Review: We'll never tire of the incredible Brazil45 series on Mr Bongo, which has provided an authoritative window into the rich history of 60s and 70s grooves from South America. Here's a missing joint from the series which took some time to come to fruition - a split release featuring Brazilian Boys on the A side and Rubinho E Mauro Assumpcao on the B. 'Super Herois' is an obscure slice of off-kilter, psych tinged funk from 1975 that has the kind of individual sound which could find favour with a lot of different DJs. 'Tudo Ai' has a more recognisable samba shuffle, but much like the A side there's a subtle twist in the sound which leans towards blues rock and jazz, locking down on the rhythm and creating a low-key party starter in its own unique way.
Review: Pete Cunningham's hybrid electronic/acoustic jazz collective Ishmael Ensemble has been right at the forefront of innovation when it comes to those sounds. For his latest project he links up with lyricist and MC Rider Shafique. They first met some six years ago when Cunningham was struck by "his powerful way with words." As such they got in the studio, Cunningham embraced a more bass heavy sound to his style and drew on his love of the likes of dub kings King Tubby and Adrian Sherwood. Coupled with Rider's voice and you have a superb new record.
Review: Joyce Moreno, a legendary Rio-born artist, is celebrated for her exceptional voice, musicianship, and songwriting. With over 30 albums in a career spanning more than 50 years, she continues to enchant audiences worldwide. Her iconic track 'Aldeia de Ogum,' known for its vibrant jazzy arrangement and rich samba rhythms, became a staple in London's Acid Jazz scene, championed by DJs Patrick Forge and Gilles Peterson. Originally featured on her 1980 LP Feminina and our 1997 Essential Joyce compilation, this beloved song first appeared on 7" through the Brazil 45 series. Rosinha de Valenca, another Rio native, was a revered composer, arranger, and guitarist who collaborated with giants like Baden Powell and Sergio Mendes. Her instrumental rendition of Gershwin's 'Summertime,' from her 1975 LP Um Violao Em Primeiro Plano, shows off her exquisite guitar skills accompanied by lush strings, delivering an emotionally stirring performance. A lot of great history on one 7".
Review: Founded by Roy Ayers in Cincinnati in 1976 as a vehicle for his songs and productions - though, interestingly, he was never a member of the band RAMP recorded and released one album, 1977's sun-soaked jazz-funk opus, Come Into Knowledge. This fantastic 45 from South Street Records' new South Street Soul offshoot showcases two of the set's most admired and in-demand cuts. Edwin Birdsong and William Allen share production credits with Ayers on 'Daylight', a shuffling, dewy-eyed, afternoon-ready delight whose slow groove, meandering synth solos and blissful female vocals recall another Ayers' classic 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine'. Fittingly, RAMP's fine, soft-focus take on that tune can be found on side B.
Review: Ricardo Bomba was not only a studio owner, engineer, pianist and composer, but so too was he an accomplished amateur skateboarder. He lay down these previously unreleased, sun soaked Brazilian tunes in 1978 after years as bandleader with the one and only Jorge Ben's live show. The master tapes were said to have been binned during a heavy studio clear out but the man himself kept a tape copy that has been remastered for this special 7". Mariana Couto provides the angelic vocals while the music all trills with joy and happiness.
Review: 80s soul jazz sensation and keyboardist Judy Roberts debut with her The Other World album and went on to out another nine full length. The first remained her best, though, and two tunes from it make up this hot new 7" on Dynamite. It's the title track that goes first and is an uplifting and life-affirming soul-jazz jam with busy drumming, hectic chord work and a fantastic lead guitar that brings the Balearic vibes. Things slow down on the flip with the more sentimental and noodling jazz-funk bass and laidback grooves of 'The River Must Flow.'
Review: Romero Bros deliver a vibrant double-feature with Samba De Flora Parts 1 & 2, a limited 7" release on Echo Chamber Recordings. This dynamic single ventures into broken beat and nu jazz territories with flair. Side-1 presents 'Samba De Flora' (part 1), a lively track characterised by its tribal rhythms, prominent piano lines, and infectious Latin house influences. This reminds us a lot of Ian Pooley's energetic style from the Since Then album. Side-2 features 'Samba De Flora' (part 2), offering a more subdued take. This version highlights instrumental elements with a refined approach, creating a nuanced soundscape that complements its energetic counterpart. Both versions make this a versatile and enjoyable little 7".
