Seven years after their last ‘Americana‘ compilation for BBE Music, The Mighty Zaf and Mark GV Taylor present two more rare blue eyed soul cuts from across the pond: ‘So Close To You’ by Arthur, and ‘Reincarnation’ by Future Force.

Taken from his first and only solo album, 1981’s ‘Joy’, ‘So Close To You’ is a sweet, folk- tinged song written by Arthur’s guitarist Dean Devener and voiced by Maye Cavallaro. Hailing from New York, a diamond dealer by day and a bassist by night, Arthur joined his first band in ’66. He was living in the tiny community of Inverness, just North of San Francisco when he recorded ‘So Close To You’, which featured mainly local musicians from the West Marin area. “Between around 1980 and 2010, if someone told me I’d see any interest let alone money from my album, I’d have thought they were hallucinating” says Arthur. In 2010, the DJ son of a friend of Arthur’s saw an original copy of ‘Joy’ hanging on the wall of A-1 records in New York, priced at $50. Soon afterwards, compiler Mark Taylor tracked Arthur down on Facebook and the pair met in London, where by happy coincidence Arthur had a brief flight stopover. “We met Mark in a coffee place just outside security and sold him the box of records. I thought he looked like a cop, not a jazz DJ, although if you think 1950s America, the two could look the same”. Arthur returned to London in May 2019 and attended Mark’s ‘Reference Point’ party at the BBE Store, delighted to sign copies of his original ‘Joy’ LP for the regulars, and ecstatic to hear ‘So Close To You’ played in public for the first time.

‘Reincarnation’ was originally the B-side of NYC pop / funk band Future Force’s only recording, a 7″ single released in 1981. Future Force was formed by brothers David and Howard Bowler, who went on to write and produce dance cuts for A&M with the band’s keyboardist Eric Li, including the hit song ‘Sayin’ Sorry Don’t Make It Right’ by Denise Lopez. Recorded live with only the lead vocals overdubbed, ‘Reincarnation’ captures the raw, soulful sound for which Future Force shows had gained notoriety, both in New York City and beyond. The song was written by guitarist Jehri Riley and performed by lead singer Jackie Stewart, who was born in Brixton to Jamaican parents, moving to NYC at the age of 13.

About the compilers:

The Mighty Zaf began his journey at the famous London store Reckless Records, before becoming a respected private record dealer. These days you can find him behind the counter at Love Vinyl in London, the store he co-owns with BBE’s graphic designer Jake Holloway. Mark GV Taylor began collecting records as a schoolboy, started DJing internationally in 1990 and hasn’t looked back since. He’s also a former contributor for Straight No Chaser and compiler for Blue Note Records.

Arthur - So Close To You

After I finished recording this episode, I realized I'd played two records featuring Jorge Santana - one by his group Malo, and another with him as a guest with the Fania All-Stars. I looked him up and realized he had sadly passed away last spring. Rest in Power Jorge Santana! I hope everyone enjoys his guitar work on these tunes as well as the other tracks featured here.

Tracklist: JAB, Malo, Reuben Wilson, Rimshots, Fania All-Stars

April 7 2021

Apple Podcasts!

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 163

Buy / Stream it here: https://orcd.co/kohsukeminefirst

BBE Music present the latest in the acclaimed J Jazz Masterclass Series: Kohsuke Mine ‘First’, the debut album by one of the leading artists in the new wave of modern jazz that swept Japan in the late 60s and early 70s. ‘First’ epitomises the shifting sound of the Japanese modern jazz scene of the time, characterised by rich textures and tones, kinetic rhythms, punctuated by urgent, angular melody lines.

Reissued for the first time since original 1970 release, Mine is joined by master keyboard player Masabumi Kikuchi on electric piano, and two American players – bassist Larry Ridley and drummer Lenny McBrowne – to deliver one of the strongest debuts in the J Jazz canon. ‘First’ announced the arrival of a serious talent, one who was to be a hugely influential figure in the Japanese jazz scene across the decade that followed and beyond. ‘First’ established an artist who built a reputation for standout albums spanning spiritual jazz, post-bop, modal and funk-fusion. All of that started here, on this exemplary album.

‘First’ is issued on CD, digital and vinyl. The vinyl edition is presented as a double album, cut at 45rpm by the Grammy-nominated Carvery, with full original reproduction artwork, including obi strip. Both CD and vinyl comes with a 4500 word sleeve note and interview with Kohsuke Mine by Tony Higgins, plus artist portraits by Shigeru Uchiyama.

J Jazz Masterclass Series is curated by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden for BBE Music.

Kohsuke Mine - Love Talken

Mad Mats, dating back his famous Raw Fusion Parties, is definitely one of the best "Club Jazz" DJ's in the World even if most of the people know him as a great House Dj with amazing Hip Hop Skills!

He has done for "My Favorite Things" a great mix including some digital only and unreleased tracks like this killer Incognito Remix by MAW and this hard to find, CD Only, Billy Foster’s Samba tune !

Mats has selected too some rare gems, which remember he was a very serious digger and records collector during the 80’s and 90’s like the Killer Britfunk "Final Approach" by ICQ !

Some Future classics also featured by Mats and myself like the EWF’s Cover "Can’t hide love" by Mishcael Stephenson and one of the best Jazz record of the year by Emma-Jean Thackray. 

Enjoy and don’t forget we can dance on jazz !

