SeawindREUNION(Seawind Jazz)

Growing up, it was so inspiring todiscover a band of amazing musi-cians embracing Christian themes offaith and brotherhood and turningthese sentiments into some of thefunkiest and hottest soul-jazz-popmusic imaginable. With so much tal-ent in the band – from leader drum-

mer Bob Wilson and lead singer Pauline Wilson to master horn arranger/brassman Jerry Hey and keyboardist/saxophonist/composer Larry Williams, it wassadly inevitable that they would not stay together for long. This pioneering 7-piece band formed in Hawaii got four amazing albums onto the market from1976-1981 before calling it quits. Last month, I was thrilled to find out that notonly are the group’s dynamic first two albums available on CD (Seawind andWindow of a Child, originally recorded for CTI), but 6 of the 7 members alsorecorded a wonderful new CD titled Reunion their first full release in 20 years!Appropriately, it contains both new songs plus new arrangements of past gemssuch as “He Loves You” (f/ special guest and fan Al Jarreau), “The Devil is aLiar,” “Follow Your Road” and “Free.” I am thrilled to report that the new musiccontinues the compositional depth and emotional commitment of the classicsthat came before. Highlights include the funky bass-driven groove “You’re MyEverything,” an instrumental tribute to the great Wayne Shorter (titled “Wayne”)and the gorgeous “Sunshadow.” Only officially released in Japan for now, the CDis nonetheless available to all via the Website www.seawindjazz.com. Be lookingfor my interview with the reunited soul soothers soon on our Website.

Gil Scott-HeronI’M NEW HERE(XL)

Gil Scott-Heron scared me half to deaththe first time I heard I’m New Here, theword shaman’s first work in 15 years.As I listened long past the witchinghour…under cover of darkness…alone,this work literally sounded like what it is- a once powerful black man that’sbeen to Hell and back and lived to tell

the tale. This is not your grandfather’s Gil. Gone are the alternating militant jazzand soothing Fender Rhodes. In their place are ghostly industrial tracks providedby alternative rock producer Richard Russell (also owner of XL Records). Overthose tracks, Brother Gil drops one the most blood-curdling spoken word bluesalbums ever committed to CD. I’m talking hair-raising sung covers of RobertJohnson’s “Me and The Devil” and Bobby Blue Bland’s “I’ll Take Care of You,”arresting poems such as “Where Did the Night Go,” “The Crutch” and particularly“Running.” The only relief comes at the opening and closing bookends “OnComing From a Broken Home” on which he shares his love for the women in hislife; his mother and grandmother. Though the project clocks in at just over a halfhour, it wipes you out like a 3-CD set of Cecil Taylor would. For maximum effect,I dare you to listen to it alone…in the dark.

Alex BugnonGOING HOME(Xela)

For two decades, Swiss-born key-boardist Alex Bugnon has been aromantic yet energetic force on thecontemporary jazz scene - in pos-session of chameleonic skills befit-ting him as a straight ahead jazzpiano leader and as a soul sideman.On his new album Going Home, he

boldly explores that music – his first love – more explicitly than ever before.From originals inspired by his early idols Horace Silver and Ahmad Jamal to cov-ers of old favorites from WAR’s “The World is a Ghetto” and Herbie Hancock’s“Oliloqui Valley,” to an adaptation of “Nothra Dona di Maortse” (a song he discov-ered at his father’s funeral), the 8-song project taps deep roots from multipleplains. “Going Home represents me returning to what I really love to do…whichis to play as hard as I possibly can,” he states. Joining him for this career-redefining project are old friends Poogie Bell on drums and Victor Bailey onbass, among others. This is the best album of Bugnon’s catalog, thus far, and thefirst on his own Xela Records imprint. Support this!

Cindy BlackmanANOTHER LIFETIME(4Q)

Drummer Cindy Blackman has had anenviable career as a touring musicianwith rocker Lenny Kravitz, as a sidewoman for many jazz artists and as aleader in her own right for albums thathave stretched from straight ahead jazzto forward thinking contemporary proj-ects such as her previous double-discMusic for the New Millennium. Her lat-

est CD finds her paying tribute to the most influential musician of her lifetime,Tony Williams. Williams, who died unnecessarily at 51 due to health facility neg-lect, was a drummer of galvanizing power and ceaselessly searching musicalambition. Miles Davis praised him for pushing any musician he played with totheir highest potential. Blackman’s reverence is palpable on Another Lifetime, onwhich she reexamines many of the pieces he created in his pioneering andchameleonic jazz-rock fusion unit band The Tony Williams Lifetime. It takes gutsto even attempt covering this music – the originals of which literally crackle withelectricity and the rawness of freshly chiseled granite. This recording is a littletoo polished in places, but Blackman never ceases to bring the fire to the pro-ceedings, representing her mentor to the fullest. She made some interestingchoices, particularly as it came to including (or not) the lyrics on classics such as“Beyond Games” and “There Comes a Time.” But she plumbs Tony’s singular giftfor funk in her original spoken word piece “40 years of Innovation,” flies free in asax/drums duet with Joe Lovano on “Love Song” (from Tony’s avant garde ‘60sBlue Note period) and especially on the third of three versions of “Vashkar” titled“The Alternate Dimension Theory” where she and the band stretch into the outerlimits. I imagine Tony smiling down after hearing this one and offhandedlyremarking, “Yeah…sharing.” Musicians include Mike Stern, Vernon Reid, DougCarn, Carlton Holmes, Benny Rietveld, David Santos…and Patrice Rushen ona majestic “Wildlife.”

