “Late I Rise”, a tune that speaks about perseverance and staying positive, or “Come With Me (The Ride Is Free)”, where she urges us to forsake our biases, to refuse to partake in prejudices and judgement and just enjoy our time on earth, respecting others and ourselves. “A Time For Love Again”, composed by Marco Bianchi with Joyce’s lyrical skills, is another example of how this album goes beyond music and expresses a powerful and strong message: with this song Joyce speaks about disillusionment in love, telling us how thereʼs no sense in closing ourselves in a shell and giving into the fear of feeling and the ability to love again. We can all love again, reach out to others and feel amorous again. The album also includes some stand out covers, classics such as Marvin Gayeʼs “Itʼs Madness” and Donny Hathawayʼs “Trying Times”. The album features the renowned and astounding Finnish sax player Timo Lassy and his band – musicians who are amongst some of the best Jazz players on the international jazz scene. Timo and his guys bring that extra something, a subtlety with a powerful impact and a groove that was needed to fulfill the dream and the vision of Joyce Elaine Yuille. Joyce has excitedly stated, “these guys are wickedly fantastic, I keep telling everyone, donʼt close your eyes on Finnish Jazz scene, because these guys are really kicking major ”! She smiles…

RANDY ROBERTS & THE CAPITAL STROKES - CS

Randy Roberts & The Capital Strokes are a 12 element Italian funk outfit bringing the sound of mid 70s grooves directly into the now with a combination of tight musicianship and explosive energy. Led by frontman Randy Roberts, this group has become a stable presence at Porretta Soul Festival from 2012 onwards, and has taken their particular blend of funk, soul, jazz and R&B to clubs far and wide in Italy and beyond, such as Switzerland (including Estival in Lugano), Montenegro, Serbia and Romania. It’s no surprise that music runs in Randy‘s family, as his father, American singer Rocky Roberts, was a pioneer representative of soul and R&B in Italy who rose to fame in the 60s. Following in his father’s footsteps, for the past few years Randy“the Reverend” has been preaching a stone cold groove alongside Roman band The Capital Strokes. Opener "They Wanna Funk Me Up" immediately sets the pace of the album, with a riff that clearly draws from Curtis Mayfield's "Freddie's Dead" and provides a bridge between past and present. While "I Can't Do Without Love" channels Prince's classic song "Kiss" in an 80s-influenced blend of funk and rock. From first single "Oh Yeah" that fully displays the group's trademark sound, made of blasting horns and contagious rhythms, to anthem "Do It Like The Strokes" with its uptempo groove, or standout track "The Sound of Love" with its smooth vibes, "CS" delivers a powerful punch of sounds that is sure to place Randy Roberts & The Capital Strokes at the forefront of Italy's contemporary funk scene!

Guitar Virtuoso Scott Henderson To Release Instrumental Album For Guitar Trio “Vibe Station”

Guitar virtuoso Scott Henderson has finished his new album “Vibe Station”, the most ambitious project of his career! The highly anticipated instrumental album for guitar trio will be released on May 1, 2015.

Says Scott, “I'm really excited about this record because our trio has been touring a lot and that energy came through on all the performances. The music is still blues-based, but also has a lot of harmonic content. The big change is no vocals, which challenged me as a guitarist to write material which can be played in a vocal way on the guitar, while incorporating my own chord-melody style. I think fans will enjoy the scope of this record because it has elements of blues, rock, jazz and funk. There's something for everyone here.”

Scott also said that the majority of the songs are layered with multi guitar tracks, utilizing many different guitars, pedals, amps and speaker combinations, making it the most textural and versatile sounding album he's ever done. Travis Carlton on bass and Alan Hertz on drums make this project and live show very much groove-based.

Says Scott, “I need to see people moving in their seats. I'm not interested on putting on an intellectual show for musicians only. I don't believe I need to dumb down the music to appeal to people who aren't musicians, because when Travis and Alan play together, the groove is going to attack you whether you're a musician or not”.

