MWE3.COM
MUSIC NEWS & NOTES
JUNE
2011 RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
POP
& ROCK
BLUGRASCAL
RECORDS / SAGUARO ROAD RECORDS - Wow, I can’t believe
it’s been 50 years since The Andy Griffith Show took America
by storm in the early 1960s. A kinder, gentler time in American history,
that early ‘60s b&w TV show era in America yielded some amazing
weekly shows and the Andy Griffith Show was one of the best. Released
in early 2011 on Blugrascal Records, the seven track Dance ‘Til
Your Stockings Are Hot And Ravelin’ (A Tribute To The Music Of
The Andy Griffith Show) features seven songs, performed and
recorded here by bluegrass / country pop heroes The Grascals.
Although Andy's show was not known for music per se, except for the
famous whistled opening theme, the songs here, are said to have at
different times, proved to be an integral and often humorous part
of the show’s eight-year run. Perhaps the coolest thing the show
did was that it proved that no matter what state in America you came
from—what your accent was, city slicker or country cornpone,
east, west, north, south—it showed we were all Americans united
and that we could make each other laugh at and with each other. Commenting
on this seven track tribute to Andy’s Mayberry heyday, Grascals’
guitarist and lead singer and Indiana native Terry Eldredge states,
‘The Andy Griffith Show has a moral lesson that every
human being should live by. It’s an honor and privilege to be
associated with the best TV show ever made. It was and still is awesome
family entertainment.’ www.Grascals.com
CONCORD MUSIC GROUP - Hard to believe it’s been five years
since The Cars reformed in early 2006 as "The New Cars,"
with Todd Rundgren taking part in a musical car chase during the departure
of Cars singer-songwriter Rick Ocasek. It’s taken 5 years
and now Ocasek is back in 2011
on a new Cars album with the original lineup called Move Like
This. Featuring some of the best songs he’s written,
Ocasek is reunited here with original Cars / New Cars members Elliot
Easton (guitars), Greg Hawkes (keys) and David Robinson
(drums). With Todd Rundgren currently off with his Johnson
tribute CD, it’s great to have the original Cars lineup back
in action in 2011. It’s coming up on 30 years since the advent
of MTV and, if ever there was a band made for MTV it was/is The Cars.
It was tragic that Easton had to actually break his neck in a June
5, 2006 bus crash, thus putting the New Cars with Todd on ice. As
great as It’s Alive (the 2006 CD by The New Cars with
Todd) was, to be honest, Ocasek sounds revitalized here and his new
songs even rivals classic Cars during those heady MTV '80 years. The
new original Cars go electric on the fast moving Move Like This.
www.ConcordMusicGroup.com
CRACKERMANGO ARTS - When he’s not cultivating pure pop magic
with his band mate Steve Barry in Tan Sleeve, and when he’s not
cutting solo albums running the gamut musically, singer-guitarist
Lane Steinberg can be heard and seen with the band Cracked
Latin. A project put together by Lane and musical cohort, Luis
Accorsi, Cracked Latin released their debut CD in 2009 and in
2011 they follow with a new live Cracked Latin CD called In
Situ - Live At The Iridium. Recorded at the famous
Manhattan jazz club, the CD offers a great example of what this band
are really capable of. With Accorsi and Lane backed up by a smoking
band, the sound conjured is sort of the NYC equivalent of early Santana
with more than a nod to the humor of Frank Zappa. The Cracked Latin
cover of the Rolling Stones’ classic “Let’s Spend The
Night Together” is truly imaginative, turning the Stones’
1966 pop pumper into a low down and dirty merengue-tinged Miami special.
