Mr Drum & The Sound Machine - Mr Drum Lowdown

Year : 1971

Label : Nippon Columbia
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, Pop

Under the pseudonym of "Mr. Drum & The Sound Machine", hides the famous japanese drummer Takeshi Inomata and his Sound Limited featuring Norio Maeda, Kimio Mizutani & Shunzo Ohno. "Mr Drum Lowdown" is a progressive jazz rock album including covers following the previous Inomata's works recorded during the early seventies. Titles includes several timeless classics of Pop & Soul Music among "Brown Sugar" (The Rolling Stones), "It's Don't Come Easy" (Ringo Starr), "Rainy Days & Mondays" (The Carpenters), "Never Can Say Goodbye" (The Jackson 5), "Want Ads" (Honey Cone). All tracks arranged by Norio Maeda.

MUSICIANS : Takeshi Inomata - drums - Norio Maeda - organ, piano - Yasuo Arakawa & Jun Suzuki - bass - Sadanori Nakamure & Kimio Mizutani - guitar - Jake H Concepcion - alto saxophone - Shunzo Ohno & Tetsuo Fushimi - trumpet - Osamu Nakajima - percussion

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Big Jullien And His All Star - Riviera Sound No.1

Year : 1970  

Label : Riviera

Genre : Jazz

Style : Soul Jazz, Funk/Soul, Big Band

"Riviera Sound No.1" is a soul jazz album recorded at the Studios Barclay, Paris, including incredible funk/soul breaks & brass sounds with Michel Colombier compositions ("The Big Team/Opening" 45 RPM or "I Remember Otis"), Ivan Jullien (An Oscar For Eddy) and Charlie Mingus (Time Square). Ivan Jullien is a French trumpeter, bandleader and arranger, who composed and arranged over one hundred songs for various french singers among Henri Salvador, Charles Aznavour, Sacha Distel, or Françoise Hardy. He collaborated also with the greatest jazz musicians such as Michel Legrand, Francis Lai (arrangements on "A Man  And A Woman"), Quincy Jones, Count Basie Orchestra or Dee Dee Bridgewater. During the sixties and the seventies, he was the leader of the Paris Jazz All-Stars big band featuring the organist Eddy Louiss, drummer Jean Arpino, pianists Maurice Vander & Michel Colombier, all credited as musicians on "Riviera Sound No.1".

Stefano Torossi - Feelings

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Year : 1974 

Label : Carosello

Genre : Jazz, Stage & Screen

Style : Jazz Funk, Soundtrack

This most-wanted and iconic italian library record was reissued by various labels such as Conroy (1976), Easy Tempo (2000) or more recently by portuguese label Golden Pavilion records (2012). Stefano Torossi is a composer, arranger, conductor in charge of various italian soundtracks and background music for TV Shows. Due to legal restrictions, he signed "Feelings" under the Jay Richford & Gary Stevan names (Puccio Roelens & Giancarlo Gazzani) and was associated to Sandro Brugnolini to the composition (uncredited). Titles include deep funk grooves (Having Fun) and Smooth Jazz (Loving Tenderly) played in a cinematic mood, reminiscent of spy/cop movies (Running Fast, Fearing Much, Flying High) or best Blaxploitation themes. All tracks composed, arranged and directed by Stefano Torossi, Sandro Brugnolini, Giancarlo Gazzani & Puccio Roelens.

Dagha - The Divorce

Year : 2008
Label : Lewis Recordings
Genre : Hip-Hop
Style : Jazzy Hip-Hop, Abstract

Second album by former member of Boston MCs crew Electric Company including jazzy cuts & Funk/Soul breaks featuring DJ Real on turntables. Produced by Mike Lewis, owner of Lewis Recordings, "The Divorce" bears the signature of the Martiangang duo formed by japanese beatmaker Shin-Ski and DJ Real who produce six tracks including "Cliché" by Shin-Ski. Others titles consists of "Devil's Work" produced by his longtime fellow, Insight from Electric Company, "Whatever It May Be" & "What I'mma Do?" feat. the MC Cloke, "Ashy Knees Outro" produced by L In Japanese. All scratches by DJ Real.

Terumasa Hino Quintet - Hi-Nology

Year : 1969

Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Takt Jazz Series

Genre : Jazz

Style : Post Bop, Fusion

The japanese jazz masterpiece recorded by the legendary Terumasa Hino Quintet featuring saxophonist Takeru Muraoka, bassist Kunimitsu Inaba, pianist Hiromasa Suzuki & drummer Motohiko Hino. "Hi-Nology" is an essential japanese jazz album released on the Takt Jazz Series, recorded under live conditions at the famous Yamaha Hall, Tokyo, with the full expressions of Terumasa Hino at the top of his game. "Hi-Nology" was inspired by "Miles In The Sky" album which contributed to the electrification in Jazz, and therefore, opening the fusion era. The album opens on the tribute to Miles Davis, "Like Miles", passing by Muraoka's tune "Electric Zoo" including free forms of jazz, the heavy funk "Hi-Nology" and the jazz avant-garde "Dupe".

