listen out for 2012...
• Gregory Porter - Be Good / Tasche - ...A Love Worth Fighting For / Glam Slam And His Combo - The Riviera Sessions
Gregory Porter has been embraced, with great speed, into the hearts of many Soul and Jazz pundits, after a period of nearly 3 years since his album 'Water' arrived here, (with hardly any fanfare I might add). 'Water' saw a re-release last year, and it became the album nearly everybody missed after it's initial outing. Gregory hit the television screens over the festive period in 2011. Oddly, Betty Wright makes an appearance below here, and she performed on the excellent Jools Holland's Hootenanny programme, along with our Gregory here. That show does encourage the performer to work on their most popular material, due to the nature of the festive gig, I guess. Gregory also showcased on the Carole King and Friends show at Christmas as well. His performance was a little less intense on that show, which allowed Gregory to showcase the tender aspects of the man's delivery and music. One aspect of this fine singer, that did shine through on both shows, was his very appealing disposition. Gentle giant of a man, who certainly has a great appreciation of the heritage of this music. Perhaps the best song around at the moment, eminates from the grooves of this new album 'Be Good'. 'On My Way To Harlem' is a terrific song, which is perhaps a more effective 'message song' than the dancer '1960 What', which is also a great refective dancer, but is much more intense as a song. That tune has been remixed from the 'Water' album, so it does not make an appearance here. On the Carole King programme, Gregory sang the title track from this album 'Be Good (Lion's Song)' on the show. A very tender ballad, almost nursery rhythmic in format, which adds to it's charm. 'Be Good' is released on the Motema imprint, by the way, and is a 12 track CD. So what of the other winners (and that is exactly what they are, all told)? 'Painted On Canvas' is a beautiful and eloquent opener, and sets the downtempo theme of much of this album. 'When Did You Learn' is a killer track, that would be the type of song I would imagine that late Donny Hathaway vocalising, should he had endured and been helped during his period of despair. In many ways, this album could be descibed as the album Donny never recorded....so Gregory did. I have always loved 'God Bless The Child' and Gregory almost records the track as an acapella song. It's great that people like Gregory are making albums such as this release, if for no other reason, that his music encourages folks into a musical room that, at times, is perceived as a 'be-bop hip' closed shop. Great album, and will be one of the best of 2012, albeit we are one twelth of the way to the next Hootenenanny.
Tasche is a new singer to me, although this set is this Californian based vocalist's second album release, according to the blurb that is posted with this release. This album is released on his own Tasche Vibe Music label, through several retailers, including CD Baby. Tasche has a very soft vocal style, which is complimented by some warm soulful background intrumentation, reminding me in places of the Kem release from a few months ago. I would say at this point, that this album is a pretty much downtempo release (as was Kem's), however, there are some very nice moments on this release. As a 'complete' album, I think the jury is still out on that aspect, although, it is worthy of your attention for those high points. The killer track for me here has to be 'Nothing I Can Say' which has a lovely steppy groove, in the way Imprompt2 often craft much of their musical material. The more I listen to this song, the more it creeps up on this listener (especially the keyboard groove half way though). Hints of Kenny Lattimore in my humble opinion. Of the other songs on offer here 'Memories' is a very tasty slice of modern Soul music. Perhaps not to many folks tastes, however, ignore 'Nothing I Can Say' at your peril!
Lemongrass Music employ a nice guy called Daniel, who has sent me links on a regular basis for many albums his label have been releasing. Many of these albums are great for many folks out there, although I have been waiting for an album which is aimed right between these particular turnatbles, and it arrived this week! I think for, generation of product alone, these guys deserve an honour bestowed upon them. I am always impressed by the mass of music generated by these guys....and now the content is coming through! The wonderfully named Glam Slam And His Combo (echoes of Kid Creole I think!) release this 6 track mini album, which is full if ingenuity and humour. A dancer based on Bridgette Bardot opens proceedings, whilst 'Intermezzo' drifts in and out of the James Brown suite stylistically. Great track, full of energy. 'Blues De Soleil' is a straight ahead Jazz track, which ought to be described as 'dinner', although Glam and the gang enthuse their own intensity, which keeps the listener on their toes! Getting to the meat of the music here now....well the track 'The Riviera Stroll' is almost Basia/Matt Bianco at their finest. Finger clicking Jazz stepper of a very high order. If you feel the post festive blues, this will certainly lift the spirits...and mine's a... Highly recommended release. Cheered me up no end! Thank you Daniel!
