ZO! - SKYBREAK
We've been loving Zo's music for years, and he just seems to
get better and better – easily one of the most important contemporary talents
repping the Detroit scene, and a visionary soul artist who carries on the
legacy of that city's most righteous sounds! Zo's keyboards are as wonderful as
ever – and he's got some great singers along for the ride this time, to really
open up the music with a deepened sense of soul – thanks to help from Carmen
Rodgers, Phonte, Sy Smith, Eric Roberson, and others – all working together
beautifully under Zo's direction! The unity of the record's a strong testament
to the vision of its leader – and the whole thing's the kind of record that
better make the world sit up and take notice. Titles include "Lake
Erie", "Packing For Chicago", "Starlight", "For
Pops", "Steal My Joy", "I Don't Mind", and
"Wishing You Well". ~ Dusty Groove
2 classics from funk legends Mass Production – back to back
in a 2CD set, with 11 bonus tracks too! First up is In The Purest Form – a set
that has Mass Production stepping forward as one of the best soul acts in the
Cotillion Records roster at the end of the 70s – and maybe one of the hippest
modern funk ensembles of the time! These guys have a way of making things sound
nice and lean, despite a larger lineup – with a very strong focus on bassline
currents, which seem to draw all the other elements into their wake in a mighty
nice way! Yet the album's also not a slap-bass affair – as the deeper sounds
are used with a nicely understated vibe, and even come through nicely on the
mellower numbers – which might be our favorites. Tracks include "Our
Thought (Purity)", "With Pleasure", "Next
Year","Love You", "Firecracker", and "Can't You
See I'm Fired Up". Also includes the great cut "Strollin" –
which is a jazzy instrumental with trumpet and vibes, really working together
in a tightly jamming groove! Massterpiece features more sweet grooves from Mass
Production – a great little set that goes way beyond the usual ensemble funk and
boogie at the start of the 80s! The set begins with a slightly mellower, more
laidback feel than some of the other records by large funk acts – and that
really sets the scene for the rest of the album – keeping a more well-rounded
feel to the record, even when things get back into the more uptempo styles the
group is known for! There's still plenty of bass in the mix, but the keyboards
sparkle equally well – and the record's got some great instrumental moments
too. Titles include "Enkuf", "Angel", "Forever",
"Shante", "Gonna Make You Love Me", "Your Love",
and "Nature Lover". Bonus tracks include 12" single versions of
"Love You", "Firecracker", "Can't You See I'm Fired
Up", and "Eyeballin" – and 7" mixes of "Shante",
"Firecracker", "Love You", and "Angel". ~ Dusty
Groove
BARRY WHITE , LOVE UNLIMITED & THE LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA - TOGETHER BROTHERS
A stunner of a soundtrack from the maestro Barry White – his
only entry into the blacksploitation film genre of the 70s, and a complete
doozy throughout! For the album, Barry's stripped down the bigger space of his
own records, and his Love Unlimited productions – into some shorter tracks that
really focus on that blend of funk and strings that he could do so well –
making for a batch of killer instrumentals that really offer up a special Barry
White take on the funky film sound of the 70s! Love Unlimited also sing on two
tracks – "Somebody Is Gonna Off The Man" and "People Of Tomorrow
Are The Children Of Today _- but most of the record is instrumental, played by
the Orchestra – and tracks include "Killer's Lullaby", "So Nice
To Hear", "Killer Don't Do It", "Can't Seem To Find
Him", "Alive & Well", "Theme From Together
Brothers", "Do Drop In", and "Here Comes The Man".
(Limited edition!) ~ Dusty Groove
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