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The lovely and soulful Hadda Brooks was one of the great talents on the LA scene of the postwar years – a vocalist and pianist with a style that blended blues and jazz, in a manner that was like some of her male counterparts on the scene at the time, such as Nat King Cole or Charles Brown. Brooks' fame in the city was great, and even led to a few famous film appearances – but the sophistication of her work often kept it from cracking the charts as strongly as other R&B stars at the time. This excellent album is really the only one she ever issued – a strong set of tunes recorded for Crown/Modern in the 50s. Titles include "My Ideal", "Take Me", "The Thrill Is Gone", "How Do You Speak To An Angel", "My Romance", and "Dream". CD

One of those excellent King albums from James that features a wide range of tracks, done in a wide range of styles – including some wonderful obscure numbers that go way past the "hits" promised in the title. The groove runs from sad ballad soul to heavy instrumentals – and titles include "Messing with the Blues", "Fine Old Foxy Self", "Try Me", "Got To Cry", "I've Got To Change", "Strange Things Happen", "There Must Be A Reason", "I Want You So Bad", and "Why Do You Do Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A really tremendous record from the Lagos scene of the 70s – a set that's completely sharp from beginning to end, and which has the same sort of side-long jamming that you'd find on the best records by Fela Kuti at the time! King Bucknor's billed as "The Black Isaiah Of Africa" – and he's definitely got a strong spiritual core in his message – which is carried out in lyrics that begin to flow only after the Afrodisk Beat Organisation get things moving – really kicking up the groove with fast-riffing and very funky guitar over basslines that bubble along at a mighty quick pace – and which also get these completely great tenor solos from Dele Okonkwo, a player we'd like to know more. The set features two long tracks – "Soyoyo" and "Katakata" – both completely superb! LP, Vinyl record album

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A sweet little sound library album – of the sort that first got us digging for sound library records so many years ago! This one's got it all – some funky moments, some jazzy bits, and a number of cuts that remind us of our favorite Italian soundtracks from the period – served up by three different composers who really know their thing – and who definitely are working at the grooviest side of their talents! Most instrumentation is small combo, and shifts nicely over the course of the album – with tablas on one number, breezy flute on another, sweet keyboards on the next – continuing a blend of elements that really makes for a varied and compelling set. Titles include "Astrazione Per Flauto", "Venerdi Ore 20:30", "Idee", "Lunedi Ore 7:45", "Filanda", "Tibetano", and "Ansieta". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest funky jazz combos of the 70s – stepping out here in their amazing debut for Cobblestone records! Catalyst had a groove that was unlike most of their contemporaries – a sound that was often jazzier than some of the tighter funk artists on labels like Kudu or Prestige, with some deeply spiritual leanings in the solos – but also a style that was still pretty tight and focused, not as far out as some of the headier groups on the Strata East label. There's loads of great choppy rhythms and tight-edged grooves on the record – thanks to Fender Rhodes from Eddie Green, reeds from Odeon Pope, bass from Al Johnson, and drums and percussion from Sherman Ferguson. Skip Drinkwater produced the session at Sigma Sound, and it's definitely got some of his hallmark appreciation of rhythm in the mix – on titles that include "Ain't It The Truth", "New Found Truths", "East", "Catalyst Is Coming", "Jabali", and "Salaam". LP, Vinyl record album

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A Capitol killer from Natalie Cole – a really great record from the time when she really seemed to be starting out her career with a bang! As with other gems on Capitol, the record features some great production work from Marvin Yancy and Chuck Jackson, getting a bit of help here from Gene Barge too – all wrapped up with a strong, sophisticated sound that shows plenty of Chi-soul touches in the music – a great approach for Natalie's maturing vocals. The sound is wonderfully balanced, and really stays away from easy hit modes – leaving the lady in a space that's all her own, on tracks that include "The Winner", "I Love You So", "Oh Daddy", "Sorry", "Stand By", and "Who Will Carry On". LP, Vinyl record album