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Count Buffalo & His Rock Band - Exciting Drums ~ African Rock Party

Year : 1969
Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Exciting Series
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, Latin Rock

Debut album introducing the Count Buffalo's name, behind which hide Akira Ishikawa & his rock band featuring pianist/arranger Hiromasa Suzuki, Kiyoshi Sugimoto (eg), Takeru Muraoka (ts) and Masaoki Terakawa (eb). "African Rock Party" opens the african period of the legendary jazz drummer, including twelve jazz rock tracks to the african & latin beats with psychedelic grooves & funky horns, all arranged by Kozaburo Yamaki & Hiroshi Takami from the Toshiyuki Miyama's New Herd. Titles include only covers & jazz standards (The Sidewinder, The Cat) from Soul to Rock among The Supremes (You Keep Me Hangin' On),The Doors (Touch Me) or Booker T. & The MG's (Soul Limbo).

Junior Mance - With A Lotta Help From My Friends

Year : 1970

Label : Atlantic

Genre : Jazz

Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk

Awesome Jazz funk album with catchy breakbeats, funky accoustic piano & raging drumming recorded by pianist Junior Mance featuring an insane combo including drummer Billy Cobham from Mahavishnu Orchestra, guitarist Eric Gale and bassist Chuck Rainey. Junior Mance was a session musician in demand, playing for numerous jazz formations among Lester Young Sextet, Cannonball Adderley Quintet or Dizzy Gillespie Quintet and sideman for Gene Amons, Dinah Washington or Johnny Griffin. Titles includes nice covers of Sly & The family Stone (Thank You Falletin Me Be Mice Elf Agin), Blood, Sweat And Tears (Spinning Wheel) and in particular the killer tune "Don't Cha Hear Me Callin' To Ya" selected on "Right On! - Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic & Warner Vaults" released in 1999.

Nobuo Hara & His Sharps & Flats + 1 - Electronics

Year : 1970

Label : Nippon Columbia

Genre : Jazz

Style : Soul Jazz, Funk/Soul, Jazz Rock

Crossover Jazz album by the Sharps & Flats big band lead by saxophonist Nobuo Hara featuring Hiroshi Suzuki (tb), Koji Suzuki (as) Toshihiko Ogawa (p), Hiroshi Takeuchi (eb), Kazuhiro Ebisawa (ds), Takao Naoi (eg) among others, and special guest, Takehiro Honda on Fender Rhodes and Hammond B3 organ. As the title suggest, Nobuo Hara introduces for the first time electronic elements in "Sharps & Flats" in particular electric bass & piano. It's also the first incursion in the R&B genre, that's why Masahiko Satoh & Yasuo Arakawa were recruited in charge of arrangements. Titles include Rock & Soul covers from Jethro Tull (Bourree), The Beatles (Come Together) and original compositions by Nobuo Hara (Tumblin! Tambourine!, Horse Laugh Blues) and Masahiko Sato (Nervous Breakdown). 

 

Lou Donaldson - Alligator Bogaloo

Year : 1967
Label : Blue Note
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz

The essential Soul Jazz masterpiece among the most sampled album of the time, performed by the Soul Jazz saxophonist No. 1 featuring a funky combo with drummer Leo Morris (Idris Muhammad), guitarist George Benson, organist Lonnie Smith & cornestist Melvin Lastie Sr. in addition on "I Want A Little Girl". "Alligator Bogaloo" opens the R&B era of Lou Donalson to the Funk/Soul accent including the climax album "Midnight Creeper" with the same rhythm section. Titles include "One Cylinder" sampled by french rapper MC Solaar on "Qui Sème Le Vent Récolte Le Tempo" (1991) & "Superstarr" (1994), original composition by Lonnie Smith (Aw Shucks!), "The Thang", "Rev. Moses" & the title-track composed by Lou Donaldson. Recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder.

Yoko Kanno - Kids On The Slope (Original Soundtrack)

Year : 2012

Label : Epic/Sony

Genre : Jazz, Stage & Screen

Style : Hard Bop, J-Pop

Original soundtrack from "Sakamichi No Apollon" directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo), based on a Yuki Kodama's manga, produced by pianist & iconic animation score composer Yoko Kanno. As on the "Cowboy Bebop" soundtrack, "Kids On The Slope" contains original compositions, some typical Yoko Kanno pop/rock songs and in particular, Hard Bop, Modal & Cool jazz tracks including the strandards from Milt Jackson (Bag’s Groove), Bobby Timmons (Moanin), Horace Silver (Blowin’ The Blues Away), George Gershwin (But Not For Me), George Shearing (Lullaby Of Birdland) or Duke Ellington (Satin Doll). All tracks arranged & recorded by Yoko Kanno featuring Masato Suzuki from Naruyoshi Kikuchi Dub Sextet, Yasuo Sano & Masayoshi Furukawa from The Seatbelts.

