NEW RELEASES: MATT ULERY – IN THE IVORY; RYAN KEBERLE & CATHARSIS – INTO THE ZONE; ROB MAZUREK & BLACK CUBE SP – RETURN THE TIDES: ASCENSION SUITE & HOLY GHOST

MATT ULERY – IN THE IVORY

Matt Ulery just keeps on getting better and better – to a point where his music may well be a genre unto itself! This album's got Matt working with a larger ensemble – a mix of woodwind and string players, augmented with some key vocal passages as well – a double-length record that's mostly instrumental, but which has these beautiful songs step forth at just the right points – with lyrics delivered by Sarah Marie Young and Grazyna Auguscik. Matt leads the group, plays bass, and provides some slight backing vocals – and the mix of cello, violin, piano, clarinet, and flute is sublime throughout. Titles include "Gave Proof", "The Farm", "Innocent", "Black Squirrel", "Resilin", "When Everything Is Just The Same", "Viscous", "Seeker", "Sweet Bitter", and "Mary Shelly".  ~ Dusty Groove

RYAN KEBERLE & CATHARSIS – INTO THE ZONE

Ryan Keberle's a trombonist, but one with a very light touch on his instrument – so much so that he blends wonderfully with the trumpet of Mike Rodriguez in this quartet – dancing along in a flurry of rhythms and colors with a bright, joyous sort of vibe! Like other albums on the Greenleaf label of late, this set's moving way past straight jazz – although there's still a very strong jazz center at the core. Bits of voice from Camila Meza come in and further warm the colors in the music – and the wonderful interplay between the bass or Jorge Roeder and drums of Eric Doob go way past the usual too. Titles include "Inevitable Blues", "Without A Thought", "Simple Sermon", "Cheryl", "Zone", and "Ballad Of The Sad Young Men".  ~ Dusty Groove

ROB MAZUREK & BLACK CUBE SP – RETURN THE TIDES: ASCENSION SUITE & HOLY GHOST

Rob Mazurek just keeps stunning us more and more over the years – growing way way past his earlier straight jazz roots, and even his key work in the Chicago underground – to a level where he's easily encompassing many different styles and genres at once – then finding a way to make the sounds all his own! This project has Rob furthering the electronic sounds of recent records, while still holding onto a core element of jazz with his work on cornet – an instrument he uses here with wonderfully rich acoustic tones, and hardly at any sort of easy Miles electric modes, or anything like that. The players here are all part of his scene in Sao Paulo – including Mauricio Takara on drums, Guilherme Granado on keyboards, Thomas Rohrer on electronics and soprano sax, and Rogerio Martins on percussion – but all players also take on other instruments, add in bits of voice, and work with the production and processing to really create some amazing sonic energy throughout. All tracks are long – and titles include "Let The Rain Fall Upwards", "Return The Tides", "Oh Mother", and "Reverse The Lightning".  ~ Dusty Groove

Emmy and Tony Award-Winning Singer-Actress Kristin Chenoweth to Release Her First Live CD Coming Home on November 17; PBS Concert Special Airs on November 28

"The whole experience was very emotional," Kristin Chenoweth says of the historic performance that's captured on Coming Home, her first Concord Records release and her first-ever live album.

Scheduled for release on November 17, 2014, the aptly titled 15-song album captures the versatile singer-actress singing for a rapturously enthusiastic crowd at the Kristin Chenoweth Theatre in the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center in her hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

"Any time you come home, you have a flood of emotions, and singing in front of people I've known most of my life made me even more nervous," Chenoweth observes. "But I couldn't imagine doing it anyplace else. I just wanted them to be proud of me."

The career-spanning CD is the audio counterpart to Kristin Chenoweth: Coming Home, the artist's first television concert special, which will premiere on PBS stations nationwide on November 28 and be released on CD and DVD.

The personally-charged performance finds Chenoweth accompanied by an expert 11-piece band incorporating strings, horns and woodwinds, along with a trio of backup vocalists and the Broken Arrow High School Choir. The set list spans her entire stage and screen career and encompasses the breadth of her musical interests, incorporating Broadway classics, timeless pop standards and contemporary material, covering a remarkable amount of stylistic ground while providing a compelling showcase for Chenoweth's abundant talent and charisma.

Coming Home's many highlights include powerful new renditions of "Popular" and "For Good," both of which Chenoweth introduced in her starring role in the Broadway smash Wicked. She also brings fresh energy and emotion to such venerable standards as Lerner and Loewe's "I Could Have Danced All Night," Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg's "Over the Rainbow," Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's "All the Things You Are," and the more recent show tunes "Bring Him Home," from Les Misérables; and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," from Phantom of the Opera.

Elsewhere on Coming Home, Chenoweth demonstrates her longstanding affinity for the songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb with stirring readings of the duo's enduring compositions "Maybe This Time" and "My Coloring Book." Her interpretive skills also illuminate Dolly Parton's "Little Sparrow," the contemporary spiritual "Upon This Rock," and Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer's disco-era smash "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)." Chenoweth also revisits the poignant "I Was Here" and "Fathers and Daughters," which she originally recorded in 2011, and taps into the timeless resonance of Stephen Foster's 19th-century ballad "Hard Times Come Again No More."

"I can't just sing a song for no reason, so I only choose songs that mean something to me," Chenoweth states. "For example, I chose 'My Coloring Book' because when I was in college, my voice teacher didn't think I understood the song, and told me to pull it out one day when I did. So I'm singing it all these years later, and she was there to witness it. I also like to reintroduce songs that people may not be familiar with, like Stephen Foster's 'Hard Times,' which is from 1853 but sounds like it could have been written today. And I love to do songs that people wouldn't expect from me, like 'Enough Is Enough.'

