Great LP of Brazilian fusion put together and produced by Joe Davis, the man behind the Blue Brazil compilation. Recorded in Rio recently, this LP features some great players like Marcos Valle (his first recording in years), Raul De Souza, and Celia Vaz running through a strong set of Brazilian jazz & MPB classics, like "Os Grillos", "Para Lennon e McCartney", and "Bebe". Nice modern sound, with a tight bossa fusion groove, and production that's very very faithful to the original style of the music. CD

One of the best records in years from the mighty Far Out label – and a set that really takes the imprint back to its roots! The name of the record echoes the first Friends From Rio session that launched Far Out almost two decades ago – and like that classic, this one's a collaborative effort between a range of Brazilian and British talents – served up in a style that bridges the gap between older bossa and more contemporary modes! The music is perfect from the ground up – not a cheesy bossa remix project, but a true blend of all the best elements, served up in a rich new style. The project gets key Incognito-style help from Daniel "Venom" Maunick, and a real Azymuth pedigree from Alex Malheiros – and the whole thing features a great range of different singers, including Hyldon, Robertinho Silva, Aleh Ferreira, Ivan Matheus, Denise Pinaud, Sabrina Malheiros, and Carlos Dafe – each wrapped up in a sweet blend of Fender Rhodes, organ, riffing guitar, and sweet jazzy horns. Titles include "So Resta A Porta Se Abrir", "Mas Que Nada", "Garota", "Aguai", "Casino Bangu", "Batucada Bidu", "Anthemia", "Leita De Pedra", and "Mulher Malagueta". CD

Four early 80s classics from Johnny Mathis – presented here in a single 2CD package! Different Kinda Different is a tremendous start to the 80s for Johnny Mathis – and a set that really continues that strong shift into soul-based territory he begun in the 70s! Gene Page handles a lot of the arrangements here, and gives the whole thing that strong blend of strings and soul that he worked on other 70s classics for different artists – a perfect approach for that magnificent Mathis voice, especially when the tunes have a bit of a groove! Two of the best numbers here – "Different Kind Of Different" and "I'll Do It All For You" – are duets with Paulette McWilliams, who'd recorded on her own, but who really seems to hit her stride with Johnny, and in a way that's different than any of his other soul partners in duets. Other titles include "Never Givin Up On You", "With You I'm Born Again", "I Will Survive", "The Lights Of Rio", and "Love Without Words". Friends In Love is mature 80s work from Johnny Mathis – a set that features two duets with Dionne Warwick, plus some other nice material that shows that Johnny wasn't going to be left behind in the shadows of his older work! At some level, the approach of the 80s, and the rise of a new sort of adult contemporary scene, really helped Mathis find a new audience – especially when teaming with Dionne, who was also having a rebirth at the time! Titles include the classic duet title cut "Friends In Love", and another duet on "Got You Where I Want You" – plus other titles that include "What Do You Do With The Love", "When The Lovin Goes Out Of The Lovin", "I Remember You & Me", and "Somethin's Goin On". Special Part Of Me is a sweet 80s set from Johnny Mathis – one of those great later albums when he brought a good deal of soul into the mix! The feel here is almost more modern R&B than the vocal jazz mode that first brought Johnny fame – and it turns out that the Mathis mode is wonderful for such a setting – rich and full of feeling, and arguably better than some of his younger contemporaries on the charts! The ballads are beautiful, but there's also a few surprising midtempo numbers – and titles include a sublime remake of "Love Won't Let Me Wait", done with Deniece Williams – plus "Love Never Felt So Good", "Simple", "Priceless", "One Love", "Right Here & Now", and "Lead Me To Your Love" – plus "You're A Special Part Of Me", a duet with Angie Bofill. Live is a later live album from Johnny Mathis, and one that brings together classics, newer cuts, and a few titles he'd never sang before – all served up with a sound that shows the continuing strengths of the legendary singer! There's a variety of arrangers used on the set – including Gene Page and Michel Colombier – and titles include "Orange Colored Sky", "When A Child Is Born", "Begin The Beguine", "I Believe In Love", "Fly Away", "99 Miles From LA", and "A Certain Smile". CD

