GEORGE BENSON AND AL JARREAU GIVIN IT UP

2 giants of Soul/Jazz combine on these exquisite, relaxed and Smooth grooves. Updates of 'Breezin' (added Al Jarreau lyrics), and 'Mornin' set the tone and the duet with Patti Austin 'Let It Rain' is a gentle Smooth jazz sizzler. Jill Scott adds her distinctive vocal to 'God Bless The Child', whilst 'Summer Breeze' is given a reverential re-working. Supporting cast is impressive: Herbie Hancock, Ray Fuller, Marion Meadows, Patrice Rushen, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke!'.
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NOSTALGIA 77 OCTET BORDERLANDS

This wonderful album echoes the spiritual Jazz sounds of 70's Strata East, though the group are contemporary and based in the UK. The four piece horn section tear it up on tracks like 'Lotus Tree', 'The Cat' and the cover of Adele Sebastian's 'Desert Fairy Princess'. 'One For Man' and 'Question' sustain the high standard of the grooves and solo playing. Highly recommended.
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JAZZINHO/ GUIDA DE PALMA ATLAS

Fine Brazilian Jazz styled album out of the UK featuring the Flora Purim-esque vocals of Portuguese chanteuse Guida De Palma. Produced by Ed Motta, the full sound including superb horns features upbeat grooves like 'The Lagoon Monster' and the slower 'Da Tempo Ao Tempo'. 'Humano Desumano' has more of a Latin Jazz Funk vibe (a la Incognito meets Brazil), whilst the mid-tempo floater 'Look Inside' is a real gem. This album flows joyfully with an optimistic feel.
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DEEPERWIDERHIGHER - FOLLOW ME

Interesting and deep self contained Jazz group shares the edgy feel of Fertile Ground. Not so immediate, but after a couple of listens this album will be among the best of its kind this year. Check the atmospheric 'Latter Rain' and the eerie 'Darkside'. The riff-laden 'Still Here' is woven round hypnotic bass and subtle fender Rhodes. Try the message song 'Broken Peaces, whose theme is most like Fertile Ground and whose vocalist Genita Vernon-Edwards has touches of Natasha Daya about her delivery. Also try the awesome title song and 'What Would You Choose'.
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PAUL MURPHY THE TRIP

Legendary DJ Paul Murphy one of the creators of the UK Jazz dance scene releases an intriguing selection of future Jazz grooves, which includes the popular twelve 'Seven Samurai', and the vibe led jazz dance floor filler 'The Trip'. Other highlights are the eccentric sounding 'Artro Afro' and the powerful 'Baghdad', the Cal Tjader esq 'Budapest Chachacha' and the bass led funk chugger 'Soul Call'. No doubting the Jazz grooves on this set, but the feel is experimental at times and certainly unique.
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BIG BANG - WAY IN JAZZ
Outstanding Jazz album, this set explores full-on Jazz dance with a slight Latin orientation. Check the modal take on ‘My Favourite Things’ or the delightfully crisp yet driving ‘Summer Fields’, which is right in the new Italian jazz style. Another stand out is the aptly titled ‘Dancing Nights’ or the flute led (Nathan Haines) vocal track ‘To The Full Every Minute’ that echoes Koop’s ‘Summer Song’. ‘Yo Yo Jazz’ hits a jazzier groove, whereas ‘Spinning 6 Turning 8’ sounds like a heavy early 70’s spiritual Jazz cut.
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DWIGHT TRIBLE - LIVING WATER
Magnificent deep spiritual jazz album from the voice of Build An Ark. Vocally and musically Dwight is reminiscent of Leon Thomas and Andy Bey. He brilliantly covers Clifford Jordan's modal 'John Coltrane' and Hubbard's 'Little Sunflower'. The highlight is his take on Coltrane's 'Africa', which he turns into a jazz dancer. He also covers Bartz/Bey's 'Celestial Blues' and add lyrics to 'Footprints' which really works. A very special, mesmerising and uplifting album. Highly Recommended.
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SOIL AND PIMP - PIMP OF THE YEAR
Japanese Jazz quartet sustain their energetic approach to Jazz dance, but get past the manic intros and these guys can play. The relatively sedate ‘Summer Goddess’ and the urgent ‘Crush’ are fine tracks and the horn solos raise the bar on ‘Sabotage’. ‘Sahara’ is a breezy upbeat cut, whilst ‘The Black Widow Blues’ possesses an infectious groove. ‘??’ (can’t read Japanese’) is a fine waltz like piece of 60’s style Jazz. Check also the Jazz Funk killer ‘Last Long’. This excellent album needs a couple of plays to appreciate, but is most definitely worth the ride.
Also available ‘Pimp Master’
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JULIE AND KHARI - MOON BOSSA
One of our fav singers Julie Dexter teams up with Jiva’s bass and keyboard player Khari Simmons, and make a very laid back album with a light Bossa feel. This is evident in the title track, Venusian, Sea And Sky, and especially the Incognito mix of ‘Fooled By A Smile’. The album gets better with each play has a nice summer feel even if it doesn’t reach the heights of Julie’s solo albums or Jiva’s excellent album.
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VICTOR DAVIES - HEAR THE SOUND
Great new album from the soft voiced/acoustic guitarist who is in the same bag as Jon Lucien, in fact he even does a good cover of ‘Would You Believe In Me’ here. The mid tempo ‘Gold And Diamonds’ , ‘Hear The Sound’ , ‘If You Ruled The World’ and ‘Til You Come home’ epitomise Voctor’s sound. The brassy mid tempo dancer ‘One More Time’, the catchy ‘So Good To Me’ and ‘Dance’ will also appeal to soul fans. This is probably his best album to date and is quality throughout.
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LUISITO QUINTERO - PERCUSSION MADNESS

