Review: Johnny Hartman's I Just Dropped By to Say Hello, now reissued on 180-gram vinyl via Verve By Request, is a testament to his exceptional vocal artistry. Known for his deep, velvety baritone, Hartman delivers a collection of intimate ballads with impeccable enunciation and emotional depth. Standouts include 'Wee Small Hours of the Morning' and 'Sleepin' Bee', where Hartman's voice is smooth, relaxed and rich, free from the harshness that can plague lesser pressings. Recorded by the legendary Rudy Van Gelder, this album benefits from his masterful engineering, with every nuance of Hartman's voice and the supporting ensemble sounding pristine. The stellar musicianship includes Hank and Elvin Jones on piano and drums, Milt Hinton on bass and guitarists Kenny Burrell and Jim Hall. Illinois Jacquet's tenor sax adds further texture to several tracks. Often overshadowed by Hartman's work with John Coltrane, this album stands on its own as a jazz vocal masterpiece. The warm, natural sound of this reissue makes it an essential addition to any collection, demonstrating the enduring magic of Hartman's voice and Van Gelder's brilliant production.
Review: The Jon Hassell retrospective series from Ndeya Records continues with 'The Living City', which captures the late composer at his creative peak, performing live at the renowned Winter Garden concert hall in New York in the 1980s. Forming something of an escape from his jazz-influenced ambient works, this performance instead shows off Hassell's interest in the popularity of sampling hip-hop at the time. With influences from Public Enemy to Teo Macero, this is a whirlwind of sampled noise and snippets, which all continually loop and circle back on each other in a mood of mild yet evocative madness.
B-STOCK: A few dents in the sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything)
Je Vous Aime (I Love You)
I Believe To My Soul
Misty
Sugar Lee
Tryin' Times
Thank You Master (For My Soul)
The Ghetto
To Be Young, Gifted & Black
Review: ***B-STOCK: A few dents in the sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
Upon its release in 1970, Donny Hathaway's latest album was met with critical acclaim but modest commercial success. The LP showcased Hathaway's extraordinary versatility, blending gospel, jazz, blues and soul into a cohesive whole. It was a rich tapestry of influences, marked by Hathaway's stunning vocal prowess and his ability to craft arrangements that felt both intricate and organic. The album also set the stage for his subsequent works, cementing Hathaway as one of the most important voices of his generation. Tracks like 'The Ghetto' and 'Tryin' Times' revealed his commitment to addressing social issues, while songs like 'Thank You Master' and 'Je Vous Aime' showcased his personal and spiritual depth. In the decades since its release, Everything Is Everything has grown in stature, celebrated as a cornerstone of soul music.
Review: Piano player Hampton Hawes' For Real! embodies the raw essence of hard bop with its explosive energy and impeccable interplay between musicians. Originally released in 1961, this album showcases Hawes' exceptional artistry alongside the masterful Harold Land on tenor saxophone, Frank Butler on drums, and the legendary bassist Scott LaFaro. Throughout the memorable outing, Hawes exudes an inspired spirit, matching effortlessly with Land's dynamic tenor and LaFaro's virtuosic basslines. The quartet's synergy creates a captivating soundscape that captivates the listener with its spontaneity and infectious groove.
Review: When it comes to hunting the very of best library music cuts out there, De Wolfe's discography is likely the best place to start, and finish. The British music production company were the first to license such music exclusively for film and TV and thus single-handedly popularised the now DJ's favourite genre. Here on this reissue, Aussie producer, musician and double bassist Johnny Hawksworth (one of two famous library musician "hawks", only once removed from the perhaps more eminent Alan Hawkshaw), prizes open both falcon's eyes and auriculars: 'Bite Hard Breaks', the star, makes for an unfathomably cool piece for the playing of seductive games. Unsurprisingly, but with this fact not known to many, this record has been much sampled by hip-hop titans, from Beyonce to Drake to Jay Z to Madlib.