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A nice little group with a strong Cuban groove – the kind of rootsy mix of older styles that came back during the 70s salsa generation – a time when traditional sounds played strongly on the New York scene! The personnel aren't listed on the jacket – but the album's got tight percussion, nice piano, and what sounds to our ears like tres – strummed with the rhythms in a nice jangly kind of groove – which makes for a nice change from the usual, and really gives the album an individual feel. Arrangements are by Isidro Infante, Louie Ramirez, Charlie Lopez, and Orlando Felix – and titles include "Mojame", "Cuidate De Mi", "Tus Recuerdos", "Por Un Mani", "Confianza", and "Vivo Encantado". LP, Vinyl record album

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The first album in more than a few years from Da Lata – a set that has the core group winnowed down to Chris Franck, but which seems to open up the sound even more than before! Everything we've ever loved about Da Lata is in place here – that special sound that filters together bits of jazz and Brazilian elements with a London sort of focus – but there's also a wider globe's worth of musical elements in the mix, and the instrumentation is more live and less programmed – which makes for a warm, wonderful style all the way through! In a way, this might be the record we've always wanted Da Lata to make, and it has us falling in love with them all over again – with Chris Franck on a host of instruments – at the helm of a mighty lineup that features contributions from Mike Patto on keyboards, Matt Cooper on Rhodes, and Bembe Segue, Vanessa Freeman, Diabel Cissokho, Syren Rivers, and others on vocals. The songs are positive, and soaring with spirit – on titles that include "To B", "Thunder Of Silence", "Oba Lata", "Lunar View", "Sway", "Dakar", "Mentality", and "Memory Man". CD

The first album in more than a few years from Da Lata – a set that has the core group winnowed down to Chris Franck, but which seems to open up the sound even more than before! Everything we've ever loved about Da Lata is in place here – that special sound that filters together bits of jazz and Brazilian elements with a London sort of focus – but there's also a wider globe's worth of musical elements in the mix, and the instrumentation is more live and less programmed – which makes for a warm, wonderful style all the way through! In a way, this might be the record we've always wanted Da Lata to make, and it has us falling in love with them all over again – with Chris Franck on a host of instruments – at the helm of a mighty lineup that features contributions from Mike Patto on keyboards, Matt Cooper on Rhodes, and Bembe Segue, Vanessa Freeman, Diabel Cissokho, Syren Rivers, and others on vocals. The songs are positive, and soaring with spirit – on titles that include "To B", "Thunder Of Silence", "Oba Lata", "Lunar View", "Sway", "Dakar", "Mentality", and "Memory Man". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the lighter soundtracks we've ever heard from Francesco De Masi – scored for an equally lighthearted film about a bunch of kids off on adventure – all given a nice soundtrack that's both playful and lively, but without ever sounding too sentimental! The style here is more late 60s kid comedy than you'd guess from the date, with orchestrations to match – and titles include "Il Vecchio E Il Gatto", "Agente Segreto", "Grandi Manovre", and "Top Secret Operazione Patate". CD also features 13 bonus tracks too! CD

An organ bossa classic from the legendary Eumir Deodato – one of his strongest albums from his early years in Brazil! There's a very jazzy feel to the set all the way through – thanks to a tightly arranged group that not only features the organ and percussion you might expect from such a date, but which also features some great horn work as well! Trombone, tenor, and baritone sax all get in some nice licks – and Deodato's organ cooks wonderfully throughout, often with a quick-stepping bossa jazz sound that really keeps things lively. Titles include "O Sol Nascera", "Samba Do Dom Natural", "Terra De Ninguem", "E Bom Parar", and "Ataque". LP, Vinyl record album

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Smart , streetwise raps from Freddie Gibbs, backed by restlessly inventive production from Madlib – here on one of the best records yet on 'Lib's own Madlib Invazion imprint! If you'll forgive us a little bit of repetition – because we KNOW we've written this before – there's just something extra riveting about Madlib's production work for straight shooting, street lingo slinging, no nonsense MCs. The freewheeling inspiration and bottomless depth of unpredictable sample funk is there, as always. It's leaner, tighter and with a thicker backdrop of beats. Gibbs is sharply on point throughout here, and if it seems like an oddball pairing at first glance, rest assured, these guys work GREAT together. Guests include Danny Brown – who drops some top shelf wordplay of his own on "High" – plus the Wu legend Raekwon on "Bomb", Domo Genius & Earl Sweatshirt on "Robes", Domo Genius, G-Whiz, Mac Miller and more on the title cut, and more. Other titles include "Supplier", "Scarface", "Deeper", "Harold's", "Thuggin'", "Real" and "Uno". CD

