Lesiman – Here & Now Vol.1 & 2 (2CD) (Schema Easy Series)

Funky and abstract atmospheres, dark and dramatic moments, exotic solutions and soul drifts – everything contributes to create a unique music soundscape – 70s library music by the Italian soundtrack composer Paolo Renosto, who released his library music compositions under the alias “Lesiman”.

“Music especially created for films, television, radio, publicity and industrial use”. The disclaimer coming with these two records – Here And Now 1 & 2 – puts a smile on our lips and brings us back to more culturally innocent and naive times. A quick listen is enough to realize that this is top quality material (even if often hidden behind weird and mysterious titles), which can’t be compared to anything released in recent times.

Paolo Renosto, the person behind the moniker Lesiman and the author of these two albums, was a composer, an experimenter, a music teacher and a piano player – an artist with the amazing skill of mixing together pop(ular) atmospheres and learned quotes. Born in Florence in 1935 (he died in Reggio Calabria in 1988), Renosto studied with Luigi Dallapiccola and Bruno Maderna; he also was a member of the Associazione Nuova Consonanza of Roma. He obviously joined, for some time, the renowned Gruppo d’Improvvisazione, with Franco Evangelisti and Domenico Guaccero.

When he started collaborating with RAI, he began working in the field of sound dubbing – which he contributed to radically change, mixing different influences such as jazz and orchestral music to create music for tv shows. His long artistic career developed around many partnerships, following different paths, always in complete freedom: Renosto worked for theatre, but also wrote – with his friend and colleague Ennio Morricone – wonderful movie soundtracks. Like the one used for the cult horror movie Un angelo per Satana (directed by Camillo Mastrocinque in 1966) or that of Irene, Irene (directed by Peter Del Monte); but he also worked – almost anonymously – on many western and “poliziotteschi” movies.

Then, and we’re talking about the two amazing albums you’re holding in your hands right now, Renosto/Lesiman created many high profile sound dubbings which are now very rare collector items. Besides the Here And Now series, devoted to funk and criminal-jazz, Lesiman recorded other gems deserving to be rediscovered, like High Tension (another series) for the iconic Vedette label.

It’s hard to choose one of these two reissued volumes: they create some kind of unique body of work and they’re best enjoyed as a whole. In volume one you can find one of the most famous tracks of his career in sound dubbing – the hypnotic and contemporary sounding Moto centripeto – but also other brilliant compositions such as Bagliori, Via nell’autunno, Le regole del gioco and Segni cromatici.

Volume two, on the other hand, features the famous Playcar – which was sampled by rapper Fabri Fibra – with its swing and lounge mood; but also Permanenza, Controcorrente, Ciclo interrotto and Cristalli.

Originally releasesd on Vedettre Records Vol.1 in 1973 end Vol.2 in 1974.

Tracklisting:

CD1 (Here & Now Vol.1)

01. Bagliori

02. Impulsi

03. Cerchio Doppio

04. Moto Centripeto

05. Via Nell’Autunno

06. Direzioni

07. Segni Cromatici

08. Colloquio

09. Terminale

10. Le Regole Del Gioco

11. Rollin’

12. Melos Blue

13. Passaggio

14. Relazioni

CD2 (Here & Now Vol.2)

01. Permanenza

02. Controcorrente

03. Radura

04. Confronto

05. Messaggio

06. Telescrivente

07. Stabilità

08. Schegge

09. Diversioni

10. Derivazione

11. Plycar

12. Cristalli

13. Ciclo Interrotto

14. Ripresa

~ grooveattack.com

Santa Cruz Cali Surf/Roots/Reggae Band ANIMO CRUZ to Release Second EP WHY NOT

Animo Cruz is a surf/roots reggae band from Santa Cruz, California that started out as a live roots jam band lead by singer and songwriter, Mo El-Sherif. With Mo as lead singer/songwriter, the core of the band is comprised of five talented members: Bert Javier (guitar/vocals), Zack "Nutty" Donoghue (Bass), Ben Lindsey (Lead Guitar), Kevin Eichorn (keyboards) and Jordan Speyer (drums).

Animo Cruz has quickly grown to become one of Santa Cruz's premiere Cali Reggae groups and was invited to perform at the 6th annual California Roots Music and Arts Festival in Monterey, CA held May 22-24, 2015. The festival included bands such as Tribal Seeds, Iration, Fortunate Youth, Cypress Hill and Slightly Stoopid.

Animo Cruz is set to release their much-anticipated second EP titled Why Not on June 9th, 2015. The EP includes six original songs and is once again produced by E.N Young of Roots Musician Records featuring guest performances by E.N Young and Imperial Sound Recording artists. The Why Not EP is a live recording with track overlays. The EP is meant to capture the spirit of the Santa Cruz lifestyle the band was developed and founded in.

Animo Cruz's first EP, Morning Light, was released in June of 2014 and was also produced by E.N Young. It featured guest performances by E.N Young of Tribal Seeds, Eddie Blunt of High Tide and Deejay Skanks of SRP.

Why Not will be available starting June 9th on over 35 online digital outlets including iTunes, amazon.com, Spotify, Shazam, Google Play, Rhapsody, Facebook, YouTube, Pandora and more. Learn more about Animo Cruz at Animomusic.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnimoSantaCruz and Twitter @animo_santacruz, #animocruz.

Animocruz will be touring the month of June with Third World and House of Shem, a roots reggae band from New Zealand.

Animo Cruz was formerly known as Animo.

Animo Cruz June Tour Dates: 

June 9 EP Release Party at Crow's Nest, Santa Cruz

June 19 with House of Shem, Salinas, CA

June 21 with house of Shem, San Luis Obispo, CA at SLO Brew

June 23 with Fayuka, Santa Cruz, CA at Catalyst

June 25 with Third World, Ventura, CA

June 26 with House of Shem and Third World, San Diego at Belly

June 27 Harrah's Club Pool Party, San Diego, CA

June 27 w/ House of Shem and Third World

Saxophonist Person Natalie Releases New Contemporary Jazz Album 'Deep As Ocean'

'Deep As Ocean' is the name of the second album the saxophonist known as "Person Natalie" has released with Australian composer and producer David Lewis Luong of Relaxation Cafe fame.

Natalie cites a wide range of influences for her musical ideas and songs, with a prior single release entitled 10-59 Charlie, as well as an EP she self-produced with the help of her father, a guitarist/bassist. When she was approached by Mr. Luong to record some tracks with him, "I was more than thrilled," she says. "I really enjoy David's jazz compositions, in particular his piano playing is so inspirational and beautiful. And the fact that he plays trumpet, I am a big fan of brass instruments, so I was very happy to be working with him."

