New Music Releases: Soul Togetherness 2019; Gabriele Poso; Stephen Riley

Soul Togetherness 2019 (Various Artists)

Expansion’s most successful and longest running compilation series returns with its 2019 collection. It’s the 20th edition. The concept remains the same, the tracks better than ever, fifteen must-have modern soul room gems taken from the year’s biggest dance floor spins on the soul scene. While tracks here have topped UK soul charts, many have not been available in all formats. Once again, attention is paid to the ‘flow’ of the 15 gems chosen here from uplifting new soul, shuffling boogie beats, rare groove/80s revival sounds, Brit soul, and R&B played at modern soul events. Participants this year include Lukas Setto with a signature song for 2019 for the first time here on CD and LP alongside other new artists Laville, DCR, The Terri Green Project, SolatiMusic. New music too from Shaila Prospere (first time CD/vinyl), Tre Williams, veteran artists Angie Stone (first time on vinyl), Glenn Jones (also first time on CD/vinyl), Rockie Robbins and Raheem Devaughn. There’s a superb new cover of the Inner Life track “Make It Last Forever” from Steal Vybe, a 70s revival tune from Steve ‘Doc’ Willoughby.

Gabriele Poso – Batik

Future Afro-Latin jazz house from Italian master percussionist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Gabriele Poso. Featuring guest vocalists Nailah Porter, Nina Rodriguez, Quetzal Guerrero & Sofia Rollo. Following a long-term collaborative partnership with Osunlade / Yoruba Records, as well as albums on BBE and Agogo Records, on ‘Batik’ Poso further develops and matures his sound – exploring his extensive roots in Afro-Cuban percussion, while delving into the realms of jazz and soulful house.  Tracks include: “Batik”, “Black Sand”, “Equitoreal”, “Xango”, “Suite For Tambores”, “Africa Linda”, “Sokere”, “Kumave”, and “Lime Tree”.     

Stephen Riley - Oleo

Magnificent long-blown solos from tenorist Stephen Riley – on an album named after a Sonny Rollins tune, and which definitely carries a bit of the Rollins approach in its sound! Yet the album's also got plenty of Riley's strengths in the mix, too – that great raspy sound he can get on the tenor, which also echoes a bit of Ben Webster, but with more contemporary phrasing – matched in the frontline by the trumpet of Joe Magnarelli, who we always love in an open date like this – with just the bass of Jay Anderson and drums of Adam Nussbaum for support. The lack of piano allows for plenty of structural freedom on the tunes – and titles include "Oleo", "Minority", "Doxy", "Valse Hot", "Lazy Bird", "On Green Dolphin Street", and "St Thomas". ~ Dusty Groove

Brandon Williams - The Love Factor

Detroit-bred Brandon Williams’ life has always included music in some capacity. First as a listener, then as a musician, and ultimately, as a producer. He is a musical architect that is quickly making his name and stake as a front-runner in the music industry with the release of his 2014 debut album entitled XII featuring Robert Glasper, Jean Baylor (formerly of Zhane’), Frank McComb, Nicholas Payton, Choklate, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and more. The album has received high praises from musical luminaries such as Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick (Incognito), Chuckii Booker, Maysa Leak, Ledisi, Rahsaan Patterson, Marion Meadows, Dianne Reeves, Sinbad, Will Downing, Jill Scott and many others. He has also been personally endorsed as a great producer by the legendary Quincy Jones.

On the music scene since he was 12, his career is quite impressive. A direct protégé of Grammy and Billboard super producer Michael J. Powell (Anita Baker), he is a powerhouse of musical knowledge and abilities, receiving requests to perform, engineer, MD, arrange and produce around the clock. Known as one of the premiere drummers on Detroit’s live music scene, he is also known for being one of the “go-to music guys” in general because of his gift to play numerous instruments and his versatile repertoire. In 2009, he collaborated with Vickie Winans on “How I Got Over”. The album earned him 9 Stellar Awards nominations (winning one), a Grammy Award nomination, and a NAACP Image Award. As a musician and producer he has worked alongside and lent his hand to such artists as; Pharoahe Monch, Bobby Creekwater, Jadakiss, Dr. Dre, Jazmine Sullivan, Foley (Miles Davis), Alchemist, Xzibit, Lin Rountree, Barrett Strong, Jay Electronica, Leon Ware (Marvin Gaye, Minnie Ripperton), Eminem, Onaje Allen Gumbs, Don Blackman, Bernard Wright, Jeymes Samuels, and Ryan Leslie. His production work can also be heard in various television commercials which include the 2011 AT&T “Swag/FLY ERRR” TV commercial, the 2015 “Honda Fit” TV commercial featuring ?uestlove (The Roots, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), and the 2016 AT&T “Network Of You” spot featuring Young Guru (Jay-Z).

At 37 years old, he is a tastemaker with an undeniable track record. As an musician, he has performed with Musiq Soulchild, Chantae Cann (Snarky Puppy), Talib Kweli, Dionne Ferris, Eric Roberson, Najee, Angie Stone, Wyclef Jean of The Fugees, Raheem DeVaughn, Keyon Harrold (Miles Ahead), Gordon Chambers, Rance Allen, Ronnie McNair (The Four Tops) Kevin Toney, Kim Burrell, Carvin Winans, Jaguar Wright, Derrick Hodge, Gene Dunlap, Johnny O’Neal, Geno Young, Talib Kweli, Earnest Pugh, Millie Scott, Martha Reeves, The Last Poets, Sy Smith, Zo!, Carmen Rodgers, Conya Doss, Mike Phillips, and Sherry Scott, formerly of Earth, Wind & Fire. He’s also opened for some of the industry’s finest including; Faith Evans, Morris Day and The Time, Jose James, The Isley Brothers, Angela Winbush, Janelle Monae, George Duke, Liv Warfield, Regina Belle, P.J. Morton (Maroon 5), Joe Sample, Norman Brown, and Jonathan Butler,  just to name a few.

Performing with national tours, and with his own bands, he’s graced the stages of Detroit’s premier venues, and he’s also had national exposure at hot spots such as the legendary Bitter End in NYC, the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, City Winery, and the House of Blues in Dallas. As a producer, Brandon has worked in studios across the world from New York, to The Caribbean and even South Africa. Because of his plethora of abilities, he has acquired the respect of many legendary artists that he now calls friends including; the late artists George Duke, Ricky Lawson, and James ‘J. Dilla’ Yancey, along with Denaun Porter, George Clinton, Lalah Hathaway, Karriem Riggins, Randy Crawford and a host of others. He’s also recorded with the legendary Stevie Wonder.

 

New Music Releases: Calvin Richardson; Neal Francis; Vin Gordon

Calvin Richardson – Gold Dust

Calvin Richardson has for the past 20 years been one the best male vocalists to emerge out of the neo-soul movement, beginning with his breakthrough hit “Keep On Pushing.” He wrote Charlie’s Wilson’s hit “There Goes My Baby,” recorded duets with Angie Stone, guested on Raphael Saadiq’s “Excuse Me” and has regularly hit the Urban AC charts. Gold Dust delivers the straight-from-the-heart real soul music with a contemporary flair that has won Calvin a loyal and passionate fan-base. Tracks include: “If You're Thinking About Leaving”, “Be Your Friend”, “Do You Wrong”, “Love You Tonight”, “Ain't Nothin Like The One I've Got”, “Let Me Love On You”, “Still In Love”, “She Never Had A Real Man Like This”, “Beautiful Woman”, and “Macaroni and Cheese”.

Neal Francis - Changes

Blue-eyed southern soul from Neal Francis – a set that feels like one of those great rock/soul albums that were captured during the height of the Muscle Shoals scene – although with maybe a bit more contemporary funk at the core as well! Neal's songs are super-catchy – and take us back to that moment when the right rock artists were picking up plenty from soul styles in Alabama and Tennessee – then turning the music into well-crafted hits for the better side of the 70s scene. Titles include "Change (parts 1 & 2)", "Put It In His Hands", "Can't Live Without Your Love", "This Time", "She's A Winner", "These Are The Days", and "How Have I Lived". ~ Dusty Groove

Vin Gordon — African Shores

Fantastic work from Vin Gordon – who may well be one of the greatest reggae trombonists since the legendary Rico – working here in a very classic style that features plenty of contributions from saxophonist Nat Birchall! Nat's very much in the space of his previous collaboration with Gordon – and also plays piano, bass, and percussion – alongside co-producer Al Breadwinner, who handles drums, guitar, organ, and piano too! Tracks are a mix of echoey, dubby numbers that still have straightforward solo work from Gordon – and others that have maybe a tighter tuneful vibe, but which still fit the strong spirit of the entire session. The quartet also features Stally on baritone and David Fullwood on trumpet – stepping out in all-instrumental splendor, on titles that include "Gusum Peck", "Shucumooku", "Sa La Vie", "African Shores", "Gold Coast Dub", "Styler Man", and "Spill Over" ~ Dusty Groove

Lost Tapes Transformed Into New Jazz Release From Saxman Sonny Lewis - "Fillmore Street Live"

Saxman Sonny Lewis is a legendary jazz musician who almost slipped away into history. His career was launched in Paris in 1961, sitting in with Bud Powell, and spanned the next three decades. At home in any setting, he performed with Art Blakey, Barry White, poet William S. Burroughs, and classical composer Terry Riley, and played on a wide range of recordings, including three gold albums with The Whispers. However, until now, there have been no dedicated jazz releases focused on his astounding talent. 

Discovered among the musician's personal collection of tapes, the archival recording used to produce this new release, "Fillmore Street Live", was taken from the master recording of a major street fair in San Francisco in 1998. Cars and buses were rerouted away from the busy intersection of Fillmore and California streets, where a large crowd assembled to hear the Sonny Lewis Quartet celebrate the strong jazz tradition of the Fillmore Street neighborhood on the 4th of July.

Featuring Sonny Lewis on flute and tenor sax, "Fillmore Street Live" is a straight-ahead tour-de-force, featuring classic jazz standards from Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck. Latin rhythms are explored as well—the album opens with Sonny on flute, playing a song from the film Black Orpheus, and concludes with the group bringing the crowd to its feet for a rollicking rendition of St. Thomas. The Sonny Lewis Quartet features Percy Scott, keys; Harley White, Sr., bass; and Paul Smith, drums; with each musician making significant contributions.

"Fillmore Street Live" is a copyrighted work published by Sonoma Coast Records. Dedicated to bringing quality music back into the music industry, the solar-powered independent label brings listeners an astonishing mix of superb archival and newly-recorded psychedelic rock, jazz, and blues releases. For information on pianist Rob Catterton's new album, "Live in the Redwoods – A Grand Piano tribute to the Grateful Dead," visit robcatterton.com. For more information about Sonny Lewis, please visit sonnylewis.com for photos, bio, and news on upcoming releases.

New Music Releases: Cornell CC Carter; Ashley Henry; Dego

Cornell CC Carter – Absolutely 

The eagerly anticipated follow up to ‘One Love’, which was last year’s number one independent soul album of the year, is soon upon us. ‘Absolutely’ is an album described by Cornell as ‘Songs that came through my Soul and out of my Heart!.’ No sales pitch required – suffice to say it’s all killer – no filler. Eight original songs and two classic covers from our heroes Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye (Mr Gaye’s heavenly spirit filled the room when CC & Co laid this one down!) These songs have never been heard before until now, apart from the taster track and U.K Soul Chart / Sweet Rhythms Chart summer hit ‘I See Love’. Tracks include: “Say Yes”, “I See Love”, “Earn It”, “Come Live With Me Angel”, “I Could Never”, “Ever Since”, “Love Thang”, “Morning Touch”, “Ghosted”, and “We’re A Winner”. 

Ashley Henry - Beautiful Vinyl Hunter

Tremendous work from pianist Ashley Henry – a British pianist who seems to be soaring out of the underground to become one of the leading figures in overseas jazz – a role that he definitely fills with this fantastic major label debut! The set's every bit as great as Henry's previous material, but also expands the palette too – showcasing a bold musical vision that's equally great on vocal and instrumental fronts, as Henry welcomes in a lineup of guests who include Makaya McCraven on drums, Theo Croker and Keyon Harrold on trumpets, Judi Jackson and Milton Suggs on vocals, and the team of saxophonist Binker Golding and drummer Moses Boyd. Yet the work is clearly Henry's own – great tunes that have a soaring, spiritual current – maybe rooted in a tradition that runs from Woody Shaw through Robert Glasper, then finds its flowering in the really rich soil of the contemporary London scene. Titles include "Realisations", "Star Child", "I Still Believe", "Sunrise", "Battle", "Dark Honey", "Ahmed", "Introspection", "I Still Believe", "Colors", and "Between The Lines". ~ Dusty Groove

Dego - Too Much

A fantastic full length set from Dego – one of the few members of the 4Hero scene who've kept the music flowing and growing into new territory in recent years – especially with the same longform vibe that we always loved from that legendary group! Although short doses of cosmic sound can be great, there's nothing to compare with a full dose like this – a rich musical vision that holds us rapt throughout, as it moves through shifting rhythms and different modes of contemporary soul – thanks in part to vocal guests who include Ivana Santilli, Samii, Lady Alma, Sharlene Hector, and Sarina Leah! A few tracks have bold, long instrumental workouts – blinding keyboards and quick-changing rhythms – and titles include "A Strong Move For Truth", "My Standards Are Not Too High", "A Where Pringle Deh", "Come Of Age", "Just Leave It", "Life Can Be Unreal", "You Are Virgo", "Remini Dream", "I Don't Wanna Know", "Good Morning", and "Unknown Faults". ~ Dusty Groove

YES! TRIO: Ali Jackson / Aaron Goldberg / Omer Avital "Groove du Jour

Bound by a friendship of twenty-five years, drummer Ali Jackson, pianist Aaron Goldberg and bassist Omer Avital-three contemporary masters of jazz-release their second collaborative studio effort "Groove du Jour". Vibrant and exhilarating, their recording magnifies the spirit of swing and celebrates the excitement of playing together. With Yes! Trio, jazz is far from having said its last word!

The Yes! Trio is a group. A group created informally at the beginning of the 1990s, during a period when jazz went through a phase of refocusing before experiencing a new expansion. Coming from different horizons, its members, in their twenties at the time, met in New York and with the same desire, fittingly: to play jazz with the vitality of swing, to soak its spirit, to learn from their elders in order to be in a position to express it as their own musical language in all its modernity, its timelessness. It is no small intellectual exploit that this generation of musicians had chosen at the dawn of the new century to be faithful to an art that a wounded community had invented to save its soul. 

 

Aaron Goldberg and Ali Jackson met in 1991, when they were passing their auditions at the Manhattan School of Music. Coming from a family of African-American musicians from Detroit (his father, Ali Sr., a bassist, recorded with Yusef Lateef and John Coltrane), where he was a student at the famed Cass Tech High School, Ali Jackson (born in 1976), was given guidance in his teens by Max Roach, Donald Byrd and Betty Carter, and accompanied Aretha Franklin before even moving to New York. Aaron Goldberg (born in 1974) comes from a Jewish family in Boston, the son of scientists and destined for brilliant studies himself, discovered jazz as a teenager and was given private lessons by Jerry Bergonzi. Omer Avital and Aaron Goldberg met shortly later, in 1992, when both were students at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, before Goldberg returned to Boston to study at Harvard, where he obtained his degree. Born in Israel in 1971 to Moroccan and Yemenite parents, Avital had moved to New York several months before, hungry to play with his idols after having studied at the Thelma-Yellin School in Tel Aviv (which has turned out to be a true breeding ground for Israeli jazz talents). Though Avital met Ali Jackson during a European tour several months later, it is at the New York club Smalls starting in 1995 that these musicians began rubbing shoulders, when Avital became one of the lynchpins of a variety of groups, including his own.

It would be another fifteen years before the three musicians would make their first recording together. In the meantime, each has had brilliant careers that we are all aware of. Proudly wearing the colors that his mentors Max Roach and Elvin Jones taught him, Ali Jackson has asserted himself as one of the great heirs of the drum tradition, demonstrating the depth of his erudition for over a decade as a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis (he has also played in Marsalis' small groups), after having accompanied musicians such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Jacky Terrasson. Active for a time with Marsalis as well, Aaron Goldberg made a name for himself in saxophonist Joshua Redman's quartet, one of the major groups during the latter part of the '90s. He has launched several trios, the latest with Matt Penman and Leon Parker, while collaborating with artists such as Freddie Hubbard, Nicholas Payton, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Guillermo Klein. Bassist Omer Avital has shown himself to be a leader as well after having played with "historical" figures such as Roy Haynes and Jimmy Cobb upon his arrival in New York. Drawing inspiration from his roots (he returned to Israel for almost three years to study the oud and to immerse himself in the traditional musics of the Near East, and co-founded the groups Yemen Blues and Third World Love) he has led several groups of which one of the trademarks is to combine the voices of several saxophones and to blend the expressiveness of jazz with his own heritage.

This trio says yes to pleasure, to joy, to humor, to the energy of an expression that is not masked by technique but which serves to communicate and to interact with the others, even at the most elementary level of a simple beat/groove. Through the intimacy that each of the three members have developed with the language of jazz, Yes! Trio has this capacity - relatively unique in the current musical landscape - of mobilizing a large corpus of the history of jazz without aping it nor becoming a mere nostalgic exercise. Their vivacity, their naturalness, their happiness, their liberty illustrates how much these artists have become contemporary masters of this music, yet never forgetting to integrate the fundamentals, starting with blues and swing, but also expanding it to other spaces, to romantic melodic reminiscences, to Batucada rhythms, to a church tambourine or to urban rhythmic accents, in the web of this repertoire chosen by the three musicians, which also includes a sublime ballad with a pointillist arrangement, "I'll Be Seeing You", and a classic of modern jazz written by Jackie McLean.

  

The Yes! Trio is not just another trio. It is the incarnation of a certain truth in jazz, its very sound first of all, but also a way of approaching music that does not stay on the surface of things, or within a polite tonality or a well-played phrase. The trio also emphasizes the organic matter of the instruments, which counts as much as the notes played, the texture of skin beneath the drummer's brushes, the slap of a string of the acoustic bass. It makes the instruments speak as if they were human beings. It inverses roles, transforming the piano into percussion and the drums into melody. It effaces the hierarchies between the members of the trio to the point that, quite often, the thread of the music ceaselessly flows between the musicians in turn. Avital's bass talks and laughs, Jackson's drums murmur his spells in our ears, Goldberg's piano gives a speech and makes jokes, and it is an entire collection of stories that are spoken and performed in our presence. No, jazz has not yet said its last word, and continues to say yes to those who embrace it and love it. 

1. Escalier (Ali Jackson) 6'32

2. C'est clair (Omer Avital) 7'43

3. Dr. Jackle (Jackie McLean) 5'44

4. I'll Be Seeing You (Sammy Fain & Irving Kahal) 7'21

5. Muhammad's Market (Omer Avital) 5'58

6. Claqué (Ali Jackson) 4'38

7. Tokyo Dream (Aaron Goldberg) 4'54

8. Groove du Jour (Ali Jackson) 4'20

9. Flow (Omer Avital) 6'24

10. Bed-Stuy (Omer Avital) 6'09

Drummer DOR HERSKOVITS Presents FLYING ELEPHANTS

The prolific Israeli-born, Boston-based, drummer/composer Dor Herskovits' new album, Flying Elephants, is chock-a-block with expressions of love, humor and creativity. Like most great works of art, music, dance, architecture, etc., the music on Flying Elephants began as just a seed of an idea in the brain of Herskovits, which was then transferred to notes engraved on paper. It came to exist in the material world, and then took on a life and uniqueness of its own once Herskovits' band mates got a hold of the music and ran it through their minds, bodies and ultimately their instruments. The result is a resplendent suite of music, played by what is in essence a "family", a band that Herskovits calls his "dream team"; Hery Paz - saxophones, Caio Afiune - guitar, Isaac Wilson - piano, Max Ridley - bass, and Dor Herskovits - drums and compositions.

Flying Elephants was conceived of with these specific musicians in mind - in fact, choosing this cast was the very first step the leader took. Knowing their strengths and utilizing their strong personal/musical connections, the album became a true group effort, shining a light on the member's uniqueness, their fearless and ego-less creative instincts, and unparalleled abilities as true improvisers.

In Herskovits' vision for this album, he aimed to make it a rich and complete work of art. Combining the liner notes with poetry, paintings, and descriptive nuggets, in order to create full, multi-faceted experience for his audience. He has also created a stop motion animated video for the title track. "This shows the eclectic nature of the album and the array of colors, atmospheres and purpose each of the songs might play, for me, and for the listener, such as invoking humor, introspection, peregrination, energy, aggression, romance, dance. "It was a natural to have the album art work done by our saxophonist Hery Paz, as his work is a big influence in my life," explains Herskovits.

Stylistically, the album encompasses a wide variety of influences and styles - traditional jazz (New Fashioned, Recursion), avant-garde/free jazz (Scottish Fold, Bangin'), modern jazz (Palette, Come to light), Cinematic music (Recursion, Flying Elephants) meditation music (Water), rock/metal (Flying Elephants), progressive rock (Magenta), and classical (Sob). The drummer/bandleader elaborates, "I believe that it is accessible music that can potentially bring any listener in. Yet, it is fresh, original and has many layers one can enjoy as the music is explored deeply." 

The title track, an avant-garde leaning lullaby, and the seed from which the entire album was born, "Flying Elephants," is a gift to the drummer's newborn son, in utero when the band was in the studio laying down this music. This composition is a heartfelt soundtrack to his future dreams, which symbolizes the power of our imaginations. "Flying Elephants" tells the story of, "a baby in a crib who falls into a wonderful dream filled with adventure. Elephants, stretched from a mobile coming to life, baby asking them to play, they embark on a voyage, flying into a dream world, elephants joyfully marching with heavy feet...Until baby is woken back to our world," explains Herskovits.

"As the knowledge of the pending baby inspired me to write a song for him, each of the other compositions have their own story and identity, some of which are embedded in this composition, and others took on a shape of their own as they were performed. Since music is the most abstract art form, it also engages our imagination in a powerful way and I wanted to celebrate that with this album. To me, music always opened up an inner world and a strong spiritual connection to people and nature. This is what always drew me to music, what excites me about it and ultimately what I hope to pass on to the listeners."

Isaac Wilson, is a pianist, keyboardist, and composer. A native of Los Angeles, he began playing the piano at the age of 4, teaching himself to play his favorite songs and piano works by ear. He moved to Boston to attend New England Conservatory of Music, graduating in the spring of 2015, having studied with Fred Hersch, Jason Moran, Ran Blake, and many others. While in Boston, Wilson performed on numerous occasions with saxophone greats Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone. A recent recipient of a Master's Degree from Berklee's Global Jazz Institute lead by Danilo Pérez, he studied under many Jazz luminaries while attending the one-year program, and had the opportunity to perform at the 2015 Monterey Jazz Festival, the 2016 Panama Jazz Festival, and the 2016 Newport Jazz Festival. Wilson also won first prize at the 2016 Keep an Eye Jazz Awards in Amsterdam. Wilson has also conducted clinics around the world, and was on faculty of the inaugural Berklee Newport Jazz Festival Summer High School Program. Wilson is an artist committed to the exploration of folkloric music from around the globe, and the possibilities of melding jazz with other genres and disciplines within the Arts. He performs internationally and in the United States in a wide variety of musical contexts, and his debut trio album, Dis-Connect, was released in February of 2018.

Hery Paz, saxophonist and painter originally from Cuba, embodies a rich and diverse color and sonic palette. His eclecticism is explicit not only in painting but also in his distinction as a musician and composer. He has won the acclaim and respect of legendary jazz musicians such as Fred Hersch, who called him, " . . . a revelation, a musician of extraordinary strength". Paz is currently an integral element of the creative music scene in New York City, where he has worked with artists such as Francisco Mela, Ralph Alessi, Fred Hersch, Dave Liebman, Thomas Morgan, George Garzone, Tony Malaby, Ingrid Laubrock, Kris Davis, Ethan Iverson, Miguel Zenón, Frank Carlberg, Tom Rainey, Gerald Cleaver, Bob Moses, Ran Blake, Joe Morris, Charles Downs and Michael Attias. Paz also holds a Master's degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston.

Guitarist and composer Caio Afiune is making a lasting impression on the East Coast jazz scene. Currently in Boston, Afiune has not only been performing extensively as a leader and a sideman, but is a part time faculty member of the prestigious New England Conservatory. Originally from São Paulo, Afiune's compositions uniquely blend together the essence of Brazil and his immensely deep knowledge of the North American jazz tradition. He can be seen performing along jazz giants such as Jerry Bergonzi, Luciana Souza, Jaques and Paula Morelenbaum, Mark Zaleski, Phil Grenadier, and most recently Christian Sands.

Max Ridley is a Boston-based musician, composer and educator. He was awarded full-tuition scholarships to study at Berklee College of Music for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. Ridley earned his graduate degree from Berklee's Global Jazz Institute under the direction of pianist and educator Danilo Perez and has gone on to share the stage with renown musicians such as Kenny Werner, Ingrid Jensen, Bob Mover, Jason Palmer, George Garzone, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ra-Kalam Bob Moses and Perico Sambeat. He has performed in venues such as the Blue Note, Dizzy's Club at Jazz @ Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and the Umbria Jazz Festival. Ridley has toured domestically and internationally and has also spent time embedded in the artistic community of Valencia, Spain, which he considers his second home. Ridley remains very active in the musical community of Boston as a first-call sideman, leader and co-leader of various groups.

Dor Herskovits is an Israeli drummer and composer based in Boston. As a sought after sideman, he plays in various jazz and experimental groups on the Boston-New York line. He has also toured around the US, Canada, Europe and China. Herskovits has recorded many albums as a sideman, featured on labels such as Newvelle and Endectomorph music, alongside musicians such Grammy award-winning guitarist Bill Frisell, Michael Blake and Jason Palmer. He has also performed with George Garzone, Jon Cowherd, Steve Cardenas, Elan Mehler, TJ and the revenge, Bert Seager's Tet-rap-tych, Max Ridley's Basement Philharmonic, Daniel Rotem and Xiongguan Zhang. As co-leader of Earprint, he received critical acclaim from publications such as Downbeat magazine, NPR's critics' poll and many more. In 2018, he established the Dor Herskovits Quintet, featuring saxophonist Hery Paz, guitarist Caio Afiune, pianist Isaac Wilson and bassist Max Ridley. Their debut album Flying Elephants will be released in September 2019.

Also coming out this Fall featuring Dor Herskovits, EARPRINT Presents EASY LISTENING, (Available October 18, 2019, also on Endectomorph Music)

Ars Nova Workshop Unveils Lineup for 2019 October Revolution of Jazz & Contemporary Music October 1 - 31 | Philadelphia, PA

Ars Nova Workshop is excited to unveil the complete line-up for the 2019 October Revolution of Jazz & Contemporary Music. The festival’s third annual incarnation is its most ambitious and diverse to date, expanding from four days to an entire month of programming and featuring an eclectic mix of legendary artists and modern-day innovators. "We started this festival two years ago, hoping to bring a critical mass of the outstanding musicians that Ars Nova Workshop presents throughout the year together, in one place, around a single event that celebrates the spirit of improvisation, experimentation, and freedom, and provides an opportunity to settle in for deep listening that can cleanse our minds and refresh our souls,” states Mark Christman, Executive & Artistic Director of Ars Nova Workshop. The festival also marks the beginning of Ars Nova Workshop's 20th Anniversary Season, which is sure to include must-see performances throughout 2020.

The October Revolution, which The New York Times has called “a State of the Union for free improvisation and avant-garde composition,” has been committed to exploring the furthest edges of contemporary and experimental music in its myriad forms. The 2019 edition is no exception, with iconic figures who have helped shape the evolution of modern music for half a century alongside emerging stars altering its progression in distinctive new ways. The events will take place at venues across Philadelphia, with 13 ground-breaking performers and ensembles, more than half of them led by women, an indication of the festival’s (and the music’s) dedication to diversity and inclusion.

THE OCTOBER REVOLUTION 2019 FESTIVAL LINEUP:

The festival opens with a generation-bridging duo performance pairing NEA Jazz Master Roscoe Mitchell (founding member of the influential Art Ensemble of Chicago, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary) and Philly-based poet and musician Moor Mother (a member of the Art Ensemble’s latest manifestation). The month also includes the first Philly performance by Fred Frith (Henry Cow, Naked City) in three decades, leading a trio featuring a special surprise guest; Chicago drummer Makaya McCraven, a genre-blurring envelope-pusher whose ensemble will feature Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker and Blue Note rising star Joel Ross on vibes; drone explorers Sarah Davachi, Matchess, Lea Bertucci and Angel Deradoorian (the latter a former key member of the Dirty Projectors); former Bad Plus pianist Ethan Iverson and his quartet with a rare Philly appearance by trumpeter Tom Harrell, celebrating their new ECM release; and an ultra-rare appearance by vocal legend Patty Waters in her first local concert in more than half a century.

The festival will also allow audiences to experience what may well be the landmark performance one of the city’s most beloved institutions, The Painted Bride Art Center: an awe-inspiring performance bringing together Adam Rudolph’s improvisatory Go: Organic Orchestra with the forward-looking Indian classical musicians of Brooklyn Raga Massive. Drummer Charlie Hall of indie-rock darlings The War on Drugs will assemble a special ensemble to pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis’s immortal album In a Silent Way. And the festival draws to a jaw-dropping close with the return of two long-dormant ensembles forged by vibraphone great Khan Jamal and now led by guitarist Monnette Sudler: Sounds of Liberation, which made a triumphant return to the stage earlier this year, this time with special guest saxophonist David Murray stepping in for the late, great Byard Lancaster; and the Creative Arts Ensemble featuring drummer Chuck Treece, recreating Jamal’s dizzying psych-jazz classic Drum Dance to the Motherland for the first time since its release in 1972.

Motown's 60th Anniversary Celebration Continues With Special, Limited Edition 'Motown In Mono' Vinyl Series

Five Classic Motown Albums Newly Remastered in Mono from Their Original Analog Master Tapes for 180-Gram Deluxe Vinyl Editions

Motown's 60th Anniversary celebration continues with today's announcement of a special, limited edition 'Motown In Mono' vinyl series, featuring The Four Tops' Reach Out (1967), The Marvelettes' Sophisticated Soul (1968), The Miracles' You've Really Got A Hold On Me (1963), Diana Ross & The Supremes' Reflections (1968), and The Temptations' The Temptations Sing Smokey (1965). To be released worldwide on November 8 by Motown/UMe, the albums are available now for preorder as a collectible five-LP set with a custom turntable slipmat, exclusively from The Sound of Vinyl's global online stores. All five albums are newly remastered from their original analog master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, pressed on audiophile-quality 180-gram vinyl, and packaged in deluxe Stoughton tip-on jackets.

Motown’s 60th Anniversary celebration continues with today’s announcement of a special, limited edition ‘Motown In Mono’ vinyl series, featuring The Four Tops’ Reach Out (1967), The Marvelettes’ Sophisticated Soul (1968), The Miracles’ You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me (1963), Diana Ross & The Supremes’ Reflections (1968), and The Temptations’ The Temptations Sing Smokey (1965). To be released November 8 by Motown/UMe, the albums are available now for pre-order as a collectible five-LP set.

Sophisticated Soul has never before been commercially released in mono, and Reflections was issued in mono in the UK only. The mono LPs for You've Really Got A Hold On Me (also generally known, from the album's cover art, as The Fabulous Miracles), Reach Out, The Temptations Sing Smokey are long out-of-print and rare.

"There was a big reason why mono was a great thing for Motown -- the emphasis then was radio," explains remastering engineer Kevin Gray. "They did special mixes in mono, intended for radio, and those are the ones we grew up listening to."

"I'm approaching these Motown albums by trying to keep everything balanced within the same framework," Gray continues. "Within an album, I try to find a level that is representative of what the album was supposed to be, and then I match everything as closely as I can to that with EQ. I certainly don't find any need to add further compression. The tapes have held up well. I'm always pleased when that happens. It's been very rewarding to work on them, and they sounded very, very good."

Learn more about the 'Motown in Mono' vinyl series at http://mono.motown.com and preorder the limited edition five-LP set at https://soundofvinyl.lnk.to/MotownMonoSet.

Stream all of Motown's greatest hits: https://stream.lnk.to/Motown.

The Four Tops - Reach Out

SIDE 1

1. Reach Out I'll Be There

2. Walk Away Renee

3. 7–Rooms of Gloom

4. If I Were a Carpenter

5. Last Train to Clarksville

6. I'll Turn to Stone

SIDE 2

1. I'm a Believer

2. Standing in the Shadows of Love

3. Bernadette

4. Cherish

5. Wonderful Baby

6. What Else is There to Do (But Think About You)

The Marvelettes - Sophisticated Soul

SIDE 1

1. My Baby Must Be A Magician

2. Destination: Anywhere

3. I'm Gonna Hold On Long As I Can

4. Here I Am Baby

5. You're The One For Me Bobby

6. Reachin' For Something I Can't Have

SIDE 2

1. Your Love Can Save Me

2. You're The One

3. Don't Make Hurting Me A Habit

4. What's Easy For Two Is Hard For One

5. The Stranger

6. Someway, Somehow

The Miracles – You've Really Got A Hold On Me

SIDE 1

1. You've Really Got A Hold On Me (Wm. Robinson)

2. I've Been Good To You (Wm. Robinson)

3. Such Is Love, Such Is Life (Wm. Robinson)

4. I Can Take A Hint (Robinson, Bradford, Ossman, Rogers)

5. Won't You Take Me Back (Wm. Robinson)

SIDE 2

1. A Love She Can Count On (Wm. Robinson)

2. Whatever Makes You Happy (Wm. Robinson, R. White)

3. Heartbreak Road (Wm. Robinson, R. White)

4. Happy Landing (Wm. Robinson, R. White)

5. Your Love (Wm. Robinson)

Diana Ross & The Supremes – Reflections

SIDE 1

1. Reflections

2. I'm Gonna Make It (I Will Wait For You)

3. Forever Came Today

4. I Can't Make It Alone

5. In And Out Of Love

6. Bah-Bah-Bah

SIDE 2

1. What The World Needs Now Is Love

2. Up, Up And Away

3. Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)

4. Then

5. Misery Makes Its Home In My Heart

6. Ode To Billie Joe

The Temptations - The Temptations Sing Smokey

SIDE 1

1. My Girl

2. The Way You Do The Things You Do

3. What Love Has Joined Together

4. It's Growing

SIDE 2

1. Who's Lovin' You

2. You'll Lose A Precious Love

3. You've Really Got A Hold On Me

4. Baby, Baby I Need You

5. (You Can) Depend On Me

6. Way Over There

7. What's So Good About Goodbye

8. You Beat Me To The Punch

Singer and Songwriter CALVIN ARSENIA Unleashes What Critics Call "a Timeless Blend of Magic" with LA SESSIONS

LA Sessions- the new album by young ground-breaking singer and songwriter Calvin Arsenia is available now on CenterCut Records. The six-track record is a follow up to the harpist/multi-instrumentalist's critically acclaimed debut CANTALOUPE and features the achingly haunting single "Back To You" (LISTEN HERE).

Known for his magnetic voice and incandescent use of imagery and costumes, Calvin lets his soulful hypnotic vocal style rule while gathering around him some of music's most sought out musicians. His ability to seamlessly bend genres and fuse diverse musical styles shines through on multiple standout tracks, including "Falling Over," the playful "Poseidon," the gospel tinged "Dying," the jazzy R&B scorcher, "Smoke And Mirrors" and a smoldering version of Billie Holiday's treasured "Don't Explain." 

435 Magazine calls LA Sessions "…a timeless blend of soul, jazz and magic, bolstered by an all-star backing ensemble, and it showcases yet another side of Arsenia the chameleon."

