Epic Records and Legacy Recordings Celebrate Stevie Ray Vaughan's 60th Birthday Year with Release of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: The Complete Epic Recordings Collection

A definitive career-encompassing 12 disc library, The Complete Epic Recordings Collection brings together, for the first time, the entirety of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's official studio and live album canon including the inaugural commercial release of A Legend In The Making, a highly collectible (formerly) promotional only recording of SRV & DT's incendiary performance at Toronto's El Mocambo club in 1983.

In addition, The Complete Epic Recordings Collection features two discs compiling rare and hard-to-find archival tracks.

On April 26, 2014, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble among the artists to be inducted into the newly created Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, launched in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the PBS televised concert series.  The Austin City Limits Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air on PBS in October 2014.

Stephen Ray Vaughan was born in Dallas, Texas on October 3, 1954, the same year the Fender Stratocaster went into production.  Stevie Ray picked up his first six-string at the age of 7, dropped out of high school in 1971 and moved to Austin in '72, going on to become one of the most influential and electrifying blues guitarists ever.  After honing his chops in a variety of bands throughout the '70s, Stevie Ray formed his own group, SRV & Double Trouble, in 1978.  Hellbent and intent on revitalizing the blues for contemporary audiences, Stevie Ray served as the power trio's charismatic frontman and evangelical electric guitarist, driven and underscored by drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon.

Stevie Ray and Double Trouble's reputation as a transcendent live experience gained considerable traction following a watershed performance at the Montreux International Jazz Festival in 1982 (included in The Complete Epic Recordings Collection).  Recommended to the label by A&R giant John Hammond, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble recorded the band's studio debut, Texas Flood, for Epic Records in 1983.  Going on to achieve RIAA double platinum status, Texas Flood opened the gates for a flow of gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums for Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, an unprecedented achievement for any blues act.

Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990, following an awe-inspiring performance with Double Trouble and Eric Clapton at the Alpine Valley Resort in Wisconsin.  Though his mainstream career lasted a mere seven years, Stevie Ray Vaughan's enduring contribution to the blues can be heard in the work of younger players including John Mayer, Derek Trucks and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam.

Stevie Ray Vaughan was the recipient of numerous musical awards, during his lifetime and posthumously.   In 1983, readers of Guitar Player voted him as Best New Talent and Best Electric Blues Guitar Player. In 1984, the Blues Foundation named him Entertainer of the Year and Blues Instrumentalist of the Year, and in 1987 Performance Magazine honored him with Rhythm and Blues Act of the Year. Earning six Grammy Awards and ten Austin Music Awards, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2014. Rolling Stone ranked Vaughan as the twelfth greatest guitarist of all time.

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: The Complete Epic Recordings Collection

Disc 1: In The Beginning (KLBJ-FM radio broadcast produced by Wayne Bell

Recorded April 1, 1980; Austin, Texas)

In The Open

Slide Thing

They Call Me Guitar Hurricane

All Your Love I Miss Loving

Tin Pan Alley (aka Roughest Place In Town)

Love Struck Baby

Tell Me

Shake For Me

Live Another Day

Stevie Ray Vaughan--guitar, vocals; Jackie Newhouse--bass; Chris Layton--drums

Originally released as Epic 53168, 1992 / Peak chart position: #58

Disc 2: Live At Montreux 1982 (July 17, 1982; Montreux International Jazz Festival)

Hide Away

Rude Mood

Pride And Joy

Texas Flood

Love Struck Baby

Dirty Pool

Give Me Back My Wig

Collins Shuffle

Originally released as Epic/Legacy 86151, 2001 / Peak chart position: #178

Disc 3: Live At Montreux 1985 (July 15, 1985; Montreux International Jazz Festival)

Scuttle Buttin'

Say What!

Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love

Pride And Joy

Mary Had A Little Lamb

Tin Pan Alley (aka Roughest Place In Town)

Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Texas Flood

Life Without You

Gone Home

Couldn't Stand The Weather

Stevie Ray Vaughan--guitar, vocals; Tommy Shannon--bass; Chris Layton--drums; Reese Wynans--organ; Johnny Copeland --vocals, guitar (Track 6) / Originally released as Epic/Legacy 86151, 2001 / Peak chart position: #178

Disc 4: Texas Flood

Love Struck Baby

Pride And Joy

Texas Flood

Tell Me

Testify

Rude Mood

Mary Had A Little Lamb

Dirty Pool

I'm Cryin'

Lenny     

Stevie Ray Vaughan--guitar, vocals; Tommy Shannon--bass; Chris "Whipper" Layton--drums

Produced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Richard Mullen and Double Trouble / Executive Producer: John Hammond / Originally released as Epic 38734, 1983 / Peak chart position: #38

Disc 5: A Legend In The Making—Live At The El Mocambo (recorded Toronto, Canada, July 20, 1983, originally released for radio broadcast only)

Testify

So Excited

Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Pride And Joy

Tell Me

Mary Had A Little Lamb

Texas Flood

Love Struck Baby

You'll Be Mine

Hug You, Squeeze You

Little Wing/Third Stone From The Sun

Lenny     

Wham!

Rude Mood

Stevie Ray Vaughan--guitar, vocals; Tommy Shannon--bass; Chris Layton--drums

Disc 6: Couldn't Stand The Weather (1984)

Scuttle Buttin'

Couldn't Stand The Weather

The Things (That) I Used To Do

Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Cold Shot

Tin Pan Alley (aka Roughest Place In Town)

Honey Bee

Stang's Swang

Stevie Ray Vaughan--guitar, vocals; Tommy Shannon--bass; Chris "Whipper" Layton--drums; Jimmie Vaughan--guitar (Tracks 2, 3); Fran Christina--drums Track 8); Stan Harrison--tenor saxophone (Track 8) / Produced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon, Richard Mullen, and Jim Capfer / Executive Producer: John Hammond / Originally released as Epic 39304, 1984 / Peak chart position: #31

Disc 7: Live At Carnegie Hall (Recorded October 4, 1984; New York City)

Intro--Ken Dashow/John Hammond

Scuttle Buttin'

Testify

Love Struck Baby

Honey Bee

Cold Shot

Letter To My Girlfriend

Dirty Pool

Pride And Joy

The Things That I Used To Do

C.O.D.

Iced Over

Lenny     

Rude Mood

Stevie Ray Vaughan--guitar, vocals; Tommy Shannon--bass; Chris Layton--drums; Jimmie Vaughan--guitar; Dr. John--keyboards; George Rains--drums; The Roomful Of Blues Horn Section: Bob Enos--trumpet; Porky Cohen--trombone; Rich Lataille--alto saxophone; Greg Piccolo--tenor saxophone; Doug James--baritone saxophone; and Angela Strehli--vocals (Track 11) / Produced by Stevie Ray Vaughan / Originally released as Epic 68163, 1997

Peak chart position: #40 

Disc 8: Soul To Soul (1985)

Say What!

Lookin' Out The Window

Look At Little Sister

Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love

Gone Home

Change It

You'll Be Mine

Empty Arms

Come On (Part III)

Life Without You

Stevie Ray Vaughan--guitar, vocals; Tommy Shannon--bass; Chris "Whipper" Layton--drums; Reese Wynans--keyboards; Joe Sublett--saxophone / Produced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Double Trouble and Richard Mullen / Executive Producer: John Hammond / Originally released as Epic 40036, 1985 / Peak chart position: #34

Disc 9: Live Alive (Recorded July 16, 1985, Montreux International Jazz Festival; July 17-18, 1986, Austin, Texas; July 19, 1986, Dallas, Texas)

Say What!

Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love

Pride And Joy

Mary Had A Little Lamb

Superstition

I'm Leaving You (Commit A Crime)

Cold Shot

Willie The Wimp

Look At Little Sister

Texas Flood

Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Love Struck Baby

Change It

Life Without You

Stevie Ray Vaughan--guitar, vocals; Tommy Shannon--bass; Chris "Whipper" Layton--drums; Reese Wynans--keyboards; Jimmie Vaughan--guitar or six string bass (Tracks 8, 9, 12, 13) /

Produced by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble / Originally released as Epic 40511, 1986 / Peak chart position: #52

Disc 10: In Step (1989)

The House Is Rockin'

Crossfire

Tightrope

Let Me Love You Baby

Leave My Girl Alone

Travis Walk

Wall Of Denial

Scratch-N-Sniff

Love Me Darlin'

Riviera Paradise

Stevie Ray Vaughan--guitar, vocals; Tommy Shannon--bass; Chris Layton--drums; Reese Wynans--keyboards; Joe Sublett, Darrell Leonard--horns (Tracks 2, 9) / Produced by Jim Gaines & Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble / Recorded in Memphis, Tennessee and Los Angeles, California / Originally released as Epic 45024, 1989 / Peak chart position: #33

Disc 11: Archives/Disc One

Tin Pan Alley (aka Roughest Place In Town)

Empty Arms

Come On (Part III)

Look At Little Sister

The Sky Is Crying

Hide Away

Give Me Back My Wig

Boot Hill

Wham!

Close To You

Little Wing

Stang's Swang

Disc 12: Archives/Disc Two

May I Have A Talk With You

Boilermaker

The Sky Is Crying

Shake And Bake

So Excited

Slip Slidin' Slim

Chitlins Con Carne

Little Wing/Third Stone From The Sun

Boot Hill

Life By The Drop

Archives/Disc One, Track 1 produced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Richard Mullen and Double Trouble; Executive Producer: John Hammond / Archives/Disc One, Tracks 2-12 produced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon, Richard Mullen, and Jim Capfer; Executive Producer: John Hammond / Archives/Disc Two, Tracks 1-8 produced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Double Trouble and Richard Mullen; Executive Producer: John Hammond

Archives/Disc Two, Track 9 produced by Jim Gaines & Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble / Archives/Disc Two, Track 10 produced by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jim Gaines

www.legacyrecordings.com

Brazilian-Tinged Jazz and Funk from Guitarist PIERRE CAVALLI - Uma Vitamina Faz Favor

Brazilian-tinged jazz and funk from Switzerland/ Italy 1972-75, recorded by European guitar legend Pierre Cavalli with the ensembles of music masters Angel Pocho Gatti and Bruno Spoerri – all original material, previously unreleased. Library- and Soundtrack-like album full of bossa breakbeat tunes, scat funk, jazz fusion and trippy interludes – with acoustic or spacey electric guitars, latin flutes, vibes, fender rhodes plus occasional vocals. 14 lost tracks transferred from a test pressing and tapes found in the archives of Nanda Cavalli and Bruno Spoerri, also featuring Renato Anselmi and Fernando Vicencio, remastered in 2014 for 6-page-dgipak-CD and limited vinyl LP.

Vitamina De Brasil: The Brazilian “Tristeza” has already infected Europe in the early 60s, with the film “Orfeu Negro” and a commercialization of Bossa Nova. At the end of the decade Brazilian artists like Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil created Tropicalia, a synthesis of pop, rock, jazz and Brazilian music. Composer, guitarist and bassist Pierre Cavalli from Zurich traveled to Brazil in 1968 and stayed there for a whole year. Upon his return to Switzerland, he worked on recordings that should convey his musical impressions of Brazil. In 1971 Cavalli produced and played music in his hometown, mostly with his own small ensembles and as a studio musician. Some Brazilian-inspired instrumental and vocal tracks were recorded spontaneously with the excellent ensembles of Angel Pocho Gatti (Italy/ Argentina) and Bruno Spoerri (Switzerland), in various studios and for advertising purposes only. Some of the recorded music was used in local TV advertising or appeared on a vinyl LP for the promotion of an airline, while the remaining tunes were put in the vault immediately after production. The final result is this “lost” and newly mastered album by Pierre Cavalli, released here for the first time ever.

“Uma Vitamina Faz Favor” is a journey of sound, infiltrated by music from South America and in a style of the best Italian film soundtracks of that time. With the acoustic or trippy electric guitar in the center of attention, Cavalli and his musicians developed a complex range of sounds, a mixture of funk, dreamy bossa nova, jazz fusion, Latin blues and references to film music. The album generates a high degree of intimacy, with Latin flutes and percussion, Fender Rhodes, vibraphone, analog synthesizers and wind or vocal inserts, often psychedelic tinged and sometimes even framed by imitations of nature sounds from Brazil. The jazz fusion piece “Caçador” (in a later version included on the Spoerri LP “Container”, entitled “Brain Hunter”) and the bossa breakbeat tune “Passarinhos” are funk gems and take the listener to the Brazilian rain forest with their electronic effects. The worldless vocal work in “Possarinhos” or “Lembrança do Santos” is reminiscent of scat legends like Edda Dell`Orso or the best De Wolfe Library LPs by Barbara Moore. Driven by Cavalli’s catchy uptempo guitar lines, the sounds of “Alegria” and “Cachaça” come out of the speakers with South American joie de vivre. Laid back tracks like “Transmissão mutàvel”, “Tranquilamente” or “Tecidos” are full of fine melodies and Cavalli’s spacey guitar licks, clearly referring to the Brazilian hippies and their psychedelic nonchalance. “Uma vitamina faz favor” and the love declaration “Therezinha Meu Amor”, even sung by Cavalli himself (probably unique in his recording career), are breezy bossa novas and the only songs with lyrics.

