A tremendous little record, and one of the funky 70s sets that Ramsey Lewis recorded with Earth Wind & Fire! Well, not Earth Wind & Fire entirely – but the Kalimba Productions team of Maurice White and Charles Stepney that gave the group its sound – plus a nice sprinkling of other players that were often associated with sessions by the group! Ramsey's own combo here includes Steve Cobb on drums and vocals, and Derf Reklaw on reeds and vocals as well – and the overall sound has bits of African and Brazilian influences, worked into a soulful fusion groove that sounds a lot like the instrumental backings EWF were using at the time. Titles include "Brazilica", "Slick", "Rubato", "Salongo", and "Seventh Fold". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Phil Upchurch's best records – and one that's a no-nonsense batch of funky instrumentals that feature some really great guitar! Phil's dropped the Hendrix fuzz of some of his Cadet sides of the late 60s – and instead, he's working in a stretched-out chromatic mode that has bits of Wes Montgomery and George Benson – but which also has some of the more soulful undercurrents of the great O'Donel Levy! The album's nicely laidback, and never too slick or smooth – and other players include Tennyson Stephens on Fender Rhodes, Lucy Scott on bass, Steve Cobb on drums, and Derf Reklaw on percussion. Titles include "Another Funky Tune", "I Still Love You", "Washing Machine", "Sitar Soul", and "Keep On Tripping". (Soul, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

The title may be a simple one, but the record really marks a key point in John Coltrane's development – an embrace of the newer freedoms allowed to him at Atlantic Records, but in a way that's a bit more subtle than some of his other work for the label! At one level, the record moves at the same groove as Trane's later Prestige years – with rhythm mostly from Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – carving out some sharp lines for Coltrane to cascade over on tenor sax. Yet there's also a new sense of darkness here too – one that moves into edgier territory, and which isn't nearly as settled in as before. These qualities sneak out of both original numbers like "Harmonique", "Fifth House", and "Like Sonny" – as well as standards like "My Shining Hour" and "Little Old Lady". And they really come to the forefront on the classic "Village Blues" – the one track that features the new Coltrane group of McCoy Tyner, Steve Davis, and Elvin Jones! LP, Vinyl record album

Steve Kuhn at his funky best! Over the years, you may have seen Steve's name turn up on collections of hip funky tunes from the early 70s – but probably have never been able to find the right record that offers that same sound. Well, search no further, because this is the record – and it's a real gem! The album was recorded live in New York – with an acoustic quartet that include George Mraz on bass, serving up some incredibly warm, round, and soulful lines that give nearly every track on the record a great groove. Titles include "Raindrops Raindrops", "Gloria", "The Child Is Gone", "The Real Guitarist", "Thoughts Of A Gentleman", and "Chicken Feathers". LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic late work from Albert Ayler! The record is one of the last he ever recorded – and it's a no-nonsense live set, without any of the silly influences of some of his late Impulse sides. Most of the material features Ayler blowing long free solos, with a tightness and directness missing from mid 60s sessions. Cal Cobbs is on piano, Steve Tintweiss is on bass, Allen Blairman is on drums, and Mary Maria plays a bit of soprano sax. Tracks include "Truth Is Marching On", "Spiritual Reunion", and "Universal Message". LP, Vinyl record album