A great mix of classic covers and original tracks – all served up with a mellow groove and plenty of influence from Jamaican music! Years back, Soul Sugar were more of a jazzy funk combo – but over the years, they've evolved into more of a reggae/rocksteady mode – one that's a perfect setting for the Hammond, Fender Rhodes, and other keyboards handled by Guillaume Metenier – a player who solos strongly on the instrumental tracks, then steps back a bit more on the few vocal numbers that grace the set! One of those, a sweet remake of the Curtis Mayfield classic "The Makings Of You", is worth the price of admission alone – and other tracks include "Black Byrd", "Happy Riddim", "Just A Little Talk", "Fly Away", and "Tubby's Ghost". LP, Vinyl record album

A second great solo album from trumpeter Malcolm Strachan – much more jazz-based than his work in the Haggis Horns, and his backings for a number of other soul artists – delivered with a depth of feeling that would have been missed in a larger ensemble! Strachan's a great soloist throughout – whether working in a small combo mode with a soul jazz vibe, or soaring out over some mellower midtempo arrangements – ala Freddie Hubbard or Art Farmer in a similar mode – and although Strachan's background is in funk, his sense of soloing is pure jazz throughout! Titles include "Nossa Danca", "Elaine", "The Wanderer", "Soul Trip", "Cut To The Chase", and "The Last Goodbye". CD