NEW RELEASES: MUD MORGANFIELD & KIM WILSON - FOR POPS: A TRIBUTE TO MUDDY WATERS; ERIC BENET - THE OTHER ONE; TROXY MUSIC FIFTIES AND SIXTIES FILM THEMES

MUD MORGANFIELD & KIM WILSON - FOR POPS: A TRIBUTE TO MUDDY WATERS

The son of legendary bluesman Muddy Waters, Mud Morganfield and Fabulous Thunderbird front man Kim Wilson come together for this tribute release, packaged in Digipak format. For Pops (A Tribute To Muddy Waters) represents some of Mud's favorite songs from his father including the iconic I Just Want to Make Love to You plus Blow Wind Blow and Just to Be With You. When you hear Mud belt out his version of the classic My Dog Can't Bark it's clear that the apple truly doesn't fall far from the tree. Kim Wilson lives up to his reputation as the finest purveyor of the 'Little Walter' harmonica style by laying down some of his best work to date. Backing them is the crack team of Billy Flynn and Rusty Zinn (guitars), Barrelhouse Chuck (Piano), Steve Gomes (bass) and Robb Stupka (drums). For Pops only scratches the surface of the impressive catalog left by the master bluesman, but this collection is a must for Blues fans everywhere. We're certain 'Pops' is proud of his boy. ~ Amazon

ERIC BENET - THE OTHER ONE REVISITED BY THE AFORPEANS

Successful R&B singer, songwriter and actor Eric Benét released his sixth studio album The One in 2012. The album marked a positive transition in Eric s life, both personally and professionally. The lyrics spoke of the new beginnings and the fresh starts that Eric was experiencing in his career and family life. The One was the first release on Eric s label, Jordon House Records and reached #5 in the US R&B chart. Now, the four time Grammy Award nominated Eric Benét is set to unleash his latest offering could raise a few eyebrows among his regular fans. An excitingly unexpected piece of music, that while staying true to Eric s soulful roots, pushes the boundaries of the listener s expectations. The Other One is an alternative approach of Eric s 2012 album The One". The Other One is a departure from Eric s familiar sleek R&B roots, offering instead an innovative sound journey that is anything but typical. Electro Soul fused with Drum n bass influences, ambient atmospherics and of course the sublime vocals of Eric Benét make this album a must for all music and lifestyle connoisseurs. ~ Amazon

TROXY MUSIC FIFTIES AND SIXTIES FILM THEMES

Not the usual film themes of the late 50s and early 60s – no James Bond numbers or Henry Mancini hits – and instead, a very cool, very well-selected batch of tracks that really opens up this cinematic generation! All of the numbers stand very well on their own – and the set mixes jazzy groovers with vocal themes and other standout moments from more obscure movies of the time – all to make a really playful, really groovy package that's filled with surprise after surprise all the way through! The music is from both British and American sources – and titles include "No Love For Johnnie" by Gerry Beckles, "A Kind Of Loving" by Ron Grainer, "Live Now Pay Later" by Doug Sheldon, "Payroll" by Reg Owen, "Take A Giant Step" by Ernest Maxin, "I'm A Lonely Man" by Hardy Kruger, "Look For A Star" by Gary Mills, "I'm All Right Jack" by Al Saxon, and "Duet From 16" by John Dankworth. ~ Dusty Groove

Norah Jones Added to the Sunrise Senior Living Jazz Festival Along With Dianne Reeves, Joe Lovano, Ravi Coltrane, Chucho Valdes & Many More

Norah Jones

Artists Performing Include Joe Lovano,

Dianne Reeves, Chucho Valdés, Ravi Coltrane, Bill Charlap, Rene Rosnes and Many More

A Portion of the Proceeds Will Go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Which Is Dedicated to Finding a Cure for Parkinson's Disease

The celebrated 9-time Grammy® Award-winning singer, songwriter, and Blue Note Records recording artist Norah Jones has been added to the Sunrise Senior Living Jazz Festival, set for this Sunday, August 24 from 2:00 - 8:00PM; this one time only experience is open to the general public. Other confirmed headliners include Joe Lovano, Dianne

Joe Lovano

Reeves, Chuco Valdés, Ravi Coltrane, Bill Charlap, Renee Rosnes, Javon Jackson, and more. For more information, tune in to WBGO on Friday, August 22 at 2:00PM to hear Joe Lovano discuss the festival with host Bill Daughtry.

Lundvall, who has become disabled because of Parkinson's disease, has moved into a full-time senior assisted living community, Brighton Gardens of Saddle River, not far from his home in New Jersey. "After falling down three times and having to call the police to put me back in bed, I realized moving me off of the floor was like moving a beached whale. My wife Kay and I decided it would be best for our mutual sanity if I move to a managed care facility," he says. "Thanks to

Dianne Reeves

Don Was and Hank Forsyth, I'm still vitally involved with Blue Note."

A lifelong champion of jazz, Lundvall had been president of the legendary jazz label Blue Note since 1984, and had previously been president of Columbia Records and Elektra Records, where he founded the jazz-oriented Elektra Musician imprint. During his career, he not only signed standout talent but also staged unlikely events, including the renowned three-day Havana Jam festival featuring Columbia's top pop and jazz artists as well as superb Cuban artists in Cuba's capital 35 years ago. He also celebrated the re-launching of the formerly dormant Blue Note Records in 1984 by staging a "miraculous" all-star jazz concert in New York's Town Hall. 

The top-tier cast of stars that Lundvall has assembled is quite impressive. Saxophonist Joe Lovano will be leading his nonet (which includes vocalist Judi Silvano), Dianne Reeves will sing, and Chucho Valdés, one of jazz's greatest pianists, will be performing solo. One of the highlights of the afternoon will be pianist Bill Charlap's interpretations of Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein compositions and piano duets with his wife Renee Rosnes. Charlap will be joined by Javon Jackson, Ravi Coltrane, and the great rhythm section of Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. Special festival guest will be local jazz guitar great Bucky Pizzarelli who will perform with his longtime duo mate, guitarist Ed Loeb.