Review: The latest single from Finnish indie label Timmion Records is 'Souvenir' by The Rosettes, fronted by vocalist Tytti Roto. This sombre, mellow 70s-flavoured ballad is delivered with raw emotion, lacking in sophistication but rich in depth, reflecting on the world's dangerous and harmful conditions. Timmion Records introduces new talent with The Rosettes' 7" vinyl single, blending soul and jazz with smooth pop sensibility. Dubbed the 'Khruangbin of the North', The Rosettes bring a fresh cinematic perspective to contemporary soul music. On Side-1 'Souvenir' offers a deep soul experience showcasing Tytti Roto's emotive storytelling and the band's melodic depth. The Side-2, 'Green Ray,' delivers a psychedelic soul groover with a funky backbeat, evoking a 1960s vibe. Drawing inspiration from Cymande and Isaac Hayes, The Rosettes infuse their sound with experimental elements while keeping it catchy and accessible.
Review: Roy Ayers made a number of killer disco cuts in the late 1970s, though few are quite as essential as 'Running Away', which has now been reissued by South Street Disco. Built around an instantly recognisable (and much-sampled groove), the extended 12" version is rich in rubbery, rising and falling bass, clipped guitars, spacey Rhodes motifs, superb lead vocals from Ayers and even better backing vocals courtesy of the female quintet who would later become Eighties Ladies (who's superb 'Tell Him' was reissued in 2020). Turn to the flip for another chance to savour Fever album-opener 'Love Will Bring Us Back Together', a deeper and more low-down disco groover that boasts some seriously good Clavinet riffs and another inspired Ayers' vocal.
Review: Dynamite Cuts has got a couple of Roy Ayers Ubiquity projects in the fire this month - a brilliant 7" double pack as well as this 45rpm. Both sides of this one rather take quite different paths to your affections. 'A Tear To A Smile' is high-speed and complex funk for the dance floor with loopy rhythms and Roy's mad vibes playing over the top next to some neat bass work. Flip it over and you'll find the much more deep and laid-back 'Time & Space' with its lavish cosmic keys and jazz vocals all working you into a star-gazing lather.
Review: Dynamite Cuts back up their name once more with another red hot 7" of pure dancefloor gold. This one brings tufter four cuts from the inimitable Roy Ayers Ubiquity. The opener 'Hummin' In The Sun' will have you feeling the rays on your face as his signature percussion and vibes work brings a soulful groove alive. 'The Fuzz' is a more tender and intimate soul sound for late-night romancers and 'I Can't Help Myself' pics up the pace again with some funky drums and warm melodies while 'Love' has a conversational style and smooth groove.
Review: The Royal Organ Duo is an exceptional name for a project and the music they cook up is no less good either. It comes on Funk Night out of the Us in the form of this tidy 7" and opens up with a new take on a stone-cold hip-hop classic. 'White Lines' sounds the same but different here - the main melodies are intact but replayed on a Hammond organ while the dusty drums are live and jazzy with some extra flourishes added for good measure. The flipside is a deeper cut but one that will still work floors into a frenzy.
Review: While most celebrate Patrice Rushen's wondrous disco and boogie tracks of the 80s, her early output was more heavily tipped to jazz and jazz funk. This single reissue from BGP makes the point in no uncertain terms by shining a light on 'Haw Right Now', a certifiable jazz-dance monster with absolutely stellar playing from Rushen and her band, including Joe Henderson absolutely shredding it on sax. Pulled from her 1974 debut album Prelusion, this jam is backed up by the opening track from her 1975 follow up Before The Dawn. 'Kickin Back' is a loose and freaky funk jam sunk way down low, all the better to sneak into your subconscious.
Review: Ruby Rushton's latest offering presents a vibrant exploration of rhythm and texture, breathing new life into contemporary jazz fusion. On the title track, 'Stapodia,' an infectious groove shifts effortlessly between time signatures, creating a dynamic backdrop for striking solos on saxophone and trumpet. 'Kalo Livadi' bursts forth with a whirlwind of flute, trumpet, and synth bass, only to wind down into a hypnotic hip-hop groove, its keys solo lingering like an unexpected afterthought. The interplay of improvisation and structure feels both daring and deliberate, capturing the energy of a band constantly in conversation with itself.
