Orgone - Killion Vaults [2010]

Killion Vaults is the second full-length dropped by California nonet Orgone in 2010. The first one, Cali Fever, was issued in June to very positive reviews. But it's not a mere extension of the celebratory hard funk and psychedelic beat consciousness of its predecessor, nor the gritty Southern-styled funk and groove of the similarly named debut, Killion Floor, from 2007. Instead, this 18-track set is the first all-instrumental set issued by Orgone; while it's true that lead vocalist Fanny Franklin is named in the credits here, she doesn't sing a note. Consequently, the cuts on Killion Vaults feel more like vamp-based jams that would be in a soundtrack rather than actual songs. These tracks are more steeped in delay, fuzz, distortion, dub, and reverb effects, and sound very retro. The vibe is also more laid-back than on their previous recordings, though that isn't a minus. There's more to take in here, since the arrangements are less dense but no less present and the sonics are more expansive. The entire thing flows from beginning to end with a very consistent midtempo smoulder rather than a dancefloor burn. World music influences from reggae, Ethio-jazz, Malian funk, and highlife are juxtaposed alongside choppy, druggy funk, as on the stellar "Waiting." Other standouts include the moody, noir-ish "Interloper," with its surf-styled guitar and drifting organ and well-placed vibes; the Morricone-esque yet Afro-jazz on "Dark Falls"; the psychedelic Orientalism of "Dead Reckoning"; "Sonny's Lament," with its feel and sound similar to the Animals' version of "House of the Rising Sun"; and the nasty clavinet-driven funk in "Cruel Intentions." Each of these tracks is short -- the longest piece here is three and a half minutes -- making for a breezy, cinematic single-setting listen. Killion Vaults is another laid-back but no less sophisticated side of Orgone; fans of film music, retro funk, rock, and danceworthy world music should take note.

Enjoy!

Bobby Bryant - The Jazz Excursion Into Hair [1979]

Master Trumpeter Bobby Bryant Brings The Funk On This One. A Jazz Excursion Into Hair, The Title Says All You Need To Know. Dope Bass, Horns And Flute Work On This Album. Very Nice Take On The Music From Hair.

Enjoy!

CODONA III (1982)

CODONA is a fusion jazz trio born during the late 70’s.
CODONA’s name is derived from the leading letters of the first names of its three members.
It has an Indian feel due to the presence of sitar/tabla player Collin Walcott (“co”).
He is accompanied by the trumpeter Don Cherry (“do”) who is a founder of free jazz,
(notably worked with the Indian jazz fusion artist L. Shankar),
the adventurous Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos (“na”),
also known for his work with the Pat Metheny Group. N...CODONA is a fusion jazz trio
born during the late 70’s.

Next to Walcott personal “eastern” touch, this project is also a great fusion between
several “world” influences, from Africa, to Japan. Three “eclectic”, “ethereal” albums have
been released for ECM.
They are all essential for fans of "world" fusion jazz music.

Watch!

Enjoy!

Jimmy Page Robert Plant Gnawa Fusion Marrakech 1993

Jimmy Page Robert Plant Gnawa Fusion Marrakech... από hatim-

Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Mercato (2011)

Follow-up to 2010’s acclaimed EP Addis-Abeba, Mercato is the debut album by Swiss band Imperial Tiger Orchestra, the finest connoisseurs and grooviest performers of Ethiopian music from the Golden Age.

Raphaël Anker, trumpet player from Geneva, one day decides to gather musicians for a live performance revisiting the golden age of Ethiopian music. It's 2007, and the experience is so memorable that the one shot happening becomes a band: Imperial Tiger Orchestra.

Consisting of members with very diverse backgrounds (free jazz, noise experimentations, contemporary music, twisted pop…) the Orchestra tests the grounds with an EP and a 7" breaking the boundaries of genres followed by a trip to Addis-Abeba where they perform with local luminaries and learn about the large diversity of Ethiopian music. A life-changing experience which brings them back to the studio for their debut album: Mercato.

Overseen with flair by Ethiopian music expert Jeoren Visse, Mercato is a mesmerizing re-interpretation of Ethiopian music's golden age mixed with the digitalized themes that appeared in the 80s and filtered through the eclectic influences of the Orchestra. It's a fascinating retro-futuristic piece of music, close yet totally different from the songs that inspired the band. It's progressive Ethiopian rock!

