Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Notes: Introducing Jazzman's own exclusive range of brand new 7" hard-wearing wooden record cases, in equal measure stylish and functional, solving the age-old problem of storing, transporting & displaying your precious 45s once and for all!

The PRO Large holds 150 x 7" records, and is available in your choice of 2 finishes: Dark Walnut or Graphite Grey.

This new updated design is again custom made to an exact specification in limited numbers. They don't just look the business, they've been built for professional use and will last for many years to come.

Ugly, bulky industrial cheap n' nasty mass-produced flight cases they are not! No flimsy plastic, chipboard, MDF or cheap cardboard either! These cases are hand-crafted from ethically-sourced & hard-wearing wood, the ultimate 7" record cases for all serious record collectors & professional DJs.

Each case has been hand-made in the EU from wood that has been sourced from managed and sustainable forests. They have been custom built to Jazzman's exact specifications before being stained and lacquered for a durable finish:

The lid is fully removable via detachable metal hinges so you have unfettered access to your records
Interior lined with soft & durable black felt to add both extra cushioning and a luxurious feel. Each interior is also embossed once with Jazzman's shiny 45CASE logo
All corners made with extra strong interlocking dovetail joints
Dual metal catches on the front are lockable with padlocks (not included) to keep your records secure from unwanted attention
Strong metal brackets feature on all corners to further protect against knocks & damage
Wood sourced from managed and sustainable forests
The base has 4 sturdy rubber feet to protect the bottom of the case when standing
Each cases has dual compartments, securely holding up to 150 of your prized 7" records. The interior dimensions will also accommodate double-bagged 45s.

Important note: due to the innate variability of wood grain, each box is unique and will differ slightly to the image shown. Records are for illustration purposes only and are not included!

Details:

Exterior size: 420 x 220 x 220mm
Weight when empty: 3.2kg (7lb)
Weight with 150 records: 11kg (24lb)

"I'm really impressed with this box, nobody's made them like this for years, a nice new home for my best stuff" - Mark 'Butch' Dobson (World #1 Northern Soul DJ)

"Jazzman are already known for making great records, well done to them for making the nicest record boxes I've seen in years" - Norman Jay MBE

"Sturdy and with a classic design, this is the best 7" box I have come across" - Eddie Pillar (Acid Jazz)

"Northern, Funk, Rockabilly, Garage - these are the boxes to keep 'em in, f*** marvellous!" - The Legendary Keb Darge

Review: Acid Jazz impress us with the return of illustrious soul singer Dee C. Lee, with the very special double A-side single ‘Don’t Forget About Love / Be There In The Morning’. Coming to 7” vinyl and housed in a striking blue variation of their new graphic house bag, ‘Don’t Forget About Love’ finds one of the finest British soul singers of her generation in outstanding voice on a gentle, uplifting song written by Dee with Mike McEvoy and Ernest McKone, intended as an antidote to the hate and negativity of lockdown. ‘Be There In The Morning’ was originally co-written and recorded by Australian soul singer Renée Geyer; reminded of the song by Acid Jazz’s Eddie Piller, Dee was enthusiastic to record her own version and delivers a euphoric vocal on another impressive return to form.

Review: Dynamite Cuts has done it again here. Celebrated American bassist Curtis Lundy called upon his sister Carmen for her vocal talents for this wondrous vocal jazz cut. 'Never Gonna Let You Go' is powered by a superb double bass groove, with lush xylophones and plenty of lively drums al backing the acrobatic vocal performance. It has never before been pressed up to 7" is a serious must have for collectors, especially as it is backed with the wonderful walking basslines and feathery light snares, meandering keys and seductive jazz melodies of 'Jabbos Revenage'.

Review: Seth Applebaum's NTC outfit Ghost Walk Orchestra originally released 'Brownout' on the Night Walker tape in 2016, distilling their hazy, psych-leaning funk sound into a perfect two-minute groove that shows off the band at their best. Now Karma Chief have pulled the track out of cassette obscurity and given it a pressing as a 7", backed up by 'Boneyard Baile' released the same year as a digi-only drop. If you love a moody funk jam played with finesse by a crack team, this record is a must.

