Dorothy Morrison - Rain (V4YS The Deuce Edit)

Rain is a 70's disco/gospel anthem, released in 1972 by Dorothy Morrison.

Featuring in the legendary David Mancuso's The Loft compilation series, this track actually came to my attention while watching HBO TV show The Deuce, the latest gem from my favorite screenplay writer, David Simon (The Wire, Treme, Show Me a Hero...), who co-authored it with George Pelecanos.

 A deep dive into the seedy side of Nyc's Times Square area in the 70's, the show gathers a fascinating collection of characters, supported (as usual with David Simon's productions) by a splendid soundtrack. A highly recommended watch if you haven't already!

 Here's my "housy" take of the song.

Vibes4YourSoul 2016 Favorites

Welcome to Vibes4YourSoul 2016 Favorites, an incomplete revisit of the records that inspired me most this year. In this selection, you'll find a healthy dose of eclectic vibes from all over the world, edging from nu-jazz, to indie, pop, folk,  hip-hop, lo-fi & electro.

It comes with a special chill podcast focusing on the "non-dancefloor" releases mentioned, plus a few extras (tracklisting below, dwlnd link here).

I hope you'll enjoy the journey,


Jm / Vibes4YourSoul




  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ALBUMS / LPs
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Thomas Cohen - Bloom Forever

(Indie, Folk / Stolen Recordings) 

Written in the wake of a personal tragedy (the brutal passing away of his wife), Thomas Cohen debut solo album echoes the best hours of 70's melancholic rock. A flawless orchestration built around slow rhythms and spacy guitars acts as a warm frame for his deep and touching voice (which reminds me of Suede's Brett Anderson in some way). The type of fluid record that almost immediately sounds like a long-time companion.
listen



Melanie De Biasio - Blackened Cities
(NuJazz / PIAS Records) 

A fascinating one-track, 25mn-long record, built as a deep techno set, Blackened Cities is also the fusion of one of the most gifted & creative Jazz singer of her generation, into the notes of a handful of trusted talented musicians. If the words "musical journey" means something, this must be it.
listen

Frank Ocean - Blond(e)
(R&B,NuSoul / Boys Don't Cry Records) 

4 years after the beautiful Channel Orange, another home-run from the young R&B UFO Frank Ocean. A nostalgic moment tainted with lo-fi shades of folk & soul, supported by a remarkable singing achievement. 
listen

Bon Iver - 22, A Million 
(Indie, Folk / Domino Records) 

A musical rebirth following a deep depressive period for band leader Justin Vernon, 22, A Million blends the band's sublime melodic signature, to an addictive mysterious atmosphere distilled by an innovative homemade vocoder.
listen

Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
(Electro-Pop, Indie, R&B / Domino Records) 

An unclassifiable artist, London-based Dev Hynes offers another fascinating musical experiment with his third LP as Blood Orange. Melancholic pad synths & Dev's majestic voice act as a common denominator for 17 ethereal tracks smelling something like futuristic soul with an indie-flavored pop accent. As chaotic as his compositions may sometimes sound, you'll easily get carried away by the warmth of the ensemble.
listen

A Tribe Called Quest - We Got It From Here...Thank You For Your Service 
(Hip-Hop / Epic Records) 
When a record has been rumored and hoped for so long, when the band in question is nothing short of legendary, there's this lingering "will they spoil the myth?" type of fear. Well...they didn't, and the 90's Golden age of Hip-Hop got a fast forward ticket to the 21st century.
listen



Lee Fields & The Expressions - Special Night
(Soul / Big Crown Records)

Still brilliantly supported by his band The Expressions, Lee Field's voice seems immune to the passage of time. Classic soul ballads, funkier moments, he still does it all in 2016, as back in the day. A delightful old-school soul/funk journey.
listen




Whitney - Light Upon The Lake
(Folk, Indie / Secretly Canadian Records)

