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C.O.R.N! is the debut album by Nick Acorne and Patrick Wurzwallner aka. C.O.R.N! Eclectic mixture of genres and styles. C.O.R.N! is unexpected, unbelievable, unpredictable and always groovy. C.O.R.N! is “Rick and Morty” in music.

180 gm vinyl re-issue for the connoisseur.

Anyone listening to contemporary jazz piano is very likely to tune
into the legacy of Bill Evans, particularly when confronted by the
work of Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and Brad
Mehldau. These artists collectively display various elements of
his style, ranging from reflection to subtlety and taste in the
extreme. His importance to the development of jazz is
unquestionable, the words of British jazz critic Barry McRae
being the perfect summation: 'A brilliant pianist who somehow
managed to disguise the fact, Bill Evans never paraded his
technique but, like all true virtuosi, he made no mistakes. His
home was the piano trio and he brought to piano, bass and
drums an orchestral awareness and expansiveness that belied
the size of the group.'

'Oblique is one of only two quartet sessions the great vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson recorded for Blue Note (the classic Happenings being the other).
Both albums featured the seminal pianist Herbie Hancock and drum master Joe Chambers, with the only variable in the line-up here being bassist Albert Stinson. Hutcherson’s breezy opener “‘Til Then,” Hancock’s tremendous “Theme From Blow Up,” and Chambers’ adventurous “Oblique” are standouts of a session that, taken as a whole, is an incredible journey from hard bop grooves to exploratory sonic tone poems. Recorded in 1967, the album wasn’t first released until 1979.

An'archives presents three documents, three vinyl records carved by the illuminations of Masayoshi Urabe, six performances engraved like epitaphs in the stone that covers the Living World.
These are recordings made in small suburban venues in Japan, where Urabe would play in front of a meagre audience: the Bitches Brew in Yokohama, the Groove in Okinawa and the Gari Gari in Tokyo.
In the corridors of cult label P.S.F. Records, Urabe came across the likes of Kan Mikami, Chie Mukai, Rinji Fukuoka, Hiroshi Hasegawa, with whom he played, and sometimes recorded albums of unfathomable beauty. But he is most disturbing, luminous and dark, violent and poignant, during his solo sets. Hideo Ikeezumi (the cultural ambassador behind P.S.F.) supported him more than others and tried to offer him all the space he could hope for.
His only kindred spirits are Kaoru Abe and Albert Ayler, with whom he shares a sense of tragedy, the same jealous string to swing into the sound, to turn the heavens over to our feet. Urabe mates with his alto sax, assaults it, snuff jazz calling fallen angels to come and haunt us.
Death, like Eros, haunts Masayoshi Urabe’s body of work, and unravels through copper sounds. He follows the sound, inhales it, spits it like an air bag turned inside out until exhaustion, violent, playing and dancing, willing the front rows to give in to his murky eroticism.
Urabe is a magnificent musician, even though he ends up trashing everything, leaving only a mutilated musical body behind. Strangled notes, no melody, just breath, spat air, un chant d'amour.

'Visions in Black and White' is a collection of rare jazz and improvised themes by one of the greatest Russian film composers Mikael Tariverdiev (1931-1996). Transferred from the original tapes and beautifully remastered, these recordings manage to retain their original ambience and capture a master at work. Originally composed for cinema and TV movies of the 1960s and 1970s, it centres on Mikael playing at the piano and keyboard. Many of the compositions can be described as jazz, a genre whose troubled story in the Soviet Union meant they probably would not have existed outside the context of a film score. But, as Vera Tariverdieva, Mikael's wife, tells, it is probably more in accordance with his vision to hear them in the context of his life-long love of improvisation. "Astoundingly, he said more than once that he wasn't fond of jazz. This perplexed me, as he'd always been great at improvisation. Imagine my amazement then when I rummaged through one of our old closets and found a crumbling old tape. It was the score for the 1964 film 'Until Tomorrow'. I played it. And the realisation came: not only had Mikael had been fond of jazz - no, he'd been an amazing jazz musician." Vera Tariverdieva The pieces here are an introduction to Mikael's musical world. The tonality of individual tracks varies - they were transferred from original tapes of different eras and conditions that are kept in the Tariverdiev apartment in Moscow where Vera still lives and works.

Um aus der Masse der LP-Wiederveröffentlichungen herauszuragen, gibt es nur ein Rezept: besondere Qualität!
In der Machart der audiophile BLUE NOTE TONE POET-Serie spielt jetzt auch Verve mit, mit seiner neuen ACOUSTIC SOUNDS-Serie.
Die dritte Staffel präsentiert zwei absolute Nina-Simone-Klassiker. So exquisit gefertigt wie hier gab es diese allerdings noch nie: gemastert ohne digitale Zwischenschritte von den Original-Analogbändern, in 180gVinyl gepresst von Quality Record Pressings und in stabile Tip-on-Gatefold-Sleeves verpackt, gedruckt und verarbeitet bei Stoughton Printing Co. Die gesamte Fertigungskette betreut der legendäre Chad Kassem vom audiophilen LP-Label Acoustic Sounds.