"I'm known for musical theatre," she continues, "but I grew up with country and gospel, and I've always loved standards and operas. So I figured that this live album would be a good chance to show people the different things that influenced me and the different things I can do."

Since achieving Broadway stardom with her roles in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Wicked, Kristin Chenoweth has effortlessly transitioned between her parallel careers in stage, television, film and music. After winning a Tony Award for You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown and earning a Tony nomination for Wicked, she won an Emmy Award for her role in the ABC TV series Pushing Daisies, and was nominated for two Emmy Awards and a People's Choice Award for her work in the Fox series Glee. In addition to numerous other TV, film and stage projects, she was a series regular on NBC's The West Wing, was a guest judge on American Idol and has recorded four studio albums.

Chenoweth plans to return to Broadway in early 2015 with a starring role in the Roundabout Theatre Company's 20-week limited engagement of On the Twentieth Century. She recently completed roles in the films The Boy Next Door, alongside Jennifer Lopez, Opposite Sex, the indie teen drama Hard Sell and the Disney Channel's live-action original movie Descendents, in which she plays the classic villain Maleficent.

Her celebrated acting career aside, Chenoweth says that she finds it liberating to sing in a concert situation, engaging directly with the songs and her audience.

"When I'm in a concert setting, I don't have to play a role," she notes. "It's more of a challenge to sing as yourself, because you can go to a very raw place that you don't always want to share, or maybe you don't mean for it to come out. But it's all part of being an artist and letting people see who you are. And hopefully when people listen to this CD, they'll have a better idea, or maybe even a different idea, of who Kristin Chenoweth is."

In addition to Coming Home's CD release, Concord will also issue the Coming Home concert on DVD in February 2015, and PBS will distribute a CD and DVD edition of the show as a fundraising premium.

Kristin Chenoweth: Coming Home will make its TV premiere on November 28 (check local listings) as part of the 2014 PBS Arts Fall Festival. Chenoweth will also host the series, which underscores PBS' commitment to America's best performing arts, and gives millions of viewers a front-row seat and a backstage pass to great cultural programs. Broadcasting every Friday night through December 5, with a range of related online content, the Fall Festival features artists and performances from across the country, comprising full-length performances, behind-the-scenes interviews, and artist and performer profiles. For more, visit pressroom.pbs.org.

Track Listing:

1. I Could Have Danced All Night (3:10)

2. Maybe This Time (3:16)

3. My Coloring Book (4:20)

4. Bring Him Home (4:20)

5. Fathers and Daughters (3:41)

6. Hard Times Come Again No More (5:06)

7. Upon This Rock (5:08)

8. Over the Rainbow (3:18)

9. Popular (3:41)

10. For Good (5:13)

11. Little Sparrow (6:23)

12. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again (3:16)

13. All the Things You Are (2:19)

14. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (5:23)

15. I Was Here (5:24)

The Thrasher Dream Trio--Gerry Gibbs, Ron Carter, and Kenny Barron--Completes Massive Year with Its Second Chart-Topping Recording

There was not one, but two tremendous—and tremendously successful—albums in a single year by the same band. The Thrasher Dream Trio, featuring bandleader/drummer Gerry Gibbs and his very special guests Kenny Barron and Ron Carter, had one heckuva 12-month period. Consider the facts:

First, Thrasher Dream Trio spent four months on JazzWeek chart to kick off 2014 and topped the chart in the big #1 spot for a full six weeks. The band's second recording, We're Back, an innovative survey of jazz-suffused R&B covers, has quickly gone from "most added" to #1 in just a few weeks and remains there as we speak, exploding on jazz radio and turning DJs into converts daily.

Some high profile projects fail to live up to expectations. Not so here. Both discs, spun from the magic fingers of Gibbs, Barron, and Carter, are exhilarating excursions of rich jazz adventure. The first disc is, by turns, comfortable and exploratory, turning up lots of terrific moments. For example, Herbie Hancock's "The Eye of the Hurricane," accelerates out of the gate with virtuosic intensity and never lets up; and Monk's "Epistrophy," which kicks off the album, is tasteful, simply perfect, up-tempo playing.

On We're Back, the inventive jazz performances of Gibbs, Carter, and Barron, filter beautifully through a prism of material by Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack and Marvin Gaye. The recording, which also features red-hot, world-class guests Warren Wolf (vibraphone), Larry Goldings (B-3), and Steve Wilson (woodwinds)—takes familiar tunes and morphs them into sizzling jazz standards.

Both recordings are remarkable modern-day classics starring three musicians at their peak. Joe Lovano affirms, "Gerry Gibbs has put together another fun and swinging session with a new spin on some of the best loved R&B classics of the day… This recording will capture you from start to finish! Enjoy!"

BUIKA To Release Highly Anticipated Book Debut "A LOS QUE AMARON A MUJERES DIFÍCILES Y ACABRON POR SOLTARSE" (To Those Who Loved Difficult Women and Ended Up Letting Go)

World-renowned Spanish singer Buika, named one of NPR's "50 Great Voices," will release her highly anticipated book debut on November 17 in the U.S. A limited-edition, self-released project titled "A los que amaron a mujeres difíciles y acabaron por soltarse" (To Those Who Loved Difficult Women and Ended Up Letting Go), the book contains a selection of original poems and stories - all in Spanish - as well as photographs, allowing fans to discover rare personal and intimate facets of this celebrated artist.

Buika will launch the book in the U.S. at the Miami Book Fair International, with a book reading on Thursday, November 20. The book will be available for purchase on Amazon.com, at Books & Books, ConchaBuikaMusic.com, and New York's Blue Note Jazz Club Gift Shop, among other select outlets. The project was released in Spain earlier this month to critical acclaim and she recently appeared at the Puerto Rico Word Festival in Old San Juan. She is currently on a worldwide concert tour.

