NEW RELEASES: JACO PASTORIUS – ANTHOLOGY: THE WARNER BROS. YEARS; JAMES BROWN – LOVE POWER PEACE: LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA PARIS 1971; KARL DENSON’S TINY UNIVERSE – NEW AMMO

JACO PASTORIUS – ANTHOLOGY: THE WARNER BROS. YEARS

Stunning work from bassist Jaco Pastorius – a player who'd already wowed audiences with his seminal 70s sides with Weather Report, and on his own – but an artist who really finds a way to grow even more on these early 80s sessions for Warner Brothers! Pastorious continues to push the electric bass into so many different spaces – from fast rhythmic riffs, almost like a drum – to spare, ethereal lines that have a very evocative quality – to meloic pulses that make Jaco as important to his generation as Jimmy Blanton was to a previous era. Many numbers here feature largeish lineups – with musicians who include Michael Brecker, Wayne Shorter, and Bob Mintzer on tenor; Hubert Laws on flute, Peter Erskine on drums, Don Alias on percussion, Toots Thielemans on percussion, and Randy Brecker on trumpet – and titles include a previously unreleased version of "Donna Lee" – plus songs recorded with other artists – "Nativity" with Airto, and "Mood Swings" with Mike Stern – as well as Jaco material from the albums Word Of Mouth, Birthday Concert, and Word Of Mouth Big Band Live in Japan. Titles include "Okonkole Y Trompa", "Sophisticated Lady", "Fannie Mae", "Amerika", "Reza", "Punk Jazz", "Domingo", "Invitation", and "Chromatic Fantasy".  ~ Dusty Groove

JAMES BROWN – LOVE POWER PEACE: LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA PARIS 1971

A lost treasure from James Brown & The JBs – a vintage live performance from the early 70s, and one that captures the group at the height of their powers! The format here is very similar to the excellent Revolution Of The Mind set – a totally funky, totally righteous live performance that has James and the group even more energized than in the studio – working with the kind of razor-sharp intensity that made them a legendary funk act – leaping from tune to tune with nary a break at all! Bobby Byrd acts as the MC, and joins James for a bit of vocals – and the group at this point still includes Bootsy Collins on bass, plus loads of great guitar from Catfish Collins, and Fred Wesley on trombone and Jabo Starks on drums. Dave Matthews handled some of the arrangements – and titles include "Soul Power", "Sex Machine", "Bewildered", "It's A New Day", "Ain't It Funky Now", "Brother Rapp", "Super Bad", "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose", and "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag/I Got You/I Got The Feelin". Note – this is the first presentation of the material exactly the way that James Brown intended – as a 3LP set, without the remixing from the previous CD – pulled right from the original reels! ~ Dusty Groove

KARL DENSON’S TINY UNIVERSE – NEW AMMO

Karl Denson's definitely got some new ammo this time around – a sharper, more hook-based approach to work with his usual funky groove! Denson's tenor and flute are still strong in the mix, and the record's still got the requisite Hammond, Fender Rhodes, funky basslines, and horns – but there's also a strong presence from DJ Williams on both guitar and vocals – adding in some rockish touches that are bound to push Denson's music to an even bigger new audience. Some titles have the guitar very strongly in the lead, others showcase Denson's reeds a bit more – and titles include "Cheerleader", "Grenadiers", "Three Trials Of Strength", "New Ammo", "The Duct", "My Baby", and a version of "Seven Nation Army" – perhaps the most-covered song ever by contemporary funk bands.  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: CANDIDO – THE MASTER; GIL SCOTT-HERON – VILLAGE GATE NEW YORK 1976; ROB MAZUREK AND BLACK CUBE – RETURN THE TIDES: ASCENSION SUITE & HOLY GHOST

CANDIDO – THE MASTER

It's hard to imagine anyone making music for as many years as the legendary Candido – nor anyone who might still sound as great after so many decades in music! This set's definitely well-titled – as the congolero works here with a gorup of Latin jazz musicians, on an album that's one of his best in many years – a record that has maybe even more traditional Afro-Cuban elements than even Candido's work of the 50s, but which also brings in some strong jazz elements as well. Ray Santos arranged the set, and heads up the group – and the lineup includes tenor, flute, trombone, and trumpet – as well as some other percussionists next to Candido, and even a bit of tres and guitar as well – which further the rootsier side of the music. Candido's not totally on fire – maybe not a thousand-finger man here – but is still amazingly rock-solid, and really helps ground the whole record with his work on congas. Titles include "Arcason", "Salsibiri", "Conga Descarga", "Mulatacha", "Conga Blues", and "Lagrimas Negras".  ~ Dusty Groove

GIL SCOTT-HERON – VILLAGE GATE NEW YORK 1976

Gil Scott-Heron like we've never heard him before – working live at the Village Gate, with a style that's even more open and personal than some of his other live records at the time – given the small, intimate setting of the club! The group is very jazzy – with plenty of keyboards from Brian Jackson, and some sweet flute lines that really help warm up the tunes next to the vocals – and the whole performance was captured for a radio broadcast, so the overall quality is nice and strong – and the tracks have a long, open flow that's mighty nice! Titles include "17th Street", "It's Your World", "Home Is Where The Hatred Is", "Must Be Something We Can Do", and "Johannesburg" – plus a nice "Intro Jam" too. ~ Dusty Groove

ROB MAZUREK AND BLACK CUBE – 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

VINYL BOX SET OF PIVOTAL BILL EVANS LIVE PERFORMANCES, THE COMPLETE VILLAGE VANGUARD RECORDINGS, 1961

Concord Music Group is proud to announce the forthcoming vinyl reissue of Bill Evans’ The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961, one of the greatest live jazz recording sessions of all time. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl, the four LPs are packaged with a 12-page booklet, complete with new liner notes by reissue producer Bill Belmont, as well as the original liner notes by the producer of the initial recordings, Orrin Keepnews. Reproductions of Keepnews’ session annotations and photographer Steve Schapiro’s proof sheets from the performances add vintage context to the packaging. As a bonus, a stunning metallic and black poster of the famous cover — Evans, in profile, deep in concentration at his piano — completes the box set.

