All Categories — LPs  

Continuing proof that Meshell Ndegeocello is one of the most compelling soul singers of the past few decades – as she steps forth here in a tribute to Nina Simone, all with a rich criss-crossing of styles that's unlike any of her previous work! Meshell's vocals are right on the money – with a slight rasp that really suits Nina's spirit well – and the instrumental backings are mighty fresh, and really different than the straighter jazz you might expect from a staid Simone tribute – more in the mix of folk, rock, blues, and jazz elements that Nina used during some of her hippest sides for Philips Records in the 60s! Yet there's also a sparkle that's definitely Meshell's own, too – and the album also features guests work from Cody Chestnutt, Lizz Wright, Toshi Reagon, and others. Titles include "Suzanne", "House Of The Rising Sun", "Turn Me On", "Feeling Good", "Either Way I Lose", "Four Women", "To Be Young Gifted & Black", "See Line Woman", and "Be My Husband".

Wonderful work by Nina – the kind of record that once made purists turn up their noses, but which is now being rediscovered as a unique jazz/soul crossover album, filled with loads of nice moments! The instrumentation's pretty darn interesting – and includes sitar, harp, Spanish guitar, and other odd percussion instruments. Includes Nina's nice version of "Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter", plus "I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl", "Dambala", "Obeah Woman", and "The Pusher".

One of Nina's first for RCA – a mixture of jazz and soul tunes handled with some classy arrangements by Sammy Lowe, most of which feature nice electric bass work at the bottom by Gene Taylor! Taylor's bass gives the tracks a nice "dip" that's not exactly funky, but does provide a strong kick that keeps things moving along nicely – in a way that points towards the direction Nina would take in the 70s, and which makes this album a fair bit hipper than some of her Philips work! Nina's not as over the top as on other records, but still lays it out quite hiply – and tracks include "Consummation", "Go To Hell", "Love O Love", "It Be's That Way Sometime", "Turn Me On", and "Some Say".

A landmark album from Nina – one that broke down countless barriers with the classic tune "Four Women" – a righteous portrait of 4 different women and their struggles, unique for its time, and a key part of the early Women's Liberation movement! The rest of the album has a smiliar political undercurrent – sometimes subtle, but there nonetheless – as Nina works magic on tunes that include "Break Down & Let It All Out", "Either Way I Lose", "Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair", and "That's All I Ask".

A real standout 70s set from Nina Simone – a one-off date for CTI Records, done with a sound that's different than her earlier work for RCA, Philips, and Colpix! The groove here is often as soul-based as it is vocal jazz – thanks to arrangements from David Matthews, who brings a similar sound here to his other work with Esther Phillips in the decade – another older singer who'd hit some very hip territory at the time. The groove here is very much like Phillips' best for Kudu – smooth and soulful, but in ways that still retain all the rasp and character of the lead vocals. Titles include a sublime reading of Randy Newman's excellent "Baltimore", plus "The Family", "My Father", "Music For Lovers", "Rich Girl", and "Balm In Gilead".

Hip stuff from Nina – much more of a soul album than some of her other work from previous years – with great arrangements by Harold Wheeler, which turn a host of familiar pop tunes into Nina's own territory! The set includes a great version of "Ooh Child", sung with incredibly tender warmth – plus amazing takes on the tunes "Just Like A Woman", "Here Comes The Sun", "New World Coming", and "My Way". Also features Weldon Irvine's own composition, "How Long Must I Wander?"

What can we say? We've heard this one a million times, it sold over a million copies – but it's still incredible! The record is Roberta's first, and it features her in a mellow trio format, augmented by some occasional larger arrangements by William Fischer. At most points, though, the sound is incredibly spare – with vocals that are much more soulful than any of Roberta's other records, and a sound that hints at Nina Simone, but which has it's own jazzy groove and deep sense of feeling. Includes the classic funky version of "Compared To What", plus "Angelitos Negros", "Our Ages Our Our Hearts", and "Tryin Times".