Review: Last year, the Expansions label kicked off a wonderfully intriguing 10" series featuring classics from soul music's rich canon complemented by contemporary cover versions and so far it's seen Blue Note troupe Quasimode tee off against Johnny Hammond and Bembe Segue challenge Norman Connors. A third edition duly arrives and hints Expansions are really enjoying the creative challenge the concept allows them with the jazz funk classic "Zaius" from Eddie Russ joined by a cover from the celebrated UK funk veterans Incognito. Originally appearing on the 1976 LP See The Light, "Zaius" is a blinding example of why Russ is described a master of the keyboard and it's complemented well by Incognito's B Side cover which appears on vinyl for the first time. Don't sleep!
Review: Mongo Santamaria's 'Green Onions' here (a cover of the iconic Booker T standard) is a classic cut that showcases the legendary Cuban percussionist's mastery on the drums. First released in 1969 alongside the nighttime swayer 'In The Midnight Hour' , the single hears a funking reissue here that once more shines a blinding light on Santamaria's deft ability to blend originally American compositions with Latin rhythms and soul-jazz structures.
Review: Dan 'The Drum' Spalding, known for his house and rave DJ sets, teams up with dance music producer Ronnie Turner and DJ/vocalist Emma Noble to reinvent Coffee's 1980 disco take on 'Casanova'. Originally sung by Ruby Andrews in 1967 and penned by Jo Armstead, the trio's version channels a retro, jazzy vibe that could easily pass for a lost Blue Note gem from the '60s. Their fresh spin breathes new life into both versions, delivering a timeless, love-infused track that's sure to keep dancefloors moving. It's cleariCasanova isn't done yet.
Zeca Do Trombone & Roberto Sax - "Coluna Do Meio" (2:58)
Review: Mr Bongo offers up an incredible 86th volume in the Brazil45 series, and this time it's Black Rio funk from two mainstays of the sound, Toni Tornado & Zeca Do Trombone. A-side 'Sou Negro' is from Tornado's 1970 EP on Odeon Records. It's a sought after number that despite lasting only just over two minutes still makes an indelible impression. Zeca Do Trombone & Roberto Sax join forces on the flip for 'Coluna Do Meio,' which is a more smooth, easy going jazz laced tune compared with the raw and direct a-side. This one has an acrobatic vocal and sunny riffs bringing pool-side vibes under clear blue skies.
Review: Individuality, Harmony, Wit.
Originating from the heart of Asia - Taipei, Taiwan, Zy The Way is a fusion collective spear-heading a new musical movement in a digital age. As the offspring of a film director, entertainers and multi-genre musicians, Zy The Way aims to create artistic content that will rock your socks. We believe that true balance is achieved not through the uniting of different social groups, but when we come together with our stories as an individual. Voices and vision, musical styles, personalities, and our own beliefs, Zy The Way is the fabrication of our collective imagination, where no one is left out.
Review: In celebration of 50 years in the performing arts, Idris Ackamoor presents Artistic Being for Record Store Day 2025-a powerful blend of jazz, spoken word and activism. Featuring the voices of acclaimed actor Danny Glover and stage legend Rhodessa Jones, this record captures highlights from the Underground Jazz Cabaret, which was performed during Black History Month 2024 at The Lab in San Francisco. Co-produced by Ackamoor's Cultural Odyssey, the release fuses poetic storytelling with evocative musical textures while reflecting on social justice, identity and resilience. Artistic Being is a profound statement from a visionary artist.
Review: Verve By Request repress Elvin Jones and Richard Davis' Heavy Sounds, one of the few recorded collaborations between the drummer and bassist ever laid to disc. The title is debatable if not misleading, as we'd wager that most listeners would typify this record as decidedly 'light' in feel. Recorded for Impulse in 1967, a session originally intended to be a trio date morphed into an 11 1/2-minute duet, on the album Summertime, between drummer Jones and bassist Davis, after the guitarist did not appear. The following day, saxophonist Frank Foster and pianist Billy Greene joined in to round out the rest of the cuts including 'Elvin's Guitar Blues', which features Jones' only recorded guitar performance.
The Fantastic Life Of Mr Adonis The Peacock (3:04)
The Wheels Are Spinning (5:36)
Review: In a first-time collaboration, psychedelic trance godhead Simon Posford (best known as Hallucinogen and a founding member of Shpongle) teams up with fellow hippie and flutist Raja Ram (Ronald Rothfield) on a welling improvisatory record, Improvisations For Piano And Flute. Though both are highly esteemed artists in their respective micro-corners of the electronic music scene, Posford and Rothfield both depart significantly from their usually danceable ends for a living-room recorded set of ambiences. With a synth placed atop an antique Bluthner piano, Raj and Simon would join in after the other first begun playing, delivering a 44-minute effluence for the spontaneous soul.