The evolution of Far Out's excellent Brazilian Love Affair series – featuring standouts from earlier volumes as well as new and exclusive tracks! Brazilian Love Affair Revisited celebrates the series to date as well as it charts the evolving sounds of Brazil and its London interpreters – and shows where the sound is going via newer material and younger talents. A great set with both classic and contemporary legends such as Ed Motta, Marcos Valle, Joyce, Azymuth and others, respectful remixes and interpretations by Osunlade, Mark Pritchard and Kirk Degiorgio, newer tracks from more recent Far Out arrivals such as Raf Vilar and Clara Moreno. 15 tracks in all: "Os Escravos Do Jo (Precussion Edit)" and more by Friends From Rio 2, "Ponteio" by Da Lata, "Nova Bossa Nova" by Marcos Valle, "Paz" by Troubleman feat Nina Miranda, "Todos Os Santos" by Joyce, "Preguiciman" by Mamond, "Bossa Me" by Raf Vilar, "Without Words" by 4 Hero Presents Nature's Plan feat Ed Motta, "Sem Pressa (Remix By Danny Wheeler)" by Alex Malheiros And Banda Utopia feat Sabrina Malheiros and more. CD

Freaky keyboards and fuzzy saxophone – played by the team of Dieter Seelow and Peter Mayer, working here in a rare bit of funk from the early 70s German scene! The record's got a sound that's very much in the madder side of the MPS spectrum at the time – jazz influenced by a bit of fuzzier rock elements – heard to good effect on Seelow's amplified, processed saxophone lines – and on some of the heavier organ moments from Mayer. The sound is wide-open, but never too free or jamming – clearly inspired by the hipper American soul jazz of the late 60s – the side of the scene that started with electric Eddie Harris, and moved into weirder Melvin Jackson moments – both players who are a good comparison here, as the groove definitely shows a love of the electrified music that Harris and Jackson made together. Remaining instrumentation includes electric bass and drums – so the overall sound is quite spare – and titles include the massive three-part "Mr Dynamite", plus "Masquerade","Danny's Walk", "The Swinger From Rio", and "With A Little Help From My Friends". CD

A great and groovy early album from Volker Kriegel – the German guitarist who'd cut some very trippy work for the MPS label in the 70s – but a player who steps out here in a sweet soul jazz mode at the end of the 60s! Volker's still got the same wickedly sharp style on guitar you'd know from his later fame – but here, it's turned towards the kind of soulful guitar work you'd hear on Verve Records at the time – somewhere in the territory of George Benson, or maybe a bit in that of Wes Montgomery – but also with some occasional freewheeling moments that hint at the changes to come! The group's a trio on side one – with Peter Trunk on bass and Cees See on drums – but side two moves into wilder material with a quartet that features vibes by Claudio Szenkar, who adds in just the kind of psychedelic touches to really make the music open up! These cuts are much more modal, and show Kriegel's growing love of Eastern sounds – and titles include "Na Na Imboro", "Morandi", "Interpunctuation", "Traffic Jam", and "With A Little Help From My Friends". LP, Vinyl record album

The fourth in the MPS reissue series of long unreleased late 60s recordings from the home of producer/engineer Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer finds Oscar Peterson in a glorious solo piano mode! All of the recordings in the series were from very relaxed, loose sessions that were some of Peterson's favorite of the time – and they're done in a mode that has Oscar playing loosely and soulfully throughout. Titles include "Someone To Watch Over Me", "Perdido", "Body And Soul", "Bye, Bye Blackbird", "Lulu's Back In Town", Little Girl Blue", "Who Can I Turn To", "Take The 'A' Train" and more. CD

