Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Ode To Blue Note by Be Hard Bop

 

Tribute to Blue Note Records, the most famous american jazz label established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Recorded between 1966-1975, these thirteen tracks include various styles of Jazz produced by the Blue Note label, from Latin to Soul by Funk featuring Ronnie Foster, Bobby Hutcherson, Grant Green, Lee Morgan, Brother Jack McDuff, Bobbi Humphrey, Reuben Wilson, Alphonse Mouzon, Candido Camero & Duke Pearson. Compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Stevie Wonder - Innervisions


Year : 1973
Label : Talma Motown
Genre : Soul, Jazz
Style : Funk/Soul, R&B, Jazz Funk

Innervisions is the third album from the most creative period of Stevie Wonder, initiated with the Music of Mind album in 1972, the first milestone of a five serie acts which concludes in apogee with "Songs In The Key Of Life" in 1976. Innervisions is representative of a one-man band using a large panoply of instruments, likewise supported by great musicians featuring Jazz Funk guitarist David T. Walker & producer Malcolm Cecil (inventor of TONTO synthesizer). The nine songs of Innervisions are entirely composed by Stevie, gathered in a wide range of styles, from Jazz to Soul by Funk & Latin music (Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing). Stevie put into songs his thoughts and his feelings on the American social context, including political ethic ("He's Misstra Know It All", a acerbic criticism of Richard Nixon's policy), afro-american identity (the racism on "Living for the City") and spiritual language on "Jesus Children of America". Titles include also "Higher Ground", the reminiscence of groove from his previous big hit "Superstition", the both ballads "All in Love Is Fair" & "Golden Lady", and "Too High" dealing with drug abuse.

MUSICIANS : Stevie Wonder - lead vocal, keyboards, drums - Clarence Bell - organ - Malcolm Cecil - bass - Scott Edwards & Willie Weeks - bass - David T. Walker - electric guitar - Dean Parks & Ralph Hammer - acoustic guitar - Larry "Nastyee" Latimer - congas - Sheila Wilkerson - bongos - Yusuf Roahman - shaker - Tasha Thomas & Jim Gilstrap - background vocals

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Gal E Caetano Velloso ‎- Domingo

 
Year : 1967
Label : Philips
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova

"Domingo" is the result of the meeting between Caetano Veloso and Gal Costa, two major faces of the Brazilian music out from the seventies. Both influenced by João Gilberto, they produced here their debut album, the only one played in the pure Bossa Nova style including softness voices and a delicacy guitar playing, supported by guitarist Dori Caymmi in addition. "Domingo" is part of Gal Costa/Caetano Veloso's respective discographies and was recorded just before the explosion of Tropicália movement, which whom Gal & Caetano will become two iconic figures. Titles include solo and duet songs based on original compositions by Caetano, Edu Lobo (Candeias), Sidney Miller (Maria Joana), Gilberto Gil & Torquato Neto (Minha Senhora, Zabelê). All tracks arranged by  Francis Hime and Roberto Menescal.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Brasilia Modern Six - Estréia

Year : 1969
Label : RCA/Victor
Genre : Pop, Latin Jazz
Style : MPB, Bossa Nova, Samba, Soft Rock

Obscure Brazilian Soft Rock group from the late 60's, formed by a chorus of six members who sings as well in english as in portugese, and a backing band featuring organist reminding the Walter Wanderley's style. In the same way as the Mario Castro Neves & Samba S. A.'s albums, titles include typical brazilian jazz style with bossa & samba songs (Roda De Samba, Homem Zero, Balanço De Criança),  but also international pop standards (a lounge version of the Doors' classic "Light My Fire"), and latin cover songs (The theme song of Chile movie "Morir un Poco", "Viento Dile A la Lluvia" from Argentina rock group Los Gatos). 