LTD GOLD COLOURED

The planets align this October as the mighty Sun Ra Arkestra, under the direction of the maestro Marshall Allen, release their first studio album in over twenty years, 'Swirling'. Recorded at Rittenhouse Soundworks in Philadelphia, the new recording represents the continuation of a heartfelt rebirth of the Arkestra under Allen's guidance since Sun Ra left the planet in 1993, gaining new generations of followers from their regular touring across the globe. With a big band line-up featuring long-standing Arkestra members including Danny Ray Thompson (RIP), Michael Ray, Vincent Chancey, Knoel Scott, Cecil Brooks, Atakatune (RIP), Elson Nascimento and Tyler Mitchell, the album is a full-blooded celebration of Sun Ra's legacy. Tracks include brand new arrangements of Arkestra staples 'Angels And Demons At Play', 'Satellites Are Spinning', 'Door Of The Cosmos' and 'Rocket No. 9' alongside lesser known gems; the rousing blues 'Darkness' is recorded here for the first time, resurrected from the Ra archives by Marshall Allen. Other highlights include an epic version of 'Seductive Fantasy' (first recorded on Ra's 'On Jupiter' LP in 1979), the freeform sonic blast of 'Infinity / I'll Wait For You' and a first ever recording of the Marshall Allen swing composition, 'Swirling'. "We truly hope that this recording brings much joy to a planet which is so deeply in need of a spirit sound and vibration," states saxophonist Knoel Scott. "We hope it contributes to a change in the ominous direction of man's journey through the cosmos." "This new release is the Arkestra's love offering to the world," concludes Marshall Allen. "Beta music for a better world."

On LP for the very first time, the vivid musical cues that American jazz
pianist and composer Vince Guaraldi wrote for the cast of Peanuts characters, adding new dimensions to beloved regulars like Peppermint Patty, Schroeder, Sally, and, of course, Charlie Brown.
In addition to nine songs performed by Guaraldi, the album also includes two classic Peanuts tunes recorded by pianist George Winston. Eight of the selections on Peanuts Portraits (including Winston renditions of “Linus And Lucy” and “Masked Marvel”) make their vinyl debut.

One of the most lauded (not to mention brilliant) trumpet players in the history of jazz, Clifford Brown adds to his luster on this varied program of nine engaging tunes. The 1955 line-up of the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet – one of the premiere early hard bop units – included tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow.

Born in Redlands, California in 1980, Marquis Howell grew up in a lovely way. Raised to appreciate hand-me-downs, secondhand goods & older influences, he started imitating Chuck Berry riffs on air guitar in elementary school to impress the girls. Having little to no luck with the invisible instrument & with many promises & persuasions, his parents bought him his first guitar. Marquis took lessons at the local guitar shop and as often as possible he would practice 4 or more hours a day.

Marquis first started collecting records at the age of 15. His first job was at an antique store with a section of records that set off the retro-active chain of events that would change his life, more or less. It started with a Johnny Cash record, Live At Fulsom Prison. Thru the route of early country music that led to Emmett Miller while Cliff Edwards was introduced by a friend with a bargain bin cd. Pre-war jazz flooded his ears and he was joyfully treading water.

In 2002, Marquis' band, Hobo Jazz, was formed with no big bravado but a lot of eager charm. Culling it's selections from all sides with an emphasis on early country, blues & jazz along with originals in a decidedly vagabond vein. He traded his acoustic guitar for an upright bass in 2004 to fill the spot of an absentee hobo. Teaching himself how to play by listening to early Willie Dixon records & studying the techniques of Pops Foster, Bill Johnson, and the tuba lines off many early jazz recordings.

Tramp proudly presents the debut 45rpm single by Hobo Jazz! "It's a Man's World" was recorded live at the New Years Eve Show 2009 at The Piano Bar in Hollywood while "One Glance (At the Jolly Roger)" is taken from their studio album "The Curse Of Tramp Life".

On this 1954 eponymous album, recorded for Emarcy, Sarah Vaughan, arguably in the best voice of her career, sings nine intimate standards. The album was later reissued as Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown to signal the involvement of one of the top trumpeters of the day. Brown is on par with her with his bop virtuosity The band, including Herbie Mann on flute, and Paul Quinichette on tenor, have plenty of space for solos.

Tramp Records continues their pilgrimage to the soulful fringes of spiritual jazz and progressive rock and funk with their 3rd and 4th volumes of their "Peace Chant, Raw, Deep and Spiritual Jazz" series, and the world could not be more ready.

