Back catalogue: Jazz

Review: For five years, Acid Jazz has been showcasing Kevin Fingier's productions with each one carrying his signature Latin flair. It all began with 'Latin Dynamite', which sold out 15 days before its release and was followed by 'Cocktail de Medianoche' and 'Why Don't You Go Home', which were both instant sellouts. The second pressing of 'Latin Dynamite' included a fiery Latin rendition of the r&b classic 'It's Your Voodoo Working'. When Fingier released 'Not Strictly Soul,' it featured the Latin gem 'El Popcorn' which is now available on 7" for the first time. These four Latin Soul anthems are now united in one explosive Boogaloo EP that arrives just in time for summer.

Review: This session captures multi-instrumentalist Roland at a pivotal point in his career, shifting from Verve's jazz-centric domain to the broader, more commercially attuned Atlantic Records. This shift in label mirrors the album's approach, melding hard bop, r&b, pop and Latin influences into a refined yet emotionally charged recording. Stripped of excess, the interplay between piano, bass and drums offer a taut yet expressive foundation, allowing the lead instrument's voice to alternate between fiery intensity and delicate introspection. The album's compositions reflect the artist's expansive range, moving from simmering blues to modal explorations, each piece showcasing a unique facet of his musical identity. At its heart, a deeply affecting ballad stands out, its after-hours melancholy that hits all the right notes. In contrast, rhythm-driven pieces pulse with kinetic energy, bursting with sharp phrasing and infectious grooves. 'Fallout', tinged with bossa nova influence, juxtaposes playfulness with restraint, while 'Alfie' reimagines a beloved pop standard, reshaping its familiar contours into something bold and brassy. A vital document of an artist stretching his reach, bridging accessibility with deep musicianship. The balance of exuberance and restraint, structure and improvisation, makes it an engaging listen. For those that know it well, an underappreciated yet essential piece of his music catalogue.

Review: Dennis Mpale had become a key figure in South African jazz by the time the mid-70s swung around having already had a career spanning some pivotal moments in the genre's evolution. From leading the trumpet section in Chris McGregor's Castle Lager Big Band to co-founding the jazz fusion group Roots, Mpale was instrumental in shaping jazz and in 1977, he released Our Boys Are Doing It-his solo debut. It was produced by Rashid Vally and issued on Mercury as a bold response to global trends which embraced township bump jive and featured legends like Kippie Moketsi. We Are Busy Bodies now reissues this essential title from analogue masters so it sounds superb as a key bit of jazz history.