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Mongo teams up the great Latin diva La Lupe in the early 60s for a tasty set of Latin Jazz and Descargas. The band includes the great set of players Mongo was using at this time – including Marty Sheller, Pat Patrick and Bobby Capers, plus Kako sits in on percussion, though La Lupe sings on only about half of the tracks. 9 numbers in all, including "Besito Pa Ti", "Canta Bajo", "Montuneando", "Oye Este Guaganco", "Esta Mambo", "Quiet Stroll", "Que Linda Son", and "Kiniqua".

An amazing new chapter in the career of Robert Glasper – one of our favorite new jazz musicians of the past decade or so! This set features loads of Glasper's enigmatic piano lines – those fluid, elliptical sounds that are always filled with plenty of soul and imagination – matched here with guest vocals from a host of key talents – including Erykah Badu, Lalah Hathaway, Musiq Soulchild, Meshell Ndegeocello, Bilal, and Lupe Fiasco! The blend is surprisingly wonderful – not a sell out at all, but a way for Glaspar's music to reach a rich new level of expression – as the vocals really help the instrumental elements come alive – and unlock this side of Robert's potential that was always lurking in the background. One of the best musical moments we've heard from Blue Note in years – with titles that include "Always Shine", "Move Love", "Ah Yeah", "Lift Off", "Afro Blue", "Cherish The Day", "Black Radio", and "Letter To Hermione".

Amazing work from the contemporary African underground – put together by the same folks who produced the Congotronics package! The focus this time around is the style dubbed Karindula – music based around an instrument that's essentially a giant banjo made out of an oil barrel, a goat skin, four strings, and an empty bag of powdered milk – often used in this sharp, staccato style that's very rhythmic, and which feels electric, even when acoustic – giving some of this music the same bold drive as Congotronics! The set is a great document of this up and coming style – and comes with a DVD of performances, and a CD of great music that includes "Beggars Banquet" by Bana Simba, "Kiyongo" by Bana Lupemba, "Mado Mado" by BBK, and "Banani Batawina Bena Ngoma" by Bena Ngoma.

An amazing new chapter in the career of Robert Glasper – one of our favorite new jazz musicians of the past decade or so! This set features loads of Glasper's enigmatic piano lines – those fluid, elliptical sounds that are always filled with plenty of soul and imagination – matched here with guest vocals from a host of key talents – including Erykah Badu, Lalah Hathaway, Musiq Soulchild, Meshell Ndegeocello, Bilal, and Lupe Fiasco! The blend is surprisingly wonderful – not a sell out at all, but a way for Glaspar's music to reach a rich new level of expression – as the vocals really help the instrumental elements come alive – and unlock this side of Robert's potential that was always lurking in the background. One of the best musical moments we've heard from Blue Note in years – with titles that include "Always Shine", "Move Love", "Ah Yeah", "Lift Off", "Afro Blue", "Cherish The Day", "Black Radio", and "Letter To Hermione".