Text by Bruce Gallanter (Downtown Music Gallery, September 9th, 2024)
“Part of the Union” Song by The Strawbs, from the album Bursting at the Seams (1973)
Now I’m a union man
Amazed at what I am
I say what I think
That the company stinks
Yes, I’m a union man.
Album Review by Dawoud Kringle
Artist: Philip Ellis Foster
Title: The Cosmos Project
Label: Infrequent Seams
Format: Digital
Genre: experimental/avant-garde music
Stream and buy here: https://philipellisfoster.bandcamp.com/album/the-cosmos-project
In the realm of experimental avant-garde music, Philip Ellis Foster has carved out his niche.
Review by Dawoud Kringle
Artist: Vanessa Falabella
Title: Yacht Rock N’ Bossa
Label: Falabella Music
Format: CD and digital
Genre: Yacht Rock N’ Bossa
Those of you who are close to the MFM Circle, and readers of this publication, are no strangers to Vanessa Falabella. Born in Minas Gerais, Brazil (also the hometown of Milton Nascimento), Falabella has had an impressive career. She has recorded and performed with Gato Barbieri, Philippe Saisse, Sadao Watanabe, Cyro Baptista, Jason Miles, Will Lee, Eumir Deodato, Rick Braun, Marcus Viana, The Rain Forest Band, César Camargo Mariano, Hiram Bullock, and EMI group project Criara with film score producers Frank Ferrucci and Scott Lehrer. Earlier this year, she appeared on Nu-Bossa Elixir by Future350, featuring the head of MFM’s Hudson Valley chapter Stephen Johnson. She’s also a proud member of MFM.
Her latest release, Yacht Rock N’ Bossa, which was produced and arranged by Marcelo Lima, is a well-executed collection of twenty beautifully written and produced songs. Yacht rock is a music style and aesthetic associated with soft rock or smooth jazz. It was one of the most commercially successful genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s.
A Music Review by Dawoud Kringle
Artist: Future350 Feat. Vanessa Falabella
Titel: Nu-Bossa Elixir’s. Stephen R Johnson with Vanessa Falabella
Label: Movita Records
Genre: Nu Bossa
Stephen Johnson (guitarist, vocalist, Polydor recording artist, head of the MFM Hudson Valley Chapter, founder of Edge, Vienna, Victorian Parents, Son of John, Island of Men, ‘luckymission’ (Green) and Future350) has just released a new album called Nu-Bossa Elixir’s, a collaboration with MFM member Brazilian vocalist Venessa Falabella.
Review by Dawoud Kringle
Lonnie Harrington (guitarist, percussionist, singer, songwriter, and MFM member) recently announced the release of the single “Such A Groove.” This is his first release since his 2018 instrumental single “I Wonder.” “Such a Groove” features Sean Dixon on drums, and Ruben Gonzalez on bass.
Both of the aforementioned singles will be part of nine songs on his next album Part II, scheduled for release in 2024. As of the writing, the single is only available on all digital platforms.
Harrington has been performing as a funk, samba, Soul, R&B, and rock guitarist throughout the U.S. and Canada for more than 45 years. He’s appeared in venues such as SOB’s, The Blue Note, The Village Gate, Tramps, Cornelia Street Café, The Shrine, Bostons’ Summerthing and The Sugar Shack, Summerstage, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Symphony Space, and many others.
