Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool, Now Available in Blue-Ray with Bonus Montreux Concert Footage

Following a successful theatrical run, grossing over $1 million at the box office, Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool – produced by Firelight Films for Eagle Rock Entertainment and American Masters Pictures in association with BBC Music - is now available as a Blu-ray+DVD and 2DVD with bonus Montreux concert footage and a 16-page hardcover book, as well as digital formats.

A historic pillar of music history, Miles Davis is wholly revered for his immeasurable contributions as a trumpet player, bandleader, and composer. This consummate innovator and trendsetter not only broke evolutionary ground in jazz and fusion, but influenced generations of musicians in funk, hip-hop, rock, and everything in-between.

Directed by three-time Emmy Award winner Stanley Nelson, with full access to the Miles Davis Estate, Birth Of The Cool unearths never-before-seen live performances and outtakes from Davis’ studio sessions, as well as rare photos. This feature-length documentary film, which was nominated for “Best Music Film” at the 62nd GRAMMY Awards and the prestigious NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Documentary (Film)”, features brand new interviews with notable legends who shared professional and personal relationships with Miles, including Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Clive Davis, Wayne Shorter, and Ron Carter.

Birth Of The Cool pulls back the curtain of the man behind the music. The film takes an intimate look at what drove his intense, methodical approach and ravenous hunger to study all genres of music, from Baroque to classical Indian, as well as his demons, and how those elements fueled his genius and unique self-expression.

Premiered originally at Sundance Film Festival in January 2019, Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool has reverberated with rave reviews. Rolling Stone deemed it “essential”; the San Francisco Chronicle noted it as “an essential portrait of iconic jazz genius.”

In addition to the full documentary, there is a special version of the set which will include live footage of Miles on the DVD portion, performing at the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, featuring highlights cherry-picked from 1973, 1984, and 1985.

"Director Stanley Nelson lays Miles Davis bare—his good, bad, and beautiful—to a new generation while crystalizing the jazz musician’s legend to longtime fans with Miles Davis: Birth of The Cool. Nelson’s latest demonstrates Davis' complexity and all that he endured." 
-Vibe Magazine

BONUS DVD – ALL LIVE FROM MONTREUX Tracklisting 
1.) Ife (1973) 
2.) Star People (1984 Afternoon) 
3.) It Gets Better (1984 Afternoon) 
4.) Hopscotch; Star On Cicely (1984 Afternoon) 
5.) Lake Geneva (1984 Afternoon) 
6.) Star People (1985 Evening) 
7.) Hopscotch (1985 Evening)

New Music Releases: Norah Jones, William Susman & Octet Ensemble, Superposition

Norah Jones – Pick Me Up Off The Floor

On May 8, singer, songwriter & pianist Norah Jones will release Pick Me Up Off The Floor, her 7th studio album which unexpectedly grew out of her acclaimed singles series of the past 2 years, and features collaborators including Brian Blade, Chris Thomas & John Patitucci. The lead single “I’m Alive” featuring Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy is out now.The backbone of this album was formed early in an especially fruitful session with her go-to drummer Brian Blade who appears on six of the album’s 11 tracks. Other musicians who contribute throughout include bassists Christopher Thomas, John Patitucci, Jesse Murphy, and Josh Lattanzi, drummers Nate Smith, Dan Rieser, and Josh Adams, keyboardist Pete Remm, pedal steel guitarist Dan Aid, violinist Mazz Swift, violinist Ayane Kozasa, cellist Paul Wiancko, percussionist Mauro Refosco, background vocalists Ruby Amanfu and Sam Ashworth, and the horn section of trumpeter Dave Guy and tenor saxophonist Leon Michels.

William Susman & Octet Ensemble - Scatter My Ashes

Naxos releases Octet ensemble's album debut Scatter My Ashes on belarca records featuring soprano Mellissa Hughes and pianist Elaine Kwon. Octet’s inaugural album has been recorded over the past few years with renowned engineer John Kilgore and was released by Naxos on the label Belarca. The album features the music of William Susman including two song cycles (with poems by his sister Sue Susman) Scatter My Ashes and Moving into an Empty Space performed by soprano Mellissa Hughes, as well as his Piano Concerto and the ensemble work Camille. Octet takes the instrumentation of the American big band and scales it down to a brass section of saxophone, trumpet, and trombone and a rhythm section of piano, electric piano, double bass and drums plus vocals.

Superposition - Superposition

Superposition is a new explosive group from Helsinki. Led by drummer Olavi Louhivuori, the quartet features Linda Fredriksson (Mopo) and Adele Sauros on saxes and Mikael Saastamoinen (OK:KO) on bass. Louhivuori is known from his solo projects, his band Oddarrang, and his inspired work with the likes of Tomasz Stanko, Ilmiliekki Quartet and Alexi Tuomarila. On their self-titled debut album including 8 original compositions (6 by Louhivuori and one each by Fredriksson and Saastamoinen), Superposition present a powerful statement rich in musical ideas and solid in their execution. Beginning with the fire music of the album opener and first single "Antiplace", the group move into pastoral soundscapes, such as the ending track “March”. There’s a deep and darkly-toned shade in their sound, yet the music bursts with the intensity of this newly formed ensemble. An inspired collection of diverse moods, this first offering from Superposition demands repeated listening, unveiling new surprising details each time.

Billboard #1 Artist Lindsey Webster Releases A WOMAN LIKE ME

“I am an artist…period,” declares Lindsey Webster. “I have influences from many musical genres and have been influenced by them from a young age. I believe in the power of music to empower and reach people on multiple levels.” The stunning, charismatic and amiable Lindsey Webster’s roots span the worlds of R&B, Pop, Rock, Jazz and beyond. Her flawless range has been compared to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Minnie Ripperton, while her breezy and poetic songwriting is reminiscent of Sade. Soultracks says, "If Carole King and Sade had a kid, she would be Lindsey Webster” while Popmatters touts Webster’s work as “Classy, consistent, and exceptional.” Webster’s refreshing approach has garnered two Billboard #1’s and seven Top 10’s on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart, making her the first vocalist in the format to garner a #1 since the iconic Sade. Her anticipated new recording, A Woman Like Me, is a dazzling 11-track excursion that further solidifies her allure as both a songwriter and singer. Her goal all along has been simple. “I want to continue to bring realness to the music world. I don’t want to sing about things I don’t feel,” declares the Woodstock native.

