Review: Made up of Jun Miyake and Ichiko Aoba's live sessions held in Tokyo in November 2016 and the following February 2017, Pneuma consists of valuable recordings that had only been released in high-resolution format for distribution; the record is now finally released in vinyl format here on P-Vine. The first performance in January featured Tatsuhisa Yamamotoon on drums and the second in February made up a quartet formation with the addition of bassist Hitoshi Watanabe. The two ultra-talented musicians provide us a glimpse into how the music of Jun Miyake and Ichiko Aoba is made and this record breathes into their practice a new life.
I Can't See Your Love (For The Tears In My Eyes) (part 1 - bonus track) (2:33)
The Gift Of Love (2:40)
I'm Nothing Without Your Love (2:26)
My Baby Know How To Love Her Man (3:08)
Weakspot (3:01)
Hey Diddle Diddle (2:39)
Goodnight My Love (2:45)
I Love You, Yeah (alternate take - bonus track) (3:01)
Review: The Ballads, an Oakland-based group featuring Nathanial Ramerson, Lesley Palmer, Rico Thompson, and John Palmer, made a notable mark with their single 'God Bless Our Love,' which climbed to #8 on the R&B charts and #65 on the Billboard Pop Hot 100 in 1968. Despite their success with this track on Venture Recordsia label established by MGM and helmed by former Motown A&R director William "Mickey" Stevensonitheir time with the label was brief. The Gift Of Love features a blend of soulful tracks including 'You're The One,' 'I Love You, Yeah,' and 'Goodnight My Love,' showing the group's vocal charm and heartfelt lyrics. Although their commercial success was limited, the compilation offers a glimpse into their potential and includes all eight Venture releases along with some previously unreleased material. For collectors and soul enthusiasts, this vinyl is a monumental collection of 1960s r&b.
Review: Led by Kenny Clarke and Francy Boland, the Clarke-Boland Sextet was made up of further musical talents from across Europe and the United States such as Boland, Sahib Shihab, Jimmy Woode, Joe Harris, and Sadi. The group played a pivotal role in shaping the European jazz scene of the 60s, never more so than with their timeless Music For The Small Hours record in 1967. It takes in an array of influences and includes standards like Burt Bacharach's 'Wives & Lovers' as well as more Brazilian and Afro-Cuban groovers like Luiz Bonfa's 'Ebony Samba'. The original compositions shine too, with Shihab's 'Please, Don't Leave' showcasing his vocal talents and adding a real depth. Overall this is jazz that radiates sophistication and relaxation and makes for a refined listen.
Little Boy For So Long, Little Boy But Not For Long (10:00)
Arapaho (4:21)
Don't Get Around Much Anymore (12:10)
Review: American saxophone player and composer Clifford Jordan's 1990s Maple Shade Records albums are well thought of for their high-quality ideas. This release features a 1987 live quartet performance from a Baltimore jazz club in which Jordan delivers a mature, lyrical and swinging set encompassing standards like 'Round Midnight' and 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore' alongside his original compositions. The recording was meticulously captured with minimal microphones and high-quality cables so it achieves remarkable realism while blurring the line between live performance and studio recording. This is a definitive glimpse into Jordan's artistry at the height of his career.
Review: Smouldering Secrets was released in 1975 by Copeland Davis and his band and it's a great example of his energetic piano performances. The album opens with the melodic 'No Arms Can Ever Hold You' while tracks like 'Perfidy' and 'So in Love' feature lively instrumentals. Highlights include the soulful 'Jet,' where Davis sings, and the mellow 'Morning Spring,' famously sampled by Nujabes. This reissue also includes the vocal version of 'No Arms Can Ever Hold You' which makes its debut release on vinyl. Davis later gained popularity in Japan during the Free Soul and Rare Groove movements which is why this rich record one is being put out by P-Vine.
Review: Weldon Irvine was a pioneering musician whose innovative style and emotionally powerful melodies earned him admiration across generations and genres, from 1970s jazz and soul to 1990s club and rare groove scenes. Known for his versatility, Irvine left behind a legacy of timeless tracks and this best-of album, curated from his extensive catalogue, features eight standout songs that showcase his genius. The always-sensitive P-VINE presents this special collection in style and offers a comprehensive glimpse into the depth and breadth of Irvine's musical contributions, all of which highlight his lasting impact on the music world.
Review: Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer edbl aka Ed Black's new album 2010 Mixtape is another wonderful journey through an array of hip-hop styles, great songwriting and standout production skills. Following his edbl and friends series, this project highlights his love for hip-hop and features a host of UK artists from the alternative r&b and soul scenes. With mellow grooves, jazzy chords and vibey keys, 2010 Mixtape pays tribute to the great influence those styles have had on edbl's own sound. Named after the year he discovered hip-hop, the album features tons of highlights such as collaborations including Guvna B on 'Symbols,' Manik MC on 'Arcades' and KinKai on 'Too Much Shit To Do', all of which bring with soul.
