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Stratavarious - Stratavarious - 14-Jun-08 07:44 AM
Man, if all disco sounded this good there would never have been that disco sucks campaign. Stratavarious is the concept of John L. Usry Jr. who had previously worked with First Choice, Three Degrees and Love Committee. The main core of this album is the concert harp, but this band are huge, so there’s layers upon layers of lush strings, horn stabs, wacka-wacka guitars and driving bass; this really is music that fills the room. There’s also much more of a jazzy funky element than most club music from this period, I can imagine at the time it came across as club music for the more discerning listener.

Sonny Rollins - Horn Culture - 14-Jun-08 06:24 AM
Horn Culture was the first time the listening public was introduced to Mtume’s absolutely mind blowing tune Sais. Though Mtume was the author of this tune, it was not released by him until his Rebirth Cycle album was released in 1977. This tune was also covered by Lonnie Liston Smith & the Cosmic Echoes, alternatively titled Sais (Egypt), on his 1974 release Cosmic Funk. Sonny Rollins version of this tune is one hell of a hypnotic snaking affair with the most delicate piano slowly driving the whole thing. Sonny Rollins kind of takes a bit of a back seat on this one and allows the rhythm section to carry, and lead, the whole thing. You’ve still got incredible sax work; almost a bit Pharoah Sanders screech in places, but it never over powers the solid rhythm of the tune. Of the three versions of Sais this is probably my least favorite, not that it’s not amazing, it’s just that Mtume’s monster spaced-out psychedelic 20 plus minute epic never fails to completely take over my life every time I play it. This version is more minimalist like Lonnie Liston Smith’s version, but it’s unfair to compare really as they are all so different in styles. As for the rest of the album, well it’s basically very good straight ahead jazz. The thing that gets me about this album is David Lee’s drums, even in the mellower grooves the kit is really explored and never just played. I don’t know too much about Sonny Rollins, so I can’t rate this album in comparison, but I basically just got this album for the version of Sais and ended up being very pleased with the whole thing.

Steve Reid Ensemble - Spirit Walk - 14-Jun-08 05:02 AM
I can’t rate this album enough; it really is a truly amazing experience. I was expecting a mad free-form drum work-out, plus it’s a double album too, so the prospect was a little daunting. However, what you get is a wonderful mix of old and new jazz styles that just fit together perfectly. Obviously this album is going to be quite percussive, but apart from one full-on drum track there is no over the top percussion, just incredibly rhythmic drum work that never over imposes itself. There are four saxophones on here that cover tenor, soprano and bass sax, all playing in that wonderfully ‘70s spiritual vein, and when they are all blowing together you know you’re in a good place. What really makes this album shine for me though, and adds the new feel, is the keyboard and electronics on here; they add most of the avant-garde touches, but always stay on the right side of too far. The whole feel is intensely deep and spiritual, but very modern due to all the weird electronica. I was also a little cynical before I got it, I mean Steve Reid made some truly sublime albums in the ‘70s, but bringing one out in 2005, I was just expecting bad news. How totally wrong I was. This is certainly better than his Rhythmatism album, and definitely as good as Nova. There is actually a reworking of “Lions Of Juda” from his Nova album that is just spot on, there’s a bit in the middle that’s so full-on it’s like music orgasm. I think this has to be one of the most impressive and original albums I’ve brought.

Hannibal* - The Angels Of Atlanta - 14-Jun-08 04:53 AM
An album made to acknowledge the tragic murder of 20 African-American school children by a serial killer in Atlanta. Taking the subject into consideration you would expect this to be either a very angry or very melancholic recording, but not at all, this album seems to be hopeful of a better life for those children now theyre out of the cruel one they had. The whole thing is a totally beautiful listen from start to finish, and due to the subject matter, really quite an emotional ride. Parts of this album come under the soaring vocal genre, matching the Sons & Daughters of Lite and Ensemble Al-Salaam for that powerful, yet beautiful vocal style. No Highlights, this album is magical from start to finish. Oh, and without a doubt the finest outing from Mr. Hannibal. Absolutely essential in my book.

Naciente Quartet, The - Hymn Beat - 14-Jun-08 03:46 AM
The first, kind of, official release by the Naciente Quartet, and lovingly done in a limited edition 10" vinyl, with some great fold out cover art too. This is also the first outing for The Hooter Listens label. Im assuming the red furry creature on the front is the Hooter, and hes listening, I guess.

The A side is a great up-tempo driving jam. Kind of like the Allman Brothers in their jazzier more hopeful moments. This really is what I call fusion at its best, youve got a real Mexicana style acoustic rhythm guitar, with a second more lead orientated acoustic, with the occasional flurry from that Allman Bros. style electric lead, and the whole thing is propelled along over some seriously rhythmic African style percussion. This really is a very optimistic and enthusiastic 5+ minutes of music. The B side is almost unrecognisable as the same tune, if fact its totally unrecognisable as the same tune. Personally I prefer this side, its a little more electronic and has a much more pronounced bass line, plus theres some great toasting style lyrics that crop up now and then.

Also, the "one man metro-sexual machine" Grovesnor is a member of this lot.

Also, also, just as a point of interest, the A side works equally well at 33rpm, as I mistakenly realised when I first played it.

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