Review: This is one of those man-old 45rpms that can still command eye wateringly high prices on second-hand sales markets. It was a real favourite of the rare soul scene thanks to be popularised by Mark "Butch" Dobson at the start of his DJ adventures. It has remained true illusive over the years but this reissue from Soul Direction Origins changes all that. On the a-side is Hank Hodge & The J Notes Band's 'Eye for An Eye' which is an upbeat soul burner with big horn arrangements and plenty of interaction between the male lead and female chorus on the backing. On the flipside is 'Since You Said Goodbye', a slow-burning and heart-melting sentimental soul lament.

Review: Durand Jones & The Indications' third LP, Too Many Tears keeps on offering up superb singles and after the latest back in November, we now get this new one 'Ride or Die.' This band is a regular on the Colemine label and they do it all from slow motion seductiveness to blue eyed soul and sophisticated lounge pop. This time we get lovely harmonies and breezy soul on 'Ride Or Die' with its lead falsetto set to melt anyone's heart. The flip, things take a tender turn with more vulnerable vocals and gently rhythms that come alive with serene strings, gentle tambourines and neat basslines.

Review: Kinsman Dazz Band was founded in 1976 in Cleveland, Ohio and was a composite of jazz fusion band Bell Telefunk and Mother Braintree. They set out to make danceable jazz and did so with aplomb. They joined Motown 1980 and had some r&b hits both major and minor. They have penned more than 20 albums in their long career and now some of their more recent tracks - namely 'Ghetto Preacher' and the follow up 'Saved' make it onto this newly pressed up 7", together for the first time.

Review: These two tracks from Mike Bandoni and Chip Wickham have been a long time coming. The two stablemates from the 'Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band' have been discussing a collaboration for years and now; and it's finally in the bag! Mike brings his trademark killer funky drums (recorded by the legendary Malcolm Catto), percussion, Rhodes, bass and vintage guitar vibes to the party, whilst Chip delivers some sublime and highly complimentary work on sax and flute. 'Infinity Pool' sounds like a long-lost Bobbi Humphrey-meets-Bob James composition, with the flute taking centre stage - underpinned by what can only be described as mammoth funk grooves on every other instrument - while 'Get It!' is a cool number, channelling a phenomenally infectious groove and hook, both of which remain in the brain for days.

Review: Medline is on a mission to serve up his own fresh cover versions of well known tunes from the movies, library music vaults, jazz funk scenes and worldwide rare grooves. He is one man who plays flute, guitar, keyboard, pads, drums, percussions and violin and lays down each part of the tune and then puts them all together with some extra studio touches at a later date. He mixes the music himself so that it is live sounding and vibrant, and then shares it with the world. These latest two cuts are heavy Afrobeat gems with cosmic synth work, psyched-out melodies and jazz invention that makes them captivating in the extreme.

Review: Once falling prey to the tendency for rare records to be heavily priced up and thus rendered inaccessible to buyers on the secondhand market, Florence Miller's 'I'm Just A Lonely Girl/The Groove I'm In' now sees a long-awaited reissue via its original label P&P. Very little about Miller is known, save for her involvement in the label run by Peter Brown, on which just two records were ever released. But these two cuts - one of which is more lonesome and serene, and the other skewed towards bombast - are eternal testaments to her talent, and have become sought-after staples of the Northern Soul scene.

Review: Johnnie Taylor never really wrote any of his own music and he couldn't play any instrument particularly well but that hasn't stopped him becoming known as a rather accomplished soul artist. He penned an incredible 30 odd albums and more than 120 singles as a leading male vocalist in the sixties and works dunder names like 'Blues Wailer' and the 'Philosopher Of Soul'. He was a doo-wop group member initially back in the 50s but by the mid-sixties he was working with Stax as a blues artist. 'Let's Get Back On' on the A-side here is from his 1999 album Gotta Get The Groove back and is backed with a beautiful ballad from the legendary Bobby 'Blue' Bland.

