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--=[ Al Green 2 ]=--
2008-04-28 20:36:00
Al Green - Lay It Down [2008]What do you get, when you have guest vocals from Anthony Hamilton, Corinne Bailey Rae, and John Legend, The Dap-Kings Horns, strings orchestrated by Larry Gold, and Amir ??uestlove? Thompson and fellow Soulquarian James Poyser on production? You get the new Al Green release ?Lay It Down?. ?uestlove and James Poyser help create that old school Al Green sound, and make it sound like a Nu Soul release.Al Green - I'm Still in Love With You [1972]Green Link 2Still in Love with You is a complete album. The type of album that you can play straight through, in order, time after time. Each songs flows into the next creating the sense of a man giving a melodic testimony concerning his innermost feelings about love, life, longing, pain, sadness melancholy and redemption. Not a wasted note, sound or breath is to be found on the entire album.Of all of the instruments used in the making of this album, Al's voice is the greatest of them. It can be heard best on "Sim...

--=[ PlantLife ]=--
2008-04-28 16:54:00
PlantLife ? Time Traveller (2008)Time Link 2With their new album ?Time Traveller?, PlantLife continues the musical exploration that made their debut an instant classic (the best elements of 70?s soul, funk & rock, 80?s electro freak out, 90?s b-boy politics and 2008?s futuristic ideals). Jack explains ?Honestly, in certain regards I really feel like the energy I have inside me is the same musical energy of all of the people I love who gave it everything they had. Jack shows his continued love, respect and admiration for the ladies in his songs. Song titles like ?Sun Shines Through Your Love? & ?What A World Babygirl? show the exhilarating optimism of Plant Life?love despite chaos. With a conscious decision not to weigh the album down with the obvious pessimism of modern day politics, PlantLife leave most of the politics for the end of the album with songs like ?Tear The House Down? and ?Believers?. In ?Tear The House Down? Jack insinuates that we might be better off having ...
More About: Trip hop , Plant

--=[ Belleruche ]=--
2008-04-28 15:56:00
Belleruche - Turntable Soul Music (2007)Belleruche Link 2This London based three piece is made up of Kathrin deBoer (vocals), Ricky Fabulous (guitar) and DJ Modest (decks). Belleruche describe their sound as handmade hip hop blues soul, like Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Christian and Cut Chemist stuck in a dusty second hand record store with wine and a sampler, Belleruche make turntable soul music. Their sound is pure soulful jazz with scratches aplenty. Their influences vary from the likes of DJ Vadim to Nina Simone to Hendrix, which results a beautifully soulful, melodic and energetic album with a sensational voice you can?t quite pin down and hooks you can?t forget.* Another Great 8th Light Post *Belleruche ~ Northern GirlsAll track info is in the comment section...
More About: Downtempo

--=[ Chris Standring ]=--
2008-04-28 04:11:00
Chris Standring - Soul Express [2006]Soul Link 2Soul Express by Chris Standring is off the chain!! The entire CD is real smooth.Every cut is a gemstone, "Kaleidoscope-Constellation-Through The Looking Glass" among them, BUT I challenge anybody to find something more lovely than the title track "Soul Express". A must have CD for your collection.All track info is in the comment section...
More About: Chris

--=[ Robert Mitchell's Panacea ]=--
2008-04-28 00:22:00
Robert Mitchell's Panacea - Trust (2005)Link 2Robert Mitchell and gang have this mystifying sound. One that packs enough punch to blow you away and at the same time be so ethereal to where it takes your breath away. Presented here are the first two albums by this wonderful group, with featured lead vocalist Deborah Jordan (from Silhouette Brown).Robert Mitchell's Panacea - Voyager (2002)Link 2All track info is in the comment section...
More About: Robert , Downtempo , Future Jazz , Nu jazz

--=[ Harem ]=--
2008-04-27 22:50:00
Harem - Harem (1995) [RARE]Harem was the self-titled debut of a multicultural female vocal duo comprised of members Na Na and Azia. It can be assumed that they are from (or have been heavily influenced by) the Middle East since most of the songs exude this concept. The standout tracks include "Desert Nights," "All That You Need," and "Harem's Theme." This album is surprisingly well-crafted, and unfortunately it is their one and only album.All track info is in the comment section...
More About: Harem

