Tag Archives: new music

Sam Newsome – Chaos Theory

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Title: Chaos Theory: Song Cycles for Prepared Saxophone
Artist: Sam Newsome
Label: New Music
Formats: CD, Digital
Release date: June 3, 2019

 

Saxophonist and composer Sam Newsome is perhaps best known for pushing the envelope of his instrument, expanding the sound palette through a wide range of avant-garde techniques. His arsenal includes everything from electronic manipulation to multi-phonics and micro-tones to sound effects produced by percussive slap tonguing—all spliced into a multi-layered concoction that defies categorization. On Chaos Theory, Newsome goes one step further by augmenting his soprano sax with plastic tubes between the neck and mouthpiece, extending the range by two or more octaves. The album’s 15 tracks are representative of Newsome’s “improvisatory art music in which jazz functions more as a resource than a musical genre.” Many of the track titles portend what is to come, such as the Middle Eastern overtones of “Tel Aviv,” the increasingly frenetic sounds of “Marching Towards Insanity,” and mechanical drone underlying “Boiler Room Aesthetics.” Throughout, there are also tracks that fall within the more typical parameters of jazz, such as “Solo No. 1 (Naked Truth).” Chaos Theory should appeal to anyone interested in experimental music, especially those with a desire to tinker with instruments. Continue reading →

April 2017 Releases of Note

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Following are additional albums released during April 2017—some will be reviewed in future issues of Black Grooves.

Blues, Folk, Country
Alberta Hunter: Collection 1921-1940 (Acrobat)
Guitar Slim Jr.: Story of my Life (reissue) (Orleans)
John Primer & Bob Corritore: Ain’t Nothing You Can Do! (Delta Groove Music)
Johnny Guitar Watson: Stressin’ The Strings (Southern Routes)
Mr. Sipp: Knock a Hole in It (Malaco)
Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm: S/T (Jay-Vee)
Vintage #18: Grit (digital)

Broadway, Classical
Eric Lamb: Icons (Orlando)
Various: Billy Porter Presents: The Soul of Richard Rodgers (Masterworks Broadway)

Funk, Rock, Pop, Electronic
Andre Cymone: 1969 (Blind Tango)
Aye Nako: Silver Haze (Don Giovanni)
B.T. Express: Give Up The Funk: The B.T. Express Anthology (1974-1982) (BBR)
Barenaked Ladies & Persuasions: Ladies & Gentlemen (Raisin’ Records)
Fuzzy Haskins: I Got My Thang Together – The Westbound Years (Westbound Uk)
Garland Jeffreys: 14 Steps to Harlem (Luna Park)
Here Lies Man: S/T (Riding Easy)
Leonce: Insurgency EP (Fade to Mind)
O+S (Cedric LeMoyne & Orenda Fink): You Were Once the Sun, Now You’re the Moon (Saddle Creek)
Various: Honeybeat: Groovy ’60s Girl Pop (Real Gone Music)

Gospel
Brenda Jefferson: Invocation (digital) (Scripture Music Group)
Tammy Mccann And The Grand Voices Of Glory Choir: Tammy Mccann And The Grand Voices Of Glory Choir (SAAR)
Yolanda Adams: Becoming (Red One Media)

Jazz
Adam Turchin: Manifest Destiny (Rope a Dope)
Bobby Watson: Made in America (Smoke Sessions)
Bottle Tree: S/T (International Anthem)
Charles Kynard: Afro-Disiac (vinyl reissue) (JazzDispensary)
China Moses: Nightentales (MPS)
Christian Sands: Reach (Mack Ave.)
Elan Trotman: Electro Sax (Island Muzik Productions)
Ella Fitzgerald: 100 Songs For A Centennial (Verve)
Gerald Clayton: Tributary Tales (Motema)
Gruppo Afro Mediterraneo: 1972 Blues Jazz Session (Black Sweat)
Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra: Live at Newport (Basin Street)
Jamire Williams: Effectual (Leaving)
Jowee Omicil: Let’s Bash! ( Jazz Village)
Louis Jordan: Volume One 1939-1947 (Real Gone Music)
Nick Mazzarella & Tomeka Reid: Signaling (Nessa)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band: So Is Is (Legacy)
Roberto Blanco: Swinging New York (Connector)
Rusty Bryant: Fire Eater (vinyl reissue) (JazzDispensary)
S.O.A.R. (Sounds of A&R): Let’s Stay Forever (Cutmore)
Terence Blanchard: The Comedian OST (Blue Note)

Latin
Cuban Beats All Stars: La Receta (Timba)
Mayito Rivera: Estoy Aqui (Connector)

R&B, Soul
AverySunshine: Twenty Sixty Four (Shanachie)
David Brinston: Sidepiece Motel (Ecko)
Dr. E: Presents Songs for the Struggle (Give Us Free Records)
Ephemerals: Egg Tooth (Jalapeno)
Johnny Nash: Stir It Up – The Anthology, 1965-1979 (SoulMusic)
Mary J. Blige: Strength of a Woman (Capitol)
Norman Brown: Let It Go (Shanachie)
PJ Morton: Gumbo (Morton)
Quinton Marcel: The Blueprint (Hit Man)
Sean Whyte: Love Affair (Indie Music Factory)
Tanika Charles: Soul Run (Record Kicks)
Tommy Edwards: Singles Collection 1951-62 (Acrobat)
Various: More From the Other Side of the Trax: 45 RPM rarities (Kent)

