Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: After his debut album E o que a casa oferece from 2023, Gabriel da Rosa is back with another silken bossa nova record, in homage to the musical style that raised him. 'Cafune' was first released digitally a follow-up single to the alnbum, one which rounded out the year that said debut was released, and which was written for the soundtrack to the film film All Happy Families (Haroula Rose). Now an authentic 12" version, the song is here backed by the B-side 'Sort Of', an impressive desert passage through refractive, rainbow dream pop.

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.

Review: Domo Domo are the duo of Japanese sound engineer Yas Inoue and DJ Takaya Nagase, both based in New York. Their latest 'Happening In The Streets' pays due homage to jazz-funk supergroup The Voltage Brothers, who released their discographic standouts in the 70s and 80s. Two cleverly put-together edits of the eponymous rare groove original come with many filtrations, lengthenings, effects and sonic tweaks.

Review: Milo MacMahon and Raul Indipwo aka Duo Ouro Negro, arrived in Portugal in 1959 and built an international music career over three decades. Singing in Portuguese, Angolan languages, French and more, they also covered Latin American and North American songs and connected with the Civil Rights movement during their 1969 U.S. tour. This experience shaped their 1972 landmark album, Blackground, which was a powerful cultural statement influenced by Black Power, jazz and African independence movements. In 1981, Blackground was reworked with new arrangements including the instrumental 'Danca do Robalinho' which came in two parts. This jazz-funk masterpiece now gets reissued for the first time and is a must-buy.

Review: Zy The Way hails from Taiwan and are a jazz ensemble that interlaces their dynamic sounds with ancient Chinese poetry compiled by Confucius. They also bring in more contemporary compositions which results in an utterly original sound and great gateway to some of the world's oldest literary works. They recently finished a debut full-length album and now the single 'Blue Collar' from it comes on limited edition vinyl. The track tells the ancient tale of young scholars in love with a powerful narrative and moving melodies. The one and only DJ Spinna steps up on the flip to offer his own classy deep-house remix.

Review: Black Monument Ensemble was originally formed as a medium for Damon Locks's sample-based sound collage work. The Chicago-based multi-media artist and activist then evolved it from an initial solo project into a collective of talented singers and musicians. Their new album was written in summer 2020 which was denied the pandemic, the black lives matter movement and general social unrest in the US. That permeates the often intense moods, with spoken word snippets, angst ridden sax lines and explosive rhythms. It makes for a thrilling album by a genuinely diverse collective which is made up of musicians who range from nine to 52 years of age.

Review: Recorded live at Basin Street in New York during 1954 and '55, this album highlights the tight interplay and smooth melodies that were hallmarks of Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond's early work. Featuring Bob Bates and Joe Dodge, the quartet excels in delivering fluid counterpoints and silky solos, as showcased in 'Love Walked In.' The "red hot" in the title of Jazz: Red Hot and Cool alludes to its vibrant cover featuring a model in striking red attire. The "cool" pertains to the music itself. This reissue presents two previously unreleased tracks, 'Taking a Chance on Love' and 'Closing Time Blues,' both offering lively, energetic performances. Brubeck's solos soar on the former, while the latter delivers a delightful bounce with its piano, wire brushes, and walking bass lines. The album's excellent sound quality captures the intimate, live atmosphere of the performances, making it essential for jazz lovers. Standout tracks include 'The Duke,' a straightforward blues number, and 'Indiana,' where Desmond's solo traverses complex rhythmic patterns with ease. Documenting the quartet's progress before significant lineup changes in 1956 and 1958, this vinyl reissue revives a golden era of jazz, celebrating the innovative live performances that defined the Brubeck quartet.

Review: What is there left to be said about this album? It is (probably) one of the most pressed and reissue of all-time and for good reason - it set a new standard for jazz and appeared to both hardcore lovers of the genre as well as those with only a passing interest. No matter your view of jazz, it is hard not to be moved by the feathery drums and wandering bass of opener 'So What', or the expressive horns of 'Freddie Freeloader' over nimble piano fingers that dance so delicately about the keys. 'All Blues' is a study in melancholy and 'Flamenco Sketches' brings a hint of South American sunshine into this most moving and intimate of jazz records.

Review: Miles Davis and Marcus Miller's third and final fusion session, Amandla brought the partnership's triptych to a delightful close in 1989 with some of the most upbeat and funkiest compositions and jam sessions of the set. With Miles's trumpeteering and Marcus's iconic slap-bass going toe-to-toe on each track, the pair mischievously play chicken with each other as both hop and skip between the spotlight. The same can also be said for the devilish arrangement as we flicker from game show funk ("Jilli") to epitaph soliloquies ("Mr Pastorius") all within a tangible 80s production context. This has aged remarkably well.

Review: This limited edition and hand-numbered reissue features the complete performance by the Miles Davis Sextet from the Newport Jazz Festival in July 1958. The ensemble, which is rightly one of jazz history's most celebrated, included Davis on trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor sax, Cannonball Adderley on alto sax, Bill Evans on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. Although this iconic lineup was short-lived, they made a truly lasting impact on jazz as they went on to record the legendary Kind of Blue album just six months later. As a special bonus, this release also includes rare broadcast performances by both the Miles Davis Quintet and Sextet from the same period.

Review: Miles Davis' quintet was formed in 1955 and soon after began impressing the jazz world with the sort of invention that eventually saw them hailed as one of the greatest in history. Each member - including Miles on trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor sax, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Art Taylor on drums - was a creative force in their own right. Cookin' proved that and came on Prestige as the first in a series of four albums, later followed by Steamin', Workin' and Relaxin'. These albums were recorded during two highly productive sessions in May and October of 1956 and the quintet's groundbreaking work explored a dynamic blend of improvisation, technical skill and innovative jazz exploration.

Review: Belgian jazz singer Melanie Di Biasio first came to light around 2007 on Igloo, but she's since fostered a steady relationship with indie giants [PIAS] which has resulted in two subsequent albums, No Deal and Lilies. After a six-year gap, she returns with a new set which finds her edging into intriguing new territory. Il Viaggio is framed as 'a quest for musical, physical, and spiritual renewal, born from an emotional memory awakened'. Make of that what you will, but the music contained within finds her voice framed by a broad spectrum of sonics as she leads us through two distinct halves across two discs - Lay Your Ear To The Rail and The Chaos Azure.