• Betty Wright & The Roots - Betty Wright: The Movie / Ward Brown - Where I Should Be / Alicia Myers - Peace Of Mind
Ten years ago Betty Wright released an album entitled 'Fit For A King' on her own Ms B. label. Since that time we have heard very little from Betty, and, out of the blue (and ten years down the line), one arrives, this time seeing Betty performing with the group the Roots. They recently collaborated with John Legend, and, as with that album, the group acknowledge (with the greatest respect) the recordings from years gone by. Betty is in very fine voice on this new album, and on here she records tracks alongside Lil Wayne, the great Lenny Williams and the U.K. singer Joss Stone (who has worked with Betty for a while now I believe). The album title suggests a movie is in the pipeline, although I am not sure whether that is ready at the moment, or whether the album is simply titled as a soundtrack. All that aside, this is a very good new release, recorded with real instruments and is hugely authentic in recreating the sound Betty achieved at TK during the Seventies. The killer tracks on here, for these old ears, are the retro flavoured 'So Long, So Wrong', (which could have been recorded back in 1975), as could also be said of my favourite track 'Whisper In The Wind'. The latter song is my favourite track on offer here, and is a collaboration with Joss Stone (who is not my particular favourite singer, although I do know I am in a minority there), however, Joss enhances the song, rather than 'breaks the sound barrier' with the melody. Very nice tune, which has all the hallmarks of being a big song in Chicago, as it is a top drawer stepper of a tune. A very welcome return to the studio for one of the great Soul songstresses of recent years.
Ward Brown is a singer, who I have been in touch with for a while now. He is a real nice man, who has the knack of communicating very well with people. Something that is hugely important in promotion etc. Ward makes great music, as well as having a very good empathy with the music of the past. This is highlighted on the album opener 'Love Is On My Mind', which has a Jackson'-esque 'Heartbreak Hotel' rhythm running throughout the song. I think this track will be the most radio friendly song on the album for many deejays out there. There are nine tracks on show here, which cover all tempo's, and are all of the highest quality. Of interest to Soul fans is the song 'The Beg' which sees Ward collaborating with the band Instant Funk (of 'Got My Mind Made Up' fame). 'Privacy' is another tracks that really appeals, set at mid tempo, this is a very memorable song, as is another winner in the form of 'You're All I Need'. The choice track for myself here, is another, almost Chicago style stepper, 'Last Call'. There is something that is hugely appealing about this particular format, as it lends itself to a Philly-style treatment. A very good new album, out on Early Park Entertainment, from one of the good music guys out there.
Alicia Myers used to sing, as you know I am sure, with Al Hudson, whether he was either with his 'Partners', or as part of the group One Way. Alicia is, probably, best known for her song 'I Wanna Thank You', which has now become something of a Modern Soul Music classic. In fact, this is Alicia's sixth album, no less. Bet none of us would have guessed that! This new album is something of a renaissance for this great singer. I forwarded a copy of this album to two deejays, who have both given the set a huge thumbs up, which it thoroughly deserves. The most radio friendly track on offer here, is likely to be 'Higher', although, this set is certainly not a one tracker album. In fact it is probably, one of the best releases of the year. 'I Will Stand By You' is my current pick of the songs from this album, although I know that will change on future spins. 'United We Stand' is a hugely catchy opener, followed by the very strong melody realized in the form of 'Fallin' Apart'. 'I Really, Really Want You Now' is a really lovely Soul tune, set at mid-tempo, watch this song as it is a real grower. 'Journey' is a retro dancer, which could have been lifted from one of her earlier Eighties albums, as could have the song 'Fancy Dancer' (not the Lenny White tune, by the way). The album closes with the ballad album title track, which simply lets us know that Alicia still can reach all of the notes she reached back in 1982, with a fine melody thrown in for good measure! Probably one of Alicia's finest, if not the finest, of all her albums. Hugely recommended.
