Eddie Drennon & The B.B.S. Unlimited ”Collage”

Eddie Drennon & The B.B.S. Unlimited

”Collage”
( LP Friends & Co./Pye International Records, 1975-’76 )
Catalog # NSPL 28221

Tracklisting:
A1 Let’s Do The Latin Hustle
A2 Prelude In Fugue
A3 Please Stay – Please Stay
A4 A Theme In Search
B1 Let’s Do It Again
B2 Do It Nice And Easy
B3 Do What You Gotta Do
B4 Get Down Do The Latin Hustle

Credits:
Co-producer – Joe Bana
Producer, Arranged By – Eddie Drennon

Notes:
Also named ”Let’s Do The Latin Hustle”
Also issued on Alta Records, Canada (Cat.#LT 703)
Recorded at D.B. Sound Studios Silver Springs Maryland
Mastered at Frankford/Wayne N.Y. by Don Romeo
A Friends & Co USA Recording
Photography by Jeff Howes
Art Direction by Martin Cropper at Design Machine (London)
Format:Vinyl, LP
Country:US
Released:1976

By Pier

Eddie Robinson ”Reflections Of The Man Inside”

Eddie Robinson

”Reflections Of The Man Inside”
( LP MYRRH Records, US, 1974 )
Catalog # MST-6528

Tracklisting:
Reflections of the man inside
Brand new
Thank you Father
Door is open
You are never left alone
I’ve been touched
Good is on my life
I give my all to thee
I’m living it up to you

Note:
Soul/Gospel soul album including two fantastic tracks, “You Are Never Left Alone” and “The Door Is Open”.
Thanks to the ”de-funkt” From The Shed blog for this gem.

By Pier

The Showmen "The Showmen, Singles Collection"

The Showmen

"The Showmen, Singles Collection"
( LP RCA Records, Italia, 1970 )
Catalog # PSL-10466

Tracklisting:
01. Abbasso lo zio tom
02. Amore che fu
03. Corri uomo corri
04. E la vita continua
05. Ma che uomo sei
06. Epitaffio

Review:
Una gran confusione è stata fatta con il nome degli Showmen e i titoli dei loro dischi, con il loro album del 1972 ristampato dalla B.B.B. con il titolo di Showmen 2 / Napoli Centrale, ed una successiva compilation per la stessa etichetta (ancora intitolata solo con il nome del gruppo) che unisce brani del repertorio beat degli anni '60, dall'album Showmen 2 e perfino una cover di un brano dei Chicago, Introduction, originariamente compresa nell'album di Mario Musella del 1973.
Nel 1997 per la serie economica Replay Music è uscito un CD intitolato Napoli Centrale (featuring James Senese), con una foto a colori in copertina dei primissimi Showmen e che contiene invece l'intero album Showmen 2 in una versione totalmente diversa (e in molti brani migliore), probabilmente tratta da registrazioni demo o alternative per la realizzazione del disco. Le stesse registrazioni sono state pubblicate in vinile nel 2004 con il titolo Epitaffio. Un ottimo disco che vale la pena di cercare!
Da: http://www.italianprog.com

By Celo

The Showmen ''The Showmen''

The Showmen

"The Showmen"
( LP RCA Records, Italia, 1969 )
Catalog # RCA (PSL-10436)

Tracklisting:
01 Un'ora sola ti vorrei (Marchetti-Bertini)
02 Credi credi in me (Testa-Zawinul)
03 Di questo amore non parlo mai (De Angelis-Tommaso)
04 Voglio restare solo (De Angelis-Tommaso)
05 Allora decidi ora (Mogol-Levitt-Sexter)
06 Get it (D.Brown)
07 Gloria ricchezza e te (March-Grasso-Illingworth-Migliacci)
08 Piece of my heart (Berns-Ragavoy)
09 Let yourself go (James Brown)
10 Non si può leggere nel cuore (Califano-Savio)
11 Papa's got a brand new bag (J.Brown)
12 Basta che mi vuoi (Cassia-Tommaso)