Saturday, November 5, 2016

We've Got The Jazz Vol. 6 ~ Various Verses Of Hip-Hop & Jazz



Back to basics through various "verses" of Hip-Hop & Jazz recorded during the last decade, featuring Nu-Jazz artists Soil & Pimp Sessions, United Future Organization, Grand Pianoramax, Yoko Kanno, Mo' Horizons, Gerardo Frisina, Sleep Walker, Uyama Hiroto & many more... All tracks released between 2000-2010, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Isao Etoh & His Pick-Up Seven - Exciting Electric Bass


Year : 1969
Label : Victor
Serie : Perfect Sound 6
Genre : Jazz, Pop
Style : Jazz Rock

"Exciting Electric Bass" is a jazz rock and covers album recorded by Isao Etoh & His Pick-Up Seven with japanese pop arranger Kunihiko Suzuki. It focuses on western pop hits & Soul Music including The Supremes (You Keep Me Hangin' On), The Tempations (I'm Gonna Make You Love Me) The Beatles (Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-DaBack In The U.S.S.R), passing by The Jackson 5 (Maybe Tomorrow). Isao Etoh is a japanese session musician in demand who contributed as bassist to the success of the GS japanese rock genre during the sixties, recruited by Jackie Yoshikawa and his Blue CometsThe JaguarsThe Wild Ones or Terry and his Blue Jeans (Takeshi Terauchi). He collaborated to over 5000 recordings of pop songs, supporting various famous japanese pop icons (Linda YamamotoYukari ItoJun Mayuzumi or Mieko Hirota). In the late sixties, he joined alongside the jazz drummer Akira Ishikawa, the backing band formed for the Japanese version of Broadway musical "Hair". Thereafter, he became a regular bassist in the Count Buffalos band of Akira Ishikawa. From the late sixties, Isao recorded a pop covers albums serie (like "Golden Electric Bass" with the Black Panthers) and joined several prestigious japanese jazz formations such as Toshiyuki Miyama's New Herd (Exciting Rock Beat, 1969), Kiyoshi Sugimoto Quartet (Playboy Sound - Get Back, 1969). At last, during the seventies, Isao played for Masabumi Kikuchi ("Masabumi Kikuchi + Gil Evans Orchestra" in 1972), Kimiko Kasai, Jiro Inagaki & Motohiko Hino.

Friday, September 9, 2016

Masahiko Sato - Kanashimi No Belladonna (Original Soundtrack)


Year : 2015/1975
Label : Finders Keepers/Cinevox
Genre : Soundtrack, Stage & Screen, Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Prog Rock

Kanashimi No Belladonna (Belladonna Of Sadness) is the final act in the Animerama trilogy, a kind of "pink" film serie conceived by Osamu Tezuka which includes Senya Ichiya Monogatari (A Thousand And One Nights - 1969) & Kureopatora (Cleopatra - 1970). Produced by the Japanese animation studio Mushi Production, directed by Eiichi Yamamoto, Belladona is based on the book "La Sorcière" (The Witch), a story written in 1862 by French historian Jules Michelet. The music was entirely composed by the most-avant garde japanese jazz pianist, Masahiko Sato, recorded at Aoi studio in 1972 with probably a part of Toshiyuki Miyama's New Herd ensemble, featuring his wife Chinatsu Nakayama on vocals. Only one EP was released in Japan in 1973 (including singles "Kanashimi No Belladonna" & "Jeanne No Namida", performed by japanese songtress, Mayumi Tachibana), but two years later, the soundtrack finally comes in Europe thanks to Italian label Cinevox, and now reissued by Finders Keepers Records. Sato created for Belladona, an atmosphere of certain deep melancholy, a free jazz/progressive rock score in the same wayof his "Amalgamation" 1971 project mixing psychedelic jazz with orchestral music incorporating experimental sounds, suspense & action music elements. Titles includes all Sato's compositions for the film, except "Belladonna (Reprise)", "Jeanne No Namida" & the main love theme written by Asei Kobayashi and sung by Mayumi Tachibana.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

New Stream In Jazz Vol. 11 ~ New Stream In Latin Jazz



Compilation series dedicated to the golden era of the japanese jazz scene through the years 60's-70's. Volume 11 is dedicated to Latin Jazz including Caribbean sounds & Tropical flavor featuring Hiroshi Fukumura, Naoya Matsuoka, Kazuo Yoshida, Toshiyuki Honda, Tadaaki Misago, Mikio Masuda, Takashi Mizuhashi, Sadao Watanabe & many more... All tracks released between 1973-1981, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Golden Boys - Golden Boys