www.CrackedLatin.com
DECCA
RECORDS - I’m not so sure yet about Bruce Springsteen
or Metallica, but putting Jon Bon Jovi and Richie
Sambora from Bon Jovi on a new Ray Davies album is a good
move in my opinion. I mean, think about it. Guys like Bon Jovi no
doubt cut their teeth on the music of The Kinks through the
years if not from day one and that rock edge continues to be refined
here with Ray joining forces with some of his dedicated followers
on an album that spans and touches on all aspects of his Klassic Kinks
years. Interesting that after building the U.K. rock cred for the
then aspiring Reprise Records, then RCA and then Arista that Ray should
end up on Decca Records, the most British and historic of all the
English labels. Decca Records in the U.S. these days is a really high
profile label doing everything from cabaret to jazz and rock and clearly
the attempt here was to back up Ray and bring in huge stars like the
Boss, Bon Jovi, Lucinda Williams, Jackson Browne and more. Clearly,
it worked in so much that here we have great performances featuring
Ray with his disciples, these stars coming round to pay tribute to
the master. How fitting and worthy to honor the greatest U.K. rock
songwriter to emerge in the wake of the Beatles British Invasion.
There's a great bio on Ray's page on the Decca Records site where
he goes into great detail about these incredible new renditions of
16 Kinks Klassics. The U.K. music press really griped about the album
but in 2011 we ought to thank god we still have Ray Davies live on
earth. www.DeccaRecords-US.com
EPIC RECORDS - Sounding inspired by those amazing early ‘60s
girl group recordings produced by Phil Spector, Australian singer-songwriter
Lenka breaks down the walls for modern pop with the ‘11
CD release of the 11 track Two. Moving to the
U.S. after her 2008 self-titled CD debut, Lenka really hits her stride
on the bouncy girl-pop groove of Two. After all, what’s
not to like here? Upbeat, catchy, superbly produced pop, featuring
a range of musicians, Two sets up Lenka for a most successful
pop career in my opinion. Commenting on the release of Two, Lenka
adds, ‘I was writing as a way to process. That’s the wonderful
thing about being a songwriter. You have some way to put out all of
the emotions and reactions to what you’re seeing. I think we
all fall and stumble constantly and usually when I write the song
is when I’m getting up again.’ She even recorded part of
Two at the famous Konk studios in London to which she adds,
‘It was cool because all the Kinks’ original instruments
were in there and I got to use their mellotron from the 1970s.’
From modern day electro-dance pop to a more vintage retro, Phil Spector
inspired sound, Lenka has it down to a science on Two. www.LenkaMusic.com
MPCA
RECORDS - You know the world’s gotten much harder over the
past 6 years when even Todd Rundgren has got the blues. Five
years ago we were chiding Todd about getting revved up over the New
Cars CD that came out in the first half of 2006. Half a decade on
Todd, like most of us 
who
survived the past ten years, are feeling the blues and Todd comes
to grips with it all on his self-styled tribute to bluesmaster Robert
Johnson. Todd pulls no punches on the 12 track Todd Rundgren’s
Johnson, released on MPCA Records. Most rock fans know
about Robert Johnson thanks to Cream and The Rolling Stones, who were
turning the teenyboppers on to Johnson's timeless blues in a big way,
even as Todd Rundgren’s Nazz were making power pop waves back
between 1967 and ‘69. There’s a number of revelations on
Todd’s Johnson tribute. “They’re Red Hot”
is a definite highlight with it’s upbeat metal shuffle sound,
but let’s face it. These songs, written and recorded by a black
man back in the 1930s have clearly made a lasting impact a century
later. Todd was the original do it yourself artist and he puts his
patented guitar and vocal sound, and overall do it yourself studio
wizardry to the test and comes up aces on this electrifying and very
Cream inspired rock solid tribute. Robert Johnson was inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986 so, with his bringing Johnson
up to date on a most reverend power blues approach here, it’s
definitely time to induct Todd too. www.mpcarecords.com
PORTER
RECORDS - Certainly among the most eclectic of all the independent
American record labels, Wisconsin-based Porter has a slew of new CD
releases that captures the essence of avant gard rock and jazz. First