Webster’s own experiences and those close to her inspire much of the material on A Woman Like Me. Each composition is like a portrait carefully painted to reveal a myriad of emotions that are easily relatable.  It also shines a light on the chemistry and musical fortitude she has built through the years with best friend, pianist and producer Keith Slattery. Although recently divorced, the two continue to flourish. “I could not have done this album with anyone else,” confides Lindsey, who was crowned Billboard’s contemporary ‘Jazz Artist Of The Year’ for two consecutive years. “Keith is an amazing example of understanding and compassion. First and foremost, Keith and I were friends before anything. Then we became musical partners. Then we became romantically involved. We spent all those years creating something amazing together. I can say that with Keith’s guidance and wisdom, I have become a better person.”

A Woman Like Me has all the makings of a career-defining album for Lindsey Webster. It is certainly a declaration of her evolution as both an artist and woman. “I’ve been through a lot of changes in my personal life. I joke and say that I had to finally become an adult when I turned 30,” she shares. A Woman Like Me explores numerous themes including rebirth and renewal explored in the song “Rain,” the experience of a love gone awry featured in the composition “Running Around” and the experience of journeying through uncharted territory as heard in the tune “The Unknown.” For Webster it is all about connecting with people’s emotions, “If a song doesn’t make me smile, think, or cry, I don’t really care to hear it,” states the singer. “I am not interested in hearing about the other night in the club. I want to continue to keep people in touch with the music, emotionally.”

A Woman Like Me opens with Sophisti-pop and Bacharach-tinged “Feels Like Forever,” the album’s first single. Webster instantly draws us in with her sultry vocals and the tracks cool swing. The bluesy “Close To You” and the dreamy “Only You” demonstrate Webster’s flawless and dreamy vocals, while the inspirational “One Step Forward” offers the encouragement needed to forge ahead in dark times. Webster sings, “One step forward and two steps back. Steady climbing, going find my way because there is no denyin’. Gotta seize the day.” Lindsey has always been a storyteller. “It stems from my active imagination,” confesses the singer. “As a kid I would play alone a lot and there was always a story going on in the background. If I was playing outside, (I grew up in Woodstock, NY amidst the trees and mountains), there was always a narrative and I was some sort of character. If I was playing with my siblings/friends, we were all characters in my grand story.” The song “Perspective” reminds us of the importance of balance. It also speaks to Lindsey’s current frame of mind. She shares, “It is easy to get down in the dumps, but it takes being an active part in your own life to realize that the way we interpret things is the only reality we have. I have known this my whole life, but going through sad and dark times makes you realize how important it is. It’s the difference between being a bitter person and a joyful person. I always want to be a light and positive energy for people…and for myself.”

If you have ever experienced Lindsey Webster live, then you know first hand about her dynamic ability to captivate a room. Let her sing a ballad and you can hear a pin drop. On A Woman Like Me, there are several killer ballads including an album highlight, the R&B/Soul number “Always Love Me.” If there were ever a doubt about Webster’s chops this ought to answer your questions. Her flawless intonation, sensitive timing, and phrasing along with the gorgeous orchestration, is sure to stop you in your tracks. Check out the modulation at the end of the song and her runs! Also featured is the stunning title track where Webster sings about the complexities of a woman like her and questions if a man can handle her fragility, strength and freedom. Nathan East plays a surprising and gorgeous solo doubling on voice and bass. Another highlight is the song “Perspective” where Webster sings about attaining inner peace through the process of letting go and changing one’s perspective. There is one lone cover on the album, which happens to be one of her most requested songs at live performances, the Arlen/Harburg classic written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Her poised and soulful rendition always brings down the house and this recording is no exception.

A Woman Like Me is the first time Lindsey and Keith have invited multiple special guests to join them on record. Joining the duo is drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (Frank Zappa, Sting, Joni Mitchell), bassist Nathan East (Fourplay, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton) and percussionist Luis Conte (James Taylor, Pat Metheny, Carlos Santana). “It was incredible to be able to work with Nathan, Vinnie, and Luis,” states Lindsey. “So many of my favorite recordings feature these guys, and my mind would get blown frequently while recording, as I would remember that I was working with my idols! Also, working with different people gives a different vibe and feel. I love what everyone brought to the music.” The album also features many longtime collaborators: guitarists Mike Demicco, Chris Harris, Tommy DePaolo, bassist Fred Doumbe, drummer Isaac Civitello and saxophonist Ken Gioffre. 

Growing up in an artist community of Woodstock, NY, the daughter of loving hippie parents, the allure of music was never far from Lindsey Webster. The singer grew up listening to her parent's Jimi Hendrix, Beatles and Elvis Costello LPs and later the Supremes. Influenced by everyone from Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera to Steely Dan and Earth Wind and Fire, Webster once pursued medical school before finally settling on music. Webster made history in 2016 with her original, "Fool Me Once,” which was the first vocal driven #1 song to top the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart since Sade's “Soldier of Love” in 2010 and she beat Sade’s three-week run at #1 with a four-week stay at the top of the charts. November 2016, Webster made her Shanachie debut with Back To Your Heart, which spawned three songs that reached Top 3 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts - “Back To Your Heart,” “Next To Me” and “Where Do You Want To Go,” which hit #1. 2018 saw the release of Love Inside, which featured the Top 5 hit “Love Inside” and the Top ten single “It’s Not You, It’s Me” featuring Rick Braun.

New Music Releases: Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela, Only Way Is Up – Move On Up To Modern Soul, Andy Williams

Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela - Rejoice

A really fantastic collaboration between two pioneers of African music – and a set that nicely opens both into the jazziest side of their talents! Hugh Masekela blows flugelhorn, and Tony Allen handles drums and plenty of percussion – and although both artists sing a bit, the main focus here is really on the instrumentation – as half the album's tracks are instrumentals, and there's plenty of room for solos over the really great rhythms in the mix! The lineup of players is great, too – tight, but with some nice surprises – including tenor from Steve Williamson, vibes from Lewis Wright, and keyboards from Joe Armon Jones – on titles that include "Robbers Thugs & Muggers", "Agbada Bougou", "Obama Shuffle Street Blues", "We've Landed", "Slow Bones", and "Never". ~ Dusty Groove

