BeatCaffeine’s Record Store Day 2021 ‘Drop 1’ Recommendations
As we move into the warmer months of summer, it’s great to see that many of the record shops that were either closed for over a year and/or only doing online sales are finally opening up again. In my opinion, it doesn’t get much better than a Saturday trip (or any day really) to the local record shop(s). Somewhat similar to last year, this year’s typical annual Record Store Day has been broken up into not just one, but two Saturdays (or what is being referred to as “Drop 1” & “Drop 2”) on June 12th and July 17th.
As mentioned before on this site (read more here), I definitely have mixed feelings about Record Store Day, it’s intent, the exclusive releases, the “vinyl scalpers”, etc., and therefore I do not think there’s a need to rehash that again here. After one of the most challenging years, I prefer to keep things a bit more positive and focus on some of the exciting RSD releases that will make their way (for at least a few minutes … hopefully more) this Saturday.
As always, this year’s RSD features a number of incredible and attention-worthy exclusives that collectors will be anxious to add to there never-ending collections. With that being said, here are BeatCaffeine Record Store Day 2021 ‘Drop 1’ recommendations (in no particular order).
Arthur Verocai (feat. Azymuth) — ‘Bis’ 7″
(Far Out Recordings)
One of two recommended releases by London’s Far Out Recordings for RSD is a special 7inch version of the breezy samba gem “Bis” by legendary Brazilian composer and arranger Arthur Verocai, originally released on his 2007 album Encore featuring jazz-funk greats Azymuth and The Brazilian Symphony Orchestra. The b-side includes a never-before-released instrumental version of the track, which is equally brilliant. Simple in it’s packaging, this still might win for Record Store Day release of the year!
Kamal Abdul-Alim — ‘Dance’
(Soul Brother Records)
A highly sought after rare jazz-funk masterpiece from trumpeter Kamal Abdul Alim, which was originally released in 1987 on the small French label 52e Rue East, and later on Stash Records. This album, which includes many great tracks like “Brotherhood” (#88 on the BeatCaffeine’s 100 Jazz-Funk Songs of All-Time) and the title track “Dance”, features a solid cast of musicians including saxophonists Bobby Watson, James Spaulding, and drummer Idris Muhammad.
Nubya Garcia — ‘Source = Our Dance’ 12″
(Concord Jazz)
Last year’s debut album from London saxophonist and composer Nubya Garcia was one of the best recordings of 2020. For this exclusive twelve-inch release, a number of tracks from the album receive the full-on remix treatment by some of the most forward-thinking and innovative producers of today, including Makaya McCraven, DJ Tahira, Mark de Clive-Lowe, and Shy One.
Frank Foster — ‘The Loud Minority’
(WeWantSounds)
As a record collector, it’s not often that after you’ve picked up a copy of an original that you find yourself adding the reissue to your growing wishlist. Well, that will certainly be the case for many spiritual jazz enthusiasts when it comes to this well-crafted reissue of Frank Foster’s all-time 1972 Mainstream Records classic The Loud Minority. This special edition includes a 20-page booklet featuring incredible unseen session photos recently unearthed, an introduction by Judd and Mia Apatow (Mainstream’s Bob Shad’s grandchildren), an essay by British journalist Kevin Le Gendre and an exclusive interview of Cecil and Dee Dee Bridgewater by Paul Bowler. Take notes, because this is exactly how a record should be reissued!
Roy Ayers — ‘Chicago / D.C. City’ 7″
Limited to just 1,000 copies, this 7inch features two standout gems from jazz-funk legend Roy Ayers’ hard-to-find (recently reissued by BBE Records) 1983 Uno Melodic Records’ release Silver Vibrations. The 45rpm single includes the funky all-time well-sampled classic “Chicago,” as well as the laid-back groover “D.C. City.”
Salah Ragab & Cairo Jazz Band — ‘Egypt Strut’
(Strut)
Strut present a double-vinyl retrospective release featuring seminal recordings from Egyptian jazz pioneer Salah Ragab and his Cairo Jazz Band, including music from his 1973 album Prism Music Unit Egypt Strut and 1983 collaborative album with the Sun Ra Arkestra In Egypt, blending spiritual jazz with Egyptian folklore and Islamic-rooted traditions.
Hilton Felton — ‘A Man For All Reasons’
(Diplomats Of Soul)
London’s Diplomats Of Soul reissue the extremely hard-to-find seminal essential 1980 by Norfolk, Virginia-based jazz organist Hilton Felton. This incredible album is solid from start to finish, featuring a solid dose of funky disco-fied soul jazz. It includes the rare groove jazz-funk gem “Be-Bop Boogie,”which was recorded at the same studio as Gil Scott-Heron’s The Bottle.
Various — ‘Mr Bongo Brazil 45 Boxset Vol 2 (Compiled by DJ Marky)’
(Mr Bongo)
UK label Mr Bongo follows up last year collectable Brazil 45 boxset (compiled by DJ Format), with a second volume compiled by DJ Marky. Featuring an incredible mix of Brazilian boogie, samba and MPB, this five 45rpm record set includes essential gems from Marcos Valle, Jorge Ben, Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti, Elis Regina, Joyce, Trio Mocoto, Som Tres, and more!
Banda Black Rio — ‘Super Nova Samba Funk’
(Far Out Recordings)
Far Out Recordings doesn’t issue just one, but two essential releases for this year’s RSD, with the reissue of legendary Brazilian funk outfit Banda Black Rio’s superb 2011 “comeback” album Super Nova Samba Funk. This recording also features Brazilian heavyweights Seu Jorge, Marcio Local, Elza Soares, Cesar Camargo Mariano and others. Originally released in 2011, this new special edition also includes two tracks from the project that were never released on vinyl, “Irerê” featuring Gilberto Gil, and “Aos Pés Do Redentor” with special guest Caetano Veloso. A true modern-day Brazilian classic!
Mulatu Astatke — ‘Mochilla Presents Timeless: Mulatu Astatke’
(Mochilla)
In 2009, Brian Cross (aka B+) organized a series of live events at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex in Los Angeles. The Timeless series captured the lasting impact of several artists on the world of hip-hop and beyond. Live, fully orchestrated performances by Ethiopia’s Mulatu Astatke and Brazil’s Arthur Verocai bookended the incredible Suite For Ma Dukes, a tribute to James “Dilla” Yancey, by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. In 2010 Los Angeles label Mochilla (run by B+ and Eric Coleman) released these memorable live performances individually on vinyl/cd/dvd. For this year’s RSD, the label re-releases this incredible series, featuring full color gatefold jackets with the vinyl housed in printed inner sleeves. I highly recommend picking up all three!
To learn more about Record Store Day, and all of this year’s releases, visit here. Now go support your local record shop!
