NEW RELEASES: MARION MEADOWS – SOUL CITY; BOB BALDWIN - NEVER OUT OF SEASON (REMIXED AND REMASTERED); AIRELLE BESSON / EDOUARD FERLET / STEPHANE KERECKI - AIRES

MARION MEADOWS – SOUL CITY

'Soul City', Marion's most intimate and heartfelt album to date, is a star-studded event that takes the listener on a sensuous journey through a soundscape of brilliant original compositions and masterful improvisations. The album is co-produced by Marion's long time hit-making collaborators, Chris "Big Dog" Davis (Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Maysa), Rahni Song (Najee, Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson) and Dave Love. With special guests: Will Downing, Norman Brown, Peter White, Peabo Bryson, Maysa and more!! Includes: Soul City; Consequences; You; Playa; Merry Go Round; Be With You;. No Wind No Rain; Time After Time; Dreamin'; and Only.

BOB BALDWIN - NEVER OUT OF SEASON (REMIXED AND REMASTERED)

In 1986, Bob Baldwin helped to lay bricks for the foundation of what is now called "Gospel Jazz" with his work on the Tom Browne "No Longer I" disc. Prior to him, only groups like Koinonia and Seawind preceded both funk-jazz icon Browne and Baldwin, as they both wanted to showcase their love for the creator while being known for the music they enjoy playing...jazz. That said, Baldwin finally fulfills a promise made to his late Aunt (Lettie Ayers) by re-mixing his project of 2011 in high-res 24-bit audio, finally issued on CD for the first time. This Gospel-Jazz piece features Marcus Anderson on sax, opening the disc with an uplifting groove piece called "Be Blessed (no Stress)"...he's later featured on the Donnie McClurkin classic "Speak to my Heart". Pianist Baldwin hearkens us back to the 1600's with jazzed-up classic hymns like "The Lord's Prayer / Let the Church say Amen", featuring Corvina Nielson (Vocals). Baldwin speaks to the current social conditions today with "Where's That Smile?", featuring Washington, D.C. Vocal sensation Lori Williams. Interpretations of "Silent Night", "Hallelujah" and "Jesus Loves Me" round out the set with a piano 'churchy' original "Prologue". This NY pianist shows off his church chops he honed when playing for churches in the 1980's. Those chops were reinforced when he saw Tramaine Hawkins live in college in the early 80's...it was there he envisioned the blend of Jazz and Gospel as a format. While his love for Gospel music is evident, he never strays far from his first love of jazz on this project, staying true to his "Baldwin sound". This is a must-have for Baldwin fans and those in Gospel looking for a new twist in their music collection. - written by the staff at City Sketches, Inc.

AIRELLE BESSON / EDOUARD FERLET / STEPHANE KERECKI - AIRES

Édouard Ferlet has already explored intriguing byways for the Alpha label: in 2015 he and Violaine Cochard recorded Plucked Unplucked , an album associating piano and harpsichord a successful venture that will soon see a follow-up. The bassist Stéphane Kerecki has already made several recordings for Outhere, including Nouvelle Vague , a prizewinner at the Victoires de la Musique. The career of the trumpet player Airelle Besson has been on a high since 2015, when she won both the Prix Django Reinhardt of the Académie du Jazz and the Révélation Award at the Victoires du Jazz.These three jazz musicians met and decided to form a trio in order to combine their universes and their ambitions. Here is the fruit of their first year of companionship, a programme presenting compositions by each of them, an album wearing the colours of jazz but featuring several tracks directly inspired by great standards of the classical repertoire, including Es ist vollbracht from Bach s St John Passion, the Pavanes of Ravel and Fauré, the Valse sentimentale of Tchaikovsky, and Khachaturian's Sabre Dance, which can be recognised behind the Stances du sabre . The refinement of the compositions and the playing and the musicians capacity for listening to each other are a source of endless pleasure and fulfilment.

NEW RELEASES: MATTEO PASTORINO – SUITE FOR MODIGLIANI; RUTH WILHELMINE MEYER - KLANGBIOTOPER; ARON TALAS TRIO – LITTLE BEGGAR

MATTEO PASTORINO – SUITE FOR MODIGLIANI

Suite for Modigliani is a musical journey through the world of the painter Amedeo Modigliani, composed by the Italian jazz clarinettist Matteo Pastorino. The result is immensely pacifying and uplifting jazz music, performed by Pastorino, Damien Varaillon (double bass), Gilad Hekselman (guitar), Jean Baptiste Pinet (drums) and Matthieu Roffe (piano). Matteo Pastorino: "It is an expression of my impressions and emotions about Modi's art and life. The composed music was inspired by key events in his life, his creative process and his artistic pursuit. The pure, abstract beauty of his work reminds me that the past and present in the art of any era can communicate with each other with intense authenticity and graceful respect. This dimension of Modi's art has always fascinated me and guided me in my own musical journey. In painting, sculpture, music and other forms of artistic expression, all spontaneous quests for grace and purity echo, equate and ultimately coalesce with one another."

RUTH WILHELMINE MEYER - KLANGBIOTOPER

One of Europe's leading vocal explorers returns with an audiophile sound environment beyond categories. Ruth Wilhelmine Meyer's second album 'Klangbiotoper' has turned into something few would have expected from the exceptional Norwegian vocalist: A political statement: "When I set out to record this album, I saw the atrocities that we were committing towards our planet and it got me thinking", Meyer recounts, "I reflected on my lack of will to do something about the situation and about our collective failure to take action. In some ways, working on the album was a way for me to enter into a dialogue with the places, plants and creatures of nature." These softly flowing, harmonically open compositions oscillate between folk tunes from Meyer's childhood and associative, almost sculptural instrumental parts, in which her band - made up of tuba, saxophone and percussion - is casting the shapes and outlines of the worlds she is singing about on the retina of the mind's eye. What may sound somewhat eccentric and experimental on paper, turns out to be intoxicating, intense and intimate.