As we turn together on this tiny blue ball hanging lonely in space, and as we together face existential threats ranging from climate catastrophe, the rise of brutal authoritarian regimes, the breaking of the industrial storm and the imminent collapse of empire, not to mention the raging covid-19 crisis and the continuing racial and social struggles across the globe, we are thrust into a society-wide grand awakening that has been in the making for a very long time. Of course, our musical teachers have trod this path before us, and have worked out solutions to these problems, the songs of the Peace Chant series ring out loud and clear as our ancestors' proof of concept. They say history repeats herself, maybe it's because we weren't listening the first time. Thanks to Tramp Records, we have been granted another opportunity.

Today, the musical and spiritual truths enshrined within the spiritual jazz diaspora seem to be more and more sought-after, and crucial at a time when we as a society seek higher and farther for those bold truths. With each generation, that truth doesn't change, and the artists featured in the series speak those truths along a continuum that ranges from the late-60s up to the present day.

Volume 3, the first LP, features artists who use their medium to welcome the return of the sacred feminine as in Lenny Marcus Trio's Mother's Day, and speak on afrocentric themes like Roland Hayes with his heartfelt Africa The Beautiful. Mineral King renders epic orchestral rock while Natural Life takes us even further on a ten-minute epic quest from a progressive fusion head, to searing tabla, into virtuosic guitar jamming and finally dropping into heady fuzz-soaked riffs and free-jazz fusion with their theme song. Rama Dyushambee sings a devotional song about divine source and healing, while Jule Farmer's Muhammad Ali stands strong at the crossroads between black spirituality and black power. Black Is provides a vibey lo-fi flute jazz meditation in their Themes and Variation while The Supa Lowery Brothers provide the requisite hard modal freedom funk.

Peace Chant is the center of the mandala, representing the nucleus of the post-bop, modal jazz, avant-garde, transcendental, spiritual, ethnic, and freedom music universe without necessarily suggesting anything immediately identifiable as any of the above. This is the soundtrack to the raising of human consciousness and the salvation of society's very soul.

We give thanks to Tramp Records for leading our thirsty hearts to this rich fountain.

Strut present the 4CD edition of Sun Ra's 'Egypt 1971' along with the original albums 'Dark Myth Equation Visitation', 'Nidhamu' and 'Horizon' released as individual LPs, documenting Sun Ra's first trip to Egypt with his Arkestra in December 1971. In the years leading up to 1971, Sun Ra wrote many compositions and poems specifically inspired by the ancient African Kingdoms and many others with associated mythological and heliocentric connotations. As such, a visit to Egypt and the opportunity for the Arkestra to play there was a matter of necessity. Ra's first ever concerts outside of the US had occurred in late summer and autumn of 1970 with performances in France, Germany and the UK and a second European tour was arranged for late 1971. At the end of that second tour, Ra caught wind of cheap flights from Denmark to Cairo. This release comprises recordings made by Arkestra member Thomas "Bugs" Hunter made in December 1971 in the streets around the Mena House Hotel, Giza, from a concert held at the house of Goethe Institute ex-pat Hartmut Geerken in Heliopolis, from a live Cairo TV channel broadcast and a concert at the Ballon Theatre in Cairo. The impact and significance of these few weeks upon Sun Ra can be measured by the growth and development of his output over the next few years; the immediate post-Egypt period included new studio and live recordings on the Saturn, Blue Thumb, Atlantic and Impulse labels and the 'Space Is The Place' movie. Ra also edited the three LPs of the 'Live In Egypt' series which were subsequently released on his Saturn record label and its affiliated twin, Thoth Intergalactic: 'Dark Myth Equation Visitation', 'Nidhamu' and 'Horizon'. These three albums are now reissued as single LP editions in their original artwork. The 4CD set features these albums alongside previously unreleased material from the December 1971 recordings. All tracks are remastered from the original tapes and the CD set also features a 24-page booklet featuring new sleeve notes and rare photos by Hartmut Geerken and background information on the recordings by Paul Griffiths.

"Places and Spaces" is an album by American trumpeter Donald Byrd, that was released on Blue Note in 1975.

This is one of his finest album with a music that falls halfway between the cinematic neo-funk of Street Lady and the proto-disco soul of Earth, Wind & Fire ! A must-have !

COLLECTOR’S EDITION LIMITED TO 1,000 COPIES WORLDWIDE.

Simon Popp and Sebastian Wolfgruber aka Fazer Drums team up with Tunisian producer Azu Tiwaline for the second part of their hybrid Sound Measures series.
On the A side, the Munich-based duo's pure and raw drumming gets more melodic than on the first edition. With interwoven, polyrhythmic grooves they explore the concept of counterpoint, drawing inspiration from Gamelan, Afro-Cuban and Swing.
That's material made in heaven for Azu Tiwaline, who made sizeable waves this year with her Magnetic Service EP on Bristol's Livity Sound.
In her rework, she kept the focus on the drums, boiling down and rearranging the different parts into a 7-minute beast of a tune. Layers of her signature dubbed-out electronics add to the mystic aura, while maintaining the dynamics and musicality of the recordings.