Ranked time after time as one of the best live jazz recording sessions in history, and yielding two of Evans’ most classic albums (Waltz for Debby, Sunday at the Village Vanguard), The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 represents the pinnacle of spontaneous musical communication: three men breathing as one on a tiny bandstand.  The performances on these LPs demonstrate a new and more interactive approach to playing as a trio, one in which all instruments carry melodic responsibilities and function as equal voices.  Keepnews recalls in his liner notes that “from the very first moments of the recording, it was impossible to ignore the importance of these performances.”

Everything Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro, and Paul Motian had been working on for the previous 18 months led to this moment on June 25, 1961. The little-known pianist and his trio performed afternoon and evening sets that Sunday to a small audience that unknowingly sat through what would become a very famous — and final — set by the trio (the 25-year old LeFaro died tragically in a car accident just days later).  These recordings provide something of a sonic time capsule: sequenced in the original order of the five sets, the audience’s murmurings and applause are peppered throughout; even an interrupted take is left intact. Belmont recalls the process of piecing the performance back together during the remastering process: “As was the practice with early live recording, the songs [on the original album] were faded just after the last note, and much, if not all, of the audience and banter from the stage was removed. So the first stage of the process was to find the reels—if they existed—and try and make a reconstruction of everything that was recorded…The task was to try to make the show flow as closely as possible to what had been recorded.”

Fans of Bill Evans will be thrilled to note that The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 is just one of several box sets hitting stores over the coming months, joining an array of vinyl titles currently available on the Original Jazz Classics imprint, including the magnificent Waltz for Debby, Explorations, New Jazz Conceptions and Interplay. A 12-disc reissue of The Complete Riverside Recordings, set for release in early 2015, presents all 20 recording sessions from the pivotal eight-year period (1956-63) that launched Evans’ career and defined his position as one of the most significant jazz pianists of all time. These 151 performances are presented in a sleek brick box, along with a 32-page illustrated booklet. Due in January, 2015 is four-LP set The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings, which encompasses the sublime duets of top song stylist Tony Bennett with Evans, recorded in 1975 and 1976. New liner notes by acclaimed music critic and co-author of Bennett’s autobiography, Will Friedwald, complete the package.

  

Track Listing for The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961

Disc 1

Side A:

1. Spoken Introduction 00:43

2. Gloria's Step (Take 1, Interrupted) 5:41

3. Alice In Wonderland (Take 1)6:57

Side B:

1. My Foolish Heart 4:55

2. All Of You (Take 1) 8:14

3. Announcement And Intermission 1:44

Disc 2

Side A:

1. My Romance (Take 1) 7:11

2. Some Other Time 5:02

3. Solar 8:57

Side B:         

1. Gloria's Step (Take 2) 6:10      

2. My Man's Gone Now 6:21

3. All Of You (Take 2) 8:29

Disc 3

Side A:

1. Detour Ahead (Take 1) 7:17     

2. Discussing Repertoire      00:31

3. Waltz For Debby (Take 1) 6:46 

4. Alice In Wonderland (Take 2) 8:31      

Side B:

1. Porgy (I Loves You, Porgy) 6:09

2. My Romance (Take 2) 7:26      

3. Milestones 6:31   

Disc 4

Side A:        

1. Detour Ahead (Take 2) 7:41     

2. Gloria's Step (Take 3) 6:48      

3. Waltz For Debby (Take 2) 7:00 

Side B:

1. All Of You (Take 3) 8:18 

2. Jade Visions (Take 1) 4:12       

3. Jade Visions (Take 2) 3:57       

4. ...A Few Final Bars 1:15 

NEW RELEASES: OLIVER LAKE ORGAN QUARTET – WHAT I HEARD; IRA KRIS – JAZZANOVA; JUDY GARLAND - DUETS AND MORE FROM THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW

OLIVER LAKE ORGAN QUARTET – WHAT I HEARD

Really great work from the Oliver Lake Organ Quartet – a group that features the excellent Jared Gold on the Hammond – one of our favorite jazz organists in recent years! Gold's got this way of blocking sound and shapes that almost reminds us of Larry Young – but with a twist that's definitely Larry's own – and his free-thinking approach to the instrument is really a great fit for Lake's work on alto and flute – especially since he's not really the kind of jazz musician to go for a traditional sax and organ session! Instead, the reeds and Hammond come together in these really great waves of sound – augmented by trumpet from Freddie Hendrix, and given some structure by the drums of Chris Beck. Titles include "Lucky One", "Root", "Palma", "Cyan", "What I Heard", and "6&3". ~ Dusty Groove

IRA KRIS - JAZZANOVA

One of the best lost MPS albums from the classic years – and a very tasty batch of jazzy Brazilian grooves! Guitarist Ira Kris leads a groovy little combo that includes 2 guitars, flute, bass, and drums – and the group runs through a tight set of bossa groovers with a breezy jazzy sound. Highlights include some great versions of "Canto De Ossanha", "Reza", and "Casa Forte" – but the album also has some nice originals like "Inside My Head" and "Juanito". The sound's a bit like a Baden Powell album, but it's a lot more lively – especially since there's 2 guitars jumping around in the mix. Plus, the bassist is the great Jimmy Woode (from the Clark Boland Big Band), and he gives the record a nice soulful bottom sound – more depth than you might expect from the usual bossa jazz record of this nature. ~ Dusty Groove