Six sought after tracks hail from an impossible to find one-sided testpressing from 1972, an unreleased promotional album for the airline “Swissair” entitled “Rio De Janeiro”. It comes from the vaults of Pierre Cavalli and was recently discovered by his wife Nanda Cavalli. All music is played by “Pierre Cavalli et son ensemble” with “paroles et musiques de Pierre Cavalli et vocalises de Merry Francen”. The ensemble is led by Argentinean born soundtrack master Angel “Pocho” Gatti who conducted the best Italian Big Band during the 1970s. These recordings were produced by Cavalli and remain as the only source of collaboration between Cavalli and Gatti. The other eight tracks were rediscovered by Bruno Spoerri, who started to record some Brazilian-tinged compositions with his favourite guitarist Cavalli in various places at the same time. Some of the best Swiss jazz musicians like pianist Renato Anselmi, flutist Fernando Vicencio, bassist Heinz Pfenninger or drummer Curt Treier belonged to their frequently changing ensemble, in which Spoerri led the production and used to play various synthesizers. Thanks to the efforts of Nanda Cavalli and Bruno Spoerri, “Uma Vitamina Faz Favor” is a mind-blowing record and a truly great find.

Pierre Cavalli (1928-1985) played various guitar styles on innumerable European album productions from the 1950s to the 1970s. Already in the 1940s he had become a friend of Django Reinhardt and attended his performances in Paris. He performed with well known jazz artists like Art Simmons, Hans Koller, Peter Trunk, Daniel Humair or Wolfgang Dauner and made excellent commercial productions for music libraries. Cavalli became employed by Friedrich Gulda as his first big band guitar player, joined the “Swiss All Stars” and performed with the excellent but short-lived fusion bands “Oimels” (MPS) and “Emphasis” (Pick). He was well known throughout the studio scene, played in several orchestras, appeared at galas, composed music for French tv-serials and belonged more to the showiz than to the “serious” jazz scene. His impressive discography lists over 500 titles.

Bruno Spoerri (*1935) earned his degree in Applied Psychology in 1958, after he had already played saxophone in various bands as a student (including the Modern Jazz Group Freiburg). From 1957 to 1975 he belonged to the Zurich “Metronome Quintet” with which he toured internationally and recorded several Albums and EPs. In the 1970s Spoerri became musical director of the jazz festival Zurich several times and has performed with many international jazz greats. Back in 1967, he began to experiment with electrified saxophone, effect units and Ondes Martenot, and went deeper into the electronic music scene through the purchase of an EMS VCS3 synthesizer. To date he still works as a freelance composer, sound engineer and author (editor of “Jazz in Switzerland”/ Chronos Publishing). At present, Spoerri deals primarily with the interactive potential of electronic music equipment.

Angel “Pocho” Gatti (1930-2000) from Buenos Aires was an outstanding pianist, arranger, conductor and composer. He worked mainly in Italy during the 1960s and early 70s. With his orchestras, that included Italian jazz masters like Gianni Basso, Giorgio Gaslini or Oscar Valdambrini as soloists, he accompanied American stars like Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan or Johnnie Ray. Already during the 1950s Pocho Gatti frequently played at the “Bop Club Argentino” in Buenos Aires with world reknowned musicians like Lalo Schifrin, “Chivo” Borraro or Gato Barbieri. Later on he recorded with Giorgio Azzolini in Italy. At the end of the 1960s his Milan Big Band, the “big orchestra Angel Pocho Gatti”, belonged to the most famous European ensembles. Subsequent productions of the 1970s include prestigious work for Quincy Jones and collaborations with Gerry Mulligan and Astor Piazzolla.

www.sonorama.de

Tracklisting:

01. Possarinhos

02. Tempo in tempo

03. Uma vitamina faz favor

04. Cachaca

05. Violao em foco

06. Pao de acucar

07. Transmissao mutavel

08. Cacador

09. Lembranca do Santos

10. Tecidos

11. Terezinha meu amor

12. Tranquilamente

13. Alegria

14. Meninas na praia

~ grooveattack.com

Soul/R&B Singer KEM Releases 4TH Album - Promise To Love

As soon as KEM's fourth full-length album Promise to Love [Motown Records] became available on August 25th, it clinched number one on the iTunes Top R&B Albums Chart and the Amazon R&B Soul Chart. Moreover, the record soared to the Top 10 of the iTunes Top 200 and Amazon's Top Albums Chart. It's turning out to be a monumental week for the two-time GRAMMY® Award nominee and Billboard Music Award winner as everyone falls in love with his latest offering.

Simultaneously, the lead single "It's You" holds strong at number one at Urban Adult Contemporary Radio according to BDS and Mediabase, while hitting #3 on Amazon's Best Sellers R&B Chart.

In 2001, KEM independently released his first CD, KEMISTRY, on his Kemistry Records label, selling nearly 15,000 units, after which, he was signed by Universal Motown. Motown re-released KEMISTRY in 2002, released KEM ALBUM II in May 2005 and INTIMACY in August 2010, which debuted at #2 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums list and was certified Gold in March 2012.KEM's first three studio albums on the Motown label garnered him national critical and commercial acclaim, including two GRAMMY® nominations, a Soul Train award nomination and a BET Centric Award nomination. Kemistry, Album II, and Intimacy have each been certified RIAA gold, and worldwide sales are in excess of 2.5 million copies. 

