Friday, December 27, 2013

Nico Gomez And His Afro Percussion Inc. ‎- Ritual

    
Year : 1971
Label : Omega
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Funk/Soul, Afro Cuban Jazz

Obscure record released by Nico Gomez from Les Chakachas including Afro-Cuban Jazz & Latin Funk. Under the pseudonym of Nico Gomez hides Joseph Van Het Groenewoud, a Belgian composer and big band leader who was active between the fifties and the seventies, best known to compose several songs for the belgian Latin band, "Les Chakachas" (remember the sexy song "Jungle Fever" in Paul Thomas Anderson's film "Boogie Night"). Titles include acid organ, psychedelic guitar and heavy percussions, two covers from the King of Mambo, Pérez Prado ("Caballo Negro" & the funky "Lupita"), five of his own compositions whose the dancefloor killer Salsa-Funk "Cuba Libre", the Bossa Nova classic "One Note Samba", a variation of iconic Chakachas' 1958 hit "Eso Es El Amor" and the latin pop "Pa! Pa! Pa! Pa!".

Jimmy Takeuchi & His Exciters - Tenshi No Yūwaku


Year : 1969
Label : Toshiba Records
Serie : Drum Drum Drum Series
Genre : Jazz, Pop
Style : Surf Music, Rock, Jerk

Original issue of "Tenshi No Yūwaku" from the Toshiba's "DRUM DRUM DRUM" series including the greatest hits of the japanese pop and GS rock genre (for Groups Sounds) out in 1968 and arranged by Kunihiko Suzuki. Titles include rock cover songs from The Tigers (Flower Necklace), The Tempters (Please, God), The Golden Cups (Girl With Long Hair), The Folk Crusaders (Unbearably Sad) or The Wild Ones (Bara No Koibito), the Suzuki's composition for Jun Mayuzumi (Angel Love), the Soul Jazz standard "Alligator Boogaloo" (Lou Donaldson), "Lady Madona" and "Pata Pata" (Miriam Makeba). All tracks arranged by Kunihiko Suzuki.

LISTEN SAMPLE

Takeshi Inomata & Sound Limited - Drum Battle : Rock Now


Year : 1972
Label : RCA
Serie : DYNAGROOVE
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, Funk/Soul

Rock cover album taken from the "DYNAGROOVE" serie, performed by Takeshi Inomata & his progresssive jazz rock band, The Sound Limited featuring guitarist Kimio Mizutani, bassist Makoto 'Jun' Suzuki, organist Yusuke Hoguchi, all conducted by Norio Maeda. Takeshi Inomata is involved in a drums battle including three others japanese drummers, Masao Suzuki (not to be confused with the saxophonist), Seiji Tanaka & Chito Kawachi. Titles include as well as classics of rock 'n' roll from Deep Purple (Black Night), Chase (Get It On), The Rolling Stones (Tumbling Dice), Soul music ("Theme From Shaft" by Isaac Hayes) and Latin Rock with the "Black Magic Woman" (Peter Green). All tracks arranged by Norio Maeda.


Marcos Valle - Previsão Do Tempo


Year : 1973
Label : Odeon
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : MPB, Jazz Funk, Samba Funk

Marcos Valle leaves behind him the psychedelic rock and to fully immerse into the Jazz Funk style including Samba. Considered as his best album after the iconic "Garra", deeply influenced by the Herbie Hancock's sound from the "Headhunter" era, "Previsão Do Tempo" includes various latin flavours evolving amid the electronic moods where Rhodes and moog synthesizer have a key role. The album introduces his new backing band, the brazilian jazz funk combo "Azymuth" featuring José Roberto Bertrami (keys), Alex Malheiros (eb) and Ivan Conti (ds), all supported by the maestro arrangers Joao Donato, Eumir Deodato, and the Brazilian "Rudy Van Gelder" sound engineer Toninho Barbosa. Titles include the samba-soul "Flamengo Até Morrer" feat. O Terço, the jazz funk nuggets "Nem Paletó, Nem Gravata", "Mentira" & "Não Tem Nada Não".

Monday, November 25, 2013

Henry Cain - The Funky Organ-ization Of Henry Cain


Year : 1968
Label : Capitol
Genre : Jazz, Soul
Style : Soul Jazz, Funk/Soul

"The Funky Organ-ization" is a cover album from Jazz to Soul by Rhythm&Blues including a funky set of eleven Soul Jazz tracks recorded in 1967, performed by session musician, organist Henry Cain, produced by David Axelrod and arranged by saxophonist Oliver Nelson. The tracklist consists of jazz covers "The Way I Feel" of John Patton, "I'm On My Way" of Cannonball/Nat Adderlay Jr., Soul classics "Respect" & "Sunny", Oliver Nelson's "Critic's Choice" and original composition by Henry Cain "Horror Scope". All tracks arranged by H. B. Barnum & Oliver Nelson.