JUDY GARLAND - JUDY GARLAND AND FRIENDS: DUETS & JUDY GARLAND - THAT OLD FEELING: CLASSIC BALLAD FROM THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW

Songstress Barbra Streisand has been garnering incredible attention and sales for her "Partners" album, but Savoy Jazz has a few of the brightest gems in her duet repertoire—her duets with icon Judy Garland.  The songs featured on two Savoy Jazz releases-- "Hooray For Love" medley which appears on "Judy Garland and Friends: Duets" and the all-time classic "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" medley taken from "That Old Feeling: Classic Ballads From the Judy Garland Show"—are priceless recordings from the early 60's. Both albums are collections of hand-picked performances taken from the 1963 CBS-TV series "The Judy Garland Show." Compiled by Emmy-winning historian John Fricke, the stellar sets feature unforgettable performances (as well as many previously unavailable on CD), showcasing the talents of entertainers such as Streisand, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Lena Horne, Count Basie, Vic Damone and others.  Also included in the packages are rare black and white photographs taken from rehearsals and tapings of the Garland series. "The Judy Garland Show" was a much-deserved star vehicle for an artist now considered to be one of the greatest entertainers—if not the greatest—to hit the stage and screen.  The series is much revered for its fascinating showcasing of Garland's talent and the many, many stars that appeared and indeed, paid homage to the legendary performer.  This compilation provides an even greater look at Judy's joy in music and the heightened level of enthusiasm she achieved in her teamings with both friends and with some of the timeless vocalists of the Twentieth Century. 

Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet Set to Release Side Up - November 4

Mutation is defined as the changing of a structure, resulting in a variant form. That is a clear reflection of saxophonist and 3-time Grammy® Award-winner Jeff Coffin's philosophy that music must continue to change and mutate in order to grow. Side Up (available November 4 on Ear Up Records), the 6th release with his critically acclaimed band Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet, showcases the astounding range of influences Coffin has absorbed as an in-demand sideman to a "who's who" of musicians. 

Having performed with Béla Fleck & the Flecktones from 1997-2010 and Dave Matthews Band since 2008, Coffin has been traveling the globe as a saxophonist, bandleader, composer and educator since the late 20th Century. He has shared the stage with musicians such as Branford Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, John Scofield, McCoy Tyner, Galactic, and Kirk Whalum, as well as a wide variety of esteemed groups such as Phish, My Morning Jacket, Van Morrison, The Dixie Chicks, Umphrey's McGee, Widespread Panic, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others. 

Featuring 5-time Grammy® Award-winning drummer Roy 'Futureman' Wooten, electric bassist Felix Pastorius, trumpeter Bill Fanning and pianist/keyboardist Chris Walters, Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet strive to expand their horizons, as well as their fans, with music flavored by their eclectic interests on Side Up. The compositions blend sounds from the deep wells of New Orleans Second Line, African music, Indian Ragas, Brazilian music, folk, Gypsy, and straight ahead jazz. 

These influences are shown throughout the album with tunes including the African-inspired "The Scrambler" and the Indian-inspired "Mogador" - both of which feature the breathtaking talents of tabla master Zakir Hussain. As a nod to his jazz roots, "Steppin' Up" is the changes to John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" done with a different melody and in the style of a New Orleans brass band.

The album also spotlights compositions inspired by personal experiences and relationships. "Yukemi" was written for his wife's parents before one of their visits to the U.S. from their home in Northern Japan. The song's title is a combination of his wife's parents' first names Yukichi and Akemi. Continuing on that path, "And So It Begins" was written for two friends who were getting married at his Nashville home in 2013. "Two weeks before they were to be married, the bride to be was diagnosed with breast cancer (she is now cancer free!), and so they were starting a number of journeys together," states Coffin. "It seemed like an appropriate way to start the album."

Coffin has assembled a world-class lineup of guests for this outing - Zakir Hussain on tabla, Herlin Riley on tambourine, Radha Botofasina on harp, Rod McGaha and Mike Haynes on trumpet, Roy Agee and Barry Green on trombone, Denis Solee and Evan Cobb on tenor saxophone, Pat Bergeson on harmonica, James DaSilva on guitar, R. Scott Bryan on congas, and Ryoko Suzuki on harmonium. 

The Mu'tet's mission is to deliver music that sends shockwaves down people's spines with their fierce soloing and memorable compositions. Coffin and Fanning aim for that goal sometimes by using guitar effects on their horns, which they call 'electro-sax' and 'space trumpet.' These techniques are featured on "Scratch That Itch," one of the funkier tunes on the album, which Coffin co-wrote with New Orleans drummer, Doug Belote and Nashville bassist Michael Rinne. 

Side Up marks the second consecutive recording which Coffin has extensively collaborated compositionally with The Mu'tet. Notes Coffin. "A great lesson I learned from Béla Fleck is to give the musicians freedom in finding their 'voices' in the music." Following that philosophy, Coffin only gave the sidemen a skeleton of sorts, which was then worked out in rehearsals to form an entire fleshed out body of work. Coffin continues, "These are some of the finest musicians I have ever had the opportunity to play with. What they bring to the musical table is astonishing." 

The members of the band have the same admiration for Coffin as well. "I've been playing alongside Jeff Coffin now for well over a decade and I can easily say, without a doubt, that I would not be the person or musician I am today if it wasn't for that invitation to join The Mu'tet," reflects Pastorius who is also currently a member of the acclaimed Yellowjackets. "For years now, Jeff has been a constant reminder of dedication and hard work, and I believe it is no more apparent than in his sound and his music." 

