HELEN
MERRILL & PIERO UMILIANI - PAROLE E MUSICA
A
strange and obscure session that has the cool jazz vocals of American singer
Helen Merrill backed by a small Italian combo led by soundtrack composer Piero
Umiliani – a wonderful mix that really makes the album an unusual one for
Helen! The music was originally recorded for a TV program in Italy, and each
track is preceded by an Italian voice, reciting Italian versions of the lyrics
over spare musical backing – then Merrill's voice comes in with a bigger jazz
group, singing each track in English – a very nice level of presentation! And
although the whole thing sounds crazy, it actually works well – and gives the
album a compelling edge and kind of a sexy late-night quality. Tracks include
"Solitude", "Everything Happens To Me", "Night &
Day", "Why Don't You Do Right", and "Willow Weep For
Me". ~ Dusty Groove
THE FAR OUT MONSTER DISCO ORCHESTRA
A really
wonderful project that was years in the making – a mix of American club and
Brazilian elements – put together by a group that includes members of Azymuth
and Banda Black Rio, as well as the legendary Arthur Verocai! Jose Roberto
Bertrami's the strongest contributor here – and the music really echoes that
great late 70s/early 80s point when the Azymuth fusion groove crossed over into
tighter, funkier territory – coming off here with a sound that's got really
universal appeal and a wickedly classic vibe overall – like some unusual
cross-breeding of Brazilian grooves and Salsoul Records! Vocals are by Mia
Mendes and Marcina Arnold, but the instrumentation is even better than the
lyrics – filled with jazzy touches, blended with bits of strings, and perfectly
produced all the way through. Really tremendous stuff – one of the freshest
records we've heard from Far Out in years – with titles that include
"Mystery", "Keep Believing", "Dead Dance",
"The Last Carnival", "A Disco Supreme",
"Vendetta", and "Don't Cha Know He's Alright". ~ Dusty Groove
THE ROOTS - AND THEN YOU SHOOT YOUR COUSIN
The
Roots still delivering the goods after all these years! And Then You Shoot Your
Cousin is seemingly one of their more uncompromising efforts, which is saying
something for this crew. Their career arc to this point is as fascinating as
ever – going from backing up and sharing credit with singers as varied as John
Legend and Elvis Costello, to delivering their own deep, concept driven records
like this one and the preceding Undun – they're never predictable. It seems
like the financial security of a steady TV gig has really liberated The Roots
to follow their creative ideals when it's time to work on a new record, and the
world's better for that! Existentialist hip hop soul? Whatever you want to call
it, it's deeply thoughtful, timeless stuff. It takes a little while to sink in,
but once it does, it stays with you. Includes "Never" with Patty
Crash, "The Devil", "Black Rock" feat Dice Raw, "Dies
Irie", "The Coming" feat Mercedes Martinez, "The Dark
(Trinity)" feat Dice Raw & Greg Porn, plus "The Unraveling"
and "Tomorrow", both feat Raheem Devaughn.~ Dusty Groove
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