All artists performing are playing pro bono, with proceeds from ticket sales going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease. General admission tickets are available for $79.67. A special VIP ticket is available for $158.34 and will include VIP seating at the concert, meet and greet with musicians after the show, cocktails and an autographed copy of the biography, Bruce Lundvall: Playing by Ear.

A raffle for autographed photos of celebrities will also take place. Complimentary beer and wine will be served. At intermission, there will be a complimentary hour-long tapas party for concertgoers.

Bolivian Vocalist GIAN-CARLA TISERA Showcases Operatic Roots and Creates Latin American Folklore and Jazz Inspired Album, Nora la Bella

Any true fusion in music represents a delicate negotiation. It requires both respect for the different genres in play, their traditions and codes and a 'why not?' attitude.  Cutting-and-pasting is one thing, translating the approach, technique and sensibility of one tradition to another demands a special talent and commitment. 

On Nora La Bella, her debut recording, New York-based Bolivian soprano Gian-Carla Tisera makes bold, daring crossings between opera, jazz and Latin American folk music, art song and political song, experimentation and roots music.

Throughout the recording, she sings in English, Spanish, Italian and Quechua. Co-produced by Tisera and Grammy-nominated Cuban pianist Elio Villafranca, Nora La Bella includes original songs, provocative versions of two works from the classical vocal repertoire and several pieces from the Latin American songbook, including a couple from the socially committed Nueva Canción.

  

But this is not a lab project. Rather, it's an expression of her experience and her personal search.

"I had this idea for a new kind of opera, something different, accessible and fresh," says Tisera. "I love opera and that's my training, and while I am not a jazz singer or a traditional folk singer, both genres have been an integral part of my life and my musical experience. And I also thought: how can I express my immigrant experience? How can I speak of my perspective as a Bolivian woman, as an American woman looking back at my country from a distance? All of that came into play when working on Nora La Bella."

  

Accompanied by a quartet featuring Villafranca at the piano and guest artists such as trumpeter Diego Urcola and five-time Grammy Award-winning bassist John Benitez, Tisera's music includes nods to Bolivian folklore, opera and Latin jazz. 

Tisera will celebrate the release of Nora la Bella tomorrow night (Thursday, August 21) at Joe's Pub in New York at 7:30 PM. Accompanying the vocalist for the performance are pianist Elio Villafranca, bassist Carlos Mena, drummer Franco Pinna and percussionist Paulo Stagnaro. The performance will also feature guest trumpeter Manuel Jr. Romero.

Born to a Bolivian mother and Italo-Argentine father, Tisera was raised in Cochabamba, a city surrounded by mountains located in the center of Bolivia. She studied at the Instituto Eduardo Laredo, in Cochabamba, and later moved to Los Angeles, CA, where she completed her Masters Degree in Opera Performance at the University of Southern California. 

She worked in the United States and Bolivia, performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia and the Pasadena Symphony, among others, and for five years she toured with the Bolivian Baroque Project, performing 17th century music found in the Jesuit missions of the Bolivian jungle - a project that showcased her voice on the world's greatest concert halls. But once in New York, Tisera also started collaborating with visual artists and dipping her toes in the murky waters of jam sessions. 

For those who see her approach as avant-garde, Tisera says she is "pushing the vanguard but to bring audiences to experience the greatness of opera as it relates to modern themes of love, politics and culture. I long to present opera not like an old, precious form but instead, as a vibrant, contemporary style that speaks to our concerns now. That's why there are operatic moments in Nora La Bella - but they might include improvisation, or the musical treatment might include Bolivian or Afro-Latin rhythms, and elements of Rock or Spoken Word. I remember during the recording we were listening to the second take of 'Ernesto in the Tomb,' with its Afro-Cuban groove and my operatic voice soaring above the music. The musicians heard it and said 'Wow, it works!' and I had to laugh. 'Yes guys, of course it works'."

Upcoming New York City Performances:

August 21 @ Joe's Pub - 7:30 PM

(w/ Elio Villafranca, piano; Carlos Mena, bass; Franco Pinna, drums;

Paulo Stagnaro, percussion; w/ guest trumpeter Manuel Jr. Romero)

joespub.publictheater.org

September 30 @ Americas Society - 7:00 PM

featuring Bolivian Folklore Dancers

(w/ Elio Villafranca, piano; Carlos Mena, bass;

Franco Pinna, drums; Reinaldo de Jesus, percussion)

as-coa.org

www.giancarlatisera.com

 

Pierre Bensusan's 3-CD Retrospective Collection 'Encore' Wins the "Live Performance Album" Category at the 2014 Independent Music Awards

World-renowned as the "Mozart of Guitar" for his 40-plus years of live performances and critically-acclaimed recordings, Pierre Bensusan (www.pierrebensusan.com) has received yet another accolade for Encore, an ambitious and expansive retrospective collection celebrating his 40 years as a globetrotting concert performer. The 3-CD set won in the Live Performance Album category at the 2014 Independent Music Awards.

The set was nominated early in the year and through votes from the listening public, Benusan has been awarded the prize of "Vox Pop Winner," receiving more votes for Encore than any other artist in any other category.

The Independent Music Awards (IMAs) is an international program that honors top ranked independent artists and releases in more than 80 Album, Song, EP, Producer, Music Video and Design categories. The IMAs were created in 1999 by Music Resource Group (MRG). The program receives submissions from previous major-label artists as well as self-released and indie label talent from more than 70 countries on six continents.

In a statement, Martin Folkman, Director, The Independent Music Awards, said, "On behalf of The Independent Music Awards and passionate music fans everywhere, it is our pleasure to congratulate Pierre Bensusan on winning in the Live Performance Album category for Encore in The IMA 13 Vox Pop poll, the fan-determined portion of The IMAs.

"Your nominated work was up against some of the year's best independent artists and releases. It's a great honor to support such exceptional talent."

Bensusan said, "I am humbled and thrilled by this honor. I see it as a positive, encouraging statement, a little light of recognition that contents the heart and can be the drive for more music creation to come!"

Bensusan recently wrapped a 55-date North American and European 40th Anniversary tour, which doubled as a celebration of a dynamic 35-year association with his longtime guitar maker Lowden Guitars (www.georgelowden.com).

