Review: Another comprehensive collection of jazz here from the good people at Light in The Attic. This 14 track compilation has been carefully selected and compiled by Japanese jazz expert Yusuke Ogawa, who is the owner of Tokyo's Universounds record store. It comes on heavyweight vinyl with vast track-by-track liner notes by Ogawa and take sin everything from hard bop to free jazz with plenty of big and explosive moments as well as more deep and introspective sections of calm, all of which has been plucked from the vaults of Nippon Columbia. There is a reason Japanese jazz is so revered, and this record shows why.
Review: A lesser-known but electrifyingly slick city pop record (her fourth) by Junko Ohashi. 1979's Full House hears the Japanese singer's graceful but powerful contralto in full collaborative force, paired against the historic instrumental talents of her backing band, Minoya Central Station. Perhaps second only to Ohashi's timeless New York paean, Magical, Full House is yet another discographic dazzler that most likely contributed to the revival of the city pop genre after its retroactive but no less ironic recognition in the popular music sphere by the vaporwave subgenre, future funk. The mood throughout Full House is vital and joyful, suggesting something close to complete emotional fulfilment and idealistic glee on the singer's part - all part of the city pop's objective - its grand plan - to portray metropolitan life as an ultimate ideal.
Review: Legendary US funk practitioners the Ohio Played are as well known for the erotic nature of many of their album covers as they are for their super sleazy funk sounds. They never really go out of fashion which is why so many of them are always getting reissued. Ouch! is next up with a special Ruby Red Milestone Anniversary Edition on limited edition and marbled red vinyl to mark the fact it is now 40 years old. It's an upbeat and diverse mix of funk sounds that draws influence from the world of jazz and soul and pairs swooning strings with lush melodies and catchy grooves that still energise any dancefloor.
Review: Yuji Ohno's live performance in Tokyo captures the essence of his musical legacy with fresh intensity. Leading a 54-piece ensemble, Ohno brings his iconic compositions to life, weaving jazz improvisations with cinematic flair. The orchestration adds a new dimension, turning familiar tracks into vibrant experiences. Each note feels purposeful, with emotional depth that engages both the mind and the heart. This performance is a compelling reminder of Ohno's enduring influence and his ability to breathe new life into his timeless music.
Review: The reissue of Oneness Of Juju's 1976 album Space Jungle Luv stands as a crucial addition to the Black Fire Records reissue series. When James "Plunky" Branch founded Oneness Of Juju in 1975, he had already spent years engulfed in the vibrant jazz scenes of both coasts. The group, previously known as Juju, was deeply rooted in New York's avant-garde jazz scene. However, upon relocating to Richmond, Virginia, Plunky gathered a fresh ensemble, blending African rhythms with funk and r&b. This lineup produced two of their most acclaimed albums, African Rhythms and Space Jungle Luv. This era marked the band's peak, with Space Jungle Luv embodying a shift towards a more serene, spiritual sound. The album showcases Lady Eka-Ete's enchanting vocals and guitarist Melvin Glover's celestial tones. Plunky's vision for this record was influenced by artists like Pharoah Sanders, aiming to deliver a message of spiritual upliftment through "space music, jungle music, love songs." Tracks like 'River Luvrite' and 'Follow Me' explore themes of unity and exploration.
Review: Following 2012's fourth volume that celebrated the existential work of Tim Maia, here we find Luaka Bop exploring the legacy of William Onyeabor. A high chief and Kenyan diplomat who allegedly refuses to discuss his music, he self-released eight albums in the 70s and 80s and these are some of the many highlights. Stretching from the New York-influenced post-punk synth funk of "Good Name" to the most authentic Afro fusion of "Why Go To War", Onyeabor's range not only reflects his clear creative skill, but also the ever-developing international language of music during the fruitful period he was active. Who is William Onyeabor? Press play and find out yourselves...
Review: A lesson in how to follow up an incredible album: Tomorrow followed Onyeabor's incendiary Atomic Bomb immaculately. The title track instantly set the scene with more emphasis on electronic elements and studio techniques as William sermonises without pomp. "Why Go To War" is as insistent as its message thanks to a dense lolloping groove of highlife guitars and spiralling keys. "Fantastic Man", meanwhile, takes a leaf out of Parliament's playbook, rolls it up and smokes its own and "Try & Try" closes the show with country subtlety thanks to its slide guitars and blushing keys.
Review: Reel People Music expands the fizzing dynamic between highly accomplished label associates Opolopo (AKA Peter Major) and Angela Johnson with the release of their brand new album Best of Both Worlds. The nine-track record is an impressive merging of soulful souls, building on the pair's previous 'track-by-track' collaborative approach, and calling on influences from Quincy Jones to The Isley Brothers. From the twizzling decrescendos of Buffalo, which hears the pair summon the bruk maestro Kaidi Tatham on recording and co-prod duties, to the sparkly, sparky whetstone electro-disco track 'The Ones You Love', we really do get the best of both worlds here; we get nine worlds, in fact.
Review: Even by the consistently high standards of Analog Africa, this release is something special. It consists entirely of previously unheard music by Orchestre Abass, an obscure outfit from Togo who released a handful of singles on Polydor Ghana in the early 1970s. Remarkably, all bar one of the tracks on "De Bassari Togo" were found on a long forgotten reel of tape that had sat on a shelf in a Ghanaian warehouse for the best part of 35 years. That was ten years ago; it's taken that long to track down the remaining members of the band and license the material. In truth, the tracks have aged exceptionally well, with the band's infectious, organ-led sound adding distinct Arabic influences (a result of the band members' time spent studying in Islamic schools) to their heavy funk rhythms and riotous Afro-funk vibes.