Produced by Tony Braunagel, LA Sessions deftly showcases the eclectic young artist's incredible vocal gift and features Braunagel on percussion, Paul Brown on guitar, Mike Finnigan on keyboards, Freddie Washington on bass, and David Garfield on piano. Between them, the five musicians have worked with some of music's most iconic names, including Jimi Hendrix, George Benson, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Leonard Cohen, Bonnie Raitt, and more.

Arsenia's creative journey began when he moved to the Kansas City suburb of Olathe, teaching himself the guitar, and eventually the harp.  He learned his signature instrument at the age of 20, creating an irresistible alchemy of folk, rock, classical, rap and R&B, which has become his calling card in the Kansas City music scene and beyond.

Upon his national debut in 2018 he was named Kansas City's Best Musician (PitchKC/2018) while NPR said, " What may seem like genre-hopping in his latest album, Cantaloupe, is actually Arsenia looking past the boundaries of his gospel background and classical training to find the most direct line of expression to inform our common struggles…This is beautiful music with the capacity to create the shared immersive experience Arsenia reaches for. We are all the richer."

A US Tour kicks off September 27th at The Mint in Los Angeles, CA.

New Music Releases: Jason Palmer, Brendan Rothwell, Soulfusionseven

Jason Palmer - Rhyme & Reason

A really fantastic album from trumpeter Jason Palmer – one with a unique sort of group structure, which really brings out an edge in Palmer's playing! The lineup is piano-less – just Jason on trumpet, Mark Turner on tenor, Matt Brewer on bass, and Kendrick Scott on drums – working in these great blocky ways that have an inherent sense of rhythm, even though things are maybe looser and freer than usual too! Brewer's bass has this wonderfully rich tone, which deepens the record right from the get-go, and continues to hold strong – and Mark Turner's darker tones really bring out a different side of Palmer, especially in comparison to some of his "songbook" recordings. Kendrick Scott is always a delight on drums – and all tracks on the set are nice and long, with titles that include "The Hampton Inn", "Herbs In A Glass", "Kalispel Bay", "Waltz For Diana", "Sadhana", "Blue Grotto", and "Rhyme & Reason".  ~ Dusty Groove

Brendan Rothwell - Sentiment

Canadian bassist Brendan Rothwell traces his love of the instrument and its intense soul possibilities to hearing the legendary Marcus Miller play on Miles Davis’ 80’s classic TUTU. On the heels of a debut that charted both in the U.S and Canada, his latest album SENTIMENT, is an eclectic, deeply rhythmic sonic experience. He includes several picture perfect, frothy funk, Smooth Jazz tracks, but the collection’s deeper pleasures expand the emotional palette into neo-soul, jazz fusion and even ambient territory. Reminiscent of the most genre-transcendent works of Miller, Brian Bromberg and Stanley Clarke, these songs are meditative masterpieces, taking him to contemplative realms of expression rich with mood and immersive atmospheres. ~ smoothjazz.com  

Soulfusionseven – Acquital Of The Ego

Soulfusionseven are a collective of musicians originally founded by John Saltwell and Paul Baker to create a live act due to demand following the success of the single Summer Breeze written with singer Cheryl Aldridge. The song climbed to number 1 in the official UK soul chart in the summer of 2017 with the help of other band members Gary Richardson, Vicky Kaylor, Jude Linton and featuring the vocals of Amelia Melody. In early 2016 ‘Steppin’ up my love’ was remixed by a young Japanese producer called Yuki Tashahaki under the pseudonym ‘T Groove’ and it climbed to number 1 in Japan, number 1 in various other charts and number 6 in the official UK Soul Chart.They went to number 1 in the summer of 2017 in the Official UK Soul chart with their next release ‘Summer Breeze’ released on DSG records. 

New Music Releases: The Alex Levin Trio; Robyn Hayle; Susan Alcorn / Joe McPhee / Ken Vandermark

The Alex Levin Trio – A Sunday Kind Of Love

Alex Levin has been performing jazz in New York City and Philadelphia for more two decades. A native Philadelphian, he studied at The New School Jazz Program in the 90's before graduating from Brown University and moving to Berlin. His quartet, The Living Room, performed throughout Europe. Alex returned to New York City in 2001 and quickly established himself as an in-demand solo pianist and bandleader. Over the course of the last decade, Alex has released a series of critically acclaimed CD's, including Night and Distance, A Reason for Being Alone, New York Portraits, and, most recently, Refraction. With his trio in high demand in New York and the surrounding area, Alex continued to explore new sides of his musicianship. He established The Smoke Rings, a vintage-style swing band from Brooklyn, and The Lovesome, a swinging cool-jazz quartet. His trio is currently readying its fourth release, "A Sunday Kind of Love," for a 2019 release. On this new release, Alex’s piano is joined by Phil Rowan on bass and Ben Cliness on drums. Tracks include: “Sweets,” Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love,” and “Blues for Wynton Kelly.”

Robyn Hayle - So Much

" It's always great to hear a new take on jazz vocalizing and this lady certainly does that! BUT YOU DO is my favorite cut but the others are great and so modern!" ~ Russ Davis/Voice of America. Montreal-born and Toronto-based, this jazz chanteuse has had a fascinatingly chameleonic career, and draws from a deep well of experience in creating her work. Hayle’s musical, vocal and lyrical maturity, so evident on her albums, is eloquent testimony to a lifelong commitment to the crafts of singing and song writing.

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

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

The Justus Brothers - Chinese Checkers

Brothers proudly do Justus to their Memphis roots as “Chinese Checkers” is poised to make bold moves up the singles chart ahead of the October 11 debut release.

The roots of The Justus Brothers date back forty years, in the birthplace of soul, blues and rock ‘n’ roll: Memphis. The musicians who comprise the band dropping the eponymous debut album on October 11 on the iconic Memphis International Records/Select-O-Hits labels met long ago in the sweaty blues and smoky jazz clubs on Beale Street. Together, they electrified Memphis churches with rousing musical sermons and tracked in fabled Memphis recording studios alongside an incomparable list of hall of famers, Grammy winners and chart-topping legends. Before they backed a galaxy of stars in sold-out arenas, the members of The Justus Brothers paid dues playing long hours, night after night, sharpening their chops and earning virtuosity while forming a brotherhood built upon rhythm and groove. 