MUSICIANS : Yoko Kanno - keyboards - Yasuo Sano & Masayoshi Furukawa - guitar - Takashi Matsunaga - piano - Shun Ishikawa - drums - Shinpei Ruike - trumpet - Masato Suzuki & Keisuke Torigoe - bass  - Yuuka Nanri, Aoi Teshima & Manabu Yamaguchi - vocal

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Kiyoshi Sugimoto - Guitar Method

Year : 1972

Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Master Sonic, Method Series
Genre : Jazz

Style : Jazz Rock, Pop

Among the best crossover jazz album taken from the "Method Series" of the Nippon Columbia including pop/rock hits revisited by japanese jazz guitarist, Kiyoshi Sugimoto featuring pianist/arranger Hiromasa Suzuki. "Guitar Method" is mainstream album in the manner of the Creed Taylor's productions, a more commercial approach with strings arrangements. The meeting between Jazz and Pop music in which Sugimoto fits into a guitar hero stance, discharging insane guitar solos like on "Get In On", supported by the acid organ sounds from Suzuki. Titles include iconic songs of the pop music ("Madman Across The Water" by Elton John, "Imagine" by John Lennon) and all Rock 'N Roll styles represented from Heavy Metal (Led Zeppelin - Black Dog) to Progressive rock (The Moody Blues - The Story In Your Eyes or "Everybody's Everything" by Santana) by Glam Rock (T-Rex - Get In On) or Soft Rock (Carol King - It's Too Late, Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline). All tracks arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki.

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Akira Ishikawa All Stars - Drums Method

Year : 1972

Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Method Series
Genre : Jazz, Progressive Rock
Style : Jazz Rock, Pop

Crossover jazz album taken from the "Method Series" of the Nippon Columbia catalogue, recorded by Akira Ishikawa (drums) and arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki (electric piano). Surrounded by All-Stars big band conducted by Hiromasa Suzuki, Akira Ishikawa revisits the classics of western Pop music and the Rock 'N' Roll standards, all played in the jazz rock style from Soft Rock to Heavy Metal including psychedelic grooves & insane drum breaks. Titles include only pop/rock hits released from the late sixties of Chicago (Lowdown), Deep Purple (Black Night), Elton John (It's Me That You Need), Simon & Garfunkel (Bridge Over Trouble Water), Fleetwood Mac (Black Magic Woman), The Beatles (Come Together, Let It Be) or french songstress Nicoletta (Mamy Blue). All Tracks arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki.

Barney Kessel - Hair Is Beautiful

Year : 1968
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Pop, Easy Listening

"Hair Is Beautiful" revisists the popular songs of the Broadway Rock Musical including "Aquarius", "I Got Life", "Ain't Got No", "Hare Krishna" and nice jerk versions of "Walking In Space" & "Donna". Considered as one of the greatest jazz guitarist of the 20th century, Barney Kessel evolved in eminent jazz formations including the Oscar Peterson Trio, played alongside Charlie Parker, Ray Brown, was sideman for Milt Jackson, Oliver Nelson, Art Tatum and Sonny Rollins. As session musician within The Wrecking Crew collective, he collaborated to numerous recordings sessions for various international pop artists from The Beach Boys (on "Pet Sound" sessions) to Frank Sinatra by The Monkees. Recorded in London with only British musicians featuring Ike Isaacs on guitar, Tony Campo on bass, Barry Morgan on drums, Kenny Salmon & Steve Gray on organ.

Reuben Wilson - A Groovy Situation

Year : 1971
Label : Blue Note
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz

"A Groovy Situation" is the fourth album recorded for Blue Note by organist Reuben Wilson featuring Eddie Diehl on guitar, Earl Turbinton on alto saxophone and Harold White on drums. It's also the last record of a Soul Jazz tetralogy started from "On Broadway" in 1968, before turn to a more jazz funk style with "Set Us Free" the same year. Titles include Stevie Wonder's iconic song "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours", massive pop hit of The Turtles "Happy Together", R&B classic "Groovy Situation" by Gene Chandler and original compositions by Reuben Wilson (While The World Lies Waiting, Sweet Tooth).

Jiro Inagaki + Soul Big Media - Jazz & Rock "Out"

Year : 1970
Label : Nippon Columbia
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, Big Band

[Jazz & Rock "Out"] is a recording live at Hibiya Amphitheater performed by an expanded group of the Soul Media band led by saxophonist Jiro Inagaki. From the original quintet to form the Soul Big Media, a brass ensemble is added featuring Tadayuki Harada, Shigeo Suzuki, Shunzo Ohno, Takashi Imai among others. Titles include "The Ground For Peace", taken from the Head Rock album, an variation of the "Head Rock" song called "Yie-Pie", the jazz standard "Freedom Jazz Dance" of Eddie Harris, the traditionnal Negro Spiritual "Oh ! Happy Day", the massive hit from  Blood, Sweat And Tears, "Spinning Wheel", and the classic Soul cover from Talma Motown, "You've Made Me So Very Happy".