Personnel:
Mario Musella (voce, basso)
James Senese (sax, flauto, percussioni, voce)
Elio D'Anna (sax, flauto)
Giuseppe "Pepè" Botta (chitarra)
Luciano Maglioccola (tastiere)
Franco Del Prete (batteria, percussioni)

Review:
Uno dei tanti gruppi provenienti da una lunga carriera cominciata negli anni '60, i napoletani Showmen ebbero alcuni singoli di successo tra il 1968 e il 1969 con la loro originale formula basata su soul, rhythm & blues e pop italiano, pubblicando solo un LP ed alcuni singoli per la RCA.
Il gruppo era stato formato dal bassista/cantante Mario Musella e dal sassofonista James Senese nel 1966, e il loro primo singolo uscì nel 1968. Un loro grande successo fu Un'ora sola ti vorrei, che vinse nel 1968 il Cantagiro.
Il gruppo originale si sciolse all'inizio degli anni '70, Musella tentò senza successo la carriera solistica (è morto nel 1979), mentre Elio D'Anna formò gli Osanna.
Dopo un breve periodo Senese e Del Prete, con l'aiuto del chitarrista Botta (passato al basso), riformarono il gruppo con una nuova formazione e un diverso suono, maggiormente influenzato dalle attuali tendenze del rock italiano, pubblicando prima alcuni 45 giri a metà strada tra il genere del primo gruppo e le nuove sonorità, poi un album chiamato semplicemente Showmen 2 (che era il nuovo nome con cui il gruppo si esibiva, anche se nelle note di copertina è indicato solamente come Showmen) ed un 45 giri estratto dall'LP per la piccola etichetta napoletana B.B.B., con una limitata promozione.
L'album è contenuto in una copertina apribile in cartone pesante di grande effetto e contiene un'originale miscela di rock, rhythm & blues, prog, non lontana dal suono dei Chicago o del gruppo inglese If. La voce ha influenze di pop melodico, ma la musica è potente e ben suonata, con vistosi arrangiamenti di fiati che rendono l'album unico nella scena del prog italiano di quegli anni.
Brani come Abbasso lo zio Tom (anche su 45 giri e con testi sul razzismo) o Epitaffio hanno testi interessanti ed ottimi arrangiamenti.
Il gruppo si sciolse dopo l'album, e i fondatori Senese e Del Prete crearono Napoli Centrale producendo tre album di ispirazione jazz-rock negli anni 1975-77.

By Celo

Phil Ranelin "Time Is Now!"

Phil Ranelin

"Time Is Now!"
( LP Tribe Records, 1973 )
Catalog # TRCD4006

Tracklisting:
A1 The Time Is Now For Change (13:29)
A2 Time Is Running Out (4:37)
B1 Of Times Gone By (8:41)
B2 Black Destiny (4:01)
B3 13th And Senate (6:02)
B4 He, The One We All Knew, Pt.1 (3:09)
C1 The Time Is Now For Change (Outtake) (11:32)
D1 Time Is Running Out (Extended) (5:50)
D2 He The One We All Knew (Extended) (4:39)

Personnel & Credits:
Bass - John Dana (tracks: 1, 3 to 6, 8, 9)
Drums, Percussion [Left Channel] - Bili Turner
Drums, Percussion [Right Channel] - George Davidson (tracks: 1, 3 to 9)
Engineer [Assisted By, Coordinated By] - John Hughes
Flugelhorn, Percussion - Marcus Belgrave (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 9)
Mastered By - Roger Seibel
Mixed By, Technician [Restored By] - John McEntire
Other [Liner Notes] - Phil Ranelin
Photography - Hugh Grannom , Leni Sinclair, Marcus Belgrave, Norm Snyder
Piano, Percussion - Keith Vreeland
Producer - Phil Ranelin
Recorded By, Mixed By - Bob MeLoche
Saxophone [Tenor], Percussion - Wendell Harrison (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 9)
Trombone, Percussion - Phil Ranelin
Written-By, Arranged By - Phil Ranelin

Notes:
2.,7.,8. was recorded November 11, 1973.
1.,3.,5. recorded April 27, 1974.
4.,6. recorded April 28, 1974 at Pioneer Studio.