up, Wicked Work It Out from singer-songwriter
Zac Nelson is a most unusual album of new music that
will have the most open minded pop fans scratching their heads in
amazement. Described as “a playful and serene musical landscape,”
the 12 track CD release from 2011 mixes a wide range of experimental
music and pop music and the results sometimes sound like Edgard Varese
producing the Swingle Singers. There’s some wicked grooves and
the bizarre vocal harmonies are truly unearthly. Various guest artists
appear, but the wall of sound treatment here is primarily Nelson at
his creative zenith in full flight. Also out on Porter in 2011 is
Army Of Strangers from NYC based string player and composer
Jessica Pavone. Combining instrumental rock with improvisational
music, Pavone is joined by a number of musicians including Pete
Fitzpatrck (guitars), Harris Eisenstadt (drums) and Jonti
Siman (bass). Another noteworthy 2011 Porter CD release sure to
pique the interest of adventurous rock listeners is Schlep’m
from Oregon collective known as Trawler Bycatch. Another
wild amalgamation of sound released on CD by Porter, the seven track
CD mixes a wild range of instrumental sounds influenced by ‘70s
rock, Indian music, Captain Beefheart and Italian progressive rock
from the ‘70s. Zac Nelson plays drums and sings and he’s
joined by Zach Delorto Blackwell (vocals, guitar) and Rus
Archer (fretless bass, vocals). Even though Porter’s releases
are truly quite out there, even by 21st century standards, each of
these are still some pretty amazing CD releases indeed. www.PorterRecords.com
RED
HOUSE RECORDS - Forty years after their early ‘70s heyday,
Hot Tuna are back in action on disc with Steady As She
Goes, their first all new studio album in 20 years.
It’s just amazing to see that founding Hot Tuna rock legends
Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassidy don’t miss a beat
on this Hot Tuna return to electric rock and blues rock. Sure Steady
As She Goes has got that traditional Hot Tuna blues ala Reverend
Gary Davis vibe but there’s also a some quite tasty rockers in
“Easy Now Revisited,” “A Little Faster,” “Angel
Of Darkness” and “If This Is Love” that are absolutely
electrifying. Drummer Skoota Warner, producer / multi-instrumentalist
and mando virtuoso Barry Mitterhoff appear, and enhancing
the vintage Hot Tuna blues rock vibe, the CD is also packaged in some
must see artwork and packaging. www.HotTuna.com
Also out on Red House Records is a 2011 tribute to Bob Dylan
called A Nod To Bob 2. This second Red House
tribute to the “boy from the Iron Range,” features a number
of the label’s best artists, Hot Tuna, John Gorka, Peter
Ostroushko, Eliza Gilkyson, Pieta Brown and more
picking out and covering their favorite Dylan track. Red House describes
A Nod To Bob 2 as the definitive Bob Dylan tribute in honor
of his 70th birthday. www.RedHouseRecords.com
INSTRUMENTAL
1214
PRODUCTIONS - As the owner of Breakthru’ Records back in
the 1980s, I was fortunate to work with some of the greatest Finnish
and Scandinavian jazz-rock guitarists of the 20th century including
genius composers such as Pekka Pohjola, Janne Schaffer, Peter Bryngelsson
and more. 
That
spirit of classic progressive European fusion music continues onwards
with the 2011 CD/DVD release of The Jaz Symphony by
guitarist Endel Rivers. Hailing originally from Estonia, Endel
landed in Australia and the result of his hard musical work is astounding.
A CD/DVD package, Jaz Symphony features studio recordings made
by Endel between 2006 and 2009 at Palmstudios in Australia that were
later mixed and edited with live recordings made during a 2009 Estonian
tour. Featuring Endel on electric guitar—backed up by like minded
musicians including Raul Vaigla (bass), Grant Collins
(drums) and Leanne Lai (keyboards)—the CD half of the
Jaz Symphony set is great with Endel paving a modern progressive
instrumental jazz-rock fusion sound, not unlike (in places) the ‘90s
recordings from the now late great Finnish jazz-rock maestro Pekka
Pohjola. Interesting to note that Endel was actually in contact with
Pohjola about future collaborations before he tragically passed away
at the end of 2008. In addition to the progressive guitar fusion elements
in play here, the CD also displays a neo-metal hard rock (but not
quite shredding) guitar sound ala metal guitar kings like Yngwie Malmsteen
and Alex Masi. Either way—from progressive symphonic rock to
hard rock and back again—the music is quite exciting in places.
