Review: Various - J Jazz Vol. 4: Deep Modern Jazz from Japan - Nippon Columbia 1968 -1981 (BBE Music)

Opening with nearly 12 minutes of Takeo Moriyama's 'Exchange', this 16 track compilation goes in a typical Tony Higgins / Mike Peden, let's dig even deeper into the J-Jazz and just focus on the period 1968-1981 at the offices of Nippon Columbia.  

That opening track, taken from the vinyl only release, Live At Lovely' - see review HERE) is a great example of what was clearly an exceptional time for jazz in the far east.  And not just because Herbie Hancock took time out from his own Columbia sessions to join Takashi Mizuhashi and Friends for 'Samba de Negrito' (at a time of one of many Herbie musical peaks ('77) on a track composed by Hideo Ichikawa - remember him from Isao Suzuki, Masahiko Togashi, Hideo Ichikawa, Akira Shiomoto – Approach (see review HERE).

That apart from really keen students of the J-Jazz class, most of these musicians will be new to you and that's what this (and the previous 3 volumes of this series) is about as this huge volume of Jazz history went largely unnoticed apart from some jazz dance nerds as labels who wanted to push the commercial side of jazz-funk in the 70s/80s. 

Thankfully, Nippon Columbia had some execs who realised that hey had on their hands some of the best jazz, jazz-funk, jazz-fusion, modal jazz as you are likely to find with all instruments covered; but particularly drums, bass, horns, electric piano (some synth) and more; the only thing missed in this two and half hours is a full on batucada!  That said, apart from post-bop Blakey, the biggest inspirations here seem to be Hancock and Corea at their fusion best but even then you can here touches of axe gods Zappa (who had George Duke and Jean Luc-Ponty in his band at some points) and Carlos Santana (to bring in that Latin influence).

"Definitive" is a much over-used word to describe such a compilation and you can bet that even though the J-Jazz 'definitive' book will be available to order soon [see HERE] and somebody is thinking about a Vol. 5; this is the triple album vinyl that you need as it is the definitive collection of 'Deep Modern Jazz from Japan - Nippon Columbia 1968 -1981'!

Artist: Varous Artists

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

Release date: 3rd November, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE 3xLP vinyl / 2xCD / Exclusive Digital (bbemusic.com) & Bandcamp .

Review: AC Soul Symphony - Metamorphosis (Album) (Z Records)

Dave Lee (producer of a thousand aliases) seems to be in a pretty good position right now, he can do whatever he wants. Right now that thing is revisiting loads of great music and making it DJ-friendly.

Well, he’s been doing that for a while actually, but this project is slightly different—he’s not remixing, they’re recreations that incorporate live string and wind sections. Essentially, it’s him getting to MFSB some great tunes—including quite a few that they never played on. For example TV show themes (“Six Billion Dollar Man”), songs about Chicago (“Windy City Theme” —MFSB were legendary Philadelphia musicians who played on hits like “For The Love of Money”, “You Can’t Hide From Yourself” and of course “T.S.O.P. - The Sound of Philadelphia.”)

In with some wonderful covers are originals that totally fit in with the slightly retro-vibe. “Philly Avengers” & “AC Express” in particular tricked me—looking at the songwriters info, I was surprised by how many tunes Mr Lee wrote or had a hand in. Not because I had doubts about his skill, but because they so seamlessly fit in amongst classic material which, in his own words, was “orchestrated by some of the best who ever lived.”

I can unreservedly recommend this to anyone who enjoys soulful disco sounds—Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra, Salsoul/MFSB and of course on of the other main inspirations, David Shire (whose “Manhattan Skyline” gets covered.)



Artist: AC Soul Symphony

Title: Metamorphosis

Release date: October 27, 2023

Label : Z Records

Catalog Number :  Zedd12369 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp   .

