THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER NEW RELEASES - ROBBIE WILLIAMS, CHAKA KHAN, MUSIC FROM AND FEATURED IN 12 YEARS A SLAVE |  |
- NEW RELEASES - ROBBIE WILLIAMS, CHAKA KHAN, MUSIC FROM AND FEATURED IN 12 YEARS A SLAVE
- TIM WARFIELD - INSPIRE ME! FEATURES HERB HARRIS, ANTOINE DRYE, KEVIN HAYS, GREG WILLIAMS, RODNEY GREEN
- NEW RELEASES - CHARLES XAVIER, MARVIN TRAVIS, REGGIE WASHINGTON
- 10 CLASSIC RANDY CRAWFORD ALBUMS REISSUED
- NEW RELEASES - REMIXED WITH LOVE BY JOEY NEGRO, M1, BRIAN JACKSON & THE NEW MIDNIGHT BAND, DIGGIN' P-VINE PLANET FUNK MIXED BY MURO
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Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:37 AM PDT
 Following in the rhythmic footsteps of Robbie's most successful album to date, 2001's Swing When You're Winning, this new release features a mix of classic covers and new material as well as duets with some of pop's biggest names, including Lily Allen, Michael Bublé, Kelly Clarkson, Olly Murs and Rufus Wainwright.The album features cover versions of well known songs, as well as six new tracks written by Williams and Guy Chambers, who also produced the album. Williams stated "First of all, I wanted to do a swing album because I wanted to do a swing album. I always knew I'd do another and I think now is the perfect time to do it. I'm enjoying showbiz and I'm enjoying my life and my understanding of where I am now is that there needs to be an event every time I bring out a record. The album this time is a definite ode and a loving glance towards a period on the planet that I was never invited to 'coz I wasn't there… I wanted to be, which I feel still very strongly linked to." The album comes in two editions - standard and deluxe, which features three extra tracks and some very special bonus studio footage. 
Large-lunged R&B diva Chaka Khan's first five solo albums for Warner Bros – 1978's Chaka, 1980's Naughty, the following year's What Cha' Gonna Do For Me, '82's Chaka Khan and '84's I Feel For You – are now available in a single package as part of Rhino's Original Album Series. The downside for collectors is that none of the albums have been remastered and there's a conspicuous absence of sleenenotes and bonus tracks. On the plus side, however, all the albums are presented in replica mini-LP sleeves and, with an enticing mid-price sales tag, they represent a good opportunity for Chaka Khan novices to pick up the singer's best work in one fell swoop. Though I Feel For You – featuring Chaka's combustible reworking of the Prince-penned title track – is the best known LP of the bunch, her first three albums (all helmed by the late, great Arif Mardin) undoubtedly contain her best work. Her debut includes the anthemic I'm Every Woman, but the killer cuts are Some Love, a gargantuan slab of churning symphonic funk, and Sleep On It. Naughty – perhaps Khan's most overlooked album – is also packed with memorable cuts that showcase her incredible vocal range, including the disco-inflected Clouds and the soaring mid-tempo groover, Move Me No Mountain. ~ Charles Waring
MUSIC FROM AND FEATURED IN 12 YEARS A SLAVE (VARIOUS ARTISTS)
12 Years a Slave is a 2013 British-American historical drama film based on the 1853 autobiography Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C. after being lured from Saratoga Springs, New York in 1841 and sold into slavery. He worked on plantations in the state of Louisiana for 12 years before his rescue and release. The critically acclaimed film was directed by Steve McQueen and written by John Ridley, and it received the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film opens here in the US in limited release October 18th. Music From and Featured in 12 Years A Slave is a compilation of songs of freedom inspired by the story of Solomon Northup. The album includes new music from John Legend, Alicia Keys, Alabama Shakes, Gary Clark, Jr., Chris Cornell w/ Joy Williams of The Civil Wars, and more; plus selections of the original movie score by Hans Zimmer.
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Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:01 AM PDT
A smoker from reedman Tim Warfield – working here on tenor sax with a tight group that comes across with plenty of fire! The entire lineup here is great – and they include Antoine Drye on trumpet, Kevin Hays on piano, Greg Williams on bass, Rodney Green on drums, and Herb Harris on vocals and tenor sax – all of whom are top notch here. Warfield is wonderfully sharp – blowing a batch of late night ballad grooves with a soulful vibe throughout.