MUSICIANS : Henry Cain - organ  - James Bond - bass - Earl Palmer - drums - Arthur Wright & Howard Roberts - guitar - H. B. Barnum, John Kelson & Plas Johnson - saxophone - Fred Hill & Tony Terran - trumpet - Gary Coleman & Jerry Williams - vibes & percussions

Terumasa Hino, Masabumi Kikuchi - Hino=Kikuchi Quintet


Year : 1969
Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Takt Jazz Series
Genre : Jazz
Style : Modal, Hard Bop

Essential japanese jazz masterpiece from Takt Jazz Series by the Masabumi Kikuchi Quintet featuring trumpeter Terumasa Hino in duet album including Takeru Muraoka on tenor saxophone, Kunimitsu Inaba on bass & Hino's brother, Motohiko on drums. "Hino=Kikuchi Quintet" introducing the future Hino's legendary quintet from 1969 to 1970, later joined by keyboardist Hiromasa Suzuki on "Hi-Nology", "Hakuchu No Shugeki Original Soundtrack"& "Into The Heaven". All tracks composed & arranged by Masabumi Kikuchi. Titles include "H.G. And Pretty" selected for the "Shibuya Jazz Classics - Sleep Walker Collection" compilation released in 2003. 


Hidehiko Matsumoto - The First By Sleepy


Year : 1977
Label : Pro Use Series/Toshiba
Serie : Direct Cutting
Genre : Jazz, Latin
Style : Contempory Jazz, Cool Jazz

"The First By Sleepy" recorded by legendary japanese saxophonist 'Sleepy' Matsumoto from the Big 4keeping with the previous "The Big 4" album of George Kawaguchi (featuring Matsumoto), in which he composed most of the songs. Hidehiko plays in quintet including pianist Norio Kotani, bassist Yasuhisa Akutsu and drummer Takaaki Nishikawa who performs Cool Jazz (My Funny ValentineSatin Doll), Bossa Nova (Tuesday Samba), Hard Bop and others jazz standards (Take FiveSt. Thomas, Someone To Watch Over Me). "Tuesday Samba" is a variation of the "Monday Samba", both composed by Hidehiko Matsumoto and released on the previous Kawaguchi's album.


Jaki Byard - The Jaki Byard Experience


Year : 1969
Label : Prestige
Genre : Jazz
Style : Post Bop, Modal, Free Jazz

"The Jaki Byard Experience" featuring pianist Jaki Byard, saxophonist Roland Kirk, bassist Richard Davis & drummer Alan Dawson, was recorded in 1968 with sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder. All are bring together in an iconic classic of the Prestige label considered as a masterpiece of the history of Jazz. Jaki Byard & his combo explore various styles of Jazz including New Orleans (Shine On MeMemories Of You), Spiritual (Hazy Eye), Free (Parisian Thoroughfare) & Modal styles (Evidence). 

Friday, November 8, 2013

We've Got The JAZZ Vol. 3 ~ The 3rd



Still more of Instrumentals & Jazz samples performed by DJs and Hip-Hop Bands from US to Europe by Japan featuring DJ Mitsu The Beats, DJ Kentaro, Jazz Liberatorz, Fat Lip & T.Love, Dagha, Shinsight Trio, Soulution & Project Move and many more... All tracks released between 1994-2010, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Tadayuki Harada And His Group - Playboy's Theme


Year : 1968
Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Takt Jazz Series
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova, Pop

Debut album as a leader by saxophonist Tadayuki Harada featuring the complete formation of the West Liners lead by drummer Takeshi Inomata including Hiroshi Okazaki, Norio Maeda and Masaru Imada. Former member of several prestigious japanese jazz formations such as "Sharps & Flats" of Nobuo Hara and The West Liners (from 1957 to 1966), Tadayuki Harada was a session musician in demand, playing for the greatest among pianist Toshiko AkiyoshiFrank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Helen Merrill, Sammy Davis Jr. or Salina Jones. In the late seventies, he was in groups "Wind Breakers" lead by pianist Norio Maeda and Takeshi Inomata & The Third. Titles include classics of Bossa Nova from Jorge Ben (Chove Chuva), Edu Lobo (For Me), pop covers from Bobby Hebb (Sunny), Burt Bacharach (The Look Of Love), and Jazz standard by Joe Zawinul (Mercy, Mercy, Mercy). All tracks arranged by Norio Maeda.