Review: Acid Jazz has got an ongoing deal to issue and reissue music from Benin funk supergroup Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou and the latest fruits of that is this reissue of their Le Sato album. It is a follow-up to the one they dropped back in 2021 and is another section of traditional voodoo ceremonial music from the group from the mid-seventies. The name of the album is taken from the large ceremonial Sato drum, which is played with wooden stick beaters at special ceremonial occasions. Here it can be heard in all its glory making traditional rhythms and deeply ritualistic grooves that will leave you in a trance.
Review: Orgone is back in California and coming in hot with Chimera, a fire-breathing spectacle of psychedelic Afro-soul. Produced by Sergio Rios (Neal Francis, Say She She), Chimera is an electrifying, dream-like odyssey, tripping through the hazy swamps of New Orleans, weaving textures of entrancing voodoo soul, thrumming Afro-funk, and stoney psyche-rock. On Chimera, the Los Angeles-based outfit carves tough, gritty, infectious grooves into heady dance rhythms. Taking its name from a mythical beast with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent, Chimera conjures a state that is at once trance-like and heart-poundingly exciting. The album opens like a heady puff of smoke in the face with 'Hallowed Dreams,' drawing the listener into a state where reality blurs and the music takes control. The focus track, 'Zum Zum,' is a hooky Afro-funk dance floor heater that synchronizes your heart rate to its propulsive percussion, the hypnotic rhythm building into a raucous, psychedelic climax. Then, on the raw and rousing 'Tula Muisi (Dance Like Them),' a tapestry of Afrobeat and heavy psych-rock bolsters the singer calls for unity and respect, which translates to "Hear the music, and dance like them".
Review: Orgone is back in California and coming in hot with Chimera, a fire-breathing spectacle of psychedelic Afro-soul. Produced by Sergio Rios (Neal Francis, Say She She), Chimera is an electrifying, dream-like odyssey, tripping through the hazy swamps of New Orleans, weaving textures of entrancing voodoo soul, thrumming Afro-funk, and stoney psyche-rock. Taking its name from a mythical beast with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent, Chimera conjures a state that is at once trance-like and heart-poundingly exciting. For instance: the album opens like a heady puff of smoke in the face with 'Hallowed Dreams,' drawing the listener into a state where reality blurs and the music takes control. Chimera will delight fans of early Orgone while showcasing the band's effortless and endless ability to shape-shift. It's an electrifying, mesmerizing record sure to exceed expectations and keep the listener rapt.
Review: Colemine Records is reissuing Orgone's 2008 classic Bacano on vinyl for the first time, here exclusively for Black Friday RSD 2024. Known for their raw, organic California soul, Orgone's music grabs you by the collar and pulls you to the dance floor. The band's journey began in the San Fernando Valley, where two friends, united by their love for gritty 60s and 70s soul, drew inspiration from the vibrant music scene in Los Angeles during the late 90s. This collaboration ignited a movement, and Orgone has since become a key player in delivering timeless funk for music lovers.
Review: A year shy of its 40th anniversary, Inspiration Information enjoys a reissue and it's still as sparkly and soul-laden as it was in 1974. Ranging from the guitar-twanging smoky blues funk of "Rainy Day" to the sultry, strutting title track, it's largely regarded as Otis's most comprehensive work of that time. According to legend it took him three years to create... 39 years later and it still sounds as good as this? We'd say that's time well spent!
Review: In the encyclopedia entry for psychedelic soul you're sure to find some mention of Shuggie Otis, and this is the album that cemented his sound. 'Strawberry Letter 23' is undoubtedly Otis' 'Albatross', a universally adored anthem that ploughs a furrow straight to the heart, but it grows in stature even more when you hear it in context on the 1971 album it was first released on. With George Duke lending his inimitable touch on keys amongst the ensemble of players, this is a true treasure of funk and soul with the spark of inspiration to look beyond genre conventions. Beyond the big hit, this is an album of abundant riches which rightly gets a repressing to reaffirm Otis' status as a legend in a league of his own making.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Inspiration Information
Island Letter
Sparkle City
Aht Uh Mi Hed
Happy House
Rainy Day
XL-30
Pling!
Not Available
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
A year shy of its 40th anniversary, Inspiration Information enjoys a reissue and it's still as sparkly and soul-laden as it was in 1974. Ranging from the guitar-twanging smoky blues funk of "Rainy Day" to the sultry, strutting title track, it's largely regarded as Otis's most comprehensive work of that time. According to legend it took him three years to create... 39 years later and it still sounds as good as this? We'd say that's time well spent!
Here We Go Again (feat Audrey Wheeler & Brent Carter) (4:49)
Doin' Alright (feat O'Bryan) (5:43)
Someone I Used To Love (4:21)
Times Of Our Lives (5:13)
I'm In Love (4:30)
Really No Chance (feat Katie Holmes-Smith) (4:18)
Love Of Another Guy (4:31)
True Love (5:21)
Every Time You Touch Me (4:23)
Can't Hide Love (4:42)
Review: London soul heavies Output/Input channel the spirit of their influences on their debut vinyl LP Forward Motion, hadron-colliding a recognizable topoi of soul and funk, and bringing all these influences together rather convincingly despite having recorded each track separately, and remotely across mulitple continents. A diverse and international group, we hear the full-bodied, co-operative vocals of Antonio McLendon, Audrey Wheeler-Downing, Brent Carter and Katie Holmes-Smith collide in an unstoppable rotation of the limelight. Meanwhile, the album remains dominated by its session artists, delivering the tightest of tight backbones and melodious acoutrements.
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