Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Shing02 - Wankyoku


Year : 2008
Label : Mary Joy Recordings
Genre : Hip-Hop, Reggae
Style : Conscious, World, Folk, Spoken Word

Hip-Hop masterpiece by japanese rapper and multi-instrumentist, settled in Oakland, Shing02 featuring saxophonist David Boyce (both from the jazz trio "Kosmic Renaissance"), jazz songstress Emi Meyer, shakuhachi player (bamboo flute) Philip Gelb, Kakushin Nishihara (biwa), Doc Max (keys), Junzo (eg), Motoki Yamaguchi (ds). "Wankyoku" (means distortion) is an instrumental Hip-Hop album which doesn't use any samples, mixing spoken words with poetry, avant-garde jazz, funk and pop with folk music including traditional japanese instruments (biwa & shakuhachi). Titles includes Jazz with Far-East folklore music (the "Bijou" suite), Pop-Folk ("Wankyoku" feat. Emi Meyer), J-Pop (Houyou), Heavy Funk (Katsubou), Reggae Dub (Saikou, Shousou, Chotsugai) and pure Wu Tang Clan's expressions (Kushi To Kanzashi, Jukou). Written, composed by Shingo Annen (Shing02), orchestrated by Vector Omega

One Self - Children Of Possibility


Year : 2005
Label : Ninja Tune
Genre : Electronic, Hip-Hop
Style : Trip Hop, Abstract, Downtempo, Breakbeat

One Self is a British hip-hop collective formed by DJ Vadim, songstress Yarah Bravo and MC Blu Rum 13 featuring Demolition Man, Little Green (aka John Ellis & Judy Green), percussionist Bongo Pete from Freak Power and DJ Woody (cuts, scratches), all supported by additionals musicians. "Children Of Possibility" hovers in a hypnotic Indian atmosphere including the sitar, koto and tabla use with haunting chants, performed in the Trip-Hop, Abstract and Broken Beat styles. Titles include single "Bluebird", "Trying To Speak" feat. Demolition Man, and "Cupid Smiling The Smile" feat. Little Green. All tracks composed & produced by DJ Vadim.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Shing02 - 400


Year : 2002
Label : Mary Joy Recordings
Genre : Hip-Hop
Style : Funk/Soul, Spoken Word, Jazzy Hip-Hop

Shingo Annen is a japanese MC, poet,multi-instrumentalist & producer (Vector Omega), settled in Oakland where he became involved in various creative arts programs. Best known as Shing02, he got an international audience, collaborating with the japanese hip-hop producer Nujabes for the opening theme "Battlecry" from the Samurai Champloo original soundtrack in 2004, and others of his productions. "400" is his first solo album recorded in Japan including heavy funk, jazzy samples and reggae dub, featuring bassist Takeshi Akimoto from Dry & Heavy reggae dub duo, DJ Nozawa and percussionist Ajo (on taiko). All tracks written by Shingo Annen, produced by Cosiner & Vector Omega.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Sonia Rosa - Sensitive Sound Of Sonia Rosa ~ Bossa Nova Greatest Hits

 
Year : 1970
Label : Express
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova

The first recording of brazilian songstress and guitarist Sonia Rosa in Japan, featuring renowned japanese jazz musicians within the Sadao Watanabe Quartet featuring Sadao Watanabe (ts), Yoshiaki Masuo (g), Yoshio Suzuki (b) & Hiro Tsunoda (ds). "Sensitive Sound Of Sonia Rosa" is a Bossa Nova album including the songs which made its fame from Antonio Carlos Jobim (The Girl From Ipanema, Desafinado, Meditation...), jazz standards (Fly Me To The Moon, The Shadow Of Your Smile), cover songs of Bacharach (The look Of Love, I'll Never Fall In Love Again), variation on "Corcovado" with english lyrics called "Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars" and "La Chanson D'Orphée" taken from Marcel Camus' film "Orfeu Negro".

Black Star - Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star


Year : 1998
Label : Rawkus
Genre : Hip-Hop
Style : Conscious

Black Star is a Hip-Hop duo formed by rappers Mos Def & Talib Kweli associated to the producer DJ Hi-Tek. Mos Def and Talib Kweli are part of the Native Tongues collective including A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, the Jungle Brothers, Da Bush Babees and Common. The duo is born on the New York alternative rap scene of the late 1990s, taking the name of 'Black Star' in reference to Pan-Africanist movement lead by Marcus Garvey. Titles include featurings with jazz keyboardist Weldon Irvine from The Crusaders & DJ Evil Dee on "Astronomy (8th Light)", Vinia Mojica on "K. O. S. (Determination)", Apani B Fly on "Hater Players", Common on "Respiration" and Jane Doe, Punch&Words on "Twice Inna Lifetime".

