HOME | SEARCH | VIEW CART | BROWSE | FORTHCOMING | CONTACT | HELP | ABOUT US | SUBSCRIBE | LABEL | RADIO | COLLECTABLE VINYL |
POSTAL RATES | JUST ARRIVED

NICOLA CONTE RITUALS CD £14.95 DBL LP £19.95
Follow-up to the classic 'Other Directions' takes a more vocal route. The style (though not the vocal) resembles Mario Biondi's wonderful 'Handful Of Soul' from a couple years back especially on Ellington's 'Caravan' and the Eastern vibe of 'The Nubian Queens', the latter featuring Jose James. 'I See All Shades Of You' features the delectable Jazz vocals of Alice Ricciardi on a swinging groove that is on the one as they say. She also contributes on the waltz 'Song For The Seasons'. The instrumental 'Macedonia' is a jazzy instrumental piece of some gusto. For Jazz dance aficionados this is a must buy and already a contender for Jazz album of 2009.
also highly recommended 'Other Directions' CD £14.95


VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

HAJIME YOSHIZAWA JAPAN JAPANESE CD £31.95
Brilliant Jazz dance set that is superb throughout. From the very beginning of the jazzy 'Open Door' to the semi-modal 'Eastern Step' and 'Yoake-Dawn, the album serves up great track after great track. Standouts include the three cuts that feature Fertile Ground's vocalist Navasha Daya: the spiritual groove of 'Time', the Pharoah influenced 'Celebration' and the slower, Jazz vocal 'Bristlecone Pine'. For lovers of contemporary Jazz, this album is the closest to nirvana you will hear! BUY IT!

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

Down To The Bone – Future Boogie CD £13.95
Excellent album from Stuart Wade and the boys, the musicianship is top notch with tight horns and wicked rhythm section.  Grooves like ‘Future Boogie’ and ‘Spiderlegs’ are full-on funky Jazz barnstormers.  Try the infectious riff laden ‘We’ve Always Got The Music’, (as used on the Soul Brother ad on JazzFm)  the heavier ‘Smash And Grab’ and slower ‘In The Pocket’. There are 2 quality vocal tracks – ‘Should’ve Been You’ and the gorgeous ‘The Brighter Side’ feature the awesome Hil St Soul, whilst ‘Good To Me’ has a scat from Roy Ayers, who also adds a vibes solo on a Brand New Heavies style cut.  All-round this is DTTB’s best album for several years.  Must also mention Neil Angilley’s keyboard work and Tony Remy’s ultra funky rhythm guitar.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

NICOLA CONTE – THE MODERN SOUND OF NICOLA CONTE DOUBLE CD £19.95
This fantastic double CD of Nicola Conte remixes and a few unreleased cuts recorded with his combo is a fine example of why the Italian Jazz sound is so popular. Finger popping, foot tapping grooves that are so infectious permeate this entire double CD. Popular Conte mixes like Mark Murphy's 'Stolen Moments' and Fertile Ground's 'Yellow Daisies' are truly awesome. Other great remixes include Sabrina Malheiros' 'Terra De Nengeum', the deep 'Elevated States by Thunderball, Five Corner Quintet's wonderful '3 Corners' and Marco Di Marco 'Campi'. There are a number of either previously unreleased or not previously released on CDs tracks primarily recorded either by Nicola Conte or with his Jazz Combo. I could list virtually every track. This album is just essential.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

ROSALIA DE SOUZA - D'IMPROVVISO CD £15.95 DBL LP £15.95
Italian based Brazilian chanteuse, Rosalia De Souza delivers probably he best album ever. Drawing on the musically rich Brazilian songbook, she with Nicola Conte/ Mario Biondi's band breathes new life into these classics. The combination of her exquisite voice and the band's incredible musicianship is irresistible. The tracks just glide with grace, check 'Banzo' and he title song! Jorge Ben's 'Carolina Carol Bela' and 'Luiza Manequim' are ridiculously catchy. 'Opinao' and 'Sambinha' fuse a jazzier vibe with the Brazilian core. The arrangements by pianist Luca Mannutza are the work of genius; this album could become the soundtrack to the summer and invoke images of Rio!

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

SANTUCCI SCOPPA – NEW TRADITION CD £12.95 DOUBLE LP £14.95
Superb Italian Jazz that swings and flows and with so many great tracks. 'Transitions' has a Coltrane and contrasts with the lighter 'Rolling Stars' with its female scat vocal. The light touch continues with the vocal 'Fly Rome'. 'Walking Fast' is an uptempo funky Jazz groove with strong horns – very Japanese Jazz style. 'Night Travel' hits a Fusion groove, whilst 'Between 6th & 7th' adds a cooler Latin feel.
Throughout the musicianship is absolutely superb. This is a contender for the Jazz album of 2009, given Schema and Japanese releases that is saying something!