Smart , streetwise raps from Freddie Gibbs, backed by restlessly inventive production from Madlib – here on one of the best records yet on 'Lib's own Madlib Invazion imprint! If you'll forgive us a little bit of repetition – because we KNOW we've written this before – there's just something extra riveting about Madlib's production work for straight shooting, street lingo slinging, no nonsense MCs. The freewheeling inspiration and bottomless depth of unpredictable sample funk is there, as always. It's leaner, tighter and with a thicker backdrop of beats. Gibbs is sharply on point throughout here, and if it seems like an oddball pairing at first glance, rest assured, these guys work GREAT together. Guests include Danny Brown – who drops some top shelf wordplay of his own on "High" – plus the Wu legend Raekwon on "Bomb", Domo Genius & Earl Sweatshirt on "Robes", Domo Genius, G-Whiz, Mac Miller and more on the title cut, and more. Other titles include "Supplier", "Scarface", "Deeper", "Harold's", "Thuggin'", "Real" and "Uno". CD

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Natalie hails from Sweden – despite the California title of the set – but her music has a sweet, soulful sparkle that would be right at home in the US! The record's got a bit of the feel of some of the more cosmic soul coming out of the west coast underground – never too tripped-out or beat-heavy, but often with a sense of rhythm and timing that's left of mainstream soul – and the vocals are often processed slightly, so that they fold slightly into the Fender Rhodes and gentle beats of the grooves. Pacing runs from mellow to midtempo – and lyrics are in English throughout – sung by Natalie with a nice blend of feeling and restraint. Titles include "Summer Rain", "Bittersweet", "Don't Mean A Thing", "Honey", "Lonely Coming Home", "Come Find Me Again", and "Let's Not Worry About Tomorrow". CD

Three long, fantastic tracks from Turkish composer Gokcen Kaynatan – all performed on the EMS synthesizer, and awash in unusual tones and textures throughout! The music here is different than some of the colder, more academic electronics of the previous decade – as Gokcen performs the music with a very organic vibe, almost as if he's inspired by prog experiments from the European scene, but thinning things down to a one man operation – not entirely jamming, but giving us more of a sense of long-form flow of sound, rather than precomposed ideas! One number even a sound that feels years ahead of the Cold Wave generation – and titles include "Cehennem", "Cehennem Yolu", and "Anjiyo". LP, Vinyl record album

You may not be able to say his name that easily, but you'll definitely be singing the praises of Gokcen Kaynatan after you hear this groovy little record – a totally amazing bit of moogy electronics recorded on the Turkish scene in the 60s and 70s! There's plenty of guitar in the mix, too – but the real charm comes from the bubbling, percolated electronics – which seem to include some tape tricks along with the analogue synthesizer, and also some great drum machine rhythms too – but all in the best early chunky 70s modes, and not the later sort of 80s drum machine styles! There's only a slight hint of some of the more familiar Turkish rock styles of the period – as the songs here, while tuneful, are usually devoid of lyrics – and would most likely be more at home in the world of Perry & Kingsley than Ersen or Baris Manco. A fantastic discovery from the Finders Keepers folks – with titles that include "Lost Island", "Doganin Otesi", "Evren (unreleased ext version)", "Madimak", "Beyoglu'Nda Gezersin", and "Cennet Dunyamiz". LP, Vinyl record album

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80s keyboards sparkle and glisten wonderfully here – a mix of Roland, Yamaha, and Korg keyboards – all played by Mikolaj Hertel in a few very cool suites of instrumental tunes! The music is maybe an extension of 70s electronic sound library modes, but also colored with some of the tunefulness that you'd find in more conventional 80s electronic sounds in pop, soul, and soundtracks – gentle lyricism that's never too overdone or commercial, but which keeps things plenty tuneful throughout, and makes the album at lot more interesting than some more new age-styled keyboard sessions of the time. The album features three longer thematic suites – "Zaczarowane Ogrody", "Koekcja Lalki Barbie", and "Dzwieki Dalekiego Swiata" – divided into shorter tunes – and the set also features 5 more bonus tracks too. CD

