New Music Releases: Lisa Hilton, Vincent Herring / Bobby Watson / Gary Bartz, Grant Green

Lisa Hilton – Chalkboard Destiny

We live in an exciting time of constant change... is the introductory quote from the award winning composer, and acclaimed pianist Lisa Hilton, in her liner notes for her latest release Chalkboard Destiny recorded with jazz luminaries JD Allen on tenor sax, Rudy Royston on drums and Luques Curtis on bass. It s an appropriate prelude for an album that unfolds with the track Rush Hour Rhapsody - quickly exposing the listener to the robust energy of Hilton's band. There s also a hard-to-pin-down energy flowing between Allen s explosive virtuoso displays, the dynamic details of Royston s accents or the booming lines of Curtis s bass alongside Hilton s fluid piano but impressive it is in a beguiling way. Allen's solo in the middle of Sympathy for Blues is astounding, and along with Curtis's agile bass, Royston's touch and the laid back retro charm of Hilton's piano you'll want to play this one over and over. Hilton conveys that the concept behind Chalkboard Destiny is the idea that our future, our destiny, can be continually reshaped, implying that we are not beholden by history or traditional myths, allowing us a freedom in creation. The title track easily exhibits this concept with Royston s rim shots clacking for attention. Hilton also shows her harmonic and emotional depth with her tender composition Temporary Lullaby, as well as the moving Waltz From Nowhere. The Joni Mitchell classic, Blue Boy showcases the compatibility of this group Allens dusky tenor a contrast to his band mates. Tracks Tropic of Tango, Myths & Fantasy, and Adventures & Alibis all delve into a variety of Latin rhythms and engaging harmonic ideas as well. Café au Mojo, is a bright piece where traditional ideas abound. Altogether an exuberant exhibition of top notch players rallying around traditional ideas in new ways.

Vincent Herring / Bobby Watson / Gary Bartz - Bird At 100

A tribute to the music of Charlie Parker – but a set that sparkles more from the individual inspiration of the three alto giants in the lead – a great lineup that features Gary Bartz, Bobby Watson, and Vincent Herring! The tracks are long, with great lead passages that have all three horns soaring together, then individual solos from each player – and although the songs include a number of classics from the Charlie Parker songbook, the album also features original tunes by Herring and Watson, and another by Jackie McLean – maybe marking the whole thing as being very much in the spirit of its title – a look back at a century that's felt the influence of Bird, with all the alto sax changes that have taken place in the time since his passing. The rhythm trio is excellent too – David Kikoski on piano, Yasushi Nakamura on bass, and Carl Allen on drums – and titles include "Bird-Ish", "Klactoveedsedstene", "The Hymn", "Folklore", "Bird Lives", and "Yardbird Suite". ~ Dusty Groove

Grant Green - Sunday Mornin' (180 gram pressing)

A beautiful little session from one of the greatest guitarists ever! The album's part of Blue Note's tendency to "churchify" Grant Green on some albums – giving his guitar a gospelly groove that has some nicely soulful connotations – but it's also a record that's maybe the strongest of that bunch, as it's got this approach that's loose and open – and which has this fantastic flow that's aided by the piano of Kenny Drew! Drew is the equal star on this set – and the longer tunes on the record really allow for plenty of open solo space – and the whole thing shines with Drew's piano matching lines with Green's strung-out single-note solos. The groove is pretty hard, and the recording quality keeps the whole thing nice and lively – thanks also to work from Ben Tucker on bass and Ben Dixon on drums. Titles include "Sunday Mornin", "Come Sunrise", "Exodus", and "Freedom March".  ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Randy Muller, Al Sunny, Sulu & Excelsior

Randy Muller - Welcome to My Life

A fantastic return to form for Randy Muller – the man who gave the world such great music in the 70s with the groups Brass Construction and Skyy, then continued with a rich underground legacy over the years! Randy's given us a few recent records in the past few decades, but this is his first in a long time – and it really feels like he's been saving up his best, and focusing his groove – coming up with this warm, wonderful blend of jazz, funk, and soul – all topped by Randy's own vocals, plenty of keyboards, and some especially great solos on funky flute! In fact, the flute work here really sets the album apart from the rest – sometimes with echoes of the classic Bobbi Humphrey/Larry Mizell music of the 70s, other times with more contemporary mode that comes off equally well. Great to hear from Randy again – and the set is another feather in his mighty full cap – with titles that include "What Are We Gonna Do", "So Happy", "Over & Over", "Nice & Slow", "Brazilian Nights", "Pimms & Lemonade", "Lover To Lover", "I Cry", "Summer Luv", and "Welcome To My Life". ~ Dusty Groove

Al Sunny - Planets

Al Sunny is a singer who really lives up to his name – as his voice has this warm glow that's really wonderful, and which is a perfect fit for the classic-styled backings on the set! And by "classic", we mean a tight mix of soul and 70s AOR modes – laidback, but well-crafted – with plenty of Fender Rhodes from Florian Pellissier – a keyboardist that we really love for albums under his own name! Al comes across with this great vibe – never too forcedly soulful, and right on the money – and he also brings plenty of his own tight guitar work into the mix too, which helps underscore the jazzier currents in the music. Titles include "Should I", "A Million Miles Away", "How Does It Feel", "If Your Heart", "You & I", and "Planets". CD features the bonus track "Song For Two". ~ Dusty Groove

