After recent recordings with Mark Turner and Billy Hart, the pianist leads his own quartet through a programme of standards and blues, live at the Village Vanguard.
‘Its prime melodic voice is the veteran trumpeter Tom Harrell. Iverson extols the poetic vulnerability in his playing, particularly in such ballads as The Man I Love and Polka Dots and Moonbeam. The album’s effervescent swing is thanks to the top-flight rhythm team of bassist Ben Street and drummer Eric McPherson, whose subtle invention helps drive Denzil Best’s bebop groover Wee and two irresistibly bluesy Iverson originals.’
A knockout, proto-Pablo, rocksteady organ instrumental. Dandy Livingstone, surprisingly enough, riding east of the River Nile. Originally out on Trojan in 1968.
Conscious lovers — Paulette’s own upful, considered advice, delivered with fresh, youthful persuasiveness, and deadly horns. Another killer one-away.
Ace mid-seventies roots and dub. Doomily austere and on-point, with both piano and organ, crisp high-hats, and and wickedly effective backing vocals.
An unmissable one-away, produced and arranged by Denton as the solitary release on his own label.
Sensational French-language do-over of the 45 Faybiene had recently cut for Jack Ruby (following up her hit Prophecy), before moving in 1977 from Kingston to Montreal with Joe Cooper (who plays organ on Police & Thieves).
Zonked, sublime and rugged like Half Moon in Toronto, with a crazy whistling effect throughout, and spaced-out dub.
Bim.
Faybiene Miranda was one of a kind — a Joni Mitchell fan from Panama City who co-published with Mutubaruka. Soon after Tropical Energy broke up she toured the UK with Benjamin Zephaniah, reading her poetry. Before her death in 2013 she was living in Brooklyn, amongst Steel Pulse crew.
Killer UK lovers. Jeniffer Redman at the mic; Jah Bunny at the controls. Bubbler worries.