MUSICIANS : Tadayuki Harada baritone saxophone - Shigeo Suzuki alto saxophone - Hiroshi Okazaki - alto saxophone, flute - Ichiro Mimori & Yoichi Kanai tenor saxophone - Tetsuo Fushimi & Kazutoshi Okubo trumpet - Tatsuro Takimoto bass - Sadanori Nakamure_- guitar - Norio Maeda & Masaru Imada - piano - Takeshi Inomata - drums - Yonosuke Segami - percussion

LISTEN SAMPLE

Various - Oneness Of Juju. African Rhythms. 1970-1982


Year : 2001
Label : Strut
Genre : Jazz, Soul
Style : Jazz Funk, Spiritual, Afrobeat, Disco

This compilation brings together on 3xLP, various recordings of the legendary american Afro-Jazz collective formed by multi-instrumentalist James 'Plunky' Branch. Their most active and prolific years were spent on the New York scene in the seventies, including productions released on Strata East & Black Fire labels, under various names, the best-known designation being "Oneness Of Juju". The collective explores as well as Spiritual Jazz (No Name # III / Love Is... / My Nigger & Me), Afro-Jazz (Nairobi/Chants), Afrobeat (Follow Me), Funk/Soul (Be About The Future, Got To Be Right On It) and Disco ("Plastic", "Every Way But Loose"). Titles include selected tracks in collaboration with James Branch, some best recordings released as "Juju", "Oneness Of Juju" (whose famous "African Rhythms"), "Plunky & Oneness Of Juju", various solo projects featuring Juju's leader and others from vibraphonist Lon Moshe or the ghanaian drummer & percussionist, Okyerema Asante.

DISC 1 : Oneness Of Juju - African Rhythms / Oneness Of Juju - Follow Me / Oneness Of Juju - River Luv Rite / Roach Om - No Name # III ~ Love Is... ~ My Nigger & Me

DISC 2 : Oneness Of Juju - Chants ~ Don't Give Up / Oneness Of Juju - Be About The FutureJuju & The Space Rangers - Got To Be Right On It (Original 45 Version)

DISC 3 : Oneness Of Juju - Space Jungle Funk / Oneness Of Juju - West Wind / Plunky & Oneness Of Juju - Every Way But Loose / Okyerema Asante & Plunky - Sabi / Okyerema Asante & Plunky - Asante Sana / Juju - Nairobi ~ Chants

Baden Powell - Canto On Guitar


Year : 1971
Label : MPS Records
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova, Jazz Samba

Recorded at MPS Studio in Germany at the end of 1970, "Canto On Guitar" is a big classic and often considered as his genius masterpiece which explores Afro-Brazilian culture including Arabic sounds (Cegos Do Nordeste). Titles include "Três Temas Da Fé Afro-Brasileira" suite, "Samba Em Prelúdio" (written by the poet Vinícius de Morães), the Jazz Samba "Qua Quara Qua Qua" and "Tributo A Um Amigo" which demonstrating his great guitar playing skills. It features Ernesto Ribero Gonsalves on bass & caxixi, Alfredo Bessa on berimbau, atabaque & guica and Helio Schiaro on drums.

Gabor Szabo - High Contrast


Year : 1971
Label : Blue Thumb Records
Genre : Jazz, Soul
Style : Smooth Jazz, Jazz Funk

The best known Hungarian 'Gypsy' guitarist associated to the american Soul Legend, Bobby Womack, in Funk/Soul joint project for jazz guitar featuring Phil Upchurch & The Shadow (producer Tommy LiPuma). Titles includes original compositions and four Bobby Womack's songs whose "If Just A Little Communication" (based on "Communication" from the eponymous album) and "Breezin'" composed in particular for Gabor Szabo. Produced by Tommy LiPuma and mixed by The Doors' sound engineer, Bruce Botnick.

MUSICIANS : Gabor Szabo - accoustic & electric guitar - Bobby Womack - rhythm guitar - Wolfgang Meltz & Phil Upchurch - bass - Jim Keltner - drums - Mark Levine - piano - Felix Falcon - congas - Carmelo Garcia - percussion - The Shadow - tambourine & gourd

George Benson - Body Talk


Year : 1973
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Soul Jazz

"Body Talk" is a Soul Jazz album including the heavy Funk expressions of James Brown's groove featuring associated guitarist Earl Klugh, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Jack DeJohnette & pianist Harold Mabern, all conducted by the leader of the James Brown revue, Pee Wee Ellis. Titles include pure Funk/Soul tracks arranged by Pee Wee Ellis (the opening song "Dance", "Plum" & the title-track), the Soulful song by Donny Hattaway's "When Love Has Grown" and the climax "Top Of The World". All tracks composed by George Benson except the one mentioned produced by Creed Taylor, recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder

MUSICIANS : George Benson, Earl Klugh - guitar - Ron Carter,  Gary King  - bass - Jack DeJohnette - drums - Harold Mabern - electric piano - Mobutu - percussion - Frank Foster - tenor saxophone - Dick Griffin, Gerard Chamberlain - trombone - John Gatchell, Jon FaddisWaymon Reed - trumpet, flugelhorn