Sulu & Excelsior - Antimatter Suite

A sweet set from Sulu & Excelsior – essentially the solo project of singer, rapper and trumpet player Steven "Sulu" Mallorca despite the sprawling sound and stylistic breadth – with influences that stretch from classic Motown, to late 60s funk, to live horn-backed hip hop and the skills to fuse them seamlessly! Sulu is a soulful singer and solid MC, often doing both in single rap, and handles most of the instrumentation – from the beats, to piano & keys, to horns, with guests on vocals, bass and guitar on just a handful of tunes – all the more impressive given the full band vibe you get here. lncludes "My Own Volition", "You Don't Mind Me Sayin' That", "Find Another" with Hiro-A-Key, "Antimatter", "Lady Libby", "Mad Dog Magic", "Equilibrium", "Space Suit", "Silver Fox", "Gratitude", "Hate To See You Go". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Selenites Band, Aldorande, Cotonete & Di Melo

Selenites Band - Ethio Jazz Groove Project

An album that definitely lives up to the title – as the music here is rooted in classic Ethiopian modes, but also has the freer flow of a contemporary funky jazz ensemble! There have been other Ethio-styled albums from current groups in recent years, but this set may well be one of the best – as the group really leave room for plenty of their own sense of expression, which includes some nicely roomy solos, especially on baritone sax! Other instrumentation includes Fender Rhodes, moog, flute, bass, drums, guitar, and some guest organ – and titles include reworks of classics by Mulatu Astatke and some of his contemporaries – "Yegelle Tezeta", "Yekatit", "Muzikawi Silt", "Yekermo Sew", and "Antchim Endelela".  ~ Dusty Groove / (Hand-numbered limited edition of 300!).

Aldorande - Aldorande

A jazz funk killer from Aldorande – a French quartet that features some mighty nice keyboards from Florian Pellissier, who we also really love on his own recordings too! The style here is different than those, though – very tight rhythms with a slightly cosmic core – almost jazz funk taking things back from the broken beat generation, finding a way to move with energy learned from that scene, but in a style that's more cohesively funky – classic and contemporary at the same time! The group get a bit of help from added horns at points, and there's also a bit of vocals on the set too – but the main energy comes from the fantastic mix of keyboards and rhythms at the core. Titles include "Praia Do Destino", "Rayon Vert", "Because Of You", "La Fin Est Un Commencement", "Beauty Island", and "Sous La Lune".  ~ Dusty Groove

Cotonete & Di Melo - Atemporal

A legendary soul singer returns to the fold – the mighty Di Melo, who's best known for one killer Brazilian funk album in the 70s – working here with superb support from contemporary French combo Cotonete! Di Melo's vocals maybe sound even better than before – with a raspy charm that only deepens the soul, and which has this tremendous power, even if you can't understand his Portuguese lyrics – and Cotonete provide grooves that move between tight funk and airier moments, often drenched in Fender Rhodes, which gives the whole thing the right sort of 70s echoes to take us back to Di Melo's classic material. Really tremendous, and long overdue – with cuts that include "Canto Da Yara", "Papos Desconexos (parts 1 & 2)", "Linhas De Alinhar", "Verso E Prosa", "Kilario", and "Mulher Instrumento (parts 1 & 2)".  ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Andre Solomko, Upperground Orchestra, Arp Frique & Erik Ritfeld

Andre Solomko - Le Deltaplane

Great sounds from Andre Solomko – an artist who's been giving us some great 70s-styled music in recent years, and may well have topped himself with this fantastic set! Andre plays alto and soprano sax, in a setting that's got the warm glow of a sweet 70s fusion record – but this time around, he also gets plenty of great vocal contributions from female singer Charlotta Kerbs – whose soulful lyrics appear on most of the album, and give the fusion grooves a slightly AOR sort of vibe – but always at a level that's very understated and individual, and never just trying to cop an older groove. Instead, Andre brings a great sense of personality to the music – which also includes lots of Fender Rhodes and other keyboards – on titles that include "Moonbeach Disco", "Le Deltaplane", "Aquaplane", "Summer 79", and "Paraphraser". ~ Dusty Groove

Upperground Orchestra - Euganea

Darker sounds than usual for this cool Italian combo – a set that still has the cosmic elements of their previous record, but a much sharper edge, and a style that feels a lot more improvised and free! Each of the long tunes build up in a way that's organic – free at the start, then taking on more shape as the musicians come together – with a shifting lineup of instrumentation that includes bass clarinet, flute, alto sax, percussion, oud, drums, bass, and a fair bit of electronics – the last of which are used sparely sometimes, more boldly at others. Titles include "Ghebi", "Hephaistos", "Barene", "Sinopia", and "Kaigo". ~ Dusty Groove

Arp Frique & Erik Ritfeld - Improvised Suites For Analog Machines

A really fantastic set of keyboard sounds – a record that features improvised duets between Arp Frique and Erik Ritfeld – who each switch up their machines on every different track! At the core of the record is an Elka Drummer One rhythm box and a Roland Space Echo – but then each of the tracks has Frique and Ritfeld moving to a different keyboard unit as they improvise together – all in a way that's tuneful and rhythmic, but with a style that's a lot more creative than the usual keyboard record of this style! Each track is named after the keyboard used – and titles include "Arp", "Farfisa", "SH2000", "DX7", "Solina", and "Juno". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Black Jazz Consortium, Carl Craig, Dexter Story

Black Jazz Consortium - Evolution Of Light

A crackling little full length set from Fred Peterkin – aka Black Jazz Consortium – a set that continues his forward-thinking approach to a groove, but which also brings in a recent love of the music of Brazil as well! The Brazilian elements here are very spare – this is still mostly future house overall – but the lighter touches really open up the sound, and especially speak to the warmer collaborative energy from a list of guests who include Leonardo Peretti Reibnitz, Trovao Rocham, Leo Vieira, Bruna Elisabetsky, and Slikk Tim. Titles include "More Blessings", "Another Path", "Salvador", "Brisbane", "Energies Collide", "Focus", "Love Alliance", "Resonate", "Soul People For Life", and "Sacred Sun". ~ Dusty Groove

Carl Craig - Detroit Love Vol 2 (Various Artists)