Whether saluting Mahmoud Ahmed on "Lale Lale", re-interpretating the classic wedding theme "Shinet", or taking Martha Ashagani's "Zoma" to new heights, the Orchestra always does it with its unique vision while honoring the Ethiopian originals. Thunderous rhythms and feverish hooks, down tempo moments and fast paced epiphanies, electronic sounds and ambient nirvanas, Mercato explores multiples paths and never loses its warm groove. A winter Mercato sure to bring fire to stages this summer

Enjoy! 

Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens - What Have You Done, My Brother? [2009]

Daptone's latest release by Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens, out Tuesday, May 26, is a little bit Sam Cooke, a lot '60s soul, and all in servitude to the Lord. “What Have You Done, My Brother” is such a fine record. Lyrically, it's all gospel but numerous tracks sound straight out of the '60s soul bin. While that may sound foolish knowing it's a Daptone record, credit Cliff Driver and the various Dap-Kings members that play on this record for really giving it a nice soundbed. Also, credit the Gospel Queens - Edna Johnson, Bobbie Jean Gant, and Cynthia Langston - as they really enliven the call-and-response with Shelton.

Driver, the musical director of the group, is a pianist who has backed numerous soul legends such as the R and B of R&B... Ruth Brown, Solomon Burke, and even had a stint in Latin music working with the Johnny Ortega Band. If you recognize the lead vocalist, it's because she appeared on the Desco 45 “41st St. Breakdown” by Naomi Davis and the Knights of Forty First Street and on The Sugarman Three's “Promised Land.”

The album was culled mainly from sessions in the summer of 2007 with some even predating that. The title track is the most secular of the material and has a distinct Daptone sound, which may be the reason why it was chosen as the lead single. Elsewhere “I'll Take The Long Road” and “I Need You To Hold My Hand” really dig deep into the gospel roots and are the two showcases on the album. The former leads with the same guitar lick as Cooke's “That's Where It's At” and is a slow gospel burner. Shelton sings with passion about walking side-by-side on her journey to redemption.

While she's not the firecracker that Sharon Jones is, Naomi exudes a confidence that more than makes up for the lack of sass. After all, who says you have to have attitude to make a good album? With the opening chords on “What Is This,” which resemble the opening of Cooke classic “A Change Is Gonna Come” (which is also the album closer), you get a sense that you'll be on a long but righteous road of glory. If you have a set of headphones for your walk, be sure to bring this album with you.

Enjoy!

Inez Foxx - At Memphis (1971)

Best known for her mid-60s, soulful smashes with brother Charlie Foxx ("Mockingbird", "Hurt By Love", "Ask Me") and the duo's outrageous live performances, Inez Foxx went solo in the late '60s and eventually recorded a killer LP for the legendary Stax label.

'Inez Foxx at Memphis' is as powerful and in-your-face as the cover shot... While the well-piped Foxx wraps some subtle vocals around the almost loungin' soul ballad "I Had a Talk With My Man" and the late-night, dreamy slowie "The Time", she's really at her finest when rippin' it up on the rawer cuts.

"The Lady, The Doctor and the Prescription" features the hardest rhythm; a ferocious back beat propels the entire song, with Inez going for some all-out wailing on the outro. The arrangement bestowed on Betty Lavette's seminal "Let Me Down Easy" is beautiful, Hayes-ian in its tasteful lavishness, and topped off with maybe Inez's finest vocal tour de force. "Crossing Over The Bridge" starts similarly epic, and then goes into a funky double-time rag. "Saving Me For a Rainy Day" is equally dynamic, construed as it is out of a mellow set-up and a rollickin', foot tappin' chorus.

Crackelin' country soul - by way of Memphis - comes in the guise of the comforting, soothing, mid-tempo head bobber "There's a Hand That's Reaching Out", featuring minimalist string arrangements and gorgeous backing vocals. And there's plenty of fatback funk in the bouncy "You Don't Want My Love", which stars some snappy guitar lines.

The strangest tune here arguably is "Mousa Muse"; with a funky, jazzy instrumental playing in the back, we can hear Memphis DJ Perry 'The Nightowl' Allen conducting a short interview with Inez. Her church roots, her brother Charlie and the Stax songwriting team (the then recently deceased Raymond Jackson gets a special mention) are the subject, with Inez further giving advice to young hopefuls.

