Author: TJ Gorton
Bassist and composer Junius Paul has been making a name for himself over the last decade both in Chicago with his jam sessions at the now-shuttered Velvet Lounge, and internationally with his collaborative work with drummer and beat-maker Makaya McCraven. As usual, Chi-town’s International Anthem Recordings continues to have their finger on the pulse, and have just released Paul’s debut album, titled Ism.
One of the best releases in 2018 was Makaya McCraven’s widely collaborative Where We Come From (CHICAGOxLONDON Mixtape), a recording that brought together some of the most forward-thinking musicians and beat makers from both Chicago and London. One of the many standout tracks from that session was London-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Emma-Jean Thackray’s “Too Shy”. Total Refreshment Records and International Anthem have teamed up again to release an extended version on a new twelve-inch single.
This December, London-based independent label Clap City Records will be reissuing the 7inch version of the highly-obscure 1975 jazz-funk classic ‘Farewell To The Welfare’ by Wendell Harrison and the legendary Detroit Tribe collective.
The London-based trio Still Moving featuring saxophonist Nat Philipps, drummer Pike Ogilvy, and keyboardist Sam Bates have just released a brilliant debut self-titled EP on Lanquidity Records.
For the second time in two decades, Soul Jazz Records has reissued legendary drummer Steve Reid’s 1976 spiritual jazz masterpiece Rhythmatism, which is one of the most sought-after and adventurous recordings of it’s time.
Respected vinyl collector, selector, and Mr Bongo family member Gary Johnson has started a new label Pressure Makes Diamonds, focusing on making obscure and pricey recordings available to the masses. This UK-based record label’s first reissue release is the impossible-to-find 1980 jazz-funk twelve-inch single Paradise Island from Florida’s Azwon.
After a string of standout 7inch releases, Berlin-based Philophon label has released the long-awaited and much anticipated full-length album from Ghanaian Frafra-gospel singers Alogte Oho & His Sounds Of Joy.
Even though the group of musicians were very much ignored by the mainstream at the time, Detroit’s Tribe is now considered one of the most legendary collectives and jazz labels during the seventies, featuring jazz greats like Wendell Harrison, Phil Ranelin, Marcus Belgrave, Harold McKinney, and others. Now, labels Strut and Art Yard have teamed up to release the first compilation celebrating the modern era recordings from this collection of artists.
This month, the French-based Hot Mule label will be reissuing the highly obscure mid-eighties jazz fusion album, titled Oriental Groove from the short-lived ensemble Gülistan.
This past month, Manchester’s electro-acoustic trio GoGo Penguin released a brilliant new EP on Blue Note Records, titled Ocean In A Drop featuring music excerpts from their original score to Godfrey Reggio’s 1983 cult film, Koyaanisqatsi.
The London-based Soul Jazz Records has released a great new compilation, titled Nigeria Soul Power 70 that highlights the influence of funk, rock and disco on the African region’s music during the 1970s.
Every year their are a number of highly-anticipated releases that vinyl collectors and music fans cannot wait to listen in full, however some of my favorite releases are the ones that I didn’t see coming, and completely blow me away. This is certainly the case with the debut recording from the London-based cosmic groove quintet Natural Lateral.
Edinburgh’s Athens Of The North have put out a brand new double vinyl compilation titled Disco With A Feeling featuring many of the label’s most sought after 7inch reissue releases and highly obscure dancefloor gems.
