Description
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 elevating the fine arrangements. This is a deeply beautiful 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 beautifully melodic instrumental soul music with gorgeous acoustic 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 fantasticpropulsive 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 section 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 surenothing 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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for looking at our listing, below are a few points to consider before making a purchase:
- All records we sell are Brand New - pre-orders will normally come sealed but if you are purchasing in stock items, please note the copy may have been unsealed for display in the shop. Please email straight after purchase to enquire if this is of importance to you.
- Orders won't ship until all items are released, so keep this in mind when purchasing multiple pre-orders or a mix of in stock and pre-order items.
- The 'Product' page will show the most up to date info we have with regards to the item and its release date, but this information is subject to change so check in with us if you have any questions.
- We unfortunately don't offer tax/vat outside of the UK via the website so please keep in mind that when the items arrives in your country you may be liable to pay a further charge before delivery. (all UK orders the price you see is the price you will pay). Please also note that we are unable to adjust the declared value on items sold internationally.
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.