Beautifully blue-tinged work from tejano legend Martin Solis – an artist who never recorded much during his life, but performed constantly for the Mexican community in and around Detroit! Solis both sings and handles the large bajo sexteto – a deep-toned instrument that really invokes a lot of blueness with its tone – which is often echoed by the saxophone work on many of these tracks, more richly sonic than straightly jazzy – nicely balanced with accordion, an instrument which is used in ways that are often a bit more restrained than usual for this type of work. There's a wonderfully melancholy vibe to most of these tracks – and Third Man issued the project from a series of tapes found by Martin's son, finally brought together here to form the first full length Solis album. Titles include "Viva Seguin", "Atonilco", "Sin Ti", "Flor Del Rio", "Dos Palomas", "Amor Brutal", "Las Gaviotas", and "Este Noche Tu Vendras". LP, Vinyl record album

Groovy organ instrumentals, with a definite Latin flair – and titles include "Sunny", plus "Aquellos Fueron Los Dias", "A Medias De La Noche", "Cancion Para Ti", and "Gente Las Mariposas". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the building blocks of the late 60s Tropicalia scene in Brazil – and a standout solo debut from the young Caetano Veloso! The album's got an approach that's as dynamic and trippy as its cover image might imply – the same amazing blend of sounds and styles you'd hear on contemporaneous records by Gal Costa or Os Mutantes – served up with similar wit, wisdom, and charm! Caetano's vocals are amazing throughout – filled with raspy power that goes beyond the barriers of language – and the production has loads of surprising elements tripping through the mix – some rootsy, some slightly orchestrated – but with a softer approach that resonates strongly with more psychedelic use of organ and guitar. The album's as powerful today as it was decades ago – an essential recording that holds up beautifully year after year! The kickoff track is "Tropicalia" (surprisingly enough!), and the album is a non-stop ride through gems like "Alegria, Alegria", "Onde Andaras", "Paisagem Util", "Ave Maria", and the groovy "Soy Loco Por Ti America", written by Gilberto Gil. LP, Vinyl record album

Nice overstuffed "best of" compilation that features work by Veloso that spans from his early Tropicalia years to the stuff he did as a pseudo-new wave artist in the early 80s. 7 cuts alone are from the pivotal year of 1968 – including "Shy Moon", "Lua De Sao Jorge", "Superbacana", and "Soy Loco Por Ti America" – and others are from the mid and late 70s, like "Beleza Pura", "Trilhos Urbanos", "Odara", "O Leaozinho", and "Qualquer Coisa". Not all of this material is available on the other CDs we carry, and the set itself is a great way to begin to get into the work of Veloso, who we feel is one of the greatest musical artists of the late 20th century! CD

New grooves from the Nigerian scene – now booming again, and showing a heck of a lot of growth since the Afro Funk years of the 70s! The collection focuses on Nigerian artists both at home and abroad – but has a really unified feel over, thanks to the strength of the work in the set. There's still echoes of older African funk at the bottom of most of these tunes, but the overall groove is warmer, fresher, and a bit more modern – clearly sharing a backwards influence of grooves made by the diaspora in New York and London during the past decade or so – and indicating the easier travel between Nigeria and other scenes since the 70s. Most tracks have a modern club vibe that's virtually universal – and titles include "Afro Nite" by Afro Logic, "Baba Batteur" by Awa Band, "Everybody Dance" by KC Fresh, "Awodudu" by Afrologic with Keziah Jones, "Rugged International" by Keziah Jones, "No More No Vanacula" by Bantu, "The Teacher" by Ikanga, "Ola Mi Ti De" by SS2 vs Duduworx, "Owun Ba Wumi" by Brenda, "Southern Hemisphere Soul" by Ikanga, "Owo" by Yinka Davies/Barrist, and "Lagos Jump" by Tony Allen. CD

Another strong batch of tracks from that best of the street producers – the great Alchemist – featuring a who's who of the toughest rhymers. Tracks include "Dead Bodies" with Game & Prodigy, "The Essence" with LOX, "It's A Craze" with Mobb Deep, "Bangers" with Lloyd Banks, "Stop The Show", with Stat Quo & MOP, "Bang Out" with B-Real, "Tick Tock" with Nas & Prodigy, "Pimp Squad" with TI and the PSC and lots more. CD

Soaring salsa from the mighty Lebron Brothers – a group who first burst on the Latin scene with a strong run of Latin Soul recordings, but who are taking a more straightforward approach here! Yet that change hardly makes any difference, as the Lebrons still have that bold, youthful energy that made their records such a great change from some of the too-big bands of the previous generation in Latin music – and their shift from boogaloo to salsa is a great example of the way the key younger acts were helping make the waves that so many other artists would follow! Pablo Lebron sings lead vocals, and Angel and Jose Lebron co-lead the mighty tight grooves – which include alto from Gabe Gill and tenor from Herman Saldana – both players who keep a soulful sound to the set. Titles include "Mi Fracaso", "Si Ti", "Todo Lo Hechaste Ha Perder", "Orgullo, Riqueza Y Lujo", and "Tus Recuerdos". LP, Vinyl record album