 
Year : 1973
Label : Odeon
Genre : Pop, Rock
Style : Latin Rock, MPB, Samba Rock

Golden Boys is one of the finest vocal groups coming from the Jovem Guarda movement (Young Guard), which bloomed under the spotlight of Brazilian Pop music in the sixties. Originally formed as a quartet in 1958, Golden Boys is a brazilian rock band composed of three brothers : Roberto (former member from 1958 to 1971), Ronaldo, Renato Corrêa José Maria and their cousin, Valdir Anunciação, all from the same family as the Trio Esperanza. In 1973, The quartet have already eight albums to their credit, whose "Fumacê" released in 1970 just before Roberto left the band (included the hit "Se Você Quiser Mas Sem Bronquear"). The quatuor contributed repeatedly to various productions of others brazilian artists, their most famous includes collaborations for Marcos Valle ("Terra De Ninguém" in 1968, "Dia Da Vitória" in 1969, "Esperando O Messias" in 1970). For most of the songs, we can find the trademark of "Abbey Road" sound by The Beatles, more than an evidence that the group was mostly influenced by this other famous quartet from Liverpool, in particular the tracks "Deixa Falar (Let Your Yeah Be Yeah)" & "Estranho (Strange One)".

Bossa Rio - Alegria!

 
Year : 1970
Label : Blue Thumb Records
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova, Smooth Jazz, MPB

Second album produced for the american market of the brazilian group Bossa Rio (not to be confused with the Sergio Mendes's Bossa Rio Sextet), featuring Gracinha Leporace (Sergio Mendes's wife), Pery Ribeiro, Manfredo Fest (org), Octavio Bailly Jr (b) from Bossa Três, Ronald Mesquita (ds) and Dwight Dickerson (p). Discovered and produced by Sergio Mendes, based on the Brasil '66 legacy, Bossa Rio borrows the similar recipe of the famous brazilian band, namely, a mixture of Jazz, Bossa Nova & Western Pop Music. The band performs the classics of Bossa Nova (keeping with their brazilian roots), from Jorge Ben (Que Pena, Zazueira) & Marcos Valle (Mustang Cor De Sangue), Jazz (Girl Talk) & covers songs by The Bealtes including others international pop hits (Spinning Wheel, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, Don't Go Breaking My Heart).

Friday, July 8, 2016

A Soul Flavor Vol. 2 ~ Deep Soul & Funk Relics


Rare Deep Soul & Funk Relics released from 1966 to 1974, featuring Archie Bell & The Drells, Mary Jane Hooper, Stevie Wonder, Fontella Bass, Norma Jean, Joe Tex, Eddie Bo & many more... All tracks compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Universal Togetherness Band - Universal Togetherness Band


Year : 2015
Label : The Numero Group
Genre : Jazz, Funk/Soul, New Wave
Style : Jazz Funk, Disco

The first issue of Chicago jazz funk band "The Universal Togetherness Band" lead by songwriter/producer Andre Gibson and released, at last, after over thirty years by The Numero Group label. This compilation brings together some of their best session recordings,  from 1979 to 1982, under the Columbia College audio engineering program. In spite of the many hours passed in the studio, neither album based on UTB's own material has been released, the band never had the opportunity to sign a record deal. UTB fuses Funk, Soul & Disco rhythms with Jazz breaks, offers a kind of synthesis between P-Funk & the New Wave nascent. A catchy music as the Nile Rodgers' Chic band (the reminiscence of the bass line from Bernard Edwards), Earth Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang or Prince, have could produce during the late seventies till the edge of the eighties.
  
MUSICIANS : Andre Gibson - vocals, guitar, vibes - Leslie Misher - lead guitar - Fred Misher - bass, backing vocals - Paul Hanover - harmonica, piano - Arnold Gibson - drums, bass - Louis Sanford - percussion

TRACKLIST : Ain't Gonna Cry (1979) - Real Thrill (1979) - Try Try Try (1980) - My Sentiment (1982) - Once In A Lifetime (1981) - Taken By Love  (1979) - Call For Love (1980) - I Want You (1979)