Upcoming, the guitarist will be performing August 30 at the La Finestra Sul Lago Festival in Italy, September 6 at the International Guitar Night in Koblenz, Germany and October 3 at the Ards Guitar Festival in Ireland before launching a fall tour in Germany and Switzerland.

Leonard Cohen Releases 'Popular Problems' - A Dynamic Studio Album Of New Songs

In Popular Problems, his thrilling new studio album, Leonard Cohen gets down into the avenues of our dreams and sets a new tone and speed of hope and despair, grief and joy.  Cohen here is an astonished lover rocking to the human condition as "the soul unfolds in the chambers of its longing."  His legendary basso resonates as never before with a presence and urgency that arises from the very depths of the heart.  The clarity and strength of these nine hypnotic songs will have us singing them over and over. 

In collaboration with co-writer Patrick Leonard, Popular Problems is a masterpiece from the ever-fresh imagination of a musical legend whose songs continue to captivate new listeners and devoted fans.

"Yet again, Leonard Cohen has broken musical boundaries with new creative inspiration," says Rob Stringer, Chairman/CEO of Columbia Records. "These nine new songs are simply sublime and innovative with a unique spirit. We're absolutely thrilled and honored to celebrate this milestone with him." 

Popular Problems is Cohen's 13th studio album and will be released on September 23rd, two days after his 80th birthday.  Popular Problems is available for pre-order everywhere today. Those who pre-order Popular Problems digitally (http://smarturl.it/PopularProblems) will receive an instant download of his new song, "Almost Like The Blues."  Click here to listen.

To celebrate his milestone 80th birthday (September 21), Cohen's endless poetic energy and legacy can be revisited with a new artist page on iTunes (www.itunes.com/leonardcohen), which features Popular Problems and includes all 12 prior studio albums Mastered For iTunes.

Popular Problems was produced by Patrick Leonard, mastered at Marcussen Mastering and was recorded and mixed by Jesse E. String with additional mixing by Bill Bottrell.

Popular Problems Tracklisting:

1.Slow

2.Almost Like The Blues

3.Samson In New Orleans

4.A Street

5.Did I Ever Love You

6.My Oh My

7.Nevermind

8.Born In Chains

9.You Got Me Singing

Leonard Cohen is a master songwriter, musician, poet, novelist and visual artist whose stunning body of original work has touched the lives of millions with a career spanning six decades.

His explorations of spiritual, interpersonal, romantic and political themes have impacted countless contemporary recording artists and writers. He has sold over 23 million albums, worldwide and published 12 books, the most recent of which was 2006's 'Book of Longing', a collection of poetry, prose and drawings, which reached #1 on the Top 10 Hardcover Fiction Books in Canada.

Cohen's influence on musical and theatrical artists the world over is inestimable. In fact, when Cohen was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2008, the revered Lou Reed singled out Leonard as one of the "highest and most influential echelon of songwriters." Cohen's songbook has been covered by hundreds of recording artists including Jeff Buckley, Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, Johnny Cash, Lou Reed, Tori Amos, Nick Cave, Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, Rufus Wainwright and the Civil Wars. Tribute albums have been released in Cohen's honor in France, Norway, Canada, Spain, Swedish, Czech Republic, South Africa and the United States. In 2008 Cohen's "Hallelujah" became the fastest-selling digital single in European history when three separate versions of the song appeared simultaneously on the UK singles chart - Cohen's own original recording, a version from Jeff Buckley and another from X Factor winner Alexandra Burke. Additionally, Leonard's songs have been frequently selected to illustrate the emotion of motion pictures and television programs and have been heard in Watchmen, The Passion of The Christ, Natural Born Killers, The Wonder Boys, Pump Up The Volume, Secretary, The West Wing, The O.C. and many others.

Leonard Cohen has been honored as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient (2010), inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame (2008), the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame (2006), the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2006) and the Songwriters Hall Of Fame (2010). He has received the prestigious Principe de Asturias Prize – the highest literary award in Spain (Spain, 2011) as well as the Glenn Gould Prize, awarded to an individual for a unique lifetime contribution that has enriched the human condition through the arts (Canada, 2011). The Canadian native has earned his country's highest civilian honors - Officer of the Order of Canada (1991), Companion to the Order of Canada (2003), Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec (2008).

Cohen's recent return to live performance was met with extraordinary and unanimous accolades as he performed around the world from 2008 through 2013. Cohen's mesmerizing recent performances, deemed "a spiritual experience" by all accounts, totaled 470 shows in 31 countries attended by four million fans.

Soulful Los Angeles by-way-of Louisiana Singer RORY PARTIN Releases new self-titled album

Featuring an all-star Big Band made up of legendary performers who played with Tommy Dorsey, Bobby Darin, and Harry James as well as a guest appearance by Opry/Cajun music hero Jimmy C Newman, Rory Partin takes listeners on a journey through American music history. From swing standards including “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” to contemporary classics like “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me”, the new album displays Partin's ability to build on a foundation of legends while also "adding his own unique twist to his music" (Confront Magazine) thanks to "a sharp sense of humor and a dash of gospel grit" (Popdose).

At a time when many classic tunes from the Great American Songbook are facing extinction, powerhouse of blue-eyed soul Rory Partin and His All Star 18-piece Big Band are not only keeping musical history alive on their forthcoming fan-funded LP (out 8/19/14), they’re infusing it with fresh new energy courtesy of Partin’s “sharp sense of humor and a dash of gospel grit” (Popdose). Poised to take his place among artists like Michael Bublé and Harry Connick, Jr., “Partin separates himself from his colleagues, offering a contrasting timbre and amplifying the soul...his beautiful upper register coupled with the hard-swinging big band arrangement gives you chills listening” (Brent Music Reviews).

A multi-instrumentalist who has lived in and taken influences from several of America's great musical centers (including New Orleans, Nasvhille, and Los Angeles), Partin has toured internationally with five-time Grammy winner Larnelle Harris and performed with his own All Star Big Band at George W. Bush’s Inaugural Ball and The National Symphony Ball at the Kennedy Center. Featuring Opry/Cajun music legend Jimmy C Newman and Partin’s signature “glass-smooth voice curled with a Louisiana accent” (Hollywood Progressive), Partin's latest album takes listeners on a heartfelt journey through time that stretches from swing-era standards like “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” to contemporary classics like “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me”.