A heavy helping of Detroit Love – and one that will also make you love Detroit too – or, at least, completely respect the city for having such a continually rewarding underground over the last few decades – long after the possibility of chart hits or bigger fame have passed! Detroit's electronic scene first got notice at the end of the 80s – when its own grooves were rising to rival the house music coming from Chicago – and while that moment sparked some big international fame, the decades have continued to see the city working to improve, refine, and mature their initial impulses – with the sorts of fantastic sounds that you'll hear in this set! Not all the music is new, but most of it is – and the set combines some wonderfully fresh tracks from the Carl Craig side of the universe – both his own music, and work by key contemporaries too – with titles that include "It Is What It Is" by Rhythim Is Rhythim, "Rosalie" by Green Velvet & Carl Craig, "Do It All Night (C2 edit)" by DJ Minx, "Credit Card (Gay Marvine rmx)" by BMG & Sal P, "Satori" by Ectomorph, "Formulaic Mode" by Mirko Loko & Stacey Pullen, "My Love Check" by Claude Vonstroke, and "Alleys Of Your Mind" by The Dirtbombs. ~ Dusty Groove

Dexter Story - Bahir

The world of Dexter Story just keeps getting bigger and bigger – not just because he's a richly collaborative player, but also because he's got this musical style that really opens up to so many different elements – but without ever sounding like he's trying to crash them together in any sort of inorganic way! Instead, Dexter draws evenly from spiritual jazz, Ethiopian rhythms, underground soul, and some of the best strands of 21st Century grooves – opening up the door for his own wonderful lead lyrics, while creating and exploring a planet of his own. Guests on the record include Carlos Nino on percussion, Te'Amir Sweeney on drums, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on strings, and Randal Fischer on tenor – and the set features guest vocals from Haile Supreme, Marie Daulne, Endeguena Mulu, Sudan Archives, Jimetta Rose, and Kibrom Birhane – although Dexter gets plenty of time in the lead too. Titles include "Mamdooh", "Buna Be Chow", "Gold", "Techawit", "Shuruba Song", "Bahir", "Abebaye", and "Jijiga Jijiya". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Rongetz Foundation, Crowd Company, Ahmed Abdullah

Rongetz Foundation - Alphabet City Music Club

We've loved these guys since the start, but this time around they really seem to be knocking it out of the park – fusing their fantastic blend of funky jazz and contemporary soul with a fresher vibe than they've ever had before! These guys draw on plenty of classic elements, but never sound like a retro group at all – as they've got this bold spirit and forward-thinking energy that bristles with positivity, and really marks their music right from the start. The singers get some really great space in the spotlight this time around – a lineup that includes Vanisha Gould, Alina Engibaryan, Mr Day, and Vuyo Sotashe – plus rapper Lewis Parker. Rongetz plays trumpet, produced, and arranged – and instrumentation includes some great keyboards and organ, plus tenor, alto, and flute. Tracks include "The Tour Song", "Clapping Your Soul", "Funky Fancy NYC", "Death Of A Music Box", "Success Success", "Murky Park", and "Somehow Blues". ~ Dusty Groove

Crowd Company - Lowdown

Hot on the heels of new single "Express 76", acclaimed UK funk band Crowd Company return with another taste from their forthcoming third album in the form of "Lowdown", a sassy slice of sister funk that once again features Ryan Zodis & Eric Bloom, the sax & trumpet virtuosos from USA funk band Lettuce. "Lowdown" is released digitally on November 29th via Vintage League Music and anticipates the band's new album that will see the light of day on CD, LP & Digital on January 31st 2020. Both the single and the album were recorded in Millers Falls, USA at the studio of Alan Evans (Soulive / Ae3) who also produced the record.  We're not quite sure what Crowd Company have been eating lately but we wouldn't be surprised if it was some high-energy spinach cause they are on a roll and have never sounded better! If first singles "Express 76" and "Lowdown" are any indication of what is to come, we're ready to bet the next album will firmly cement the band's standing as a force to be reckoned with in the global funk scene!

Ahmed Abdullah - Life's Force

A crowning moment of achievement for trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah – a record that draws on his rich experience working with Sun Ra, but focuses the energy into a warmer, more spiritual jazz setting overall! The album's a lost treasure from the US scene of the late 70s – a perfect melding of jazz modes of the time, and one of those dates that somehow has all the players sounding even better than usual – really hitting a unique space together – one that's rhythmic, yet searching – free, yet structured – and always open to new ideas throughout! In addition to trumpet from Abdullah, the group also features vibes from Jay Hoggard, French horn from Vincent Chaney, cello from Muneer Abdul Fatah, bass from Jerome Hunter, and drums from Rashied Sinan. Hunter's bass is an especially moving force in the session – giving the album a warm, soulful current that really holds things together – and titles include "Song of Tenderness", "Eternal Spiraling Spirit", "Long Time Black", and "Life's Force". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Art Ensemble Of Chicago, William Hooker, Chick Corea

Art Ensemble Of Chicago - We Are On The Edge – 50th Anniversary Celebration

A tremendous tribute to the legendary Art Ensemble Of Chicago – a group who work here with only two of their surviving members, but with help from a constellation of jazz musicians inspired by their music! The group here is large, and includes AACM members and other younger talents – a fantastic lineup that mixes the core work of Famadou Don Moye on drums and percussion, and Roscoe Mitchell on reeds with work from Nicole Mitchell on flutes, Hugh Ragin and Fred Berry on trumpets, Tomeka Reid on cello, Jaribu Shahid and Junius Paul on basses, Enoch Williams and Titos Sompa on percussion, and Christina Wheeler on voice and a range of unusual electronic instruments! There's a very ambitious feel to the music – like some of Roscoe Mitchell's larger form creations, but with more of a spiritual jazz current that comes from the whole ensemble – and from vocal contributions from Moore Mother and Rodolfo Cordova Lebron. The double-length set features a studio album and a live album by the expanded group – and titles include "Bell Song", "We Are On The Edge", "Chi Congo 50", "Fanfare & Bell", "Odwalla/The Theme", "Tutankhamun", "Mama Koko", "Saturday Morning", and "Villa Tiamo".  ~ Dusty Groove

