Tag: Reissue
Composer and pianist Ken Rhodes’ highly obscure 1974 jazz-funk recording Profiles has recently seen a limited-edition reissue by the French independent label Sconsolato. Originally released by the small German jazz label AMAYANA, this album represents the well-travelled musician’s most notable work as a bandleader.
Matsuli Music has been the leading label over the past decade for quality South African jazz and rare groove reissue recordings. The UK label continues to build on their strong reputation with the recent reissue release of two essential mid-seventies Afro-rock albums from the highly influential South African band Harari, who also went by previously as both The Beaters and Rhodesia (named after the Rhodesian township).
Over the last several year’s Dynamite Cuts, run by Malachi Trout, has been issuing an impressive string of seven-inch singles highlighting essential jazz, funk, and rare groove. Most recently, the London-based label has put out a brilliant new 45rpm release featuring two classic jazz dance gems “It’s Over” and “Love Signs” from Nanette Natal’s 1980 private press full-length My Song of Something.
UK’s Mr Bongo is always reissuing some of the greatest and most obscure titles from yesteryears, however they have certainly outdone themselves again with their latest reissue of Teaspoon And The Waves’ rare 1977 self-titled album, featuring a heavy dose of South African jazz-funk.
New York-based Frederiksberg Records has recently reissued officially for the first time the highly-obscure 1975 self-titled debut album by the South African jazz ensemble Roots, led by master saxophonist and one of the greatest musicians to ever come out of Johannesburg, Barney Rachabane.
London-based Kalita Records has been at forefront of some of the best reissues over the past few years, and that streak certainly continues with their latest release of Muchos Plus’s highly sought-after 1979 12″ reggae disco masterpiece Nassau’s Discos.
Following the well-crafted reissue of Wendell Harrison and The Tribe’s Farewell To The Welfare 45rpm, London’s Clap City Records has recently dived back into the vaults of Detroit’s legendary Tribe Records and reissued keyboardist David Durrah’s highly obscure 1975 7-inch single Venus Fly Trap.
After years of research and tracking down the artists responsible for the recording, Paris-based Hot Mule records, who continue to put out great rare recordings, has reissued the highly obscure 1984 tropical masterpiece Meliza, which has been a well-kept secret for years amongst Caribbean music lovers.
Not only did we see a ton of great new music released in 2020, there was also an abundance of extremely hard-to-find recordings being reissued throughout the year. Similar to how difficult it was to put together the “Favorite Albums” list, it has been just as challenging to dive into all the great reissues, and generate a similar “Favorites” list.
London-based reissue label, Outernational Sounds, who has been releasing many incredible albums over the past few years, has just made available for the first time outside of South Africa, one of the most sought-after and obscure international jazz recordings in Kirk Lightsey and Rudolph Johnson with the All Stars’ 1974 funky spiritual jazz holy-grail Habiba.