The holy grail of. Recorded at London's Morgan studios shortly after Pink Floyd's Meddle was recorded, this album saw a tiny release on the Dutch Pink Elephant label followed by an equally elusive release on the Italian Carosello label. This here is the reissue of the superb and sought-after group cover Italian release. Strictly limited to 600 copies on ultra clear translucent.The music is a superb blend of blaxploitation deep-funk with jazz and psychedelic elements. San Francisco cop thriller meets Italian 70's B-movie Soundtrack. Release date and more details to be announced soon.

The planets align this October as the mighty Sun Ra Arkestra, under the direction of the maestro Marshall Allen, release their first studio album in over twenty years, 'Swirling'. Recorded at Rittenhouse Soundworks in Philadelphia, the new recording represents the continuation of a heartfelt rebirth of the Arkestra under Allen's guidance since Sun Ra left the planet in 1993, gaining new generations of followers from their regular touring across the globe. With a big band line-up featuring long-standing Arkestra members including Danny Ray Thompson (RIP), Michael Ray, Vincent Chancey, Knoel Scott, Cecil Brooks, Atakatune (RIP), Elson Nascimento and Tyler Mitchell, the album is a full-blooded celebration of Sun Ra's legacy. Tracks include brand new arrangements of Arkestra staples 'Angels And Demons At Play', 'Satellites Are Spinning', 'Door Of The Cosmos' and 'Rocket No. 9' alongside lesser known gems; the rousing blues 'Darkness' is recorded here for the first time, resurrected from the Ra archives by Marshall Allen. Other highlights include an epic version of 'Seductive Fantasy' (first recorded on Ra's 'On Jupiter' LP in 1979), the freeform sonic blast of 'Infinity / I'll Wait For You' and a first ever recording of the Marshall Allen swing composition, 'Swirling'. "We truly hope that this recording brings much joy to a planet which is so deeply in need of a spirit sound and vibration," states saxophonist Knoel Scott. "We hope it contributes to a change in the ominous direction of man's journey through the cosmos." "This new release is the Arkestra's love offering to the world," concludes Marshall Allen. "Beta music for a better world."

Pique-nique Recordings is proud to present 'Investigate and Enjoy', a deep musical conversation between two of New York City’s most prolific musicians, Dave Harrington and Kenny Wollesen. Harrington (Darkside) and Wollesen (Sex Mob) use a shared language of texture, groove, and space to craft intricate, free-formed, and inventive experimental music.

Wollesen’s forceful percussion opens up side A, which grooves heavily underneath Harrington’s skittering electronics. The flip side features sparse yet rich guitar tones on what Harrington and Wollesen refer to as an “improvised ballad.” Both pieces resonate with a powerful mood as hints of late-Talk Talk and Battles permeate these unique recordings.

This release is part of an ongoing series that aims to capture the New York City jazz scene in its current, always evolving form.


"Of all of the things we've done together over the years, playing as a duo has been one of the most special to me. We never rehearse, we never play any songs, but Kenny and I find ourselves writing music together in real-time. Kenny is the rare drummer who has the ability to not only supply a sort of canvas for another musician to work inside of and to paint harmonically on, but he can make the frame around it, and he can splatter paint himself in a meaningful way that has the power to change the whole shape of the shared dream of an improvisation.

We have recorded together a number of times over the last several years and this music came out of one such meeting. While it is no exaggeration when I say that having my name next to Kenny’s on a record sleeve is a dream come true, the real dream is getting to make music with a true master." - Dave Harrington

Pique-nique Recordings is proud to present 'Chrysanthemum', two spontaneous piano improvisations by composer and bandleader, Erik Deutsch; directed, sculpted, and accompanied by Spencer Zahn.

Sparseness, beauty, and freedom define Deutch and Zahn’s creative output, which was formed over a mutual admiration for Thelonious Monk’s Solo Monk LP. With his first solo improvisational recording in a 25-year career, Deutsch combines his extensive experience in the free-music realm with inspiration from the likes of Alice Coltrane and Bill Evans.

This release is part of an ongoing series that aims to capture the New York City jazz scene in its current, always evolving form.

'Improvisation is the main form of communication between NYC jazz musicians; the purest, most direct path to the essence of another creative spirit. I’ve ventured down that road in hundreds of jam sessions over the past few decades (and made life-long friends in the process). Yet somehow, when it’s time to get in the studio, one tends to lean towards pre-composed material with an idea in the back of your head that the studio free-improviser is a different kind of cat than oneself, perhaps with a different artistic integrity or maybe even lacking material.

