Jazz /
Did You Tell Your Mother
Released in 1979, Tete Mbambisa's Did You Tell Your Mother delivers the ultimate blend of African groove with American modal grace, making it one of the all-time classic albums of South African jazz. With Mbambisa presenting original compositions at …
African Day
Awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Cape Town in 2023, pianist Tete Mbambisa (84) is a legendary figure in South African jazz. Supported by the cream of the local scene, his albums from the 1970s are among the most cherished vinyl do…
My Spare Time
On My Spare Time, Isao Suzuki steps out front on piccolo bass in a luminous set of standards and ballads, wrapping bossa, Ellington and songbook classics in a warm, conversational post‑bop glow with some of Japan’s finest players.
Cadillac Woman
On Cadillac Woman, Isao Suzuki steers his bass into sleek crossover territory, blending jazz‑funk, fusion and soulful vocals into a polished, club‑ready ride that still carries his unmistakable sense of groove and melodic finesse.
Studio/Live
Savvas Christodoulou was born in Cyprus in 1949 and moved to Melbourne in 1950 as part of the great wave of Greek immigration following WW2. His story is long, involved and fascinating, and the liner notes and interview contained within the LP's 4-pa…
Bosporus Bridges - A Wide Selection Of Turkish Jazz And Funk 196
Pioneering, magisterial compilation, which turned many of us here onto Mustafa Ozkent, Fikret Kizilok, Erkin Koray, Temiz and co, a decade ago. Still dazzling, fresh, essential.
Keep Your Soul Together / Polar AC / Skagly
Two 1970s’ CTI albums and 1980’s ‘Skagly’ make up this triumvirate from trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. Amongst those sidesmen featured on these albums are Billy Cobham, George Duke, George Benson, Hubert Law and Jeff Baxter. ‘Keep Your Soul Together’ and…
Thi Nam
Originally released in 1981, Mr. Circle’s Thi Nam should really have been recognised decades ago as a jazz dance classic. A beautiful example of European jazz fusion at its most sophisticated and optimistic, the album is immersed in the sonics and rh…
Simulacra
A rhythm-driven, analog-leaning record built from hypnotic basslines, warm synth textures, and layered percussion, "Simulacra" is the debut LP from Venetian bassist and producer Eric Demuro, a fully realized studio statement that brings his compositi…
We Could Be Flying
Karin Krog's own label Meantime Records has given us many rare and legendary recordings, now it presents this much welcomed reissue on vinyl of 'We Could Be Flying', from the original master. First issued on Polydor in 1974, Karin performs alongside …
Le Monde Fabuleux Des Yamasuki
A delirious cult concept album disguised as pop, first released in 1971, where psychedelic grooves, funk and global rhythms meet phonetic pseudo-Japanese chants, judo-master ritual cries and a children's choir. Sampled by Erykah Badu, Madlib and Dope…
Heavy Axe
Legendary producer David Axelrod’s solo album Heavy Axe is one of the finest outputs of the jazz-rock wave, which was the preeminent sound of the mid ’70s. With a little help from legendary players like Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Cannonball Adderley, an…
Purdie Good!
In between being one of the most recorded studio drummers of all time, the beat-maestro extraordinaire Bernard Purdie squeezed in a few sessions of his own. Purdie Good! was recorded early in 1971 by legendary engineer and audio obsessive Rudy Van Ge…
Panama 77
Panamá 77 – a vibrant and verdant suite of multi-textural, jazz-laced psychedelic instrumental folk-funk – is the debut album by Panamá-born, Chicago-based drummer and DJ Daniel Villarreal.
Seeking Other Beauty
Bayeté Umbra Zindiko’s Seeking Other Beauty is a visionary statement from keyboardist and composer Bayeté, also known as Todd Cochran, newly available in a definitive all‑analog reissue that brings its futuristic spiritual jazz into sharp contemporar…
Hear, Sense And Feel
The Awakening’s debut album Hear, Sense and Feel is a landmark spiritual jazz statement that captures the restless, creative energy of early‑1970s Chicago and the vanguard of the Black Jazz Records catalog. Recorded in 1972 at Streeterville Studios a…
Mirage
The only 'group' on the Black Jazz roster, The Awakening today should be heralded as one of the great bands in early '70s jazz. That they're not is the result of the Black Jazz label's distribution woes; witness the fact that original copies of both …
I Feel Funky / Talkin' Talkin'
Matata were formed in Kenya in 1963, laying down their grooves in Nairobi's Brilliant Club before going on to record two albums in London in the early 70s. Both Air Fiesta and Independence are perfect nuggets of Afro-funk, but alas Matata were report…
1981
Superb and underrated early '80s jazz fusion album showcasing authentic Brazilian grooves by one of the country's most famous flutists and saxophonists. Originally released by Som Da Gente, 1981 is a grooving fusion of baião rhythms, jazz funk, and B…
Much Les
Together with the saxophone player Eddie Harris, Les McCann was responsible for one of the best-sold albums in the whole history of jazz – "Swiss Movement" (Atlantic SD-1537). It was his debut album on the Atlantic label. 1968 saw the release of "Muc…