Walter Bishop Jr. – Keeper of My Soul (Remastered) (1973/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 37:33 minutes | 712 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Black Jazz Records
On his second and last Black Jazz album Keeper of My Soul (1973), Walter Bishop Jr. plays acoustic and electric pianos and organ with a sense of uplift, a quality characterizing the best soul-jazz of the day. Opening number “Soul Village” is a fascinating union of jazz and funk; today, it still sounds fresh in its immediacy.
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Walter Bishop Jr. – Coral Keys (Remastered) (1971/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 42:18 minutes | 784 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Black Jazz Records
The keys are coral, and the sound is sublime – one of the greatest albums ever from pianist Walter Bishop Jr, and proof that he can really stretch out, given the right setting! The piano here is all acoustic, but there’s an almost-electric vibe to the date – long, open tracks that sway and swell with some great spiritual energy – made even more wonderful by work from reedman Harold Vick, who plays tenor, flute, and soprano sax on the record – and makes it one of his best recordings ever! The reedwork alone is worth the price of admission – but the rhythms are also great too – a mix of soulful, modal, and some slight funky bits – handled by Reggie Johnson on bass, and either Idris Muhammad or Alan Benger on drums. Woody Shaw plays trumpet on some cuts, too – and titles include “Coral Keys”, “Soul Turn Around”, “Freedom Suite”, “Track Down”, “Waltz For Zweetie”, and “Three Loves”. (Remastered with updated artwork and new liner notes.) ~ Dusty Groove
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