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Nicola Conte – People Need People | Album of the day 8th March 2021

Schema records bring together Italian Jazz artist Nicola Conte and Gianluca Petrella for a mixed bag of Jazz, Latin, Soul , Electronic music and Hip Hop reflecting the current world situation ‘People need People’. Long time associate British singer Bridgette Amofah adds her delightful vocals to the lilting latin-esq ‘Imani River’, the more urgent House rhythms of ‘New World Shuffle’. Debo Ray has a sweet voice as illustrated on the moody ‘Mother of the Earth’ and down tempo ‘Hold on to your dreams’. The upbeat cleverly ‘Nigeria’ and ‘African Spirits’ mix jazz with house rhythms and the title track ‘People...
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Eddie Henderson – Mahal | Album of the day 4th March 2021

Trumpeter Eddie Henderson’s ‘Mahal’ is one of the most popular Jazz Funk albums from the late 70’s, this first time on CD sounds incredibly vibrant taken from the masters. His Uptempo version of Herbie Hancock’s ‘Butterfly’ is incredibly funky and intense. ‘Prance on’ was a huge club in 1978 and an anthem ever since. ‘Cyclops’ is featured in both its original bass heavy groove and the sped up 12″ disco version. ‘Amoroso’ is a really classy mid tempo track with a great groove. Classic Jazz Funk. BUY CD here    Listen Butterfly Cyclops Emotions Prance On Amoroso Mahal Ecstasy Also...
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Donny Hathaway – Everything Is Everything | Album of the day 2nd March 2021

Donny is rightly heralded as one of the greats, his soul drenched voice really touches you and his rhythmic keyboard playing is outstanding throughout. This is his debut album from 1970 and contains some of his finest work. The really groovy ‘The Ghetto’ has become a classic and really shifts along nicely. ‘Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything)’ has a great groove and hookline that draws you in. The bluesier ‘Je Vous Aime ( I love You)’ , ‘I Believe To My Soul’ , ‘Trying Times’ and ‘To Be Young Gifted And Black’ highlights Donny’s soulful voice. An amazing debut album....
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Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted and Black | Album of the day 1st March 2021

Released in January 1972 ‘Young Gifted and Black’ is rightly regarded as one of the Queen of Soul’s best and most successful albums. It includes the magnificent ballad ‘Oh my oh my’ , the superb floating mid tempo ‘Day Dreaming’ and ultra funky gem ‘Rock Steady’. Her gospel drenched cover of Nina Simone’s ‘Young gifted and black’ became an anthem for Afro American pride. Her version of the Gamble and Butler song ‘Brand new me’ is definitive and really swings along. Her uptempo take on the Bacharach David song ‘April Fools’ is uplifting and has become popular on the Modern...
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Brighter days Ahead | Album of the day 23rd February 2021

Immaculately curated set of releases from the Colemine stable, this 22 track offering gives us a broad span of styles and moods, from the Budios band-like Ironsides' brooding 'Sommer' to the pleading Low Rider gem 'What's His Name' from Thee Sinseers. The other era sounding 'Standing With You' from the Reasonaires, the pulsating Afro-Funker (albeit with a bit of surf thrown in) 'Adonai' from Ikebe Showdown, the driving thumping dancer 'More Than A Memory' from Ben Pirani and the rubbery funk of The Winston Brothers' 'Winston Theme' further highlight how diverse the styles are under the broad umbrella of the...
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Curtis Mayfield – Roots | Album of the day 22nd February 2021

Curtis Mayfield’s second solo album ‘Roots’ is from 1971. It has a similar feel to his fantastic debut ‘Curtis’. ‘Get Down’ and ‘Beautiful Brother of mine’ have his familiar heavy grooves. ‘Underground’ is an atmospheric and deeply funky mid tempo track. ‘We got to have peace’ has Curtis naturally optimistic message. ‘Now You’re Gone’ and ‘Love to keep in mind’ are beautiful string laden Chicago Soul. BUY CD here  BUY LP here     Listen Get Down Keep On Keeping Up Underground We Got To Have Peace Beautiful Brother Of Mine Now You're Gone Love To Keep You In My...
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New release* Will Downing – The Song Garden | Album of the day 18th February 2021

The ‘Prince of Sophisticated Soul’ Will Downing returns with another grown folks’ album in the form of ‘The Song Garden’. Immaculately produced smooth soul abounds on this, his first release in two years on his own Sophisticated Soul imprint. The infectious ‘Stand Up’ opens the set with an easy flowing vibe that rides on a driving B-line, the slower ‘Say Yes’ finds Will at his most romantic while ‘Chocolate’ ramps up the romance on a spoken word slow burner aimed at the ladies. ‘Love You Better’ is another mid-tempo ballad that contrasts with the soulful house groove of ‘Right Where...
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New York Disco Orchestra – Reverie |Album of the day 17th February 2021

Originally released on a tiny, self-funded imprint in 1978 as a promo only in a plain sleeve, this was then issued in Belgium under the name Reverie – ‘Get Up And Dance’ and Japan, and has remained almost impossible to find on original ever since. Slick sounding, well produced NY disco from brothers John & Rocco Giamundo, this five track offering is a glimpse into the late 70s disco scene and includes the club / rare-groove classic “It’s True” (compiled on “Under The Influence Vol. 2 by Paul Phillips) and “Get It On And Dance” as well as the P&P...
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Soul chasers Vol 1 *warehouse find*! | Album of the day 16th February 2021

We've just unearthed very limited quantities of this great comp that features 14 Modern Soul and rare Groove tracks. Vol 1 incl Jon Lucien ‘Would You Believe’, Gloria Scott ‘Too Much Love Making’, Michael Wycoff ‘looking Up To You’, Tyrone Davis ‘Never Stopped Loving You’ , Magic Lady ‘Hold Tight’ Valarie Carter ‘Trying To Get To You. Classic soul. You can buy this and another title from a selection of four titles for £25 for two. Or grab all four for £50.     BUY CD here Listen Sheree Brown - Got To Get Away Cat Miller - Be For...
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Nick Walters and The Paradox Ensemble – Implicate Order | Album of the day 15th February 2021

‘Implicate Order’ is the third album from Nick Walters’ Paradox Ensemble, and the first release on new label D.O.T. Records. The 11-piece band combine spiritual and eastern jazz styles with West African rhythms and a fusion of electronics. The album follows up the band’s highly acclaimed ‘Awakening’ from 2019. ‘The Underdog’ – is a uptempo tribute to Charles Mingus and was inspired by his classic album ‘The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady’. Walters’ trumpet takes the lead steering the 11 piece band along an infectious and is brought to a finale by the excellent Richard Foote on Trombone. ‘Volta...