SPANKY WILSON REISSUES - SPANKIN' BRAND NEW, DOIN' IT & LET IT BE

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SPANKIN' BRAND NEW

Heavy soul from the great Spanky Wilson – an album that explodes with energy right from the start – in a groove that definitely lives up to the title! Spanky's got a great mix of funk and class on this set – a punch in the rhythms at points, yet also a poise in the way she delivers the lyrics – a blend that's a bit like Marlena Shaw in her earlier years – and set to some killer arrangements from the great HB Barnum! Barnum gives the record all the cool punch of his great 60s work with Lou Rawls – and nearly all the material was written by the obscure Howlett Smith – an excellent lost writer who had a real talent for coming up with cool little soul songs that rise above the usual bag of his generation. This material works great for Spanky, and together, the pair, along with Barnum, cook up a unique lost soul treat! Titles include "Apartment 101", "On The Morning After", "The Other Girl", "You're Gonna Miss Me", "Love Has Me By The Hand", and "Mighty Great Feeling". ~ Dusty Groove

DOIN' IT

A bit of soul, a bit of jazz, and some nice funky touches at the bottom – a killer little set from the great Spanky Wilson! Wilson's got a really unique place in music – at one level a soul singer with enough sophistication to rival the sound of Marlena Shaw or Nancy Wilson – but at another level, an artist capable of really letting loose – hitting heavier, funkier modes that neither of those singers could ever touch! This set may well be Wilson's masterpiece – put together with excellent production and arrangements from the great HB Barnum – here coming off a great run of work for other artists in the 60s, and focusing all that experience on making Spanky sound great. Titles include "If I Could", "You", "Don't Mess With Bill", "Light My Fire", "Sunshine Of Your Love", "Hurtin", and "The Love That A Woman Should Give To A Man". ~ Dusty Groove

LET IT BE

Spanky Wilson really takes off here – hitting some of her boldest soul modes to date – and serving up a few funk-heavy classics in the process! Production and arrangements are by HB Barnum – who draws on his own rich legacy of soul projects for the set, and finds a way to let Spanky really knock things out of the park – while still also holding tight to a mighty sweet groove! The style's almost an indie soul take on the Capitol Records groove that Barnum forged with David Axelrod for other singers – with all the strong sense of space between the grooves that would imply. The set features Spanky doing nice hard grooving versions of tracks that you've heard before – like "Loveland", "Let It Be", "Gloomy Sunday", and "Perhaps" – but there's also some nice ones like "Foolish" or "Love or Let Me Be Lonely", that are less familiar, and mighty nice too! ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - WILLIE BOBO, NICO GOMEZ AND HIS AFRO PERCUSSION INC., MOACIR SANTOS

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WILLIE BOBO - TOMORROW IS HERE

A really unique chapter in the career of percussionist Willie Bobo – a rare one-off album for Blue Note – done with a sweet Cali vibe all the way through! Bobo plays his usual percussion, but also sings a bit too – in this charming style that's never too overdone – a deeply personal approach that sounds great next to the album's electric arrangements – all in a vibe that mixes Latin with 70s funk and fusion – all with that beautiful 70s Blue Note balance between polish and poise, groove and soul! The range of sounds is mighty nice – and titles include "Suitcase Full Of Dreams", "Wacky Tobacky", "Dreamin", "Keep On Walkin", "Funk De Mambo", and the "Kojak Theme". ~ Dusty Groove

NICO GOMEZ AND HIS AFRO PERCUSSION INC. - RITUAL

Fierce funky grooves from the legendary Nico Gomez – a set cooked up in Europe, but heavy with influences from the other side of the Atlantic – from Havana all the way up to New York! There's definitely a Latin groove to the record – one that's similar to other Gomez productions – but there's also lots of heavy funk at the bottom – with basslines that drive most numbers along boldly, really raw percussion played with a nice sense of spontaneity, and these super-tight keyboards and guitars that you might find in American funk! The mix of modes is very much in the best spirit of contemporary groups like Chakachas or Lafayette Afro Rock Band – and titles include "Caballo Negro", "Lupita", "Baila Chibiquiban", "Pa! Pa! Pa! Pa!", "One Note Samba", "Cuba Libre", and "El Condor Pasa". ~ Dusty Groove

MOACIR SANTOS - CARNIVAL OF THE SPIRITS

A sublime 70s session from Moacir Santos – a set that mixes the complex grooves he forged in 60s Brazil with the warmly jazzy sound of American fusion – all in a result that's totally unique! The album's quite different than any other electric Brazilian sets recorded in the US at the time – a complex album that's filled with soul and imagination – and not just an electrification of earlier styles from Brazil. Santos' vision here is wonderful – and he works with his own arrangements, and key help from producer Dale Oehler – who knows how to bring in all the right electric elements without losing the edge of Moacir's music. Players are great too – and include Jerome Richardson on soprano sax, Oscar Brashear on trumpet, Don Menza on tenor, Gary Foster on alto, Larry Nash on Fender Rhodes, Clare Fischer on piano, and Jerry Peters on organ. The sound builds and swirls in nice chunks, while the soloists creep in and lay down some horn parts – and a few vocalists, including Santos, add some slight lyrics from time to time. Titles include "Tomorrow Is Mine", "Jequie", "Coisa No 2", "Quiet Carnival", "Sampaguita", and "Anon". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - NICO GOMEZ AND HIS ORCHESTRA, ROGER NICHOLS AND THE SMALL CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, LOU DONALDSON

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NICO GOMEZ -BOSSA NOVA

Way way more than just bossa nova – a mighty groover from the great Nico Gomez! Nico's known for his harder pounding tracks that have become favorites with the funky crowd, but this stellar album shows that Nico could also work in jazzier territory when he wanted to – as the album's a wonderful batch of tunes that mix together Latin, groovy, and bossa styles! There's some very nice wordless female vocals on a few cuts, scatting along with a warm breezy feel – and other tracks feature vibes, or guitar, sax, and other strong instrumental elements – with more than enough punch to be funky at a few points. The whole thing's as groovy as groovy can be – with a sound that's past bossa, and way more than any fake easy instrumental attempt at the genre – a real peep into the mad mind of Nico Gomez, and proof that his albums are always worth tracking down! Titles include "Din Din Din", "Aquarela", "Samba De Rio", "Saudade Do Rio", "Agua", "Rio", and "O Barquinho". ~ Dusty Groove

ROGER NICHOLS AND THE SMALL CIRCLE OF FRIENDS - MY HEART IS HOME

Sublime sounds from Roger Nichols and the revived Small Circle Of Friends – a record that definitely echoes the style the group first created in the late 60s for A&M Records! The set follows strongly on the style of Nichols first comeback album from a few years back – offering up the sweet, warm, personal charm that's always made his music so unique – produced with an edge that's really respectful to the complicated balance of his songs – and which never tries to update things too much at all. A few of the songs are more obscure numbers from the old days, a few others are new, and there's even a special Holiday number in the set too! Titles include "Take Me Home", "Something From Paradise", "My Heart Is Home", "This Is Love", "The Moon Is Red", "Show Your Love", "Christmas Is My Favorite Time Of Year", "Feels Good To Be Bad Again", and a remake of "We've Only Just Begun". (HQ – Hi Quality CD pressing!) ~ Dusty Groove

LOU DONALDSON - SOPHISTICATED LOU

A really unique album for Lou Donaldson – especially for his early 70s run on Blue Note! The session lives up to its title by offering up a batch of soulful ballads from Lou – tunes that really focus on his sweet lines on alto, yet set amidst some larger backing arranged by Wade Marcus – which also feature some wonderful Fender Rhodes from Derek Smith in the mix! The groove is relatively gentle, and has a nicely laidback sort of feel – the kind of lush yet soulful sounds that Marcus could do so well almost a CTI/Kudu vibe, but a bit more easygoing overall. Titles include a version of Lou's "Blues Walk", plus "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life", "The Long Goodbye", "Stella By Starlight", "You've Changed", and "Autumn In New York". ~ Dusty Groove

THAD JONES & MEL LEWIS CLASSIC ALBUMS RE-RELEASED...

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Presenting Thad Jones & Mel Lewis & The Jazz Orchestra / Live At The Village Vanguard / Big Band Sound Featuring Miss Ruth Brown

A trio of classics from the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra! First up is the initial Presenting album – great music by one of the hippest large American ensembles of the late 60s – almost a US equivalent to the groovy sound of the Clark Boland Big Band over in Europe! Trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis had already made some great music together on their own – but once they came together in a record like this, they really found a great new direction for their energy – a bold musical force that's strong enough to also encompass the rich talents of players who include Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Joe Farrell on tenor, Jerome Richardson on soprano sax, Richard Williams on trumpet, Bob Brookmeyer and Tom McIntosh on trombones, Hank Jones on piano, and Richard Davis on bass! The sound is full, but never overwhelming – and like the Clark Boland group, this one has a great way of breaking open to allow key soloists to have some great space on their own – a modern approach, and one that still never has the band losing its groove. Titles include "ABC Blues", "Mean What You Say", "Three & One", and "Once Around". 

The next album was recorded live in the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis home turf at the Village Vanguard! The group at this point was a freshly-created outfit filled with some of the best large group jazz soloists of the time – players that included Jerome Richardson, Joe Farrell, Eddie Daniels, Pepper Adams, Richard Williams, and Bob Brookmeyer – not to mention Jones and Lewis themselves! The style here is very much in the mode that the Clarke Boland Band was crafting in Europe during the same period – a redefinition of the larger jazz group, in a way that allowed it to swing with the dynamic energy and soul of some of the smaller combos of the 60s. And while the Jones/Lewis group had many years over which to hone their craft, they've never sounded better than on these initial recordings – as you'll hear on tracks that include "Samba Con Getchu", "A That's Freedom", "Bachafillen", and "Little Pixie".  

On the last album in the set, Ruth Brown joins the big band of Thad Jones and Mel Lewis – in a set that's a real standout in the career of all three artists! Thad and Mel already have a pretty great groove going at this point – a large ensemble approach to jazz, yet one that's swingingly soulful – very much on a par with some of Gerald Wilson's hip work of the same time at time. And adding in Ruth Brown's vocals is a great choice – as she not only needs a great showcase like this for her amazing voice, but also because she really helps unlock a soulful sort of energy that the group always had in their instrumental music. The approach is a bit like some of Etta Jones' best 60s recordings – a nice shift for Brown – and titles include "Black Coffee", "Fine Brown Frame", "You Won't Let Go", "Trouble In Mind", and "Be Anything (But Be Mine)". ~ Dusty Groove

TONY BENNETT - UNIVISION HOLIDAY SPECIAL WITH VIVA DUETS PARTNERS ON 12/9 // NEW MEMOIRLIFE IS A GIFT: THE ZEN OF BENNETT MAKES THE NY TIMES BESTSELLER LIST // ENTIRE MUSIC CATALOG ON ITUNES

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Tony Bennet (Photo by Paul Bergen/Getty Images)

For his Spanish-language fans, Tony has a special Christmas treat coming soon. On Sunday December 9th at 10pm EST, Tony and his VIVA DUETS partners will star in "Feliz Navidad Con Los Nuestros: Tony Y Sus Amigos". This will be the first time a non-Hispanic media personality will have their own primetime special on Univision, the largest Spanish-language TV network in the world. Hosted By Univision's Giselle Blondet, the one hour music special will give an inside look at the album, VIVA DUETS - featuring segments with Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Romeo Santos,Vicente Fernandez, Thalía, Juan Luis Guerra and more.