Scott Henderson's impressive work over the years as co-leader of the group TRIBAL TECH, leader of his own ground breaking trio, and sideman to some of the best jazz artists of their generation, including the great Joe Zawinul, has elevated him to the front ranks of both Jazz and Blues. Besides being a world class player and premier composer, Scott's trademark is his beautiful tone and striking ability to blend Blues, Rock, Funk, and Jazz, creating a soulful and unique voice on the guitar.

 

NEW RELEASES: UB40 - PRESENT ARMS DELUXE EDITION; ZULEMA - JUST CAN'T SAY GOODBYE: THE BEST OF THE RCA YEARS; BETTY WRIGHT - THIS TIME FOR REAL

UB40 - PRESENT ARMS DELUXE EDITION

This new 3-CD Deluxe Edition brings together, for the first time, UB40’s 1981 album Present Arms and its companion release from later that same year, Present Arms In Dub. The album comes complete with new liner notes by respected reggae writer, David Katz. Released in May 1981, the platinum-selling Present Arms spent 38 weeks in the UK album chart where it reached the No. 2 position. Present Arms In Dub was released in October 1981 and spent seven weeks in the chart. In addition this new deluxe edition includes a 12” version of the Top 20 single, Don’t Slow Down plus BBC Radio 1 session tracks and a BBC Radio 1 concert, Live from the Paris Theatre, both recorded in 1981. Present Arms is the second album to be recorded by UB40 and it spawned two Top 20 UK hits, One In Ten and Don’t Let It Pass You By/Don’t Slow Down. Like their debut album release, it concerned itself with many socially and politically charged themes, resonating with the politically uncertain times of the early 1980s when unemployment was rife and race riots afflicted many of the country’s inner cities. One In Ten was an undisguised attack on the Thatcher government of the period. ~ Amazon

ZULEMA - JUST CAN'T SAY GOODBYE: THE BEST OF THE RCA YEARS

Originally a member of the trio, Faith Hope & Charity for almost three years (1968-1971), the Tampa, Florida-born trained pianists solo career began at Sussex Records. A much-lauded appearance at the push expo in Chicago in 1972 brought Zulema critical acclaim and in 1974, she signed with RCA. Just Cant Say Goodbye-The Best Of The RCA Years includes mostly self-composed tracks from each of Zulemas three albums " four from her self-titled 1975 label debut (including her version of Michael Jacksons 1st solo hit, Wanna Be Where You Are, a top 60 R&B charted single); nine of the ten tracks on her sophomore set, R.S.V.P. (including the Leroy Hutson/Donny Hathaway song, You Had To Know and Van McCoys It Will Never Be The Same Again); and four from her final RCA LP, Suddenly There Was You. After several personally challenging years, Zulema returned to Tampa and was the resident musician at her local church and passed away on September 30, 2013. This reissue includes original notes from the 1996 compilation and a personal tribute to Zulema by Soulmusic.com founder David Nathan. ~ Amazon

BETTY WRIGHT - THIS TIME FOR REAL

Betty Wright has been of the most well known and respected female Soul singers in a career that spans over 45 years. Her breakthrough million selling hit from 1971 Clean Up Woman is an iconic Soul sister track. Betty recorded eight albums for the Miami based Alston label part of Henry Stones TK empire between.1968 and 1979. Soul Brother Records have previously reissued two, Danger High Voltage from 1974 and Explosion from 1976. Betty's 1977 album This Time For Real is one of her most consistent if possibly overlooked albums and opens with the highly regarded modern soul dance record That Man of Mine (credited on the 45 as Man Of Mine both on the original US release and limited edition UK release on Soul Brother for Record Store Day 2015). Also here is the popular rare groove track If You Abuse My Love (You'll Lose My Love), the lush ballad A Sometime Kind of Thing and more quality outings like Brick Grits on an album produced in an original style. Betty Wright is still very popular today and her comeback album with The Roots Betty Wright The Movie has raised her profile further. She has appeared with Jools Holland on TV and regularly performs in the UK. ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: SAMY THIEBAULT QUARTET - A FEAST OF FRIENDS; JEFF BECK WITH THE HAN HAMMER GROUP - LIVE; SHEILA FORD - HERE YOU ARE