Four albums that show the continuing evolution of Earl Scruggs in the 70s – with a sound that's very different than his earlier music, and maybe even sharper instrumentation overall! First up is I Saw The Light – a record made after the famous banjo pioneer split with Lester Flatt, and was very popular with a young rock crowd – as evidenced by help he gets here from Linda Ronstadt and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – not to mention Gary and Randy Scruggs, Vassar Clements, and Norman Blake! The mix of famous names and the growing Scruggs Review sound is great – and the record is an unlikely but important entry in the rise of country rock during the early 70s, with a very different quality than some of Earl's earlier work. We might well thank the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – as the vibe is similar at times to their shifting music of the period – mixed with some Mike Nesmith inspiration, as a few of his tunes are included. Titles include "Lonesome & A Long Way From Home", "Silver Wings", "Never Ending Song Of Love", "Rock Sant & Nails", "Some Of Shelly's Blues", "It's A Picture From Life's Other Side", and "Propinquity". Features bonus tracks "The Cure", "I Saw The Light", "Fireball Mail", and "Tramp On The Street". On Live From Austin City Limits, the great Earl Scruggs takes on the growing Austin scene – which turns out to be a perfect fit for his Revue's blend of new country modes and older styles of instrumentation! Earl leads off the set with stunning work on banjo – maybe even sharper than earlier years – and the group lead off with some Dylan material at the start, showcasing some of their rock leanings – but soon bringing on other songs of their own, and making for this beautiful mix of key instrumental moments and lyrical passages. Lead vocals are from Gary Scruggs, and Randy and Steve Scruggs are in the group too – on titles that include "Nashville Skyline Rag", "I Shall Be Released", "Tall Texas Woman", "I Just Can't Seem To Change", "Black Mountain Blues", "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven", and "The Swimming Song". Strike Anywhere is a mighty nice album from the great Earl Scruggs – recorded with his boys' Revue group, and a sound that really helps keep Earl's instrumentation fresh for the 70s! Years back, we never would have thought that mixing the legendary Scruggs banjo sound with keyboards would have worked – but the change here is a great one, as Earl makes the shift that a few of his traditional instrumental contemporaries were doing at the time – such as Vassar Clements or Bashful Brother Oswald – finding a new setting for the instruments that still shine out in the lead at all the best moments. Titles include a great remake of "Mandolin Wind" – plus "Muhammad Ali", "Bring It On Home To Me", "You Really Got A Hold On Me", "I Think Of You", and "Dreaming As One". On Bold & New, the great Chips Moman produced and recorded the record – a set that shows that move that Earl had made into country rock during the decade, delivered in the best possible hands! Vocals are from some of Earl's sons, and the man himself still gets gets in plenty of banjo solos too – as the group mix their own material with a few from Bobby Emmons, who plays organ, electric piano, and clavinet on the set. Titles include "The Cabin", "Our Love Is Home Grown", "That's Alright Mama", "Found Myself A New Love", "Games People Play", "Take The Time To Fall In Love", and "Louisiana Lady". CD

An incredible collection of modern jazz from Finland – a set that brings together four different releases, all originally issued only as on vinyl as 7" single EPs! First up is an early set from saxophonist Eero Koivistoinen – very freewheeling material that's in a 60s modern legacy that might include Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman, but which has a very different spirit – thanks to the sharp tone that Eero gets on alto sax, and the use of cellos on one cut, and congas on another! The core trio features Pekka Sarmanto on bass and Edward Vesala on drums – and titles include "Jappa", "OK Song", and "Spanish Lady & Lovable Miss P". Next is material from a larger group, led by pianist Pentti Hietanen, who also plays a bit of pocket trumpet – in a lineup that includes Stanley Lindroos on tenor, Ilkaa Karumo on alto, Kaj Backlund on trumpet, Teppo Hauto Aho on bass, and Esko Rosnell on drums. The piano-less group has some great horn interplay – on two long titles, "XYX" and "Irwin". The next release features work from both Eero Koivistoinen and Pekka Poyry on alto saxes – each on one track with their own groups, then coming together on a long track at the end! Other musicians include Eero Ojanen on piano, Pekka Sarmanto on bass, and Reino Laine on drums – on the titles "Scamp", "Interruptus", and "Lorna". The last release is probably the most unusual – titled Posotusta Pimputusta Pompotusta – as it features a number of recitations from Tommi Parko, who also sings, and plays guitar and pian – sometimes with sound effects – before later opening the door for contributions from other artists, including Mike Koskinen on trumpet, Philip Donner on piano and recorder, Kalle Lae on guitar, and Pekka Tanskanen on percussion. The tracks are short on this last fourth of the collection – a mixture of jazz and other experimental modes. CD

