quête:ronnie t

The official re-release of this 1968 Garage grail in direct collaboration with lead signer & songwriter for The Outcasts, Al Collinsworth. As featured on DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist's 'Product Placement', this 45 has remained an iconic anthem across various scenes. We're honoured to contribute to The Outcasts legacy, showcasing their single close to 50 years since it was originally released.

In the words of Al:

'In the spring of 1968, I wrote the song 'Loving You Sometimes' and recorded it with a young group from Ashland, KY called The Outcasts. The group included Dick Hall, Nick Wickware, Ronnie Gibson, Ralph Morman and I. A local record company, Plato Records from Huntington, WV heard us at a local bar and signed us to a record deal. Queen City Recording Studio located in Cincinnati, Ohio, was our first experience with a multitrack studio in a big city. On the morning of the session, we piled into Nick's van and drove from Ashland to Cincinnati, with most of us sitting on the floor with our gear. When we stepped out of the van, we knew we had started an adventure, one that has lasted nearly half a century.'

"With their dulcet fusion of ‘60s French ye-ye pop, slinky Studio One reggae, and liminal Brazilian tropicalia, Claude Fontaine’s songs embody the best kept dreams of a globally connected world. The second album from the Los Angeles artist reflects the dream of creating the soundtrack for this utopia by the sea.

Released on Innovative Leisure, La Mer is a mesmerizing portal. It’s impossible for it to exist outside of the modern moment, but it floats on the gilded dust of the past. At times, Fontaine channels Jane Birkin as backed by Jorge Ben. Francois Hardy locked into sonic reverie with Mulatu Astatke, or Margo Guryan making lovers rock.

None of this is a happy accident. For her second opus, Fontaine assembled some of the most gifted musicians of the last five decades. First and foremost is her co-writer and producer, the multi-platinum Grammy-Award winning Lester Mendez, whose resume includes everyone from Grace Jones and Baaba Maal to Shakira and Nelly Furtado.

As with Fontaine’s self-titled first album, the legendary Tony Chin appears on guitar, bringing the orphic tones expected from someone who has played with some of the greatest reggae musicians of all-time (King Tubby, Dennis Brown, Lee Perry, Jackie Mittoo, Max Romeo, Sly & Robbie). On bass, there’s Ronnie McQueen, one of the co-founders of Steel Pulse. Sergio Mendes’ percussionist, Gibi Dos Santos, supplies propulsive locomotion. So does Ziggy Marley’s drummer, Rock Deadrick. And that’s just the abridged list of storied instrumentalists who appear on La Mer."

Vinyl Only / Sleeve manufactured with 400 mcn Fedrigoni "Shiro Eco" paper / Original unreleased poster with alternative artwork insert with notes by Tony Higgins printed on schedography peach past color paper / PVC outers / original artwork /

Personnel:
Tete Mbambisa - Piano
Basil Coetzee - Tenor Sax and Flute
Zulu Bidi - Bass
Monty Weber - Drums

Notes:
Mbambisa first gained prominence as a pianist in 1961 as a member of the Jazz Giants, this time with Pukwana as saxophonist, bassist Martin Mgijima and drummer Makaya Mtoshoko, setting the sound and shape of a scene that became known as Cape Jazz. Following an introduction from Chris McGregor, Mbambisa formed a band, The Swinging City Six, with saxophonist Ronnie Beer before going on to play at the end of the 1960s in the groups The Soul Jazzmen and Spirits Rejoice with Duku Makasi. As a member of The Soul Jazzmen, Mbambisa recorded the breakthrough album 'Inhlupenko Distress' in 1969 for the City Special label. After a recording hiatus, Mbambisa returned in 1974 with an octet album, 'Tete's Big Sound' released on a newly formed label, As Shams or The Sun, established by South African record store owner and independent producer Rashid Vally. 'Tet's Big Sound' included tracks like 'Unity' and the 'Black Heroes Lamentation', now considered a classic in the South African jazz underground.

