
German collectors’ soul, funk and jazz label TRAMP RECORDS enters 2015 with a pair of albums as eclectic as anything already in the labels’ extensive catalogue.
‘Mystery Road’ is a largely instrumental set from LUCKY BROWN (Joel Ricci) and it pays homage to the great unknown American soil and funk musicians whose ambitions went no further than scoring a local hit. The album is to be released as a 2 LP set and as a set of vinyl singles with Lucky assuming a different band name on each track. It’s rough, rustic and experimental and the moods range from loose blues, through to rock and on to funk. The album is Brown’s follow up to his first Tramp long player ‘Lucky Brown’s Space Dream’ and on it he continues on his maverick musical trajectory.
‘Praise Poems’ is different again. This one’s a compilation of rare jazz and funk from unknown artists like Larry Covin, Bold Breed, Bobby Stroup, Gemstones, Tom Macke and Warmth whose ‘Praise Poems’ gives the long player it’s title. That tune is lazy and languid and sets the tone for what is to come. This isn’t meant to be a chill out album – some of the music is downright sinister and sombre – but it’s certainly largely laid back but much still challenges. This is a difficult album but patient listening will yield rewards like the lovely vibe-led ‘Resurgence’ from Ulysses Crockett.
Find out more @ www.tramprecords.com