Ayers,Roy / Ubiquity - Starbooty - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

This marks the debut on record of Galàn, a spirited, UK-based young ensemble committed to rediscovering the exciting and neglected sound world of three soprano voices and continuo. Specialising in European Renaissance and Baroque music, the group is accompanied by theorbo and harpsichord, and takes it's name from the old English term for 'enchantment' and 'to sing'. The group was originally inspired by the Concerto delle Donne, at female trio that performed in Ferrara at the end of acceptance in Europe for the female voice the 16th century. This ground-breaking ensemble led the way in gaining as a worthy instrument for respectable entertainment. The title track is a brief but ardent meditation on the madness of love by one of Monteverdi's most accomplished contemporaries, the Roman priest Domenico Mazzochi. More expansive is the cantata Siam tre miseri by another Roman composer, Giacomo Carissimi. Luzzasco Luzzaschi, with O Dolcezze and Non sa che sia Dolore, ranks alongside Monteverdi and Sigismondo d'India as a pioneer in the seconda prattica style which privileged the declamation of text over the smooth polyphony cultivated by Palestrina and his school. Monteverdi's mastery of sacred and secular idioms are both represented here, with O viva Fiamma and Cantate Dominum as well as the harmonically tortured Ohime, dov'e il mio ben. The most significant rarity here, probably receiving it's first recording, is Lo Specchio a 20-minute cantata by the Vienna-based Antonio Draghi (1634-1700), who gradually advanced through the ranks of the Hapsburg Court to become Kapellmeister in 1669. Plaintive, passionate and always dramatic. It is music that cannot fail to capture the imagination.

Japanese reissue. Part of Universal Japan's 'Throwback Soul' 70's campaign which features dozens of classic and hard to find CDs. Universal. 2022.

Roy Ayers was born in 1940, Los Angeles and was a musical child prodigy. He turned pro in 1961 and worked with Teddy Edwards, Chico Hamilton and Phineas newborn among others. He made his recording debut as a leader in 1963 with Inchwest coast vibesInch produced by legend Leonard Feather. He then spent six years with Herbie Mann and recorded many Atlantic LPs with him including the classic InchMemphis undergroundInch.· Ayers is considered by many to be the father of both Inchfunk jazzInch and Inchsmooth jazzInch. An extremely prolific artist, he has recorded over 50 albums in a career spanning more than 40 years. This is the first worldwide of the obscure 2001 'perfection' (originally recorded for Ayers' own AFI tag in 2000 and now out of print). Quintessential Inchsmooth jazzInch at it's best and a must for all fans of the vibraphone and the soul jazz genre. 2006.