Monday, June 13, 2016

Serge Gainsbourg - Le Cinéma De Serge Gainsbourg


Year : 2015
Label : DECCA
Series : Back To Black
Genre : Jazz, Stage & Screen, Soundtrack
Style : Chanson, Psychedelic, Pop, Rock, Soul Jazz

Compilation of various works composed by Serge Gainsbourg for french directors (among others Bertrand Blier, Georges Lautner & Michel Audiar), including 14 cinematographic pieces recorded in the sixties, exactly from 1959 to 1969. Since "L'Eau A La Bouche" (1959), his first soundtrack arranged by Alain Goraguer, Serge Gainsbourg was able to surround himself  by others talented arrangers/composers, most of the time, the French Michel Colombier & Jean-Claude Vannier on several films : Si J'étais Un Espion (1967), Anna (1966), Manon 70 (1968) & Le Pacha (1968) with Michel Colombier ; Les Chemins De Katmandou (1969), Slogan (1969) & Une Veuve En Or (1969) with Jean-Claude Vannier (also in charge of the cult Serge Gainsbourg's album "Histoire De Mélodie Nelson"). The tracklist includes various songs sung by Serge Gainsbourg (Requiem Pour Un Con, L’Escroc), Anna Karina (Sous Le Soleil Exactement), Serge Gainsbourg featuring Jane Birkin (La Chanson De Slogan) and various unreleased tracks extracted from films "Si J'étais Un Espion" (Breakdown), "Les Chemins De Katmandou" (Générique & Transe Party Des Haschichiens), "Manon 70" (New Delire Again), "Le Pacha" (Un Noël 67) & "Slogan" (Paris-Bombay).

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Albert Ayler - Free Jazz


Year : 1979/1964
Label : Vogue/Freedom Records
Genre : Jazz
Style : Free Jazz, Hard Bop

Although he was recognized by John Coltrane, Albert Ayler (1936-1970) remained an accursed artist who divided critics, while he was a brilliant Avant-Garde saxophonist and a eminent actor of the Free Jazz movement during the early sixties. Originally released under "My Name Is Albert Ayler" on Debut Records (Jazz label founded by Charles Mingus & Max Roach), "Free Jazz" was recorded live in 1963 in Copenhagen for the Danish National Radio. The formation consists on two danish jazz musicians, the rookie Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (16 years old bassist), pianist Niels Brønsted and american drummer, Ronnie Gardiner. Titles are mostly played in the Hard Bop style including original composition "C.T." by Ayler, jazz standards (On Green Dolphin Street, Bye Bye Blackbird)and others cover songs from Charlie Parker (Billie's Bounce) to George Gershwin (Summertime), all with free improvisations.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Sadao Watanabe & His Group - Music Break

 

Year : 1969
Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Takt Jazz Series
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova

Recording of the live performance at Kosei-Nenkin Kaikan in Tokyo, Jul.4, 1967, spread over two discs of the "Takt Jazz Series", the first being the "Bossa Nova Concert". "Music Break" is making part of the japanese sixties phenomenon, the big Bossa Nova Boom, which was introduced by Sadao Watanabe and also contributed to do Brazilian Music, a popular music genre in Japan. Sadao (as, fl) plays with his regular rhythm section from 1966 to 1968, featuring Jazz legends pianist Masabumi Kikuchi & drummer Masahiko Togashi, guitarist Sadanori Nakamure, bassist Masanaga Harada, percussionist Hideo Miyata (on cabasa). Titles include the Bossa Nova classics like "Mas Que Nada", "Meditation", "Samba De Orfeu" and the jazz standard "It Might As Well Be Springplayed in samba mode.

Os Brazões - Os Brazões


Year : 2014/1969
Label : Mr Bongo/RGE Discos
Genre : Latin Rock, MPB
Style : Psychedelic Rock, Funk/Soul

"Os Brazões" self-titled album was originally released on RGE Discos in 1969, the unique record of the psychedelic group formed in Rio De Janeiro in the late sixties. Lead by guitarist/singer Miguel De Deus (the frontman of Black Rio movement) featuring Eduardo 'Edu' Rocha (ds) & Mandrake Som (perc), the band started as backing band for Gal Costa and Tom Zé during the early days of Tropicália period. As their countrymen "Os Mutantes", the iconic psychedelic group from São Paulo, "Os Brazões" produced a masterpiece of Latin Rock with North American influences fusing elements from Samba to Funk/Soul & Acid Rock. Titles includes cover songs from Gilberto Gil ("Pega A Voga Cabeludo", "Volksvolkswagen Blue"), Jorge Ben/Toquinho ("Carolina, Carol Bela", "Que Maravilha") or Tom Zé (Feitiço), instrumental by Brazilian Octopus (Momento B/8) and their well-known song "Gotham City". 