MUSICIANS : Jiro Inagaki - tenor saxophone - Ryo Kawasaki - guitar - Yasuo Arakawa - bass - Masaru Imada - organ - Sadakazu Tabata - drums - Tetsuo Fushimi - trumpet - Tadayuki Harada - baritone saxophone - Shigeo Suzuki - alto saxophone - Takehisa Suzuki & Shunzo Ohno - trumpet - Takashi Imai & Shigemichi Domoto - trombone

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Insight - The Maysun Project

Year : 2003

Label : On The Corner/Ascetic Music

Genre : Hip-Hop

Style : Jazzy Hip-Hop, Funk/Soul, Conscious

"The Maysun Project" is a concept & protest album against George W. Bush policy, a "word" attack including the Insight's lesson philosophy with conscious verses (learn yourself, study, get smart...) and Michael Elmoore's militant speech (Conference). All cuts & beats by Insight supported on production by his Boston fellows Dagha from Electric Company, Mr. Lif & Jayda. Titles include Insight's productions for Dagha (Heaven And Hell, Game Of Life) and Self-Image (May Summary), featurings involving old-school rapper KRS-One (Message 2000), Mr. Lif (Outcome), Jayda (Regret) & Dagha (The Threat, Outcome & Savage).

Jean Musy, His Organ And His Orchestra - Tribute To Ray Charles

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Year : 1969
Label : Concert Hall
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Funk/Soul

Obscure soul jazz record released on the Concert Hall label by French pianist Jean Musy featuring the renowned Hammond B3 organ star. Jean Musy was arranger, bandleader and composer for various French "Variété" singers such as violonist Catherine Lara and in particular Joe Dassin for who, he was in charge of arrangements and orchestrations on the famous song "Champs Elysées", recorded in 1969. As a sideman, he evolved in the Nino Ferrer band during the sixties and collaborated to over 200 movies soundtracks. "Tribute To Ray Charles" showcases the organ including killer funk variations to the heavy groove of most popular success recorded by Ray Charles among "I've Got A Woman", "Unchain My Heart" or "Georgia On My Mind". 

S.O.U.L. - What Is It

Year : 1971
Label : Musicor
Genre : Soul
Style : Funk/Soul

Debut album of S.O.U.L. (for Sounds Of Unity And Love), a Soul/Jazz Funk band from Cleveland, formed by frontman Lee Lovett (eb), Gus Hawkins (eg), Paul Stubblefield (ds) and Walter Winston (fl, sax). Titles include famous Funk/Soul covers composed by Charles Wright (Express Yourself), Smokey Robinson (Get Ready) and Herbie Mann (Memphis Underground), the medley "Message From A Black Man" (with the verse of "Stand!" by Sly & The Family Stone), their original single composition "Down In The Ghetto" (Parts I & II) and "Burning Spear" which was selected in various compilations and sampled many times by Hip-Hop artists like on "Go With The Flow" (1991) by Pete Rock & CL Smooth.

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Jimmy Takeuchi And His The Exciters - Drum Drum Drum

Year : 1968
Label : Toshiba Records
Serie : Drum Drum Drum
Genre : Jazz
Style : Rock/Pop, Surf Music, Jerk

The first album introducing the 'DRUM DRUM DRUM' series of Toshiba Records (best known for its legendary singular sexy covers), for which Jimmy Takeuchi recorded numerous others albums. Formed in 1967, The Exciters (lead by the drummer) mix Pop, Rock & Surf music with Jazz including standards songs from Elvis Presley, The Surfaris, The Beatles, The Ventures and from others japanese pop/rock artists. Titles include massive japanese hits from GS (for Group Sounds, japanese rock genre) & japanese pop tunes (Seaside Bound, Itoshi No Jizabel, Blue Chateau) plus the "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles. All tracks performed by Jimmy Takeuchi & His Exciters and arranged by Kunihiko Suzuki.

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Jimmy Smith - Root Down - Live!

Year : 1972
Label : Verve
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk

Fabulous and most famous live recording from Los Angeles by the Hammond B3 organist star, the 'Godfather' of Soul Jazz, Jimmy Smith featuring bassist Wilton Felder & guitarist Arthur Adams from The Crusaders, drummer Paul Humphrey, percussionist Buck Clarke and harmonica player Steve Williams. Titles include more Jazz with heavy Funk/Soul expressions than pure Soul Jazz style among the Al Green's classic "Let's Stay Together", three Jimmy Smith's compostions whose "Root Down (And Get It)" sampled by the Beastie Boys on "Root Down" extracted from "III Communication" (1994).

Kenny Burrell - God Bless The Child

Year : 1971
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Fusion, Jazz Guitar

The beautiful crossover jazz album "God Bless The Child" is an essential of jazz guitar, the only one recorded for CTI by american jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell featuring Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Freddie Hubbard and Ray Barretto. Influenced by the legendary jazz guitarists Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt, Kenny Burrell started in the early fifties alongside Oscar Peterson before to become a session musician in demand, playing for numerous prestigious musicians among Dizzie Gillepsie, Paul Chambers, Milt Jackson, Louis Amstrong or James Brown, and was a regular sideman, in particular, for Jimmy Smith on over twenty albums. All titles are recorded with the support of a strings orchestra under the Don Sebesky direction. Recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder and produced by Creed Taylor.