Warfield is a master saxophonist with over 20 years of experience on the jazz scene. His 1995 debut recording "A Cool Blue" was selected as a top ten recording in a New York Times critics poll, as was his 1998 recording "Gentle Warrior" (featuring Cyrus Chestnut, Taurus Mateen, Clarence Penn, Terrell Stafford, and Nichlolas Payton), proclaiming him "possibly the most powerful saxophonist of his generation". In 1999, he was awarded "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" in Downbeat Magazine's 49th Annual Critics poll. In 2000, alongside crooner Loston Harris, Warfield performed at the MTV GQ Men of the Year Awards in New York City."
In 2012, Warfield released "Tim Warfield's Jazzy Christmas." Edward Blanco, at All About Jazz says, "Performing a selection of familiar songs with a heavy contemporary flavor, the music is so straight-ahead in nature that such seasonal tunes like "Let It Snow," "Joy To The World," and "Silent Night," are almost unrecognizable as Christmas music and could easily be part of any playlist throughout the year."
The album is produced, written, and arranged by Herb Harris who spent a short period with the Wynton Marsalis Septet with whom he toured the states, Europe, and South America; he's appeared on the soundtrack to "Tune In Tommorow" and he was also featured in the group of saxists dubbed the "Tough Young Tenors" on the album "Alone Together" which reached #5 on Billboard's Jazz Chart.
Full tracklisting: Monkee See Monkee Doo; Robert Earl; Ny Daze Ny Knights; When I'm Alone With You; Inspire Me!; What If's; A Tinge of the Melancholy; and. Monkee See Monkee Doo(Alternate Take).
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Posted: 31 Oct 2013 08:34 AM PDT
CHARLES XAVIER - PEFECT MOLD
Perfect Mold, the fourth release from Happy Note Records, features Charles Xavier, a multi-instrumentalist and composer who plays genre-fusing original compositions and puts his unique spin on rock and pop classics including Hey Jude, Blowing in the Wind, The Beat Goes On, Fire and Rain, Eleanor Rigby, and Leaving on a Jet Plane. Xavier, who arranged and performed all the parts on vibraphone, piano, and percussive batterie, designs his percussive arrangements to induce a "soothing but intriguing vibe, a kind of meditative soundscape." Xavier's music appeals to listeners with a wide range. Longtime DownBeat columnist Frank-John Hadley has reported, "Playing vibes, keyboards, and drums, joined by guitarist Russell Golub and Tina Murray on vocals, Xavier fills his wassail bowl with electronic sounds, samplings, Gary Burton-like abstractions, elements of world-music, and quirky allusions to maybe Gong's vibes player Pierre Moerlen. A dozen carols and holiday favorites drift together as one trippy soundscape. Recommended." DownBeat has elsewhere called Charles Xavier a "Rara Avis," which is Latin for "rare bird."
MARVIN TRAVIS - INTRODUCING MARVIN TRAVIS
Marvin's first encounter with the guitar was at the tender age of four years old. Being the son of a Pastor Bishop Marvin Travis Sr, and seeing his father play the guitar inspired Marvin to want to learn more. Marvin listened to the radio and cassette tapes his Father had around their home, picked his guitar up and attempted to play all of the cords he had heard, over and over again until he could master those cords. Seeing Marvin's talent grow, his dad bought him a guitar and the rest is history. As a child Marvin played for visiting artist such as Dorinda Clark Cole, Jay Moss, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and many others. Marvin knew at an early age that God had given him a gift to play the guitar and vowed to give that gift back to God and others.Marvin has been known for playing cords that only keyboard players could play. Having played in his dad's church there was only a lead guitar and the drums for a season. Marvin learned to play all the parts both rhythm and cords. During his formative years in High School he was called nick names such as: "Thunder Thumbs" and "Marvelous Marv". After over 40 years of playing, Marvin's ability to play with such precision and skill has opened many doors for him within the music industry. Marvin is well known for his ability to "flow" with his guitar. Marvin has played on many projects with artist such as commission's own Marcus Cole and Mitchell Jones, world renown Motown legend Kim Weston along with the legendary Jazz composer and pianist Teddy Harris Jr, Tim Bowman, Charles Laster II, Ernest J Lee, The Powell Brothers, La June Travis, and has also graced the stage with Bishop Paul Morton, Bishop William Murphy, Marvin D Travis III aka Bam Travis. Marvin has also played alongside the innumerable bass player and vocalist Mr. Fred Hammond as they shared the same church home "Great Faith Ministries" for a season. There are host of other artist to namely to mention.His new debut CD entitled Introducing Marvin is a project that has been long awaited for by his audience and peers. With his smooth jazzy style and skillfully played precise cords, it is Marvin's prayer that this CD takes you into a place of peace and serenity. Enjoying every cord, this compilation of music is sure to leave you wanting more.