George Benson - Beyond The Blue Horizon


Year : 1971
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Hard Bop

First album for the CTI label, the Soul Jazz album "Beyond The Blue Horizon" is a high point in the George Benson's career featuring two rising stars of Jazz, the drummer Jack DeJohnette (from John Coltrane Quintet) and Ron Carter (Miles Davis Quintet), supported by Clarence Palmer on Hammond B3 organ, Albert Nicholson & Michael Cameron on percussion. The album showcases incredible guitar skill variations of the George Benson's guitar playing including a funky version of the great Miles Davis' jazz standard "So What?", the Luiz Bonfa's Bossa Nova tune "The Gentle Rain" and Afro-Jazz track "Somewhere To The East". All tracks produced by Creed Taylor and recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

We've Got The JAZZ Vol. 2



More Instrumentals & Jazz samples by DJs and Hip-Hop bands from US to Europe by Japan featuring Kid Koala, Shinsight Trio, Time Machine, Aloe Blacc & DJ Day Are Daily Bread, Nujabes with Apani B and many more. All tracks released between 1994-2010, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

We've Got The JAZZ ~ The Great Meeting Between Jazz & Hip-Hop



The fusion of Hip-Hop with Jazz including instrumentals and Jazz samples performed by DJs & Hip-Hop bands from US to Europe by Japan featuring Shin-Ski (Of Martiangang), The Roots, Shin-Ski with Dagha, Jazz Liberatorz with Declaime, A Tribe Called Quest and many more. All tracks released between 1991-2010, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Nujabes by Be Hard Bop ~ Jun Seba Is Nujabes



Nujabes (1974-2010), one of Jazzy Hip-Hop representatives, was a japanese beatmaker, producer & owner of independant record label Hyde Out Recordings. Best known for his collaboration to the "Samurai Champloo" soundscape in 2004 (alongside Fat Jon, FORCE OF NATURE & TSUTCHIE), he frequently worked for various worldwide artists, as Apani B, Funky DL, CL Smooth, Substantial, Cise Starr from CYNE, Terry Callier or Pase Rock from Five Deez. This compilation brings together some of his finest productions released between 1998-2011, demonstrating his various musical abilities including Jazz & Soul samples, Downtempo, Cool & Nu-Jazz. All tracks compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Elis Regina - Elis Regina In London

 
Year : 1969
Label : Philips
Genre : Latin Jazz, Jazz
Style : MPB, Bossa Nova, Pop

One of the best and most popular brazilian jazz songstress since the sixties until his death in 1982, nicknamed the "Queen of Bossa". Recorded outside Brazil during her European tour at Philips Studio in Stanhope House, London, "In London" mixes Bossa Nova, Afro-Cuban Jazz & Pop sounds featuring legendary brazilian musicians who supported her on stage such as Antonio Adolofo (p), Roberto Menescal (g) Wilson Das Neves (ds). Titles include bossa nova standards by Edu Lobo (Upa Neguinho, Corrida De Jangada), Jorge Ben (Zazueira), Jobim (How Insensitive), iconic brazilian pop song "Se Võce Pensa" (Roberto/Erasmo Carlos) and "Watch What Happens" by Michel Legrand. All tracks conducted, arranged by Peter Knight & His Orchestra.

Clarence Wheeler & The Enforcers - Doin' What We Wanna


Year : 1970
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz

Clarence Wheeler is a saxophonist from Chicago in group, The Enforcers, a jazz quartet formed with Sonny Burke on organ, George Hughes on drums and Sonny Covington on trumpet & percussion. The soul jazz pearl "Doin' What We Wanna" is an essential jazz recording with pure Funk grooves & Soul flavors including the killer R&B song "Right On" featuring a soulful chorus, Soul Jazz standards "Sham Time" of Eddie Harris & "Theme From Electric Surfboard" of Brother Jack Mc Duff, the latin Soul "Dream Bossa Nova" and iconic Beatles' song "Hey Jude". "Right On" was selected on the Atlantic Records compilation "Right On! - Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic & Warner Vaults" Vol. 2 released in 2000.


Count Buffalos - Emergency


Year : 1976
Label : Toshiba
Serie : Pro-Use Direct Cutting Series
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Fusion

"Emergency" is a jazz funk album recorded by drummer Akira Ishikawa featuring his Count Buffalos band and the japanese Funk/Soul songstress Tan-Tan. As on "Get Up!", his previous album, "Emergency" was arranged by pianist Hiromasa 'Colgen' Suzuki & guitarist Takao Naoi, incorporating some disco-beats and including the same line-up with saxophonist Takeru Muraoka and keyboardist Hideo Ichikawa, among others. Hiromasa Suzuki composed the opening disco-funk "Yama-To-Mizu", while others titles include the "Drum Solo" performed by Akira Ishikawa, cover songs featuring Tan-Tan ("Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" by James Taylor, "I've Never Found A Man" in the pure disco style by Esther Phillips) and the Galper Hal's "Phases".

