Donald Byrd - Ghana

There's been soo many Donald Byrd tracks over the decades, and so many styles covered. Basically any modern genre has it connections to them in some way. 
And he was one the greatest. Here's one personal favourite in the slamming 'Ghana' of the 'Byrd in flight' LP.
Hope you dig - you should!

Donald Byrd - Ghana

Vince Andrews - The one who needs you

Greets! 
Back again for a third come back or so. But you know, it's all been good, with a little rest and travelling. I actually went to the UK for a quick stop, and anyone into their retro glasses and jazz need to look at the Black Eyewear shop. It's in St Albans, not too far from London. I had to go and see myself and ended up with a new pair. 
I also listened to GP's jazz special some weeks ago and slowly but surely started to build up the urge for some jazz again. 
So here we go! An old favourite, a fine vocal piece from Vince Andrews in 'The one who needs you'. It's off the 'Love, oh love' LP, I believe there's a japanese reissue and it's been comped as well.
I hope you dig and come back soon! It's certainly gonna back to normal here now.
Thanks for checking!

Vince Andrews - The one who needs you (192)

Charles Earland - Coming to you live

Another come back from some great time off! 
Kicking off with a classic killer groove from Charles Earland in 'Coming to you live'. I was lucky enough to score a mint copy of the 12" some years ago, at a very reasonable price that is. Again, an old jazzcat going disco in his career. I've mentioned a few before - Jimmy McGriff and Doc Severinsen amongst others. 
Hope you dig!

Charles Earland - Coming to you live (192)

The Charlie Rose Band - Backwoods Echo

Back again from some absence. Actually, I've been overloaded on music for the past weeks. You know sometimes you just need a rest from whatever you're into. For me it's been about quite a few gigs recently, they were all good, but too much music can wear you out. Even the finest.
Anyways, here's good one from The Charlie Rose Band in "Backwoods Echo". Possibly not for everyone, but for the more adventurous jazz-funk dj's - certainly a fine tool. Dropped in the right context at the right time, it has huge potential. 
Hope you dig!

The Charlie Rose Band - Backwoods Echo

The Crusaders - Sweet n' sour

This is such heavy and sweet tune! 
Proper jazz funk for serious dancers. There are some heavy weight players behind this, formerly known as The Jazz Crusaders. Played by the usual suspects, GP and TP et all, but I've also seen Dj's like Harvey spin this. 
It's Off the 1977 'Free as the wind' LP and if you like to mix up with some jazzy styles there are no reasons to ignore this tune!
Hope you dig!

The Crusaders - Sweet n' sour (192)

Yusef Lateef - Like it is

I was doing this jazz gig earlier this week. It was great! A bit like finding back to the essential bit of playing records out publically. Just letting the music connect you and the audience. In a very pure way. No hyped up or banging tunes, sure funky, but you know, still jazz. I guess I covered the most spectras, anything from Gainsbourg to Coltrane. Great fun, hard work though. Originally planned for 3 hours, the gig went up to almost 6 hours. 
So here's a little honour to all things jazz. Yusef Lateef has been a favourite since day one basically. Well, day one counting from my involvement in jazz that is. This song - 'Like it is' is off the 'The blue Yusef Lateef' LP.
Hope you feel it!

Yusef Lateef - Like it is 

Jimmy McGriff - Tailgunner

Jimmy McGriff is an old jazz cat and organist with loads of releases on labels like Groove Merchant and Blue Note amongst others. And like many jazzers he went a bit disco-ish in the late seventies. This certainly have a cheesy moment or two, but wait till you get to the breakdown. Then we're talking breaks on an another level, and add some of Jimmy's organ skills to that. One for the serious jazz disco heads.
Check & enjoy!

Jimmy McGriff - Tailgunner (192)

RIP Gil Scott Heron

Nowadays news travels really fast. Unfortunately the first news this morning was about the passing of Gil Scott Heron. Truly one of the greatest, a genuine legend. Looking back on his work, there's so much fantastic and timeless music. This song is one I've been playing a lot recently.
Peace go with you brother.

Gil Scott Heron - Lady Day And John Coltrane 

Kamal Abdul Alim - Brotherhood

Back to the jazz, straight into some heavy dance stuff from Kamal Abdul Alim or Kamal and the brothers in 'Brotherhood'. It's off the 1988 LP 'Dance' on Stash, which possibly could be their only relese. I don't know. However, this one is certainly something to look for if you like your jazz dance stuff or are drawn to the more adventures side of dj'ing. Check out the 'Al Nafs' track too. 
That's it, hope you dig!

