Out August 27 on LP/CD/Tape/Digital
https://linktr.ee/ephatmujuru

Ephat Mujuru exemplifies a unique generation of traditional musicians in Zimbabwe. Born under an oppressive colonial regime in Southern Rhodesia, his generation witnessed the brutality of the 1970s liberation struggle, and then the dawn of independent Zimbabwe, a time in which African music culture—long stigmatized by Rhodesian educators and religious authorities—experienced a thrilling renaissance. 

Under the tutelage of his grandfather, who was a respected spirit medium and mbira master, Ephat showed an early talent for the rigors of mbira training, playing his first possession ceremony when he was just ten years old.
By then, guerilla war was engulfing the country and his grandfather Muchatera tragically became a victim of the violence, a devastating blow to the young musician. In the midst of the liberation struggle, mbira music became political.
 
Eventually, the Rhodesians were defeated, but rather than return to the past, the nation of Zimbabwe was born and a new future unfolded. Ephat threw himself into the spirit of independence, singing of brotherhood, healing, and unity: crucial themes during a time when the nation’s two dominant ethnic groups, the Shona and the Ndebele, were struggling to reconcile differences.

Ephat’s band would eventually follow the popular trend and add electric instruments. But before that, he and Spirit of the People released two all-acoustic albums, and they may well be the most exciting and beautiful recordings he made in his career. Mbavaira, the second of these albums, was released in 1983. 

As the independence years moved on, there would be fewer and fewer commercial mbira releases. But for the moment, Ephat had the required stature and reputation. Also, with the energy and drive we hear in these recordings, the album could easily rival the pop music of its day.

Within a few years after the release of Mbavaira, it and albums like it became harder to find in Zimbabwean record stores. Ephat adapted to the times and formed an electric band. They recorded more albums over the years but none of them have the particularly delicious energy of Spirit of the People in the first years of Zimbabwe’s independence.

Mbavaira

Ephat Mujuru & The Spirit of the People — Mudande

It is my great pleasure to pay tribute to the music and work of Bob James.  

His has had remarkable career.  He is big foundation of my love for jazz-funk and fusion.  

All vinyl set from my private collection.  Enjoy the show….

RADIO.D59B / FUNK FOUNDATIONS #14 / Tribute to Bob James

Linda Fredriksson (they/them) shares their debut solo album "Juniper" on We Jazz Records, 29 Oct 2021. Linda (of Mopo and Superposition) has been working on the compositions heard on the album for several years, composing them mostly on guitar, keys and by singing. Only later have they been arranged for the band heard on the album, including Fredriksson on saxes and various instruments, Tuomo Prättälä (of ilmiliekki Quartet) on Rhodes, moog and piano, Minna Koivisto on modular synth, moog and OP, Olavi Louhivuori (of Superposition) on drums, and Mikael Saastamoinen (of OK:KO and Superposition) on bass, plus featuring the Swedish artist Matti Bye on piano.

Linda Fredriksson shares the inspiration on this track: 
“In my mind, this song is playing in my mind at the cottage when all the hustle and bustle is left behind. Someone is sitting on the dock, smiling. It's a mellow, warm and sleepy afternoon. I can hear the flies buzzing and the pine trees smelling. 

I recorded the original demo while playing guitar and singing. I caught just the right mood. I realized that I had created the specific atmosphere using human voice, rather than my saxophone. It took me a while to get used to the fact but in the end, the music sounds great and I’m really happy for the outcome. 

The final version of ”Lempilauluni” ("My Loved Song") combines my band playing live and the demos I recorded. If you listen carefully, you can hear field recordings in the end of the song. My kitchen is filled with friends cooking dinner. Also worth mentioning that Mikael Saastamoinen plays a wonderful bass solo on this track.”

Juniper

Buy on Bandcamp

Exclusive Premiere: Linda Fredriksson "Lempilauluni" (Forthcoming on We Jazz Records)

This past weekend I hit up Egon's store Rappcats where DJ Shadow was selling some of his vast collection. I missed the opening day but snuck in and out on Sunday with a random high school band record, featuring a nice cover of Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower" as well as some original tunes. That record reminded me I'd been wanting to do a school band episode of Pullin for awhile now, so it was a good inspiration to dig through my crate of very random college and high school music for a couple of my favorites. You never know what you're getting with these records - so many are poor quality recordings or cheesy renditions, but among the many there are some real gems. Hope you dig.