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Jacques Dutronc (Self-Titled)


Year : 1966
Label : Vogue
Genre : Rock, Chanson Française
Style : Psychedelic, Beat

The year 1966, may be considered as the French rock birth act whose Jacques Dutronc was one of its eminent figure. Co-written with Claude Lanzmann, the Dutronc's debut album fuses Garage Rock, Psychedelia, Folk Rock music (L'opération). However, this iconic French Pop album recycles British & US Rock success, even borrowing some familiar tunes to The Rolling Stones, The Kinks or The Yardbirds, as evidenced "La Fille Du Père Noël" which shares the same riff as Bo Diddley on "I'm A Man". Between 1966-1975, Jacques Dutronc recorded seven albums for Vogue, taking over his predecessors Yé-Yé (a typical french musical pop genre), the French dandy  is more provocative such as Serge Gainsbourg, using confusing humorous lyrics, wordplay with irreverence, cynicism and irony. Most of the songs are iconic standards of the french Pop and became big hits during the sixties :  "Les Play-Boys", "Les Cactus", "La Fille Du Père Noël" &  "Mini-Mini-Mini".

Thursday, May 19, 2016

The Fine Machine - Habitat


Year : 2016/1972
Label : Cinedelic Records/CAM
Genre : Jazz, Music Library, Stage & Screen
Style : Pop, Funk/Soul, Psychedelic, Jazz Rock

Masterpiece from Italian music library, first quality reissue stricly limited to 500 copies by Cinedelic records, originally released under the CAM (Creazioni Artistiche Musicali) files in 1972. "The Fine Machine" is formed by three italian composers/arrangers, pianist Giacomo Dell'Orso aka Oscar Lindok, Nico Fidenco (Donimak), and Gianni Dell'Orso (Proluton)."Habitat" is a crossover record including progressive rock, jazz & funk including psychedelic elements ("Obsessing Promenade", "Hand Shake" or "Crazy Eel"), latin beats ("Racing Beat", the bossa "Snobbery"), and oriental expressions on "The Eastern Question". All tracks arranged by Oscar Lindok.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Norma Jean & Ray J. ‎- Raising Hell


Year : 2015/1974
Label : Superfly Records/Hep-Me
Genre : Soul
Style : Funk/Soul

Norma Jean is a gospel songstress associated with the arranger/producer Raymond Jones from New Orleans, both "outsiders" of the Soul Legends. “Raising Hell” is a rare dynamite deep-soul record out from the southern soul scene which was first released on the Hep-Me label in 1974. This "Holy Grail" was finally reissued 40 years later, by parisian record store Superfly Records, in collaboration of the japanese label Disques Dessinée. Titles include originals and covers from Dr. John (Right Time-Wrong Place) or Stax songwriter Joe Broussard (Everlasting Love), solos & duets with heavy funk (Raising HellI've Taken Over) and beautiful love songs (We Love Each Other).

MUSICIANS : Norma Jean - vocal - Ray J. - piano, trumpet, vocal - Walter Payton - bass - Herman Ernest - drums - Alvin Thomas - flute - Teddy Royal - guitar - Alvin Thomas - tenor saxophone - Clyde Kerr Jr. &  John Longo - trumpet

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

New Stream In Jazz Vol. 10



Compilation series dedicated to the golden era of the japanese jazz scene through the years 60's-70's. This volume is devoted to the Jazz standards including some Soul covers, taken back by the main protagonists from the Japanese Jazz's "New Wave" among others Toshiko Akiyoshi, Takehiro Honda, Masabumi Kikuchi, Terumasa Hino, Hiroshi Suzuki. All tracks are recorded between 1967-1975, ranging from Post Bop, Latin & Soul Jazz. Compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

