Review: VA - If Music presents: You Need This! A Journey Into Deep Jazz Vol. 4 compiled by Jean​-​Claude (BBE Music)

If you didn't know 'You Need This!', the fact that this is 'A Journey Into Deep Jazz Vol. 4 compiled by Jean​-​Claude' is a big clue that you do.

A couple of years ago, Jean-Claude Thompson compiled 'You Need This: If Music Is 20' celebrating two decades of If Music  (see review HERE) and this new compilation, is a deep dig into the jazz vaults of the spiritual and dance.

We know UMO Jazz Orchestra from 

Kerkko Koskinen, Linda Fredriksson & UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra's 'Agatha 2' (see review HERE) and the opening track is them and one of the best known Finnish jazz musicans Eero Koivistoinen with a deep orchestral OST fluter 'Kaamos'.   

This opener really sets the tone for a typical 180 degree turn to 'N'kon Kini N'Kon N'Kon' by Ginger Baker; yes, the original 'Ginger Spice' (Ed. or should that be 'Ginger Nut'?), he of Cream, Baker Gurvitz and, in this context, mate of Fela Kuti.  Here's is Mr Baker's small tribute to The Shine before Eko Kuango gets cookin' on 'Na Mawaso'.  Another big name is Dollar Brand (aka Abullah Ibrahim) who joined his then wife, (Salthima) Bea Benjamin on the modal mid-70s jazz backroom monster 'Africa'.

Still in the spirit of Africa, Phavia Kujichagulia's love poem to the dancefloor 'Fancy Footwork' is a perfect example of her Carib meets Gil Scot-Heron 'Jazzological Muse-oetry' [Ed. Note to self to investigate further].

Talking of dancefloors, Lonnie Smith's organ has graced many but perhaps not so much the title track of 'All In My Mind', the one with Smith in a turban on the cover looking far into the distance.

Now well over two decades of 'If Music', regular fans will not be surprised that the 9 selections are a varied and eclectic mix; the Celtic tembre of 'Croonardise' (Kan Digor) may not resonate, (unless you know your Rufus Harley) with the jazz-rock phreak out of Five Times Six or the last track, with a nod to J-Jazz label mates Higgins/Peden, Japanese Drummer George Hirota's 'Process Of Cloud'! 

And much like the recent compilation on BBE, Paul Hillery presents Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours Volume 3 (see review HERE), Jean-Claude has a knack on hearing tracks that you didn't know that you needed, but the only way to solve that is to get 'You Need This! A Journey Into Deep Jazz Vol. 4 (and all the others in the series).

Artist: Various Artists
Title: If Music presents: You Need This! A Journey Into Deep Jazz Vol. 4 compiled by Jean​-​Claude 
Release date: 28th February, 2025
Label : BBE Music
Catalog Number : BBE676
Format: 2xLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp