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Completely sublime grooves from GQ – a second set that's almost even better than their first – thanks to perfect production, and wicked rhythms that are right on the money, track after track! The group start the set with a flurry of upbeat grooves that really show the full potential of ensemble funk at the end of the 70s – tight cuts that steer far from any disco or dancefloor cliches, and which have a bass-heavy sound that's completely infectious! Then, they flip things over with an equally great batch of ballads – mellow cuts that show that the group can handled the slower side of the tempo scale too – a perfect balance that really earns them the class you'd guess from a name like GQ. The set features a killer remake of Billy Stewart's "Sitting In The Park", plus the cuts "Standing Ovation", "Is It Cool", "Someday In Your Life", "Lies", "GQ Down", "Don't Stop This Feeling", and "Reason For The Season".

Completely sublime grooves from GQ – a second set that's almost even better than their first – thanks to perfect production, and wicked rhythms that are right on the money, track after track! The group start the set with a flurry of upbeat grooves that really show the full potential of ensemble funk at the end of the 70s – tight cuts that steer far from any disco or dancefloor cliches, and which have a bass-heavy sound that's completely infectious! Then, they flip things over with an equally great batch of ballads – mellow cuts that show that the group can handled the slower side of the tempo scale too – a perfect balance that really earns them the class you'd guess from a name like GQ. The set features a killer remake of Billy Stewart's "Sitting In The Park", plus the cuts "Standing Ovation", "Is It Cool", "Someday In Your Life", "Lies", "GQ Down", "Don't Stop This Feeling", and "Reason For The Season". CD features great bonus tracks – "Reason For The Season (12" version)", and "Standing Ovation (single version)".

A wicked little collection that really lives up to its name – a set that's filled with warmth and good energy throughout – not to mention a great array of overlooked soul tracks too! Most of the numbers here are lesser-known gems from the late 70s and early 80s – upbeat, but not in a disco way – and usually somewhere in a space between modern soul and boogie, which works perfectly for the positive vibes of the tunes! There's a soaring feel that definitely takes off from an Earth Wind & Fire sort of style – and although most of the artists here are familiar, you'll really be surprised at the tracks chosen for the set. Titles include "Love Vibes" by The Emotions, "Something On Your Mind" by Melba Moore, "Razzle Dazzle" by Heatwave, "Better Things" by Sylvia St James, "Riding" by Michael Henderson, "Can You See Where I'm Coming From" by Instant Funk, "All In The Way You Get Down" by Ray Parker Jr & Raydio, "Sweet Fire" by Mighty Fire, "Here I Am" by Dynasty, "No One" by Flakes, "Love Is Such A Crazy Thing" by The Spinners, "Wonderful" by GQ, and "When I'm Dancin" by Lenny Williams.

Here you go – everything you'll need to recreate the magic of the old days, except the cocaine! 2LPs worth of classic club tracks – including "In The Bush" by Musique, "YMCA" by Village People, "Let's All Chant" by Michael Zager Band, "Hot Shot" by Karen Young, "Got To Be Real" by Cheryl Lynn, "Hot Jungle Drums" by DC La Rue, "Le Freak" by Chic, and "Disco Nights" by GQ.

Amazing sounds from the legendary Chris McGregor – a rare set of solo piano performances that shows a whole new side of his genius! The music here is still steeped in South African roots, yet has a style that's a bit more personal and intimate than some of Chris' better-known recordings with The Brotherhood Of Breath, or The Blue Notes – as McGregor here has to carry all the weight on his own – and does a tremendous job of spinning out these haunting melodies on piano – usually with a rhythmic pulse that's as compelling as the tune! The style's got echoes of previous Afro-inspired piano jazz from Randy Weston or Dollar Brand – but there's a deftness, and sense of feeling here that's completely McGregor's own – a really compelling quality that holds us rapt in ways that few other solo piano sets might do. This CD brings together lots more material than was on the original LP release – over 70s minutes of music, with track sthat include "Call", "Raincloud", "Umhome", "Mngqusho", "The Bride", "In His Good Time", "Ududu Nombambula", "Kwa Tebugo", and "Green Hymn".

A beautiful double-length package of work from drummer Louis Moholo – a 2CD set that features one record from recent years, and a key classic from the 70s! Spirits Rejoice is one of the strongest 70s statements from ex-Blue Notes drummer Moholo – recorded in the company of fellow expatriots and UK avant jazzers that include Johnny Dyani, Evan Parker, Kenny Wheeler, Nick Evans, Radu Malfatti, and Harry Miller. The album shifts easily between strongly rhythmic passages that show Moholo's roots in the South African jazz scene, and other, freer sections that also illustrate his importance in the European avant scene of the 70s – and overall, the record's got a beautifully soulful quality that guides it well through all of these moments. Titles include "Wedding Hymn", "Khanya Apho Ukhona", "Ithi Gqi", "Amaxesha Osizi", and "You Ain't Gonna Know Me". That record is followed here by 1995's Bra Louis Bra Tebs – a session with a similar style, especially in its use of African-inspired rhythms – but one that also features a different lineup, and some great use of vocals! Francine Luce sings on a number of the album's best tracks – in a style that's almost an avant-tuned approach to vocalese, and which seems to carry echoes of Norma Winstone – a voice that's dreamy one minute, challenging the next – and often used as a key instrument in the combo's lineup of tenor, alto, trumpet, piano, bass, and drums. Titles include "Utshaka", "Maybe Of Cause", "Moegoe", "Sonke", and "Lakutshona Ilanga".

An impressive larger project from Wadada Leo Smith – one that features his full compositions played by the Tumo ensemble of Finland – with a range of sounds, tones, and textures that's simply breathtaking! All the spacious, organic elements of Smith's smaller-group work is still in place – but the larger array of players really takes the approach to the next dimension – reaching territory that Leo and contemporaries would never hit on their own – with a depth of feeling and expression that really warrants the double length of the set. In addition to Smith's own trumpet – which solos on most tracks – the set also features a long bass solo from John Lindberg, plus reeds from Juhani Aaltonen, Fredrik Ljungqvist, and Mikko Innanen – plus harlp from Iro Haarla, guitars from Kalle Kalima and Mikko Iivanainen, and trumpet and electronics from Verneri Pohjola. Titles include "The Bell 2", "Queen Hatshepsut", "Mount Kilimanjaro", and 'Crossing On A Southern Road".

Includes tracks by Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi, Louis Mhlanga, the Society Vibes, Pahul Hanmer, Lakim, Ernie Smith, Zim Ngqawana, and more.