Major Keys Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Stevie Wonder's 'Pastime Paradise' has thus far been less recognised as an original soul wonderwork, and more so as a sample by American rapper Coolio on the derivative 'Gangster's Paradise'. Though still having been covered by many artists over the years, Major Keys records highlights this enduring 1981 cover of Wonder's 'Paradise' by Latin percussionist Ray Barretto as among their favourites, if not their absolute favourite. Now the label reissue the gem, flaunting its up-to-date, nigh timeless feel; it's the opposite of a miracle that this has never before been released on a 12" single record, despite the fact that it is a favourite on the floors of jazz and soul rooms the world over. It also flips it with Barretto's own 'La Cuna' and 'Mambotango', taken from the same 1981 LP.

Review: Major Keys revisits the jazz-funk classics with Gary Bartz's Music is My Sanctuary, now making its debut on a 12-inch. This 1977 gem, featuring the double Grammy-winning saxophonist, is an evergreen floorfiller, remastered for DJs and vinyl enthusiasts alike. With Syreeta Wright on vocals, Bill Summers and James Mtume on percussion, and arrangements by Larry Mizell, this track assembles top-tier talent. The lyrics are joyful and heartfelt, all anchored by Bartz's glorious saxophone. It's a timeless piece for both the mind and the dance floor. On Side-2, Carnaval De L'Esprit, is a lesser-known but equally brilliant jazz-funk masterpiece. Its sunny vibe lifts even the weariest spirits, cementing Major Keys as a must-have label. This record is a treasure that will be revisited time and again.

Review: A flummoxing fusion of jazz, soul and funk from 1972, Donald Byrd's Think Twice is ironically one of few jazz records that we don't really have to think twice about. Taken from the bokeh-grained, 1974 impressionistic prog-jazz opus Stepping Into Tomorrow - on which a whirlwind cast of performers including Mayuto Correa, Larry Mizell, Gary Bartz and Harvey Mason also appear - Byrd's unmistakable trumpet is heard whinnying across this LP-fronter, which rides serious thermals of flugelhorn, soprano and alto sax, ARP synth and backing choir. The vocals by Kay Haith are duly cautionary, insisting but seemingly also tantalising our worst impulses: "Maybe we oughta think twice... Before we start something nice / No need to sacrifice the spice in our lives, ooh ooh / our love's like fire and ice, pretty baby / That's why we oughta think twice..." A rare anti-YOLO anthem!

Review: .with a feelgood charm that has resonated not only with jazz heads, but also the youngest generation thanks to its inclusion in the soundtrack to the magnificent Sing animation. It is one of those that will always get a good reaction and is always worth having in the collection. Here it's served up on a 180 gram vinyl 12" with the more noodling 'Blue Rondo A La Turk' and a vocal version of 'Take Five' with Carmen McRae bringing the soul.