Seven up

The Seven were a rock group from Syracuse, New York. They were a rock group with elements of jazz and funk. This super obscure album from 1970 features funky horns, percussion and tight vocal harmonies along the lines of Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, Santana and Rare Earth. Six groovy originals and three covers Heat Wave (Martha & The Vandellas), Tell Her No (The Zombies) and Song For My Father (Horace Silver). An Upstate New York act, the group's roots go back to an outfit called The Upsetters. They were made up of members from Jeff & The Notes and Jimmy Cavallo & The Houserockers, etc.. Guitarist John Latocha left the group and was replaced by Bob Canastraro.

Don Ellis was such a talented trumpeter, composer, and organizer that everything he recorded as a leader has at least some unusual moments worth exploring. His big bands were characterized by big brassy arrangements, odd meters that somehow always swung, lots of trumpet solos by Ellis, and an often visceral excitement. Although not equal to his best records such as Electric Bath, this late recording of Ellis' band is filled with all these traits, and thus exudes lots of excitement and electricity. At this stage in his career, the trumpeter seemed to be searching for a breakthrough, perhaps on a popular level. This manifests itself with occasional Age of Aquarius vocals and spacy harmonies that appeal to a broad audience…

Seminal progressive crossover band "seven steps to the green door" from Germany is back with the new album "THE?LIE" -and surprise us with the second part of their concept trilogy "THE?BOOK", in which authors and band deal critically with religious fanaticism.