ARON TALAS TRIO – LITTLE BEGGAR

Let's just play around with the idea of a guy in his mid-twenties surfacing in New York as a formidable pianist, an original composer, a drummer good enough to teach his craft at Juilliards and a useful bass-guitar player all rolled into one. His chances of being heard and noted would be pretty good, news of him would travel fast in jazz circles, critics would latch on to this exciting fresh talent and by the time he came to the Old World he would be probably idolized even before he played a note on a European stage. Fortunately for his homeland and, perhaps, unfortunately for him, the brilliant pianist on this album with all the attributes mentioned above, was born, trained and is playing in Hungary. Aron Talas is only 27 but is already one of the go-to keyboard men in his country that is certainly not lacking in great pianists. As for his own compositions - and all the tunes are his own on this album - apart from their startling originality, there is an unpretentious freshness about them that would appeal even to a non-jazz audience. Yet it is just that fresh simplicity which makes these themes terrific vehicles for improvisation. In his playing Aron is equally capable of great lyricism and soaring passion. He never slurs his notes and plays with admirable clarity.One can easily understand his choice of musicians for his trio. Jozsef Barcza Horvath, originally a classical player who finally found his freedom in jazz, is one of the great virtuosos of the double bass whose solos of sometimes astonishing speed invariably display and incredible melodic coherence. Yet, as an accompanist he is humble and is absolutely in tune, in more than one sense, with his fellow musicians. The drummer, Attila Gyarfas is the same age as Aron and already possesses the faultless dynamics that are essential in a combo like this. A Big Talk is a track where the quality of this wonderful rhythm section is well to the fore.

NEW RELEASES: JULIAN LAGE – MODERN LOVE; JAMISON ROSS - ALL FOR ONE; CHARLOTTE DOS SANTOS – CLEO

JULIAN LAGE – MODERN LOVE

On 'Modern Lore', Julian Lage's second studio recording with his trio, the composer and guitarist focuses on the groove, building his melodies and solos around the work of the prodigious rhythm section of double bassist Scott Colley and drummer Kenny Wollesen. It finds Lage playfully flipping the script he followed on his acclaimed 2016 Mack Avenue debut, 'Arclight'. This time he incorporates the sensibility, if not the outright sound, of early rock and roll, a similarly hybrid form driven by rhythm, personality and a passion for the electric guitar. Opening with the exuberant "The Ramble," Lage's set of all-original new material is largely up-tempo, though on tracks like "Atlantic Limited" and "Splendor Riot" the trio adopts a hypnotic, lyrical stride. And, on "Revelry" and "Pantheon", it grows more pensive. Throughout, the beat is concise and steady. Lage's solos are action-packed musical monologues, stuffed with brilliant melodies and off-the-cuff inspiration. The penultimate track, "Earth Science", is an outright scorcher. As one of the most prodigious guitarists of his generation, Lage has long displayed an ability to explore a wide range of sounds, ideas and genres. But what delights him here - and will, in turn, captivate his listeners - is the artful simplicity of Modern Lore. "There's a disarming spirit of generosity in the musicianship of Julian Lage, and a keener sense of judicious withholding. A guitarist with roots tangled up in jazz, folk, classical and country music, he has spent most of his life bathed in a bright, expectant light." - The New York Times

JAMISON ROSS - ALL FOR ONE

'All For One' perfects the intoxicating chemistry of Jamison Ross' debut, which intermingled blues, jazz, R&B and soul effortlessly. The album boasts a cast of musicians of whom Ross has developed a strong rapport from touring - pianist Chris Pattishall, guitarist Rick Lollar (both of whom played on the 2015 debut), bassist Barry Stephenson, and Cory Irvin on Hammond organ and Fender Rhodes. Ross is particularly enthusiastic with the addition of Irvin on the organ because he likens that instrument to an orchestra that would accompany jazz singers like Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday.Love is a recurring theme on 'All For One' as the material touches on both the romantic kind and the socio-political aspect of love that calls for unity among a diverse and, at times, a divisive community. The album also finds the Jacksonville, Florida born and now New Orleans-based Ross plowing into the rarefied areas of blues and R&B that seldom gets investigated by his peers. Besides the wordless "Tears and Questions," 'All For One' contains no instrumentals like its predecessor; nor does it explicitly showcases Ross' virtuosity as a drummer. "This album is a result of a personal revelation that we all have the capacity to love with empathy in a deeper way. The love you need comes from me and the love I need comes from you. All for one, one for all."

CHARLOTTE DOS SANTOS – CLEO

The debut album for singer, songwriter and producer, Charlotte Dos Santos. Born in Norway, Charlotte combines soul, jazz, rare groove and Afrolatin influences, with a warm sense of storytelling & an angelic voice that seems to float over any track it's on. Currently based in Brooklyn, NY Charlotte has been making waves as of late with her sentimentally-timeless singles Red Clay and Good Sign, and keen visual aesthetic (best seen in her music videos, which she co-directs). Now Charlotte makes good on all of the potential she's shown thus far with the release of her debut project, Cleo. The project compiles a few lost Soundcloud and compilation fan-favorites ( Move On, Take It Slow, and Watching You ) with stand-out pieces (including Good Sign, Cleo, King Of Hearts ) all coming together to paint a singular, yet universal, coming-of-age love story. On the album title's significance, Charlotte explains ''Cleo' is a woman who represents power, femininity, courage and independence. She is ambitious and fearless, yet humble. She is the woman I feel I am becoming, and the woman I feel all girls could be.' Charlotte wrote & produced the project herself, with Oslo beatmaker Fredfades (of the Mutual Intentions crew) contributing on four songs as well. TRACKLIST: 1. Sumer Is Icumen In 2. Good Sign 3. Watching You 4. Move On 5. Cleo 6. (New Beginnings) 7. Red Clay 8. King Of Hearts 9. Take It Slow 10. It s Over, Bobby.

PATTI AUSTIN & JAMES MORRISON - ELLA & LOUIS

Following on from their sellout BBC Proms performance, legendary Grammy award-winning vocalist Patti Austin and Australian trumpet maestro James Morrison come together to relive the timeless hits of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong in their new album on ABC Jazz. Recorded live in concert across two sold-out nights at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Austin and Morrison are joined by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in a celebration of the centennial of Fitzgerald’s birth. Patti Austin experienced the legendary pair first-hand: “To grow up watching, learning from Ella and Louis, and now to do my part to hopefully enhance their legacy – it just doesn’t get any better than that!’, she comments. 

