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Chaka Khan Come 2 My House (NPG/Outside Music)
Derf Reklaw From the Nile (Ubiquity Jazz/FusionIII)
Various Beleza Tropical 2 (Luaka Bop/Warner)
Randy Weston Khepera (Verve/PolyGram) The latest collaboration between pianist/composer Weston and arranger Melba Liston combines influences from Brooklyn, Africa and China over nine originals, all but two by Randy. Min Xiao Fen adds her Asian influence along with Weston regulars Talib Kibwe and Neil Clark, who are joined in turn by people like Benny Powell, Pharaoh Sanders, Chief Bey, Victor Lewis and Alex Blake. Another winner from Weston! 9.5/10 (Len Dobbin) Michael Jerome Browne Self-titled (Bros) Longtime cornerstones of the blues in Montreal, Browne is the yin to bassist Stephen Barry's yang... or something like that. The twang to his plunk? Browne now takes his first shot at flying solo, although friends like Barry, Jordan Officer and Vann "Piano Man" Walls lend a hand on this spread of vintage acoustic blues nuggets. Browne's a top-notch player, be it on the banjo, fiddle or any old kinda guitar. But skill is nothing without heart, and Browne's is in the right place. A confident and inviting piece of work. 8/10 (Rupert Bottenberg) Launch at Isart, Friday, Dec. 4
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At first, Khan's latest effort, a collaborative production between her and The Artist, seems like too much Artist. But subsequent listens prove that, lyrically, this is all Chaka. There are gems here: the seductively introspective "This Crazy Life of Mine," "Hair," which takes on the black girl extension drama, the rockish "I'll Never Be Another Fool," and the political house fervor of "Democrazy." Classic Khan. 9/10 (Gerard Dee)
If you're familiar with the rhythmic excursions of '70s jazz-funk unit the Pharaohs, then you probably already know where Derf Reklaw is coming from. If you're not, then brace yourself for an Afro-Latin slap and some great music. From the Nile is a variety of percussion-based tracks that verify Reklaw's longtime love affair with the rhythmic mysteries of Africa, while referring to gospel, soul, funk and jazz. You'll find a community of sounds here, from the serious "Sunrise on the Nile" to the brooding "Ole." This multi-talented musician and his equally talented friends can stand on the banks of the Nile with the best of them. 7.5/10 (Scott C)
Brazilian pop had its international heyday in the late '60s/early '70s. It's coming back around again, and a quarter of a century later that humid musical hothouse is bursting at the seams. David Byrne foresaw this a decade ago, when he released the first Beleza comp. Back for round two, Byrne has trotted out new works by old-school heavyweights like Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Sergio Mendes. These he balances with younger talents: the charming Marisa Monte, the wacky Tom Zé and the groovy samba-hop of Chico Science & Nacao Zumbi. Whether this is your intro or your update, you need this vital, vivacious mix. 9/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)