William Hooker - Symphonie Of Flowers

A great album as a leader from the legendary William Hooker – and a fantastic reminder of how wonderful he can be in the spotlight! The set begins with some solo drum work from Hooker, then moves into bolder improvisations with an unnamed saxophonist and pianist (odd that the label didn't give us this information) – the latter of whom plays some very cool Sun Ra-like electric piano at one point! Hooker is clearly the star of the show, though – and begins with some almost-funky lines, something we've never heard before – then moves into the more familiar mode of improvisation that's made his work on other albums so great over the years. Titles include "Jazz", "Soul", "Hieroglyphics", "Chain Gangs", "Freedom Riders", and "Rastafarian". ~ Dusty Groove

Chick Corea - Flying on the Wings of Creativity

A Christmas celebration from Chick & Friends, available exclusively from Chick's website. Hear arrangements of Christmas songs never heard on Earth or other parts of the galaxy: Pennies from Heaven; A Child is Born; Greensleeves; and The Christmas Song. With Chick on piano, Gayle Moran Corea (Return to Forever & Mahavishnu Orchestra) on vocals, Hans Glawischnig (Chick Corea & Billy Childs) on bass and Tom Brechtlein (Wayne Shorter & Robben Ford) on drums. This is an exclusive recording from Chick, not available in stores, meant to inspire throughout the holidays. 

Neneh Cherry Celebrates 30th Anniversary Of 'Raw Like Sushi' With Remasters And Super Deluxe Box Sets

Neneh Cherry continually draws inspiration from her surroundings. In the late '80s, she traversed between post-punk London nightlife and the burgeoning hip-hop movement in New York. Capturing these unique experiences, and also shaped by the influence of her musical family, she exploded onto the pop music landscape by closing out the '80s with her internationally acclaimed debut album, Raw Like Sushi. This melting pot of musical styles and streetwise lyrics that take on life and love with equal parts tenderness and toughness is set for a 30th Anniversary celebration befitting its global impact.

Raw Like Sushi has been remastered at London's Abbey Road Studios and will be released on January 31 in super deluxe format across 3CD and 3LP heavyweight vinyl box sets, as well as in special edition alternative gold vinyl and digital formats, and 1CD and 1LP formats. A limited-edition gold 1LP, plus signed prints with the first 500 preorders of 3CD and 3LP formats, will be available exclusively via uDiscover, Sound of Vinyl and recordstore.co.uk.

The box sets include a stunning 48-page 12x12 book packed full of iconic photos, new interviews, liner notes and memorabilia. The album features five of Neneh's biggest singles - including the worldwide smash hit single "Buffalo Stance" as well as hit singles "Manchild" produced by Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja, "Kisses On The Wind," "Heart" and "Inna City Mamma." It also features rare mixes of key tracks by Massive Attack, Arthur Baker, Smith N Mighty, and more.

Since the release of Raw Like Sushi 30 years ago, Neneh Cherry has continued to define and redefine culture, style and music releasing five studio albums, including 2018's Broken Politics, produced by Four Tet, which was met with critical acclaim by the likes of The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The Guardian and The FADER. Neneh went on to tour the album throughout the world in 2019 including her largest-ever headline shows in New York and Los Angeles, and festival performances at Glastonbury, Art Basel Miami, Primavera, Pitchfork Chicago and more, culminating in a stand out performance in September at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, proving her music and message are more relevant than ever.

New Music Releases: Susan Alcorn / Joe McPhee / Ken Vandermark, Dopolarians, Mareike Wiening

Susan Alcorn / Joe McPhee / Ken Vandermark - Invitation To A Dream

Amazing sounds from three great improvisers – two of whom we've known and loved for years, one of whom we're just beginning to discover! The trio features Ken Vandermark on tenor and clarinet, Joe McPhee on soprano sax and pocket trumpet, and Susan Alcorn on pedal steel guitar – the last of which is an instrument that's used in very different, very unconventional ways – more like a subtle sonic element, but still with some musical qualities – which then seems to create the same sort of balance in McPhee and Vandermark, both of whom are more fragile, more sensitive here than we've heard them in years! There's still a few more fully-blown passages, but the real beauty of the record lies in the more subtle sonic interplay, which is magical throughout. Titles include "Invitation To A Dream", "The Eyes Of Memory", "Rise & Rise", "Every Season Has Its Reason", and "I Am Because You Are". ~ Dusty Groove

Dopolarians - Garden Party

A beautiful meeting of generations – from a group that features William Parker on bass, Alvin Fiedler on percussion, and Kidd Jordan on tenor – alongside Chris Parker on piano, Chad Fowler on alto and saxello, and Kelly Hurt on a bit of occasional voice! At times, the style is very much in a mode that you might expect from the three older legends – almost an update of an older loft jazz approach at times – but there are warmer currents at other moments, particularly when Parker's piano dominates a bit more – really providing a great setting for all involved, as things more from freer passages to moments of bolder composition with more of an angular swing. Titles include "Garden Party", "Impromptu", "C Melody", "Dopolaria", and "Father Dies Son Dies". ~ Dusty Groove