Harvey Mason - Marching In The Street


Year : 1975
Label : Arista
Genre : Jazz, Soul
Style : Jazz Funk

Debut album solo of american studio jazz drummer, Harvey Mason. He collaborated with many jazz and fusion musicians such as George Benson or The Brecker Brothers, almost present in all the Mizell Brothers productions with Donald Byrd or Bobbi Humphrey and played for several japanese artists as Hiroshi Fukumura on Hunt Up Wind (1978). He best known as in group The Headhunters and sideman for Herbie Hancock on Head Hunters (1973), Man-Child (1975), Mr. Hands (1980). Titles include featurings with guests musicians as Melvin 'Wah Wah' Ragin (guitar & talkbox on Fair Thee Well), Hubert Laws (flute on Modaji) George Bohannon (trombone on Hop Scotch) and Blue Mitchell (solo trumpet on Marching In The Street). All tracks composed by Harvey Mason except Modaji by Dave Grusin and Wild Rice by Lee Ritenour. Arranged & produced by Harvey Mason.

Harvey Mason_drums, vocal
Chuck Rainey & Paul Jackson_bass
Lee Ritenour_guitar
Herbie Hancock & Dave Grusin_keyboards
Oscar Brashear & Bobby Bryant_trumpet
Ernie Watts & Bennie Maupin_saxophone

01. Marching In The Street
02. Modaji
03. Hop Scotch
04. Wild Rice
05. Ballad For Heather
06. Fair Thee Well
07. Building Love

Monday, January 19, 2009

Gato Barbieri - Yesterdays

 
Year : 1974
Label : Flying Duchtman
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Afro Cuban Jazz, Soul Jazz, Modal

The sixth studio album of iconic Argentinean saxophonist Leandro Barbieri, nicknamed "Gato" (the cat), featuring bassist Ron Carter & drummer Bernard Purdie. Mostly influenced by avant-garde saxophonists Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Albert Ayler & Pharoah Sanders, Gato was a precursor of the fusion between Free Jazz and Latin music. Starting professional in the Lalo Schifrin orchestra at the end of the fifties, he played thereafter with Don Cherry, collaborated to the Charlie Haden's "Liberation Music Orchestra" album and evolved in the Carla Bley's "Escalator Over The Hill" line-up. In the seventies, he recorded the free jazz masterpiece "The Third World" featuring Charlie Haden on bass and composed his best known score for the Bernardo Bertolucci's film, "Last Tango In Paris" in 1972. Titles include jazz standard "Yesterdays" composed by Jerome Kern, "A John Coltrane Blues" (a variation of his "Village Blues") and "Cariñoso" by brazilian saxophonist/arranger Pixinguinha.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

DJ Mitsu The Beats - New Awakening


Year : 2003
Label : Planetgroove, Jazzy Sport
Genre : Electronic, Jazz, Hip-Hop
Style : Jazzy Hip-Hop, Breakbeat, Funk

Debut album of japanese beatmaker DJ Mitsu The Beats from GAGLE released on Planetgroove (Jazzy Sport's parent label founded by Yasuhiro Komatsu & Masaya Fantasista). "New Awakening" is a jazzy hip-hop album to the funk accents featuring worlwide artists collaboration and others japanese rappers including the Swedish Promoe, K-Otix, Audessey The Sound Sci, Big Pooh, New-Zeland keyboardist Mark De Clive-Low and Hunger. DJ Mitsu The Beats is part of these talented beatmakers who emerged on the japanese Hip-Hop scene these last years among DJ Kentaro, NujabesDJ Honda or DJ Muro. Founder member of the japanese Hip-Hop band GAGLE with his brother, rapper Hunger and DJ Mu-R, he's also formed the electronic duo, Jazz Phenomenon, with DJ and producer from Tokyo, Grooveman Spot. All beats & cuts prformed by DJ Mitsu The Beats.

