One of the grooviest records ever – a sublime blend of African percussion, soulful orchestrations, and Dorothy Ashby's amazing electric harp! By the time of this landmark album, Dorothy had been knocking around the jazz world for a number of years, but it wasn't until she hooked up with Richard Evans at Cadet Records that her sound really began to cook – breaking down genres and expectations in the trademark style of the best late 60s sides from the Chicago underground. The record's got a bit of funk, a bit of jazz, and a heck of a lot of soul – and the setting works perfectly for Dorothy's harp, giving it a lot more room to work around than some of her smaller jazz combo albums. The album includes two great originals – "Soul Vibrations" and "Afro-Harping" – both of which have a nice funky edge, and a groovy soulful bounce – and other tunes include "Lonely Girl", "Life Has Its Trials", "Look Of Love", "Come Live With Me", and a great version of Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower". (Jazz, Now Sound) CD

An overlooked gem from Martin Denny – cut during a range of later sides for Liberty Records, but somehow a standout, thanks to some soulful undercurrents in the music! The arranger is billed as Harold Johnson – who may well be the same cat leading the groovy sextet over on Revue Records at the same time – and the record has this subtle groove that's mighty nice – definitely an ear for some of the more soul-based instrumental styles of the 60s, with a nice bounce on the bottom that might almost make some of these cuts just right for older-style steppers. Instrumentation has a few exotic touches, but more piano than anything else – and titles include "A Beautiful Morning", "Love Exotic Style", "I Say A Little Prayer", "This Guy's In Love With You", "Love Is All Around", and "Voodoo Love". LP, Vinyl record album