New Grooves — All Formats  

An excellent collection of soulful house from the current Detroit underground – one that's bubbling over with great work from lesser-known talents – all of whom come together to prove that these days, Detroit's one of the most happening music scenes on the planet! There's a really unified feel to the record, despite the presence of so many different artists – and much of the work here is kind of a homegrown version of the better-known cosmic grooves that have been emanating from the city in the work of Amp Fiddler, Ayro, and others in recent years. There's perhaps a bit more of a house-heavy vibe here than those references might imply – but the sound is cosmically soulful all the way through, with some great vocals on the best tracks! Titles include "Melodies From The Jazz Republic" by Mick Huckaby, "A Walk Thru Osaka" by Marcellus Malik Pittman, "Ecoutez" by Keith Worthy & Malik Alston, "Hot N Funky" by Delano Smith, and "In The Dark" by Raybone Jones, Marcellus Malik Pittman, & Rick The Godson Wilhite. The 2012 double vinyl version includes the bonus track "Bosmos" by Rick The Godson Wilhite & Kenny Dixon Jr (Moodyman). 6 long jams on 2LPs.

An excellent collection of soulful house from the Detroit underground of the mid 00s onward – one that's bubbling over with great work from lesser-known talents – all of whom come together to prove that these days, Detroit's one of the most happening music scenes on the planet! There's a really unified feel to the record, despite the presence of so many different artists – and much of the work here is kind of a homegrown version of the better-known cosmic grooves that have been emanating from the city in the work of Amp Fiddler, Ayro, and others in recent years. There's perhaps a bit more of a house-heavy vibe here than those references might imply – but the sound is cosmically soulful all the way through, with some great vocals on the best tracks! Titles include "Everybody (Amp Fiddler rmx)" by Courtney Jackson, "Melodies From The Jazz Republic" by Mick Huckaby, "Cosmic Jungle" by Rick The Godson Wilhite, "Ecoutez" by Keith Worthy & Malik Alston, "The Feeling Of Love (Amp Fiddler rmx)" by Anetria Wright, "Hot N Funky" by Delano Smith, "Sugar (Amp Fiddler rmx)" by Patchworks, "In The Dark" by Raybone Jones, Marcellus Malik Pittman, & Rick The Godson Wilhite. 2012 version includes the bonus track "Bosmos" by Rick The Godson Wilhite & Kenny Dixon Jr (Moodyman) plus DVD bonus disc: In The Dark: Voices, shot in Detroit by Chris Bravo and featuring Ron Trent, Franki "DJ 3000" Juncaj, Mike Huckaby, Diviniti & Pirahnahead and many more.

A contemporary group, but one with a very vintage reggae vibe – one that's put together here by producer Eric Hilton, who's got a well-trained ear for the classic, thanks to his work in Thievery Corporation! There's a warm, soulful feel to the record – a vibe that's somewhere between mid 70s Kingston, and London reggae from a decade later – all handled with a stripped-down, no-nonsense approach that features soulful horns, stepping basslines, and just the right sort of dubbish production to make the whole thing gel together – yet survive on its own without any studio tricks or gimmicks. Vocals are by Ras Puma, Lenny Kurlou, Sleepy Wonder, and Ichelle Cole – and titles include "Who's Correct", "Nuff A Dem", "Crime", "Blasting Through The City", "Sensibility", "Music Is My Prayer", and "Boof Baff".

Matthew Herbert never fails to amaze our ears, but he does so even more than ever on this stunning Big Band set! The album's more dynamic, more creative, and more experimental than any of Herbert's other work – hardly the slower, cinematic modes of some recordings – or the jazz-meets-groove styles of others – and instead a rich new palette of musical colors, one that pushes Matthew far far from the mainstream! The work's more orchestral than big band – complicated in tone and rhythm at times, but always finding a space for soul – either in solo instrumental passages, or in the great vocals on the record – sung by Eska Mtungwazi in a really beautiful style, echoing out brilliantly over the larger orchestrations – which themselves were recorded in the House Of Commons and London City Hall. Titles include "Pontificate", "The Yesness", "Battery", "Regina", "One Life", "Just Swing", "The Rich Man's Prayer", and "The Story".

A totally great live set from Quasimode – and one that really returns the combo to the core brilliance of their first few records from Japan! The setting is completely unfurled and unbridled – the main quartet soaring away in a fast flurry of piano, bass, and percussion – always with a modal groove, and handled with plenty of soul – and topped throughout with tight horns from the Brassmode quartet – whose tenor and trumpet lines are especially nice, and really help deepen the soul of the music! There's only a bit of keyboards to bring in some slight electricity – but overall, things are mostly acoustic, very jazzy, and played live – with energy that even tops the group's recent studio albums. Two tracks feature vocals – and titles include "Febre Samba", "Another Sky", "The Man From Nagpur", "All Is One", "Relight My Fire", "El Paso Twist", and "Give It Up Or Turn It Loose".

A beautiful Rebirth for the Tribe Records scene in Detroit – a set that brings together older players whose work illuminated that famous label – Phil Ranelin on trombone, Wendell Harrison on saxes, and Marcus Belgrave on trumpet – all working here with younger musicians who include Amp Fiddler on keyboards, John Arnold on guitar, and Carl Craig on keyboards and production! The mix of generations is amazing – every bit as mesmerizing as the Detroit Experiment session from years back – and the tunes have this soulful, spiritual sensibility that really holds up to the promise first laid down by Tribe back in the 70s – a righteous reworking of familiar jazz ideals, stretching forward with cosmic energy that's really amazing! Craig's presence on the set makes for a bit of electricity at times – but the rhythms are all live and acoustic – and if anything, the whole project marks a real growth in Carl's own music, almost more than that of the originators whose sound here is every bit as great as we could have hoped! Titles include "Son Of Tribe", "Livin In A New Day", "Deneka's Chant", "Jazz On The Run", "Ride", "Lesli", "Where Am I", "13th & Senate", and "Glue Fingers".