MUSICIANS : Akira Ishikawa - drums - Hiromasa Suzuki & Hideo Ichikawa - keyboards - Masaoki Terakawa - bass - Takao Naoi - guitar - Larry Sunaga - percussion - Takeru Muraoka & Masao Suzuki - saxophones - Koji Hatori - trumpet - Eji Arai - trombone

Marcos Valle - Vento Sul


Year : 1972
Label : Odeon
Genre : Pop, Rock, Latin
Style : MPB, Folk Rock, Latin Rock

"Vento Sul" closes the psychedelic era of Marcos Valle started from "Mustang Côr De Sangue" in 1969. His most original work, a progressive rock album including experimental pop, psychedelia and latin elements, deeply inspired by the "White Album" of The Beatles and the arrangements of George Martin. It was composed in Buzios, a popular city of Brazilian surf and conterculture (hippie community), where various international public figures have stayed there such as Brigitte Bardot. Marcos is supported by latin rock band "O Terço" featuring César de Mercês (eb), Cláudio Guimarães, Fredera, Sérgio Hinds (eg), Vinícius Cantuária, Robertinho Silva (ds, perc) and Paulo Guimarães (fl). Titles include psychedelic folk ("Malena", "Voo Cego"), progressive rock (the protest song "Revolução Orgãnica"), pop ballads ("Vento Sul", "Deixa O Mundo E Sol Entrar") and even heavy metal (Mi Hermoza).

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Jacques Loussier - Tu Seras Terriblement Gentille


Year : 2009/1967
Label : Vadim Music/Decca
Genre : Stage & Screen, Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Pop, Bossa Nova, Electronic

Iconic soundtrack recorded for the 1967 movie "Tu Seras Terriblement Gentille" (aka "You Only Love Once"), directed by Dirk Sanders. Jacques Loussier is a french pianist & composer worldwide renowned for his ''Play Bach'' series, an adaptation of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in Jazz, consisting in five discs recorded between 1959-1967, featuring bassist Pierre Michelot and drummer Christian Garros. Master Loussier has composed over 60 soundtracks for films and TV shows including "Dark Of The Sun" (1968) and "Pulsion" (1978) whose title-track was sampled by Eminem on "Kill You" (2000). The soundtrack combines Jazz, Pop (check below the amazing jerk "Top Cover Girl"), Bossa Nova (Promenade Au Luxembourg, Robe Rose), Soul Jazz and various electronic moods (Ballet Photo Rouge). All tracks composed and arranged by Jacques Loussier.

Janko Nilovic - Chorus

 
Year : 2006/1974
Label : Vadim Music/Montparnasse 2000
Genre : Jazz, Pop, Stage & Screen
Style : Jazz Funk, Vocal

Originally released on iconic french music library label "Montparnasse 2000", "Chorus" is a kind of pot-pourri including pop ballads and jazz to the psychedelic expressions with only onomatopoeia singing featuring some musicians and singers from Broadway rock musical "Hair". "Chorus" was first reissued by Dare Dare records (sub-label of the Pulp Flavor recordings) in 2001 and more recently by Underdog Records in 2016. All tracks recorded at studio Barclay produced by Louis Delacour (co-founder alongside André Farry of Montparnasse 2000), composed & arranged by Janko Nilovic. Titles includes the funky "Third Power" and the braziliance "Hommage À Pelé (Brasiliana)".

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Peter King - Shango

 
Year : 2013  
Label : Mr Bongo   
Serie : Classic African Recordings   
Genre : Soul, Afrobeat   
Style : Funk/Soul

Originally recorded in 1974 at Camden Town Studio, London, "Shango" was never released, despite the success of his following albums, before british label STRUT does it in 2002. The album showcases the bop expressions of Nigerian saxophonist/flutist Peter King influenced by Sonny Rollins, Gene Ammons and the John Coltrane's play. "Shango" combines highlife music, afrobeat, soul jazz and the typical James Brown's Funk including the heavy grooves "Shango", "Watusi", "Freedom Dance" and the soulful song "Prisonnier Of Law". Peter King recorded the "Shango" sessions featuring his afro-ska band "The African Messengers" formed in the sixties in London including Humphrey Okoh-Turner (as), David Williams (eb), Paul Edoh (cg), Arthur Simon (eg), Mike Falana (tp), James Menin (ds).

