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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
This 1977 album from Roy Ayers guitarist James is one of the best rare groove jazz funk album ever. Featuring an all star line up inc Narada Michael Walden, Gene Torres and Roy Ayers sidemen Justo Almerio and Phillip Woo with the distinctive vocals of Clarice Taylor. ‘Sweet Power Your Embrace’ is an anthem that has all the hallmarks , driving rhythm, phat beats, eerie keyboards and those vocals ! The more urgent and percussive ‘Free’, ‘I’ve Got My Eye On You’ and ‘Rhythm Of Life’ and the mid tempo dancer ‘Slick City’ are also popular tracks. Also check the...
Jazz is full of unsung heroes, men and women whose talent did not receive full recognition that may be they should. Hank Mobley is one such figure. The tenor saxophonist had the (mis)fortune to be contemporary with arguably the three of the greatest Jazz exponents of this instrument – John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Stan Getz, not to mention Dexter Gordon. Mobley’s art was defined by the beauty of his playing – its smoothness and soulfulness – as well as his prodigious writing. Hank was to Hard Bop what Grover Washington Jr was to Jazz Funk, ‘Soul Station is an...
Mark Murphy is the archetypal Jazz singer; the term vocaleese was almost invented for him. His clear diction, pure tone and jazzy delivery earmarked Murphy as a singer of rare talent and one of post Hard Bop’s true singing legends. He combined style, incredible technique and a sense of humour. He displayed a level of improvisation and spontaneity that many contemporary Jazz Musicians would be proud to achieve. Mark was able to find and express the inner meaning of a song, spin it around and deliver it in a new and fresh way. He was always achingly hip, his incredible...
