Hardkandy – Second To None/Dunks (Wah Wah 45s) UK 7”

Hardkandy’s ‘Dunks’ was certainly one of the highlights on the recent ‘Underground Hits & Exclusive Bits: Three’ compilation so nice to see it get a vinyl release. The A-side ‘Second To None’ is equally impressive though, a Curtis Mayfield inspired funky string and horn laced soul stepper featuring vocalist Seany Clarke. Pure niceness!
www.myspace.com/hardkandymusic
www.myspace.com/wahwah45s
www.wahwah45s.com

Yellowtail feat. Russell Morgan – Changes (Dancing Turtle) UK 7”

Russell Morgan first came to my attention as the featured vocalist on Head And Neck Sessions’ recent ‘Light Of Day’ (Dancing Turtle). His soulful gritty tones obviously impressed Yellowtail enough for him to record this stunning broken-soul cut with him. Tough beats, heavy bass line, deep key chords and plenty of bleeps makes ‘Changes’ an absolute essential.    
www.myspace.com/yellowtailnyc
www.myspace.com/myspacerusselljmorgan
www.myspace.com/dancingturtlerecords
www.dancingturtle.co.uk

Nu Tropic – Jessica/Dance Of The Little Children (Jazzmin) French 7”

Taken from their forthcoming sophomore album ‘2nd Part’ Nu Tropic deliver two first class jazz dance outings. First up is ‘Jessica’, originally recorded by Roy Porter on his 1974 album of the same title but even better is their version of Billy Parker’s Fourth World classic ‘Dance Of The Little Children’. If the tracks here are an indication of the standard of what’s to come then bring it on!
www.myspace.com/nutropic
www.myspace.com/jazzminrecords

Lee McDonald – I’ll Do Anything For You [Remixes] (Favorite)
French 12”

Lee McDonald’s modern soul anthem ‘I’ll Do Anything For You’ from his super rare ‘Sweet Magic’ album has already been remixed by Patchworks for Favourite Records. This latest package however sees Red Astaire, Dal Green and Yann Kesz getting in on the action. Yann Kesz’ remix is a truly outstanding broken-boogie take on the track featuring additional vocals from Lorett Fleur. Dal Green adds a modern Brazilian twist whilst Red Astaire’s Philly Mix, as you would expect, gives it a classic Philadelphia soul sound. And as if that wasn’t enough there’s also the previously unreleased original extended version. So what you waiting for?!    
www.myspace.com/favoriterecordings  

Liquid Spirits – Music EP (Kindred Spirits) Dutch 12”

Fresh from Liquid Spirits is their four track ‘Music EP’. Music indeed and first rate soulful music at that! It kicks off with the feel-good boogie cut ‘Say It Ain’t So’ which is reminiscent of The Rebirth before moving into the gentle meanderings of ‘Melodies’ featuring the legendary vocalist/producer Leon Ware. On the flip-side is the funky ‘If You Don’t Love Me’ fronted by Little Brother’s Phonte and it concludes with the beautifully orchestrated semi-instrumental tribute to Charles Stepney simply entitled ‘Stepney’.   
www.myspace.com/liquidspirits
www.liquid-spirits.com
www.myspace.com/kindredspiritsrecords
www.kindred-spirits.nl 

Stanton Davis’ Ghetto Mysticism – Things Cannot Stop Forever
(Soul Cal) US 12”

It seems like a long time since we’ve had a new release from Soul Cal and then all of a sudden there are four in quick succession. ‘Things Cannot Stop Forever’ from Stanton Davis’ Ghetto Mysticism’ is most definitely the pick of the current crop though. Originally released in 1977 on Boston’s Outrageous Records this is one hell of a cosmic jazz-funk bomb which will devastate the more discerning dance-floors. On the flip is an instrumental remix by Egon & Kelldada.    
www.myspace.com/soulcalrecords
www.stonesthrow.com

The Sub Ensemble – Faster Than The Sun EP (Treble O) UK CD

Out of the ashes of Sugar Beats (‘French Girl From Luton’ & ‘Tickled Zinc’) rise the majestic Sub Ensemble. The Birmingham (England) based nine piece jazz ensemble grabbed our attention with the firing dancer ’22:21’ which featured on the recent Treble O compilation ‘Here Comes Treble’ and of course it’s included here. The title track ‘Faster Than The Sun’ featuring vocals by Sarah Colman is equally stunning, switching between an impassioned breezy swinger and a free-form horn onslaught. Domu’s remix of this cut is also solid, takings it into broken-beat territory but also check out the ethereal ‘Beautiful Spring’. Can’t wait to hear more from these guys!       
www.myspace.com/thesubensemble
www.thesubensemble.co.uk
www.myspace.com/trebleo
www.trebleo.co.uk

