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

Experience Unlimited - Free Yourself 1977 (Black Fire)

Label : Black Fire

Value :

A wonderfully spiritual album and one that's maybe a bit of a surprise, given the later fame of the group! The group here is billed by their full name  Experience Unlimited  but where later known to most of the world as EU, the DC funk outfit that went onto become pretty big in the GoGo scene, and who scored big with the 80s party cut "Da Butt". Yet as a classic album on the Black Fire label, this record is nothing like their 80s material at all – and instead catches the group when they were part of a more spiritual scene, the same DC one that gave the world Oneness Of Juju and the larger family of Black Fire artists! This album has the group very much in a mid 70s Earth Wind & Fire mode jamming hard and free, with plenty of electric guitar riffing, funky keyboards, horns, and lots of percussion. Some tracks have vocals, and some are instrumentals but the whole thing's an extremely unified album with a great overall vibe and a message to match the title and the cover. 

Taste :

Experience Unlimited - Peace Gone Away

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By Electric Looser

Marie Laforêt - Album : 4 1968 (Disques Festival)

 

Label : Disques Festival

Value :

Beautiful and very groovy version of Margo Guryan’s “Sunday Morning” here called “Et si je t’aime” in French, with a cool breakbeat, wah wah and sompteous female vocals. Arranged and directed by André Popp. 

Taste :

Marie Laforet - Et Si Je t' Aime

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By Electric Looser

Antena - Camino Del Sol 1982 (Les Disques Du Crépuscule)

Label : Les Disques Du Crépuscule

Value :

Here with the 1982 debut Camino Del Sol from French / Belgian trio Antena. An effortlessly cool uber-fusion of icy-cold minimal synth-pop production and electro-bossanova rhythms that retains it's alluring appeal to this day, whilst inspiring the likes of Stereolab, Tortoise ++ in their wake. Spread across just five tracks, the then teenagers fuse slinky rhythms, sultry half-whispered vocals and wider-eyed new-wave slants all reduced down with post-punk sensibilities and daunting simplicity. A true classic and a much-needed reminder of more temperate, exotic lands..

Taste :

Antena - Camino Del Sol

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By Electric Looser

Elsie Bianchi Trio - Trio Elsie Bianchi 1962 (Atlantis Basel)

Label : Atlantis Basel

Value :

A rare early session from the lovely Elsie Bianchi! The set features Elsie working with her combo from the Swiss Atlantis nightclub in the early 60s – and was originally issued as a limited-number 10" LP, used only as a promotional item by the club! As on her classic Sweetest Sound album, Elsie sings on a number of tunes – always in English, and in a laidback and mellow way that sounds wonderfully sweet next to her work on piano. The rest of the group includes a bit of clarinet next to the bass and drums – and on a few tracks, Elsie's even overdubbed with a bit of accordion as well! 

Taste :

Elsie Bianchi Trio - No Moon At All

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By Electric Looser

Wamono A To Z Vol. II (Japanese Funk 1970​-​1977) 2021(180g)

Label :180g

Value :

A fantastic document of the lost funk legacy of 70s Japan – music that's often different than the jazz and pop work of the decade that sees greater reissue, and which shows a very strong influence from the American scene! The rhythms here are wonderful – sometimes in the best funky soundtrack mode, other times with maybe even a bit of psych added in – and some of the cuts feature lyrics, either in English or Japanese, also with a very soulful vibe – but much more of an edge than the polished sound of the city pop generation! 

Taste :

School Band - I Hope It's Fine 

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By Electric Looser

The Sound Defects - The Iron Horse 2018 (Tone Def Systems)

Label : Tone Def Systems

Value :

I cordially invite you to enjoy a number of works that I recorded to an instrumental album by THE SOUND DEFECTS, titled The Iron Horse. The album was inspired by a hunger for rap and the amazing sounds of The Sound Defects. This body of work is an abstract project focused on lyricism, storytelling, and artistic creativity.

Taste 

The Sound Defects - Da Da Da

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By Electric Looser

Zümrüt – Largo / Bir Sevenin Şarkısı 1968 (Ezgi Plâkları)

Label : Ezgi Plâkları

Value :

Taste :

Zumrut - Bir Sevenin Sarkısı 

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By Electric Looser

Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes - Expansions 1975 (Flying Dutchman)

Label : Flying Dutchman

Value :

Quite possibly the most celebrated album ever from keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith – a groove-heavy classic that's burned up many a dancefloor in its day, yet also a record that features some great mellow moments as well! The title track "Expansions" is virtually a blueprint for the migration of the cosmic jazz sound onto the dancefloor – a tune that's as funky as it is righteous – but other cuts on the album slow down the pace a bit too, and show off the mellower, more introspectively spiritual side that's always made Lonnie way more than just a funky jazz artist.

Taste :

Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes - Expansions 

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By Electric Looser

Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes - Astral Traveling 1973 (Flying Dutchman)

Label : Flying Dutchman

Value :

One of Lonnie Liston Smith's most spiritual sessions, and the record that most clearly shows his roots with Pharoah Sanders! The vibe here is much more jazz-based than on some of Lonnie's other records for Flying Dutchman – with Smith playing as much acoustic piano as he does electric, using the former in long-spiralling lines that have a beautifully meditative quality, and which give the album a real Strata East-like sound. Mtume and Sonny Morgan play percussion, Cecil McBee plays bass, and the real star of the album may well be George Barron – who turns in some beautiful Sonny Fortune-like work on tenor and soprano sax! 

Taste :

Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes -  In Search Of Truth

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By Electric Looser

Ο Γεράσιμος Λαβράνος Και Η Ορχήστρα Του – Rebeta Nova N⍛ 1 1964 (Polydor)

Label : Polydor

Value :

https://diskoryxeion.blogspot.com/2015/03/1935-2015.html

Taste :

Γεράσιμος Λαβράνος Και Η Ορχήστρα Του - Όσο αξίζεις εσύ

 

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By Electric Looser

Various - Mainstream Funk (Funk - Soul - Spiritual Jazz - 1971-75) 2022 (Wewantsounds)

Label : Wewantsounds

Value :

Funky jazz and a touch of soul -- all pulled from the short-lived but legendary Mainstream Records -- home to a whole host of hip artists in the early half of the 70s! Mainstream picked things up from Impulse, Prestige, and other soulful labels of the 60s -- allowing jazz musicians to stretch out with a new sense of expression, but often in ways that hit a mighty nice groove -- kind of a 70s update of the soul jazz modes of the generation before, but with a few spiritual jazz touches too! You'll know a few names here from older Blue Note recordings, and they've got an updated 70s vibe, and are matched with some hip younger talents too -- all in a great array of grooves that's superbly selected throughout. 

Taste : 

Sarah Vaughan - Inner City Blues

Mike Longo - Matrix

 

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By Electric Looser

Horace Silver - Psychedelic Sally / Serenade To A Soul Sister 1968 (Blue Note)

Label : Blue Note

Value :

Two of Horace's best late 60s groovers -- both done with a hard-rolling soul jazz approach! "Psychedelic Sally" is particularly nice -- with a strutting little hook that made the track one of the bigger Blue Notes of the time!  

Taste :

Horace Silver - Psychedelic Sally

Horace Silver - Serenade To A Soul Sister

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By Electric Looser

 

Elias Rahbani - Mosaic Of The Orient 1992 (Voix De L'Orient)

Label : Voix De L'Orient

Value :

Mosaic Of The Orient«, the reissue specialists Right Track from Beirut release a compilation that makes 17 tracks from the two instrumental albums by Elias Rahbani, the youngest of the three Rahbani brothers, released under this title in 1972 and 1974, tangible again. This music is a pioneering achievement in its fusion of western elements and folklore typical of the country: The sounds of the oud and buzuq lutes, näi flutes and darbukka enter into a harmonious marriage with the sounds of synthesizers, electronic organs and drums with the greatest of ease and produce an almost synoptic quality of lasting, thus everlasting appeal. No wonder that pieces like »Dance Of Maria« appear as samples in songs by the Black Eyed Peas and others. 

Taste :

Elias Rahbani -  Mosaic Of The Orient (full album)

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By Electric Looser

Connan Mockasin - Jassbusters 2018 (Mexican Summer)

Label : Mexican Summer

Value :

Nothing is ever straightforward with Connan Mockasin, and nothing should ever be straightforward with Connan Mockasin. This riddled rule has never resounded more than on Jassbusters, Mockasin’s third album and first in five years. An unclassifiable, unconventional album that neither picks up from nor abandons the modes of 2013’s widely-embraced Caramel or its 2010 predecessor Forever Dolphin Love, Jassbusters foreshadows a five-part melodrama titled Bostyn ’n Dobsyn, directed by and staring Mockasin. Jassbusters soundtracks the unpredictable narrative of the television series in eclectic, electric ways.
Whether bending genres for shits n’ giggles or collaborating with artists like James Blake (who might just appear on a Jassbusters track), MGMT, John Cale, and Charlotte Gainsbourg, Connan Mockasin has always maneuvered in mysterious ways. After touring with the likes of Radiohead and Neil & Liam Finn (Crowded House), the Kiwi R&B surrealist continues assembling a cult around his theater, nay spectacle, of life with Bostyn ’n Dobsyn screenings and Jassbusters performances throughout October and November 2018.

Taste :

Connan Mockasin - Charlotte’s Thong

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By Electric Looser

Senor Soul - Plays Funky Favorites 1968 (Double Shot Records)

Label : Double Shot Records

Value :

Tremendously groovy work from the legendary Senor Soul -- a fab little combo from late 60s LA, and one who played in a wonderful blend of soul, funk, and Latin-based modes! The sound here is made up from elements that include vibes, organ, piano, guitar, and drums -- plus plenty of funky flute on most numbers, really taking the lead in a snappingly soulful kind of way! Like most LA groups of the time, Senor Soul do a great job of blurring lines between genres working in some jazz, but staying more in a soul instrumental bag and acting Latin at times, but usually going for more of a funky approach in the end! Some tracks are covers, and some are originals.

Taste :

Senor soul - Poquito Soul 

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By Electric Looser

Mike Francis - Features Of Love 1985 (Club)

Label : Club

Value :

This 12" version of "Features" is an absolute Italian masterpiece in both it's arrangement & production--excellent sonics too. The synth bass coupled with the acoustic rhythm guitars is something not heard too often, and works fantastically here. Excellent!

Taste :

Mike Francis - Features Of Love

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By Electric Looser

The Frightnrs - Nothing More To Say 2016 (Daptone)

Label : Daptone

Value :

The Frightnrs have plenty more to say here – and they say it in a really sharp-edged approximation of older rocksteady modes! The group are contemporary, but like the best acts on Daptone, they've got an instantly classic feel – thanks to instrumentation and production that take us right back to late 60s Kingston, but with some of the sharper funky currents we've come to expect from the label! And while The Frightnrs may pitch themselves as an old school reggae act, they're also one that have a heavy dose of soul – almost a late night New Jersey current to their music at times – as if the All Platinum/Stang label put out their own version of Jamaican soul.

Taste :

The Frightnrs - What Have I Done

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By Electric Looser

Gloria Barnes – Uptown 1971 (Maple Records)

Label : Maple Records 

Value :

One of the few rare albums on the Maple label – a 70s imprint that's known for some incredible funk and soul! Despite the title, the set's a record that sounds a lot more down-home than uptown – thanks to hard-wailing vocals from Gloria Barnes herself, and a nicely rough-edged quality to the instrumentation overall – supposedly handled by Lee Moses and The Ohio Players – the latter of whom wrote a few of the songs too! The album's one of the few on Maple – and in a way, it's almost a female soul counterpart to the Lee Moses record on the same label – done in a similar mix of rootsy modes and east coast indie soul – occasionally sweet at points, but mostly deep soul overall.

Taste :

Gloria Barnes - I Gotta Get Away

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By Electric Looser

Bob Andy And Marcia Griffiths – Young Gifted And Black 1970 (Trojan Records)

Label : Trojan Records

Value :

In 1970, international recognition came when Bob and Marcia recorded Nina Simone’s ‘Young, Gifted and Black’, which sold 1/2 million in the UK and Europe, and still receives frequent airplay today. BOB & MARCIA became household names, appearing on Top of the Pops and touring extensively. They had another UK Top Ten single and two albums for Trojan Records. These two albums are now reissued on one cd. The cd offers an interesting bonus track: the Jamaican mix of ‘Young, Gifted and Black’, the hit song without the annoying strings that were added in London.

Taste :

Bob & Marcia - Young, Gifted and Black

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By Electric Looser

Peter Thomas Sound Orchester - Raumpatrouille 1966 (Philips)

Label : Philips

Value : 

Wonderful -- and one of our favorite soundtracks ever! The score was written by German jazzman Peter Thomas -- and has a mad mad mad style that blends together jazz, early electronics, bossa nova, Hammond organ -- and a dozen other musical touches you'd never really expect to encounter up in space! But it's the future, circa 1966 -- and what better way to explore that territory than by taking the mod grooves of the 60s, and "space-ifying" them a bit? The whole thing's tremendous -- funky, groovy, magical -- and one of those albums we've treasured for years!

Taste :

Peter Thomas Sound Orchester - Raumpatrouille 

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By Electric Looser

Terry Callier - Occasional Rain 1972 (Cadet)

Label : Cadet 

Value :

Terry Callier's first album for Cadet -- and the kickoff of one of the greatest three album runs that any soul artist ever recorded! This one's got a different feel than the later two, as it takes songs by Terry, and structures them with these little musical "seque" tracks in between every song, done in a sparer folksy style that recalls Terry's roots in the Old Town scene in Chicago. At the time, Terry was making the transition from folk artist to soul singer -- and he'd been picked up by Jerry Butler and The Dells as a promising young songwriter, one of the best talents of the second generation of Chicago soul stars. The record's a stripped-down affair that features a small group with Charles Stepney on harpsichord and organ, Callier on guitar, and backing vocals by Minnie Riperton, Shirley Wahls, and Kitty Haywood.

Taste :

Terry Callier - Ordinary Joe

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By Electric Looser

Love Unlimited - In Heat 1974 (20th Century Records)

Label : 20th Century Records

Value :

Classic 70s female soul – and one of the best albums ever recorded by Love Unlimited – a trio of ladies recording with Barry White during his glory years! The album's got a really incredible approach – partly in the mode of older female group soul, but also done with a hipper, more righteous style – one that pushes the sound past older standards for the music, yet which falls into none of the disco cliches of the time.

Taste :

Love Unlimited - Share A Little Love In Your Heart

Love Unlimited - I Needed Love - You Were There

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By Electric Looser

João Gilberto - O Amor, O Sorriso E A Flor 1960 (Odeon)

Label : Odeon

Value :

A wonderful album of Joao Gilberto's early bossa tracks from Brazil! The album's one of the first few that he ever recorded, and it's a masterpiece of understatement, recorded with arrangements by a young Antonio Carlos Jobim, and a soaring bossa sound that would soon make history. 

Taste :

João Gilberto - O Amor, O Sorriso E A Flor 

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By Electric Looser

Azimüth - Azimüth 1975 (Som Livre)

Label : Som Livre

Value :

One of the sweetest electric records to come from 70s Brazil – the fabulous first effort from the Azymuth trio, and work that's hardly been matched again! Although the group here have plenty of the warm keyboard touches of their more famous later work, they're also moving in territory that's a bit more abstract as well – using some noisier electronics amidst the smoother ones, to create a style that's somewhere between fusion, electric funk, and some of the more soaring Brazilian rhythms of the post-bossa years! The keyboards of Jose Roberto Bertrami are worth the price of admission alone – and include Fender Rhodes, Arp, and clavinet – plus bits of Hammond organ too!

Taste :

Azimüth - Azimüth (full album)

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By Electric Looser

 

Μοντέλο '63 - Μοντέλο '63 1988 (Cosmic Records)

Label : Cosmic Records

Value :

Οι Μοντέλο '63 με τον ομότιτλο δίσκο τους ηταν δημιούργημα του κιθαρίστα Τάκη Μπαρμπέρη γνωστού από jazz projects όπως οι Iskra και οι Jazz Fusion Quintet. Οι Μοντέλο '63 ενίοτε ακροβατούν μεταξύ μελαγχολίας και σοβαρότητας, χαλαρότητας και ελαφρότητας, με μουσική την οποία δεν μπορείς να χαρακτηρίσεις απλά pop, αλλά νεοκυματική pop με αρκετές πειραματικές rock φόρμες. Τα κομμάτια είναι ντυμένα με έξυπνο στίχο κοινωνικο-ερωτικού περιεχομένου. Όπου δεν υπάρχουν στίχοι, υπάρχουν πανέμορφα instrumental όπως το "Της Σελήνης". Βέβαια δεν πρόσθεσαν πολλά στην πολύπαθη ελληνική rock σκηνή, παρά μόνο αυτή την κυκλοφορία. Παρ' όλ' αυτά, είναι ένα ευχάριστο άκουσμα καθώς θα σας έρθουν στο μυαλό συγκροτήματα του ελληνόφωνου rock από τον Παύλο Σιδηρόπουλο ώς την Λευκή Συμφωνία.

Taste :

Μοντέλο 63 - Της Σελήνης

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By Electric Looser

Guem Et Zaka Percussion - Guem Et Zaka Percussion 1978 (Le Chant Du Monde)

Label : Le Chant Du Monde

Value :

One of the best albums ever recorded by percussionist Guem -- an enhanced session that has him working with the Zaka Percussion group, an ensemble of 6 percussionists that can handle a wide variety of instruments. The tracks are all driving and heavy -- with plenty of conga work from Guem, mixed in with assorted other touches that bring out weird melodies and other percussive twists!

Taste :

 Guem Et Zaka Percussion (full album)

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By Electric Looser

Alain Bellaïche - Sea Fluorescent 1976 (Αsylum Records)

Label : Asylum Records

Value :

Rare funky fusion by this overlooked French guitarist -- recorded in New York with a really unusual group, and in a setting that has Alain Bellaiche providing a bit of vocals too! The sound is great -- different than some of the more jamming rock fusion of the European scene at mid 70s -- maybe in part because the keyboardist on the set is John Hicks, an artist who doesn't usually do records like this -- and who brings in some wonderful elements on acoustic and electric piano, and a bit of organ too! There's also all sorts of great percussion touches from the enigmatic Fabiano -- vibes, celeste, bells, and more -- in addition to drums -- plus bass from Worrell Jones, who keeps things nice and tight throughout. Alain sings on most tracks, in this flowing style that's more soulful than slick -- never overdone, and almost just another warm musical element in the mix.

Taste :

Alain Bellaiche - Sea Fluorescent

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By Electric Looser

William S. Fischer - Circles 1970 (Embryo Records)

Label : Embryo Records

Value :

Super-righteous work from William S Fischer -- the ultra-hip arranger who was one of the most important forces in the late 60s underground soul jazz scene! Fischer is best known for his work with Eugene McDaniels, Eddie Harris, and Les McCann -- almost akin to the sorts of collaborative influence that David Axelrod had with Cannonball Adderley or Lou Rawls, but with a style that was decidedly darker, and trippier. This album's one of the few ever recorded under his own name -- originally done for the tripped-out jazz imprint Embryo, and featuring a unique blend of moog, strings, funk, and soul! Billy Cobham plays drums and percussion on the set, Bill Robinson sings on a few numbers, and Walter Sear adds in some extra moog next to Fischer's own work -- but the real brilliance comes from the overall concept -- funky one minute, laidback and trippy the next, very much in the spirit of some of the righteous crossover funk, soul, and rock recordings coming from McDaniels and Axelrod at the time! 

Taste :

William S. Fischer - Chains 

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By Electric Looser

Rupa Biswas - Disco Jazz 1982 (Megaphone)

Label :  Megaphone

Value :

A record that's got to be one of the coolest recorded in Calgary during the early 80s -- as it offers up a really unusual blend of modes that definitely lives up to its title, and which also borrows a bit from Indian music as well! Singer Rupa Biswas fronts a group that's equally strong on the instrumental tip, and which allow for plenty of room in the tracks to let the players stretch out and solo -- in a blend of keyboards and guitar with more traditional sarod and tablas! Rhythms are mostly upbeat, but in ways that are more interesting than the "disco" title implies -- especially in 1982 -- and the whole thing's maybe first a funky fusion record, which then borrows a bit from Indian percussion, then adds in Rupa's vocals in the lead.

Taste :

Rupa Biswas - Disco Jazz (full album)

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By Electric Looser

Tee Mac Featuring: Majorie Barnes - Night Illusion 1980 (S.K.J. Records)

Label : S.K.J. Records

Value :

The distinguished UK label has dug up yet another tasty soul nugget, this from Nigeria's disco boogie scene. Originally released in 1980, Tee Mac's Night Illusion is one of the foreign private press joints that even the most knowledgable diggers might not be aware of. Produced in tiny numbers on the enigmatic artists' own S.K.J. imprint, the record is still unknown outside its native country. Thankfully Soul Jazz comes to the rescue (again!) and gives this lost masterpiece a long overdue reissue. From Soul Jazz: "The timelessness of this soulful, ground-breaking funk jazz lost masterpiece Night Illusion leads to comparisons with James Mason’s legendary lost classic album Rhythm of Life, with his unique individualism and intensity hinting at the boogie funk of groups such as Mass Production and Slave so loved by artists such as Moodyman and Theo Parrish. While Fela Kuti is now a cultural icon of Nigerian music throughout the world, the recent crossover success of William Onyeabor shows just how much undiscovered Nigerian music remains waiting to be explored outside of the country. Tee Mac was born in Lagos, the son of a Nigerian princess and a Swiss diplomat. He picked up the flute at age 7 and ten years later was studying classical musical in Switzerland under his uncle the composer J.J. Direndirger. Returning to Lagos, Nigeria in 1970 he formed the heavyweight afro rock group Tee Mac and Afro Collection (which included Johnny Haastrup on keyboards and The Lijadu Sisters on vocals). This band was famously joined by the legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker who came to Nigeria to play with them in 1971 (captured in the film Ginger Baker in Africa). At age 24, Tee Mac moved to Germany where he co-wrote and recorded the European disco group Silver Convention (whose ‘Fly Robin Fly’ became number one in the USA charts). This enabled him to return to Nigeria where he formed his own label SKJ Records to release his self-financed album Night Illusion...

Taste :

Tee Mac - A Certain Way To Go

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By Electric Looser

The Blackbyrds – Better Days 1980 (Fantasy)

Label : Echoes

Value :

Sweet warm grooves from the mighty Blackbyrds - a set that has George Duke working with the group, giving them some of the electric vibe of his own great work! The sound is less sharply funky than the early days of the group, but still mighty nice.

*This cover shows up for the first time on the web.

Taste :

The Blackbyrds - Do It Girl

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By Electric Looser

Masabumi Kikuchi Quintet - End For The Beginning 1975 (Philips)

Label : Philips

Value :

One of the most soulful sessions we've ever heard from Japanese pianist Masabumi Kikuchi -- a brilliant quintet outing that features some really great work on tenor and soprano sax! Kikuchi's piano is usually enough to grab our attention, but the album's got a great added bonus in the presence of Kosuke Mine on soprano sax and Hideo Miyata on tenor -- both players whose horns bring in some added sharpness to the date, and further underscore the spiritual elements in Kikuchi's music -- almost with the same mix of reeds and driving rhythms you'd find in the post-Coltrane work of Elvin Jones.

Taste :

Masabumi Kikuchi Quintet - Drizzling Rain

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By Electric Looser

Juan Pablo Torres - Cuba Disco 1984 (On The Rocks)

Label : On The Rocks

Value :

One of the most unusual albums ever cut by the legendary Latin jazz trombonist Juan Pablo Torres – and one of the grooviest, too – a special set that was recorded in Milan in the mid 80s, with backings by a sweet group who do a great job of blending Latin rhythms, clubby grooves, and just the right touch of jazz! Juan's on trombone in the lead – working with the Algo Nuevo group, which features the mighty Gonzalo Rubalcaba on piano, Fender Rhodes, and other keyboards – plus trumpet work from Adalberto Lore, who balances out Torres' sound in a really great way! There's both a mix of electric and acoustic percussion on the set, and the groove is more 80s club than 70s disco – and also comes across with the style of some of the more unusual hybrids that you'd be likely to find on the Areito label during Juan's generation in Cuba.

Taste :

Juan Pablo Torres - Bermuda Triangle

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By Electric Looser

Ike Reiko - You, Baby 1971 (Teichiku Records)

Label : Teichiku Records

Value :

A really unusual record from early 70s Japan -- one that features vocals from erotic actress Reiko Ike -- done in a mode that's very similar to her sexy appearances on screen! And in fact, when we say "vocals", maybe "vocalizations" should be more the case -- as many of these tracks are sexy grunts, groans, and exclamations -- mixed with a bit of more conventional singing -- set to instrumentation that's groovy and jazzy, and which has some nice soundtrack modes in the styles -- all almost like an audio equivalent of softcore porn, with a quality that's enough to make Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin blush! 

Taste :

Ike Reiko - Giddiness

Ike Reiko - Love Slave

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By Electric Looser

Akira Ishikawa - Back To Rhythm 1975 (Columpia)

Label : Columpia

Value :

Heavy funk from a hip Japanese combo -- one that features lots of drums and percussion from leader Akira Ishikawa, plus plenty of guitar, keyboards, and hard-riffing horns! Akira's taking most of his cues here from American funk of the early 70s -- work by Incredible Bongo Band, BT Express, and others -- but he often serves up the music with a fair bit of conga work at the front of the arrangements, in a way that takes familiar tunes and gives them a much rootsier, earthier kind of groove! The approach is unique, but totally great -- and the album's a funk album unlike anything else we can think of -- quite unusual even for the experimental Japanese scene of the time. 

Taste :

Akira Ishikawa - Love Is The Answer

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By Electric Looser

Tony Joe White – Black And White 1969 (Monument)

Label :  Monument

Value :

Damn soulful work from Tony Joe White – exactly the kind of set that shows why he was so great at skirting both the borders of rock and soul music at the end of the 60s! There's a really fresh, new groove going on here – a vibe that shows an artist who's spent a decade drawing in all the best elements of Memphis and Muscle Shoals, with a slight touch of Nashville country at times too (no surprise, given the Monuments Records release of the set) – but also a more biting singer/songwriter ethos that really pushes the whole thing out to a much bigger rockish vibe! Drums are amazing – played by Jerry Carrigan with an especially funky quality on side one – and the tunes are a mix of great originals by White – many of which would be covered by others in years to come – plus some well-chosen covers, too. Tracks include "Soul Francisco", "Willie & Laura Mae Jones", "Polk Salad Annie", "Aspen Colorado", "Who's Makin Love", and "Scratch My Back".

Taste :

Tony Joe White - Whompt Out On You

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By Electric Looser

Johnny Bristol - Hang On In There Baby 1974 (MGM)

Label : MGM

Value :

The first solo album from Johnny Bristol - a genius soul talent who did a bunch of great work for Motown as a writer and arranger, breaking out here on his own! Like so many other behind the scenes talents from the late 60s, Johnny turned out to be an excellent soul artist in his own right -- even though he only got to cut a rare few albums during the 70s -- and this debut album already has him emerging straight away as a fully-formed talent! The vibe is a great mix of Detroit and California Motown -- arranged by HB Barnum, and produced with a style that's tight, but still open and fluid too. Backings mix soulful strings with sweet harmonies -- and lots of the tunes have a great 70s mellow soul groove.