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A fantastic pairing of two key Japanese talents of the late 60s – pianist Takehiro Honda and reedman Sadao Watanabe – both of whom come together here on a record that's one of their most soulful of the time! Honda's clearly drinking deep from the soul jazz modes of Ramsey Lewis, Les McCann, and Ray Bryant – and really makes the tunes move with a strongly rhythmic vibe on his left hand, which is amplified by the round basslines and tight drums in the combo – working with a well-crafted groove that would be right at home on an American label like Chess or Prestige at the time. Watanabe blows with a very soulful vibe, too – even more than on his own records on Takt – and while he's not on every track, his presence here is really wonderful. Titles include "Quiet Sea", "Stella By Starlight", "Minton Blues", "Hey Jude", and "Ain't Tell You A Good Way But". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer funky group from early 70s Japan – a slightly large ensemble, but one with some really heavy drums at the bottom – plus some great use of organ and electric guitar! There's a tight brace of horns at the top – flute, tenor, trumpets, and trombone – but the rhythms are what really drive the record, and give the whole thing a sometimes-funky, always-groovy quality that never lets up! The mode is almost soundtrack funk at times – jazz, but filled with some rich colors and expansive tones too – and there's a sophistication here that really rewards repeated listenings, but never gets in the way of the groovier moments too. Titles include "Theme Mustache", "Tak's Tune", "Joint", "Monster", "Lullaby For Yuh", and "Scotland Scene". LP, Vinyl record album

A really unusual performance from Japanese pianist Fumio Itabashi – who returns here to Watarase, a site that inspired his most famous album in the 70s! Itabashi plays here outdoors – a really amazing setting for a grand piano – yet his work on the instrument is ever bit as bold and powerful as when it's captured in the closeness of the studio – although maybe taking off with even more inspiration from nature, which is always something that Fumio brings to his unique combination of lyrical lines and magical flow! The performance runs for approximately 63 minutes, and all other notes are in Japanese, or else we'd tell you more. DVD

A really striking solo piano session by the richly talented Fumio Itabashi – a pianist with a fluid, open feel on the keys – one that charges a session like this with the same sort of energy you'd expect from a trio album! In a way, Fumio's style would almost be held back by bass and drums – as he plays with a strongly rhythmic approach – one that colors in the spaces of the album in a way that reminds us a bit of the work of Dollar Brand, but which also has a more freely lyrical approach that reminds us of some of our favorite French players over the years. Titles include the originals "Miss Cann", "Good Bye", "Tone", and "Watarase". LP, Vinyl record album

A really wonderful live set from Japanese piano legend Fumio Itabashi – a player who exploded in the 70s with a style that was free-flowing yet very rhythmic – one of the best illustrations of the new lyrical heights of the Japanese piano scene – still sounding pretty darn wonderful here after the passage of decades! Fumio immediately takes off on the tunes – building up a sound in a mode that's maybe a bit inspired by the directions that McCoy Tyner opened up on the piano, but which also has more soul jazz currents at times too – blended together in this effortless sense of rhythm and melody that make Itabashi's command of the piano completely breathtaking, and very different than just about any other solo artist on the instrument that we can think of. The CD features six long tracks – all with titles in Japanese. CD

Ives' first sonata, performed on solo piano by William Masselos. LP, Vinyl record album

Exactly the kind of record that's got us digging Japanese trio sessions from the 70s so much – a set that's filled with lots of warm, soulful sounds, creatively compelling changes, and fresh rhythms that really keep the tunes interesting! There's a slight undercurrent of funk on most numbers, but never too much – as the set still preserves all the best lyrical lines of pianist Kichiro Sugino, who steps beautifully around the bass of Kishio Kitahara and drums of Mitsaki Katayama – a perfectly-hinged trio who soar plenty on the record – more than enough to earn the "flight" in the title! This one's really a cut above – filled with wonderful energy, and never a dull moment throughout – a real gem that's waiting to be re-discovered by the 21st Century generation. Titles include "Unknown Point", "Arizona High Way", "It's Over", "Louis", and "First Flight". CD

