Roger Webb Sound (The) - Moonshade

Part of Music De Wolfe Reissue Campaign, 2023 first 3me reissue, 140g vinyl.

The Roger Webb Sound's Moonshade is one of the coolest records ever. Originally appearing
via the legendary De Wolfe library in 1971, it's a sumptuous jazz-soul-funk instrumental set.

Full of melodic, melancholic yet sun-drenched songs, rich with colour and contrast, it was
composed by self-taught jazz pianist Roger Webb and features vocal performances by
Barbara Moore. That's right; *the* powerhouse library music duo! It makes Moonshade the
perfect precursor and accompaniment to Barbara Moore's eternal classic Vocal Shades And
Tones. It will come as no surprise that original copies, if you can ever find them, will set you
back north of 200 notes.
Moonshade is a phenomenal showcase of Brit maestro Webb's own roots in jazz. Those
roots are served up here with a plethora of fast-stepping rhythms that truly give flight to the
vocals of Barbara Moore, as they soar in wonderful ways. Moore sings wordlessly
throughout, allowing her voice to act like another instrument in concert with the horns and
keyboards eleva3ng the fine arrangements. This is a deeply beau3ful record.
The album opens with the ornate Baroque pop splendour of the sun-dappled melancholia of
"Sunshine". Strings, piano and wordless female vocals combine to create this brief beauty of
unimaginable grace. The cool "Gentle Eyes" features haun3ng and beau3ful vocals, smooth
jazz piano and horns and a general easy vibe without being easy listening, if you know what
we mean. You do. Just listen. The pounding "Heavy Lace" is one for the beat-heads, funky
open drums (!) with muted organ, bassy piano chords and ace horns. Sampled by Quakers
for their great debut album on Stones Throw. The nostalgic "Yesterday" is wisdul and
beau3fully melodic instrumental soul music with gorgeous acous3c guitar and flutes. It's
followed by the light, lil3ng "Petal Soy" which features more Baroque styles, overflowing

with flutes and harps. The bright, bouncing "Coaster" is an easy-going piano-led, guitar-
driven swinger whilst "Grey Sigh" is another classic. A real highlight, with more fantas3c

propulsive drums and percussion and plain3ve wordless vocals courtesy of Barbara.
Speaking of which, the soy, sweet Rhodes jazz of the lil3ng "Sweet Thing" is another
staggering showcase of the brilliance of Barbara. Just astounding.
Head straight past the honky-tonk-by-numbers piano jaunt "Cough Drop" and luxuriate in
the soy, delicate beauty of the album's melodic, cyclical 3tle track, "Moon Shade". Fragile
flutes and acous3c guitar float across judicious bass notes before giving way to slightly
ominous piano and, again, those beguiling wordless vocals. And then round again to the
flute refrain of the intro. This 3me with the vocals to see us out. Majes3c drama jazz at its
finest. The cello-and-flute adorned "Sapphire" is a fluid orchestral beauty whilst
"Interweave" rides with more urgency in its string and bass stabs. When the warm keys
enter, it's a bonafide mellifluous wonder. The soyer "MuseOe" begins in beau3fully gentle
fashion before pivo3ng for a driving yet elegant piano middle sec3on. It reverts back to the
mellow intro, for its outro. Understood? The melodic organ and prominent rhythm sec3on
running through "Reminiscence" makes for a delighdully understated folk-funk instrumental
whilst the cool, rolling piano feels of "7.30 For 8.00" seem to perfectly suit the phrase

"dinner jazz". It's no bad thing, c'mon. This classy, memorable set is rounded out by the half-
minute mince of the Barbara-blessed "Sparky". It's just over too soon!

The audio for Moonshade has been brilliantly remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis,
ensuring this release sounds beOer than ever. Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure
nothing is lost in the cut whilst the records have been pressed to the highest possible

standard at Record Industry in Holland. The original, iconic sleeve has been restored here at
Be With HQ as the finishing touch to this long overdue re-issue.
Tracklist:
A1 Sunshine 1:13 A2 Gentle Eyes 2:08 A3 Heavy Lace 1:32 A4 Yesterday 2:33 A5 Petal Soy
2:54 A6 Coaster 2:20 A7 Grey Sigh 2:38 A8 Sweet Thing 2:17 B1 Cough Drop 1:59 B2 Moon
Shade 2:43 B3 Sapphire 2:44 B4 Interweave 2:39 B5 MuseOe 2:49 B6 Reminiscence 2:29 B7
7.30 For 8.00 2:05 B8 Sparky 0:39

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