French bassist Henri Texier has given us some really amazing music over the decades – but this rare gem from the late 70s may be one of his grooviest records overall – and has this criss-crossing of styles that's really fantastic! Texier doesn't just play acoustic bass, but also electric, percussion, and even a bit of oud – which he uses to create this cool global jazz sound, but in a way that's very unique – partly because a number of the tracks have wordless vocals from Henri, kind of floating over the top and really bringing a sense of majesty to the music! If you love Texier's work on acoustic bass, don't worry – as the record also still features plenty of superb work on that instrument too, really captured here with a strong yet subtle sonic quality. Titles include "L'Elephant", "Quand Le Blues S'En Ira", "Les La Bas", "Angele", "Mr Donald Cerise", "L'Ultime Danse", and "Varech". (Jazz, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

A really cool idea for a collection – a set that brings together vintage 70s tracks and more contemporary cuts – all with a globe-spanning ear for a groove, and an approach that's as heavy in soul as you'd expect from the title! This isn't your usual collection of sample tracks or funk classics – as the selection moves way past the obvious, and does a brilliant job of combining tracks we never would have thought to put together – while also introducing us to a number we'd never heard before too! Titles include "Every Time I See Him" by Metropolis, "Eva" by Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti, "O Galho Da Roseira" by Airto, "Apocalypse Now Ho" by Nar'Chiveol, "Wache" by Francisco, "After All" by Soylent Green, "Space Queen" by King Errison, "Robot Man" by Yusef Lateef, "Stay This Way (lunar dub)" by Brand New Heavies, "Le Train" by Chene Noir, "Southern Freez" by On, "The PL (ext edit)" by Typesun, and "Le Cyclope" by Daniel Humair, Francois Jeanneau, and Henri Texier. (Funky Compilations, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album