Review: Brute Force was a unique jazz-funk group that released their only album in 1970 on Mann's Embryo label and had it produced by the legendary Herbie Mann. They bridged the gap between heavy rhythm and blues and the emerging jazz-rock revolution led by Miles Davis and their connection to Mann was strengthened by the inclusion of guitarist Sonny Sharrock, who played on the album's first half while also part of Mann's supergroup. Featuring Richard Daniel's distinctive electric piano and his trumpet-playing brother Ted, who went on later to become a key figure in New York's downtown jazz scene, this one has a captivating and timeless atmosphere to this day.
Review: Miami's Far Produce are fresh faces, but their sound is full of respect for times past, building on classic soul jazz by bringing it a modern instrumental twist. Led by two Studio City, CA natives - Addison Rifkind on guitar and Michael Duffy on drums - Fat Produce deliver a veritable cornucopia of fruits and groceries to chew on here. 7" A-sider 'Sticky Beets' turns our inners red, as we're led to imagine chowing down on the perfect beetroot yield and the funky euphoria that inevitably follows ingestion of such a delicacy. B-sider 'Son!', meanwhile, draws on an amalgamation of several Bay Area-inspired grooves - Duffy is a walking rhythmic encyclopaedia - set against an improvised, on-the-fly groove first laid down by Rifkind, whose hook-worthiness is unmistakable here.
Review: Following on from their release of Graham Collier's outstanding performance from Stockholm Jazz Days in 1969, thoughtfully curated label My Only Desire turn their attention to Brit Jazz with a new series of 7" records shining a light on less-heralded talents. Kevin Figes is a saxophonist, flutist and composer who has previously played with the likes of Keith Tippett and released an album on Pig Records in 2021. Here, he's playing with a full band line-up including Riaan Vosloo on bass, Tony Orrell on drums, Jim Blomfield on piano, Raphael Clarkson on trombone and Peter Judge on trumpet. The two pieces - one composed by Elton Dean and the other by the aforementioned Tippett - are a fine tribute to the legacy of British jazz.
Review: Limited edition 7" comes in just 500 copies and features the American soul-jazz band from San Diego, California, known as The Greyboy Allstars. Memners Karl Denson, Elgin Park, Aaron Redfield, Chris Stillwell and Robert Walter have released six albums to date and originally formed as a backing band for rare groove star DJ Greyboy. Here though is the title track of their 'A Town Called Earth' long player from 1997 and it is one that is sure to appeal to jazz and funk heads who enjoy Pharaoh Sanders and Thembi. The band played seven live-streams during the pandemic and proved they still very much have it.
Review: Since being founded in 2013 in Rome, Sonor Music Editions has become a treasure trove of archival music that was originally made for films, radio and television. The mysterious Mandrassi & Zollinger, here backed by the I Beati studio band, cooked up one such killer but hitherto unknown library session, Rhythm & Sound, back in 1973. Andreassi is said to one of the first female library music composers and likely the release of this album is going to change how she is perceived. It's packed with endless breaks, superb funk grooves and plenty of chasing beats with a loose, live jam session feel that makes it all the more vibrant.
Review: Detroit label and weekly party Funk Night rolls out another unmissable 7" here in the form of The Oscillators, who bring a late night and woozy sound to lo-fi production aesthetics. 'The Scoop' is a slow motion and psychedelic tinged groove with squealing guitar leads taking you into melon twisting territory while the flutes keep things in the here and now and the dusty drums rumble on. It is truly intense. 'Spare Cheeks' then has a more upbeat funk feel led by nice horns and a more silky and seductive groove, particularly the lithe bass.
Popular Culture: Community Music Vol 4(coloured vinyl LP + MP3 download code (comes in different coloured vinyl, we cannot guarantee which colour you will recieve))
Review: Tiki Tumbao keeps up the early pressure of their first few releases with a fine debut from The Swizzlas. This raw mix of soul and funk speaks of the group's deep roots in Southern Florida and New Orleans. It brings upright bass, crunchy drums and myriad funky riffs that never stop percolating and keep you on your toes. That's the exquisite A-side while on the flip you get the short but sweet 'Dippin Deux' which is a rolling instrumental with organ chords and neat riffs.
Review: Still Life is the new album by Sachal Vasandani, the acclaimed vocalist, and Romain Collin, a noted pianist. They first linked up back in 2021 for the fine Midnight Shelter album which was emotive and intimate. That one reworked both classic and modern songs with some new moments in between and this one again reworks some classics by the likes of Billie Eilish, Paul Simon, Sam Smith, Peter Gabriel and others. It makes for something again lyrically powerful with beautifully emotive tunes and real honesty at their core. These personal reworks are things of real joy.
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