TRACKLIST

DJ Psycut :

01 - The Storm Watchers - Versus
02 - Raúl Monsalve y los Forajidos - Bocón ft. Luzmira Zerpa (Orestes Gomez Remix)
03 - Marvxlous - Life Is Beautiful 
04 - Cool Affair - 1804
05 - Jackson Mathod feat. David Mrakpor, Harry Pope - Dumb People
06 - Michael Stephenson, Alexander Claffy, Benny Benack III - Can't Hide Love

Mad Mats :

07 - Switch - A Brighter Tomorrow (interlude) 
08 - Laurin Talese - Love Poems 
09 - Larry Willis - Prayer for New Orleans 
10 - Billy Foster & Audio - Samba 
11 - The Magic Twins - Happy 
12 - Emma-Jean Thackray - Our People 
13 - Sun Ra & His Myth Science Arkestra - Watusa (a.k.a. Watusi) 
14 - George Kawaguchi & Art Blakey - A Night In Tunisia 
15 - Matsuura Toshio - Theme From Lupin III 
16 - I.C.Q - Final Approach 
17 - STR4TA - Rhythm In Your Mind (NSW Space Funk Rework Part 1) 
18 - Incognito - Jacob's lader (Master At Work Yorican Mix-Unreleased) 
19 - Afronaught - Shapin' Fluid 
20 - The Magic Twins - Desde El Mar 
21 - Dai-San - Dai's Carnival 
22 - Truby Trio - Alegre 2004, Louie Vega Dub 
23 - Ernie Watts With Gilberto Gil - Gondwana

MY FAVORITE THINGS — Show #37 w/ Mad Mats (Hosted by Psycut)

MIMS is delighted to share a special and certainly eclectic mix from Lorenzi Morresi, DJ, producer, musician and co-founder of Supereclectic, whose recent album 'Music For Closed Airports’ is a wonderful mix of live compositions and studio productions that stretch out across jazz funk, italian library and electronica.

@lorenzomorresi: “This mix was recorded in my countryside studio in Le Marche region in Italy. It features some of my own music as well as artists and tracks that inspired my new album 'Music For Closed Airports'.”

Previous releases included a sold-out 45 collaboration with Tenderlonious, on 22a Music,  that we raved about on release, and the first taste of much more to come from the pair.  And not forgetting his debut album ‘Object Melodie’ on Fly By Night Music, another MIMS favourite. 

Supereclectic is a new record label founded in 2020 by Italian DJ's and producers Lorenzo Morresi and Tommaso Cicconi. They both share a passion for high quality music where genre knows no bounds, although their label and DJ sets tend to focus on jazz, funk, fusion, contemporary experimental and Italian library rarities. The label has already released two eps featuring obscure jazz funk band Session Segreta and Italian jazz guitarist Giulio Romano Malaisi. This year the label released Lorenzo Morresi's 2nd album 'Music For Closed Airports' and promises part one in the Supereclectic Edits series that will feature rare edits and represses from their record collections.

Tracklist

MIMS Guest Mix: Lorenzo Morresi (Supereclectic / 22a Music, Italy)

Went into the crates to pull a few selections from the great jazz label Muse. Tried to stay away from some of the sample-favorites (no Walt Barr or Catalyst this time around). Instead, it's a journey into the a variety of styles and flavors, some creative and beautiful music made by a wide range of musicians in the 70s and early 80s. There's definitely another stack of records I wasn't able to include this round, so maybe a part two will be in the works for the future.

Tracklist: Dom Um Romao, Pat Martino, Cedar Walton, Joe Chambers, Mark Murphy, Deodato and Joao Donato, Eric Kloss

Subscribe on iTunes!

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 143 (Muse Records Selections)

The return of Mystic Vybes on WHCR 90.3 FM 📻

Mystic Vybes

Mystic Vybes 10.22.2020

Back at it, direct from the crates to your ears! Eclectic sounds from vinyl new and old. Many thanks for listening!

Tracklist: Sylvia Telles, Nucleus, Mekbuda, Greg Foat, Paul Bley Quartet, Freddie Hubbard, El Chicano

November 25 2020

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 148

Several inspirational artists left us recently, including the great Junior Mance, whose records I've really loved since DJ Center put me onto him years ago. RIP Mr. Mance, RIP Ricky Powell, RIP Double K, RIP DOOM...condolences to everyone who's lost loved ones and to others in the hip-hop and broader community who drew inspiration from the incredible work these folks and others put in over the years. Keep your heads up everyone. 

Tracklist: Junior Mance Tribute Set, Grant Green, Sergio Mendes

February 3 2021

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 155 (Junior Mance Tribute + More)

Ep. 615 has it all. Almost three hours of fantastic funk, boogie, disco, slow jams, and crackling vinyl tracks for your listening pleasure. Encouraging everyone to please enjoy the sounds of Tim Zawada, Motown Mami, Wyldeflower, and Jahi Sundance!

Tim Zawada Set: (2:17-69:05)
Motown Mami Set: (69:05-101:56)
Wyldeflower Set: (109:25-140:24)
Jahi Sundance Set: (140:24-172:20)

Full Track List and more: www.soundwavesradio.com

www.soundwavesradio.com

Ep. 615: Tim Zawada ● Motown Mami ● Wyldeflower ● Jahi Sundance - February 13, 2021

Piano and keyboard heavy episode this week, including two selections from the legend Chick Corea who sadly passed a few days ago. One of those artists you think will always be around, who made so many incredible records that I've been listening to since I first started collecting. Rest in Power. 

I have a stack of things old and new that have been landing in my post office box the last month, playing a few here and hope to play more soon! Hope everyone digs it.

Tracklist: Chick Corea, Allegro Jazz Ensemble, Marcos Resende and Index, Hampton Hawes, Vyacheslav Novikov, Michel Sardaby, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock

February 17 2021

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 156 (Pianos and Keys)

When I'm not at the dayjob, I'm probably at a record store. Pullin from the Stacks podcast most Wednesdays, available here, Apple Pods (please subscribe!) and elsewhere.

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 155 (Junior Mance Tribute + More)

DJ Ian Head

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