MUSICIANS : Kenny Burrell - guitar - Ron Carter - bass - Hugh Lawson - piano - Richard Wyands - electric piano - Freddie Hubbard - trumpet - Billy Cobham - drums - Ray Barretto - percussion

S.O.U.L. - Can You Feel It

Year : 1972
Label : Musicor
Genre : Soul
Style : Funk/Soul

S.O.U.L. (for Sounds Of Unity And Love), was a short-lived Soul & Jazz Funk band from Cleveland. Originally formed by frontman bassist Lee Lovett, saxophonist/flutist Gus Hawkins, drummer Paul Stubblefield and guitarist Walter Winston, the original quator is supported by newcomers, Larry Hancock on organ, while Steve Feldman and Claton 'Boots' Ellis are added on percussion and piano. "Can You Feel It" is the second and last album of the band that sounds like a good Earth, Wind & Fire record, which unlike their previous "What Is It", includes only original compositions excepted cover song of Stevie Wonder (My Cherie Amour).

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Janko Nilovic - Psyc Impressions

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Year : 2011/1969

Label : Vadim Music/Montparnasse 2000

Genre : Jazz, Stage & Screen

Style : Jazz Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Easy Listening

Iconic record out from the cult French music library label Monparnasse 2000, by the iconic background music composer Janko Nilovic. As the title suggests, "Psyc’ Impressions" is a blend of jazz & psychedelic rock performed by brass band including killer grooves with heavy bass lines, funky drum breaks, insane guitar, acid organ sounds plus some pop-funk tunes and sweet melodies on the flute. Titles include the crazy tunes "Rush On The Ball", "Duty Free", "Shaking Pop", "Blows And Rhythms", "In The Space", available in four mood series (sport, event, indicatif & cosmos). Some materials from "In The Space" have been sampled by Jay Z for his hit "The Death Of The Auto Tune" from Blueprint 3. All tracks composed by Janko Nilovic & Dave Sucky (pseudonym of Louis Delacour, co-founder of the label).

Takehiro Honda - T. Honda Meets Rhythm Section Featuring S. Watanabe

Year : 1970
Label : Trio Records
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Modal

Debut album of jazz pianist Takehiro Honda, recorded in Yamaha Hall in 1969, the first of eight albums serie recorded for Trio Electronics. The Takehiro Honda's rhythm section is based on the Sadao Watanabe Quartet featuring saxophonist Sadao Watanabe, guitarist Yoshiaki Masuo, bassist Yoshio Suzuki and Sadao's brother, the drummer Fumio Watanabe. This first experience with the Sadao Watanabe Quartet, will bring Honda to enroll Yoshio Suzuki & Fumio Watanabe for his new jazz trio and later join the Sadao formation from 1973 to 1978. Titles include popular Jazz standards (By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Stella By Starlight), a variation on "Hey Jude" from The Beatles and his own compositions (Minton Blues, Ain't Tell You A Good Way But, Quiet Sea). All tracks arranged by Takehiro Honda.

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Gabor Szabo - Jazz Raga

Year : 1966
Label : Impulse!
Genre : Jazz
Style : Post Bop, Psychedelic, Jazz Rock

The meeting between R&B, Jazz and psychedelic music by the most famous Hungarian jazz guitarist Gabor Szabo featuring drummer Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie, bassist Jack Gregg, guitarist Bob Bushnell and percussionist Ed Shaugnessy in addition on "Mizrab". "Jazz Raga" is a pioneer album of fusion, mostly in the jazz rock style including Indian and Gypsy music elements that showcase sitar and tablas use. Titles include the two jazz standards "Caravan" by Duke Ellington and "Summertime" by George Gershwin, "Raga Doll" by Gary McFarland, "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones, the jazz rock "Sophisticated Wheels" and the transcendantal tracks "Walking On Nails" (feat. Gabor on vocals), "Krishna", "Search For Nirvana" and "Ravi". All tracks recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder, composed by Szabo except those mentionned. 

Kimiko Kasai - This Is My Love

Year : 1975
Label : CBS
Genre : Jazz
Style : Smooth Jazz, Jazz Funk

Kimiko Kasai meets american top musicians featuring the great Stan Getz, Lee Konitz, Cornell Dupree, Bob Crankshaw & Joe Beck. Recorded at the famous Electric Ladyland studios in New York, "This is My Love" is among best productions of Kimiko Kasai including Jazz Funk & Smooth Jazz with killer song from Bill Withers "Use Me" based on the Esther Phillips version, nice sophisticated variation on the iconic pop hit "Happy Together" by The Turtles and the jazz standard "Love For Sale" by Cole Porter. Produced by Teo Macero.