Rap
Allan Kingdom: Lines (So Cold)
Benash: CDG (Capitol Music France)
Blackburner Vs. Dmx: Dog Eats Rabbit (Hypnotic)
Camp Lo: On the Way Uptown (Persia )
Daye Jack: No Data (Warner Bros. )
DJ Smoke and Nate Dogg: G Funk Era Mixtape (Imports)
J Dilla: Motor City (Nature Sounds)
Joey Bada$$: ALL – AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ (Cinematic Music/Pro Era)
Kendrick Lamar: Damn (Aftermath)
Migos: Culture (300 Entertainment)
Moneybagg Yo: Heartless (Be Great Music Group)
Nines: One Foot Out (XL)
Roc Marciano: Rosebudd’s Revenge (Marci Enterprises)
Starlito & Don Trip: Stepbrothers 3 (Grind Hard LLC)
Tech N9ne: Dominion [CD/DVD] (Strange Music )
The R.O.C.: Digital Voodoo (Majik Ninja)
Wale: Shine (Atlantic Urban)

Reggae, Dancehall
Augustus Pablo: King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown (reissue) (Clocktower)
Slim Smith: Just a Dream (reissue) (Clocktower)
Wrongtom Meets The Ragga Twins: In Time (Tru Thoughts)

World
Gino Sitson: Body & Voice (Buda Musique)
Vieux Farka Touré: Samba (Six Degrees )
YOUSSOU N’dour: Africa Rekk (Sony )
Kekele: Kinavana (Stern’s Africa)
Various: Vodou Drums in Haiti 2 (Soul Jazz)

March 2017 Releases of Note

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Following are additional albums released during March 2017—some will be reviewed in future issues of Black Grooves.

Blues, Folk Country
Big Daddy Wilson: Neckbone Stew (Ruf)
Bukka White: High Fever Blues: Complete 1930-1940 Recordings (Soul Jam)
Eric Gales: Middle of the Road (Provogue/Mascot)
Gary Clark Jr.: Live North America 2016 (Warner Bros.)
Gene Mighty Flea Conners: Sanctified (Remastered) (JSP)
Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi: Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train (M.C. Records)
John Lee Hooker: Whiskey & Wimmen: John Lee Hooker’s Finest (Vee-Jay )
Leo Bud Welch: Live at the Iridium (Cleopatra)
Lettuce: More Crushmore (Lettuce Records)
Lightnin’ Hopkins: Live In Denver [1974] (Klondike)
Teddy Williams: Worry Off My Mind (Big legal Mess)

Classical, Spoken Word, Soundtrack
Roscoe Mitchell: Four Compositions (reissue) (Lovely Music)
Roscoe Mitchell: Pilgrimage (reissue) (Lovely Music)

Funk, Rock, Pop, Electronic
Cilantro Boombox: Shine (digital)
Columbia Nights: In All Things (Record Breakin’ Music)
Danko Jones: Wild Cat (AFM/Soul Food Music Dist.)
Delta Moon: Cabbagetown (Jumping Jack)
E-Life 7: Miked Up (Three 2 Go Music)
Flyjack: New Day (Bean Pie Records)
KXM (with Dug Pinnick): Scatterbrain (Rat Pak)
Mother’s Finest: Love Changes: Anthology 1972-1983 (SoulMusic)
Osunlade: Pyrography (vinyl) (BBE)
Sampha: Process (Young Turks)
Star Stuff: Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2 (Company)
Theo Parrish: First Floor, Part 1 & 2 (vinyl) (Peacefrog)
Wayne Snow: Freedom TV (Tartelet)

Gospel, Christian Rap
Carolyn Traylor: The Best of My Story (Traylor Made Music Group)
Da’dra: All of Me ( Greathouse Music Group / DREAM)
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise: You Deserve It (eOne)
Jor’Dan Armstrong: Vibes EP (SeaQ/Good Guys)
Montel Dorsey & Muniversity: Love Over Hate (eOne)
Rev. Sam Dixon: My Soul Says Yes (Asherah)
The Williams Singers: In Real Time (CD + DVD) (Blackberry)
Various: Lord Have Mercy: The Soulful Gospel of Checker Records (Playback)
William McDowell: Sounds of Revival II: Deeper (eOne)