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

QUASIMODE SOUNDS OF PEACE JAPANESE CD £29.95
Excellent album from Quasimode is possibly their best to date. Carmen Lundy adds her luscious Jazz voice to the title track, whilst the spiritual 'Dance Of The Little Children' features Dwight Trible (as does 'Midnight Flower'). Typically urgent Jazz grooves like 'Take The New Frontiers', 'Finger Tip' and 'Young Black Horse will get feet moving and heads nodding. Try also the wonderful 'Rope A Dope' and the band's take on 'Jeannine'. Essential.
Also highly recommended ‘Land of Freedom and Oneself likeness CD’s £13.95 each.


VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

JUKKA ESKOLA – WALKOVER CD £15.95
Finnish trumpeter returns with an strong set of grooves. Jukka's inspiration as a player is Freddie Hubbard, both in tone and style. Grooves like 'Jova' and 'Chip N Charge' sound like Freddie circa early 70's CTI. 'Cadets' and the mellow swinging 'Dark Corner' are equally strong. Try also the Beni Melal version of 'El Aedaps'has a Schema like vibe to it – full on 60's style modal Jazz. A worthy follow-up to his superb debut.

.


VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

JTQ (JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET) – NEW WORLD CD £13.95
JTQ albums can vary in the style they adopt. This one is a Jazz Funk set has the feel of early 70's Donald Byrd in places, though the production is not as full as the Mizell Brothers. Try the breezy 'Rochester Raining' with its flute and subtle trumpet lead, also try the equally deft 'New World; trumpeter Nick Shaft excels and has the soulful touch of Byrd or Freddie Hubbard. On the vocal tip, 'Same Old Fool' has a great mid-tempo groove (Roy Ayers tinge) and is the standout. 'Stonemason' is a stomping funky Hammond piece, equally pulsating is the Jazz Funk barnstormer 'Hotwire'. Heavier, funkier and slower is 'Jazz Café Theme'. There are a couple of straighter Jazz tunes in 'Blue Lady' and 'Inner Mystic Love'. This is not a Hammond feature set, as James plays piano, Rhodes and clavinet too. Outstanding album.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS SERIES

S-TONE INC – MOON IN LIBRA CD £15.95 DBL LP £15.95
S Tone Inc has been one of the mainstays of the Schema label for many years. Vocal cuts like the slinky 'My Only Man' and the wonderful 'How High The Moon', the latter featuring Angie Brown on vocals mix that Schema magic with S Tone Inc's Latin style. The slower more reflective 'Stormy' adds a more melodic inflection. It is the percussive 'Ponta Da Pedra' where the groove takes over with a Samba feel; Rosalia De Souza contributes a fine vocal (as she does on 2 other songs). The slow burner 'Dona Luna' bursts into a fast escargo with divine horns and lush percussion. Excellent album.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS SERIES

LORENZO TUCCI – TOUCH CD £15.95 DBL LP £15.95
Drummer Lorenzo Tucci provides the backbone for the Schema rhythm section (Nicola Conte, Mario Biondi etc) and the vocal tracks will appeal to lovers of the latter. His feel and touch is both formidable and subtle.
The drums as you would expect are slightly higher in the mix on this set, but it is the songs, melodies and the
free and easy vibe that evokes a bygone era. The Sinatra-ish ''Ensadinado' kicks things off, whilst the popular (from the Freedom Jazz Dance series) 'Please Don't Leave' kicks into a barnstorming groove. Alice Riccardi's tasteful vocals spark the glorious 'The Sky', and 'Lilemor' is the epitome of 'cool'. The 60's breezy groove of 'Wintersong' gives the excellent horn section room to stretch, whilst the more moody and slower 'Tropicola'
adds a funkier feel. 'Balancao No Samba' combines Latin with that 60's optimistic vibe. Essential Jazz set.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS SERIES

FABIO NOBILE ALWAYS LOVE CD £14.95
Big album in Italy, this Jazz and Bossa album is full of upbeat good time grooves, check out. The female lead vocal adds a sophisticated, 60's style touch, enhanced by the 'live' studio recording. Tracks like 'San Diego', 'Zozoi' and 'Always Love' are a joy. More up still is the Frisina mix of 'Didn't You Know'. This album is strong groove driven Jazz that will appeal to Gerardo Frisina/ Nicola Conte et al.


VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

BRAZILIAN GROOVE BAND – ANATOMY OF GROOVE CD £13.95
Leo Gandelman put together this band in the late 90's and it includes Reuben Wilson, Grant Green Jr plus Azymuth and a full horn section that sounds not unlike Tower Of Power. This album is firing on all cylinders from the off with the Afro Beat influenced 'Safari'. 'Pirulito' has an easy swing with Green and Gandelman particularly expressive. All 10 tracks hit the groove with the driving horn led 'Dance', the slower 'Prince Samba' and the infectious 'April 7th' really hitting the spot. The blistering 'Groove In The Head' is just that, whilst 'Bananeira' – check the wicked baritone sax solo - and the jazzier 'Hip Baiao' complete a marvellous set of Jazz Funk grooves that will be a candidate for Jazz release of the year.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

MILANO JAZZ DANCE COMBO – LO GRECO BROS PRESENTS CD £13.95 LP £14.95
The Lo Greco brothers – bassist Enrico and drummer Gianni - have recorded for the Schema label in the past (as Quintetto Lo Greco). This CD has a similar vibe to the Schema releases and involves Gerardo Frisina's producer. There are 3 instrumental tracks: the breezy 'Iperbole', the heavier 'Turn Up The Heat' and the superb 'Sam Blues' and these tracks are serious grooves. Six vocalists contribute over the remaining 10 cuts. Colonel Red sounds great on the driving 'Much More'. Alice Ricciardi glides across the jazzier 'Just In Time' but every track is a winner. If you like Frisina/ Nicola Conte/ Mario Biondi…this is for you. Superb.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

BRENDA BOYKIN CHOCOLATE AND CHILI CD £12.95
Brenda Boykin is one of the featured vocalist with the Bahama Soul Club. Her powerful and earthy voice growls across a superb selection of Jazz grooves and Soul cuts. 'Love Is In Town' is Mario Biondi style cool dancer and creating a stir in Soul circles. 'Ride Rich Rhythm' is the vocal cut to the similarly titled track on the Bahama Soul Club CD. 'Hard Swing Travellin Man' is another fine groover, whilst 'Be My Lover' is Bossa tinged gem. Afrobeat touches propel 'State Side Blues', the percussive 'Listen To The Beat' and the soulful 'Wonderful' are highlights on this extremely strong debut.


VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

CESARS SALAD – THE LATIN BEAT CD £14.95
If you are into Latin Jazz, this CD is the one. From the firing opener 'Jamilah' to the Latin Soul
Jazz with its 60's strutting style of 'Afrolypso', each track offers something slightly different. The version of 'Manteca' is another blistering Latin groove as is the take to the Blue Note classic 'Afrodisia'. 'Batucada Surgiu' creates a percussive storm. On a less frenetic not, try Bobby Hebb's classic 'Sunny' or Weldon Irvine's 'Liberated Brother'. Brilliant album of covers with a refreshingly different spin.


VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

KYLE EASTWOOD – METROPOLITAN CD £16.95
This superb Jazz album, shows why Clint's son has established a fine reputation as a bass player and jazz musician. This very Herbie Hancock sounding set traverses many different styles of Jazz. 'Metropolitan' is a powerful trumpet led, part scat vocal atmospheric upbeat cut. Eastwood infuses 'Hot Box' with a Headhunters like bass part. 'Samba De Paris' is a fine Freddie Hubbard like cut and very jazzy, whilst 'Le Balai' has a soulful Jazz Funk groove. On the vocal side, the gritty 'Live For Life' adds a dose of Funk. Exceptional.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

M SWIFT PRESENTS 24 CARAT – BLUE IN BLACK CD £24.95
This is a Japanese Jazz album of supreme quality. The band kick ass on full blooded grooves such as 'Play It On The Floor', the Latin themed 'Café In Bahia' (both original and 4 Hero remix) and 'Moon At Noon'. The Jazz Funk 'Disco' is lighter and has an early 80's feel to it. 'Spiritual Vibe' is a bright and breeze groove, whilst 'Swiftest' keeps the grooves flowing. Superb horns, backed by the tight Japanese style Jazz drumming. This is a truly outstanding set, with exquisite playing, wonderful grooves and excellent solos especially keyboards and sax. ESSENTIAL.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

NATION OF MULTIVERSE JAPANESE CD £29.95
This contemporary Spiritual Jazz album harks back to the sound of Strata East/ Black Jazz/ Nimbus. Heavy tracks like 'African Village' and the tough 'Hanikami' have deep running grooves. On the lighter side try 'Show Me The Sunshine In Your Breast Pocket' or the waltz tempoed 'Butterfly' featuring the vocal talents of Monday Michiru. 'Real And Unreal Space' adds a freer vibe, whilst the awesome 'Dee-Dah' is back on the spiritual groove. The horn section is particularly strong. Yet another great Japanese Jazz album!