Unpretending soulful folk melodies, a sweet falsetto voice singing love stories, a laid-back melancholic atmosphere...US indie duo Whitney do not reinvent anything there, but their debut LP flows naturally...and it simply feels good.
listen

BadBadNotGood - IV
(Nujazz, Hip-Hop / Innovative Leisure Records) 

Pursuing their exciting journey in the worlds of NuJazz, Hip-Hop & Soul, the Canadian trio, now quartet, delivers its best record so far, retaining the fresh live-like sound from their debuts, while adding some wonderful vocal featurings & high standards studio quality to the mix.
listen

DIIV - Is The Is Are

(Indie Rock / Captured Tracks Records) 

17 tracks, 17 great shoegaze infused indie anthems. If hazy effects still surround Zacharie Cole vocals, their presence is less pronounced than on the band acclaimed debut release Oshin, a successful evolution for the Brooklyn band which confirms its talent.
listen



Ablebody - Adults Contemporary
(Indie, Pop / Lollipop Records) 

Bright, shimmering and nostalgic at the same time, Ablebody debut album is a perfect example of a "dream pop" wave that keeps getting bigger year after year. The twin brothers from LA master the art of designing crystal clear synths & guitars-led melodies, dressed-up with delicate ethereal vocals.
listen

Flamingods - Majesty
(World, Jazz, Pop / Soundway Records) 

A multicultural collective blending Arabic and UK roots, Flamingods' sound transcends genres to create an exotic melting-pot hard to describe. Entering the jungle of Majesty is plunging into a luxurious atmosphere where disorientation is the new normal.
listen




Nicolas Jaar - Sirens
(Electro, Downtempo / Other People Records)

One step further in the experimental & disorientation kind, the new LP from Nicolas Jaar is also a true concept LP. More than a collection of amazing sound textures, Sirens is an ambitious electronic symphony, where new doors open after each new listening experience.
listen

Carlos Niño & Friends- It's All Happening

(NuJazz, Downtempo / Leaving Records) 
Also very much "experimental", It's All Happening is a Yogi-style cosmic Jazz experience and a condensed version of Carlos Niño intense creativity. Think Alice Coltrane, The Doors most cuckoo-land moments. Track-by-track zapping not recommended: if you really wanna open this gate to sweet transcendental meditation, you need to immerse yourself in the whole record, it's all happening here!
listen

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 EPs / Beat Tapes (more electro-centric)

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Photay - Sadie EP
(Downtempo / Astro Nautico Records) 

A feelgood EP filled with lush sounds textures, dreamy keyboards and joyful grooves confirming the talent of this young American producer.
listen

Mocky - The Moxtape Vol. III
(Downtempo, Pop / Domino Records)

The splendid third batch of Mocky's "Moxtape" series, gathering more of his signature dreamy moments, made of sweet piano and bells-led melodies.
listen

Moscoman & Red Axes - Dikembe Manutu & Rage In The Cage EP
(House, Techno, Nudisco / ESP Records)
Israeli duo Red Axes have been resonating more and more loudly with me these last few months. Their techno sound is also delicately groovy, and fits well in my nudisco-oriented DJ sets. Among the many great releases from them this year, I picked this excellent deep slo-mo EP done with Berlin minimal producer Moscoman.
listen


Yuksek - Sweet Addiction EP
(Nudisco, Pop / Partyfine Records)

The hit single's groove is infectious, spiced up by a remarkable vocal featuring from Her. But that's not all, a slo-mo dub pearl and a downtempo version of Make It Happen,feat. Juveniles make this EP a perfect teaser for a soon-to-be released new album.
listen

Alex Gopher - Back To Basics EP
(House, Go 4 Music Records)
When I started DJing for fun, almost 20 years ago, Alex Gopher was one of my most trusted purveyors of fat French house sound. His come back hasn't made me feel any younger...but certainly almost as euphoric as back in the day, courtesy of an explosive EP that has been on heavy rotation in my sets all year-long.
listen