In 2008, Buika shared her first poems and photographs with the world, to accompany her multi-national bestselling album, "Nina de Fuego" (Girl of Fire). However the release was discontinued due to its "controversial content." In 2014, with "A los que amaron a mujeres difíciles y acabaron por soltarse", the artist goes even further into exploring her deepest desires and fears, bringing the reader closer to her fans than ever been before. Through 18 poems, four short stories, 12 songs (lyrics), and a selection of intimate photos (taken by Buika herself), as well as a foreword by legendary songwriter/producer Desmond Child, the book showcases Buika's unfiltered life: ranging from love to disappointments, delivered in the singer's inimitable fashion.

"I just do what my heart is demanding," reflects Buika. "Sometimes in the music business people do what they think other people will like, but that's a limitation. I just want to be true. I want what Charlie Parker's got - I want eternity." 

The snapshots and self-portraits reveal a mysterious side of the multi-faceted artist, exemplifying how prolific she is in both the written word and photography. Her photographs do not just capture the world as it is, but rather as seen through the unique perspective of Buika and her alter ego, Kitailo. The scenes created transport readers to a universe where "Queen Kitailo" directs the activities of her characters. Buika introduces the characters in her book with compassion and tenderness intertwined with anger and rage. 

"After reading the content of the book a few times and looking at its photos, I have realized this is the first real in-depth interview I have ever given," states the singer. "Through it, I have been able to revisit my darkest rooms, thanks in part to the empowerment and safety I feel in the 'we', which I believe is the greatest of our shields."

Since her introduction to the American marketplace in 2007 with the album Mi Niña Lola (My Little Girl Lola), Buika (Concha Buika) - based in Miami Beach, Florida since 2011 - has experienced a meteoric rise, earning lavish praise from The New York Times, The Miami Herald, and The Wall Street Journal, as well as NPR, which quickly included her in their "50 Great Voices" radio gallery. Her next release, Niña de Fuego (Fire Child), paved the way for relocation to Miami in 2011. After achieving success in Europe, her works were compiled on the 2-CD set, En Mi Piel (In My Skin), to coincide with the Pedro Almodovar movie of the same name in which she appeared. Buika received a "Best Latin Jazz Album" GRAMMY® nomination in 2014 for her latest album La Noche Mas Larga. She has won several Latin GRAMMY® Awards as well. Rare is the artist to garner comparisons to Nina Simone, Chavela Vargas, and Cesaria Evora, but Buika has been compared to all of them. The New York Post has said, "A singer like Buika comes only once in a generation."

BUIKA 2014-2015 World Tour

2014:

October 23-24 / Fosnavåg konserthus / Fosnavag, Norway

October 25 / Philharmonie Essen, Alfried Krupp Saal  / Essen, Germany

October 27 / Gallusova dvorana / ljubljana, Slovenia

October 29 / Oslo World Music Festival, Rockefeller / Oslo, Norway

November 4 / TivoliVredenburg / Utrecht, Netherlands

November 5 /  Bozar, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Salle Henry Le Bœuf / Brussels, Belgium

November 7 / Musikhuset Aarhus / Aarhus, Denmark

November 9 / Misty Fest, Centro Cultural de Belém, Grande Auditório / Lisboa, Portugal

November 10 / Misty Fest, Casa Da Música, Sala Suggia / Porto, Portugal

November 14 / Cinemafest 2014, (Boletos gratis) / San Luis Potosí, México

November 20 / Miami Book Fair International / Miami, FL, USA

2015:

February 28 / Nourse Theater / San Francisco, CA, USA

March 8 / The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts / Washington, D.C., USA

March 12 / Frankfurter Hof / Mainz, Germany

March 14 / Jazzfestival Basel, Stadtcasino Basel, Musiksaal / Basel, Switzerland

March 20 / Kongresshaus Zürich / Zurich, Switzerland

March 21 / Théâtre du Léman / Geneva, Switzerland

March 23 / Philharmonie, Grand Auditorium / Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

March 25 / Die Glocke - Das Bremer Konzerthaus, Großer Saal / Bremen, Germany

March 27 / Festspielhaus, Main hall / St. Pölten, Germany

March 28 / Kölner Philharmonie / Cologne, Germany

March 30 / Laeiszhalle, Großer Saal / Hamburg, Germany

NEW RELEASES: CHRIS WALDEN BIG BAND - FULL-ON!; MICHAEL MUSILLAMI TRIO - PRIDE; GARY MCFARLAND - THIS IS GARY MCFARLAND:

CHRIS WALDEN BIG BAND - FULL-ON!

Five-time Grammy-nominated composer and arranger Chris Walden returns with another vibrant and swinging big band recording. Along with his group of topflight Los Angeles session players, Full-On features vocalists Courtney Fortune, Siedah Garrett, Dorian Holley, Tierney Sutton, Melanie Taylor, Carol Welsman, and special guest soloist, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. German-born & L.A.- based since 1999, Walden has scored more than 40 feature & TV films, and has written more than a thousand orchestral and big band arrangements for artists including Christina Aguilera, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, and orchestras such as Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Boston Pops. He has worked closely with producers David Foster, Tommy LiPuma, and Phil Ramone. ~ Amazon