The Psychedelic Soul Vol. 4 ~ Japanese Beat, Jazz & Rock 'N Roll



Another journey into the amazing world of the japanese beat from the sixties including Psychedelic grooves, GS music (for Group Sounds), Jazz & Rock 'n Roll. This volume consists of Japanese pop songs inspired by psychedelic music & various covers of western rock standards (Black Dog, Lowdown, Crossroads) featuring Peter Pan, Hiro Yanagida, Jun Mayuzumi, Soul Messengers, Akira Ishikawa, Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Emy Jackson, Takeshi Terauchi, Maki Asakawa, Jiro Inagaki and of course Group Sounds (The Carnabeats, The Youngers, The Tempters, The Jaguars & The Jacks). All tracks released between 1966-1972, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Osmar Milito - Bossa Nova...(E Deixa O Relogio Andar !)


Year : 1972/1971
Label : Epic/Som Livre
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : MPB, Bossa Nova, Jazz Funk

Osmar Milito featuring the Quarteto Forma (as backing vocals), Marcos Valle (ep), Chico Batera (per), and Oberdan Magalhães (sax). This french issue of the amazing Brazilian gem produced by Osmar Milito, originally released on Som Livre, was released under the "Bossa Nova" name instead of "E Deixa O Relogio Andar !". This album is a masterpiece of Brazilian Jazz in sideline of the MPB genre, a subtle condensed of Latin Jazz & Pop music as the legendary "Garra" album by Marcos Valle. Although, Osmar Milito hasn't recorded a lot of albums, he remains one of the most prominent arranger & composer, and can be considered as one of the greatest jazz pianists from Brazil, who made his fame working for various North American artists such as Liza Minelli, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan, Randy Brecker or Benny Golson. Starting as professional in 1964, Osmar was a popular sideman and arranger for Bossa Nova artists such as Elis Regina, Nara Leão, Maria Bethânia, Gilberto Gil, Chico Buarque, Jorge Ben or Vinicius De Moraes. In the seventies, Osmar participates to the performing shows of the Sergio Mendes group across the USA, continues to work alongside leaders of brazilian pop music and composed various soundtracks (whose the best known "Selva De Pedra - Trilha Sonora Original Novela" - 1972). Titles include Jazz standards (Cantaloupe Island, What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life, Mercy Mercy Mercy), Marcos Valle's iconic songs "Que Bandeira" & "Garra", "Chovendo Na Roseira" by Jobim, "Rita Jeep" by Jorge Ben and "Mudei De Ideia" by Antonio Carlos & Jocafi.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Akira Ishikawa by Be Hard Bop - The Count Buffalo ~ Memories Of A Drummer



This volume pays tribute to the legendary japanese drummer, Akira Ishikawa (1934-2002) & his Count Buffalos band who were prolific on the japanese Jazz scene from the late sixties to the end of the seventies. This compilation brings together various tracks recorded by Akira Ishikawa during this emblematic period, precisely between 1968-1975. Best known as bandleader for the Japanese version of rock musical ‘Hair’ from Broadway, Akira Ishikawa started in the mid-fifties when he joined the Akira Miyazawa's Modern All Stars and later the New Herd big band conducted by the saxophonist Toshiyuki Miyama. Akira was also an active member of various japanese Jazz formations such as Ace 7 or the famous 'Freedom Unity' quintet, formed with his friend pianist, Hiromasa Suzuki. After a trip in eastern Africa, Akira introduced several traditional African percussions in his music, in order to create a kind of Afro-Jazz fusion including Rock, Funk/Soul & Psychedelia as evidenced the "Bakishinba" and "Uganda" albums. Compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Pierre Dutour Et Son Orchestre - Dance And Mood Music Vol. 9


Year : 2009/1969
Label : Vadim Music/Chappell
Serie : Dance And Mood Music
Genre : Jazz, Music Library
Style : Jazz Funk, Soul Jazz, Pop