Only Way Is Up – Move On Up To Modern Soul

Upbeat, positive grooves from the glory days of soul music – tunes from a time when things were changing up a bit – moving from the straighter styles of the Northern Soul years to the more sophisticated modes that would come to be known as "modern" by British fans in the 70s – but which, to us, just mean the kind of soul music that we've always found inspirational! Most of the music here is from the tail end of the 60s and start of the 70s – but there's a very forward-thinking vibe, and a great sense of energy that takes the righteous spirit of the times, and focuses it in some very personal directions. Titles include "Stop Steppin On My Dreams" by Jerry Butler, "It Hurts So Good" by Katie Love & The Four Shades Of Black, "Lucky Felly" by The Independents, "The Only Way Is Up" by Otis Clay, "We're Not Too Young To Fall In Love" by The Jacky Beavers Show, "Too Much Love Makin" by Gloria Scott, "Don't You Care" by Alice Clark, "Come Back (part 1)" by The Fantastic Puzzles, and "Now That You're Gone" by Sonny Turner & Sound Limited, and "You Girl" by Wendell Watts. ~ Dusty Groove

Andy Williams - Emperor Of Easy – Lost Columbia Masters 1962 to 1972

The title definitely gets it right – as Andy Williams was maybe the king of the easy listening vocal scene at the end of the 60s – a singer with a smooth style that was equally popular on record as it was on the TV screen! Yet Andy was also something very special, and very much unto himself – a crooner with links to the past, but with a warmth and personal approach that was much more down to earth – which made Williams such a great community-crossing artist at the time. This package is a great addition to his Columbia catalog – as it features 20 tracks on CD for the first time ever, 16 of which are previously unreleased – with lots of gems that are every bit as great, and maybe often more interesting than, some of Andy's biggest hits for the label. There's some great tunes here that get that wonderful Williams treatment – and titles include "Two For The Road", "On The Southside Of Chicago", "This Guy's In Love With You", "Bonita", "No One To Cry To", "A Question Of Love", "The Sinner", "Our Night To Howl", "Proud Mary", "What's The Matter Girl", "Too Young", "I Don't Know How To Love Her", "Through The Years", "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town", and "San Francisco". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Marvin Gaye, Siaosi, Kathleen Grace & Larry Goldings

Marvin Gaye - More Trouble

A hell of a bonus for any fan of the fantastic Trouble Man soundtrack – as this sweet little set adds in a full album's worth of extra material from the original sessions – and thus doubles a record that's already one of Marvin Gaye's greatest efforts of the 70s! The set was done after the huge step forward that Marvin took with What's Going On – and uses the more sophisticated sense of arrangement and instrumental adornment that made that soul record so great – served up here in a cinematic mode that's right up there with Isaac Hayes' music for Shaft, or Curtis Mayfield's famous Superfly soundtrack! The titles of the tracks here give a good idea of what they've got to offer – brought together here on vinyl for the first time ever – with tracks that include "Main Theme From Trouble Man (alternate take with strings)", "Trouble Man (vocal version from score)", "T Stands For Trouble (unedited vocal version)", "Main Theme From Trouble Man (vocal version)", "Trouble Man (extended version)", "T Plays It Cool (unedited)", "Poor Abbey Walsh (part 2 take 1)", and "T Stands For Trouble (alt version)". ~ Dusty Groove

Siaosi - 5:55

Born in Oahu, Hawaii, Siaosi grew up influenced both by R&B musicians, such as Babyface, Jodeci, and New Edition, as well as heavy reggae influences with the likes of Gregory Isaac, Beres Hammond, and none other than the “King of Lover’s Rock” Maxi Priest. Incorporating those sounds into his music, Siaosi started his musical journey as the original lead singer of the Hawaii based reggae rock band, Inoa’ole. He eventually spun off as a solo artist whose sound evolved into a sensual and soulful blend of lover’s rock reggae with Polynesian inspired harmonies, sweetened with poetic and uplifting lyrics and sentiments. The aptly titled new release, 5:55 represents Siaosi’s angel numbers - numbers that occur randomly in our everyday lives and that have strong significance to the observer. Often interpreted as communication from an angel and for Siaosi the number sequence from his angel was the powerful 555; representing important changes in the works -- positive life changing changes. He reflects, “Each song on 5:55 is a chapter of my story that represents a transitional point in my life. Every chapter is a collection of emotions felt and experienced during my journey.” The EP kicks off with chapter 1: “It’s Not Easy” a story of heartache, betrayal and divorce. Chapter 2, “I Wanna Love You,” is a tribute to Siaosi’s parents and new found love. Chapter 3, “Happy,” is about finding joy and happiness after trying times. Chapter 4, “Midnight Snack” is a look into the playful moments between lovers. And chapter 5, “Perfect Melody” is the ultimate feeling of being in love and noticing that everything has finally fallen in place.

Kathleen Grace / Larry Goldings – Tie Me To You

Vocalist and songwriter Kathleen Grace delivers her most intimate recording yet with the release of her debutt album, Tie Me To You, with renowned jazz pianist Larry Goldings. The album was born from a place of new awakening and self-discovery, the kind that can trigger massive change and devastating loss, but ultimately, also hope. Grace is firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, while embracing her own eclecticism within the blues, folk and pop realms; her sound moves between the traditional and an approachable modernity. Tie Me To You features original music by both Grace and Goldings as well as covers of pieces by French icon Francois Hardy, blues great Son House and The Beatles, and standards by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hart. As Grace describes it, she didn’t make the album exactly—it arrived fully formed just as her life both fell apart and came together. Her personal awakening cost her the marriage that had consumed her adult life. She wanted a recording that would be spontaneous enough to capture all that she was feeling, without big arrangements or post-production fixes. She envisioned simple songs broken down into their most basic parts. What emerged was a portrait of a mourning woman as she must let go—the end of a relationship, the transition into the love of another and the struggle in realizing one’s own personal identity. At once viscerally relatable and powerful in its intimacy, the album beautifully weaves Grace’s evolving perspective on the human condition with an open vulnerability that invites listeners to be just as sensitive with themselves. 