MICHAEL MUSILLAMI TRIO - PRIDE

Playscape Recordings is proud to release;Pride, a new two-disc set from veteran guitarist/composer Michael Musillami with his flagship trio, featuring bassist Joe Fonda and drummer George Schuller. Pride is the Michael Musillami Trio's seventh release in the group's 11-year history. On Disc I, Musillami's core trio, which has worked domestically and abroad since 2003, presents new material such as the Monkish Uncle Fino's Garden and blues inflected Courageous David B., along with trio staples Bald Yet Hip and Old Tea. This set captures the trio in a recent 2013 studio session, joined by pianist Kris Davis and tenor saxophonist Jimmy Greene. - I am especially proud of the addition of Kris and Jimmy to our 'thing', writes Musillami in his liner notes. - They both speak naturally in this environment with grit, intelligence and passion. The patience displayed in this music is a comment on the maturity and life experience from all musicians involved. The session concludes with four movements from a recent Musillami commissioned work based on the children's book, Where The Wild Things Are. Disc II documents the first live CD released by the Michael Musillami Trio. This set, recorded at New Haven's Firehouse 12 with violinist Mark Feldman, was recorded while on tour in support of the trio's 2007 Playscape release The Treatment, which was honored in The Penguin Jazz Guide's 1000 Best Jazz Recordings. ~ Amazon

GARY MCFARLAND - THIS IS GARY MCFARLAND: THE JAZZ LEGEND WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN A POP STAR

Combo CD + DVD package! The DVD contains a feature-length (72 minute) documentary about legendary 1960's jazz arranger & composer Gary McFarland, who died much to young at the age of 38, under mysterious circumstances. It features interviews with Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer, Steve Kuhn, Airto Moreira, and many more, as well as rare music performances by Bill Evans, Stan Getz, and the Gary McFarland Orchestra. It also includes a photo gallery featuring the photography of Chuck Stewart, as well as an unedited video clip of Stan Getz performing with the Gary McFarland Orchestra.

Besides the DVD, this package also contains a previously unreleased audio CD of the Gary McFarland Quintet recorded live in 1965, featuring Gabor Szabo. ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: GREGG KARUKAS - SOUL SECRETS; MAYSA - A VERY MAYSA CHRISTMAS; JON MAYER – LIVE: THE ART OF THE BALLAD

GREGG KARUKAS - SOUL SECRETS

2013 Grammy winner Gregg Karukas is back with a new collection of all-original songs featuring his signature piano touch, pristine production, and melodies that are both soulful and sophisticated. Organic, funky, and melodic is how Gregg describes his latest, long awaited 12th solo project, Soul Secrets. Gregg's elegant grand piano and deep grooves are everywhere, and this time around he digs into his roots and also features the classic Fender Rhodes, Wurlie, Minimoog and Hammond B3 keyboards he grew up with quite a bit. With guest appearances along the way by friends Rick Braun, Euge Groove, Ricardo Silveira, Eric Valentine, Nate Phillips, Michael O'Neill, James Harrah, Adam Hawley, violinist Charlie Bisharat, Luis Conte, Shelby Flint, Ron Boustead and 21 year old rising sax star Vincent Ingala. Along with the privilege of being a musical artist and composer comes the realization that music is a mysterious and powerful force that can reach deep into our Souls and bring happiness. We all have unspoken Secrets there, and every song I write is my attempt to make that connection. The whole process, the journey, the wonderful feedback I get from listeners is what keeps me coming back to the piano.Karukas has been so consistently acclaimed for his melodic keyboard magic for so long that it might be superfluous to call Soul Secrets his best album ever but there s no doubt it s one of contemporary jazz's best albums of 2014. ~ Amazon

MAYSA - A VERY MAYSA CHRISTMAS

Grammy nominated and Soultrain Centric Award winner Maysa holds a unique status in the world of R&B/Jazz. Her incomparably lush, sensuous vocals have garnered her legions of fans. As featured lead vocalist for the UK super group Incognito, core member of Stevie Wonder s Wonderlove and, of course, through her own albums and concerts, Maysa has been thrilling R&B and Jazz audiences for decades. Featuring special guests Will Downing and Gerald Albright, A Very Maysa Christmas presents the Christmas classics as you ve never heard them before. Produced by Chris Big Dog Davis (Kim Burrell, Chantè Moore, Will Downing), these renditions retain the classic holiday warmth, while taking the listener on a spirited, creative, soulful journey that only Maysa can deliver. Highlights include the Maysa/Will Downing duet of the Donny Hathaway classic, This Christmas , a joyful, hip-hop infused mash up of The Night Before Christmas/Santa Claus is Coming To Town , Maysa s soulful reimagining of Joy to the World and much, much more. ~ Amazon

JON MAYER – LIVE: THE ART OF THE BALLAD

Mayer is a native New Yorker who has played with jazz greats like saxophonist Jackie McLean and the vocal group Manhattan Transfer. He has lived in Southern California since 1991, and appears infrequently in the East, making this one-night performance decidedly welcome. Life has rebounded quite nicely for pianist Jon Mayer, thank you, now that he has relocated to the West Coast and slowly but surely built up his performing and recording activity to the delight of his listeners there. Not quite falling into the "what ever happened to?" category, Mayer nonetheless dropped from public consciousness for, oh, a couple of decades. And now he's back, Rip Van Winkle-like. Having been infused with the spirit and style of jazz in the 1950's when New York City was abuzz with young legends-in-the-making like John Coltrane or Jackie McLean, Jon Mayer was there. And recording. And touring. And learning. And inspiring. And making a living. And surviving. In the 1960's and 1970's, Mayer worked with the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Les McCann, Nancy Wilson and Barry White. Every performance generates heat, including ballads like "But Beautiful." Mayer is a thoroughly mainstream pianist, yet his way of embedding a song's melody within his own elaborations and displacements creates continuous subtle surprises. The most memorable piece is the title track, taken solo. "My Romance" is slower and perhaps sadder than most versions, and the recorded sound renders every pensive nuance.  ~ CD Universe