Some definite wall-jumping grooves from Cheche Mendoza and the Satelites – titles that include "Illusion Por Ti', "El Pato A La Olla", "Al Calor De La Cumbia", "Traicionera", "Borinquerna", "San Lazaro", "Serranita", and "Acabando". LP, Vinyl record album

The fourth full length set from NERD, and one that really shows the group at the top of their mainstream game – maybe more in the territory of catchy soul than before, and definitely heading in the direction that Pharrell would take in his solo work to come! There's a bit of hip hop in the mix, but the production is bumpingly upbeat, for tunes that are unabashedly hook-heavy – served up with help from Nelly Furtado and TI, on cuts that include "Party People", "Hypnotize U", "Help Me", "God Bless Us All", "Sacred Temple", "Wanna Jam", "The Man", "Hot N Fun", "Life As A Fish", "Nothing On You", "Victory", and "Perfect Defect". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that's way more than the classic rock outing of some of the group's Bay Area contemporaries – as the young Carlos Santana finds a way to mix inspirations from blues and Latin music into this fierce fusion of so many different elements at once – stretching out, jamming, and touching decades of listeners in the process! The whole thing's a perfect sonic blend – guitar, keyboards, and plenty of percussion – on the group's stunning remake of "Oye Como Va", their fusion of "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen", and the cuts "Se A Cabo", "Samba Pa Ti", "El Nicoya", and "Singing Winds Crying Beasts". CD

One of the building blocks of the late 60s Tropicalia scene in Brazil – and a standout solo debut from the young Caetano Veloso! The album's got an approach that's as dynamic and trippy as its cover image might imply – the same amazing blend of sounds and styles you'd hear on contemporaneous records by Gal Costa or Os Mutantes – served up with similar wit, wisdom, and charm! Caetano's vocals are amazing throughout – filled with raspy power that goes beyond the barriers of language – and the production has loads of surprising elements tripping through the mix – some rootsy, some slightly orchestrated – but with a softer approach that resonates strongly with more psychedelic use of organ and guitar. The album's as powerful today as it was decades ago – an essential recording that holds up beautifully year after year! The kickoff track is "Tropicalia" (surprisingly enough!), and the album is a non-stop ride through gems like "Alegria, Alegria", "Onde Andaras", "Paisagem Util", "Ave Maria", and the groovy "Soy Loco Por Ti America", written by Gilberto Gil. CD

Amazing sounds from Reunion Island – a relatively tiny spot, but one that's always had a very compelling cultural legacy! The nation was completely deserted four hundred years ago, and has been populated by waves of colonization from Europe, Africa, and Asia – which has made for a very unique hybrid of cultures and sounds over the years! These tracks are from a key point in the island's musical development – a time when older ideals were electrified slightly – in ways that almost remind us of some of the compelling Caribbean grooves of the period, or some of the post-colonial material from Paris – but with a much funkier sound overall. In true Strut Records spirit, the music here is instantly appealing, right from the start – even if you don't know any history behind the scene – but also in the label's best tradition, the package is stuffed with detailed notes, images of older records, and lots more too – which will give you plenty to learn while you enjoy the grooves. Titles include "Commandeur" by Pierrot Vidot, "Mi Bord A Toe" by Vivi, "C'Est Le Meme Cadence" by Gaby Et Les Soul Men, "Se Pi Bodie" by Ti Vock, "Reveil Creole" by Groupe Dago, "Serre Serre Pas" by Gilberte, "La Rosee Si Feuilles Songes" by Cameleon, "Maloya Ton Tisane" by Michou, "Defoule 3e Age" by Daniel Sandie, "Moin Las Pas Fait Tout Sel" by Jean Claude Viadere, "P'Tit Femme Mon Gate" by Cormoran Group, "Sega Le Sport" by Marie Helen Et Ses Creol's, and "Tantine Zaza" by Francoise Guimbert. CD

A great 80s fusion of gwo-ka rhythms and more contemporary elements – very much in the "new Africa" mode that Celluloid records was plotting a few years earlier – as Jimmy Blanche works here next to a blend of acoustic and electric percussion, on tracks that have a heavy rhythmic vibe throughout! Vocals are often tied very strongly to the grooves – called out more than sung by Jimmy, but often matched with sweeter elements from a female singer – who warms up the sound next to some of the jazzier piano and horn lines too. Titles include "Kimbe", "Dou Van Jou", "La Nou Te Ye", "Tambo La & Ti Bois La", "Misik A Moun A Kaz", and the long "Misik A Moun A Kaz (Baerlz rmx)". LP, Vinyl record album