An album that follows nicely in Ketty's style of the 60s – mixing together soul with more serious vocal work – but handled here with some groovier 70s touches! Ketty's clearly heard the work of singers like Nina Simone and Melba Moore by this point, and is going for a more righteous approach that includes a number of rock and spiritual soul tracks. Backings are by Lincoln Mayorga, with players that include Clare Fischer, Artie Butler, Carol Kaye, and Earl Palmer – plus a vocal group that features work by Gloria Jones and Shirley Matthews. Tracks include "You're Getting Older", "Peace Brother Peace", "Son Of A Preacher Man", "Prisoner Of Love", "Now More Than Ever", and "Living As We Live".

An excellent early album from Billy that has him singing in a mixed jazz and soul vein, with a sound that's similar to some of Nina Simone's great live albums from the time! Billy's singing with a small piano trio, and his voice is rich and soulful in a way that you don't always get on his later recordings. The set's nearly all covers, but Billy's interpretations are fantastic, and he turns the tracks into something completely different than you're used to – in the same way that Nina Simone and Isaac Hayes were doing at the time with contemporary hits. Tracks include "Bluesette", "That's Life", "Feelin' Good", "Just In Time", and the Kenny Gamble original, "Missing You".

A weird one, but pretty compelling. Cyril Paul is an African American folk singer – less in the mode of jazz/soul folkies like Terry Callier or Oscar Brown, than in the style of the New York/Boston new traditionalists of the early 60s. At most levels, the album's a straight folk one – but the ensemble's pretty hip, and adds in some jazzy elements on the best songs. The strongest titles have sort of a Miriam Makeba quality to them – and the record features a version of Oscar Brown Jr's "Brown Baby", a nicely grooving take on Paul Simon's "Patterns", and the Nina Simone-esque "Freedom Is A Constant Struggle".

The label says "Lonnie Satin sings Bossa Nova", and he does too, but not in the way that would make us put this in the Brazilian section. Lonnie's got more of a groovy jazzy folksy style – in a manner that's similar to Nina Simone, who he resembles at some moments on the record. The album has some really wonderful groovers – like the mighty African-tinged "Uska-Dara", worth the price of the record alone. Other nice ones include "A Felicidade", "Come Dance With Me", and "Non De Menti Ca". Arragements by Chiquenho, who we've never heard of (and who may be a Brill Building arranger under a fake Portuguese name!)

Landmark early work from the legendary Weldon Irvine – recorded way back when he was first coming to fame with Nina Simone, but done as an obscure indie effort for his tiny Nodlew label! The set's a wicked batch of keyboard-heavy funk – at a level that's similar to some of the best titles on Black Jazz or Strata East at the time, but also filled with an even richer array of colors and musical ideas. Weldon's work on electric piano is worth the price of admission alone – often spare, spacious, and perfectly placed – especially on the funky classics "Homey", "Mr Clean", and "Sister Sanctified" – a tune later cut by Stanley Turrentine, but heard here in Weldon's original version! Other cuts include "Gloria", "Juggah Buggah", "Blues Wel-Don", and "Liberated Brother".

An excellent early album from Billy that has him singing in a mixed jazz and soul vein, with a sound that's similar to some of Nina Simone's great live albums from the time! Billy's singing with a small piano trio, and his voice is rich and soulful in a way that you don't always get on his later recordings. The set's nearly all covers, but Billy's interpretations are fantastic, and he turns the tracks into something completely different than you're used to – in the same way that Nina Simone and Isaac Hayes were doing at the time with contemporary hits. Tracks include "Bluesette", "That's Life", "Feelin' Good", "Just In Time", and the Kenny Gamble original, "Missing You".

A hip little album by Miriam Makeba – part South African soul, part New York hip, with arrangements that recall some of Makeba's later work, bits of Nina Simone, and touches of Uptown soul. Arrangements and backing are by Luchi De Jesus – and Sivuca's actually part of the backing, and you can hear him singing and playing accordion behind Makeba with that cool breezy sound of his. Titles include "Mr Man", "A Piece Of Ground", "Akana Nkomo", "West Wind", "Where Are You Going", and "My Love Is Young".