Jazzy magic from the current Japanese underground – a hip group bubbling under, but with the same magic energy Jazztronik! Like Jazztronik, J's Bee blends together solid jazz roots and modern production – searching out some richly organic grooves that start slowly, build with spare keyboards and rhythms, and then take off to the skies with a really righteous sound. There's a bit of vocals on the set, but like Jazztronik, the group's equally well suited to working in an instrumental mode too. Tracks include "Eclipse", "Glow", "Naked", "Floating", "DB (Deep Blue)", and "Desert Skyline (Version 2)". CD

A surprisingly wonderful little project – one that brings together shorter snippets of Fela's classic tunes, into an extended sound collage that's got a really captivating feel! We initially expected this one to be gimmicky and a bit silly, but it's really not – and instead stands as a loving "mixtape" that showcases the best bits of Fela's genius – a keyboard solo here, a vocal chant there, all the while pushed along by the great one's groundbreaking Afro Funk rhythms! The set includes one very early number by Fela from 1964 – "Ololufe Mi" – plus bits of later tracks that include "Mr Follow Follow", "Ariya", "Unnecessary Begging", "Swegbe & Pako", "Monkey Banana", "Trouble Slee", and "Look & Laugh". (Global Grooves, New Grooves) CD

A great live date from this ultra-hip combo – one that has them really settling in to their new home at Blue Note, by taking on a host of classics from the label – along with key tracks of their own composition as well! The sound here is even more wonderful than on some of their studio sets – almost a bit more earthy, and human – given the spontaneity of the concert performance, especially in the rhythm section. Fabrizio Bosso's trumpet and flugelhorn are right out front, matched proudly by the tenor of Daniele Scannapieco – and rhythm is from Luca Mannutza on piano, Pietro Ciancaglini on bass, and Lorenzo Tucci on drums. Titles include great versions of "Adams Apple", "Passion Dance", and "Inception" – plus "Five For Fun", "On The Way Home", and "Pandaguru". (Jazz, New Grooves) CD