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: 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 state51 Conspiracy label comes very much correct early on in the New Year with this two-track grey marbled vinyl 12" in a fancy spot-varnished sleeve. It takes the form of two fresh Santaka reworks of original compositions by Rytis Mazulis and avant-garde choir Melos Collective which were first released back in 2020. Santaka, which means "confluence" in Lithuanian, is the coming together of DJ and producer Manfredas and drummer and producer Marijus Aleksa and here they layer up disembodied vocals and dark jazz melodies on 'Ramybe' and then 'Autoportretas' is a textural ambient exploration packed with fascinating sound designs.
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: 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.
El Panquelero (feat Modero Madera - bonus track) (4:23)
Review: Ruben Blades is a singer but also a former Minister of Tourism of Panama, actor, activist and composer. He is a master of Latin jazz and for this album On Fotografias he reunites with the exceptional Roberto Delgado to continue a partnership that has defined his recent work. The Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning ensemble masterfully navigates an array of styles and bring fresh energy to eight of Blades' compositions. Their virtuosity shines through rich arrangements which are a colourful and sunny mix of salsa, jazz, and tropical rhythms with seamless precision. Blades' storytelling remains as compelling as ever as his lyrics are infused with nostalgia, social commentary and poetic depth.
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.
Review: An organic, whirlwind jazz fusion record from the contemporary master Orlando le Fleming, whose main instrument is double bass/electric bass, but whose compositional and improvisational talents are equally captivating. Teaming up with the Romantic Funk band for a long recording session in his native UK after a long sojourn in New York, Fleming opts for a continuation of the acoustic tradition that continues unabated along his deep affection for the robust, muscular electric fusion that emerged in the 1980s. From the opening 'Don't Dwell On It' - an epicurean, hand-shaking improv-jazz carnival for bass and stereo sax - to 'Wandering Talk' - a horny but still sublime blue jazz introject for duetting vocals, with coded lyrics about disconnection and connection over long distances - this is a sprawlingly sophisticated record.
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: A Monster's Expedition + Earlier Adventures is a double disc collection of music from four different video games (namely A Monster's Expedition, Sokobond, Cosmic Express and A Good Snowman Is Hard to Build) all composed by Eli Rainsberry, Allison Walker, Nick Dymond, and Priscilla Snow. Each one is utterly unique to the game and each one comes laden with beautiful soothing atmospheres delicately coloured with ponderous and whimsical melodies that will distract you from whatever you are doing they are so gorgeous. This is music to get lost in and it comes with superbly serene artwork from Andre Rodrigues.
Review: Enzo Randisi's Swing Ensemble is a quintessential summer jazz album, honouring the vibrancy and cheer of the early 80s. This Sicilian gem stands out for its unique blend of swing and experimental elements, reflecting the rich musical blend of Palermo at the time. Randisi's ensemble, featuring the exceptional vocal talents of the Spata sisters, Cinzia and Loredana, infuses tracks like 'All Blues' and Chick Corea's 'Spain' with a distinctive flair. One of the album's standout moments is Charles Cables' rendition of 'Quite Fire' (misspelled as 'Quite Fair'), a track that would gain recognition in the 90s Acid Jazz movement. This choice underscores Randisi's and his collaborators' deep musical knowledge and passion, achieved despite the isolation of their island home. Swing Ensemble is less experimental than Randisi's debut but offers a compelling mix of hard modal bop with an exotic twist, thanks to the Spata sisters' voices. With a polished re-press overseen by Tony Higgins, this album remains a vital piece of Italy's jazz scene, appealing to fans of swinging jazz and innovative arrangements.
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.
Review: Trombonist Phil Ranelin alongside Wendell Harrison founded Tribe as a community enterprise and record label in Detroit in the 70s that went on to have a huge impact. Its musical legacy lives on through plenty of vital albums, not least Vibes From The Tribe. The Japanese Edition of the original album now arrives on Groove Diggers complete with an obi-strip and six spellbinding tunes that have all been remixed and remastered from the original multi-track tapes or lacquered directly from master tapes. It is as good as spiritual jazz gets, frankly.
Review: Tribe 2000 is a powerful celebration of Phil Ranelin's prolific career, featuring the Tribe Records founders, Ranelin on trombone and Wendell Harrison on saxophone. Recorded in 2000, this album brings together the core of the influential Detroit label, as Harrison sought to reconnect with Ranelin while incorporating a talented ensemble of seasoned musicians to enrich the arrangements. Four of the five compositions are penned by Ranelin, showcasing the innovative spirit that characterised Tribe. Wendell Harrison, known for his self-directed approach to music, co-founded the legendary Tribe label in the 1970s and established Rebirth Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to jazz performance and education. His collaborations with notable artists like pianist Geri Allen and saxophonist James Carter underscore his significant impact on the jazz community. Born in Indianapolis, Ranelin's early influences shaped his journey through Detroit's jazz scene before he moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to thrive alongside luminaries like Freddie Hubbard. Together, Ranelin and Harrison's Tribe 2000 exemplifies their enduring legacy in jazz music.
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.
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