Posted on 22 June 2020Group: Album of the day

Dee Dee Bridgewater – Afro Blue | Album of the day 22nd of June 2020

‘Afro Blue’ is the 1974 debut album by Dee Dee Bridgewater. Until now it had only been released in Japan, where it was recorded. It is her finest set and amongst the greatest Jazz vocal albums of all time. It features then husband Cecil Bridgewater on trumpet, his brother Ron on reeds, Roland Hanna on keyboards, George Mraz on bass and a Japanese drummer Motohiko Hino (brother of trumpeter Terumasa). Mongo Santamaria and Oscar Brown Jr’s ‘Afro Blue’ is given a Spiritual Jazz rendition that is one of the greatest versions of this classic and the album is worth it for this track alone. ‘Love Vibrations’ is a lovely jazzy tune with superb piano from Hanna. The Blues medley combining ‘Everyday I Have The Blues’ and ‘Stormy Monday Blues’ is a vehicle for Dee Dee to showcase her range and wonderful improvisation skills. Bobby Hutcherson’s ‘Little B’s Poem’ is an amazing waltz with a gentle sway; it is one of the most beautiful versions of this classic. ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’ and ‘Love From The Sun’ are slow numbers on which the singer’s rich and delicate voice shines. The album concludes with a Jazz take of the Stylistics’ ‘People Make The World Go Round’. ‘Afro Blue’ is brilliant vocal Jazz and absolutely essential.