Review: Two Johns unite: griot and kora master John Haycock, hailing from Manchester, and fellow multi-instrumentalist John Ellis, team up for the spiritual-visionary album 'Didymus'. Enlisting a ragtag band of musicians to produce something far beyond what the average folk artist can make on their own, the album centres on a single mantra: 'visions create'. The aim is to sonically chart a roadmap towards a bright future, a feat that seems impossible: the means are sequenced electronic, dub-psychs flourishings, solstice chants, and poetry from a band of wordsmiths such as Rob Dunford and Sunflower Bill.
Review: Decca Records, a champion of British jazz and particularly the homegrown talent of the 50s, 60s and 70s, continues its exploration of those eras. Curated by Mark Baxter, this is the perfect entry point for those unfamiliar with the virtuoso saxophonist, flautist, vibraphonist and composer Hayes, gathering ten tracks originally recorded for the Fontana label between 1961 and 1969 and answering to the question "Where do I start with Tubby Hayes?" Hayes was a significant figure in British jazz, a multi-instrumentalist and composer whose work spanned various styles, from hard bop to modal jazz. This collection showcases the breadth of his talent, highlighting key moments from his prolific period with Fontana. It's a chance to hear Hayes at his peak, demonstrating his technical prowess and his distinctive musical voice. Here, seasoned jazz aficionados are offered a curated selection of familiar favorites, perhaps revealing new nuances with fresh ears. But its primary purpose is to introduce new listeners to Hayes's brilliance and by focusing on a specific era and label, the compilation offers a coherent taste of Hayes's evolution throughout the 60s
Review: Roland Haynes Jr. and his band Phenix may have only released one 45 in 1983, but their legacy extends far beyond that solitary record. This new collection of live recordings from the Quarter Moon club in Orangeburg, South Carolina, reveals the brilliance of Haynes and his ensemble. The album features a vibrant mix of originals and covers, including renditions of tracks by Marvin Gaye, Santana, Hubert Laws and The Jeff Lorber Fusion. These recordings, drawn from Haynes' personal archive, showcase the band's exceptional talent and ability to reinterpret classics while adding their own unique flair. The collection allows Haynes to assert his place among the most innovative jazz and soul artists of his time, capturing the energy and creativity of Phenix in their prime.
Review: US jazz drummer Roy Haynes' 1971 album was originally recorded in New York for Bob Shad's Mainstream Records. Wewantsounds has now secured the rights to a full reissue that is likely to ensure it connects with a new generation. The album features a stellar lineup with Hannibal Marvin Peterson, George Adams, Teruo Nakamura and Lawrence Killian blending jazz funk and spiritual jazz with Haynes' powerful drumming at the forefront. This is the the first vinyl release since 1971 and it retains the original gatefold artwork, plus first-generation photos, and also includes the bonus track 'Roy's Tune' and a two-page insert with new liner notes by Kevin Le Gendre.
From Life Comes Beaut (feat Immanuel Wilkins) (8:46)
Portrait Of Guess (8:46)
Exoplanet Suite: I Elliptical Orbit (feat Christian McBride) (8:23)
Exoplanet Suite: II Three Sunlights (7:24)
Exoplanet Suite: III Planet Nine (9:57)
Review: Composer and conductor Miho Hazama celebrates ten years of her respected M Unit project with an all new album performed by it. Beyond Orbits is a vibrant work that is also a fine testament to her endless creativity within the world of jazz. In the last decade she has played all over the world but the album was written in the confines of her flat during the pandemic in New York. But you wouldn't know it because like Afro-Futurists before her she looked outwards to the stars for inspiration. Effectually the album pays homage to the captivating wonders of the exoplanetary realm in majestic fashion.
Review: Sam Records proudly presents a live recording of the Heath Brothers, performed in Paris at Studio 104, Maison de la Radio, on April 16, 1976. In addition to a superb version of 'One for Juan', the band perform two tracks from the Marchin' On! album: 'Watergate Blues' and a wonderful version of 'Smilin' Billy'. A suspenseful delight, 'One For Juan', seems to emerge from nowhere, a snowball of sound, dialectically picking up sax, piano counterpoints and lightfooted hi-hat clenches in a freeform mush. 'Smilin' Billy' is less expulsive and more measured, making for a beautiful soul-jazz number for scale-tickling flute and piano, backed up by brilliantly "bowing" double basses.