Few performers have the credentials to pull off a fitting and genuinely thrilling tribute to ‘The First Lady of Song’ – Ella Fitzgerald – but Austin possesses the heritage, experience and voice to do so. Since debuting at the Apollo Theatre at the tender age of four, with the encouragement of her godparents Dinah Washington and Quincy Jones, Austin’s six-decade career has seen her work with artists as diverse as Randy Brecker, Michael Jackson and George Benson. As a virtuoso instrumentalist and ambassador for jazz, James Morrison has followed closely in the footsteps of Louis Armstrong. 

In 2017, Morrison was invited to perform in a tribute to Armstrong at the BBC Proms, earning stellar reviews across the international press; his Great American Songbook, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, recently won the ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album. Morrison and Austin reunited for this recording after their previous performance together at the Montreux Jazz Festival with Quincy Jones. The landmark collaboration between Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong was the pinnacle of an era. This album features the very finest from their songbook: Let’s Do It, Lullaby of Birdland, Basin Street Blues, Miss Otis Regrets and much more, totalling almost two hours of unforgettable music. “If you enjoy this disc even half as much as we enjoyed making it, you’re having a very, very good time indeed.” – James Morrison “As long as there are interpreters like Patti Austin and James Morrison, there will always be a full house for quality jazz” ~ ArtsHub

NEW RELEASES: MELODY GARDOT – LIVE IN EUROPE; RAMSEY LEWIS – DON’T IT FEEL GOOD / SALONGO / TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD / LOVE NOTES; JULIA BIEL

MELODY GARDOT – LIVE IN EUROPE

Celebrating the international tour success of her career so far, Melody Gardot brings us her first ever album of live recorded music. Presenting live versions of her greatest hits recorded at concerts worldwide between 2012 & 2016. An album personally curated by Melody herself, includes Our Love Is Easy - Live in Paris / 2012; Baby I'm A Fool - Live in Vienna / 2013; The Rain - Live in Bergen / 2013; Deep Within The Corners Of My Mind - Live in Amsterdam / 2012; So Long - Live in Frankfurt / 2012; My One and Only Thrill - Live in Barcelona / 2012; Lisboa - Live in Lisbon / 2015; Over The Rainbow - Live in Zurich / 2013; (Monologue) Special Spot - Live in London / 2016; Baby I'm A Fool - Live in London / 2016; Les Etoiles - Live in London / 2016; Goodbye - Live in Utrecht / 2016; (Monologue) Tchao Baby - Live in Utrecht / 2016; March For Mingus - Live in Utrecht / 2016; Bad News - Live in Utrecht / 2016; Who Will Comfort Me - Live in Amsterdam / 2015; and Morning Sun - Live in Paris / 2015 (DVD Audio).

RAMSEY LEWIS – DON’T IT FEEL GOOD / SALONGO / TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD / LOVE NOTES

From 1975, 1976 and 1977 come these four albums, originally recorded for Columbia. All four made the US Top 200 reflecting the acclaimed jazz pianist’s standing and popularity. Lewis continues to be involved with music and artistic education. Digitally remastered and slipcased, and with extensive new notes. Includes: Don’t It Feel Good; Juaacklyn; Spider Man; Something About You; That’s The Way Of The World; Fish Bite; I Dig You; Can’t Function; Slick; Aufu Oodu; Rubato; Salongo; Brazilica; Nicole; Seventh Fold; Tequila Mockingbird; Wandering Rose; Skippin’; My Angel’s Smile; Camino El Bueno; Caring For You; Intimacy; That Ole Bach Magic; Spring High; Love Theme From A Star Is Born (Evergreen); Shining; Love Notes; Chili Today, Hot Tamale; The Messenger; and Stash Dash.

JULIA BIEL -  JULIA BIEL

Love, conflict, rootlessness, solitude... Julia Biel wraps her unmistakable voice around profoundly universal themes in timeless songs of spine-tingling beauty on this eponymous third album. Her distinctive melodic flair, her poetic yet conversational lyrical style and an ability to write songs as magical as they are immediate all combine to create an unusual elegance in the world of jazz/pop crossover music. Accompanying herself on either piano or guitar and contributing string arrangements, backing vocals and percussion as well as 11 of the 12 songs presented, Julia once again joins forces with producer Idris Rahman to build on the production style they developed for her MOBO-nominated second album 'Love Letters and Other Missiles' to carve out a unique space in the musical landscape where the classic meets the contemporary.

NEW RELEASES: DON ELLIS – TEARS OF JOY / CONNECTION; SUNNY WILKINSON - INTO THE LIGHT; BONESHAKER (WILLIAMS/NILSSEN-LOVE/KESSLER) – THINKING OUT LOUD

DON ELLIS – TEARS OF JOY / CONNECTION

A pair of classics from Don Ellis – back to back in a single set! Tears Of Joy is one of the greatest albums ever from funky trumpeter Don Ellis – partly because he takes off in a whole new direction of tones and sounds! Don blows both a quarter-tone trumpet and four-valve trombone here – both instruments with a very distinctive vibe, which are then set up in a groovy large ensemble that features more trumpet and trombone, plus woodwinds and a bit of strings – and some great electric touches on Fender Rhodes, clavinet, and ring modulator! The tunes have that bold Ellis punch of a few years before, but also really hit an earthier vibe too – not just new ideas in sound, but also some rhythmic pulsation that really gives lots of the tunes a fresh sort of flavor. Titles include "Samba Bajada", "Strawberry Soup", "Euphoric Acid", "Get It Together", and "Bulgarian Bulge". Connection is a great set of electric groovers released at the same time that Don scored big with his soundtrack for The French Connection! As you'd guess from the title, the feel here is quite similar – funky electric big band jazz, with a very hip 70s action soundtrack feel – one that mixes acoustic sax and trumpet passages with some groovier keyboards and electronic bits – all wrapped up in production that's tight, but never too slick to be funky! The album features a great take on Don's excellent "Theme From The French Connection" – plus great electric jazz covers of "Alone Again Naturally", "Superstar", "I Feel The Earth Move", "Roundabout", and "Lean On Me" – as well as album originals "Chain Reaction" and "Train To Get There".  ~ Dusty Groove