Review:
A lost classic from the legendary Tribe Records label of Detroit -- home to some of the most groundbreaking soul jazz of the early 70s! This set is one of the more "out" sessions on the legendary Tribe label from Detroit -- and one that features many of the label's great players, like Wendell Harrison, Marcus Belgrave, Charles Moore, and Ranelin himself. The tracks are long and progressive, with distinct political overtones that work well with the avant playing of the set. Titles include "Black Destiny", "Time Is Running Out", "He The One We All Knew", and "The Time Is Now For A Change". Plus, this reissue also features 3 previously unissued bonus tracks -- "He The One We All Knew (extended)", "Time Is Running Out (extended)", and "The Time Now Is For Change (outtake)".
© Dusty Groove America, Inc.

By Celo

Phil Ranelin "Vibes From The Tribe"

Phil Ranelin

"Vibes From The Tribe"
( 2xLP Tribe Records, 1975 )
Catalog # TRCD4008

Tracklisting:
A1 Vibes From The Tribe (3:47)
A2 Sounds From The Village (3:44)
A3 Wife (6:07)
A4 For The Children (5:19)
B1 He The Only One We All Knew (18:08)
C1 Vibes From The Tribe (Extended) (11:40)
D1 Vibes From The Tribe (8-Trk Version) (8:22)
D2 Sounds From The Village (Extended) (5:27)

Personnel & Credits:
Arranged By - Phil Ranelin
Artwork By [Typesetting, Back Cover Design] - Cleo Silvers
Composed By - Phil Ranelin (tracks: A1, A2, A4 to B)
Engineer - Charles Moore (tracks: A1, A5) , Greg Reilly (tracks: A2 to A4, B)
Engineer [Assistant] - Bud Spangler (tracks: A2 to A4, B)
Mixed By - Bud Spangler , Greg Reilly , Phil Ranelin
Other [Associate Producer] - Bud Spangler
Other [Liner Notes] - Betty Holloway
Photography [Cover And Liner Photos] - Vic Toliva
Remix - Bud Spangler , Greg Reilly , Phil Ranelin
Trombone - Phil Ranelin

Notes:
Tracks A2, A3, A4 and B recorded September 23, 1975 by Superdisc, Detroit, Michigan.
Tracks A1 and A5 recorded at Strata Studio, Detroit Michigan.

Review:
An excellent lost classic from Detroit soul jazz powerhouse Phil Ranelin! Trombonist Ranelin was one of the key figures in the city's Tribe Records scene -- and this album is one of the greatest that the label ever issued. The set features Ranelin on trombone, Marcus Belgrave on trumpet, Kenny Cox on electric piano, and Harold McKinney on piano -- plus other luminaries from the incredibly strong Detroit scene of the time. The set includes the funky classic "Sounds From The Village", the slow spacey breakbeat number "Vibes From The Tribe", and the jazzy groover "For The Children". Also includes "He The One We All Knew", an extended piece that features members of The Griot Galaxy -- and the reissue features 3 bonus tracks "Vibes From The Tribe (extended)", "Vibes From The Tribe (8 track)", and "Sounds From The Village (extended)".
© 1996-2009, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

By Celo

Etta James "Etta Is Betta Than Evvah!"