--=[ Adriana Evans 2 ]=--
2008-04-27 22:22:00
Adriana Evans - Nomadic (2004)Link 2Several people had a lot of great compliments from Ms. Evans's latest effort, El Camino. But what about her other stuff? Well let's get it started!After almost seven years since Adriana came on the scene with her groundbreaking self titled debut release, the pioneer in the neo-soul genre is finally back with an amazing collection of material entitled Nomadic . The title refers to the nomadic lifestyle that Adriana has been living since she disappeared from the music industry.Adriana Evans - Kismet (2005)Link 2Adriana Evans - Adriana Evans (1997)Link 2The debut release from a 26-year-old Californian who blends jazz and soul with a smokey ease reminiscent of Sade, Deniece Williams, and Minnie Riperton is a satisfying album. Evans wrote all the lyrics, which often examine the gap between the way things should be and the way they are. And they way music should be is HEATAll track info is in the comment section...
More About: Jazz

--=[ Alex Bugnon ]=--
2008-04-27 21:06:00
Alex Bugnon - Soul Purpose [2001][Part 1]Alex Bugnon - Soul Purpose [2001][Part 2]Alex Bugnon's albun "Soul Purpose" has the makings of a contemporary jazz classic; not because any one of the songs is extarordinary, but because all the songs are worth listening. Bugnon's keyboard and writing skills have increased consistently with each release and "Soul Purpuse" is no exception. It's soulful and jazzy, and even has a gospel edge ("Changes").The title track has a definate Memphis soul influence, with noticeably fuller instrumentation than the other tracks. The remake of Bugnon's own "Around 12:15 AM" (from his first album "Love Season"), which starts the album, is elegant and fresher than the original. The only disappointment is "EWF," a trbute to R&B group Earth Wind & Fire that exudes little of their influence. But even that song is worthy of a listen.* Another Great DWBass Post *All track info is in the comment section...
More About: Jazz , Alex

--=[ Michael White ]=--
2008-04-27 17:30:00
Michael White - The X Factor [1978]X Factor Link 2Beautiful work from Michael White -- one of the few musicians who can actually make us love the sound of the violin in jazz! White's working here in a style that's very much in line with some of the post-Coltrane spiritual soul jazz in Impulse in the early 70s -- an approach that's free-thinking, yet never as far outside as some of the avant work on the label during the 60s.Still relatively unknown nearing the end of the 1970s, this talented violinist turned to George Duke to produce, arrange and hopefully reach some ears. The result for the most part is enjoyable but unremarkable jazz-pop-soul. On tunes like "The Red Planet," though, he's right there with the glory days of Mahavishnu Orchestra and Billy Cobham. It suggests what might have been for White before Jean-Luc Ponty staked out the high ground on the jazz violin landscape. "Love Call" is another all time favorite of mine.Michael White - Go With The Flow [1974]Flow Link 2...
More About: Jazz , Michael , Jazz Fusion

--=[ Eric Roberson 2 ]=--
2008-04-27 13:37:00
Eric Roberson ? Erro Wrote It [2008]Erro Link 2Eric Roberson has been in this here game for 13 years now?he has one hell of a catalogue of compositions written for other artists.His first song for another artist was "So Long" by Warner Bros. group Phajja. Soon, he began landing many other projects, including "Funny Feelings" on 112's Room 112 album, "Lucky Day" and "Chocolate Form" from the Wild Wild West Soundtrack, "Thinkin' About You" on Will Downing's All The Man You Need, "Mary Go Round" on Musiq Soulchild's album Aijuswanaseing as well as "Wishful Thinking," a great Stevie Wonder-esque joint off the album Open Letter. Eric also has two other compositions on Case?s third album. He won a Dove award in 2003 for penning Out of Eden?s song Meditate of their This Is Your Life album. In addition, Eric has become one of a select few core writers to contribute to releases from Jazzy Jeff's A Touch Of Jazz Production Company. These quality works secured him a publishing deal wit...