NEW RELEASES: RONNNIE FOSTER - TWO HEADED FREAP; RAY LUGO & THE BOOGALOO DESTROYERS - QUE CHEVERE; 25 YEARS OF MR BONGO

RONNIE FOSTER - TWO HEADED FREAP 

Amazing stuff by Ronnie Foster – a sweet little album of slow funky keyboard tones, much more loosely arranged than his later work, with a dope groove that was years ahead of its time! The album's in some ways a blueprint for some of our favorite jazz-based hip hop – and although Ronnie's playing organ, on most of the cuts, he handles the instrument more like it's a Fender Rhodes! Funky jazz with a sinister, soulful groove – with players including Gene Bianco on harp, Arthur Jenkins on congas, George Duvivier and Gordon Edwards on bass, Jimmy Johnson on drums, Gerorge Dvens on vibes and Gene Gertoncini on guitar. Includes the massive cut "Mystic Brew", which is a tasty Tribe sample, plus lots of other goodies like "Chunky", "Summer Song", and "Don't Knock My Love". (SHMCD pressing.)  ~ Dusty Groove

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RAY LUGO & THE BOOGALOO DESTROYERS – QUE CHEVERE! (MY BABY’S GOT LATIN SOUL)

Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers are the premier contemporary boogaloo and latin soul outfit working today. Their sound is inspired by the warmth and youthful spirit of classic New York Latin Boogaloo of the late 1960s. That became even more evident when the band were invited to appear at the Fania Recordings recent anniversary celebrations in New York - a fine and fitting endorsement from the crucible of boogaloo music. Que Chevere! (My Babys Got Latin Soul) is the title track from the band's most recent album, and it's released here in a pairing with a fantastic reworking of another album track La Tumba De Fu Manchu by Athens based producer and DJ, Mr Batterey (Stamy Papadomanolakis), who explains that "the atmospheric sound of cumbia, combined with the organ keys and the woodwind instruments sounded so fresh and transported me into a exotic paradise of sounds".

25 YEARS OF MR BONGO 1989-2014 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Mr Bongo started life in 1989 as a small record shop underneath Daddy Kool’s Reggae Store on Berwick Street in London. They were the first shop to sell vinyl releases from independent hip-hop labels such as Def Jam, Rawkus, Nervous and Big Beat outside of the USA. They also became the established bearer for hard-to-find, classic Latin music, particularly Brazilian, outside of the Americas. Such characters as Gilles Peterson and clubs such as Dingwalls championed this music and in the following years Mr Bongo established itself as the leader and provider for whole scene. The label and publishing operation moved to Brighton in 2001. From their seaside base Mr Bongo have been responsible for discovering and breaking some of the world’s most exciting new talent, as well as reissuing sought after classics and rarities that have gone on to become collectors items in their own right. Looking through the label discography is like digging into a treasure trove. Mr Bongo’s eclecticism married with their unshifting focus on quality has resulted in celebrated releases from artists such as Terry Callier, Joyce, Marcos Valle, Seu Jorge, Labi Siffre, Hollie Cook, Karol Conka, Prince Fatty, Ebo Taylor, and The Incredible Bongo Band.This compilation is a celebration of the label’s work from 1989 - 2014; Mr Bongo classics on disc one and the future of Mr Bongo on disc two.

NEW RELEASES: ENNIO MORRICONE - LE FOTO PROIBITE DI UNA SIGNORA PER BENE; SERGE GAINSBOURG - TENUE DE SOIREE; NICO FIDENCO - CANDIDO EROTICO

ENNIO MORRICONE - LE FOTO PROIBITE DI UNA SIGNORA PER BENE (FILM SOUNDTRACK)

One of the greatest soundtracks ever from the legendary Ennio Morricone – a real standard-setting record that's one of the top choices we go to again and again to illustrate the genius of his music! The score is a fantastic mix of the two best sides of Morricone's work – the kind of light, lilting melodies that are schooled in bossa, but turned loose on their own devices – and the darker, more atonal passages that would come to play more strongly during the 70s. The light wins over the darkness in most of the record – especially the tracks that feature the sublime wordless vocals of Edda Dell'Orso, which swell and fall with the movement of the strings and keyboards. The whole thing's wonderful – and titles include "Le Foto Proibite", "Nel Vuoto", "Intermezzino Pop", "Amor Come Dolore", and "Quelle Foto". (Limited to 500 copies.) ~ Dusty Groove, Inc.

SERGE GAINSBOURG - TENUE DE SOIREE (FILM SOUNDTRACK)

An overlooked Serge Gainsbourg soundtrack from the 80s – surprisingly well-done, and at a level that both reflects Serge's earlier styles and a much deeper ear for film scoring! There's a main theme that's delivered with this beautifully echoey piano line – sometimes playful, sometimes somber – almost like a melody from a Francis Lai film score – and balanced with some more stylized 80s elements that reflect the instrumental sounds in Gainsbourg's own records of the time – almost a reworking of older 70s trash modes, but towards more comedic ends for the film. The piano passages are especially wonderful – and a real revelation, as they show an emotive quality we don't normally associate with Serge – and titles include "Travelo", "Traverse", "Traveste", "Trave", "Travaux", "Traviolta One", "Travelling", and "Travers". CD also features 6 rare bonus cuts too!  ~ Dusty Groove

NICO FIDENCO - CANDIDO EROTICO

Few folks could do a sexy soundtrack better than Nico Fidenco in the 70s – and this rare gem features the maestro opening up in some slightly different styles than you'll hear in his famous film scores for the Emannuelle films! The movie's got a few key themes, which are often done in variations – so that there might be a jazz take, an orchestral one, or a mellower cut with a solo instrument in the lead – all tunes that work together to create a nicely unified version of the soundtrack – one that almost works more as a suite of themes than some of Nico's usual material. Mircha Carven sings the lead track in English – and the CD features 16 tracks from the film.  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: AFRO LATIN VINTAGE ORCHESTRA - PULSION; THE DAVE BRUBECK TRIO FEATURING GERRY MULLIGAN - BLUES ROOTS; YOSHIYAKI MASUO - WINDS OF BARCELONA