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Nujabes - Spiritual State


Year : 2011
Label : Hyde Out Recordings
Genre : Electronic, Hip-Hop, Jazz
Style : Jazzy Hip-Hop, Downtempo

Third, last and posthume album released by Nujabes after "Metaphorical Music" in 2003 and "Modal Soul" in 2005. "Spiritual State" mixes Cool Jazz & Downtempo including instrumentals and various featurings performed with Pase Rock from Five Deez (City Light & Yes) Cise Star from CYNE (Sky Is Tumbling), Substantial (City Light & Waiting For The Clouds), DJ Segawa Tatsuya (cuts & scratches on "Fellows"), the multi-instrumentalist, Uyama Hiroto (Island, Gone Are The Day & Spiritual State) and guitarist Haruka Nakamura on "Island". Recorded, produced & mixed by Nujabes and Uyama Hiroto

Hilton Felton - The Best Of Hilton Felton 1970-1974


Year : 2012
Label : Hilton's Concept/JAZZMAN
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk

Compilation bringing together various Jazz Funk/Soul Jazz tracks recorded from 1970 to 1974 by american jazz pianist Hilton Felton featuring Orville Saunders and Joe Hall from The Blackbyrds. "The Best Of Hilton Felton" is based on only three Hilton Felton's albums released on his own label, the "Hilton's Concept", including "A Man For All Reasons" (Bee Bop Boogie & Tell Her Love Has The Need), "Family And Friends" (Spreading Fever) and "Dream Come True" performed within The Three Of Us soul jazz trio (Dream Come True & Your Analysis). All tracks composed & arranged by Hilton Felton.

Kenny Dorham - Una Mas (One More Time)


Year : 1963
Label : Blue Note
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Modal, Latin Jazz

"Una Mas (One More Time)" is the most famous album from the be-bop trumpeter Kenny Dorham supported by an explosive quartet featuring among the greatest players of their generation, pianist Herbie Hancock, saxophonist Joe Henderson, bassist Butch Warren and drummer Tony Williams. Kenny Dorham explores the latin beat in two compositions including the bossa nova genre (Una Mas, Sao Paulo), interspersed by "Straight Ahead", another of his own composition rather fits into the Hard Bop/Modal style. Recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Doris - Did You Give The World Some Love Today Baby


Year : 1970
Label : Odeon/EMI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Pop, Jazz Funk/Soul Jazz

The second album of songstress Doris Svensson, former bassist & vocalist of Swedish pop band "Plums" from Stockholm, among the Björk's influences. Recorded in collaboration with famous swedish jazz arranger and organist Berndt Egerbladh, it features also Lukas Lindholm on bass, Bengt Karlsson on guitar & Jan Karlsson on drums. Titles include the DJs heavy funk favorites "Don't" & "Beatmaker", the pychedelic rock song, reminicent of the Portishead style, "You Never Come Closer", the soul-jazz-gospel "I Wish I Knew"  based on "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" composed by Nina Simone and beautiful pop ballads (Daisies, Whispering Pine). All tracks arranged, conducted by Berndt Egerbladh.

Marvin Peterson - Marvin Peterson And The Soulmasters In Concert


Year : 2010/1969
Label : JAZZMAN Records/Century Records
Serie : JAZZMAN Holy Grail Series
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz

Reissue of rare groove press recording based on first official live performance at the Burning Bush (Texas) in 1968 by the american jazz trumpeter Marvin 'Hannibal' Peterson. Regular sideman for conductor Gil Evans during the seventies and the eighties (he features on the "Music Of Jimmy Hendrix" in 1974), he played alongside others greatest jazz figures among saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, bassist Richard Davis or drummers Roy Haynes & Evil Jones. "The Soulmasters Concert" is a soul jazz oriented album with high energy introducing Marvin Peterson as a band leader including jazz standard "Summertime" by George Gershwin and classic Funk/Soul "I Can't Stand It" by James Brown

MUSICIANS : Marvin Peterson - trumpet & vocal - Eugene Carrier - organ & tambourine - Eugene Murray & Richard Thompson - bass - Emry Thomas - drums - Mike Campbell - alto saxophone - Tim Peterson -tenor & alto saxophone, flute - Cleveland Gay - trombone

Sammy, Freedom Unity - Salute To Soul


Year : 1971
Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Master Sonic
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, Blues Rock

"Salute To Soul" is a duet album by the jazz quintet "Freedom Unity" introducing Sammy featuring Hiromasa Suzuki (keys), Kunimitsu Inaba (b), Takeru Muraoka (sax), Akira Ishikawa (ds) & Hiroshi Suzuki (tb). Sammy is the pseudonym of Masami Chino, a versatile soul-rock songstress, the japanese counterpart of Grace Slick from Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin. Mostly actives during the seventies, Sammy recorded another album with the group, "Dynamic Rock" feat. the Singers Three, collaborated with saxophonist Jiro Inagaki & his Soul Media on two albums ("Wandering Birds", "Woman Robinson Crusoe-Rock Steady") and with the Akira Ishikawa's Count Buffalos on "Soul & Soul". From Jazz to Soul passing by psychedelic rock, Sammy revisits the classics of british and american rock (Nobody's Fault But Mine, See See Rider) including jazz standards (St. James Infirmary, Willow Weep For Me, Summertime). All songs arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki.