Upcoming Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet Performances:

November 1 / Vermont Jazz Center / Brattleboro, VT

November 2 / Bridge Street Live / Collinsville, CT

November 4 / River Street Jazz Cafe / Plains, PA

November 5 / Blues Alley / Washington, DC

November 6 / DROM / New York, NY

November 7 / Clementine Cafe / Harrisonburg, VA

November 8 / Isis Music Hall / Asheville, NC

November 9 / 3rd & Lindsley / Nashville, TN

November 19 - 22 / Jazz at the Bistro / St. Louis, MO

JeffCoffin.com

Neosoul artist, Alma to Release Album Tactics on October 17

New neo-soul artist Alma will release her first full length album, Tactics, on October 17. Alma, a talented singer and songwriter, is a Madison, WI native.

Tactics opens with just Alma and a microphone as she poetically invites listeners to examine the flaws of our human nature, a running theme through the album.  Her vocals are smooth, soulful and precise, layered with tight background vocal arrangements. Tactics’ stylistic leanings, a catchy mix of pop, R&B and jazz are reminiscent of Joss Stone, Emily King and Adele. Alma even experiments with spoken word and rap within Tactics.

“The project itself came together in less than five months, from the moment I sat down and said, ‘Okay, I should probably make a record,’ to the day I got the final mixes,” Alma says. She credits the accomplishment to bassist and producer Chris Thigpen, whom she met while studying voice at Columbia College in Chicago.

The two carefully arranged each song before hitting the studio in August. The product of their teamwork is eight unique yet cohesive tunes, from the hard-hitting “Take 21” to the gentle piano-driven “Head Rush,” each addressing a different aspect of human nature.

“I basically just put all my dirt out there,” Alma says, referring to her candid confessions of her own human nature. Topics like jealousy (“Blind Side”), doubt in God (“Worn”) and even an ugly sugar addiction (“Honey”) can be found on Tactics. Her openness endears her to fans, who donated over $5,000 to the project through crowdsourcing.

With a love for performing, an ear for musical arrangement and a passion for delivering a meaningful message, Alma (full name Alma Cook) provides soulful, thought-provoking and genre-defying original music. She developed her style in her hometown of Madison, WI, before moving to Chicago in 2011 to study vocal performance at Columbia College. In 2012, she released a demo titled Pass It On that featured a more acoustic sound.  Alma’s pop/soul single “For a Poet” was released in June 2014.

Tactics will be released on October 17, 2014. 

hearalma.com

facebook.com/hearalma

DJ Tudo's third studio album is a pure and authentic multicultural celebration in which Brazilian traditions are mixed amongst each-other

Pancada Motor is a term used amongst musicians of the Baiana, Samba de Matuto and Cambinda traditional rhythms of the North Eastern state of Alagoas, Brazil. Not only is Pancada Motor a name for the sound, it also highlights a paradigmatic outlook towards cultural activity, which holds local community, shared experience and tradition at its core. This traditional roots outlook works as DJ Tudo's musical and artistic foundation. But the album sees Tudo reconnect with his musical past. Having spent time soaking up Dub music in London, Tudo clearly picked up an ear for a certain type of sonic experimentation and the use of Dub FX. The album also administers an appropriate dose of psychedelia and spirituality, harking back to Tudo's experience of rave culture and jungle music in 90s London, while Dr. Das's big fuzzy bass lines emulate Tudo's teenage anarcho-punk days.

The opening track 'É Hoje é hoje' is a great reflection of Tudo's unique sound: A big, funky experimental take on a very traditional roots based sound which is broadened further by a punchy brass section with a phased tenor sax solo with hints of a spiritual jazz influence. The album also draws heavily upon Brazil's rich African influenced sound of the North East. This is exemplified in tracks like 'Meu Natural', a fuzzy, roaring, psyched out Afro-Funk jam.

The album is clearly a truly global project, both sonically and practically, It was recorded around the world "in little communities, beaches, friends’ houses and studios and edited on trains, boats, planes, hotel rooms, waiting rooms and other spaces." During Tudo's live performances he uses sampled vocals collected throughout Brazil, which he uses alongside his eight-piece band Sua Gnete de Todo Lugar. Yet while Tudo's music is global in its sound and outlook, his belief in the importance of cultural identity, tradition and community give the album a very local Brazilian focus.

~ Far Out Recordings

NEW RELEASES: THE HOT SARDINES; DAVID VIRELLES - MBOKO; RON MILES - CIRCUIT RIDER

THE HOT SARDINES

Bandleader Evan Bibs Palazzo and lead singer Miz Elizabeth combine with the Sardine ensemble of powerhouse musicians and their very own tap dancer to play hot jazz as it was in the era when live music was king...with a little glamour, a little grit, and a lot of passion. Even while giving voice to the history-defining jazz of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, the Hot Sardines vibrant performances bridge generations and captivate 21st century audiences. Forbes Magazine calls them One of the best jazz bands in NYC today The Hot Sardines have a distinctive recipe for making musical magic: take a blustery brass lineup, layer it over a rhythm section led by a stride-piano virtuoso in the Fats Waller vein, and tie it all together with a one-of-the-boys front-woman who sings in both English and French with a voice from another era. The brainchild of Bibs and Miz Elizabeth, the Sardine sound fuses musical influences from New York, Paris, and New Orleans that were nurtured from the Prohibition era through the Great Depression, WWII and beyond. ~ Amazon