Overall, Jaz Symphony portrays Endel Rivers as a guitarist
/ composer worth keeping your eyes on. www.EndelRivers.com
CUCKUNDOO
RECORDS - The English were instrumental in pioneering the art-rock
side of jazz-rock fusion and instrumental is the key word on the 2011
CD from England’s newest instro rock sensation Vessels.
Released worldwide by the Cuckundoo Records label, the 9 track
Helioscope is a veritable cornucopia of manic, instro-rock
intensity. The CD was produced by John Congleton, who worked
with Explosions In The Sky, Modest Mouse and other instrumental art-rock
groups. Putting together an excellent studio sound, Congleton has
done a great job helping the band finesse their sound. Evoking the
spirits of Robert Fripp during King Crimson’s Red era,
guitarists Tom Evans and Lee Malcolm trade some mean
guitar sounds and sound positively possessed on an album that delivers
a solid sonic barrage and takes no prisoners. There’s even a
vocal track here from guest singer Stuart Warwick. Described
by some as ‘math-rock’, the time signatures of Helioscope
may be hard for some to fathom but Vessels more often than not
hits the mark. The overall results are often sonically shocking but
the sound is so elaborate and intricate that return visits are quite
rewarding and worthwhile. www.VesselsBand.com
DOS
RECORDS - 30 years ago, in 1981 I had the privilege to go live
in Sweden for nearly a year and while there I met, for the first time,
musicians who I revered back in the ‘70s including Kenny Håkansson,
Lars Hollmer and Peter Bryngelsson of the group Ragnarök.
I saw several live shows with Ragnarök including one in late
‘81 where they played nearly an album’s worth of new music
that sadly was never recorded. (Thanks for nothing Anders Lind!) Featuring
Peter Bryngelsson's ingenius music and guitar arrangements, Swedish
art-rockers Ragnarök excelled at a unique and nearly indefinable
progressive Swedish instrumental sound that was actually inventing
(right before my eyes and ears) a new blend of electric rock and fusion
that had never been heard before. After a whole lot of waters beneath
the bridge, 30 years later, Peter Bryngelsson is back with a new solo
CD called Wünderbaum. With the deaths of
both Pekka Pohjola and Lars Hollmer in late 2008, Bryngelsson remains
one of the last great rock instrumental composers and guitarists of
the mid ‘70s heyday when the Swedish progressive rock sound came
into its own. Peter is supported by a number of players here and on
this 2011 CD pressing, the 13 track Wunderbaum album is actually
followed by another Bryngelsson album—Winterhjärt,
(Winterheart), which was originally released on cassette
(believe it or not kids!) way back in 1983, and which is a
fascinating enough, though rarely heard neo-prog ambient album from
Bryngelsson. A most welcome return, Winterheart perfectly serves
as an imaginary soundtrack to a nature or sci-fi documentary, although
Bryngelsson’s trademark guitar and compositional sound is quite
prominent. As a devoted follower of both the now late great Pohjola
and Hollmer back in the ‘70s, I can honestly say that, at least
from my perspective, this 70 minute double album on one CD from Peter
Bryngelsson provides a double dose of magical, mysterious music. www.PeterBryngelsson.com
DZIUBLA
TUNES - Recording with none other than rock and roll’s instrumental
guitar icon Duane Eddy on Duane's new album, sax hero Ron Dziubla
returns in 2011 with a CD of his own entitled Some Strange
