A selection of very cool cuts from a long-running party hosted by the mighty Mark De Clive-Lowe – an event that showcases all his rich love of sounds in jazz, soul, club, and other contemporary modes – delivered live as a very collaborative effort, in a style that's captured beautifully on this expanded CD! Mark's got a hand in all the cuts here, but he also opens the door to all the guests to really do their thing – including Tommaso Cappellato, Myele Manzanza, Stro Elliot, Kamau Daaood, Joy Jones, and Colectivo Arte & Manha – all artists who share Mark's genre-jumping cosmic vision! The tracks here are all different than the Ropeadope album with Church in the title – and cuts include "Mystic Brew", "ACHH", "Steps Ahead", "ESSS (Love The Space)", "Ancient Prophecy", "Montara", "Blueberries", "Atlantic Journey", and "Invocation". Also includes the Japanese-only bonus track "Ryugu Jo". CD

A shapely collection of glittering diamonds from the Tru Thoughts label – an entry in their excellent series of rare cuts, special remixes, and other gems – all issued here on vinyl for the first time! Titles include "Loveline (Jesse Fischer rmx)" by Space Captain, "Too High (Jam City rmx)" by Rhi, "Table For One" by Ego Ella May, "Listen" by Pices Of A Man, "Let Me Ride (Stro Elliot rmx)" by Sly5thAve, "ZBRA" by Nikitch & Kuna Maze, "Welcome To London" by Flowdan, "Them Changes (Magic Drum Orchestra rmx)" by Animanz, "Testimony (Letherette rmx)" by Anchorsong, "Message Beats" by Lightning Head, "Flinch/Quiver" by Werkha, and "Parade Skank (Blood Wine Or Honey rmx)" by Magic Drum Orchestra. LP, Vinyl record album

A surprisingly jazzy score – thanks to orchestrations by Ralph Burns, and musical direction by Elliot Lawrence! And of course, the vocals by Sammy Davis Jr are pretty darn nice too! LP, Vinyl record album

An under-documented side of the British folk scene of the 70s – recordings made by producer Bill Leader for his small Trailer Records imprint – done in the spirit of Leader's better-known work for Topic and Transatlantic in the 60s, but with an overall feel that's surprisingly intimate for the time! Despite the "leave-taking" in the title, the sound here is extremely folksy – no string overdubs, psychedelic influences, or rock-based instrumentation – and instead a mostly acoustic, stripped-down style that's a real return to folk roots. Many tracks have a strong focus on the voice, with just a bit of added guitar or percussion – and we'll be honest in saying that we'd never heard most of these artists before this set! Titles include "Never The Same" and "To Make You Stay" by Lal Waterson, "Annachie Gordon" and "Annan Water" by Nic Jones, "Adieu To Judges & Juries" by Dorothy Elliott, "The Kid On The Mountain" by Alastair Anderson, "Jock O Hazeldean" by Dick Gaughan, and "Niel Gow's Lament For His Second Wife" by Aly Bain. LP, Vinyl record album