What was great about this album was David's flexibility and approach to it: "He suggested that I come up with some of my favorite melodic riffs, whatever I like, then he would tailor the songs around where the saxophone was going. I really liked that idea- it offered me a chance to expand on a couple of different things, with no restrictions as to a specific set of chord changes or form."

The result is a contemporary jazz album, or acid jazz lounge, as it is referred to by Mr. Luong. It has some ethereal sounding bass that seems to both simultaneously float out into the stratosphere in 'Azure Sky' and effervesce into the depths of the deep blue in the title track 'Deep As Ocean'. Add to that some mellow and pensive guitar riffs that have a nice layering effect, some funky Rhodes keyboard grooves, cool trumpet sounds, and of course Natalie's mellifluous alto sax. Overall, a real feel-good album with a nice chill vibe. So take a dive into 'Deep As Ocean' which is available for download now on itunes, amazon and spotify. You can check out a few of the tracks from the album at her website http://www.personnataliemusic.com/ as well as some of her previously released material.

Singer/songwriter and harmonica virtuoso Scott Albert Johnson releases his second album, "Going Somewhere"

Singer and songwriter and harmonica virtuoso Scott Albert Johnson releases his second album, "Going Somewhere." A sonic distillation gleaned from the finesse of jazz, the grit of blues rock and the groove of funk, "Going Somewhere" reflects the human journey.

“The theme of this album, 'Going Somewhere,' is our motion – individually or collectively – towards some destination, known or unknown,” says Johnson. “The title track kicks off the album with a confident declaration of the main character’s destiny, while the final acoustic song (‘Fragments’) is a more pensive and thoughtful recognition of all the things that we don’t understand about the universe and ourselves. The hope is that the songs in between flesh out this theme.”

Born in St. Louis and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Johnson was exposed to the varietal stock of American music. He quickly connected with blues, but was later influenced by musicians such The Police, Peter Gabriel, Led Zeppelin, Louis Armstrong and Bob Dylan. Johnson has drawn from these artists’ unique styles and channeled them all into his own sound.

“I've always felt most influenced by artists who are kind of what I would call ‘triple-threats.’ They sing well, they play at least one instrument very well, and they write great songs. I take each of these three parts of the equation as seriously as any other part. I also feel most “in tune” with artists who kind of are ‘their own genre,’ borrowing from many different kinds of music. I hope my music reflects that.”

Johnson has been named one of the “Hot 100” Harmonica players worldwide by The Harmonica Company. He won the 2013-2014 Performing Arts Fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission. Previously named one of Mississippi’s “future Grammy hopefuls,” Johnson performed at the inaugural Mississippi Grammy Celebration with renowned artists like Marty Stuart and James Burton.

Grammy® Award-Winning Producer and Premiere Bassist, Andrew Gouché, Releases Debut Solo Album 'We Don’t Need No Bass’

Grammy® Award-winning producer and premiere bassist, Andrew Gouché, releases debut solo album, We Don't Need No Bass, the anticipated contemporary jazz project featuring vocalists Fred Hammond and Jackie Gouché on Prayze Connection Entertainment, available now at iTunes.

With over 30 years experience as the bassist for many Gospel and R&B legends as Prince and the New Power Generation, Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson, Andraé Crouch, The Winans, and musical director for Chaka Khan, We Don't Need No Bass speaks to Andrew's gospel roots but also showcases a broader musical gift blending Jazz and R&B into a soulful variety of songs. Although a self-proclaimed church musician, Gouché shows the world, with this album, that he is much more as the project reaches out to music lovers of all ages and genres.

After working with some of everyone across all genres, Gouché decided it was time to complete his long-time effort. "I created this project because, after years of supporting many wonderful artists on stage as well as on recordings, I realized that I have my own voice," states Gouché. "God has given me the gift of music, and allowed me to create music that I believe will be a blessing to people all over the world."

We Don't Need No Bass covers a lot of ground and takes the listener on a musical expedition. The title track, "We Don't Need No Bass," is an interlude with Gouché speaking about actual experiences playing in church, while "Eleanor Rigby & The Vamp," an arrangement of his favorite Beatles song, ensures the listener that the project has something for everyone. From "Sundays," a warm, beautiful melody, all performed on the bass guitar, to "Jump Start," the funky, high-energy piece with a beat that makes you want to dance, the project then encourages you to reminisce with a "Secret Place," originally recorded by the gospel group "Commissioned," featuring Fred Hammond on vocals, and "Way Back When," a soulful reminder of how music was done back in the day, before the advent of technology. You're then hit with "Geronimo," a funky, upbeat song that takes you in different directions and just when you think you've heard it all, you're pleasingly delighted with the cleverly created rendition of "No Ways Tired," a tribute to Rev. James Cleveland and it wouldn't be a complete Gouché project if he didn't honor his signature bass with the song "MTD4Lyfe." Ending the journey on a high note is "Early In The Morning," a tribute to his favorite bass player, Robert Wilson of the Gap Band.

A world-renowned bassist, musical director, producer and composer, he is best known for his creatively original bass lines and a unique sound that bass players around the world have sought to emulate. His distinctive-sound is the core of the Andrew Gouché signature line of bass guitars. Having graced the cover of Bass Player Magazine and featured in several industry interviews over the years, he has been tagged as a Gospel music legend.

"I've known Andrew Gouché for almost 30 years and to call him a bass legend is an understatement," states John P. Kee. "He literally invented a style and sound that has been copied by musicians of all genres! But let it be known because of his ability to transcend and stay relevant, his genuine musicianship and authenticity will keep him in a class of his own!"

His list of credits include, but not inclusive to, industry greats as Rev. James Cleveland, Andrae Crouch, Quincy Jones, Julio Iglesias, Madonna, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Earth, Wind & Fire, Aretha Franklin, Y'anna, Hidden Beach Unwrapped Series, Jimmy Reid, LA Jazz Syndicate, Smokey Robinson, Patti LaBelle, Judith Hill, Kirk Franklin, Donna Summer, Gladys Knight, Yolanda Adams, Dianne Warren, Heather Headley, The Winans, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Rev John P. Kee, Edwin Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Rev James Moore, Mississippi Mass Choir, The Mighty Clouds of Joy and a host of others.