Possibly the greatest album ever from Angel Canales – a 70s salsa classic through and through, and one with great links between the New York scene and Canales' Puerto Rican roots! The tunes are wonderfully heartfelt throughout – sung with a youthful sense of soul that's far different than some of the more emotive modes of previous generations of Latin singers – in a way that really scored big with the younger generation at the time, and which makes Canales one of the key forces helping to change the sound of the music in the 70s. Instrumentation is nice and tight – acoustic small combo work with two trombones, trumpet, baritone sax, flute, piano, bass, and percussion – under musical direction by Juan Torres. Titles include "Lejos De Ti", "Perico Macona", "La Hiedra", "Sol De Mi Vida", "Sabor Los Rumberos Nuevos", and "El Cantante Y La Orquesta". CD

The second album from EPMD, and the second triumph! Unfinished Business continues in the style of the classic debut, but that's anything but a problem at this point, there was really no one at their doing like Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith at the time! Their style of heavy east coast funky soul beatcraft and slow rolling rhymes was seriously distinctive at the time – sticking to what they do best – and better than most of their peers – on both the production ti[ and in the back and forth rhymes was the way to go, completing a pair of back-to-back classics. Includes "So What Cha Sayin'", "Get the Bozack", "The Big Payback", "Please Listen to My Demo", "Snappin' Necks", and "You Had Too Much To Drink". LP, Vinyl record album

A 2CD tribute to the mighty Eddie Palmieri – one that's filled with some of his best work from the 60s and 70s! The 30 track collection features work from Eddie's key early years at the Alegre and his amazing mid period years on Tico – plus a few standout tracks from other labels like Coco and Barbaro, which stand as proof that Palmieri was always improving his groove as the years went on. The musical portrait here is a really amazing one – an evolution of sound that few other Latin musicians can match, served up with a great package that includes writings on Eddie's career and music. Titles include "Chocolate Ice Cream", "Ay Que Rico", "Palo De Mango", "Justicia", "Tema La Perfecta", "We've Loved Before", "Resemblance", "Cuidate Compay", "Azucar", "Cafe", "Si Echo Palante", "Lazaro Y Su Microfono", "Nada De Ti", "Una Rosa Espanola", "La Verdad", and "La Malanga". CD

A really surprising turn in the career of Mongo Santamaria – especially after a run of successful mainstream Latin sides for Columbia and Atlantic! The album's definitely "up from the roots", and features Mongo in a percussion-heavy exploration of older Afro-Cuban rhythms – served up here in really traditional modes, with a much more folksy sound than any of his other work for the time. Most instrumentation on side one is from percussion – but as the record goes on, the "history" of Latin music begins to seep in – with some great jazz lines from players who include Felix Watkins on flute, Carter Jefferson on tenor and soprano saxes, and Jon Faddis on trumpet – plus a bit of keyboards from Eddie Martinez. Neal Creque, Eddy Martinez, and Marty Sheller all help out on arrangement as the sound builds through the set – so by the end the record is nice and funky, and filled with plenty of soul! Titles include "Little Angel", "Sofrito", "Forked Tongue", "Jose Outside", "Para Ti", and "Conga, Bata, y Chequere". LP, Vinyl record album

Nice overstuffed "best of" compilation that features work by Veloso that spans from his early Tropicalia years to the stuff he did as a pseudo-new wave artist in the early 80s. 7 cuts alone are from the pivotal year of 1968 – including "Shy Moon", "Lua De Sao Jorge", "Superbacana", and "Soy Loco Por Ti America" – and others are from the mid and late 70s, like "Beleza Pura", "Trilhos Urbanos", "Odara", "O Leaozinho", and "Qualquer Coisa". Not all of this material is available on the other CDs we carry, and the set itself is a great way to begin to get into the work of Veloso, who we feel is one of the greatest musical artists of the late 20th century! CD

Amazing music you've probably never heard before – all from the tiny island of Mauritius in the 70s, and served up in a stunning mix of funk, blues, and soul! The grooves here are very offbeat – with rhythms that belie the island's location in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar, mixed with more contemporary touches on electric guitar, bass, and keyboards – set to lyrics that are often sung in French, usually with these haunting changes and oddly melancholy modes – all of which makes for music that's every bit as emotively powerful as it is downright groovy! Strut Records have always turned us on to new and unusual sounds – but this time around, they've really done something special – and the collection is one of our favorite releases ever from the long-running label. Titles include "Afro Mauricien" by Georges Jean Louis, "Mo Mari Fini Alle" by Catherine Velienne, "Elida" by Michel Legris, "Mone Lasser Dire Toi" by Harold Berty, "Bhai Aboo" by Claudio, "Mo Parrain" by Christophe, "Manuel Bitor" by John Kenneth Nelson, "Eliza" by Georgie Joi, and "Soul Sock Sega" by Ti L'Afrique. LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection of modern tracks playing big on the London scene – put together by Nik Weston, one of the city's current tastemakers! The range of grooves here is really wonderful – with a lot more jazz and soul influences than you'd expect, especially hearing some of the broken beat and electronic work coming out of the city lately. There's actually also a lot of work by Japanese artists as well – showing how the bridge between Tokyo and London is stronger than ever, allowing some truly great underground acts to reach expression on global proportions! Titles include "Speed Of Love" by Seikou Nagaoka, "Salty Or Sweet" by Jazoulster, "Descarga Pa'ti" by Ken Morimura, "Shi Wa Zu" by Rie Akagi, "After The Dance" by Yukhoh Kusunoki, "Leiloca" by Pamela Driggs, "Saturday (inst)" by Paris Match, "New Steps" by Res, and "You Don't Know What Love Is" by Osamu Koike. CD

