Welcome to the second instalment of my ‘Jazz Dance Fusion’ compilation series for Joey Negro’s Z Records. I continue to look back into the story & history of the UK jazz dance and jazz music scene; a movement that started for me back in the 70’s. The sounds of funk & soul mixed with jazz, influences from Brazil, Africa, Europe and all over the globe, textures of instrumental sounds & voices, fuse to create the much-loved ‘jazz fusion’ sound that we love. Here we are in 2020 when interest in all forms of Jazz is growing fast as DJ pioneers such as Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge, Perry Louis, Snowboy, Nick Hosier, Alan Mckinnon, Jim Bernardi, Kev Beadle, Harv Nagi, Shuya Okino and David Patterson continue to push all aspects of Jazz to converted and new audiences. So, to this compilation where I am showcasing unreleased material and offering tracks up for the first time ever on vinyl and CD. The track listing covers my addiction to dance-floor jazz, coupled with my passion for vocal and percussive jazz, with my usual trademark latin touches.
When you listen to Debra Debs, there is no denying she’s been influenced by the likes of Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Mary J Blige, Musiq Soulchild, Ella Fitzgerald and other great RnB, Soul and Jazz artists. In 2013, she released her debut album ‘Lifecycles’, a 100% contemporary RnB/Soul album which rapidly garnered rave reviews in the UK Soul and Jazz circuit. Featured on Jazz FM’s ‘Album of the Week’, ‘Lifecycles’ is a blend of “NeosoulfulJazzyRnBAfrosoulThings”. As much of a mouthful that is, the LP is an intricate blend of sounds infused with 90’s RnB, Jazz, Gospel, AfroSoul and skilled lyricism that tend to impart socio-conscious messages or resonate poetic enchantments for those with a weakness at describing seduction and life’s multi-experiences. Having taken a 7 year hiatus since ‘LifeCycles’, she’s been back in the studio to re-create the sounds that were once familiar to her fans in her debut album ‘Lifecycles’. Her sophomore project, ‘Seven’ was released on the 9th of October 2020 and is much of a masterpiece as LifeCycles was.
A fantastic blend of jazz, contemporary soul, and hip hop – served up by a group who can really get the sound right – Terrace Martin on keyboards and alto, Robert Glasper on keyboards, Kamasi Washington on tenor, and 9th Wonder on beats! Vocals on most tracks are by Phoelix, who really helps give the instrumentation some focus – yet the jazz component of the record is never buried under the lyrics, as the players get plenty of space to do their thing – with a vibe that's a bit like some of Glasper's Black Radio project, yet given much more the kind of cool Crenshaw vibe that we've loved in Martin's previous records. All four artists are credited with songwriting and production and you can really hear that balance in the sound – on tracks that include "Love You bad", "Sleepless Nights", "The Mighty Tree", "Freeze Tag", "Luv U", and "From My Heart & Soul". ~ Dusty Groove
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