The Last Of The Past (with The Jazz Inspiration Orchestra) (6:17)
Berlin (with The Jazz Inspiration Orchestra) (6:40)
Solstice Celebrations (with The Crew) (4:33)
Blue Cha Cha Cha (4:17)
Spring Feelings (3:17)
Relaxing Walk (with The Jazz Inspiration Orchestra) (7:08)
Brother WH (with The Crew) (4:59)
Review: Frederic Rabold's career, spanning over six decades, is celebrated in this deluxe double gatefold vinyl LP, which captures the essence of his significant contributions to modern jazz. Born in Paris in 1944, Rabold transitioned from violin to trumpet, influenced early on by his jazz musician father and the vibrant French jazz scene. His formative years included playing alongside his father and later establishing his own band, the Frederic Rabold Crew, in 1968. The Crew gained prominence within the German jazz landscape, leading to performances at major festivals and extensive tours through Eastern Europe. This collection features key tracks from Rabold's extensive discography, including rare recordings and previously unseen photographs. Notable highlights include 'Noon in Tunisia' and the 1970s album 'Flair.' Throughout his career, Rabold collaborated with jazz luminaries like Gunter Hampel and Lester Bowie, reflecting his versatility and deep-rooted passion for modern jazz.
Review: Rail Band are one of the most legendary bands in Malian musical history, and like all great legends their greatest moment was fleeting. This incredibly heavy, soulful and hard-grooving record was released in 1973, when the official orchestra of the Malian State Railway decided to enter the studio and lay down their potent blend of Western funk and surf, Mande tradition and Afro-Cuban percussion. The band was led by trumpet and sax player Tidiani Kone and Djelimady Tounkara on guitar, but in the iteration captured on this album they also featured future stars Salif Keita and Mory Kante on vocals. Shortly after, Keita and Kante eloped to embark on hugely successful solo careers, but for a brief moment in 1973 one of the greatest African guitar bands of all time created a perfect storm of West African storytelling and smoking hot grooves.
Review: Farfalla Records' reissue of Wonderland of Sound to celebrate its 50th anniversary is a nostalgic nod to the classic 70s library sound. Originally released in 1974 and produced by Brillant-Musik's Werner Tautz, the album was recorded in Zurich and features the talents of the Big Band Rainbow-Orchestra, comprised of Europe's finest session players. Wonderland of Sound epitomises the era's jazzy bliss, with splendidly funky compositions and arrangements that feature a ultra-stylish horn section. The album exudes a timeless charm, transporting listeners back to the heyday of European library music. Throughout the record, the craftsmanship of the musicians shines through, creating an exciting album that is both evocative and infectious.
Review: Tucked away on a private press release in the hidden corners of 70s Italian jazz, Enzo Randisi's debut album has been rescued from obscurity and given the reissue it so richly deserves. The extensive ensemble playing on this album includes Randisi's son Riccardo on Rhodes, Giuseppe Costa on bass, Enzo Palacardo on guitar and Franco Lota and Mimmo Cafiero on percussion, all serving as a backdrop to Randisi's exquisite vibraphone. It's a masterpiece of spiritual jazz cast in mysterious shades and sure to be cherished by any jazz aficionado, as confirmed by plaudits from such legends as Archie Shepp and Gil Evans.
How Do We End All Of This Madness (instrumental) (4:28)
How Do We End All Of This Madness (6:40)
Wife (9:06)
Merciful (6:01)
Beneficent (6:59)
Review: Wendell Harrison and Phil Raneli's Message From The Tribe is regarded by those who know as an untouchable example of spiritual jazz. The Tribe label - run of course by the pair themselves - it came on was also one of the great of its era in the 1970s. Here the album has been remixed from the OG master tapes, all under the watchful eye of its creators, then lacquered by Bernie Grundman. It is an expansive and indulgent record that includes a vast booklet that takes us through the history of the label and touches on the story of Black American empowerment.