Taste :

Johnny Bristol - Woman Woman

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By Electric Looser

Cal Tjader - Demasiado Caliente 1960 (Fantasy)

Label : Fantasy

Value :

One of Cal Tjader's lesser-known Latin sessions from his Fantasy Records years -- a nice little cooker with some great arrangements from Eddie Cano, who also plays piano on the set! The album features two different groups -- one a more familiar Tjader quartet with Lonnie Hewitt on piano and Jose Lozano on flute -- the other a slightly larger group led by Cano, featuring Eddie on pian, Modesto Briseno on flute and alto, and Tony Terran on trumpet. Tracks are shortish, but plenty darn great -- and Cal's vibes get some great company from the piano and horn players on the date.

Taste :

Cal Tjader - Demasiado Caliente (full album)

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By Electric Looser

Chick Corea - Return To Forever 1972 (ECM)

Label : ECM

Value :

One of Chick Corea's greatest moments on record – the self-titled album by the legendary Return To Forever group – a combo that included Joe Farrell on saxes, Flora Purim on vocals, Airto on percussion, and Stanley Clarke on bass! The sound is archetypal 70s fusion at its best – filled with soaring electric keyboard work from Chick, and plenty of great Brazilian touches by Airto and Flora. Farrell's reeds help the tunes get a really sharp edge, especially once they get going – and the whole album is an electric piano classic through and through, filled with great titles that include "Sometime Ago/La Fiesta", "Return To Forever", "Crystal Silence", and "What Game Shall We Play Today".

Taste :

Chick Corea - Return To Forever  (full album)

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By Electric Looser

Don Ellis - Soaring 1973 (MPS)

 

Label : MPS

Value :

A well-titled album from trumpeter Don Ellis – as the set soars to the skies from the very first note! The album's got a dynamic energy that almost beats Don's American work of the time – lots of funky rhythms, and a cool MPS groove that shows the label's strong 70s legacy of larger group jazz recordings! Like other MPS dates of the time, there's a nice mix of electric and acoustic instrumentation in the lineup – bass and guitar that kick the rhythms up strongly, plus keyboards and electrified strings that bring in their own unique sounds.

Taste :

Don Ellis - Go Back Home

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By Electric Looser

Payfone & Kyd Nereida – I Feel You 2023 (Leng)

If slo-mo electronic disco with a Balearic twist is your bag, then this team-up between London-based duo Payfone (AKA James Day and Phil Passera) and vocalist Kyd Nereida is one to check for sure. Nereida's wistful vox are the star of the show here, and sit atop a warm and velvety musical backdrop that's definitely more suited to poolside chillin' or post-club sofa-surfing than it is to peaktime dancefloor abandon - though that's not to say its bass-y, keys-flecked groove isn't infectious. Things take a turn for the spacier on a brace of rerubs from label boss Mudd, while a radio edit completes the package.

Taste :

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By Electric Looser

Coyote - Magic Wand Special Editions Vol 7 2022 (Magic Wand)

Label : Magic Wand

Value :

The Coyote lads take a moment to chill from their ever-steady output on their Is It Balearic? label to drop this pearler for the Magic Wand edit series. It won't take a private gumshoe to work out the source material for 'Kate's Bush (Nocturnal Edit)', but you won't have heard the original simmering quite like this brooding version before. 'Kool Kats' is dripping in yacht rock delight with Mercurial vocal trysts over the top, while 'Lee Sure (Black Hashish Dub)' takes things far out into pure sundown wind-down territory. 'El Verano' completes the set with a beautiful, dusty lick of 70s funk, complete with sultry trumpet and the lightest of FX touches.

Taste :

Coyote - Lee Sure (Black Hashish Dub)

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By Electric Looser