Excellent work from Full Blast – a trio who really live up to their name, joined here by another trio of guests – with a sound that's even more of a full blast than before! The core group features Peter Brotzmann on saxes, Marino Pliakas on bass, and Michael Wertmuller on drums – moving in territory that really lives up to the Brotzmann legacy – but then expanded with work from Keiji Haino on guitar, Peter Evans on trumpet, and Mars Williams on tenor and alto – all players with nicely different aspects in their music, which find a way to resonate strongly with the group in this sextet performance recorded at Jazzfest Berlin in 2008. Titles include "Crumbling Brain", "Battle Of Visions", "Have Your Eyes", "Pull Up Pull Up Terrain Terrain", and "Deathbop". LP, Vinyl record album

A record that will definitely freak your friends – and might also freak any fan of Rod McKuen too, as it's a real surprise that the mainstream pop poet was involved in such an unusual session! The real maestro here, though, is Heins Hoffman-Richter – who works with plenty of weird electronics and tape delay to create one of the darkest, headiest albums of electronic music from the period – sounds that take on some of the avant tones of more academic electronics, yet which have a much more focused, organic quality – maybe a bit like the really weird sounds in the Kenneth Anger film Invocation Of My Demon Brother, mixed with tape effects from the world of Jon Appleton! Whatever the reference, though, the whole thing is pretty darn unique – the spookiest of spooky electronic records – with titles that include "Gidget Gets In Trouble", "Send Out The Clowns", "Milkshake", and "This Is My Beloved's Chamber". LP, Vinyl record album

Tremendous work from the great Mark Murphy – a great reminder that he's still one of the greatest jazz vocalists to come our way in the past 50 years! The short set's a loving tribute to the late Shirley Horn – delivered by Mark in some of his most personal, poetic modes in years – with backing from a trio that features Alex Minasian on piano and Curtis Lundy on bass – plus guest trumpet from Til Bronner on two of the album's tracks! Bronner's trumpet rings out warmly alongside Murphy's vocals – which have the same edge we've loved for so many years. The pairing is one that would definitely make Shirley Horn smile – and titles include "A Beautiful Friendship", "Get Out Of Town", "Here's To Life", and "But Beautiful". CD

Long unreleased late 60s recordings from the home of producer/engineer Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer finds Oscar Peterson in a glorious solo piano mode! All of the recordings in the series were from very relaxed, loose sessions that were some of Peterson's favorite of the time – and they're done in a mode that has Oscar playing loosely and soulfully throughout. Titles include "Someone To Watch Over Me", "Perdido", "Body And Soul", "Bye, Bye Blackbird", "Lulu's Back In Town", "Little Girl Blue", "Who Can I Turn To", "Take The 'A' Train" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A pair of late 60s Columbia classics from Tony Bennett – back to back on a single CD! First up is Tony Makes It Happen – a very jazzy album, with a group that features Joe Wilder and Joe Newman on trumpets, Urbie Green on trombone, Joe Soldo on flute, and orchestrations from Marion Evans – all of whom really bring out those unique qualities that set Bennett apart from so many other singers in his generation! Where a Vic Damone might have used his inherent richness to push things over the top, the maturing Tony is a master of restraint – still able to run the full gamut of his amazing range, but set up with these beautiful arrangements that bring some adult understanding to the tunes, in a beautifully subtle vibe. Titles include "What Makes It Happen", "I Don't Know Why", "Can't Get Out Of This Mood", "She's Funny That Way", "A Beautiful Friendship", and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". Next is Yesterday I Heard The Rain – fantastically mature work from Tony Bennett – a record that follows in that great direction the singer was taking in the 60s – delivering sophisticated vocals that didn't care much for the charts, but which really stand the test of time as the years go by! As on some of Tony's best from the period, arrangements are by Torrie Zito – whose careful orchestrations always let Bennett's vocals soar out in the lead, while also hitting some occasional flourishes that bring just the slight touch of drama to the music – but never in the over the top styles of some of his contemporary! Space is the key here – lots of space between the words and the notes – which makes even simpler songs sound pretty darn amazing. Titles include "Sweet Georgie Fame", "Fool Of Fools", "Only The Young", "I Only Have Eyes For You", "Yesterday I Heard The Rain", and a surprisingly great version of "Hushabye Mountain". CD