We're not normally the biggest fans of Ruby Braff – but this is a great little album, thanks to some strong instrumentation! The group on the set's a sextet – with Ruby leading on trumpet, plus Mundell Lowe on guitar, Don Elliott on vibes, Milt Hinton on bass, Don Lamond on drums, and either Hank Jones or Nat Pierce on piano. The use of vibes and guitar creates a sound that gets past the hoke of other Braff sessions – shading in the tunes with moody colors and tones that provide a good contrast to the sweetness of Braff's horn, creating a juxtaposition that gives the set more edge than you might expect. Titles include "Cabin In The Pines", "Lazy", "Someday Sweetheart", "If Dreams Come True", and "Let's Do It". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little album from Ruby Braff – simply blown in a small combo setting, with a strong focus on Braff's sparkling tone on the trumpet! The groups vary throughout the course of the set, but all players are pretty darn great – and tunes include guitar from Steve Jordan, vibes by Don Elliott, and even some nice tenor work from Coleman Hawkins. Braff's own playing is a bit free of the overly-sentimental tones that sometimes mar his other records – and he's got a clarity and charm here that makes the record one of his best full length sets ever. Titles include "Stardust", "Indian Summer", "Here's Freddie", "Just One More Chance", "You're Lucky To Me", "Too Marvelous For Words", and "It's Been So Long". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of Blue Note's hippest tracks of recent years get the remix treatment – in a strong set of modern hip-hop meets jazz grooves that are put together by DJ Smash! There's a total of 14 tracks in all – some exclusive to the set, a few others pulled from hard to find 12" singles – and titles include "Hey Jude" by the Bob Belden Project with Jhelisa remixed by Amalgamation of Soundz, "Raise" by Greg Osby with CL Smooth remixed by Ali Shaheed Muhammad, "A Brighter Day" by Ronny Jordan with Mos Def remixed by DJ Spinna, "Whatever Happened to Gus" by Medeski Martin & Wood with Guru remixed by Guru, "Rose Rougue" by St Germain remixed by Blaze, "London Lowdown" by Ronny Jordan remixed by Joe Clausell, "Voodoo Reprise" by Cassandra Wilson with Angelique Kidjo remixed by Joe Claussel, "So Special" by Richard Elliott remixed by Todd Terry, and "Tolon Willie" by Salif Keita remixed by Joe Claussell. CD

The Beatles are on the cover of the "2023 Ultimate" year in review issue of Mojo – and if there's a stronger testament to their omnipresent legacy at our fingertips today, we can't think of it! Paul and Ringo open up about the unlikely new single "Now And Then" and so much more, in an issue that also includes an excellent roundup of Mojo's selected 75 best albums of the year, interviews with Damon Albarn of Blur, Bono and Adam Clayton of U2, features on Geddy Lee, Warren Zevon, Elliot Smith's pre-solo breakout work with Heatmiser, Gruff Rhys, Anohni, Martin Carthy and more. Also includes a free CD – with tracks by Young Fathers, The Tubs, Anohni & The Johnsons, Wilco, Rickie Lee Jones, the dearly-deparated Jaimie Branch and lots more. 15 tracks in all. Magazine

Amazing work from Nomo – their greatest album so far, and an incredible step forward in styles! Nomo started out as an already-great Afro Funk combo – but over the past few records, they've picked up a really hip range of musical influences – spiritual jazz, electronica, Congotronics, and other cool sounds – all of which are filtered perfectly into this set! The grooves here are unlike anything else we can think of – as tight as Nigerian grooves from the 70s, but stretching out with really jazzy solos – all inflected with some cool electronic touches underneath, but in ways that jam along strongly with the acoustic instrumentation. Leader Elliot Bergman picked up some great added help for this set – including contributions from underground jazz players like Hamid Drake, Josh Abrams, and Adam Rudolph – all of whom help shape the sound wonderfully. Titles include "Nova", "Three Shades", "Last Beat", "Brainwave", "All The Stars", "Sound The Way", "Rings", "Ghost Rock", and "My Dear". CD

A great little collection that seeks to put the Bristol scene on the map – and to show the kind of inventive jazz the city's been offering up in recent years! The compilers aim to demonstrate that Bristol has as many newly-creative acts as the sort that have been bubbling up in London on labels like Brownswood – and the range of material here really shows a similar way of blending newer ideas and older execution – especially strong in the rhythm department, and with an effortless mixing of acoustic and electric modes. If you've been digging sounds from Comet Is Coming, Nubya Garcia, and Joe Armon-Jones, this set is a great place to take that interest further – on work that includes "Bergson" and "Jabba" by Waldo's Gift, "3.3 Encke Ups" and "Sea Of Apathy & Indifference" by Run Logan Run, "Flump (Ishamel Ensemble rework)" and "Grook" by Snazzback, "Owl" by Lyrebird, and "Bourdain" by Alun Elliott Williams. CD