Tremendous sounds from Muriel Grossmann – a saxophonist who's fast becoming one of our favorite on the planet! As with Muriel's previous records, there's a strongly spiritual vibe going on here – but there's also a difference, too – as the group's expanded to a quintet, with the addition of the organ of Llorenc Barcelo next to the familiar trio of Radomir Milokovic on guitar, Gina Schwarz on bass, and Uros Stamenkovic on drums! The rhythms of the combo are every bit as wonderful as Muriel's soaring, searching solos – very modal, but also with deeper rootsy currents too – often mixed with sounds from the organ that are unlike anything you'd hear in a more conventional Hammond setting, which further creates this exotic, otherworldly vibe to the whole record. Grossmann blows soprano, alto, and tenor – and all titles are originals, and include "Chase", "Tribu", "Okan Ti Aye", "Morning", "Afrika Mahala", and "Water Bowl". CD

One of the greatest Tito Puente albums from the 50s, and a spare percussion jam session that's right up there with his legendary Puente In Percussion album! The group features Mongo Santamaria, Bill Correa, Julito Collazo, and Enrigue Marti on percussion with Tito – and the only other additional sounds are some occasional vocals, and a pounding bassline. The set's extremely raw, with a very tight groove – and the sound is incredible – easily enough to make this one of Tito's best percussion dates ever! Titles include "Ti Mon Bo", "Elequana", "Bragada", "Alaumba Chemache", "Hot Timbales", and "Four By Two". LP, Vinyl record album

A great debut from Japanese tenorist Takao Uematsu – a player who blows here with a wonderful sense of tone right from the start – almost an inherent sense of spiritualism that he still manages bring to tunes with a straight ahead swing! The approach is a bit like Archie Shepp in that cool 70s stretch when he was stepping away from the outside – and Uematsu's clearly a player who knows the far reaches, but often just hints at them in his music – while moving through these long-blown lines spurred on by a really wonderful group! The combo features excellent Fender Rhodes from Sadayasu Fuji – who stretches out on the long tracks on the set – plus trombone from Takashi Imai, bass from Yoshio Suzuki, and drums from George Otsuka. Titles include "TI", "Sleep My Love", "Stella By Starlight", and "Inside Parts". CD

A much-needed look at the massive amount of music recorded in Kenya during the 70s and 80s – an incredibly fertile time for local culture in the nation – and a time when it seemed like there was a great new groove coming out nearly every day! The work here really rivals the best of the classic Soundway compilations – especially their strong surveys of Ghana and Nigeria, with an ear for grooves that go way beyond the usual mainstream sounds of world music! There's more than enough grit and funk here to please any fan of American funk and soul – but the sounds also go way way deeper, too – and echo not only a long Kenyan cultural heritage, but also reflect the unique place the nation had at the crossroads of East Africa – a site that often made the scene especially vibrant in these years. The presentation is superb – with detailed notes and wonderful imagery that includes vintage label scans – and titles include "Mu Africa" by The Rift Valley Brothers, "Wendo Ti Mbia" by Gatanga Boys Band, "Ware Wa" by The Loi Toki Tok, "Sweet Sweet Mbombo" by Orchestre Baba National, "Cha Umheja" by Afro 70, "See Serere" by Sophia Ben & The Eagles Lupopo, "Mutumia Muriu" by The Lulus Band, "Nzaumi" by Ndalani 77 Brothers, "Teresia" by Huruma Boys Band, and "Week End" by Afro 70. LP, Vinyl record album

A set that's a bit mellower than some of the other 60s records by Brazilian organist Ely Arcoverde – but one that's still got a very groovy sound overall! As you'd guess by the "boleros" in the title, most tunes are ballads – slow-steppers with a great late nite vibe, which gives Ely plenty of room to work all this cool magic on the keys of the electric organ – at a level that's somewhere between American jazz Hammond players, and maybe the more exotic modes of an artist like Korla Pandit! As with other records, Ely finds a way to "sing" through the keys – almost an early organ-driven version of vocoder material – and titles include "Que Sera De Ti", "O Divorcio", "Sonhar Contigo", "Abraca Me", and the side-long "Selecao De Boleros". CD