KEM's Christmas album, WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS, was released on October 16, 2012. After the holiday season, the album had sold 76,000 copies, making it the #3 highest-selling Urban Christmas record in one season. KEM wrote and recorded a duet with Ronald Isley entitled "My Favorite Thing," which was released as the second single from Ron Isley's 2013 CD, "This Song Is For You." KEM re-released his WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS DELUXE project in October 2013, which included four bonus tracks. The added track, "Jesus" features Patti LaBelle and Ronald Isley. In December 2013, KEM presented the 'KEM & Friends: What Christmas Means Holiday Tour,' a holiday-themed concert with a storyline narrated by actor/comedian Anthony Anderson and featuring KEM & his R&B friends Patti LaBelle, Ronald Isley and Avery Sunshine. Performances of their hits, as well as Christmas original & classic songs together on stage, took audiences on a never-seen-before uplifting holiday journey. KEM's fourth studio album, PROMISE TO LOVE, released on the Motown label on August 25, 2014.

 

NEW RELEASES: SOULS OF MISCHIEF - THERE IS ONLY NOW; WITCH - KUOMBOKA; DUKE ELLINGTON - MY PEOPLE

SOULS OF MISCHIEF - THERE IS ONLY NOW

A great pairing of Bay Area hip hop legends Souls Of Mischief and producer-composer Adrian Younge – akin to the cinematic hip hop funk productions by Younge for Ghostface Killah and others – but it's also the tightest, most focused work we've heard from the Souls in a while! It finds the right balance of delivering on the character-driven song cycle/concept album front – held together by interludes featuring fellow blueprint era hip hop veteran Ali Shaheed Muhammed as a radio DJ whose brief news readings move the story along – but concept aside, it's a timeless, funky jazz-fueled gem that'll stand the test of time. Includes "Time Stopped", "Womack's Lament" with Busta Rhymes, "Panic Struck", "Another Part Of You" feat William Hart of The Delfonics, "All You Got Is Your Word", "There Is Only Now" with Snoop Dogg, "Meeting Of The Minds", "Miriam Got A Mickey", "Stone Cold" feat Scarub, "The Synopsis" plus intro, outro and interludes with Ali Shaheed Muhammed, "Narrow Escape", "Finally Back" and "The Last Act". ~ Dusty Groove

WITCH - KUOMBOKA

A surprisingly great later set from Witch – one that still has some of their funky styles of a few years before, but which also seems to bring in some stronger African elements as well – in the kind of sweet fusion that was showing up in some of the hipper South African acts of the period. The sound is more late 70s, especially in the keyboards, than some of the clunkier pop that you might expect from the 1984 date – and a few really great numbers have cool moogy touches that really make the record stand out. Titles include "Erotic Delight", "Come Together", "More Sweat Than Sweet", "I Wanna See The Light", and "Kuomboka".  ~ Dusty Groove

DUKE ELLINGTON - MY PEOPLE

A great high-concept composition from Duke Ellington – one that rivals the earlier brilliance of his Liberian Suite! Like that one, vocals are a key part of this long-form work – a special performance done for the Century Of Negro Progress Exposition in Chicago in 1963 – with an all-star cast that includes Jimmy Jones both at the piano and conductor's stand; Joya Sherrill on vocals with the Irving Bunton Singers, Jimmy Grissom, Jimmy McPhail, and Lil Greenwood; Billy Strayhorn on celeste, Juan Amalbert on conga, and other familiar Ellingtonians in the larger group! The tunes have a mix of gospel and folk roots, turned towards more modern Ellington compositional modes – and almost all numbers feature vocals, including one with narration by Ellington himself. Titles include "Will You Be There", "Come Sunday", "David Danced", "Montage", "My Mother My Father", "My People", "The Blues Ain't", and "What Color Is Virtue".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: NICOLE HENRY - AT THIS MOMENT; KEV BEADLE PRESENTS PRIVATE COLLECTION 2; SALT - LA SOLUTION

NICOLE HENRY - AT THIS MOMENT

Following up on her 2013 Centric Soul Train Award for Best Traditional Jazz Performance,” Nicole Henry, one of today’s most acclaimed female vocalists, releases her new single “At This Moment”, digitally on August 5, 2013 on Banister Records and distributed by Entertainment One. Recorded at Squat Sound Studio in London, the single showcases Ms. Henry’s soulful interpretation of the 1980’s classic hit by Billy Vera and the Beaters. Accompanying the single, Ms. Henry debuts her first official music video. "Hearing Billy Vera's performance of this song was fascinating to me because it was a live recording, which was and is, a rarity to hear on the radio. I loved that you could feel more of its heartfelt soulfulness because of that fact," says Henry.  "I had a great time creating my own version of it while I was in London during a writing and recording session, and was honored to perform it for Billy in Los Angeles earlier this year." Her passionate, soulful voice and heart-felt charisma have earned her a 2013 Soul Train Award for “Best Traditional Jazz Performance," three Top-10 U.S. Billboard and HMV Japan jazz CDs, and rave reviews by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Japan Times, El Pais, Jazz Times, Essence and more.  Hen ry’s accompaniment ranges from a jazz trio to a full big band with a repertoire that includes the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz, contemporary standards, blues and originals.

KEV BEADLE PRESENTS PRIVATE COLLECTION 2: MORE INDEPENDENT JAZZ SOUNDS FROM THE SEVENTIES & EIGHTIES

Kev Beadle dips into his private collection, and comes up with a stunning batch of jazzy tracks in the process! The grooves here aren't as locked up as the cover might imply – because some of these cuts are ones the global scene has dug for years – but they're definitely the kind of tracks that really need reviving, especially in a wonderful collection like this – where each new cut seems to bring out the best of the others! All tracks are nice and long, and most have some sort of vocals – blended with modal rhythms, Brazilian touches, and strong soulful solos throughout. Titles include "Kitty Bey" by Byron Morris & Unity, "Music In My Heart" by Kathryn Moses, "Yours Is The Light" by Paz, "Dreams Can Be" by Janet Lawson, "He Loves You" by Seawind, "I'm Tryin To Find A Way" by Stanley Cowell, "Ferrovias" by Grupo Medusa, and "Bamba" by Dimenzio.  ~ Dusty Groove

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SALT - LA SOLUTION

A really lovely set from this enigmatic duo – a mix of the sweet French vocals of Myra Maud and the keyboards of Lutz Krajenski – then agumented by lots of warm jazzy touches! The record's got a voice that's all its own – French language lyrics, bossa-tinged backings, and soulful undercurrents that make us think that Myra might be a hell of a jazz singer if ever turned strictly towards that format! There's nothing salty about the sound – as it's warm, sweet, and very appealing right from the start – beyond the bounds of language, especially if you dig soulful sounds as much as us. Titles include "L'Homme Au Vacoa", "Je Ne Sais Pas", "La Solution", "Soley", "Un Peu De Ci", and "Poutji". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: TINA LOUISE: IT'S TIME FOR TINA; KEITH JARRETT & CHARLIE HADEN – LAST DANCE; SOPHISTICATED LADY JAZZ QUARTET - SOPHISTICATED LADY