MUSICIANS : Kimiko Kasai - vocals - Bob Crankshaw - bass - Allan Schwartzberg & Billy Lavangna - drums - Cornell Dupree, Jerry Friedman & Joe Beck - guitar - Bobby Scott - keyboards, vocals  - Lee Konitz - alto saxophone - Al John & Stan Getz - tenor saxophone  

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Serge Gainsbourg - Vu De L'Extérieur

 

Year : 1973 

Label : Philips 

Genre : Rock

Style : Pop, Funk/Soul
 

Second concept album of Serge Gainsbourg including poetry, funny onomatopoeia based on scatology (Des Vents Des Pets Des Poums) & childishness themes (Panpan Cucul). "Vu De L'Extérieur" is the first collaboration of Serge Gainsbourg with the british arranger/keyboardist Alan Hawkshaw featuring only english session musicians among bassist Brian Odgers from Apollo 100, guitarist Alan Parker, drummer Dougie Wright. or percussionist/drummer Chris Karan. As the pioneer and rock avant garde "Melody Nelson", it was unfortunately a commercial failure, however singles "Je Suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'en Vais" (based on Paul Verlaine's poetry "Chanson d'Automne") and "Vu De L'Extérieur" known a big success in France. All tracks composed by Serge Gainsbourg, recorded at Phonogram Studio, London, except the voices & mixing at Studio Des Dames, Paris.

Toshiaki Yokota & The Beat Generation - Flute Adventure

Year : 1971

Label : King Records
Serie : New Emotional Work Series
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz,
Style : Jazz Rock, Free Jazz, Bossa Nova, Psychedelic Rock

"Flute Adventure" is a concept album including latin jazz, progressive rock & free jazz, recorded by The Beat Generation lead by Toshiaki Yokota (indian, alto & bass flute) featuring Kimio Mizutani (eg), Larry Sunaga (perc), Sadanori Nakamure (g), Masaoki Terakawa (eb) & Hideo Ishikawa (keys). The Beat Generation is a japanese avant-garde jazz collective influenced by French symbolism, american counterculture and psychedelic rock. Toshiaki Yokota is part of these japanese pioneers who introduced some traditional flutes in modern music with Minoru Muraoka & Hozan Yamamoto, and was member others iconic jazz rock formations in Japan such as the Takeshi Inomata's The Sound Limited or the progressive rock band, Love Live Life. The first side is a tribute to the Arthur Rimbaud's poetry, called "Le Soleil Etait Encore chaud" including four tracks within a Jazz Rock suite including african rhythms, psychedelia and free improvisations. The side B takes us on board in a Brazilian journey from Bossa to Samba including original Yokota's composition "Ofélia", "Samba De Orfeu" (played in a Samba-Rock fusion), "Orfeu Negro (Manhã De Carnaval)", both composed by Luiz Bonfa, and a rock variation of "Reza" coupled with his "Ending Samba".

John Patton - Accent On The Blues

Year : 1969
Label : Blue Note
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz

Hard Bop & funky tunes by one famous Soul Jazz actor, sideman for Lou Donaldson on several Blue Note albums between 1962 to 1964. 'Big' John Patton and his Hammond B3 organ played in quartet formation featuring Leroy Williams, James Ulmer and Marvin Cabell. Marvin offers three of his own compositions (Captain Nasty, Village Lee & Lite Hit), the others titles including Rakin' And Scrapin' by Harold Mabern, a reprise of Eddie Harris' Jazz standard, Freedom Jazz Dance (popularized by Miles Davis) and Soul cover Don't Let Me Lose This Dream (Aretha Franklin).Produced by Francis Wolf and recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder.

John Patton_organ

James Ulmer_guitar

Leroy Williams_drums

Marvin Cabell_tenor saxophone, flute

01. Rakin' And Scrapin'
02. Freedom Jazz Dance
03. Captain Nasty
04. Village Lee
05. Lite Hit
06. Don't Let Me Lose This Dream

Takehiro Honda - Reaching For Heaven

Year : 1978
Label : Flying Disk
Genre : Jazz
Style : Contemporary Jazz, Fusion

"Reaching For Heaven" is the second of three albums serie released on the japanese label Flying Disk, including "Another Departure" in 1977 and "It's Great Outside" in 1978. Takehiro Honda Trio is formed with the same legendary duo featuring bassist Ron Carter & drummer Tony Williams from the Second Great Quintet of Miles Davis. Recorded during the "Another Departure" sessions at Vanguard Studio in 1977, New-York, the album includes various Jazz sandards & covers from Oliver Nelson (Ostinato), Horace Silver (Peace), Bobby Hutcherson (Little B's Poem), Victor Young (Beautiful Love) and the original composition by Honda (Lazy Dream). Produced by Kiyoshi Itoh and Yukio Morisaki.

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Yuji Ohno Trio With Friends - Boss Piano

Year : 2012
Label : LUPINTIC/VAP
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Jazz Funk

"BOSS PIANO" is among best productions recorded by Yuji Ohno from the last decade on his own label "LUPINTIC". In fact, from Yuji Ohno Trio With Friends only "Satin Doll" is performed by the trio formed with bassist Yosuke Inoue and drummer Yoshihito Eto, for the rest feature all members of his Lupintic Five jazz funk band. From R&B to Latin Jazz by Pop Music, Yuji Ohno revisits several popular songs of the 20th century, "Georgia" by Ray Charles, "What Now, My Love?" ("Et Maintenant" by Gilbert Bécaud), "Goin' Out Of My Head", "See See Rider" and great jazz standards including Duke Ellinghton's "Satin Doll", Red Garland's "Rojo" or The Afro-Cuban jazz classic "Manteca" by Dizzie Gillepsie. All tracks arranged by Yuji Ohno.