Jazz
Abdullah Ibrahim: Ancient Africa (reissue) (Sackville)
Bill Evans Trio: On A Monday Evening (previously unreleased) (Fantasy)
Billy Childs: Rebirth (Mack Ave.)
China Moses: Nightintales (MPS)
Christian Scott Tunde Adjuah: Ruler Rebel (Ropeadope)
Collocutor: The Search (On the Corner)
David L. Harris: Blues I Felt (digital)
Ernest Dawkins New Horizons Ensemble feat. Vijay Iyer: Transient Takes (Denmark)
Heads of State: Four in One (Smoke Sessions)
Howard Johnson And Gravity: Testamony (Tuscarora)
Idrees Sulieman Quartet: The 4 American Jazz Men in Tangier (Sunnyside)
Jamiroquai: Automaton (Virgin EMI)
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Jon Batiste: The Music of John Lewis (Blue Engine)
Jazz Passengers: Still Life With Trouble (Thirsty Ear)
Joey DeFrancesco & The People: Freedom project (Mack Ave.)
Johnny Griffin: Riverside Collection 1958-1962 (Enlightenment)
Marcus Anderson: Limited Edition (Anderson Music, LLC)
Matthew Shipp & Ivo Perelman: The Art of Perelman-Shipp (Leo)
Ronald Bruner, Jr.: Triumph (World Galaxy / Alpha Pup)
Roscoe Mitchell With Yuganaut: Four Ways (Nessa)
Sol: Upfront (Pacific Coast Jazz)
Steve Nelson: Brothers Under the Sun (Highnote)
Trio 3: Visiting Texture (Naxos)
William Parker & Stefano Scodanibbio: Bass Duo (Aum Fidelity)

Latin
Daymé Arocena: Cubafonía (Brownswood)
Ondatrópica: Baile Bucanero (Soundway)

R&B, Soul
6lack: Free 6lack (Interscope )
Chet Ivey: A Dose Of Soul – The Sylvia Funk Recordings 1971-75 (BGP)
Frankie & The Spindles: Count To Ten: The Complete Singles Collection 1968-77 (Playback)
Johnny Guitar Watson: At Onkel Po’s Carnegie Hall Hamburg 1976 (NDRInfo)
Kevin Ross: The Awakening (Motown)
Khalid: American Teen (RCA)
La’Porsha Renae: Already All Ready (Motown)
Lee Fields & the Expressions: Special Night Instrumentals (Big Crown)
Leela James: Did It For Love (BMG)
Nicole Willis, Jimi Tenor & Jonathan Maron: Big Fantasy (For Me) / Tear It Down (Persephone)
Norman Connors: Valentine Love: The Buddah/Arista Anthology (SoulMusic)
Otis Junior & Dr.Dundiff: Hemispheres (Jakarta)
Roscoe Shelton: Best of Roscoe Shelton (Sunset Blvd )
Selina Albright: Conversations (Golden Rays Music )
Stevie Wonder: Live at the Regal Theater Chicago June 1962 (Jambalaya)
Syd: Fin (Columbia)
Syl Johnson: My Funky Funky Band (Numero)
Syl Johnson: We Do It Together (Numero)
Trey Songz: Tremaine (Warner)
Vanessa Collier: Meeting My Shadow (In Tune Music Group)
Various: Soul of the 60s (Time Life)
Various: This Love Is For Real – The Sweet Soul Of Chicago: 1968-1981 (Interstate)
Various: This Time Will Be Different The Sweet Soul Of Philadelphia: 1968-1982 (Interstate)

Rap
50 Cent: Best Of (Aftermath)
Alchemist: Rapper’s Best Friend 4 (ALC)
Amir Obè: NØTÇW (digital) (Def Jam)
Body Count: Bloodlust (CD + DVD) (Century Media)
Boondox: The Murder (Majic Ninja)
Clutchy Hopkins & Fat Albert Einstein: High Desert Low Tide ( Aural Tradition)
Daye Jack: No Data (digital) (Warner Bros.)
Deaf Switch & Toon Kurtis: Backup (Dirty Version)
Devin the Dude: Acoustic Levitation (Coughee Brothaz Ent.)
Dorrough: Ride Wit Me (Real Talk Ent)
Dr. Dooom: First Come, First Served (Threshold)
Drake: More Life: A Playlist by October Firm (Young Money Ent./Cash Money)
Freddie Gibbs: You Only Live 2wice (digital) (ESGN/Empire)
Goldlink: At What Cost (digital) (Squaaash Club/RCA)
Gorilla Zoe: Don’t Feed Da Animals 2 (Real Talk Ent.)
GrandeMarshall: Risk/Reward (Fool’s Gold)
Homeboy Sandman: Veins (Stones Throw)
IAM: Revolution (Universal France
Stalin: I Don’t Sell Dope No Moe (Livewire)
J.I.D: The Never Story (digital) (Dreamville/Interscope)
K’Valentine: Here for a Reason (Javotti Media)
Kodak Black: Painting Pictures (digital)
Kool Keith & KutMasta Kurt: Your Mom Is My Wife EP (Threshold)
Little Simz: Stillness in Wonderland (Age 101)
Locksmith: Olive Branch (digital) (Landmark Ent.)
Mike WiLL Made-It: Ransom 2 (digital) (Eardruma/Interscope)
Mozzy: Fake Famous (Mozzy Records)
Murs: Captain California (Strange Music)
Nnamdi Ogbonnaya: Drool (Sooper/Father-Daughter)
O.C.: Same Moon Same Sun: 1st Phase (Ditc )
Oddisee: The Iceberg (Mello Music Group)
P.O.S: Chill, Dummy (Doontree)
Porter Ray: Watercolor (Sub Pop)
Raekwon: The Wild (H20)
Realz: Blue Lion Chamber (Chambermusik/Thrice Great)
Rick Ross: Rather You Than Me (Epic)
Shawty Lo: R.I.C.O. (digital) (300 Ent.)
Slum Village: Fantastic Collection (Ne’Astra Music Group)
Too $hort: The Pimp Tape (Dangerous Music)
Tuamie: Holy Ghost Spirituals (Fat Beats)
Your Old Droog: Packs (Fat Beats)
Iam: Revolution (Universal)