Iconic french music library record from the Chappell sessions, among the best of the serie, performed by french trumpeter & conductor, Pierre Dutour. In the early sixties, Pierre Dutour joined the "Jeunesses Musicales De France" conducted by Claude Bolling and later was enrolled by him in his sextet, he was also a regular sideman for french singer Nino Ferrer and worked for various french entertainers. Associated to his stooge, Jack Arel, for composing, he participated to various Chappell sessions recordings, but not only, the French Music Library labels "Patchwork" & "Telemusic" bear likewise his signature. Titles include "Tracking" (the reminiscent of Blaxploitation soundtracks), the furious jerk "Following You", the killer groove "Business Is Business" and "Leaving To-Morrow" sampled by Howie B. for the song "Switch" (extracted from "Turn The Dark Off" released in 1997). All tracks composed by Pierre Dutour & Jack Arel except High Fly, The Brass March by Garry Bellington.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

The Big Band Scope ~ Worldwide Brass Bands & Jazz Orchestra



Worldwide brass bands & jazz orchestra including Jazz Funk, Soul & Contemporary Jazz. This compilation highlights the masters of the discipline from US (Buddy Rich, Jimmy Smith, Oliver Nelson or Gil Evans), the most renowned japanese big bands among others the Sharps & Flats featuring Nobuo Hara, Toshiyuki Miyama & his New Herd or The Inner Galaxy Orchestra conducted by Bingo Miki and some european jazz brass bands (French composer Daniel Janin, Pete Moore and Ray Davies). All tracks recorded between 1964-1978, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Akira Ishikawa & Count Buffalo - Rock And Roll Revival


Year : 1970
Label : Teichiku
Genre : Jazz, Rock
Style : Jazz Rock

How many record have been released by Akira Ishikawa during the 70s decade ? I don't know but it's sure that the prolific career of Ishikawa, with his legendary Count Buffalo band, contains a significant number of rare groove records. No exception to the rule with "Rock And Roll Revival", an umpteenth cover album based on western rock hits including psychedelic nuggets, fuzz guitar & exciting drumming beats. Tiltes include rock classics from Bill Haley (Rock Around The Clock), Gene Vincent (Be Bop A Lula), Elvis Presley (Jailhouse Rock) or Little Richard (Lucille) and others variations on titles already recorded by Akira Ishikawa, previously released on "Rock, Rock '70" & "Drum Elvis Presley Drum" albums.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Ciné Jazz ~ A Cinematic Jazz Experience



Let yourself away on a cinematic journey through a selection of north american, japanese and european soundtracks including various popular themes of Blaxploitation (Coffy, Shaft), British crime films (Get Carter), TV screen series (Sanford & Son) or others tracks inspired. It features jazz or funk/soul artists such as James Brown, J.J. Johnson, The Blackbyrds, Quincy Jones, Roy Budd, Akira Ishikawa, Riz Ortolani, Giovanni Tommaso, Roy Ayers, Grant Green, Curtis Mayfield & many more... All tracks recorded between 1966 - 1978, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd - New Herd


Year : 1974
Label : TBM
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Big Band, Contemporary Jazz

Recorded straight away after their concert at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1974, "New Herd" is the ommemorative reproduction of this performance. Played as the same way as the Buddy Rich or Woody Sherman big bands,it includes great jazz covers from Miles Davis (Donna Lee), Chic Corea (La Fiesta) and some japanese musical folk expressions (FurisodeKappa Shijo). The Toshiyuki Miyama's Big Band's name was probably given in tribute to the legendary "Thundering Herds", formed in the late forties by Woody Sherman. "New Herd" album is a japanese jazz masterpiece which cleverly combining Big Band style with Jazz Funk, in particular on the amazing killer groove song "Sniper's Snooze", sampled by Cut Chemist for "React"'s interlude on "Power Numbers", the third album of Jurassic 5.