Adding to his credits, Gouché earned a Grammy for his work on Mary Mary’s album “Thankful,” where he received full writing and production credits for his version of “Wade in the Water.”

A true pioneer, he has made an indelible mark on the history of Gospel music with the addition of bass guitar when there was none in church. Today, bass guitar is a must-have in churches across America. Andrew Gouché has paved the way and inspired today's generation of Gospel and R&B bassists.

Les Paul Icon Celebrates His 100th Anniversary, His Greatest Hits, Both Instrumental and Featuring Vocals by Mary Ford, out now Eleven-track collection includes material from Capitol and Decca years

June 9th marked the actual 100th birthday of Les Paul, creator of the electric solid body guitar, multi-track recording and numerous other innovations used by musicians every day.  And in celebration, Universal Music Enterprises has released Les Paul Icon, an 11-track selection of greatest hits culled from his Capitol and Decca years, featuring vocals by then-wife Mary Ford.

Additionally, four of Les Paul's most monumental albums, The New Sound, The New Sound Vol. 2, Bye Bye Blues, and The Hit Makers are available digitally now and two of the instrumental Decca EPs from his heyday, 1949's Hawaiian Paradise and 1952's Galloping Guitars, will be released digitally on iTunes for the first time as separate titles on June 9, what would have been his 100th birthday.

Born Lester William Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on June 9, 1915, Paul started playing harmonica at the age of eight before learning the piano and then switching to guitar. An innovator from the beginning, Paul invented the neck-worn harmonica holder that enabled him to accompany himself on guitar at the same time.  He then experimented by wiring a photograph needle to the acoustic instrument, connecting it to a radio speaker to amplify his sound.  While still in his teens, Paul created the first solid-body electric guitar with a two-foot piece of rail from a train line. He eventually built his most famous instrument in 1940, the Gibson Les Paul, dubbed "The Log"—from a chunk of 4x4 pine with strings and a pick-up—after hours at an Epiphone factory.  Later on, he revolutionized the art of making records by introducing multi-track, sound-on-sound recording techniques still used to this day, including tape delay and phasing effects.

Paul met a country singer named Iris Colleen Summers in 1945, and the two began working together three years later after she adopted the stage name of Mary Ford, marrying in 1949. During the seminal years of their recording career as a duet for Capitol Records starting in the early 1950s, Paul and Ford incorporated his sound-on-sound recording techniques, masterful guitar playing and her vocal styling and released four, landmark albums that contained their interpretations of songs that were destined to become standards and, in large part, classics of the Great American Songbook—with a balance of instrumental performances and with Mary singing upfront. 

Among their first hits are classics like the No. 1 1951 record "How High the Moon" (inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame), the No. 2 "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise," the Top 10 "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" and the chart-topping "Vaya Con Dios" (also in the Grammy Hall of Fame), the latter was the theme song to the pair's popular TV show. These songs all featured Ford harmonizing with herself (thanks to Paul's multi-tracking innovation), utilizing "close miking" techniques over her husband's multiple guitars. Those pop hits, as well as instrumental tracks that spotlighted Paul's "galloping" solo guitar work, such as "Guitar Boogie," "Brazil," "Caravan," "Blue Skies" and "Begin the Beguine," are highlighted on Les Paul Icon.

The jazz, country and blues guitarist, songwriter, luthier and inventor was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an "architect" in 1988 by Jeff Beck, who said, "I've copied more licks from Les Paul than I'd like to admit."  He is one of only a few artists with a permanent, stand-alone exhibit at the Cleveland landmark, and the only person included in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. His innovative playing style included such now-standard techniques as licks, trills, chording sequences and timing which have revolutionized the instrument. 

The Les Paul 100th Anniversary includes a star-studded musical launch event in New York, a national PSA campaign giving youth a chance to "Pledge to Invent," a tribute concert in New York City, a new interactive website, new merchandise, educational grants, media promotions and the kick-off of a national tour aptly called "Les Paul's Big Sound Experience." 

Anderson Cooper of CNN said that "It is literally true that what is now known as modern American music would not be what it is today without Les Paul." 

"The man is a genius. Whenever you turn on your amplifier, that's Les Paul," BB King once said.

Les Paul Icon

1.Guitar Boogie             

2.Brazil                   

3.Caravan                      

4.How High the Moon (Les Paul and Mary Ford)          

5.The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise (Les Paul and Mary Ford)         

6.Lover (When You're Near Me)          

7.Tiger Rag (Les Paul and Mary Ford)  

8.Blue Skies       

9.Begin the Beguine

10.Vaya Con Dios (Les Paul and Mary Ford)

11.I'm Sitting on Top of the World (Les Paul and Mary Ford)

LEE RITENOUR ANNOUNCES "A TWIST OF RIT" / NEW ALBUM DUE FOR RELEASE JULY 2015

Lee Ritenour (born Lee Mack Ritenour on January 11, 1952 in Los Angeles, CA) has maintained a delicate balance between the individual creative vision and the group dynamic, since the beginning of his career. He did his first session work in the late ’60s with the Mamas and the Papas, who dubbed him Captain Fingers for demonstrating incredible dexterity while still in his teens. Since his early recordings in the 1970s, he has earned a GRAMMY Award and 19 GRAMMY nominations, numerous #1 spots on guitar polls, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian SJ Awards, and a prestigious “Alumnus of the Year” Award from the University of Southern California. He has recorded more than 40 albums that have yielded 35 chart songs. As a young guitarist, he put his combination of diverse musical styles and brilliant technical chops to work on more than 3,000 sessions with a broad spectrum of artists, and was a founding member of Fourplay, which is considered the most successful group in contemporary jazz.

Lee celebrated five decades as a guitarist in 2010 with the release of 6 String Theory, which features Steve Lukather, Neal Schon, John Scofield, Slash, Mike Stern, George Benson and B.B. King. The album also introduced Andy McKee, Joe Robinson and Guthrie Govan. The record was in conjunction with his first multi-national 6 String Theory Competition, sponsored by Yamaha, Berklee College of Music, Montreux Jazz Festival, Blue Note Tokyo, Crown of the Continents Guitar Workshop and Festival, Monster, Premier Guitar, Jazz Monthly, Music Connection, Concord Records and D’Addario.