Tony's new memoir, THE ZEN OF BENNETT: LIFE IS A GIFT was just released on November 20th – and already made it onto the NY Times Bestseller List! The book is described as the perfect accompaniment to this legend’s warm, sophisticated, and graceful melodies that have made him beloved by generations of fans.

Also earlier this week, Tony's entire music catalog became available on iTunes! Revisit all the phases of his unstoppable career: http://smarturl.it/TonyiTunes

Wanna learn more about what's happening with Tony? Check out some of his most recent interviews below:
CNN / Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien: http://youtu.be/ti5I7TMJme0
WYNC / The Leonard Lopate Show: http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/2012/nov/26/zen-tony-bennett
BlogTalkRadio / Storytellers with Eric Olsen & Chitra Agrawal: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/storytellers/2012/10/24/legendary-singer-tony-bennett
Rolling Stone / Exclusive with Patrick Doyle: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tony-bennett-taps-latin-music-stars-for-viva-duets-album-20121023

Connect with Tony Bennett:
http://www.tonybennett.net
http://www.facebook.com/tonybennett
http://twitter.com/itstonybennett
VIVA DUETS - US STANDARD TRACKLISTING1. "The Best Is Yet to Come" with Chayanne
2. "The Way You Look Tonight" with Thalía*
3. "Steppin' Out With My Baby" with Christina Aguilera
4. "For Once In My Life" with Marc Anthony
5. "Are You Havin' Any Fun?" with Dani Martín*
6. "The Good Life" with Franco DeVita
7. "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)" with Gloria Estefan
8. "Just in Time" with Juan Luis Guerra
9. "Cold, Cold Heart" with Vicentico
10. "I Wanna Be Around" with Ricardo Arjona
11. "Rags to Riches" with Romeo Santos
12. "Return to Me (Regresa A Mí)" with Vicente Fernández*

VIVA DUETS - US TARGET TRACKLISTING
1. "The Best Is Yet to Come" with Chayanne
2. "The Way You Look Tonight" with Thalía*
3. "Steppin' Out With My Baby" with Christina Aguilera
4. "For Once In My Life" with Marc Anthony
5. "Are You Havin' Any Fun?" with Dani Martín*
6. "The Good Life" with Franco DeVita
7. "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)" with Gloria Estefan
8. "Just in Time" with Juan Luis Guerra
9. "Cold, Cold Heart" with Vicentico
10. "I Wanna Be Around" with Ricardo Arjona
11. "Rags to Riches" with Romeo Santos
12. "Return to Me (Regresa A Mí)" with Vicente Fernández*
13. "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" with Miguel Bosé*
14. "Blue Velvet" with Maria Gadú*
15. "The Very Thought of You" with Ana Carolina
16. "The Way You Look Tonight" with Thalía* (Guitar Only)

With millions of records sold world-wide and platinum and gold albums to his credit, Bennett has received seventeen Grammy Awards -- including a 1995 Grammy for Record of the Year for his "MTV Unplugged" CD which introduced this American master to a whole new generation -- and the Grammy Lifetime Award. His 2007 prime-time special, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," won seven Emmy Awards. His initial successes came via a string of Columbia singles in the early 1950's, including such chart-toppers as "Because of You," "Rags to Riches," and a remake of Hank Williams "Cold, Cold Heart." He had 24 songs in the Top 40, including "I Wanna Be Around," "The Good Life," "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)" and his signature song," I Left My Heart In San Francisco," recorded 50 years ago this coming January 2012. This song garnered him two Grammy Awards. Tony Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and now in the first two decades of the 21st century. He has introduced a multitude of songs into the Great American Songbook that have since become standards for pop music. He has toured the world to sold out audiences with rave reviews whenever he performs.

BASTIAN BAKER PLAYS MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL

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Launch of Bastian Baker’s 1st live DVD: December 9th, 5pm at the Montreux Casino.

Bastian Baker has risen to success in the musical arena since his debut in 2011. Actually, the Swiss singer-songwriter is also gaining recognition from abroad, especially from France where his fans are many and where he charms the media. His album is still in the French charts, at number 45!

In Switzerland his success on and off the stage has led to two platinum records, the winning of the “revelation of the year” trophy at the Swiss Music Awards, and a Walo Prize. The artist’s singles are also the most played on FM radio with unstoppable hits such as “Lucky”, “I’d Sing For You”, “Tomorrow May Not Be Better”, “Colorful Hospital” and his current hit “Nobody Should Die Alone” set against a superb video.

The talented Bastian Baker distinguishes himself also with the way he delivers his songs. On the live DVD entitled “Bastian Baker Plays Montreux Jazz Festival”, we rediscover a mixture of ardour and gentleness on stage, of youth and also spontaneity.

On June 29th 2012, Montreux Jazz Festival founder and CEO Claude Nobs honoured Bastian Baker by inviting him to perform as the opening act on the Auditorium Stravinski stage for the 46th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival. This became an exceptional moment in Baker’s career and for Claude Nobs, an unforgettable memory:

“I had heard of this young ice-hockey player from Villeneuve who, despite having a bright future in sport, wanted to become a singer,” recalls Nobs.

“I asked him to perform at a small club in Zermatt having neither heard, nor even met him. He was alone on stage with his acoustic guitar and very quickly seduced the audience with his voice, his music and incredible stage presence. Bastian’s lyrics and melodies are such that they stay in your head and your heart, even making you dance – the rhythms are that powerful. At the end of his concert we did a blues improvisation and I told him he could go far. I meant it". Claude Nobs - Founder & CEO Montreux Jazz Festival

Bastian Baker’s showcase and autograph-signing takes place at 5pm on Sunday December 9th at the Montreux Casino.

“Bastian Baker Plays Montreux Jazz Festival” comes out on Phonag Records December 7th, in DVD and Blu-Ray and includes several bonus sequences including the video for Baker’s superb cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.