Louie Vega's percussionist makes an interesting album, covering Latin and Brazilian styles.
The title track and 'Mr Bongi' are percussive workouts, 'Gbaganda Gbogodo' Fela Style Afro funk,
'Aqilas Coisas Todas' similar style to EWF 'Brazilian Rhyme', whilst 'Quintero's Jam' is a brassy latin percussive jam ft Hilton Ruiz'. The highlight is 'Our Love' a breezy latin tinged vocal dancer ft Anane, Blaze lend their vocal touch to 'Love Remains The Same', and the latin 'Four Beat Mambo' is also good.
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QUINTETTO LO GRECO - SNAP COUNT

Schema hit the spot once more with this straight-ahead Jazz set that swings from the opening Hard Bop title song to the slower 'Woodoo Dance' and the wonderfully groove driven 'Yes And No' with its Horace Silver like feel and potent horn lines. 'Just Easy' lives upto its title, whilst 'Walkin On The Bridge' has a mid 60's Blue Note vibe. Excellent.
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MONDAY MICHURU - ROUTES

Monday returns to form with her best album since 'Optimista'. Cuts like the jazzy 'The Right Time' and the atmospheric 'Hung Up', the slower 'Be Who You Are'. 'Yellow Light' has a gorgeous Latin feel, whilst the wispish 'I Couldn't See' is a lovely ballad. The mix of influences Jazz, Latin and her Japanese roots combine to make an intoxicating brew.
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VARIOUS ARTISTS - REWIND 5

Ubiquity delivers the goods on this excellent cover version series. Check out the soul on The Rebirth's version of the Sylvers 'Handle It' or El Michels Affairs take on Isaac Hayes' version of 'Walk On By'. Osunlade works wonders with Prince's 'Crazy You' & Daz I Kue feat. Bembe Segue & Colonel Red do the broken beat thing with Ben E Kings' 'Spoiled'.
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JAZZ INVADERS – UP AND OUT

Whatever the Italians and Finns can do, the Dutch can better – well equal. With Jazz grooves like the single ‘Go Ahead’ or the compelling ‘Bonga Bongo Jazz’. ‘Dutch Flies’ is a horn driven fast paced Jazz groove that cooks, whilst ‘Licks And Brains’ is a tough shuffler. The Afro-Latin vibe of ‘Up Et Out’ is dance Jazz perfection – but every cut hits the spot. This is a contender for Jazz album of the year
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SOULSTANCE – LEAD THE WAY

More Latin/Jazz magic from Italy’s premier label – Schema. This musical journey touches hard driving Afro-Cuban themes like ‘Antigua’, Blue Note influences such as Horace Silver tinged ‘Cool Plan’ and swinging Latin Jazz such as ‘Lead The Way’. The percussion horns and piano intertwine in a mesmerizing fusion of styles that will appeal to lovers of Nicola Conte’s last set and Gerardo Frisina two recent albums. Strong and consistent.