The Six String Theory competition continues to grow, and has now expanded to include a Rhythm Section competition for Piano, Bass and Drums. In 2012, the Grand Prize winners were honored to appear with Lee on Rhythm Sessions, which also features luminaries such as Chick Corea, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Dave Grusin, Marcus Miller and many others. The 2014 winners will also perform with Ritenour during his concert at the Montreux Jazz Festival, which will also be filmed in HD. Additional prizes awarded include four Berklee College of Music scholarships. The guitar finalist will record on Ritenour’s forthcoming 2015 Concord release, A Twist of Rit, and will also compete for a deal with Concord Records, plus Yamaha instruments and endorsements will be awarded as well as Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop & Festival Scholarships and more. The competition which debuted in 2010 with the release of Ritenour’s all-star guitar recording 6 String Theory, has become a highly anticipated staple for aspiring musicians of the guitar, bass drums and piano/keyboard, providing them with professional and recording opportunities, educational scholarships, mentoring and prizes.

“When I first started this competition it was my hope it would grow to become a valuable entity that would have the support of so many established musicians in mentoring aspiring ones,” says Ritenour. “In four short years we have reached incredible goals and I couldn’t be more thrilled and grateful to have so many artists be part of this extraordinary musical process and journey.”

CONCORD MUSIC GROUP TO REISSUE COMPREHENSIVE BILL EVANS COLLECTION: THE COMPLETE FANTASY RECORDING

Concord Music Group is pleased to announce the reissue of The Complete Fantasy Recordings of Bill Evans. Set for a July 17th street date, the nine-CD box set celebrates one of the most influential jazz pianists in history with 98 studio and live performances: Evans’ complete body of work for the Fantasy label during the seven-year period closely preceding his untimely death in 1980. As a special bonus, a fascinating 1978 interview with Evans at the piano is included, conducted by Marian McPartland for her National Public Radio show. Completing the box is a 62-page illustrated booklet with an essay by music critic and biographer Gene Lees and detailed notes on each of the 11 sessions by longtime Evans manager and producer Helen Keane.  Previously out of print, the box set will return to store shelves in new, sleek and compact 5” x 5” packaging.

In these solo, duo, trio and quintet performances with the likes of Tony Bennett, Kenny Burrell, Eddie Gomez, Philly Joe Jones, Lee Konitz and Marty Morell, Bill Evans is revealed as a commanding artist at the peak of his powers. The Complete Fantasy Recordings includes such albums as Evans’ GRAMMY®-nominated label debut, The Tokyo Concert, his celebrated first duet album with Tony Bennett, The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album and Evans’ only solo recording for Fantasy, the GRAMMY®-nominated Alone (Again).

In his liner notes, Gene Lees writes of Evans, “I remember my amazement not so much at the brilliance of the playing—itself cause enough for wonder—as at the emotional content of the music…His playing spoke to me in an intensely personal way. And as the years have gone by, I have discovered that he had the same effect on many people.” Indeed, in the 35 years since his passing, Bill Evans’ legacy and influence continues to grow.

The Complete Fantasy Recordings joins several recent and forthcoming releases celebrating the career of Bill Evans. Aside from a handful of reissued albums on vinyl, fans can also look forward to CD box set reissue The Complete Riverside Recordings this fall, while highly acclaimed deluxe LP box sets The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 and The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings hit store shelves this past winter and spring, respectively.

RANDY SCOTT – SERENITY; CANTO GENERAL FEATURING LOUIS MOHOLO-MOHOLO – REBEL FLAMES; NICOLAY – CITY LIGHTS VOL. 3: SOWETO

RANDY SCOTT – SERENITY

With gold, platinum and multiplatinum records to his credit as well as invitations to perform for two US presidents, gifted saxophonist Randy Scott emerges once again from the studio with a long awaited new project that is sure to add to his long list of musical accolades. Perfectly straddling the worlds of Gospel and Jazz, Scott has found a strong voice in both genres and with Serenity his 6thstudio album, his flair for conjuring up compelling musical portraits has never been more evident. Gracefully and effortlessly moving between the tenor, alto and soprano Scott has a complete mastery of his instrument and his flavor is robust and satisfying. Whether it s throwing down the funk on tracks like Funky Enough or gentle atmospherics like Mellow Flow this collection of musical sketches is fully satisfying, presenting a ride with great dynamic flow covering a variety of moods and vibes. Enlisting once again the supporting help of many of his long time Detroit collaborators the CD boasts a strong sense of cohesion with the interplay carrying the day. Serenity is more than the title implies, it signals that Scott has found peace in and with the gift that he has been given and presents his gratitude through this new collective inviting you to come along as his journey continues. Top notch! ~ Amazon

CANTO GENERAL FEATURING LOUIS MOHOLO-MOHOLO – REBEL FLAMES

Wonderfully soulful work from drummer Louis Moholo Moholo – heard here in the company of Canto General – an Italian group, but one whose music is awash in South American inspiration! Reedman Roberto Ottaviano is in the quintet – and he sounds better here than we've heard him in years – blowing with this rich tone alongside trumpeter Pino Minafra, in a musical partnership that almost takes us back to the spirit of Gato Barbieri's Latin America projects of the early 70s! Pianist Livio Minafra brings a real sense of majesty to the music, too – almost a Cuban balance of lyricism and rhythm, which makes for a perfect fit with Moholo's drums and the bass of Roberto Bellatalla. The group perform tunes by some of Moholo's older contemporaries – Harry Miller, Keith Tippett, Dudu Pukwana, and Mongezi Feza – and titles include "Orange Grove", "Thoughts To Geoff", "Dedicated To Mingus", "Angel Normali", and "You Ain't Gonna Know Me Cos You Think You Know Me". ~ Dusty Groove

NICOLAY – CITY LIGHTS VOL. 3: SOWETO

Brightly lit, breezily soulful grooves from Nicolay's globetrotting City Lights series – inspired by a +FE's tour stop in South Africa – and it may be the best yet! One thing we love about the series, and the Soweto entry in particular, is that Nicolay isn't out to copy the exact sounds you'd hear in classic or contemporary South African dance music, as much as he's doing his own distinct thing, as inspired by it. Some occasional vocals, especially the spoken narrative passages by Nomusa Nzima set the Soweto scene, and the South African rhythmic sensibility is a big part of the vibe, but it's got a broad, richly appealing vibe overall.. The keyboards walk the line between spacey and sophisticated, there's some great vocal contributions from Phonte, Carmen Rodgers and Tamisha Waden. Wonderful! Includes "Tomorrow", "It's In The Way That You Smile", "Aurora", "Sun Rings/Uprising", "Daydream", "Sawubona", "The Secret" and "There Is A Place For Us". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: JACOB SHULMAN - UNTIL AUTUMN; JOAN CHAMORRO & ANDREA MOTIS - FEELING GOOD; DAVID CORREA - NEW MOON