Reggae, Dancehall
Dillinger: Answer Me Question (reissue) (Radiation Roots)
Inna de Yard: The Soul of Jamaica (Chapter Two/Wagram)
Jackie Edwards: Mr. Peaceful (Kingston Sounds)
Jackie Mittoo: The Keyboard King (reissue) (Radiation Roots)
Keith & Tex: Same Old Story (Liquidator Music)
Prince Far I: Psalms for I (Deeper Knowledge)
Queen Ifrica: Climb (VP)
Skatalites: Foundation Ska (Studio One)
Talisman: Don’t Play with Fyah (Sugar Shack)
Various: Hustle! Reggae Disco – Kingston, London, New York (Soul Jazz)

World
Abdou El Omari: Nuits D’été
Elida Almeida: Djunta Kudjer EP (Lusafrica)
Ibibio Sound Machine: Uyai (Merge)
Livy Ekemezie: Friday Night (Odion Livingstone)
Mokoomba: Luyando (OutHere)
Ondatrópica: Baile Bucanero (Soundway )
Orchestra Baobab: Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng (World Circuit)
Red Baraat: Bhangra Pirates (Rhyme & Reason)
Seydou Boro: Hôrôn (Indigo)
Somi: Petite Afrique (OKeh)

Otis Taylor – Fantasizing About Being Black

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Otis Taylor
Title: Fantasizing About Being Black

Artist: Otis Taylor

Label: Trance Blues Festival Records

Formats: CD, LP, MP3

Release date: February 17, 2017

 

Building upon 20 years of recording and 15 albums, Otis Taylor presents his latest project, Fantasizing About Being Black, a historical retrospective on the African American experience. In a Conqueroo press release, Taylor says this album summons conversations about “the different levels of racism in the African American experience that are unfortunately still with us today. The history of African Americans is the history of America.”

Describing his music as “trance blues,” Taylor aims to transport the listener to an earlier era by incorporating instruments that were once played by enslaved people. The album opens with “Twelve String Mile,” a contemplative song about the social invisibility of the black man in the 1930s. This leads into “Walk on Water,” a song about the separation of an interracial couple and the pursuit of love. Taylor’s raspy, yet solemn vocals are accompanied by violinist Anne Harris, drummer Larry Thompson, bassist Todd Edmunds, Jerry Douglas on koa wood lap guitar, cornetist Ron Miles, and lead guitar player Brandon Niederauer. While much of this meditative album is acoustically composed, Taylor also includes electrifying spiritual songs such as “Tripping on This” and “Hands On Your Stomach”:

Taylor addresses the Civil Rights Movement, interracial relationships, the desire for freedom, and enslavement experiences in Fantasizing About Being Black. Each song reimagines what life was like for black men and women throughout different stages in America’s history. Taylor also uses this platform to call attention to pervasive racism and the need for empathy for people of color who continue their struggle today. Taylor’s last album, Hey Joe Opus/Red Meat, is currently on display at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture—a clear indication that his message is reaching a wide audience. Fantasizing About Being Black clearly continues Taylor’s commitment to social justice, and is an excellent contribution to this year’s Black History Month.

Reviewed by Jennie Williams

Chargaux – Meditations of a G

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CharGaux

Title: Meditations of a G

Artist: Chargaux

Label: Chargaux Records

Format: MP3

Release date: September 29, 2016

 

Chargaux consists of violinist Jasmin “Charly” Charles and violist Margaux Whitney, who met by chance when Margaux saw Charly playing violin on a Boston street corner. The next day, they were playing together on the street corner and have been collaborators ever since.  The two have worked with a variety of high profile artists, providing the solo at the end of Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” as well as the strings on J.Cole’s past two albums, 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014) and 4 Your Eyez Only (2016).  More than just string players, though, the two also sing, paint, compose, and are all around performance artists, as seen from their installation performances in New York City.

Meditations of a G is eclectic and more experimental than 2014’s Gallerina Suites and Broke and Baroque. The duo plays homage to their classically trained roots, opening the EP with the sounds of a tuning orchestra on “First Chair.” From there, the project spreads into a minimalist direction, and could sit comfortably between projects like Solange’s A Seat at the Table (2016) or FKA Twigs LP1 (2014).  Although much of the album has an effortless groove about it, one can still hear the intricacy and complexity of the production, particularly in the more elaborate string arrangements, found on songs like “Sosha Media” and “Tie Your Fukn Shoes.”  There is a welcome amount of humor throughout the EP, especially in “Trap Yoga,” an interlude consisting of the two narrating a yoga class, complete with reimagined trap poses over a pizzicato groove.

Chargaux has many strengths, one of which being their ability to transform the textures of their instruments, creating a different soundscape within each song. Overall, this is a beautiful project, showcasing the growth of Charly and Margaux as instrumentalists, producers, singers, and overall artists.

Reviewed by Allie Martin

January 2017 Releases of Note

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Following are additional albums released during January 2017—some will be reviewed in future issues of Black Grooves.