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ROY HARGROVE - DISTRACTIONS

Roys third RH Factor album features some top names , Renee Neufville on vocals, David Fathead Newman on Sax and Flute and Reggie Washington on bass. The vocal highlights are ‘Crazy Race’ a jazzy funky l track that swings, ‘On The One’ a heavy funky groove , ‘Family’ a slower jazzy number (ala Roy Ayers Sunshine)and the funky ‘Cant Stop’. The Instrumentals ‘Kansas City Funk’ and especially ‘Distractions 4’ re also great where they are all really going for it, but its Roy’s trumpet playing that holds the whole thing together and despite D’Angelo and a couple of self indulgent P Funk tracks its still a good album.
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ROY HARGROVE - NOTHING SERIOUS

Second (and best) new album from Roy this week is more straight ahead featuring Ronnie Matthews and Slide Hampton amongst others. Title track is a great uptempo latin tinged jazz track with great trumpet and piano. ‘Day In Vienna’ is a good modal dancer, ‘The Gift’ a good mid tempo track that goes through changes, but the highlight is the killer modal jazz dancer ‘Salima’s Dance’, with Roy blowing better than ever, probably the best new jazz track you’ll hear this year. Magnificent.
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GROOVE COLLECTIVE – PEOPLE PEOPLE MUSIC MUSIC

Return to form for the Collective who release their best album since the classic ‘We The People’. Check ‘Forgotten Travellers’, the organ led ‘6 for Fred’ plus the Afrobeat ‘DFU’ feat Fred Wesley. The Latin cuts kick hard such as ‘Tito’ and ‘Mambomongo’ and don’t miss the straighter Jazz cuts such as the Hancock cover ‘Speak Like A Child’ that is truly brilliant.
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MOTIV - MOTIV

UK jazz band featuring former members of Cymande and Jazz Warriors, produce an interesting album of mainly laid back jazz grooves with a West Indian feel. ‘Next Impressions’ and ‘Beat Drez’ are laid back grooves with sax and trumpet. Covers of ‘The Message’ (especially good) and ‘Brothers On The Slide’
Feature the sweet vocals of Kat (aka Anyah). ‘Return Of The Fro’ is a more fiery track with a driving rhythm and blistering horns, ‘Sure Thing’ is also a good beaty instrumental. There is rap on some tracks from Leon Johnson (ala Guru/Common) which might put some people off, but overall it’s a solid and interesting album well worth checking.
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THE IPANEMAS – SAMBA IS OUR GIFT

The legendary Ipanemas release their third set for Far Out. If you like your Brazilian Samba to be subtle and sensual this album will appeal. The mix of African and South American rhythms cast a spell that is perfectly illustrated by the instrumental ‘San Roque’ and the uplifting ‘Valsamba’. Vocal tracks like ‘Imperial’ and ‘Malandro Quando Vaza’ add a romantic Brazilian feel, whilst the Jazz influence is highlighted on ‘Folia No Samba’.
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GERD – PERSPECTIVES

Out of Belgium, this album is a mix of warm soulful grooves and contemporary influences. From the Jazz Funk feel of ‘Elementz’ to the eclectic vibe of ‘What Is It’ featuring Guida Da Palma this album covers all bases. Standouts include the (Soul) dance orientated ‘Fire In My Soul’ with vocals from Marilyn David and the riff-laden ‘Star Seed’ plus the New Beat tinged ‘So Real’ featuring Vanessa Freeman. Also check the jazzy ‘Perspectives’ with its quirky female lead (Twana Roberts’ and refrained horns over a light percussive rhythm. Quality.
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VARIOUS - RIO EVOLUTIONS VOL 2

Out of Belgium, this album is a mix of warm soulful grooves and contemporary influences. From the Jazz Funk feel of ‘Elementz’ to the eclectic vibe of ‘What Is It’ featuring Guida Da Palma this album covers all bases. Standouts include the (Soul) dance orientated ‘Fire In My Soul’ with vocals from Marilyn David and the riff-laden ‘Star Seed’ plus the New Beat tinged ‘So Real’ featuring Vanessa Freeman. Also check the jazzy ‘Perspectives’ with its quirky female lead (Twana Roberts’ and refrained horns over a light percussive rhythm. Quality.
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VISIONEERS - DIRTY OLD HIP HOP

Ignore the title, (and the first track), this is quality jazz funk from Mark Mac of 4 Hero. ‘Running’, ‘The World Is Yours’ and ‘Rollin For The Ride’ are great instrumentals with backing vocals similar in style to a Mizell Prod from the 70’s. ‘Run For Cover’ is a clavinet led inst, ’55 Dollars’ a funky beat with brass and ‘Paul’s Guitar Story’ a guitar led jazz funker. Also check the nice covers of Moe Koffman’s ‘Days Gone By’ (orig on our ‘African Sprits’ album),’and Isaac Hayes breakbeat anthem ‘Ikes Mood’, appropriately titled ‘Dirty Old Bossa Nova’ and the old school hip hop (ala ‘Rappers Delight’/’Kim Tim 3’) ‘Funk Box’.
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NEW COOL COLLECTIVE - TRIPPIN'