The sound that Mbambisa carved in this period was wholly acoustic, and is a style that now is often loosely labelled spiritual jazz, a sound that alludes to deep African textures and rhythms balanced with clear nods to American hard bop and modal jazz, sometimes edging toward free improvisation in echoes of John Coltrane and Pharaoh Sanders. The music is often centred around a fulcrum of trance like vamps with repeated motifs that allow for extended pieces that create a hypnotic effect. This clearly exemplified on Mbambisa's next album, 'Did You Tell Your Mother', released in 1979, once more for The Sun label. (Tony Higgins)

Franco Rosso’s epic cinematic opus of reggae social commentary, Babylon, landed in November of 1980. Moving through the film’s opening frames of grey dreary London, two spars – Blue and Ronnie – run with unrestrained anticipation to link with their Ital Lion Sound System brethren. Simultaneously the rest of the crew does what sound crews have done from time: Load them boxes up in the van and trod with vigor to the dance.

But that bassline…The soundtrack notes that carry the celluloid movements of the film’s opening scenes…That bassline…Upside down…Jazzy…Dubby…A bassline like no other reggae bassline the Ital Counselor has ever heard. The hook that got me deep into UK roots music from the band that is my number one inspiration.

If there is bassline that represents the core imperative of Ital Counselor Records, it would have to be Aswad’s Hey Jah Children. It seemed therefore only fitting to bring its absolutely resplendent glory to a new generation. Lovers of sounds and blues, it is time for the dread ital lion sound to once again rise to meet the day. So it is with the deepest of gratitude and respect to the legacy of Aswad (RIP Drummie Zeb) and Franco Rosso, that we present a deeper than deep next cut…Christened here…the Ital Lion Serenade.

In line with all IC releases, we have enlisted top tier session musicians and studio men. Long time IC collaborator, Inyaki BDF, is at the center of the action as the musical maestro. Hopping on the BDF sonic lorry are Aratz Diez on Trombone and James Zugasti on the dub mixes. This crew bring the original composition up-to-date with a heady dubwise weight. Syndrums ricochet while Inyaki’s bassline rumbles teetering as it does somewhere between a modern dubstep warble and its core roots-wise influence in Tony Gad’s original playing.

Diez’s trombone playing comes across like an x-ray of the Aswad Horn Section and keeps intact the jazzy abstraction of the original. In turn, Inyaki goes full 70s synth on the psychedelic dubwise of the B-side’s Operation Swamp 81. UK history buffs better you know the reference in that title and its thematic echoing significance from the UK depicted in Rosso’s film and carried on in remembrance on this here hotter than hot 12”.

A warning: the Zugasti dub cuts are devasting to speaker boxes.

Poet, novelist, musician and academic, Anthony Joseph teams up with legendary UK producer Dave Okumu for forthcoming album, ‘Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back’

Dave Okumu, known perhaps best as frontman for The Invisible, though digging deeper into his production credits, huge names emerge such as; Grace Jones, Amy Winehouse, Jesse Ware, Rosie Lowe and Eska. On this album, the magic and alchemy of Dave’s production style showcase subtle sonics and deep layering resulting in a contemporary sound to carry Anthony’s afrofuturistic metrical meanings.

Anthony and Dave first came across each other when working with Shabaka Hutchings during Covid broadcasts, and then after Anthony performed some poems on Dave’s 2023 album ‘I Came From Love’, the seeds of collaboration were sown.

With a little more psychedelia, a little more experimentation, Dave’s eclectic vision focuses on the actual sounds on these pieces. Anthony stated that “The best producers guide you, not push you” now add to that the fact that both these humans were born on the same day, a concoction of laid back attitudes in people with strong purpose, some real magic can happen, naturally.

Early writing sessions for this record took place in 2022, around Mount Blanc in France. Anthony was away touring with long-time collaborator, Jason Yarde. Ideas were a little thin and they found themselves somewhat repeating previous work resulting in Anthony rethinking things a little, and so entered Dave Okumu.

