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Mustapha Skandrani, a luminary of Algerian music, possessed a unique musical sense, able to transcend the borders of musical cultures to create a distinctive fusion of Arabic-Andalusian and European styles.

"Istikhbars and Improvisations", recorded in 1965 in Paris, is a solo piano album presenting a trans-Mediterranean crossover based on traditional Algerian vocal pieces known as istikhbars. Playing these istikhbars (which have roots in the Islamic Arab-Andalusian culture which flourished in Spain) on the piano - that quintessentially European instrument - Skandrani was greeted with derision by some purists. His powerful musical vision, however, perceives the European element involved in Arabic-Andalusian musical culture, a world of exchange and co-existence.

Skandrani's modus operandi on this release is to present each istikhbar, modal in nature, then to play an improvisation based on it, and its attendant mode. This A/B alternation continues throughout. The pellucid clarity of Skandrani's playing on this album may remind the listener of a modal Goldberg Variations, Bach and Glenn Gould transplanted to Andalucia. Other ears will hear the Arabic/Maghreb elements more strongly. Skandrani's precise touch and clear, symmetrical rhythmic sense links both worlds, assuring us that the Mediterranean is not a barrier, but a unifier, and that the differences between the cultures are not so vast. This is an admirable achievement, resulting in beautiful music of a rare charm.

Mustapha Skandrani was born in Algiers in 1920, and died there in 2005. He mastered a number of instruments at an early age, and his musical prowess led him to work with the great singers and ensembles of his day, in live performances, recordings, and radio broadcasts. Later in his life, he devoted much energy to education.

Originally reissued by Em Records as a limited edition of 200 in 2012, now available once again, in offset printed sleeve, with insert of Japanese and English sleeve-notes and rare photosMustapha Skandrani, a luminary of Algerian music, possessed a unique musical sense, able to transcend the borders of musical cultures to create a distinctive fusion of Arabic-Andalusian and European styles.

"Istikhbars and Improvisations", recorded in 1965 in Paris, is a solo piano album presenting a trans-Mediterranean crossover based on traditional Algerian vocal pieces known as istikhbars. Playing these istikhbars (which have roots in the Islamic Arab-Andalusian culture which flourished in Spain) on the piano - that quintessentially European instrument - Skandrani was greeted with derision by some purists. His powerful musical vision, however, perceives the European element involved in Arabic-Andalusian musical culture, a world of exchange and co-existence.

Skandrani's modus operandi on this release is to present each istikhbar, modal in nature, then to play an improvisation based on it, and its attendant mode. This A/B alternation continues throughout. The pellucid clarity of Skandrani's playing on this album may remind the listener of a modal Goldberg Variations, Bach and Glenn Gould transplanted to Andalucia. Other ears will hear the Arabic/Maghreb elements more strongly. Skandrani's precise touch and clear, symmetrical rhythmic sense links both worlds, assuring us that the Mediterranean is not a barrier, but a unifier, and that the differences between the cultures are not so vast. This is an admirable achievement, resulting in beautiful music of a rare charm.

Mustapha Skandrani was born in Algiers in 1920, and died there in 2005. He mastered a number of instruments at an early age, and his musical prowess led him to work with the great singers and ensembles of his day, in live performances, recordings, and radio broadcasts. Later in his life, he devoted much energy to education.

Originally reissued by Em Records as a limited edition of 200 in 2012, now available once again, in offset printed sleeve, with insert of Japanese and English sleeve-notes and rare photos

From the mid to late 60’s Sonny Lester was at the helm of some of the period’s most significant jazz music (Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, Chick Corea, Duke Ellington’s 70th birthday concert) and also some of the genre’s biggest hits (mostly from organist Jimmy Mcgriff). With the folding of the Solid State label in 1971 Sonny Lester formed the aptly named Groove Merchant label (named after the tune Jerome Richardson wrote for the Jones-Lewis Orchestra). He then produced some of the periods most notable soul/jazz, jazz/fusion from the likes of McGriff, Richard Groove Holmes, Reuben Wilson, Lonnie Smith to name but a few.

Sonor Music Editions proudly presents an absolute Italian mood music grail and one of the best Library Music recordings ever - A.ALESSANDRONI's RITMO DELL'INDUSTRIA n.2, a true legend in the field. This is the maestro most prized and sought-after album, produced in 1969 on the small Grand Prix label, part of the Leonardi publishing group. A mindmelting record featuring some of the most killer driven beats ever! - dark vibes and haunting atmospheres with constant and moody Industrial rhythms, filled with tons of drum breaks, trippy Scat vocals and eastern inspired obsessive grooves. Music has been remastered from the original stereo master tape and the back sleeve will feature deluxe liner notes written by Mr. Jonny Trunk. HOLY GRAIL ALERT!