~ montreuxjazz.com

NEW RELEASES - WELDON IRVINE, HE3 PROJECT, AIRBORNE

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WELDON IRVINE - YOUNG GIFTED AND BROKE (CD/DVD)

A huge musical treasure – a full unreleased album by Weldon Irvine, plus a bonus video as well! The music is from the stage play Young Gifted & Broke – a short-lived production by Weldon, and one that's done with some of the same hip modes he was bringing to his own music of the 70s – as well as to other artists as well, especially Nina Simone! The style's more jazz than funk, but is still mighty nice – as the instrumentation features loads of electric piano lines from Weldon, and a sparklingly soulful style that's way hipper than most of what you'd find on the stage at the time. Most tunes have lyrics, but are still heavy on Fender Rhodes lines from Weldon – and titles include "Karate Dancer", "Pity for The Man", "Black Lightning's Song", "Musical Interlude", "Comin Home", "We Got A Deal", "No Now Never None", and "Ghetto Lament". DVD features a documentary titled The Edification Of Weldon Irvine – filmed in 1979 by Collis Davis – partly on the play, but also on Irvine and his music too – a beautiful document with footage in both color and black and white. DVD also has subtitles in Japanese – but is in English throughout. (DVD format is NTSC/Region free.) ~ Dusty Groove

HE3 PROJECT - CHAPTER THREE

The coolest chapter so far in the long-lost story of the He3 Project – wonderfully spiritual jazz sounds from the San Francisco scene of the early 70s – recorded with a wicked blend of instrumentation and vocals, and a really cosmic sound overall! The music isn't just the usual spiritual jazz of the time – nor the familiar funky sound from the other side of the Bay – and instead, it's kind of a tripped-out hybrid that's really unique – and often served up with a rough edge that makes the instrumentation even more compelling! Players include Hadley Caliman on tenor and flute, Joe West and Terry Mederios on guitars, and Herman Eberitzsch (the HE in the group's name) on Fender Rhodes, Echoplex, piano, and screwdriver. Vocals are from two members of The Waters – Maxine and Julia – although the overall vibe is more instrumental in the end. Titles include "Civilization", "The Massage", "Dark Angels", "Artesian Wells", "Shake A Leg Woman", "To Be True", and "This Is The Struggle". (Super-heavy package – almost with the heft of a vintage tape box!) ~ Dusty Groove

AIRBORNE - CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY MUSIC

Airborne, the proclaimed “Musical Peacemakers” have released a very cheerful and motivating project entitled Airborne - Christmas: Holiday Music. Airborne - Christmas: Holiday Music takes you onboard a magical and musical journey through this wonderful season. An enchanted collection of seasonal favorites and original compositions that are very powerful and intensely creative yet inspires a peaceful serenity and a message of hope. The vocal and musical arrangements raise your spirit to a higher level of joy and peace. The music of Airborne fills your mind and heart with dreams of happiness that really overflows in this season of love. This music awakens within all of us the love and the feeling of global unity, friendship, and peace for the whole world. This is truly the message of Airborne in this Christmas: Holiday Music Collection. Tracks include: Every Year at Christmas Time, The Christmas Song, The Little Drummer Boy, Christmas Time is Here, Let it Snow, O Holy Night, I Wander, What Child is This, White Christmas, and Silent Night.

GRAMMY® WINNER TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON PAYS HOMAGE TO DUKE ELLINGTON’S MONEY JUNGLE

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In 1962, Duke Ellington recorded a trio date with bassist Charlie Mingus and drummer Max Roach that is today considered one of the pivotal jazz recordings of the 1960s. Money Jungle, the 1963 album that emerged from the session, was – among other things – a commentary on the perennial tug-of-war between art and commerce. In some ways, the album’s 11 tracks were intended as a sort of counterbalance to the capitalist bent of the Mad Men generation.

Fifty years later, this precarious balance in the world of jazz – or in any art form, for that matter – hasn’t changed much. Enter GRAMMY® Award-winning drummer, composer and bandleader Terri Lyne Carrington, who enlists the aid of two high-profile collaborators – keyboardist Gerald Clayton and bassist Christian McBride – to pay tribute to Duke, his trio and his creative vision with a cover of this historic recording. Carrington’s Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue is set for release on Concord Jazz on February 5, 2013 (international release dates may vary).

Duke’s original recording is something that has haunted Carrington since she first heard it about a decade ago. “I had bought it on CD, from the discount bin in a music store,” she recalls. “I put it on in my car, and I immediately just felt something mysterious about it. There was just an energy that moved through the tracks. Duke and Charles and Max had a chemistry about them. There was this tension that you could hear, and yet they fit together like a hand in a glove.”

In preparation for the project, Carrington read up on Duke’s biography. “I felt like a method actor, she says. “I just dug as deep as I could in the time that I had to get a glimpse of his perspective on things. When you start rearranging music by someone like Duke Ellington, you better feel really good about what you’re doing. In the end, I felt confident that I didn’t do him a disservice, because he was a very open-minded artist, and he was very much about moving forward.”

Carrington considers her Money Jungle – like its predecessor – primarily a trio album, but she’s not averse to some enhancement and additional textures along the way. Helping out with the rearrangements and reinterpretations is an impressive list of guest artists: trumpeter Clark Terry, trombonist Robin Eubanks, reed players Tia Fuller and Antonio Hart, guitarist Nir Felder, percussionist Arturo Stabile and vocalists Shea Rose and Lizz Wright. Herbie Hancock appears in a spoken word segment as the voice of Duke Ellington.

The set opens with the driving title track, which opens with the simple but unsettling spoken-word observation about a capitalist society: “You have to create problems to create profit.” Despite the ominous message, the music that follows is surprisingly bouyant, thanks to an elastic rhythm set up by Carrington in support of her collaborators’ exploratory piano and bass interplay. All of it is peppered with clips from speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr., Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and others.