LP opener ‘Satellite’ is a fine example of how this new partnership pans out. New musicians have been enlisted; Dan See (Drums), Aviram Barath (Synths), Nick Ramm on Fender Rhodes and Byron Wallen (Trumpet). Add to that the mighty vocal power house of Eska and we have a whole new dimension of soul and depth, to carry Anthony’s statements. “You build a wall, we go under, you build it higher, we go higher, like a satellite” .

On the album's second single, ‘Tony’ - there’s a nod to all drummers and creators of African rhythms, from the point of view of Afrobeat legend Tony Allen. Highlighting this is drummer’s drummer Richard Spaven as Dave’s choice of skin beater. He successfully reminds us that Tony was someone who understood the real power of rhythm and how it is used to unite people.

As well as the new musicians on this LP, Dave Okumu played all the guitars and used the studio as his tool. On ‘A Juba for Janet’ - a poem to Joseph’s mother, and a track so bass heavy that it feels as though it could sit in a deep dubstep set in Plastic People days, - Anthony’s voice reaches straight down your ear canals next to dark drums, huge synths and delayed saxophone stabs from Colin Webster. Slightly more introspective verses on ‘An Afrofuturist Poem’ see Dave’s beats show off the real future sound of this record, kalimba, moog bass and guitars all played by the man himself.

Mellower and deeper moments are also present, Anthony’s cryptic yet informative storytelling is at its absolute best on ‘Churches Of Sound (The Benetiz-Rojo)’ - Caribbean and Windrush history reeled off alongside a linear musical timeline of Black music in the diaspora.

A reminder that this body of work is first of 2 volumes, ‘Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back’ is not a follow up to Anthony’s previous album, but more a development of his 2006 novel, ‘The African Origins of UFOs’ a book where experimental elements of afro-futurism, metafiction, science fiction, surrealism, mythology are rewritten in Anthony’s innovative language. Look out for Volume 2 also coming in 2025.

Anthony Joseph releases, ‘Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back’ (Vol. 1) via Heavenly Sweetness 7th February 2025 and he will play live at Ronnie Scotts in London on 14th March 2025, with Dave Okumu as a special guest.

CREDITS:

Vocals - Anthony Joseph

Additional vocals, vocal arrangements - Eska Mtungwazi

Producer - Guitars, Bass, Moog, Synthesisers, Programming, Percussion - Dave Okumu

Drums - Dan See

Drums on ‘Tony’ - Richard Spaven

Synthesiser - Aviram Barath

Fender Rhodes, Synthesisers, Nick Ramm

Trumpet - Byron Wallen

Saxophones - Colin Webster

Trombones - James Wade Sired

Transport, partly staffed by former members Ural Thomas' 1960s band, was a fairly short-lived Portland phenomenon. The incarnation heard here was an eleven-piece stone Disco-Funk powerhouse that tracked a whole album's worth of smashers in 1978, which sadly lay untouched for over 40 years. The steady-rolling A-side is emblematic of their original sound, but the cake is rather taken here by their awesome reading of 'Always There,' arguably one of the best versions of the much-covered Ronnie Laws classic yet.

First time ever on 7" 45rpm vinyl, dinked centre hole with picture sleeve, 500 numbered copies only.

Sourcing rare records to reissue can involve meticulous research and years of digging, but then occasionally, Lady Luck smiles upon you. We probably would have never heard of the Medium Wave Band if Gary from Mr Bongo hadn't known Wolverhampton-based record dealer, Steve Ward. Whilst offering Gary some records for sale, he remembered he had a spare copy of an old 7" single that he thought Gary might like. Steve didn't know much about the release, and it had never sold on Discogs. Looking at the record itself, it was minimalist in appearance and information, there wasn't much to go on other than that it was from the Birmingham area. The mystery drew us in…

The A-side, 'So Tender’, is a late-night, jazzy slow-jam, with beautifully sultry, soulful female vocals which sounded vaguely familiar. On listening to the B side, 'Games (Instrumental)’, you are rewarded with a superb example of Britfunk / independent UK jazz-funk. The pulsating, bass-led dancefloor groove and sensibility is a sound reminiscent of productions usually found on labels such as Elite, but the 7” was not released on a label, it was a private press by the band themselves. So who are the enigmatic The Medium Wave Band?