REGGIE WASHINGTON - FREEDOM
Reggie is a bassist of rare sobriety and efficacity. His savant bass lines are legible andthey always serve the music. He has a certain form of exigence and great musical taste.His list of collaborations is infinite in addition to being a participant in the revolution of Modern Jazz during the 90's. In 2005, he stepped out as a leader for the first time in his career with "A Lot of Love, LIVE !", on the Jammin'colorS label. The CD has received stellar reviews from journalists and colleagues worldwide in the music business. It is being played on U.S.A. and European radio to touch a wider audience. "My music represents the cutting edge of jazz today. It's a healthy musical mix paying hommage to our forefathers and exploring our craft by journeying down new roads to help pave the way for the future." says Reggie. For him, the music must evolve and he feels he's among the select group of musicians capable and dedicated to keeping MUSIC alive and strong. Reggie has toured with his bands through Europe and the U.S. A to very receptive andappreciative audiences. Bass Player magazine presented Reggie in its August 2007 issue entitled "The Eternal Internal" by journalist Bill Milkowski. In 2008, Reggie was among the winners of the Rising Stars electric bassist category in DownBeat magazine's International Critics Poll. He was also featured in the April 2008 issue ofJazz Times magazine in an article entitled "Overdue Ovation; Groove Instincts". He hasalso appeared in Jazz Magazine, Jazzman, De Bassist, Jazz Hot, Le Soir. Aside from holding down the groove for Steve Coleman's Five Elements, Reggie has alsoplayed for such notable groups as Roy Hargrove's RH Factor, Branford Marsalis's Buckshot LeFonque and Oliver Lake Steel Quartet. His extensive list of credits includes work with African drum master Babatunde Olatunje, calypso star Mighty Sparrow, jazz singer Cassandra Wilson, R&B singer D'Angelo, guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly, pianist Uri Caine,trumpeter Lester Bowie, clarinetist Don Byron, alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe,the World Saxophone Quartet, Mike Mainieri's Steps Ahead, saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart, bassist-vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello and cabaret diva Ute Lemper.
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Posted: 31 Oct 2013 07:12 AM PDT
RANDY CRAWFORD - EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE / MISS RANDY CRAWFORD
Two early gems from Randy Crawford – back to back in a single set! Everything Must Change is the sublime first album from Randy Crawford – a set that's got a very strong jazzy vibe throughout – and which really shows the great place from which Randy started! There's a careful and classy mix of jazz, soul, and modern R&B throughout – never overdone, but often filled out with just the right sort of larger charts to match that incredible range of Crawford – that singing style that few other artists could match! Arrangements are by William Eaton and Larry Carlton – both with lots of jazzy undercurrents – and titles include a killer live version of "Everything Must Change", plus the tracks "I Had To See You One More Time", "I've Never Been To Me", "I Let You Walk Away", "Something So Right", and "Don't Let Me Down". Miss Randy Crawford is one of the hippest, tightest albums ever from Randy Crawford – a set that's got a great blend of jazz, funk, and soul – all with the kind of poise and polish she brought to her famous work with The Crusaders! Crawford's wonderful vocals are wrapped up perfectly in some cool combo backings which are then augmented by larger strings – a blend that's got a great sort of richness right from the start, but also that special late 70s LA style that never has things getting too soppy or commercial, even when tight. Randy's the perfect sort of singer to make a record like this come out right – and titles include "I Can't Get You Off My Mind", "Over My Head", "Single Woman Married Man", "Half Steppin", "This Man", and "At Last". ~ Dusty Groove
RANDY CRAWFORD - RAW SILK / NOW WE MAY BEGIN