October 26 2021

Subscribe on Apple

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 180 (School Band Records)

8 years since their last album, Shaolin Afronauts return with The Fundamental Nature of Being,  a monumental 5 LP box-set recorded over 5 days to be released on Freestyle Records. Drawing on the bands wide variety of influences spanning from 1960's avant-garde Jazz to the 1970's music of West and South Africa and everything in-between, the release has so much to offer and in just two tracks show us what a truly epic and boundless experience we can expect.

Here, Morning Song pares down the ensemble's core elements forming a stripped-back spirtual jazz groover, while Valley of the Crucible fuses a desert blues-influenced rhythm section with ethio-style horns to dazzling effect.

The full box set is out September 16th 2022. Pre-order below:

https://theshaolinafronauts.bandcamp.com/album/the-fundamental-nature-of-being

The Fundamental Nature of Being, Part Three

Premiere: Shaolin Afronauts - Morning Song

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

Unearthed by Mike Peden for BBE Music, Per Husby Septett's ‘The Peacemaker’ is a beautiful, deep and under-the-radar small big band set recorded in 1976 by the elite of Norway's jazz cognoscenti, led by pianist and band leader Per Husby.

Originally issued for Husby on the Studentersamfundets Plateselskap label by the Student Society in Trondheim, Norway, this obscure jazz rarity had no budget for PR or distribution, and with just a mere 500 copies pressed sales were scarce; it soon became a collectors item in Norway and across the globe. The album creates a big-sounding dynamic mix of original compositions by Per Husby and covers, including Harold Land's modal masterpiece title cut ‘The Peacemaker’, plus a top-draw selection of tunes encompassing post bop, modal, bossa and ballads by the likes of Kenny Wheeler, Cedar Walton and Charlie Parker.

Reissued with original artwork and the approval of Per Husby himself, who has also provided the sleeve notes, ‘The Peacemaker’ is now available once again for download, streaming, CD and as a double 180g LP cut at 45rpm by the Grammy-nominated Carvery studio.

Per Husby Septett - The Peacemaker

We are excited to premiere a previously unreleased live recording from legendary British jazz bassist and composer Graham Collier.  Forthcoming on My Only Desire Records, a key label rediscovering and sharing seminal unrelreased UK jazz releases with the world. 

Previously unreleased recording of bassist/composer Graham Collier's seminal 'Down Another Road' album recorded live in 1969 at Stockholm's Jazz Day festival, his all-star sextet includes jazz heavyweights Harry Beckett, Stan Sulzmann, Karl Jenkins and John Marshall. The pastoral melody to “The Barley Mow” -  the second single - transports you to an idyllic English countryside scene, sipping a beer in the pub which inspired it. 

Since it’s release in 1969 on Fontana, 'Down Another Road' has become a cornerstone of British jazz, with the LP now a much sought-after rarity that regularly exchanges hands for over £200. It's considered the revered composer Collier's greatest album by many of its fans, thanks to its highly melodic, almost pop-like themes and irresistible '60s groove, spurred on by the on-point drumming of Soft Machine/Nucleus drummer John Marshall.

Remastered from the original tapes by Caspar Sutton-Jones @ Gearbox Records, 'Down Another Road @ Stockholm Jazz Days '69' is available as a limited edition 2LP set housed in a gatefold sleeve and 'mini-LP' gatefold CD, with sleeve notes by Graham Collier biographer Duncan Heining.

Pre-Order

Exclusive Premiere: Graham Collier "The Barley Mow" @ Stockholm Jazz Days '69

Historical Italian Jazz session originally released on legendary vinyl LP from 1973. Outstanding and magnificent Jazz Funk jewel and first album ever by this killer combo led by Dino Piana & Oscar Valdambrini. An original Jazz Library recording used for the soundtrack of Rai TV programme "SERATA AL GATTO NERO", 1973. Top Italian groovy Jazz and mental album, easily a grail of the genre featuring some terrific breaks, killer Wah Wah guitar and Funky Hammond job, with a solid backing studio orchestra. Loads of laden stylish grooves with brilliant Modal Jazz numbers, smoothy vibes, and Cool Jazz influences with also different musical themes. Every track is just heaven with several hot club tunes for DJs. Solid masterpiece!
credits