A darker groove than usual from this hip European combo – a record that still has their commitment to global sounds at its core, but which also comes across with these great 70s electric modes too – almost echoes of Dark Magus Miles Davis and Sextant Herbie Hancock – thanks to loads of cool keyboards and fuzzed-out production! The acoustic elements resonate wonderfully with the electric ones – so that percussion, bass, horns, and strings add a rich organic level next to the guitar, Fender Rhodes, and Wurlitzer – blending beautifully with a musical vision that really surprises us, given the earlier work from this group – a much richer sound, and one that's got us loving them way more than before. Titles include "Kagemusha", "Rituel", "Pulsion", "Complot", "Shaman", "Drama", "En Sursis", "Code Panthera", "French Connexion", "Homo Analog", and "Resurrection".  ~ Dusty Groove

THE DAVE BRUBECK TRIO FEATURING GERRY MULLIGAN - BLUES ROOTS

An overlooked Dave Brubeck from the 60s – and one of his most striking sessions at the time! The album steps a bit into the Blues Roots promised in the title – but overall, it's more of a unique meeting between Brubeck's piano and the baritone sax of Gerry Mulligan – coming together here in warm, open quartet company – with a sound that's quite different than some of the Brubeck/Paul Desmond sessions of the time! Dave really sets the tone on piano – and is maybe a bit less concerned with overall jazz concepts than just laying down some expressive solo passages – and the group also features Jack Six on both acoustic and electric bass, and Alan Dawson on drums. Mulligan is as fluid as ever – and has that great sound he was bringing to his own small group sessions of the time – a mode that burns a gentle fire on titles that include "Broke Blues", "Journey", "Cross Ties", "Blues Roots", and "Moving Out". ~ Dusty Groove

YOSHIYAKI MASUO - WINDS OF BARCELONA

Groovy guitar work from Yoshiaki Masuo – working here in a sweetly chromatic style with hip small combo backing! Yoshiaki's got echoes of 60s work from George Benson or Wes Montgomery – a sound that's clean, but which has great colors billowing out nicely from the edges – a slight rasp at times, in a way that creates a warmly soulful undercurrent. Other instrumentation includes vibes, organ, flute, and additional guitar – used sparingly, but wonderfully alongside Yoshi's great lead. Titles include "One For Wes", "Winds Of Barcelona", "What The World Needs Now Is Love", "I Say A Little Prayer", and "Gary's Tune".  ~ Dusty Groove

CREAM 1966-1972 — Vinyl Boxed Set of British Rock Trio’s Studio and Live Recordings Set for Release

Universal Music Enterprises is proud to present Cream: 1966 – 1972, Cream’s six studio and live LPs brought together in a boxed set for the first time. Set for November 24, 2014 release, each LP will have exact reproductions of original artwork to retain authenticity, and will be pressed in 180-gram heavyweight audiophile vinyl and contained in a rigid slipcase box.

The British rock supergroup was formed in 1966, and consisted of bassist/singer Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker, and guitarist/singer Eric Clapton. Their sound was characterized by a hybrid of blues rock, hard rock and burgeoning psychedelic rock, combining imaginative lyrics, often written by poet Pete Brown, Eric Clapton’s innovative blues guitar playing, Jack Bruce’s operatic voice and fluid bass playing, and Ginger Baker’s jazz-influenced drumming.

The group soon evolved further creating a trademark approach built around each musician’s virtuoso playing. Their live performances soon became renowned for lengthy improvisational pieces based on traditional blues structures such as ‘Crossroads’ and ‘Spoonful,’ modern blues such as ‘Born Under A Bad Sign,’ and their own songs such as ‘White Room’ and Ginger Baker’s powerhouse showcase ‘Toad.’

Following their first pop hit single ‘I Feel Free’ in January 1967, Cream’s debut, Fresh Cream, set the tone for group’s inventive mix of blues standards and more eccentric original material and reached No. 6 in the UK album charts. It offered a unique blend of blues — Robert Johnson’s ‘Four Until Late’ and Skip James’ ‘I’m So Glad’ — inventive originals such as ‘Dreaming’ and the showcase, near-instrumental ‘Cat’s Squirrel.’

Before the end of the year, Cream released the follow-up Disraeli Gears, its distinctive Day-Glo psychedelic cover designed by underground illustrator Martin Sharp. Recorded in May in New York during their first American tour, it includes landmark songs such as ‘Strange Brew,’ the melodic but heavy-riffing ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ and more surrealistic, wah-wah drenched ‘Tales Of Brave Ulysses’; in all a brilliant, textured, multi-dubbed sound that went beyond blues.

Non-stop touring soon saw Cream break through in America where Wheels of Fire, released in August 1968, topped the US charts for a month and was the world’s first platinum-selling double album. It comprised one album ‘in the studio’ — including the Jack Bruce and Pete Brown penned classics ‘White Room’ and ‘Politician’ — while the other side was recorded at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, highlighted by expansive readings of ‘Crossroads’ and ‘Spoonful.’

By the end of 1968, however, Cream had disbanded after less than two and a half years during which time they set new standards in rock musicianship and generally raised the bar for rock music as a credible and critical form. Cream bowed out with dates at Madison Square Gardens in New York and at the Royal Albert Hall in London in November 1968.

The group’s post-breakup farewell album, Goodbye, released the following March, again mixed live and studio recordings including the single ‘Badge’ written by Clapton and George Harrison, who played rhythm guitar under the name L’Angelo Misterioso.