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

QUASIMODE – MODE OF BLUE CD £32.95
Brilliant interpretations of Blue Note classics recorded by the Japanese Jazz group. They manage to stamp their own personality on the pieces, whilst remaining true to the spirit of Blue Note. 'Afrodisia' is superbly close to Kenny Dorham's original, whilst 'Mode Of Blue' hits more of a Quasimode feel. Valerie Etienne adds a vocal to Bobby Hutcherson's 'Little B's Poem'. Donald Byrd's 'Ghana', Horace Silver's breezy 'Sayonara Blues', 'Congalere' ..Treat after treat after treat. Unmissable.



VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

FASCINATIONS – LATONA JAPANESE CD £29.95
Probably the Japanese Jazz group's finest album to date, 'Latona' is certainly their toughest. Primarily an album of Blue Note covers, this album compares favourably with Quasimode's 'Mode Of Blue'. John Patton's 'Latona' is given a kicking update as is 'Speedball', whilst 'Mexican Hip Dance' is slightly cooler (not much though). Tracks like 'Y Funk' sustain the high tempo and vibe, love also the slower walking bassline to 'The Dirt'. The vibes (instrument) on most tracks adds a classy feel, and must mention the quality lead guitar. Every track is a winner.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

CHICO HAMILTON – THE ALTERNATE DIMENSIONS OF EL CHICO EP £14.95
This EP/ mini album of 7 tracks comprises reworkings interpretations and remixes. The opener 'Simple Timeless' is performed by Fertile Ground and features the wonderful vocals of Navasha Daya - Soul Jazz magic personified. There are 2 great mixes of the Fusion classic 'Mysterious Maiden' the latter (Yin Yan Club mix) with a Bossa vibe that has the spirit of the original but adds a Latin spin to it. Mark De Clive-Lowe's remix of the exotic Eastern/ Spanish flavoured 'El Toro' is awesome. 'Elevation' has a Coltrane like feel, and his version of clausell's 'Je ka Jo' really works. One of the best remix projects of the past 10 years or so.


VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

JAZZLIFE SEXTET – TALL STORIES CD £14.95 LP £22.95
Another fine album from Déjà Vu label, this contemporary album owes much in style to classic early/ mid 60's Blue Note and especially draws on the zest of Art Blakey and Horace Silver's Hard Bop.. For instance, 'Soft Tick' has a Soul Jazz feel and has a lee Morgan/ Hank Mobley like handclapping like groove to it. The barnstorming opener 'Tall Stories' is a sublime slice of funky (in a Jazz sense), whilst 'Long Island' swings relentlessly. There are several covers the strongest of which is a fiery version of Horace Silver's 'Nutville' that retains the feel of Horace's music, though Miles' 'Sippin At Bells' has a nice mellow feel. The album's closer 'Navarra' is another slice of full-blooded Hard Bop.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

AARON TESSER AND THE NEW JAZZ AFFAIR – LOOKING AHEAD CD £16.95
For those who lover the dance Jazz put out by labels like Schema, this album will be a real delight. With tracks like the vocal 'Feel', the tunes flow like wine. The guitar led 'One Plus One' is a fine instrumental with full-on percussion. 'Instant Love' has a kicking bass line, then develops into a vocal/ scat Jazz dancer that swings seductively with a fine mellow trumpet solo. The female vocal adds a different feel to the waltz 'Ocobop', 'Everlasting Rose' adds a Latin spin.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

S K RADICALS – URBAN ECLECTIKS  CD £13.95
The second S K Radicals album is a gem; Sean Khan – songwriter, producer, saxman and musician extraordinaire excels with the quality of this CD.  ‘Troubled Times’ has an off-key Broken Beat feel mixed with touches of Roy Ayers.  ‘My Story’ ups the anti as this Pharoah Sanders inspired Spiritual Jazz groove runs deep.  Susan Allotey adds a Dee Dee Bridgewater- esque vocal.  Sean offers a mellower more soulful side on the hypnotic ‘No I Can Do’ with Allotey again on vocals.  ‘Free Yourself’ hits a wicked groove and the Ayers influence is apparent once again– quirky synth, slightly out of this world vocals but compulsive nonetheless.  The acoustic bass led instrumental ‘Mad Magdelena’ has an interesting time signature and haunting horn riff.  S K Radicals are radical but not too radical that they leave the groove behind.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