Voilaaa - On Te L'Avait Dit Remixes EP
(Nudisco, House / Favorite Recordings)

French producer Patchworks's Voilaaa afro disco project meets Dimitri From Paris remixing magic. Funny French lyrics, unstoppable percs, what a dancing machine!
listen

Lovebirds - The Hamburg Years Pt.2 EP
(Deep House, Nudisco / Teardrop Recordings)

German House producer Lovebids has been a core member of my house moments through his regular drop of groovy soulful mid-tempo house gems. This EP is a great example of his sound, the track National being one of my most-played track in 2016.
listen

Sirens Of Lesbos - I Got New Feelings Ep & Essays Vol#3 Ep
(House, Deep Techno / Armada Music & Exploited Records)

Will your resist the infectious slo-mo grooves from this Spanish collective oscillating between house and deeper tech-inspired beats.
listen

Alaia & GalloFeat. Kevin Hadden - Who Is He Ep
(House / Soul Heaven Records)
The timeless Bill Withers classic getting three quality house revisits courtesy of a powerful vocal performance by Kevin Hadden and producing skills of Alaia & Gallo, but also the inevitable Claptone as well as The Reflex, who definitely ranks high in my purveyors' list of amazing edits.
listen

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EDIT of the year

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Delegation - Oh Honey (Poolside Edit) + Le Pamplemousse - Gimmie What You Got (Poolside Edit)

For the last three years, Californian DJs and producers Poolside have been my number one source of inspiration and quality as a DJ and producer. These two reworks are just another splendid example of their gift for refreshing forgotten grooves.
listen

Podcast Tracklisting:

Carlos Nino-Calimayan (feat. Nate Morgan & Yaakov Levy) / Mala-Sound Of The River (Feat. Sylvia Falcon) / Maylight - How Soon Is Now (The Smiths Cover) / Bon Iver-666? / Photay-Monday / Mocky-Exception To The Rule / Blood Orange-I Know / Frank Ocean-Pink+White (Feat. Beyoncé) / Kendrick Lamar-Untitled06 / Lee Fields & The Expressions-Special Love / Anderson Paak-Celebrate / A Tribe Called Quest-Whateva Will Be / BADBADNOTGOD-Times Moves Slow (feat. Sam Herring) / Whitney-No Woman / The Tibbs-The Story Goes / Thomas Cohen-Bloom Forever / Cass McCombs-Opposite House / Ablebody-Backseat Heart / DIIV-Bent (Roi's Song) / Melanie De Biasio-Blackened Cities / Flamingods-Majestic Fruit

Lee Fields & The Expressions - Special Night (Big Crown Records)

Among the many "back to the future" Soul/Funk artists that tried to bring back some 60's/70's magic to the 21st century, Lee Fields is certainly one of the most successful example.

His 2009 come-back LP My World is already a classic, that would fool many during blind tests aiming at identifying release years. If his productions since then were less memorable, his new album, Special Night,released this week on Big Crown Records gets close to reaching My World heights.

Still brillantly supported by The Expressions, Lee's singing seems immune to the passage of time. Classic soul ballads, funkier moments, he does it all in 2016, as back in the day. A delightful old-school journey.

Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra - Into Forever (Gondwana Records)

At a time when pollution tests cheating seems to be the norm, hopefully some only spit organic & peaceful vibes.

Case in point with Matthew Halsall new gift from (nu-jazz) heaven: his third and most ambitious LP to date, Into Forever, out now on Gondwana Records.

Still a splendid common thread, his trumpet is nevertheless slightly less present on this LP, where Matthew's signature lies first and foremost in his inimitable knack to compose & design dreamy spiritual atmospheres. The addition of vocalists on three tracks (Josephine Oneyama and Briony Jarman-Pinto), a grand premiere for him, adds another layer of poetry to this sensitive journey.

So breathe safely, and take a deep dive...Into Forever.

