Killer contemporary work from bassist Henry Franklin – an artist who's every bit as hip today as he was back in the 70s! This smoking set is one of Henry's recent gems on his own label – a soulful, soaring session that really shows that his energy hasn't dimmed a bit – and a record that's done with an underground, indie vibe that really lives up to the rest of Franklin's rich legacy! Most tracks here have a strongly spiritual quality – stretching forth wonderfully with performances by a group that includes Franklin on bass, Theo Saunders on piano, Gilbert Castellanos on trumpet, Chuck Manning on tenor, and Ryan Porter on trombone – the last three of whom are horn players who really make Henry's musical vision sparkle. Dwight Trible provides guest vocals on the track "Queen Of Tangents", Mon David sings on "A Love Song For Midori" – and other instrumental tracks include "Neko", "Four By Five", "Thump", "The Purple Gazelle", and "My Daddy's Jazz". ~ Dusty Groove
A brilliant return from the Hot 8 Brass Band – a New Orleans combo who take tradition into some great funky new territory! As you'd guess from their name, the instrumentation is heavy on brass – played with a gritty, soulful edge – in the way you'd find during some street performance in a corner far from the mainstream Quarter – sometimes accompanied by ensemble vocals, and almost always driven by these great rhythms at the bottom – more than funky enough to set even the heaviest horns on fire with their energy. Titles include "Bingo Bango", "Fine Tuner", "Steamin Blues", "Can't Hide From The Truth", "New Orleans (After The City)", and a nice remake of The Specials' "Ghost Town". ~ Dusty Groove
Extending a tradition that stretches from Aretha Franklin to Sarah Vaughn, singer, songwriter, Vesta Williams contributed to the soulful mix of musical era and genres during her career. Simply put, Vesta Williams is a musical legend. Before her death in September 22, 2011, Vesta released 6 studio albums that has produced “Congratulations” “Sweet Sweet Love” “4U” and “Special”. Her upcoming studio release “Seven” is completed and contains the wonderful vocals and arrangement that we have expected from her over the last 25 years. Vesta has sold over 2 million albums in her career that this effort will please all her fans. Vesta’s new single “Better Days” is available on Itunes. From Executive Producers Edwin Nicholas, Devon V. Collins and Kahlil I. Pedizisai, Vesta’s Album “Seven” will be available in Stores on March 12, 2013 from Stimuli Music. ~ urbanbridgez.com