SUNNY WILKINSON - INTO THE LIGHT

Into The Night, the newest CD by veteran jazz vocalist Sunny Wilkinson features Wilkinson’s crystalline voice and impressive ability to convey the heart of a lyric with unadorned honesty. For Wilkinson, the CD is all about family— not just her immediate family, but her extended music family, as well. The songs she chose comprise a mix of styles that resonate with Wilkinson because they reflect, in various ways, her experiences and views on love, life, and relationships. Wilkinson wrote lyrics to five of the songs, including the title tune. “Into the Light” embodies the theme for the CD, which is that life is often fraught with challenges and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, but strength and perseverance can deliver you into the light, where “wisdom and beauty abound.” The love for family and the strength and joy it brings her permeate the CD, especially in the songs written by Wilkinson and her husband, pianist Ron Newman, who composed three of the tracks. Whether singing an intimate ballad or a fast paced, bopping scat number, Wilkinson never hits a false or extraneous note. Her silky, warm voice, emotional honesty, and thoughtful approach to lyrics are the hallmarks of an experienced artist at the peak of her powers.

BONESHAKER (WILLIAMS/NILSSEN-LOVE/KESSLER) – THINKING OUT LOUD

Plenty of bone-shaking going on here – thanks to work by this heavy power trio, recording in Chicago with all the harder-burning energy of the scene! Visitor Paal Nilssen-Love is on drums and percussion – playing with all the incredible twists and turns that always make his performances such a delight – while Mars Williams plays a variety of reeds, and Kent Kessler reminds us again why his hands on the bass are always a force to be reckoned with! Despite the intensity, there's also some strongly melodic moments – especially from Williams – and titles include "Wabi Sabi", "Brain Freeze", "Puffy Fluffy", and "Salty Fruity".  ~ Dusty Groove

Nina Simone And Sister Rosetta Tharpe To Be Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Simone Joins Performer Category While Tharpe Honored As Early Influencer

Verve Label Group and UMe are proud to announce the induction of trailblazers Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Late pianist, singer and activist Simone will be inducted into the 2018 Performer Category alongside Bon Jovi, The Cars and The Moody Blues, while Tharpe, the late singer and guitarist known as the "godmother of rock and roll," will be inducted into the hall's Early Influences wing, joining such luminaries as Billie Holiday, Robert Johnson, Hank Williams, Bessie Smith and Howlin' Wolf. The 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place April 14, 2018 at Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio.

Verve Label Group and UMe are proud to announce the induction of trailblazers Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Verve Label Group and UMe are proud to announce the induction of trailblazers Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Known as the "High Priestess of Soul," Nina Simone defies categorization. A pianist, singer, songwriter, composer and activist, she was one of the most gifted vocalists of her generation, an extraordinary artist of the twentieth century, an icon of American music. Rather than being confined to musical boundaries, she knew no bounds and fused jazz, blues, soul, folk, R&B, gospel, pop and showtunes with her classical roots, creating a rich tapestry filled with emotional honesty, spiritual depth and virtuosic musicianship.

Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina, Simone took to music at an early age and begun playing piano at three years old. After graduating valedictorian of her high school class, her community raised money for a scholarship for her to study classical piano at Julliard in New York City. She left after the money ran out and applied to the prestigious Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, where she was denied entrance, something Simone always felt was racially motivated. Determined to make a living playing music, she began to perform in bars in Atlantic City where she played jazz standards and was required to sing. Word quickly spread and at the age of twenty-four she scored her first record deal.

Simone recorded more than 40 albums, beginning in 1957 with her debut Little Girl Blue, featuring "I Loves You Porgy," which became a Top 10 hit in the U.S. By the mid-1960s, Simone had become known as a main voice for the Civil Rights Movement as her music began to reflect the tumultuous times. She signed to Philips in 1964 at the age of 31 and experienced an exceptional purple patch that included seven albums in three years. Her first for the label, Nina Simone In Concert, captured some of Simone's most committed Civil Rights-era material, including her explosive rendition of "Mississippi Goddam." This period also saw her satisfy her relentlessly questing muse, with collections that focused on Broadway showtunes (Broadway-Blues-Ballads), pop material (I Put A Spell On You) and more, showing the full range of Simone's talents. Pitchfork hailed these recordings, which include classics "Feeling Good," "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "I Put A Spell On You," "Sinnerman" and "Four Women," as "some of the most important, moving documents of American history."

Since her death in 2003, Simone's influence, significance and cultural relevance has only grown, especially most recently as issues of race, police brutality and civil rights are once again at the forefront of the cultural conversation. The feature documentary, "What Happened, Miss Simone?" — which won the 2016 Emmy for Outstanding Documentary —helped shine a new light on Simone's immense talents and fearless activism, resulting in a new generation discovering her timeless music and indelible impact. Simone's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame serves as a recognition of her influence and contributions to the world of music. 

Upon the news of her induction, Rolling Stone wrote, "no artist has been more overdue for recognition than Sister Rosetta Tharpe, adding, "A queer black woman from Arkansas who shredded on electric guitar, belted praises both to God and secular pleasures, and broke the color line touring with white singers, she was gospel's first superstar, and she most assuredly rocked." Born March 20, 1915 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Tharpe defied expectations from an early age as a guitar prodigy. At six years old, her mother left her father to be a traveling evangelist and together they joined the exodus of poor black southerners heading north. They settled in Chicago where young Rosetta encountered the music that migrants had brought with them - blues from the Mississippi delta and jazz from New Orleans. She began performing gospel music as Little Rosetta Nubin with her mother at churches as part of a traveling Baptist roadshow. By the time she was in her 20s, she was a seasoned performer whose distinctive voice and unconventional style, filled with her signature feverish electric guitar playing, attracted many fans.

