Raul De Souza - Sweet Lucy

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 1978
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:31
Size: 95,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:27)  1. Sweet Lucy
(3:19)  2. Wires
(7:34)  3. Wild And Shy
(4:18)  4. At Will
(4:57)  5. Banana Tree
(6:17)  6. A Song Of Love
(4:25)  7. New Love
(5:09)  8. Bottom Heat

Raul De Souza is one of the mysteries of the jazz world. In the 1970s, it was obvious that the Brazilian trombonist had a lot going for him: a distinctive and appealing tone, major chops, versatility, and a lot of soul and warmth. So why did he mysteriously fade into such obscurity in the 1980s? In an ideal world, De Souza would have built a huge catalogue. But regrettably, his recording career was short-lived. Produced by George Duke, 1977's Sweet Lucy is the first of three albums that De Souza recorded for Capitol in the late '70s. Vocal-oriented funk jams like "Wires" and the title song (both written by Duke) are catchy, but the fusion and pop-jazz instrumentals are where De Souza really shines. When he stretches out on "Bottom Heat," "Wild and Shy," and other pieces that he composed himself, De Souza shows a great deal of potential as a soloist. The LP's weakest track is a performance of the Brazilian ballad "New Love (Cancão do Nosso Amor)," which finds De Souza attempting to sing. 

The song is gorgeous, but De Souza doesn't do it justice because, quite honestly, he can't sing calling his voice thin is being charitable. Besides, De Souza doesn't need to use his vocal chords to sing; he does plenty of "singing" with his trombone, and his command of that instrument makes Sweet Lucy an LP that is excellent more often than not. ~ Alex Henderson http://www.allmusic.com/album/sweet-lucy-mw0000869231

Personnel:  Trombone – Raul De Souza;   Backing Vocals – Deborah Thomas (tracks: 1, 2, 5), Lynn Davis (tracks: 1, 2, 5), Sybil Thomas (tracks: 1, 2, 5), Victoria Miles (tracks: 1, 2, 5);  Bass – Byron Miller, Embamba (tracks: 6, 7);  Drums – Leon Ndugu Chancler;  Guitar – Al McKay;  Keyboards – Dawilli Gonga (tracks: 1, 2, 6), Patrice Rushen;  Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Freddy Hubbard* (tracks: 2, 3, 8)

Sweet Lucy

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Byron Miller - Psycho Bass

Size: 123,1 MB
Time: 52:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Soul, Jazz Funk
Art: Front

01. Psycho Bass (4:41)
02. Heart's Horizon (5:11)
03. Oh Really (5:53)
04. Psycho Management (3:57)
05. Higher Ground (4:43)
06. Spoken Funk (3:39)
07. We'er Strolling (2:54)
08. U Must Be Crazy (3:59)
09. Apple & Oranges (4:38)
10. Psycho Jazz Dance (4:36)
11. It's In Your Eyes (4:31)
12. Remember The Time (4:05)

A long respected sideman in R&B circles, Byron Miller has thus far only had a couple opportunities to lead his own record dates. Although he had started playing piano when he was five, Miller did not take music seriously until he had a football injury while a junior in high school. He soon taught himself bass and keyboards. Shortly after high school Miller joined Roy Ayers' Ubiquity for several years (with whom he recorded several dates). Other associations included Carlos Santana, George Duke (appearing on 14 of his albums), Herbie Hancock, the Crusaders, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross and Doc Powell. Byron Miller recorded a pair of CDs in the 1990's as a leader including Until for Discovery.

Psycho Bass

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