JACOB SHULMAN - UNTIL AUTUMN

Today composer, saxophonist and student Jacob Shulman announced the upcoming release of his first jazz 4 track EP entitled "Until Autumn". With "Until Autumn" Shulman explores the everyday soundtrack of his young-adult life and mixes the divergent styles of American jazz with Japanese video game soundtracks, English rock, Balkan folk, and German classical. "My aim was to construct an environment uniformly compatible with the musical languages I am most enamored of. For the first time, I haven't needed to discard some for others. I have finally balanced each naturally, and have the seeds of a musical identity all sown in one field." Shulman, a Princeton student, jazz festival veteran and alum of the prestigious Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz, recorded "Until Autumn" in the summer of 2014. "The title refers to how this music came about, it was written, rehearsed, performed, and recorded between my second and third years of college. Structure is key for Shulman and "Until Autumn" was designed with details connecting each of the four tracks. "They all have motifs and gestures in three categories – for each track, there is material that is unique to it, material that originates in it but appears elsewhere, and material that comes from another track but is reused or transformed." While structurally complex, "Until Autumn" is meant to be enjoyable and relatable, not challenging or abstruse. Musicians: Jacob Shulman: composition, saxophone; Greg Swiller: acoustic bass; Harry Terrell: drums; Isaac Wilson: piano, Rhodes.

JOAN CHAMORRO & ANDREA MOTIS - FEELING GOOD

Spanish jazz singer Andrea Motis, as well as fellow instrumentalist and mentor, Joan Chamorro are an unlikely musical team. Born more than 30 years apart, they hail from two very different and distinct musical generations. And yet they are the two primary figures in a series of projects in their hometown of Barcelona since 2010. In less than five years, Motis and Chamorro have set their city and other parts of Europe ablaze with the energetic sounds of jazz from either side of the Atlantic. Tracks include: Feeling Good, Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, How Insensitive, Lover Come Back To Me, Moon River, Love Me Or Leave Me, Lover Man, Solitude, Hallelujah, Easy Living, My Funny Valentine,  Bésame Mucho, Sophisticated Lady, Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You, Lover Man, and Lullaby Of Birdland.

DAVID CORREA - NEW MOON

Acclaimed nylon string guitarist David Correa launches a dynamic new chapter in his multi-faceted career with New Moon, his long awaited new release that celebrates his passion for the region he returns to every summer to play festivals and concert halls.  Correa, who’s explosive global fusion of Latin folk, rumba flamenco, French gypsy and Middle Eastern textures has made him a staple of the Bay Area music scene since 1999.  More than simply a fresh collection of 12 infectiously melodic, rhythmically empowering compositions performed with some of the most accomplished Latin musicians in the Bay Area and Southern California, New Moon, true to its title, represents a new beginning, a new life and fresh musical blood flowing through Correa’s colorful arrangements. Tracks include: Hacienda, New Moon, Milagro, Diamondback, Painted Desert, Sandstorm, Pico de Gallo, Saguaro Grove, Paseo del Pueblo, Sedona, Tierra Roja, and Veracruzana.

FABIANO DO NASCIMENTO - DANCA DOS TEMPOS

Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1983, Fabiano do Nascimento studied classical piano and music theory as a young boy. From the time he played his first notes on the guitar at age twelve, he devoted himself to that instrument. Fabiano was born into a musical family, a lineage that goes back to his great-grand-father “Ladario Teixeira”. Who was a Blind virtuoso saxophone player, who contributed to the creation of the instrument itself, re-inventing the saxophone, adding more keys to the older “Aldolph Sax” version of the saxophone. More about Ladario Teixeira can be found in the encyclopedia BARSA. Fabiano Studied with Dalmo Motta at the Conservatorio de Musica Brasileira in Rio de Janeiro, and with his Uncle, the Late Lucio Nascimento in his early teenage years.

Always fascinated by Brazilian music and American jazz. Self-taught, through intense research and practice, developed exceptional skill. In 2000, Fabiano left Brazil for California, Los Angeles, where he soon became in demand for his authentic sound. Connected early with the Woodwind player Pablo Calogero, and Percussionist Tiki Passillas, forming “Triorganico”. Brazilian flavored, Latin Jazz trio, recording their first album Triorganico – Convivencia under the Label of “Stonesthrow and Now-Again”. Also recorded and worked with many artists including Airto Moreira, Mia Doi Todd, Aloe Blacc, Sumiko Fukatsu, Ted Falcon, Arthur Verocai, Draco Rosa, Justo Almario, Ronaldo Freitas (Carioca), Pablo Fagundes, Sam Gendel, and many more …

Fabiano’s latest works is his Duo Album “SUL” with young brilliant Saxophonist Sam Gendel and with Singer songwritter Mia Doi Todd on her new Brazilian album “Floresta” and now a brand new release through Now Again records titled “Dança dos Tempos” featuring legendary Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira.

http://fabianodonascimentomusic.comwww.grooveattack.com

Noir jazz meets midnight blues in the music of Twin Danger

Noir jazz meets midnight blues in the music of Twin Danger – an intriguing new group formed by Vanessa Bley and Stuart Matthewman, whose self–titled, co-produced and co-written debut album appears on the Decca Universal Music Classics label.

Twin Danger updates a classic sound in a contemporary style with such captivating Bley/Matthewman originals as "Pointless Satisfaction," "Just Because," "Sailor," and "Coldest Kind of Heart." The album sessions also yielded one surprising cover song, a distinctively different interpretation of the hard–rock track "No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age.  The core of Twin Danger is Bley and Matthewman, however on-stage for their sultry live performances the band expands with a tight-knit outfit of five musicians.

Vanessa Bley grew up in a close-knit artistic community in upstate New York. Her mother is the painter and video artist Carol Goss; her father is the renowned jazz pianist Paul Bley, who worked with Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, and Ornette Coleman in addition to several dozen albums – many issued on the Improvising Artists label, which Goss and Bley co–founded in 1974. Surrounded by the creative arts growing up, Vanessa studied piano for several years but found she preferred improvisation and songwriting to practicing classical repertoire.  "I love Chopin and Bach but lacked the patience to play technically correct. Meanwhile, my father would tell me ‘you can either sit down at the piano and improvise or you can do the dishes.' So I'd try to play something like...oh, the sounds of a thunderstorm."

