Record Shopping Etiquette
The do’s, the don’ts, and best practices when it comes to shopping for vinyl.
Belarus collective SOYUZ release superb Brazilian-inspired album ‘Force of the Wind’ on Mr Bongo
UK’s Mr Bongo has recently released a brilliant new album from the highly creative Belarus-based collective SOYUZ (aka СОЮЗ), titled Force of the Wind. Led by composer, arranger, and singer Alex Chumak, multi-instrumentalist Mikita Arlou and drummer Anton Nemahai, the group’s third recording is heavily inspired by the popular Brazilian sounds of the 70s (known as Música popular Brasileira or MPB).
Tokyo duo Cruisic cover Azymuth & 808 State on new 7″ Jazz Room Records release
Continuing with a string of essential releases, Paul Murphy’s Jazz Room Records is releasing an incredible new double-sided 7inch featuring covers of both Azymuth’s 1979 “Jazz Carnival” and 808 State’s 1989 “Pacific 707” by jazz-meets-electronic music Tokyo-based duo Cruisic.
Transversales Disques unearths incredible live 1971 Paris recording of Ahmad Jamal Trio
Following the release of two incredible previously unreleased live sessions by jazz greats Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp, the French label Transversales Disques has now issued the third of their brilliant Lost ORTF Recordings series featuring a 1971 Paris recording featuring legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal and his trio.
Analog Africa releases new recording celebrating the king of Ziglibithy, Ernesto Djédjé
As part of their Limited Dance Edition series, the outstanding German-label Analog Africa has recently released an incredible four-track collection of essential gems from legendary Ivorian artist better known as the “king of Ziglibithy,” Ernesto Djédjé.
French label Comet reissues Noel McGhie’s 1975 rare jazz-funk classic
The excellent French label Comet, run by founder Eric Trosset, has recently reissued the extremely hard-to-find 1975 jazz-funk masterpiece from drummer Noel McGhie, under the album title Noel McGhie & Space Spies.
Japan’s cosmic trio Nautilus release new 7inch single ‘Looking Back / Paint it Black’
Since 2014, Tokyo-based jazz-funk trio Nautilus (named after Bob James’ 1974 fusion classic) has been at the forefront of the incredible music currently coming out of Japan. Led by drummer Toshiyuki Sasaki, and featuring founding bassist Shigeki Umezawa and more recent keyboardist Mariko Nakabayashi, the group is consistently active, releasing highly sought-after full-length and 7inch singles featuring a strong mix of originals and covers of timeless classics. For their sixth release(!!!) of 2022, the band has put out a brilliant new double-sided single on Japan’s Urban Discos label, titled Looking Back / Paint it Black.
Lost 1977 recording from Brazilian legend Joyce Moreno unearthed by Far Out Recordings
After being shelved for 45 years, Far Out Recordings has unearthed the previously unreleased 1977 album Natureza from legendary Brazilian singer and songwriter Joyce Moreno. This follows-up the London-based label’s Record Store Day twelve-inch exclusive of the 11-minute version of the all-time classic “Feminina”.
Sun Ra Arkestra release outstanding new instrumental cosmic spiritual jazz LP ‘Living Sky’
Following up on their first new release in over 20 years, the remarkable 2020 album Swirling, the Afro-futuristic pioneer ensemble Sun Ra Arkestra, led by 98 year-old Marshall Allen, have put out a brilliant instrumental full length recording, titled Living Sky.
London-based, Ukrainian-born harpist Alina Bzhezhinska releases superb new album ‘Reflections’
London-based, Ukrainian-born harpist Alina Bzhezhinska follows up her critically acclaimed 2018 debut album Inspiration (Ubuntu Music), with a superb new full-length release featuring the HipHarpCollective on the BBE label, titled Reflections.
Aziz Mustafa’s Natural Lateral project releases brilliant cosmic jazz album ‘Tapestry of life’
The London-based collective Natural Lateral, led by Aziz Mustafa (aka Tom Funk), follows up their breakthrough 2019 debut Cogito Ergo Jam with a brilliant and highly-anticipated new recording on the Social Joy label, titled Tapestry Of Life.