DAVID VIRELLES - MBOKO

With Mboko, pianist-composer David Virelles based now in New York but born and bred in Cuba has taken the folkloric rhythms of Afro-Cuban religious ritual and transmuted them into a 21st-century music resonating with mystery and meaning. The main title, Mboko, can mean fundament or sugar cane or The Voice, not the human voice but The Voice that is believed in Abakua culture to be the voice of a spirit, or spirits. Sound is an element revered in this culture, and that idea the worship of sound itself was a shaping force in the performances of Virelles compositions on Mboko. The albums subtitle Sacred Music for Piano, Two Basses, Drum Set and Biankomeko Abakua indicates both the ritualistic intent of the 10 pieces and their sound, with piano as lead voice alongside dual bass drone and the polyrhythmic percussion of a traditional trap set and the all-important four-drum biankomeko kit, manned by Roman Díaz. Virelles has tapped into a musical impulse that is simultaneously ancient and modern, communal and personal, meditative and propulsive. Mboko casts a spell. ~ Amazon

RON MILES – CIRCUIT RIDER

A compelling, inviting trio date with guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Brian Blade, which combines the singing melodicism of American folk music, the heightened communication of progressive jazz, and an entrancing, airy openness! Master trumpeter Ron Miles injects his radiant, lyrical tone directly into the lifeblood of American music on his latest release. The album finds three genre-defying musical masters at their creative best, lacing easy camaraderie with virtuosic interaction. Featuring performances of grace, elegance, and luminosity, this is modern jazz chamber music in the best sense of the term. ~ Amazon

 

CHRISTMAS RELEASES: EARTH, WIND & FIRE - HOLIDAY; RENEE FLEMING - CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK; PETER FURLER - CHRISTMAS

EARTH, WIND & FIRE - HOLIDAY

Earth, Wind & Fire are celebrating the season with their first-ever holiday album.  Holiday features seasonal standards, traditional carols and future holiday classics, Release is set for Tuesday, October 21. Holiday is a spirited celebration of the holiday season, bringing together brand new recordings of seasonal standards, beloved carols, a traditional Japanese winter song, a modern-day Christmas song, future Earth, Wind & Fire classics and "December" (inspired by "September") featuring original vocals from Maurice White. Philip Bailey says, "This album is the band's first and only holiday music project. We are very proud to offer it as a labor of love to all of our fans and soon to be. Enjoy and happy holidays from our families to all of yours." "The Holiday album was a joy to record, it is a celebration of tradition, love and spirituality, some of the elements of Earth, Wind & Fire. From our families to yours, we wish you a happy holiday", said Verdine White.

RENEE FLEMING - CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK

American soprano Renee Fleming s first-ever holiday album celebrates the beloved and iconic Christmas season in New York City. From the holiday windows lining 5th Avenue to the red and green-lit spire of the Empire State Building, the essence of the city at the most wonderful time of year is captured on Christmas in New York. Pop, Broadway and jazz greats Chris Botti, Kurt Elling, Wynton Marsalis, Brad Mehldau, Kelli O Hara, Gregory Porter and Rufus Wainwright join Renée as she lends her sublime voice to hits like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Silver Bells and other gems, including Central Park Serenade, a brand new duet by songwriting legend Diane Warren. In total, Fleming and her guests have won 16 Grammy awards across multiple categories. Fleming s lush vocals, elegant persona, and intimate delivery of holiday classics make this album the perfect soundtrack for holiday parties, and a gift that will delight anyone who loves music. An exclusive recording artist with Decca since 1995, Fleming is known around the globe as a classical singer with a voice as warm and rich as a fine single malt, (The Times, London), and a career that has ranged from the stages of world s greatest opera houses to concerts and recordings of jazz, the American songbook, movie soundtracks and indie rock. In February 2014, Fleming became the first classical singer in history to perform the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, which was enjoyed by more than 111.5 million viewers in the US. ~ Amazon

PETER FURLER - CHRISTMAS

From the traditional orchestration of 'O Come All Ye Faithful' to the deconstructed 'O Come O Come Emmanuel', the arrangements reflect a solemn respect for these timeless Christmas classics. For example, Furler's introspective vocal delivery on 'We Three Kings' coupled with haunting melodies of the Duduk (Indigenous Armenian wind instrument), reinvigorates the often dismissed Christmas carol. The signature vintage sound of David Ian stays true and develops as he draws from his own cultural background. This album equally suits a meditative evening by the fire, or a dinner party with family and friends. Grammy Nominated Australian Singer-Songwriter, Peter Furler delivers his debut Christmas record. He has over 7 million album sales to his credit alongside extensive worldwide touring throughout the course of his career. With an international perspective in mind, he collaborates with 2013 Wall Street Journal favorited, Canadian-born David Ian whose unique affinity for the Vintage Christmas sound reaches a new level. Using singers and musicians from around the world including America, Armenia, Lebanon, Russia, and South Africa, the artists bring you an unparalleled cultured Christmas experience ringing sounds of the holiday season from ancient past to present. ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: ARETHA FRANKLIN - SINGS THE GREAT DIVA CLASSICS; SINKANE - MEAN LOVE; JONATHAN SIGLER - HARD WATER

ARETHA FRANKLIN - SINGS THE GREAT DIVA CLASSICS

Aretha Franklin, the incomparable "Queen of Soul," will release her highly anticipated brand new studio LP Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics on October 21st, featuring the . album s lead single, Adele's "Rolling In The Deep (The Aretha Version)."

