Jazzman 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: First released back in 1967 on the Touche label and impossible to find on vinyl ever since, Happiness Is Taking Care of Business, Dig was the sole album from the short-lived Al Tanner Quintet. Yet as this much-needed Jazzman reissue proves, it remains an inspired selection of spiritually enriching modal workouts that makes the most of its talented ensemble. While pianist and bandleader Al Tanner naturally makes his presence felt throughout, flautist/trumpeter George Alexander and tenor saxophonist Roy Henderson also deliver inspired solos, while the rhythm section of drummer William 'Smiley' Winters and bassist Edgar Williams are also on fine form throughout.

Review: Benedic Lamdin's Nostalgia 77 project has been on something of a hiatus for the past eight years, during which time the Brit jazz scene he's always helped cultivate has positively exploded. Now's a great time then to welcome him back, leaving his usual home of Tru Thoughts behind and settling into a new groove on Jazzman, delivering a beautiful, winsome set in the shape of The Loneliest Flower In The Village. It's a classically informed set which errs on the mellow, spiritual side of the jazz spectrum - a sound that's oh so easy to sink into and escape the stress and strife of modern life.

Review: Originally released in 1973, Prof James Benson's seminal album, The Gow Dow Experience is a project that has an amazing story accompanying it. An entirely self-released project, Prof Benson's intention was to record these sessions so that his students at Cal Poly in California would have a special memento of what they had achieved together. Taking inspiration from their recent trip to Africa and blended with the radical jazz emerging from Black American artist's in the 70s, it was a momentous achievement for him and his young protegees. Jazzman's re-release also includes four tracks from the recording session that, until now, have never been released - they're well worth the wait, we promise!

Review: "Sketching The Unknown" is a terrific name for an album, particularly for a deep modal jazz set that aims to draw maximum influence from "the folk and modal music of ancient Greece". We're not knowledgeable enough on Greek musical traditions to say whether or not saxophonist Sokratis Votskos and his quartet have successfully accomplished that aim, but we can confirm that "Sketching The Unknown" is superb. Brilliantly arranged, played and produced with surprises around every corner, it's one of the boldest and inventive jazz sets we've heard for some time. There's no fusion antics, sampled hip-hop beats or modern studio trickery, just five high quality jazz cuts that sound like they will last the test of time.

Review: While previous instalments of Jazzman's essential Spiritual Jazz series have focused on killer cuts and rare gems from the past (specifically material recorded between the 1950s and '80s), the thirteenth volume shines a light on what's happening right now. This second part (of two) successfully showcases the best of the contemporary scene, showcasing cuts from around the world that neatly encapsulate the breadth and diversity of 21st century spiritual jazz. The plentiful highlights include the exotic, Eastern-tinged spiritualism of Wildflower's 'Flute Song', the futurist jazz-funk deepness of Steve Reid's 'For Coltrane', the layered vocals and acoustic instrumentation of Angel Bat Dawid's 'What Should I Tell My Children Who Are Black' and the sparkling, sun-soaked positivity of 'Nova' by Menagerie.

Review: Jazzman recently served up a big and freaky old collection of Halloween themed jazz sounds from Greasy Mike. Now the venerated digger and collector opens up his archives once more for another deep dive, this time under the heading of 'Shipwrecked On A Tropical Island.' As such these are Afro-tinged jazz sounds with shimmering steel drums and gently breaking waves. There are Afro-Cuban spinners like Phyllis Branch's 'Babalu' and samba shufflers full of soul. An epic and escapist collection that takes you to another world.

Review: Jazzman Records add to the legacy of saxophonist John Coltrane with this latest tribute compilation. Few artists, in the words of the label, "produce work that is so moving it's considered sacred." But that is exactly what has happened with John Coltrane over the years; while the forces that have exalted him to such an extent remain mysterious, we're now left with just the music, of which many of the original compositions have now become jazz standard form. From Norman Conners to Brother Jack McDuff, each covering artist here - masters in their own respects - curtsies before the prophet.

Review: Jazzman have been capitalising on their kinship with revered digger Greasy Mike by offering him a series of compilations which shine a light on some of the wildly rare records contained in his considerable archives. Following prior themes from Middle-Eastern Harem and Shipwrecked On A Tropical Island, Mike turns his attention to "the sublime, seductive sound of the smooth and sultry songstress." You won't find any household names here, but rather a cast of mesmerising, formidable singers set to heartworn jazz ballads. These are no wallflowers and there's more than enough grit to go with their grace, making this a fantastic collection for anyone who savours the sound of 50s and 60s divas with something to say.

Review: Jazzman Records' curatorial moniker Greasy Mike delivers a seventh compilation in his eponymous beatnik jazz series. At The Beatnik Cafe follows up former visits to the Tropical Island, the Chinese Takeaway, and the Halloween haunted house for a trip back in time and place to 1950s New York, netting the sonic essence of the Beat generation. Predominantly comprising swing, bebop and hard bop recorded during and at the turn of the following decade, we're smitten at the likes of Harvey Anderson's 'Monday Night At 8PM', The Seven Arts Beat Society's 'New York Havana', and Cindy Laine's 'Whispering Wind', all of which amount to prototypical, quiet cafe-bound storms, and the perfect complements for free-assocative poetry composition and goatee grooming.

Review: The Spiritual Jazz Series has been going strong since 2008 and has always looked to celebrate a rich tradition of African-American songs that takes inspiration from a belief in a higher force, as well as focussing on certain geographical regions. The stylistic diversity across these traditions is vast. Historic labels like Blue Note, Impulse!, Prestige, and Steeplechase are also featured, offering a treasure trove of music relevant to Spiritual Jazz. Spiritual Jazz 16 focuses on Riverside and its associated labels, founded in 1953 by Orrin Keepnews and Bill Grauer. This era marked the emergence of modern jazz, encompassing bebop, hard bop, cool, modal, and Latin jazz.

Review: Lascelle 'Lascelles' Gordon is the creative powerhouse behind Vibration Black Finger, and once again here he excels on a second album that furthers his magnificent jazz sound. Obscure spiritual sounds of the 70s are the melting pot from which he mostly draws, with plenty of like-minded collaborates all contributing their own skills to the mix. Collective empowerment and personal development all enrich the album and its progressive message, and it was all put together from old ideas on tapes and DATs that he had worked on over the years. Instrumental segues stitch together the thoughtful vocal pieces and moments of real gusto help it stick long in the memory.

Review: Amanda Whiting released her first music back in 2007, but it's been in recent years the accomplished UK harp player has developed a working relationship with Jazzman. N doubt a response to the rude health of UK jazz, 2020 saw the release of Little Sunflower and last year she delivered After Dark. Now Whiting makes it a hat trick with Lost In Abstraction, a stunning release which shows off her gift as a performer and composer across 10 vignettes. There's a mellow mood to the music on offer here, and if you have a weakness for the lilting sound of the harp in a jazz context, be sure not to miss this exquisite album.