George Anderson - Body And Soul (Deluxe Edition)

Size: 167,8 MB
Time: 71:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Smooth Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk
Art: Front

01. Intro (0:14)
02. G Funk (5:54)
03. Joys Of Life (3:21)
04. Don't Waste My Time (3:56)
05. Interlude, Pt. 1 (0:16)
06. Miller Time (4:02)
07. Beautiful (5:06)
08. Miracle (4:00)
09. Interlude, Pt. 2 (0:12)
10. Festival De La Vida (4:51)
11. All Or Nothing (3:32)
12. Promised Land (3:16)
13. It's Our World (5:37)
14. Cape Town 2017 (4:42)
15. Can't Hide Love (5:05)
16. G Funk (Funk Party Mix) (3:24)
17. G Funk (Funk Party Extended Mix) (3:58)
18. G Funk (Old School DJ Extended Mix) (6:18)
19. G Funk (Old School DJ Radio Mix) (3:50)

Celebrated British bassist GEORGE ANDERSON leads an unusual dual musical life. He is, of course, best known for his work with smooth jazz icons Shakatak. He's a key member of the band – on the road and in the studio. George was also instrumental in co-writing many of Shakatak's best tunes ....most famously 'Day by Day' featuring Grammy award winner Al Jarreau. George was responsible too for co-writing the song 'Perfect Smile' which was a smooth-jazz radio play hit in the US for Shakatak in the 90's.

George, though, also fronts his own band and under his own name he's released three solo albums... 'Positivity', 'Expressions' and 'George Anderson Band... From Cape Town To London'. On that latter, our man was brave enough to tackle George Duke's 'Brazilian Love Affair' and Luther Vandross' 'Never Too Much' while his own 'Back In the Day' (from 'Expressions' and featuring vocals from Debby Bracknell) won George loadsa friends in the modern soul community.

Mr Anderson is now all set to release a fourth solo set... 'Body and Soul'. The lead single pairs a smooth but tough in places 'Don't Waste' with a grittier 'Gfunk'. The title of that kinda says it all! Both feature a feisty femme vocal (Mary Pearce) and blistering bass lines. Both auger well for the long player!

Body And Soul

---

George Anderson Band - From Cape Town To London (Live)

Size: 142,7 MB
Time: 61:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Jazz Funk, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Intro (Live) (1:22)
02. Herbie (Live) (5:10)
03. Cool Operator (Live) (5:03)
04. High And Mighty Love (Live) (4:21)
05. Into U (Live) (4:17)
06. Lay Ur Hands On Me (Live) (4:54)
07. Weakness (Live) (5:01)
08. Babel (Bass Solo) (Live) (2:38)
09. Latin Love (Amour Latino) (Live) (5:35)
10. Back In The Day (Live) (4:54)
11. Day By Day (Live) (6:04)
12. Brazilian Love Affair (Encore) (Live) (7:44)
13. Never Too Much (Encore) (Live) (4:28)

George Anderson’s bass has underpinned the sound of the hugely successful British jazz-funk outfit Shakatak since 1981. His very satisfying solo albums “Positivity” (2009) and “Expressions” (2012) have secured his reputation as a solo artist – and an invitation to fulfil a dream of playing in front of South African fans in December 2014.

Those fans were treated to the cream of the songs from those first two studio albums, kicking off with the insanely groovy, horn-laden Herbie. For me, a song this good underlines the relevance that British jazz-funk continues to have – I’ve always believed in it. Fans of soul vocals will love the sultry Cool Operator and High and Mighty Love. Vocalists Janine ‘Blaq Pearl’ and Mikhaela Faye Kruger really do a fine job on these songs. The ‘London’ connection on the hypnotic Weakness comes courtesy of another fine vocal from Debby Bracknell.

I’d love to have been in the audience for the crowd-pleasing Into U and Back in the Day. George grooves like crazy on these songs and the Stevie Wonder homage in Back in the Day sees him really throwing down. Of course, when a bassman fronts his own band live, we hope for a juicy solo and, oh yes, low-end fans can go nuts for Babel, just before the band flies into the utterly sublime Latin Love. It has delicious echoes of what George Duke was doing in the late 1970’s – I really can’t compliment it more highly than that. Props to drummer Bjorn Petersen’s superb off-the beat playing here. Nathan Carolus on guitar totally blazes and trumpeter Ian Smith takes a short but splendid solo, as does saxman Don Vino.

We’re warmed up now, so following a take on Shak’s own Day by Day, we launch into George Duke’s Brazilian Love Affair. What you don’t know about this song, I can’t tell you. This foot-stomping, hand-clapping masterpiece is a heartfelt tribute and, God knows, you have to really feel the music to reproduce Byron Miller’s killer bassline on this tune so well. Yes – of course GA solos on the bridge – I have lump in my throat writing this because he totally smashes it and fabulous memories come flooding back. Keyboardist Raphael Bushman, another artist whose contribution was recorded in London, has equally big shoes to fill and his soloing is outstanding. The trumpet and sax both have superb moments. Wish I’d been there...

While we’re talking of big shoes, Isaac Monty’s vocals on Never too Much are very strong and this gem, obviously, has George holding down the line just like Marcus Miller did. More than a cover version – an outstanding performance.

The deluxe digital edition of this album includes three additional songs: Funking for Cape Town (Funking for Jamaica), Wanna Make you Mine and Beauty Inner Smile. The deep funk and sharp horn work on Funking really are a fitting tribute to one of the most influential jazz-influenced dance records ever.

Be in no doubt though, George’s own compositions draw out the best in his band members and you’ll find lovely moments in the final two songs from the expanded edition – they are both real growers, just in different ways.
If you’re familiar with George Anderson’s solo output, you’ll enjoy how it sounds live. If you’re not, you have some surprises in store. In either case, you can’t fail to be drawn in by such a great collection of original songs and covers, performed with great heart and technical skill. ~Chris Mann

The From Cape Town To London

---