--=[ G-Fire ]=--
2008-04-27 05:13:00
G-Fire -G-Fire [2003]G-Fire Link 2What happens when you put four very talented guitarists together who have recorded, toured with and produced for some of the music industry's most legendary names? You get fire, G-Fire! This creative summer jazz/fusion album includes four of the most accomplished guitarists out there today, each in their own right. Longtime guitarist friends Morris O'Connor (Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight), Kevin Chokan (Diana Ross, Jeffery Osborne) and Miguel Mega (Brazilian jazz sensation), have teamed up on G-Fire with Boosweet Records CEO/producer Vernon Neilly (Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Teena Marie). These professionals have respectively lent their own sounds and guitar mastery to showcase their talents. G-Fire (Guitars On Fire) is one of the most compelling and diverse musical projects that has been recorded in some time and one that will take you on a musical journey of smooth jazz, jazz/fusion, and blues that encompasses many more exotic styles, such as salsa a...
More About: Jazz , Jazz Fusion

--=[ Will Compton ]=--
2008-04-27 02:06:00
Will Compton - Will Compton (2007)Link 2Now here's a diamond in the rough for ya! Will Compton's debut EP is blazing with smooth jazz HEAT that we all here have come to know and love.All track info is in the comment section...
More About: Jazz

--=[ Naoki Kenji 2 ]=--
2008-04-26 23:44:00
Naoki Kenji - Denshi Ongaku [2002]Denshi Link 2Naoki really knows how to blend the music to send you off into another world. Absolutely relaxing and invigorating at the same time. I've just ordered another one of his CD's after listening to this one. Every track is smooth and captivating. When you want total stress relief, this is it ... nothing can get under your skin when you're listening to these tunes!Best way I can describe this music would be 'chilled contemplative electronica'. Slow synthesised layers sweep over clicky baselines and minimal bleeps.All track info is in the comment section...
More About: Downtempo , Nu jazz

--=[Smooth Jazz Awards]=--
2008-04-26 23:39:00
Smooth Jazz Awards Collection II [2002][Part 1]Smooth Jazz Awards Collection II [2002][Part 2]If there's one constant on smooth-jazz radio throughout America, it's that guitars and saxophones rule. This 12-song compilation reflects that standard with tracks from well-known horn players such as Richard Elliot and Jay Beckenstein from Spyro Gyra, as well as newcomers like Euge Groove and Paul Weimar, who is professionally known as Shilts. The guitarists include Chuck Loeb, Peter White, and Joyce Cooling, but the horn players dominate. The best tracks are right up front where they should be. The only unreleased track, a hot cover of Michael Jackson's hit, "Rock with You," by the sax/bass guitar duo of Everette Harp and Brian Bromberg, leads off the disc. Dave Koz, the big winner at the second awards show, follows with a soaring take on the Urban Knights' "Dancing Angels," and the fourth track has maybe the best sax performance, with Gerald Albright playing on Jeff Lorber's "Snakeb...
More About: Smooth jazz , Smooth

--=[ The Roots ]=--
2008-04-26 18:07:00
The Roots - Rising Down [2008]Rising Link 2The political nature of Rising Down is not only heard within the music. The title comes from William T. Vollmann's treatise on violence entitled Rising Up and Rising Down, and the release date falls on the 16th anniversary of the Los Angeles riots sparked by the acquittal of the police officers accused of beating Rodney King.Standout tracks include: "Criminal" a reflection of life on the streets and unjust persecution, "I Will Not Apologize" a tribute to Fela Kuti that discusses keeping dignity in the music biz and "I Can't Help It" a look at addictions and urges that compel us all. Additional guests on the album include Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Saigon, Dice Raw, Wale, Chrisette Michele and more.The Roots -The Tipping Point [2004]Tipping Link 2Known for their prolific lyrics and live instrumentation, the Legendary Philadelphia crew is composed of Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter (vocals), Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums), Kamal Gray (...
More About: Hip Hop

