Composer, trumpeter, producer, DJ and founder of Gondwana Records, Matthew Halsall returns with his first album as leader since 2015's glorious 'Into Forever' with 'Salute To The Sun'. The set is inspired by ambient rainforest and jungle field recordings as well as deep spiritual jazz and Strata-East vibes. The opener 'Harmony With Nature' gradually unfurls, growing from delicately sketched sounds from nature that develop and progress with a strong percussive groove, the gentle, eastern influences of 'Joyful Spirits Of The Universal' build into a spacious jazz landscape while 'Canopy & Stars' is another gentle, ebbing piece that slowly spreads and...
Originally released in 1976 ‘See The Light’ was Eddie Russ’ 2nd album and has been issued here with superb sound quality. ‘Zaius’ is a magical track that has retained its popularity and one of the genre’s best ever track – a jazz dancer’s delight! The uptempo cover of EWF ‘See The light’ really kicks and ‘Poko Nose’ is another funk groove oriented track, whilst ‘Stop It now’ is a disco dancer. Classic, essential Jazz Funk Buy LP here Buy 2 on 1 CD here (last copy!) Listen See The Light Zaius Stop It Now Salem Avenue Tomorrow Is Another...
Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin delivers her masterwork Pursuance : The Coltranes a tribute to John and Alice Coltrane, co-produced by Reggie Workman. She is joined by a stellar cast of great multi generational musicians and vocalists including Gary Bartz, Ron Carter, Marcus Strickland, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Meshell Ndgeocello, Brandee Younger and Jazzmeia Horn amongst many others. Highlights are many but check out ‘Liberia’ ft Bartz, ‘Central Park West’ ft Horn’s scat vocal, ‘Om Shanti’ ft Meshell and Georgia Anne Muldrow, ‘Acknowledgement’ ft Dee Dee, and Alice’s beautiful ‘Turiya and Ramakrishna’. This is an amazing powerful album of timeless uplifting music that...
UK Soul singer Shaila Prospere delivers her second album which will please her fans and likely gain her a lot more. ‘Under My Skin’ is strong album featuring some uptempo contemporary Modern Soul dancers ‘Rhythm ‘, ‘All Eyes on us’ , ‘Keep on Giving’ and ‘(Under my skin) Lovers’ which have that feel good sound. The mid tempo dancers ‘Sisters & Brothers’ and Your rich’ also groove along nicely. Shaila shows her vocal ability on the slow jam ‘You don’t know’ and the cover of Johnnie Taylor’s classic ‘Ain’t that loving you’. Good contemporary Soul. BUY CD here Listen ...
Twenty years after announcing her arrival with the classic debut Soulsinger, Ledisi returns with her 9th studio album and first for three years following 2017’s ‘Let Love Rule’ set. Co-produced with Rex Rideout this album kicks off with the laid back, bluesy ‘Anything For You’ – what strikes you immediately is how strong and nuanced Ledisi’s voice is, matured by time and possessing a gravitas that comes with experience – followed by the deep, southern vibes of ‘Next Time’. The sublime, slow ballad ‘Same Love’ is a joy, her jazz side reveals itself in the Phyllis/Anita vibes of ‘Now Or...
Cry to Me is a total classic…both the album (and the title track) peaked in the R&B and Billboard Hot Soul Singles charts. Cry To Me was produced by Floyd Smith and it features tracks penned by some of the most talented songwriters of the time…Sam Dees (Gladys Knight, Bo Diddley, Aretha Franklin) wrote five of the tracks on the album and his arrangements provide the perfect backdrop for Loleatta’s emotive, dramatic and powerful vocals.Curtis Mayfield also contributes the magnificent Just Be True track and Jo Armstead (Ray Charles, Syl Johnson, Tina Turner) wrote the beautiful ‘Casanova’ song. Recorded in...
Bishop Rance Allen sadly passed away at the weekend aged 71. We have just discovered what is probably the last remaining stock of this classic album deep in the vaults of our storage facility. Say My Friend is probably the best album and certainly the most soul oriented album from the powerful voiced Rance and his Brothers. The Mizell Brothers produced it in 1977 and add their semi funky layered sound and each song has a positive message . Highlights are the string laden stormer ‘Truth Is Marching On’ , the great mid tempo two stepper ‘Reasons To Survive’ with...
Jarrod Lawson finally releases the follow up to his ground breaking epic 2014 self titled debut album. ‘Be the Change’ is very accomplished and mature album featuring eleven meaningful self written and produced melodic Jazz tinged Soul songs. ‘Be The Change’ glides effortlessly, the funky ‘Battlefield’ and ‘Why don't you call me baby anymore’ chug along, and the dreamy Stevie influenced ‘Universal Chord’ has a charm of his own. ‘I’ll be your radio’ featuring Moonchild, ‘Connected’ and more laid back ‘Soul Symphony’ are good mid tempo tracks and ‘Love Isn’t always enough’ a nice ballad. Best of all though is...
20 year old Georgie Sweet’s debut album ‘Misunderstood’ is a set that belies her tender age and fully deserves the plaudits that are being heaped on her and her first full length release. Take the cool swagger of Erykah Badu, the assured grace of Jill Scott and the unmistakable flavour of UK neo soul and you have an album that pleases across the board. Label mate Deborah Jordan has guided Georgie with her knowledge and wisdom and the similarities between the two are evident, but both possess their own voice. The delicate, jazzy ‘Sorry’, the scratchy, almost trip hop ‘Half...
The Mizell brothers produced some great jazz funk albums in the early to mid 70’s and were most associated with Donald Byrd and this classic 1975 album in particular. Their joyful heavily orchestrated backing tracks framed the lead instrument to create a total sound. Trumpeter Donald had recorded many great albums for Blue Note in the previous 10 years this one was probably his most accessible.The supporting cast of musicians incl Harvey Mason, Chuck Rainey, Skip Scarborough and King Erricson play note perfect. The uptempo ‘Change’ sets the tone, the beautiful mid tempo ‘Wind Parade’ , ‘Dominoes’ and ‘Places And...