Blues, Folk Country
David “Honeyboy” Edwards: I’m Gonna Tell You Somethin’ That I Know (Omnivore)
Ronnie Baker Brooks: Times Have Changed (Provogue)
Danni Peace: The Odyssey

Classical
Kathleen Battle: Complete Sony Recorordings (Sony/Naxos)
Measha Brueggergosman: Songs of Freedom (Outside Music)
Cynthia Haymon/Wilard White: Glyndebourne Festival Opera’s Porgy and Bess (Warner Classics/Parlophone)

Funk, Rock, Pop, Electronic
Various: Studio One Rocksteady, Vol. 2 (Soul Jazz)
Anonymous Choir: Sings Stax (Mind Rider)
King’s X: Dogman (reissue) (King’s X)
King’s X: Ear Candy (reissue) (King’s X)
King’s X: King’s X (Reissue) (King’s X)
King’s X: Out of the Silent Planet (reissue) (King’s X)

Gospel, Gospel Rap
The Williams Singers: In Real Time (Blackberry)
McIntosh County Shouters: Spirituals & Shout Songs from the Georgia Coast (Smithsonian/Folkways)
Various: WOW Gospel 2017 DVD (RCA Inspiration)
Lyrically Blessed: Freedom (Lyrically Blessed)

Jazz
Throttle Elevator Music & Kamasi Washington: Retrospective (Wide Hive)
Three Sounds: Groovin’ Hard: Live at the Penthouse (Resonance)
Noah Young: Start the Reactor (Noah Young)
Jeff Siegel/Feya Faku: King of Xhosa (ARC)
Muhammad Ali: The Greastest OST (reissue) (Varese Sarabande)
Vibration Black Finger: Blackism (Enid)
Mark Whitfield: Grace (Marksman Productions)
Mark Lewis: New York Session (Audio Daddio)
Jimmy Scott: I Go Back Home (Rough Trade)
Matthew Shipp Trio: Piano Song (Thirsty Ear)
Lil Bibby: FC3 the Epilogue (digital)

R&B, Soul
Tony Fletcher: In the Midnight Hour: The Life & Soul of Wilson Pickett (Oxford University Press)
Tina Turner: Windy City Limits: Chicago Broadcast 1984 (FM Concert Broadcasts)
Soul Scratch: Pushing Fire (Colemine)
Sugar Pie DeSanto: A Little Bit of Soul 1957-1962 (Jasmine)
Desiree Jordan: The Principles Present (Rich Life/Zosmooth)
Manhattans: I Kinda Miss You: The Anthology – Columbia Records 1973-1987 (Soul Music)
Nathan East: Reverence (Yamaha Ent.)
Kehlani: SweetSexySavage (Atlantic)
Omar: Love in Beats (Freestyle )
Dawn Richard: Infrared EP (Fade to Mind)
Bell Biv DeVoe: Three Stripes (eOne)
Various: Men in the Glass Booth (BBE)
Chief Keef: Two Zero One Seven (mixtape, digital)

Rap
Lil Ross: The Connection
Jefe: The World is Yours (digital)
Jaylib: Championship Sound: The Remix (LP) (Stones Throw)
Run the Jewels: Run the Jewels 3
Ran Reed: Still Commanding Respect
Tristate x Oh No : 3 Dimensional Prescriptions (Heiroglyphics)
PnB Rock: Gttm: Goin Thru The Motions (Atlantic)
Reek Daddy: Firey Hot Rocks
Prodigy of Mobb Deep: Hegelian Dialectic (The Book Of Revelation) (Vodka & Milk)
Nadio Rose: Highly Flammable
Ras Kass: Intellectual Property (vinyl) (Goon Music)
PartyNextDoor: PartyNextDoor 3 (OVO)
Wyclef Jean: J’ouvert (eOne)
Tinie Tempah: Youth
Damu the Fudgemunk : Vignettes (Redefinition)
Homeboy Sandman: Actual Factual Pterodactyl (Boy Sand Industries)
Denzel Curry: Imperial (Loma Vista)
P.O.S.: Chill, Dummy (Doomtree)
Wiley: Godfather (Wiley)
Elaquent: Worst Case Scenario (vinyl) (Urbnet)
Juelz White: This Sh-T Ain’t Free (Juelz White Music)
Raised By Seuss: Unless: Twenty Years Too Late (Untek)
Loyle Carner: Yesterday’s Gone (Virgin EMI)

Reggae, Dancehall
Lloyd Parks: Time A Go Dread (Pressure Sounds)
Sylford Walker: Lamb’s Bread (Greensleeves)

World
Jake Sollo: Coming Home (PMG)
Mighty Flames: Metalik Funk Band (PMG)
Black Children Sledge Funk Co. Band: Vol. 3 (PMG)
The Nile Project: Jinja
Various: Calabar-Itu Road: Groovy Sounds From South Eastern Nigeria (1972-1982) (Comb & Razor)
Baba Sissoko: Tchiwara (Good Fellas)
Joe Kemfa: Jungle Juice (reissue) (PMG)
Wells Fargo: Watch Out (Now Again)
Awa Poulo: Poulo Warali (Awesome Tapes From Africa)

Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup – A Music Man Like Nobody Ever Saw

