Drum ‘N’ Voice: All That Groove (2002)
Electric studio project with Billy Cobham and group of Italian musicians with guest appearances by Michael and Randy Brecker, Eddie Gomez, and even Gregg Brown from Osibisa-(remember them?!). Billy lays down a solid groove and the musicians solo over and around the beat, through instrumental and vocal tracks. The group perform original jazz/funk/fusion material, and a new version of Billy Cobham’s ‘Red Baron’ with vocals. Lino Nicolosi, Frank Malanga, guitar; Pino Nicolosi, keys; Fabrizio Bosso, Amik Guerra, trumpet; Emanuele Cisi, sax; Leonardo Govin, trombone; Emanuele Cisi, sax; Giorgio Molteni., violin; Lorenzo Ravazzani, viola; Luca De Muro, cello; Rossana Nicolosi, bass; Riccardo Fioravanti, double bass; Billy Cobham, drums; and Marco Fadda, percussion. Guests: Michael Brecker, sax; Randy Brecker, trumpet; Eddie Gomez, bass-(one track each); Gregg Brown (from Osibisa), Ricky Bailey (from Delegation), Dora Nicolosi (from Novecentro), Troy Parrish, vocals-(two tracks each). Note: Billy Cobham fans also see John McLaughlin-Mahavishnu (www.audiophileimports.com)
Tracks:
1. Africa’s Sounds
2. Shadow
3. Red Baron
4. Okky Dokky
5. Jah Spirit
6. I Want You Back
7. Sensations
8. Leaving Now
9. Hands Up!
10. Now That You’ve Gone
**Listen**
Billy Cobham – Drum ‘N’ Voice: All That Groove (2002)
Julio 8, 2009 a 10:55 pm (Funk, Jazz, Jazz Fusion)
Starpoint – Wanting You (1981)
Julio 8, 2009 a 7:51 pm (Funk Disco, R&B)
Wanting You (1981)
Massive work from Starpoint — the kind of all-great record that few other groups of their era could hope to match! The set’s got way more going on than usual the usual 80s groove (although that’s very firmly in place too) — and steps out with a tightness and sense of presence that makes the whole thing sparkle from start to finish! By the time of this set, Starpoint had really gotten their groove down — and work here as a key link between the bassier groups of the boogie era and some of the hipper ensemble funk combos of the mid 70s scene. The Phillips brothers and Kayode Adeyemo provide impeccable instrumentation throughout — and as before, the lead vocals of Renee Diggs do a tremendous job of pulling the whole album together! Titles include “Wanting You”, “Try Me”, “Shake It Out”, “Do What You Wanna Do”, “Angel”, “Last Night”, and “Starnite You Nite” (DGA, Inc)
Tracks:
1. Wanting You
2. Do What You Wanna Do
3. Angel
4. Last Night
5. Try Me
6. Shake It Out
7. Break Up To Make Up
8. Starnite Your Night
**Listen**
LA. Connection – Now Appearing (1982)
Julio 8, 2009 a 7:06 pm (Funk)
Now Appearing (1982) (CD Rip)
This is LA. Connection, a rare group from the early 80s. As far as I know, this is LA. Connection’s only album which was released in 1982, entitled Now Appearing from the MCA record label. This album was produced by Don and Larry Blackman of Cameo(another well known funk assemble from the 70s & 80s). Now Appearing is a highly recommended album to have if you are a collector like myself. Come Into My Heart, Shake, and Burn Me Up are songs that really stand out on this album as far as old school funk. Don and Larry Blackman definitely put their stamp on this record. Now Appearing is a classic album and it is definitely one worth the pursuit of funkiness.
Personnel
Backing Vocals – Sparkling Brown Sugar, Tomi Jenkins, Wayne Cooper
Bass, Backing Vocals – Charles Richardson
Drums, Percussion – Michael Caesar
Engineer – Tom Race
Engineer [Assistant] – Ted Kallman
Guitar – Otis Redding Jr., Webster Jackson
Keyboards – Morris Ogletree
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Charles Singleton, James Wilson
Mixed By – Larry Blackmon, Tom Race
Music By – Cameo
Photography – Glenn Peterson
Producer, Backing Vocals – Larry Blackmon
Trombone – Lloyd Oby
Trumpet – Walter Perry
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Backing Vocals – Stacy Cole
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Roger Harris, Warren Taylor
Woodwind, Backing Vocals – Wilbert Richardson
Tracks:
1. Get It Up
2. Shake It
3. Come Into My Heart
4. Burn Me Up
5. Jealousy
6. I’ll Find A Way
7. Promise Me
**Listen**