King Curtis - Live At Fillmore West


Year : 1971
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Soul, Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Funk/Soul

Recording from live performance at Fillmore West by Soul star saxophonist King Curtis featuring Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie, Cornell Dupree and organist Billy Preston, session musician of The Beatles. Curtis started in jazz and blues in the early sixties before to become a session musician in demand working for Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, The Isley Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon. "Live At Filmore West" was last performance of King Curtis before his death in 1971, supported by the famous Atlantic brass band, The Memphis Horns and his backing band, The KingpinsCurtis revisits the Soul, Pop and Rock standards including "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", "I Stand Accused", "Whole Lotta Love", "Signed Sealed Delivered, I'm Yours". Titles include also his 1967 massive hit "Memphis Soul Stew".

MUSICIANS : King Curtis - saxophone - Jerry Jemmott - bass - Cornell Dupree - guitar - Billy Preston - organ -  Truman Thomas - piano - Bernard Purdie - drums - Pancho Morales - congas

Jiro Inagaki & His Friends - Funky Best


Year : 1975
Label : Nippon Columbia
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk

Cover album of heavy funk dedicated to the Boogie-Funk featuring saxophonist Jiro Inagaki, arranger Hiromasa Suzuki, keyboardist Kentaro Haneda, bassist Isao Eto, percussionist Larry Sunaga & japanese singer Akira Yasuda from Akira Yasuda & Beat Folk. "Funky Best" brings together various songs from the grooviest american Funk/Soul bands from the seventies among others, Billy Preston (Outa Space), Stevie Wonder (Living For The City), Kool & The Gang (Jungle BoogieFunky Stuff), B.T. Express (Express), The Commodores (Machine Gun) or Sly & The Family Stone (Loose Booty). Arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki and Jiro Inagaki.

MUSICIANS : Akira Yasuda - vocal & keyboards - Jiro Inagaki - tenor & soprano saxophone, flute - Kentaro Haneda - keyboards & syntheziser - Hiroshi Yasukawa & Tada Isamu - guitar - Isao Eto & Minami Masayuki - bass - Koji Takeda & Jun Kiguchi - drums - Larry Sunaga - percussion


Kentaro Haneda - Space Adventure Cobra (Original Soundtrack)


Year : 1982
Label : Nippon Columbia
Genre : Jazz, Stage & Screen
Style : Jazz Funk

Original Soundtrack of the popular animated serie 'Space Adventure Cobra', broadcasted by Fuji TV from october 1982 to may 1983, and based on the Buichi Terasawa's manga, Cobra, published between 1978 & 1984. Space Adventure Cobra is entirely composed, arranged & performed by keyboardist Kentaro Haneda surrounded by a string ensemble, the Nippon Columbia Orchestra, and featuring Yuji Ohno, likewise recruited for compositions and arrangements of the opening song (Cobra) & ending credits (Secret Desire). Titles include Smooth Jazz & Fusion Funk as evidenced the funky tracks, Heiwa E No Datsushûtsu & Rush Hour. Fusion Funk with strings section performed by the Nippon Columbia Orchestra. All tracks are composed, arranged & performed by Kentaro Haneda except "Secret Desire" & "Secret Desire (Instrumental)" by Yuji Ohno.


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Earth, Wind & Fire - Last Days And Time


Year : 1972
Label : CBS
Genre : Soul, Jazz
Style : Psychedelic Soul

Maurice White is back with a new line-up (exept his brother Verdine), recruiting saxophonist Ronnie Laws (brother of jazz flautist Hubert Laws), keyboardist Larry Dunn, percussionist Philipp Bailey among others, the definitive formation of the band during several years. "Last Days And Time" like its predecessors is a psychedelic soul album including short free jazz interludes, the latin Soul song "Mom" and the killer instrumental track "Power" sampled by Pete Rock for "Mind Frame" feat. Freddie Foxxx in 2001. The cover is designed by renowed artist Mati Klarwein also in charge of famous cover art for Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" album released in 1970.