We're proud to introduce the new Superfly reissue of the rarest LP at cult Strata East label! Reissued for the first time, John Gordon's 'Erotica Suite' is one of the holy grail for deep and spiritual jazz fans, check the superb 'Neleh'! As usual, beautiful quality repress with paste on covers made in Japan, Obi and 180grs vinyl, limited to 1000 copies only!

Following last year's interim track, the 25 minute opus 'Blackened Cities', Melanie De Biasio makes her return with news of a brand new album 'Lilies'. Classically trained and revered in her native Belgium De Biasio uncovered fans in the shape of Gilles Peterson - who heralded De Biasio as one of the most exciting artists in the jazz world and Radiohead's Phillip Selway with the release of her second album, 2014's 'No Deal'. Earlier this year also saw the Eels remix of 'I Feel You', featured in the trailer for Ridley Scott's 'Alien: Covenant', lifted from 'No Deal' - it once again cements the ever- growing and widespread regard from her peers.
The nine-track 'Lilies' continues to enthral, from openers 'Your Freedom Is The End Of Me', with its immersive narrative underpinned by piano. An up- tempo, entrancing collection of tracks that ventures to stimulate both lyrically and musically whilst enticing the listener into an expressive and atmospheric environment.
LP format includes a copy of the album on CD

Historical Italian Jazz session originally released on legendary vinyl LP from 1973. An outstanding and magnificent Jazz Funk jewel and the first album ever by this killer combo led by Dino Piana & Oscar Valdambrini. An original Jazz Library recording used for the soundtrack of Rai TV programme "SERATA AL GATTO NERO", 1973. Top Italian groovy Jazz and mental album, easily a grail of the genre featuring some terrific breaks, killer Wah Wah guitar and Funky Hammond job, with a solid backing studio orchestra. Loads of laden stylish grooves with brilliant Modal Jazz numbers, smooth vibes, and Cool Jazz influences with different musical themes. Every track is just heaven with several hot club tunes for DJs. Solid masterpiece!

A live performance of four early works by Steve Reich: Four Organs', My Name Is', Piano Phase' and Phase Patterns.' This performance marked an important moment in San Francisco bay area new music history with the triumphant return to the east bay by Reich, who studied at Mills College with Luciano Berio, and who performed the 1964 world premiere of Terry Riley's seminal work, In C', at the San Francisco Tape Music Center. The resonant acoustics of the University of California at Berkeley Museum's concrete interior were especially appropriate for Four Organs', with its long additive sustained chords over a maraca pulse. Repressed in a limited edition of 500 copies on transparent vinyl.

«... The Azmari are singers and musicians wandering through the territory of Ethiopia. They carry the stories of different worlds, the sagas of cold lands with wispering winds, of flying islands, of ancient dances on the top of red mountains, of the demoted Ethiopian Princes and their doubles ... " by chronicler Tekle - Ezana (1698)

Vespero, the southern Russian wonder band formed in Astrakhan, time and time again refining their means of expression from a intricate blend of space- and retro-progressive rock with various other inspirations. This time there is an exploding mixture of afro-beat and space-kraut that paves the way to new uncharted territory. For fans of Fela Kuti, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Gong and the Ozric Tentacles. "Azmari: Abyssanian Liventure" is a live album from the VESPERO`s "Liventure" series. Recorded live in different locations in 2015-16. Azmari' shows the power of live performances of the septet. This vinyl edition includes 3 extra track not available anywhere else.

Quality pressing by SONY Austria.

Grammy-winning singing sensation Gregory Porter - one of the most successful jazz artists of his generation - is back with a new album, 'Nat King Cole & Me', to be released on Decca/Blue Note on 27th October. It is a deeply personal tribute to Nat King Cole - the legendary crooner who ignited Gregory's love of music. It's only natural that I go to the root of my inspiration and where I come from. And that root would be my mother and gospel music and Nat King Cole,' he says.

Recorded at London's AIR Studios, the 12-track album features some of Gregory's favourite Nat King Cole tunes including 'Smile', 'L-O-V-E' and 'Nature Boy'. There is also a Nat-inspired arrangement of Gregory's own song 'When Love Was King', originally released on his million-selling hit album, 'Liquid Spirit'.