Grey October Sound & Monbee - "Fly-Day China Tow" (2:27)
Grey October Sound & Achamico - "Plastic Love" (4:57)
Grey October Sound & Monbee - "Mayonaka No Door - Stay With Me" (3:17)
Grey October Sound & Judo125 - "Tokai" (2:54)
Grey October Sound & Esu - "Anohi Ni Kaeritai" (2:19)
Grey October Sound & Lo Film Creation - "Kanashimi-Ga-Tomaranai" (4:15)
Grey October Sound & Esu - "Kimi Wa 1000%" (4:56)
Grey October Sound & Judo125 - "Amaku Kiken Na Kaori" (3:05)
Grey October Sound & The Sidewinder - "Mr Summertime" (2:28)
Grey October Sound & Kimono Boyz - "Down Town" (4:05)
Grey October Sound & Judo125 - "Mayonaka No Door - Stay With Me" (version) (4:07)
Review: Following the success of Lo-Fi Ghibli in 2022, underground hip-hop head Grey October Sound is back with a new cover album that finds him reimagining iconic Japanese city-pop tracks through lo-fi hip-hop. It is another gem from P-VINE that features laid-back reinterpretations of classics such as Miki Matsubara's 'Mayonaka no Door,' Yasuha's 'Fly-Day Chinatown,' and Taeko Onuki's 'Tokai' alongside songs by Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi and Yumi Arai. It's. Lush world of carefully hinted at nostalgic melodies with relaxed beats soothing mind, body and soul, all with a lo-fi and retro city-pop charm.
Wrapped In Gentleness (Kiki's Delivery Service) (3:05)
The Bygone Days (Porco Rosso) (2:44)
One Summer's Day (Spirited Away) (3:24)
A Town With An Ocean View (Kiki’s Delivery Service) (3:48)
The Path Of Wind (My Neighbor Totoro) (2:32)
Nausicaa Requiem (Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind) (2:16)
The Princess Mononoke (The Princess Mononoke) (2:40)
The Legend Of Ashitaka (The Princess Mononoke) (2:42)
The Sixth Station (Spirited Away) (2:42)
Carrying You (Castle In The Sky) (4:21)
Review: Grey October Sound's latest offering blends lo-fi hip-hop with the timeless allure of Ghibli's iconic soundtracks. The album reinterprets beloved melodies with smooth, chilled-out beats and warm, atmospheric production. Tracks like 'The Bygone Days' and 'One Summer's Day' breathe new life into these classic tunes, making them feel both nostalgic and contemporary. The integration of lo-fi textures creates a soothing backdrop, perfect for unwinding or studying. This release successfully bridges the gap between two worlds, bringing a fresh, relaxed vibe to Ghibli's unforgettable music.
Review: Grey October Sound, known for their standout lo-fi hip-hop compilations like Timeless and The Cave, has gained traction in Japan and beyond. Their popular series like Lo-Fi Ghibli and Lo-fi City Popicovering iconic Studio Ghibli tracks and beloved city pop hitsihas cemented their place in the lo-fi scene. Now, they team up with Salad Days, Europe's top lo-fi/chill pop label, for a highly anticipated collaboration. This new compilation features digital lo-fi favourites from artists such as ENRA, Lenny Loops, Slowheal, and Eugenio Izzi. The visual aesthetic, including cover art, comes from celebrated illustrator Rika Nagatani, the creative force behind Lo-Fi Ghibli, adding another layer of charm to the release.
Review: Chicago was a hotbed for talent in the 1970s (well, it always has been and always will be, to be honest) and one of the groups to emerge at that time was Heaven & Earth, a vital soul vocal collective. They released four high-quality albums and this one, 'I Can't Seem To Forget You', was the first on Clarence Johnson's G.E.C. Label. It is packed with super sweet vocals and Dwight Dukes' lush falsetto and has never before been reissued. This version from the good folks at P-VINE has an extra bonus cut 'Promises,' which has previously only been available as a single from 1975.
Review: A whole bunch of Weldon Irvine albums are being remastered and reissued at the moment, which will be music to the ears of spiritual jazz fans - literally. The American composer and pianists was one of the big names of his time and reals don labels like RCA and Strata-East as well as his own label. Young Gifted & Broke has never been on vinyl before as the recordings were only discovered in the early 2010s. It was a musical that was released in 1977 and inspired by the Black Civil Rights anthem 'Young, Gifted and Black,' which Weldon had written with Nina Simone. Talents like Marcus Miller joined the recordings which as can now be heard are magnificent to say the least.
