Blue-in-Green:RADIO is a contemporary soul/funk/jazz/Latin internet radio station broadcasting an array of incredible shows from presenters and DJs from across the world.
Welcome to Episode 5 of our 'GetToKnow: the producer' series showcasing the work of some of our favourite producers and musicians, and this month, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson's production and drumming wizardry are under our proverbial spotlight. In an ideal world, Questlove would’ve been the first name I would have showcased due to the impact his music has had on me but he (along with Jay Dee) are the two most intimidating names to showcase but I think I’ve done ok and should have a few gems to surprise you guys with!
'Send It On' - D'Angelo
'Change Your WOrld' - Anthony Hamilton
'Take Your Time' - Al Green f/t Corinne Bailey Rae
'Baby, This Love I Have' - AAries
'Unconventional Ways' - Jazzyfatnastees
'Twice' [Questlove Remix] - Robert Glasper Experiment f/t Solange & The Roots
'Philadelphia Experiment' - The Philadelphia Experiment
'Give It Up Or Turn It Loose' [live] - Soulive f/t Questlove, Nigel Hall & Kofi Burbridge
'The Bronx' - Booker T Jones f/t Lou Reed
'Wake Up Everybody' [live] - John Legend & The Roots
Coming off an excellent 2013 with releases from Jose James, Gregory Porter and the Robert Glasper Experiment, Blue Note Records unveil their latest signee, trumpeter, Takuya Kuroda. Currently wearing the label of “Jose James’s trumpeter”, Kuroda appears on several tracks from James’s ‘No Beginning No End’ album (that’s his masterful playing you’ll hear on ‘It’s All Over Your Body’ as well as on other songs), as well as having extensively toured with him subsequently – in fact, Kuroda brings practically all of Team Jose James along with him on ‘Rising Son’, including bassist, Solomon Dorsey (a star on the cusp of breaking out himself), and Kris Bowers on keys. Jose James – who also serves as the album’s producer – lends vocal duties on a 9+ minute rendition of the Roy Ayers classic ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’. [Trust me, if you had asked me a week ago whether the world needs to hear another cover of ‘…Sunshine’, or another song sampling it, I’d have said ‘No’, but this one really does deserve your time.]
Although they throw a healthy dose of afrobeat stylings into the mix, Kuroda and the gang do take a more classical and traditional approach to the jazz presented here – by no means a bad thing – but having seen them play together live (which was one of the best gigs I’ve ever seen), there is a noticeable absence of energy that the album as a whole could have benefited from, and is probably more down tempo than it needs to be. As I say, it’s still a beautiful listen with the aforementioned ‘…Sunshine’ serving as one of the album’s highlights, along with ‘Rising Son’, ‘Afro Blues’ and ‘Mala’ which is just loooooooovely.
‘Circles’ by Soil & “Pimp” Sessions [Victor Entertainment]
Why are Japan-only releases so unbelievably sexy? They really are though!
The wondrous Japanese marvel that are the Soil & "Pimp" Sessions return with their ninth album, ‘Circles’, which explodes with more energy than my headphones can contain – but would you expect anything less from the innovators of “Death Jazz”?! “Death Jazz” is such an apt description for their blend of fiery drums, explosive horns and quick-fire keys and it’s a style that carries over to, pianist, Josei’s side-project, J.A.M.
Guests on ‘Circles’ include Miyavi, Rhymester, Ringo Sheena and also Blue-in-Green favourite, Jose James – whose inimitable style makes him as good a match for any type of jazz you can throw at him. Although a fan of J.A.M. for many years, I'm embarrassed to say this is my very first S&"P"S CD, a statistic that's going to have change very soon. Have a check out of the below for the brilliance I've been missing!
Nick Pride & The Pimptones have a lot to be happy about
in 2014 – brand new label home within the comfortable confines of Legere Recordings,
and a brand new album release to boot as well: ‘Rejuiced Phat Shake’, serving
as the follow-up to their 2011 Record Kicks debut, ‘Midnight Feast of Jazz’.
‘Midnight Feast of Jazz’ in itself was a genius concept
record for an album – a soul band’s interpretation of jazz music – and it’s a
concept that served as a fine introduction for the group, even extending to a
remix album, entitled ‘Remixed Feast of Jazz’.
(We’ve made a lot of noise about these projects on this site so check
out our past reviews and interview with Nick Pride as well.) Moving away from the jazz concept this time
round though, the group flourishes within its natural aesthetic as a soul band
whose music is brought to life with an array of excellent vocalists including names
that appeared on the debut, Jess Roberts and Susan Hamilton, and new voices Courtney
Velecia, Lane Thomas Hewitt, Micka Moran Parker, amongst others, and including rapper,
Dubbul O.
‘Everything’s Better in the Summertime’ (featuring Karen Harding)
– originally housed on the Record Kicks 10-year anniversary compilation from
last year – thankfully finds a home on this release as well and sounds as excellent
as it did then, but unfortunately, the band’s cover of Massive Attack’s ‘Unfinished
Sympathy’ isn’t so lucky so I implore you good people to do all you can to get
your hands on that piece of brilliance.
But as I say, there really is plenty of soul-filled and
funky vibrancy and brilliance to wrap your ear buds round on this release with
early standouts including the aforementioned ‘…Summertime’, Take Care of My
Love’ (see video below), ‘It’s A Love Thing’, ‘Wanna Treat You Right’ and ‘Hex on My Soul’. Hats off to Legere Recordings too: always
known for the excellent output, their past 6 months have seen them flourish
with the releases of ‘Rejuiced Phat Shake’, The Pepper Pots’ ‘We Must Fight’
and the brand new record from The New Mastersounds, ‘Therapy’. Continue looking forward to an excellent year
from them too!