For Gregory Porter, the influence of Nat King Cole on his life and music runs deep, a through-line that reaches back into some of his earliest childhood memories, and culminates in the release of his new album 'Nat King Cole & Me'. Gregory explains, At five or six years old, Nat's music filled a void in me. My father wasn't in my life and wasn't showing interest in me or raising me and Nat's words were the life lessons, words of wisdom and fatherly advice I needed.'

Gregory's love for Nat's music blossomed so much that he wrote a semi-autobiographical musical, also called 'Nat King Cole & Me', which premiered in 2004. After the play, I felt a lighter feeling about my father and a deeper appreciation for both my mother and the great music of Nat King Cole,' says Gregory. He also found his voice through his own songwriting - It wasn't until I wrote the musical that I was fit to call myself a songwriter. Before that, I would write different poems but they had no music.'

'Nat King Cole & Me' is the follow-up to his Grammy-winning albums 'Liquid Spirit' (2013) and 'Take Me to the Alley' (2016). 'Liquid Spirit' took Gregory from being the biggest name on the jazz scene to being one of the most sought-after singers around today, performing sell-out shows across the UK and being invited to perform on high profile TV programmes including The Graham Norton Show, Strictly Come Dancing and the BBC Music Awards. He has become an adopted national treasure in the UK, having sung for the Queen multiple times, as well as major music festivals including Glastonbury, where he performed on the Pyramid Stage alongside the likes of Muse, Adele and Coldplay. Gregory's ability to transcend genres even extends to his surprise dance hit 'Liquid Spirit Claptone Remix' which became one of the most popular tracks in Ibiza.

After winning over audiences with his rich and soulful voice, there can be no better time for Gregory to return to the music which first inspired him to become a singer. On Nat's legacy and influence Gregory affirms, He was one of a kind. He left such great music - such beautiful things to listen to that you can't help but be influenced by that extraordinary timbre, style, and ultimate cool.'

What started out as a simple email exchange between a young, hungry beatmaker and a seasoned player in the worlds of jazz and midwestern indie hip-hop, has resulted in a vibrant record nearly a decade in the making. On one side of Let It Out sits Miles Bonny, a long time musical collaborator who spent his youth soaking in powerful musical moments in NYC under the tutelage of his trumpet-slinging father, Francis Bonny, and later as a teen immersed in New York's busy indie-hip-hop scene. As he grew up Miles cemented himself a niche in the Midwest, most notably in Lawrence, Kansas where tireless forays into beatmaking led to the founding of the much-loved INnatesounds Crew and record label, as well as a series of solo releases and collaborative projects.

Eventually shifting his focus to his own vocal stylings, it wasn't long before Miles caught the attention of the international music community, including the young, curious ears of the at time unknown, soon-to-be future R&B sensation Ta-Ku. Through a series of emails and conversations, Ta-Ku asked to send Miles beats and the two planned to work on a series of tracks. From there the pair developed a friendship that was built upon mutual encouragement and a creative admiration between two artists both navigating their own personal and professional responsibilities.

The Let It Out EP, released on Brooklyn's Bastard Jazz Recordings, acts as the culmination of such an intimate and organic journey. Recorded by Miles in Kansas City during a time he was experiencing the oft-turbulent tasks of true adulthood, the record focus on the life of a young father, underpinned by how we often bottle up difficult emotions and creativity when the pressures of today's complicated world reach fever pitch. Brimming with emotive, intimate lyrics from Miles spread amidst Ta-Ku's soul-drenched beat work and syrupy future grooves, the EP will hit close to home for anyone whose daily lives calls for a much needed dose of personal reflection and chilled-out decompression.

Mopo, a trio of sax, bass and drums from Finland, has been on the radar of international tastemakers already for a while thanks to their unique blend of punk, jazz and inpisration from the Finnish nature. Now the trio of saxophonist Linda Fredriksson, bassist Eero Tikkanen and drummer Eeti Nieminen is set to release their next album on Helsinki's We Jazz Records. The first taste is a hard-hitting 7" single "Tökkö", paired with the oddball groove of "Nääspossu" featuring avantgarde great Raoul Björkenheim on guitar. "Tökkö" can best be described as an acoustic jazz heavymetal juggernaut, which captures the explosive live energy of Mopo fittingly.The full-length album will follow in January 2018

For decades, if you wanted to listen to great music all you needed to do was stare at a screen! TV and film soundtracks were often the work of US legends such as Lalo Schiffrin, Oliver Nelson & Quincy Jones, and their Uk counterpartsRonnie Hazelhurst and Alan Hawkshaw, provided the soundtrack to the 60's & 70's at a time when film and TV music was unashamedly funky and featured the ensemble of choice for the jazz arranger.. the big band!