Review: Watarase: Voice is a fantastic second release in this series following Fumio Itabashi's acclaimed Watarase: Echo. This new compilation serves up vocal versions of the masterpiece 'Watarase' featuring a range of artists including jazz vocalist Shigeo Maruyama, Korean folk singer Lee Jung Mi and Japanese vocalist Yuki Kaneko. The album focuses on previously unreleased tracks and showcases the global influence of the original and also includes the long-awaited complete version of 'Symphonic Poem 'Watarase,'" a key piece in the story of this beloved work. This is a great testament to 40 years of history and the enduring legacy of Itabashi's jazz artistry.
Review: Japanese DJ and beatmaker Kapsoul is based in LA and returns with his highly anticipated second album, Divercity. Following the success of his first album, Ascent, he head out on a triumphant return tour and now teams up with an impressive lineup of artists from around the world. Countrymen include Senninsho, S-kaine, JNKMN, OYG, DOGMA and SAW, who all contribute their talents, while international artists AA Rashid, FLY ANAKIN and KING MILO bring their unique sounds to the project. Across the tunes, however, the main man's signature blend of styles shines through with a blend of dark soul vibes, intricately crafted arrangements, soul-drenched beats and hints of boom-bap.
Review: Yet another school band record, turned rare funk and/or "Northern soul" gem, sends the heads haywire. Kashmere Stage Band were the highly obscure and yet low-key rated "elite performing unit" of Kashmere High School, a notable public high school in Houston, Texas. With a rotating lineup that kept the band alive in the pivotal, almost two-decade period of 1960 through to 1978, this colliery crack team was led by the celebrated Conrad O. Johnson, a towering figure in the annals of Southern American music education. A former Count Basie and Erskine Hawkins collaborator, Johnson saw to it that no band member would loosen their grip on the groove; neither adolescence nor pubescence are excuses for relinquishing the rightful vibe of soul and funk, that of serious bombast. The record staggeringly crosses into jazz at points, as with 'Lockwood Drive' (clock the notably sampleable, watertight drum break at the midpoint). And legend has it that the Kashmere band went on to tour the world; the bar really was this yea in the 70s. What did the state of Texas get right back then?
Review: The legendary Kashmere High School Brass Band from Houston, Texas always deliver an incredible jazz-funk storm and in this rare groove masterpiece, they have rarely sounded better. Known as the world's best student band, their astonishing groove defies what you would think a bunch of high school musicians would be capable of. Originally released in 1974, this sixth album features original compositions by their teacher, Conrad Johnson, and includes all four titles from their catalogue, complete with a fine jacket design and exceptional sound quality. The tunes come thick and fast and include 'Kashmere' with its killer breakbeats, 'Head Wiggle' a fast-paced bass-driven funk, 'Do You Dig It Man?' big band funk at its best and 'Thunder Soul' which is percussive jazz funk brilliance.
Review: Kashmere Stage Band was formed in the 1960s and was made up of students from Kashmere High School and group leader Conrad O. Johnson. Bumper-To-Bumper Soul is their second album, and it was recorded between 1969 and 1970. The record, which like all their others was only pressed in small quantities and sold locally in Houston, Texas, so is hard to find but much in demand, is an extension of the high school group's debut album, but with a high percentage of groovy jazz funk, covering well-known songs in their now fast funk style.
Review: KSB stands for Kashmere Stage Band group that was initially founded by Conrad O. Johnson. He was at the heart of the group which is surely one of the most accomplished student outfits of all time. They hailed from the eponymous Kashmere High School in Houston, Texas, and were active in the 1960s on until the late 1970s. They related a number of albums which only get got pressed up a maximum of 1000 times so have become cult favs and hard to find treasures. P-VINE however changes all that with a series of limited reissues of their most renowned albums, including this one, Out Of Gas But Still Burning, as well as some others which have never actually been on wax before.
Review: Kashmere Stage Band - formed back in Houston, Texas, by a music teacher by the name of Conrad O Johnson - is one of those outfits that have got plenty of cult status. He hooked up with some of Kashmere High School's most elite musicians to form this superb funk collective. They were busy locally with gigs but also went on to tour internationally and record several albums. They were only ever distributed locally though and pressed up in small quantities so are almost impossible to find. P-VINE is correcting that with a special series of mixed edition reissues and Thunder Soul is one of those. It's an album that captures the group's signature sound with funky drums and fresh licks aplenty.
Review: High school band Kashmere Stage Band was formed in Texas by students from Kashmere High School's elite music division under the guidance of leader Conrad O. Johnson. They recorded plenty of albums but they only got sold locally and made in small numbers so now P-VIBE is embarking on a much-needed reissue run. Zero Point came in 1972, right in the middle of the band's activities which ran from the early 60s to the late 70s. It's a funky jazz fusion workout with great echoed vocals and fuzz-tone guitar.