A couple of extracts below :

Mocky - Key Change (Heavy Sheet Productions)

Released just before the summer, Mocky's fifth album, Key Change, is an enchanted interlude floating above the obsolete boundaries dividing downtempo, soul, jazz and pop.

All along this very cohesive record, the LA-based multi-intrumentalist and producer demonstrates his songwriting talent, as well as his knack for crafting cosy and poetic musical atmospheres.
Add to this the participation of some of my favorite nu-jazz and indie/folk artists like Miguel Atwood-Feguson, Gonzales and Feist, and you get a very special experience.

Feel-good-stamped LP!

A few extracts below:

Roberta Flack - Compared To What (Vibes4YourSoul Rework)

A 1969 powerful politically-conscious message against Nixon's Vietnam war, and more generally about social issues of the time (still very relevant now), "Compared To What" is a beautiful jazz/soul song written by Gene McDaniels for Roberta Flack legendary first LP "First Take". The song got subsequently covered/adapted by other Jazz artists.

In this rework, I tried to keep the gospel-flavoured energy of Roberta's interpretation, while reinterpreting it with a housy rhythmic frame.

Hope you'll enjoy it!

Taxie - Rock Don't Stop Ep (Eglo Records re-issue)

Since his first splendid deep-house releases as Floating Points, back in 2009, to his remarkable artistic management of Eglo label since then, or his always inspiring eclectic DJ Sets, Sam Shepherd has been ranking very high on my musical radar.

Still in a mission to share great soulful music around, here he comes with another delightful surprise through Eglo sister label Melodies: a re-mastered version of two overlooked late 70's disco/soul absolute gems from US band Taxie.

Simply enjoy the full streaming below!

Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators - Where Are You Now Ep (Timmion records)

Alongside New-York (home of the Daptone Records crew & many affiliated artists), Finland has been establishing itself as another sure spot for high-quality old-school afro/soul/funk/jazz productions these last few years.

Producer/musician Jimi Tenor is of course one of the major reason behind this soulful nordic wave, as is the excellent Helsinki label Timmion Records.

His wife Nicole Willis is now back on the label with her band The Soul Investigators, for a couple of beautiful new singles, a promising teaser of their new LP, Happiness In Every Style, to be released next October.

Snippets below:

Vibes4YourSoul Loves Edits #46 - George Jackson - Aretha (Shoes Slow Soul Flow Edit)

If you're into smooth & warm Soul gems, then check out US digger Earwig and his Shoes crew for regular moments of editing grace.

Case in point with this little loop exercise on George Jackson warm and lovin' Aretha song.

I highly recommend his sweet Slow Soul Flow mixtape too!



Streaming and free dwlnd below:

Bing Ji Ling - Sunshine For Your Mind

A Ny-based underground producer/songwriter, Bing Ji Ling is responsible for a series of overlooked self-produced LPs filled with many soulful folk gems. In his latest musical journey, he revisits a wide range of pop/soul classics with his rejoicing solo guitar-led style.

Timeless tunes from  the likes of Sade, Maze, Prince, Donna Summer, Ned Doheny, Tears For Fears get a brilliant 70's-flavoured folkish relooking. Simply irresistible!

My favorite cuts below, album available on his Bandcamp page.







Producteur & songwriter new-yorkais méconnu, Bing Ji Ling essaime depuis quelques années les albums auto-produits peu avares en perles folk fleurant bon la soul. Dans le nouvel épisode de ses pérégrinations musicales, il revisite avec sa guitare acoustique une série de classiques d'artistes pop/soul comme Sade, Prince, Donna Summer, Ned Doheny...Dur dur de résister à ce délicieux lifting aux accents folk seventies!

V4YS Concert Review - Jazz à La Villette, Year 1959 Tribute - Eric Legnini & Friends vs Ray Charles - 060914

Sandra Nkaké, 060914 - Photo Vincent B.