NATIVE – FUTURISM CD £29.95
Native, with this album need to be added to the Premier league of Japanese Jazz groups alongside Quasimode and Sleepwalker. The flute led 'Shine' flies along on a breezy groove. Killer tune is the modal sounding 'Closing Session' – a track that has just about everything. 'Blow UpThe Jazz' does what is says on the tin – an intense powerful groover. 'My Little Suede Shoes' adds a more subtle touch. Every track has its own dimension with different paced tempos, excellent percussion, good melodies and the pianist is awesome!

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

BABATUNDE LEA – UMBO WETI: A TRIBUTE TO LEON THOMAS DBL CD £19.95
This double CD pays homage to one of our music's under-appreciated legends – Leon Thomas. His unique vocal style combines a rich baritone voice and a trademark yodelling, the lyrics are deeply conscious and the spiritual Jazz sound shines like a beacon. Dwight Trible, who quotes Leon as an inspiration takes the vocal duties and does so with reverence. Classic Leon vocal performances like 'Prince Of Peace, 'Sun Song' and 'Creator Has A Masterplan' are re-invigorated. Check also the deep running groove of Reaching Up'. Patrice Rushen (brilliant) and Ernie Watts support Babtunde creative percussion work. An inspiration.
Also highly recommended Leon Thomas Anthology CD £13.95 DBL LP £14.95

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

ANDREA POZZA TRIO DROP THIS THING CD £14.95
Excellent Jazz album , part vocal, part instrumental, the overall sound is not unlike Italian Jazz from the Schema label, though more laid-back and Jazz orientated but without the horn section. Vocally, Alan Farrington is very much like Mark Murphy/ Mel Torme or even Mario Biondi. Cool vocal cuts like 'Drop This Thing', the faster 'Perfect Day' and 'You Can't Get What You Want' set the tempo. Instrumentals include a nice cover of 'Nebulosa' and the jazzier 'How Do You Call It' with its finger popping groove. If you like the groovier end of Dudley Moore Trios'60's work you will get the vibe.


VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

IDEA 6 STEPPIN OUT CD + DVD £15.95
From the same label as Andrea Pozza and Fabio Nobile, this wonderful Jazz dance set has more straight Jazz feel to it. The arrangements and musicianship are of the highest order. The vocal 'Tune Up' sung by Francesca Sortino (voice of Gabin) has that cool Jazz swing to it. 'Mr G.B' is a strong mover, whilst 'O M Blues' has a modal vibe. Francesca returns on the waltz 'Bell's –I'll be Waiting' with a wispish vocal performance. 'Junior Is Back', 'Tempora 4/4' and 'Dance Of The Crickets' are wicked instrumentals augmented by the haunting rove of 'Taboo'. This album is a grower, it just gets better with every play.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

SABRINA MALHEIROS – NEW MORNING DELUXE EDITION CD £13.95
This deluxe edition of the brilliant 2008 album from Ms Sabrina Malheiros includes five tracks from the original album, one previously unreleased track, 2 instrumental versions plus 5 remixes. The unreleased 'Ginga De Amor' is a joyful shuffling dancer with lovely understated horns. The 2 remixes of 'Brisa Mar' and 'New Morning' courtesy of Nicola Conte infuse the Brazilian grooves with that Schema sound. 'Connexio' is given a slight House feel in the Paradiso Rework, whilst I G Culture adds a West London twist on 'Eira Nem Beira'. Every bit as good as the original album.
also recommended 'New Morning'(original) CD £13.95

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST

TRAIN UP FEATURING FRANCESCA SORTINO & ALAN FARRINGTON – LOOKING AT THE SEA CD £14.95 LP £22.95
This stylish Italian jazz set features two vocalists Francesca Sortino and Alan Farrington. Highlights are the excellent takes on 'What's Wrong With Groovin' that features Francesca, whilst Farrington soars on Kenny Rankin's 'In The Name Of Love' with its modal swing vibe. 'My Favourite Things' is given a double quick jazzy take, whilst Farrington's Mark Murphy like vocal glides on the flowing 'Save Your Money'. The musicianship on this release from the Déjà Vu label in Italy is exquisite, the label provides a jazzier contrast to the more groove driven Schema.

VIEW ALL TITLES FOR THIS ARTIST