A great little album from Ruby Braff – simply blown in a small combo setting, with a strong focus on Braff's sparkling tone on the trumpet! The groups vary throughout the course of the set, but all players are pretty darn great – and tunes include guitar from Steve Jordan, vibes by Don Elliott, and even some nice tenor work from Coleman Hawkins. Braff's own playing is a bit free of the overly-sentimental tones that sometimes mar his other records – and he's got a clarity and charm here that makes the record one of his best full length sets ever. Titles include "Stardust", "Indian Summer", "Here's Freddie", "Just One More Chance", "You're Lucky To Me", "Too Marvelous For Words", and "It's Been So Long". CD also features additional bonus tracks "As Long As I Live", "If I Had You", "I'm Shooting High", and "Moonglow". CD

This album was recorded live in 1962 at the Second Fret club in Philadelphia. It's a nice set where he plays some Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly and Jimmie Rodgers tunes as well as some others. The recording is good – you can tell it was in an intimate setting – and his voice is strong and the guitar playing tight; he switches between a folksy sound and more of a blues mode. Tracks include "Cool Water", "Hobo's Lullaby", "Boll Weevil", "How Long Blues", "Mule Skinner Blues", and "Rock Island Line". LP, Vinyl record album

Don Elliott puts down his mellophone and starts to sing – and the results are a surprisingly strong set that's one of his standouts of the 50s! Don's got a limited range, but more than makes up for it with his sense of personality – a mode that's a bit like Jackie Paris or Matt Dennis at the time, with qualities that are quite far from mainstream male pop vocals of the period! Backing is by a core cool combo that includes Billy Byers on trombone and Hal McKusick on alto and flute – and the tunes have a sweet modern quality that's mighty fresh. Titles include "Ooh Baby It Scares Me", "I Hadn't Anyone Til You", "Every Time", "Let's Fall In Love", "Whatever Happened To You", and "Looking For A Boy". LP, Vinyl record album

Missy and Timbaland (and the usual cast of guest stars) are back and hotter than ever before on Missy's fourth full length, much more of a hip hop record this time, with tons of old school party shouts and new school neo-electro production! Under Construction is kind of a concept album (don't worry, not in the Jethro Tull kind of way) with a theme that celebrates the hip hop golden age of the mid-to-late 80s but with a modern, probably timeless flavor. The status quo R&B that Missy can't seem to get out of her system is here only at a minimum – this is a hip hop record! Past guests like Method Man (turning in a great remake of "Bring The Pain"), Ludacris, and Jay Z show up as well as 50 Cent, Ms. Jade, Beyonce Knowles, and TLC – but as usual, no one steals the show from Mis and Tim. No one would claim Missy is the most scholarly of lyricists, but as a conduit for attitude and a spicy groove she can't be beat, plus her topical and scatological rhymes and choruses fit these hip hop party bumpers like a Kangol & a gold chain. Tons of shout outs to and samples of the old schoolers that are just way too true to be nostalgic, plus strong production from Timbaland that isn't afraid to risk his reputation as an innovator by referencing his influences. The duo may have produced more astoundingly great singles in the recent past, but this is Missy and Timbaland's magnum opus, as far as full lengths go. 13 tracks including "Work It", "Go To The Floor", "Bring The Pain" featuring Method Man, "Funky Fresh Dressed" featuring Ms Jade, "Slide", "Play That Beat", "Ain't That Funny", and more. CD