Fuck that. I’m glad to take the plunge and I say with all honesty that nothing could feel better in this moment.' - Erik Deutsch

Pique-nique Recordings is proud to present 'The Harvest', the debut recording from trio Spencer Zahn, Austin Tufts, and Jacob Bergson. Recorded over a weekend in Montreal, the three musicians approached the session without any preconceived ideas of what they wanted to create.

The result is a fully-realized record from three skilled players responding to one another live in the studio, effortlessly gliding through ambient post-rock and jazz. Tufts’ driving rhythms, Bergson’s soaring synthesizers, and Zahn’s melodic bass on ‘Mile X’ provide a beautiful opener, whilst the grounded and utterly beautiful ‘The Harvest’ creates a moment of all-encompassing stillness.

This release is part of an ongoing series that aims to capture the New York City jazz scene in its current, always evolving form.

"In October 2018, Jacob Bergson and I travelled from NYC to one of my favorite cities in the world, Montreal. The idea was to spend a week with my long-time friend and favorite drummer, Austin Tufts, who had recently built a studio for his band, Braids, on the edge of Mile-Ex.

At the beginning of each day, we would prompt each other with a short idea or phrase and build on it together until an arrangement began to emerge. As the three of us fell into roles that we each play naturally, the music started to take shape. Forms and energy-arch were outlined by Austin’s drumming, space and ambiance were created by Jacob’s piano and modular synthesizer, while I focused on harmony and bass motion." Spencer Zahn

Strut present the 4CD edition of Sun Ra's 'Egypt 1971' along with the original albums 'Dark Myth Equation Visitation', 'Nidhamu' and 'Horizon' released as individual LPs, documenting Sun Ra's first trip to Egypt with his Arkestra in December 1971. In the years leading up to 1971, Sun Ra wrote many compositions and poems specifically inspired by the ancient African Kingdoms and many others with associated mythological and heliocentric connotations. As such, a visit to Egypt and the opportunity for the Arkestra to play there was a matter of necessity. Ra's first ever concerts outside of the US had occurred in late summer and autumn of 1970 with performances in France, Germany and the UK and a second European tour was arranged for late 1971. At the end of that second tour, Ra caught wind of cheap flights from Denmark to Cairo. This release comprises recordings made by Arkestra member Thomas "Bugs" Hunter made in December 1971 in the streets around the Mena House Hotel, Giza, from a concert held at the house of Goethe Institute ex-pat Hartmut Geerken in Heliopolis, from a live Cairo TV channel broadcast and a concert at the Ballon Theatre in Cairo. The impact and significance of these few weeks upon Sun Ra can be measured by the growth and development of his output over the next few years; the immediate post-Egypt period included new studio and live recordings on the Saturn, Blue Thumb, Atlantic and Impulse labels and the 'Space Is The Place' movie. Ra also edited the three LPs of the 'Live In Egypt' series which were subsequently released on his Saturn record label and its affiliated twin, Thoth Intergalactic: 'Dark Myth Equation Visitation', 'Nidhamu' and 'Horizon'. These three albums are now reissued as single LP editions in their original artwork. The 4CD set features these albums alongside previously unreleased material from the December 1971 recordings. All tracks are remastered from the original tapes and the CD set also features a 24-page booklet featuring new sleeve notes and rare photos by Hartmut Geerken and background information on the recordings by Paul Griffiths.

The first of three volumes: stomping, rollicking gospel music, intermingling with raw soul, searing blues, hard-rocking doo-wop and jazz, and storming r&b.

Infused and incandescent with the hurting, surging indignation of the Civil Rights movement, here are twenty-four precious scorchers by giants like the Staple Singers and Jimmy Scott, alongside devastating sides by less celebrated names like the Harmonising Five of Burlington, North Carolina, and teen-group the North Philadelphia Juniors, culminating triumphantly with slamming, sanctified versions of Hit The Road Jack and Wade In The Water.

Gatefold sleeve, with full-size booklet; beautifully designed, with stunning, rare photographs and original Savoy artwork.

