The female member of the X Clan posse weighs in with the title track, "Face The Bass", "Great Pimpstress", "Wizard of Optics", "State of Mind" and 6 others.... read more
The Isleys sure aren't out to prevent teen pregnancy with the title of this set – but given the strength of the album, we can easily forgive them for any lack of social consciousness! In an era when countless young artists are copping the Isley groove of the 70s, the Brothers are back to... read more
Utsumi Izuru —
Utsumi ... CD
Flower (Japan),
2002. Used ....
$4.99
Jazzy samples with an earthy edge – worked together in some magical soundscapes that also manage to groove nicely at the best moments! One of the more "organic" titles in the hip catalog of the Japanese Flower Records label – and a compelling release that takes us back to... read more
J Dilla —
Shining ... CD
BBE (UK),
2006. Used ....
$6.99
A glorious send off from J Dilla – with some of the most soulful productions Dilla's ever laid down – and appearances by Common, D'Angelo, Pharoahe Monch, Madlib, MED, Black Thought and others! It's impossible to listen to The Shining without considering the sad circumstances... read more
Bold 80s soul from Jermaine Jackson – a set that's heavy on beats and keyboards, but which still leaves enough space for his gentler-toned vocals! The upbeat tracks here sometimes get a bit dramatic, which makes us like the ballads more – sweeter-styled numbers that are much better... read more
A beautiful combination we'd like to hear more of – one that comes from the meeting of Milt Jackson's vibes and the guitar of Wes Montgomery – both recorded here in easygoing brilliance! The session's a nice break from the usual sound of both players at the time – and although... read more
A smoking second album from Rebbie Jackson – a set that has Rebbie working with strong production help from two of the bigger aspects of the Columbia Records soul family in the 80s – Tito Jackson and Reggie Lucas, who each handle a handful of songs along with David Conley and Howie Rice.... read more
Etta James —
At Last ... CD
Chess/MCA,
1960. Used ....
$3.99
Wonderfully sophisticated soul from Etta James – a real departure from the raw shouting R&B of earlier years, and perfectly set to sparkling arrangements by the great Riley Hampton (who'd had similar success with Walter Jackson, Lorez Alexandria, and other Chicago soul stars.) Hampton's... read more
The great Jesse James – still going strong! We've loved Jesse for decades – from his great 60s album on 20th Century, through his important 70s underground singles, and even into his later bluesy years – a great place for James' talents in the later generation! This album's... read more
A nice little second set from Javier – funky, chunky, and with a stripped-down sound that's mighty nice! The record avoids the sometimes sophmore tendencies to pack things up a bit more than before – and Javier's held onto all of the charm that made his first record so nice, and most... read more
A bit more mature than Joelma's debut album – mostly still catchy pop tunes, but sung with a deeper sense of spirit overall. Some of the tracks are Brazilian originals, and others tunes given Portuguese lyrics for the set – and as before, arrangements are by Willy Join, a man with a... read more
Second volume of the two LP set that compiled JJ's bop trombone sides for Blue Note. Great stuff, and arguably among some of his best work. The arrangements are tight, and JJ's in the company of great rhythm players like Kenny Clarke, Horace Silver, and Paul Chambers, who make the sessions really... read more
Arguably the best album that Philly Joe Jones ever cut as a leader – and a straight ahead set of soulful hardbop tunes played in the company of an excellent group! The set fits with with some of the super-hip soul jazz sides coming out on Riverside and Jazzland during the late 50s –... read more
2 of Quincy Jones' groundbreaking 60s soundtracks on one CD! The material here isn't funky like his 70's work, and shows Quincy more in a dark brooding thriller vein. The Pawnbroker score has an orchestra filled with great jazz players like Freddie Hubbard, Anthony Ortega, Oliver Nelson, Elvin... read more
Quite possibly the greatest album ever cut by pianist Duke Jordan – a seminal force in bop, both for his writing and playing – but an artist who rarely ever got the chance to work as a leader! This session's a prime bit of lost Blue Note – with an unusual and edgey lineup that... read more
Ronny Jordan —
Antidote ... CD
4th & Broadway,
1992. Used ....
$6.99
A classic bit of London funky guitar from Ronny Jordan – the heir apparent to Grant Green and Ivan Boogaloo Joe Jones – and one of the best new players of his generation! The set takes the older funky guitar styles of the 60s soul jazz generation, and fuses it with a 90s nujazz... read more
The sound of global soul in the 21st Century – and an amazing set from the soon-to-be legendary Seu Jorge! Jorge's possibly best known for his appearances in films over the past few years – like The Life Aquatic or City Of God – but take it from us, he's one of the greatest... read more
Theo Jorgensmann —
Fellowship ... CD
Hat Hut (Switzerland),
1998. Used ....
$9.99
A pair of funky soul sets from the early 80s by Junie – Bread Alone and 5 back-to-back in one set! Bread Alone is a nice batch of slicked up funk – not as crazy has his stoned-out albums on Westbound, but just as great overall! There's plenty of 80s bass pedal whomping in the mix, but... read more
Includes the tracks "Mudskipper" (original mix, Portishead So So mix, and Henry & Louis Steppers mix) and "Substrata" (Eat Static mix and original mix).... read more
The album that catapulted Jurassic 5 from the underground! Quality Control is one of the great hip hop albums, a record that's filled with great tracks, yet flows along as the ultimate headphones experience. The rhymes by Zaakir, Chali 2na, Akil, and Marc 7even are top notch in group dynamics and... read more
The second album from Washington's K'Alyn – a great singer/songwriter with a magically soulful feel! K'Alyn's music has a great blend of warm styles with light acoustic touches – one that takes us back to the glory days of Donnie Hathaway and Bill Withers, but with a style that's also... read more
An 80s soul classic from Kashif – an artist who really helped transform R&B at the time, all without the benefit of a last name! The album's completely arranged and produced by Kashif himself – cementing the reputation he'd begun working behind other artists in the earlier part of... read more
29 tracks in all, with quite a few guest appearances by rappers such as Keith Murray, Jay Z, Nas and others. Includes "Home Alone", "Did You Ever Think", "Ghetto Queen", "We Ride", "OnlyThe Loot Can Make Me Happy", "If I'm Wit You", "... read more