An extremely righteous bit of soul jazz – originally issued in a very small pressing by Folkway Records, at a time when the label was doing some great underground recordings! The sound is loose and free – spiritually building in a manner that recalls the work of Ahmed Abdul Malik, Phil Cohran, and some of the AACM – and the album has a style that's exploratory, but never goes too far out, or loses its sense of rhythm and swing. Tracks are longish, and the core group features soprano sax and Korean reeds by Bilal Abdurahman and vibes by Ameen Nuraldeen – plus guest work on bass by James Smith, and appearances by a lot of different world percussion players. There's a nice Eastern feel to some of the tracks, and titles include "Mevlana", "Ti Ti", "Sun Flower", and "Bent El Jerusalem". CD

A different sort of record from late 60s Brazil – straighter pop, with a bit of jovem guarda instrumentation – but done with the Latin market in mind too, as all the lyrics here are in Spanish! Elizabeth is a pretty compelling singer – working with just the right hint of echo next to the organ and strings used in the backgrounds – and unlike some of her contemporaries, she's also a surprisingly strong songwriter – as most of the tunes on the record are by the lady herself! Titles include "Soy Loca Por Ti", "Tristeza Infinita", "El Amor Que No Es Para Mi", "No Hay Luna Ni Cielo Lindo", "Me Gusta Mismo Demas", and "Yo Estoy Amando". CD features the bonus track "Kiko". CD

The return of a legend – and a tremendously groovy little record! Brazilian keyboardist/composer Antonio Adolfo's been making records for years – but easily his greatest albums were those cut at the end of the 60s with his Brazuka group – a cool combination of funky rhythms, electric keyboards, spacious production, and female vocals – all wrapped up with that glorious Blue Brazil sound of the EMI/Odeon label. Here, Adolfo recaptures that sound beautifully – returning to modes he hasn't touched in decades – and getting tremendous treatment from the Far Out label, who really help him hit that classic sound right. The record's an instantly timeless set that rivals all of Antonio's wonderful work from many years back – recorded with Adolfo on keyboards, live jazzy rhythms, a bit of strings, and twin harmony vocals from daughters Carol Saboya and Luisa Saboia – soaring out beautifully with a really groovy sound. The whole thing's wonderful – even better than you might expect – and titles include "Bola Da Vez", "Papo Furado", "Luizao", "Eu E Voce", "Tudo E Brasil", "Domingo Azul", "Tao Iguais", "SOS Amazonas", "Sonho Estelar", and "Dono Do Mundo". CD

... CD

Incredible work from the obscure African Music Machine – a southern funk combo led by bassist Louis Villery – a legendary batch of funky singles, finally brought together as a full album! The band has a very unique sound that involves a lot of rolling bubbling basslines, spacey organ grooves, tight choppy guitar riffs, and punchy horn blasts – almost with the African elements promised in the title, but served up with a deeper funk sound all the way through! In a way, the group's a bit like Cymande or some of the other 70s hybrid ensembles – yet they've got a lot less dub, a much more direct funky groove, and plety of raw southern elements in the mix as well! This is the funky 45 material we first cut our teeth on back in the day – and the original singles are legendary! Includes massive cuts like "Black Water Gold (Pearl)", "A Girl In France", "Never Name A Baby (Before It's Born), "Making Nassau Fruit Drink", "Camel Time", "The Dapp", "Tropical", and "Mr. Brown". CD

Madly romping Latin from this obscure group led by pianist Phil Moore III – a combo who effortlessly groove through a blend of boogaloo, Latin jazz, and plenty of percussion-heavy exotica – all in a style that's very much their own! There's a loose and free feel here that's far different than most of the other pop Latin combos of the time – a style that's even quite different from the New York scene of the time, and which rings out more with tones from the hipper groups of the LA soul jazz underground of the mid 60s – such as the Harold Johnson Sextet. Instrumentation includes alto, flute, trumpet, and plenty of heavy percussion and piano – on titles that include "Afro Soul", "Afro Freakout", "Afro Breed", "So There You Are", "The Sheik", and "Montuno". CD

The last album from the legendary early run of Agitation Free – and a set that definitely shows the group at the top of their game! The tracks are long, but never rambling – jamming, but never in a noodly way – and these guys really show why their contribution to German prog was so important at the time – able to handle some of the minimal progressions of their contemporaries, while finding a way to soar forward too – yet always with a sound that's completely fresh and free of cliche! Keyboards and guitar spiral out wonderfully together, and looped a bit in some really great ways – and titles include "Soundpool", "Laila II", and "Looping IV". LP, Vinyl record album

