Review: This vibrant 1969 release captures the raw energy of Latin soul and funk, a perfect snapshot of Spanish Harlem's musical melting pot. With tight grooves and infectious percussion, the ensemble delivers tracks that feel alive with cultural and rhythmic vitality. Each arrangement draws from the boogaloo era's creativity, blending soulful melodies with sharp, danceable rhythms. This reissue offers a chance to experience a key moment in New York's Latin music history with its unmistakable blend of genres.
Umi No Mieru Machi (Kiki's Delivery Service) (3:42)
Yasashisa Ni Tsutsumaretanara (Kiki's Delivery Service) (2:40)
Kaze No Torimichi (My Neighbor Totoro) (3:34)
Tonari No Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro) (3:28)
Jinsei No Merrygoround (Howl's Moving Castle) (3:18)
County Road (Whisper Of The Heart) (3:45)
The Princess Mononoke (The Princess Mononoke) (2:17)
Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind (Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind) (3:08)
Nausicaa Requiem (Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind) (1:50)
Tokiniwa Mukashino Hanashi Wo (Porco Rosso) (3:43)
Gake No Ue No Ponyo (Ponyo) (2:53)
Review: Ghibli Jazz by All That Jazz took the world by storm upon its release, quickly selling out in Japan and abroad, leading to multiple re-pressings. Now available in a charming new colour edition, this instrumental cover album offers a jazzy reinterpretation of classic Ghibli tunes, beautifully blending drums, bass and piano, with horns and wind instruments adding extra flair. Featuring 12 tracks, the album includes three vocal pieces, 'HELLO!' and 'DEAR!', sung by Yuriko Kuwahara of COSMiC HOME, known for her crystal-clear vocals which bring a fresh dynamic to an otherwise instrumental collection. The simplicity of the arrangements, combined with the familiar melodies of Ghibli soundtracks, creates a soothing yet vibrant atmosphere and continues to charm with its elegant jazz spin on beloved classics.
Review: Joe Bataan's 1968 sophomore album Riot! is considered a cornerstone of Latin soul and the record that truly cemented his reputation as the genre's king. Backed by the dynamic Latin Swingers band, Bataan masterfully blends Afro-Cuban rhythms, soul and funk with his signature streetwise flair. Tracks like 'It's a Good Feeling' and the title song capture the energy and emotion of late-1960s urban life while reflecting both personal and societal struggles. Its infectious grooves, raw vocal delivery and tight instrumentation mean that this one remains a timeless classic that continues to resonate across the generations.
Review: Bill Evans' Waltz for Debby, recorded live at the Village Vanguard in 1962, epitomizes jazz's intimate and expressive qualities. As a companion piece to Sunday at the Village Vanguard, this album features Evans' trio in a nuanced, emotional performance that showcases his distinctive approach to jazz piano. The Analogue Productions reissue on 200-gram Clarity Vinyl, pressed at 45 RPM, is crafted to offer an exceptional listening experience. Notable tracks such as 'Waltz for Debby,' along with classics like 'My Foolish Heart' and 'Detour Ahead,' highlight Evans' introspective improvisations and lyrical style. The live recording's atmosphere, with the audience's subtle presence, adds to the album's genuine appeal. This special pressing and full edition is one of the most well produced reissues we have seen in some time. The care, love and hours gone into this is immeasurable .
Review: Bobby Caldwell is one of those singers who has spanned multiple generations, not least because plenty of his work has been sampled in the years since by notable hip hop artists. He arrived on the scene in the 70s and soon became known for his velvet smooth soul sounds but also the versatility of his voice. His biggest single came on his debut self-titled album which like this one is now being reissued by Be With. Cat In The Hat came two years later and eventually went on to become gold-certified in the US and platinum in Japan. It's a fine mix of seductive funk sounds from the US great.
Marcia Stilo Italiano (From The Godfather II) (1:54)
End Title (From The Godfather II) (4:13)
Marcia Religiosa (From The Godfather III) (4:22)
Marcia Festa (From The Godfather III) (1:41)
The Immigrant/Love Theme (From The Godfather III) (2:29)
Intermezzo (From The Godfather III) (3:25)
Preludio From Cavalleria Rusticana (From The Godfather III) (6:11)
Coda (From The Godfather III) (2:08)
Review: Film buffs will be smitten by this blood-splattered vinyl copy of The Godfather Trilogy's soundtrack, performed by The City Of Prague's Philharmonic Orchestra, interpreting Nino Rota's original works. Across two discs spanning 19 original pieces - from 'The Godfather Waltz', to the infamous establishing scene dreamlike of the Sicilian landsacpe, for which 'Sicilian Pastorale' sets the mood - this rendition is almost certainly an offer you can't refuse.
Review: Here it is: the all-time great album that popularised jazz for the masses, and which carries the genre's torch to this day. Most works by Coltrane serve as good introductions to jazz’s endemic practice of through-composition, but A Love Supreme (1964, Impulse!) is arguably among his best works to come in four suites; to quarter a technically singular piece. Widely recognised as the moment at which John all-aboarded the Soul ‘Trane, the album marked the apogee of a wave of popular analyses of US jazz records as holding special spiritual significance. This early vaunting may have fed into its popularity into the present day; but we cannot gloss over the fact that such elevations in status do not tend to come without supreme merit, and more level-headed takes on the LP simply interpret it as one of the most impeccably performed, precisely timed jazz records of its day. Remastered for the esteemed Analogue Productions series, its everlasting flame is rekindled.