TINA LOUISE - IT'S TIME FOR TINA: THE SONGS OF TINA LOUISE

Everyone s favorite red-haired castaway and star of Gilligan s Island, the lovely Tina Louise, shows off her prodigious talents on this rarely heard collection of late night lounge classics - featuring Coleman Hawkins on sax! Includes Tonight Is The Night; Hands Across The Table; Snuggled On Your Shoulder; Embraceable You; I m In The Mood For Love; Baby, Won t You Say You Love Me; It s Been A Long, Long Time; Hold Me; I Wanna

Be Loved; Let s Do It; How Long Has This Been Going On?; and Goodnight My Love. 

KEITH JARRETT & CHARLIE HADEN – LAST DANCE

Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden broaden the scope of their duo project to showcase jazz classics like Thelonious Monk s Round Midnight and Bud Powell s spritely Dance Of The Infidels. Love songs, however, are to the fore in this selection, with tender versions of My Old Flame, My Ship, It Might As Well Be Spring, Everything Happens To Me, and Every Time We Say Goodbye as well as alternate takes of Where Can I Go Without You and Goodbye, every bit as touching as the Jasmine renditions.  When we play together it’s like two people singing, said Jarrett of his reunion with Haden. The intentions of the song are honored, the shades of meaning in a melody or a lyric explored instrumentally.  As Charlie Haden put it, Keith really listens, and I listen. That s the secret. It s about listening.  The music of Last Dance was recorded at Keith Jarrett s home studio is is available on CD and vinyl. Recording Engineer: Martin Pearson DDD. Produced by Manfred Eicher. ~Amazon

SOPHISTICATED LADY JAZZ QUARTET - SOPHISTICATED LADY

The Sophisticated Lady Jazz Quartet's debut recording should be of great interest to fans of forward-looking straight ahead jazz. Each of the four musicians is excellent both as soloists and in ensembles, the music that they perform ranges from melodic versions of standards to lyrical originals and freer explorations, and their subtle playing keeps one guessing. This CD is well worth exploring and I certainly recommend it. --Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene More jazz records should be like Sophisticated Lady Quartet - relaxed yet focused, tradition-based yet modern, elegant yet conveying a sure sense of swing. The recording is so pure that you almost feel as if you're eavesdropping on four musicians who seem completely in their element while performing, in a one-take environment, a set that's evenly split between previously rehearsed arrangements and performances where they had one chance to turn a composition into a memorable piece of music. No splicing or editing here-just a live-in-the-studio recording where the mood, playing and sonics are so solid that that jazz lovers will wish that the mostly-classical label Yarlung wandered over to this side of the street more often. --Jeff Wilson, The Absolute Sound Look out Brubeck, Sophisticated Lady's remarkable debut should perhaps be re-titled TAKE ONE. Why? Each tune was captured in one take! The 60+ minute CD also celebrates Yarlung's audiophile venture into JAZZ with a splatter of Chet Baker's seductive, kicked-back Californication daubed with a drizzle of Miles at his mellowest. No matter how busy your day, an evening spin through this one will definitely move your mood. --David Thomson, Record Collector News

 

NEW RELEASES: CECILIA NOEL - HAVANA ROCKS; JULIE KELLY - HAPPY TO BE; CHRIS THILE & EDGAR MEYER - BASS & MANDOLIN

CECILIA NOEL - HAVANA ROCKS 

The passionate Cecilia Noël returns with her newest album, Havana Rocks, a Latin-infused collection of American classics recorded in Havana Cuba, with special permission from the US Government, with an all Cuban cast of musicians and singers. Together, Noël and crew combine elements of salsa, soul, jazz, funk, and afro-cuban music to deliver an infectious Latin takes on 80's classic rock 'n roll hits. The album includes covers of Devo's Whip It, Gary Numan's Cars and ACDC's You Shook Me, all propelled by deep percussive grooves and Noël's rich and appealing alto vocals. Says Noël of her style, I call what I do 'hardcore salsa' because nowadays there is a lot of romantic salsa but I'm more of a punk salsa singer. Originally from Lima, Perú, Noël was discovered by Stan Getz and moved to New York City, briefly performing as a dancer with Jo Jo's Dance Factory and Menudo. In 1989, she relocated to Los Angeles and became involved in the local music scene. She formed Cecilia Noël and The Wild Clams, a James Brown meets Pérez Prado type band, which received instant acclaim for their explosive live shows and frequent bookings at the House of Blues and the Playboy Jazz Festival. In 2009 Noël released A Gozár! (Compass Records), an infectious set of playful 'salsoul' grooves for which Noël is known and which earned Noël a spot on Putumayo's critically-acclaimed Latin Party release in 2010. In addition to her band, Noël also performs and records with husband and former Men At Work front man Colin Hay. ~ Amazon

JULIE KELLY - HAPPY TO BE

Julie Kelly s new release, Happy to Be, offers up a feast of storytelling that draws from classic vocal jazz, bebop roots, and fresh originals. Whether singing her own lyrics to the rollicking Blues According to Orpheus or chiming though the narratives of Phoebe Snow s Harpo s Blues and Antonio Carlos Jobim s Corcovado, Julie s vocals never fail to capture all the senses at once. In her deft hands, song and story embrace, entwine, and unerringly enchant. A collaboration between Grammy®-winning pianist Bill Cunliffe, jazz impresario Barbara Brighton, and vocalist Julie Kelly. The result is a fresh journey into the jazz vocal universe with songs both known and just-discovered. ~ AmAzon

CHRIS THILE & EDGAR MEYER - BASS & MANDOLIN

Nonesuch releases the second recording collaboration by bassist Edgar Meyer mandolinist Chris Thile. The album features 10 original compositions by the two artists, who have been performing together sporadically for more than a decade and made their recording debut as a duo with 2008 s Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile, which the Washington Post, among others, praised, saying "Thile and Meyer are most enthralling when they pass a melody back and forth, fingers flying. "  Includes: Why Only One?; Tarnation;  The Auld Beagle;  Big Top; Look What I Found;  El Cinco Real; Friday; Monkey Actually;. I'll Remember For You; and It's Dark In Here.  ~ Amazon