Mareike Wiening - Metropolis Paradise

Maybe the first album we've ever seen to feature drummer Marieke Wiening as a leader – but a set that fits in very nicely with the overall aesthetic of the Greenleaf label – in the way that the label's releases are always trying to push the further boundaries of jazz expression, but all without ever sounding too avant or outside! In this case, Wiening is wonderfully restrained – and lets a lot of the initial energy of the tunes come from the guitar of Alex Goodman and the piano of Dan Tepfer – both artists who work in bright chromes, which are then augmented with work from Rick Perry on tenor and Johannes Felscher on bass – as Marieke comes in with rhythms that are complicated, yet never too overbearing – gently shaping the colors that come from the other players. Titles include "For A Good Day", "Misconception", "Free Time", "Relations", "Free At Last", and "Viewpoints". ~ Dusty Groove

Urban-jazz pianist Kayla Waters tops the Billboard singles chart for the third time with “Full Bloom”

Urban-Jazz pianist Kayla Waters is blooming into a consistent hitmaker. The Washington, DC-based musician-songwriter-producer-arranger went No. 1 on the Billboard national airplay chart dated December 14 with “Full Bloom,” which became the third chart-topping single of the emerging artist’s budding recording career.  

“Full Bloom” appears on Waters’ sophomore album, “Coevolve,” issued last year by Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records. The album is a conceptual collection of songs loosely mirroring Waters’ own growth and development – musically, personally and spiritually. On “Full Bloom,” she uses the metaphor of a plant to tell the story of its evolution from seedling to flourishing flora. Writing with Michael Broening, who crafted the rhythm track, Waters’ lush piano melodies are permeated with fervent joy and exuberance just like the artist herself. Midtrack, guitarist and labelmate Nick Colionne adds an electric guitar solo like a nourishing ray of sunshine.     

“Full Bloom’s” chart coronation concludes another year of significant growth for Waters, a classically trained pianist and a Howard University music school graduate. She spent half her weekends in 2019 on the road performing at marquee music festivals, theaters and clubs. Highlights include her debuts at Boscov’s Berks Jazz Festival, Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Newport Beach Jazz Festival, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival and the Algarve Jazz Festival, the last of which marked her European premiere. Waters’ 2020 concert calendar is already booking up with dates into September. Next month, she hits the high seas for the first time to perform aboard the Capital Jazz SuperCruise and in June, she will make her first appearance at the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway.

  

Waters introduced herself with self-confidence in 2017 with “I Am,” the first single from her debut album, “Apogee.” The single became her first Billboard No. 1 hit. The imaginative set earned her the Rising Star in Jazz award from the Black Women in Jazz and the Arts and Best Jazz Artist honors at DC’s Wammies. A year later, Waters scored her second consecutive No. 1 single with “Zephyr” from “Coevolve.”   

  

Still in her 20s, Waters’ artistic vision, creativity, old-soul depth and sophisticated sonic palette that incorporates improvisational jazz, R&B grooves and inspired gospel tones have made her a welcome addition to the contemporary jazz scene. Add to it Waters’ ambition, attention to detail, alluring beauty, charismatic charm, devotional nature and fashion-model style, she represents a brand with the true potential to transcend far beyond music. Her plans for 2020 include releasing her third album in the fall and opening her PuriKey Productions to writing and producing music for other recording artists.

http://www.iamkaylawaters.com

New Music Releases: Art Blakely & The Jazz Messengers, Ellery Eskelin / Christian Weber / Michael Grenier, Herlin Riley

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Buhaina's Delight

A landmark recording by a whole new chapter in Art Blakey's career! During the early 60s, Blakey expanded the Jazz Messengers from a quintet to an incredibly tight sextet – adding in the trombone of Curtis Fuller for an extra-punched up frontline that also included Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, and Wayne Shorter on tenor, who had returned to the group after a short departure. The band was augmented by the wonderfully lyrical and soulful piano of a young Cedar Walton – who brought a strong degree of sophistication, and who was a perfect interpreter of Shorter's rich writing talents. The whole group performs together perfectly on this wonderful (and oft-overlooked) session – especially on the tracks "Shaky Jake", "Backstage Sally", and "Bu's Delight". ~ Dusty Groove

Ellery Eskelin / Christian Weber / Michael Grenier - Pearls

Tenorist Ellery Eskelin really sounds great here – carving out these soulful, angular lines in the kind of format that seems to make him shine the most – a trio, with Christian Weber on bass and Michael Grenier on drums! Some of the tunes are of older origin, which brings out some roots in the players we might not expect – while others are originals composed by the three, and presented in a style that mixes the modern and traditional in a very captivating way. Titles include "Magnetic Rag", "ABC", "Black Drop", "Jive At Five", "The Pearls", "La Fee Verte", "Ru Jardiniere", and "Il Gatto". ~ Dusty Groove

Herlin Riley - Perpetual Optimism

Great work from Herlin Riley – a drummer with plenty of New Orleans in his roots, but also a jazzman who never tries to hit you over the head with that legacy either! There's definitely a complexity in the rhythms that reflects Herlin's background – but the modes of expression are more contemporary, and more universal – as the songs feature some great criss-crossing between the trumpet of Bruce Harris and alto of Godwin Louis – the latter of whom might well be reason enough to check out the album! The horn lines are bold and soulful – and Riley gets great support from pianist Emmet Cohen and bassist Russell Hall – on titles that include "Perpetual Optimism", "Rush Hour", "Be There When I Get There", "Twelve's It", "Wings & Roots", and "Borders Without Lines". ~ Dusty Groove

Carnaval de Bahidorá Announces First Wave of Artists: MASTERS AT WORK, SISTER NANCY, DENGUE DENGUE DENGUE!, GOLDLINK, DAVID AUGUST PRESENTS the LIFE OF MERiSi, PANTHA DU PRINCE presents CONFERENCE OF TREES And More

Deep in the nature preserve of Las Estacas located in the heart of Morales, Mexico a unity of creativity, sustainability, expression and civic responsibility takes place at Carnaval de Bahidorá.  More than a music festival, Carnaval de Bahidorá (a.k.a Bahidorá) is an internal state of lucidity and consciousness. It is a place where festival goers connect with themselves, each other and the surroundings. It is the place from which creativity burgeon. This year, Carnaval de Bahidorá will take place on February 14 -16, 2020.