Aretha's unsurpassed vocal styling permeates on popular diva classics ranging from Barbra Streisand's "People," and Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train To Georgia," to Alicia Keys' "No One," and a mash up of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and Destiny's Child's "I m A Survivor," and more. Also lauded as a skillful pianist, Aretha tickles the ivories on The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On." On The Great Diva Classic Aretha Franklin reunites with Sony Music Entertainment's Chief Creative Officer Clive Davis as they take the helm as co-producers to bring Davis' album concept to fruition. A-List producers Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, André 3000, Harvey Mason, Jr., Terry Hunter and Eric Kupper add their award-winning production skills. Rightfully earning the #1 spot on Rolling Stone magazine's prestigious "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" list, and #9 on 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list, Franklin has won a total of 19 Grammy Awards and is one of the best-selling female artists of all time, having sold over 75 million records worldwide. ~ Amazon

SINKANE – MEAN LOVE

The best yet from Sudan-born, Brooklyn-dwelling Sinkane – distilling a lot of diverse sonic influence into his own distinct still, pretty strongly rooted in adventurous soul! There's a lot going on here, inspiration wise – with modern synth-stoked twists on 70s Afrobeat influences, tropically-inflected R&B and lots of other stylistic twists and turns – but it all works together really well, thanks in no small part to memorable songs and his airy voice. Very cool stuff! Titles include "How We Are", "New Name", "Yacha", "Young Trouble", "Moonstruck", "Mean Love", "Hold Tight", "Galley Boys", "Son" and "Omdurman".  ~ Dusty Groove

JONATHAN SIGEL – HARD WATER

Sweet soulful trumpet from Jonathan Sigel – an artist who's got a really great ear for the best fusion styles of the 70s – particularly work by some of the more R&B inflected trumpet players of the time! The grooves are awash in warm keyboard lines, and sometimes feature either a bit of vocals or sax – and although the record's an indie production, it's got this warm glow that takes us back to crossover classics by Herb Alpert or Chuck Mangione in the late 70s – with maybe some echoes of Freddie Hubbard's more R&B work too! Titles include "Partido", "Mr Why", "Orange Blossom", "Darkness & Light", "Journey To Plex", and "Agua Dura".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: THE GRITS - MAKE A SOUND; U-NAM - C'EST LE FUNK; DIGGS DUKE - UPPER HAND AND OTHER GREAT ILLUSIONS

THE GRITS – MAKE A SOUND

The Grits make a mighty sound here – one that's even deeper, harder, and funkier than their previous records – thanks to some especially sharp drums at the bottom! These guys have really rediscovered the power of a classic break – and use the drums to really get all the cuts going right from the get-go – creating such an infectiously funky vibe, all the other elements of the tunes are just like icing on the cake! Most numbers feature vocals from Sophie Adler-McKean – a soulful singer in the Alice Russell mode – and the rest of the group features trumpet, tenor, bass, and keyboards – but the credits list three different drummers – so these guys are definitely serious about that part of the record! Titles include "Make A Sound", "Psycho", "Yeah No", "Funky Mile", "Six Pack", and "Heel & Toe".  ~ Dusty Groove

U-NAM – C’EST LE FUNK

Wicked guitar work from U-Nam – a contemporary musician, but one who's drank deeply of the best vintage modes from CTI and Kudu Records – and who is one of the few who can really get such a classic sound just right! This album's got all the sharp edges of a 70s funky fusion set by George Benson or Eric Gale – with tight, thoughtful solos from U-Nam out in the lead – supported by soul-drenched rhythms that really make the whole thing move – deep sounds that almost have the feel of Incognito in an instrumental mode – all arranged and produced by the leader himself. Easily the best record so far from this modern funky jazz giant – with titles that include "Throwback Kid", "Smoovin", "C'Est Le Funk", "Starlight Lover", "City Lights", and "Just Like That".  ~ Dusty Groove

DIGGS DUKE – UPPER HAND AND OTHER GREAT ILLUSIONS

Sublime soulful sounds from Diggs Duke – one of the freshest artists we've heard in years – and one of the few who really live up to the cosmic promise of the Brownswood label! Duke's got this way of singing, speaking, and playing Fender Rhodes with a really righteous sort of vibe – almost a modern day Weldon Irvine, but with an ear for heavier beats as well – and able to do more in this short EP than most artists can do in a full album! Titles include "The Pinnacle", "Secrets Seem Rehearsed", "Covered In Cloth", "Our Love Was Brand New", and "A Private Island". Why isn't this guy huge? (Includes bonus download too!). ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - THE HELIOCENTRICS & MELVIN VAN PEEBLES – THE LAST TRANSMISSION; CRISTINA ZAVALLONI – THE SOUL FACTOR; VICTOR HAYNES - MY TIME IS HERE

THE HELIOCENTRICS & MELVIN VAN PEEBLES – THE LAST TRANSMISSION

A mindblowing collaboration between The Heliocentrics and underground film legend Melvin Van Peebles – a set that has the group serving up some madly trippy grooves, while Melvin speaks and sings some wisdom of his own! Van Peebles already blew our minds years ago with his insane soundtrack to Sweet Sweetback's Baaaadasss Song – still one of our favorite records of all times – and The Heliocentrics follow in the odd spirit of that gem, by mixing lots of sounds and styles together in a mad cacophony of music – then leaving just the right amount of space for Melvin to come into the mix! Instrumentation is often fuzzy and psych-oriented, but always with a funky, soulful vibe as well – of the sort you'd hear on vintage records from Van Peebles – and titles include "Big Bang Reincarnation", "Transformation", "Infinite List", "Trust The Cosmos", and "Blue Mist". Special package also features a full bonus disc of instrumentals too!  ~ Dusty Groove