 

NEW RELEASES: ETTA JAMES ROCKS THE HOUSE; TRIO 3 & VIJAY IYER / OLIVER LAKE / REGGIE WORKMAN / ANDREW CYRILLE; CHARLES LLOYD - MANHATTAN STORIES

ETTA JAMES - ROCKS THE HOUSE

Blues, soul, jazz, R&B, and rock vocalist Etta James needs no introduction. An icon from early rock 'n' roll's pantheon of divas, she has inspired 5 decades of listeners and fellow artists with her vocal stylings. From Janis Joplin to Beyonce, her expressive and guttural style has been imitated but never quite matched. Best known for the lush 1961 rendition of the ballad At Last - a slow-dance staple at wedding celebrations everywhere, Etta is also celebrated for having recorded one of the best live albums of all time, Rocks the House. Recorded in 1963 at the New Era Club in Nashville, James is captured at her performance peak. The foundation for her reputation as a fiery no-holds-barred performer was firmly established in this recording. Jackpot Records is honored to release this momentous record on stellar blue vinyl, with the original album artwork and including 3 bonus tracks which have only ever been released previously on CD. Her powerful version of Something's Got a Hold on Me will shake you. Her impassioned version of All I Could Do Is Cry will break you. ~ Amazon

TRIO 3 & VIJAY IYER / OLIVER LAKE / REGGIE WORKMAN / ANDREW CYRILLE

One of the most famous live blues albums ever. First time on vinyl including bonus tracks. Pressed on BLUE vinyl and mastered by Kevin Gray (Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles). Three 'heavy weights' of American jazz Oliver Lake, Reggie Workmann and Andrew Cyrille make up the band Trio 3. For their 6th album on Intakt Records they have added pianist Vijay Iyer to the line-up. The 43 year old musician is after Irène Schweizer, Geri Allen and Jason Moran the fourth guest piano player cooperating with Trio 3. In the summer of 2013 Lake, Workman, Cyrille invited Vijay Iyer for a week long residency in New York's Jazzclub 'Birdland', before they recorded the CD ""Wiring"" in Sear Sound Studio. Amiri Baraka wrote in the liner notes to this recording: ""If you want to hear real music not some kind of shallow 'entertainment' this is your number, four great musicians trying to change your world. There is nothing superficial or frivolous in this music, it is organic and necessary! Within this actual quartet, a flood of emotional worlds. Each a way of seeing 'into things'." ~ Amazon

CHARLES LLOYD - MANHATTAN STORIES

Two 1965 New York Concerts, Disc 1 recorded at Judson Hall & Disc 2 recorded at Slugs' Saloon. A remarkable and previously unrecorded quartet featuring three jazz giants: guitarist Gábor Szabó, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Pete La Roca. 'It was a specific time and place'; Lloyd told Manhattan Stories annotator Don Heckman. 'We all felt like the boundaries were being dissolved and we could do or try anything. This is a music of freedom and wonder -- we were young and on the move.' The Judson Hall recording comes from the archives of Resonance founder George Klabin, whose trove has previously yielded treasures from Bill Evans and Jimmy Giuffre. The Slugs' performances were recorded by Bjorn von Schlebrugge, who accompanied Lloyd to his Manhattan gigs. Deluxe 2 CD Digi-Pack Edition contains a rich booklet with liner notes by Stanley Crouch, Willard Jenkins, Don Heckman & Michael Cuscuna. Mastered for CD and vinyl by Bernie Grundman. A must have for Charles Lloyd fans, jazz collectors & audiophiles! Featured artists: Charles Lloyd: saxophone & flute; Gábor Szabó: guitar; Ron Carter: bass; and Pete La Roca: drums. ~ Amazon

NEW RELEASES: SHAUN ESCOFFERY - IN THE RED ROOM; MIKE MARSHALL & CHORO FAMOSO - SEGUNDA VEZ (SECOND TIME); OMER AVITAL - NEW SONG

SHAUN ESCOFFERY - IN THE RED ROOM

We haven't heard from Shaun Escoffery in years – but damn, it's really been worth the wait! This album really knocks it out of the park from the very first note – and pushes Shaun way way farther than his previous work, which we really loved a lot – into some kind of sublime classic soul territory that may hopefully get him the international fame he deserves! Escoffery's got this great back to basics approach on the record – still schooled by his more cosmic years on the London scene, but also soaking up plenty of older, deeper soul elements too – yet fusing them in a way that's completely modern, completely fresh, and very individual. There's nothing retro soul about the record – despite some burning Hammond and guitar at points – and the whole thing was done in close collaboration with producer Gil Cang, who also played most of the instruments and helped on backing vocals too. Titles include "Nature's Call", "Perfect Love Affair", "People", "Do U Remember", "Crazy", "Nobody Knows", "By Your Side", "Get Over", and "Day After Day".  ~ Dusty Groove

MIKE MARSHALL & CHORO FAMOSO - SEGUNDA VEZ (SECOND TIME)

A second pairing of the mandolin of Mike Marshall with the Brazilian sounds of the Choro Famoso trio – served up with rootsy elements that really link together the cultures of the Americas! The trio have a definite traditional leaning, and features Colin Walker on 7 string guitar, Brian Rice on pandeiro and percussion, and Andy Connell on both sax and clarinet – the latter of which evokes an especially strong choro tradition. And while Marshall's use of mandolin echoes the bandolim work of older choro musicians, there's also some warmer moments that echo Mike's strongly Americanist vision over the years – in ways that make the record way more than just a rehash of older styles. Titles include "Bole Bole", "Bola Preta", "Flores", "Evocacao De Jacob", "Tenebroso", "Paraiso", "Sete Estrelas", and "Queira Me Bem".  ~ Dusty Groove

OMER AVITAL - NEW SONG

Bassist and composer Omer Avital, one of the most celebrated and revered musicians on the global jazz scene, delivers the creative tour-de-force, New Song, to be released on Motema Music on November 4, 2014. New Song signifies a giant leap in Avital's ongoing quest to explore the deep connections between jazz and the music of the Middle East. A pioneering force behind Israeli jazz, Omer Avital makes his homeland resonate through his voice - a voice that can be mistaken for no other. Featuring Avishai Cohen on trumpet, Joel Frahm on saxophone, Yonathan Avishai on piano, and Daniel Freedman on drums. 