Mighty nice work from a really inventive duo – the team of Ryan Oslance on drums and Shane Parish on guitar – both musicians who work with a criss-crossing sound that's part jazz, flavored maybe partly by rock – in a blend that really continues the legacy of some important Chicago sounds of the final years of the 20th Century! There's a wide array of textures from the guitar – sometimes more pronounced leads, sometimes subtle sonic energy, and sometimes rhythmic blasts that really echo the work on drums – which also has a way of stepping between conventional and more unusual modes, as both musicians progress in styles that often have a relatively rhythmic core. Titles include "Power With", "Erosion", "Sundowning", "Rincon Pio Sound", "La Faena", and "Shelter In Place" – a tune that maybe resonates more differently now than when it was recorded! CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

You might remember Tony Aiken for his classic funk album Unity, from the 70s – and here, he's back again – after nearly 40 years away from the studio! The album's got a style that's a lot more reggae-influenced than before – maybe not totally a reggae record, given the other influences that Tony brings to bear – but a style that's definitely Jamaican overall, especially in the rhythms! The project features a big number of guests – as you can probably guess from the images on the front cover – all given a soulful spirit by Tony's lead. Package lists no song titles at all – but there are 10 tracks total. CD

CTI Records meets that Brazilian fusion sound of the 70s – served up here on two classic albums! Fingers is one of Airto's greatest records ever – a really hard hitting batch of tracks that mix sharp-edged fusion lines with some earthier Brazilian percussion touches – all in a way that nicely steps off of Airto's first few American releases, and warms the groove up with a nice dose of California soul! Flora Purim joins in here on both vocals and percussion – and the rest of the group features Hugo Fattoruso on keyboards and harmonica, Jorgte Fattoruso on drums, and David Amaro on both electric and acoustic guitars – shifting nicely between both instruments in a way that further underscores the blended vibe of the record! Most of these tracks are Airto classics – like "Tombo in 7/4", "San Francisco River", "Romance Of Death", "Ringers", and "Wind Chant" – and the record has a very sweet CTI production style, but is still rough enough around the edges to keep things nice and real! Deodato In Concert is an excellent little live set from Deodato – hard to believe because the sound's just as tight and funky as his studio albums, and possibly even more interesting because he manages to pull it off equally well in a live setting! The record features percussion by Airto, guitar by John Tropea, and vocals by Flora Purim – and those are just the marquee names of a large and amazing grew of great musicians! All tracks are long and complicated, for very hynotic feel throughout. The funkiest number is "Tropea", which has a nice long 8 minute groove – and the set also features a cover of Steely Dan's "Do It Again", plus the tracks "Parana", "Branches", "Baubles, Bangles And Beads" and "Skyscraper". Amazing! CD

An insanely huge amount of work from British rocksteady legend Laurel Aitken – especially when you consider that this set of 138 tracks was issued in the short space of just two years! In truth, Laurel's not the lead artist on all the cuts, but he had something to do with all of them – either as a singer, songwriter, producer, or other creative force – all bringing to a variety of UK labels the experience he'd build up as a formative member on the growing scene in Kingston! The work throughout is marked with the wit that always made Aitken such a standout, and which also links his contributions to Jamaican music with larger Caribbean culture – but never in the watered-down style of his later revival work. The scope of music is amazing, and in addition to dozens of tracks recorded under his own name, the package features cuts by The Gruvy Beats, The Classics, Inner Mind, Winston Groovy, Sonny Binns & The Rudies, Tiger, King Horror, Pama Dice, The Cimarons, Trevor Lloyd, Dice & Cummie, Dice The Boss, and others. CD

The title's a bit unusual – but that's somewhat fitting, given that pianist Shoji Aketagawa was the driving creative force behind the always-unusual Aketa's disc label! There's nothing too erotic about the material, which also certainly isn't grotesque – and instead, Shoji rings out beautifully with these strong notes on a number of solo tracks, before leaping into some work with the trio on the last tune – but all with a quality that's really unlike anyone else we can think of! The piano has the richness of a grand piano, but the stiffness of an upright – maybe that's Shoji's playing, or just the instrument used for the date – and there's this instantly distinct feel to the record that grabs us the same way as Jaki Byard in a similar mode – even though Aketagawa isn't anything like Byard at all. Titles are in Japanese – and the set features seven tracks in all. CD

Brilliantly bold work from pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi – an artist who's really coming into her own for the 70s – stepping out in a big band format that would win her a wide new audience on both sides of the Pacific! The album's one of the first to feature the ensemble co-led with husband Lew Tabackin – a group that features strong work from American players who include Dick Spencer and Gary Foster on alto saxes, Tabackin and Tom Peterson on tenor, Bill Perkins on baritone, Bobby Shew and Don Rader on trumpets, and Charles Loper and Jim Sawyer on trombones. The horns are only part of the picture, though – as the inventive writing and arranging from Akiyoshi is what really makes the album great – a strong sense of painting with sound, while still keeping things swinging – really unlocking all the best elements that had been opened up for larger ensembles in the previous few years. The set features all original tracks that include "Kogun", "American Ballad", "Henpecked Old Man", "Elegy", and "Memory". CD