Guitarist Niko Lyras and The Justus Brothers produced the ten songs on their self-titled set, a balance of original tunes and choice covers given the full Memphis makeover. Already garnering playlist adds is their soul-powered jam session workout “Chinese Checkers,” a revival originally recorded by Memphis’s Booker T. & the M.G.’s (https://youtu.be/ArzJIfJI8Zo). Several members of The Justus Brothers have ties to Booker T. & the M.G.’s, including drummer Steve Potts, who was a longtime member of the outfit.

    

The chemistry between the five “brothers” sizzles throughout the collection. Lyras, Potts and bassist Dave Smith have been playing together the longest. Thirty years ago, hornman Pat Register (tenor, alto and soprano sax and flute) and keyboardist Jason Clark completed the family.

“The Justus Brothers are direct descendants of the great Memphis soul fathers, having played with just about all of them, receiving their blessing and having the torch passed directly from them. For decades, we have been a not-so-well-kept secret ingredient on hundreds of R&B and blues-flavored records. Together, we finish each other’s musical phrases and know each other’s soul. We are brothers. Even with busy schedules, we have not stopped playing together live or in the studio through the years. And even though we’ve worked with many of the world’s best-known artists, we know that something magical happens organically whenever we interact with each other,” said Lyras.

The Justus Brothers stoke the fire by weaving Memphis history throughout the album. Opening with a Sting mashup of “Fragile” and “Fields of Gold,” Lyras explains, “From the time The Police pulled up at a small Memphis club with their amps in a station wagon, to the time they returned to play for 20,000 people, there has always been a Memphis connection. Sting sought out the raw soul sound of the Memphis Horns, who were longtime friends and collaborators of The Justus Brothers. In the early 90s, we were the opening act for Andy Summers’ Memphis shows. Combining two Sting classics into one seamless piece came naturally.”

Inspiration for the band’s crackling royal funk dance, “King Strut,” came during a Beale Street gig last summer after a power failure. Potts, who is widely considered the current king of the Memphis drum throne, kept the packed dancefloor filled all on his own in the dark for five minutes until the electricity was restored. “Steve never stopped grooving. As if we had rehearsed it, when the power came back, I went into an infectious funky riff and Dave jumped right into it on bass. Before long, Jason and Pat had made up a theme on top of that. The crowd responded to it instantly, as if they had known and danced to it for years.”

  

The mood downshifts to romance on “Miss L,” a shuffling, amorous jazz and blues song that Lyras wrote while playing a guitar serenade for his girl as the moon hovered over the Mississippi River. The tune is evident of The Justus Brothers’ commitment to melody and emotion, not just deep rhythmic pockets and all-night grooves. 

The Justus Brother take great pride in their Memphis lineage. Lyras said, “Memphis musicians have always stood out for boldly fusing several styles to form a new, unique brand. That couldn’t be truer in our case.”               

“The Justus Brothers” contains the following songs:

“Fragile Fields of Gold”

“Chinese Checkers”

“Sabroso”

“Miss L”

“Askin’ Ain’t Gettin’”

“Hip Pocket”

“King’s Strut”

“Garment District”

“I Keep Forgetting”

“Crazy” featuring Katrina Anderson

“Chinese Checkers” (radio remix)

Smuggler Brothers - MUSIONE

The story of Smuggler Brothers starts in Palermo, the principal town of Sicily, in late 2011. Founded by three friends, musicians active in the fertile underground music scene of the city, the band aims to experiment new artistic directions, combining a diverse set of influences ranging from Italian soundtracks and Library music from the ‘60s and ‘70s to African-American music, with groove as the core essence of the band. From the initial nucleus, the band evolved soon into a 8-piece combo.

Following an exciting period spent rehearsing and honing their sound, Smuggler Brothers started an intense live activity, gaining the enthusiastic support of the local scene. In 2015 the band felt it was time to record their music – their self-titled debut album was recorded at Zeit Studio in Palermo, 15-tracks that were pressed on limited edition vinyl and released via Tone Deaf Records. Shortly after their album tour, the band suffered a period of instability – the departure of some players slowly weakened the structure of the group, forcing the surviving band members to interrupt the live activity and reflect on the future of the project.

2017 sees the band coming back to life and entering a new phase – with a renewed 5-element structure and a clear plan, the group started to work on new music and perform on stage again.

At the end of the same year the Milan-based record label Schema Records decided to put Smuggler Brothers under a contract. The label interest and the artistic direction of Massimo Martellotta (Calibro 35) pushed the band forward: in October 2018 the Sicilian brothers eventually landed in Milan at Schema Records’ Blue Spirit Studio to record their second album, published by Schema Records on May 10th, 2019.

Nicola Conte / Gianluca Petrella – Free Your Mind (EP)

Pioneering Italian musician and producer Nicola Conte and esteemed trombonist Gianluca Petrella team up again for their new project’s third EP on Schema, ahead of their forthcoming full-length project due out later this year.

For those unaware, Conte and Petrella have been working together on and off since 2001’s “New Standards”. In addition to working together as musicians, the pair has fostered a close creative relationship, trading and discussing vintage gear and records in a bid to open each other up to as wide a range of influences as possible.

This most recent offering further explores the themes and sounds found on their previous collaborations, “Sun Song / Nigeria” and “African Spirits / New World Shuffle”, with its heavily West African influenced rhythms and cosmic-leaning musicality.

“Free Your Mind” is a straight-up party jam, complete with a powerful horn section, playful synth lines and powered by a rock solid Afrobeat rhythm section. “Imani River” sees the duo putting their spin on a spiraling 6/8 time signature, featuring otherworldly guest vocals from Bridgette Amofah, who also featured on the duo’s previous collaborative releases. The track offers a stark contrast to the feel good party vibes of “Free Your Mind”, taking on a somewhat spiritual demeanor, due as much to Petrella’s evocative trombone playing as to Amofah’s lofty vocals or the reeling nature of the percussion. Conte and Petrella bring the tempo up a notch or two with closing track “Infinity”, which lands somewhere between the dancefloor focused “Free Your Mind” and more headsy “Imani River”, allowing the listener to get equally as lost in the song’s driving groove as the intergalactic sound-palette that floats on top of it.