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arthur-crudup
Title: A Music Man Like Nobody Ever Saw

Artist: Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup

Label: Bear Family

Format: 5-CD Box Set

Release date: August 12, 2016

 

Bear Family, the highly regarded reissue label based in Germany, has issued many box sets devoted to R&B and blues musicians. The latest hefty package includes 5 CDs featuring the entire recorded output of Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup, spanning the years 1941-1962. Of course the prominent Delta blues musician is best known for his 1946 song, “That’s All Right”—famously covered by Elvis Presley, who said in a 1971 interview: “Down in Tupelo, Mississippi, I used to hear old Arthur Crudup bang his box the way I do now, and I said if I ever got to the place I could feel all old Arthur felt, I’d be a music man like nobody ever saw.” Crudup inadvertently contributed to Elvis’ huge success when, on the evening of July 5, 1954, Elvis recorded a cover version of “That’s All Right” and the rest, as they say, is history. He went on to cover two more Crudup songs (“My Baby Left Me” and “So Glad You’re Mine”), garnering the moniker “King of Rock and Roll,” while Crudup was at least accorded the title of “The Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” I’m sure this title, conferred on him by a record company publicist, likely did not make up for his exploitation and lack of royalties—but that’s another, all too frequent story.

A Music Man Like Nobody Ever Saw includes the entire story of Arthur Crudup, as told by Chicago music writer Bill Dahl, in a sumptuously illustrated 68-page hardcover LP size book that also includes a complete discography. With 124 tracks and over 6 hours of playing time, listeners can gain a thorough understanding of Arthur Crudup beyond his most popular songs. As with many Bear Family sets, it’s not necessarily something you would want to digest in one sitting, but serves its purpose as a reference volume that preserves a complete slice of music history in wonderfully remastered sound.

Reviewed by Brenda Nelson-Strauss

November 2016 Releases of Note

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Following are additional albums released during November 2016—some will be reviewed in future issues of Black Grooves.

Blues, Folk, Country
Howlin’ Wolf: Shake For Me: The Lost FM Broadcast Tapes 1975 (Laser Media)
Little Walter: Boom Boom (Black Knight)
Muddy Waters: Muddy Waters Story  (Maximum Series)
Muddy Waters: Elevate Me Mama  (Black Knight)
Sharon Lewis And Texas Fire: Grown Ass Woman (Delmark)
Willie Clayton: Heart & Soul Reloaded  (Endzone Ent.)

Classical
Marion Anderson: Let Freedom Ring (JSP)

Funk, Rock, Pop, Electronic
Bruno Mars: 24K Magic (Atlantic)
Craig David: Following My Intuition ( Speakerbox/Insanity)
Du-Rites: J-Zone & Pablo Martin Are the Du-Rites (Redefinition)
Harsh Crowd: Better EP
Joan Armatrading: Me Myself I – World Tour Concert (Savoy)
Marvin Whoremonger: Mark III (Now Again)
Nth Power: Live to Be Free (Harmonized Records)
Prince: 4EVER (Warner Bros.)
The Weeknd: Starboy (Republic)
Toro Y Moi: Live from Trona (Carpark)
Various: Keb Darge Presents the Best of Legendary Deep Funk

Gospel, Gospel Rap
Eddie James: Magnify (Dreambridge)
Sho Baraka: The Narrative (Humble Beast Records)
Swanee Quintet: Complete Nashboro Releases 1951-62 (Acrobat)
Tasha Cobbs: One Place Live at Capitol Studios (Motown Gospel)
Various: Gospel Pioneer Reunion (DVD) (Gaither Studios)
VaShawn Mitchell: Secret Place: Live in South Africa (Motown Gospel)

Jazz
Dizzy Gillespie:  Concert of the Century – A Tribute to Charlie Parker (Justin Time)
Gregory Porter:Live in Berlin (Eagle Rock)
Gregory Porter and Melody Gardot: Jazz Loves Disney (Verve Int’l)
Herbie Hancock: Early Years: Selected Recordings 1961-62 (Acrobat)
Jerome Jennings: The Beast (Iola)
Miles Davis Quintet: Legendary Prestige Quintet Sessions (Prestige)
Nat King Cole: How High The Moon: The Lost Tapes (Laser Media)
Roberto Fonseca: ABUC (Impulse)
Wallace Roney: A Place in Time (Highnote)
Yussef Kamaal: Black Focus (Brownswood)

R&B, Soul
94 East Ft. Prince: S/T (Charly)
Aaron Abernathy: Monologue (Aaron Abernathy Music)
Alicia Keys: HERE (RCA)
Bobby Bland: Singles Collection 1951-62 (Acrobat)
Carleen Anderson: Cage Street Memorial – The Pilgrimage  (Freestyle
Chuck Willis: From The Bottom Of My Heart: My Life, My Story, My Songs (Jasmine)
denitia and sene.: love and noir. (Input)
Donna Summer: Ultimate Collection
Emeli Sandé: Long Live The Angels [Deluxe Edition] (Capitol)
Hannah Williams & The Affirmations: Late Nights & Heartbreak (Record Kicks)
Harleighblu X Starkiller: Amorine (Tru Thoughts)
Intruders: Save the Children (expanded ed.) (BBR)
Joe: #MyNameIsJoeThomas
J-Wonn: The Legacy Begins (Music Access Inc.)
Lee Fields & The Expressions: Special Night (Big Crown)
Lula Reed: I’m A Woman (But I Don’t Talk Too Much) (Jasmine)
Melba Moore: Standing Right Here: Anthology Buddah & Epic Years (SoulMusic)
Myles Sanko: Just Being Me (Légère)
Rozetta Johnson: A Woman’s Way (Kent)
Slim Gaillard: Searching For You: The Lost Singles of McVouty (Sunset Blvd.)
Sonny Knight and the Lakers: Sooner or Later (Secret Stash)
Various: One-Der-Ful Collection – Midas Records  (Secret Stash)
Various: Funk the Disco (Ministry of Sound)
Yonrico Scott: Life of a Dreamer (Blue Canoe)

