A really compelling album from drummer Clarence Penn – maybe his greatest record in years, and that's really saying a lot! The inspiration here is stated plainly in the title – an imagined look by Salvador Dali at contemporary Brooklyn – carried off in sounds that are definitely Brooklyn in execution, even if they're not as Dali-esque as you might expect! Penn's come up with some of his most inventive rhythms ever for the record – followed by these deft lines from Adam Rogers on guitar, who soars along with really intense energy – and topped by excellent work on tenor, soprano sax, and bass clarinet from Chris Potter – a player whose deft turns are a great match for the others. Ben Street keeps things sewn together on bass – and titles include "The B 61", "Cobble Hill", "A Walk On The BHP", "Dali", "Mr C", and "Persistence Of Memory". ~ Dusty Groove
Cinematic funky instrumentals (plus a few guest vocal cuts) from Herbaliser – working with as diverse of a stylistic backdrop as ever before, and once again with a nice live band feel on a good deal of the record – which is quite impressive, given that The Herbaliser duo of Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba are largely responsible for the sprawling sound on There Were Seven! There's quite a lot of moody hip hop funk on this one, with some deft use of sampled bits of vocal, programming, bass and keys – plus a handful of standout vocal tunes with guests Hanna Clive, Twin Peaks, George The Poet and Teenburger. Includes "Return Of The Seven", "The Lost Boys" with Hanna Clive, "Welcome To Extravagance", "Mother Dove", "Take 'Em On", "Setting Up", "What You Asked For", "Deep In The Woods". "Inside The Machine", "Danny Glover" feat Twin Peaks, "Move As One" and more. ~ Dusty Groove
JOHN ZORN - VISION IN BLAKELIGHT
John Zorn, inspired by the work of William Blake – on an album that's one of his most beautiful in years! There's a really lovely sound going on here – bright, and filled with hope – in ways we never thought we'd be hearing from Zorn many years back – music that's made not by John's own instrumentation, but by a group that features John Medeski on piano and organ, Kenny Wollesen on vibes, Carol Emanuel on harp, Trevor Dunn on bass, Joey Baron on drums, and Cyro Baptista on percussion! The sound is warm and very organic – a shade towards a Terry Riley minimal mode, but more lyrical overall – with an open, flowering quality that's wonderful right from the start. Zorn arranges and conducts – and titles include "An Island In The Moon", "The Hammer Of Los", "The Prophecy", "Marriage Of Heaven & Hell", "Night Thoughts", and "When The Morning Stars Sang Together". ~ Dusty Groove