"Jazz is not dead" is this year's Jazz à La Villette festival mantra. Well, "Groove ain't dead either" , judging by the massive gig closing this "Year 1959" special day in a packed Cabaret Sauvage.

After Miles and Coltrane, 1959s funky side was effectively on display, with belgium pianist Eric Legnini vision of Ray Charles' early works, especially his What'd I Say album.

As much as I enjoy Eric's jazz productions, I get even more excited when I see him letting his piano aside to focus on a Rhodes. I got even more excited when I realised he had invited two of the funkiest singers around to join him, Sandra Nkaké and Alice Russel.
Add to this a red-hot band and the talented young flutist/singer Elena Pinderhugues, and you have a recipe for some serious fun.

Sandra Nkaké, Elena Pinderhugues, Alice Russel - Photo Vincent B.

Setting the pace with his uber-groovy Rhodes lines, Eric Legnini let ample space to his vocal guests, who litterally turned the Cabaret Sauvage upside down.

Special mention to Sandra Nkaké, who once again blew me away, not only with her powerful voice but also her enthusiasm, humor and energy. I truly believe she's currently one of the most overlooked soul/funk female singer.


No Artelive recording for this one, but get a quick grasp of the atmosphere with this little video of their hot Ray Charles' Talkin' Bout You cover:




Thanks to my friend Vincent for the beautiful pics!

James Tillman - Shangri La EP

Here is an absolute gem coming from NYC...with a Sao Paolo studio stop.

Mellow neo-soul, sensual groove, folkish soulful songs...James Tillman knows it all, and just blew me away with this splendid debut EP.

My favorite cuts below, full EP available on his Bandcamp Page.

Un petit bijou en provenance de New-York, avec un stop studio par Sao Paulo.
Mellow nu-soul, groove sensuel, soul aux accents folk...le chanteur et songwriter James Tillman dévoile une impeccable revue de style, en l'espace d'un premier maxi à tomber.
Mes extraits favoris ci-dessus, EP disponible sur sa page Bandcamp.

Gil Scott-Heron - Nothing New (XL Recordings)

Gil Scott-Heron, Paris, 080910, photo Vincent B.

Such a great gift coming from the XL Recordings crew, who will release some precious recordings from Gil Scott-Heron for the 2014 disquaire day, on April 19th.

Recorded in 2008 in Ny, it gathers previously unreleased versions of some of his greatest songs. Judging by the first extract, a moving version of Alien (Hold On To Your Dreams), this limited edition pack should be an easy sell.

Woolfy - City Lights EP (Future Classic Records)

In the wake of Jagwar Ma, here come more cool soulful folkish vibes from Australian label Future Classic, with a summer-feel debut EP from Woolfy.
Sweet!

Pharrell Williams - Happy (Speedometer Cover)

I had lost track somehow of UK soul/funk band Speedometer these last three years. Well, no doubt they're still busy groovin' things up out there, judging by the rejoicing cover of Pharrell Williams' planetary hit they just released on their usual Freestyle Records label!

Josh Osho - Roadsigns EP

In the wake of Michael Kiwanuka or more recently Ady Suleiman, here is another young UK songwriter nicely filling the dots between the world of folk and soul music.

After L.I.F.E., his first LP out in 2012, Roadsigns EP is Josh Osho second release. Four nicely crafted songs, where he displays his delicate acoustic guitar sound, his truly moving singing. as well as resonating poetic lyrics.

A sweet discovery to be checked out live this month in Paris, Lyon and Nice.






Dans la foulée de Michael Kiwanuka ou, plus récemment, d'Ady Suleiman, voici un autre jeune artiste britannique s'affranchissant avec talent des frontières invisibles entre l'univers du Folk et de la Soul.
Seconde production de Josh Osho, ce Roadsigns EP rassemble quatre titres, où l'on découvre son subtil jeu de guitare acoustique, sa voix émouvante, mais aussi des textes plein de poésie.

