Kamasi Washington composed and produced the original score for ‘Becoming’, the four time Emmy-nominated film that provided an intimate glimpse into the life of Michelle Obama, and the sound is Kamasi at his most soulful. There’s a real vintage feel to the melodies here and the whole project is handled with a delicate austerity that reflects the former first lady’s demeanour. None of the tracks (with the exception of the 4:23 min long ‘I Am Becoming’) is over 3 mins long, with many being brief but evocative snapshots that truly give this set the feeling of a film score.The stunning...
Kelly Finnigan’s ‘A Joyful Sound’ may seem bound by the season constraints of being a Christmas album but it goes far beyond, with the sound closer to his work with The Monophonics. The album features members of Durand Jones & The Indications, The Dap-Kings, Ghost Funk Orchestra, Monophonics, Thee Sinseers, Orgone, Ikebe Shakedown, Jason Joshua & The Beholders, The True Loves, Neal Francis, Jungle Fire, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Ben Pirani, The Jive Turkeys, The Ironsides, The Harlem Gospel Travelers, Rudy De Anda, Alanna Royale, and more! The set takes its inspiration from records like Atlantic’s “Soul Christmas”, Phil Spector’s...
Lee Fields' 'Big Crown Vaults Vol 1' collects unreleased songs from the Special Night & It Rains Love sessions that didn’t make their way to albums, and this set launches a new series entitled Big Crown Vaults that will surely see a slew of future releases. The quality of the cuts here make the set sound like a complete studio album in its own right: the menacing funk 'Do You Know', the cavernous ballad 'Time' and the stunning dancer 'Thinking About You' blend seamlessly with crashing beat ballads like 'Two Timer' and the gospel tinged deep soul of 'Don't Give...
Colin Curtis’ 2nd instalment of his popular Jazz Dance Fusion series continues the story & history of the UK jazz dance and jazz music scene, a movement that started for him back in the 70’s. The sounds here blend funk & soul mixed with jazz, influences from Brazil, Africa, Europe and all over the globe, and the textures of instrumental sounds & voices, fuse to create the much-loved ‘jazz fusion’ sound that we love.This is a well balanced comp that unearths rare gems, newer hidden jewels and club favourites such as the 2007 release from Brazil’s 8VB with ‘Gengis’, JD...
First vinyl reissue of this somewhat under the radar killer soul album from the semi-obscure Norman Feels, this debut set from 1973 was recorded on the Just Sunshine imprint, home to Betty Davis among others. With arrangement by David Van De Pitte (arranger on ‘What’s Going On’) and production by Sal Scaltro, the album glides along with a mixture of foreboding ghetto-soul numbers like the dark end ‘Don’t’, the very Marvin sounding ‘Til I Found You’ and the cavernous beat ballad ‘My World Is Empty Without You’ to sweeter numbers like ‘Something About You (Makes Me Love You)’ and the...
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...