Review: They're best known for covering hip-hop classics in their unique, funk band plus steel pans vibe, but Germany's Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band show there are spookier arrows in their quiver when the time of year demands it. Two special halloween themed cover versions grace this 7", the first a rendition of the theme from TV show of the moment 'Stranger Things', the second their version of the title theme from the film 'Halloween', originally penned by the master soundtrack maker himself John Carpenter. Both have a slightly cheeky, quirky and rather joyful atmosphere, tending more towards the cute rather than the spooky side of all hallows, but don't let their lack of scariness put you off, they're both delightful.010920

Review: 'Midnight Driver’ is the new single from London-based soft-rock, disco, and funk specialist Joel Sarakula. The track is a soft-rock fantasy in which the narrator laments his lover's nocturnal habits; Californian sun-kissed guitars, smooth vocal stylings, and Latin percussion all blend into a cinematic mood (and a great driving song). On the flipside is 'I'm Still Winning', a '70s disco-inspired track on which Sarakula is heard fully immersed in the shady underbelly of casinos and high-stakes gambling. Resembling a defiant riposte from the title character of The Eagles' 'Desperado', Sarakula sings with a vocal channeling '70s icons Boz Scaggs and Ned Doheny.

Review: We love a good backstory and Emmitt Long's 'Call Me' has one of those. Initially met with skepticism due to the lack of information about the label, this 45 raised eyebrows upon its initial discovery. With no writer credits, music publisher details, or any indication of its origin, doubts surrounded its authenticity but nowadays it is an elusive piece of brilliance that is not only challenging to locate but expensive to buy. It was produced by Charlie Richardson and sung by Long and pairs mournful horns with a longing vocal and catchy groove.

Review: The MARK IV's single 'If You Can't Tell Me Something' is a soulful masterpiece encapsulating the essence of the 1970s r&b era. Released during a time of great musical innovation in this genre, it weaves a rich tapestry of smooth vocals and funky instrumentation with infectious rhythms and heartfelt lyrics. It's a nostalgic, heartwarming sound to listen back to as the harmonies and tight arrangements keep you locked in. A truly timeless gem, 'If You Can't Tell Me Something' not only captures the spirit of its era but also resonates with contemporary audiences which is the very definition of a classic, if you ask us.

Review: This one is such an evergreen classic that it is never long between reissues. The Take Vibe EP is musician Laurence Mason and he here mashes together the sounds of Dave Brubeck and Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers - it started on YouTube and got over one million hits, so then made it to vinyl and keeps selling out. On the flip is a romantic, late night jazz version of The Police classic 'Walking On The Moon', making this a real collector's item.

Review: Florence Adooni has been called Ghana's Frafra gospel queen in the past, and with good reason. First single 'Mam Pe'ela Su'ure' arrived in 2021 to widespread acclaim, and she followed up on Philophon with 'Yinne' late last year. Now Adooni is back on the label for a collaboration with German artist Erobique, who is normally found making quirky synth disco cuts. On a visit to Max Weissenfeldt's studio in Ghana, he crossed paths with Adooni and so the lilting, sweetly sentimental 'Mam Tola' was created. The B-side of this single finds Erobique flying solo for 'Bach In Afrika', riding a swift beat from Kung Fu Andoh and flexing on the Hammond organ for an uptempo fusion which might well catch you off guard and make you dance all the same.

Review: Bill Curtis' Fatback Band is known around the world for its soul and disco hits but their roots actually lay in funk. They were one of the most impressive outfits around in that particular genre and so they have, for those who are willing to dig deep enough, plenty of rare funk gems to call upon from their earliest days. Here we get a couple of them with 'Dance Girl' - the last tune they released in 1974 before signing to Event/Spring. It was a real classic at block parties back in the day and on the flip is a tune that will cost you over L1000 if you can find an original, namely 'Keep On Brother Keep On' - the group's second single on Curtis BC Projects II label.

Review: Pianist and composer Ricardo Marrero and The Group's A Taste is as rare as an honest politician. Now the magical Latin sounds are available for all once more as P-Vine serves up a special edition 7" with 'Babalondia' and 'And We'll Make Love' making this a must-cop. They are taken from a debut album that is as good as it gets and originally came on the famed tax scam label TSG. The a-side here brings the funk with floor-filling grooves to spare while on the flip it's more of a mellow outing with vibrant female vocals getting you in the mood and the groove.