In 1938, Tharpe moved to New York, where she signed with Decca Records. That year she recorded four songs – "Rock Me," "That's All," "The Man and I" and "The Lonesome Road" – which all became instant hits, establishing Tharpe as a household name and helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream. She remained a star through the '40s and in 1945 her single, "Strange Things Happening Every Day," became the first gospel single to cross over on the Billboard race (later called R&B) charts. In 1947, she gave 14-year-old Richard Penniman his first glimpse of the spotlight which made Little Richard decide to become a performer right then. In the '50s massive audiences were flocking to see her perform in arenas.

"She was there before Elvis, Little Richard and Johnny Cash swiveled their hips and strummed their guitars," NPR proclaimed in their feature of Tharpe earlier this year. "It was Tharpe, the godmother of rock 'n' roll, who turned this burgeoning musical style into an international sensation… Through her unforgettable voice and gospel swing crossover style, Tharpe influenced a generation of musicians including Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry and countless others." Without Sister Rosetta Tharpe, rock and roll would not be the same. As the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame said, "She is the founding mother who gave rock's founding fathers the idea," declaring, "No one deserves more to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame."

NEW RELEASES: MELISSA MANCHESTER – THE FELLAS; STEVE NELSON JAZZ QUARTET – EASY LIVING; VENUS ALL STARS – VENUS JAZZ NIGHT: ISOLA JAZZ FESTIVAL

MELISSA MANCHESTER – THE FELLAS

More than 25 years after Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Melissa Manchester released Tribute, her 1989 album that honored the great female singers who influenced her, she turns the tables with The Fellas, a radiant encomium to the men, including Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme', Tony Bennett and Dean Martin, and the iconic songs they made famous. Tracks include: Ain’'t That a Kick in the Head; Chances Are; They Say It's Wonderful; For Me and My Gal; Love Is Just Around the Corner; Smile; Night and Day; and How Do You Keep the Music Playing.

STEVE NELSON JAZZ QUARTET – EASY LIVING

Vibist Steve Nelson is in a slightly different setting here than on some of his other recent records – running through a set of familiar standards in a laidback way, yet still handling them with that remarkably bold strike on the vibes that always makes his music so unique! The group's got a nicely warm vibe – Massimo Farao on piano, Aldo Zunino on bass, and Byron Landham on drums – and although Farao gets in some nice solos, Nelson's clearly the main attraction – as he makes these tunes explode with chromatic hues, but in an easygoing way! The whole thing's another example of why Steve's been one of our favorite vibes players for years – and titles include "Easy Living", "East Of The Sun", "Samba De Orfeu", "Beautiful Friendship", and "Lady Be Good" – plus Steve's original "Blues Up". ~ Dusty Groove

VENUS ALL STARS – VENUS JAZZ NIGHT: ISOLA JAZZ FESTIVAL

A beautiful live performance – recorded in Italy, but by a group of musicians who record for Japan's Venus Records label – easily one of the classiest jazz imprints of the past decade or two! And as a further twist, a number of the artists here are American – which makes the whole thing a great trans-national performance, handled with energy to match! Yet even without all of that pedigree, the music is wonderful in and of itself – long tracks that seem to bring even more of an edge to the usual Venus presentation – especially in the rhythmic department, which can sometimes be a bit more subtle on the label's studio recordings. The group features lots of heavy work on the bottom – bassists Aldo Zunino and Nicola Barbon, drummers Roberto Facchinetti and Byron Landham, and percussionist Ernesttico – and strong solos are by Jerry Weldon on tenor and Massimo Farao on piano. There's also a few vocal moments – with singers who include Daria Toffali, Joyce Yuille, and Denise King – and titles include "Estrada Branca", "Theme From Mash", "Get Up", "September Song", "Sunny", "Triste", "O Amor Em Paz", and "Teach Me Tonight".  ~ Dusty Groove

STAX SINGLES, VOL. 4: RARITIES & THE BEST OF THE REST 6-CD BOX SET

Craft Recordings, the Catalog Division of Concord Music, is pleased to announce the release of Stax Singles, Vol. 4: Rarities & The Best Of The Rest, a 6-CD box set that delves deep into the Stax Records archives, and explores the label’s efforts to diversify their output. This new addition to the critically acclaimed series of Stax singles boxes offers a more profound study of the Memphis label’s catalog, including long-forgotten B-sides and rarities, and focusing not just on soul tunes – for which the label was most famous – but also offering a cross-section of rock, pop, blues, gospel and country recordings from 1960-1975. Available February 9th, the collection will also include an 80-page booklet, offering four new in-depth essays by music journalist Lee Hildebrand, writer and producer Alec Palao, box set co-producer Bill Belmont and Rob Bowman, author of Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story Of Stax Records, and producer of Vol. 4’s discs 1-3.

  

Featuring recordings from the catalogs of both Craft and Rhino Entertainment – the Catalog Division of Warner Music – who jointly control Stax’s iconic masters, this comprehensive box set is the perfect companion piece to Vols. 1-3; the first of which, The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968, was released by Atlantic Records in 1991 and reissued by Rhino in 2016. Volumes 2 and 3, originally released by Stax in 1993 and 1994 respectively, and reissued by Concord in 2015, offered soul singles spanning 1968-1975, collectively. In his introduction, co-producer Bill Belmont discusses the concept behind Vol. 4: “Over the years, within the collector-fan circuit, and in reissues and collections of vintage Stax material worldwide, some ‘B’ sides have attained a status comparable to the promoted work.”  Adds Rob Bowman, in his essay regarding the soul portion of the box, “[Stax’s B-sides] are, by and large, better than most companies’ A-sides.”  Continues Belmont, “Stax’s ‘other side’…has never been presented on its own – thus here, the “other” [imprints] are all gathered under the Stax umbrella; part of the all-encompassing rubric ‘where everything is everything.’”

  

While Stax is primarily known for its soul music – Vols. 1-3 focused exclusively on that genre – the label also managed a variety of imprints throughout the ’60s and ’70s, many of which explored new sonic avenues, including rock (from Ardent, Enterprise and Hip), gospel (Chalice, Gospel Truth) and country (Enterprise). Also compiled are several instrumental and blues tracks from the earliest days of the label, when it was known as Satellite Records. The collection includes over 60 wide-ranging artists, including the Staple Singers, Big Star, the Bar-Kays, Jean Knight, Don Nix, the Rance Allen Group and Johnnie Taylor.

