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Michael Franks | Time Together

Michael Franks
“Time Together”
(Shanachie)

A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway

For his 18th album and first in five years, ever-mellow singer/songwriter Michael Franks delivers the perfect soundtrack to summer. Longtime fans will recognize the 11-song CD as largely comfy and familiar territory with a top shelf sampling of styles.

Thematically, Time Together is part travelogue and part autobiography with a taste of socio-political observation. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Malika Zarra | Berber Taxi

Malika Zarra - Berber Taxi
 
Album Review: Malika Zarra – Berber Taxi
By Peggy Oliver
 
Most have heard the old saying life imitating art. Yet maybe art imitating life would best apply to singer/songwriter Malika Zarra. Zarra was practically a sponge from the time she was singing and dancing as a little girl in her home country of Morocco. Even after she moved with her family to France at three years old, music would always rule Zarra’s mind and soul. Thanks to a wealth of music at her fingertips, her influences were extremely eclectic; from classic Moroccan pop (Haja Hamdaouia) to classic Arabic pop (Warda Al-Jazairia).

Soul Togetherness Presents The Skip Scarborough Songbook | Various Artists



Various Artists
The Skip Scarborough Songbook
(Soul Togetherness)
CD Review by Marv D

Do you remember singing the line, “I have never been in love…before” or “You want my love and you can’t deny?”  How about, “Would you mind…if I touched, if I kissed, if held you tight / In the morning light, yeah (ohhhh)” or “Giving you the best that I’ve got.”  Those classic songs were originally sung by L.T.D. (“Love Ballad”), Creative Source (“You Can’t Hide Love”), Earth Wind & Fire (“Love’s Holiday”) and Anita Baker (“Giving You the Best That I Got”), but ALL of them were written by prolific songwriter/producer Clarence “Skip” Scarborough (1944-2003). To continue, please click “MORE”!

Monday Michiru | Don’t Disturb This Groove

Monday Michiru – Don’t Disturb This Groove

By Peggy Oliver
 
Monday
Michiru is a woman who has worn a lot of hats. Though she was born to
notable jazz musicians, the Japanese born multi-gifted talent has also
tapped into acting, journalism and as a media host. But when successful
musicians are surrounded with like-minded family members, it is only
natural that they want to carry on in their parent’s footsteps. Michiru
Michiru parents just happen to be pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and
saxophonist Charlie Mariano. Her mother was one of the few women during
the fifties to make a big impression in the bebop jazz and was noted as
the first female arranger and composer by Down Beat Magazine Readers
Choice in 1984. Mariano has played with Charles Mingus and Japanese
saxophone player Sadeo Watanabe; combining jazz and occasionally
incorporating world music. Like her mother, Michiru is a well respected
arranger and composer. Like her father, Michiru picked up a woodwind
instrument in the flute. She also discovered there was another
instrument inside of her. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Keke Wyatt | Unbelievable!

KekeWyatt_Unbelievable
 
Keke Wyatt | Unbelievable!
Shanchie Entertainment
 
By Peggy Oliver
 
It seems Keke Wyatt is finally making up for lost time. Since being first introduced to the public in 2001 with Soul Sista, personal matters and record label issues consumed Wyatt’s path towards more radio exposure for radio and notoriety as a solo recording artist.

“An Evening With Dave Grusin” (DVD-Blu-ray Disc)

“An Evening with Dave Grusin” (Blu-ray disc)
(Heads Up Intl./Jazz Roots/Capsule Media/Concord)

Review by A. Scott Galloway

A living legend of music, keyboardist, composer, arranger, film and television scorer, producer and record label co-founder (GRP) Dave Grusin has a catalog of accomplishments that is astounding. This high definition Blu-ray presentation find the multi-faceted music master paying homage to three giants that crossed the jazz and Broadway worlds, along with a few of his own pieces from the Hollywood world. Centered around a live concert with 75-piece orchestra, rhythm section and stellar guest soloists as the foundation, the Blu-ray also boasts behind the scenes interview segments interwoven to illuminate both the process by which Grusin works and the mutual respect between he and his A-list of carefully selected collaborators. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Raphael Saadiq | Stone Rollin’

Album Review: Raphael Saadiq | Stone Rollin’

by Susan Mutahria


Dear Raphael Saadiq a.k.a ‘Ray Ray’,

 

You are giving me a heart attack and I want you back because I can’t get enough of your new album Stone Rollin’. Here is the situation. Ever since the album rolled out on May 10th,
I have had you on replay. I find myself looking for love from other
albums but then I figure out they are not you. You keep ‘old school’ so
steamy. You’re a good man, all cards on the table, music so good got me
dancing on the table. Stone Rollin’ is not enough for me, so all I ask of you is to go back to the studio and keep on working.”

 

Your huge fan,

 

Susan


Those who have not listened to the new album just branded me crazy. Others who know me well enough just branded me crazy then proceeded to buy the album. Either way you are all right because I am crazy about this album and the musical genius of Raphael Saadiq. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Tony Exum, Jr. | Finally!

Tony Exum - Finally!
 
Tony Exum, Jr., Finally!
by Brent Faulkner
 
Saxophonist Tony Exum Jr.’s recent effort Finally! is a fine addition to a somewhat crowded smooth jazz genre. With enough crossover appeal to court with urban music fans given its R&B under- and overtones, Finally! definitely possesses something for everybody. It is a hefty task to differentiate smooth jazz oft times, but Exum makes an album that is enjoyable despite any restriction with the genre itself.

Alphonse Mouzon | Angel Face

Alphonse Mouzon - Angel Face
 
Angel Face
Alphonse Mouzon
(Tenacious)
 
by A. Scott Galloway
 
In a musical universe obsessed with guitars and saxes, it’s sometimes a challenge for a drummer to get a little respect. Alphonse Mouzon has gotten his as much for his playing as for his acumen as a renegade independent record label owner (Tenacious Records), the original drummer of fusion pioneers Weather Report and for a four decade string of eclectic jazz recordings as a leader that swing from inside to outside and all the spaces in between (not to mention his colorful fashion sense).

Dennis Coffey | Dennis Coffey



Dennis Coffey | Dennis Coffey
(Strut)
by A. Scott Galloway

Guitarist Dennis Coffey was the ace on the case when Norman Whitfield slipped some psychedelic into Motown’s soul bag on game-changing sides by The Temptations starting with “Cloud Nine” on up through “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Ball of Confusion” and just about all of, naturally, the Psychedelic Shack Lp. He made a giant platform-shoed step from the shadows of Motown with the instrumental smash “Scorpio,” credited to  Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band, eternally linked to the mid-way portion of `70s “Soul Train” episodes and featuring a ferocious bass breakdown by Bob Babbitt. Dennis then recorded eight wah-wah-fied soul-rock albums as well as the score to Kung Fu fightin’ Jim Kelly’s first starring vehicle “Black Belt Jones.” Now following a pair of sleepy smooth jazz affairs in the `80s, Mr. Coffey returns with his first disc in 22 years doing a funky flashback sure to be met with approving head nods from crate diggers with his self-titled Dennis Coffey (available as a CD and double-vinyl Lp). Retro on every level, even the cover is a throwback to his 1973 Sussex Lp, Electric Coffey. To continue, please click “MORE”!

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