Tracklisting: 

1. Don't Get Around Much Anymore

2. Tender Trap (Love is The)

3. I've Got You Under My Skin

4. Everybody's Got Somebody But Me

5. Fly Me to the Moon

6. Orange Colored Sky

7. I Get a Kick Out of You (feat. Alexa James)

8. Night and Day

9. Georgia on My Mind

10. Jambalaya (On the Bayou) (feat. Jimmy C. Newman)

11. What a Wonderful World

 www.RoryPartin.com

New neosoul artist, ALMA has ambitious medium and message on her upcoming album, Tactics

While the rest of Chicago was rocking out at Lollapalooza for the weekend, Alma, Chicago-based pop/soul vocalist, managed to record every track of her upcoming album Tactics. Tactics, Alma’s first full-length project, will be released October 17.

“Recording an entire album in one weekend was ambitious! The whole project came together in a few months’ time and I credit the organization, consistency & initiative of Chris Thigpen, my bassist & creative producer,” shared Alma.

Alma, a newcomer to the Midwest music scene, would consider the title of communicator as vital as singer or songwriter to her art. Her new project, Tactics, is a calculated attempt to provoke thought about the human condition, supported by her neosoul sensibilities.

“I write and perform to inspire conversation about the things that matter,” says Alma. “Performing is fun, but my passion is the message, not the medium.”

Alma is quickly becoming a pro at both the medium and the message. Characterizing her medium, it’s hard to confine her to one genre. Neosoul comes closest, but her music has elements of jazz, pop, R&B and gospel. She performs regularly in Chicago and other venues around the Midwest, including Wisconsin music festivals Brat Fest and Lifest in the summer of 2014. In 2013, she toured the East Coast with Philly-based artist Kwesi K.

Drawing from her personal faith journey, the tracks on Tactics explore human nature with themes like jealousy in “Blind Side,” gluttony in “Honey,” as well as hope in “New Nation.”

Tactics’ sound showcases Alma’s skill in songwriting with eight original tracks that encompass a style reminiscent of Joss Stone or Jill Scott. Alma says, “In late 2012 neosoul stole my heart—and since then I've been sorting out how I want that to affect my own songwriting.”

In 2012, she released a demo Pass it On, with a more stripped down singer/songwriter sound than the upcoming Tactics. Her 2014 single, “For A Poet” gives a stronger foreshadowing as to what to expect from her new album. Alma graduated with a BA in Vocal Performance from Columbia College in Chicago in 2013.

www.hearalma.com

NEW RELEASES: ANGELA JOHNSON - NATURALLY ME; KOSI - PICTURES OF ME; JOHN ZORN / BILL FRISELL / KENNY WOLLESN / CAROL EMANUAL – TESTAMENT OF SOLOMON

ANGELA JOHNSON - NATURALLY ME

Every new album from Angela Johnson turns out to be a treasure – but this set may well be one of the best she's done in years – and a really strong step forward for the singer! The music has this full, rich style that almost feels like classic soul at times – not a retro 60s vibe, but a really powerful use of rhythms and instrumentation to push Johnson's sublime vocals at a level we've never heard before – a really fresh mode that's completely current, yet very aware of the best sounds of decades past as well! We might liken the approach to Swing Out Sister at their recent best – even though the record's nothing like theirs at all – and our hats are off to Angela for continuing to win us over and over again after all these years – especially when she could have just been sitting back and doing the same old thing. Titles include "To Love Again", "Deja Vu", "Black Boy Lullaby", "Handz", "Music's My Religion", and "A Beautiful Place". ~ Dusty Groove

KOSI - PICTURES OF ME

A really wonderful singer, with a very unique style – one that's rooted in jazz, but has an acoustic soul as well – set up perfectly here in these laidback arrangements that really let Kosi soar strongly on her own! The music is mostly jazz at the core – with wonderfully clean, clear guitar lines, rich acoustic bass, and occasional work on trumpet and tenor – but Kosi's vocals are clearly center stage, and have this slow-burning power that's undeniable – able to inflect, twist, and turn like a jazz vocalist – yet delivering original, very personal lyrics that are filled with soul. Most tunes are originals – including "Brianna", "I Already Know", "Valerie", "Your Angel", and "Hoboken Blues" – but the album also features great versions of "Wild Is The Wind" and "The Star Crossed Lovers". ~ Dusty Groove

JOHN ZORN / BILL FRISELL / KENNY WOLLESN / CAROL EMANUAL – TESTAMENT OF SOLOMON: MUSIC FROM THE SEFER SHIRIM SHEL SHIR HASHIRIM

One of the most beautiful groups that John Zorn's been working with in recent years – a heavenly trio that features Bill Frisell on guitar, Kenny Wollesen on vibes, and Carol Emanuel on harp – all working together with a very unique sound! The mix of instruments is wonderful throughout – unlike anything else we've ever heard (save the previous records by the trio) – with the vibes ringing out in bold, chromatic hues – echoed by Frisell's guitar, and then given these gentler plucked undercurrents by the harp – all at a level that's jazzier than some of John Zorn's other compositional projects, but still with a unique style of its own. The music draws inspiration from The Song Of Solomon, but only at a very spiritual level – and titles include "Tappuha", "Berotim", "Otyah", "Sammatek", and "Alamot". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: MAMMAL HANDS - ANIMALIA; ALBOROSIE – SPECIALIST PRESENTS ALBOROSIE & FRIENDS; GOGO PENGUIN – V2.0

