sweetluolutosin soulful jazz Sweet Lu Olutosin – MEET ME AT THE CROSSROADS: It may be a rainy day up here in the Great Northwest, but I most sincerely doubt there’s any gloom in the forecast down Georgia way, where my friend Lu resides (he’s a brother-in-arms, as well; I first met him right after I retired, via the Internet, in 2014) .
His latest album (I’ve reviewed his work, of course, most recently in issue # 148) is jam-packed with totally fresh music that will reach right on down and grab you at the depths of your soul. I’m a really visual person, so I think the easiest way for you to verify my acclaim for Lu and his stunning music is to ask you to watch the video of his performance on “Don’t Forget to Remember (Recorda Me)”…
Lu’s vocals are backed by a stellar crew of players… pianist Tyrone Jackson, bassist Kevin Smith, and drummer Henry Connerway; guest shots by tenor-saxophonist Mace Hibbard, trumpeter Lester Walker and background singer Crystal Monet… & to cap it all off, Donald Brown produced the album, and even guests on piano on a few tunes. As you listen to tunes like the upbeat & lively opener, “Still Swingin’“, you’ll immediately dig why I love this cat’s work – arrangements, recording & performance are all top-flight, & you’ll find yourself hitting the “repeat” button often – Lu’s scat work on this may remind you of one of his jazz heroes, Al Jarreau, but I assure you, Lu has his own dynamic style that will keep you coming back for more!
Lu told me (in private correspondence) that he just “let the spirit of the music tie it all together… let it breathe” – I’ve no doubt you’ll hear just how successful he was in letting the spirit move through him on a tune he penned called “Tunji Baby“… a story we’ve all been through, & Lu brings it right to LIFE, folks!
The coolest thing (for this writer, anyway) about Lu’s work is that he keeps true to his Gospel roots, and you’ll hear that on another of Lu’s originals, “Skin Game (Granny said it)“, where he pokes BIG fun at the racist bear; though his lyrics are playful, the message is ON track for us in today’s world… this is as hip as it gets, folks! My personal favorite, though, is the down & dirty blues feel of “Sister Sadie’s Blues (Intimacy of the blues)“… this one just COOKS, people!
I give Brother Lu & all his players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this great release. Get more information about Lu and his projects at the Sweet Lu Music pages. Rotcod Zzaj (author’s note: IF you decide to purchase this, please use the AMAZON link below to help with our Amazon Associates membership – thanks)
#sweetluolutosin #soulful #jazz