  

Stax Singles, Vol. 4: Rarities & The Best Of The Rest comes at the conclusion of a wide-ranging celebration of Stax Records’ 60th Anniversary by both Craft and Rhino. The unique partnership of the labels commemorated the first marketing collaboration of the Stax recordings, which had been divided since Atlantic Records split with Stax Records in early 1968. Throughout 2017, the two labels have collectively released over 15 vinyl reissues, including Rufus Thomas’ debut Walking The Dog, Sam & Dave’s Soul Men and Carla Thomas’ Carla LP (Rhino), as well as titles like Melvin Van Peebles’ Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, the Sons of Truth’s Message From The Ghetto and John Gary Williams’ self-titled debut (Craft). Special attention was also focused on two Stax giants this year: Isaac Hayes and Otis Redding. Craft released a series of remastered, high-resolution digital reissues for Hayes (vinyl reissues will follow in 2018) as well as the critically acclaimed box set, Spirit Of Memphis (1962-1976). Rhino paid tribute to Redding with mono editions of Soul Ballads and The Soul Album, as well as a forthcoming seven-LP vinyl box, The Definitive Studio Albums Collection, while Concord released the double LP Live From The Whisky A Go Go earlier in the year. Looking ahead, Rhino will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Redding’s best-selling “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” single. For Record Store Day’s Black Friday event, Rhino commemorated the 50th anniversary of Redding’s Live In Europe Album with a limited-edition red vinyl pressing, while Concord saluted ’70s rockers Big Star with a live tribute to their Third album, Stroke It, Noel: Big Star’s THIRD In Concert, as well as Hayes, with a vinyl edition of Spirit of Memphis, offering highlights from the box set. Additionally, during the Stax 60th celebration, both labels collaborated on the Stax Classics series of CDs, highlighting Stax’s biggest stars, while the 3-CD collection Soulsville U.S.A. culled material from both Concord’s and Rhino’s masters, much like Stax Singles, Vol. 4.

  

Track List:

Disc 1:

1. Carla & Rufus: Deep Down Inside

2. Rufus And Friend: Yeah, Yea-Ah

3. Prince Conley: All The Way

4. The Canes: I’ll Never Give Her Up

5. The Astors: Just Enough To Hurt Me

6. Eddie Kirk: I Found A Brand New Love

7. Rufus Thomas: Fine And Mellow

8. Booker T. & The Mg’s: Fannie Mae

9. Floyd Newman: Sassy

10. Rufus Thomas: I Want To Get Married

11. Bobby Marchan: That’s The Way That It Goes

12. The Cobras: Shake Up

13. Barbara And The Browns: You Belong To Her

14. Dorothy Williams: Watchdog

15. Baracudas: Free For All

16. Barbara And The Browns: I Don’t Want Trouble

17. Gorgeous George: Sweet Thing

18. The Astors: I Found Out

19. Rufus & Carla Thomas: We’re Tight

20. Rufus Thomas: Chicken Scratch

21. Ruby Johnson: Weak Spot

22. Rufus Thomas: Talkin’ Bout True Love

23. Mable John: If You Give Up What You Got (You’ll See What You Lost)

24. Sam And Dave: A Small Portion Of Your Love

25. Ruby Johnson: Keep On Keeping On

26. Rufus Thomas: Greasy Spoon

27. Mable John: Left Over Love

28. Ollie & The Nightingales: Girl, You Have My Heart Singing

29. Mable John: Don’t Get Caught

Disc 2:

1. Shirley Walton: I’m So Glad You’re Back

2. Delaney & Bonnie: We’ve Just Been Feeling Bad

3. Linda Lyndell:  I Don’t Know

4. Judy Clay & William Bell: Love-Eye-Tis

5. Judy Clay: Remove These Clouds

6. The Staple Singers: Stay With Us

7. Rufus Thomas: So Hard To Get Along With

8. Jeanne & The Darlings: I Like What You’re Doing To Me

9. Booker T. & The Mg’s: Over Easy

10. Mable John: Shouldn’t I Love Him

11. William Bell & Judy Clay: Left Over Love

12. Jimmy Hughes: Sweet Things You Do

13. Art Jerry Miller: Grab A Handful

14. Eddie Floyd: Consider Me

15. Booker T. & The Mg’s: Soul Clap ’69

16. Jeanne & The Darlings: Standing In The Need Of Your Love

17. The Bar-Kays: I Thank You

18. The Soul Children: Make It Good

19. Ollie & The Nightingales: I’ll Be Your Everything

20. William Bell: Let Me Ride

21. Booker T. & The Mg’s: Sunday Sermon

22. Carla Thomas: Hi De Ho (That Old Sweet Roll)

23. Shack: A Love Affair That Bears No Pain

24. The Nightingales: Just A Little Overcome

25. The Newcomers: Mannish Boy

Disc 3:

1. Ilana: Let Love Fill Your Heart

2. The Soul Children: Ridin’ On Love’s Merry-Go-Round

3. Hot Sauce: I Can’t Win For Losing

4. Lee Sain: Ain’t Nobody Like My Baby

5. Hot Sauce: Echoes From The Past

6. The Mad Lads: Did My Baby Call

7. Isaac Hayes & David Porter: Baby I’m-A Want You

8. Jean Knight: Pick Up The Pieces

9. Johnnie Taylor: Stop Teasing Me

10. Isaac Hayes: Type Thang

11. John Gary Williams: In Love With You

12. Major Lance: Since I Lost My Baby’s Love

13. Hot Sauce: Mama’s Baby (Daddy’s Maybe)

14. The Soul Children: Poem On The School House Door

15. Rufus Thomas: That Makes Christmas Day

16. The Staple Singers: What’s Your Thing

17. Shirley Brown: Yes Sir Brother

18. Hot Sauce: Funny

19. Frederick Knight: Let’s Make A Deal

20. The Green Brothers: Can’t Give You Up (I Love You Too Much)

21. John Gary Williams: Just Ain’t No Love (Without You Here)

Disc 4:

1. Sid Selvidge: The Ballad Of Otis B. Watson

2. The Caboose: Black Hands White Cotton

3. Dallas County: Love’s Not Hard To Find

4. Casper Peters: April

5. Clark Sullivan: Reaching For A Rainbow

6. Billy Eckstine: I Wanna Be Your Baby

7. Chuck Boris: Why Did It Take So Long

8. Barbara Lewis: Why Did It Take So Long

9. Finley Brown: Gypsy

10. O.B. Mcclinton: Slip Away

11. Billy Eckstine: When Something Is Wrong

12. Ben Atkins: Good Times Are Coming

13. River City Street Band: Some Other Man

14. O.B. Mcclinton: Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You

15. Big Ben: Would I Be Better Gone?

16. Don Nix: Black Cat Moan

17. Don Nix: She’s A Friend Of Mine

18. Larry Raspberry And The Highsteppers: Rock ’N Roll Warning

19. Chico Hamilton: Conquistadores ’74

20. Cliff Cochran: The Way I’m Needing You

21. Connie Eaton: Let’s Get Together

22. Karen Casey: The Way I’m Needing You

Disc 5:

1. Poor Little Rich Kids: Stop – Quit It

2. Lonnie Duvall: Cigarettes

3. Poor Little Rich Kids: It’s Mighty Clear

4. The Honey Jug: Warm City Baby

5. The Goodees:  For A Little While

6. The Honey Jug: For Your Love

7. Kangaroo’s: Groovy Day

8. Bobby Whitlock: And I Love You

9. Southwest F.O.B.: Smell Of Incense

10. The Goodees: Condition Red

11. Billy Lee Riley: Family Portrait

12. This Generation: The Children Have Your Tongue

13. Billy Lee Riley: Show Me Your Soul

14. The Waters: Day In And Out

15. The Village Sound: Hey Jack (Don’t Hijack My Plane)

16. The Cheques: Cool My Desire

17. The Goodees: Goodies

18. Paris Pilot: Miss Rita Famous

19. The Knowbody Else: Someone Something

20. Cargoe: Feel Alright

21. Big Star: In The Street

22. Cargoe: I Love You Anyway

23. The Hot Dogs: Say What You Mean

24. Big Star: O My Soul

25. The Hot Dogs: I Walk The Line

26. Big Star: September Gurls

Disc 6:

1. The Dixie Nightingales: The Assassination

2. The Dixie Nightingales: Hush Hush

3. The Dixie Nightingales: I Don’t Know

4. The Stars Of Virginia: Wade In The Water

5. The Dixie Nightingales: Forgive These Fools

6. The Jubilee Hummingbirds: Our Freedom Song (Free At Last)

7. The Jubilee Hummingbirds: Press My Dying Pillow

8. The Pattersonaires: God’s Promise

9. Rev. Maceo Woods And The Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church Choir: Hello Sunshine

10. Roebuck “Pop” Staples: Tryin’ Time

11. Terry Lynn Community Choir: His Love Will Always Be

12. Reverend W. Bernard Avant Jr. & The St. James Gospel Choir: Don’t Let The Green ass Fool You (Don’t Let The Devil Fool You)

13. The Rance Allen Group: There’s Gonna Be A Showdown

14. The Rance Allen Group: That Will Be Good Enough For Me

 15. Reverend Maceo Woods & The Christian Tabernacle Concert Choir: The Magnificent Sanctuary Band (Marching For The Man)

16. Louise Mccord: Better Get A Move On

 17. Charles May & Annette May Thomas: Satisfied

 18. The Rance Allen Group: I Got To Be Myself

 19. The People’s Choir Of Operation Push Under The Direction Of Reverend Marvin Yancy: He Included Me

20. The Rance Allen Group: We’re The Salt Of The Earth

21. Louise Mccord: Reflections

22. The Rance Allen Group: Ain’t No Need Of Crying

CRAFT RECORDINGS TO RELEASE DELUXE EDITION PACKAGE CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF SONNY ROLLINS’ ICONIC ALBUM, WAY OUT WEST

On February 16, Craft Recordings will release a deluxe edition of one of the most iconic and enduring records in jazz. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the recording session in 2017 and the 60th anniversary of the first stereo release of the album in 2018, Way Out West, alongside Saxophone Colossus, cements Sonny Rollins’ status as one of the top tenor saxophonists of all-time. This meticulously compiled package pays appropriate tribute to the importance of the landmark recording with an audiophile-quality pressing of the original album and a second LP of bonus material featuring rare and previously unreleased tracks from the legendary 3 A.M. session with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne. Both records are pressed at Quality Record Pressings (QRP) on 180-gram vinyl from lacquers cut by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. GRAMMY® Award-winning writer Neil Tesser contributes liner notes, which include excerpts from a recent interview he conducted with Rollins especially for this release. Rare photos by famed jazz photographer William Claxton round out the collection, which comes housed in a handsome, hinged box.  More info below on the album and Rollins.

Way Out West (Deluxe Edition) will also be available at streaming outlets, mastered for iTunes, and in Hi-Res digital (96/24 and 192/24) on street date. Pre-order Way Out West (Deluxe Edition) on Amazon.

Track Listing:

Disc One - Original Way Out West Album

Side A

A1. I’m an Old Cowhand

A2. Solitude

A3. Come, Gone

Side B

B1. Wagon Wheels

B2. There Is No Greater Love

B3. Way Out West

Disc Two - Bonus Tracks from the Way Out West Recording Session

Side A

A1. Monologue: You Gotta Dig the Lyrics (previously unreleased)

A2. I’m An Old Cowhand (alternate version)

A3. Dialogue: Titling “Come, Gone” (previously unreleased)

A4. Come, Gone (alternate version)

Side B

B1. There Is No Greater Love (alternate version, previously unreleased)

B2. Way Out West (take 1, previously unreleased)

B3. Way Out West (alternate version)

Over his long and distinguished career, Sonny Rollins has made many dozens of albums. Among those recorded during the ’50s -- Prestige's Saxophone Colossus, Blue Note's A Night at the Village Vanguard, Riverside's The Sound of Sonny and especially Way Out West, originally recorded for the Contemporary label -- qualify as all-time Rollins classics. The session for Way Out West, Rollins' first-ever in California, was called for at 3 a.m. to accommodate personnel's busy schedules and included bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne. Sonny, who could never be accused of overstatement, announced after four hours of recording, “I’m hot now.” What transpired on the date was nothing less than magic, with Brown and Manne effortlessly supporting Rollins and pushing him to new peaks on “I'm an Old Cowhand,” "Way out West,” “There Is No Greater Love” and “Come, Gone,” the latter a cookin’ take on the timeless ballad “After You’ve Gone.”  This deluxe edition celebrates this landmark album in Rollins’ career with a full second LP of rare and previously unreleased bonus material, deluxe packaging, new liner notes by Grammy®-winning writer Neil Tesser and rare photos by famed jazz photographer William Claxton.