After some fruitful internet digging and correspondence, we got the answers. The band lineup featured Elliot Browne on guitar (lead & rhythm), Ron Lyseight on guitar (rhythm), Andrew Proverbs on keyboards, Tony Peart on drums, Paul Snook on bass, Linton Levy on saxophone, and surprisingly, the beautiful vocals we had been enjoying were those of Jackie Graham, aka the hugely successful UK vocalist, Jaki Graham. Maybe best known for her pop hit with David Grant, 'Could It Be I'm Falling In Love', but also featuring on the cult classic track 'Fire In My Heart' by Escape From New York.

Influenced by artists and bands including George Benson, Ronnie Laws, Weather Report, George Duke, Azimuth and Chick Corea to name a few, the guys booked into a studio near the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham and recorded the two tracks that make up this 7”. Only 200 copies of the original 7" were ever pressed and were sold mostly in Birmingham at Summit Records by the band’s friend DJ Frenchi, as well as at live shows. Despite its limited distribution channels, the record received solid support from fans and those in the music industry, including Morgan Khan of the influential record label, Street Sounds. DJ and journalist, Lindsay Wesker, reviewed the release and this led to the band travelling to London for several radio interviews. They played live shows across the country, including at the prestigious Ronnie Scott's in London, and supported both Shakatak and Weapon of Peace in Birmingham.

Thanks to all those involved bringing this release into fruition and for solving the mystery behind a wonderful Britfunk and UK soul record that could have otherwise been lost in the mists of time.

Cross Purposes ist das siebzehnte Studioalbum der englischen Rockband Black Sabbath, das ursprünglich am 31. Januar 1994 veröffentlicht wurde. Das Album markierte die Rückkehr von Tony Martin als Leadsänger der Band nach dem zweiten Ausstieg von Ronnie James Dio. Dieses 2024er Remaster ist das erste
Mal seit 30 Jahren erhältlich und wird auf Ultra Clear-Vinyl sowie als CD-Digisleeve veröffentlicht.

Lonnie Smith’s 1970 album Drives was a showcase of the organist’s sense of adventure and indomitable groove. With Dave Hubbard on tenor sax, Ronnie Cuber on bari sax, Larry McGee on guitar, and Joe Dukes on drums, Smith delivers funky takes on hits ‘Twenty-Five Miles’ and ‘Spinning Wheel’, plus a fleet version of Miles Davis’ ‘Seven Steps to Heaven’. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Limitiert auf 500 Stk. – 100 Stk.


OSS! Spy vs. Spy! MI6! All operating in the shadows of darkness and danger... listen...underneath that double-trouble of uncertainty lays the groove. The exotic and the erotic sounds. 007! The music with a license to kill and thrill. When the clock strikes five and it is cocktail time, no man is a match for the soundtrack of the Femme fatale of the underworld. Shake that thing baby-don"t stir it....and the Martini too. The spy universe has been quite an inspiration for composers and orchestras. Lounge music, Exotica and symphonic, this record will have you spinning the globe hitting every longitude and latitude from Bangkok to Rio. So drop that needle and get on board this second volume as this jet is leaving the gate right on time.

"Long sought-after by those in know, this essential Irish jazz album finally gets a vinyl reissue on Outernational Sounds! Fully licensed from producer John D’Ardis, remastered at Abbey Road from the original tapes, and with lacquers cut at Dubplates and Mastering, the Noel Kelehan Quintet’s stunning 1979 Ozone is presented with unseen photographs of the band and commentary from original band members.