CRISTINA ZAVALLONI – THE SOUL FACTOR

A great collaboration between Italian vocalist Cristina Zavalloni and mighty keyboardist Uri Caine – a set that's surprisingly soulful overall, and one of Uri's funkiest records to date! The style is more soul than jazz – and Zavalloni works well as an old school styled singer, with almost a 70s vibe – one that's underscored nicely by Caine's heavy use of Hammond and Fender Rhodes! The rest of the group is pretty spare – often just guitar, bass, and drums to sharpen up the funky rhythms – and almost all the tracks are original numbers written by the duo. Titles include "For You", "Dear Presences", "A Day In Zory", "Tough Girls", "Hated Woman", and "Aretha's Song".  ~ Dusty Groove

VICTOR HAYNES – MY TIME IS HERE

Victor Haynes' time has been here for a few years now – as he's really be serving up some great music over the past few releases – but this album's definitely got a positive, confident feel that really lives up to its title – jazzy, upbeat, and rock-solid all the way through! The record's a great example of underground soul that's tight, but very far from commercial – put together with all the classic elements of an old school record, but done with an indie vibe that's nice and lean – and which is very well suited to Victor's vocals and lyrics. There's a jazzy undercurrent throughout – almost a bit of an Incognito vibe, and we mean that in the best way possible – and titles include "Feel", "Sleep Over", "Serious", "Get Back", "My Time Is Here", "Love Will Conquer All", and "Give Me The Reason".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: DON PEAKE - IT'S ABOUT TIME; JOYCE BREACH - MOMENTS LIKE THIS; KIM WATERS - SILVER SOUL

DON PEAKE - IT'S ABOUT TIME

"It's About Time" is Don Peake's first solo jazz album that was sent to various radio stations and received rave reviews. Featured are 5 originals by Don Peake, 3 by other band members and one traditional. Don Peake is one of the most successful guitar players ever; he was a member of Phil Spector's "Wrecking Crew" and has played on virtually every number one hit you can think of. Track list includes: Ust Friends, Soho Blue, Girl With The Flaxen Hair, Honeysuckle Rhythm, Lookin' For Trouble, Lover Man, Natasha, Sweet Dick Willie, and Battle Hymn Of The Republic. ~ CD Universe

JOYCE BREACH - MOMENTS LIKE THIS

In addition to wrapping you in the warm cashmere of her voice, she also thrills with such intellectually satisfying understanding of the true intent behind each lyric that she makes you understand it, too... with this superb collection of hand-picked, personally embossed take-home tunes, each arranged by the brilliant Mike Renzi. Precise dedication to quality, rubbed with a patina of subtle nuance, is the key to why she is one of the best interpreters of lyrics in the business today and why, like aging sherry, she gets better all the time. Includes Journey To A Star, I Like You, You're Nice, Moments Like This, I'm In Love Again, (There Ought To Be A) Moonlight Saving Time, Waiting For The Train To Come In, Dancing On A Dime, They Say It's Wonderful, Sunday Afternoon, I'll Only Miss Him When I Think Of Him,  Where Can I Go Without You?, That's For Me, and These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You). ~ CD Universe

KIM WATERS - SILVER SOUL

It's always the season for love and for 25 years, urban-jazz saxman Kim Waters (www.KimWaters.net) has provided the soulful soundtrack to romance. “Silver Soul,” the aptly-titled set to commemorate his silver anniversary as a recording artist, continues the affair with the critically-hailed session spawning Waters’ 17th Top 10 single, “Dreaming Of You.” Released last month, “Silver Soul,” was bolstered by the recent national broadcast of a Waters concert on SiriusXM. Summer tour dates around the U.S. created awareness and demand ahead of the album’s street date helping to ensure its successful launch. Waters took his time writing the material for “Silver Soul,” his 20th album, striving for each song to be a potential single. The love theme permeates the vibrant melodies, steams up the sensual R&B grooves and adds luster to the contemporary jazz nuances. In addition to playing a variety of saxophones on the balanced mix of instrumental and vocals selections, Waters performed all of the instrumentation except for guitar and sang the chorus on a handful of songs. Three distinctive vocalists shine brightly on duets with the musician: R&B crooner Eric Roberson (“Laying Beside Me”), Disney starlet Zendaya (her originally “Fireflies”) and Dana Pope (“Anything You Need”), the latter being Waters’ wife. Another highlight is an impassioned soprano sax revision of John Legend’s reverential “All Of Me” that perfectly suits the album’s motif.

THE SOUL REBELS ANNOUNCE "SONG OF THE WEEK" - WEEKLY FREE SONG DOWNLOAD CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF FALL TOUR 2014

Beginning with the premiere of "Karate" via OffBeat Magazine's website (recorded live with Galactic in 2012), the band will offer fans a free song download every Wednesday for the duration of their tour (ending in December), totaling 11 songs over the course of two months (available October 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19, 16; and December 3, 10, 17). The free downloads will feature songs from The Soul Rebels archive, recorded live on the road over the past two years (select songs will feature special guests). Tracks will premiere through various media outlets and also be made available at thesoulrebels.com.

Just one month into their extensive fall tour (which includes over 40 shows in 22 national/international cities), The Soul Rebels announce new dates with Trombone Shorty and Joey Bada$$. The band will play four shows opening for Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (November 30 - House of Blues - Houston, TX; December 10 - Terminal 5 - New York, NY; December 12 - Vic Theatre - Chicago, IL; and December 13 - Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH). Additionally, the band will perform with Joey Bada$$ on October 28 at House of Blues in New Orleans (following a special collaboration at The Soul Rebels New York City Brooklyn Bowl show in August).

The fall tour features new material and marks their debut in China as well as a return to South Africa. It comes on the heels of a successful summer, with shows in Europe and across the U.S., including Outside Lands and opening for the legendary Allman Brothers Band at Peach Music Fest (in addition to their Brooklyn Bowl run).