Two further live albums Live Cream and Live Cream Volume 2 followed in 1970 and 1972, both recorded on tour in America during 1967 and 1968. Live Cream also included the unreleased studio cut ‘Lawdy Mama’ recorded in May 1967 during the Disraeli Gears sessions.

In 2006, they received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their contribution to, and influence, on, modern music, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Their worldwide album sales are estimated at 17 million.

LP1: Fresh Cream (1966)

A1 N.S.U.

A2 Sleepy Time Time

A3 Dreaming

A4 Sweet Wine

A5 Spoonful

B1 Cat’s Squirrel

B2 Four Until Late

B3 Rollin’ And Tumblin’

B4 I’m So Glad

B5 Toad

LP2: Disraeli Gears (1967)

A1 Strange Brew

A2 Sunshine Of Your Love

A3 World Of Pain

A4 Dance The Night Away

A5 Blue Condition

B1 Tales Of Brave Ulysses

B2 SWLABR

B3 We’re Going Wrong

B4 Outside Woman Blues

B5 Take It Back

B6 Mother’s Lament

LP3: Wheels Of Fire (1968)

A1 White Room

A2 Sitting On Top Of The World

A3 Passing The Time

A4 As You Said

B1 Pressed Rat And Warthog

B2 Politician

B3 Those Were The Days

B4 Born Under A Bad Sign

B5 Deserted Cities Of The Heart

C1 Crossroads – Live At The Fillmore

C2 Spoonful – Live At The Fillmore

D1 Traintime – Live At The Fillmore

D2 Toad – Live At The Fillmore

LP4: Goodbye (1969)

A1 I’m So Glad

A2 Politician

B1 Sitting On Top Of The World

B2 Badge

B3 Doing That Scrapyard Thing

B4 What A Bringdown

  

LP5: Live Cream (1970)

A1 N.S.U.

A2 Sleepy Time Time

A3 Lawdy Mama

B1 Sweet Wine

B2 Rollin’ And Tumblin’

LP6: Live Cream Volume II (1972)

A1 Deserted Cities Of The Heart

A2 White Room

A3 Politician

A4 Tales Of Brave Ulysses

B1 Sunshine Of Your Love

B2 Steppin’ Out

 

MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF SOUL… James Brown Classics Now Available Worldwide for Digital Purchase and Streaming

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) has fans of the Godfather of Soul covered for digital audio immersion. Seventeen remastered James Brown albums and a digital box set, James Brown Live At The Apollo, Vols. I-IV, featuring the previously unreleased fourth volume, are now available for the first time for digital download purchase from all major digital service providers worldwide. In addition, a playlist of James Brown songs featured in ‘Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown,’ a new documentary about the soul superstar directed by Oscar® winner Alex Gibney, has launched exclusively on Spotify ahead of the film’s October 27 premiere on HBO.

The previously out-of-print James Brown titles, including rare, influential instrumental albums long sought after by fans, have never before been available for download purchase and streaming. These vaulted treasures from Soul Brother No. 1 include the 1962 timepiece Good, Good Twistin' with James Brown (later re-released as Shout and Shimmy); his 1964 releases for Smash Records, Showtime and Grits and Soul, experiments in big-band and soul-jazz sounds that James Brown favored; additional rare Smash albums Handful of Soul and James Brown Plays James Brown Today and Yesterday; and the 1960s King sets Mighty Instrumentals, Plays Nothing But Soul, the tribute album Thinking About Little Willie John and A Few Nice Things and the sample-friendly Sho Is Funky Down Here. James Brown’s latter-day albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s are also now available digitally, including Hot, Everybody’s Doin’ The Hustle and Dead on the Double Bump, Take A Look At Those Cakes, The Original Disco Man, Jam 1980s, People and Nonstop!

Also available is a digital box set, James Brown Live At The Apollo Vols. 1-IV. The newly-compiled digital set features Brown’s three best-selling live albums – Live At The Apollo 1962, Live At The Apollo Vol. II, Revolution Of The Mind: Live At The Apollo Vol. III – as well as a previously unreleased fourth Apollo recording, Get Down With James Brown Live at the Apollo Vol. IV, featuring two performances from Brown plus unreleased tracks by his band The J.B.’s and Revue members Lyn Collins and Bobby Byrd. Vol. IV makes its worldwide debut within the set.

UMe has also released several James Brown albums on vinyl: GET ON UP: The James Brown Story (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), featuring songs heard in the Universal Pictures feature film, including two previously unreleased, scorching live performances, and the best-seller 20 All-Time Greatest Hits!, each making their vinyl debuts as newly mastered 2-LP sets. The Payback, a classic double-LP from 1974 featuring the No. 1 hit title song; In The Jungle Groove, the original 2-LP compilation from 1986 featuring extended versions of the foundations of hip-hop, including “Soul Power,” “Talkin’ Loud And Sayin’ Nothing,” “Funky Drummer” and more; and Motherlode, a 1988 collection of rarities and unreleased sides, have been newly reissued on vinyl.

www.jamesbrown.com

SOUL SINGER DAWN PEMBERTON RELEASES 'SAY SOMETHIN''

Vancouver soul dynamo Dawn Pemberton has a deep musical foundation rooted in tradition. Spending her formative years surrounded by a family of multi-instrumentalists she developed a true love of music from the very beginning. A staple of the West Coast music scene, she can be found tearing it up as a vocalist, arranger, and go-to for live performances and studio sessions.

The secret weapon of funk and soul groups all over Western Canada, she has shared the stage with the likes of Maceo Parker, Linda Tillery, John Lee Sanders, The Sojourners, John Boutte, and Dutch Robinson. Her gifts have been featured in the music of future jazz group 1Luv (Sonar Kollektiv) and the blues duo The Harpoonist and The Axe Murderer.

