Rhino Information has upped the ante in re-issues with Rhino Reserves, a brand new audiophile vinyl collection that includes obscure however further superior titles. How superior? The Reserves collection kicked off this month with Allen Toussaint’s “Southern Nights” and Eddie Hazel’s “Sport, Dames And Guitar Thangs” — ’70s LPs your cool uncle’s cooler aunt’s rad cousin has of their assortment.
No musician has ever had Toussaint’s ability set — he stood in for Fat Domino on piano on a recording, he wrote cheeky tunes equivalent to Ernie Okay-Doe’s “Mom-in-law” and Lee Dorsey’s “Working within the Coal Mine,” he organized horns for the Band, he produced Dr. John’s finest LPs. But, the world was unprepared for 1975’s “Southern Nights.”
Toussaint’s masterpiece, “Southern Nights” has a boogie not like the rest. His model of soul, r&b, and New Orleans gumbo delivers an earthy attire that begins along with his “second line” fashion piano. Together with his piano, his sense of rhythm and concord, as the bottom, Toussaint will get starry along with his vocals and phrases.
All originals, these tracks search for on the evening sky and discover his tender facet. Because the musicians boogie alongside (oh, these magnificent horn traces!), Toussaint pines for misplaced loves, new loves, and residential — see “Again in Child’s Arms,” “What Do You Need the Woman to Do?” and the title observe. It’s a set of songs that provides you a buzz like, as Toussaint says, one thing “between the moonshine and the shining of the moon.”
Hazel’s 1977 “Sport, Dames And Guitar Thangs” appears to be like ahead to Pink Scorching Chili Peppers’ “Blood Sugar Intercourse Magic” and again to Jimi Hendrix’ “Electrical Ladyland” — possibly solely Hazel had Jimi’s elegant contact, style, and tone. Working along with his friends from Parliament-Funkadelic together with producer George Clinton and bassist Bootsy Collins, Hazel creates a psychedelic jazz-disco fever dream over 40 minutes.
The LP will get deep beneath the covers. Hazel performs with the construction of the Mamas & the Papas’ “California Dreaming,” letting his guitar dance and strut over the melody line, typically lowering the track to a funk vamp. On the Beatles’ “I Need You (She’s So Heavy),” he drives the track ahead right into a effervescent jam, so groovy, so thumping, so heavy.
The originals aren’t as clearly superior, however they do exhibit Hazel’s vary. “What About It?” evokes Jimi, certain, however hear for the Meters’ vibe in it. “So Goes the Story” hints on the guitarist’s pure blues influences whereas nodding to the fusion heroics of a participant like Jeff Beck.
“Sport, Dames And Guitar Thangs” has been unimaginable to search out for too lengthy because of falling out and in of print. Rhino has made issues proper with this launch.