Lofi Jam I'm Not Studying To (feat Lionel Briones) (3:37)
Waiting (feat Whatever Mike) (3:00)
Schedule (feat Kin Ryan & Brother Su) (2:56)
I Got You (feat Jeanie) (2:56)
Do You Remember (feat Blu & King Most) (3:07)
Just One Night (feat Eunbi Lee) (3:20)
Final Moments (2:57)
No Chaser (feat Mon'arie) (2:49)
City House (1:59)
Last Time (feat Kloii) (3:54)
Review: US jazzy-hip-hop beatmaker Kero One returns with his first album in nine years. Known for popularising jazzy hip-hop in the early 2000s, the California-based rapper, DJ and producer blends his signature jazzy lo-fi beats with vintage soul, R&B, pop, progressive hip-hop and electronic music while drawing inspiration from recent travels in Asia. Fuzz Logic features artists and vocalists from diverse regions including English, Chinese and Korean with guest appearances from the likes of Ace Hashimoto on 'Airplane Mode,' plus Blu and Michael Blume all contributing to the catchy, dynamic sound Kero One is renowned for.
Review: Shoegaze is undergoing an unstoppable resurgence in the US, which is led by fans and in online spaces such as Reddit and labels are just trying to catch up. Whilst late 80s and early 90s trailblazers of the genre are having an unexpected growth spurt in popularity, there are newcomers in this new wave of American shoegaze bringing fresh energy. And Kraus is one of the most respected in the new wave, often spoken about in the same breath as My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields. After having moved from Dallas, Texas to study music at NYU in New York, Kraus would go on to remain in the city and hone his craft as in his one-man band. This album is Kraus having landed at his most nuanced work to-date, having mastered the careful balance between blissed out and blisteringly tight. There's a meticulousness to his craft that makes his saturated sonic images feel like each line in there is key to its beauty as a whole.
Review: If you were indeed wondering why, well, Gary Marks doesn't claim to have the answers. Amid an honorary reissue campaign of this under-storied musician's early LPs by P-Vine (after he moved on to become a published fiction and non-fiction writer), Marks' third record from 1978 stands out among this folky jazz singer's best. After his debut record Gathering and then the sophomore Upon Aonda's Wing, this ponderous yet sprightly record follows Marks' relocation to the West Coast of the USA in 1976, after which he began working with Art Rande and Oregon member Paul McCandles. Considered his masterpiece by many, this hidden avant-garde folk jazz diamond contains stirring narratives, cathartic piano ballads, and hum-along heart-pinchers, weaving twin threads of personal disclosure and mystery Americana.
Review: Produced by renowned Chicago producer Clarence Johnson, the Michigan Avenue album is getting its first-ever vinyl reissue. This sought-after release includes standout tracks like 'Special Kind Of Love,' known for its upbeat melody, and smooth soul classics such as 'Don't Take Me For The Ride' and 'All That Matters,' perfect for sampling. The album also features the soulful 'Can't Get Enough' and revered covers like the Flamingos' 'I Only Have Eyes For You' and Baby Washington's 'That's Heartaches Are Made.' Additionally, two new songs have been added to the original tracklist to make this reissue extra special and unique.
B-STOCK: Sleeve split at the top and spine, and slight surface marks on record
Prelude To A Heartbreak
Do I Stand A Chance
Dreaming's Out Of Season
Beggin' Is Hard To Do
Just Can't Get Away
Unwanted Love
Grand Finale
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve split at the top and spine, and slight surface marks on record***
P-Vine in Japan have put this one out on CD before now but do the right thing and issue it once more here on vinyl. It's a classic album from the five-piece soul vocal fronted by Phil Perry who is still in the game as a solo artist. The band hailed from St. Louis, Missouri with a soul sound so rich and distinctive you will fall in love with it from the first harmony. Perry's own falsetto is the defining feature here with sumptuous strings and sublime rhythms helping him to soar to magical emotional heights. The original Dreaming Out Of Season album came on Paula (Jewell) Records in 1972.
Review: P-Vine in Japan have put this one out on CD before now but do the right thing and issue it once more here on vinyl. It's a classic album from the five-piece soul vocal fronted by Phil Perry who is still in the game as a solo artist. The band hailed from St. Louis, Missouri with a soul sound so rich and distinctive you will fall in love with it from the first harmony. Perry's own falsetto is the defining feature here with sumptuous strings and sublime rhythms helping him to soar to magical emotional heights. The original Dreaming Out Of Season album came on Paula (Jewell) Records in 1972.
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