... CD

Solo piano recordings by Bergman, including the side long title track, "River Shadows", "Oranges" and "Horizons". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

With Eddie Locke on vocals, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Major Holley on bass and vocals, Oliver Jackson on drums, and Dan Morganstern on police siren. LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite albums ever – and every track is a masterpiece! The album was originally cut for the tiny Chiaroscuro label in 1977 – and it's got a sound that's unlike anything else we can think of – soaring, soulful, jazzy, and righteous – wrapped up in a blend that's never been done this perfectly again! James Mason's a player who's know for a bit of keyboard work with other artists – but here, he's really working as a collective power – bringing together a brilliant ensemble that work as one to hit some sublime sounds – much in the way that Roy Ayers could work some key magic with his groups at the same time, but with a vibe that's very different too. Players include Ayers associates Justo Almario on saxes and Philip Woo on piano – and a young Narada Michael Walden adds some excellent drums to the record – a lot more powerful and funky than on most of his own albums! Lead vocals are by Clarice Taylor – who's got this unique voice that really makes the record – proud, but sensitive at the same time too – and Mason plays lots of Fender Rhodes, polymoog, Arp, and a bit of guitar. Titles include the breakbeat classic "Funny Girl", the monster groover "Sweet Power Your Embrace", the funky "Slick City", and the massive "Free" – but every cut's a winner, and others include "Mbewe", "Rhythm Of Life", and "Dreams". This is the kind of album that makes us proud to be in business! CD

A limited 4 track, double 7" single package – featuring most of the best cuts off the self-titled album by Tarika Blue! The group's way different than the standard fusion acts of the time – as they blend together spiritual currents that allow for breezier instrumentation – sounds that take off to the skies, while still grooving at the core – thanks to an excellent lineup that also includes guitar from Ryo Kawasaki and soprano sax from Justo Almario! The core of the group features Philip Clendeninn on Fender Rhodes and Arp, with bass from Barry Coleman and drums from Kevin Atkins – and the record's got some very James Mason-like vocals at some points, from singers Dolores Smith and Irene Datcher. Titles include "You'll Be With Me", "Love It", "Truth Is The Key", and "Charlie". 7-inch, Vinyl record

"Dreamflower" is a beautiful cut from this legendary spiritual fusion combo – one that kind of steps out slowly, amidst Fender Rhodes and bassline – but which has this cool sparkling guitar that lights the way along the slow-stepping groove! The mighty James Mason plays guitar on "Jimi" – handing out plenty of fuzz, but in a way that's a lot more soulful and fitting the fusion mode than any Hendrix work! 7-inch, Vinyl record

An album that was issued in the US, but which actually features excellent work that Abdullah Ibrahim/Dollar Brand recorded for the Gallo label in South Africa – the kind of edgier work that we often prefer next to some of his solo and trio material! The key force here is the horns – as one side of the record features work from Kippie Moketsi on alto, Basil Manenberg on tenor and flute, and Duku Makasi on tenor – and the flipside features a quartet with Manenberg again – a player whose deep tones really make for a perfect combination with Dollar Brand's snakey piano lines. Moketsi is great, as always – with that offbeat reed sound that always makes his performances so unique. Side one includes the extended groover "Black Lightning", and side 2 features a rendition of "Blue Monk", plus "Little Boy", and "Black & Brown Cherries". LP, Vinyl record album

Great later work from Lonnie Smith – a set that's quite different than his initial Hammond material for Blue Note – but equally excellent in its own sort of way! The album has Lonnie playing both Fender Rhodes and organ – the former with this sweet, tight groove that's mighty nice – a bit like when Johnny Hammond or Jack McDuff touched the instrument on their own albums from the 70s – with all the chunky, funky qualities learned from their solos on the Hammond. Production is by Sonny Lester, and the groups here are relatively big, which gives a bit of a blacksploitation funk to the record – but part of the record also has a leaner group with Joe Lovano on tenor, blowing some beautifully extended solos – as well as George Benson on guitar. Titles include a great ten minute take on "Impressions" – plus "Apex", "Lean Meat", "When The Night Is Right", and "It's Changed". LP, Vinyl record album

Soulful fusion from the mighty Tarika Blue – a group who recorded for the Chiaroscuro label around the same time that James Mason gave the imprint his classic Rhythm Of Life album – recording here in a sound that's not only a bit like James, but which also features his guitar on a number of tracks! The group's way different than the standard fusion acts of the time – as they blend together spiritual currents that allow for breezier instrumentation – sounds that take off to the skies, while still grooving at the core – thanks to an excellent lineup that also includes guitar from Ryo Kawasaki and soprano sax from Justo Almario! The core of the group features Philip Clendeninn on Fender Rhodes and Arp, with bass from Barry Coleman and drums from Kevin Atkins – and the record's got some very James Mason-like vocals at some points, from singers Dolores Smith and Irene Datcher. Titles include "Jimi", "My Love Is So Free", "Love It", "Dreamflower", "Things Spring", "Truth Is The Key", and "Charlie". LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite albums ever – and every track is a masterpiece! The album was originally cut for the tiny Chiaroscuro label in 1977 – and it's got a sound that's unlike anything else we can think of – soaring, soulful, jazzy, and righteous – wrapped up in a blend that's never been done this perfectly again! James Mason's a player who's know for a bit of keyboard work with other artists – but here, he's really working as a collective power – bringing together a brilliant ensemble that work as one to hit some sublime sounds – much in the way that Roy Ayers could work some key magic with his groups at the same time, but with a vibe that's very different too. Players include Ayers associates Justo Almario on saxes and Philip Woo on piano – and a young Narada Michael Walden adds some excellent drums to the record – a lot more powerful and funky than on most of his own albums! Lead vocals are by Clarice Taylor – who's got this unique voice that really makes the record – proud, but sensitive at the same time too – and Mason plays lots of Fender Rhodes, polymoog, Arp, and a bit of guitar. Titles include the breakbeat classic "Funny Girl", the monster groover "Sweet Power Your Embrace", the funky "Slick City", and the massive "Free" – but every cut's a winner, and others include "Mbewe", "Rhythm Of Life", and "Dreams". This is the kind of album that makes us proud to be in business! LP, Vinyl record album

An album that was issued in the US, but which actually features excellent work that Abdullah Ibrahim/Dollar Brand recorded for the Gallo label in South Africa – the kind of edgier work that we often prefer next to some of his solo and trio material! The key force here is the horns – as one side of the record features work from Kippie Moketsi on alto, Basil Manenberg on tenor and flute, and Duku Makasi on tenor – and the flipside features a quartet with Manenberg again – a player whose deep tones really make for a perfect combination with Dollar Brand's snakey piano lines. Moketsi is great, as always – with that offbeat reed sound that always makes his performances so unique. Side one includes the extended groover "Black Lightning", and side 2 features a rendition of "Blue Monk", plus "Little Boy", and "Black & Brown Cherries". LP, Vinyl record album

Tracks include "Quincy Street Stomp", "Ain't Misbehavin", "So In Love", and the medley "Georgia Cabin/Ghost Of The Blues". CD