Review: Yuima Enya & Inokashira Rangers offer fresh takes on classic Sade tracks with their new release. 'Smooth Operator' transforms into a smoothed-out lounge record infused with reggae, while still retaining the soul and pop appeal of the original. On Side-2, 'Kiss of Life,' becomes a breezy jam with a subdued yet vibrant lounge band feel. Hats off to them for tackling such beloved songs and making them their own. These are great alternative versions, bringing new life to Sade's classics while respecting the originals. Perfect for fans looking to experience these timeless tracks in a new light.
Review: Original Gravity strides into 2025 with this electrifying debut release from I Ragazzi. The limited 45 rpm has been crafted by the talented Neil Anderson and the title cut 'Terremoto' on the A-side bursts with funky, soulful energy that promises to keep floors moving and grooving all night long. It has big drums, crashing hits and driving Hammond organ stabs that never let up. On the flip, things get a little more laid back with 'Via Appia' which is led by more great organs, this time with swirling horn sounds and an inviting rhythm.
Review: Debut release on the Canadian label imprint from two Icons Of Hip Hop with the the debut 45 with Otis . This 45 draws on hip-hop's golden moments drenched in soul samples .Up first on 'Otis', which is offered up as a vocal mix on the A-side. It's three minutes of beat-making perfection with muted horns sampled throughout, raw back-and-forth bars and dusty drums with plenty of guttural soul. Flip it over for the massive funk instrumental which is stripped of the mic-work and allows the rawness of the classic 6t's soul sample to really shine through.A great start to what is sure to be an essential label for hip-hop heads.
Review: A standout slice of modern soul and disco straight from NYC, penned by producer Alan Jones. This release switches things up from the original by offering a unique B-side with a lower vocal mix, crafted for DJs who want a fresh take for their sets. With a groovy, infectious energy, this updated version is perfect for the dancefloor. A must-have for collectors and DJs alike, this 45 is guaranteed to get the crowd moving.
Review: Give My Love by In Dat Groove & Lee Wilson is an infectious late-night jam with soft calypso vibe to it and the DJ Spen Rework elevates with soulful house flair, adding a depth and groove that's irresistible for dancefloors. The L'Amour Disco mix rounds out the package, paying homage to classic r&b, disco and house sounds with a polished nod to the 80s. Both versions offer a unique flavour, making this release a stunning collection that caters to diverse musical tastes. Whether you're in the mood for tropical warmth, soulful beats, or nostalgic disco, 'Give My Love' delivers beautifully.
Nothing Makes Me Feel Better (Ski Oakenfull remix) (6:30)
Keep Me In The Dark (Bluey's Uplifting Bass remix) (8:10)
Review: Incognito's 'Nothing Makes Me Feel Better' is a double-sided knockout that seamlessly blends house and soul music. Released on Splash Blue, this 7" offers two standout remixes. Side-1 features the 'Keep Me In The Dark' (Bluey Uplifting Bass remix), a house groove infused with funk, pop, and house elements. This track highlights the perfect marriage of soul and house. On Side-2, the 'Nothing Makes Me Feel Better' (Ski Oakenfull remix) ramps up the energy with disco and house vibes, expertly adding soulful touches. Both tracks exude class and showcase Incognito's ability to blend genres, making this release perfect for fans of sophisticated house and soul music.
Review: Tokyo's Inokasira Rangers have been crafting lo-fi reggae since the 1990s, yet remained a rather hidden gem outside Japan. Their release 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' finally changed that when it dropped initially back in 2023 and sold out in quick time so now gets reissued. The A-side reimagines Frankie Valli's classic with a laid-back reggae twist while the B-side takes on Crystal Waters' '90s dance anthem with surprising charm. Infused with a subtle Shibuya-kei flair, both covers feel fresh yet timeless. The Waters rendition, in particular, sounds like a forgotten folk tune-so natural it's hard to believe it wasn't always this way. A breezy, nostalgic delight from a band overdue for global recognition.
Review: 'Only Yesterday' is a lovely mellow soul song by Weldon Irvine that the great songwriter penned at around the same time as his classic 'I Love You.' It features his euphoric voice over a soft groove, and a melody that tugs at the heartstrings. Originally produced in 1977, the single was exclusively performed in Irvine's musical Young, Gifted and Broke but it was never included on an album at the time. It would have become a classic it it had, much like ' Love You' as it is a heartwarming song that touches everyone. The B-side, 'Musical,' is a fusion-like instrumental track also from Young, Gifted and Broke.