New Music Releases: Thundercat, Sun Ra, Chicago Underground Quartet

Thundercat - It Is What It Is

A tremendous album from Thundercat – an artist who just seems to get better and better with every new record, and who's maybe here defining a genre that's completely unto himself! The record is soulful, and has a lot of contemporary cosmic currents – but it's also more far-reaching and fluid than anything that Thundercat's ever given us before – still done with key help from Flying Lotus, but with a majestic, confident quality that seems to have the duo ready to take over the universe! The airy soulful vocals are great, but the rhythms and instrumentation are maybe even more compelling – as there's a number of tunes here that are almost impossible to describe in words, even though they're instantly appealing and wonderfully soulful – a balance that's the sort of special genius from an artist who's ready to write himself into the pop music history books with a key release like this. There's a whole host of guests – including Ty Dolla Sign, Childish Gambino, Louis Cole, Kamasi Washington, Badbadnotgood, Miguel Atwood Ferguson, and many others – but it's clear that the Thundercat/Flying Lotus axis holds all the power – on titles that include "Fair Chance", "Funny Thing", "How Sway", "Miguel's Happy Dance", "Lost In Space/Great Scott/22-26", "Interstellar Love", "Overseas", "Dragonball Durag", "King Of The Hill", and "Existential Dread". ~ Dusty Groove

Sun Ra - Celestial Love (with bonus track)


An obscure session from Sun Ra and the Arkestra, and a great one too – a set that's maybe a bit different than some of their other material from the time! The album's from the early 80s, but maybe feels a bit more like the group in the late 50s – when they were in Chicago, and first stepping from straighter modes to more adventurous music – which means that the tracks here have maybe a stronger relationship to familiar jazz styles than the more avant Arkestra work, yet are still filled with plenty of originality and the kind of elements that always made the group so wonderful! Ra plays a fair bit of organ, using the instrument in soul jazz ways at a few points, which is really great, alongside work on piano and electronics – and the group also features John Gilmore on tenor, Marshal Allen on alto and flute, Danny Ray Thompson on baritone, Walter Miller on trumpet, and Tyrone Hill on trombone. June Tyson joins the group for a small bit of vocals – and overall, the session almost feels like a rough take on territory that the Arkestra would explore in the second half of the 80s, particularly on their European tours. Titles include "Celestial Love", "Blue Intensity", "Interstellarism", "Nameless One 2", "Sophisticated Lady", "Smile", and "Sometimes I'm Happy" – plus the track "Drop Me Off In Harlem", which was not on the original Saturn album. ~ Dusty Groove

Chicago Underground Quartet - Good Days

A fantastic step in the continuing evolution of the "Chicago Underground" project of trumpeter Rob Mazurek and drummer Chad Taylor – soaring out here in a set that's full of spiritual energy and a level of imagination that even surpasses their classic recordings from years ago! Mazurek blows piccolo trumpet, but also adds in some electronics – and Taylor is mindblowing on drums, playing with a style that's open, but always gently swinging – and matched with some synth bass from Josh Johnson, who also plays organ and piano on the set. The mighty guitarist Jeff Parker is the last member of the group – and like Mazurek, he's really come a long way in the past decade, and the quartet work together here at a level that has us falling in love with the Chicago Underground all over again. Moody at times, but never too loose – and titles include "Orgasm", "Good Days", "Batida", "All The Bells", "Unique Spiral", "Lome", "Westview", and "Strange Wing". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds, Max Freytag, Daniel Carter / Matthew Shipp / William Parker / Gerald Cleaver

Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds - Jazz Funk Collection (3CD set)

An amazing tribute to some of the greatest jazz funk of the 70s – the groundbreaking work of trumpeter Donald Byrd, both as a solo act on his own, and as the inspiration for the mighty Blackbyrds group – both of whom are featured on this set! Byrd first broke into new territory in the early 70s with a string of amazing records on Blue Note – all done with help from genius producer Larry Mizell, who helped Byrd's trumpet find a way to groove in an electric space, but at a level that was very different (and a lot more soulful) than any sort of Miles Davis electric modes! This work quickly inspired a young group at Howard University, who chose the name Blackbyrds as a nod to Donald – who quickly became their mentor and producer, and helped them forge a great blend of jazz and funk before they took off on their own. This set features 39 tracks from both artists, illustrating a fantastic partnership and shared musical inspiration – with work from Byrd's Blue Note and Wea albums, and all the great Blackbyrds records for Fantasy in the 70s. Titles include Donald Byrd tracks "Dominoes", "Black Byrd", "Lansana's Priestess", "Wind Parade", "Flying High", "Thank You For Funking Up My Life", "Onward Til Morning", "Dance Band", "Science Funktion", "Dominoes", "Flight Time", "Witch Hunt", "Stepping Into Tomorrow", "Sexy Dancer (12" mix)", "Star Trippin (12" mix)", "Pretty Baby", "Giving It Up", and "Dancing In The Street". Blackbyrds cuts include "Blackbyrd's Theme", "Do It Fluid", "Flying High", "Cornbread", "Time Is Movin", "Happy Music", "Rock Creek Park", "Walkin In Rhythm", "Lookin Ahead", "Street Games", "Gut Level", "Party Land", and "Supernatural Feeling". ~ Dusty Groove

Max Freytag - Picasso Fish Island

If you enjoy 'easy listening' music, the music of Max Freytag is especially recommended. The culture blog says: "Music you shouldn't miss". Accompanied by drums (Max Heinemann) and double bass (Artur Schulz), the new pieces breathe the spirit of classical cool jazz, are light-footedly swinging without neglecting the special depth of Freytag's playing. If you are afraid of jazz, you don't have to shy away from it. The humorously titled pieces on "Picasso Fish Island" are playful here and there, but always find their way back to the melody. The dignified aged Steinway grand piano, which can be heard here, fits perfectly to this timeless music with its warm and brilliant sound.

Daniel Carter / Matthew Shipp / William Parker / Gerald Cleaver - Welcome Adventure! Vol. 1 

Daniel Carter, Matthew Ship, William Parker, and Gerald Cleaver are releasing the quartet's first ever album released together despite playing together in different iterations over the last several decades. Are you ready for magic? The master musicians Daniel Carter, Matthew Shipp, William Parker and Gerald Cleaver will provide access with this album, the first they have released after playing together for decades. Daniel Carter has been collaborating with William Parker since the early 70s and with Matthew Shipp starting in the mid 80s. This trio has played together on many recordings but by adding legendary drummer Gerald Cleaver to the mix they have created a masterpiece combination; a supergroup of sorts. This all-star project is presented in two parts/LPs. This is the first volume - with volume two scheduled to be published in the near future. Listen to Welcome Adventure! and experience the mystical journey of these masterful artists as they guide you through the realm of magic.