Heavily influenced by rhythm, she is drawn to the percolating under current of soul-jazz and funk which is infused in everything that she does. "I've got a rhythmic stream running through me at all times," says Pemberton. "It's all about the groove for me." Joining her in studio for the recording of the album are Johnny Andrews on Drums, Scott Tucker on Bass, Gavin Youngash on Guitar, Max Zipursky playing Keys, Raphael Geronimo with Percussion, Colin Maskell on Saxophone, and Kristian Naso on Trumpet. On leadoff single "Deeper" soulful grooves meet swirling organs, punchy horns, and tight drum breaks that pay homage to Pemberton's roots in gospel but update the sound with a feel all her own. Her creative voice has been bubbling to the surface for the better part of a decade. With a proven track record as a singer and performer it is undeniably the time for her to come forward and express her own vision. "I enjoyed helping others bring their projects to life and after a while I wanted to experience the process for myself, from beginning to end. It was important to be in full control of the musical choices so that they truly reflected my personality and vibe."

New Releases: KAT EDONSON - The Big Picture; ALICE COLTRANE - A Monastic Trio; DARIUS JONES - The Oversoul Manual

KAT EDMONSON - THE BIG PICTURE

Kat Edmonson announces October tour dates in support of her third album, The Big Picture out September 30 via Sony Music Masterworks. A full tour will follow in early 2015.  The album is her label debut and was recorded with Grammy-nominated producer Mitchell Froom (Paul McCartney) in his Los Angeles studio. Of the album, Edmonson states, "There's no particular theme, but there are some commonalities, one of which is my ever-underlying influence from motion pictures and film scores. I have always felt that music and film go hand in hand, because that was how I was first exposed to music-from old movies and musicals-and to me there wasn't a separation between an actor acting, dancing and singing." See full tour dates below. This album follows her 2012 release, Way Down Low, her first collection that included original material. The New York Times hailed the album as "fresh as a spring bouquet," and The Boston Globe called it "one of the greatest vocal albums I've ever heard." Edmonson performed on Austin City Limits made her Prairie Home Companion debut, and was featured on NPR an impressive five times that same year. The songstress also found herself touring with several well-established acts such as Chris Isaak, Gary Clark Jr. and Michael Kiwanuka.

ALICE COLTRANE – A MONASTIC TRIO

Early work by Alice Coltrane – somewhat under the shadow of her late husband, as you'd guess from the use of his name on the front cover – but really stepping out here with a voice of her own! The Monastic Trio of the set features Alice on harp and piano – alongside bass from Jimmy Garrison and drums by either Ben Riley or Rashied Ali – both really fluid players who open up nicely in this way that's never to far out, at least in the way that John Coltrane was using rhythms at the time – but which allow Alice to really take the lead as a bold musical visionary of her own! Perhaps most exciting, Pharoah Sanders sits in on one of the album's longest tracks – blowing tenor with a force that's enough to bring back The Great One – but the real charm of the set is Alice's piano work, bubbling out here with a sensitivity that we never would have expected from the harder-edge sessions cut with Coltrane – that new level of spirituality she instantly brought to her own solo sessions. Titles include "Ohnedaruth", "Lovely Sky Boat", and "Atomic Peace".  ~ Dusty Groove

DARIUS JONES – THE OVERSOUL MANUAL

One of the most unusual projects we've ever heard from Darius Jones – so much so that the record doesn't feature the instrumentalist at all – just his own ideas and compositions performed by a very unique vocal quartet! The album is dedicated to all the singers who've influenced Jones over the years – from Nina Simone to Leontyne Price, Andy Bey, and Betty Carter – but the compositions are way different than any of those references might make you expect, and are based around a created language for spiritual rituals from the planet Or'gen – with word shapes instead of actual lyrics, performed by a quartet of female singers with a very enigmatic sound! The work is far more experimental than straight jazz vocals, but still has a very haunting, captivating feel – and the 15 tracks on the album are all listed with a variety of different symbols in the notes.  ~ Dusty Groove

 

Quincy Jones' Jazz Foundation of America to Honor Herbie Hancock at the 13th Annual 'A Great Night in Harlem' on Friday, October 24, at the Apollo Theater

The Jazz Foundation of America presents the 13th annual 'A Great Night in Harlem' gala concert to benefit their Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund. Scheduled performers and presenters include Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Bruce Willis, Chaka Khan, Jorge Luis Pacheco, The Heath Brothers (Jimmy & Tootie Heath), Matthew Whitaker, Charles Bradley, Verdine White, Questlove, Paul Shaffer, Buster Williams, Wallace Roney, Steve Jordan, Billy Hart, Ray Parker Jr., Susan Tedeschi, Joey Alexander and more.

'A Great Night in Harlem' will raise funds to assist countless elder jazz and blues musicians in crisis across the country, artists who have spent their lives making ours richer with their music. Held at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, the concert is the Foundation's way of reminding everyone, through this historical shared experience, how rich these musicians have made us feel with their music.

This year, The Jazz Foundation will honor Herbie Hancock with their Lifetime Achievement Award from Quincy Jones. Hancock will lead an all-star tribute to beloved trumpeter Clark Terry. Ten-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan will pay homage to Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire with help from special guests.

The event is at the Apollo Theater, 253 West 125th Street, New York, NY (between 7th & 8th Ave.), on Friday, October 24. 5:00 p.m. Media Check-in / 6:00 p.m. Red Carpet Arrivals / 8:30 p.m. Concert / 10:30 p.m. VIP After-Party.

For 25 years the JAZZ FOUNDATION OF AMERICA has been dedicated to saving the homes and lives of elder jazz and blues musicians in crisis. We now assist in over 5,000 cases a year, including hundreds of musicians and their families affected by Hurricane Sandy in the New York region as well as those still recovering from Katrina in New Orleans.

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