The pace slows down a bit with “Fleurette Africain,” a track that features Robin Eubanks on trombone, and Tia Fuller and Antonio Hart on flutes, as well as the iconic Clark Terry on trumpet. Terry also delivers a stream-of-conscious vocal line that’s part spoken-word part scatting. “Getting Clark Terry on this track was one of the most special parts of the record, because he’s someone who is really connected to Duke Ellington,” says Carrington. “My first gig was with Clark at 10 years old then I joined his band when I was 18, after I had left home and moved to New York. His vocals really bring it home for me, and this track kind of brings my career full circle.”

Vocalist Lizz Wright – who has participated in numerous live performances in support of Carrington’s all-female, GRAMMY®-Award winning recording, The Mosaic Project – steps up to the mic for “Backward Country Boy Blues.” The track begins in the spirit of deep Delta gospel, then morphs into something much more contemporary and orchestrated. All the while, Wright’s atmospheric vocals bring an element of mystery to the track.

Carrington inserts two of her own compositions into the set – the syncopated yet melodic “Grass Roots” and the ominous-turned-lively “No Boxes (Nor Words)” – along with “Cut Off,” a delicate piece written by Clayton. The three tracks replace “Warm Valley,” “Caravan” and “Solitude,” which appear on Duke’s original Money Jungle but were not written specifically for the date. In tribute to Ellington and his original work, Clayton’s “Cut Off” does include numerous melodic references to “Solitude.”

The set ends on the quiet notes of “Rem Blues/Music,” which features the voices of Shea Rose and Herbie Hancock. Rose works her way through the song with a spoken-word recitation of the poem, “Music,” which compares the art form to a multi-faceted and irresistibly seductive woman. Hancock closes the track quoting Duke Ellington, with observations about the role of music in society and the popularity of money versus the popularity of art.

The music of Duke’s Money Jungle may have first emerged a half-century ago, but “there’s nothing old about great music and great musicians,” says Carrington, who sees her own Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue as addressing some of the same issues as its 1963 predecessor. “There’s always something that’s new, if you know how to listen to it. You have to be able to appreciate the past if you want to have a future. I think that’s a big part of our job as artists and entertainers and educators – to keep reminding the younger musicians how important our predecessors were – especially the people who made the music what it is today. So it was my goal to bring some fresh light and fresh energy to some of Duke’s music in general and this recording in particular.”

PUCHO & THE LATIN SOUL BROTHERS - SAFFRON AND SOUL / SHUCKIN' AND JIVIN'

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A double-header to die for – two of the rarest albums from Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers – back to back on a single CD! First up is Saffron And Soul – one of the first albums from the legendary Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers – a wonderful little record that evenly blends together jazz, Latin, and soul music! There's a stronger soul jazz vibe here than on some later Pucho sets – partly due to the strong use of jazz in the rhythms, but also to the record's excellent horn work – not by the Pazant Brothers, but by Harold Alexander on tenor and flute, Claude Bartee on tenor, and Vicent McEwan on trumpet – all players who really make the record sparkle! The set's heavy on vibes too – a Pucho trademark, played here by Willie Bivins – and titles include the excellent "Soul Yamie", plus "Something Black", "The Groover", "Caravan", "Aye Ma Ma", and "What A Piece".

Shuckin' And Jivin' is one of the most soulful albums ever recorded by Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers – a set that really shows the changing sound of Latin music in the late 60s – with some fresh vocals added to the group by Jackie Soul! Jackie only sings on a few cuts, but really brings in a raw Spanish Harlem vibe – one that gives the set a bit more of a Fania/Cotique sort of groove than usual – even when the group are leaping ahead on tight instrumentals – tunes that really sparkle with piano from Neal Creque, vibes from Willy Bivens, and tenor sax from Claude Bartee! Vocal gems include "Shuckin & Jivin", "CC Rider", and "You Are My Sunshine" – instrumental tracks include "Return To Me", "Swing Thing", "Maiden Voyage", and "How Insensitive". ~ Dusty Groove

ADELE'S 21 SELLS 10 MILLION COPIES IN U.S.

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Adele's critically acclaimed sophomore album 21 has reached yet another momentous milestone this week, surpassing 10 million albums sold in the U.S. This sales achievement earns Adele, and 21, Diamond Certification by the RIAA. Adele is the only British or European female artist in history to earn this certification. Adele is also the only British or European artist ever to earn Diamond Certification in less than 2 years from release. 21 also has the distinction of being the only single disc released over the last decade to reach Diamond Certification in less than 2 years (a feat which hasn't happened since 2000). "What an incredible honour," Adele exclaimed, "a huge, huge thank you to my American fans for embracing this record on such a massive level."


21 has achieved global success with 25 million albums sold worldwide. In her native UK, 21 has sold an incredible 4.5 million copies. Adele's latest single "Skyfall" is the official theme song to the 007 feature film Skyfall™. Released last month on the 50th anniversary of the legendary film franchise, "Skyfall" has sold over 2 million copies worldwide, and the film has gone on to generate the biggest opening ever for a 007 movie. This week Adele Live At Royal Albert Hall DVD surpasses 1 million copies sold in the U.S., with nearly 3 million copies sold worldwide. The last time a music DVD sold 1 million copies in a single year was 2005.

Source: Columbia Records

Top Ten Tuesday: Next Year's Books!

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What books am I looking forward to next year? You know, most of the time I don't know until it happens! I'm so clueless with what's coming out that when y'all start talking about something, I'll say, "oh yeah! Me too!" But since that's the prompt this week for the top ten list at The Broke and the Bookish, I did some research and found me some books I want to read next year!!