A découvrir sur scène à Paris, Lyon et Nice dans les jours à venir.

Bahama Soul Club - The Cuban Tapes (Buyu Records)

Any Latin Grooves fans out there? Anyone still under the charm of Havana Cultura's project exploring Cuba's vivid contemporary underground music scene? Well this one is for you.

German combo Bahama Soul Club, known for their colourful modern latin jazz productions, is back on Buyu Records with The Cuban Tapes, a red-hot act focusing on Cuba's soulful side.

Teaming-up with some familiar names of the Havana Cultura project like singer Danay Suarez, as well as US soul scene legendary artists like singer Spanky Wilson, they offer a mind-blowing session where Latin beats & boogaloo-inspired vibes get their deluxe groovy treatment.

As powerful to light up a sleepy dancefloor as for irreversibly putting a catching smile on your face !

Extracts below, LP available on Buyu Records Bandcamp Page :

Des fans de latin groove dans les parages? Des admirateurs du projet Havana Cultura, qui rappelait récemment la richesse de la scène musicale contemporaine de Cuba? Alors tendez l'oreille, voir les deux.

Le combo allemand Bahama Soul Club, dont on apprécie depuis quelques années les productions latin jazz aux accents soul/funk, est de retour sur le label Buyu Records avec The Cuban Tapes, nouvel album incandescent, qui les voit dialoguer avec la face Soul de l'île. 

Entouré d'artistes locaux révélés par Gilles Peterson via son aventure Havana Cultura (notamment la chanteuse Danay Suarez) mais aussi par des poids lourds de la scène soul/funk américaine comme Spanky Wilson, les Bahama Soul Club livrent leur toilettage groove haut de gamme à des rythmes latins/boogaloo proprement irrésistibles. Un disque qu'on devine aussi imparable pour réveiller un dancefloor assoupi, que pour installer un sourire contagieux sur votre visage...Très gros coup de coeur !

Extraits ci-dessus, album disponible sur la page Bandcamp de Buyu Records.

V4YS Concert Review - M1, Brian Jackson, Sandra Nkaké & The New Midnight Band - Gil Scott-Heron Re-visioned - Jazz à la Villette Festival - 110913

Sandra Nkaké, Paris, 091113 - Photo Vincent B.

Well, well, well...what a musical week in northern Paris !

As often at the Jazz à La Villette Festival, the hottest night takes place at the Cabaret Sauvage, a cosy magic mirror circus tent subject to immediate musical ignitions. And ignited I was, even before the night started, at the simple idea of a Gil Scott-Heron tribute night led by his legendary partner Brian Jackson, followed by one of my favorite contemporary jazz/soul singer, Gregory Porter.

Teaming-up with DJ & producer Kentyah Fraser, Brian Jackson recently set up a little dream team of his own (rapper M1 from US rap duo Dead Prez, drummer Mike Clark from The Headhunters, Chuck D, Gregory Porter among others...) to record  Evolutionary Minded, a remarkable album revisiting Gil Scott-Heron immense legacy, out on Motema Records.

Brian Jackson, Paris, 091113 - Photo Vincent B.

Inviting french soul/jazz singer Sandra Nkaké to this project's first live show, they delivered a vibrant tribute to Gil's music and words, whose humanist message resonate ever more loudly these days.

M1, Paris, 091113 - Photo Vincent B.

Winter In America, The Bottle, Liberation Song (Red, Black Green) and many more Gil's classics were given a groovy Hip-Hop touch thanks to M1's red-hot flow and Sandra Nkaké's contagious energy and powerful voice. Add to the mix some world-class musicians, such as the incredible flute player Jî Drû and some veteran musicians from Gil's original Midnight Express Band, and we were in for an unforgettable set.


Check it by yourself with this little video I took of their phenomenal Winter In America cover !

More Gil Scott-Heron on Vibes4YourSoul with our little 2011 tribute and our reviews, photos and videos of his last Parisian gigs, back in 2010 and 2011.


