BeatCaffeine’s Weekly Record Rundown 01.24.25
The first BeatCaffeine Weekly Record Rundown of 2025 highlights Jazzman Records’ latest volume of their highly-acclaimed Spiritual Jazz compilation series, diving deep into the vaults of the German SABA and MPS labels, a brilliant Night Dreamer direct-to-disc album from legendary Dutch-Surinamese multi-instrumentalist Ronald Snijders, a must-own 7″ from Mukatsuku Records featuring the funky sounds of Italian supergroup Addict Ameba, and a massive soulful jazzy house album from Chicago’s Vick Lavender.
Various — ‘Spiritual Jazz 17: SABA / MPS’
(Jazzman Records)
The superb UK-based label Jazzman Records has released the 17th volume(!!!) of their highly-acclaimed and iconic Spiritual Jazz compilation series, which is one the most expansive and deepest in jazz. Following some of the more recent label-focused releases over the past few years that delved into the catalogues of Blue Note Records, Impulse!, SteepleChase, Prestige, and Riverside, this brilliant 17-track 2xLP shines a light into the German SABA and MPS family of labels. Throughout the ‘60s & ‘70s both labels released a wealth of music from a wealth of international jazz musicians the explored the sounds of swing, blues, bop, avant-garde, fusion and (of course) spiritual jazz. Arguably one of the series best editions, the compilation includes selections from Elvin Jones, Nathan Davis, Dave Pike, Tony Scott and the Indonesian Allstars, Jef Gilson, Orchester Roland Kovac, Albert Mangelsdorff, Hideo Shiraki and many others.
Ronald Snijders — ‘Penta’
(Night Dreamer)
For the latest direct-to-disc release from the London-based Night Dreamer label, they turned to legendary Dutch-Surinamese multi-instrumentalist Ronald Snijders. Between 1977 and 1983, Snijders released four landmark and collectable albums that fused together jazz, Latin, Brazilian and Surinamese influences. As of all Night Dreamer releases, this 8-track album, titled Penta, was recorded at Artone Studio, with a stellar cast of European musicians and has an overall 70s era jazz-funk sound that’s deep in the groove. It’s an inspiring and welcomed return for this jazz great.
It’s also important to note that Snijders has reissued all of his earlier albums, including Natural Sources, A Safe Return, Black Straight Music, and Quartz, has now made them available as a limited-edition box set release, which also includes Penta. Definitely worth checking out!
Addict Ameba — ‘Caosmosi: Afro Funk & Jazz Sounds From Italy’
(Mukatsuku)
Nik Weston and his superb label Mukatsuku Records has recently released another must-own 7″ featuring Italian supergroup Addict Ameba two funky singles from their 2024 album, Caosmosi. Side A, which features the LP title track “Caosmosi” incorporates some heavy-hitting Afrobeat and funk grooves, while on the flip, the more laid-back “Por Nostalgia” infuses Ethio-jazz and desert blues. Limited to just 300 copies, this is one to snatch up very quickly!
Vick Lavender — ‘The Time Traveler’
(Sophisticado)
One of the most forward-thinking producers out of Chicago, Vick Lavender, has released an incredible 14-track album on his own Sophisticado Recordings, titled The Time Traveler. With an overall soulful house music foundation throughout, the record incorporates a wide array of influences and styles, including jazz fusion, street soul, and spacey cosmic grooves all aimed at moving the dancefloor.
Highly recommended!
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