Review: Sofia Manari and Inokasira Rangers are not strangers to working together on their own unique covers of some classic sounds, all reworked into fresh dub grooves. This time they turn their focus to 'First Love, which is a lush listen with Manari's soothing and sultry vocal delivery. On the flip is another laid-back dub sound with a constant rhythmic pulse, natty chords and more clean and soulful vocals from Manari making this a sweet little 7" from Japan's finest, Parktone.
Review: A slice of Daft Punk covers levity from Sokabe Keiichi & Inokasira Rangers for Park Tone Records on 7" vinyl. Here the Japanese rocker and his fellow band the Inokasira Rangers lay down an unheard-of instrumental rocksteady rollick, against which the vocal core of Daft Punk's 'One More Time' is overlaid, as seamless in feel as a freshly fined cloth on a varnished coffee table. The track also comes backed by the original Hammond triller 'Boku No Siawase', a ploddier reggae treat in stereo, against whose offbeat rummage Keiichi's voice glides in the manner of a beautiful bird's call.
2023-05-12 Set II (2220 Arts & Archive, Los Angeles) (22:18)
2023-05-13 Set I (22:48)
2023-05-13 Set II (22:44)
2023-05-15 Set I (The Chapel, San Francisco) (23:10)
Review: The debut recording from The Ancients, an intergenerational trio featuring Isaiah Collier, William Hooker and William Parker initially formed to play Milford Graves' Mind Body Deal exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. This double LP captures the raw energy and improvisational brilliance of their live performances, showcasing the enduring legacy of free jazz. Collier's tenor saxophone soars and wails, drawing on influences from John Coltrane to Charles Gayle, while grounding his explorations in a deep understanding of structure and form. Hooker's drumming is a force of nature, a whirlwind of polyrhythms and explosive energy that pushes the music to its limits. And Parker, a true legend of the avant-garde, anchors the music with his virtuosic bass playing, creating a foundation for the trio's improvisational flights. The music is both a celebration of the rich history of free jazz and a bold exploration of new sonic territory. The Ancients tap into the spirit of their predecessors, channeling the energy of the Cecil Taylor Unit and the Ornette Coleman Trio, while forging their own unique path, the power of collective improvisation looming large throughout.
Review: The cult Ian Carr Quintet featured post-war British jazz luminary saxophonist Don Rendell for this special album recorded at the BBC Jazz Club in April 1965. He had become a great after playing with greats like Woody Herman and Stan Kenton. For this session, he hooked up with four younger and equally adventurous jazz musicians eager to innovate and this recording captures the magic they cooked up. It marked the debut of pianist Michael Garrick within the Quintet and he profoundly influenced the group's direction and arguably reshaped the broader British jazz sound. Without exaggeration, this album marks a pivotal point in the evolution of British jazz.
Donald Byrd - "You Gotta Dig It To Dig It" (13:35)
Review: Three Trumpets was recorded in 1957 and released on the New Jazz label. It features the Prestige All Stars led by revered trumpeters Art Farmer, Donald Byrd, and Idrees Sulieman and supported by a solid rhythm section of pianist Hod O'Brien, bassist Addison Farmer, and drummer Ed Thigpen. This sublime album includes five original compositions, one each by Farmer, Byrd, and O'Brien, and two by Sulieman. While none of the tracks became hits in their own right and with 'Palm Court Alley' being a blues delight, they all offer up dynamic performances and impressive interplay among the brass musicians.
Review: Ice's early work captures a pivotal moment in funk's evolution, weaving together taut grooves and vibrant African-inspired rhythms. Recorded during the band's formative years, the music brims with raw energy and creative ambition. Polished basslines drive the tracks, while percussion bursts with a vitality that speaks to their Parisian influences at the time. Horn stabs and tightly wound guitar lines add layers of complexity, and the occasional vocal inflection injects a sense of urgency. With each listen, the production reveals new texturesismall details that elevate the record beyond its era.