Blues. The sound is very much coded after Duane’s
classic late ‘50s horn / guitar trademark sound and so no wonder
Duane used Ron to recreate the magic of the original Eddy sound. Dziubla
(prounded Jube-La) gets major backup from some top players on the
current surf-rock and ‘50s rock and roll revival scene including
guitarists David Cabrera, Junior Watson, R.J. Ronquillo,
Eric Dover and Deke Dickerson along with some tight
rhythm sections. Each track comes alive thanks to Dziubla’s amazing
horn work which interacts well with the other players, yet drives
the sound. In addition to his horn / sax playing, Dziubla also plays
keyboards, slide guitar, ukulele and acoustic guitar. Even if you
like your surf-rock straight, no chaser, you’ve got to admit
by actually using Duane's original late ‘50s template and bringing
it up to date, Ron Dziubla makes a bold musical statement that pays
significant homage to Duane Eddy and Johnny & The Hurricanes as
well as the retro rock beat of classic bands such as instro greats
Los Straightjackets and even The Raybeats. www.RonDziubla.com
HEVHETIA - Over in Slovakia, guitarist Milos Zeleznak is
breaking new ground for the electric guitar. In 2007 Zeleznak released
his trio album which depicted his love of instrumental jazz guitar
sounds and underscored the fact that Milos is somewhat of a guitar
hero in his native country. Even so, Zeleznak’s latest album
Rusnacke Ruthenian is filled with quite a range of staggering
guitar sounds featuring his work on acoustic guitar, electric guitar,
mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, loops and more, including guest appearances
from several like minded players. What is often represented as folkloristic
sounds come across on this CD as cosmic, avant gard instrumental interludes
that sometimes sounds like Steve Martin jamming with cosmic spacemasters
Gong! What’s even more amazing besides the unusual music, superb
recording and imaginative CD packaging is the fact that this CD sounds
different and more intriguing with each and every spin. For adventurous
guitar mavens seeking out an international artist, Milos Zeleznak
is for you. www.zeleznak.sk
PARALLAX
SOUNDS - Some reviewer over in the U.K. had a near religious experience
after playing the seven cut Quipu from Callifornia based
guitarist Brian Ellis. I was skeptical but, honestly after
playing this CD for a few weeks, I too am amazed. The English spawned
some of the original and greatest space rockers ever—from Ummagumma
era Pink Floyd to Steve Hillage with Gong—and guitarist Ellis
clearly sounds inspired by them all! Recording Quipu as a totally
instrumental artist, Ellis lets his fingers and guitars do the talking
and then some. Interesting that some jazz buffs are also making comparisons
between Ellis and Mahavishnu era John McLaughlin and even influences
like Miles Davis, perhaps with a touch of Van Der Graaf Generator.
Supporting his own efforts on a range of instruments—including
guitars, drums, synths, sitars, sax and more—Ellis crosses over
from jazz fusion to a more Euro-centric vibe so effortlessly that
you’ll have to check the cover art to see who you’re listening
to, often within the span of one song. Even in this age of cutbacks
and downloads, Ellis has done a nice job on the CD packaging. It’s
not overly elaborate but the CD is cased in an appealing looking cardboard
slipcase adorned with a very intriguing front and back cover painting.