Out September 18, 2017 

Oscar Valdambrini (trumpet, flugehorn)
Dino Piana (trombone)
Antonello Vannucchi (organ, piano)
Giorgio Rosciglione (electric bass)
Sergio Conti (drums)
Silvano Chimenti (guitar)

Music by FRANCO PIANA & ENRICO VALDAMBRINI

(P) & © 2017 SONOR MUSIC EDITIONS
https://www.facebook.com/sonormusiceditions/

10 SITUAZIONI

Sestetto Dino Piana & Oscar Vadambrini - "10 SITUAZIONI" Library OST

Art is by Ayham Jabr: ayhamjabr.tumblr.com

Phantom Thing (Instrumental Edit)

Here is a little taster of my new compilation Kev Beadle Presents Private Collection coming out on BBE Records in mid March 2013.
A collection of some hard to find independent jazz dance rarities from the 70's and 80's

Released on 18th March on BBE Records on double vinyl, CD and digital formats.

Full CD tracklisting:

01. Peter Giger's Family Of Percussion & Archie Shepp - Here Comes The Family
02. Kamal Abdul Alim - Brotherhood **
03. Johnny Walker – Dipping
04. Irakere – Chekere Son **
05. The Pharaohs - Freedom Road **
06. Southern Energy Ensemble - Open Your Mind **     
07. Roy Porter - Jessica (Instrumental)
08. Byron Morris & Unity - Sun Shower   
09. Seeds of Fulfillment - Namaste
10. Reverie - In Every Way **
11. Olli Ahvenlahti - Grandma's Rocking Chair **
12. James Williams - Flying Colors 

Digital Bonus:
13. Frank Walton – Safari **
14. Jayne Cortez & The Firespitters - I See Chano Pozo **
15. Chuck Flores – Padali **
16. Roy Porter Sound Machine - Jessica (Vocal)  

** Vinyl tracks   

Kev Beadle presents Private Collection - Independent Jazz Sounds From 70's & 80's

All vinyl psych rock set for the live stream masses hosted by DJ Raj Mahal.

Video of the Live Stream:

https://vimeo.com/406880187

Keep up on more live streams: https://www.instagram.com/soulstrut/

Track List:

India - The Corporation
Deep Gully - The Outlaw Blues Band
The Desert Is A Circle - Alejandro Jodorowsky and Shades of Joy
Maverick Woman Blues - Moloch
Blues News - Jesse Harper
Git Some - Jeff Cooper And The Stoned Wings
life's o.k - Troyka
Greenburg, Glickstein, Charles, David Smith & Jones - The Cryan' Shames
Cinnamon Girl -  Reflections Of Tyme  
Zero Time - Dark
Reputation - Warren S. Richardson Jr.
G.I. Joe - Salvation
Hogin' Machine - Les Baxter
Let The Sunshine - Dennis Coffey
Cago-9 - Paul Baillargeon / Dean Morgan
NADA DULCE NIÑA - Los Mac´s
Old Man Going - Pretty Things
Dark Side Of The Mushroom - The Chocolate Watch Band

Soul Strut Live - Solitary Selections - Episode 3 - Psych Vinyl (April 11, 2020)

CLUB DJ, RADIO PRESENTER, PRODUCER/REMIXER, PROMOTER & EVENT CONSULTANT
Kev Beadle has been one of the soul and jazz scene’s main tastemakers since the mid/late 80’s. He has played all over the world entertaining crowds with his selections and is never afraid to push musical boundaries. With a compilation discography in double figures, he has put together some well received compilation albums for labels like Blue Note, Cadet as well as more upfront musical offerings for labels like BBE and his own now sadly defunct label Clean Up. He also produces under the name Messengers and more recently co-producing a new project called R.K. Edits. His weekly show on Solar Radio has been running for over 12 years and can also be heard via podcast at http://kevbeadle.podomatic.com/ . He is also one of the longest standing dj residents and Beat Bar consultant at the legendary Southport Weekender and SunceBeat Festival in Croatia

Podcast link: http://kevbeadle.podOmatic.com