Vanessa also began playing guitar and bass, teaching herself both instruments. After high school, she moved to New York to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology for Cosmetics & Fragrance Development and Marketing. Within a short time, Vanessa was showcasing her original material at various downtown venues and occasionally co–writing songs with different collaborators, including Estonian pop singer Kerli. Vanessa and Kerli co–wrote "Creepshow" for the latter's 2008 album Love Is Dead. Meanwhile, Kerli was writing separately with Matthewman – and it was she who suggested that Vanessa would vibe with this talented Englishman...

Stuart Matthewman, born in Hull, England, co–founded the group Sade with Sade Adu, Paul S. Denman, and Andrew Hale. Stuart and Sade co–wrote many of the best–loved songs on the band's multi–platinum albums including "No Ordinary Love," "By Your Side," and "Your Love is King." In 1996, Matthewman, Denman, and Hale formed Sweetback, a predominantly instrumental band whose albums Sweetback (1996) and Stage 2 (2004) featured guest vocals by Maxwell and Amel Larrieux among others.  Subsequent projects for Matthewman included working with Maxwell on three of the superstar's albums, remixes under the name Cottonbelly, and compositions for film and television.  The latter included "The Astronaut Farmer" starring Billy Bob Thornton and the Emmy–nominated "Life Support" starring Queen Latifah.

Stuart plays guitar and keyboards, but his unmistakable tenor saxophone tone predominates in Twin Danger. "Vanessa and I share an odd, eclectic taste in music, from Black Sabbath to Chet Baker to film soundtracks," says Stuart. "We weren't thinking it all out or going for a particular sound – Twin Danger just happened the way it did. If we'd really thought about it, we'd have never made a jazz record!"

At first, Stuart started playing guitar on Vanessa's gigs in the Lower East Side, but soon they began to develop a deeper creative collaboration. Stuart recalls: "I was messing around on guitar with these strange chords that I didn't really think could add up to anything. I mentioned it to Vanessa and she said, oh, send it over. "About an hour later she came back with this beautiful song, ‘Just Because.' The demo is pretty much what you hear now on the album...and we went on from there."

In 2013, following a packed Twin Danger set at Otto's Shrunken Head in the East Village, an enthusiastic Japanese promoter approached Stuart and Vanessa. The next thing they knew, Twin Danger was en route to Tokyo where the band performed a run of ecstatically received shows at the prestigious venue Billboard Live. In September 2014, Twin Danger joined forces with Josh Fox, director of the Oscar–nominated documentary Gasland, for "The Solutions Grassroots Tour." Coinciding with the massive People's Climate March, this multi–media production was designed both to motivate communities to adopt renewable energy solutions and to raise the campaign banner for pro–renewable energy legislation. The show, which included guest host appearances by actors Mark Ruffalo and Debra Winger, ran for five sold–out nights at Brooklyn's Irondale Theater.

As for the origin of the name Twin Danger, Vanessa Bley explains: "It refers to the alter ego, the part of you that can be wild or irrational or even destructive – but it's still a part of you and not accepting that is what makes it dangerous." "We're making music to get lost in. It's warm and beautiful but there are dark undercurrents revealing fundamental issues of the self. That's what makes it Twin Danger."

The band performs live with a crew of friends: Robert Granata (guitar), Anthony Marchesi (keys/vocal harmony), Omar Little (trumpet), Julian Smith (bass), and Nick Anderson (drums). 

BOB McCHESNEY - CHEZ SEZ features originals and reimagined standards

This exciting 72 minute roller coaster ride features the technical and musical wizardry of Bob McChesney on the slide trombone. Joined by the amazing pianist/organist Larry Goldings, world-renowned bassist Darek Oles, award-winning drummer Bill Stewart, and Yellow Jackets' saxophonist Bob Mintzer, the group tears up originals from Bob and Larry along with some re-imagined standards.

Bob McChesney was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and began playing the trombone in the fourth grade as part of his public school music program. Primarily self-taught, he has evolved into a world-renowned trombone soloist and an authority on trombone pedagogy.

Bob McChesney's trademark as a trombonist is the beauty of his sound, a lightening-fast technique, and his emotional connection to the music. With complete mastery of the instrument and extensive knowledge of jazz harmony, McChesney has distinguished himself as one of the pre-eminent soloists in the world, not only in the realm of jazz and improvisation, but as an interpreter of the most difficult and highly technical Classical repertoire, as well.

At a young age, Bob discovered a unique way of articulating on the slide trombone called "doodle tonguing". He has since authored what is considered to be the definitive treatise on the subject, called, "Doodle Studies and Etudes". The method book has been critically acclaimed and endorsed by trombonists and music educators all over the world. A pre-eminent jazz educator and clinician, Bob has been a welcomed guest artist all over the US and Canada. Bob has been featured twice with his Quartet at the International Association of Jazz Educators convention, and The International Trombone Festival, where he has spoken and performed for audiences as large as 5000 in attendance of his demonstrations, workshops and performances.

A resident of Los Angeles, Bob is a fixture in the recording studios, where he has enjoyed a long career with studio orchestras scoring hundreds of films and television shows. He can also be heard on CDs for Barbra Streisand, Shakira, Michael Buble', Natalie Cole, Rod Stewart, Chicago, Michael Bolton, and the following Grammy-winning CDs: "Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company", Diana Krall's "When I Look in Your Eyes", and most recently, Arturo Sandoval's "Dear Diz", where he was a featured soloist. Legendary composer and conductor Lalo Schifrin exclaimed, "Bob McChesney is a virtuoso and has the gift to bring us the joy of music at the highest level."

In addition to his careers as performer and educator, Bob has arranged and produced several highly acclaimed CDs, including the 2014 Grammy Nominated single, "Let's Fall in Love", featuring TV's Seth MacFarlane and singer Calabria Foti. This year, Bob will release two CDs, one with his Trio called "Chez Sez", and a compilation CD "The Best of Bob McChesney – Volume 1". 