Review: Marking its debut on vinyl, Jiro Inagaki's groundbreaking jazz-rock album introduces a bold fusion of new rock elements, featuring Inagaki's vocals alongside Sammy and Yasushi Sawada for the first time. Backed by a stellar lineup including Masahiko Sato, Kimio Mizutani, and Hiro Yanagida, this reissue by Nipponophone underlines Inagaki's status as a maverick in Japanese jazz. Originally released in 1971, the album blends heavy rock grooves with an enigmatic allure, resonating deeply with collectors of rare groove worldwide. Inagaki, renowned for his saxophone work and production skills, has left an indelible mark not only in jazz but also as a sought-after session player for legends like Stevie Wonder and Frank Sinatra. This reissue reaffirms his legacy, offering a glimpse into his influential jazz-rock era.
I Don't Know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky (2:53)
Boogie Joe, The Grinder (3:28)
Machine Gun (3:02)
Hair (3:39)
Express (3:36)
Jungle Boogie (3:28)
Living For The City (3:48)
Loose Booty (2:22)
Fire (3:51)
Outa Space (3:32)
Funky Stuff (2:03)
Review: Japan meets funky disco in an explosive fusion led by maestro Jiro Inagaki here on a classic album that gets a worthy reissue. In a particularly inspired year during which he also released Funky Stuff on Nippon Columbia, Inagaki masterfully reinterprets tracks by Quincy Jones, Commodores, Graham Central Station, B.T. Express, Kool and The Gang, Stevie Wonder, Sly and The Family Stone, Ohio Players, Ripple, and Billy Preston on this one. He does so in collaboration with Hiromasa Suzuki, a prominent name in Japanese jazz, and seasoned session musicians who add their own spice. Inagaki brings a fresh, danceable sound here with a broad mix of inspirations from jazz to city pop all shining through.
Review: India Arie was born in Colorado in 1975 and emerged as a superb singer-songwriter, producer and musician with her groundbreaking 2001 debut album, Acoustic Soul, which now gets remastered and reissued on vinyl. Defying conventional r&b norms, the album fused elements of soul, folk, and hip-hop and drew a diverse fanbase. Its honest, stripped-down beauty and Arie's rich vocal talent captivated listeners and set her apart from other artists of the time. Acoustic Soul received seven Grammy nominations, a testament to its impact, though it didn't secure a win. Nonetheless, the album remains a beloved classic and is widely regarded as her defining work.
Review: Takeshi Inomata's Drum Method reissue is jazz-rock at its fiercest, transforming a drum instructional into a relentless groove machine. Inomata's legendary, boundary-pushing stick work shines, leading Sound Limited through a heady mix of originals and covers like 'Runaway Child' and 'Smack Water Jack.' The album, filled with dizzying solos and Norio Maeda's standout arrangements, is a masterclass in rhythm and energy, showing Inomata's unstoppable drive to reshape the genre. This reissue is pure, high-octane funk and groove at its finest.
Review: Takeshi Inomata is a pioneering drummer in Japan's jazz scene who launched the band Sound Limited in the late 1960s and set to work blending jazz and rock in a vibrant new direction. Influenced by the brass rock movement, Inomata sought to create music full of energy and free from the constraints of modern jazz. He brought together young, talented musicians to play with vitality and envisioned a large-scale sound. Their debut album, The Sound of Sounds LTD back in 1970, became a classic filled with dynamic performances, including the iconic 'Theme~Mustache,' a track that continues to define the band's legacy.
Review: Japanese jazz drummer Takeshi Inomata is a little-spoken-about figure in the jazz-rock scene; The Japan Jazz All Stars alumn, We 3 trio leader and Rhythm Clinic Center founder has made well over 300 recordings in his career - this being the third in a year-long trilogy enthusiastically and successively released under the Sound Limited name alongside Kimio Mizutani and Shigenori Kamiya - amongst others - largely influenced by European musicians like Donovan and The Beatles. A notable and funny inclusion is 'London Bridge is Falling Down', a quite literal jazz groove cover interpolating the famous nursery rhyme. Opening track 'Something' is a cracking piece of relaxing jazz, nothing eye-popping, just some glossy, well-played, easy listening. 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' is a fast-paced funk cut with striking psychedelic guitars over a frantic flute line - the project showed Inomata's vision for a more approachable and instantly catchy jazz rock that still retained a lot of character and left, evidently, lots of room for experimentation.
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