A smoking batch of funky grooves that has a lot more edge than most of the other work going on at the label at the time! There's echoes of Rick James funk in the mix, but the overall style is looser and freer too – almost with an ear towards some of the indie club styles of the time, yet tuned towards the tightness that you'd expect from Motown at its best. The arrangements are superb, and the band have a way of keeping the ensemble upfront throughout – yet also avoiding any of the cliches that other groups would hit so often. Occasional sweet moments really help balance the sound – and titles include "Shake It Down", "You'll Never Know How Much", "Ain't Got Far To Go", "I'm Not Easy", and "Let The Ozone Take Your Mind". LP, Vinyl record album

A stunningly beautiful set of jazz from the Irish scene of the late 70s – a record that's completely unto its own, without any of the sort of generation-based elements you might expect – very much an individual expression of a really wonderful group! There's a rock-solid sense of timing and composure here – and the tunes don't need a conventional swing to move forward – as the musicians have a confident ability to shape things as they like – almost in the way that Australian jazz musicians of the late 60s and early 70s were completely onto their own thing, and didn't need to reference US or UK modes at all. The group's led by pianist Noel Kelehan, who also seems to play some electric keys here – and the album features great work on soprano and tenor from Keith Donald, and trumpet and flugelhorn from Mike Nolan – both players we don't know at all, but who are great throughout. Rhythm is from Frank Hess on bass and John Wadham on drums – both players whose sensibilities really match those of Kelehan – and titles include "One For Willie", "Spacer's Delight", "Spon Song", "Castle Of DRomore", and "Triers Not Fliers". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A sweet late 70s set from Freddie Hubbard – a slight move away from some of his highly-electric sides of the CTI years, yet one that still has some of the most soulful qualities of that work! Freddie's trumpet has a nicely spacious quality throughout – one that's flowing, and almost glowing at time – cascading along with qualities you might be more likely to hear from Art Farmer on some of the gentler numbers, yet really bursting out with that old Hubbard dynamism on the rest. Other players include Joe Henderson on tenor, Hubert Laws on flute, Kenny Barron on piano and keyboards, Ron Carter on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – and George Benson also guests on guitar on one number too. A good number of the titles are originals, and tracks include "Super Blue", "To Her Ladyship", "Take It To The Ozone", "The Gospel Truth", and "Theme For Kareem". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that's almost a back to basics effort for DJ Shadow, yet one that's also a strong step forward too – basic in that it's a record that's almost all instrumental, with no guests at all – but forward because it's got a leaner groove, and a style that shows just how far Shadow has moved past the more hip hop/turntablist style of his roots! There's almost a cinematic vibe to the music at times – a mode that fits the action adventure of the title, with plenty of cuts that would be right at home on classic soundtracks, especially of the 80s crime/cop/action style – served up with just the right sorts of beats, basslines, and keyboards to echo that era! Titles include "A Narrow Escape", "You Played Me", "Time & Space", "Forever Changed", "She's Evolving", "Reflecting Pool", "Free For All", "Ozone Scraper", and "Witches Vs Warlocks". LP, Vinyl record album