Category Archives: Jazz
DANA GILLESPIE-CAT’S MEOW.
DANA GILLESPIE-CAT’S MEOW. Dana Gillespie has packed a lot of living into her sixty-five years. She’s been an actress, singer and songwriter. Her singing career began in the mid-sixties. Initially, Dana was a folk singer. Before long, Dana became a teen pop idol and released her debut album, Foolish Seasons in1967. Since then, Dana’s musical …
MILES AT THE FILMORE-MILES DAVIS 1970: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOLUME 3.
MILES AT THE FILMORE-MILES DAVIS 1970: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOLUME 3. Throughout his career, Miles Davis was a musical innovator and chameleon. He constantly sought to reinvent himself and his music. This had been the case throughout his career. Miles wasn’t the type of musician who could stand still. No. So, in 1968, Miles changed …
FIRE! ORCHESTRA-ENTER.
FIRE! ORCHESTRA-ENTER. The origins of Fire! Orchestra can be traced to Fire! It’s a trio consisting of bassist Johan Berthling, drummer Andreas Werliin and saxophonist Mats Gusfasson. They’re three of Sweden’s finest jazz musicians. Their speciality is free jazz. However, there’s much more to the members of Fire! than that. They’re far from purists when …
JARIBU AFROBEAT ARKESTRA-JARIBU.
JARIBU AFROBEAT ARKESTRA-JARIBU. Over the last few years, the JariBu Afrobeat Arkestra have established a reputation as one of the most exciting live bands in Japan. That’s been the case since the JariBu Afrobeat Arkestra released their debut album Afro Sound System in 2009. Released to critical acclaim, Afro Sound System won over DJs and …
WHEEDLE’S GOOVE-SEATTLE FUNK, MODERN SOUL AND BOOGIE: VOLUME 2 1972-1987.
WHEEDLE’S GOOVE-SEATTLE FUNK, MODERN SOUL AND BOOGIE: VOLUME 2 1972-1987. It’s hard to believe that ten years have passed since Light In The Attic Records released the first volume of their Wheedle’s Groove compilation series. Wheedle’s Groove was the first compilation to focus on Seattle’s soul scene between 1965 and 1975. Released to critical acclaim …
THE FAR OUT MONSTER DISCO ORCHESTRA-THE FAR OUT MONSTER DISCO ORCHESTRA.
THE FAR OUT MONSTER DISCO ORCHESTRA-THE FAR OUT MONSTER DISCO ORCHESTRA. Between 1975 and 1979, disco orchestras provided the soundtrack to dance-floors worldwide. The greatest disco orchestra was, without doubt, The Salsoul Orchestra. Founded and lead by the late, great Vince Montana Jr, The Salsoul Orchestra featured some of Philly’s top musicians. This included the …
HAROLD LAND-CHOMA (BURN).
HAROLD LAND-CHOMA (BURN). Musically, Harold Land was a late developer. Growing up in Houston, Harold never showed any interest in learning to play an instrument. Then in 1944, when he was sixteen, Harold heard Coleman Hawkins recording of Body and Soul. This was a life-changing experience. After this, Harold decided to learn how to play …
MOD JAZZ, AND THEN SOME!
MOD JAZZ, AND THEN SOME! It doesn’t seem like eighteen years since Kent Soul released the first instalment in the Mod Jazz series. However, that’s the case. 30th September 1996 was when Mod Jazz first hit the shops. Released to critical acclaim, Mod Jazz was a commercial success. Mod Jazz was music for attendees of …
ARTHUR PRYSOCK-TOO LATE BABY-THE OLD TOWN SINGLES 1958-66.
ARTHUR PRYSOCK-TOO LATE BABY-THE OLD TOWN SINGLES 1958-66. Although Arthur Prysock’s career lasted six decades, the most successful period of his career was the eight years he spent at Old Town Records. Between 1958 and 1966, Arthur Prysock released twenty-four singles. There’s also the small matter of nine albums. From Arthur’s debut album was I …
WARDELL GRAY-WAY OUT WARDELL.
WARDELL GRAY-WAY OUT WARDELL. During Wardell Gray’s tragically short career, he proved to be one of jazz’s innovators. His career lasted just fifteen years. It began in the swing era and encompassed the bebop era. Then, just when Wardell Grey looked like fulfilling his undoubted potential, tragedy struck on May 25th 1955. Towards the end …
ENO-HYDE SOMEDAY WORLD.
ENO-HYDE SOMEDAY WORLD. It’s no exaggeration to refer to Brian Eno as the Godfather of electronic music. He is, without doubt, one of the genre’s founding fathers. Brian Eno is also one of electronic music’s innovators. That’s been the case throughout Brian Eno’s career. Ever ever since his days with Roxy Music, Brian Eno had …
SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER: LEFTO.
SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER: LEFTO. The Southport Weekender has come a long way since it first took place back in 1987. Since 1987, the Southport Weekend has been one of the highlights of the dance music scene. Rather confusingly, the first Southport Weekend took place in Berwick Upon Tweed. This was a somewhat strange choice of venue …
THE SOUND OF SIAM VOLUME 2.
THE SOUND OF SIAM VOLUME 2. For many people, Soundway Records’ compilation The Sound of Siam was their introduction to Thailand’s music. It was released to critical acclaim in November 2010. Sound of Siam was a trendsetting compilation. After that, interest in Asian music exploded. Record companies jumped on the bandwagon. Compilations of Indonesian, Cambodian, …
THE BLACK HIPPIES-THE BLACK HIPPIES.
THE BLACK HIPPIES-THE BLACK HIPPIES. One of Nigerian music’s best kept secrets, are The Black Hippies. They only ever released two albums. Their finest moment was their 1977 debut album The Black Hippies. It was released in 1977, on EMI. Sadly, by then, disco and funk were flavour of the month. The Black Hippies were …
STRANGE BREAKS AND MR. THING III.
STRANGE BREAKS AND MR. THING III. One of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed compilation series makes a welcome return on 19th May 2014. That’s Strange Breaks and Mr. Thing III. It’s been a long time coming. Five years in fact. So, after a five year back, Mr. Thing makes a very welcome return …
ROSIE BANS-BE BOLD.
ROSIE BANS-BE BOLD. At this time of the year in Scotland, everyone involved in the music industry’s thoughts turns to the Scottish Album Of The Year Award. It’s Scotland’s premier award. So, it’s with baited breath that artists all over Scotland await the announce of the long-list of twenty albums. The long-list then becomes a shortlist …
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