Featuring moody, modal jazz of the first order, subtle and original composing and world- class playing, Ozone was the creation of Ireland’s most respected jazz composer and musician, pianist Noel Kelehan (1935-2012). The only small-group album under his name, and arguably the first ever Irish jazz LP, Ozone was a landmark recording, but it was far from Kelehan’s only achievement. Born in Dublin, Kelehan had studied music from an early age. From the mid-1950s he worked at state-broadcaster Radio Éireann (RÉ, later RTÉ – Radio Telefis Éireann), and from the early 1960s he fronted Dublin’s first be-bop unit, the Jazz Heralds. A busy professional career saw him compose for numerous Irish pop stars, arrange and conduct many of Ireland’s Eurovision entries, and even contribute string arrangements to U2’s Unforgettable Fire LP.

But jazz was Kelehan’s first passion, and he never stopped playing in both small modernist units and composing for his own big band. The late 1970s saw him fronting the Noel Kelehan Quintet, alongside drummer John Wadham, saxophonist Keith Donald, bassist Frank Hess and trumpeter Mick Nolan. Playing weekly in Dublin for several years, they opened for visiting stars including Dollar Brand and the Ronnie Scott Orchestra, and eventually played a two-week residency at Ronnie Scotts in London. Though Kelehan had recorded a big-band LP of traditional Irish songs arranged as easy jazz in 1970, Ozone was his first album of modern jazz. Released on John D’Ardis’s independent Cargo imprint and press on blue vinyl, it featured original compositions such as the deep collectors cut ‘Spon Song’, subtle Latin flavours on ‘Spacer’s Delight’ and a beautiful modal arrangement of the traditional Irish air ‘Castle of Dromore’. A legendary recording in Ireland, Ozone reflected Kelehan’s keen appreciation of classic quintet-era Miles, with touches of the cerebral fusion of Ian Carr and the arranging genius of Neil Ardley. Not just a landmark Irish jazz set, Ozone is a lost classic of European jazz more widely."

Der polnische Klaviervirtuose, Komponist, Produzent, Doktor der Instrumentalwissenschaften und Gewinner von über 20 führenden polnischen und europäischen Musikfestivals, Mike Verba, hat über 700 Konzerte gespielt und über 20 Alben aufgenommen. Sein musikalischer Weg führte ihn mit großen Namen wie Michal Urbaniak, Ronnie Burrage, Wayne Escoffery, Reggie Washington, Darryl Hall, Piotr Wojtasik, Nimrod Speaks, Maciej Sikala und vielen anderen zusammen. Mikes neues Album „Pop Fiction“, das im September 2024 auf dem renommierten deutschen Plattenlabel ZYX Music erscheint, ist ein Wortspiel in Anlehnung an den Film „Pulp-Fiction“ von Quentin Tarantino, mit einem Fluss verschiedener Genres. Mike Verba verwandelt berühmte Hits in unvergessliche, instrumentale Versionen, die Klavier und Elektronik kombinieren. Eine erstaunliche neue Kunst der Musik!

Wenn sich eine musikalische Familie zusammenfindet, um eine Platte aufzunehmen, kann Magie geschehen, und genau dafür sind die VAN ZANTs da!
Die Brüder Johnny und Donnie Van Zant (aktueller Leadsänger der Southern-Rock-Ikonen Lynyrd Skynyrd bzw. Gründungsmitglied von .38 Special)
fanden 1998 zum ersten Mal Platz in ihren vollen Terminkalendern und nahmen ihr gemeinsames Album „Brother to Brother“ auf: eine Hommage an
ihren verstorbenen Bruder und Lynyrd-Skynyrd-Sänger und Gründungsmitglied Ronnie. Diese Veröffentlichung wurde von der Presse und den Fans
weltweit hoch gelobt und veranlasste das Duo dazu, 2001 ein Folgealbum mit dem schlichten Titel „II“ aufzunehmen. Die Zusammenarbeit der beiden
Brüder endete nicht, als sie mit der Veröffentlichung von Get Right With the Man„ (2005 in den USA mit Gold ausgezeichnet) und später mit My Kind
of Country“ (2007) in einen mehr Country-orientierten Stil eintauchten.
Nun erfinden sich die Brüder erneut neu und bieten ein christlich geprägtes Album an, das ihre Rock- und Blues-Wurzeln (und einen Hauch von
Country) mit einbezieht. Das Ergebnis Always Look Up“ besteht aus Songs, die das Herz und die Seele des Hörers berühren, mit einer emotionalen
Tiefe, die in der heutigen Musiklandschaft ihresgleichen sucht.

