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New releases – 27th April 2018 | RSD titles online tomorrow

There are some good new releases this week. Timo Lassy returns with a strong album ft Joyce Elaine Yuille. Azhaar & Global Wave , Beady Belle, Renee Rosnes and  Kari Ikoken Trio also have good new jazz albums and there is a soul/funk album from Ruby Velle & the Soulphonics. Reissues include Gordon beck trio (also on vinyl for RSD), Snoopy Dean and Tutt Band., plus there is a very limited 45 from Darrell Banks. Check the pre-order section for some of the forthcoming albums in May, more to be loaded next week. #RSD18 Titles online from Saturday 28th April...
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Jazz Appreciation Month 2018 – Day 18 | Herbie Hancock – Thrust

The cover of Thrust reveals a lot of the album. Herbie’s sitting comfortably in his spaceship controlled by a synth from an alien world, reaching to the clouds and beyond. Well, that’s what his stature was in 1974 – one of the seminal renewers of Jazz by incorporating new electric instruments like the ARP synthesizer. Thrust is the follow up to Head Hunters [MOVLP030] using the same band except for drummer Harvey Mason, who is replaced by Mike Clark, a Jazz great in his own right. Again, only four songs on this single LP, each around 10 minutes long. “Butterfly”...
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Jazz Appreciation Month 2018 – Day 17| Johnny Hammond – Gears

Johnny Hammond classic 1975 album ‘Gears’ was produced by the Mizell Brothers at the top of their game and is one of the all time great Jazz-Funk albums. It includes the funky up tempo instrumental ‘Los Conquistadores Chocolates’, and the Rare grooves ‘Fantasy’ , ‘Tell Me what to do’, ‘shifting Gears’ and beautiful ‘Can’t we smile’. The previously unissued ‘A Childs love’ is featured on the bonus CD and LP reissues with fast and superior slow versions, ‘Song for my family’ and more upbeat ‘Detroit Rainbow’ are interesting but can’t match the quality of the tracks on the awesome original...
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Jazz Appreciation Month 2018 – Day 16| Gregory Porter – Water

Imagine a voice with the richness of Nat King Cole, the phrasing and lyricism of Bill Wither and the range, depth and soulfulness of Dwight Trible/ Leon Thomas (Minus the yodelling) – Gregory Porter’s voice is such an instrument and a beautiful one at that. From the spiritual Jazz of ‘Black Nile’, the Coltrane-esque ‘Wisdom’ and the urgent fire ‘1960 What?’, Porter excels vocally. He is equally at home with more gentle songs ‘Pretty’. The musicianship and arrangements are first class allowing the vocalist, the rhythm section and horns space to breathe and stretch out where appropriate. This is the...
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Soul Brother Selection – 22nd April 2018

Hear the show at this link   Willie Tee - Walking up a one way street (45) Pointer Sisters - Send him back (45) Lou Ragland - Since you said you'd be mine (45) Mary Clark - You got your hold on me (Rsd 45) Snoopy Dean - Walking on air (Wiggle that thing cd/lp) Gwen McCrae - 90% of me is you (45) Honeydrippers - Impeach the president (Rsd 45) Skullsnaps - Trespassing (45) Majik - Back into your heart (45) Chain Reaction - Search for tomorrow (Rsd 45) Beginning of the end - Fishman (Rsd 12”) Demon Fuzz...
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Jazz Appreciation Month 2018 – Day 15 | Idris Muhammad – Turn This Mutha Out

Superb Disco Jazz Funk album, Idris Muhammad  recorded ‘Turn this Mutha Out’ for the Kudu label in 1977. ‘Could Heaven Ever Be Like This’ – a long-term favourite is like being momentarily transported to Jazz Funk paradise, a magical track that has become a classic. ‘Camby Bolongo’ is a delightful percussion heavy rhythmic instrumental featuring Randy Brecker on Trumpet and Jeremy Steig on flute. ‘Crab Apple’ is a wonderfully funky track with a great bass line and groove that has found favour with samplers. ‘Moon Hymn’ is a beautiful etherial track featuring David Tofani on Soprano Sax, that develops into...
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Jazz Appreciation Month 2018 – Day 14 | Donald Byrd – Places And Spaces

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 Ericson play note perfect. The uptempo ‘Change’ sets the tone, the beautiful mid tempo ‘Wind Parade’ , ‘Dominoes’ and ‘Places And...
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Jazz Appreciation Month 2018 – Day 14 | John Coltrane – Blue Train

When John Coltrane recorded ‘Blue Train’ for Blue Note, his only date as leader for the label, ‘Giant Steps’ was still two years in the future and ‘A Love Supreme’ five more beyond that. ‘Blue Train’ sits chronologically between his early and at times tentative Prestige albums and his full-on ‘Sheets of Sound’ Atlantic sets, laid down as it was on September 15 1957. On ‘Moment’s Notice’, there is a fore taste of what was to come as Coltrane’s tenor tears into a solo as only ‘Trane could. ‘Blue Train’ sounds as authentic a late 50’s Blue Note session that...
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New releases and pre-orders | RSD 18 from 8am tomorrow!

There's quite a few good new albums and singles this week. The New Mastersounds have a strong Funky Jazz album , Far out Monster Disco orchestra a strong modern disco album, Dave Liebman and Martti Vesela have good jazz set. There are also some good albums on vinyl from WVR Bvby, Bunky Leo and classic reissues from Bernard Wright, Logg, Harry Whitaker and Sons and Daughters of Light. Great 12" singles from Circle City band, George Duke, Gallifre plus 45's from Skullsnaps, Scacy Sound Service, Soul Brothers Six, Poniters Sisters and Prince Phillip Mitchell. #RSD18 - starts 8am tomorrow! Tomorrow Sat...
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2 days to go ’til #RSD18!

As many of you are aware this Saturday is Record Store Day , the one day of the year that focuses on independent record shops like Soul Brother Records. This is the 10th year that we have celebrated Record store day. I look forward to welcoming as many of you to our store on Saturday to enjoy the great vibe of the day, see the our recently extended store and our new 45's display area. There are over 500 exclusive limited edition vinyl releases being released on the day. We will be stocking over 350 titles including many import titles not on the UK...