www.ParallaxSounds.com
PROMINENT RECORDS - Aussie based guitarist Khan Manuel
recently cut a track with hard rock guitarist Frank Gambale
and the resulting download can immediately be acquired on Khan’s
web site. Khan's latest CD is actually a live album recorded at Sydney’s
famous venue The Basement. Hence the title Live In Australia
@ The Basement. Nice to see the ampersand, or @ sign
rather in the title and on @ The Basement, Khan acquits himself
on a live set of hard driving rock instrumental numbers that goes
far to impress along the lines of Yngwei, Satch and Jimi, who the
guitarist covers here with a red hot instrumental of “Little
Wing.” Also worth hearing from Manuel is his 2008 CD release
of The Knight. www.KhanManuel.com
STEVE C MUSIC - In the world of New Age music, it’s always
great to discover a major new talent. Case in point is the 2011 CD
from piano virtuoso Steven C. For the release of his Spiritual
Piano album, Steven has crafted an album filled with energy,
intention and emotion. More than just an album filled with beautiful
sounds and soothing music, Spiritual Piano is described by
the artist as “message music” that is filled with a higher
good that seeks to inspire, heal, relax and motivate. Steven C’s
Spiritual Piano CD is a vital new discovery for fans of enlightening
New Age style piano music that enables the listener to meditate, imagine,
dream and simply be. Life is hectic, so if you’re looking to
relax in style, give a listen and chill with the intuitive, healing
piano sound of Steven C. www.StevenCMusic.com
REISSUES & RETROSPECTIVES
ANGEL AIR RECORDS - U.K. reissue label Angel Air have
unearthed a forgotten English pop masterpiece with the 2011 CD reissue
from Steve Ellis called Loot. The
1970 soundtrack to a movie with music written by Keith Mansfield
and Richard Willing Denton, Loot is a real hoot,
evoking influences like early Bowie and Cat Stevens circa ‘68.
Both Ellis as singer and Mansfield, composer / producer worked together
in the U.K. pop group Love Affair, who had a big hit with “Everlasting
Love” although Loot, recorded in the aftermath of that
band, sounds more like a humorous English movie soundtrack, with Anthony
Newley inspired mayhem crossed with a Blood Sweat & Tears type
horn section backing Ellis throughout. The recording from 1969 sounds
very much in the spirit of the high quality of recordings coming out
of England during that magical time. Steve Ellis went on to form the
band Ellis and Angel Air has quite a number of Ellis related CD titles
in their vast catalog. In addition to a fine performance by Steve
Ellis, Loot benefits from the contributions of U.K. studio
greats like guitar heroes Clem Cattini, Herbie Flowers and
Big Jim Sullivan with super backup vocals from Madeline
Bell and Doris Troy. Best known for leading ‘70s rockers
Stray, guitarist Del Bromham is also featured on Angel Air
with a 2011 reissue of his 2004 album Devil’s Highway.
The album was recorded during a period when Bromham went on the
road as a solo performer, touring with Leslie West on his “Blues
To Die For” tour. Backing himself, Del cuts loose with his patented
guitar sound while also handling all the vocals and drums. Gearing
up for the Angel Air reissue of Devil’s Highway, Del went
back into the studio and cut five tracks in 2011, which are also featured
on this 16 track CD. www.AngelAir.co.uk
GRA
- Out in California, Global Recording Artists are hitting their stride
with some intriguing pop releases including a two CD career retrospective
from South African pop singer-songwriter and guitarist Duncan Faure.
Duncan Faure (pronounced ‘Four-ah’) was actually the lead
singer and co-lead guitarist with Trevor Rabin in the South African
band Rabbitt. Anyone who enjoyed Rabin’s time in Yes during 1983-94
should check out this double CD set as Rabin sounds a lot like Faure
and there’s plenty of common ground in the grooves, guitar playing
and arrangements between Duncan and his band. After recording with
Rabin and Rabbitt in the ‘70s, by the end of the decade Faure
joined as the lead vocalist in the Bay City Rollers during the ‘80s
and even worked with Madonna on the ‘87 Who’s That Girl
movie. Tracks from from various Faure albums and a 2010 track
are just some of the touchstones on this 37 track, Duncan Faure two
CD compilation. Commenting on how he began working with Duncan on
this career retrospective, GRA honcho Karl Fredrick Anderson II
adds, ‘That is actually a long story. I knew him in the early
80's when he played in a group called Karu and then ran into him later
in the early 90's and he was doing a Bay City Rollers thing with Ian
Mitchell and then we reconnected a few years ago and I helped him
pull together the anthology and I am now working on a new CD with
him and reissuing his older catalog. Duncan is a great song writer
player and performer. He sold millions and millions of records and
Elton John called him one of the best songwriters and performers he
has ever known.’ Also out in 2011 on GRA is a collaboration
between Sal Valentino and guitar genius John Blakeley called
Dreamin' Man. The ten track CD was actually recorded
around 2006 or so but long out of print, it’s appearance on GRA
renews its appeal. The founding lead vocalist in the ‘60s pop
legend The Beau Brummels, Valentino has turned from his Dylan-esque
roots into a kind of beat poet singer songwriter. The founding lead
guitarist in The Sandals, of Endless Summer fame, Blakeley
is possibly the greatest living American surf-rock guitar stylist.