Review: Composer Matt Berry aims to mimic the classic iconic Library Music label KPM with this new outing on Acid Jazz. It is the first in a series of such releases and it does a fine job of following in the label's tradition of providing the musical bedrock for classic British TV series and international movies. KPM used composers such as Alan Hawkshaw and Keith Mansfield and Berry proves he is right up there with this 7". 'Top Brass' is a funky instrumental with dramatic strings that add a sense of tension to the rude boy swagger of the rhythm. On the flip is a more stripped-back 'Bare Essentials mix' which is just as good and a little more menacing.

Review: Coming to PIAS' 40th Anniversary celebrations series, we hear Mark Thomas Griffin, better known as MC 900 Ft. Jesus, rerelease six tracks of his best works in the realm of bombastic hip-hop, rap, electro, cut-up, big beat and jazz. To illustrate the artist's sense of humour, Griffin's stage name came from a sermon by Oral Roberts, in which the televangelist claimed that a 900-foot-tall (270 m) Jesus Christ had come to him in a vision. Perfectly obscure cuts for any contemporary hip-hop/beats DJ, most of these tracks originate from Griffin's standout 1991 album Welcome To My Dream, a leftfield/cut-up opus in its own right.

Review: In a meeting between generations of broken beat titans, Andrew Ashong and Kaidi Thatham's Sankofa Season rightly earned classic status soon after its release in 2020, and now we're being taken back into the heart of these tracks with a heavyweight remix package from some serious talent. Mala's imperious dubstep touch brings some low-end pressure to 'Low Ceilings' or Shy One chopping up 'Learning Lessons' in her peerless deft style, there's a lot of ground covered by this considered gathering of minds. Special mention goes to Equiknoxx's Gavsborg and Shanique Marie, bringing a sweetly soulful touch to 'To Your Heart'.

Review: Soul Jazz Records promise this is a one off and strictly limited pressing of Alien Starr's 'World Of Ecstasy.' It is a faithful reproduction of the original in terms of art and sound and has been restored from the label after they included it on their excellent recent Space Funk 2 - Afro-Futurist Electro Funk In Space 1976-84 compilation. tUSA in 1985 featuring big slap bass energy, hand claps, drum funk and electro boogie bass. .

Review: 'Foolish Man Part 1' and 'Part 2' by The Huck Daniels Co is one of several 45rpms the BGP label is dropping at the moment and weirdly many of them are also in two parts. This one features guitarist Daniels who was a key part of the B.B. King band ahead of later setting in Los Angeles and becoming a respected leader in his own right. He wrote just one for Kent Records and that was in 1973 as the label headed into its final days. 'Part 1' on the A-side is a driving funk cut aimed squarely at the club and heavy on inspiration from James Brown and the version on the flip levels up with organ playing from Earl Foster.

Review: Mr. K's series of edits continues. Any self-respecting music head is well familiar with the Most Excellent Unlimited series from Mr K aka Danny Krivit by now, and the latest entry into it is another doozy on 45rpm. The A-side features an edit of the title tune from a 1972 Ralph Bakshi animation originally played by a top crew of San Francisco area musicians. It is a steamy funk workout in a Latin jazz style with plenty of reverb and DJ friendly grooves. Flip it over and you'll find a gem from Philadelphia's Executive Suite which In Mr. K's hands is lit up with addictive strings and driving rhythms that never let up.

Review: London-based beat smith K15 is a UK answer to the likes of Kyle Hall - his house music is steeped in jazz, soul and funk. His drums are dusty and loose - and louche - and his moods are deeply meaningful. His latest EP is another case in point with three more sublime and seductive sounds. 'Still Devoted' is a downtempo cut with analogue drums and gorgeous female vocals soaring up top with the elegance of a church choir. 'State Of Play' has a fantastically cosmic outlook and a nimble bassline that rides its own ride as the synths soar and 'Time Reveals' then closes down with a more melancholic but no less beautiful vibe.

Review: Hot Casa France reissue a sultry drum workout from master Turkish darbouka player Yasar Akpence's 2004 album 'Passion Percussion'. 'Desert wind' layers unbelievably tight darbouka trills and phrases over a pulsing, almost dembow-esque core, making for a perfect Balearic DJ tool for any occasion. We can imagine this one bookending hypnotic techno wormholes in a small hours Donato Dozzy set, with its wide stereo drum intrusions and tight production longing to be aired off a suitably weighty soundsystem. Truly chameleonic and compelling music!