Kay-Gees - Keep On Bumpin & Masterplan / Find A Friend / Kilowatt (bonus tracks)

Three full funky albums – and bonus tracks too! First up is Keep On Bumpin & Masterplan – the Kay-Gees' funkiest record ever – a set that's harder and sharper than anything else they'd ever record in years to come! Grabbing this one up is like finding a lost Kool & The Gang album from the early years – which is no surprise, since Ronald Bell of the group produced, and wrote a lot of the songs with the group – maybe acting as their mentor, and definitely giving the young group a great showcase for their boundless energy, and tight skills in the groove department! 

The band are incredibly tight – with lots of hard drums, choppy guitar, and the rolling party feel that made Kool & The Gang so great during their best years – captured here with a similarly raw production style. There's some great horns that blast in and out, sounding very off-beat at the best moments – like the classic "Who's the Man With the Master Plan", sampled by YZ many years ago – or other funky cuts like "Ain't No Time", "Get Down", and "You've Got to Keep on Bumpin". 

On Find A Friend, the Kay-Gee's are getting a little disco, but they also manage to lay down some nice funky tracks – in the best Kool & The Gang tradition of their early work! Ronald Bell of Kool & Gang is still working with the group – and he wrote a lot of material and also performs on the LP – which might be part of the album's strength – although the group have clearly got a very strong legacy on their own! The record shows signs of the direction that Kool & The Gang were taking at the time, with a move towards electric keyboards instead of raw funky guitars – but like Kool's work from the period, the use of these keyboards is nicely restrained, and adds some good jazzy elements to the sound, to create a more sophisticated style of funk. Cuts include "Waiting At The Bus Stop", "Mr. Nothin", "STP", "Be Real", "Keep On Saying", "Acknowledgement", and a number of versions of "Find A Friend". 

On Kilowatt, The Kay-Gees are burning bright – in that razor-sharp approach to funk that made the group one of the best of their generation – able to strongly step on the dancefloor, but without losing any of the rawness of their funky 45 years! The balance is a bit like Fatback at their best – and that group is maybe one of the few we'd match next to the Kay-Gees at this point – and although the basslines are up a bit more than before, they never hit any sort of too-cliched or overdone modes, as in some of the other big funk groups of the period. Guitars riff mightily, lyrics are plenty catchy, and the rest of the instrumentation is right on the money – on cuts that include their "Kay-Gee's Theme Song", plus "Fat Daddy", "Celestial Vibrations", "Space Disco", and "Kilowatt/Invasion". CD features bonus tracks – "Hustle Wit Every Muscle", "Cheek To Cheek (12" mix)", "Kilowatt (12" mix)", and "Kilowatt (12" ext)". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Carla Bley / Andy Sheppard / Steve Swallow, Khruangbin & Leon Bridges, Boogaloo Communicators

Carla Bley / Andy Sheppard / Steve Swallow - Life Goes On

Beautiful sounds from pianist Carla Bley – a musician who just keeps on blowing us away as the decades move on – and that's saying a hell of a lot, given how many years she's been making music! There's a really special quality to this record – a warmth and maybe just a slight touch of humor, but not in the overdone way of some of Carla's records from the 80s – much more subtle, and mixed with occasional currents of darkness – all handled with this understated sense of personality that perfectly showcases all three members of the group – Bley on piano, Steve Swallow on bass, and Andy Sheppard on tenor and soprano saxes. Swallow maybe sounds more wonderful here than we've heard in years – the record is a great reminder of how many great contributions he can make to music – and titles include the longer cycles of songs "Life Goes On", "Copycat", and "Beautiful Telephones (parts 1 to 3)". ~ Dusty Groove

Khruangbin & Leon Bridges - Texas Sun

Khruangbin get a great new sound here – thanks to the vocals and acoustic guitar of Leon Bridges, who bring a whole new dimension to their music! The title and cover of the record are very well-put – as there's this open space to the record that's a bit different than previous outings by Khruangbin – still that aesthetic that lingers somewhere south, down near the border – but maybe more relaxed and letting itself flow down the road to some territory that's all its own – the marvelous vocals of Leon Bridges at the wheel, with the rest of the group well-tuned to make the journey with a warm dose of mellow soul. Titles include "Midnight", "C-Side", "Conversation", and "Texas Sun". ~ Dusty Groove

Boogaloo Communicators - Carpe Diem

A really fantastic little quartet – one who play an old school version of soul jazz that's jamming, groovy, and completely outta sight! These guys have a sound that makes you feel like you've just found some Hammond combo album on a tiny label from back in the day – long tracks that are filled with great solos on organ and guitar, driven by tight drums and congas – with a mode that's soulful and slightly psychedelic – reminding us of our favorite records by artists like Ivan Boogaloo Joe Jones, Cal Green, or Charles Kynard – all references that we don't use lightly! Titles include "Ms Persuasive", "Sin Ti", "Zumbambala", and "Wee Lee". ~ Dusty Groove

Dee Dee Bridgewater - Dee Dee Bridgewater (1976) / Just Family / Bad For Me / Dee Dee Bridgewater (1980)

Four great albums from Dee Dee Bridgewatwer – a hell of a jazz singer, and also a great soul talent too! 

First up is a self-titled set from 1976 – Dee Dee Bridgewater's first album as a soul singer – recorded a few years after she first broke on the scene as a righteous jazz vocalist on hip early 70s classics! The sound here is different than the material Bridgewater started with, but still plenty great from a soul perspective – tightly-crafted, sophisticated work that features both uptempo and mellow cuts – in a mode that's quite similar to the Columbia work of Marlena Shaw – another former jazz vocalist who made a 70s shift to soul. Production is by Gene Page, Jerry Wexler, and Stephen Scheaffer – and the set was recorded in a variety of different setting that spin out over the course of the tracks. We're most partial to the mellow cuts – which trip along with some great spacey edges – and titles include a great version of "He's Gone", plus "My Prayer", "You Saved Me", "Goin Through The Motions", "It Ain't Easy", and "Every Man Wants Another Man's Woman". 

Just Family is a sweet funky fusion album that Dee Dee recorded for Elektra in the late 70s. The set was produced by Stanley Clarke, and has a soul/fusion sound that's not that different than his own work of the time, and which works very well with Dee Dee's sweet vocal approach. Players include Bobby Lyle, Ronnie Foster, George Duke, and other strong 70s fusion players – and overall, the record's probably Dee Dee's best non straight jazz album of the 70s. Tracks include "Sweet Rain", "Open Up Your Eyes", "Just Family", "Melody Maker", and "Children Are The Spirit (Of The World)". 

