ROBERTA FLACK – ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES: FIRST TAKE / QUIET FIRE / KILLING ME SOFTLY / FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE / BLUE LIGHTS IN THE BASEMENTAn incredible legacy in soul music – the first five solo albums by Roberta Flack – all packaged together in one hip little set! Roberta is one of the most unique artists of her time – a soul singer who burst on the scene at the start of the 70s with righteous roots in jazz, yet a way of reaching out to a much wider audience without ever losing her groove – a balance that's heard perfectly in the records First Take, Quiet Fire, and Killing Me Softly – all of which are essential records that should be in just about any music collection – soul or not! Feel Like Makin Love and Blue Lights In The Basement have Flack hitting some slightly smoother sounds, yet still sounding tremendous – picking up some influences from Eugene McDaniels, who helps out a bit on these records. Mainstream soul has never sounded more righteous – and the five records work perfectly together in this set – all served up in tiny LP-styled sleeves, too.
BOBBY LYE – NIGHT FIREA stone classic from Bobby Lyle – and a record that really has him stepping out strongly, both as a keyboardist and a singer! Bobby's strength at this point is undeniable – and he's got a perfect sense of balance that rivals contemporaries like Roy Ayers or Webster Lewis – both of whom work in a similarly jazzy groove! Lyle plays some great Fender Rhodes on the set – plus other more way-out keyboards too – and production is by the At-Home team, who really know how to bring in a strong sense of focus to the grooves, while still letting the best jazzy elements flourish. Titles include "Space Place", "Stop Running Away From Love", "Getting Into Love", "Dream Lady", "Stop Running Away From Love", and "For Love".
WILL DOWNING - TOMORROWWill Downing, the next chapter – quite possibly the greatest entry in his trilogy of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow albums – and filled with fresh grooves that really let Will take off strongly! The vocals are sublime (could we expect anything less from Downing?) – and the rhythms have a lean, crispy, 21st Century soul vibe that turns out to be a perfect fit for Will's singing – one that's handled by the mature singer without any sense of cliche, and great care to keep things from ever getting too commercial or heavy handed. A brilliant third act from the master – with cuts that include "Here I Go", "Side To Side", "Only One", and "Falling".
:::: SOURCE: Dusty Groove ::::
It’s a Good Day, A Tribute to Miss Peggy Lee, featuring Stacy Sullivan announces a fall performance series at New York City’s iconic Metropolitan Room. Stacy Sullivan, winner of the Backstage Bistro Award and the MAC Award for Outstanding Female New York Debut, has appeared in venues across the country, from Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York to the Ford Theatre in Hollywood. Ms. Sullivan notes, “We are thrilled to be appearing at the Metropolitan Room. Peggy Lee loved to perform late, so the Metropolitan Room’s 11:30pm showtime is perfect for us.” 
It’s a Good Day, A Tribute to Peggy Lee is a journey of discovery…through the extraordinary musical legacy of Peggy Lee and the personal struggles of a woman whose voice captivated millions. The classic songs, intricate rhythms and exquisite arrangements that defined her career are elegantly portrayed in this loving homage. The show is accompanied by the seasoned jazz masters Jon Weber on piano and Steve Doyle on Bass.
Ben Harper has teamed with renowned harmonica master Charlie Musselwhite to create Get Up!, a piercing song-cycle of struggle and heart, slated for release by Stax Records/Concord Music Group on January 29th, 2013. Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Harper, Get Up!, is his 12th studio album and first new recording since 2011’s Give Till It’s Gone (Virgin).
ANALOG PLAYERS SOCIETY - HURRICANE SEASON IN BROOKLYN
NOEL POINTER - PHANTAZIA / HOLD ON
LORENZO TUCCI / LUCXA MANNUTZA - LUNAR Pretty great work from the team of Lorenzo Tucci and Lucxa Mannutza – two artists we normally associate with much straighter jazz material, but who really take off here together! The format is still definitely jazz, but the energy is quite free a times – just drums and effects from Tucci, and shifting piano, Fender Rhodes, and Hammond from Luca Mannutza – played in these really flowing lines that sparkle amidst Lorenzo's energy on the drums – all in ways that are inside enough to swing, but in ways that really go beyond conventional jazz! The format is a wonderful development for both players – and really helps us appreciate their rich talents even more than before – hardly a trick or gimmick, and instead a compelling collaboration that almost makes us feel like ECM has collided with Schema Records. Titles include "Jet Lag", "Jungle & Space", "Lunar", "Moon Boots", "The Voyager", "Avaria", and "Inception". ~ Dusty Groove
Yannick Noah's albums are always awaited. Less than 2 years after Frontières, his new album is a tribute to one of his idols : Bob Marley. Yannick Noah covers 11 songs, more or less known, a project that's not surprising.