--=[ The V.I.P. Club ]=--
2008-04-26 16:16:00
The V.I.P. Club - Coconut Kiss [2001][Part 1]The V.I.P. Club - Coconut Kiss [2001][Part 2]The V.I.P. Club is an exciting new ensemble formed by percussionist Wolfgang Haffner. Their debut release, Coconut Kiss, features ten songs written and arranged by Haffner and showcases special guests Chuck Loeb, Kim Waters, Jeff Golub, Will Lee, and Phil Upchurch making great smooth jazz that is mellow and relaxing. Among the standouts on this CD are the title track, which spotlights a piano solo by Jorg Reiter, and excellent horn charts that the Horns Unlimited aggregation brings alive, as well as the radio hit "Into the Light," with Chuck Loeb and Kim Waters capturing their essential unique grooves. Their open, bright sounds and melodic urban feel bring a laid-back feeling to this song. Haffner plays both drums and keyboards throughout the set and creates a well-rounded program for aficionados of smooth jazz and contemporary grooves with this excellent ensemble of world-class musicians.The V...
More About: Jazz

--=[ Pleasure 2 ]=--
2008-04-26 15:41:00
Pleasure - Dust Yourself Off [1975]When Pleasure's debut album, Dust Yourself Off, came out in 1975, the Portland, OR, combo often found itself being compared to the Blackbyrds. It was a valid comparison, to be sure -- like the Blackbyrds, Pleasure offered funk and soul with jazz overtones. Both bands recorded for Fantasy, and just as the Blackbyrds' mentor/producer was trumpeter Donald Byrd, Pleasure's was Crusaders trombonist Wayne Henderson (who, like Byrd, started out in hard bop but became very funk-minded in the '70s). But despite all those parallels, Pleasure had a distinctive energy of its own. And while the Blackbyrds had their share of major radio smashes, Pleasure's only major radio hit was 1979's "Glide." Produced by Henderson, Dust Yourself Off wasn't a favorite at soul radio but did earn Pleasure a small (and enthusiastic) cult following. Those who, back in 1975, were hip to this LP heard a lot of jazz-tinged potential on invigorating funk items like "Reality," ...
More About: Funk , Pleasure

--=[ Paul Hardcastle 3 ]=--
2008-04-26 07:11:00
Paul Hardcastle - Hardcastle 5 [2008][Part1]Paul Hardcastle - Hardcastle 5 [2008][Part2]The very talented Smooth Jazz artist Paul Hardcastle has released his latest CD titled "Hardcastle 5" and Wow! It's really a good one.The London born Hardcastle is a producer of electronic pop instrumental records who uses keyboards, drum machines, some regular instruments, often a saxophone lead and occasional singers to create enjoyable music.The album literally grabs your attention right from the beginning with "Lucky Star" and doesn't let go until the very last note of the very last song, which by the way is another great track "Take 1".So do yourself a favor, get this CD, buy a good bottle of Pinot, light a few candles, relax and let this music take you to a place of pure ecstasy.* Another Great DWBass Post *All track info is in the comment section...
More About: Paul , Paul Hardcastle

--=[ 45 ]=--
2008-04-26 00:22:00
45 - Hello Friends [2008]Hello Link 2Another fresh new release from CMS, jazzy hip hop by jazz pianist 45. He's not very well known (yet), but he's got some great, varied tracks on his album. Mostly instrumental, but some tracks feature vocals. Highly recommended!!All track info is in the comment section...
More About: Hip Hop , Trip hop , Underground

--=[ The Program ]=--
2008-04-25 23:25:00
The Program - The Article [Ep][2008]Program Link 2The groups sound is reminiscent of early 90? hip hop,combining the strong soulful and jazzy beats of K-Def with the lyrics of Dacapo, whose rhymes typically come from a sociological perspective, and avoidsthe use ofprofanity. K-Def, easily one of the most slept on producers of his time, has a style of production that is rare, complementing the lyrics of each song. The professional sound of the production helps to make each record stand out, demanding full attention. Both members have a strong bond to the roots of the music that they produce, and will come to be viewed as the next step after groups such as Gang Starr, Pete Rock / C.L. Smooth, and the like.All track info is in the comment section...
More About: Hip Hop , Underground

