Review: When George Coleman recorded his seminal jazz session Amsterdam After Dark in 1979 he made sure he did so with a superb cast of assistants. The album was made with an all-star cast of musicians and has become a classic as a result, and this is the first time in the UK and North America that it has ever been reissued on vinyl since 1985. Musically it finds the legendary American tenor saxophonist blow up a real star with his Hilton Ruiz Trio as they traverse lounge but lively moods and grooves with plenty of expressive solos and ever shifting pianos.
Review: The reissue of James Dallas' 'Life Forms' by Tidal Waves Music brings back to life a hidden gem in the realm of jazz, funk and soul. Originally released in 1982 and completely self-funded with the help and encouragement of his peers and family, the album captures Dallas' innovative ability to sculpt sonic landscapes that were way ahead of his time and still remain fresh now. Each track on the long player is a mesmerising blend of ethereal textures with rhythmic pulses that result in immersive sounds and come with assistance from Earl Thompson on percussion, Myron McClain and Noland Clark on drums, Rick Lacey and Robert Walls Jr. on guitar, Jake Simmons and Kevin Whitehead on bass.
Review: This superb collaboration between Marcos Valle, a legendary composer, and Azymuth, the innovative jazz-funk trio from Brazil, results in a dynamic fusion of bossa nova, samba, and jazz. Released in 1972, Fly Cruzeiro encapsulates the vibrant spirit of Brazilian music, transcending genres and capturing the essence of the country's musical landscape. It is one that is marked by Valle's soulful vocals, Azymuth's intricate instrumentation, and a rhythmic groove that epitomises the rich cultural tapestry of Brazil. All these years on, Fly Cruzeiro remains a timeless gem, showcasing the collective brilliance of two musical forces at the forefront of Brazil's music scene.
Review: The Real ShooBeeDoo is a super rare recording from Montreux festival sessions back in 1982 led by Detroit Tribe Jazz icon Reggie Fields. He played with a top lineup of all-star names including pianist Earl Van Riper who brought rich musical experiences to the table while the tenor saxophone comes from Robert Barnes who was noted for having worked with the great Donald Bird. Completing the picture is Tani Tabbal on drums who lent his skills to Sun Ra and others. All in all a great piece of jazz history.
Review: Mixed Bag released their now classic spiritual soul jazz album This Is Mixed Bag's First Album on Tribe Records in 1976. It now, finally, gets a much needed reissue via Tidal Waves which is sure to get it back in the spotlight once again with new generations of jazz lovers. The Detroit based band had a mesmerising line up with pianist Kenny Cox, bass from Ron Brooks and several more notable players. The six tracks are all sublime fusion sounds with kipping rhythms, angular reed passages and sweet keyboard energies. It is a high class and high impact record that costs a pretty penny if you can find an original.
Review: Heart-Soul & Inspiration's legacy lives on here with a new reissue of their self-titled debut album. The label are also putting out another version on clear vinyl with a bonus 7" featuring some extra cuts, while this one just comes on limited heavyweight black wax with the original album cuts. The lesser-known and rather 'mythical' funk and soul outfit only penned seven cuts for this one but they sure made a splash with it. Members include Jimmy Soul, Ron Carr and John True and they have a tight funk sound as shown here with the steamy and sexy vocal whispers of the opener across a cover of a Barry White classic and more.
Review: Light In The Attic reignites the flame of Heart-Soul & Inspiration's legacy, with a brand new reissue of their self-titled debut album here. The lesser-known and rather 'mythical' funk and soul outfit made a sparky but ultimately fizzly splash with their curt seven-track opus, which flaunted the minimalist playing chops of its members including Jimmy Soul, Ron Carr and John True. A distinctly divine, and rather detailed funk sound cuts across its grooves, from the crestfallen intonations of 'Fallen Angels' to the belting croons of 'Can't Get Enough'.
Review: Island funk and soul classic Time Is The Answer from the Wildfire band is getting reissued on both clear and black vinyl this month, with this being the super limited transparent version. It is a first-ever reissue for this much sought-after album and it arrives just in time for summer, which is when it sounds best, some 43 years after it was first self-released back in 1980 on their own self-titled label. The band was well known back in the 80s thanks to performances all across Trinidad, Tobago, the Caribbean, US Virgin Islands and French Guadeloupe. This is the best of the four albums they released - a warm and immersive blend of funk, soul and disco. .
Review: Time Is The Answer is an undeniable Island Funk-Soul classic from Wildfire that now gets its first ever official reissue on vinyl. It was originally self-released back in 1980 on their own self titled label and now comes on nice heavyweight vinyl, which is just what it deserves. The band was well known in their day as leaders in their field thanks to famous performances all across Trinidad, Tobago, the Caribbean, US Virgin Islands and French Guadeloupe. The dropped four albums in all and plenty of top-selling singles and this one is one of the best - a fine mix of funk, soul and disco with glorious grooves and magical melodies as well as buttery smooth vocals.
Review: Emphatic in its emphasis on the intoxicating power of love, 'Under The Influence Of Love' is the debut album by Karin Jones, a Canadian soul singer who shared her sonic vision with producer Willi Morrison and arranger Dunn Pearson. The LP was made far earlier than its release date, since it had to be shelved due to label issues - but it endured the test of time and in 1982, Jim Tyrrell of Handshake Records discovered Jones' demo tape and signed the album. Jones' disco-funk vision is heavily stooped in neat production tricks and audiophile's choices; her voice is quiet in the mix on street soul beauties like 'Ready, Ready Love', but it cuts like a knife.
Review: Q.A.S.B. is a Japanese funk and soul group from Tokyo who have an unashamed love of James Brown and his hard-hitting funky style. They do big dance numbers as well as more laid-back and mellow moments, but this new 7" is very much in the former camp. "The Jet Leg" (feat Ryo Nakata (Osaka Monaurail)) is all big horns, hard and crisp drums and incendiary vocals from the lead singer. It's a real stormy tune and on the flip side, "Wolf" doesn't let up. It's another rousing tune lead by huge horns, all manner of bristling percussive sounds and a driving rhythm section.
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