MUSICIANS : Yuji Ohno - keyboards - Yosuke Inoue - bass - Yoshihito Eto - drums - Keiji Matsushima - trumpet - Hisatsugu Suzuki - soprano sax, tenor sax - Satoshi Izumi - guitar - Eijiro Nakagawa - trombone - Shinobu Ishizaki - baritone sax - Masato Kawase - percussion 

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Freddie Hubbard - Backlash

Year : 1967
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Jazz
Style : Hard Bop

His first of four Atlantic albums between Hard Bop, Avant-Garde and Soul Jazz featuring James Spauling and Ray Barretto. Titles include own compositions of Freddie Hubbard, Backlash by Don Pickett and popularized by Nina Simone, The Return of the Prodigal Son by Harold Ousley & Echoes of Blue  Robert Cunningham.

Freddie Hubbard_trumpet, flugelhorn 
James Spaulding_alto saxophone, flute 
Albert Dailey_piano 
Bob Cunningham_bass 
Ray Appleton_drums 
Ray Barretto_congas

01. Backlash
02. The Return of the Prodigal Son
03. Little Sunflower
04. On the Que-Tee
05. Up Jumped Spring
06. Echoes of Blue

Melvin Sparks - Akilah !

Year : 1972
Label : Prestige
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk

Sparks' third LP recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder with guests Hubert Laws (flute on The Image Of Love), Ernie Royal and George Coleman (respectively trumpet & alto saxophone on  Akilah). Personnel of rhythm section features Idris Muhammad, Leon Spencer and Buddy Caldwell. Titles include all compositions by Melvin Sparks except Love The Life You Live by Kool & The Gang, The Image Of Love by Leon Spencer. Orchestrations arranged by Billy Ver Plank.

Melvin Sparks_guitar

Leon Spencer_organ

Buddy Caldwell_percussion

Idris Muhammad_drums 

Virgil Jones_trumpet

Dave Hubbard_alto saxophone & flute 

Frank Wess_tenor saxophone

Sonny Fortune_alto saxophone

01. Love The Life You Live
02. On The Up
03. All Wrapped Up
04. Akilah
05. Blues For J.B.
06. The Image Of Love

Takehiro Honda - Another Departure

Year : 1977

Label : Flying Disk

Genre : Jazz

Style : Contemporary Jazz, Fusion

   
"Another Departure" is first part of recording sessions at Vanguard Studio from 2, 3 May 1977, New York by pianist Takehiro Honda featuring jazz legends, Ron Carter & Tony Williams, former members of the Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet from 1965 to 1968. Honda was one of the most renowned japanese jazz pianist, influenced by McCoy Tyner, he started in 1966 as member of japanese rock band "The Mojo" during the 'Group Sounds' era. Thereafter, he formed his first own jazz trio in 1968 with drummer Hiroshi Murakami, bassist Eijiro Hagiwara and played in various prestigious japanese jazz formations such as the Nobuo Hara's Sharps & Flats Big Band. In 1969, he recorded his debut album "Takehiro Honda Meets Rhythm Section" featuring the Sadao Watanabe Quartet opening a fruitful period of masterpieces production. From 1973 to 1978, he was sideman for Sadao Watanabe taking part to his studio recordings ("Kenya Africa", "Recital"...) and live tours (Montreux Jazz Festival in 1975), before to form his famous successful Jazz Funk band "Native Son" with saxophonist Kohsuke Mine & Hiroshi Murakami. Titles include contemporary Jazz (Longing, Puddle), Soul Jazz (Wonder), Carribean fusion (Calypso Street) and Jazz Funk (Spirits Flow). All tracks composed by Takehiro Honda, produced by Kiyoshi Itoh & Yukio Morisaki.

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Nobuo Hara & His Sharps & Flats, Hozan Yamamoto - Sharps & Flats In Newport

Year : 1967
Label : CBS
Genre : Jazz
Style : Modal, World, Traditional, Big Band

Sharps & Flats lead by saxophonist Nobuo Hara meet Hozan Yamamoto, featuring Hiroshi Suzuki (tb), Koji Suzuki (as), Teruyuki Fukushima (tp), Toshihiko Ogawa (p) Hiroshi Takeuchi (b) among others. Hozan Yamamoto was the most famous shakuhachi musician (japanese bamboo flute), internationally renowned as pioneer for the traditional instruments introduction into modern music, in particular in Jazz. All tracks were extracted from recording sessions in studio under a replay form of their first live performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1967. "Sharps & Flats In Newport" is the meeting between Jazz and the japanese folk music, including the bamboo flute on various tracks inspired by japanese traditional music and composed by Nobuo Hara (Hakone Mago Uta, Midare, Geisha Girl). Titles include also japanese jazz standard "Sakura Sakura", songs in the Buddy Rich Big Band style (Sohran-Bushi, Awa Dance) and the Bobby Timmons' classic "So Tired" played in the Bossa Nova mode. All tracks conducted by Nobuo Hara, arranged by Norio Maeda & Kiyoshi Yamaya.