MAMMAL HANDS - ANIMALIA

Mammal Hands are a trio of like-minded musicians: Nick Smart piano, Jesse Barrett drums and percussion, and Jordan Smart saxophones. Drawing on influences from Steve Reich to Bonobo and Pharoah Sanders to Cinematic Orchestra, alongside elements of North Indian and African music, they produce their own beautiful, inimitable music – at times wistful and melancholic and others raucous and catchy. They evoke a range of moods, from delicate and subtle to explosive and frantic, blending thoughtful compositions with spontaneity and interplay. On the road they have been wooing audiences from the Norwich Arts Centre to Mostly Jazz Birmingham, King’s Place London, Band On The Wall Manchester and most recently Love Supreme Glynde. Indeed it was at Mostly Jazz that the band were heard by Gondwana Records recording artists GoGo Penguin’s bassist Nick Blacka, who liking the band’s unique sound brought them to the attention of label boss Matthew Halsall, who immediately signed them to the label and has now produced their sublime debut album, Animalia, which is released on 15th September. Mammal Hands met in April 2012, while busking in Norwich. They gelled quickly, drawn to each other’s open approach to music making. The brothers Nick and Jordan were already playing together as an electronica duo but with drummer Jesse joining the band they developed a distinctive sound drawing on their love of electronic, contemporary classical, world and jazz music. Drummer Jesse’s knowledge and understanding of Indian Classical music brings a unique/distinctive approach to the rhythmic framework of the band’s tunes. His disciplined study with tabla maestro Sirishkumar has allowed him to develop the ability to explore intricate and complex rhythmic patterns and the freedom to explore time signatures and rhythmic patterns less commonly heard in the western world. Jordan brings a love of DJ culture as well as the influence of Pharoah Sanders to his playing whilst pianist Nick brings a knowledge of classical Jazz harmonies but also a deep interest in the minimalist composers (Terry Riley, Steve Reich) which has influenced his compositional approach, striving to create hypnotic, rhythmic patterns that can provide a foundation for Jordan and Jesse to build on. It is this unique combination of influences and their unusual baseless line-up that makes Mammal Hands’ sound so distinctive. 

www.godwanarecords.com

ALBOROSIE – SPECIALIST PRESENTS ALBOROSIE & FRIENDS

Alborosie is again the artist to watch in 2014, with multiple projects as a singer, songwriter, producer and dub master hitting the market, his name and his stock are growing! Here is his double CD of combination tracks (duets) recorded over the past seven years, with many songs taken from 7Inch singles making their CD debut and including a number of unreleased songs. The tracks feature a big range of veteran reggae artists like Steel Pulse, Dennis Brown, Black Uhuru, Horace Andy, The Tamlins or Ranking Joe. The 90′s and current generation is represented by stars like Busy Signal, Etana, Jah Cure, Luciano, Kymani Marley, Gramps Morgan (Morgan Heritage) and Gentleman for sure, who is featured in the 2014 documentary film ‘Journey To Jah’ alongside Alborosie. www.alborosiemusic.com

GOGO PENGUIN – V2.0

Championed by DJs from Mike Chadwick to Gilles Peterson and Jamie Cullum, it is GoGo Penguin’s skittering break-beats, telepathic interplay and a penchant for anthemic melody that contribute to a sound that’s wholly their own. Pianist Chris Illingworth’s yearning classical influenced melodies are filtered through the dance music energy of bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Rob Turner. But there is no leader, no global set of rules. Each member receives inspiration, ideas and information from each other. Their instrumentation might be the archetypal piano trio but while the melodic, harmonic and structural ideas are influenced by both classical and jazz the rhythms are drawn from left field electronica and it’s this meeting of opposites that makes their unique acoustic-electronica sound so exciting and creates such an interesting and emotionally rich palate for the listener. v2.0 is the opening salvo from the new GoGo Penguin. Nick Blacka (who played in an earlier trio with pianist Chris Illingworth) joined the band in late 2012 after founder member Grant Russell left to pursue other projects. He brought a new cohesiveness to the band’s sound and if their earlier breakthrough debut hit Fanfares offered a band prototype, then v2.0 is the wildly successful reboot. It’s the sound of a band increasingly comfortable in the sonic world they have created and a gloriously vibrant technicolor snap-shot of a band finding their own voice – as drawing on a heady brew of influences from Brian Eno, John Cage and Squarepusher to Manchester’s grey rain-streaked urban streets they create a brave new sound all their own. www.godwanarecords.com

NEW RELEASES: YUSEF LATEEF - THE BLUE YUSEF LATEEF; FOX CAPTURE PLAN – WALL; LUCIEN GOETHALS

YUSEF LATEEF - THE BLUE YUSEF LATEEF

One of our favorite Atlantic albums by the great Yusef Lateef – an incredible session that has him dipping back into his earlier exotic roots with those great reed styles of the early 60s – yet also hitting a mix of soul and funk like some of his other albums from the time! The sound is tremendous – wonderfully righteous, at a level that really set the tone for more ambitious soul jazz projects of the 70s by other artists – including the best of the soul jazz underground who were often as inspired by Lateef as they were by Coltrane! The group's great, too – and features Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Sonny Red on alto, Hugh Lawson on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Roy Brooks on drums – next to Yusef's own work on tenor, flute, bamboo flute, tamboura, and percussion. Titles include "Sun Dog", "Moon Cup", "Othelia", "Like It Is", and the groovy "Juba Juba". ~ Dusty Groove

FOX CAPTURE PLAN – WALL

We really love these guys – and are continually amazed at what they can do with just bass, drums, and piano – all very conventional instruments, but used by Fox Capture Plan in this soaringly soulful style! The music's not entirely jazz – because all three instruments are very focused on the rhythms, and often move together rather than work towards solo expressions – but there's a modal warmth to the record that takes us back to some of our favorite jazz dance numbers of the 60s and 70s, but even more focused in the hands of the trio. This time around, they bring in a few extra touches, mostly in production – to flesh out the sound and link the spirit of the songs – but the overall vibe is still all acoustic and very tremendous! Titles include "Helios", "Elementary Stream", "Tong Poo", "Unsolved", "The Beginning Of The Myth", and "Into The Wall". ~ Dusty Groove

LUCIEN GOETHALS – LUCIEN GOETHALS

Incredible sounds from Lucien Goethals – one of the lesser-known electronic talents of the European scene of the 60s and 70s – and one of the most revolutionary as well! Goethals is represented here by three long pieces – the first of which, "Difonium", has his own moody sounds on magnetaphone mixed with live bass clarinet improvisations from Harry Sparnaay – who plays in these tones that match perfectly with the electronics, in a way that prefaces many jazz/electronic experiments in years to come. "Cellotape" mixes cello, violin, and piano with electronics that bring the offbeat tones of the instruments into sharp focus – and "Studie VII B" is an all electronic work – based on varied frequencies with altered amplifications and timings – with results that are very moogy and spacey! ~ Dusty Groove