Review: This newly reissued classic is the iconic debut album by the legendary French jazz-funk band Cortex, first released in 1975. The group was initially formed only a year earlier by Alain Mion, Alain Gandolfi and Jeff Huttner, but Cortex quickly became a favourite among funky jazz collectors. Recorded in just two days, the album blends a unique mix of flavours and has a rather unclassifiable and stunning electric groove. With its fresh, warm and funky vibes, Troupeau Bleu has been a timeless LP for many years and one that has been influencing producers worldwide ever since its release: it's been sampled by renowned artists like Rick Ross, Madlib, DJ Day and DJ Cam, thereby cementing its status as must-have.
Lifetime - "I'll Bet You Thought I'd Never Find You" (4:21)
Tres Men - "Samba De-La Cruz" (4:32)
Miho Nobuzane - "Ponteio" (6:52)
El Caballo Y Su Orquesta - "Mambo De Papi" (3:05)
Review: The Jazz Dance Fusion series is a compilation-based series collecting some of the finest songs in the Jazzdance, Latin Jazz and Fusion. Each volume is careful cultivated by the well-known British DJ Colin Curtis. After the first three successful editions, the fourth boasts tracks like 'Mother Of The Future" by Venus Dodson, 'I Face East' by Mary Greer Mudiku and 'Ponteio' by Miho Nobuzane, to name but a few. Volume Four Part 2 is spread across two pieces of vinyl housed in a beautiful gatefold vinyl. If you are a jazz fan looking for a compilation to expand your knowledge and love the style, then look no further than this one here! Thanks ro Colin Curtis for continuing to curate such a great series!
Review: The Brazil 45s / Mr Bongo outlet is back with its classic moves, coming through with some truly special soul blends out of the Brazilian golden era. Dalila and Neyde Alexandre feature in this latest 7", the former with 1968's "Canto Chorado", a slow-burning bubble of funky exotica - surely impossible to find in its original shade - and the latter with a funky little bomb from 1971 by the name of "Perplexidade" - surely the smoothest, sexiest soul number out this week! Lovely stuff.
Review: Mr Bongo restock a brilliant 7" in their signature Brazil 45s series. The nineteenth to grace it, this blue-starred slice of small wax shone a light on Wilson das Neves' brilliant cover of Average White Band's 'Pick Up The Pieces' on the A, as well as a Mr Bongo fave on the B, Som Tres' potent samba-funk overflow 'Tanga'. The former flexes the historic muscles of a mythic Brazilian percussionist and vibesman, lending fidgety soft feels to AWB's already lull-lifting concoction; then 'Tanga' contrasts to this sense of measuredness with pure animal verve, as Tres' calls out to his bandmates commandingly amid whirlwinds of piano and drums.
Review: For all but the most ardent followers of jazz and diehard Miles Davis fans, it can be hard to keep up with the many different albums he put out alongside his Quintet. That Quintet, often said to be the greatest in all of jazz history thanks to including Miles on trumpet next to John Coltrane on tenor, Red Garland on keys, bass from Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones on drums, put out several long players with very similar titles including this one, Miles: The New Miles Davis Quintet, in 1956. It is one of the earlier works from the then newly formed band and the songs in it are a mix of pop and jazz standards.
Review: Mark De Clive Lowe is an artist who infuses every inch of his musical output with a jazz influence. The Kiwi keys man with an illustrious back catalogue has more than proved himself in the field of deep house, broken beat and more, and now he's paying tribute to one of the true greats of spiritual jazz, Pharoah Sanders. Across an expansive double LP, De Clive Lowe looks with care through the vast legacy of Sanders' work, and delivers his own unique interpretations of such important pieces as 'Astral Travelling' and 'The Creator Has A Master Plan'.
Review: Kenny Dorham and Jackie McLean's Inta Somethin' is a vibrant snapshot of their performance at San Francisco's Jazz Workshop in late 1961. Jackie Mac's prowess shines brightly as he delivers a compelling rendition of 'Una Mas' a year prior to its Blue Note release. Backed by Leroy Vinnegar, Walter Bishop and Art Taylor, the ensemble crafts a dynamic and exhilarating atmosphere as McLean's virtuosity is on full display, captivating listeners with his electrifying playing style. Inta Somethin' is proof of the skills of these jazz giants and is a great window into their live repertoire and sense of musical innovation.
Review: German saxophonist Johannes Enders is the dynamic tour de force behind this new record which draws inspiration from Pharoah Sanders' emotional intensity. Along with his band, he creates a unique and original sound that is never derivative of its influences but instead works them into all new forms. Through nine carefully crafted compositions, the musicians build a bridge back to Sanders' legacy while showcasing their own interpretation of his style. The result is a blend of deep, soulful jazz that expands upon Sanders' musical foundations with plenty of swing.
Review: The newly unearthed 1970 Kongsberg Jazz Festival recording showcases Bill Evans' trio in a vibrant live setting. Featuring bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Marty Morell, this performance highlights the trio's evolving synergy. Recorded during Evans' methadone transition, the set reveals a newfound energy in his playing, marked by dynamic tempos and a percussive vigor distinct from the introspection of his earlier live recordings. The tracklist balances brisk renditions of standards like 'So What' and 'Autumn Leaves' with contemplative pieces such as 'Quiet Now' and 'Some Other Time'. Highlights include the mid-tempo elegance of 'Turn Out the Stars' and the emotive 'What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?' Gomez's bass solos feature prominently, particularly on 'Come Rain or Come Shine' and 'Nardis', where his virtuosity shines. Morell's nuanced brushwork complements Evans' shifts in mood, particularly during the tender ballads. The setlist, reportedly tailored on the spot, reflects Evans' knack for adapting to his audience. The interplay among the trio is masterful, underscoring their tight rapport. This release is both a historical document and a compelling listen for fans of Evans' artistry.
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