Buddy Guy & Junior Wells – Going Back To Acoustic – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl
“…These classic songs are matched by an impeccable re-master of the kind of recording which constantly reminds me exactly just why I own a turntable. Fantastic transparency, a jaw dropping presentation of rough hewed vocal dynamic shifts and the kind of inner details that scream ‘intimacy’ recreates the atmospheric roots of the Deep South – making this a must own record from a sonic perspective as well.” Recording = 9.5/10; Music = 9/10 – Reuben Parry, Hi-Fi+, Issue 45
Horace Tapscott Conducting The Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra: Flight 17 – Pure Pleasure Records
Horace Tapscott: Dial ‘B’ For Barbra – 2 x LP Pure Pleasure Vinyl
“The best of pianist Horace Tapscott’s recordings for the tiny Nimbus label is this 1981 LP which features him in a sextet with trumpeter Reggie Bullen, altoist Gary Bias, tenor saxophonist Sabir Matteen, bassist Roberto Miranda and drummer Everett Brown, Jr. The group stretches out on a couple of Tapscott’s originals plus a 19½-minute version of Linda Hill’s”Dem Folks.” Although the music could be called avant-garde, its use of rhythms and repetition keep the results from being forbidding and the performances have a momentum of their own.”
Scott Yanow/AMG
Ike & Tina Turner – Feel Good – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl LP
“Feel Good” is quintessentially ’70s – the fuzztoned funk practically conjures up platform shoes and mile-wide collars – but it doesn’t belong to any one sound, it casually draws from Southern soul, James Brown funk, black pride, “Superfly” style and juke joint R&B, a sound that is uniquely identified with Ike & Tina. And while this contains no flat-out classics like “Nutbush City Limits” or “Proud Mary” as an album “Feel Good” undoubtedly ranks among their very best: it’s a non-stop party.
Joseph Bonner – Impressions Of Copenhagen – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl LP
Originally released by Theresa in 1992, this frequently exquisite set features the McCoy Tyner-inspired piano of Joe Bonner on four originals, Cal Massey’s Quiet Dawn, and Lush Life.
Bonner and a rhythm section are joined by a string quartet, trumpet, trombone, and flutist Holly Hofmann (the leader provided the arrangements) for music that is both lyrical and often passionate.
Bonner is an underrated talent, and this is one of his finest recordings
Milt Jackson : Sunflower – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl
Recorded over two days in December of 1972 at Rudy Van Gelder’s Englewood, New Jersey home studio, vibraphonist Milt Jackson’s Sunflower is the first and best of his three albums for Creed Taylor’s CTI imprint. (And one of the finest offerings on the label.) With a core band consisting of Herbie Hancock (playing electric and acoustic piano), bassist Ron Carter, drummer Billy Cobham, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, drummer/percussionist Ralph McDonald, and guitarist Jay Berliner. A chamber orchestra exquisitely arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky adorns the session as well.
Nat King Cole – After Midnight – Pure Pleasure Records 180g 2LP Gatefold Sleeve Vinyl LP
Nat ‘King’ Cole’s music is the perfect combination of romantic charm and musical invention.
Cole is renowned for his big production numbers and pop hits such as ‘Stardust,’ but he was also an accomplished and unique jazz pianist and excelled in a small-group setting.
After Midnight’s album cover states that this is a ‘trio’ release.
Pharoah Sanders : Live – Pure Pleasure Records 180g 2 LP Vinyl
Rahsaan Roland Kirk: Blacknuss
From its opening bars, with Bill Salter’s bass and Rahsaan’s flute passionately playing Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine”, you know this isn’t an ordinary Kirk album (were any of them?). As the string section, electric piano, percussion, and Cornel Dupree’s guitar slip in the back door, one can feel the deep soul groove Kirk is bringing to the jazz fore here.
