Hilton Felton - A Man For All Reasons 1980 (Hilton's Concept, Inc.)

Label : Hilton's Concept, Inc.

Value : 

A holy grail of funky music – and a rare gem from the DC scene of the 70s! Keyboardist Hilton Felton cut this wicked killer for his own tiny label – Hilton's Concept – and it's a very unique blend of jazz and funk modes, done with help from members of The Blackbyrds and Three Pieces! Felton plays Fender Rhodes, vibes, organ, and even some percussion on the record – grooving in this stretched-out, easygoing way that's unlike anyone else we can think of – often with fuller backings that might be at home on a soundtrack, but which have a much more open flow overall. Most tracks are nice and long, with plenty of sweet electric solo space – and titles include the classic "Bee Bop Boogie", a 9 minute groover with a monster break on the intro

Taste :

Hilton Felton - Bee Bop Boogie

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By Electric Looser

Grosery Grooves

 

Khan Jamal – Infinity 1984 (Jambrio)

 

Label : Jambrio (Jazz Room reissue 2021)

Value :

A really fantastic record from vibist Khan Jamal – a musician who sometimes plays in a more intimate setting, but who here rises with a great sense of righteous power, in just the sort of group that can help him find new energy and soul in his music! The lineup is wonderful – with both alto and flute from Byard Lancaster, percussion from Omar Hill, piano from Bernard Sammul, bass from Reggie Curry, and drums from Dwight James – plus a bit of work from Sunny Murray on drums and Clifton Burton on harmonica on one track – all players who really hit that perfect Philly mix of spiritual jazz and soul, avant freedom and greater group focus!

(Born: 23 July 1946 in Jacksonville, Florida – Died: 10 January 2022)

Taste :

Khan Jamal - The Known Unknown

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By Electric Looser

Marcos Resende & Index - Marcos Resende & Index 2021 (Far Out)

Label : Far Out

Value :

A Brazilian jazz keyboard masterpiece – a set you can put right up there next to the earliest records by Azymuth, even though this one's much more obscure! Keyboardist Marcos Resende never hit the kind of fame he deserved, but that also allowed him to be one of the most creative players on his scene – as he never had to go for crossover fusion material, and instead was able to let loose in amazing ways on a record like this – blending work on Fender Rhodes with other keyboards – in a quartet that features Rubao Sabino on bass, Claudio Caribe on drums, and Oberdan Magalhaes on tenor, soprano sax, and flute! The mix of reeds and keys is wonderful – spun out freely, but always with a strong sense of rhythm – that soaring, joyous approach to jazz that makes the best Brazilian albums of the period so wonderful.

Taste :

Marcos Resende & Index - My Heart

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By Electric Looser

Rogér Fakhr - Fine Anyway 2021 (Habibi Funk Records)

Label : Habibi Funk

Value :

Beautiful sounds from Roger Fahkr – a Lebanese singer/songwriter who recorded most of this music in the late 70s – but with a sound and style that's every bit as compelling as western talents from the earlier part of the decade! The tunes often begin with voice and acoustic guitar, but usually bring in a bit of keyboards or other elements to expand things slightly, but all while keeping the moody quality of Roger's English-language vocals intact – all with a quality that could easily have this work standing next to some of our favorite recordings by artists like Rodriguez, Terry Callier, or Alzo & Udine! There's an inexplicable quality to all of these cuts – a uniqueness that really lives up to our comparison with those other greats – and the whole pacakge is a huge discovery of an artist who might have been a huge global force, had he had the chance back in the 70s.

Taste :

Rogér Fakhr - Fine Anyway

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By Electrc Looser

Kellee Patterson - Kellee 1976 (Shadybrook Records)

Label : Shadybrook Records

Value :

Kellee Patterson's amazing first album for the Shadybrook label – a total killer all the way through, and much harder and heavier than any of her later sides for the label! The record's got a nice jazzy vibe that's a good bridge between her earlier work on Black Jazz, and her later, straighter soul material – a dose of funk in all the right places, and a touch of spiritual leanings too – really put together with a wonderful feel that sets the album apart from much other work of the time! Includes a sublime breakbeat version of "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby" – with killer drums, and an excellent monologue at the beginning – plus a great cover of Grover Washington's "Mister Magic", with some interesting vocals. 

Taste :

Kellee Patterson - I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby

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By Electric Looser