My Top Ten Most Anticipated Books of 2013

1. Everbound by Brodi Ashton... Jan. 22
2. Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi... Jan. 8
3. Transparent by Natalie Whipple... May 21
4. Fragments by Dan Wells.. Feb. 26
5. Mind Games by Kiersten White... Feb. 19
6. Requiem by Lauren Oliver... March 5
7. The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen... March 1
8. The next Raven Boys book by Maggie Stiefvater... Fall 2013?
9. The next Stormlight Archives book by Brandon Sanderson... Late 2013?  I have my doubts on this one.
10. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson.... May 14

AND bonus round:

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak!!!
(well, that is IF it ever comes out! Here's hoping for 2013!)

Well, that's a start anyway. I'm sure there's a bunch more I can't wait for!

I love looking forward to another reading year! What's on your list for next year? 

My Favorite Things of 2012

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In the tradition of Oprah, I give you MY FAVORITE THINGS of this past year. These are the things that I either discovered for the first time this year, enjoyed to the fullest this year, or re-discovered this year. If I had a show, like Oprah, these are the things I'd love to give away to you all!

I spent my hard earned money
on a sub-woofer for our TV!
And now we can make the whole house
vibrate while watching movies!
I love it!

We are late to the Netflix game, but this year
we've realized we are truly addicted.

At work I have a blast making
 custom cards for personnel
using this awesome easy program.

One of my favorite flavors!

Lovely new album by
 a lovely rockin' group!

These taste just like the
 Girl Scout thin mints. Love them!

We went to this store for the first time
 while visiting Arizona.
And now.. it's coming here!

A new Spider-man?
 Yes! And an awesome good one!

I had no idea what I'd do with this app,
as it turns out I take TONS more pictures now!

Gotye!
 Best new-to-me artist of the year!

This ice cream flavor is to die for.

I joined Pinterest at the end of last year,
and this year I wondered what I ever did without it.

A staple product at our house
 and I'm beginning to
worry they will discontinue it.

Best new gadget of the year, hands down!

As you can see, there are no books on this list. That's because you all know the favorite books list will be a post of it's own in about a month!

Until then, tell me what some of your favorite (non bookish) things of the year have been!! Maybe I can use them for Christmas gift ideas!

Groove Armada Tickets Available From Save Me A Ticket - Save Me a Ticket's MySpace Blog | Save Me A Ticket

To contact us Click HERE
Groove Armada Tickets Available From Save Me A Ticket - Save Me a Ticket's MySpace Blog | Save Me A Ticket

Save Me A Ticket.com have tickets available for Groove Armada's latest UK tour. They will be touring around venues and arenas in the UK; kicking off at Leeds on 7th October before ending it at the O2 Academy in Brixton, London on 16th October. Don't miss out on seeing these electro gods perform their greatest hits such as Superstyling and I see you. Get your tickets today from Save Me A Ticket.

Formed in the mid '90s, Andy Cato and Tom Findlay aka Groove Armada have become one the finest electronic music acts around, blending together elements of House, Funk, Ragga and Soul to create their own unique sounds. Catch them live, get your tickets today.

http://www.savemeaticket.com

email: customer.services@savemeaticket.com

call: 0844 88 00 636

Be amongst the first to know when Groove Armada tickets go on sale for a Groove Armada concert or a Groove Armada tour.

Buy your favourite Groove Armada Tickets today on Save Me A Ticket.com, today, all tickets guaranteed by our Ticket Safe guarantee.

NFL TOUR TICKETS AVAILABLE ON SAVE ME A TICKET.COM - Save Me a Ticket's MySpace Blog | Save Me A Ticket

To contact us Click HERE
NFL TOUR TICKETS AVAILABLE ON SAVE ME A TICKET.COM - Save Me a Ticket's MySpace Blog | Save Me A Ticket

Save Me A Ticket have tickets available for one of the greatest sporting events in Europe - NFL Tour. Don't miss out on this great day out, get your tickets today from Save Me A Ticket.com

NFL Europe - Wembley hosts the NFL tour for the fourth year running as the Denver Broncos take on the San Francisco 49ers. Don`t miss your chance to see some of the world's greatest athletes go toe to toe for these historic franchises. The NFL Wembley game is a growing tradition attracting more fans every year, so get your NFL ticketstoday. Don't miss out. Get your tickets today from Save Me A Ticket.com

http://www,savemeaticket.com

call: 0844 88 00 636

email: customer.services@savemeaticket.com

Be amongst the first to know when NFL Europe tickets go on sale for a NFL Europe concert or a NFL Europe tour. With Save Me A Ticket.com you will never miss out.

COMPETITION TIME - Save Me a Ticket's MySpace Blog | Save Me A Ticket

To contact us Click HERE
COMPETITION TIME - Save Me a Ticket's MySpace Blog | Save Me A Ticket


Save Me A Ticket
Save Me A Ticket Competition time!

Want to win x 2 Michael Buble tickets at Wembley Arena in October - then look out for the Save Me A Ticket car around London
To be in with a chance to win the tickeets to see Michael Buble - all you need to do is email Save Me A Ticket with the location, time and date as to where you spotted the Save Me A Ticket car.
email us at customer.services@savemeaticket.com
Closing date 26/09/2010
GOOD LUCK!

Read more:http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=545601283&blogId=538816616#ixzz0yTHi0GYA

COMPETITION TIME - Save Me a Ticket's MySpace Blog | Save Me A Ticket

To contact us Click HERE
COMPETITION TIME - Save Me a Ticket's MySpace Blog | Save Me A Ticket


Save Me A Ticket
Save Me A Ticket Competition time!

Want to win x 2 Michael Buble tickets at Wembley Arena in October - then look out for the Save Me A Ticket car around London
To be in with a chance to win the tickeets to see Michael Buble - all you need to do is email Save Me A Ticket with the location, time and date as to where you spotted the Save Me A Ticket car.
email us at customer.services@savemeaticket.com
Closing date 26/09/2010
GOOD LUCK!

