Soul Jazz Tropicalia Rarest
Edson Frederico e a Transa by MAD ABOUT RECORDS, released 09 April 2019 Reissue for the first time this rare LP that has all the hallmarks of the best to come out of Brazil during the seventies: a perfect fusion of Funky Rare Groove, Tropicalia, and Jazz. Such a lush warm vibe throughout underpinned by Frederico's use of the Fender Rhodes for the date.
The fab 4 TOPS are up there with the greatest soul groups of all time – a reputation based on their garlanded Motown career and subsequent tenure at ABC/Dunhill.Despite loosing Levi Stubbs, Obie Benson, and Lawrence Payton, original member Duke Fakir has worked tirelessly to keep the group's name up there – touring and occasionally recording. One of those recordings 'East West' (recorded for Jenny Jenny Records in the mid 2000s) was acclaimed by fans but seemed to slip under most soul radars. A gentle ballad, featuring 'new' members Ronnie McNeir and former Temptation Theo Peoples, it deserved to be heard by more fans.Well now they have the chance. It's the feature song on a compilation called 'Motor City Hits' – first released in 2011, but now being repromoted. Most of the cuts are Motown covers by people like LJ Reynolds and Paul Hill but the Tops' tune really stands out - confusingly the song's been renamed 'Miles Away' but it still sounds good. Latest single from MARC STAGGER'S wonderful album 'Let's Go Out Tonight' is a new mix of one of the LP's big tunes. 'Saving My Love For You'.
For the release Marc and co-producer Reggie Staggers have kept all the soulful integrity of the original but added some slinky sax (courtesy of Reggie) to give the cut a smooth, proper late night feel.Marc, of course, featured on the recent DSG Thames cruise where he confirmed what most soul buffs already knew – yep. He's a real contender!
MARC STAGGERS - SAVING MY LOVE FOR YOU-(Reggie Staggers Remix) out now. Today (23 August) prolific piano man DAVID BENOIT releases his latest album – an incredible 36th in a storied, award-winning career. To mark the milestone David has brought in some very special, friends – hence the title – 'David Benoit And Friends'.Amongst the collaborators on the 11 tracker are Dave Koz, Peter White, Marc Antoine and Lindsey Webster. The lovely Lindsey fronts the album's big vocal – a gentle 'Make It Real'. A gentle smooth jazz builder with a touch of Latin shuffle about it. 'Feel It Still' is another album highlight.
- SUMMER BREAK the shop is not really closed but there will be no shipping until July 25th. Feel free to browse, listen and order but please be prepared for a little wait. Thanks a lot!!
- Dj tobago is Alexandre Watelet-Escudero @ Maracuja records (Paris - France) Listen & Enjoy his regular selection taken from his 4000/5000 records collection and recorded in his living-room, with two MK2 turntable & one mixer.
Very different, it recalls those great soul jazz albums of the 60s from people like the Ramsey Lewis Trio. 'Sly Fox' has a touch of the Lewis's about it too –though, in this case. Latter period.The album also sees David offer homages to several more of his heroes. Sin nombre. 'Dave G' is a tribute to Dave Grusin; a fan of Coldplay, Benoit offers a cover of their 'Viva La Vida'; 'The Ballad Of Jane Hawk' is in honour or writer Dean Koontz – Hawk is his fictitious rogue FBI agent; guitarist Kenny Burrell is the focus on a version of his 'Moon And Sand' (Marc Antoine takes the guitar part); while the pianist's love of Italy is manifest in the cuts 'Vernazza' and 'Sienna Step' – both classic 'Benoit sounds'.Indeed the whole album is classic Benoit and it's out 23 August via Shanachie Records. Northern soul fans of a certain vintage will know the tune 'Don't Pity Me' by SUSIE LYNNE. It was one of those not particularly soulful cuts which seemed to have the right beats at just the right time.
My guess is that not too many of those Northern collectors know too much about 'Susie Lynne'.Back in the day, Ms. Lynne – now known as SUSIE VANNER – was an aspiring singer and actress.
Indeed she featured in the 1979 Bond movie 'The Spy Who Loved Me' before going on to appear in numerous movies and TV shows.Now though she's going back to music and working on what will be her debut album. In the meantime, she's about to release the first single – a version of Lou Reed's 'Walk On The Wild Side' which comes in a number of mixes.Her reading is fairly faithful to the original and won't bother soul fans too much – but we can file it under 'interesting' – especially as it seems that Susie won the right to record the album after her then husband outbid rivals in an auction to win sessions with sometime Sting producer Kipper Eldridge!
Will Quantic is known around the world for his blistering stage performances with his band the Quantic Soul Orchestra. His ear for a good tune, and his feel for a good rhythm didn't come from nowhere - you see Quantic has been collecting rare funk 45s for years, and in that time he has absorbed every drum kick, every horn line and every guitar lick into his very soul. It's hard to make good music without drawing upon good influence, and we at Jazzman worry about the rubbish that kids today are listening to - it doesn't bode well for the future of music in this world. So along with Quantic, we have unearthed some of the very best and rarest funk 45s known (and unknown) to man. These records are pure quality - the exhorbitant prices that collectors will pay for the originals lays testament to that - and will stand the test of time as a barometer of good ol' funky music that is truly inspirational. It's a shame that the original 45s are so rare, with only a few hundred being pressed in many cases, but it is possible that with such rarity comes excellence, distinction and quality.
Soul Jazz Tropicalia Rarest Names
We sincerely hope that by drawing attention to not only the music, but the stories behind the music and the performers themselves, we will inspire more people in the world to create and perfom music of the calibre that Quantic does today.