Show #146: New and Noteworthy Releases from around the Globe
Back in high school it was always a “Sophie’s Choice” in the record store. There would be 4-5 albums I really wanted but I only had like $10 so I…
By Tom Schnabel • • 2 min read<!-- missing image http://blogs.kcrw.com/rhythmplanet/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/blog-spacer.jpg -->Back in high school it was always a “Sophie’s Choice” in the record store. There would be 4-5 albums I really wanted but I only had like $10 so I could only get two. That continued for another decade. Even when I worked at Vogue Records in Westwood while in graduate school, I couldn’t get free records.
When I got back from Paris in late 1976 and couldn’t find a teaching job (so much for an M.A. in Comparative Literature and two teaching credentials), I just started writing for various music periodicals. I dutifully sent my tear sheets out to record company promo men and publicists, and slowly but surely the LP’s started coming in. It’s a blessing and a curse: a blessing to get new releases sent to you; a curse when you have to move.
That being said, I want to present some new releases I’ve received recently, but this is just a drop in the bucket. I have two more new release shows ready to record, too. Anyway, here is the latest show.
We begin with French musician RaphaelImbert with a song dedicated to Martin Luther King, appropriately titled “MLK Blues”. We continue with some plaintive Malian blues from RokiaTraore. Her show a year or so ago at UCLA, when Toumani Diabate didn’t make it, was thrilling.
The Colombian-UK collective Sidestepper is next, back from a long hiatus, with a new CD on Real World records. After that it’s the LA-based Ethiopian groove band, DeboBand; every cut on the new album is just fantastic. It was hard to choose which cut to play.
We continue with a beautiful cut by a singer from Somaliland (not to be confused with Somalia) named SahraHalgan. I am truly smitten by this beautiful music.
Two new CD’s from trumpet players are next. First, a ChristianScott record featuring ElenaPinderhughes, a wonderful flutist. Christian Scott’s strange-looking trumpet outdoes Wynton Marsalis’, for sure. Then GabrielMervine dishes up some straight-ahead jazz on his new album.
The final quartet of songs include a Beatles cover by classical guitarist MilosKaradaglic (let’s just call him Milos) featuring the great GregoryPorter on vocals. A Portuguese pop band led by MartaRen follows, sounding more like a 60’s pop band than some Portuguese group. No wonder the album was produced by Sharon Jones’ people.
We wrap it up with two fine new jazz albums by MikeMoreno and LewTabackin. I love Tabackin’s playing on John Lewis’ great song “Afternoon in Paris”; and the trio context reminds me of Sonny Rollins’ great trio sides.
I hope you enjoy these eleven new releases. Let me know which songs you like the best. I’m always curious about that!
Rhythm Planet Playlist for 2/19/16
Raphael Imbert & Co / “MLK Blues” featuring Anne Paceo / Music Is My Home: Act 1 (Bonus Track Version) / Jazz Village
Sidestepper / “Fuego Que Te Llama” / SupernaturalLove / Real World
Debo Band / “Ele” / Ere Gobez / FPE Records
Sahra Halgan Trio / “Anigoo An Diidayn”/ FaransiskiyoSomaliland / Buda Records
Christian Scott / “Liberation over Gangsterism” / Stretch Music (Introducing Elena Pinderhughes) / Ropeadope
Gabriel Mervine / “Somethin’ Cute” / People / Synergy Music
Milos Karadaglic / “Let it Be” featuring Gregory Porter / Blackbird – The Beatles Album/ Mercury Classics
Marta Ren & The Groovelvets / “It’s Today” / Stop Look Listen / Record Kicks
Mike Moreno / “The Hills Of Kykuit” / Lotus / World Culture Music
Lew Tabackin Trio / “Afternoon in Paris” / Soundscapes / Lew Tabackin Trio