Sweet Emma and the Mood Swingers - More - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Sweet Emma Barrett-pno, Alvin Alcorn-trumpet, Louis Cottrell-cl, Jim Robinson-tmb+, 1963-64, 16 tracks.

Disco legend Sylvester comes to Dark Entries with Private Recordings August 1970, an intimate collection of vintage jazz, blues, and gospel. While Sylvester is best known for his chart-topping collaborations with producer Patrick Cowley, such as InchYou Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),Inch this reveals his passion for the sounds of the 30s and 40s. In 1970 a 22-year-old Sylvester had moved to San Francisco and found himself involved with the Cockettes, the infamous psychedelic performance art troupe. Among this milieu was Peter Mintun, a pianist and record collector living in a commune devoted to retro culture. According to Mintun, InchWe were like hippies who lived in the twenties. We lived in a house that didn't have anything modern in it. Nothing in it was made after World War II.Inch Mintun and Sylvester bonded over their love of Black singers of yore and were allotted a slot during Cockettes performances reviving the music of the Prohibition Era. One afternoon, Sylvester and Mintun recorded a number of their shared favorites using a high-end microphone a friend had acquired. Private Recordings features 9 songs from this session, including standards like InchStormy Weather,Inch InchHappy Days Are Here Again,Inch and InchGod Bless the Child.Inch Sylvester's unmistakable falsetto brings depth and a dash of camp to these familiar tunes. The recordings are casual and intimate, even capturing banter between Sylvester and Mintun; their brief rendition of InchWhen My Dreamboat Comes HomeInch has the duo working out a melody in real time. In addition to their sonic explorations of decades past, Sylvester and Mintun also staged photographic shoots in vintage couture. Private Recordings comes with a 16-page booklet on firm cardstock featuring images from these never-before-seen shoots as well as liner notes from Mintun detailing his friendship with Sylvester and their experie

Yes, Sisters and Brothers - what you are about to hear on this album is pure and honest music with lots of joy and happiness. Just the way it should be, but seldom is. It's perfectly clear when you hear Sweet Emma & the Mood Swingers that they love what they do. And believe me - a grey-haired and likewise grey-bearded music journalist that's seen and heard the most - there is nothing that can beat experienced artists when they put their hearts into a performance. I can assure you; Sweet Emma and her groovy Mood Swingers know exactly what they are doing. They keep the melodies in focus and the harmonies in total control, which means the chord changes are solid as a rock and the improvisations soar with creativity and personality. There is no doubt that they pour their hearts into their music. And, last but absolutely not least, they know how to swing!