Bad For Me is one of Dee Dee Bridgewater's standout sets as a soul singer in the 70s – a mode that's quite different than the sound of Bridgewater you may know from her mostly-jazz career – but one that gets plenty of sharp help from the great George Duke! Duke produced the set – and really knows how to balance Dee Dee's jazz roots with some of the modern soul impulses of the set – letting her really soar on some mellower moments, while hewing to the groove on the more upbeat cuts – which may well be some of the strongest on the album. Throughout it all, Bridgewater is a model of care and class – very different than most mainstream R&B singers of the time – and titles include "Streetsinger", "For the Girls", "Love Won't Let Me Go", "Back Of Your Mind", and "Is This What The Feeling Gets". 

Last up is the second self-titled Dee Dee Bridgewater album, from 1980 – recorded during a brief break from jazz at the end of the 70s, and done with some sweetly grooving from Thom Bell! The sound here's a bit like that of some of the later Philly International work from the same stretch – a maturing style that still has a bit of the earlier groove in place, yet which also takes on a more sophisticated approach, especially on the mellower cuts and ballads. In a way, the format's a bit like that used for Jean Carn or Phyllis Hyman at the time – and like those singers, Dee Dee seems to work best here when she's got a nice gentle groove to bring out the jazzier inflections in her voice! Titles include "When You're In Love", "That's The Way Love Should Feel", "Give In To Love", "Lonely Disco Dancer", "One In A Million Guy", and "Jody (Whoever You Are)". ~ Dusty Groove

Matt Monro 'Stranger In Paradise - The Lost New York Sessions'

Frank Sinatra and London's East End boy made good, Matt Monro, had a fair bit in common. Aside from their vocal similarities, both endured very tough working-class upbringings (Monro was born in Shoreditch, London), both were best buddies of Sammy Davis Jr., both were activists for black musicians' rights and both had an appreciation for well-tailored, handmade suits. It was no wonder Sinatra wanted to sign Matt Monro to his Reprise label; Monro's recorded legacy has sold in excess of 150 million records and his recordings have become the hallmark of vocal quality; impeccably selected songs delivered with an elegance that was second to none. On March 13, Capitol/UMe will release Stranger In Paradise – The Lost New York Sessions, a much-anticipated double CD showcasing Monro's estimable talent. 

Entitled 'The Lost New York Sessions,' the tapes were housed in the Capitol vaults in Los Angeles and were impromptu arrangements that Monro originally intended for release. However, Monro's musical director took the tapes, changed the arrangements and added brass and strings for a more produced version. These revised versions appear on his 1967 Capitol album, Invitation To Broadway and his original versions were never released. Disc 1 features 16 tracks released for the first time in their original, undubbed form – the way Monro had originally recorded them.

Behind-the-scenes with Disc 1: The Lost New York Sessions 
The full glare of American media was soon to fall on Matt Monro as the lad from Shoreditch followed in the footsteps of his boyhood idol, Frank Sinatra, when he joined the Capitol Records roster. Expectations were high given Monro's enormous talent, and he went on to take his place among the list of artists that comprise the great vocal tradition of Capitol.
By November 1966, Monro had already recorded two albums at the Capitol Tower studio in Hollywood but the label wanted more. Knowing that Monro had a three-week residency at the Persian Room at the Plaza Hotel that month, they saw the opportunity to record yet another album, this time at their New York studios located at 151 West 46th Street, just around the corner from Times Square and the theatre district. It seemed an apt choice for a possible album release of Broadway songs.

For the sessions in New York though, instead of an orchestra or ready-made arrangements accompanying Monro, they chose the songs and did all the arrangements as they went along – head arrangements, as they are known. The band was made up of just five musicians - a pianist, bassist, drummer and two guitarists, who both played a mixture of electric and acoustic guitars.

The majority of the recordings made over the week were from relatively new musicals, many running in Broadway theatres at the time of the recording, aside from "Stranger In Paradise," which dated from the early 1950s. Seeing as Monro was there, musical director Dave Cavanaugh took the opportunity to lay down a couple of tracks written by Richard Ahlert for possible single release, which had no Broadway show connections.
That, thought Monro, was that. He'd thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and looked forward to hearing the album.

However, unbeknown to him, Cavanaugh had decided that he preferred Monro with a bigger sound after all, so he took the tapes back to Hollywood and engaged Sid Feller and Billy May to write brass and string scores for 14 of the songs, leaving "Beautiful Beautiful World" (a song attempted just once before being disregarded) and the last track to be recorded, "What Makes it Happen," on the shelf. The rest is Invitation To Broadway history. With Stranger In Paradise – The Lost New York Sessions, Capitol/UMe is releasing the album Monro believed was the one he recorded.

Stranger In Paradise – The Lost New York Sessions takes listeners on a journey, from the opening bars of the unmistakable title track, originally popularized by Tony Bennett, through "Look For Small Pleasures," "I'll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her," the sublime, Latin-flecked "The Sweetest Sounds," "Put On A Happy Face" (originally from the musical Bye Bye Birdie) and the haunting melody of Jerry Brock's "Sunrise, Sunset" with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.

To complement these special recordings, Disc 2 is a newly curated best-of featuring the British singer's unrivaled gifts to the music world. In addition to "From Russia With Love" and "Born Free," the 27 recordings selected are considered his greatest and include the timeless favorites "Wednesday's Child;" Monro's last hit single and 1973 Top 30 hit, "And You Smiled;" and "The Music Played," the English language version of his platinum selling No 1 Spanish hit single "Alguien Canto." The compilation also includes "This Is The Life," featured in a Siemen's commercial in 2011; "We're Gonna Change the World;" "On Days Like These;" and "If I Never Sing Another Song" – all important additions as they have been missing from more recent collections. His version of "When I Look In Your Eyes," from the musical Dr Doolittle, was buried in the Capitol vaults for many years after a publishing dispute, while the lesser-known "Two People" comes from the East End lad's silver screen debut, Satan's Harvest, which starred George Montgomery and Tippi Hedren.

Matt Monro was always 'the Singer's Singer,' one of a select number of popular vocalists admired equally by the public and by his fellow performers, including Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Karen Carpenter, Scott Walker and Paul McCartney. Monro was a performer equally at home prowling the stage at the Royal Albert Hall or the London nightclub Talk Of The Town as he was enjoying an impromptu sing-song down at his East End local. Throughout his career he stayed true to his roots, yet he would conquer both the UK and the US, working with such illustrious names as John Barry, Quincy Jones, George Martin, Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Ted Heath, Mantovani, Michel Legrand, Robert Farnon, Henry Mancini and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.  He would also deliver three of the greatest cinematic theme songs of the 1960s – "From Russia With Love" (the very first vocal Bond theme), "Born Free" and "On Days Like These," which memorably appears in the The Italian Job and is a recording of perfect grace and style.

When he began recording for Capitol Records in 1966, Monro's consummate talent assured him his place among the famous label's enduring legacy of male vocalists, a rich heritage that has stood the test of time. During this period, Monro constantly toured the US and performed legendary Vegas shows at the Freemont Hotel, the Tropicana, the Sands and at the Sahara with Jack Benny. His American television appearances read like a who's who of entertainment greats, including Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, Pat Boone, Gypsy Rose Lee, Nelson Riddle, Liberace, Dick Cavett - and The Ed Sullivan Show a staggering four times. In the UK he was a constant TV presence, a household favorite who regularly topped 'Britain's Favorite Vocalist' polls.

Although his death in 1985 at 54 from a terminal illness was a tragic loss to the music world, 35 years on Matt Monro's music resounds as strongly as ever. He has influenced generations of singers and continues to do so.

New Music Releases: Jeremy Cunningham, Daniel Bingert, Torbjorn Zetterberg & Den Stora Fragen

Jeremy Cunningham - Weather Up There

The first full length set we've heard from drummer Jeremy Cunningham – and a set that's bound to set him on a fantastic legacy of recordings for years to come! The album is both very personal and politically powerful – put together by Cunningham in response to the loss of his brother during a home invasion – and delivered with a mix of modes, instruments, and collaborational effort that's very much in the best spirit of the inventive recordings on the International Anthem label! Cunningham doesn't just drum – he's also the leader of a larger, shifting lineup of musicians – also playing electric piano and percussion, working with a unique "drum choir" that also includes Makaya McCraven, Mike Reed, and Mikel Patrick Avery – and opening things up for the guitar of Jeff Parker, bass of Matt Ulery, saxes and keyboards of Josh Johnson, and bass and keyboards of Paul Bryan. And if that's not enough, the record also features contributions from Ben LaMar Gay on vocals, Jaimie Branch on trumpet, and Tomeka Reid on cello – all very sympathetic partners to Jeremy's mix of instrumentation, production elements, and other unique details. Titles include "1985", "Return These Tides", "The Weather Up There", "It's Nothing", "Elegy", "Sleep", "The Breaks", and "All I Know". ~ Dusty Groove

Daniel Bingert - Berit In Space

A tremendous achievement in jazz from Daniel Bingert – the kind of record that would be in everyone's collection, had it been issued back in 1959 – but a set that's every bit as essential all these decades later! Binger's the composer, and has kind of a postwar modern sensibility about his music – that mix of core elements and individual voices that made Mingus so great when he was at his best – except Daniel's also got more of an ear for modal rhythms, of the sort that remind us a bit of the inspirations on the European scene during the Saba/MPS generation, taken forward with some of the fresher, completely visionary ideas that we've always loved from the Moserobie label! The group's a sextet with some key Moserobie members in the line up – Jonas Kullhammar on alto, Karl Olandersson on trumpet, Per Texas Johansson on tenor, Charlie Malmberg on piano, Moussa Fadera on drums, and the mighty Torbjorn Zetterberg on bass – whose energy alone is enough to guide the album. Titles include "City Sirens", "Cinco De Mayo", "Henry & Bernard", "Notredame", "Lost Keys", "Gil Bill", and "Kaya Boca". ~ Dusty Groove.

Torbjorn Zetterberg & Den Stora Fragen - Are You Happy

Torbjorn Zetterberg has always been a hell of a bassist – but in recent years, he really seems to be exploding as a greater jazz visionary – working with a group like this in a range of explosive new ideas we never would have expected just a few years ago! The music is often incredibly dense – Zetterberg's bass in the lineup, but also part of a rich array of sounds from Susana Santos Silva on trumpet, Mats Aleklint on trombone, Jonas Kullhammar on tenor and alto, Alberto Pinto on clarinet and baritone, Jon Falt on drums, Alexander Zethson on Hammond and Fender Rhodes, and Lars Skoglund on drums – mostly players that have worked together often over the years, and who beautifully interpret the stunning arrangements and compositions by Zetterberg. There's definitely plenty of outside moments on the record, but as with much Moserobie material, things also swing at times too – a balance between freedom and structure that matches the balance between group and individual on the album. Titles include "Drommusik", "Meningen Med Vad", "Oraklet I Finnaker", "Plingplongpiano", and "Nytt Hopp Over Atlanten". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: J. Felix, The Eighties Ladies, Piotr Damasiewicz & Power Of The Horns Ensemble

J. Felix - Whole Again Hooligan 

A mighty nice second set from J Felix – even tighter, sharper, and funkier than his first – and done with a great blend of old school instrumentation and warmly cosmic energy! The keyboards are often in the lead – over basslines and rhythms that have plenty of 80s boogie in the mix – but the real charm of the set might be the vocals, which are served up by a quartet of different singers – each on a few tracks of their own, and really helping give the grooves a great sense of focus! Vocals are by Afua, Andrew Ashong, Emeson, and Jerry Clavier – on titles that include "Mind Up", "Future", "Good Ol Love", "I Remember", "Take Me To The Gutter", "Choppa Fiesta", "Check", and "Whole Again Hooligan". ~ Dusty Groove

The Eighties Ladies - Ladies Of The Eighties (with bonus track)

A legendary project from Roy Ayers – and a record that's almost as in-demand as his classic Ramp album! The Eighties Ladies were a hip vocal quartet, with the soulful Sylvia Striplin on lead – and they work here in a mix of perfect Ayers-styled grooves – often using female harmonies in just the same way as Ramp, but coming across with a style that's a bit more pointed at the clubs, and very much in the same mode as Striplin's classic solo album too! Roy brings plenty of jazzy undercurrents to the set – those sinister shapes and changes that always make his music so great – and Edwin Birdsong's help with arrangements ensure that there's some suitably offbeat twists and turns, which really keeps things interesting. Titles include the classic break "Turned On To You", plus vocal and instrumental versions of "Ladies Of The Eighties", and the tracks "Tell Him", "It's Easy To Move", "I Knew That Love", "He Is Mine Forever", and "Sing Me". CD also features the bonus 7" version of "Turned On To You". ~ Dusty Groove