Carnaval de Bahidorá 2020 announces the first wave of artists for its eighth edition of the festival. This year’s line-up includes a sound constellation abundant in diversity and curated to fill festival goers with three days of new experiences. A kaleidoscope of exciting musical and visual experiences, capable of shaking mind, body and soul, without labels and with authenticity as the only flag.

Carnaval de Bahidorá 2020 will showcase legends, including the long-awaited return of Masters At Work, a duo that has kept the essence of Latin house for almost three decades, and Sister Nancy, pioneer MC and queen of the Jamaican sound system since 1976.

A flow of rhythms inspired by afrobeat from a futuristic perspective will also take the stages, first with Dengue Dengue Dengue!, a duo who’s new album ‘Zénit & Nadir’ dives deep into their Afro-Peruvian lineage. The new music will be presented as a electronic set along with a 4 Piece percussion band that includes cajón and quijada. The African groove will continue with Goldlink, hot off his tour with Tyler the Creator, will be performing new songs from his album ‘Diaspora’, a unique blend of rap, reggae, afrobeat, dancehall and moombahton.

The English collective Ibibio Sound Machine will invoke the hottest afrobeat and polyrhythms through funk and disco textures. Meanwhile, Sinkane and his band return to Mexico with ‘Dépaysé’, a call that seeks to connect and exalt the African diaspora beyond the borders, and influenced from the legacy of music icons such as Hendrix and Motown.

From the outskirts of Mexico City, Son Rompe Pera will sure to bring their energetic mix of punk attitude and instrumental virtuosity with their garage/punk take on traditional folk marimba music.

Special performances from German electronic music icons David August and Pantha Du Prince will take festival goers into the groove both sonically and visually. The ‘Life Of Merisi’ is the album that has led the multi-instrumentalist and Producer David August from the festival scene to theaters and auditoriums across Europe. The new album was made in collaboration with the visual artist Francisco Bosoletti, who visually translates the deep techno textures felt within the new album.

‘Conference of Trees’, a profound acoustic and performance experience arising from the great imagination of Pantha Du Prince, will be a mixture of acoustic delicacy, visual innovation and rave spirit that feels like an #EnBahidorá conceived experience.

Bahidorá has brought together artists and musicians that inject new verve into the rich sound legacy of Latin America. Expressing its roots through the creativity of a new generation of artists and musicians, the Latinx identity runs free throughout the world and goes beyond geographical limitations and political divisions. Performances from Teto Preto, Combo Chimbita, Buscabulla, Sotomayor, Novalima, Barrio Lindo, Branko, and Baiuca will attest to the unstoppable advance that the latinx movement is conquering spaces globally.

#EnBahidorá encompasses the energy of the festival -- pulsations in tune with the jungle that induce dance while seducing our imagination. Festival goers will feel the heat of the jungle with #EnBahidorá acts like Bbymutha, her hip-hop is as freaky as it is innovative, the cool-electro vibes of Channel Tres, the two of the most restless minds of contemporary dance, Avalon Emerson and Jasss, and the jazzy techno producers from New Zeland Chaos in the CBD. Additional acts include, a pillar of New York’s house scene producer, promoter and DJ Joe Claussell, and half of  Deep Space Network, Move D, the alias of the German producer David Moufang, who since the nineties has kept a spatial, groovy and strongly charged ambient sound evolving.

Festival Line-Up

AVALON EMERSON · BAIUCA · BBYMUTHA · BRANKO · BUSCABULLA · CHANNEL TRES ·CHAOS IN THE CBD · COMBO CHIMBITA · DAVID AUGUST PRESENTS the LIFE OF MERiSi DENGUE DENGUE DENGUE (4 PIECE LIVE) · GOLDLINK · IBIBIO  SOUND MACHINE · JASSS ·JOE  CLAUSSELL  · MASTERS AT WORK  · MOVE D · NOVALIMA ·

PANTHA DU PRINCE presents CONFERENCE OF TREES ·  SINKANE · SISTER NANCY · SOTOMAYOR SON ROMPE PERA · TETO PRETO ***And More To come***

New Music Releases: JBs, Greg Foat, Eric Alexander

JBs - More Mess On My Thing (2019 Black Friday Release)

A fantastic slice of lost work from the legendary JBs – including the track that first got Bootsy Collins and company the job as James Brown's backing band! The set leads off with that gem of a groove – the fast funky "More Mess On My Thing" – a tune that's got the sort of impeccable sharpness the JBs would bring to the James Brown universe in the early 70s – complete with tight drums, effortless basslines, and horn lines so tight they could cut glass! "The Wedge" follows – a sweet organ-driven instrumental with a vibe that's a lot like "Brother Rapp" – but stretched out as a long instrumental jam! And that approach really takes off on the super-long "When You Can Feel It Grunt (If You Can)" – a tune that begins with the band doing their own version of "Let The Music Take Your Mind", before going off into all the these other directions on the first-ever issue of the complete take of the tune! ~ Dusty Groove

Greg Foat - Dreaming Jewels

The funkiest record in years from the great Greg Foat – a set that moves away from some of the more open, meditative sounds of other recent albums – and has Greg returning to the kind of grooves that first made us fall in love with his music! Foat plays Fender Rhodes throughout – and the album's got lots of great rhythms from the drums of Malcolm Catto and Clark Tracey, and the added percussion of Eric Young – whose congas kick things up fantastically next to the heavy bass of Phillip Achille. There's also some strong horn work throughout too – tenor from Binker Golding, trumpet from Trevor Walker, and both soprano and tenor from Rob Mach – players who are used in individual, spacious ways – and not as the more familiar horn section approach to funk – which skews the whole album much more strongly in a jazz-based direction. Titles include "Eric's Breakdown", "The Door Into Summer", "Kushiro River", "Sapphire Dreams", "Lake Kussharo", and "Not That It Makes Any Difference". ~ Dusty Groove