SAMY THIEBAULT QUARTET - A FEAST OF FRIENDS

This Ivory Coast born French saxophonist has been described as 'A Coltrane specialist in the best sense of the term at the same time as creative and original composer' (Le Nouvel Observateur). This is the second album on his own label and continues the development of a startling new voice on the jazz scene. Already known as sideman for Eric Legnini, Christian Escoudé, Gregory Porter, Lionel & Stéphane Belmondo, Manhu Roche and others, now Thiebault with his group has released a modern jazz album based around powerful jazz covers of the Doors that should propel him to the forefront of the European jazz scene. ~ Amazon

JEFF BECK WITH THE HAN HAMMER GROUP - LIVE

The tour for live recordings of The Jeff Beck With The Jan Hammer Group - Live began in June 1976 and ended in February 1977, with 117 shows performed. Not all precise dates and locations are given for the live recordings. Jeff Beck toured to promote 'Wired', backed by a jazz fusion group led by synthesizer player Jan Hammer. This live album combines songs from 'Blow by Blow' and 'Wired' (both available on 180 gm vinyl). Songs as 'Freeway Jam', 'She's a Woman', and 'Scatterbrain' are on the album. A&R man Tom Werman suggests that the date at the Astor Theater in Reading yielded the best performances. Beck mixed this along with other recordings at Allen Toussaint's studio in New Orleans. The songs are, later on, also mixed by Dennis Weinreich at Scorpio Sound Studios in London, England. The album was #11 in the Jazz Albums in 1977. During the same year, it was placed 23 in the Billboard 200. Also available on 180 gm vinyl: BLOW BY BLOW / WIRED ~ Amazon

SHEILA FORD - HERE YOU ARE

Sheila Ford has finally released her 'Here You Are' LP with much awaited anticipation from many. Sheila Ford has been singing Jazz, Blues and Dance for most of career. Listening to her smooth tones and lucid intonation denote that she is a trained vocalist, and has worked with many legendary coaches and producers when she was very young. You can hear it in her crisp confidence and broad range. Already a treasure of the US and a favorite of the world, Sheila Ford and her soulful tones, vocal quality and perfect cadence is no stranger to the music world, jazz, blues, and dance. This LP is an array of melodic productions that only touch the skillful surface of a star. She has been working with DJ Spen and a team of other producers and composers over the years, and this release gives you a historic momentary glance into who she is. Unparalleled in her vocal talents, Sheila has the unique ability to mimic instrumental sounds with vocal improvisations of scatting, which have become her signature technique in addition to her soulful jazz styling. On this LP, she is paired with writers, producers, and composers from around the world. Having various producers and remixers gives Sheila an opportunity to show that she has it all, and can do it all. The songs range from classic smooth jazz, to energetic dance, to percolating Latin rhythms, and soulful songs that demonstrate her extensive talent. Featured producers on this LP are Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, Atjazz, DJ Spen, Michele Chiavarini, Dimitri From Paris, John Morales, Joey Negro, and Gary Hudgins. ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: RETURN TO FOREVER – ELECTRIC LADY STUDIO, NYC, JUNE 1975; TORE BRUNBORG - SLOW SNOW; CEDELL DAVIS - LAST MAN STANDING

RETURN TO FOREVER – ELECTRIC LADY STUDIO, NYC, JUNE 1975

Return To Forever are firmly established as one of the most important fusion bands in history. Featuring the classic line-up of Chick Corea (keyboards and synthesizer), Al DiMeola (guitar), Stanley Clarke (bass) and Lenny White (drums), this remarkable set was taped in the summer of 1975 for FM radio broadcast to promote their classic No Mystery album, and is presented here with background notes and rare images. Includes: Band Intros, Dayride, Beyond The 7th Ga1axy, The Shadow Of Lo, No Mystery, Vulcan Worlds, and Celebration Suite. ~ Amazon