Strut present the 4CD edition of Sun Ra's 'Egypt 1971' along with the original albums 'Dark Myth Equation Visitation', 'Nidhamu' and 'Horizon' released as individual LPs, documenting Sun Ra's first trip to Egypt with his Arkestra in December 1971. In the years leading up to 1971, Sun Ra wrote many compositions and poems specifically inspired by the ancient African Kingdoms and many others with associated mythological and heliocentric connotations. As such, a visit to Egypt and the opportunity for the Arkestra to play there was a matter of necessity. Ra's first ever concerts outside of the US had occurred in late summer and autumn of 1970 with performances in France, Germany and the UK and a second European tour was arranged for late 1971. At the end of that second tour, Ra caught wind of cheap flights from Denmark to Cairo. This release comprises recordings made by Arkestra member Thomas "Bugs" Hunter made in December 1971 in the streets around the Mena House Hotel, Giza, from a concert held at the house of Goethe Institute ex-pat Hartmut Geerken in Heliopolis, from a live Cairo TV channel broadcast and a concert at the Ballon Theatre in Cairo. The impact and significance of these few weeks upon Sun Ra can be measured by the growth and development of his output over the next few years; the immediate post-Egypt period included new studio and live recordings on the Saturn, Blue Thumb, Atlantic and Impulse labels and the 'Space Is The Place' movie. Ra also edited the three LPs of the 'Live In Egypt' series which were subsequently released on his Saturn record label and its affiliated twin, Thoth Intergalactic: 'Dark Myth Equation Visitation', 'Nidhamu' and 'Horizon'. These three albums are now reissued as single LP editions in their original artwork. The 4CD set features these albums alongside previously unreleased material from the December 1971 recordings. All tracks are remastered from the original tapes and the CD set also features a 24-page booklet featuring new sleeve notes and rare photos by Hartmut Geerken and background information on the recordings by Paul Griffiths.

Welcome to the second instalment of my 'Jazz Dance Fusion' compilation series for Joey Negro's Z Records. I continue to look back into the story & history of the UK jazz dance and jazz music scene; a movement that started for me back in the 70's. The sounds of funk & soul mixed with jazz, influences from Brazil, Africa, Europe and all over the globe, textures of instrumental sounds & voices, fuse to create the much-loved 'jazz fusion' sound that we love. Here we are in 2020 when interest in all forms of Jazz is growing fast as DJ pioneers such as Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge, Perry Louis, Snowboy, Nick Hosier, Alan Mckinnon, Jim Bernardi, Kev Beadle, Harv Nagi, Shuya Okino and David Patterson continue to push all aspects of Jazz to converted and new audiences. So, to this compilation where I am showcasing unreleased material and offering tracks up for the first time ever on vinyl and CD. The track listing covers my addiction to dance-floor jazz, coupled with my passion for vocal and percussive jazz, with my usual trademark latin touches. Hope you enjoy the selection - turn it up loud and feel the jazz passion flow!

Formed in Chicago in 2009, Apiary brought together four of that city's most versatile and prolific musicians: David Daniell (guitar), Steven Hess (drums), Joseph Clayton Mills (electronics), and Jason Stein (bass clarinet). Together, Apiary interwove disparate strands of Chicago's improvised music community, seamlessly incorporating their influences—ranging from jazz to minimalism to noise—into a whole that was dense and hypnotic.

Having developed a reputation for the intensity of their live performances, Apiary entered the studio in the spring of 2010 in an attempt to document their unique sound. These recordings, uncovered and revisited a decade later, have lost none of their power or immediacy. If anything, the intervening years provide a sense of perspective and insight into how vital Apiary's music—grounded in collaboration and possibility—remains. Apiary was reworked and brought to completion in 2020; it provides a fascinating window into a crucial moment in Chicago's musical history, one that still vibrates with startling urgency.

"Babylon A.M.C." Subtitle: "Instrumental Fantasy for 11 Keyboards & Rhythm and Brass Combination" is the most advanced and versatile work by German composer, pianist and saxophonist Helmuth Brandenburg. The music is arranged in the form of a suite, as a progressive fusion composition of ten individual tracks. These tracks move unconventionally between genres such as jazz, funk, electronica, world music and touches of a Giallo soundtrack. This melting pot flows much like a concept album.

The vinyl LP of the same name was created in 1978 at the RIAS recording studio in West Berlin. An excursion into the so-called "Sound Library" territory for the independent label "Intersound". The music was used exclusively for the synchronization of TV films and radio spots. There is a clear association to the sounds of Giorgio Moroder, Popol Vuh and the French band AIR. Brandenburg mixes these influences and styles in order to shape his own sound vision. For the names of the individual tracks, he only uses terms that hail from ancient Babylon.

Analog synthesizers were still young in the 1970s and one can clearly hear the enthusiasm for experimentation with which Helmuth Brandenburg uses them. Synthesizers are used to create a wall of sound to replace the string instruments. Then used again as the main instrument to provide the melody. On the other hand, Brandenburg is an experienced orchestra leader, still largely rooted in the Analog age and clever enough not to overload the music with electronic effects. The horns contribute important accents to the sound and his rhythm section consists of a punchy electric bass, funky drums and wah wah guitars.

As a composer and arranger, he makes use of a wide variety of influences. The brilliant intro of the LP starts with a full range of cosmic synthesizer sounds, followed by drum rolls and a juicy brass section. A very accentuated rhythm and a funky guitar, in mid-tempo, lead the way into flawless Jazz Funk. This sound dominates the opener "Ele Toldoth" and "Pru Urebu" and is reminiscent of the music from American "cop shows" of the 1970's. The situation is completely different with the electronic soundscape of the track "Amram", which is comparable to the later "French Sounds" by AIR or Etienne De Crecy, before a completely surprising and unusual flamenco guitar takes over the melody.

