I’m listening to fresh-from-the-factory Soul Jazz that hits from another decade and planet, and a Fania release from even further back …
Nicholas Payton
Drip
2023
Paytone Records
Payton pulled off transtemporal travel when his album took it back to ‘79 — peace be unto O.D.B. I plead to the headz: let’s not re-ignite debates about Jazz purity, and instead dive into the astral Soul-Jazz fusion that our flugelhornist conjures up in a set length that might just humorously remind you of retro packaging. I love the funky energy of “Kimathi” and how he leaps — or joins — continents with the rhythm changes in “Black is Beautiful”. Robert Glasper stopped by to bless the set Rhodes-style on “Backwards Step”, and Payton, somehow, pulled together two voices from the Quiet Storm canon — composer queen Patrice Rushen and love zen crooner Michael Franks — for “Visible Light”. I had plenty of fun absorbing this.
Pura Salsa
Azuquita y Su Orquesta Melao
1975
Fania Records
The “California” track was my initiation to the album and I thought the tune smacked of Latin Soul’s inner-city heart from the 1970s. The whole album is paradigmatic of the period, but Little Sugar and contributing songwriter Mauricio Smith — a Panamanian flute virtuoso who may sadly need an introduction despite his global impact — proved they had more tricks to share: none-but-the-righteous Salsa (“Coco de Maria” and “Cuarto Bate”); a stank reimagining of Cuban grooves (“Guajira Bacan”); Boogaloo (“Salsa Na’ Ma’”); and a nod to homeland vibes (“Saludo a Panamá”). Big thanks to online Brother Nelson Ramirez, another incurable music head who may have rocked a few parties as a DJ in another life, for introducing me to this album. Abrazos, Hermano!
I didn’t leave a purchase link out of fear that you may cuss me after checking the $90 price tag. An MP3 is a less-expensive move, but it’s MP3. Add to your to-dig list.
What sounds have been taking over your head lately? I’m all ears …
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