A 21st century musician with comparable skills is Andy Tolman - an astounding bass player, but also highly adept at writing & arranging for a big band and who is heavily influenced by those greatest practitioners of the art. Andy met to Nick van Gelder (the original Jamiroquai drummer) and keyboard guru Carl Hudson whilst doing a run of gigs backing artists like Leon Ware and Jean Carne. Andy played Nick You What! and he asked if he could lay a drum track down and at around the same time Carl offered his services on the record also. Nick went on to drum on the entire album and produce the recordings too.

At the tail end of 2011, when Freestyle Records A&R man Greg Boramans' compilation 'Sounds From The Soul Underground' was released the glorious noise of The Andy Tolman Cartel first came to public attention. The amazing track You What! had one foot in jazz-funk & the other in film & TV themes of the 60's and 70's, found champions in Jazz FM's Peter Young and BBC 6 Musics Craig Charles who both featured it on their radio shows heavily.

Andy himself takes up the story, "After You What! found it's way onto Gregs' compilation he asked me how many more tracks I had, I kind of lied (sorry Greg!) and said a whole albums worth. Having shot my mouth off I thought I had better set about delivering... a daunting prospect, and a promise I probably wouldn't have made had I been sober at the time. So I called upon the services of some of the amazing musicians I have worked with over the past few years. Move Over was the first song I heard Jo Harman sing and Stevie Watts award winning Hammond organ playing seemed like a natural fit too"

'Cypher' is indeed the perfect example of a natural fit of like minded musicians and their natural talents and the delightfully natural sound of a big band cutting loose that has not been heard for a long time making a welcome and long overdue return.

Live album from 1958. 8 track LP release pressed on a single black vinyl. Marketing.

ANDINA 7 is a limited edition, double-sided 7' picture disc featuring two gorgeous dishes from the Peruvian Andes and two tropical Peruvian bangers by Los Compadre del Ande (Cumbia) and La Peruanita (Huayno). Both tracks were recently discovered as part of a recent haul, by Tiger's Milk and Strut, undiscovering a wealth of dust-laden cumbia Andina, huayno and carnaval.

Both tracks feature on the compilation release ANDINA: Huayno, Carnaval and Cumbia - The Sounds of the Peruvian Andes 1968-1978 slated for release on Tiger's Milk/Strut on October 20. The picture disc images are of Peruvian dishes with recipes that feature in the cookbook ANDINA - written by Martin Morales, pioneer of Peruvian cooking in the UK, to be published by Quadrille in early October.

ANDINA 7 immerses the listener into the full-blooded, upbeat and captivating spirit of music from the Andes shining a fresh perspective on Peru's musical heritage. It will appeal to fans of cumbia Latin and world as well as tropical-minded DJs and deep-digging collectors. It aims to upend clichéd ideas of Andean music and brings to light the divergent, exciting traditions to have emerged from Peru's strip of the iconic mountain range.

La Mecedora by Los Compadres del Ande is a steady-grooving vocal cumbia and was originally released in 1966 on the album Happy Cumbia, but this version comes from the 7' released two years later. The group were well known as the Andean version of The Beatles with their unconventional look and are regarded as precursors of Peruvian cumbia. Recuerda Corazón by La Peruanita is a track driven by a huayno groove - the pervading rhythm from the Andean mountain range. With transcendental harp and female vocals sung in Quechua, you can imagine this song taking centre stage at local pueblo carnavals.

Peruvian chef, restaurateur and music producer Martin was born in Peru and lived there until he was a teenager before settling in the UK. In recent years he has travelled frequently to the Andes in search of recipes, records, sounds and inspiration for a variety of projects which he and his London based team have presented. Tiger's Milk is dedicated to uncovering Peruvian music past and present and it has, garnered support from the likes of Mr Scruff, Basement Jaxx, Mala, Gilles Peterson, Jack Steadman (Bombay Bicycle Club) and Osunlade. The launch of this compilation coincides with a cookbook release, also titled ANDINA.