Lafayette Afro-Rock Band - Soul Makossa

Year : 1974
Label : Makossa
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Afro-Funk

Lafayette Afro-Rock Band is an american jazz funk group including african influences formed on the Bobby Boyd Congress ashes, featuring Lafayette Hudson (eb), Larry Jones (eg), Frank Abel (keys), Arthur Young & Ronnie Buttacavoli (tp), with Ernest Donnable (ds), Keno Speller (perc) in addition. Based in Paris from 1971 to 1978, the band also known as "Ice", released six albums and several singles under others names. They started on stage in Parisian district "Barbès", the french core of african cultures in the seventies, where they were spotted by cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango and jazz producer Pierre Jaubert. Titles include the afro-funk classic by Manu Dibango "Soul Makossa", afro-cuban flavor "Azeta", the jazz rock tune "Oglenon" and  the heavy funks "Voodounon", "Hihache" & "Nicky".

Ron Carter - Spanish Blue

Year : 1974
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Fusion
Website : Roncater.net

Third album of jazz bassist recorded for CTI performed by bassist Ron Carter. An Andalusian breeze blows on Spanish Blue,  a sensuous atmosphere created by playing of Hubert Laws and Jay Berliner. Titles include the reinterpretation of masterpiece So What? from the Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue (1959), spanish vibes to the flamenco accents (El Noche Sol & Sabado Sombrero) and the last groovy track called Arkansas featuring the great solos of Hubert Laws and Ron Carter. Produced by Creed Taylor and recorded at Studio Rudy Van Gelder.

Ron Carter _bass, piccolo bass
Hubert Laws_flute
Roland Hanna & Leon Pendarvis _electric piano, piano
Jay Berliner_guitar
Billy Cobham_drums, field drum
Ralph MacDonald_percussion

01. El Noche Sol
02. So What
03. Sabado Sombrero
04. Arkansas

Oneness Of Juju - African Rhythms

Year : 1975
Label : Black Fire
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Spiritual Jazz, Afrobeat

Essential debut album of american Afro-Jazz-Funk collective formed around brothers saxophonist James and bassist Philip Branch, known as Plunky & Muzi Nkabinde. "African Rhythms" fits into the panafricanism way, incarnation of the fusion between African roots and Afro-American culture, including traditional African percussions (balophone, marimbas), Spiritual Jazz and Rhthyms&Blues elements. During the seventies, the collective released two others recordings "Space Jungle Luv" in 1976 and "Make A Change" under the Plunky And Oneness Of Juju's name on the former jazz DJ and producer, Jimmy Gray's label "Black Fire". Titles include their best known single and anthem "African Rhythms" in extented version, the heavy funks "Kazi", "Poo Too", "Liberation Dues",  "Don't Give Up" & "Mashariki" featuring the thrilling voice of Eka-Ete Jackie Lewis and the spirtual "Inconito". Composed & arranged by Oneness Of Juju.

Mongo Santamaria - Up From The Roots

Year : 1972

Label : Atlantic

Genre : Latin Jazz

Style : Afro-Cuban Jazz

 

One of the main actor to the success of Afro-Cuban Jazz in the US with the standard "Afro-Blue" popularized by John Coltrane, Mongo Santamaria was also known as a major figure of fusion between latin beat and Soul music. "Up From the Roots", thirty years after his first work as a leader, is an ode to cuban percussions exploring the African roots of Caribbean music including various dances and songs from Guaguanco (En La Habana) to Mambo (Conga, Bata, Y Chequere) and Rumba (Me Buele La Muele). Titles include also typical Afro-Cuban Jazz track "Para Ti" and the funky "Jose Outside". It features Carter Jefferson & Bill Saxon (sax), Lew Soloff & Jon Faddis (tp), Eddy Martinez (p) - Eddie Rivera (b), Steve Barrios (ds).

Yuji Ohno - Original Soundtrack From Lupin The 3rd

Year : 1978
Label : Satril/Nippon Columbia
Genre : Jazz, Stage & Screen
Style : Jazz Funk, Disco

Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 of the Lupin The 3rd animated serie performed by You & The Explosion Band featuring Takeru Muraoka & guests musicians such as percussionist Hiromitsu Katada or accordionist Fumihiko Kazama. Titles include new opening ("Lupin III '79") & ending themes (the Fujiko's song "Love Squall" feat. Sandi H. Hohn) recorded for the third season of Lupin III Part II (from episode 52 to 103), "Tornado" (the Jigen Daisuke's theme), "Sphynx" (also extracted from "Lupin VS Mamo" 1978 movie), "Super Hero" feat. Tommy Snyder & "Zantetsuken" (the Goemon Ichikawa's theme). All tracks composed & arranged by Yuji Ohno.

MUSICIANS : Yuji Ohno - keyboards - Minoru Kuribayashi - Hammond organ - Michio Nagaoka - bass - Tsunehide Matsuki - guitar - Yuichi Togashiki - drums - Pepe Anai - percussions - Takeru Muraoka - saxophone, clarinet - Eiji Arai - trombone

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