Ringo Starr achieved international fame as the drummer for THE BEATLES. Stop and Smell the Roses is a studio album originally released in 1981 which includes contributions from Paul McCartney, Ronnie Wood and Stephen Stills. The six bonus tracks have never before been released on vinyl. This double LP set, has deluxe packaging that will include an OBI side strip, gatefold album jacket with two pockets, printed inner sleeves, original record labels and specialty color vinyl. This is a MUST for all fans/collectors of THE BEATLES.

"Bitten By The Beast is a solo album from David ‘Rock’ Feinstein, cousing to Ronnie James Dio.
The album actually includes the last track ever recorded by Ronnie ‘Metal Will Never Die’.
Long out of print, the album is now available on CD and, for the first time ever, on limited edition black and white splatter vinyl"

Lonnie Smith (1942 – 2021), was an American jazz organist. He was part of several vocal ensembles in the 1950s, includ- ing the Teen Kings which included Grover Washington Jr. Art Kubera, the owner of a local music store, gave Smith his first organ, a Hammond B3. Smith’s affinity for R&B mixed with his own personal style as he became active in the local music scene. In 1965 he met guitarist George Benson. The two con- nected on a personal level and formed the George Benson Quartet, featuring Lonnie Smith, in 1966. After two albums under Benson’s leadership, Smith recorded his first solo al- bum ‘Finger Lickin’ Good (Soul Organ)’ with George Benson and Melvin Sparks on guitar, Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax, and Marion Booker on drums. This combination remained stable for the next five years. After recording several albums with Benson, Smith became a solo recording artist and sub- sequently recorded over 30 albums under his own name.
Numerous prominent jazz artists joined Smith on his albums
and in his live performances, including Lee Morgan, David “Fathead” Newman, King Curtis, Blue Mitchell, and Joe Lova- no. The album ‘Finger Lickin’ Good (Soul Organ)’ showcases Lonnie Smith’s virtuosity and his innovative approach on the organ, with tracks that feature intricate solos and groovy rhythms so typical of the soul jazz and jazz funk genres. Lon- nie Smith was named 9 times “the best organist of the year” by the Jazz Journalists Association.

This release comes as a limited edition of 750 copies on smoke coloured vinyl.

Matt Filippini is an Italian guitar player, rock songwriter and producer. After working with some local bands, he started to take it seriously when in 2001 he started to play some gigs in Italy during a masterclass tour of the legendary drummer Ian Paice (Deep Purple founder and current member since 1968 but also with Paul McCartney, Gary Moore and Whitesnake). One year later, in 2003, after writing a bunch of rocking songs and recording a demo in his home studio, Matt gave a cd with the tracks to listen to Mr. Paice who liked the stuff and agreed to record the drum tracks for the songs. So after Ian Paice recorded three of the tracks, Matt asked Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, ...) to record vocals for two of the songs. Those became Rose In Hell and Where Do You Hide The Blues You've Got, two of the most appreciated songs from the first Matt's studio album, MOONSTONE PROJECT Time To Take A stand, released April 2006 on Majestic Rock Records. The album features other rock and roll gods like Carmine Appice, Steve Walsh of Kansas, Eric Bloom of Blue Oyster Cult, Graham Bonnet of Rainbow and many more! The album, produced and written by Filippini himself, has been acclaimed by the music press with some great reviews and adored by thousands of classic rock fans from all over the World. In 2010 Matt toured Spain and Italy with Carmine Appice., in September 2010 Matt he played a festival in Sardinia along with Roger Glover (Deep Purple), Bobby Kimball and Steve Lukather of Toto and Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath and Ronnie Dio).In 2011, Through the next few years he played with Deep Purple, Doogie White (Rainbow and Malmsteen) and Neil Murray (Whitesnake and brian May Band), as well as several gigs with Hughes and Paice. He has certainly been active these last few years! the Moonstone Project title “New Life” the full album has been completely remixed and remastered by Fredrik Folkare, featuring on the album the Rock legends Glenn Hughes, Graham Bonnet, Eric Bloom, James Christian, Andrew Freeman, Ian Paice, Ken Hensley, Carmine Appice etc.