--=[ RPM ]=--
2008-04-25 21:16:00
Restoring Poetry In Music-Pyramids In Moscow [2007]RPM Link 2(Panacea's live backing band f/ vocals by Raw Poetic and production by K-Murdock)Restoring Poetry in Music offers stylistic elements of funk, jazz, hip-hop, rock and soul. Without resorting to genre classification, RPM's music provides energetic inspiration to listeners looking to move their body, mind and spirit.Restoring Poetry in Music consists of six members from the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. Will Bobbitt lays down the funky foundation on the drums with Marlon Vann filling in the rhythmic pockets on percussion. Bassist Drew Thomas locks in with the groove and invites the audience into the RPM experience. Aaron Gause(Enron) lends a progressive texture on the keyboards when he's not taking the spotlight with his jazz influenced trumpet solos. On guitar, Patrick Fritz (P-Fritz) mixes driving funk guitar riffs with dirty blues and a unique approach to effects and timbres. Raw Poetic leads the crowd through his ...
More About: Hip Hop , Underground

--=[ Grace Jones ]=--
2008-04-25 16:00:00
Grace Jones - Island Life [1985]Grace Link 2Grace Jones is a lady who's consistently managed to stun and shock people; even up to this day. Many might only know her by her image and a couple of movies she did in the mid eighties, but surprise! Surprise! She's also a singer. In fact; Grace Jones got signed in 1977 and stormed the charts with her lead single "I Need a Man" and the album "Portfolio" was a huge success, in spite of the albums success Grace didn't really achieve the amount of success she'd hoped for.Island Life is a collection of Grace Jones' biggest hits on the Island records label. It draws from albums like Portfolio (1977), Fame (1978), Muse (1979), Warm Leatherette (1980), Nightclubbing (1981), Living My Life (1982) and Slave To The Rhythm (1985). The tracks are arranged chronologically so it maps out her musical development from the robotic disco sounds of La Vie En Rose through her new wave experiments with Private Life, her torch song phase in Libertango up t...
More About: Pop , Grace

--=[ Freddie Hubbard 3 ]=--
2008-04-25 13:53:00
Freddie Hubbard - Liquid Love [1975]Love Link 2A very nice album of smooth electric funk from Freddie -- and one that sort of sits between Miles' Big Fun material, and Donald Byrd's work with Larry Mizell. George Cables helps Freddie with the arrangements, and plays some very nice electric piano and keyboards on the album -- making for a smooth, tight, and nicely spacey batch of 70s soul jazz that proves that not every move to a major label was a bad one. Titles include "Kuntu", "Put It In The Pocket", "Liquid Love", and a version of "Midnight At The Oasis".featuring George Cables, Carl Burnett, Carl Randall Jr., Ray Parker, Henry Franklin, Chuck Rainey, Al Hall, Ian Underwood, Spider Webb, Myuto Correa and - last but not least - Johnny Guitar Watson.FREDDIE HUBBARD ~ LIQUID LOVEAll track info is in the comment section...
More About: Jazz , Freddie , Freddie Hubbard

--=[ Full Force ]=--
2008-04-25 06:02:00
Full Force - Still Standing [EXPLICIT LYRICS][2001]Still Link 2In actuality they never left. Once the force has been felt, it lives on indefinitely. You must marvel at FF's ability to adjust to the times and roll with the tragedies they have experienced and continue to slap the industry for trying to keep them down, they are most definitely Still Standin'!. Not many knew they aided Britney's climb as well as N'Sync and The Backstreet Boys. Both the Float On cuts are hittin'. Leave it to FF to bring such a broad range of talent together. When you have Meth on the ruff cut and Montell on the smoove one, you can't miss.Needless to say, a CD with all of the remixes and extended versions is a must. Their ability to funk up their own funk has always amazed me. All in all this is a very good CD and a MUST for your Full Force collection.Full Force-Guess Who's Comin' To The Crib [1987]Full Link 2Full Force's third album did only marginally better than the first two; it peaked a litt...
More About: Full

--=[ The Dramatics ]=--
2008-04-25 03:49:00
The Dramatics-Ultimate Collection [2000]Ultimate Link 2The Dramatics are one of my favorite soul groups. My two personal favorite songs by them are "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" and "In The Rain". In The Rain, their best hit ever which reached # 1 R&B [and stayed there for four weeks] and # 5 Hot 100. After that their best pop entries were Hey You! Get Off My Mountain [# 5 R&B/# 43 Hot 100 in late spring 1973], Fell For You [# 12 R&B and # 45 Hot 100 in the fall of 1973], and their cover of the Billy Paul 1972 smash, Me And Mrs. Jones [# 4 R&B/# 47 Hot 100].Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get [1972]Link 2A fantastic album by The Dramatics -- with a harder funkier sound than you'll find on most of their other LPs! The record has the group moving into a post-Temps righteous soul vein -- grooving hard on the cuts "Get Up and Get Down" and "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get", as well as the drug reference cut "Marry Don't Cha Wanna", one of those messed-up lyric numbers we...

