Category: DIGGIN’ IN
Over the past decade, there many incredible jazz releases from a number of new rising exploratory artists looking to explore new ground and continue to push the music forward. With jazz having an overall strong resurgence in places like London, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Melbourne and numerous of other cities and regions globally, it’s great to look back at some of the most essential albums from the past ten years.
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.
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.
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.
Recently, Far Out Recordings has reissued two obscure mid-seventies Brazilian jazz fusion recordings from multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Ana Mazzotti, who fellow Brazilian musician icon Hermeto Pascoal dubbed a “super-musician.” These were unfortunately Mazzotti’s only two studio recordings, as she unfortunately passed away in her mid-thirties due to losing her battle with cancer.
This month, the London-based label Lanquidity Records will be releasing on vinyl for the first time ever, Sun Ra Arkestra’s, now considered, legendary 1986 performance in Kalisz, Poland.
Founded by Maurice White in 1969, the iconic funk and soul group Earth, Wind & Fire are considered by many as one of the greatest bands of all-time. The legendary group, that originated out of Chicago and then re-located to Southern California, has sold over 90 million records and received numerous prestigious awards, including being named to the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. On a personal note, EWF was my first favorite groups when I was a young kid and has had a major influence on me ever since.
Cosmos Dwellerz Arkestra was a project originally formed in the early 1970s by multi-instrumentalist and composer Sanifu Al Hall Jr. Up until recently, the music recorded by the group went unissued. DJ Sigher (aka Russell Paine) has just released an incredible twelve-inch featuring the jazz fusion “Love Thoughts” on his Super Disco Edits label.
Continuing this year’s incredible string of releases, the Berlin-based label Matasuna Records reissues two Latin funk gems from the pioneering Miami group Los Sobrinos Del Juez on a new 7inch.
