Tuesday, October 27, 2015

NEW RELEASES: LEILA MARIA - CANTA BILLIE HOLIDAY IN RIO; GORAN KAJFES SUBTOPIC ARKESTRA - THE REASON WHY VOL. 2; SOIL & PIMP SESSIONS - A NIGHT IN SOUTH BLUE MOUNTAIN

LEILA MARIA - CANTA BILLIE HOLIDAY IN RIO

Not the usual Billie Holiday tribute set – given the fresh approach that Leila Maria brings to her vocals, and the way that the album's mix of arrangers really change things up! The album's definitely cast in Billie's legacy, but not slavishly so – and instead has this cool, contemporary vibe that mixes some Brazilian jazz currents in with Maria's soulful readings of the lyrics – amidst a shifting set of backdrops handled by keyboardists Cristovao Bastos, Delia Fischer, Paulo Midosi, Fernando Costa, and others. Definitely a jazz vocal album, but one with a spirit all its own – and titles that include "Easy Living", "Good Morning Heartache", "Comes Love", "Swing Brother Swing", "Same Old Story", "You Go To My Head", and "God Bless The Child".  ~ Dusty Groove

GORAN KAJFES SUBTOPIC ARKESTRA - THE REASON WHY VOL. 2

A stunner of a record from trumpeter Goran Kajfes – an artist we've loved for years, but who really blows us away even more with this set! The first album with his Subtropic Arkestra was a real revelation – a bold step into funkier, more globally-conscious territory – but this second effort is even more powerful and righteous, and this amazing album that ties together so many different strands of music! Kajfes' vision is broad enough to encompass roots from Africa, the Middle East, and even some of the 70s cross-cultural experiments on the European scene – as well as the collaborative efforts of larger ensembles like the Sun Ra Arkestra or Fela's Afrika 70s – both of whom would be a good comparison tot he lively energy of this great group. Players include Jonas Kullhammar and Per Rusktrask Johansson on reeds, Jesper Nordenstrom on organ and keyboards, and a number of other key underground players on the Scandinavian scene – and the record features versions of work by Milton Nascimento, Okay Temiz, Francis Bebey, and even Grizzly Bear – but all given a unique twist by the group. Tremendous stuff – with titles that include "Tamzara", "A Lua Girou", "New Track", "Dokuz Seki/Esmerim", and "Yet Again". ~ Dusty Groove

SOIL & PIMP SESSIONS - A NIGHT IN SOUTH BLUE MOUNTAIN

Storming sounds from this ultra-cool combo – and a record that's maybe even more jazz-based than some of their other recent efforts! The date's a live one, and has the group stepping out with tremendous dexterity right from the start – those cascading lines that make for a rock-solid rhythmic core, while the tenor and trumpet send searing solos over the top – solos that feel, to us, a lot more developed than in their earlier material – and we already even loved those records to death! The tenor gets some especially nice moments – and really opens up with solo passages that sometimes even start off a tune – with a soulful depth that's sure to win over anyone who's ever doubted their jazz chops. Soil & Pimp are a combo we've been loving for years – and this album makes us fall in love with them all over again! Includes great remakes of "Montara", "Una Mas", "Mr Clean", and "Spartacus Love Theme" – plus originals "Suffocation" and "First Lady". (SHM-CD pressing!)  ~ Dusty Groove


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