... CD

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

The groovy 70's big band of Japanese arranger Bingo Miki hits the Montreux festival in 1979, and they're joined by a host of guest players that include Richard Davis, Jon Faddis, and Joe Beck. If you don't know Miki's work, the 70's stuff (like this album) has a cool electric orchestral sound that feels like it was lifted from a cop show, or a crime film. Most of the instrumentation is acoustic, with a large sax section in front, but there's also some guitar and electric bass that work well with the kicking rhythm section. This album was originally issued as a double, but this cool XRCD gatefold package fits all the material on one CD – and titles include "Zylvia", "Pitter Pat", "Sibelius' Testament", and "Alcazar". CD

A mix of Latin modes and soulful fusion grooves – both of which make for an excellent album from the post-CTI years of reedman Joe Farrell! Joe plays soprano, tenor, and flute on the record – always with that well-crafted groove he first brought to jazz back in the 60s, working in a more modern context – still sounding wonderfully fresh here in the larger backdrops of a record like this – definitely a cut above most mainstream artists of his nature! Production is by Ralph MacDonald and William Eaton, with a great blend of soul and jazz – and all cuts are instrumental, with help from players who include Eric Gale on guitar, Richard Tee on keyboards, Anthony Jackson on bass, and Steve Gadd on drums. Titles include "Promise Me Your Love", "La Catedral Y El Toro", "Disco Dust", "Cyclone Rider", "Is It Asking Too Much", and "Imagine Me". CD

An excellent dip into the rootsier material from the Studio One catalog – the kind of reggae classics that have forever made the label one of the best Jamaican companies! The package is every bit as sublime as Soul Jazz's other reggae compilations – and it features a selection of tunes that far outshines most other reissues of Studio One material, and which includes some great rare gems that have a heavy soulful feeling. Titles include "Meditation" by The Cyclones with Count Ossie, "Set Me Free" by L Crosdale, "More Creation" by Lennie Hibbert, "Fear Not" by Winston Jarrett, "Blackish White" by Alton Ellis, "Far Beyond" by Leroy Wallace, "Addis A Baba" by Willie Williams, "Lumumbo" by Bunny & Skitter, "Africa Here I Come" by Freddie McGregor, and "Congo Rock" by Sound Dimension. LP, Vinyl record album

Gritty grooves all the way through – all pulled from rare 45s from the early days of rock and R&B – often heavy on guitars, with a fair bit of instrumentals overall! The mix of modes is exactly what's promised in the title – sounds that start in rockabilly and end in surf, all hand-picked by the mighty Keb Darge, who first found his calling in funk – with lots of help from his musical soulmate Little Edith – a pair of great ears who really know how to move way past the hits and obvious work from this generation! Just about every cut here is super-rare – no overplayed oldies here – and titles include "Twisted Fender" by Jonnie & The Cyclones, "Later On" by The Dynamics, "Neb's Tune" by Ahab & The Wailers, "Ramblin On" by The Thunderballs, "Maybelline" by Ron Haydock & The Boppers, "Panther Pounce" by The Jesters, "Swing Bop Boogie" by Alvis Wayne, "Teenage Ball" by Elroy Dietzel, and "Don't Be Gone Long" by Bob Doss. LP, Vinyl record album