In "Neschamah", Brandenburg combines similar electronic sounds and effects with a jazzy alto saxophone. With "Tardema" he layers many sounds from "cosmic" synthesizers to create an otherworldly piece of music. All eleven keyboards play around two single piano notes in "Abed". The track inevitably brings to mind the minimal motifs of Steve Reich or a soundtrack by Philip Glass. On the other hand, the spinet-like guitar effect of "Nahor" is reminiscent of an Italo western movie with music by Ennio Morricone or other Italian soundtracks. "Thariah" spreads ambient moods and "Athbash" creates a disco atmosphere in the typical "Munich Sound" of the time. Finally, "Schem-Ajin-Beth" takes up the musical theme of the opener and provides a triumphant conclusion to Brandenburg's fantasy journey.

Helmuth Brandenburg could have been a musicologist or history professor with a particular penchant for music, but fate wanted it differently. He was born in 1928 and his opportunity for a high school diploma fell victim to the chaos of war. It was from an early age that he was forced to earn his own living. As a child he liked to play music and his natural talent was later refined, through extensive training at the Schumann Conservatory in Düsseldorf. As a pianist he was already perfect when his interest began to shift from "serious" to "light" music. To base his activities on an even broader musical foundation, he also learned to play the tenor saxophone. His skills brought him various jobs as a successful jazz musician and arranger.

From 1970 to 1973, Brandenburg led the Berlin RIAS Orchestra as the successor to Werner Müller and Dave Hildinger. He saw it as his main task to develop a new big band sound, which was not difficult for him due to his exceptional arrangement skills. Under the pseudonym Kookie Freeman and with a record deal, he expanded the spectrum of the orchestra and adapted it to the fashions of the time. Brandenburg used new electronic production techniques and added beat and rock music to his repertoire. He then founded the Helmuth Brandenburg Orchester, which also appeared under the names The Helmuth Brandenburg Pop Symphony Orchestra or Kookie Freeman Velvet Sound. During this time, he produced commercial albums in an easy listening style.

Brandenburg also composed music for countless TV series and orchestrated the soundtrack to the German film classic "Das Mädchen von Hongkong" ("The Girl from Hong Kong"/ music: Gerhard Narholz). In 1971 he recorded two albums "Big Band Beat" and "Brandenburg At The Philharmonic" for BASF. He also recorded several library LPs for the music publishers Sonoton, "Toledo" and "Babylon A.M.C." for the "Intersound" company. On release, these recordings were not available in regular stores. Brandenburg loved his exotic pseudonyms - "Terence Yucca", "Ted Rideout" and "David Xerxes". He died January 17th, 2012.

In memory of Helmuth Brandenburg,
transferred from the original master tape,
lacquer cut by SST, cover photo: Intersound,
reproduction of original cover artwork: Patrick Haase,
producer (for reissue): Ekkehart Fleischhammer

Repress!

Formed in 1968, Jazz Sabbath was considered by many to be at the forefront of the new jazz movement coming out of England at the time. The eagerly awaited debut album, scheduled for release on Friday 13th February 1970, was cancelled when news broke that founding member and pianist Milton Keanes was hospitalised with a massive heart attack which left him fighting for his life.


The record company shelved the album and cancelled the scheduled release out of financial uncertainty of releasing a debut album from a band without its musical leader. When Milton was released from hospital in September 1970, he found out that a band from Birmingham, conveniently called ‘Black Sabbath’, had since released two albums containing metal versions of what he claims were his songs.


All recalled Jazz Sabbath albums had been destroyed when the warehouse burned down in June 1970; which turned out to be a case of insurance fraud by the label owner, leaving only a few bootleg tapes of Jazz Sabbath’s live performances as proof of existence.


The album masters were said to be lost in the fire, but were actually misplaced and gathered dust in the basement vaults of the recording studio. These tapes have now been remixed and, half a decade later, will finally be heard; proving that the heavy metal band worshipped by millions around the world are in fact nothing more than musical charlatans, thieving the music from a bedridden, hospitalised genius.

Repress!

Formed in 1968, Jazz Sabbath was considered by many to be at the forefront of the new jazz movement coming out of England at the time. The eagerly awaited debut album, scheduled for release on Friday 13th February 1970, was cancelled when news broke that founding member and pianist Milton Keanes was hospitalised with a massive heart attack which left him fighting for his life.


The record company shelved the album and cancelled the scheduled release out of financial uncertainty of releasing a debut album from a band without its musical leader. When Milton was released from hospital in September 1970, he found out that a band from Birmingham, conveniently called ‘Black Sabbath’, had since released two albums containing metal versions of what he claims were his songs.


