Quite a soul-based set from the great George Duke – a set that not only features his strong keyboards, but also a fair bit of vocals from singers Phil Perry, Jeffery Osborne, and James Ingram – all of whom are a great fit for Duke's evolving sound! Duke had worked heavily with singers on many other albums – and even produced for some of these artists as well – but the vibe here is also more of an extension into 90s modes, both for fusion and R&B – with a few lingering traces of his 80s work, but also a leaner style at times that's nicely appreciated. Titles include "Love Ballad", "Children Of The Night", "Miss Wiggle", "Brazilian Coffee", "This Lovin", "Mystery Eyes", and "Same Ole Love". This Japanese CD edition includes 3 bonus tracks: "560 SL", "Fuzzzion" and "Rise Up". CD

Sweet sweet Quincy! Although the Q's probably best remembered round these parts for his funky 70s work or classic 60s soundtracks, we also have to admit that we love him for his mellow grooves – the sly and seductive tunes that often hid out amidst his albums of the 70s and 80s, and which also featured early work by singers that later went onto much greater fame. This excellent set brings together 17 of those wonderful mellow moments – stretching back to some of Quincy's important collaborative A&M efforts of the 70s, and running up to some of his best work of more recent vintage. Titles include "Superwoman" and "Love Me By Name", with Patti Austin; "Body Heat", with Leon Ware; "I'm Gonna Miss You In The Morning", with Luther Vandross & Patti Austin; "Velas" and "The Getaway", with Toots Thielemans; "How Do You Keep The Music Playing" and "Baby Come To Me", with Patti Austin & James Ingram; "The Places You Find Love", with Siedah Garrett, Chaka Khan, & Herbie Hancock; "The Secret Garden", with El DeBarge, James Ingram, Al B Sure, & Barry White; "Sax In The Garden", with Barry White & Kirk Whalum; "Turn Out The Lamplight", with George Benson; and "Just Once", with James Ingram. CD

A really all-star performance from Quincy Jones – one done at the Budweiser Superfest, and which features vocal contributions from James Ingram, Patti Austin, Ashford & Simpson, and Michael Jackson! Q is at the height of his R&B production years here – and he translates that studio magic into a stunning live performance, with help from all-star giants in the instrumental lineup – including Greg Phillinganes and Rod Temperton on keyboards and a bit of vocals too! The set was originally recorded for radio broadcast – and titles include "Love Is In Control", "Razzamatazz", "Stuff Like That", "Ai No Corrida", "Just Once", "Do You Love Me", and "One Hundred Ways". LP, Vinyl record album

A very strange record from Chicago! The album features one side of soul jazz piano work by the Lafayette Leake trio – a bluesy group from Chicago that feature Leake on piano, Clifton James on drums, and Willie Dixon on bass. They play one very long track called "Soul Wrinkles", with lots of nice changes, and a good live feel. The flipside of the record features radio DJ E. Rodney Jones reciting an extended work called "Might Is Right", with backing "courtesy of Chess Records". The work is vaguely political, and has a similar sound to records by Gary Byrd and Jim Ingram – although less funky. A strange one, but a great relic of the kind of indie record scene that once helped spread knowledge and wisdom through the African American community. LP, Vinyl record album

Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Printup, Riley Mullins, Roger Ingram, Russell Gunn, Ryan Kisor, and Seneca Black on trumpet, Wess Anderson on clarinet, alto and soprano saxophone, James Carter on clarinet, bass clarinet, and baritone saxophone, Victor Goines on clarinet, tenor and soprano saxophone and bass clarinet, Walter Blanding on soprano saxophone, Robert Stewart on tenor saxophone, Ron Westray and Wayne Goodman on trombone, Wycliffe Gordon on trombone and tuba, Michael Ward on violin, Eric Reed on piano, Reginald Veal on bass, and Herlin Riley on drums and tambourine with vocals from Cassandra Wilson, Jon Hendricks, and Miles Griffith. CD

Features vocals by Rachelle Ferrell, James Ingram, Marvin Winans, and the Emotions. CD

An unusual Japanese-only live album from Quincy Jones – with vocals by Patti Austin and James Ingram – plus harmonica from Toots Thielemans, keyboards from Greg Phillinganes and Rod Temperton, and backings from the Japanese Sharps and Flats group of Nobuo Hara! Includes versions of "Ironsides", "Just Once", "Manteca", "Razzamatazz", "Bluesett", "Stuff Like That", and "Ai No Corrida". LP, Vinyl record album