 New York, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Blue Note Records) - Al Green – was back in the studio in NYC last month recording the next installment of his exciting new album for Blue Note. The conceptualization for the record is a fresh take on vintage soul. A bridge between the legendary soul man's classic stylings and the sounds of today's R&B and hip hop is being facilitated by drummer/producer Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson of The Roots and keyboardist James Poyser who has produced Jill Scott, Mariah Carey, Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton and many others. Green was recently joined by Anthony Hamilton and they collaborated beautifully on two tracks. Other very special duet partners will be announced soon. Van Hunt - from soul icon to next generation soul man, Van Hunt is currently mastering his debut album for Blue Note. Van Hunt has recorded an album truly beyond category in the scope of its influences which range from classic funk and R&B to indie rock and 60s psychedelica to 80s pop. The material is all original and includes special guests Fred Wesley – of James Brown fame - on horn arrangements and the bird and the bee's own Inara George on background vocals. Terence Blanchard - Blanchard's third project on Blue Note is titled, A Tale Of God's Will- A Requiem For Katrina. This is all original music inspired and taken from Spike Lee's documentary about Hurricane Katrina and the City of New Orleans "When the Levees Broke." Blanchard recorded his working band at the end of March in Los Angeles and a string orchestra in Seattle last month. He is currently mastering the album. The Wood Brothers - the rootsy brothers will record their second installment for Blue Note next month in Woodstock, NY. John Medeski will once again be at the helm of the production; however, this time around he will be augmenting the duo with his various keyboards along with the addition of drummer Kenny Wolleson. Strings & Horns will also be added to the sonic stew and there will be a few very special guest vocalists to be announced soon. Gonzalo Rubalcaba – will enter the studio at the end of May with his dynamic new trio of bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Marcus Gilmore. Rounding out the group are New York stalwarts Yosvanny Terry on saxophone and Michael Rodriguez on trumpet who will accompany the young trio on select tunes. The group will record in NYC with engineer Jim Anderson and repertoire is currently being discussed.
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