 

NEW RELEASES: ERIC WYATT – BOROUGH OF KINGS; CAROLANN BREVARD - GREATNESS; MYLES SANKO – FOREVER DREAMING

ERIC WYATT – BOROUGH OF KINGS

Really tremendous work from tenorist Eric Wyatt – a set that has the musician really coming into his own, and maybe emerging as one of the most soulful, spiritual players in recent years! The set bristles with soaring energy – a really kind of old school blend of spiritual jazz and more focused soulbop – with especially searing tenor lines from Wyatt on most numbers, but also a bit of flute as well – all played with a wellspring of emotion that takes us back to Pharoah Sanders on Impulse, or maybe Sonny Rollins at his most expressive. Most of the set features original compositions by Wyatt – whose writing is also a delight – and the well-chosen group includes Duane Eubanks on trumpet, Clifton Anderson on trombone, and Benito Gonzalez on piano. Titles include "Ancient Chinese Secrets", "Borough Of Kings", "One For Hakim", "The People's Champ", "Countdown", and "Quest".  ~ Dusty Groove

CAROLANN BREVARD - GREATNESS

A well-titled set from this up-and-coming singer – as it definitely seems like we'll be hearing a lot more greatness from Carolann in years to come! The album's a very well-crafted individual soul statement – with a vibe that's very different than other records of its nature these days – as Breyard looks back, to the 70s styles of Ann Peebles and Aretha Franklin – instead of going for any too-modern modes in the production and instrumentation! Most of the backings are nice and warm – almost a Hi Records sort of vibe, but leaner and jazzier too – and Carolann really finds a way to make the approach all her own, without ever resorting to easy references, or the kind of gimmicks that some of her contemporaries might use. Titles include "Greatness", "It's Complicated", "Negativity", "Momma's Baby", "If You Don't Believe", "Dog With A Bone", and "May December".  ~ Dusty Groove

MYLES SANKO – FOREVER DREAMING

Following the release of debut EP "Born in Black & White" to broad critical and fan acclaim in 2013, England-based soul singer and songwriter Myles Sanko is following up with his first full-length album "Forever Dreaming". Dubbed as the 'lovechild of soul music' by Times Out London, this talented artist began his music career by singing and rapping alongside disc jockeys in nightclubs. He has fronted popular bands such as Bijoumiyo, and has worked with funk kings Speedometer who were touring with James Brown's backup singer for over 35 years, soul sister Martha High. New album "Forever Dreaming" includes 10 versatile compositions Myles Sanko wrote with his longtime songwriting partner Thierry Los from France. Styles are ranging from the melodic soul-jazz of title track "Forever Dreaming“ through the spiritual acid jazz of "Take A Look At Me Now“ or energetic soul dancer "Shooting Star“.

NEW RELEASES: HUGH GLEDHILL - BIG DINOSAUR MOUTH; AWA SANGHO - ALA TA; ALISON BALSOM - PARIS

HUGH GLEDHILL - BIG DINOSAUR MOUTH

Big Dinosaur Mouth is the debut album from London-based funk and soul guitarist Hugh Gledhill (The Jezebel Sextet, The James Taylor Quartet) on Sookie Records, featuring Hugh Gledhill on guitar, Seamus Beaghen (Trio Valore), on Hammond, Burundian singer/songwriter Mudibu on vocals, and the Killer Horns (Alice Russell). Nine new songs blend Memphis soul, boogaloo guitar, Hammond and horns - all captured with outstanding sound quality on analogue tape. Mudibu features on four vocal tracks including 'Under Our Eyes' and 'Time, Strength...; Patience', two ballads inspired by Steve Cropper and Booker T & The MGs, plus the radio-friendly 'Don't Rush' with its summer soul groove, ska chorus and big finale.  Five instrumentals each contribute a different sound and mood. There's menacing wah on 'Three Tombstones', stuttering Hammond on 'Sweet Magritte' and raw boogaloo on 'Get Out'. 'Captain Thunder' peaks with rambunctious guitar and Hammond trading solos over punchy horn breaks and a JBs inspired groove. The end result is an impressive and varied debut album from this talented British musician, celebrating the sound of 1960s soul, street funk and boogaloo.

AWA SANGHO - ALA TA

The first solo effort from Awa Sangho – a Mali-born, Abdijan-bred singer who's worked previously with other bigger names in African music – and with a few groups as well – but an artist who's definitely got the maturity to make it all on her own! The work has a very special flavor – not the usual Malian sounds, although Awa definitely has a strong sense of inflection in her phrasing – and sometimes graced with slight jazzy touches in the instrumentation, as befits both the record's placement on the Motema label, and Sangho's current residence in New York. Instrumentation mixes kora, balafon, djembe, and other African sounds with warmer guitar that really deepens the soul of the record – and titles include "Denko", "Tambin Y Tambor", "Naigai Koro Sigui", "Emama", "Dofana", and "N'Djarka Y Tambor".  ~ Dusty Groove

ALISON BALSOM - PARIS

One of today's most in-demand classical music personalities, English trumpeter and BBC Proms darling Alison Balsom shares her love of Paris on this new solo album. After becoming the first British woman to win Gramophone Magazine's prestigious Artist of the Year award, Alison brings her glamour, poise and dazzling virtuosity to Paris with a selection of music written in and inspired by the most romantic city in the world. Accessible yet surprising at every turn, the programme ranges from 20th-century French composers (Ravel, Duruflé, Messiaen) to jazz (Django Reinhardt) and popular chanson française (Joseph Kosma), all in enchanting arrangements for trumpet. ~ Amazon

SINGER-SONGWRITER KIKI EBSEN RELEASES JAZZ STANDARDS ALBUM - SCARECROW SESSIONS

Father knew best: Kiki Ebsen records a jazz tribute to her late dad, actor Buddy Ebsen “Scarecrow Sessions,” due September 30, is comprised of standards and songs associated with her father’s showbiz career; “If I Only Had A Brain” is the No. 2 most added radio single this week.