THE NEW HERD : Toshiyuki Miyama - conductor - Kiyoshi Takano - piano, electric piano  Kozaburo Yamaki - guitar, arrangements Masaaki Ito - bass - Isao Yomoda - drums - Koji Suzuki, Atsuo Shirai, Mamoru Mori & Seiji Inoue - reeds - Masamichi Uetaka, Takahide Uchida, Takashi Hayakawa & Teruhiko Kataoka - trombone - Fumio Shirayama, Kazumi Takeda, Shigeru Kamimori & Yoshikazu Kishi - trumpet

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Ryo Kawasaki - Juice


Year : 1976
Label : RCA
Genre : Jazz, Fusion
Style : Jazz Funk
  
"Juice" is the first official US release of Ryo Kawasaki, a Jazz Funk gem recorded and mixed in New York in 1976. Brilliantly introduced by "Raisins", including deep grooves and Boogie Funk with electronic sounds & disco breaks, "Juice" is the demonstration of the high mastery level by Ryo Kawasaki on guitar who has perfectly digested the influences from James Brown. Titles include the reminicent of The Headhunters "East Side Boogie", the samba funk "The Breeze And I", the powerful disco-funk pulses to up-tempo "El Toro" and "Andes", all feature the  bassist Stu Woods. It keeps influences on nowadays music as its recycling in the Hip-Hop music, such as the samples extracted from "Raisins" or "Bamboo Child", both used by Kool G Rap and Puff Daddy. Furthermore, "Raisins" was selected for the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack, on the fictional radio station "Fusion FM" in 2008. All tracks composed & arranged by Ryo Kawasaki, except "The Breeze And I" by Al Stillman & Casado Lecuona.

MUSICIANS : Ryo Kawasaki - lead guitar - Stu Woods - bass - Jimmy Young - drums - Tom Coster - keyboards, synthesizer - Muhammad Abdullah - percussion - Hugh McCracken - rhythm guitar - Mike Lipskin - percussion, synthesizer - Sam Morrison - saxophones, flute - Andy Laverne - piano


Ryo Kawasaki Orchestra - Easy Listening Jazz Guitar


Year : 1970
Label : Polydor
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Contemporary Jazz, Bossa Nova

Debut album of the best known jazz guitarist outside Japan, recorded with a quartet formed by pianist Yuji Ohno, bassist Yoshio Suzuki & drummer Hiroshi Murakami, supported by arranger Norio Maeda. Ryo Kawasaki started young in the late sixties as member in the first incarnation of the Jiro Inagaki's Soul Media (1970-1971) and in the Takeshi Inomata's Sound Limited, two prominent prolific Jazz Rock formations in Japan during the early seventies. Settled in New York from 1973, he recorded several fusion albums to the eclectic styles exploring Rock 'N' Roll as well as Funk & Soul, Latin, Spanish folk (Flamenco) and even Indian music. He gained an international recognition when he joined the Gil Evans Orchestra from "Plays The Music Of Jimi Hendrix" album in 1974, originally planned with the legendary rock guitarist. Following, he become a sideman in demand for many jazz giants including Elvin Jones, Chico Hamilton or Cedar Walton. In the mid-80s, he turns to the electronic music in conceiving software musical for computers. As the title suggests "Easy Listening Jazz Guitar" consists of mainstream jazz orientation from Bossa to Pop Music including various pop cover songs of Burt Bacharach, The Beatles or The Mamas & The Papas and jazz standards by Henri Mancini, Jimmy Webb or Cole Porter

LISTEN SAMPLE

Monday, January 18, 2016

Isao Suzuki & His Fellows - Touch


Year : 1975
Label : TBM
Genre : Jazz
Style : Contemporary Jazz, Latin Jazz, Jazz Rock

Isao Suzuki & His Fellows featuring Kunihiko Sugano and the prominent leader of the Jazz Rock style during the eighties in Japan, guitarist Kazumi Watanabe. Recorded in the late 1975 at Tokyo Epicurus Studio, released under Three Blind Mice label, "Touch" consists in an eclectic selection of jazz styles ranging from Swing, Bossa Nova to Rock (the opening song over 11 minutes with the Kazumi's long guitar riff), with various remarkable inspirational grooves from Suzuki. Titles include "Touch" composed by Mr. Suzuki, "On The Trail" from Jazz composer & concertmaster Ferde Grofé, "She's Funny That Way" to the bossa arrangements (based on a original composition of Richard Whiting) with an expanded solo of Kunihiko Sugano, and the representative song of the Thelonious Monk's genius, the jazz standard "Round about Midnight".

MUSICIANS : Isao Suzuki - bass - Kunihiko Sugano - piano - Kazumi Watanabe & Masayuki Ise - guitar - Yoichi Ogawa - congas - Tetsujiro Obara - drums


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