Rap
A Tribe Called Quest: We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service  (Epic)
Big Scoob: H.O.G. (Strange Music)
Black Milk & Nat Turner: Sunday Outtakes (Computer Ugly)
Blu & Union Analogtronics: Cheetah in the City (Fat Beats)
Czarface : A Fistful Of Peril  (Silver Age)
DJ Luke Nasty: Highway Music: Stuck in Traffic  (Othaz)
Dubble-Oo: Next Level (Space Age Ent.)
E-40: The D-Boy Diary: Book 1 & 2 (Heavy on the Grind)
Invisibl Skratch Piklz : 13th Floor (Alpha Pup)
Journalist 103: Battle for the Hearts & Minds  (Babygrande)
Lewis Parker: Release the Stress (King Underground)
Mac Dre: Ronald Dregan (Sumo/Thizz Entertainment D50)
Mac Dre: The Genie of the Lamp (Sumo/Thizz Entertainment D50)
Philthy Rich: Hood Rich 4 (Scmmllc / Empire)
Saba: Bucket List Project (digital) (Saba Pivot, LLC)
Sleepdank: Airport Lifestyle (Hands Down Ent.)
Soprano: L’Everest ( Warner Music France)
Swet Shop Boys : Cashmere (Customs)
Tall Black Guy: Let’s Take a Trip (First Word)
The Flying Dutchmen: Foul Weather (Thrice Great)
The Game: 1992 (eOne)
The Kleenrz: Season 2 (NRK)
The Outlawz : Living Legends
Tone Spliff: Pull No Punches (Mind Write Music)
Travis Scott: Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight (Epic)
TreSolid : Applying Pressure (Black Market)
U.G.: Portals (Creative Juices)
Unknown Mizery: Kill the Flowers (Thrice Great)
Various: Latest & Greatest Hip-Hop Anthems (Union Square Music)
Various: BBE20: Attitude, Belief & Determination (BBE)
Vellione: Stranded on the Wire (Livewire)
Wycliff Jean: J’ouver EP
Zeroh: Tinnitus (Hit+Run)
Z-Ro: Legendary (1 Deep Ent.)

Reggae, Dancehall
Alkaline: New Level Unlocked (Zojak World Wide)
Black Uhuru: Live At Rockpalast (DVD) (Made In Germany Music)
Bunny Wailer: Solomonic Singles 1: Tread Along 1969-1976 (Dubstore)
Bunny Wailer: Solomonic Singles 2: Rise & Shine 1977-1986 (Dubstore)
KutiMangoes: Made in Africa (Tramp)
Max Romeo: Horror Zone (Nu-Roots Records)
No-Maddz: Sly & Robbie Presents No-Maddz  (Nomaddz/Epiphany)
Osunlade: Mix The Vibe-King Street Goes Yoruba  (King Street Sounds)
Patrice: Life’s Blood (Supow Music)
Various: Merritone Rock Steady 1: Shanty Town Curfew 66-67 (Dubstore)
Various: Kuduro Reggaeton Hits 2017
Yabby You: Beware Dub (Expanded ed.) (Pressure Sounds)

World
Baloji: 64 Bits & Malachite (Bella Union)
Bobo Yeye: Belle Epoque in Upper Volta (3xCD)  (Numero)
Le Tout Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo: Madjafalao  (Because Music)
Noura Mint Seymali : Arbina (Glitterbeat Records)
PeruJazz: Verde Machu Picchu (Vampisoul)
Tiken Jah Fakoly: Racines (Wrasse)

March 2016 Releases of Note

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Following are additional albums released during March 2016—some will be reviewed in future issues of Black Grooves.

Blues, Folk, Country
Tasha Taylor: Honey for the Biscuit (Ruf)
Sam Frazier, Jr. : Take Me Back (Music Maker Foundation)

Funk, Rock, Pop, Electronic
Million Dollar Ecstasy: Million Dollar Ecstasy (reissue) (Manufactured Recordings)
The Knocks: 55* (Atlantic/Big Beat)
Starchild & The New Romantic: Crucial EP (Ghostly)
Bonzai: Sleepy Hungry EP (digital)

Gospel, Gospel Rap
Echoaires: Stronger Than Ever (Ecko)
Various: Gospel’s Best: Songs of Hope (Motown)
Deon Kipping: Something to Talk About (RCA)
Jonathan Nelson: Fearless (eOne)
Walker Family Singers: Panola County Spirit (Daptone)
Cory Henry: The Revival [CD/DVD Combo] (Ground Up)
Israel Tutson: Sand Castles (digital)
Propaganda: Selected Songs (Fair Trade Services)
Mr . Del: Love Noize (digital)