Read more:http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=545601283&blogId=538816616#ixzz0yTHi0GYA

Book Review: Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole

To contact us Click HERE
Book: Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole
Genre: YA romance
Rating:★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
For: fun
From: Amazon for the Kindle

So this is one of those books I bought, spur of the moment, for the Kindle.. which means it was free, or at least very very cheap. I had heard nothing, knew nothing, had no idea about it whatsoever. It just...  you know... looked cute! And fun.

I started reading it just to see what it was like, not intending to really read it yet, and suddenly, I found myself many pages in. Then, it ended up that I was reading it along side that crazy Jeffery Deaver book, which was good because I needed to read something very light afterwards, so I could actually sleep and all. It made for a great companion book that way!

Okay, so let me sum up the story. Reese is on her way to visit her father in London when she bumps into, literally, this guy... Dante, during a lay over. Turns out, they are on the same flight! The flight has problems, he takes her under his wing, pulls some strings and gets them on another flight (or maybe it's his helicopter?) and takes her to his country. Yes, he is the prime minister's son of some fictional  country. (At least I think it is... what if it isn't? How embarrassing for me!) And then she hangs out there for awhile waiting for her bags, but then they offer her a job so she ends up there for a summer.

Meanwhile, love is in the air. Much of the book is ..... "He is so beautiful! Oh, I wonder if he likes me?? Oh, I hope he likes me! There's no way he can like me, I'm just a farm girl from Kansas! Oh, he's SOOOO hot, he's so perfect. How can he like me when he's so perfect?" On and on and on... and on! While it's not really in a diary form, it's basically her uncensored thoughts... we are so very much in her head. Thus, the going on and on and on I suppose.

But still, I kept reading. The plot was very very simple, and in fact I kept wondering where the conflict was. I mean, she did get in a bit of tiff with her friend at home. And Dante has a suspicious mean friend which is a little mysterious and sinister, and then there's the fact that a perfect girl from his country already has dibs on him. So there's the conflict I guess.

But still, I kept reading!

I think, as I said before, I just needed this fun little (mostly clean, even) romp, and to heck with the complicated plots and the gazillion characters and the deep meanings. It's a fun little summer romance love story, and.....

Bottom line: I really quite enjoyed it for that!

P.S. And yes there's another book, a sequel of sorts, with different side characters as the main characters this go around. If it's free or cheap on Kindle, I'll read it. :) (Mia's Heart it's called, and comes out December 1.)

Other Reviews:

Okay this was an adorably cute and incredibly frustrating novel at the same time. But it worked! From Buried in Books

This book is fluffy but the good kind. From Books with Bite

I think a lot of girls dream about meeting a hot guy with a sexy accent from a foreign country, and spending time with said hot boy in Paradise. From Ramblings of a Daydreamer

If you are prepared to embrace the drama, Dante’s Girl is worth giving a shot. From Rather Be Reading

Top Ten Tuesday: Books/Authors I'm Thankful For

To contact us Click HERE

Today's list from The Broke and the Bookish is to list books and authors that we are thankful for. I decided to approach the list a little differently, since my list of actual books and authors would be all my favorites that you've seen here a gazillion times.

Books and Authors I'm Thankful For


Books

1. I'm thankful for books that make me think.
2. I'm thankful for books that make me feel.
3. I'm thankful for books that are true sagas.
4. I'm thankful for the old classic books that will stick around forever.
5. I'm thankful for books that are mind-blowing, page-turning, and gasp-inducing!

Authors

1. I'm thankful for authors who try new things and think outside the box.
2. I'm thankful for authors who write unforgettable characters.
3. I'm thankful for authors who connect with readers.
4. I'm thankful for authors that don't give up.
5. I'm thankful for authors that can write a complete story in one book!

What books and authors are you thankful for?

Book Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

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Book: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Genre: YA Dystopian
Rating:★★☆☆☆
For: Fun
From: Borrowed

I've had my hands on this book for quite some time now and have been really anxious to fit it in, but only this weekend did I finally buckle down and concentrate on it. And then, once I did, ah man, it was a chore to finish it! Ugh, I hate to say it, but yes.

So I remember liking Divergent just fine. I mean, it was good, but I wasn't overly ecstatic about it or anything.(My review from back then found here.) I guess I really did quite like it, though I did mention in my review that it felt a bit like the same dystopian story told over again. Anyway.....

This book, number two in the series, was looked forward to earlier this year with much anticipation. I think I expected wild and fantastic things from it! And I didn't get that. It took me much longer than normal to remember who everyone is and then once I thought I had that figured out, I had a hard time remembering what the plot problem was. Who was wanting to take over whom, and why? And all those factions kept getting muddled in my head!

And then, once I finally got that down, I felt not at all invested. I just didn't care. And nothing was happening. And it was boring. There was internal conflict yes, and I'm usually great with that, but for some reason, not so much this time.

Ugh, I hate doing reviews like this, which is why you don't see it very often around here! BUT, I feel that when I do read a book that I felt yawn-y over, you need to know, right? You need to see that this even happens to the one who reads everything with rosy glasses! Or something.

By way of a quick summary, for those interested, we rejoin our main characters Tris and Four, who are basically refugees in a society (future Chicago area) where things have gone crazy. The factions that people are divided into have begun to crumble and the lines between them are all blurry now. Everyone must decide who's side they are on, and if that's the RIGHT side or not. And let's just say, that's no easy thing.

I think finally toward the end there I felt some excitement and I felt a little worried for the characters, for crazy Tris who put herself in a most unsavory situation. I looked and it was around page 350 when I thought.. "finally!" And I remember Divergent being so exciting and page turning! So what happened? Was it me or the book??

And yet. AND YET! The end was awesome! (well if you like cliff hangers anyway!) Dang, I'm going to have to read the next book now after all

Bottom line: While I enjoyed Divergent, the first book in this series, I found this second book, Insurgent, to be quite boring, at least until the end.