All recalled Jazz Sabbath albums had been destroyed when the warehouse burned down in June 1970; which turned out to be a case of insurance fraud by the label owner, leaving only a few bootleg tapes of Jazz Sabbath’s live performances as proof of existence.


The album masters were said to be lost in the fire, but were actually misplaced and gathered dust in the basement vaults of the recording studio. These tapes have now been remixed and, half a decade later, will finally be heard; proving that the heavy metal band worshipped by millions around the world are in fact nothing more than musical charlatans, thieving the music from a bedridden, hospitalised genius.

There is not too much info about this strange and mysterious release. Electro, IDM, Jazz-Funk, Disco and many more, scattered in 4 tracks made by unknown artists.
Don´t sleep on this. We'll have only 100 copies available. It's a bit pricey but worth it!

The second 7" box set from We Jazz Records, including five 7" releases from 2019-2020 (WJ0706-WJ0710) and including a sheet with release info plus a We Jazz sticker. Features Timo Lassy & Teppo Mäkynen, The Stance Brothers, Koma Saxo and Oaagaada.

This is the solo debut album from legendary Belgian Jazz Keyboardist Marc Moulin, Originally issued in 1975 after Placebo disbanded. Having played the track B1 "TOHU BOHU" by Gilles Peterson (Acid Jazz Records), vinyl collectors and DJs were looking for this record fanatically. The members of Placebo were taken part in this album as support musicians.

This is the great debut album of "Placebo",released in 1971. They were a Jazz/ Progressive Rock band out of Belgium led by keyboardist Marc Moulin. It includes a cover version of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" and "Humpty Dumpty" is sampled by Detroit underground hip hop artist J dilla.
Undoubtedly one of the best of Belgian jazz-funk records ever, and now the rare original LP is traded at a high price among vinyl collectors.

"Placebo" is a Jazz/ Progressive Rock band from Belgium, led by legendary keyboardist/composer Marc Moulin. This 12"EP is included 3 live tracks recorded in 1973 when they played in TV programme "Three Days In April" regarding jazz in Belgium. This is the first time to be released these tracks on vinyl!

Amsterdam-based keyboardist, composer and owner of the Flowriders studio Vincent Helbers released his debut album ‘Hear To See’ as Seravince in 2013. A blend of broken beat, future soul and multiple adjective-jazz styles, compiled in a masterfully mixed 45-minute album. Now, 7 years later, the album is released on vinyl for the first time in a limited quantity of 150 copies.

Seravince’s 'Hear To See' sees Vincent cultivating his extensive experience inside the studio. The album is deeply rooted in broken beat drum grooves, provided by longtime collaborator and UK drummer extraordinaire Richard Spaven. These are accompanied by the jazz-inspired harmonies and solos from Seravince himself. All musical elements are one takes, recorded on analogue tape. “I want the sound to maintain the rawness and organic vibe”, Seravince explains. The sensual vocals on the album are courtesy of RH Factor singer Renee Neufville (US) and Sharlene Hector (UK), who’s worked together with Reel People and Basement Jaxx.

Often taken as inspiration by the likes of Miles Davis and Gil Evans, Ahmad Jamal is definitely one of the greatest artists in jazz history. Recorded in 1955 and originally released on the short-lived Parrot label, "Chamber Music of the New Jazz" is a stunning example of the creative, elegant, and precious music played by Ahmad Jamal's early trio. The fruit of the magical interplay between Jamal’s sophisticated pianism, Ray Crawford’s highly rhythmic guitar playing, and Israel Cosby’s fine double bass. Three musicians whose individual roles are fully expressed through the collective approach to a new form of "chamber" Jazz. Highly Recommended!!!

We are happy to announce the first in anew series of 12" releases under DJ'S CHOICE, Four Flies Records' division devoted to fresh and cool new music in genres ranging from tropical funk and nu-soul to hip hop.

Created during the global lockdown, this new release is a joyful invitation to move our bodies and dance – something that, alas, has become almost impossible in this pandemic-ridden year.
Quero Ver Você Dançar is a collaboration between Rome-based DJ/producer The Rebel, Portuguese DJ/producer Dedy Dread, and Brazilian jazz singer Keila Abeid. Other musicians playing on the track – including Neney Santos (percussions), Marco Ravallese (keys), and Fab Samperi (flute) – masterly contribute to its soulful favela vibes.

Housed in a single jacket with beautiful artwork by Roman illustrator Federica Fruhwirth, the 12-inch single also features a super groovy remix by Mo'Horizons which, with its powerful combination of bossa and drum'n'bass rhythms, makes this release a must for tropical-music aficionados.

Also available on all major digital outlets, with two additional remixes by young Brazilian producers Afterclapp and Brasila Strut.