MUSICIANSMaurice White - drums, kalimba & vocal - Roland Bautista - guitar - Verdine White - bass, vocal & percussion - Ronald Laws - tenor, soprano saxophone & flute - Larry Dunn - piano, clavinet & organ - Phillip Bailey - congas & percussion & vocal - Ralph Johnson - drums & percussion - Jessica Cleaves - vocal

Serge Gainsbourg - Jane Birkin ~ Serge Gainsbourg

 
Year : 1969
Label : Fontana
Genre : Rock
Style : Pop

A high-point album in the Serge Gainsbourg's discography featuring his wife Jane Birkin including songs sung by Jane, Serge or both. "Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg" is an iconic baroque pop album recorded at the prestigious Chappell & Fontana studios in London at the end of 1968, and also his most famous work outside France. Titles includes his first massive hit, the sexual anthem "Je T'Aime... Moi Non Plus", "Jane B" (based on the prélude n°4 op.28 by Chopin), new versions of french pop classics "L' Anamour"(originally written for french songstress Françoise Hardy), "Sous Le Soleil Exactement" (sings by Anna Karina in 1967) and  "Les Sucettes" (written for France Gall in 1966). All tracks composed by Serge Gainsbourg, arranged by Arthur Greensdale & Michel Colombier.                                                             

Friday, April 26, 2013

Syl Johnson - Is It Because I'm Black


Year : 1970
Label : Twinight Records
Genre : Soul
Style : Funk/Soul

Syl Johnson at the top with his second album, a masterpiece of Soul/R&B recorded in 1969 featuring The Pieces Of Peace as backing band and Jimmy Jones as songwriter. Like most of Afro-American songwriters from the sixties decade, Syl Johnson explores identity and social condition of his community including protest songs, whose iconic "It Is Because I’m Black" is the most representative, becoming a big Soul classic over time. Titles include also the killer funk "Right On", played in the purest James Brown style, Jazz & Pop covers from Oscar Brown (Black Balloons), Joe South (Walk A Mile In My Shoes) and The Beatles (Come Together). Produced and performed by Syl Johnson and The Pieces Of Peace.

MUSICIANS : Syl Johnson - vocal, rhythm guitar - John Bishop - lead guitar - Bernard Reed - bass - Byron Bowie - saxophone - Rahmlee Michael Davis & Jerry Wilson - trumpet - Hal "Heavy" Nesbitt - drums

Various - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Gordon's War


Year : 1973
Label : Buddah Records
Genre : Jazz, Soul, Stage & Screen
Style : Funk/Soul

One of the best blaxploitation soundtrack ever recorded with loud brass section, produced by Harvey Fuqua, Al Elias & Angelo Badalamenti. Most of the tracks are recorded and performed by studio band "Badder Than Evil" (in fact, conducted by Al Elias and Angelo Badalamenti) with the sweet voice of soul sister Barbara Mason on "Child Of Tomorrow" movie theme. The others tracks are performed by Detroit Soul band 'New Birth' formerly The Nite-Liters (Come On And Dream Some Paradise) and Sister Goose And The Ducklings (Super Shine #9). All selections written by Al Elias & Andy Badale, arranged and conducted by Horace Ott.

TRACKLIST : Barbara Mason - Child Of TomorrowBadder Than Evil - Just Plain Luther - He'll Be There - Roberta's Theme - Harlem Dreams - New Birth - Come On And Dream Some Paradise - Badder Than Evil - Tell That Man To Go To Hell - Child Of Tomorrow (Instrumental) - Sister Goose And The Ducklings - Super Shine #9 - Badder Than Evil - Hot Wheels (The Chase)Barbara Mason - Child Of Tomorrow (Reprise)

Eugene Mc Daniels - Headless Heroes Of The Apocalypse


Year : 1971
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Jazz, Soul
Style : Jazz Rock, Psychedelic Soul

One of the most sampled album of all the time, recorded by Eugene Mc Daniels, a jazz/soul singer actives since the sixties who released his first smash hit single "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" in 1961. Directed and arranged by Harry Whitaker featuring Miroslav Vitous & Alphonse Mouzon from Weather Report, "Headless Heroes Of The Apocalypse" is a soul/jazz album including elements of american counterculture with conscious lyrics, folk rock and psychedelic music. The whole album was a tremendous basis material for Hip-Hop samples during the nineties such as "Headless Heroes" (sampled by Beastie Boys on "Get It Together", Pete Rock & CL Smooth on "Soul Brother #1", Eric B. & Rakim on "Pass The Hand Grenade"), "Jagger The Dagger" (A Tribe Called Quest on "Bonita Applebum", "After Hours") or "Freedom Death Dance" (Pete Rock & CL Smooth on "Act Like You Know"). "Headless Heroes" was selected for the Atlantic Records compilation "Right On! (Break beats and grooves from the Atlantic and Warner vaults 1967-1975)" released in 1999.

MUSICIANS : Eugene McDaniels - lead vocal  - Carla Cargill - chorus, vocal - Harry Whitaker - electric piano - Gary King - electric bass - Miroslav Vitous - acoustic bass - Alphonse Mouzon - drums - Richie Resnikoff - guitar
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