Eric Alexander - Eric Alexander With Strings

A really fantastic album from tenorist Eric Alexander – a player we've always loved, but who really seems to be opening up some new sides in his music in the past few years! As you'd guess from the title, the album's in a classic "with strings" mode – Eric's tenor out front soloing, with support from a familiar core trio that includes David Hazeltine on piano, John Webber on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums – all augmented by these really beautiful string passages from Dave Rivello – an arranger we're not sure we've heard before, but who does a tremendous job here – couching the strong tenor lines with a sensitivity that reminds of of classic 60s charts from Torrie Zito. There's a mature, open quality to the whole thing that's really wonderful – a new sophisticated side of Alexander's music, and one that we love from the very first note. Titles include "Dreamsville", "Gently", "Lonely Woman", "Some Other Time", "Slow Hot Wind", and "The Thrill Is Gone".  ~ Dusty Groove

Brooklyn based baritone saxophonist Jonah Parzen-Johnson presents his new work ‘Imagine Giving Up’

'Stand Still' is the first single taken from the LP, to be released on 7 February 2020 and sees Parzen-Johnson move into new domains of sound as he uncovers newfound energy and pulse in his music.
In addition to the sonically rich analog synth elements that accompany his earlier solo saxophone work, Jonah has layered heavily sound designed samples of his own saxophone to create truly one of a kind percussive snaps, reverberant basses, and warbling leads. At its core, the music remains deeply devoted to almost vocal sounding melodic lines and patiently developed compositional ideas

A compact set of 6 originals, “Imagine Giving Up” is Jonah Parzen-Johnson’s most ambitious album yet. While taking a step away from the previous world of “ambient jazz”, his new music stems from the use of drone-like sounds for baritone saxophone, a style which is uniquely his own. Electronics are blended in for good measure, creating a coherent vision of abstract jazz with depth.


As with all of Parzen-Johnson’s releases, the music comes with a deeper narrative which he will continually explore in live performance. ‘Imagine Giving Up’ is a deep reflection on life choices, risk, privilege and empathy.

In his own words: “Only a few people can really start over. Everyone else is left to struggle down the path they were assigned. The option to give up, to choose your own path, is power, and, hopefully, a call to action: take a risk to help someone.”

“When it comes to solving the deep systematic problems our civilization is facing, everyone has their own role to play. Something suited to their circumstances, and their strengths. I believe my greatest strength is the power that comes from my stability, and every day I try to ask myself how I could be using that strength to help someone else. ‘Imagine Giving Up’ is about documenting my emotional reactions to that practice. Some days I feel defensive, some grateful, others a little over-confident in my beliefs. In the end it's about staying dedicated to the question: If I can imagine giving up, how am I using that power to help someone else?"

On Alone, Artyom Manukyan takes his place as one of the most inventive cellists on the music scene today

The cello is an extremely flexible instrument. It can be bowed like a low-register violin or plucked like a string bass, and can sound quite natural in both very traditional and avant-garde settings. Despite that, it took some time for it to be adopted as a solo instrument in jazz, starting with Harry Babasin and Oscar Pettiford in the 1950s and evolving to the present time.

In his career thus far, Artyom Manukyan has shown that the cello can be played not only in classical music and rock settings but as the lead instrument in jazz. His virtuosity is equaled by his creativity and willingness to stretch himself while creating new music with a strong emphasis on his themes and adventurous improvisations.

Alone, his second release for Ghost Note (following Citizen), features Manukyan as both a one-man orchestra on his cellos and in close interaction with five notable guests. His ten originals cover a variety of moods while often being atmospheric, wistful, and rhythmically infectious.

The opening ''Intro'' has a brief poem by Narek Hovsepyan that is accompanied by Manukyan. ''The Form'' features the cellist playing catchy rhythmic patterns while soloing on top. After the brief ''Outro'' (which has one of two appearances by bassist Tim Lefebvre), Manukyan duets with pianist Vardan Ovsepian who improvises quite freely on ''Last Chance To…'' ''Duet #2'' has the up-and-coming singer Michael Mayo blending in perfectly with the cellist while ''#Celloart'' gets a bit funky.

''Alone'' introduces a particularly haunting melody along with a catchy rhythm. On ''Next Step,'' Manukyan expands the sound of his cello, alternating virtuosic passages with droning notes that hint at a sitar. ''Every Time She Goes'' features some wordless vocalizing by Gretchen Parlato before ''Not Alone'' closes the colorful set as it began, with some poetry from Narek Hovsepyan.

Artyom Manukyan first gained attention for his playing in his native Armenia. He traveled the world as the youngest member of the Armenia Navy Band before settling in Los Angeles. His career since then has found him playing cello in a wide variety of settings including classical, rock and jazz, sounding comfortable no matter what the genre. He has also written film and television scores, toured with Kamasi Washington, Melody Gardot, Peter Erskine and Tigran Hamasyan among others, and leads his electro-jazz quartet Artyom.

On Alone, Artyom Manukyan plays with consistent brilliance and is consistently unpredictable. Alone is an early milestone during what will certainly be a very significant career.

Cool and super hip jazz musician Tony Adamo releases a brand new single titled “Did Mark Murphy Believe in UFOs"

Cool and super hip jazz musician Tony Adamo has release a brand new single titled “Did Mark Murphy Believe in UFOs."  The song is a mix of jazz rhythm, funk and rap.