TRACKLIST : DJ Mitsu The Beats - Miwa Says... / Intro Feat. Hunger / Pursuits Of Clarity Feat. Agapé / Tokyo Feat. K-Otix / Material Curse Feat. PromoeDJ Mitsu The BeatsM.o.o.d. For Otis / Stolen Moments Feat. Audessey The Sound Sci / Feelin Alright (We've Got Have It) Feat. Big Pooh & Phonte / Right Here Feat. Dwele / Away Feat. Lady Alma / Music Mate Feat. Stone Love / Rendezvous Feat. Mark De Clive-LoweDJ Mitsu The Beats - Negative Ion / 独行JAZZ道 Feat. Hunger / Do Right Feat. Rich Medina

DJ Mitsu The Beats - The Excellence ~ Selected Works


Year : 2006
Label : Jazzy Sport
Genre : Electronic, Hip-Hop
Style : Jazzy Hip-Hop

Compilation of remixes by japanese Hip-Hop producer, founder member of GAGLEDJ Mitsu The Beats, including various productions recorded for the Jazzy Sport label. Titles include four original compositions by DJ Mitsu The Beats, collaborations with american rappers Roddy Rod & Kev Brown (Yeah Y'all), DJ Kentaro (Cannon Baller), Hidenka (Instrumental), and remixes produced for worlwide Hip-Hop artists featuring Pete Philly & Perquisite from Netherlands with Talib Kweli (Hope) or Crown City Rockers (Weekend Soul). All tracks produced by DJ Mitsu The Beats, directed by Masaya "Fantasista" Kobayashi & Taro "Wassupski" Kesen. "Cannon Baller" is a tribute to the jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley based on "The Weaver" composed by Yusef Lateef.

TRACKLIST : DJ Mitsu The Beats feat. Kev Brown & Roddy Rod - Yeah Y'all / Pete Philly & Perquisite feat. Talib Kweli - Hope / Alex Attias presents Mustang feat. Colonel Red - Help Me / Diverse - Ain't Right / Platinum Pied Pipers feat. Tiombe Lockhart - Stay With Me / DJ Mitsu The Beats - Spireedom 2004 (RE KJM)Bakura - Thinking About / Ivana Santilli - Everlasting / Crown City Rockers - Weekend Soul / DJ Mitsu The Beats & DJ Kentaro - Cannon Baller / Hidenka X DJ Mitsu The Beats - (Instrumental)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Apani - Story 2 Tell


Year : 2003
Label : Miclife
Genre : Hip-Hop
Style : Abstract, Conscious

Apani Smith best known as Apani B Fly is a MC based in New-York, active since 1996, releasing her first single "Estragen" in 1996. In 1999, she released her first studio album within the Polyrhythm Addicts alongside rappers Corey Roberts, Marcus Vialva and producer DJ Spinna. Apani collaborated with Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def), J. Rawls, japanese producers Nujabes and Shin-Ski or parisian Hip-Hop trio Jazz Liberatorz. "Story 2 Tell" is her debut solo album after eight-year career produced by DJ Spinna, DJ Crossfader, Celph Titled among others, including titles "Spot Me" featuring Sara Kana, "Airtight" feat. Chico's Son, Lee Boogalou & Sekou720, "Ichinisan" feat. Kojoe, "The Epidemic" feat. Jean Grae, "Abracadabra", "Stay Up" feat. Monet. "Airtight" contains a sample of "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)" by Bob Marley & The Wailers.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Soil & "Pimp" Sessions - Pimpin'


Year : 2004
Label : Victor
Genre : Jazz, Latin
Style : Contempory Jazz, Future Jazz

Debut album of the japanese modern Jazz band combining contemporary & future jazz including latin expressions and punk spirit. In 2005, the band gains international audience when it was introduced by British DJ Giles Peterson, broadcast on his BBC radio show "Worldwide", and released "Pimpin'" in UK on his Acid Jazz label "Brownswood Recordings". Titles include tracks extracted from their first EP ("Fuller Love/Harbor"), jazz standard "Wives And Lovers" (Bacharah/David) and the S&PS anthem "Satsuriku No Theme". All tracks composed by Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, except "Harbor" by composed by Bobby Watson.