A slamming, eclectic album filled with powerhouse Southern Soul.

Enjoy!

Barney Wilen-Moshi (1973)

Barney Wilen for Saravah from 1972.
Barney Wilen (ts) Michel Graillier (el-p) Pierre Chaze (g) Christian Tritsch,Simon (el-b) Micheline Pelzer (d) Didier Leon (takamba, oud) Caroline de Bendern, Marva Broome, Babeth Lamy, Laurence (vcl)
Completely bonkers mash up of afro to free jazz with field recordings and vocal harmonies - out there and all the better for it.Recommended.

In 1970 Barney Wilen assembled a team of filmmakers, technicians and musicians to travel to Africa for the purpose of recording the music of the native pygmy tribesupon returning to Paris two years later, he created Moshi, a dark, eccentric effort fusing avantjazz sensibilities with African rhythms, ambient sound effects and melodies rooted in American blues traditions. Cut with French and African players including guitarist Pierre Chaze, pianist Michel Graillier and percussionist Didier Leon, this is music with few precedents or followers, spanning from extraterrestrial dissonance to earthbound, streetlegal funk.Wilen pays little heed to conventional structure, assembling tracks like "Afrika Freak Out" and "Zombizar" from spare parts of indeterminate origins.Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

A wild and groundbreaking record recorded by the great French tenor player Barney Wilen! Although he got his start as a bebopper in the 50's, Wilen sort of dropped out of sight by the end of the 60's and only emerged from time to time to cut strangely experimental sides. This record is unlike anything he ever made, and features a wild mix of African rhythms, ambient sound, and Wilen's deep deep tenor. By this point, Wilen had been absorbing a lot of different influences, from Coltrane, to Pharoah Sanders, to some of the European free players, and his sound is a weird mish mash of styles that weaves in and out of all the stuff on the record. It's a haunting bit of afro jazz and funky noise, with some cuts that are spacey, and others that are nice and funky. Dusty Groove.

Enjoy!

Chico Hamilton - The Master [1973]

A totally excellent bit of funk from Chico Hamilton  working with a great group

that more than helps their leader live up to the album's title!The record's a real

lost gem and it's got Chico working in much funkier territory than before, grooving

with complicated rhythms, and a heavy sound that features lots of work on organ

and guitar. Lowell George (of Little Feat fame)is playing slide guitar in the group, 

giving the sound a great, muddy propellant which only gets stronger with the help of

Simon Nava and Sam Clayton on congas,plus heavy organ and piano by Stu Garner, Jerry 

Aiello and Bill Payne. Includes the killer Latin groover "Conquistadores 74",

plus "Stu", "Feels Good", "Fancy","Stacy", Gengis" and "I Can Hear The Grass Grow". 



Personnel

Chico Hamilton - Drums
Bill Payne - Piano
Simon Nava - Congas
Lowell George - Slide guitar
Kenny Gradney - Bass
Paul Barrere - Guitar
Stu Gardner - Organ
Sam Clayton - Congas
Jerry Aiello - Organ



Track Listing

01.One Day Five Months Ago
02.Feels Good
03.Fancy
04.Stu
05.Gengis
06.Conquistadores 
07.Stacy
08.I Can Hear The Grass Grow
  

Enjoy!

Airto Moreira - Natural Feelings (1970)

A perfect blend of (Latin) jazz ranging from intricately structured to free--sometimes over the course of a single tune, and with Airto tastefully showing why he's considered such a master of percussion throughout.

Credits:

Percussions, Drums, Vocals: Airto Moreira
Vocals: Flora Pulmer
Guitar: Sivuca
Organ, Harpischord, Piano, Flute: Hermeto Pascoal
Bass: Ron Carter
Producers: Bob Small & Gary McFarland
BUDDHA RECORDS. 1970...

Tracks:

1. Alue - 3:55
2. Xibaba (She-Ba-Ba) - 4:35
3. Terror - 9:45
4. Bebe - 3:30
5. Andei - 2:55
6. Mixing - 4:25
7. The Tunnel - 3:00
8. Frevo - 2:35
9. Liamba - 2:15

Enjoy!