- For fans of jazz, Latin and cumbia as well as tropical-minded DJs and deep-digging collectors
- First in a three part regional series of albums from exploring Peru's diverse musical heritage
- The official single from Tiger's Milk/Strut's new album ANDINA: Huayno, Carnaval and Cumbia - The Sounds of the Peruvian Andes 1968-1978 to be released on October 20th on Double LP, CD & Digital.
- Martin Morales is the chef, restaurateur and founder of Peruvian restaurants, Ceviche and Andina in London. Martin is a pioneer of Peruvian food in Britain and is the GQ Food & Drinks 2017 Innovator of the Year award winner.

Keyboardist Eddie Russ hailed from Pittsburg and played with many of the greats including Sarah Vaughn, Benny Golson, Stan Getz and Dizzy Gillespie. Eddie is somewhat of an enigma, but he has always been held in high regard in the UK, and he finally was able to perform here in London at the Jazz café in the early 90's a few years before his untimely demise. His debut album 'Fresh Out' was recorded for the Jazz Masters label and includes the jazz dance classic 'The Lope Song', he also contributed heavily to Sonny Stitt's 'Tornado' album on that label. His band The Mixed Bag also made an album for the Detroit Tribe label. In 1976 he signed to John Richbourg's Sound Stage 7 label and made two great jazz funk albums which were released on the Nashville's Monument label and like his debut were produced by Bob Crawford. From the 1978 album 'Take A Look At Yourself' the title track is a monster percussive jazz funker on which Eddie's keyboards really shine through and Jackie Holiday's soulful vocals really top it off. She also does a great job of the Emotions 'Don't Ask My Neighbours', and Renee Coles adds her vocals to the infectious rare groove version of Quincy Jones 'I Heard That' . The Monument albums include some great musicians including on this album Motown's Eddie Willis, a very young Kenny Garrett and the funk group Quazar.

Keyboardist Eddie Russ hailed from Pittsburg and played with many of the greats including Sarah Vaughn, Benny Golson, Stan Getz and Dizzy Gillespie. Eddie is somewhat of an enigma, but he has always been held in high regard in the UK, and he finally was able to perform here in London at the Jazz café in the early 90's a few years before his untimely demise.

His debut album 'Fresh Out' was recorded for the Jazz Masters label and includes the jazz dance classic 'The Lope Song', he also contributed heavily to Sonny Stitt's 'Tornado' album on that label. His band The Mixed Bag also made an album for the Detroit Tribe label. In 1976 he signed to John Richbourg's Sound Stage 7 label and made two great jazz funk albums which were released on the Nashville's Monument label and like his debut were produced by Bob Crawford.

From this first album 'See The Light' the title track is a great take on the Earth Wind And Fire song, 'Poko Nose' is a great funky groove oriented track, but it is the magical 'Zaius' that has become an all time jazz funk classic, a track that has maintained its popularity over the past 40 years.

The Monument albums include some great musicians including Marcus Belgrave and Larry Nozero, and on the Take A Look At Yourself' album Motown's Eddie Willis, a very young Kenny Garrett and the funk group Quazar.

Critically acclaimed jazz reissue on the Disques Vogue label. Pink & white marbled vinyl. Specialist marketing.

Dave Brubeck's Take Five' (1959), Miles Davis My Funny Valentine' (1956) and John Coltrane's My Favorite Things'(1960) were among the new standards of jazz in the late fifties and
early sixties.

This double album contains a collection of some of the finest and most iconic jazz instrumentals of the period.

The most beautiful songs from the rock legend Jimi Hendrix reinterpreted by the jazz scene. A selection of the most beautiful covers from Purple Haze' to Little Wing' or Voodoo Child' with Terez Montcalm, Francis Lockwood Trio, Youn Sun Nah, or the famous song Hey Joe' covered by Lee Moses...

Recognised throughout the world as a leading pioneer of jazz, Avishai Cohen releases his most personal recording yet. 1970' explores the themes of unity and compassion, now synonymous with Cohen, in Song of Hope,' while My Lady' and Move On' draw on classic songwriters such as Stevie Wonder to sketch out a more confessional emotional landscape. Specialist promo/marketing.

Recorded July 24, 1962 at the 3rd International Jazz Festival D'Antibes/Juan-Les-Pins, this is classic 1960s Dizzy. It's smooth and swinging without losing any of his patented power. Produced by Quincy Jones, and featuring piano and arrangements from Argentinian master Lalo Schifrin, Gillespie shines here alongside underrated reed man Leo Wright. A great early 60s Dizzy group absolutely slaying live to a receptive audience.