MPS Germany Vinilo y CD

Review: If you're in the mood for some sublimely summery jazz-funk and fusion business, we'd heartily recommend this reissue of Alphonse Mouzon's acclaimed 1981 album By All Means. Mouzon, a drummer and percussionist by trade who was also a founding member of weather report, naturally uses it as a showcase for his skills - see the intergalactic synths and sweatily breathless drums of 'Space Invaders' - but for the most part the album shuffles along at a more laidback tempo, with a string of high-profile guest players (Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard both feature) exchanging solos over some seriously sumptuous grooves.

Review: The Hip Walk is often said by both fans and critics to be one of Nathan Davis's finest albums. It finds him with his quintet and featuring Carmell Jones on top form back in 1995. At the time, Afro-American Davis was living in Europe and working with the likes of Art Blakey. Jones was an old school mate who plays trumpet on this record and is know for doing the same on Horace Silver's classic 1965 Song for My Father. Nathan's role was to hold down the rhythm section and he did so in style here across some top ballads and virtuoso solo exhibitions from his bandmates.

Review: US clarinet icon Tony Scott stayed for six years in Asia and during that time hooked up with plenty of talented local musicians and brought them into the jazz fold. Improvisation is a traditional part of the gamelan sound of the region and is drawn upon here as his outfit The Indonesian All Stars perform their never before heard ethno-jazz arrangements. They went on tour around Europe and opened the Berlin Jazz Days in 1967. The album has been remastered from original tapes here for a reissue which means you no longer have to pay the high prices this once rare album has fetched over the years.