Clap Trak

Primarily based in Leeds, The Lewis Express is comprised of many of the musicians that have graced previous ATA releases: George Cooper, Piano (Abstract Orchestra) Neil Innes, Bass (The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Tony Burkill), Sam Hobbs, Drums (Dread Supreme, Tony Burkill, Matthew Bourne) and Pete Williams, Percussion (The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Tony Burkill). Recorded over an intense two-day session by the band of the same name, “The Lewis Express” is a nod to the classic soul jazz recordings of The Young Holt Trio / Young Holt Unlimited and Ramsey Lewis, from who this group take their name. But, delivered with a distinctly European feel. As with many of the classic Ramsey Lewis cuts this album was recorded live, capturing the rich inter-relationship between the players and leaving in some of that chunky room noise, lending the album a sound that’s as thick as a steak and raw as a carrot.

Two of Clooney's late-'50s/early-'60s RCA Victor albums on one CD. Clap Hands! Here Comes Rosie! is an upbeat session from 1960 on which Clooney, superbly fronting a band conducted by Bob Thompson, tackles standards like "Give Me the Simple Life," "Bye Bye Blackbird," and "Makin' Whoopee." Fancy Meeting You Here is a 1958 duet album with Bing Crosby on which the duo runs through a set of place-themed songs ("Calcutta," "Hindustan," "It Happened in Monterey") with a band splendidly conducted by Billy May. Two of Rosie's best on one disc - a real bargain.

Another typically wonderful LP of Ella Fitzgerald in her prime, Fitzgerald is joined by pianist Lou Levy, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Joe Mondragon, and drummer Stan Levey. Fitzgerald is in fine form on such numbers as "A Night in Tunisia," an emotional "You're My Thrill," "Jersey Bounce," and "Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie." Although not reaching the heights of her live performances, this is an excellent (and somewhat underrated) set.

This was Memphis Slim's 1964 rock & roll album, designed for the Parisian in-crowd youth market. It was recorded at a time when the Rolling Stones were working hard to sound like a Chicago blues band. Some of the tracks are exciting and ideal for exuberant, reckless, or possibly go-go dancing. Unfortunately, despite the promise this series makes of extra material culled from the Barclay, Polydor, and Festival vaults, this disc only contains a paltry 28 minutes of music. Perhaps it would have been longer had the original producers and recording engineers resisted the temptation to fade down on tunes like "Steppin' Out Tonight," a solid Chicago-style jam that suddenly evaporates after two minutes and ten seconds, although it probably lasted ten minutes in the studio…

Kenny Cox - Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise (1975) {2013 180 Proof Records}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44.1kHz - Official Digital Download (qobuz.com) -> 272 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 96 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 1974-75, 2013 Strata Records / 180 Proof Records
Jazz / Latin Jazz / Jazz Funk / Groove / Fender Rhodes / Piano

UNRELEASED Jazz from the legendary Detroit Jazz label Strata Records, Inc! LorIn 1974, Strata Records Inc. was well known in Detroit for their art gallery, live music venue and record label, turning out records by artists like Kenny Cox and Lyman Woodard. The title track, “Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise” is a frolicking bossa groove awash in the gentle sound of waves one can imagine lapping against the shores of Brazil’s Praia da Fazenda, or perhaps the Taipus de Fora.