Thanks to Vincent B. for his beautiful photos!

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Je coche en général avec une attention particulière les soirées du festival Jazz à la Villette se déroulant au Cabaret Sauvage, réflexe pavlovien du à la quantité insensée d'émotions musicales que j'ai eu la chance de vivre dans ce chaleureux petit chapiteau façon magic mirrors. Surdose de bonheur de plus cette année, avec une soirée de rêve combinant un hommage à Gil Scott-Heron sous l'égide de son légendaire partenaire Brian Jackson, puis une seconde partie en compagnie de l'un de mes chanteurs contemporains soul/jazz favori, Gregory Porter.

A l'initiative du DJ et producteur américain Kentyah Fraser, Brian Jackson a récemment rassemblé une véritable "dream team" (le rappeur M1 du duo Dead Prez, le batteur Mike Clark des Headhunters, Chuck D, Gregory Porter...) pour enregistrer Evolutionary Minded, un émouvant album revisitant l'oeuvre de Gil Scott-Heron, sorti cet été sur le label Motema Records.

Présentant pour la première fois ce projet en live, Brian et Kentiah ont eu la bonne idée d'inviter la chanteuse Sandra Nkaké pour offrir un pendant Groove au flot hip-hop incandescent de M1. A la clé un vibrant hommage à la musique, mais aussi aux mots de Gil, dont la pertinence des messages humanistes résonne toujours aussi fort aujourd'hui.
Winter In America, The Bottle, Liberation Song (Red, Black Green) et bien d'autres classiques furent tour-à-tour revisités. Le subtil vernis hip-hop/groove apporté par ce New Midnight Band est du plus bel effet, avec un véritable coup de coeur pour l'incroyable jeune flûtiste Jî Drû, coupable d'avoir fait s'envoler le chapiteau à lui tout seul ! 
Un set mémorable, dont je vous propose de deviner l'intensité avec cette petite vidéo de la splendide relecture de l'éternel titre de Gil, Winter In America.

Plus de clins d'oeil à Gil Scott-Heron sur Vibes4YourSoul avec notre petit hommage de 2011 et nos reviews de ses deux inoubliables derniers concerts à Paris, en 2010 et 2011.

V4YS Concert Review - Gregory Porter - Jazz à la Villette Festival - 110913

Gregory Porter, Paris, 110913 - Photo Vincent B.

Busy week for Gregory Porter. At the same time he was releasing his highly anticipated third album Liquid Spirit on Blue Note, he was in for a couple of gigs at the Jazz à la Villette festival.

Yosuke Sato, Paris, 110913 - Photo Vincent B.

Focusing on his "soul side", this set at the Cabaret Sauvage gave him the opportunity to demonstrate why he's quickly become one of the most fascinating jazz/soul singer around. 
Alternating between the most energetic tracks from his repertoire, including his new LP, (1960 What!, On My Way To Harlem, Free...) and his "romantic" soul songs (Be Good, No Love Dying, Real Good Hands...) he gave a wonderful snapshot of what genuine old-school Soul music is all about. Marvin, Bill or Donny style !

Emanuel Harrold, Paris, 110913 - Photo Vincent B.

His immense singing talent has us easily forget another key ingredient of his success : the quality of his quartet (Chip Crawford on piano, Yosuke Sato on sax, Aaron James on bass and Emanuel Harrold on drums). 
Gregory's gigs are an opportunity to give each of these world-class musicians a fair share of credit. On stage, he's nicely sharing the spotlights, and everyone gets ample room to deliver stunning solos. My personal favorite that night was Chip Crawford, whose flamboyant style made me think of Japanese piano whizz-girl Hiromi.

Chip Crawford, Paris, 110913 - Photo Vincent B.

Find below a little video extract, Real Good Hands :

Thanks to Vincent B. for his beautiful photos.