NEW RELEASES: BRENT: SUPERB 60s SOUL SOUNDS; MARINA QUAISSE - THE LEGEND OF SIRENA; JEFF MORRISON - THE COMPTROLLER

BRENT: SUPERB 60s SOUL SOUNDS (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Superb soul, indeed – a heady batch of work from the important Brent label in the 60s – including a fair bit of previously unissued tunes! Brent was a bit different than some of the 60s indie soul labels – in that they didn't just pull from their local scene, but culled material from all over the US, which makes for a really great sense of variety here – both in the artists used, and in the sort of grooves they produced! Most numbers are upbeat, and pretty darn groovy – not in a straight Northern Soul mode, but a wider range of underground 60s soul – really wonderful material that's perfectly sung, beautifully produced, and still pretty darn fresh after all these years. We've only had a handful of singles on Brent in our own collection, so we're stunned at the quality of the material here – a smashing 24 track lineup that includes "Begging You" by Ronnie White, "I Love You Baby" by The Moovers, "I Want Love" by Brenton Wood, "Praying For The Rain To Come" by Dave Crawford, "Someone" by Bertha Tillman, "My Man He's A Loving Man" by Lynda Lyndell, "A Lot of Loving Going Round" by Clarence Hill, "Don't You Know That I Believe" by Carl Lester & The Show Stoppers, "Go To Him" by Clyde Wilson, and "I Need You Baby" by Lewis Clark.  ~ Dusty Groove

MARINA QUAISSE - THE LEGEND OF SIRENA

Marina Quaisse is a cellist, composer and arranger of strings.She became known first by collaborations with Wax Tailor and the last few years with Mattic, including the albums “The Abstract Convention” and “The Adventures of Doctor Outer.” “The Legend Of Sirena” forges a universe in which converge multiple dimensions, both graceful and dark, air and hypnotic. Strings and wood vibrations naturally mix perfectly to the accuracy of a poetic abstract hip-hop. The story begins on July 8, aboard a vessel ready to leave the port. This is the start of an introspective journey led by a character “Sirena” evil sorceress that attract sailors on the seabed. The first part of the album symbolises the descent into hell of the seaman, lost between reality  and illusions. Interlude then Mattic come out on « Dance with the devil » and « The good  times », to announce the second part wich illustrate the expression of the tribulations of the sailor. Will the seaman follow Sirena? The Legend Of Sirena is set for release on September 29.

JEFF MORRISON - THE COMPTROLLER

The album's got a really classic-styled cover, and a classic-styled sound to match – a great Hammond/tenor vibe that's wonderfully old-school all the way through! The album was recorded live in a small Chicago club, and has the feel of a vintage Prestige records live date – with heavy organ lines from Ben Paterson, who handles the basslines as well – with a Jack McDuff sort of flair – plus tenor from Jeff Morrison and superb trumpet from Odies Williams III! The group's completed by Todd Howell on drums – and titles include classics like "Silver's Serenade", "Dat Dere", "Peace", "Hittin The Jug", and "Senor Blues". Note: The package is a bit hand-made by the artist, but the recording is great and the music is really top-shelf! ~ Dusty Groove

PRINCE ANNOUNCES TWO NEW STUDIO ALBUMS FOR RELEASE: ART OFFICIAL PAGE & PLECTRUMELECTRUM

Music icon PRINCE has announced not one, but two, brand new studio albums to be released globally via Warner Brothers Records. The much-anticipated new albums are 'Art Official Age and the second entitled "Plectrumelectrum', both of which are set to release on September 30th 2014 in the US. 'Art Official Age' is a solo album and "Plectrumelectrum' is by Prince's new band 3RDEYEGIRL.

2014 has been one of the most exciting years yet for the prodigious musical talent. Together with 3RDEYEGIRL, he rocked UK and European audiences into a frenzy with his sell-out 'Hit & Run' tours, generating some of the most significant critical acclaim of his career so far. In April, NPG Music Publishing was launched, marking the first time Prince's vast publishing catalog has been independently controlled and administered in over twenty years. All of this in addition to headlining and curating the Essence Festival on July 4th in New Orleans and a much talked about appearance on hit TV show 'New Girl'. 2014 has underlined that Prince continues to innovate and surprise, thrilling his fans and welcoming a whole new audience in the process.

The brand new studio albums mark a historic return to Warner Bros. Records, Prince's original label home. The renewed partnership came after the announcement that Warner Bros. Records returned to Prince the master recordings of his pioneering '80s albums, including Dirty Mind, 1999, Purple Rain and Sign 'O' the Times. 

"Prince is one of just a handful of visionary artists who have truly reshaped and redefined modern music and culture," said Warner Bros. Records Chairman & CEO Cameron Strang. "For the past 35 years, he has never stopped evolving, challenging himself, reinventing his sound, and pushing boundaries. In true Prince fashion, he has just given us not one, but two extraordinary albums that express the incredible range and depth of his talent. All of us at WBR are immensely proud to be working with Prince to bring this brilliant new music to his legions of fans around the world, and needless to say we are thrilled to be working in partnership with him again."

In releasing two albums on the same day fans get the chance to savor the many different aspects of Prince's musical talents with 'Art Offical Age' and "Plectrumelectrum' offering two very distinct listening experiences.

'Art Official Age' is a classic Prince album, produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince and Joshua Welton (@joshuaworld). Sonically the record is a contemporary concoction of soul, R&B and funk. The melodies are immediate and prominent as ever and Prince's vocals are rich and solid, taking full advantage of his vocal range with decidedly, seductive lyrics.

'Plectrumelectrum' is a classic band record, with 3RDEYEGIRL which include Prince, Donna Grantis (guitar), Hannah Ford Welton (drums) and Ida Nielsen (bass). Recorded live and in analog the album is an electrifying funk-rock statement. Many of the tracks from "Plectrumelectrum' were performed live on the 'Hit & Run' tours of the UK earlier this year -- incendiary performances in a series of historic venues -- which led The Guardian to declare "These are performances by one of the greatest funk-rock bands ever." The group was showered in 5-star reviews from all major reviewing media.

More live dates will be confirmed shortly.