Review: Recorded during a 2002 studio session that followed a performance at the Vision Festival in New York City, the album features drummer Ali alongside saxophonist Frank Lowe and emerging talents Jumaane Smith (trumpet), Andrew Bemkey (piano) and Joris Teepe (bass). It's a dynamic ensemble bridges generations, blending seasoned mastery with youthful energy through fiery improvisations and moments of profound unity. Ali's pioneering style, rooted in multidirectional rhythms and polytonal percussion, reshaped jazz drumming by liberating the drummer from a purely time-keeping role. His intuitive interplay with the music, both rhythmically and melodically, made him an equal voice in the ensemble's harmonic creation. This approach resonates throughout the album, where cascading trumpet solos and intricate piano harmonies are tethered by a vibrant bass and Ali's commanding percussion. Tracks like the soaring opener and introspective interludes demonstrate the group's ability to shift seamlessly from bold, expressive improvisation to passages of collective breathing. Originally mixed and mastered by Ali, the recordings were shelved after his untimely passing and are now released by Survival Records in a beautifully restored LP, complete with recollections from Teepe.
Review: As well as sporting a superb moustache, Enrico Rava was also the first Italian jazz artist to break out onto the international scene. He was born in Trieste in 1939 and 'Pupa o Crisalide' is one of the most interesting works in his catalogue. It sums up what he was about in the first chapter of his career with a selection of treks made with different musicians alongside him including Giovanni Tommaso, Bruno Biriaco, Franco D'Andrea and Michele Ascolese. There are fiery, funky and edgy tunes as well as jazz-rock inspire fusions and then more serene and Latin flavour jams in the second half.
Review: Even though it came on the venerated Blue Note label, Sonny Red's Out of the Blue record is somehow something of an overlooked treasure. Alto sax man Sonny Red only out this one record for the label and recorded it across two separate sessions with piano from Wynton Kelly as well as Sam Jones and Paul Chambers on bass, stickmen Roy Brooks and Jimmy Cobb. This reissue is part of the Tone Poet Series which presses up records on nice heavy wax in deluxe packaging after remastering form the original analogue master tapes so you can be sure it sounds superb.
Review: A transatlantic jazz summit, capturing Jamaican trumpeter Dizzy Reece alongside American legends Donald Byrd and Art Taylor. Recorded in London in 1958, Blues In Trinity marks Reece's Blue Note debut, a vibrant blend of hard bop and soulful melodies and features a stellar lineup including Tubby Hayes on tenor sax, Terry Shannon on piano and Lloyd Thompson on bass. Reece's trumpet shines throughout, his expressive playing and melodic phrasing complemented by Byrd's equally impressive contributions. Highlights include the soulful title track, the dreamy 'I Had The Craziest Dream' and a captivating rendition of Monk's 'Round About Midnight'.
Review: Dawn Is A Melody is the debut album from Tasmania-born, Melbourne-based Finn Rees. It is a deep, textured jazz record that skilfully blends vintage vibes with modern vitality all while also paying homage to jazz greats and exploring new ideas with Melbourne's top talent. Known for his work with 30/70 and Elle Shimada, Finn shifts from groove-based jazz to spotlight the piano and arrangements on his mission to create a rich, colourful microcosm driven by hope and curiosity. The album spans from the optimistic 'Looking Up' and 'Lagoon' to the intimate 'Ablaze' and 'As It Passes.' It is a delight to listen to and will appeal to fans of everyone from Alice Coltrane to Herbie Hancock.
Review: Legendary U.S jazz drummer and Black Panther Steve Reid and his band, The Legendary Master Brotherhood, are best known for their cult classic debut Nova from back in the late 70s. He also played in Sun Ra's Arkestra, was a Motown session drummer and backed James Brown at the Apollo. His other album Odyssey Of The Oblong Square is no slouch either though. It is a deep spiritual jazz classic from the master drummer and Vietnam conscientious objector. This special one-off reissue comes on lovely gold vinyl meaning those long and often fruitless searches for a hard to find original are no more.
Review: Marlene Ribeiro's cult status has already guaranteed copies of this will be flying out faster than you can say "first album under own name after years as Negra Branca, a member of GNOD, and collaborations with luminaries from Valentina Magaletti to Thurston Moore". And her first offering as herself, as it were, rockets straight to the pinnacle of career highs to date, a record that's so full of ideas yet consistent and complete.
Produced between Ireland, Portugal, Madeira and Salford, partly inspired by Ribeiro's grandmother, Emilia, introducing her to the concept of "recording things, here and there". The result is this incredible combination of hallucinatory dream pop, found notes and captured moments, resulting in a vivid tapestry of hook-laden songs that are meditative yet catchy, late-night but bright and breezy.
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