For today's album of the day we are presenting Dinner Party - the group consisting of Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin and 9th Wonder - who have put their first two albums on fantastic new CD. Both albums are significantly in demand and were snapped up quickly when first release. Although formed somewhat as a supergroup featuring household names in the jazz/hip-hop world, there is clearly no single leader to this fantastic set up musicians, each bringing their own talents and styles to the table and a rich depth of musicality quietly distilled into lovely album. I say album...
For today's album of the day feature we would like to present to you O'Donnel Levy's fantastic album Simba. Recorded in 1973 and released the following year on Groove Merchant, Simba features seven killer tunes brought to you by some of the very best musicians of the time. Levy himself was of course a heavily sought after player during this time, touring with George Benson and Jimmy McGriff before signing to Sonny Lester's Groove Merchant label. His ability in full flow on this record, with slick melodic phrasing that is both exuberant and delicate in equal measure and complimented perfectly...
Check the Soul, Funk and Jazz Japanese CDs that we have in stock. There are quite a few new titles including two from Jackie Ross that have just arrived, plus some deep dig finds in the back of the shop. Most of the titles are one off's and may not be available again, so please order early to avoid disappointment.. Happy Diggin, Laurence
We have had two absolutely fantastic Blue Note albums in recently the latest instalment of their Classic Album Series. Lee Morgan recorded ‘Search For The New Land’ just two months after the classic ‘Sidewinder’ session. The unexpected crossover success of ‘The Sidewinder’ which carried on throughout 1964 and into 1965 led to the delay in the release of ‘Search For The New Land’ and the recording of ‘The Rumproller’ as follow-up. An understandable decision by Blue Note to cash in on this success, meant that this sextet session has remained something...
With Valentines Day round the corner we wanted to draw your attention to an album that could not be more perfect for this time of year. Of all his albums ‘Hutson’ subsequently known as ‘Hutson 1’ is widely considered as his greatest, and is in fact regarded by many people as one of the best soul albums of all time (myself included). The full production with string and horn sections make a perfect complement to the songs and his seductive voice. Every track on the album is worthy of note, but especially ‘Lucky Fellow’ and ‘All Because of You’ which...
‘The Shakedown’ was Ed ‘Tenderlonious’ Cawthorne’s debut LP and features a dream team of top talent he named the 22archestra, who he leads seamlessly throughout. Arguably his finest album as a soloist, listeners are exposed to the full breadth of Tenderlonious's technical and compositional skills, ranging from subtly meandering jazz, to hip hop, Afrobeat, Latin and exhilarating free form jazz. The groups includes former Yussef Kamaal member Yussef Dayes on drums, Ruby Rushton bassist Fergus Ireland and producers Reginald Omas Mamode IV and Jeen Bassa on percussion. Standouts from this top drawer album include ‘Expansions’, ‘Yussef’s Groove’, ‘SV Interlude’, ‘SV...
The New Zealand group ‘Circling Sun’ have produced this brilliant album ‘Spirits’. Channelling spiritual/modal jazz and Latin rhythms, they simultaneously reference the greats such as Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane, while maintaining a fresh perspective on ensemble dynamics. Perhaps the group’s name is no coincidence – each instrument seems to be in orbit around the concept of symbiotic synergy – and everyone is given equal space to shine; from a psychedelic Korg, to a delirious saxophone or the gentle ripples of a harp. There’s a huge array of keyboards, skilfully manned by the likes of Guy Harrison and Cory Champion (Clear Path Ensemble), with a standout acoustic piano solo by Harrison on “Plume”....
Will Downing releases another 7 track album of Sophisticated soul 'Soul Rising' dedicated to the memory his daughter Aron Siobhan Downing, who sadly passed away earlier this year. 'Closer To Me' is an upper mid tempo dancer, and 'House Of Love' is an excellent mid tempo ballad both co-writen by Will with Randy Bowland. There is a nice version of the Linda Creed and Thom Bell classic ballad 'You're As Right As Rain', featuring many musicians including Johnny Britt on trumpet and Ronnie Foster on keyboards. 'Till We Meet Again' is slinky mid tempo song featuring Foster, Bowland, Al Turner...
We can safely say that our Spiritual Jazz series would not exist without the inspiration and leadership of the spiritual messiah that is John Coltrane. It can only be right and proper that we dedicate a whole album to his legacy and lasting influence. Spiritual Jazz 15 – A Tribute to 'Trane shines a spotlight on the reverence in which the saxophonist is held in so many ways. On one hand the selection displays cover versions of his songs performed by the musicians he inspired; disciples to Coltrane the messiah, who chose to give praise to the one who laid a foundation for them....
Mike James Kirkland recorded his classic album 'Hang On In There' in 1972 foe the Bryan label. It has become regarded as one of the best 70s Soul albums. The first side is heavily influenced by Marvin Gaye 'What's Going On' with three message songs. 'What Have We Done' is lovely upper mid tempo song and 'Where's The Soul Of Man' is a beautiful beat ballad. 'Hang On In There' is nine minutes of uplifting orchestrated deep stepping groove with poignant lyrics, with a big mid song change. Side Two has a more traditional soul approach with the modern soul...