MUSICIANS : Shacho - vocals ("agitator") - Tabu Zombie - trumpet - Josei - piano, electric piano - Akita Goldman - bass  - Motoharu - saxophone - Midorin - drums

Robert Charlebois - Québec Love

LISTEN SAMPLE
 
Year : 1969
Label : Gamma
Genre : Rock
Style : Psychedelic Rock, Folk Rock

"Québec Love" is the sixth album of Robert Charleboisthe second featuring "Le Quatuor Du Nouveau Jazz Libre Du Québec" including Louise Forestier. Robert Charlebois follows his musical revolution started since iconic album "Lindberg" including the same psychedelic madness with Rhythm&Blues (Te Vl'aLes Ailes D'un Ange), Funk/Soul (Tout EcartilléSûrement Hong Kong) or Folk Rock (SensationQuébec Love). "Tout Ecartillé" is a tribute to Paris and french songstress Marie Laforêt, "Sensation" is a song based on a poem of Arthur Rimbaud, "Broches de Bécik" & "La Fin Du Monde" are two odes to the hippie counterculture. All tracks arranged by Robert Charlebois.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Soil & "Pimp" Sessions - Pimp Of The Year


Year : 2006
Label : Victor
Genre : Jazz, Electronic
Style : Contempory Jazz, Future Jazz

The third album of insane jazz combo from the japanese jazz's new wave alongside Sleep Walker and Kyoto Jazz Massive. The group emerged on japanese clubs scene in 2001, when DJs Shacho and Tabu Zombie included jam jazz sessions in their sets, and the consecration came on stage when they were invited to perform their music at the Fuji Rock Festival in the summer 2003. They define their music themeselves as a blend of contemporary jazz including punk spirit and alternative jazz with aggressive forms, called "Death Jazz". It features Shacho aka Agitator in charge of stirring and stimulating the audience, trumpeter Tabu Zombie, saxophonist Motoharu, pianist Josei, bassist Akita Goldman & drummer Midorin. Titles include "Summer Goddess" from eponymous EP, the single "Crush!", the cover song of Branford Marsalis "The Black Widow Blues" and its variation "The White Widow" by Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, the dance-oriented "Last Long",  their anthem "Satsuriku". All tracks composed, arrenged by Soil & "Pimp" Sessions except the one mentioned.

Hiroshi Fukumura With Sadao Watanabe - Hunt Up Wind


Year : 1978
Label : Flying Disk
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Disco, Caribbean

"Hunt Up Wind" is a jazz funk album to the Latin & Caribbean expressions recorded by one of most famous Japanese jazz trombonist, Hiroshi Fukumura featuring saxophonist Sadao Watanabe. The duo is supported by a killer rhythm section including some of the best american musicians from the Jazz Fusion scene, drummer Harvey Mason from The Herbie Hancock Group, bassist Chuck Rainey, James Brown's guitarist Cornell Dupree, pianist Don Grusin (brother of Dave) and percussionist Paulinho Da Costa from Sergio Mendes & Brasil '77. Titles include Latin Funk (Hunt Up Wind, That's Enough For Me), Caribbean rhythms (Jongo, Mr. Blue), Smooth Jazz (White Clouds, Pra Dizer Adeus) and disco beats (Pogo, Captain Caribe). All tracks arranged by Hiromasa 'Colgen' Suzuki except "Pogo" by Sadao Watanabe.

LISTEN SAMPLE

Isao Suzuki & New Family - The Thing


Year : 1979
Label : Flying Disk
Genre : Jazz
Syle : Fusion

Isao Suzuki supported by his "New Family" featuring pianist Masayoshi Yoneda, guitarist Takayuki Katoh, drummer Shigeo Hirayama and trumpeter Shuji Miyake. Best known as the 'Jazz Godfather', Isao Suzuki is a japanese bassist, among the best of his generation, one of these japanese jazz giants who still influences numerous Japanese contemporary artists from Jazz to Hip-Hop. Isao started his professional career in 1956, when he played in the American military band camp. Thereafter, he was enrolled by saxophonist Hidehiko Matsumoto in his "Sleepy Latin Band" and joined the legendary George Kawaguchi's Big Four in the late sixties. Then, as session musician, he played for Motohiko Hino, Sadao Watanabe, songstress Kimiko Kasai, Mari Nakamoto, later within Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Mal Waldron and Baden Powell. "The Thing" brings together various titles ranging from Jazz Funk (Open Space) to Latin Jazz (Sunburn Samba), including free improvisations (The Thing) and a tribute to Miles Davis (For Miles). 

LISTEN SAMPLE

Friday, January 2, 2009

Various - Punch The Monkey!


