The drums are definitely exciting here – really tight rhythms that drive most of these cuts into a funky frenzy – even if the groove is more based on American soul of the late 60s than the African rock promised in the title! Most of the tunes are covers, but remade here as really hip instrumentals – often with bold work from the Count on his drum kit – which then sets fire to the larger group's blend of tight horns and electric rhythmic instrumentation – all coming across with that perfect cusp of the 70s Japanese jazz sound we love so much! Most tracks are shortish, and very groovy – and titles include "The Cat", "Touch Me", "Amen", "Soul Limbo", "Hold Tight", "Otis Sleep On", "Sidewinder", "Going Up The Country", and "Windy". (Jazz, Japanese) LP, Vinyl record album

A totally wonderful little record that's every bit as sexy as you might guess from the cover – and which also has some of the groovy French elements you might expect from the title! The set's got this slinky, erotic vibe that's almost in Serge Gainsbourg territory – save for the fact that the tunes are mostly instrumental, and Monica Lassen seems mostly on the set to moan, giggle, and make other expressions of pleasure as the set goes on – a bit like the presence of a woman on a sexy French record at the end of the 60s! The music is very cool, too – somewhere in a space between late 60s European soundtrack modes and bossa nova – with lots of cool organ lines, soulful sax, captivating rhythms, and cool effects that further underscore the sound of the set – on titles that include "Dalliance In Wave", "On Rollin Yacht", "A Lodge Of Joy", "Embrace Ment", "Path For Two", and "Che Vuole Quesat Musica Stasere". (Vocalists, Japanese) LP, Vinyl record album

A funky 70s killer from Japanese arranger Norio Maeda – very different than his 60s material, and also different than you might guess from both the image on the cover, and the "samba" in the title! There's some Brazilian influence in the rhythms, but the approach is fuller, richer, and handled with lots of sweet CTI-style electric touches – including great keyboard work from Maeda himself, guitar from Shigeru Suzuki, and nicely strong basslines from Haruomi Hosono – quite a surprise on a set like this! Larger horn lines really top the set in a nice way – and there's great percussion from Motoya Hamaguchi – on titles that include funky jazz takes on "Wave", "Desafinado", "Constant Rain", "Manha De Carnaval", "Summer Samba", and "The Girl From Ipanema". (Jazz, Japanese) LP, Vinyl record album

Toshiyuki Miyama really makes the New Herd cook with this cool 70s session – a smoker of a large group date, and one with a great mix of funky rhythms and complicated instrumentation! The set's got a feel that's as exotic as its cover, yet comes across with a solid, soulful punch throughout – a wonderful blend of elements that always maintains its swing – and which holds onto the older Herd reputation for tightness of horns, while still allowing lots of room for creative instrumental expression. The lineup is large, but often comes across with a nice lean groove – and titles include "Adult's Day", "Hide & Seek", "Sun Shower Parade", "When A Swan Goes To Sleep", and "Grief For Enka". (Jazz, Japanese) LP, Vinyl record album