John was represented recently with his 2006 solo album Tan Mantis,
which this writer wrote liner notes for. Together again on Dreamin'
Man, Sal and John weave a kind of post-surf, No-Cal lost highway
vibe that enhances each of their stellar reputations. www.DuncanFaure.com
/ www.GRAgroup.com
/ www.BeauBrummels.com
MEMPHIS RECORDING SERVICE - Elvis Presley went into
the Army during 1958-1960, and after he got out he made his first
post Army movie called G.I. Blues. Thank God
the war was over in Europe but shipping Elvis over to Germany also
lead to Elvis meeting his future bride Priscilla. In 2011, a new company
called Memphis Recording Service released a 4 CD box set by Elvis
entitled G.I. Blues - The Café Europa Sessions.
Mostly consisting of four hours of unreleased studio recordings,
alternate takes and Elvis talking it up in the studio both in Germany,
where he was stationed, and in Hollywood, The Café Europa
Sessions provides some essential history and listening for Elvis
collectors. On hand here are both Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana
and The Jordonaires, on backing vocals. A number
of sides Elvis did cut in Germany during his Army daze are collected
on another Memphis Recording Service release—a
CD and book collectable called Off Duty With Private Presley.
The 30 track CD features previously unreleased tracks made while
Elvis was Army bound in both the U.S. and Germany. As in both collections,
the impressive packaging features a 100 page book / insert filled
with history and discography information and rare pictures of Elvis
in his Army uniform. www.MemphisRecordingService.com
PORTER RECORDS - In addition to releasing new music,
Porter’s devotion to classic reissues continues with a 2011 CD
release of a 1973 album entitled 3rd Version from Finnish
horn genius Eero Koivistoinen. A true legend of the Finnish
progressive rock and jazz world, who has numerous albums out under
his own name, Eero was also an essential element (on certain recordings)
written by Finland’s greatest instrumental rock composer Pekka
Pohjola. While Pohjola is not on this '73 album, a number of Finnish
jazz superstars are including guitarist Jukka Tolonen and drummer
Reino Laine among others. There’s a good reason why Pekka
Pohjola used Eero’s horn sound on his albums and you can pick
up this ‘73 classic and find out why. Also up and out on Porter
in 2011 is a pair of reissues capturing some of the best music recorded
by the Philadelphia jazz group Catalyst. Released on two individual
Porter CD releases, The Complete Recordings Volume 1 & 2
offers a glimpse into just how diverse this group was. Featuring
a number of players, including Eddie Harris (guitar), Odean
Pope (sax, oboe, flute), Sherman Ferguson (drums) and many
others, Catalyst recorded a range of music that expertly combined
jazz, funk, R&B, hip-hop and fusion that has to be heard to be
believed. Amazing to think that Catalyst was so unheralded back in
the early ‘70s, when much of this was recorded, yet their wild
blend of instrumental free jazz still sounds fresh and in places quite
intriguing on these two Porter CD reissues. Interesting to note that
Odean Pope also has a new studio album out on Porter entitled Universal
Sounds. www.PorterRecords.com
Attention Artists and Record Companies: Have your CD reviewed in MWE3.COM
Send to CD Reviews MWE3, P.O. Box 630249, Little Neck, N.Y. 11363-0249
e-mail: info@mwe3.com