Positiva Records celebrates its 30th anniversary with the launch its brand-new sampler series!

* After the stunning success of their critically-acclaimed third album Sharpener, which reached number 3 in the jazz charts and number 14 in the independent music charts, London’s brass juggernauts Hackney Colliery Band blaze back onto the scene with their first collaborative album, ushering in a whole new era for the band.

* Featuring collaborations with a host of key names in jazz and world music including amongst others the father of Ethio-jazz Mulatu Astatke, British jazz funk legend James Taylor, trombonist Dennis Rollins, UK saxophonist Pete Wareham and Beninese singer-songwriter and Grammy Award-winner Angélique Kidjo, Hackney Colliery Band have effortlessly transformed their explosive live energy into 11 original recordings that push the groove and form in an accomplished manner.

*On ‘Collaborations: Volume One’, writers Steve Pretty, Olly Blackman and Luke Christie have between them penned the outfit's most dynamic material to date. ‘Mm Mm’ (feat. Angélique Kidjo and Roundhouse Choir) merges Beninese grooves with wah pedal trumpet textures, and the rousing call-and-response between Kidjo’s soaring vocal and the exhilarating choir adds a richness and depth to the composition.

*On ‘Snowfire’, innovative Norwegian pianist Bugge Wesseltoft brings a euro/nu-jazz feel to the album, while Dennis 'Funkybone' Rollins adds his trademark virtuoso trombone to the carnival-flavoured ‘Ricochet’.

*There’s an energy, respect for tradition and the exuberance of London in Hackney Colliery Band’s work, best exemplified in the evocative and downright thrilling James Taylor collaboration ‘Hypothetical’, with Taylor’s Hammond organ recalling the Acid Jazz era in which he made his name.
*New single ‘Netsanet’ (feat. Mulatu Astatke) is a deep exploration of Mulatu's trademark Ethio-jazz, while ‘Crushing Lactic’, composed by Tom Rogerson (fresh from a recent collaboration with Brian Eno) has a frenzied flow, with big horns and driving rhythm section.

*Elsewhere, Pete Wareham (stalwart of the London jazz revival) lends his free-flowing sax to ‘What’s Gone Before’, leading us into a powerful communion of jazz and brass as Mulatu Astatke’s ‘Derashe’ takes the listener down a vibrating rhythmic path while accompanied by blasts of horns and Mulatu’s trademark vibraphone.

*Two spoken word compositions (‘Why Yellow’ and ‘Climbing Up My Own Life Until I Die’) featuring York born writer and comedian Rob Auton lend an introspective voice to ‘Collaborations: Volume One’.

*A band never content to rest on its laurels, Hackney Colliery Band already have a number of collaborations in the works for ‘Volume Two’, and with further live shows planned for 2019, including the album launch at the famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, 2019 looks set to be HCB’s biggest year yet, both live and on record.

* Steve Pretty, the band’s frontman said: “It’s hard to believe that 2019 is our tenth anniversary, but now we’re ten years older it felt like the right time to get back to our jazz roots. It’s been such a privilege to work with so many of our musical inspirations both old and new on this record, and we’re super excited to be ushering in the next ten years with this new collaborative spirit: this is called ‘Volume One’ for a reason…”