Work from Coltrane with his trio, quintet, quartet and sextet and with Dizzy Gillespie Quintet, Johnny Hodges & his Orchestra, Miles Davis Quintet, Thelonious Monk Trio, Red Garland Trio, Kenny Burrell, Michel Legrand, and Cannonball Adderley Quintet. CD

Saxophonist Peter Guidi has a great backing trio here – Rob Van Bevel on piano, Rob Langereis on bass, and Hans Van Oosterhout on drums – players who have a way of effortlessly shifting sound and style, depending on the horn that Guidi's blowing – which in this case includes alto, soprano, and flute – nicely mixed up from track to track! On alto, Guidi's got a very classic vibe – while on flute, he can be more airy and spacious – and maybe sounds especially unique on soprano. Titles include the originals "Shades Of Blue", "Blues For Cannonball", "Earth Child", "Shades Of Blue", "Fjords", and "You're The One For Me". CD

Original ska sounds from the originators themselves – 20 incredible numbers by the Skatalites & friends – with many of their most essential recordings, and rare stunners, to boot! The period in focus here is the initial few years of The Skatalites as a bonafide band, but the principal players – including Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso, Tommy McCook, Lester Sterling, Jackie Mittoo and other legendary names – had been honing their craft together for years, backing a who's who of Jamiacan musical heavies from calypso, to mento, to jazz and beyond. No wonder they burst out of the gate with some of the tightest rhythms in the music history, but it's stunning to this day! Really one of the finest Soul Jazz compilations in years, with a wealth of great notes, too! Includes their uber-classic "Guns Of Navarone", "Suavito", "Russian Ska Fever", "El Pussycat Ska", "Tell Them Lord" with The Wailers, "Further East" and "King Solomon" – along with the rarer "Sudden Destruction" with Dizzy Johnson, "Coolie Boy" billed to Don Drummond and lots more. CD

The second album that The Three Sounds recorded with backings by arranger Julian Lee – kind of a precursor to work they'd later do at Blue Note with Oliver Nelson and Monk Higgins. As those records have shown, the augmentation of the group with added orchestrations is always a good idea – as it seems to drive the trio sound to greater heights than on other albums. Gene Harris' piano is razor sharp, and tracks include "The Following Sea", "Hot Cha", "Hittin Another Jug", "Theme From Skyscraper", and "Shornin Bread" (first version). LP, Vinyl record album

Music from The Emblems, The Thorables, Jimmy Johnson, Dyna-Sores, Ken Fuller & Friends, The Swinging Vines, The Raves, The Chordettes, Paul Williams And His Band, The Marquees, and more. CD

Talk about standing in the shadows of Motown! This set's a whole batch of really rare tracks from the Detroit scene of the late 60s – some of which were only issued on tiny labels, and lots more of which appear here for the first time ever – all from the mighty deep vaults of soul producer Dave Hamilton! Dave's a lost legend from the Motor City – a cat who captured talent that was every bit as good as that appearing on bigger indies – like Westbound, Groovesville, or Ric Tic – but who also recorded more gems than he could issue back in the day – which is what makes his music so ripe for discovery all these many years later. The set's overflowing with cuts that rival some of the best Northern Soul singles of the period, and also includes some cool steppers that show the way that Dave could guess where Detroit sounds would go in the 70s – all with a quality and production level that's way more than you'd expect from Hamilton's tiny studio. CD features 24 tracks in all – lots never issued – and titles include "Happiness Is Here" by Tobi Lark, "Lean Lanky Daddy" by Little Ann, "Heavenly Thing" by The Mark-Keys, "You Did" by Priscilla Page, "What Should I Do" by Little Ann, "Blue Funk" by Dave Hamilton, "Talking Bout Love" by Tobi Lark, "Your Love Is What I Want" by The Ravins, "Just A Mistake" by The Ebonettes, "That's All She Wrote" by Gil Billingsley, "Love Friends & Money" by James Lately, "Sweep It Out In The Shed" by Tobi Lark, "I'm Pretending" by Priscilla Page, "Nothing In This World" by Dottie & Millie, "You Won't Miss The Water" by Chico & Buddy, and "Marriage Is Only A State Of Mind" by James Carpenter. CD