TORE BRUNBORG - SLOW SNOW

On a per-capita basis, no other country in the world spawns more top-class jazz musicians than Norway. Although highly respected in the Norwegian jazz scene, Brunborg has until now been known internationally as a sideman for Arild Andersen, Jon Christensen, Jon Balke, Nils Petter Molvær, Geir Lysne's Listening Ensemble and Tord Gustavsen, and then ultimately with international stars such as Billy Cobham, Pat Metheny and Manu Katché who has said 'Listen to Tore. I can't explain it, he just does it'. However this year, the 54 year-old brings out his own international release, his ACT debut 'Slow Snow'. Brunborg shows something on "Slow Snow" that many of his colleagues knew but audiences were not yet aware of, right from the start on 'Shelter', that he is an outstanding melodic composer and a pianist of masterful touch. ~Amazon

CEDELL DAVIS - LAST MAN STANDING

CeDell Davis is an 88 year old blues legend whose ancient, dusty voice sounds as rich as the Mississippi Delta he grew next to. In the 1950s he played slide guitar with the great Robert Nighthawk before becoming a solo artist himself. This new studio album represents songs from his long and storied career, with an all-star backing band that includes guitarist Jimbo Mathus, drummer Barrett Martin, bassist Stu Cole, and guitarists Greg and Zakk Binns. This album is must have for anyone who loves the dirty delta blues, and CeDell Davis is one of the greats. Also included in this 2 CD package is CeDell's previous album, "When Lightnin' Struck The Pine", featuring Peter Buck of REM on guitar. This collection is a must have for anyone who loves the dirty delta blues, and CeDell Davis is one of the greats." ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: JOE FARRELL - ORIGINAL ALBUM CLASSICS: JOE FARRELL QUARTET / OUTBACK / PENNY ARCADE / UPON THIS ROCK / CANNED FUNK; JOSE FELICIANO - THAT THE SPIRIT NEEDS / MEMPHIS MENU / COMPARTMENTS; HAMILTON DE HOLANDA - WORLD OF PIXINGUINHA

JOE FARRELL - ORIGINAL ALBUM CLASSICS: JOE FARRELL QUARTET / OUTBACK / PENNY ARCADE / UPON THIS ROCK / CANNED FUNK

A CTI powerhouse – five full albums from reedman Joe Farrell, each packaged in a tiny LP-styled sleeve! First up is Joe Farrell Quartet – a stellar session that's easily one of the early high points for the legendary CTI label! Farrell bursts forth as one heck of a soulful cat – working on these great modal grooves that slide out wonderfully and really have a sense of flow – a style that's different than Joe's later material, but equally powerful! Part of the strength of the record comes from the lineup – a key quintet of like-mined up-and-comers that includes Chick Corea on keyboards, John McLaughlin on guitar, Dave Holland on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – players who definitely know the farther reaches of jazz, yet hang just on the inside here with Joe – providing some amazing accompaniment for his lines on soprano, tenor, and flute. Titles include "Molten Glass", "Song Of The Wind", "Motion", "Follow Your Heart", and "Circle In The Square". Next is Outback – a drawn-out quintet side, with Chick Corea on electric piano, Buster Williams on bass, Elvin Jones on drums, and Airto on percussion. Farrell was playing with Jones at the time, and the album's got some of their strong choppy reed/percussion interplay – but with a sharpness and focus that you don't always hear on Elvin's records! Tracks are all long – and titles include "Outback", "Sound Down", and "Bleeding Orchid". Penny Arcade has grooves so sharp you could cut your trousers on them! Farrell's angular reed style is in perfect form here – grooving with a small group that includes Herbie Hancock on piano, Joe Beck on guitar, Steve Gadd on drums, and Don Alias on percussion – a combo that's got a harder, tighter feel than most CTI groups – a key reason why Joe's records of this time are so legendary! The album features a fantastic version of Stevie Wonder's "Too High" – one that breaks all over the beginning with these riffs by Farrell, then grooves into a CTI electric funk mode for about 13 minutes. All tracks are long – and other tracks include "Hurricane Jane", "Geo Blue", "Penny Arcade", and "Cloud Cream". Upon This Rock is wonderful – and there's a lean, edgey groove to the set that's totally great – a lot more bite than usual for CTI, thanks to these wonderfully angular lines from Joe on tenor, soprano sax, and flute – backed up with some wicked guitar work from Joe Beck, who really matches Farrell's energy – in a core quartet with Herb Bushler on bass and Jim Madison on drums. One cut features a guest group – with Herbie Hancock on piano, Steve Gadd on drums, and Don Alias on percussion – and the album includes the massively break-heavy title cut "Upon This Rock", plus "Seven Seas", "I Won't Be Back", and "Weathervane". Last up is Canned Funk – a record that's as fresh and freaky as the classic image on the cover! The riffing rhythms get going right from the start – some amazing lines from a rhythm combo that includes Joe Beck on guitar, Herb Bushler on bass, Jim Madison on drums, and the mighty Ray Mantilla on percussion – adding in these extra changes and fills that really get the tunes moving wonderfully – providing a perfect platform for Joe Farrell's wonderful work on tenor, soprano, baritone, and flute! The sax lines are as angular as the rhythms – tight, choppy, and completely funky – no wonder the record's a CTI classic that folks have dug for years! Tracks are all nice and long – and titles include "Canned Funk", "Animal", and "Spoken Silence".  ~ Dusty Groove

