A New Kind Of Soul - Larry Willis (1LP Vinyl)

A New Kind Of Soul by Larry Willis.

Larry Willis steps into the spotlight with "A New Kind Of Soul," a record that lives up to its title by refusing to sit comfortably in any single lane. Across its eight tracks, the album moves with a restless energy, blending grooves that pull from soul, funk, and something distinctly worldly. It is a session that feels alive, the sound of a musician stretching outward and inviting listeners along for the ride.

Recorded at Bell Studios and issued as a product of Leonard Lewis Productions out of New York, the album carries the mark of a particular moment in the city's musical life. There is an unmistakable energy to these grooves, a sense of players locked in and searching for a fresh sound. The production gives the whole thing room to breathe, letting each track carve out its own character while holding the set together as a coherent statement.

Side A opens with "Lickin' Stick," a hard charging number that sets the tone before easing into the mellower turns of "Someday Soon." Then comes "Funky Judge," which lands exactly where its name promises, all swagger and rhythm. The side closes with "Mayibuye," a title that reaches beyond American borders and hints at the broader palette Willis draws from throughout the record.

Flip it over and the journey continues with "Consola Coa," followed by the wandering, evocative "Walking Backward Down The Road." "Holiday In Barbados" brings a warmth to the second half, conjuring images far removed from the studio walls where these tracks were captured. The album then wraps with "Hard To Handle," a fittingly bold closer that leaves the listener wanting to drop the needle back at the top.

What makes this pressing so appealing to collectors is the way it captures Willis in an adventurous frame, pushing past expectation and toward new territory. The track selection ranges wide, from funk workouts to titles that carry an international flavor, and the whole set rewards repeated listening. It is the kind of record that reveals more with each spin, the details of arrangement and feel slowly coming into focus.

For anyone building a shelf of jazz and soul crossovers, "A New Kind Of Soul" is a compelling addition. It represents a chapter worth revisiting, a document of players committed to finding fresh ground within familiar forms. Here at Miles Waxey, records like this one are exactly why we keep digging; they remind us that the search for a new kind of soul never really ends.

Pressing Details:
Recorded at Bell Studios
A product of Leonard Lewis Productions, New York, N.Y. 10019

Track Listing:
A1. Lickin' Stick
A2. Someday Soon
A3. Funky Judge
A4. Mayibuye
B1. Consola Coa
B2. Walking Backward Down The Road
B3. Holiday In Barbados
B4. Hard To Handle

Artist: Larry Willis

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: LLP Records

Catalog Number: LLP 1001

Release Year: 2024

Country: United States

Condition: Sealed (New)