Last year, the band released a critically acclaimed, eclectic mixtape, Power = Power, as a free download. The project covers Daft Punk, Jay-Z, and Drake, among others. Other recent collaborations include performances with Big Freedia, The String Cheese Incident, Metallica, Styles P, Maceo Parker, and a special private session with Rick Ross, among others.

thesoulrebels.com

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek LIVE! – an evening of classic jazz standards in both vocal duets and solo performances, full PBS set list revealed

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek LIVE! – an evening of classic jazz standards in both vocal duets and solo performances – will air on THIRTEEN's Great Performances, Friday, October 24 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS. (Check local listings.)    

Taped at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall on July 28, the concert features classic selections from the Great American Songbook, each handpicked by the artists, including "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)," "Sophisticated Lady," "Lush Life," "Anything Goes," and the title track from their #1 chart topping and critically acclaimed album, "Cheek To Cheek." 

The album debuted last week at #1 on the Billboard 200 Album chart and also hit #1 on the Jazz Album and Traditional Jazz Album charts. With the release of "Cheek To Cheek," Bennett broke his own record, set in 2011 when "Duets II" debuted at #1 at the age of 85. Now at 88, Bennett remains the oldest artist in music industry history to have an album at the #1 spot on the Billboard charts. "Cheek To Cheek" marks Lady Gaga's third consecutive #1 album release in just over three years, making her the only female artist this decade to achieve this feat; this is the second time in Bennett's career that he has had an album debut at #1 in both Billboard's Pop and Jazz Album charts.

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek LIVE! was filmed in stunning 4K Ultra High Definition (HD) before a live audience of fans and invited guests, many of whom were students involved in arts programs in NYC public schools. The new special will air in Full HD as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival 2014. Additionally, LG Electronics USA will present this highly anticipated concert performance in 4K Ultra HD resolution – four times the resolution of Full HD to deliver the sharpest, most detailed picture possible – when it debuts this fall on Amazon Instant Video.  Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek LIVE! is supported by LG Electronics USA, the official sponsor, and will be the world's first concert to be streamed in Ultra HD.

With set and lighting design by Robert Wilson, the stars are joined by a 39-piece orchestra conducted by Jorge Calandrelli, soloists Chris Botti on trumpet and David Mann on tenor sax, and jazz musicians associated with both artists including members of Bennett's quartet, Mike Renzi, Gray Sargent, Harold Jones and Marshall Wood, and Lady Gaga's quintet, including Brian Newman, Paul Francis, Steven Kortyka, Michael Scott Ritchie, and Alex Smith.

The musical program includes:

Anything Goes (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga)

Cheek to Cheek (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga)

Nature Boy (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga)

How Do You Keep the Music Playing? (Tony Bennett)

Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (Lady Gaga)

Firefly (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga)

I Won't Dance (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga)

I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga)

Lush Life (Lady Gaga)

Sophisticated Lady (Tony Bennett)

Let's Face the Music and Dance (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga)

But Beautiful (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga)

It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga)

"Cheek To Cheek," the collaborative jazz album from Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, was released on Streamline/Columbia/Interscope Records on Tuesday, September 23, and an extended 73-minute version of the Great Performances concert will also be available on DVD from Streamline/Columbia/Interscope Records.

NEW RELEASES: BILL LASWELL / DJ KRUSH - SHUEN; METHOD OF DEFIANCE - PHANTOM SOUNDCLASH CUT-UP METHOD: ONE; BERNIE WORRELL - PHANTOM SOUNDCLASH CUT-UP METHOD: TWO

BILL LASWELL / DJ KRUSH - SHUEN

Turntablist and producer, DJ Krush, is one of the first Japanese artists to be embraced by the global hip-hop world. Beginning by mixing elements  of R & B and Acid Jazz with the big breakbeat backbone of mid- tempo hip-hop. Gradually moving more toward the abstract applying heavy effects and sample manipulation to thick, smart breaks, layered, ambient textures and subtle, inventive scratching. Heard here in duet with ikonoklast bassist/producer Bill Laswell. Shuen shows both musicians seamlessly navigate through the ambient / world beat matrix...a brief journey into sound and rhythm. (9:04)

METHOD OF DEFIANCE - PHANTOM SOUNDCLASH CUT-UP METHOD: ONE 

A spontaneous-recombinant, concrete music / sound collage. Electric Miles Davis, avant-funk, dub, reggae, noise, free-jazz and flashes of Africa - endure constnat rhythmic sound blasts, sonic detonations and high energy malfunctions. All past wreckage as raw material to be applied to the construction of completely new forms. Dr. Israel, Garrison Hawk, P-Funk icon - Bernie Worrell, Gambian Griot and kora master - Foday Musa Suso, Adam Rudolph, Graham Haynes, Peter Apfelbaum, Guy Licata and Bill Laswell... To be continued. 

BERNIE WORRELL - PHANTOM SOUNDCLASH CUT-UP METHOD: TWO 

P-Funk legend Bernie Worrell, without a doubt, the most influential and definitely the most emulated and copied electronic keyboardist in modern music. His work totally defined the synthesizer of 80s and 90s hip-hop and can still be clearly recognized in the pop hits of today. Caught here in a classic sound / mush up...that moves from delicate to simply raw, intense and bombastic free-form funkafied filth reloaded. In collaboration with multi-directional percussion virtuoso Adam Rudolph, Brooklyn's finest DJ / beat generator - Dr. Israel, Bill Laswell and the original Bronx DJ - Grandmixer DXT (Zulu Nation, Wild Style) best known for introducing scratching to the mainstream on Herbie Hancock's mega hit "Rockit"... Thus spawning a generation of innovative turntablists...The history continues.