It’s already the 11th “Soul On The Real Side” collection. Amazing how time flies. The guys at Real Side Records and Outta Sight have come up with 20 rare soul gems again. A lot of previously unfamiliar names, lots of tracks released on CD for the first time, and most of the recordings from the…
She has accompanied us during the first years of the century with her inimitable voice and amazing production work by her husband, Louie Vega. Anané (Ana Martins), daughter of brilliant singer Joyce Moreno and percussionist Tutty Moreno, debuted with a full-length album in 2010. Now, ten years later, we get a 21-piece collection of many…
Composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Doug Stuart (bass, synth, Rhodes, piano, vocals, percussion) has studied with Robert Hurst and Geri Allen, ans has recently collaborated not only with jazz artists, but in Hip-Hop, House, Downtempo (listen to the 2019 Brijean wonder) and experimental genres as well. “Familiar Future” (out on Ropeadope October 16th) draws the line…
Keyboardist, pianist, composer, and singer Taber Gable, who has played and toured with Marcus Strickland, Nubya Garcia, Terrace Martin, Carolyn Leonhart, among many others, who has studied with Wynton Marsalis and Kenny Barron, and who is a much sought after musician on the New York scene, has finally released his debut album. I usually try…
I’m currently reading Ben Sidran‘s fascinating, behind-the-scenes biography of one of the most pivotal producers of the past decades, Tommy LiPuma. He has produced almost everybody from Miles Davis to George Benson, Barbra Streisand to the Manhattan Transfer, Rickie Lee Jones to Michael Franks. And he also produced Diana Krall who reflects: “Tommy was my…
Coming from a Gospel and Soul background and singing backing vocals for Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, or Kirk Franklin, it seems fitting that Loren Oden collaborates with arranger, producer, and composer Adrian Younge, who has recently worked with Roy Ayers and Marcos Valle for his “Jazz Is Dead” series. It seems as if…
It was back in March, just days before the Corona lockdown in Germany, when Sam Gendel‘s “Satin Doll” album came out. He totally destroyed a dozen or so standards and put them back together in a hilariously unique, fantastic way. Now he comes up with a space-age sounding follow-up. “DRM”, named after the Electro Harmonix…
“Love Letter”, the final album of one of the greatest saxophonists and composers in jazz, Jimmy Heath, was finished shortly before he passed away in January of this year. It features three original compositions in addition to five songs from Kenny Dorham, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday & Mal Waldron, Gordon Parks, and Billie Holiday and…
Growing up in the late 70s and early 80s with lots of listening to BFBS radio, I came into contact with British Funk and Soul music early on. The group Light Of The World was one of the father groups of this scene, with members like Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick who late formed Incognito, Paul “Tubbs”…
A new star in the making? He is only 13 years old and sounds like a seasoned pro on his forthcoming debut “Gruv Kid” (Shanachie), coming out on November 13th. His keyboard skills remind me of some of the groovier, funkier cuts that Bob James recorded in the 70s and 80s, mixed in with some…