There's nothing quiet about the way that Muriel Grossman approaches her music – as the saxophonist is one of the boldest, strongest voices in jazz in the past decade – one of the key proponents of the new spiritual underground, and a player who just seems to win us over more and more with each new record! This album's got the amazing rhythmic pulse of Grossman's previous records, but also shifts the sound slightly too – as in addition to the fantastic use of guitar by Radomir Milojkovic, the set also features these strongly swirling organ lines from Llorenc Barcelo – in a way that makes us imagine what it might sound like if we ever got to hear those lost jam sessions between John Coltrane and Larry Young! Grossman blows tenor, alto, and soprano sax here, with a rich sense of imagination throughout – and the rest of the group features Gina Schwarz on bass and Uros Stamenkovic on drums – on long titles that include "Wien", "African Call", "Quiet Earth", and "Peaceful River". CD

Searing work from saxophonist Muriel Grossmann – a player who clearly draws a lot of inspiration from late 60s John Coltrane – but who also turns out a record here that's completely her own! The tracks are long, modal, and very spiritual – and the group has an unusual balance between Grossmann's tenor and soprano, and the guitar of Radomir Milojkovic – whose edgey tones here almost remind us of some of the trippier 60s sounds from Gabor Szabo! The group also features pulsing rhythms from Gina Schwarz on bass and Urus Stamenkovic on drums – a duo who really push things forward, and keep the soulful spirit of the music intact – but it's clearly Grossmann who's the lead star here, as she really blows us away with her work on both tenor and soprano! This is deep stuff – not an easy nod to the spiritual scene, but a much richer record – extremely well-conceived and executed. Titles include "Golden Rule", "Core", "Traneing In", "Trane", "Light", and "Direction". CD

Tremendous sounds from Muriel Grossmann – a saxophonist who's fast becoming one of our favorite on the planet! As with Muriel's previous records, there's a strongly spiritual vibe going on here – but there's also a difference, too – as the group's expanded to a quintet, with the addition of the organ of Llorenc Barcelo next to the familiar trio of Radomir Milokovic on guitar, Gina Schwarz on bass, and Uros Stamenkovic on drums! The rhythms of the combo are every bit as wonderful as Muriel's soaring, searching solos – very modal, but also with deeper rootsy currents too – often mixed with sounds from the organ that are unlike anything you'd hear in a more conventional Hammond setting, which further creates this exotic, otherworldly vibe to the whole record. Grossmann blows soprano, alto, and tenor – and all titles are originals, and include "Chase", "Tribu", "Okan Ti Aye", "Morning", "Afrika Mahala", and "Water Bowl". CD

Genius work from a little-known group – but a great one too! New World Generation were an early 80s combo from the Boston scene – but they've got a groove that's very much in keeping with some of the most righteous funk acts of the late 70s – particularly those that brought a nice degree of spiritualism to their music, like James Mason or RAMP! This sweet little set carries some great echoes of that generation – a warmer, jazzier style that most other early 80s soul music you'd hear from elsewhere – and a richly-conceived vision that has New World Generation sounding way different than your usual funk, club, or boogie act of the time. Plus, the package is really fleshed out with additional sounds from related groups Universal Rhythms and Orision – tracks that, like the New World Generation numbers, weren't really issued at the time – but which represent a very hip side to underground soul in the US – one that's often eclipsed by bigger acts going for easy chart fame. Now Again have really outdone themselves with the package – bringing together rare tracks from almost-gone tape sources, and putting together a set of notes that really helps illuminate this amazing batch of music! Titles include "Sunshine", "Curious Soul", "Dreamland", "One Of A Kind", "I'm Feelin' Fine", "Mystical Planet", "New World Generation", "Worry", "Free Your Mind", "How Do You Feel", "Listen From Your Soul", "Loving You", and "Someday The World Will Be As One". CD

A pair of albums from Marcia Griffiths – the well-titled queen of reggae at the end of the 70s! First up is Naturally, a fantastic album from Marcia Griffiths – very much the kind of material that made her one of the best female singers on the Jamaican scene in the 70s! The set's got a soulful sparkle that's undeniable – music that could have, should have (if things were right) gotten Marcia much bigger fame in the US crossover market of the time – as these songs work equally well as laidback soul numbers, even with strong reggae rhythms – thanks to the warmth and class of the vocals! A number of tracks are originals, and titles include "Dreamland", "Tell Me Now", "Melody Life", "Survival Is The Game", "Feel Like Jumping", "Mark My Word", and "Truly". Steppin features Marcia Griffiths at the height of her powers – singing wonderfully and soulfully, in a style that almost transcends her Jamaican roots! While other reggae singers of the period were maybe polishing things up a bit, to reach larger commercial fame, Griffiths seems to be stepping back more into soul, while still working with familiar Kingston rhythms – crafting this mode that's completely compelling, and which has as much personal feeling as some of the more powerful social themes of the roots era. Errol Brown recorded the tracks at Treasure Isle, and titles include "It's Impossible", "Steppin Out Of Babylon", "Where Were Why", "Why There Is No Love", "Give & You Get", and "I'm Hurting Inside". CD

A gem of a smooth soul album – completely rare in the original, and a completely honest soul testament from singer/songwriter Michael Orr! The record's got a sound that reminds us of a lot of the tracks you'll hear on the Modern Soul comps on the Goldmine label – a smooth approach at the base, with touches of soul jazz, and handled with a bit of roughness that makes things sound a lot more real than some of the other soul coming out at the time. Orr's got a real talent for a song – and his commitment to strong vocals can be heard in his mix of styles that recall bits of Andy Bey, bits of Jon Lucien, bits of Gil Scott-Heron, and bits of DJ Rogers. The reissue keeps the original cover – and tracks include "Ecstasy, Fantasy, & Dreamland", "Let Me Be With You Awhile", "Spread Love", "Here I Go (Through These Changes Again)", "Afterwhile", and "You Opened My Eyes To The World". CD

A funky combo from funky drummer Leonard King – both a doctor and a professor, but a very down-to-earth guy when it comes to records like this! The group's a sextet, and work with saxes and guitar to give the music a vibe that's almost vintage R&B at some points, but more creative jazz at others – really showing that strong legacy that King has in the Michigan scene over the past few decades – which includes some famous work with organist Lyman Woodard! King sings a bit on the set, but most tracks are long with a very strong focus on the instrumentation – on titles that include "Soulsphere", "The Indecisive Dreamland Of I Don't Know Why", "Nightcap", "Next", "Queen Ann Nzinga", "Imperative Unit Rising", and "Crept Dema Wrongma". CD

A later effort from perhaps the least prolific of the solo Wailers, but stil a wonderful slice of roots. Bunny does nice later interpretations of Wailers classics, with a generous helping hand from Sly & Robbie, and adds a nice rendition of Curtis Mayfield's "Keep On Moving" – another Wailers mainstay – to the set. One of our favorite albums from the twilight of the original roots era, with 10 tracks in all, including "Dancing Shoes", "Mellow Mood", "Rule This Land", "Burial", "Dreamland", "Hypocrite", "I Stand Predominate", "Walk The Land" and "I'm The Toughest". CD