Review: Warren Oree is an acoustic bassist, producer and composer who founded The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble in Philadelphia in 1979. The adventurous outfit are eclectic and have a far from predictable sound that combines acoustic sounds with African and Middle Eastern influences, a hint of Afro-Cuban Orientalism, spiritual jazz and avant garden flourishes. This album was recorded in 1980 and has a truly worldwide sound that very much fits in with the sound of the current jazz revival. There is cool jazz on 'Wet Walnuts and Whipped Cream', percussive drenched grooves on the title track and much more besides. A real classic.
Por Causa De Voce, Menina/Chove Chuva/Mas Que Nada (4:11)
Agora, Ninguem Chora Mais/Charles, Anjo 45/Caramba! Galileu Da Galileia (5:20)
A Minha Menina/Que Maravilha/Zazuiera (5:56)
Bebete Vaobora/Crioula/Cade Tereza (4:45)
Pais Tropical/Fio Maravilha/Taj Majal (5:54)
Vendedor De Bananas/Cosa Nostra/Bicho Do Mato (6:29)
Que Nega E Essa/Que Pena/Domingas (7:28)
Vinheta (0:29)
Review: As you can probably work out from the title, this one is the tenth album from Brazil's samba king and genre game-changer Jorge Ben (it makes a change from him calling most of his albums 'Ben' to be honest.) It came first back in 1973 and features a collection of his then-most popular songs. All of them come from the first decade of his career but were all rerecorded as medleys. They bring with them sunny melodies and his signature stuffing grooves, acerbic and witty lyrics and easy to get lost in rhythms.
Review: Vintage funk fans rejoice because this classic mid-60s collection is now available to you once more. James Brown's appropriately entitled Night Train - Mighty Instrumentals album is a high-class assembly of plenty of potent, hard-hitting funk as well as more tender and slow-burning soul sounds. These timeless, loveably lo-fi joints have plenty of low end heft to cut through modern dance floras while also offering up some authentic and original funk allure. It comes on nice heavyweight wax so sounds brilliantly loud and clear.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Love & Affection (feat WanCee - Marky B remix) (4:13)
This I Know (with Shirley Jones - Filly B Street mix feat Cam Jones) (4:14)
Come Home Tonight (4:58)
Just Say The Word (Nana Neo mix) (4:07)
What You Doing To Me (Nana Street mix) (4:38)
Free Fall (with Poleto Don - 2023 edit) (5:20)
Closer 2 U (Nana West London mix) (4:07)
Higher (JE Heartbreak mix) (4:13)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Songs in The Key of E is a new offering the legendary soul man Everis, arriving in limited edition vinyl form just in time for Christmas. It features a number of superb new hair raising soul songs with some top guests too including a pair of award-winning singers, two international rappers, and a cult UK MC and sound system legend. There is an old school r&b tinge to the production and songwriting, with lavish keys and nice fresh beats all topped with emotive vocals that all swell the heart.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
We Shall See Him As E Is (4:00)
Give It Up To Jesus (3:09)
God Is Big Enough (3:19)
As (4:35)
Jesus (4:50)
Never Be The Same (4:32)
150th Psalm (4:21)
Brand New Day (3:41)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
The Family Tree's transcendent disco gospel classic We Shall See Him As He Is gets a special and much-deserved reissue here for Record Store Day 2024. It originally debuted in 1979 and since then has grown in stature as a soulful delight that embodies the vibrant gospel disco scene of Baltimore. With original copies commanding prices exceeding $300, this reissue means you can cop it for a reasonable price and revel in its rare gospel charms. Tracks such as 'Psalm 150' and a captivating disco rendition of Stevie Wonder's 'As' are standouts. This one has been remastered and comes on nice on heavyweight vinyl.
Review: This Record Store Day, The Flirtations are back with Still Sounds Like the Flirtations, their first album of new material in 55 years. Renowned for their 1969 hit 'Nothing But A Heartache', which spent 14 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100, the group toured with icons like Stevie Wonder and The Four Tops. Their signature song remains a Northern Soul classic, remixed in 2022 by Tobtok and Oliver Nelson. Produced by Ben Rice, the album delves into their life stories, drawing from personal, social, and political experiences and was recorded across Abbey Road, Resident Studios, Degraw Sound, and Creative Workshop, with many standout tracks showcasing timeless perspectives on love and life.
Review: When Aretha Franklin passed away in August 2018, the world lost the Queen of Soul, acknowledged as the foremost female singer of her generation, selling over 75 million records over the course of her glittering career. With the knowledge that Franklin’s instantly-recognisable voice would never grace a new recording ever again, the sadness felt by soul fans at the time was acute. So it is with great finesse that History Of Soul presents yet another unheard Aretha live set, never before heard on a commercial LP. With pride, they boast that the recordings, made in a TV studio in Cologne during her first European tour in 1968, waft from the heart of soul's Golden Age.
Review: Before Aretha Franklin made her mark with stomping southern soul in the late 60s, she had already built a diverse career. Beginning as a gospel singer, she spent the early 60s recording in various genres, with mixed success. These early recordings with the Ray Bryant group present her as a jazz vocalist, reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan or Ella Fitzgerald. Tracks like 'Ain't No Way' and 'Take a Look' capture her ability to blend effortless technique with deep emotion. The sessions are pristinely recorded with no overdubs, allowing Franklin's voice to shine in its purest form, proving her talent in jazz long before she became an icon of soul.
Review: Soulful pop trio Gabriels hail from LA and the UK and make gospel-tinged electronic music that takes you to a higher plane. After some epic singles and a recent standout performance at Glastonbury which got everyone talking - not least because of the magnificent outfits of the lead singer - they have finally put together a debut album. The first part was widely acclaimed and this seance part is no different. The music has been produced by Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar collaborator Sounwave and as well as lead single 'Angels & Queens' this is a treasure trove of warm, soul fuelled sounds that draw on the sounds of legends like Prince and Luther Vandross to cook up a throng record that will blow you off your feet.
Review: Belgian-Moroccan singer Aicha Haskal is at the heart of this fabulous project which sees her joining creative forces with super-talented musicians from the Belgian scene. Between them, the group has a mad diverse spread of backgrounds and influences which means their music too is broad in scope - psychedelic sounds and funky grooves, Arabic melodies and European rhythms all feature in this album as do rap and parlando. Egyptian poet Abdelhamid Farag penned their first single 'Ghalat' and now this album expands around that with music that fights the oppression of women and fights for revolution.
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