--=[ Curtis Mayfield ]=--
2008-04-24 21:39:00
Curtis Mayfield-Curtis/Live! [LIVE][1971]Curtis Mayfield recorded at New York City's Bitter End in the very early 70's (pre SuperFly days).This Deluxe version also includes two tracks not recorded with the original set "Superfly" (live) which sounds like it was performed in a concert hall as apposed to the rest of the album & the single version for "Mighty Mighty." Although both of these tracks are really unnecessary they certainly do not take away from the original album.The album is also structured so that the interludes are separated as tracks (noted as Rap) allowing the listener to skip directly to the music while not taking away the concert feel from a full listen.Curtis Mayfield - Superfly [1972]The term "classic" is tossed about a lot these days, and when it's being used to describe everything from Coke to a Janet Jackson CD, the term is shady. But take my word that the 1972 soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Superfly is a true classic. Why? Because 25 years after i...
More About: Curtis

--=[Christopher Williams 2]=--
2008-04-24 01:53:00
Christopher Williams - Changes [1992]Changes Link 2Chris Williams was definitely a man for the streets and the everyday-man. nowhere near crass, but honest and sincere and deep felt: the 1990's version of Teddy Pendergrass, who was a definite influence. a whole lot of soul gets served up on this disc and there is not ONE track on here to be negatively critisized.All track info is in the comment section...

--=[Johnny Guitar Watson]=--
2008-04-23 21:12:00
Johnny Guitar Watson - A Real Mother For Ya [1977]Real Link 2Jet magazine called him "one of rhythm & blues? most influential musicians." With a career spanning 40 years, Johnny "Guitar" Watson had success with blues, R&B and jazz.Watson refined his formula with A Real Mother For Ya (released a year after Ain?t That A Bitch), sending the album to #20 on the Pop charts and #3 on the Black charts. "Lover Jones" and the title track were also charting hits, with the latter just missing the Pop Top 40. As with most of his recordings of this time period, Watson handled everything but horns and drums himself.Johnny Guitar Watson-Ain't That a Bitch [1976]Johnny Link 2After his hugely successful late-?60s partnership with Larry Williams ("Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"), Watson had a few fallow years. But in 1976 he hit his stride with Ain?t That A Bitch, a potent combination of funk rhythms, jazz keyboards and stinging blues guitar. The album made the pop charts and reached #4 on the Black c...
More About: Funk , Johnny

--=[ Pleasure ]=--
2008-04-23 15:34:00
Pleasure - Give It Up [1982]Give It Link 2At the more R&B-friendly vinyl conventions, one of the ways that funk addicts try to gauge who is truly hip is to find out how much he/she knows about Pleasure. Anyone with even a casual interest in '70s funk knows about Parliament/Funk adelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, and the Ohio Players ? the people who are hip to Pleasure tend to be the sort of listeners who look beneath the surface and are downright obsessed with the funk and soul of that era. And for the serious funk connoisseur, this album is a must. Not because it's their greatest, but to make your collection complete. Pleasure's seventh and final album, "Give It Up" from 1982, marked their departure from Fantasy Records. It includes the groovy cuts "Stone Love", "All the Way" and "Sending My Love" which all are classics in our crowd. Sadly the group disbanded shortly after this release ? but they will always be remembered by people like you and me!!Pleasure - Fu...
More About: Pleasure

--=[ Slim Man ]=--
2008-04-23 04:49:00
Slim Man - Secret Rendezvous [1997]Secret Link 2Singer-songwriter Slim Man calls his music "laid-back-jazzy-pop." Radio station executives have called him "a male Sade." Faithful fans just can't get enough of Slim Man's sensual vocals and rhythmic style.Slim Man ~ secrets of your heart* Another Great DWBass Post *All track info is in the comment section...
More About: Jazz , Slim