released: july, 1973
genre: jazz
from: philadelphia, usa
label: buddha records
a few thoughts: it was one of those late night discoveries browsing through my apple music, searching for new sounds, and i just end up here. norman connors is a jazz drummer and composer from philadelphia, a prodigious talent who over the years grew artistically to become a seasoned composer and producer. love from the sun is his 1973 album featuring an array of musical greats. dee dee bridgewater is on vocals, eddie henderson on trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn, gary bartz on alto saxophone and soprano saxophone, carlos garnett on tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, hubert laws on flute, herbie hancock on fender rhodes and piano, onaje Allan gumbs on fender rhodes (2:1) and piano (2:3), buster williams on bass, bill summers on percussion and vocals. (2:3), kenneth nash on percussion, conga, dumbeg and secura drum, nathan rubin violin (2:1), and terry adams on cello (2:1). a long array of artists, but they came together to create a spiritual, emotive and evocative masterpiece. with 6 tracks spanning 41 minutes, the experience meanders between mystical and groovy such as on the opener “revelation”, where the bass-driven groove at the start makes way for beautiful strings and piano melodies, fully bursting into life before dee dee’s incredible voice give the track an embracing hug. the track meanders through powerful saxophone melodies, jumpy and expressive a lot of the time, capturing the dynamic nature of their experimentation. the dynamic and engaging “carlos ii” has these incredible saxophone melodies, with the groovy bassline and infectious drumming capturing the intensity and flamboyancy even, of their music. “drums around the world” showcases norman connors’ natural drumming ability, as well as the tribal, percussion-led groove that feels so spiritual and empowering, while the self-titled masterpiece takes centre stage for me, a breathtaking listening experience that is immersive and so incredibly emotive. the vocals, the keys, the percussion all make this such an incredible listen. as the drums and bass kick in the track sweetens, as strings build throughout – it’s just gorgeous from start to finish! “kumakucha (the sun has risen) is a dynamic drum-led track, with infectious grooves that are expressive from start to finish. “holy waters” concludes the album with a fast-paced piano-led composition that is engaging and warm, as dee dee’s vocals shine through triumphantly. it’s a stellar way to conclude a poignant, masterful and legendary album. it’s a sweet, soulful and beautiful sonic experience and one i must get on vinyl asap.
the album: https://embed.music.apple.com/gb/album/love-from-the-sun/904171675
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