Tracklisting:

ART OFFICIAL AGE

ART OFFICIAL CAGE

CLOUDS

BREAKDOWN

THE GOLD STANDARD

U KNOW

BREAKFAST CAN WAIT

THIS COULD BE US

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE

affirmation I & II

WAY BACK HOME

FUNKNROLL

TIME

affirmation III

PLECTRUMELECTRUM

WOW

PRETZELBODYLOGIC

AINTTURNINROUND

PLECTRUMELECTRUM

WHITECAPS

FIXURLIFEUP

BOYTROUBLE

STOPTHISTRAIN

ANOTHERLOVE

TICTACTOE

MARZ

FUNKNROLL

www.ARTOFFICIALAGE.com

www.3RDEYEGIRL.com

www.twitter.com/3RDEYEGIRL

www.instagram.com/PRINCE

Eight-Time Grammy Nominee Michael Spiro & Ritmos Unidos Take a Pan-Caribbean Journey With New CD - Ritmos Unidos

Think of the Caribbean as a vast and far-flung laboratory, with thousands of researchers constantly investigating and refining a dazzling array of African diaspora rhythms.  Ritmos Unidos is a rare ensemble that draws inspiration from various corners of the region, from sacred Santeria rituals of Cuba to the celebratory carnival grooves of Trinidad and Tobago.  Under the direction of renowned percussionist Michael Spiro the band makes a major leap with its second, self-named album, an ambitious project centering on two extended pieces that encompass several profound rhythmic currents. "Our intent isn't to play one style," says Spiro, an eight-time Grammy nominee with deep and abiding ties to Cuba. "Ritmos Unidos means we're bringing many different rhythms together.  It's a little bit different from what other Latin bands are doing."

While Spiro maintains closely associated with the Bay Area Latin music scene, he's also based in Bloomington since taking on a tenured position at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in 2011.  Looking for opportunities to play with likeminded musicians, he gathered together an impressive cast of fellow faculty, alumni and grad students connected to IU, and ended up recording the 2012 album Funklorico, a critically hailed project that immediately put the band on the Midwest's Latin music map.  With its incisive solos, skin-tight ensemble work, and savvy arrangemetns, Ritmos Unidos elevates the band from a regional phenomenon to a national force.  "I'm always looking for ways to move the band forward, and the best way to do that is you have another project," Sprio says. 

Tha album opens with the title track; a hip piece co-written by Spiro and trombonist Wayne Wallace that draws on timba and songo, two potent Cuban grooves that continue to dominate in Havana.  The album's conceptual centerpiece is the "Ochun Shuite," a three-part invocation of the Afro-Cuban orisha who presides over love, intimacy, beauty, and weath. After the Afro-Cuban incantation, the band evokes to jazz giants with beautifully Latinized arrangements of classic tunes. Wes Montgomery's 'Road Song" bounes along stylishly as a cha-cha-cha, eventually shifting into higher gear as the hard-charging  NG la-banda style vocals importune the orisha Ellegua.  Taking a similar tack with Wayne Shorter's mysterious 'water Babies," the band opens and closed with Afro-Cuban call and response, while translating the tune's waltz-like feel into an earthy 12/8 Latin jazz work out.  The album concludes with a pan-Caribbean excursion.  

NEW RELEASES: SONNY ROLLINS - THE SOUND OF SONNY; ART BLAKEY & JAZZ MESSENGERS - CARAVAN; TUMI MOGOROSI - PROJECT ELO

SONNY ROLLINS - THE SOUND OF SONNY

A new phase in Sonny Rollins' career began in 1957. He started what was at the time an almost blasphemous trend of recording for a number of different labels. His pioneering spirit yielded a few genre-defining albums, including this disc. His performances were also at a peak during 1957 as Down Beat magazine proclaimed him the Critics' Poll winner under the category of "New Star" of the tenor saxophone. This newfound freedom can be heard throughout the innovations on The Sound of Sonny. Not only are Rollins' fluid solos reaching newly obtained zeniths of melodic brilliance, but he has also begun experimenting with alterations in the personnel from tune to tune. Most evident on this platter is "The Last Time I Saw Paris" -- which is piano-less -- and most stunning of all is Rollins' unaccompanied tenor solo performance on "It Could Happen to You." Indeed, this rendering of the Jimmy Van Heusen standard is the highlight of the disc. That isn't to say that the interaction between Sonny Clark (piano), Roy Haynes (drums), and bassists Percy Heath and Paul Chambers -- who is featured on "The Last Time I Saw Paris" and "What Is There to Say" -- is not top-shelf. Arguably, it is Rollins and Heath -- the latter, incidentally, makes his East Coast debut on this album -- who set the ambience for The Sound of Sonny. There is an instinctually pervasive nature as they weave into and back out of each others' melody lines, only to emerge with a solo that liberates the structure of the mostly pop standards. This is a key component in understanding the multiplicities beginning to surface in Rollins' highly underappreciated smooth bop style. ~ Concord Music Group

ART BLAKEY & JAZZ MESSENGERS - CARAVAN

One of the best non-Blue Note sessions from Art Blakey in the 60s – a really searing set that features the sextet lineup of the Jazz Messengers – a group that's filled with legends who include Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Reggie Workman on bass, and Cedar Walton on piano! The sextet format really pushes the energy of the group – and allows for even more wonderful horn interplay than before – while still allowing for lots of solo space for individual voices. Tracks are long and open, with a bouncing lyrical groove that's more soaring than some of the heavy-hitting earlier albums from Blakey, but no less pleasing – and possibly even a bit more soulful! Titles include "Sweet N Sour", "This Is For Albert", "Skylark", and "Thermo". ~ Dusty Groove

TUMI MOGOROSI - PROJECT ELO

Not a tribute to the Electric Light Orchestra, but a wonderfully spiritual set of jazz – one that takes key inspiration from the elohim entities of spiritual scriptures – as well as some of the best jazz mass projects from artists like Max Roach, Donald Byrd, or Mary Lou Williams! The group here features a quartet of South African singers – working with the core jazz combo in this really great way – never too overwhelming at all, but floating into the mix with this heavenly sort of presence, as you'd hear on Byrd's famous "with voices" sessions for Blue Note! The group's led by drummer Tumi Mogorosi – and features tenor, alto, trombone, and guitar – all used sparingly, but with these strong solo voices amidst the human ones. Titles include "Inner Emergence", "In The Beginning", "Thokozile Queen Mother", and "Slaves Emancipation".  ~ Dusty Groove