‘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...
Kent Records have discovered a great unreleased version of the Anderson Bros massive Modern soul anthem ‘I Can See Him Loving You’ by the Mayberry Movement. This pairing was slated to be Event 218 in late 1974, but as no copies have emerged, it can be assumed that the single was pulled. It is hard to know why, but judging by its rarity the Anderson Brothers GSF release of ‘I Can See Him Loving You’ was a commercial failure – perhaps Event didn’t want to suffer a similar fate. This reading of producer Ray Dahrouge’s song is more soulful...
The four albums that Rockie Robbins recorded between 1979 and 1985 are presented on two 2 albums on 1 cds by Expansion Records. This is the first time that they have been issued on CD remastered from the original tapes. The 1979 self-titled album issued on A&M has previously only been available on a very rare Japanese CD , so it is particularly pleasing to see this issued on a regular priced CD. It contains the definitive version of Earth Wind & Fire's 'Be Ever Wonderful' , one of the rare occasions where a cover version of one of their...
The Disco Giants series of Disco and Boogie tunes returns with volume 18 and is one of the strongest of the series. Compiled by collector Thierry Boulanger, this 20 track 2CD set contains many sought after tracks from the mid 70s to mid 80s. Highlights are the uptempo soul tracks Al Mason 'Good Lovin', Grey & Hanks 'You Fooled Me', First Love 'Love Me Today' , Tyrone Davis 'Wanna MAke it good', Heaven And Earth 'You're A Blessing' and Ronnie Dyson 'You And Me', pus the rare California Flight Project 'California Flight'. There are some great boogie tunes as well including Bill 'Space Lady', Evan...
Paulette McWilliams hails from Chicago was the original female vocalist with the band Ask Rufus , introducing her friend Chaka Khan to the band , sharing lead vocals with her until she quit after the birth of her daughter, singer Brigette McWilliams. Paulette was featured as a singer on Quincy Jones 'Mellow Madness' album in 1975 and has featured as backing vocalist on 100s of songs from artists as diverse as Luther, Marvin, Bowie to Lauryn Hill and Herbie Hancock and in over 600 commercials. Suffice to say Paulette has a unique soulful voice. She is in fine voice and...
The Brit Funk Association are one of the UK's top Jazz Funk bands featuring former members of Light of the World and Beggar & Co. On 'Ancestral Voices , Kenny Wellington, Patrick McLean, David Baptiste, Breeze McKreith, Billy Osborne, Peter and Camille Hinds are joined by other British stalwarts like Ernie McKone and Toby Baker plus Eddie M to create a very authentic retro Jazz Funk album paying tribute to the masters. There are a couple of covers but mainly self penned new tracks, influenced by classic tracks/artists. AWB 'Pick Up The Pieces' and Ronnie Laws 'Always There' are given...
