QUASIMODE – DAYBREAK JAPANESE CD £29.95
The Japanese Jazz groove supergroup continues to deliver quality danceable music.  ‘All Is One’ and ‘Daybreak’ are archetypal Quasimode cuts, whilst the vocal ‘Happy Few’ adds a cooler approach.  ‘Relight My Fire’ with its tight horns and full-on groove has more of a Jazz Funk feel.  Italian Jazz trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso adds his rich tones to ‘Rules Of The Blood’ which is another pile driver of a Jazz groove.  ‘Afro Blue’ is given a contemporary Jazz re-work with China Moses on vocals.  Essential for Jazz and Quasimode fans.

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INDIGO JAM UNIT – COLLECTIVITY JAPANESE CD £29.95
This excellent set is yet another fine Japanese Jazz album.  From the bass led ‘Duffer’ to the Quasimode like ‘Pentagram’, this set is a strong selection of grooves.  ‘Masquerade’ is similarly sounding, whereas ‘Sunset’ is beautifully percussive and ‘Rush’ is much heavier with a quasi Strata East/ Black Jazz feel.

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PAPIK – RHYTHM OF LIFE CD £16.95
This excellent Italian Jazz album mixes the familiar sounds of Schema with a lighter breezier touch (a la Swing Out Sister or Matt Bianco at their very best) – check ‘Rhythm Of Life’.  The Italian Jazz sound surfaces on ‘E La Chiamano Estate’, the upbeat ‘Staying For Good’, the interesting take on Knarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ and ‘Notes Of The Past’.  Alan Scaffardi’s vocals echo those of Mario Biondi, especially on the swinging ‘Capture The Sound’ and the finger popping Sinatra-ish ‘Happy Rhymes’.  ‘Lady Bug Bossa’ and ‘Summer In Rio’ add a subtle Brazilian flavour’.  In these wintery days, this taste of sunshine is most welcome.

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TIMO LASSY – ROUND TWO CD £15.95
Timo Lassy is the standout saxophonist with the Five Corners Quintet.  This his second album for Ricky Tick contrasts with his debut in that there is a big band sound (of horns) behind him.  Josie James guests on two tracks including the superb swinging ‘The More I Look At You’.  ‘Fooling Roseatta’ has a 60’s Horace Silver swagger and ‘Backyard Puma’ adds more of Latin tinged Blue Note vibe. ‘Buzz beater Stomp’ has an old school Jazz feel.  This is a fine, fine album proving that the Italians and Japanese do not have it all their own way when it comes to great Jazz.

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