Review: Courtial With Errol Knowles's Don't You Think It's Time album gets a first ever vinyl reissue here, and gets deluxe treatment. The original was recorded in 1976 in San Francisco's Bay Area and soon became a real collector's classic for its vital soul and jazz funk sounds. To be honest, the cover art alone is worth the entry price here, but the sounds sure are sublime, with wiggy synth lines weaving their way in and out of the funky drumming on 'Don't You Think It's Time,' 'Best Of Friends' offering lush string sounds and silky grooves and 'Love Nevermore' having a bit of a samba shuffle next to the acoustic guitars and golden Rhodes chords.
Review: Som, Sangue e Raca remains a cornerstone in Brazilian music. The classic album epitomises Dom Salvador e Abolicao's fusion of samba, soul, rock, jazz, forro, and baiao. Their influential sound heavily impacted Banda Black Rio and that is just one of the reasons why this classic album is celebrated. It is also a great summer listen with its warm and infectious melodies and diverse musicality all of which means it's a must-cop for lovers of international sounds. Even better is the fact that Som, Sangue e Raca now comes in a limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on translucent red vinyl.
Review: Critically acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Joel Fairstein hails from Knoxville, Tennesee. He was just 24 years old in 1978 when he recorded his debut album Umbra with an ensemble of 18 different sidemen. It has since become something of a collector's piece and now gets its first ever worldwide reissue after first being released on a private label. The fantastic jazz fusion sounds have been transferred directly from master tapes so sound superb. It's a soothing, mellifluous album that has aged to perfection with piano jams like 'Tn' next to funky workouts like 'Womanized.'
Review: Renata Lu is a bit of an enigma. She made a couple of much loved albums in the 1970s and did some backing vocal work on cult records by stars such as Tim Maia and Nonato Buzar. Despite this, she never became a standalone star in the world of MPB and so remains a little known figure. Her self titled 1971 debut album on Copacabana Records was a heavyweight mix US soul and funk with spicy Latin percussion, all dropped over samba and boogaloo beats. It is high energy, with lots of big horns, electric piano riffs and angular bass as well as some swooning strings. This deluxe edition marks a real landmark in the world of funk carioca.
Review: Mad About's latest reissue is a doozy for funk fans. Telstar's Orbiting is a soulful, ghetto-vibed masterpiece that comes all the way from Barbados and is back on wax fr the first time since its original pressing. This album blends infectious rhythms with powerful, emotive vocals that epitomise the essence of 1970s funk and Caribbean-influenced grooves. A standout track is Kool & The Gang's funky version of 'Kool Reggae,' which adds a unique twist to the classic while other highlights like 'World of Tomorrow' and 'Making a Living' have become DJ favs thanks to their killer grooves and timeless appeal.
Review: Chicagoan trumpeter and flugel hornist Malachi Thompson made some fine records during his lifetime, though none are better than his 1980 solo debut The Seventh Son. It's been an in-demand item amongst jazz collectors for some time, making this belated vinyl reissue a welcome development. The set is spiritual in tone, but musically draws just as much from soul-jazz and fusion as it does the more freewheeling end of spiritual jazz. As a result, the tracks are largely warming, melodious and alluring, with Thompson's dexterous and imaginative playing leaving a lasting impression. Our highlights include 'Street Dance' and the epic 'Denise', but to be honest the whole set is essential listening.
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