Music from D. Matinal Chan, The Stinky Puffs, Daniel Johnston, Fiction Friends, Penn Jillette, Space Negros, Half Japanese, Eric Feldman, The Tinklers, Foetus Inc, Tiny Tim, Hank Von Schpa, Foo Foo Heads, and more - 26 songs in all. CD

An anniversary gift from our friends at Record Breakin – Five Years of grooves from the soulful underground – with tracks by Anthony Valadez, Joy Jones, Spinerty, Coultrain, I, Ced, Dotmatic, Sir Froderick, DnS, Hot Peas & Butta and more! Selected by DJ Junior, and as set of an overview of their styls as you would hope for – with album tracks, remixes and cuts from their 7" series. Includes "Vibrations" by Anthon Valadez, "Move Me" by Kissey Asplund, "Look Around" by Dotmatic, "Another Look U" by I, Ced, "The City" by Dotmatic, "Don't Worry" by Vicelounge, "Bus Stop Lullaby" by Anthony Valadez and more. CD

Includes music from the Friends Of Distinction, Edwin Hawkins Singers, the Winstons, Honey Cone, RB Greaves, Glass House, Flaming Ember, Eddie Holman, Brook Benton, Chairmen Of The Board, and the Delfonics. CD

BBE have done it again! UK DJs Keb Darge and Dr. Bob Jones have teamed up to select this slick batch of 20 rare soul cuts – with the same great sort of selection and quality as the other releases on the BBE label. As you'd expect, the tracks are all super-rare, and come from sources you'll never run across in your regular record shopping trips. The set's got a mix of rare deeper funky soul tracks (with some Lyn Collins-esque raw vocals), plus a number of smoother modern soul tracks with a sweet mellow vibe. Nearly every cut's got a good dancefloor groove, and titles include "Music Slave" by Jade, "Stand Up & Be Counted" by Ghetto Kitty, "Making New Friends" by Jeanie Tracy, "The Hardest Part" by Curtis Anderson, "Movin' On" by GD & The Big J, "Keep On Getting Down" by Le Frank'O, and "Ain't Gonna Be No Fool" by The Fabulous Playmates. Lots more, with a motherlode of great tracks we'd never heard before! LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe one of the best reggae collections the Soul Jazz label has ever given us – a really rich collection of tracks from the Studio One collection, all with female singers in the lead – a good number of which have never been reissued before! Soul Jazz has been covering the Studio One catalog for many years – but this time around, they seem to have dug even deeper than before – mixing in lots of rare nuggets alongside the few familiar tracks – all to showcase a wonderfully soulful blend of singers who cut some great work for the label! The music begins in the rocksteady years, and moves onward – presented by Soul Jazz with their great ear for a set list, usual detailed notes that really get at the history of the artists and music. Titles include "Feel So Good" by Denise Darlington, "My Man Is Gone" by Angela Prince, "Welcome You Back Home" by Jackie & Doreen, "Friends & Lovers" by Rita Marley, "You're No Good" by Marcia Griffiths, "Sleeping Tree" and "Barb Wire" by Nina Soul, "Turn Turn Turn" by Jennifer Lara, "New World" by Myrna Hague, "Melody Life" by Marcia Griffiths, "Can I Change My Mind" by Hortense Ellis, and "Buck Town Corner" by The Jay Tees. CD