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Classic material from this popular group that featured a Latin guitar instrumental base, plus male and female vocals by Feliciano and Reia. Titles include "Las Caretas", "Que Buena Esta", "Dig That Rock", "La Plata Swings", "Despiera Guajira", and "Sandangongo". LP, Vinyl record album

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A rare bit of Canadian psych from the start of the 70s – served up by a group with a sound that's all their own! Some numbers here are straightforward hard rockers, but others have a more complex approach – not proggy, almost performative – like some of the trippier French material of the period, which almost had a communal creation sort of vibe. There's plenty of searing guitars and very offbeat French lyrics – and the record's got a very nice sense of variety from tune to tune. Titles include "Quebec Nous T'Aimons", "Groovy", "Petite Fille T'Es Down", "OK L'Chien", "Charogne", "Heavy", and "Aux Petits Oiseux" – which is a very cool psychedelic raga that rounds out the record! LP, Vinyl record album

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A triple-time killer from the Colombian scene at the start of the 70s – one of those rare gems on Discos Fuentes that had the label setting a new sort of fire on its own, in comparison to the New York Latin generation! In addition to the cumbia tracks you might expect, the set's also got some killer guaguanco and descarga tracks – super-jazzy, and filled with lively interplay between the percussion at the core, and the criss-crossing of piano, tenor, and trumpet on the top! Peter Scott handles the vocals with Piper Diaz – and titles include "Hacha Y Machete", "El Mico", "Atiza Y Atala", "Ven A Colombia", "Cali Querido", "Guaguaco Supremo", and "El Cuento". LP, Vinyl record album

Great music from jazz guitarist Mundell Lowe – a set that was originally written as the soundtrack for an early 60s sexploitation film, Satin In High Heels – but which works equally well as a jazz album on its own! Lowe's in a slightly different setting than on some of his earlier records – working with larger arrangements that include a rich array of sounds and tunes from Eddie Costa on piano and vibes, Clark Terry and Joe Newman on trumpets, Al Cohn and Oliver Nelson on tenor, Jimmy Cleveland on trombone, and Phil Woods on alto sax – an all-star lineup who make the music sound way better than you might expect! Lowe's guitar gets a lot of center space in the sound – providing the right sort of slinky, crime jazz-styled elements – and titles include "Coffee Coffee", "Lake In the Woods", "Pattern Of Evil", "Blues For A Stripper", and "East Side Drive In". Nice jazzy sound, and a very sexy theme! CD

Great music from jazz guitarist Mundell Lowe – a set that was originally written as the soundtrack for an early 60s sexploitation film, Satin In High Heels – but which works equally well as a jazz album on its own! Lowe's in a slightly different setting than on some of his earlier records – working with larger arrangements that include a rich array of sounds and tunes from Eddie Costa on piano and vibes, Clark Terry and Joe Newman on trumpets, Al Cohn and Oliver Nelson on tenor, Jimmy Cleveland on trombone, and Phil Woods on alto sax – an all-star lineup who make the music sound way better than you might expect! Lowe's guitar gets a lot of center space in the sound – providing the right sort of slinky, crime jazz-styled elements – and titles include "Coffee Coffee", "Lake In the Woods", "Pattern Of Evil", "Blues For A Stripper", and "East Side Drive In". Nice jazzy sound, and a very sexy theme! LP, Vinyl record album

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A huge breakthrough moment for Miriam Makeba – a South African singer who'd been bringing her music to the American scene for a number of years, but really took off in new soulful directions with this album! Previously, Makeba was maybe more confined to the world of folk – mostly recording with acoustic styles in a stripped-down mode – but this record has her soaring on arrangements from American studio talents Jimmy Wisner and Jerry Ragovoy, the latter of whom produced the record too – and mixes in some very hip New York soul modes, and even some larger charts that really expand the sound. The huge hit on the set is "Pata Pata" – a tune that firmly put Makeba in the memory of American music – but the whole album is great overall, and other titles include "Click Song Number 1", "A Piece Of Ground", "West Wind", "Ha Po Zamani", and "Jol'inkomo". LP, Vinyl record album