A hokey title and cover, but a great little record – a lesser-known gem from the Toshiko Akioshi big band, recorded in the mid 80s for Japanese release! Toshiko's still working strongly with reedman Lew Tabackin here – and as always, the sound of the reeds really make the record – not only on the bold ensemble passages, but also on the snakey, well-crafted solos that slide out of the fuller arrangements – letting Lew, Frank Wess, and Jim Snidero contribute some really great work on the longer tracks. Titles include "Ten Gallon Shuffle", "Fading Beauty", "Blue Dream", and "Happy Hoofer" – and in case you're wondering, that's a young Monday Michiru on the cover! CD

One of the lesser-known albums in the great run of big band records cut by pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and reedman Lew Tabackin – and a set with a bit of a difference, too – as this time out, Tabackin wrote all the tunes, although Toshiko still handles all the arrangements and orchestrations! Some of the numbers are a bit shorter than on some of the other TALT group recordings – and it might be our imagination, but they also seem to have some more pronounced reed solos – moments that really remind us what a great saxophonist Tabackin can be, and a master of the powerful, yet understated emotional moment. Titles include "Tanuki's Night Out", "Falling Petal", "Yet Another Tear", and "A Bit Byas'd". CD

A 70s classic from the team of Toshiko Akioshi and Lew Tabackin – a duo who did for the jazz ensemble mode in their generation what Kenny Clarke and Francy Boland did in the 60s! The material here is wonderfully inventive – the kind of compositions that Toshiko wouldn't have even written in her smaller combo years – fleshed out here by a fantastic group that includes Lew Tabackin and Gary Foster on reeds, and Bobby Shew and Don Rader on trumpets – all in a setting where the voices of the individual members really get a lot of space to shine! Titles include "Since Perry", "Opus No Zero", "Long Yellow Road", "First Night", "Children In The Temple Ground", and "Yet Another Tear". CD

Great obscure southern tinged hard rock! CD

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great portrait of an under-recorded artist – Joe Albany's last album ever, recorded for Elektra records during their early 80s run of straight jazz sides! The record's got a spare, personal quality that's similar to Albany's other late work – but it's a bit more professionally put together too – not slick or commercial, but recorded quite thoughtfully, with clearly a lot of care in getting all of Joe's charms through on the record. There's a tentativeness to his keyboard work that's great – a sort of hesitation, then quick move forward with surprising grace – balancing beautifully in ways that warm us to his music even more than before. Other players include Al Gafa on guitar, George Duvivier on bass, and Charlie Persip on drums – but the record really has a main focus on Albany's piano lines. Titles include "Ruby My Dear", "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry", "Autumn In New York", "They Say It's Wonderful", "For The Little Guy", and "Too Late Now". CD

A teaming of two modern jazz talents from differing generations – one, pianist Joe Albany, rediscovered and re-recorded here after a number of years of obscurity during the 50s – the other, Warne Marsh, an emerging genius with one of the best tenor tones of his generation. The pair play together in an unusually spare setting – with no drums, and only bass work by Bob Whitlock for extra accompaniment. A real standout in the Riverside catalog – and recorded in LA, which makes one more distinction from the label's mostly New York output. Titles include "Daahoud", "Body & Soul", "I Love You", and "It's You Or No One" – and the record's a great one to hear Marsh in an unbridled setting. CD

A teaming of two modern jazz talents from differing generations – one, pianist Joe Albany, rediscovered and re-recorded here after a number of years of obscurity during the 50s – the other, Warne Marsh, an emerging genius with one of the best tenor tones of his generation. The pair play together in an unusually spare setting – with no drums, and only bass work by Bob Whitlock for extra accompaniment. A real standout in the Riverside catalog – and recorded in LA, which makes one more distinction from the label's mostly New York output. Titles include "Daahoud", "Body & Soul", "I Love You", and "It's You Or No One" – and the record's a great one to hear Marsh in an unbridled setting. LP, Vinyl record album

Sexy ladies on the cover, and some equally sexy sounds underneath – served up in a perfect 60s Italian blend of jazz and bossa-based styles! Sweeping strings bring a nice sense of depth to some numbers, while others have a more intimate feel – either via spare guitar, or some jazzy elements on piano, sax, and organ – shifting instrumentation that really keeps things interesting throughout, and which makes the record feel like some rich narrative on its own, in sound – without any need for the images on the screen. The whole thing is wonderful – one of those Italian soundtrack treasures that delivers even more than it promises – and music was composed by Alessandro Alessandroni and Francesco De Masi, then orchestrated by De Masi, with some cool wordless vocal moments as well. Titles include a number of variations on "Lesbo" plus the sweet vocal opener "Qualsiasi Cosa", "Crepuscolo Sul Mare", and "IL'Isola Dell'Amore". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Alexander plays in a big band setting arranged by Frank Mantooth, with Bill Sears, Bob Sheppard, Mark Henderson, Larry Panella, and Scott Robinson on saxophones; Jim Linahon, John Thomas, John Harbaugh, and Tom Grause on trumpets; Bill Yeager, Luis Bonilla, Jeff Tower, and Lee Gause on trombones, Frank Mantooth on keys, Danny Embrey on guitar, Bob Bowman on bass, and Steve Houghton on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

