Karl Off

Sade's studio recordings are so pristine that plans for a concert album at first sounded more like a way to dig deeper into the gold mine. But rather than simply rehashing a tall stack of romantic pop-R&B hits, Lovers Live documents a surprisingly vibrant live group and its warm namesake (but hardly spotlight-hogging) singer. Taken from two California dates on 2001's Lovers Rock tour, the disc reflects an obvious enthusiasm for returning to the stage after a seven-year break. "The Sweetest Taboo" especially benefits from an infusion of energy, performed at a noticeably faster pace than the already assured original version. That's not the only surprise, as the dubwise "Slave Song" acquires another dimension in this setting. In the end, Live proves much more than a cash-in on an outfit that might drop into another long hiatus at any moment. ~ Rickey Wright

It is a delight to welcome this fascinating and rewarding disc. Boris Blacher’s cause has been sporadically championed of late, but it is high time for a more comprehensive appraisal of this elusive composer……….

Colin Clarke @ musicweb-international.com

Stray is an English hard rock band formed in 1966. Vocalist Steve Gadd (born Stephen Gadd, 27 April 1952, Shepherd's Bush, West London), guitarist Del Bromham (born Derek Roy Bromham, 25 November 1951, Acton, West London), bass player Gary Giles (born Gary Stephen Giles, 23 February 1952, North Kensington, West London) and drummer Steve Crutchley (born 1952) formed the band whilst all were attending the Christopher Wren School in London. Richard "Ritchie" Cole (born 10 November 1951, Shepherd's Bush, West London) replaced Crutchley in 1968. They signed to Transatlantic Records in January 1970…

Credo were once described as “The best progressive rock band you’ve never heard of.” …

From the remnants of Soft Machine, electric bass guitarist Hugh Hopper and saxophonist Elton Dean formed the quartet Soft Heap to further advance their progressive jazz-fusion oriented ideas. As keyboardist Mike Ratledge, multi-instrumentalist Karl Jenkins, and electric guitarist Allan Holdsworth took Soft Machine into a different, louder arena, Hopper and Dean were more intrigued with the intuitive creative improvised side of the music away from their initially strict Canterbury orientation…

NANCY WRIGHT is one of the most highly respected and in-demand sax players on today’s blues, Americana and R&B scene. Recently receiving her third consecutive Blues Music Award nomination, she is following up her very successful 2016 VizzTone/Direct Hit release, PLAYDATE, with a smoking hot live recording from the legendary San Francisco live music club, The Saloon, featuring her own Rhythm and Roots band: Nancy on sax and vocals, drummer Paul Revelli, Tony Lufrano on keys and background vocals, Jeff Tamelier on guitar and background vocals, and Karl Sevareid on bass. The twelve-song set features five of Nancy’s original compositions, and showcases the relaxed interplay of veteran musicians.