Kamal Abdul Alim - Brotherhood (192)

Kenny Rankin - I was born

I quite recently found out about Kenny Rankin and obtained 2 LP's quickly. Nothing ellusive, not costing you more than a pint or two. Perfect. "I was born" is off the "Like a seed" LP and got the jazzy, folky, rocky elements that i'm into. 
Actually very nice - check it out! 
As we're at it, the other LP I'm talking about is "Silver morning". I'm especially digging "In the name of love" for more of the folky stuff. For those of you who can't get enough of versions of "Berimbeau", it's there too.
Go Kenny!

Kenny Rankin - I was born (192)

Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale

This is some stuff that I heard recently recently. At the time I couldn't tell if it was new or old, having that retro sounding production. Though this is some new is*t from a 23(!) year old cat - Michael Kiwanuka. His first EP is due in June, which I certainly got under my radar now. Check it out - it's great! 
This also reminds me that I need to go back to the jazz a bit more, Lately it's been all about the disco and such. It's not a bad thing, but you know what they say about jazz being the teacher. So, stay tuned!
Update: Buy the 10" vinyl here.
 Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale by Stayloose

Festive sounds

I made this one the other day. Very chilled and mostly vocals. Could hopefully help you to wind down during these weekends.

Bags Of Grooves by Trustmybeats on Mixcloud 
Download mix

RIP Harry Whitaker

Jimmy McGriff - Space Cadet

This is heavy stuff! 
I wasn't really familiar with Jimmy McGriff till I found out about this track off the 'Red Beans' LP. There's another jazzy disco 12" which I'm certainly going to cop in the near future. Till then - check out these classy breaks.

Jimmy McGriff - Space Cadet (320)

Judy Roberts - Never was love

It's time for some jazzy and funky fusion. This track is off the 'Judy Roberts Band' LP and I believe it's the Inner City pressing which is the first. However, not of highest importance. Check the track as it's a fine piece of jazz funk.

Judy Roberts - Never was love (320)

Hip ain't what it used to be

I think this might be the official week for Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" 40th anniversary. I'm not a massive fan, I've got the odd record. Though the "Someday my prince will come" was one of the first LP's I bought when I seriously started to get into jazz. Previously I had some Hancock records and the sort of jazz stuff you just 'wanted' in your collection. But this was the time when I really started to feel the music and I remember Recordmania was the place for the actual purchase.

This particular track, a fantastic modal piece, has always been a favourite since. Without knowing the history in detail I'm guessing this is a tribute to his longtime producer Teo Macero. For those of you who hasn't checked Miles' autobiography- it's great read. I haven't tried the Bitches Brew beer yet, but I'm sure it has been produced with a lot of care. Cin cin!

Miles Davis - Teo

Percy Faith - First Light

I remember hearing this at David Holmes excellent Essential Mix back in 98' (I believe). 'First Light' originally written and arranged by my favourite Freddy Hubbard, here performed by Percy Faith. At the time when looking for this, when there where no Discogs and such, all I found was various cheezy easy listening records.This one - the LP Corazon from 73' might still be one of those, but it gots this killer version. 

Check!

Percy Faith - First Light (320)

A loud minority

Go out and buy & support!

Stefano Torossi - Feeling tense

This is possibly as complete as music can get for me. It's got the breaks, strings, horns and the arrangement. Library of highest order from Stefano Torrosi. I'm not by any means an expert in this genre, but this record cought my attention after hearing the "Running fast" track from the LP - "Feelings". After that it went straight to my wantlist and I recently found one at a reasonable price. 
So far I'm happy with the Easy Tempo reissue, as looking for earlier pressings isn't really realistic right now. We're talking big money. Even though I haven't had the time to listen to this record properly, I must say from what I've heard, this is a baaad record. 
I hope you dig!

 
Stefano Torossi - Feeling tense (320)

Clifford Jordan Quartet - John Coltrane

Ok, it's time to go back to some jazz. Gradually I felt I've ignored the jazz and I don't want to go there, I need to step back back to the roots. And how's this for you?! A fantastic alternate version of Clifford Jordan's "John Coltrane".
This song was first recorded and released on his (probably) biggest LP "Glass Bed Games" on Strata-East. This one is from a later live session recorded in Paris. The LP is Night of The Mark VII on Muse from 75'.

Now I know why this music will stay with me forever. Enjoy! 

Clifford Jordan Quartet - John Coltrane (320)