"Roland Haynes Jr and his group Phenix released just a single 45 on their eponymous label: the sophisticated modern soul cut 'Mind Games', with a dapper jazz ballad, 'The Essence of Jai' as the flipside (coming soon on the studio LP). Until now, that 1983 single has been the sole material trace of both band and artist. But like many dedicated musicians who follow their own path outside of the music industry, Haynes understood his musical worth, and the quality of his band. He had documented his work at key moments, laying down carefully worked out studio sessions and recording packed-out live gigs. The recordings that we present here are drawn from Haynes' personal archive.
This first collection presents a selection of the many live recordings made by Phenix at Quarter Moon club in Orangeburg, South Carolina. This allows us to listen in as Haynes' abundantly talented band stretches out on a tight selection of originals and covers. Together, these sets allow Roland Haynes Jr to finally stake his claim to a place alongside the most forward-thinking jazz and soul artists of his era.
Covers of Marvin Gaye, Santana, Hubert Laws & The Jeff Lorber Fusion as well as originals.
500 Copies Only Double Vinyl."
Let's Get It On: A Review of Marvin Gaye's 2023 Deluxe Reissue
Marvin Gaye's iconic thirteenth studio album, "Let's Get It On," has been reissued in 2023, allowing a new generation to appreciate this masterpiece. This review delves into the album's profound themes, exploring its unique blend of soul, romance, and spirituality, as well as its enduring legacy.
An Intimate Look Into Let's Get It On
"Let's Get It On" is more than just an album; it's a multi-layered masterpiece. Marvin Gaye skillfully intertwines silky soul with a sensual spirituality, making it a unique musical journey. The album transcends mere sexuality, delving into the emotional and spiritual realms that underpin our most intimate moments. Listening to Gaye's songs, one can't help but feel the depth of emotion and spirituality that fueled his music.
What Is Going On: Marvin And Love
While "Let's Get It On" contains songs that exude sensuality, it's essential to recognize that Marvin Gaye's exploration of love goes beyond physicality. The title track, often associated solely with sex, also touches on the sensitive nature of human beings seeking love and connection. Gaye understood that sexual expression was just one facet of meaningful relationships, emphasizing the importance of love in its purest form.
Love & Understanding
"Please Stay (Once You Go Away)" delves into the longing and security that a partner brings to one's life. Marvin Gaye masterfully addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of love, highlighting that it's the spiritual connection that truly makes love enduring and meaningful. "If I Should Die Tonight" stands as a beautiful ode to true love, a celebration of its discovery and profound appreciation.
The Spirituality Of Let's Get It On
The album doesn't shy away from explicit passion, as evident in "You Sure Love To Ball," a track that was ahead of its time in its portrayal of lovers' passion. Even within the realm of intense physicality, Gaye's lyrics reveal a profound acknowledgment of a deeply connected union between lovers. It's possible that Marvin Gaye's search for a love that transcended the physical world contributed to his internal struggles, adding an extra layer of spirituality to his music.
Marvin's Legacy
Marvin Gaye's albums from the 1970s serve as a window into his soul and life experiences. Few artists have been as open and honest about their true selves as Gaye was in his music. His songs touch on the complexities of life, love, fear, loss, betrayal, heartbreak, failure, and death. This raw vulnerability is what makes his music resonate so deeply with listeners and continues to inspire powerful emotions.
The Blu-Ray
The Blu-Ray
The 2023 reissue of "Let's Get It On" on Blu-Ray is a testament to the album's enduring appeal. Despite initial reservations due to past disappointments with reissues, this release stands out. For dedicated Marvin Gaye fans, this is a must-have addition to their collection. The Surround Sound mode enhances the listening experience, allowing Marvin's voice to shine while the instrumentation is beautifully separated. This release captures the warmth, sensuality, and soulfulness of the album, offering a truly immersive auditory experience. What is going: Marvin Gaye is back with another collector's item to warm your heart and captivate your soul.
Below, Daptone records singer Jalen Ngonda and producer Shuko pay homage to Marvin's musical influence with two must-hear projects.
"Johnny Britt is a vocalist with range that lingers in that soft, buttery high tenor range regularly – though not exclusively – occupied by Marvin Gaye. Britt is also a trumpeter greatly influenced by the less is more ethos of Miles Davis. The fact that Britt sings and plays the trumpet explains why he would want to make the tribute album Marvin Meets Miles in which his Harmon muted trumpet provides the second “voice” to nine tunes from the Marvin Gaye songbook. Then there is also the Motown connection: Britt and partner rapper Sean E. Mac formed the group Impromp2 and once signed with the label that Gaye helped to make famous in the 60, 70s and 80s."
Read the rest of the review on SoulTracks.com
In an ongoing series of unreleased music from a legendary label of music from the Motor City of Detroit, Motown heats up the summer of 2016 with previously unheard tunes from 1965 of the late great Marvin Gaye. Download your copy of "Motown Unreleased 1965: Marvin Gaye" below at iTunes and check for more volumes of digitally-released music from their vaults dating a couple years back.
If your looking for good festive vibes in an approach to music, look no further than the great summertime Soul atmosphere created by Incognito guitarist/producer Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick on his 2014 LP "Citrus Sun". As a pioneer of Acid Jazz, this talented veteran is here to make you get down to a variety of upbeat grooves which blend traditional elements of Soul with a touch of Jazz and upbeat dance rhythm.
Review by Dome Records UK:
"Incognito founder Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick presents his alter ego – eight-piece band Citrus Sun featuring acclaimed UK guitarist Jim Mullen.