Dutch Latin/ Afro Latin band deliver their finest album to date. Cuts like the driving ‘Perry’ and the Boogaloo tinged ‘Propeller’ typify their approach, whilst ‘Conga Yeye’ is a percussion led belter. It is the second CD that focuses on Afrobeat that is the real corker, aided by legendary Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen. Check the funky ‘One More Time’ with its incessant guitar and bass riffs and the more deliberate dirge like ‘Matoke’.

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SCHEMA SEXTET - LOOK OUT

Recorded in 1999, Schema have re-promoted this album and will enhance the reputation of the label. 'Look Out' has a more of a Hard Bop/ modal Jazz feel than the excellent sets from Gerardo Frisina and Nicola Conte. The title song is blessed with a mellow groove a la Miles' 'So What', whilst the furious 'Agitazione' has a Jazz dance leaning. On the modal side the beautiful 'Before Ten O'Clock' stands out as does the swigning 'Time Was'. 'Lothar' sounds like mid 60's Horace Silver mixing the Hard Bop beat with a Latin feel, and Silver's own 'Preacher' is given a reverential and joyous vibe. Seven or eight outstanding cuts from some of Italy's finest Jazz musicians.
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NOSTALGIA 77 - 7'S AND 8'S

REVIEW FOLLOWS
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ROSALIE DE SOUZA - BRAZIL PRECISA BALANCAR

REVIEW FOLLOWS
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ROY AYERS - VIRGIN UBIQUITY REMIXED

Complimenting Virgin Ubiquity 1 & 2, B.B.E. release a remix project. The list of remixers is comprehensive: Kenny Dope, Onsunlade, King Britt, Joey Negro, Nicolay, Platinum Pied Pipers, Jeremy Newall et al. The album varies from downbeat outings to full on club tracks - picks being a Onsunlade's 'Searching', Kings of Soul 'What's the T', Jeremy Newall 'Third Time & Sean P's edit of 'Touch of Class'.
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VOODOO FUNK PROJECT - DEEP IN THE CUT

Complimenting Virgin Ubiquity 1 & 2, B.B.E. release a remix project. The list of remixers is comprehensive: Kenny Dope, Onsunlade, King Britt, Joey Negro, Nicolay, Platinum Pied Pipers, Jeremy Newall et al. The album varies from downbeat outings to full on club tracks - picks being a Onsunlade's 'Searching', Kings of Soul 'What's the T', Jeremy Newall 'Third Time & Sean P's edit of 'Touch of Class'.
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MARK WHITFIELD & PANTHER FT SY SMITH

This set encompasses Jazz Funk, Latin, Soul even Jazz Rock. The two tracks featuring Sy Smith 'Ordinary Love' and 'Runnin Round' is the perfect mid-tempo vehicle for this lady's sensual vocals. The D'Angelo tinged 'Always Up' is another highlight, whilst The Benson-ish 'Isis' adds a jazzier vibe. 'Oblation' and 'Bitter Gift' have a Latin feel accentuated by the understated vocals of Gabriela Anders.
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POST MODERN JAZZ FEAT ROY AYERS - LOVE NOT TRUTH
Post Modern Jazz is the brainchild of ex Brand New Heavies man Jim Wellman and heavily features vibes legend Roy Ayers. Many of the cuts were previously recorded by Time And Space in the mid 90's but these are new versions. Check the update of 'Crazy Love Songs' and the awesome 'Good Vibrations'. Vocal duties are handled by Judy La Rose on the jazzy title song (plus several other cuts) and try the kicking Jazz Funk of 'Love Once More'. For lovers of British Jazz Funk a la BNH or Light of The World/early Incognito. '

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VARIOUS - HIDDEN BEACH : UNWRAPPED VOL 4

The Hidden Beach label (Jill Scott, Kindred etc) has quickly established a reputation for excellence. The 'Unwrapped' series reaffirms that rep with albums comprising Urban Jazz, contemporary Fusion or the funkier end of Smooth Jazz, call it what you will. Check 'Hate It Or Love It' and '21 Questions' both featuring the keyboard skills of Frank McComb, the JB tinged 'Treat Em Right' or the funky cover of 'Rappers Delight', but this is only a brief synopsis of its great tracks. Superb.

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