From: Bob Davis (earthjuice_at_prodigy.net)
Date: 2004-03-07 05:21:36
* Afroskull - 'Monster For The Masses
(Supa Dupa Monster Jazz/Funk/Rock/Soul)
Well, I am listening to it as we speak, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this
is the very best album I have heard so far in 2004. Impossible to place into a category, for
Soul-Patrollers the reference point would be Victor Wooten - 'Live In America'. For the rest
of you it's kinda like Passport, Weather Report, Band Of Gypsy's, P-Funk and the Meters all
rolled into one. I predict that this CD will have trouble getting commercial airplay because
of it's sheer diversity and high quality. It simply won't fit into ANY commercial radio
format, that I am aware of. However I can also safely predict that we will PLAY THE HELL out
of it on Soul-Patrol.Net Radio, because of it's sheer diversity and quality :) I know that
Victor Wooten will be releasing a new CD soon and of course Prince has his new one on the way
as well. All I can say is that they had betta BOTH come with some buttFUNK kickin stuff to
beat this one :)
* New Edition - 'New Edition Hits'
(Classic Soul/Pop)
As you all know I really like New Edition. I am a self admitted addict of what I sometimes
lovingly refer to as 'bubblegum funk'. All of the great songs they did during the 1980's are
here, during that period when they not only continued the 'bubblegum funk' legacy of the J5,
Five Stairsteps, Sylvers and others, but also are possibly the very last in the line of great
Black male vocal groups in the tradition of the Dells, Temps, Impressions, Bluenotes,
Intruders, Persuaders, Escorts, Moments, Harptones, Jive Five, Delphonics, Cadillac's, etc. In
my opinion a disc like this represents essential music to own, if you consider yourself to be
a fan of Soul muisc. If you don't already own these songs, this would be a good place to start
with New Edition...
* Ozric Tentacles - 'Spirals In Hyperspace'
(Progressive Jazz/Rock/Funk)
This is what we used to call back in da day a FREAK OUT ALBUM.
(all of you 'ex. headz know what I'm talking about)
Think about a combination of Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Return To Forever (No Mystery), Hocus
Pocus (by Focus), Sun Ra, and Tubular Bells and then imagine that it's 1975 in a dark room lit
only by the tip of a burning incense stick and you have got the complete picture of where this
album is coming from :)
* Diana Ross and the Supremes - Diana Ross and the Supremes The No. 1's
(Classic Soul/Pop)
As most of you know, my relationship with this group is somewhat 'twisted'. I have gone back
and forth between 'love and hate' with the Supremes for about as long as I can remember.
However for those of you who for whatever reason do not currently own any Supremes music, this
CD contains music that is absolutely essential for a soul music fan to own. It contains all of
their biggest hits, both with and without Diana Ross, the solo hits of Diana Ross, and a bonus
track. The bonus track is an alternate take of 'You Keep Me Hanging On', a song that I
initially hated, then when Vanilla Fudge covered it I loved it, and now with this remix
featuring some AWESOME drumming and bass playing (Benjamin & Jamerson?) I'm diggin this song
all over again. (see I told yall I was confused about the Supremes.....lol).
If you are new to the Supremes this CD would be a good place for you to start and then you can
go deeper and hopefully you won't become as confused about them as I have made myself in
trying to analyze their career :)
* Waldo Weathers - 'Love Groove'
(James Brown/Chuck Brown Style Soul/Jazz/Blues/Funk/Rap)
Wow, what a surprise from our man Waldo, this CD starts out with an early 90's 'G-Funk' style
song. Now that's not a criticism, cuz I always dug that 'G-Funk' thang, just a surprise!! Next
up is a 'DC Go Go' type of jam, later there are love songs, then instrumental jazz/funk, a
song that sounds a bit like a Shuggie Otis song and more. I have been diggin Waldo's stuff
for a while now as yall already know, but I think this is his best CD. It's VERY diverse and
may not find a home on commercial radio either, however I think that folks who consider
themselves to be true connoisseurs of DA FUNK will regard this one as a secret pleasure!
* Nestor Torres - Sin Palabras (without words)
(Latin/Jazz)
Very nice CD if you like 'Latin Jazz'. Kinda reminds me a little of Hubert Laws. Funky in
spots, it's basicly a 'CTI ish' kinda album updated and desingned to appeal to a younger
audience (it has some rap's done in spanish along with some hip hop beats on some songs). And
in my view anything that gets younger people to listen to jazz is a good thing :)
* Tad Robinson - 'Did You Ever Wonder'
(Soul/Blues)
This guy sounds like a white version of Mighty Sam McClain, which means to say that he's
pretty damn good.
more to come...
How's that for those of you who keep telling me that there isn't any good NEW music out there?
_________
Bob Davis
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