Other Reviews:

And the pace? Totally break neck. Seriously, there is never a moment where I am like if this book was a TV, I would change the channel. And it’s not like I felt overwhelmed by the fast pace either. Nope, I ate it up with a spoon. From Good Books and Good Wine

There were moments when I had to put it down and step away from the weight of this book, which makes me think about the book more. From YA Book Nerd

But middle books of trilogies are often disappointments. Thankfully, however, they are not bridges to nowhere, but with good luck will lead us, along with the characters, to a better place in Book Three. From Rhapsody in Books Blog

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is the way we get to see how some of the other factions live. In fact, by the end of the book, Tris has spent a little time living in each one. From Creativity's Corner

While it might sound like I’m doing a lot of complaining about the book, I assure you that it is worth your time! LOTS of crazy things happen – people are dying, other people aren’t who they seem, there’s fighting, kissing, and SO MANY other things! From Reading in Winter

Top Ten Tuesday: Next Year's Books!

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What books am I looking forward to next year? You know, most of the time I don't know until it happens! I'm so clueless with what's coming out that when y'all start talking about something, I'll say, "oh yeah! Me too!" But since that's the prompt this week for the top ten list at The Broke and the Bookish, I did some research and found me some books I want to read next year!!

My Top Ten Most Anticipated Books of 2013

1. Everbound by Brodi Ashton... Jan. 22
2. Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi... Jan. 8
3. Transparent by Natalie Whipple... May 21
4. Fragments by Dan Wells.. Feb. 26
5. Mind Games by Kiersten White... Feb. 19
6. Requiem by Lauren Oliver... March 5
7. The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen... March 1
8. The next Raven Boys book by Maggie Stiefvater... Fall 2013?
9. The next Stormlight Archives book by Brandon Sanderson... Late 2013?  I have my doubts on this one.
10. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson.... May 14

AND bonus round:

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak!!!
(well, that is IF it ever comes out! Here's hoping for 2013!)

Well, that's a start anyway. I'm sure there's a bunch more I can't wait for!

I love looking forward to another reading year! What's on your list for next year? 

Book Review: Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole

To contact us Click HERE
Book: Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole
Genre: YA romance
Rating:★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
For: fun
From: Amazon for the Kindle

So this is one of those books I bought, spur of the moment, for the Kindle.. which means it was free, or at least very very cheap. I had heard nothing, knew nothing, had no idea about it whatsoever. It just...  you know... looked cute! And fun.

I started reading it just to see what it was like, not intending to really read it yet, and suddenly, I found myself many pages in. Then, it ended up that I was reading it along side that crazy Jeffery Deaver book, which was good because I needed to read something very light afterwards, so I could actually sleep and all. It made for a great companion book that way!

Okay, so let me sum up the story. Reese is on her way to visit her father in London when she bumps into, literally, this guy... Dante, during a lay over. Turns out, they are on the same flight! The flight has problems, he takes her under his wing, pulls some strings and gets them on another flight (or maybe it's his helicopter?) and takes her to his country. Yes, he is the prime minister's son of some fictional  country. (At least I think it is... what if it isn't? How embarrassing for me!) And then she hangs out there for awhile waiting for her bags, but then they offer her a job so she ends up there for a summer.

Meanwhile, love is in the air. Much of the book is ..... "He is so beautiful! Oh, I wonder if he likes me?? Oh, I hope he likes me! There's no way he can like me, I'm just a farm girl from Kansas! Oh, he's SOOOO hot, he's so perfect. How can he like me when he's so perfect?" On and on and on... and on! While it's not really in a diary form, it's basically her uncensored thoughts... we are so very much in her head. Thus, the going on and on and on I suppose.

But still, I kept reading. The plot was very very simple, and in fact I kept wondering where the conflict was. I mean, she did get in a bit of tiff with her friend at home. And Dante has a suspicious mean friend which is a little mysterious and sinister, and then there's the fact that a perfect girl from his country already has dibs on him. So there's the conflict I guess.

But still, I kept reading!

I think, as I said before, I just needed this fun little (mostly clean, even) romp, and to heck with the complicated plots and the gazillion characters and the deep meanings. It's a fun little summer romance love story, and.....

Bottom line: I really quite enjoyed it for that!

P.S. And yes there's another book, a sequel of sorts, with different side characters as the main characters this go around. If it's free or cheap on Kindle, I'll read it. :) (Mia's Heart it's called, and comes out December 1.)

Other Reviews:

Okay this was an adorably cute and incredibly frustrating novel at the same time. But it worked! From Buried in Books

This book is fluffy but the good kind. From Books with Bite

I think a lot of girls dream about meeting a hot guy with a sexy accent from a foreign country, and spending time with said hot boy in Paradise. From Ramblings of a Daydreamer

If you are prepared to embrace the drama, Dante’s Girl is worth giving a shot. From Rather Be Reading

Top Ten Tuesday: Books/Authors I'm Thankful For

To contact us Click HERE

Today's list from The Broke and the Bookish is to list books and authors that we are thankful for. I decided to approach the list a little differently, since my list of actual books and authors would be all my favorites that you've seen here a gazillion times.

Books and Authors I'm Thankful For


Books

1. I'm thankful for books that make me think.
2. I'm thankful for books that make me feel.
3. I'm thankful for books that are true sagas.
4. I'm thankful for the old classic books that will stick around forever.
5. I'm thankful for books that are mind-blowing, page-turning, and gasp-inducing!

Authors

1. I'm thankful for authors who try new things and think outside the box.
2. I'm thankful for authors who write unforgettable characters.
3. I'm thankful for authors who connect with readers.
4. I'm thankful for authors that don't give up.
5. I'm thankful for authors that can write a complete story in one book!

What books and authors are you thankful for?