NEW RELEASES - DONALD BYRD, POLYRHYTHMICS, MED BLU MADLIB FEATURING MAYER HAWTHORNE

DONALD BYRD - KOFI

A fantastic set of tracks that was recorded at the cusp of the 70s, but which wasn't (for some strange reason) released until many years later! Donald Byrd's playing here with two different larger groups, and the music is a perfect bridge between his spacey late 60s attempts to mimic Miles Davis, and his tighter early 70s jazz funk work with Larry Mizell. The instrumentation's a bit different than usual, and includes a warm frontline of Frank Foster on tenor, Lew Tabackin on flute and tenor, and William Campbell on trombone – all working with these charts that are full and flowing – really strong, soulful elements that get some further great touches from Duke Pearson on Fender Rhodes! Rhythms echo some of Pearson's own great music of the time, with lots of Brazilian undercurrents – no surprise, given that Duke produced the record – and titles include "Kofi", "Fufu", "Perpetual Love", and "Elmina". Special limited edition also features a bonus 10" piece of vinyl – with the group's own version of Frank Foster's "Loud Minority". (Collectors edition is limited to 300 copies.)  ~  Dusty Groove

POLYRHYTHMICS - LIBRA STRIPES

Afro Funk mixed with lots of wah wah guitar – a wonderfully wicked set from the Polyrthmics, and one that's got an even sharper groove than ever before! These guys have all the right rhythms and horns to get an Afro Funk groove just right – but the guitar is often a bit tighter and more prominent than in other combos of this nature – played with this force and wide-spaced power that really brings a deeply funky undercurrent to the record – one that's not just Nigeria 70s, but which has plenty of echoes of the funky 45 generation as well! The mix of modes is wonderful – and titles include "Libra Stripes", "Pupsa Strut", "Snake In The Grass", "Chingador", "Skin The Fat", "Mr Wasbi Rides Again", and "Retrobotic". ~ Dusty Groove

MED BLU MADLIB FEATURING MAYER HAWTHORNE - THE BUZZ

All star team 12-inch with Med & Blu on the mic and Madlib in the production booth – plus superstar guest appearances by Mayer Hawthorne and Dam-Funk! Buzz is the intoxicating lead off track of three great ones – with a gritty beat and soul string sample in the backdrop, busy rhymes and Mayer's classic Detroit soul inspired vocals on the hook. Includes a main mix, radio version, instrumental and bonus beat. The flip "Peroxide" co-stars Dam-Funk and has a heady funk vibe in place of the soul-styled A-Side. It's another major win - with a main mix, clean radio version, instrumental and acapella. (Nice packaging, too – wrapped like a premium bottle of booze!) ~ Dusty Groove