Jazz
Kenny Barron : Book of Intuition (impulse!)
Arturo O’Farrill Sextet: Boss Level (Zoho)
Alfredo Rodriguez: Tocororo (Mack Avenue)
Zawinul Syndicate: Hollywood Bowl 1993 (Hi Hat)
Larry Young: In Paris: The ORTF Recordings (Resonance)
Jason Miles: To Grover With Love (Live in Japan) (Whaling City Sounds)
Freddy Cole: He Was the King (HighNote)
Russell Malone: All About Melody (HighNote)
Blue Mitchell & Sonny Red: Baltimore 1966 (Uptown Jazz)
Phillip Doc Martin: Pocket Love (Innervision)
Makaya McCraven: In the Moment (deluxe ed.) (International Anthem )
Danny Barker: New Orleans Jazz Man And Raconteur (GHB)
Vijay Iyer & Wadada Leo Smith: A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke (ECM)
The JT Project:  Moments of Change (MRI)
Quincy Jones and His Orchestra: Live in Ludwigshafen 1961 (SWR Jazzhaus)
Sarah Vaughan: Live at Rosy’s (Resonance)
Ella Fitzgerald:  Jazz at the Philharmonic: The Ella Fitzgerald Set (Verve)
Axel Tosca Laugart: Axel Tosca  (MRI)
Machitos y Sus Afro Cubanas: Tanga: King of Afro Cuban Jazz  (Cherry Red)
Adam Hawley: Just the Beginning (Kalimba)

R&B, Soul
The Three Degrees: Strategy (Our Tribute To Philadelphia) (Cherry Red)
Howard Tate: I Learned It All the Hard Way (compilation) (Play Back)
O.V. Wright: Treasured Moments: Complete Backbeat/ABC Singles (Play Back)
Various: Harmony Of The Soul – Vocals Groups 1962-1977 (Kent)
Moods: Moods (reissue) (BBE)
Christon Gray:  The Glory Album (Fo Yo Soul/RCA )
9.9 9.9 (expanded ed.) (PTG)
Rosie Gaines : Caring (expanded ed.) (PTG)
King: We Are King (King Creative)
Luster Baker: They Call Me Mr. Juicy (Music Access Inc.)
Ernie K-Doe: Don’t Kill My Groove (Playback)
Frankie & The Spindles: Count to Ten (Playback)
Jaheim: Struggle Love (BMG)
Take 6:  Believe (Independent Label Services)
Michelle: More Issues Than Vogue (Atlantic Urban)
Various: Loma: A Soul Music Love Affair (LITA)
Anthony Hamilton: That I’m Feelin’ (RCA)

Rap, Hip Hop
Bentley & Parallel Thought : Street Knowledge
337 Mafia  Presents: L.A.D’s Ambition (eOne)
Bas: Too High To Riot (Interscope)
Nature: Target practice  (Vodka & Milk)
Malik B And Mr. Green: Unpredictable (Enemy Soil)
TOKiMONSTA: Fovere EP (Young Art )
Tarica June: Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 1.5 EP (download)
Kap G: El Southside  (Atlantic)
Flatbush Zombies: 3001: A Laced Odyssey (Glorious Dead)
Big Punisher: Bronx Legends Never Die (vinyl) (Vinyl Digital)
Ghostface Killah: More Fish –  10 Year Anniversary Edition (Def Jam)
Joell Ortiz: That’s Hip Hop (That’s Hip Hop Music)
DJ Illogik: beginningofsomethinG.old (Focus)
Young Dolph: King of Memphis (Paper Route Empire)
Kendrick Lamar: untitled unmastered (Top Dawg Entertainment)
Blu & Ray West: Crenshaw Jezebel (vinyl EP) (Red Apples 45)
Dday One: Gathered Between (Content (L)abel)
Open Mike Eagle & Paul White: Hella Personal Film Festival (Mello Music Group)
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne: COLLEGROVE (Def Jam)
Father: I’m A Piece Of Shit (Awful)
Planet Asia & DJ Concept: Seventy Nine  (Coalmine Music)
Domo Genesis: Genesis  (Columbia)
Fababy : Ange Et Demon
Kano: Man in the Manor
Mr. Criminal: Street Unity (Hi Power Ent.)
N.E.R.D.: Live At The Babylon

Reggae, Dancehall
Noel Ellis: Noel Ellis (10th anniv. Edition) (Light in the Attic)
Various: Sharp and Ready (compilation) (Tru Thoughts)
Binary Sol (Madison McFerrin and Jarred Barnes)
Earlan “Alkaline” Bartley: New level Unlocked (Zojak World Wide)

World
Aziza Brahim: Abbar El Hamada  (Glitterbeat)
Ebo Taylor: My Love & Music (reissue) (Mr Bongo)
Jagger Botchway Group : Odze Odze (Cultures of Soul)
La Yegros : Magnetismo  (Soundway )
Wesli: Ayiti, Étoile Nouvelle
Various: Rough Guide To South African Jazz (World Music Network)