BY A. SCOTT GALLOWAYUrban Network Music Editor

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Patrice Rushen SHOUT IT OUT (Soul Brothers)

U.K. based Soul Brothers Records is tobe commended for bringing to CD for thefirst time Patrice Rushen’s third andfunkiest Prestige Records CD, Shout itOut (1976) onto the market. The remas-tering is full and pristine, and the 8tracks within bowl you over with deep,deep, DEEP funk…and taste. Heavilycontributing to the funk factor are drum-

mer James Gadson, former Earth Wind & Fire guitarist Al McKay (check out TheHump”), percussionist Bill Summers, and then-Chuck Mangione bassist CharlesMeeks (“Shout it Out,” “Roll with the Punches” and “Let There Be Funk”). Thesingle from the album was the tamer, uplifting “Let Your Heart Be Free” and QuietStorm radio got much drive time mileage out of the lovely “Stepping Stones”(composed by Charles Mims) and the exquisite “Yolon” (composed by L.A. uni-fied school district music program savior Reggie Andrews). Throughout, Patriceis a wonder – singing, playin’, groovin’, composin’ and laying the foundation forbreakthroughs ahead such as “Look Up,” “Haven’t You Heard” and, eventually,“Forget Me Nots.” All that funk…started here.

MaysaA WOMAN IN LOVE(Shanachie)

Singer Maysa Leak has left indeliblefootprints behind her as a guest ofStevie Wonder, as a co-member ofIncognito and as a solo artist. But shehas never created a full CD statementquite as powerful as this one. Fromsexy samba of the opener “Am I Wrong(For Lovin’ You),” a pendulum swingduet with Will Downing titled “Love

Theory” and a slick surprisingly contemporary take on Thelonious Monk’s “RoundMidnight” to a lovely rendering of Michel Legrand & The Bergman’s “What AreYou Doing the Rest of Your Life,” the percolating title track and a lovely version ofthe Michael Jackson chestnut “The Lady in My Life” from a woman’s p.o.v., it’sone of those perennial collections for which all the stars aligned and everythingcame together just right. Perfectly balanced between choice covers such as“Willow Weep For Me” and “I Put a Spell on You” to a spicy new original titled“Honey Bee,” this is indeed a woman in love with her craft…and that makes itMaysa to the third power.

Corinne Bailey RaeTHE SEA(Capitol)

With the sudden tragic death of herhusband, it is not surprising that Ms.Rae’s sophomore album is largely away for her to mend and to say good-bye. What is surprising is how muchlight there is instead of darkness.Songs like “Feels Like the First Time”recall the joy he brought while he washere while the beautiful “I Would Like

to Call it Beauty” and “Diving For Hearts” find her weaving her pain into reflectivepoetry. This project is a deeper step inward for the singer/songwriter who cameout of nowhere a few years back with a billowy debut. The Sea marks a giantstep onward and upward.

MASTERS OF AMERICAN MUSIC(Medici Arts)

The acclaimed television series hasreleased four of it finest jazz related pro-grams on DVD in limited edition digitallyre-mastered editions that are a must orconnoisseurs’ libraries. We’re talkingThelonious Monk, Billie Holiday,Charlie Parker and a fourth disc titled“The Story of Jazz” that polls a plethoraof greats – many now deceased -including Carmen McRae, DizzyGillespie, Lester Bowie, Illinois Jacquet,Joe Williams, Billy Eckstine and manymore. Seeing these timeless artists pro-

filed and sharing their side of the jazz story in such a first class presentation ispriceless.

HiromiA PLACE TO BE(Telarc)

Following her escalating work in thejazz fusion realm and the acoustic trioproject she participated in with StanleyClarke and Lenny White, Hiromi returnsto solo piano with this impressive CD.The lady’s piano dexterity and versatili-ty matched with her penchant for com-positional forms that stretch fromPhillip Glass (“BQE”) to Chick Corea

(“Sicilian Blue”) reveal much about the crazy classical, jazz hybrid that burstsforth from the creative nooks of her cranium. Put this on and prepare for yourhead to swim in a place where brilliance meets beauty.

Whitney HoustonWHITNEY HOUSTON: DELUXEANNIVERSARY EDITION(Legacy/Arista)

Just call it a Whitney fan’s wetdream (like her standing in theocean on the back cover). This dualCD and DVD presentation offers theoriginal hit-laden 10-song albumplus great dance remixes of“Thinking About You” and “Someonefor Me” (which should have been aU.S. single) and a live rendition of

“Greatest Love of All.” The 41-minute DVD gives us four music videos including“You Give Good Love,” “Saving All My Love For You” and “How Will I Know,” plusher 1983 TV debut on “The Merv Griffin Show” singing “Home” and the Arista10th Ann. Party live version of “I Am Changing.” Deluxe booklet includes lots ofphotos and a Q&A with Svengali Clive Davis, but it would have been nice to hearreflections from others involved with the album such as Jermaine Jackson,Raymond Jones and Kashif.

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