Born in San Francisco, California, Tony Adamo has strong ties to his Italian American family in the Bronx and Brooklyn.  After his stint in the Navy, he attended the Actor’s Studio and discovered a whole new world referred to as “method acting.”  He discovered that he was terrible at remembering lines, and soon headed back to music as his true calling, with a very improvisational intent.

After some time on the radio and some gigging with rock bands (as a drummer) Tony moved to Los Angeles for several years. By day, he went to work putting up billboards; to workin’ on the rehab of the famous Hollywood sign; to joining the Studio Utilities Union where I worked in the background on TV shows. That gig led him to a job as a Hollywood agent at the Beverly Hecht Agency, where he booked TV commercials and models for print ads. But by night, Tony was out was performing with local bands.

Heading back to San Francisco, Tony landed a studio gig and was introduced to Tower of Power original members Mic Gillette and Skip Mesquite, who agreed to record with him. Mic and Tony became fast friends, and Mic  later introduced him to Stephen “Doc” Kupka, co-founder of Tower of Power and owner of Strokeland Records.  Over the next few years “Doc,” Mic, Skip and Tom Politzer recorded on Tony's early recordings with Mic writing all the horn arrangements.

Somewhere in this mix of experiences Tony found a new groove - spoken word delivered with a full band. He had worked with drummer Mike Clark, and was very hip to the fact Mike could bring out the groove needed for his lyrics. Mike laid down some screamin’ drum tracks, and Tony improvised the rest. While he does write out what he intends to record, Tony's actual recordings have all the words in different places as the improvisation and the beat take over.

Adamo has written and recorded songs about some of the greats of jazz, including Mark Murphy, Joe Henderson, Eddie Gale, Sun Ra, Eddie Harris, Mike Clark, Art Blakey,  B.B. King and James Brown.

Vocalist & Harp Ukulelist Gracie Terzian Releases Christmas EP "Bells & White Branches"

New York singer-songwriter and harp ukulelist, Gracie Terzian, announces the release of her Christmas EP Bells & White Branches via Aima Records. Consisting of six tracks, Bells & White Branches showcases classic songs with refreshingly beautiful and innovative arrangements, which keep the harp ukulele front and center. The soft, haunting sounds of Terzian’s voice, combined with her harp ukulele, provide a rich new interpretation of the well-loved songs with both jazz and folk influences.

Steeped in the language of jazz, Terzian wanted to try her hand at an album of her favorite Christmas songs, but with a folk-jazz fusion that employs the unique tonal vocabulary of her harp ukulele. “I’ve loved these tunes since I was a child,” says Terzian, “and I approached them lovingly, but from a very different place.” The album was recorded in Brooklyn at both Soda Aroma Studio and Big Orange Sheep Studio.

Track List:

1. "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

2. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

3. The Christmas Song

4. "Silent Night"

5. "Coventry Carol"

6. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Originally from Virginia, Gracie Terzian, with her distinctively nostalgic vocals and unusual musical instrument, has gathered a following through live performances at many clubs, venues and festivals in the U.S. and abroad, including Antone’s, Rough Trade NYC, Blue Note NYC, Birdland, Smalls Jazz Club, EXIT/IN, El Sotono - AmonSolar, Utopia Music Festival, Ukulele Festival of Scotland, Gaithersburg Ukulele Festival, NJ Ukulele Festival, Albuquerque Ukulele Festival, and many others. She released her debut EP of original music Saints and Poets in 2015 to critical acclaim, debuting at #23 on Billboard’s Jazz charts and as the #3 Jazz Album on iTunes.

Aaron Stroessner Quartet | "Haymarket Station"

The Aaron Stroessner Quartet debut Haymarket Station resonates with memorable themes set in creative explorations of mood and style. Inspirations are cryptically referenced in the titles; while “Amtrak,” “Kief,” “There and Back” and “Django Unchained” pay homage to John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett, Jeff Beck, and the MJQ, other titles directly reference style, as in “Ocho Rios” and “Blue Shoe Samba.” Each inspiration begins as a seductive starting point for Stroessner’s simple yet resilient narratives, which are guided as much by intuition as tradition. Haymarket Station is undoubtedly a jazz recording, with extensive improvisations throughout; its ten songs were all recorded in a single day by GRAMMY® Award-nominated producer Tom Ware.

Stroessner’s guitar playing is a lot like his songwriting, with a developed melodic sense that can be both simple and sophisticated. The same could be said of Hammond B3 player Kevin Lloyd, who generates tremendous emotional peaks and valleys on Haymarket Station. Lloyd also comes from a varied background, playing jazz, blues, and funk gigs by night and gospel by day at the New Beginning Community Baptist Church in Omaha, NE. At age 13, Lloyd started a decade-long engagement at Lee’s Chicken Restaurant in Lincoln and joined Chicago bluesman Magic Slim’s band just a few years later. The variety of tones evoked by Lloyd’s B3 and Stroessner’s telecaster complement the songs on Haymarket Station, at times suggesting an otherworldly landscape.

Besides playing in the Aaron Stroessner Quartet, bassist Mitchell Benson also writes, sings, and performs in several different bands. With that mindset, Benson developed his contribution to Haymarket Station organically, discerning each song’s identity on a case-by-case basis. Drummer Andrew Wray, on the other hand, seems to experiment on every take, fearless on his instrument. The youngest of the group, Wray arrived in Lincoln playing beyond his years, having grown-up studying with noted Kansas City drummer Brandon Graves. The future looks bright for Wray, recently performing with the likes of Donny McCaslin, Victor Lewis, and Shodekeh. A composer in his own right, Wray always keeps an eye on the big picture.

The audience for Haymarket Station is wide and far reaching; perhaps the Aaron Stroessner Quartet is destined to keep playing jazz in blues bars, or maybe they'll cross over to some jam band scene. Whatever the audience, Stroessner’s discerning, memorable songs are perfect for the challenge, providing listeners with easy access to exotic places.