NEW RELEASES: SOLITARE MILES - SUSIE BLUE AND THE LONESOME FELLAS; TIMO LASSEY - LOVE BULLET; BEATS & PIECES BIG BAND - ALL IN

SOLITARE MILES - SUSIE BLUE AND THE LONESOME FELLAS

Vocalist Solitaire Miles has always loved singing swing tunes. Her grandmother, a singer with a big band in the late 1930s, exposed her to the music as a child. Susie Blue and the Lonesome Fellas may be regarded as a surprise by some of Solitaire Miles’ swing fans, but it is a logical step in her evolution.      For her first Western Swing recording, Solitaire used most of the musicians from her regular swing band. “They all did a great job of adapting to this music. Neal Alger, who wrote most of the arrangements, is one of my favorite guitarists in Chicago.  He is a dynamic musician who can play many different styles, working with Patricia Barber during the past 20 years, as has our fine bassist Larry Kohut.  And drummer Phil Gratteau is also a great accompanist for singers.” Three other musicians are new members to Solitaire’s recording group,  pianist Tom Hope adds a perfect 1950s Country feel to the music, sometimes recalling Floyd Cramer.  Slide guitarist TC Furlong, who in 1983 had a major Nashville hit in “The Curly Shuffle” with his Western Swing group “Jump ‘N The Saddle Band,”  blended in  well with the Jazz musicians.  Also, the versatile fiddler Stuart Rosenberg who is known for performing Folk, Argentinian music, Klezmer and Swing, adds an authentic flavor to the group. As for Solitaire Miles, her voice perfectly fits the light-hearted and fun Western Swing songs. “20 years ago Von Freeman suggested that I try singing Country music, now it makes perfect sense.  I have always been a huge fan of Kay Starr who sang not only Jazz during her career but also Western Swing, Country and Pop.”   Throughout this project Solitaire and her musicians are not content to merely recreate the past but are creative within the style, adding to the music's legacy.  While Solitaire can name a long list of influences like Kay Starr or Mary Ford, she does not sound exactly like any of the singers who preceded her, nor do her sidemen sacrifice their own individuality while doing justice to the material.  Instead, they all fully understand the music and are able to add their own voices to the songs while being themselves. ~ Scott Yanow

TIMO LASSEY - LOVE BULLET

Up north in Finland, in the land of the hottest Saunas, longest winters and saddest tangos, you can also find one of the coolest and most distinguished saxophonist and composers on the jazz-scene today. Timo Lassy, acclaimed as a "rising star" in US jazz bible Downbeat, hits us with 'Love Bullet', his fifth album and his most accomplished studio work to date. "The entire album is definitely more personal than all my previous work", he says of this sophisticated collection of ten instrumental originals. "It tells a story of the past few colourful years in my life." Having worked with an international all-star cast ranging from the Italian style-master Nicola Conte to US jazz vocalist José James and extending his talents into the art of film-music by composing for the soundtrack of the movie 'Moomins on the Riviera', Lassy created this mysteriously soulful music with his working band in mind, an ensemble that was dubbed "one of Europe's sharpest bands" by the Sunday Times. Their sonic base is in the 1950s/60s hard bop, Soul Jazz and Latin Jazz tradition, but the masterful execution and the progressive vision of all of the players puts the music firmly in the 21st century. Like the films of fellow Finn Aki Kaurismäki, it exudes an energy and a feeling at once markedly timeless, traditional and tirelessly forward-looking. "Quality swinging jazz with a difference!", as Gilles Peterson calls it. ~ Amazon

BEATS & PIECES BIG BAND - ALL IN

Led by composer and conductor Ben Cottrell, Beats & Pieces Big Band follow up their critically acclaimed 2012 debut album 'Big Ideas' with the eagerly awaited 'All In'. The music is an expression of the band's members and their varied musical backgrounds and activities, all brought together in Cottrell's inspired writing. They see themselves as a band that happens to be big, rather than your average 'big band'. His compositions reflect the diversity of music that people of their generation have grown up surrounded by, and as such are influenced as much by Michael Jackson, Björk or Radiohead as they are Duke Ellington, Gil Evans or Loose Tubes. Beats & Pieces have performed in Ireland, Germany, France and Norway; received airplay on BBC Radio 2, Radio 3 and 6 Music; and received awards for Best UK Newcomer at the 2013 Jazz FM Awards and Ensemble of the Year at the 2014 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Now 'All In' is set to take their music to an even wider audience. 'All In' was recorded over four days in January 2014 at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in Wiltshire. It was tracked almost entirely live with few overdubs and with the whole band in the same large room, ensuring everyone was in visual contact with everybody else at all times to create as much of an on-stage feel as possible within the studio environment. The resulting visceral energy brings the recording vividly to life. All but one of 'All In's seven tracks were composed and arranged by Ben Cottrell, the exception being a version of David Bowie's Let's Dance, reapproached and rearranged by Ben in his unique voice. He finds hidden subtleties and possibilities in Bowie's classic pop hit. 'All In' is set to be one of the year's standout albums. ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: THE REMPIS PERCUSSION QUARTET – CASH AND CARRY; ELLERY ESKELIN – SOLO LIVE AT SNUGS; FRANK VIGNOLA / VINNY RANIOLO - SWING ZING

THE REMPIS PERCUSSION QUARTET – CASH AND CARRY

Double drums give this set a heck of a lot of energy – work on the kit from Frank Rosaly and Tim Daisey – in a quartet that also features Ingebrigt Haker Flaten on bass and Dave Rempis on alto, tenor, and baritone sax! The drums get things cascading right from the start – and Flaten, as always, amazes us with his deftness on the bass – an ability to follow just about any line, while still holding his own – and keep things musical at moments when most other players might miss. Rempis sears mightily on the 40 minute track "Water Foul Run Amok" – and all players take a slightly more introspective approach on "Better Than Butter". ~ Dusty Groove

ELLERY ESKELIN – SOLO LIVE AT SNUGS

Beautifully mature solo tenor from Ellery Eskelin – performed live, and with a depth that has us reevaluating Eskelin's work all over again! The tracks are long, and never overblown – often full of these long tonal phrases that shift gently, and always retain a certain amount of tunefulness – even though the overall approach is far less melodic than such a description might make you expect. Ellery works lots of careful moments through both his phrasing on the reed, and his handling of the pads on the tenor – and titles include "Unwritten Rule", "Turning A Phrase", "State Of Mind", and "Weave/Warp & Woof". ~ Dusty Groove

FRANK VIGNOLA / VINNY RANIOLO - SWING ZING

With nearly 1,000 engagements in the five years they’ve been performing as a duo, Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo have become one of the most popular and sought after duos in the music scene. On this new release they play through 13 classic Swing Era songs.  Both have an extensive resume with regards to playing guitar for many of the worlds top acts including, Wynton Marsalis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Madonna, Donald Fagen, and Wynton Marsalis.  The tracks listing includes Cheek to Cheek, September Song, Cry Me A River, Joseph Joseph, I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, All The Things You Are, Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans, Whispering, Sleepy Time Gal, Stardust, Tico Tico/Djangomania, Peg O My Heart/I’m Confessin’ Medley, and 201 Poplar/The Best Things In Life Are Free. Special guests include Julian Lange, Bucky Pizzarelli, Olli Soikkeli and Audra Mariel.

