Akira Ishikawa & His Count Buffalos – Tsugaru Jongara Bushi Drum & Tsugaru Jamisen 1973 (Teichiku Records)

Label : Teichiku Records

Value :

Shamisen never sounded so groovy before – thanks to excellent work from Akira Ishikawa & His Count Buffalos – who are working here at their funky 70s best! The album mixes great sounds from Count Buffalos with the solo talents of Rinsoye Kida on shamisen – the traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument that's usually used in much more conservative settings – but which is recorded here in a style that's right up front in the mix, and able to step out nicely in front of the fuller, groovier backings from Ishikawa and his group! Given the nature of the instrument, the style is quite different than some other jazz albums from the time that try to mix with Japanese folkloric styles – maybe a bit like Dorothy Ashby on the koto, but more striking overall.

Taste :

Rinsyoe Kida,Akira Ishikawa & His Count Buffaloes - Souran Bushi

 Rinsyoe Kida,Akira Ishikawa & His Count Buffaloes -Tan To Setsu /Jongara Bushi

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By Electric Looser

Snowboy & The Latin Section – New York Afternoon 2016 (Snowboy Records)

Label : Snowboy Records

Value :

The strongest album in years from the mighty Snowboy – a set that firmly returns him to his Latin roots, but with a sound that's even better than before! The approach is perfect – loads of strong congas and percussion from the leader, and a wickedly jazzy lineup that do way more than just rehash classic lines – and instead allow Snowboy to dig deep into all the funk, soul, and jazz influences he's explored over the years – borrowing their best bets to fold right back into a core Latin groove! The record features superb bass from Nico Gomez, great Hammond and Fender Rhodes from Neil Angilley, and searing work from Pete Wareham on tenor and baritone sax. House legend Marc Evans does an incredible job on vocals for the title cut "New York Afternoon" – a wicked reworking of the Richie Cole classic – and Jen Kearney sings on the tracks "Better" and "Oxen Free". 

Taste :

Snowboy & The Latin Section - The Triple Bluff

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By Electric Looser

Ana Mazzotti – Ninguem Vai Me Segurar 1974 (Top Tape)

Label : Top Tape

Value :

An amazing album of vocal Brazilian jazz and sweet electric funk -- a standout classic that's forever been at the top of our stack of 70s Brazilian music! Singer Ana Mazzotti is at the head of the session -- singing with this breezy style that's at once cold and warm, cool and emotive -- and she's backed by a small jazz combo with some incredible moog, Arp, and organ from Jose Roberto Bertrami of Azymuth! The record's got a bucketful of groove-heavy tracks that feel like CTI meeting up with Joao Donato -- and the album's a treasure that should be in the collection of any fan of 70s Brazilian funk

Taste :

Ana Mazzotti - Feel Like Making Love

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By Electric Looser

Jeff Phelps - Magnetic Eyes 1985 (Engineered For Sound, Inc.)

Label :  Engineered For Sound, Inc.

Value : From 700 to 1200 euros (original)

An obscure bit of electro soul from the 80s – an excellent small label set with lots of cool electronics! There's a touch of Roy Ayers spirituality in the music, made slightly chillier through the 80s keyboards and drum tracks – but the balance is quite nice, a lot more soulful than you might expect – especially given that the whole thing was something of a home-grown effort from Jeff Phelps! Antoinette sings on a few tracks – giving the record some female vocals – but everything else was done by Phelps, and the album's about half instrumental, too.

Taste :

Jeff Phelps - Don't Fall Apart On Me 

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By Electric Looser

Susan Phillips – Soft Sexy Soul 1971 (All Platinum)

Label : All Platinum

Value :

An appropriately titled set from Susan Phillips -- an overlooked bit of slinky female soul that we'd rank right up there with All-Platinum early 70s releases by Sylvia and Eleanor Mills! The production is a wonderful mix of stripped down grooves with just the right amount of sweet strings and horns -- creating just a gentle sort of New Jersey soul style that really works well with Phillips' vocals.

Taste :

 Susan Phillips - This I'll Guarantee

 

Susan Phillips - Goodbye My Love

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By Electric Looser