JOSE FELICIANO - THAT THE SPIRIT NEEDS / MEMPHIS MENU / COMPARTMENTS

A trio of wonderful albums from Jose Feliciano – all brought together here in a single set! First up is That The Spirit Needs – a sublime one from Jose! The record pushes past the easy Latin pop style of the late 60s, and features Jose working through hip rock tunes – both of his own creation, and by writers like Elton John and Cat Stevens. The real highlight of the album is an incredible reading of "Wild World" – done with a mix of fast guitar, strings, and even a bit of Brazilian-tinged scatting that breaks down in the middle and always makes us stop cold! The rest of the record's almost as good, and titles include "Daytime Dreams", "Mellow Feeling", "Come Down Jesus", "Pay Day", and "Only Once". Memphis Menue is an excellent album from Jose Feliciano – recorded with a lot of Memphis soul influences, as the title indicates, but still with that beautifullly jazzy style that he was using in his earlier LA recordings. Steve Cropper helped produced and arrange with Jose, and the Memphis Horns back up the group on a number of tracks. The real charm, though, is Jose – whose breezy vocals and sweet guitar work is right up there with his best work of the time, a sublime mix of soul, strings, jazz, and Chicano grooves. Titles include "River Song", "Magnolia", "One More Mile", "Never Leave You", "It Doesn't Matter", "Where Is My Woman", and "Movin". Compartments is sparklingly soulful work from Jose Feliciano – a key early 70s effort, and one that shows the growing sensitivity in his music – the move way past simple covers of other people's songs, even though those were pretty great too! Jose's voice has gotten even more compelling in the process, and he's also developing a bit as a songwriter too – most notably on the album's title track, which was co-written with Bill Withers. Steve Cropper helped produce, but the album's way more in Jose's bag than Cropper's – and titles include a great version of "Yes We Can Can", plus "Simple Song", "Compartments", "Sea Cruise", "I'm Leavin", "Things Are Changin", "Peace Of Mind", "Hey Look At The Sun", and "Don't Fail". ~ Dusty Groove

HAMILTON DE HOLANDA - WORLD OF PIXINGUINHA

A gorgeous tribute to the genius of the great Pixinguinha – headed by bandolim player Hamilton De Holanda, and featuring a top-shelf array of guests that includes Richard Galliano, Chucho Valdes, Omar Sosa, Stefano Bollani, and Wynton Marsalis! Given Pixinguinha's more familiar expressions on reeds – the approach here is a really nice change, and quite different than other tributes to his music over the years – very personal and poetic in the way that Hamilton approaches the tunes, and given extra special inflections by the guests. Most numbers are just duo tracks, without any larger instrumentation – which takes the choro form to its roots, on titles that include "Naquele Tempo", "Ingenuo", "Rosa", "Seu Lourenco No Vinho", "Capricho De Pixinguinha", "Cancao Da Odalisca", and "Um A Zero".  ~ Dusty Groove