NEW RELEASES: MARC MOULIN – PLACEBO YEARS 1971–1974; GREGORY ISAACS – NIGHT NURSE: THE BEST OF GREGORY ISAACS; OPOLOPO - SUPERCONDUCTOR

MARC MOULIN – PLACEBO YEARS 1971–1974

Some of the heaviest keyboard funk recorded in Europe during the early 70s – all the work of the jazz/rock combo Placebo, headed up by the legendary Marc Moulin! The tracks here are awash in Fender Rhodes and other keys – all supported by tight basslines, funky drums, and a fair bit of jazzy riffing on sax, trumpet, and flute. But the main groove always focuses around the keyboards – recorded with a spare, almost earthy quality that's a fair bit greater than some of the slicker keys that crept into the European scene a few years later. Moulin's really at the top of his game here – working in a groove that could easily rival Herbie Hancock or Bob James in the US – and unlike his Sam Suffy set, of similar vintage, this collection's all straight ahead jazz funk, with hardly a bit of experimentation! Tracks are from the albums Ball Of Eyes, 1973, and Placebo – and the set list here differs from the earlier Counterpoint collection with a similar name. 9 tracks in all – including "NW", "Balek", "SUS", "Aria", "Stomp", "Red Net", "Showbizz Suite", "Polk", and "Humpty Dumpty". (Limited numbered edition.)  ~ Dusty Groove

GREGORY ISAACS – NIGHT NURSE: THE BEST OF GREGORY ISAACS

Seminal sounds from the cool ruler – one of the best collections of material we've ever seen from the legendary Gregory Issacs – easily one of the most soulful voices in Jamaican music during the 70s and 80s! The package features loads of excellent early cuts, plus a few key later hits – and even a number of rare 12" single versions too – all wrapped up with a nice batch of notes on the music, and a very large track selection too. Titles include "Too Late", "Lonely Soldiers", "Black A Kill Black", "Extra Classic", "Let's Dance", "Slave Master", "Motherless Child (12" mix)", "Ba Da", "Mr Cop", "Never Be Ungrateful (12" mix)", "Mr Know It All", "Soon Forward (12" mix)", "Tune In", "Poor & Clean", "Tenement Yard (12" mix)", "Private Secretary", "Front Door", "Next To You (12" mix)", "Wailing Rudie", and "Sunday Morning". ~ Dusty Groove

OPOLOPO - SUPER CONDUCTOR

Seminal sounds from the cool ruler – one of the best collections of material we've ever seen from the legendary Gregory Issacs – easily one of the most soulful voices in Jamaican music during the 70s and 80s! The package features loads of excellent early cuts, plus a few key later hits – and even a number of rare 12" single versions too – all wrapped up with a nice batch of notes on the music, and a very large track selection too. Titles include "Too Late", "Lonely Soldiers", "Black A Kill Black", "Extra Classic", "Let's Dance", "Slave Master", "Motherless Child (12" mix)", "Ba Da", "Mr Cop", "Never Be Ungrateful (12" mix)", "Mr Know It All", "Soon Forward (12" mix)", "Tune In", "Poor & Clean", "Tenement Yard (12" mix)", "Private Secretary", "Front Door", "Next To You (12" mix)", "Wailing Rudie", and "Sunday Morning".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: CHICAGO REED QUARTET – WESTERN AUTOMATIC; BRIAN CHARETTE – ALPHABET CITY; MIGUEL ATWOOD-FERGUSON – LIBRARY SELECTION

CHICAGO REED QUARTET – WESTERN AUTOMATIC

A very different group than the sort of saxophone quartet you might remember from the 80s – one that's filled with fire, and really shows the evolution of the reed ensemble over the past few decades! All players here are very skilled improvisers on their own – Dave Rempis, Ken Vandermark, Mars Williams, and Nick Mazzarella – and they come together at a level that still holds onto some of the restructured approach of the sax quartet, but which also feels free to open up, too – so that some passages have this very improvised vibe, yet never in a way that has the players getting in each others' way or getting too far off course – always with this amazing sense of cohesion that shows how great all the musicians can work together. Instrumentation includes alto, tenor, soprano, sopranino, and baritone saxes – plus clarinet and bass clarinet as well. Titles include "Detroit Fields", "The Rush", "Broken Record Fugue", "Burn Unit", and "Remnant".  ~ Dusty Groove

BRIAN CHARETTE – ALPHABET CITY

Sweet sweet Hammond from the great Brian Charette – a player who's easily becoming one of our favorite organists in contemporary jazz! Brian's got this way of spinning out a long line with effortless ease – a soaring approach to his instrument that takes us back to a space between Larry Young and Don Patterson in the 60s – set up in a very lean trio setting that just features Will Bernard on guitar and Rudy Royston on drums! Bernard's a great player in the setting too – really able to leap, soar, and carve out the right sort of sounds alongside the organ – this balance of groove and melody that's really illuminates the record, while Royston drives the whole thing along with his deft drums. Titles include "Sharpie Moustache", "East Village", "Detours", "Avenue A", "White Lies", "The Vague Reply", and "Hungarian Major".  ~ Dusty Groove

MIGUEL ATWOOD-FERGUSON – LIBRARY SELECTION

A beautiful record from Miguel Atwood Ferguson – an artist we first came to love for his work with the Carlos Nino spiritual jazz scene on the west coast – really stretching out on his own as a leader! Miguel plays viola, violin, and cello on the record – plus some piano as well – and he works here in this warm, spacious style that's almost like 70s ECM, but a lot warmer and spiritual too – that kind of energy that we know from his projects with Nino, but delivered here in a more personal mode. Ferguson's strings and piano are mixed with bits of Fender Rhodes, percussion, bass, guitar, and even some "nature and space sounds" contributed by Nino – and overall, the record has this laidback, organic quality that's very cosmic and powerful. Titles include "Magnolia", "Great Galactic", "Always", "Kazaru", "Did You Know", and "Computer Face/Pure Being".  ~ Dusty Groove