NEW RELEASES: MARC MOULIN – PLACEBO YEARS 1971–1974; GREGORY ISAACS – NIGHT NURSE: THE BEST OF GREGORY ISAACS; OPOLOPO - SUPERCONDUCTOR

MARC MOULIN – PLACEBO YEARS 1971–1974

Some of the heaviest keyboard funk recorded in Europe during the early 70s – all the work of the jazz/rock combo Placebo, headed up by the legendary Marc Moulin! The tracks here are awash in Fender Rhodes and other keys – all supported by tight basslines, funky drums, and a fair bit of jazzy riffing on sax, trumpet, and flute. But the main groove always focuses around the keyboards – recorded with a spare, almost earthy quality that's a fair bit greater than some of the slicker keys that crept into the European scene a few years later. Moulin's really at the top of his game here – working in a groove that could easily rival Herbie Hancock or Bob James in the US – and unlike his Sam Suffy set, of similar vintage, this collection's all straight ahead jazz funk, with hardly a bit of experimentation! Tracks are from the albums Ball Of Eyes, 1973, and Placebo – and the set list here differs from the earlier Counterpoint collection with a similar name. 9 tracks in all – including "NW", "Balek", "SUS", "Aria", "Stomp", "Red Net", "Showbizz Suite", "Polk", and "Humpty Dumpty". (Limited numbered edition.)  ~ Dusty Groove

GREGORY ISAACS – NIGHT NURSE: THE BEST OF GREGORY ISAACS

Seminal sounds from the cool ruler – one of the best collections of material we've ever seen from the legendary Gregory Issacs – easily one of the most soulful voices in Jamaican music during the 70s and 80s! The package features loads of excellent early cuts, plus a few key later hits – and even a number of rare 12" single versions too – all wrapped up with a nice batch of notes on the music, and a very large track selection too. Titles include "Too Late", "Lonely Soldiers", "Black A Kill Black", "Extra Classic", "Let's Dance", "Slave Master", "Motherless Child (12" mix)", "Ba Da", "Mr Cop", "Never Be Ungrateful (12" mix)", "Mr Know It All", "Soon Forward (12" mix)", "Tune In", "Poor & Clean", "Tenement Yard (12" mix)", "Private Secretary", "Front Door", "Next To You (12" mix)", "Wailing Rudie", and "Sunday Morning". ~ Dusty Groove

OPOLOPO - SUPER CONDUCTOR

Seminal sounds from the cool ruler – one of the best collections of material we've ever seen from the legendary Gregory Issacs – easily one of the most soulful voices in Jamaican music during the 70s and 80s! The package features loads of excellent early cuts, plus a few key later hits – and even a number of rare 12" single versions too – all wrapped up with a nice batch of notes on the music, and a very large track selection too. Titles include "Too Late", "Lonely Soldiers", "Black A Kill Black", "Extra Classic", "Let's Dance", "Slave Master", "Motherless Child (12" mix)", "Ba Da", "Mr Cop", "Never Be Ungrateful (12" mix)", "Mr Know It All", "Soon Forward (12" mix)", "Tune In", "Poor & Clean", "Tenement Yard (12" mix)", "Private Secretary", "Front Door", "Next To You (12" mix)", "Wailing Rudie", and "Sunday Morning".  ~ Dusty Groove