Nature Sounds Us Vinyl & CDs

Review: This classic Roy Ayers album seems to get reissued almost exactly every 10 years, and every time it quickly disappears, so move fast for this latest drop by Nature Sounds. The album has just four tunes across two sides of vinyl and has talented musicians like Joe Henderson, Charles Tolliver, Bruno Carr, Jack Wilson and more all featuring. It is one of Roy's earlier works from back in 1967, before he became a funk, acid jazz & r&b icon, and has elements of his mad vibraphone skills front and centre. he super cool tracks are infused with the sunny sounds that Roy is so well loved for.

Review: Roy Ayers' 1968 jazz opus Stoned Soul Picnic might be less beloved or revered by fans of the vibraphonist, but it is nevertheless a deeply affecting slice of jazz mindfulness and fittingly contrasting mood, consisting entirely of covers of songs by the likes of Laura Nyro ('Stoned Soul Picnic', after which the album takes its namesake), Charles Tolliver ('Lil's Paradise') and Edwin Birdsong ('What The People Say'). We now hear a full-quality reissue via Nature Sounds.

Review: Shafiq Husayn has been a driving force on the Los Angeles music scene for decades. He is a producer, songwriter and vocalist who is part of the agenda setting trio Sa-Ra Creative Partners and has produced for greats like Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper, Ice-T, Bilal and Jurassic 5. The Grammy winner is also leader of the expansive The Dove Society collective with whom he links here for a new album So Gold. It's an eclectic, love-fulled fusion of jazz, cosmic soul, hip hop and r&b that is packed with lush musicianship, smooth vocal flows and timeless grooves.