Etta James

"Etta Is Betta Than Evvah!"
( LP Chess Records, 1978 )
Catalog # ACH 19003

Tracklisting:
Woman (shake your booty)
A love vibration
Only a fool
A little bit of love
Groove me
Jump into love
Leave your hat on
I've been a fool
Blinded by love
Ain't no pity in the naked city

Review:
Returning to the uptempo groove of her classic LP Tell Mama, this release finds James backed by another tight rhythm section and as sassy as ever. Tracks like "Woman (Shake Your Booty)" and "Only a Fool" (a remake of the Bobby Bland classic "I Pity the Fool") show that the famous soul belter has lost none of the strength of her voice. And, if anyone dare question, just listen to James' version of Randy Newman's "Leave Your Hat On," a ballsy track that exemplifies everything great about Etta. Out of print, this album is worth the hunt.
By Steve Kurutz (AMG)

By Celo

Nils Petter Molvaer "Solid Ether"

Nils Petter Molvaer

"Solid Ether"
( ECM Records, 2000 )
Catalog # ECM1722

Tracklisting:
01 Dead Indeed
02 Vilderness 1
03 Kakonita
04 Merciful 1
05 Ligotage
06 Trip
07 Vilderness 2
08 Tragamar
09 Solid Ether
10 Merciful 2

Review:
Like 1997's Khmer, Solid Ether is an unusual addition to the ECM catalog, reflecting the Norwegian trumpeter's continued fascination with drum'n'bass, jungle, and other underground club genres. Molvaer's work in this idiom is indicative of a new wave sweeping Europe and Scandinavia, where boundaries between jazz and electronica are being creatively blurred by a growing number of forward-thinking artists. (The trend is catching on in the States as well.) Molvaer's trumpet is consistently in the forefront, as is the case in the music of his French contemporary, Erik Truffaz. This will inevitably prompt comparisons with Miles Davis, and Molvaer indeed credits Davis as a major influence in his musical development. The music on this record, however, sounds nothing like Davis ever played nor could have foreseen. (That said, in all likelihood he would have heartily approved.) With its driving beats, spare-to-barren harmonies, and dense atmospherics and samples, Solid Ether breaks completely with traditional notions of jazz performance. Most of its tracks segue directly from one to the next, creating a seamless "mix" in the style of much experimental dance music. While ten guest artists are credited in addition to Molvaer (including guitarist Eivind Aarset and DJ Strangefruit, aka Paal Nyhus), they don't often play clearly delineated "parts" or solos. One exception is the two-part "Merciful," which pairs Molvaer's piano with the vocals of Sidsel Endresen, bringing Annette Peacock to mind. Not everyone will "get" this kind of music, and die-hard jazzers might laugh it off as an inconsequential fad. But it's actually a seismic innovation that is just getting started.
By David R. Adler (AMG)

By Rob

Nils Petter Molvaer "Recoloured"

Nils Petter Molvaer

"Recoloured"
(The Remix Album)
Universal Jazz (Germany) , 2001
Catalog # 013 591-2

Tracklisting:
01 Merciful [Herbert's We Mix] 5:58
02 Dead Indeed [Jan Bang's 7:00 AM Mix] 8:26
03 Solid Ether [Underlying Love Mix by Joakim Lone] 6:14
04 Vilderness [Cinematic Orchestra Mix] 6:13
05 Vilderness [Chilluminati Mix] 5:25
06 Ligotage [Phonoversion] 7:45
07 Kakonita [Deathprod Mix] 3:50
08 Dead Indeed [Tunnel Mix by Mind Over MIDI] 7:54
09 Ligotage [Teebee Mix] 5:10
10 Solid Ether [Funkstorung Mix] 4:54
11 Dead Indeed [Pascal Gabriel Mix] 5:42
12 Merciful/Ligotage [Incunabula Mix by Bill Laswell] 8:17

Reviews:
The title certainly fits, as Recoloured finds a disparate remix crew painting sonic tones around this Norwegian jazz trumpeter's year-2000 album, Solid Ether. Molvaer's 1997 solo debut Khmer was itself subjected to dancefloor remixing, but its follow-up was already set to move its jazz core further out towards the electro-dance zone, so these remixers need only make a short journey to their home territory. The selection begins and ends with "Merciful", its vocal-piano vignette re-interpreted in turn by Matthew Herbert and Bill Laswell. Sidsel Endresen's captivating phrases are splintered and re-configured over Herbert's loping house motion and Laswell's deep dub reggae re-instrumentation, both mixers using their own variations on the pure bass tone. Like the original album, Recoloured itself features multiple versions, with "Dead Indeed", "Vilderness" and "Ligotage" checking in at either two or three treatments apiece. Unlike many similar remix projects, these outings are more electronically homogenised for the chill, the original disc's tracks mostly featuring a more overtly distressed and fractured sound-world. Many of the remixers are Norwegian countrymen, including Jan Bang, Illumination and Deathprod. A liquid groove's the chosen motion for most, often with Molvaer's actual trumpet-playing appearing peripherally. DJ TeeBee kicks in some medium-hard breakbeat skitters on his "Ligotage", while the Cinematic Orchestra's "Vilderness" has a thooming bass presence, its beats disjointed but still using natural drums, rolling in barnyard saxophone samples, trumpet intestine-streamers and electric piano jabs. It's these liberty-takers who provide unpredictable jolts to the pulsing groove's juicy spine.
Martin Longley (Amazon)

==========================================================

Nils Petter Molvaer is perhaps one of the most open and innovative of today's jazz musicians, he does not shy away from embracing modern technology in his music as can be heard on the superb "Solid Ether" album. He employs a turntablist and effects man in conjuntion with some of the most innovative instrumentalists on the Scandinavian scene to create a master work of ambient funky soundscapes, reminiscent of Miles' later work.
Molvaer goes on to emphasise his cutting edge aproach on this album "Recoloured." The album is a remix project showcasing reworkings of 12 tracks from the Solid Ether album, employing some of the best European remixing talent around at the moment, including the Cinematic Orchestra, Bill Laswell, Joakim Lone, Chilluminati and Jan Bang, to create remixes in various styles of his earlier tracks. Some of the remixes vere towards the more housey end of the spectrum while others a reworked out-and-out drum & bass remixes whilst others such as the Cinematic orchestra version of "Vilderness" is almost a new track altogether.
All in all I would say that if you like Molvaer's earlier works you will more than likely love this. If you haven't head of him before but have an interest in any side of dance music you will also find a great deal to enjoy with this album.
By "edinburghchris"

By Rob

Benny Bailey "Mirrors"

Benny Bailey

"Mirrors"
( LP Freedom Records, 1971 )
Catalog # FLP-40163

Also:
Reissued on Rearward/Schema Records, 2009
Catalog # RW132LP

Tracklisting:
01 Mirror
02 Effluves
03 Flunkeyania
04 Subumbra
05 Everything Happens To Me
06 At Ronnie's

Personnel:
Benny Bailey, trumpet & flugelhorn
Tony Coe, tenor sax & clarinet
Sahib Shihab, bariton sax & flute
Francy Boland, piano
Jean Warland, bass
Tony Inzalaco, drums
plus 12 strings section
Recorded at Cornet Studios Cologne - 11th September, 1971

Review:
An excellent early 70's set from Benny Bailey -- originally issued on Freedom, but recorded by Gigi Campi, with arrangements by Francy Boland -- and very much in the mode of work at the time on MPS. The session features Bailey as the lead soloist amidst bandmates from the Clarke-Boland Big Band -- including Francy Boland, Sahib Shihab, Tony Coe, and Tony Inzalaco. The smaller group's augmented by a string section that provides dark, but lush washes of sound -- dramatic texture that's perfect for Benny to blow blue solos over the top in a complicated way, but makes it sound easy. Francy Boland also conducted, and wrote a few of the tunes -- and titles include "Mirrors", "Flunkeyania", "At Ronnie's", "Effluves", "Everything Happens To Me" and "Subumbra". A beautiful set of somber, mellow work that gets in our soul -- and straight up wonderful!
© 1996-2009, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

By Rob