Two early classics from the great Randy Crawford! Raw Silk is a really wonderful little album from Randy – a lot jazzier than previous work, and done in a style that has Randy's vocals backed by small electric combo work on most cuts! Players on the set are a great batch of top-shelf fusion players – and include Don Grusin, William D Smith, Leon Pendarvis, and John Tropea – all playing in different combos from track to track, but keeping things nicely together to match Randy's increasingly soulful vocals. The sound's a real hint at the greatness Randy would hit with The Crusaders – but in a mellower mode – and titles include "Endlessly", "Declaration Of Love", "Blue Mood", "Love Is Like A Newborn Child", "Nobody", and "Just To Keep You Satisfied". Now We May Begin is a great album cut by Randy during the height of her career! She'd just broken big with her vocals on "Street Life" by the Crusaders – and although that track's not on here, the Crusaders team of Wilton Felder, Stix Hooper, and Joe Sample produced the album, and have given it a very similar sound to that track. There's a few weak moments where Randy's singing in a mellower style that lets her voice wobble a bit too much – but the stronger tracks have a good jazz funk groove, and these include "Blue Flame", "Last Night At Danceland", and "My Heart Is Not As Young As It Used To Be". ~ Dusty Groove
RANDY CRAWFORD - SECRET COMBINATION / WINDSONG
A Randy Crawford double-header – with bonus tracks too! First up is the album Secret Combination, rich, proud work from Randy Crawford – sung with the mature mix of jazz and soul that made her one of the more sophisticated mainstream singers of her generation! The album's heavy on mellower cuts, but it's never too sleepy – thanks to a slow-burning sensibility that Randy uses to keep things cooking on the low burners – a style that brings out some good vocal force even when the backings are somewhat gentle. Production's by Tommy LiPuma, and somewhat slick, and tracks include "You Might Need Somebody", "That's How Heartaches Are Made", "Two Lives", "You Bring The Sun Out", "Rio De Janeiro Blue", "Time For Love", "Trade Winds", and "When I Lose My Way". Windsong features Randy singing with relatively full arrangements – smooth, but never too slick – and done in a way that really lets her vocals take command of the entire set. Titles include "Look Who's Lonely Now", "Letter Full Of Tears", "He Reminds Me", "Windsong", "One Hello", "Don't Come Knockin", "We Had A Love So Strong", and "This Night Won't Last Forever". Bonus tracks include a live version of "Street Life" and a duet with Al Jarreau on "Your Precious Love". ~ Dusty Groove
RANDY CRAWFORD - NIGHTLINE / ABSTRACT EMOTIONS
Two 80s gems from Randy Crawford – with bonus tracks too! Niteline is a great crossover moment for Randy Crawford – a set that's filled with catchy little numbers that really helped to break her big to a larger audience, yet still with all the jazzy class of her earlier records too! Linda and Cecil Womack contributed a number of excellent songs to the set, and these balance out the soul component nicely – rounding things out alongside a few of the more crossover tracks. Backings are polished, but still never too clunky or commercial – leaving lots of room for those classic Crawford vocals – and titles include "Nightline", "Living On The Outside", "The Bottom Line", "In Real Life", "Happy Feet", "Lift Me Up", and "Ain't No Foolin". Also features bonus cuts – "Nightline (special version)" and "Nightline (inst dub)". On Abstract Emotions, Randy Crawford's working with arrangements and production from Reggie Lucas – all very much in that sweet 80s style he was bringing to work with other artists at the time! There's plenty of beats, guitars, and keyboards in the instrumentation – pushing an overall sound that's more electric than some of Randy's jazzier sides from the early days. But Ms Crawford's vocals come out strongly on top of it all – with a poised presence that's clearly the main focus of the set. Lucas plays guitar, and also wrote a few of the tracks – and titles include "Can't Stand The Pain", "Actual Emotional Love", "World Of Fools", "Betcha", "Desire", "Getting Away With Murder", and "Almaz". CD features bonus tracks – "Getting Away With Murder (ext)", "Desire (edit)", "Desire (Victor Flores rmx)", "Desire (Victor Flores ext)", and "Desire (acappella)".~ Dusty Groove
RANDY CRAWFORD - RICH AND POOR / THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE
Randy Crawford at the cusp of the 90s – served up here on two very big albums from the CD generation! On Rich & Poor, Randy Crawford's really pushing her range nicely – still very much in the jazzy soul mode that brought her big notice right from the start, but also working towards some warmer moments that helped the record cross over nicely too! Randy's range is always amazing – able to inflect feeling into songs, even where you might not expect it – which keeps things interesting, even when some of the tracks are clearly going for the charts. Titles include "Every Kind Of People", "This Is The Love", "Separate Lives", "Love Is", "Cigarette In The Rain", "Wrap U Up", and "All It Takes Is Love". Also features a bonus track – "Wrap U Up (edit)". Through The Eyes Of Love is filled with sweet grooves from Randy Crawford, and is a set that does a really nice job of bringing back some of the jazzier elements from her roots – some warm Crusaders-like inflections that bring Crawford right back to her best sort of style! Instrumentation is nicely laidback at points – still smooth, but maybe a bit more relaxed than some of Randy's late 80s efforts – showing that return to classic elements that was coming into a lot of mainstream soul at the time. The approach works better here with Crawford than it does with most of her contemporaries – some of whom were caught out in the open without any studio tricks to help them out. Titles include "It's Raining", "Who's Crying Now", "When Love Is New", "Diamonte", "Just A Touch", "Like The Sun Out of Nowhere", and "Hold On Be Strong". ~ Dusty Groove
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Posted: 31 Oct 2013 08:07 AM PDT
REMIXED WITH LOVE BY JOEY NEGRO (VARIOUS ARTISTS)
Upcoming remix album from Joey Negro featuring: Mass Production - Welcome To Our World (Joey Negro Funk In The Music Mix); Patrice Rushen - Haven't You Heard (Joey Negro Extended Disco Mix); Roxy Music - The Same Old Scene (Joey Negro Disco Scene Mix); TW Funkmasters - Love Money (Joey Negro Dubwise Revision); Karen Young - Hot Shot (Joey Negro Sure Shot Mix); Narada Michael Walden - Tonight (I'm Alright) (Joey Negro Spirit Of '79 Mix); Loleatta Holloway - Hit And Run (Joey Negro Dub Sensation); Kleeer - Tonight's The Night (Good Time) (Joey Negro Partytime Tonight Mix); Phreek Feat. Donna McGhee - May My Love Be With You (Joey Negro Tribute To Patrick Adams); Kleeer - I Love To Dance (Joey Negro Extended Disco Mix); Mass Production - Cosmic Lust (Joey Negro 7 Minutes Of Jazz Funk Mix); Ashford & Simpson - Over And Over (Joey Negro Find A Friend Mix); Roy Ayres - Get On Up Get On Down (Joey Negro Revibe); Narada Michael Walden - I Should've Loved Ya (Joey Negro Should've Dubbed Ya Mix); Matt Bianco - Half A Minute (Joey Negro Sunburnt Mix); Electric Empire – Always (Joey Negro Classic Mix); Princess Freesia – Freesia (Joey Negro Cookie Dough Mix); and Bobby Caldwell - Down For The Third Time (Joey Negro Down For The 4th Time Edit).
M1, BRIAN JACKSON & THE NEW MIDNIGHT BAND - EVOLUTIONARY MINDED FEATURING THE LEGACY OF GIL SCOTT-HERON
Brian Jackson re-ignites the righteous magic he forged back in the 70s with Gil Scott-Heron on a set of legendary albums that we'll treasure forever – but he does so here in a richly collaborative spirit that takes the message and the music even farther than ever! Jackson's keyboards and sense of composition really holds the whole thing together – but the sound also includes contributions from a whole host of others – including MC M1, vocalists Martin Luther and Gregory Porter, percussionists Bill Summers and Airto, speakers Bobby Seale and Abiodun Oyewole, drummer Stanton Moore, and guest MCs Chuck D and Dead Prez. Some tracks are remakes of older Gil Scott-Heron numbers, but most are new grooves that really offer up a 21st Century take on the combination of knowledge and rhythm that Brian and Gil forged back in the 70s. Titles include "Go Ahead On Bobby", "Winter In America", "Opponent", "Liberation Psychology", "All We Got", "Tradition", and "Song Of The Wind". ~ Dusty Groove
DIGGIN' P-VINE PLANET FUNK MIXED BY MURO (VARIOUS ARTISTS)
DJ Muro normally mixes it up with classic funk and soul – but this time around, he's turned his mighty talents to a host of contemporary tracks from the deep funk underground – work from labels like Timmion, Record Kicks, and other hip indies – woven together here in a totally great blend of heavy drums and raw funky instrumentation! The tracks are all great on their own – but Muro's work really shows us what the right sort of DJ can do with the material – lining up the best breaks and tightest riffs – to come up with a stunning tapestry of sound that's even better than the sum of its funky parts! Tracks include "Soul Investigators Theme" by Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators, "Kool & The Gang" by Speedometer, "Truck Turner" by Undercover Express, "Purification (parts 1 & 2)" by Funkshone, "Pambiche" by New Cool Collective, "Midnight Feast Of Jazz" by Nick Pride & The Pimptones, "The Ghetto There's No Way Out" by The Soul Immigrants, "With Time" by Katzuma, "Got To Let My Feelings Show" by Bluey, "Stompin Joe" by Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro, and "Break The Fast" by Eddie Roberts West Coast Sounds. 24 tracks – and 70 minutes of music! ~ Dusty Groove
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