Says Bluey: “Citrus Sun is a project born of my love for Jim’s playing and the desire to be part of a band with him. We are now good friends and I have collaborated with him on several projects, including Terry Callier and Mario Biondi, but as a teenager in the Seventies I was just a fan. He is an amazing musician.”
Mullen’s credits in a 40-year career include Brian Auger, Average White Band, Kokomo, Jimmy Witherspoon and the pioneering British jazz funk band Morrissey-Mullen.
The obvious difference from Incognito is that Citrus Sun is largely instrumental, with vocals from Valerie Etienne (of Galliano and Jamiroquai) on “What’s Going On” and Terry Callier’s “What Color Is Love”. There was an earlier Citrus Sun album released back in 2000, which also featured Jim Mullen in the line-up, and the new album “People of Tomorrow” is a renewal of that relationship.
“In terms of sound it is also more sparse as it features the sole trumpet reminiscent of the late Donald Byrd, and there is a cool Latin jazz flavour on some of the cuts”, says Bluey. “The distinctive sound of Jim Mullen’s thumbing guitar brings a tonal quality that is very different to Incognito, but at times it is obvious that this is the Incognito rhythm section and for that we make no excuses, instead celebrating the fact that this is a new project by the same band with me at the helm”.
Bluey worked as a producer on several tracks with the late Terry Callier and he regards “What Colour Is Love” as a Callier classic that was an obvious choice for the band to cover. He also worked on “What’s Going On” as part of the Red Bull Music Academy/RAI Radio jam session with Thundercat, Nate Smith and Jason Lindner, over the original recording of Marvin Gaye’s voice, and this experience inspired the Citrus Sun version.
Some tracks are more connected with the Incognito sound. “You’re So Far Away” and “Cooking With Walter” (a title inspired by the TV series Breaking Bad) began their lives as jams with the Incognito rhythm section and title track “People of Tomorrow” was co-written by Bluey and Incognito bass player Francis Hylton.
“Tonight We Dance” and “Mais Uma Vez (One More Time)” are stunning Latin jazz tunes that were a result of Bluey listening to Herbie Mann’s “inspirational” album “Latin Mann (Afro To Bossa To Blues)”.
“People of Tomorrow” is a fine addition to the Bluey discography, and shows him continuing to branch out following the 2013 release of his debut solo album “Leap of Faith”. Citrus Sun will be playing live dates during 2014, beginning with an album launch concert at London’s Under The Bridge on April 17
As he says: “The Citrus Sun is rising – come catch the sunshine!”
The full line-up of Citrus Sun is Bluey (guitar and vocals), Jim Mullen (guitar),
Valerie Etienne (vocals), together with Incognito members Matt Cooper (keyboards), Francis Hylton (bass), Francesco Mendolia (drums), Joao Caetano (percussion) and Dominic Glover (trumpet)."
There should be no overlooking Beautiful Life, a journey of 12 songs which includes singularly memorable covers of Bob Marley’s “Waiting in Vain,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You” and Ani DiFranco’s self-empowering “32 Flavors.” Included in the rest of the tracks, which cover the spectrum from jazz to soul, are two new songs “Cold” and “Satiated” which are emotionally volcanic. Produced by Terri Lyne Carrington, Beautiful Life features an all-star cast that includes bassists Esperanza Spalding and Richard Bona, vocalists Gregory Porter and Lalah Hathaway, pianists Robert Glasper and Gerald Clayton and Reeves’ cousin and frequent longtime collaborator George Duke.
Vocals: Dianne Reeves
Guest Vocals: Gregory Porter, Lalah Hathaway
Piano: Peter Martin, Gerald Clayton, Robert Glasper
Keyboards: George Duke, Bobby Sparks, Robert Glasper, Cédric Hanriot, Ray Angry, Leo Genovese
Organ: Shedrick Mitchell, Bobby Soarks
Guitar: Marvin Sewell, Dwight Sills, Carl Burnett, Leandro Pellegrino
Acoustic Guitar: Romero Lubambo, Nadia Washington
Bass: Reginald Veal, Christian St. Louis, James Genus, Richard Bona, Esperanza Spalding
Congas: Sheila E.
Drums: Terreon Gully, Terri Lyne Carrington
Percussion: Munyungo Jackson, Leonardo Osuna
Trumpet: Sean Jones, Ingrid Jensen
Vocal Trumpet: Raul Midón
Alto Saxophone: Tia Fuller
Soprano Saxophone: Tineke Postma
Flute: Camille Thurman
Programming: Terri Lyne Carrington
Backround Vocals: Nadia Washington, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding
"One of the most underrated genius gems in all of soul music is Marvin Gaye’s jazz ballad album, Vulnerable. More then ten years in the making, it is from start to finish a lush, expensive, and utterly sublime venture of layered vocals and pure jazz atmospherics that borrows the best from soul while still staying true to its purist intentions.
Drummer/producer Edwin Briscoe and his gang of merry musicians captures the best of both sides of one of Vulnerable’s best with “I Won’t Cry Anymore” with this delicate opening yielding to a pure soul groove that would have made Leon Ware proud. Singer Erica Nicole applies just the light touch with just enough gospel tinged phrasing to keep it faithful to the material but not strictly by the book. Be on the lookout for this actor/drummer/producer’s future release Edwin Vs. Briscoe. If this is any indication, we’ll be all ears, whoever emerges the winner. It’s all good. "
By L. Michael Gipson of SoulTracks.com
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