Tag: Compilation

J Jazz Vol. 4: Deep Modern Jazz from Japan - Nippon Columbia 1968 -1981

BBE’s superb Japanese Jazz compilation series returns, dives into the Nippon Columbia label

Since the release of the series’ first compilation back in 2018, in addition to two follow-up compilation recordings and a growing number of select album reissues, BBE’s J Jazz has become the most definite collection exploring innovative and rare Japanese jazz. Curated by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden, the highly anticipated fourth compilation dives deep into one of the biggest and most diverse labels in Japan, Nippon Columbia.

Various — Spiritual Jazz: Private

Jazzman Records unearths rare private press gems on Spiritual Jazz 14

Over the span of the last two decades, in which Jazzman Records has been issuing their incredible Spiritual Jazz series, the London-based label has issued a number of volumes that have focused on some of the most groundbreaking and prolific jazz labels, including Blue Note, Prestige, Impulse!, and Steeplechase. For the latest release, titled Spiritual Jazz 14: Private, label owner Jazzman Gerald dives deep into the well and unearths rare gems that didn’t come out on a label and were ultimately released as a private press recording.

Colin Curtis Presents Indigo Jam Unit

Colin Curtis & Jazz Room Records presents retrospective of groundbreaking Japanese quartet Indigo Jam Unit

If you’ve been tuning into Colin Curtis’s weekly Jazz Dance Fusion radio show, which was broadcast on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM channel before eventually moving to The Hitmix 107.5 FM in the UK, you would of heard a heavy rotation of selections by the groundbreaking Japanese quartet Indigo Jam Unit. Active from 2006 to 2016, the Osaka-based group released a number incredible albums and EPs off of the Basis Records, often in extremely limited vinyl quantities. With the help of Paul Murphy’s Jazz Room Records, Curtis has compiled the band’s best dancefloor-focused material on a new highly anticipated vinyl-only release.

BeatCaffeine's Best Compilations of 2022

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Compilations of 2022

As we wind down the final days of 2022, we take a look back at just some of the essential compilation releases over the past 12 months. From rare dance floor jazz to spiritual grooves and obscure Brazilian gems, there was a lot to absorb from some of the year’s best compiled releases. Similar to what we’ve seen with recent reissues, each year it seems like the quality of compilations continue to excel, with labels, record collectors, archivists, and DJs putting together some of the most interesting selections of music from all corners of the world.

Hidden Waters: Strange and Sublime Sounds of Rio de Janeiro

‘Hidden Waters’ compilation celebrates the last decade of music from Rio de Janeiro

The city of Rio de Janeiro has a long well-documented history of producing some of the greatest Brazilian artists from the past century including legends like Marcos Valle, Arthur Verocai, Azymuth, Sérgio Mendes, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Jorge Ben Jor, Tim Maia, Joyce Moreno and countless others. Over the past decade, the region has had a strong resurgence of new artists presenting a more left-field take on bossa nova, samba, jazz and funk. The Sounds and Colours label celebrates these groundbreaking artists on a recently released compilation, titled Hidden Waters: Strange and Sublime Sounds of Rio de Janeiro.

Mr Bongo releases Volume Five of their incredible Record Club compilation series

When it comes to some of the most rare and essential music from all over the globe, there might not be a better resource than UK-based label and record shop Mr Bongo. Since 2016, their Record Club series has produced some of the best eclectic compilations during that span. They have recently released the highly-anticipated 5th volume of the series, sharing their latest musical discoveries and old favorites.