New and Jazzy Releases for September 2024
Jazz First by Tony Poole
So Tender / Games (instrumental) by The Medium Wave Band 45 (Mr Bongo)Rare UK jazz funk unearthed by Gary from Mr Bongo. The Birmingham-based band line-up was Elliot Browne on guitar (lead & rhythm), Ron Lyseight on guitar (rhythm), Andrew Proverbs on keyboards, Tony Peart on drums, Paul Snook on bass, Linton Levy on saxophone, and the vocals of Jaki Graham. Private pressing with only 200 pressed and has never appeared on Discogs. It was sold mostly in Birmingham at Summit Records by the band’s friend DJ Frenchi. They played live shows across the country, including Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, and supported both Shakatak and Weapon of Peace in Birmingham. Available to pre-order on limited edition 7in single, released on Nov 29.
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/album/so-tender-games-instrumental
Nao Sei by Marcos Valle from Tunel Acoustico (Far Out Recordings)A fabulous model-waltz like (think ‘Golden Brown’) MPB Marcos composition that features two members of the renowned Brazilian jazz-funk group Azymuth: Alex Malheiros on bass and Renato Massa on drums plus some nice trumpet c/o Jessé Sadoc. Percussion by Ian Moreira.
Near-Earth Object by The Boom Yeh from ‘Near-Earth Object (independent)
The title track from their forthcoming album released Oct 4. Band leader Jon Speedy describes the track as “high energy jazz-fusion exploring the universe of Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters with an afro-beat inspired horn outro.” It features guest keyboard player Carl Hudson on Fender Rhodes and synth (who recently partnered up with Soulpersona on ‘Magic Bullet’).
In Other Words, Living by Nubya Garcia fom Odyssey (Concord Jazz) I used this wonderful “reaching upwards” track to open my podcast episode recently. It featuries Nubya’s smooth tenor, Joe Armon-Jones piano and its lush strings by the Chineke Orchestra. Daniel Casimir – double Bass, Sam Jones – drums, Jansen Santana – Percussion
The Beauty of Everyday Life by Mike Casey from Valencia (independent)
6 x NBA champion, basketball legend & jazz fan Kareem Abdul-Jabbar calls the album “A lovely performance that soothes the soul” in his newsletter. Singles from the album have had support from the BBC, NPR Jazz Night in America “Best of May”, Jazz FM “Track of the Week”, All About Jazz “Track of the Day”
Sonic Sophistication’ by Cool Affair from Art Of Consistency (Cool Affair Music)
South African producer/dj who originates from a jazz background and nowadays specialises in electro-jazz, broken beat and nu jazz as well as house music, Afro beat and Instrumental hip-hop.
Chrysalis’ by Kyle Brooks from Monarch (independent)The single and lead track on his debut self-released album. Kyle has been making waves around North America’s Midwest for his “introspective, informed, and collaborative” approach to music. The project features original music inspired by the work of musicians such as Ben Wendel, Terrace Martin, and Marquis Hill. Joined by some of Chicago’s finest young musicians, Kyle Brooks – saxes and EFX, Elio Wijaya – keys, Stephen Parisi Jr. – bass, Kabir Dalawari – drums. Released independently on Oct 11.
Hibaros/Something Blue by Alex Combo 45 (Jazz Room Records)
Jazz Funk classic originally realised by B&G Rhythm (Donny Beck & Steve Gutierrez ft. Bobby Lyle) in 1978. Fast Forward to 2024, Japanese producer Keisuke Yamazoe’s outfit Aflex Combo re-record and release it on a Jap-only promo 45. 6 years later, Jazz Room Records entrepreneur Paul Murphy feels the time is right to give this record the exposure it deserves and sets up a vinyl 7in re-issue. The ‘B’ side is ‘Something Special’, a Latin-tinged funky jazz track that’s just as essential.
Touareg Spaceship by Mamman Sani & Tropikal Camel from Nijerusalem (Batov Records)
Legendary musician amongst Niger’s avant-garde. A pioneer of early West African electronic music. Composed the new Niger national anthem. Tropikal Camel is a Berlin-based techno producer, one of the pioneers of the Jerusalem avant-garde scene.
Knucklehead (live) by Grover Washington Jr. from Grover Live Vol. 2 (G.Man Productions)
Originally released on ‘Feels So Good’ in 1975. Produced by keyboardist Jason Miles, this is a follow-up to the 2010 ‘Grover Live,’ recorded one year later. Other tracks on the album include ‘Take Five,’ ‘Soulful Strut,’ ‘Mister Magic,’ and a handful of songs previously unavailable on any live album, plus a medley that opens with ‘Black Forest’ moving onto many of Grover’s best-known tunes including, ‘Winelight,’ ‘Jamming,’ ‘Ain’t No Sunshine,’ ‘Jamaica,’ ‘Just The Two Of Us,’ and ending on a high note with ‘Sausalito,’ Grover Washington Jr. died in 1999, aged just 56, and the album has been released to mark the 25th anniversary of his passing.Currently only available on streaming platforms.
Video of the MonthLove this Berlin-based street marching band ‘Meute’ filmed on tour at Venice Beach, Los Angeles >>>
Find Tony at any of the links in the tree >>> https://linktr.ee/tonypoole1956