Henry Franklin -The Skipper At Home 1974 (Black Jazz)

Label : Black Jazz

Value :

Brilliant basswork from Henry Franklin – one of the hippest cats handling his instrument on the west coast in the 70s – working here with a wicked ensemble of soulful, righteous players! Franlin's bass sets the tone of the record right from the very first note – but the album's a very collaborative effort, too – and features Oscar Brashear on trumpet, Charles Owens on tenor, Bill Henderson on soprano sax, Ndugu Chancler on drums, and Kirk Lightsey on both piano and flute! The legendary David Durrah plays piano on two tracks – his own "Waltz for "Boobuss" and "Venus Fly Trap" – and the Sisters Happiness sing vocals on the latter cut, too. 

Taste :

Henry Franklin - What Was

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By Electric Looser

The Awakening - Mirage 1973 (Black Jazz Records)

Label : Black Jazz Records

Value :

No Mirage here -- as the album's got a presence that's impossible to deny -- a solid, soulful uttering from this key Chicago combo of the 70s! The group's led by reedman Ari Brown -- better known for his later avant work -- and they've got a wicked blend of keyboards and horns with lots of complicated touches, played out over funky rhythms that are completely mindblowing! The great Ken Chaney plays keyboards, and in addition to Brown's reeds, the set also features trumpet from Frank Gordon, trombone from Steve Galloway, and bass from Rufus Reid -- plus cool percussion from Arlington Davis and Drasheer Khalid. Most cuts are instrumental, and recorded beautifully -- but one number, "The Ultimate Frontier", also features vocals from Anita Jefferies. 

Taste :

The Awakening - Slinky 

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By Electric Looser

Μάϊκ Ροζάκης - Τα Παιδιά Των Λουλουδιών 2002 (Potfleur)

Label : Potfleur

Value :

During the summer of 1973, director Omiros Efstratiadis was making a crime film called "She Knew No Other Way”. The shots of the film took place in the cosmopolitan Greek island of Rhodes where a bunch of hippies spend their holidays. They seek an easy and carefree way of life and do not hesitate to use any legal or illegal mean in order to get it. The director needed a film score to match with the psychedelic scenes of the film which where overshadowed by a psychotic mixture of sex and violence. Mike Rozakis was the ideal composer for this film score. Carrying an excellent background in beat music, he managed to filter his influences through the fusion trends of jazz and his classical learning. There is a wealth of styles throughout the film score. Funky breaks, jazzy grooves, fusion improvising and psychedelic effects. The innovative arrangements are enriched by the skilful performance of the musicians creating a unique avant-garde score.The sound has been transferred from the original master tapes in 96kh/24bit and mastered in class-A equipment in order to produce excellent audio quality.

Taste :

  Mike Rozakis - La Discotheque

 Mike Rozakis - She Knew No Other Way (full album)

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By Electric Looser

Vince Guaraldi - A Charlie Brown Christmas 1965 (Fantasy)

Label : Fantasy

Value :

An amazing record – one with a depth that goes way beyond its simple roots, and which has gone on to become one of the true Christmas classics of the 20th Century! Although a Christmas soundtrack, the album's more of a tapestry of sadness, longing, and loss – the best qualities that always emerge in true Christmas classics – underscoring the blue side of the season that's always lurking around corners from the happier moments. Vince Guaraldi penned this score back when he was a rising talent on the San Francisco scene – and in a way, it was almost his musical contribution to the cartoon that made it such a lasting favorite – even over and above the appeal of the famous animated characters. Most tunes are simple piano ones, but played with a phrasing that's beautifully timeless – and the few vocal numbers feature voices from the cartoon, singing softly with the music. 

Taste :

Vince Guaraldi Trio - What Child Is This

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By Electric Looser

Roy Ayers - Virgo Vibes 1976 (Atlantic)

 Label : Atlantic

Value :

A far-reaching early gem from Roy Ayers -- a set that's much more jazz-based than his later work, and a record that has him touching base with the Blue Note and Strata East sides of the jazz spectrum! The lineup here is incredibly hip -- a mix of players that includes a young Charles Tolliver on trumpet, Harold Land and Joe Henderson on tenor, Jack Wilson on piano, and Reggie Workman on bass -- not to mention Roy himself on some mighty great vibes!

Taste :

Roy Ayers - In The Limelight

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By Electric Looser

Les McCann Ltd. - Bucket O' Grease 1967 (Limelight)

Label : Limelight

Value :

A killer little set from Les McCann -- one of his greatest records of the 60s, thanks to a fair bit of Latin Soul influences! The album's got a groove that's much grittier than Les' other work -- a solid, soulful emphasis on bottom rhythms -- which are mostly in a boogaloo and shing-a-ling mode -- clearly McCann's nod to the Spanish Harlem scene at the time! The backings here are a bit fuller than usual for Les too -- and his trio with Leroy Vinnegar is augmented with lots of added percussion, plus vibes from Lynn Blessing, sax and flute from Plas Johnson, and trumpet from Lee Katzman.

Taste :

Les McCann Ltd. - Music To Watch Girls By

Les McCann Ltd. - La Brea

 

Les McCann Ltd. - Boo-Go-Loo

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By Electric Looser

The Har-You Percussion Group – The Har-You Percussion Group 1969 (Oro)

Label : Oro

Value :

A legendary bit of Latin from the New York scene of the 60s – recorded by a host of youthful players working under the direction of percussionist Montego Joe! The group's name is a contraction of "Harlem Youth" – a program in which all players participated, as part of an effort to get kids involved in music uptown – spearheaded by Montego Joe, whose guidance in the set is greatly appreciated! There's a strong Latin Soul vibe running through the set – but one that's different than Joe's other work, a bit more rootsy at times, given all the percussion in the lineup – but warmed up nicely with bits of guitar, trumpet, and alto sax. The album's filled with great groovers – including the classic "Welcome To The Party", and the amazing "Oua-Train" jazz cut, which has a slightly spiritual feel.

Taste :

The Har-You Percussion Group - Feed Me Good

The Har-You Percussion Group - Welcome To The Party

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By Electric Looser