NEW RELEASES: AKIRA - TANA - JAZZaNOVA; BODY HEAT GANG BAND – BODY DISCO HEAT; NICOLE WILLIS & UMO JAZZ ORCHESTRA

AKIRA - TANA - JAZZaNOVA

Akira Tana, an elite jazz drummer since the mid-1970s, has been immersed in the verdant hothouse of Brazil’s surging rhythms and sensuous melodies his entire career. His new album JAZZaNOVA, reflects an abiding passion kindled by his formative experiences with some of Brazilian jazz’s foundational figures. It’s a treasure trove of Brazilian riches, with beautifully crafted arrangements designed to shine a lustrous new light on classic material. Featuring a cast of top-shelf Bay Area players, JAZZaNOVA was designed to showcase a superlative cast of singers and instrumentalists interpreting some of the Brazilian Songbook’s definitive standards and lesser known gems, with a couple of songs en Español included for good measure. Saxophonist Branford Marsalis or Cuban-born trumpeter Arturo Sandoval contribute vivid solos on almost every track, providing incisive commentary for the six extraordinary vocalists. Throughout the session, Tana renders the various grooves with taste and an unerring ear for textural support. As authoritative as he is behind the drum kit, he’s emerged in recent decades as a savvy producer who can turn a concept into a singular musical communion. With JAZZaNOVA, he’s staked a rightful claim to the Brazilian jazz

canon, joined by a redoubtable cast of collaborators.

BODY HEAT GANG BAND – BODY DISCO HEAT

"Body Heat Disco", the debut album by Italian collective Body Heat Gang Band, mixes together nu disco, boogie and funk with dance, house and electronic music. Originally founded in Milan, Italy in 2013 as an independent label, Body Heat is a multi-faceted, funk-fuelled dance project that developed into a club night and a collective of artists, musicians and producers united under the name Body Heat Gang Band. Masterminded by label boss, DJ and producer Rocoe, the intent of Body Heat is to create new music for the dancefloor, bridging the gap between funk, disco, boogie and the world of clubbing, house and electronic dance music. Entirely self-produced, "Body Heat Disco" is the first full album by Body Heat Gang Band, and brings together all the group's influences in 10 tracks that give a nod in the direction of commercial pop but with a firm foundation in the independent music scene. Synths, slap bass, soaring horn lines and bubbling arrangements create a cohesive and exciting collection of tunes aimed at the contemporary dancefloor but with a distinctly retro vibe. With their debut album Body Heat Gang Band draw from the past to step into the future, and you're invited along for the ride!

NICOLE WILLIS & UMO JAZZ ORCHESTRA - HAUNTED BY THE DEVIL / (EVERYBODY) DO THE WATUSI

Willwork4funk and Persephone Records proudly present new double-sider 45 "Haunted By The Devil" / "(Everybody) Do The Watusi" by American soulstress Nicole Willis together with UMO Jazz Orchestra. Nicole Willis' new double-sider 45 showcases two album favorites from recent full-length "My Name Is Nicole Willis" together with renowned Finnish band UMO Jazz Orchestra. This single is the first for Persephone Records in 7” format and will be a very limited vinyl pressing."Haunted By The Devil" exhibits the many influences of Ms Willis, touching on the challenges of establishing individuality in a seemingly compromised world. "(Everybody) Do The Watusi" is a song that was frequently performed live with The Soul Investigators, but had never been recorded. It's a Northern Soul dance tune that lends to heavy rotation.Both tracks are among those specifically written by Nicole Willis, Jimi Tenor & guitarist Pete Toikkanen for the album, which was produced by Ms. Willis.