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Semaine chargée pour Gregory Porter. Au moment où il sort son troisième album, Liquid Spirit, disque très attendu sur le label Blue Note, il était à l'affiche de deux dates du festival Jazz à la Villette.
Pour ce set au Cabaret Sauvage c'est sa face soul qui était à l'honneur. En l'espace d'une heure et demie il a pu démontrer pourquoi il est devenu aussi rapidement l'une des chanteurs jazz/soul les plus fascinants du moment.
Une sélection de ses titres les plus énergiques (1960 What!, On My Way To Harlem, Free...) et de ses balades souls les plus "romantiques" (Be Good, No Love Dying, Real Good Hands...), lui a permis d'offrir une revue impeccable d'une Soul authentique, qui rappelle les plus belles heures de Marvin, Bill ou Donny... On a par la même occasion pu découvrir plusieurs morceaux de son nouveau disque, véritable chronique d'un nouveau succès annoncé.
Son immense talent de chanteur nous fait souvent oublier l'un des ingrédients majeurs de son succès : la qualité de son quartet (Chip Crawford au piano, Yosuke Sato au sax, Aaron James à la basse et Emanuel Harrold à la batterie). Ses concerts sont l'occasion de réparer cette erreur. Il y laisse en effet beaucoup de lumière à ces musiciens de classe mondiale, qui disposent de toute la place pour s'exprimer, notamment via de nombreux solos ravageurs. A ce petit jeu, le pianiste Chip Crawford eut ma préférence, évoquant par son style flamboyant les shows époustouflants de la jeune prodige japonaise Hiromi.

Ci-dessus petit extrait vidéo, Real Good Hands.

V4YS Album Review - Gummy Soul - 93 Still (Remixes of Souls Of Mischief' 93 'til Infinity)

Beware, massive groove inside this post !

Already guilty of incredible mashups revisiting some of the best 90's jazzy hip-hop crews (The Pharcyde, Arrested Development, De La Soul..) while adding to the mix samples of cornerstone soul/funk or afrobeat artists(Fela Kuti), the Gummy Soul project is an absolute delight for any serious groove freak.

This time around they're giving away for free a phenomenal reinterpretation of the legendary Souls Of Mischief LP , 93 'til Infinity. 
20 years after the release of this always fresh album, Gummy Soul's Wally Clark got the exclusive original acapellas from the band and spiced them up with his own producing magic and jazz/funk musical culture. So get ready for a fireworks of classic soul/funk samples & breaks that see Kool & The Gang,  War & many more chill to a full monty "Golden age of Hip-Hop special" beatmaking massage.

A big thanks to my friend Mike for highlighting this one to me !

My favorite extracts below (I went crazy with the Kool and the Gang's Summer Madness sample at the end of A Name I Call Myself...), full streaming and free dwnld on Gummy Soul Bandcamp page.

Attention ! Avis de tempête groove à l'intérieur de ce post.
Déjà coupable d'incroyables albums de mashups rendant hommage à une pléiade de grands noms du jazzy Hip-Hop des 90's (The Pharcyde, Arrested Development, De La Soul..), le projet Gummy Soul est incontournable pour les vrais accrocs au groove.
Après une excellente relecture de l'oeuvre de Fela Kuti à l'aune de celle de De La Soul, ils s'attaquent aujourd'hui à un album légendaire de l'âge d'or du Hip-Hop, 93 'til Infinity des Souls Of Mischief.
Leader de Gummy Soul, Wally Clark s'est vu offrir par le groupe d'Okland les acapellas originaux du disque. Ses talents de producteurs et sa culture soul/funk ont fait le reste. A la clé une superbe re-interprétation du disque avec un feu d'artifices de samples et breaks de légende qui voient Kool & The Gang, War et bien d'autres s'offrir le massage intégral "Golden age of Hip-Hop special".

Mes extraits favoris ci-dessus, lien dwnld gratuit sur la page Bandcamp de Gummy Soul !