Review: In many ways, this album by the Heavy Hitters delivers everything jazz enthusiasts crave: an all-star ensemble, blues-rooted improvisations and original compositions that enrich the modern jazz repertoire. This live recording captures the deep emotions and authentic feelings that make such performances truly special. It is full of electric solos and dense melodies, shuffling rhythms and "lightning in a bottle" moments where fresh nuances emerge with every listen. Recorded after a two-week tour, the album culminated in a memorable performance at Frankie's, one of the world's finest jazz clubs, and is well deserving of your ears.
Review: Hailing from Norway, Hedvig Mollestad is renowned for her ability to bridge the worlds of jazz and heavy rock with a fierce, improvisational spirit. The trio, which has been at the heart of her sound since its inception, is back with their latest offering after a four-year hiatus, following the release of Ding Dong. This time, there's a palpable sense of urgency and creative freedom. Tracks like 'Bees In The Bonnet' and 'Under The Velvet Sky' highlight their complex interplay, weaving intricate structures with fiery, riff-heavy moments. The trio's chemistry, cultivated over years of touring and writing together, has only deepened, with an infectious energy that resonates throughout the release. Mollestad's sharp, commanding guitar work remains a focal point, as she effortlessly fuses influences from jazz legends to the weighty riffs of metal pioneers.
Review: Hedvig Mollestad has a considerable weight of recorded music under her belt from her pre-existing trio with Ellen Brekken and Ivar Loe Bjornstad, and now the Norwegian experimental guitarist is heralding a new outfit for further explorations on the outer edges of jazz fusion. Joining Mollestad on her journey this time around is Stale Storlokken on keys, fresh from Supersilent and Elephant9, and promising improv drummer Ole Mofjell. Weejuns is a freewheeling excursion somewhere around the orbit of bands like Henry Cow, Soft Machine and Mahavishnu Orchestra, captured live from various gigs in Oslo and Stavanger and spread across an expansive double album.
Review: Finnish fusion five-piece the Heikki Sarmanto Quintet recorded and released their sole album, Counterbalance, way back in 1971. Brought together by bandleader and Rhodes electric piano wizard Heikki Sarmanto, the band burned brightly briefly before vanishing into obscurity. Svart Records has - wisely, given its cult status - decided to reissue the album, this time on translucent green vinyl and accompanied by extensive liner notes. It remains a unique and hugely enjoyable album that joins the dots between warm and largely laidback contemporary jazz, jazz-funk, more pastoral folk-jazz fusion, and more high-octane, spiritual jazz-inspired improvisations. It also boasts some genuinely life-affirming flute and guitar solos amongst the rubbery double bass, loose-limbed rhythms and Sarmanto's inspired keys-work.
Review: A rare reissue for one of the most sought-after records in Finnish jazz history: the sole studio album by electric piano wizard (and bandleader) Heikko Sarmanto's short-lived quintet. Recorded and first released by EMI Finland's jazz department in 1971, Counterbalance remains a unique and hugely enjoyable album that joins the dots between warm and largely laidback contemporary jazz, jazz-funk, more pastoral folk-jazz fusion, and more high-octane, spiritual jazz-inspired improvisations. It also boasts some genuinely life-affirming flute and guitar solos amongst the rubbery double bass, loose-limbed rhythms and Sarmanto's inspired keys-work. Helpfully, this edition also boasts an insert with extended liner notes telling the story of this inspired cult classic.
Review: Bill Henderson may not have been a widely known jazz singer, but his 1963 album proves he deserved more recognition. Backed by the exceptional Oscar Peterson Trioifeaturing Ed Thigpen on drums and Ray Brown on bassiHenderson more than holds his own. His rich, expressive voice brings new depth to classics like 'All or Nothing at All' and 'You Are My Sunshine' which font his unique style and vast emotional range. Rather than being overshadowed by his legendary accompanists, Henderson rises to the occasion which helps make this a standout gem in vocal jazz.
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in stock$34.60
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