Piotr Damasiewicz & Power Of The Horns Ensemble - Polska

A fantastically bold breath of life from the contemporary Polish jazz scene – a record that begins with a sublime tribute to the great Billy Harper, then takes off into even more mindblowing territory as things move on! The group's led by trumpeter Piotr Damasiewicz, who created the record as a tribute to some of the best Polish modern jazz giants of decades past – but with a voice that's completely fresh, and very much his own – served up by a killer ensemble that features soaring horns, bold solo moments, and two different bassists holding down the core! The tunes instantly explode with color and life – hitting a rich spirit that marks Piotr as a musician we're going to keep our eye on in coming years – with other musicians who include Maciej Obara on alto, Adam Pindur on soprano, Pawel Niewiadomski on trombone, Gerard Lebik on tenor, and Dominik Wania on piano. Titles include "Billy", "Psalm For William Parker", "Polska I", and "Kleofas". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Bastards Of Soul, Jesper Thilo, Ville Herrala

Bastards Of Soul - Spinnin'

A really special sort of record from the Bastards Of Soul – a Texas group, but one who work in this great mix of deep soul and slight southern rock touches – at a level that almost makes this album feel like some lost nugget from the vaults of Capricorn Records! Vocals are by male singer Chadwick Murray – not the lovely lady on the cover – and there's a cool crossover vibe here that takes us back to work by 70s genius talents like Eddie Hinton or Dan Penn, with guitar lines that are strong, but balanced by these warmer organ currents that really underscore the more soulful elements in the music – as do the laidback rhythms on the tunes. Titles include "I've Got The Key", "Funky Ham & Eggs", "Back To The City", "Spinning Out Of Control", "The Way It Should Be", "The Waiting Time", and "Your Love Has Turned My Heart To Bitterness". ~ Dusty Groove

Jesper Thilo - Swing Is The Thing

Jesper Thilo's been one of the strongest tenorists on the Danish scene for many years running – and he's still a hell of a talent here, blowing with the kind of old school imagination of Dexter Gordon or Johnny Griffin on their classic Copenhagen recordings! Yet Thilo's very much his own man – as anyone who's ever loved his records will tell you – and his tenor voice is captured beautifully here, stretching out on a host of mostly older standards – with well-placed accompaniment from a trio that features Soren Kristiansen on piano, Daniel Franck on bass, and Frandcs Rifbjerg on drums – players who never overwhelm Jesper's strong lead, but definitely give him the right sort of groove. Titles include "I Can't Get Started", "Just Friends", "Splanky", "Nature Boy", "Swinging Till The Girls Come Home", and "Woody N You". ~ Dusty Groove

Ville Herrala - Pu

We Jazz Records presents ‘Pu:’, the boundary-breaking solo debut of bass player Ville Herrala, to be released on 21 February 2020. Utilising only the double bass but looking at the instrument from various different perspectives. The end result is an inspired set of 14 miniatures, each pushing the concept forward in a highly personal way. The first single ‘Pu: 12’ presents a rhythmic approach with echoes of from the world of minimal classical music and electronic music. Bowed tracks such as ‘Pu: 2’ offer another perspective, as does the second single ‘Pu: 10’, going back to the essence of the instrument and opening new doors while doing so. Each of the tracks is a compact musical adventure unto its own. The album will be available via We Jazz Records as black and red vinyl versions, CD and digitally. Ville Herrala (b. 1979) is one of the most highly-regarded bass players working in the Finnish scene. He's known from the ranks of such top ensembles as PLOP, Jukka Perko Jazztet, U-Street All Stars, Jukka Eskola Orquesta Bossa and UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, to name but a few.

New Music Releases: Kenny Barron / Dave Holland Trio with Johnathan Blake, Amirtha Kidambi Elder Ones, Super Sonic Family

Kenny Barron / Dave Holland Trio with Johnathan Blake - Without Deception

This isn't the first time that pianist Kenny Barron and bassist Dave Holland have played together – but there's definitely something special about the record that really grabs our ears – and it's not just the excellent work on drums by Johnathan Blake! Barron's at his roundest, most soulful sort of tone – really grabbing the notes out of the air in this wonderful way – and Holland really follows suit too, with this very personal, organic approach that's such a change from some of his more experimental work of years back – and which makes him a stunning part of the group, especially at all those many moments when he and Barron dance around each other's sound with this beautifully resonant vibe. Titles include "Until Then", "Porto Alegre", "Without Deception", "Speed Trap", "Secret Places", "Worry Later", and "Pass It On". ~ Dusty Groove

Amirtha Kidambi Elder Ones - Holy Science

A stunning debut from a really unique New York quartet – a group who explore spiritual jazz territory, but in a mode that's different from anyone else we can think of! The group's led by Amirtha Kidambi – who both sings, and plays harmonium – and creates these loose structures for the rest of the group to explore – a lineup that features Matt Nelson on soprano sax, Brandon Lopez on bass, and Max Jaffe on drums – players who can really improvise along with their leader's sense of inspiration, but never lose direction or the energy of the tunes! There's a strong modal energy to the album, which shifts between players – sometimes coming from the harmonium lines, or the saxophone riffs, or the pulsation of the bass, or even the vocals – as other players then take off in freer moments over the top. The set features two long tracks – "Treta Yuga" and "Kali Yuga". ~ Dusty Groove

Super Sonic Family Vol 1 – The Sound Of The Lowlands

An assortment of work from the contemporary Dutch scene – music that's partly jazz, but which also has lots of 21st Century elements too – although never in a way that falls into any sort of too-easy remix of downtempo modes! Most of these artists use a fair bit of electric instrumentation – usually keyboards, but sometimes drum programs and other – occasionally with modes that seem to take off from the London broken beat generation, but more often in creative, individual styles that really stand out. Titles include "2077" by Legove, "Visions" by Duke Hugh, "Amazone" by Djosa, "Lucid" by Glenn Gadum, "Underdog" by Yannick Hiwat, "Nature Boy" by Ranie Ribeiro, "Dragon King" by Son Swagga, "Evolution Of The New Spirit" by Liquid Spirits, "Before The Fight" by Greyheads, "Town" by Dominic J Marshall, "Nothing Lasts" by Planty Herbs, and "Deo Volente" by Reiner Baas & Ben Van Gelder. ~ Dusty Groove