A bold step forward for the team of Patrick Forge and Chris Franck – the first Da Lata album in years, and a real departure from the past! The group's still clearly inspired by older Brazilian tunes, but they've also opened their groove up to a much more global horizon – taking on influences from African and Caribbean sources, and working in a style that has a much more organic feel overall. Vocalists on the set include Jhelisa, Baaba Maal, Nina Miranda, and Mamani Keita – and the tracks are awash in some great instrumental touches that include accordion, acoustic guitar, timbales, bells, and tres – in addition to the group's usual mix of samples, keys, and beats! Titles include "Distracted Minds", "Something", "If U Don't Know", "Serious", "Breathe", "Reeling", "Firefly", "Nuts", and "Can It Be". (New Grooves, Global Grooves) CD

A totally wonderful bit of jazz from Guadeloupe – recorded with a bit of American inspiration in the instrumentation, but also plenty of local grooves that really help flesh out the sound! The island combo features alto sax, flugelhorn, and plenty of electric piano – used with a freely fluid style that dances along wonderfully with the open-ended rhythms of the tunes. And while there's certainly a 70s funky jazz sound going on here, the overall execution is a bit more unusual – with some complicated rhythms that stretch out on the longer tracks, and really create a compelling sense of interplay that's quite different from anything in the US at the time! The electric piano is great, and tracks include "Eduardo", "Quand Les Oiseux No Pourront Plus Chanter", "Eduardo Soprano Latino", "Samba Pour Martine", and "Samba Arawak". CD