Year : 1998
Label : Columbia
Genre : Electronic
Style : Future Jazz, Funk/Soul

First of three volumes from 'Punch The Monkey!', the remixes compilation series that celebrates the 30th anniversary of Lupin The 3rd created in 1967 by  Kazuhiko Katô alias Monkey Punch. Supervised by Konishi Yasuharu, the project was released for his own label Readymade Records from Nippon Columbia, best known as producer, composer, DJ & leader of japanese pop band Pizzicato Five. Joined to the project, various artists from japanese electronic scene featuring remixes by Fantastic Plastic Machine, japanese-french Nu-Jazz duo U.F.O. (United Future Organization), Fuzita Blender and of course, Konishi Yasuharu. Based on original songs composed by Yuji Ohno and Takao Yamashita, titles include "Funny Walk In Old Fashion", "Afro Rock Theme", "Toward The Patrol Line", and the famous opening and ending themes from "Lupin The 3rd" recorded for the first (1971-1972) & second (1977-1980) animated series.

TRACKLIST : Shunji Ito - Lupin III '80 (Latin ♥&☮ Calucatta Mix) - Toshio Matsuura - Theme from Lupin III'78 (Walther P99 Mix) - Escalator Team - Theme from Lupin III'78 (Club Escape Mix )- Fantastic Plastic Machine - Lupin III Theme I (F.P.M's Reconstruction Mix) - Konishi Yasuharu - Lupin III Theme III (The Readymade やんぐ Oh! Oh! Mix) - Fuzita Blender - Funny Walk In Old Fashion (Mori No Blend Mix) - Comoesta Yaegashi - Afro Rock Theme (Rock Afro Mix) - Fantastic Explosion - Toward The Patrol Line (Fantastic Explosion Mix) - Jun Sasasaki - Love Squall (Fujiko's Love Mix Feat. Maki Kanaho) - Sunaga T Experience - Lupin III '80 (Sunaga T Experience 9849 Mix) - Izuru Utsumi - Lupin III Theme Song II (Bossa 98 Mix)

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Kool & The Gang - Spirit Of The Boogie


Year : 1975
Label : De-Lite
Genre : Soul
Style : Jazz Funk, Boogie Funk

The quintessence of groove by the forerunners of Boogie-Funk at their climax featuring Don Boyce, in the same way as their two previous albums. "Spirit Of The Boogie" can be seen as the third side of "Wild & Peaceful" including variations on "Let The Music Take Your Mind" (Ride The Rhythm), "Jungle Boogie" ("Jungle Jazz" where flute and trumpet replaced Don Boyce) and "Summer Madness" (Winter Sadness). The band welcomes some newcomers Amir Bayyan (credited as Kevin Bell), Ota Nash and backing vocals group "Something Sweet". Titles include also "Spirit Of The Boogie" feat. the deep tone from the Don Boyce's voice, the love ballad "Sunshine And Love", "Mother Earth" feat. Something Sweet and "Carribean Festival" to the african expressions.

MUSICIANS : Kool Bell - bass, vocals - Claydes Smith & Kevin Bell - guitar - Ronald Bell - piano, synthesizer, clavinet, tenor saxophone, flute, percussion - Rick West - clavinet, moog, vocals - George Brown - drums, percussion, vocals - Dennis Thomas - alto saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals - Robert Spike Mickens - trumpet, percussion, vocals - Ota Nash - trombone, vocals - Don Boyce - vocal

LISTEN SAMPLE

Kool & The Gang - Wild And Peaceful


Year : 1973
Label : De-Lite
Genre : Soul, Jazz
Style : Funk/Soul, Boogie Funk

"Wild And Peaceful" is the fourth studio album released by Kool & The Gang, one of the greatest Boogie-Funk album record produced in the seventies, including the iconic "Jungle Boogie" (selected for the Pulp Fiction's soundtrack) featuring the Boogie Man, Don Boyce. The album of the breakthrough which was their first commercial success introducing their new sound direction. Titles include killer hits "Funky Stuff/More Funky Stuff", "Hollywood Swinging", the jazzy tunes "Heaven At Once" & "Wild And Peaceful". All tracks produced, composed & arranged by Kool & The Gang.

MUSICIANS : Kool Bell - bass, vocals - Clay Smith - guitar - Rick West - electric piano, vocals - Dee Tee Thomas - alto saxophone, flute, congas, vocals - Ronald Bell - tenor & soprano saxophone, vocals - Spike Mickens - trumpet, vocals - Funky George Brown - drums & percussion, vocals - Don Boyce - vocal

LISTEN SAMPLE
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