Review: Twelve Caesars - Ride The American Wave (No’West Remix EP) (Ramrock Red Records)

World Surf League followers will be just recovering from the recent Malibu Longboard Championships but the big winner on our finals chart is the No'West remixes of 'Ride the American Wave'.

This year we've really enjoyed Twelve Caesars' album 'Scenes From Wild Eyed Dreams' (see review HERE) and particularly the single, 'California Sleaze' (see review HERE) but label big wigs apparently always had there eye on the closing track on the album, 'Ride the American Wave' for a full Twelve 'bore' Caesars Beedle/Morris/Wallace coming down the barrel remix.

The EP comes in 3 versions, 'No'West Vocal', 'No'West Dub', 'No'West Insturmenta' together with the original.  And if you thought the original was on the Californian West Coast Highway road trip with CS&N, Beach Boys, Grateful Dead the No'West version(s) get even more psychedelic with the addition of Darren Morris's fuzz pedal and the violin wave that gives it some British 70s rock to it, did someone say, "Beatles, The Who, Supertramp, Man and many more" who's somehow slithered into the the mixing desk and makes the trio of remixes even more complete; rumours of a 'The Whole Side Of 'Side-A' Edit' may be exagerated but it's not a bad idea as this is a fantastic 20 minutes that can satisify your all your soft rock balaerics needs.

And what is this 'Ride The American Wave' about? Apparently it's an adaptation from Hilaire Belloc's book, 'The Modern Traveller' (free to download on Project Gutenberg) and there's a deeper sense of foreboding going on the keeps your attention throughout; especially if your waxing your boards.

PS. Point Break is the best surf-inspired action films of all time. 

Artist: Twelve Caesars

Title: Ride The American Wave 

Release date: 3rd November, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR054

<a href="https://willbarnesmusic.bandcamp.com/album/source-of-the-severn">Source of the Severn by Will Barnes Quartet</a>

As regular readers know, we love our jazz (in many forms) so when we get a quartet album led by a jazz guitarist that's celebrates the source of a river in Wales, let's dive in.

Will Barnes, he of said electric guitar and the rest of Will Barnes Quartet; James Batten (drums), Jack Gonsalez (piano) and Clovis Phillips (bass), have found their own swing on this nine track album that has it's own jazz bubbling spring vibe that's reflected in the titles, 'The Mad March Hare', 'Lie Mae Trefaldwyn' (that echoes a little of 'Greensleeves' in an upbeat Coltrane Quartet way) and the title track of course.

When you say "jazz guitar", if you don't get a blank look, there's usually just a handfull of "known" names such as Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, George Benson, Gábor Szabó and if you're really old, Charlie Christian, Jim Hall and Kenny Burrell.  But there's loads more from the more rock orientated John McLaughlin to Philip Catherine to Larry Coryell and the classical Paco de Lucía.

What's so cool about this album is that the band can cut a jazz-blues like 'The Dragon's Tail' (Ed. how Welsh) and the listener can almost touch the fun that band are having playing this (they must be great live - see gig dates below).  The same can be said of 'Passing Time' (at some speed) and, best of all, is their near stripped down Mulau Astatke-esque 'Marchia Wallia'.

Tom Misch (popular with the kids these days) is a fan (he of 'What Kinda Music', the album released on Blue Note with the equally fantastic Yussef Dayes a couple of years ago) and if you liked the album's by other axe exponents, Enrico Bracco (see review HERE) and Enrico Le Noci (see review HERE) you'll love this even more!

PS. the great cover artwork is by landscape artist Erin Hughes. 

Artist: Will Barnes Quartet

Title: Source Of The Severn

Release date: 3^rd November, 2023

Label : AAB Records

Catalog Number : AAB-232-LP / Digital / Bandcamp

LIVE DATES 2023/24

SOURCE OF THE SEVERN

ALBUM TOUR

06 & 07.10 Oriel Davies, Newtown

03.11 SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle

04.11 Hermon Arts, Oswestry

18.11 Clarence Hall, Crickhowell

24.11 Aberystwyth Arts Centre

25.11 Hanging Gardens, Llanidloes

12.01 STOP Café Bar, Shrewsbury

13.01 Mid Border Arts, Presteigne

26.01 Elysium Gallery, Swansea

Review: Nana Budjei - Afrikaman (Asona / BBE Music)

With a cover that's 'Afikaman' dressed as a "James Bond" just off to the Monte Carlo Casino, will this new re-issue produce any big bank breaking winnings?

We'll the title track sure is as it's a full band of big horns backing Nana's vocals and featuring Abdul Tee-Jay on Lead and Rhythm guitar.

It's a shame that these tracks are not longer [Ed. just play 'em again] and particularly, 'Asamando' and 'Adasama' with the groovy organ.

There's two versions of 'Ohia', original and jungle mix, but don't expect any 'junglist movement' here as it the album was originally released in 1988.

Producd by Anthony R. Frempong (for more of which, check out Sam Yeboah's 'Meba Fie - I'll Be Back Home, see review HERE), there's a real sound of 'Nostalgie Ya Mboka' joy to these six tracks.   And like on Sam's album, there's a super cool Afro-reggae track, 'Asobrachie' - perhaps BBE could sort out Asona 'Reggae' compilation album with Wrongtom doing a dub version?

An original of this album was marked up for collectors as "CLEAN LABELS!!!... SUPER RARE SO DON'T SLEEP!!!" and even now I'd recommend you not to don't hang about as these re-issues will no doubt it'll be collectors items too!

Artist: Nana Budjei
Title: Afrikaman 
Release date: 27th October, 2023
Label : BBE Music
Catalog Number : BBE749 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Robb Scott & Leee John - Gotta Get Over You (The Wade Teo Remixes)(Ramrock Blue Records)

Like a London Bus, before you know it, there's three 'Gotta Get Over You's all at once!

So it's been a little while since we had the original release of 'Gotta Get Over You' (see review HERE) that was followed by what we thought were the definitive North Street West collective remixes: but just as the fireworks are warming up, here's the double joy of a Wade Teo double version?

The excellence of the Beedle/Morris/Wallace trio give us vocal, dub and instrumental versions (see review HERE) have been surpassed by Wade Teo as he imaginatively disco-funks up this track, that was heavily pure Leee in the first place, as a vocal and instrumental.

And we know who Robb and Leee versons, so what about Wade Teo?  He's got some big housey names on a palmarès having worked with Byron Stingly, Steve 'Silk' Hurley, Joe Smooth and more recently Kenny Dope has remixed a track that's featured Kameelah Waheed (taking a break from Colour & Pitch - see review HERE and sister label's 'Proxima Ebony' (Joseph Malik's massive summer album on Ramrock Red Records - see review HERE)

It's hard to believe that it's been 40 years since Lee and Imagination burst upon us (both on radio and Top Of The Pops) or that Robb has been working himself as a singer/songwriter, musician, composer, arranger for nearly as long and has worked with some of the very best in soul/jazz on both sides of the pond.

We won't get over you anytime soon now there's 3 variants of this; check them all out on Bandcamp below:

Artist: Robb Scott and Leee John

Title: Gotta Get Over You (The Wade Teo Remixes)

Release date: 30th October, 2023

Label: Ramrock Blue Records

Cat. No: RRB027

Review: Natasha Kitty Katt - Batt Danse EP ft. Billy Wirth (F*CLR Music)

I'm far too cool to 'Monster Mash' in late October but I can certainly 'Batt Danse' with the devil; errr.. I mean Natasha Kitty Katt and Billy Wirth. 

It's one of those times of years that you either love or hate tricks or treats and it's clear that Ms. Natasha Kitty Katt (she of Joesph Malik's 'Trouble with a Capital T' remix - see review HERE) has gone full on DJ Hell/Rusty Egan 80s synth vs. Bauhaus's 'Bela Logoshi's Dead' with a touch of Mark Stewart on 'Batt Danse'.

Inspired by Halloween and the 36th Anniversary of the film, 'Lost Boys', there's a 'The Lost Boys Vocal Mix' (the one with Billy Wirth who played 'Dwayne' in the original film!) and the original instrumental version which'll keep your Goth spirits satisfied for more than a weekend.

As ever, there's a voice on one shoulder saying, "where's the dub version?" and the other, a voice is saying, "stay tuned for the video" - I'll keep you posted on all future happenings [Hectic laughs maniacally]

PS. If the video is as good as the cover artwork....! And see below link to this weeks' the 'making of' Jibber-Jabber postcast 

Artist:Natasha Kitty Katt ft. Billy Wirth 

Title: Batt Danse EP

Release date: 27th October, 2023

Label: F*CLR Music

Cat. No: FCLR028

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Thomas Frempong - Anansi Shuttle (Asona / BBE Music)

Thomas Frempong was already a star of the Ghanaian Hi-Life/Dance Band scene  when he recorded Anansi 'Shuttle' in 'new' style of Electric Hi-Life but was he first on the bus? 

Well, if he wasn't first, he clearly on board with the 'new' sounds of the 70s when the likes of Tina Turner, Wilson Pickett and Carlos Santana were invited to Acca for a concert with local musicans.  

By the time this album was released in the mid 80s on Anthony Roberts-Frempong's London label Asona, (any releation?), the influence absorsian had the more electric elements of the european studios and on here, a strong dub presence that LSP/Peech Boys NYC would be proud of; there's 'Okesi' original version and an 'Okesi (Real Dutch Mix) and the opener 'Wobre' gets a Real Dutch mix to close he album.

'Ama' is more of a fusion with some great wandering sax and even more dub with some 80s Paul 'South Africa" Simon/Shalamar going on too.  That sax comes back on 'Kweku Anansi' but these days, the sound of the Linndrum sounds as new as it did in 80s on this track and 'Ajojoo'.

The cover artwork looks a bit like a "Hallmark" card of the time but the music is the star here; recommend you listen to 'Me Nyame' again.   All tracks were recorded in Wardour Street (London, W1) of all places and we're endebted to the wife of Anthony Roberts-Frempong's son (Ed. that's a 'daughter in law' then!) who found a stack of Asona album in a bad when they were clearing out a shed at the bottom of garden!  Roberts-Frempong passed away in 2011 but his DJ son Jerry knew that BBE would know what to do with this treasure trove and this is one of the re-issue series that so far has included Sam Yeboah's 'Meba Fie - I'll Be Back Home' (see review HERE) and Nana Budjei's 'Afrikaman' (see review HERE) Jewel Ackrah's ;Electric Hi-Life' (see review HERE).

Long may these re-issues keep coming as each one is excellent in it's own right; love to know what the local reaction is in Accra club is when Pete BBE is out DJing at the moment.

Artist: Thomas Frempong 

Title:  Anansi Shuttle 

Release date: 27th October, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE752 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: WEB WEB x MAX HERRE - WEB MAX II (Compost Records)

Double 'web' and a 'Web Max II' sounds like the long awaited follow up to 'Web Max' is finally with us and it's definitely been worth the wait.

Whilst YATM were 'off-blog' (Ed. the equivalent of radio's "off-air"), Compost Records released the 'Web Max' in the summer of 2001: a collaboration of jazz group Web Web (that includes Roberto Di Gioia - see review of his album with Peter Kruder HERE) and songwriter and producer Max Herre.  It was 'modern modal' with original tracks and guests  like Yusef Latef (wow!), Mulatu Astatke (wow!!) and New York harpist, Brandee Younger. 

It might have gone under a few radars as it's in such compilation stronghold competition like Jazzman's Spiritual Jazz series so it comes as no surprise that Herre and the band have upped their game on this all new/no covers 10 track album; plus one very special guest. 

Paying tribute to the predessors ('Perennial Journey') that they absorb might a more than healthy not to Sun Ra Arkestra's (in all forms) to Cinematic Orchestra (OST/Library) to Afro-jazz/gospel and more; like bass clarinet, bassoon and the original sampler from the 70s, the mellotron! 

This sounds like something that internationally renown artist Carlos Niño would be proud to be a part of I hear you say.  And he is!  Mr. Niño you will recall from startig out in Hip-hop to collaborations with Dwight Trible and then orchestral projects celebrating Dilla with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson to open-water swim swimming (well, that's what he was into 14 years ago when I interview him).  Of late, he's been more of an abient percussion frame of mind but he's not far from those original L.A.spaceways on both 'La Planète Fantastique' and 'Ólobo'. 

It's a shame 'Artist Unknown' is a little short as it's got that 'out-there' Art Ensemble of Chicago horn element (let's have an Afro-disco 12" extension edit with the quiet bit as the introduction I say) but 'Zutuma' (very Astatke) and the closing track, 'Look Beyond The Sun' (very 60s psych-LA hippy Niño) more than make up for it.

'The 6th Dimension' is the modal jazzdance killer track (the longest on the album) and worth the price of the album alone, which I'm convinced is going to be a "collectors item" (even the black one; there's a limited edition red one), so I'd get two copies if I were you.

Gerry Hectic's Interview 09.11.2009 "CARLOS NIÑO - BUILDS AN ARK IN LONDON"(see.HERE)

Artist: WEB WEB x MAX HERRE

Title: WEB MAX II

Release date: 27th October, 2023

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number :  CPT 623 LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Mike Reed - The Separatist Party (We Jazz Records / Astral Spirits Records)

Mike Reed ("not that one", if you're in the UK) has collected 'The Sdeparatist Party' together like a modern day James Blood Ulmer meets The Pop Group/Pere Ubu sans David Thomas/Art Ensemble of Chicago (better mention Sun Ra too!) and it's fantastic!

Still coming to terms with Darius Jones's'fLuXkit Vancouver (i̶t̶s̶ suite but sacred)' album (see review HERE)? Try this as an alternative "free-jazz" that's free not free.

We've recently featured the Asona/BBE re-issue series of Ghanaian Hi-Life/80s burger albums (see review HERE) and there's definitely some strong Afro-fusion influences here, like 'Rahsaan In the Serngeti' and 'We Came To Dance'.  

Like Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Hertage Ensemble (that's featured the AEOC's Joseph Bowie, son of legend Don, David Ornette Cherry - who passed away November, 2022 and "my mate", Dwight Trible) and indeed AEoC affiliation with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), this Mike Reed is well known as a "community-builder" of music and presenting it; especially in the Chicago area.

The Separatist Party consists of six musicians that worked these nine tracks in just a week which is testament to their talents. Ben LaMar Gay (cornetist) is pretty evangelical whilst poet/spoken word artist, Marvin Tate (who have a great "battle" on 'Hold Me, Hold Me') are joined by Rob Frys, Cooper Crain and Dan Quinlivan (these three being members of Bitchin Bajas who had an album out last year, 'Switched On Ra' (see what they did there?) and these guys love a spacey synth.

The last track 'Eric's Theme' is a dreamy jazz/prog/Balearic instrumental that's arguably the most instant but it's all deep and a bit angular like the cover artwork; no surprise that they already have champions like Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music), Soho Radio, NTS, 1BTN and more voting for this party.

Reed has appeared on many Astral Spirits albums and this is thier first joint release with We Jazz and they are well suited as a partnership.

Artist: Mike Reed
Title: The Separatist Party
Release date: 27th October, 2023
Label :  We Jazz Records / Astral Spirits Records
Catalog Number : WJLP056 / AS 231 CD / Digital / Bandcamp