Singer-songwriter Kiki Ebsen stubbornly refused her famous father’s repeated suggestions to learn how to sing jazz standards. Rebelliously she insisted upon forging her own path as a solo artist and accompanying keyboardist-vocalist with a bevy of A-list pop stars. Eleven years after the passing of her dad, actor Buddy Ebsen, Kiki will pay tribute by releasing exactly the type of collection he fervently urged her to record, “Scarecrow Sessions” on September 30 on the Painted Pony Media label. The material comes from The Great American Songbook, a stunning original (“Missing You”) penned by the song and dance man turned movie and television star, and songs associated with his career, including an ill-fated starring role in “The Wizard Of Oz.” The first single prefacing the acoustic jazz set produced by David Mann, “If I Only Had A Brain,” is the No. 2 most added radio single this week.

  

“We are losing the iconic talents many of us grew up with. By recording these songs, I hope not only to honor my father’s memory and his love of jazz, but to create a musical statement that is truly my own. I’m connecting his past to my present in a way that will no doubt leave me forever changed,” said Ebsen, who completed the album as a Father’s Day offering after a successful Kickstarter campaign. “Through this journey I have discovered my voice. A simple yet beautiful tone that emanates from a true place in my heart; a place of lightness and ease.” 

Front and center throughout the collection is Ebsen’s classically-trained voice that sounds like it was born to sing jazz - warm, elegant, supple, pretty and passionate. She recorded in New York City finding inspiration while strolling the same streets that her father roamed during his Vaudeville days. Ebsen is accompanied by a first-rate ensemble featuring some of the Big Apple’s best players such as Chuck Loeb (electric and acoustic guitars), John Patitucci (acoustic and electric bass), Henry Hey (piano and organ), Clint de Ganon (drums) and Mann on saxophone and flute. Live strings add grace and emotional depth to the proceedings.   

“Scarecrow Sessions” takes its name from a little known story of Hollywood heartbreak. Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Scarecrow in “The Wizard Of Oz,” but yielded the role to Ray Bolger while agreeing to play the Tin Man instead. However, Ebsen had a toxic reaction to being cloaked in tin from head to toe with his hands and face dusted in aluminum that caused severe breathing problems when his lungs became full of metallic particles. He was unable to get enough oxygen into his bloodstream and ended up hospitalized forced to breathe with the aid of a respirator for several days requiring him to relinquish the role. 

Songs on “Scarecrow Sessions” with much happier Golden Age associations are “Moon River,” in which Buddy Ebsen played opposite Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”; “At The Codfish Ball,” which Ebsen originally sang and danced with Shirley Temple in “Captain January”; and “St. Louis Blues” from Ebsen’s first motion picture, “Banjo On My Knee,” in which he starred alongside legends Joel McCrea and Barbara Stanwyck. Kiki Ebsen unearthed the yearning torch song “Missing You” when sifting through a box of her father’s old scripts and songbooks after his passing. She began performing the arresting piano and voice confessional co-authored by her father during her own shows producing chills as she felt his presence thus it was a natural selection for the album salute. The liner notes booklet inserted in the CD packaging contains photos from her father’s storied career, intimate family pictures and personal remembrances.     

On her five previous solo releases, Ebsen preferred to interpret her own musical journey via self-penned material that has been well received. She has toured and performed with an extensive list of hitmakers that boasts Al Jarreau, Tracy Chapman, Boz Scaggs, Christopher Cross and Chicago while her songs have been covered by contemporary jazz chart-toppers Boney James, Eric Marienthal and Jessy J. After performing in Laguna Beach, Calif. this weekend, Ebsen jets to the United Kingdom for a series of shows this month before returning for additional Southern California dates in September ahead of the album release. For more information, please visit www.KikiEbsen.com.

 The songs on “Scarecrow Sessions” are:

 “You Don’t Know What Love Is”

 "If I Only Had A Brain”

 “Missing You”

 “Moon River”

 “Comes Love”

 “Tea For Two”

 “At The Codfish Ball”

 “Laura”

 “Easy To Love”

 “Prelude”

 “St. Louis Blues”

 “Over The Rainbow”

 

Santana Corazon Live from Mexico Deluxe Package Includes the Concert Film, Plus a Live CD from December 14, 2013

Santana - Corazon – Live From Mexico: Live It To Believe It Blu-Ray Preorder

Includes the concert film, a “making of the concert” 30 minute documentary film shot in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Guadalajara, entitled “Live It To Believe It,” along with a live CD from December 14, 2013.

Superstar performances at this concert event include Elan Atias, Chocquibtown, Lila Downs, Gloria Estefan, Juanes, Miguel, Fher Olvera (of Mana), Niña Pastori, Samuel Rosa (of Skank), Cindy Blackman Santana, Salvador Santana, Romeo Santos, Soledad, and Diego Torres.  

LIVE CONCERT BLU-RAY SET LIST

1. Our Prayer

2. Jingo

3. Iron Lion Zion feat. ChocQuibTown and Elan Atias

4. La Flaca feat. Juanes

5. Black Magic Woman

6. Gypsy Queen

7. Oye Como Va

8. Samba Pa Ti

9. Amor Correspondido feat. Diego Torres

10. Margarita feat. Romeo Santos

11. Indy feat. Miguel

12. Maria Maria feat. Miguel

13. Evil Ways

14. Europa

15. Una Noche en Nápoles feat. Lila Downs, Niña Pastori & Soledad

16. Besos De Lejos feat. Gloria Estefan

17. Kyoto, November 5, 1976, Part 1 as performed by Salvador Santana

18. Corazón Espinado feat. Fher Olvera and Cindy Blackman Santana

19. Cindy Blackman Santana Drum and Benny Bass Solo

20. Smooth

21. Soul Sacrifice

22. Saideira feat. Samuel Rosa

23. Cielito Lindo/Descarga Divine Explosion

BONUS FEATURE

“Live It To Believe It” Documentary (Run Time = 30 minutes)

LIVE CD

1. Our Prayer

2. Jingo

3. Iron Lion Zion feat. ChocQuibTown and Elan Atias

4. La Flaca feat. Juanes

5. Amor Correspondido feat. Diego Torres

6. Margarita feat. Romeo Santos

7. Indy feat. Miguel

8. Maria Maria feat. Miguel

9. Una Noche en Nápoles feat. Lila Downs, Niña Pastori & Soledad

10. Besos De Lejos feat. Gloria Estefan

11. Kyoto, November 5, 1976, Part 1 as performed by Salvador Santana

12. Corazón Espinado feat. Fher Olvera and Cindy Blackman Santana

13. Cindy Blackman Santana Drum Solo

14. Soul Sacrifice

15. Saideira feat. Samuel Rosa

16. Cielito Lindo/Descarga Divine Explosion

Rachael Sage Announces The Upcoming Release Of "Blue Roses," Her New Studio Album Out On November 4, 2014

Rachael Sage announces the release of her new studio album, Blue Roses, out November 4, 2014 on MPress Records. The NYC singer-songwriter, poet, actor, visual artist and record label owner has thrived in the indie songwriter scene since her self-produced 1996 debut, Morbid Romantic. Her new album, Blue Roses, is a perceptive rumination on the human condition. Her voice pulsates with soulful melancholy over her driving piano, augmented by string-soaked arrangements.

Sage’s music is prominently featured in the current season of Lifetime® TV’s hit reality series,Dance Moms, with eight of Sage’s songs serving as accompaniment to the Abby Lee Dance Company’s award-winning choreography. The show will be airing two more tracks from Blue Roses later this season, for a total of an unprecedented ten placements. As a former student of The School of American Ballet, Sage says “it’s been pretty thrilling to watch young dancers like Maddie Ziegler and Chloe Lukasiak perform week after week to my music. They’re incredible young artists, and have brought me back to dance in such a unique and unexpected way!”

Sage plays more than a hundred gigs annually with her band The Sequins, and has shared stages with Marc Cohn, The Animals, Shawn Colvin, Sarah McLachlan, A Great Big World, Jamie Cullum and Judy Collins. Collins makes a guest appearance on Blue Roses, dueting with Sage on her elegiac cover of Neil Young’s “Helpless.” “She has a very unusual way of treating a pop song,” said Phil Ramone. “I admire her editorial and musical ability when it comes to crafting a tune.” Rachael Sage’s working methods reminded Phil Ramone of Bob Dylan – and he should know, having engineered the Blood on the Tracks sessions.

Ramone was not alone in his admiration for Sage’s qualities – she was accorded the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, claimed the Outstanding Producer accolade for “Hope’s Outpost” at the OutMusic Awards, is a 4-time Independent Music Award Winner and was named one of the top 100 independent artists of the past 15 years by Performing Songwriter magazine.

About Blue Roses

Blue Roses, the new album by Rachael Sage, is a collection of songs about the impact any single person can have upon the destiny of another. Sage has spent most of the last two years trying to channel evidence of compassion into her creative output. "These are incredibly confusing, chaotic times we're living in, and the older I get, the more vital it seems to me to document unabashed, wholehearted empathy wherever and however I can as an artist."

On the title track, "Blue Roses", Sage depicts an unusual relationship in which two people who won't ultimately stay together connect in a way that is permanently transformational. “Salvation from my point of view is when you can look another person in the eyes, have no regrets, and know you are both better people for having known each other."

The theme of transformation recurs on several other tracks, including "Wax", featuring theremin player Armen Ra (Antony & The Johnsons). Over hypnotic drum-loops, Sage muses bittersweetly over prior risks and current dangers in loving someone who can't commit, while acknowledging the element of her own karma in the situation ("if you break one heart it'll boomerang back / where was I when they taught that lesson").

"Happiness (Maddie’s Song)”, is the brightest and most hopeful track on the album, with an upbeat piano melody and swirling string lines. "I wrote this song after seeing a performance that was so extraordinary that I felt I had met a soul mate - even though I was merely in the audience."

Produced by Sage with two-time Grammy nominee John Shyloski (Stephen Kellogg, Johnny Winter), Blue Roses features 13 chamber-pop gems, supported by an impressive lineup of musical guests including drummer Quinn (Daft Punk), percussionist/singer Everett Bradley (Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates) and guitarists James Mastro (Garland Jeffries, Ian Hunter) and Jack Petruzelli (Patti Smith, Rufus Wainwright). Closing out the album with a cover of Neil Young's "Helpless" - reimagined as a duet featuring folk icon Judy Collins and accompanied by Charleston alt-rock band A Fragile Tomorrow - Sage comes full circle, imbibing the classic anthem with a warmth that is entirely her own.

About Rachael Sage:

A soulful vocalist and innovative multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter and producer Rachael Sage has been performing 100+ dates a year with her band, The Sequins throughout the US, UK, Europe and Asia. She has earned a loyal following for her dynamic piano playing, delicate guitar work, and soulful vocals. The Sequins are drummer Andy Mac, cellist Ward Williams and violinist Kelly Halloran.

Sage has shared stages with Sarah McLachlan, A Great Big World, Judy Collins, Colin Hay, Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn, The Animals and Ani DiFranco. She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and received numerous songwriting awards including The John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Grand Prize) and several Independent Music Awards. Her songs have appeared on MTV, HBO, the Fame Soundtrack, and in the current season of Lifetime’s #1 reality series, Dance Moms. Blue Roses is poised for a November 4 release, available everywhere through MPress Records. Rachael Sage and The Sequins will be touring the U.S. in support of the release, check out rachaelsage.com for dates.

On Tour Now:

Aug 23    Midland, TX    Wagner Noel PAC w/ Judy Collins – 8PM

Aug 24    Dallas, TX    Granada Theater w/ Judy Collins – 7PM

Sep 21    Rockville, MD    Benefit Concert @ Ted's 355 Diner – 5PM

Sep 26    Savannah, GA    Sentient Bean – 8PM

Sep 28    Birmingham, AL    Moonlight on the Mountain – 7PM

Oct 5    Chicago, IL    Uncommon Ground on Devon – 8PM

Oct 10    Los Angeles, CA    Genghis Cohen – 9:30PM

Oct 15-26    United Kingdom    UK Tour - dates TBA