A real step forward for Quincy Jones – a record that really shows the jazzman moving into sophisticated new territory – a sound that's just right for the CTI generation! The album's got a vibe that's a bit similar to Quincy's Walking In Space album, but it's a lot deeper too – touched with some of the African elements you might guess from the title – arranged in ways that are often quite spacious, so that the tunes really take some time to find just the right groove! Backings are large, but show the leaner elements that Jones was bringing to his soundtrack work – and instrumentation includes vibes from Milt Jackson, marimba from Don Elliott, flute from Hubert Laws, soprano sax from Jerome Richardson, trumpet from Freddie Hubbard, trombone from Al Grey, and guitar from Eric Gale. Keyboards figure strongly – played by Herbie Hancock and Bob James – and special features include a bit of guitar and whistling from Toots Thielemans, plus some soulful vocals from Valerie Simpson. "Gula Matari" is an incredible 12 minute tribal groove – and other titles include a killer take on Nat Adderley's "Hummin", plus "Walkin" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty amazing 70s moment from Bob Dylan – a legendary tour that was a bit of a rock and roll circus on wheels – hence, perhaps, the unique name of the tour! Bob's in a very collaborative spirit here – working with famous guests who include Mick Ronson, Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn, Joni Mitchell, Ronee Blakely and Ramblin' Jack Elliott – all in an upbeat mode that surfaced most strongly on some of Dylan's tracks on the Desire album, which was issued during the two legs of the tour. CD

The second album from Aaliyah, and a huge step forward from the first – shifting both away from production by R Kelly, and towards a more adult approach that really has the singer coming across as a mature solo artist on her own! This time around, Timbaland handles much of the key production, and Missy Elliott plays a key role too – and both appear on the record as well, although it's always clear that the leading lady is the very strong main attraction. Slick Rick guests on a great remake of the Marvin Gaye classic "Got To Give It Up", big singles include "One In A Million" and "If Your Girl Only Knew" – and other tracks include "Hot Like Fire", "The One I Gave My Heart To", "Giving You More", "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" and "Choosey Lover (Old School/New School)". LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty amazing 70s moment from Bob Dylan – a legendary tour that was a bit of a rock and roll circus on wheels – hence, perhaps, the unique name of the tour! Bob's in a very collaborative spirit here – working with famous guests who include Mick Ronson, Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn, Joni Mitchell, Ronee Blakely and Ramblin' Jack Elliott – all in an upbeat mode that surfaced most strongly on some of Dylan's tracks on the Desire album, which was issued during the two legs of the tour. This massive package features 14 CDs – New York city rehearsals, plus live shows in Boston, Cambridge, Montreal, and Worcester – as well as a bonus CD of rare performances. CD

The second album from Aaliyah, and a huge step forward from the first – shifting both away from production by R Kelly, and towards a more adult approach that really has the singer coming across as a mature solo artist on her own! This time around, Timbaland handles much of the key production, and Missy Elliott plays a key role too – and both appear on the record as well, although it's always clear that the leading lady is the very strong main attraction. Slick Rick guests on a great remake of the Marvin Gaye classic "Got To Give It Up", big singles include "One In A Million" and "If Your Girl Only Knew" – and other tracks include "Hot Like Fire", "The One I Gave My Heart To", "Giving You More", "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" and "Choosey Lover (Old School/New School)". CD

A real step forward for Quincy Jones – a record that really shows the jazzman moving into sophisticated new territory – a sound that's just right for the CTI generation! The album's got a vibe that's a bit similar to Quincy's Walking In Space album, but it's a lot deeper too – touched with some of the African elements you might guess from the title – arranged in ways that are often quite spacious, so that the tunes really take some time to find just the right groove! Backings are large, but show the leaner elements that Jones was bringing to his soundtrack work – and instrumentation includes vibes from Milt Jackson, marimba from Don Elliott, flute from Hubert Laws, soprano sax from Jerome Richardson, trumpet from Freddie Hubbard, trombone from Al Grey, and guitar from Eric Gale. Keyboards figure strongly – played by Herbie Hancock and Bob James – and special features include a bit of guitar and whistling from Toots Thielemans, plus some soulful vocals from Valerie Simpson. "Gula Matari" is an incredible 12 minute tribal groove – and other titles include a killer take on Nat Adderley's "Hummin", plus "Walkin" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". LP, Vinyl record album