Nick Van Gelder – Choose Music (BBE) UK CD

Nick Van Gelder has been active on the music scene since the late 80s, most notably as drummer with Jamiroquai and Akimbo, the guitarist for The Sandals as well as being behind Akwaaba People on his own Deep Funk Records which he founded with Keb Darge. ‘Choose Music’ sees him step into the limelight however on this self written and produced set of disco/boogie based delights. It features former Akwaaba People vocalist Mazen, who graces the brilliant ‘Game Of Love’ and the George Benson influenced ‘Think About It’. Nick himself provides vocals on the equally solid title track and ‘Thinkin Of You’ but check out the killer instrumental ‘Ain’t No Friend Of Mine’ with it’s jazz-funk undertones.   
www.myspace.com/nickvangelder
www.nickvangelder.com
www.myspace.com/bbemusic
www.bbemusic.com

Paul Weller – 22 Dreams (Island) UK CD/LP

Although I’ve always admired Paul Weller’s music and of course his impeccable dress sense his releases are not usually found within these pages. Of course soul music has always been an influence on him but on ’22 Dreams’ he explores a vast array of styles resulting in a dream like sequence of flashing random thoughts which somehow flow in natural progression. The tracks which will appeal to readers of these pages however are his tribute to Alice Coltrane ‘Song For Alice’, an orchestrated deep jazz instrumental you’d swear was a long lost gem from the woman herself, ‘Cold Moments’ which combines acoustic pop-folk with a heavy dose of soul sway, the folk meets East End barrow boy sounding ‘Black River’ and ‘God’ with spoken word from Aziz Ibrahim having a talk with The Mighty One Above in heartfelt working class bloke kind of way. It’s out there but that’s the way I like it!   
www.myspace.com/paulweller
www.paulweller.com

Elizabeth Shepherd – Parkdale (Do Right! Music) Canadian CD

I recently had the pleasure of witnessing the enchanting Elizabeth Shepherd at The Vancouver Jazz Festival performing some of the tracks from her new album ‘Parkdale’, named after the Toronto neighbourhood in which she resides. This, her sophomore album however expands the trio to a quartet or quintet on certain tracks and is produced by Ben Lamdin (Nostalgia 77). Elizabeth describes her style as groove based jazz which is particularly evident on the funky ‘Long As You’re Living’, ‘Just One Song’ and the title track, the Latinesque ‘Con Alma’ and the dancer ‘Mirror Living’. The standouts for me though are the mellower cuts ‘Shining Tear Of The Sun’, ‘Next Time Around’ and ‘Higher Ground’ (no not Stevie’s) which showcase Elizabeth’s voice and song writing abilities beautifully.  
www.myspace.com/elizabethshepherd
www.elizabethshepherd.com
www.myspace.com/dorightmusic
www.dorightmusic.com

Gregory Charles Royal – Dream Come True (Celeste) Japanese CD/LP

Originally released in 1979 jazz trombonist Gregory Charles Royal’s super rare ‘Dream Come True‘ finally gets a reissue. The in-demand up-tempo waltz ‘Dancer’ did make an appearance over ten years ago on the dubious looking compilation ‘A Good Example Of What It Is’ on Higher Learning Records but it’s great to have it again on a quality pressing. The said track is nothing short of exquisite and definitely the standout here, but not to be overlooked is the funky title track and the melancholy ‘For You’ on which Gregory provides some fragile vocals.    
www.clst.jp

Jonathan Klein/Herbie Hancock – Hear, O Israel: A Prayer Ceremony In Jazz (Jonny) UK CD/LP

Record collector extraordinaire Jonny Trunk launches his new Jonny label (subsidiary to Trunk) in fine style with a reissue of this “rare as rocking horse shit” album. Originally released in 1968 as a private pressing in limited quantities it was the work of a young composer (only 17 years old at the time) Jonathan Klein who married Hebrew song and prayer with New York modern jazz. With players of the caliber of Herbie Hancock, Thad Jones, Ron Carter, Jerome Richardson and Grady Tate this makes for a glorious listening experience. From the opening intro ‘Blessing Over The Candles’ which comes on like the dawning of a bright new day, through intoxicating moments like ‘Sanctification’, the bossa flavoured ‘Kiddush’ to the concluding ‘Final Amen’ this music is truly a blessing to behold.   
www.jonnyrecords.co.uk