Tuesday, March 06, 2018

NEW RELEASES: SEAN KUTI & EGYPT 80 – BLACK TIMES; DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO – CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR; MONOPHONICS - MIRRORS

SEAN KUTI & EGYPT 80 – BLACK TIMES

Some of the most righteous and furiously funky Afro Soul since Fela Kuti's prime – and it's beyond appropriate for such a committed, perfect personification of a classic sound via a modern player come from Fela's own son Seun! As strident as Seun's approach is, much like his father at his best, the call for revolution is as personal and soulful as it is political – this is a universal that's as riveting as you'd hope. Joined by veterans of the Egypt 80 band that Fela helped form back in the day, and featuring guests as legendary as Carlos Santana – who sounds SO good in a supporting roll on an Afro Soul tune – and modern soul jazz heavy Robert Glasper, this is among the finest new albums on the Strut label in years. Includes "Last Revolutionary", "Black Times" feat Carlos Santana, "Corporate Public Control Department (CPCD)", "Kuku Kee Me", "Bad Man Lighter (BML)", "African Dreams", "Struggle Sounds" and "Theory Of Goat And Yam". ~ Dusty Groove

DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO – CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR

An organ trio, and one with plenty of soul – romping drums, riffing guitar, and some mighty sweet work on the Hammond by Delvon Lamarr! This is the first we've ever heard of the group, but they're rock solid and right on the money – working with a lean, hard style that's completely classic, but also a bit contemporary too – maybe swinging in the best sort of space between the Jack McDuff Quartet of the 60s and the Sugarman Three group of Desco Records fame! David McGraw handles the drums with a clear love of funk, and Jimmy James is wonderfully wicked on guitar – never trying to dominate too much, as there's no need – given how much he brings to the overall groove. Delvon's a hell of an organist too – the kind that knows that a little can often go much farther than a lot when handling the electric keys – which he does to set up some sweet solos on cuts that include "Ain't It Funky", "Al Greenery", "Can I Change My Mind", "Walk On By", "Between The Mustard & The Mayo", "Raymond Brings The Greens", and "Little Booker T". (Black vinyl pressing.) ~ Dusty Groove

MONOPHONICS - MIRRORS

A nice little project from The Monophonics – one that has the group turning their fuzzy funk talents towards a host of classic cuts from the 60s and 70s – which they remake with a very distinctly different sound! You're bound to recognize most cuts here, but it might take you a minute or two – as the Monophonics bring plenty of instrumentation that wasn't on the originals – from heavy drums, to Hammond, Fender Rhodes, electric sitar, mini moog, Arp, and trumpet – along with vocals from a few different singers, both male and female. Titles include "Summer Breeze", "Lying", "I'd Be Nowhere Today", "California Dreaming", "My Heart Cries", and an especially nice version of "Beggin". ~ Dusty Groove


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