Theodore Walter Rollins was born on September 7, 1930 in New York City. He grew up in Harlem not far from the Savoy Ballroom, the Apollo Theatre and the doorstep of his idol, Coleman Hawkins. After early discovery of Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong, he started out on alto saxophone, inspired by Louis Jordan. At the age of thirteen, he switched to tenor and fell under the spell of the musical revolution that surrounded him, Bebop. He began to follow Charlie Parker, and soon came under the wing of Thelonious Monk, who became his musical mentor and guru. Sonny quickly separated himself from the pack, working and recording with Babs Gonzales, J.J. Johnson, Bud Powell and Miles Davis before he turned twenty. “Of course, these people are there to be called on because I think I represent them in a way,” Rollins said recently of his peers and mentors. “They’re not here now so I feel like I’m sort of representing all of them, all of the guys. Remember, I’m one of the last guys left, as I’m constantly being told, so I feel a holy obligation sometimes to evoke these people.”

Rollins throughout his long and decorated career released a series of landmark recordings, several of which would change the shape of jazz: “Valse Hot” introduced the practice, now common, of playing bop in 3/4 meter; “St. Thomas” initiated his explorations of calypso patterns; and “Blue 7” was hailed by Gunther Schuller as demonstrating a new manner of “thematic improvisation,” in which the soloist develops motifs extracted from his theme. Way Out West (1957), Rollins’ first album using a trio of saxophone, double bass and drums, offered a solution to his longstanding difficulties with incompatible pianists. During the years 1956 to 1958, Rollins was widely regarded as the most talented and innovative tenor saxophonist in jazz.

He has since gone on to win numerous awards, including his first performance GRAMMY for This Is What I Do (2000), and his second for 2004’s Without a Song (The 9/11 Concert), in the Best Jazz Instrumental Solo category (for “Why Was I Born”). In addition, Sonny received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2004. His continued advocacy for jazz music has earned him recognition of the highest order throughout his exemplary career, including induction into the Academy of Achievement (2006), the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, First Class (2009), membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2010), the Edward MacDowell Medal (2010) and the Medal of Arts (2011), which was bestowed upon him by President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony. Rollins accepted the award, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence, “on behalf of the gods of our music.”

On December 3, 2011, Sonny Rollins received Kennedy Center honors, alongside actress Meryl Streep, singer Barbara Cook, singer/songwriter Neil Diamond and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Rollins said of the honor, “I am deeply appreciative of this great honor. In honoring me, the Kennedy Center honors jazz, America’s classical music. For that, I am very grateful.”

NEW RELEASES: RECORD KICKS – FUNK SIDES; RODNEY GREEN QUARTET FEAT. WARREN WOLF – LIVE AT JAZZHUS MONTMARTRE COPENHAGEN; EDDY SENAY – HOT THANG

RECORD KICKS – FUNK SIDES (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Record Kicks proudly present "Funk Sides", the new compilation featuring 14 deep funk cuts taken from the label's vaults, out today in every digital store. Under its motto "The explosive sound from Today's scene", Milan-based independent label Record Kicks, together with similar outfits like Daptone, Jazzman, Freestyle or Timmion Records, has been pitching the so-called "Deep Funk" scene for 14 years. After the previous installment "Soul Sides" here's "Funk Sides" another irresistibly infectious compilation made of 14 heavy funk pearls from the Record Kicks vaults. Featuring tracks from Marta Ren & The Groovelvets, The Liberators, Hannah Williams & The Affirmations, Dojo Cuts, Martha High & Osaka Monaurail, Calibro 35 and many more. Play it loud!

RODNEY GREEN QUARTET FEAT. WARREN WOLF – LIVE AT JAZZHUS MONTMARTRE COPENHAGEN

The name of vibist Warren Wolf is emblazoned proudly across the front cover here – and for good reason, too – as the musician really steals the show in performance by a quartet led by drummer Rodney Green! The set's live, and maybe a bit looser than some of Warren's recent records – with long tracks that really showcase that boldly chromatic style he brings to his work on vibes, and which make him maybe our favorite contemporary talent on the instrument. And the group's also got strong work from Jacob Christoffersen on piano and David Wong on bass – rounding out the sound nicely, and given the whole thing maybe a bit more force and color than some of the more staid vibes/piano settings. Titles include "Bud Powell", "Emily", "Budo", "Just One Of Those Things", "Well You Needn't", and "Humpty Dumpty". ~ Dusty Groove

EDDY SENAY – HOT THANG

A heck of a great little guitar funk album – one of two rare sides cut by the amazing Eddy Senay! The record's all-instrumental – and Eddie's fuzzed-out guitar takes center stage over tripped-out arrangements that recall the best psychedelic funk of the early 70s – bubbling along with just enough drums, bass, and keyboards to make for a chunky bottom groove – while Senay wails over the top on guitar! The record reminds us of similar guitar funk albums from the time – including the work of Dennis Coffey, Eddie Fisher, or Donald Austin – but the groove's even more laidback and trippy, with a few nice breakway moments from the rhythm section. Tracks include "Jubo", "Hot Thang", "Message of Love", and great covers of "Ain't No Sunshine" and Donny Hathaway's "Zambezi". (Limited colored vinyl pressing). ~ Dusty Groove