This tenor giant gets better and better with each new album! Eric Alexander is one of our favorite new jazz artists of the past decade – still a relatively young player, but with a sound that's incredible, steeped in years of tradition, yet freely creative in his own unique way. His tenor solos on this set stand up to some of our favorite older work by players like Clifford Jordan or Sonny Rollins, and if anything, the backing may be some of the best he's ever received on record. Alexander's playing here with longtime friend and musical partner Harold Mabern – who's as sympathetic to Alexander's sound as he once was to that of Frank Strozier – and the other players in the group include trumpeter Nicholas Payton, John Webber, and Joe Farnsworth. Titles include "Andre's Turn", "After The Rain", "This Girl's In Love With You", "A House Is Not A Home", and "Summit Meeting". CD

Great later work from Monty Alexander – a record from a time when he maybe didn't have some of the funk or gimmicks of his earlier albums, but which also shows this mature command of the keyboard that Alexander never had on the piano in his youth! The date is one of those well-recorded trio sessions by the Limetree label – an imprint that always seemed to bring out the best in pianists – and Monty's group here features Lynn Seaton on bass and Duffy Jackson on drums – players who step back at all the right points to allow Alexander to feel a majestic flow on the piano, then come in and swing with some help from percussionist Steve Grier as well. Titles include "Crying", "Caribbean Circle", "Look Up", "Renewal", "The River", and "Maybe September". CD

Unreleased live work from pianist Monty Alexander – recording here with a bit of extra percussion in his trio, which always seems to give his music a nice little kick! The date was captured at Bubba's, in Fort Lauderdale – a club that not only seemed to be a rare spot in Florida that gave musicians a chance to open up like some of the better clubs on the west coast – but one that also did a superb job of documenting some of its best performances over the years! That's definitely the case here – as Monty maybe sounds better than on most of his studio dates of the period – stretching out on nice long tracks, with help from Paul Berner on bass, Duffy Jackson on drums, and Robert Thomas Jr on percussion – the last of whom really keeps things interesting from a rhythmic perspective – in ways that definitely show up on Alexander's keyboard too. Titles include "Love You Madly", "Sweet Lady", "Eleuthra", "Reggae Later", "Arthur's Theme", "SKH", "Swamp Fire", "Fungii Mama", "Montevideo", and "Consider". CD

Groovy stuff from the lovely Sandra Alexander – with a wonderful LA late 60s crossover of styles! This one has the same pop vocal feel of her other album, but it's trippier than usual, with weird arrangements, and a cool trippy laidback feeling. Sandra does some nice versions of the Isleys' hits "It's Your Thing" and "I Turned You On", plus the tracks "In The Ghetto", "More Today Than Yesterday", "Aquarius", and "Brown Arms In Houston". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic rare performance from drummer Rashied Ali – a musician who's best known for his work with John Coltrane during his later years, but who steps out here beautifully as a leader on his own! Ali's tremendous here – effortlessly non-stop on the drums – a player who seems unable to rest even for a minute – with that sense of boundless imagination that really helped set Coltrane free on their recordings together – fused here with contributions from a very unusual quintet that includes Ramon Morris on tenor, Dewey Johnson on trumpet, Stanley Cowell on piano, and Reggie Johnson on bass! The energy is maybe a rawer step to the side of the ESP generation, and definitely points the way towards the loft jazz scene that Rashied would help form and be such an important part of in the 70s – on titles that include "Study For As Salaam Alikum", "Composition 1", "Ballade", and "Composition 2". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the more obscure outings from the British underground folk scene at the start of the 70s – a set that's way way different than contemporary work on the bigger labels, and which sounds as if it was conceived and recorded a fair bit away from the mainstream! The instrumentation is a mix of electric and acoustic guitar, electric bass, piano, and harmonium – with vocals by all three members of the trio, but in ways that are only partly harmonious – as some of the moments are more sung or spoken at cross-purposes – maybe with the energy of some of the madder parts of the Giles Giles & Fripp record, but more acoustic overall. Tunes were all penned by Roger Moore, who produced but doesn't play on the record – and titles include "Devil's Island", "Nickel Man", "Package Tour Mona Lisa", "Smoke", "Goodbye Cindy", and "The Man That I Am". LP, Vinyl record album