Altera Vita (Alter Life) is a heartfelt tribute to spiritual jazz master Pharoah Sanders, performed by two of his master students; saxophonist Tony Kofi and harpist Alina Bzhezhinska.

Pharoah Sanders’ music has been a part of Tony & Alina’s musical upbringing for as long as they can remember, but their physical paths crossed on a memorable night in 2017 at London’s Barbican Centre, for a night titled ‘ A concert for John & Alice Coltrane’. The night was commemorating the 50th and tenth anniversary of John’s and Alice’s passing.

Pharoah Sanders had worked with both Alice and John Coltrane, and this night served as a spiritual passing of the baton to Tony & Alina, the former heavily influenced by John and the latter by Alice.

The evening was as timeless as the figures honoured, and served as a pivotal moment in both Alina and Tony’s careers.
On September 24th 2022 on the eve of Alina’s HipHarpCollective’s Reflection album launch, the Jazz world mourned the passing of the great Pharoah Sanders. Pharoah's spirit was definitely present in King’s Place that night, when Kofi and Alina led a moving tribute to the Jazz legend with their rendition of Astral Travelling, which gave goosebumps to many in attendance.

Tony found himself back in the studio soon after this night and composed a very fitting tribute to the master of spiritual jazz- Alter Vita (For Pharoah Sanders), He then enlisted Alina Bzhezhinska whose improvisations helped to provide an elegant call and response between harp and saxophone, delivering a warm and metaphysical send off for one of Jazz music’s greatest composers and saxophonists Pharoah Sanders.

Alina Bzhezhinska, Tony Kofi - Altera Vita (For Pharoah Sanders)

Walzer Bossa Nuova - Ennio Morricone
Hooray  (Versione Bossa) - Piero Umiliani
Hooray -- Piero Umiliani Gianni Sanjust
Won't you dance with me - Riz Ortolani
L'amore dice ciao (slow version) C67 Re-edit - Armando Trovajoli
L'amore dice ciao (bossa nova) - Armando Trovajoli

EL -12-

Veronica Mickie - Lost Children

Artist: King Bee
Release: Good to be back
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR046
Release date: July 31st 2023

‘A revelation!’ - Craig Charles BBC 6 Music
‘You want the definition of modern jazz-funk? Listen to this’ - Robbie Vincent

After catching a performance of the Newcastle based, musical powerhouse King Bee in 2022, Jo Wallace approached their manager and asked if they were looking for a label. As luck would have it, the planets aligned and the mighty Les Aitch said ‘yes’. A selection of unreleased tracks was sent to Jo, and, without hesitation, she picked the insanely catchy ‘Good to be back’, featuring the wonderful vocals of the very talented Mr Andre Espeut. The seven piece King Bee, established in 2011 by Dave Wilde and Chris Jelly, supply the authentic, original, hard driving jazz funk fusion sound, with a live three piece horn section, unstoppable bass grooves and the unique sound of Chris Jelly’s exquisite vibraphone playing in the mix. You can hear the outstanding musicianship shine on this magnificent BritFunk track.

Having supported the likes of legendary artists such as Roy Ayers and Lonnie Liston Smith, King Bee have continued to wow audiences across the UK with their powerful live performances at some of the UK’s leading venues such as Band on the Wall, Hoochie Coochie, Pizza Express Holborn, Sage Gateshead International Jazz Festival, Lindisfarne Festival and the Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival in Birmingham. Their 2014 debut album ‘King Bee’, recorded at Loft Music Studios, Newcastle, was a critical success, scoring a 9/10 in Blues and Soul Magazine. The band’s 2016 debut 7′′ single ‘Money Gone’ topped Juno’s ‘Bestselling Vinyl Funk’ Chart, Craig Charles added it to his ‘Best Funk Bangers’ on BBC6 Music, and it became an instant B-Boy favourite when re-mixed by DJ Smoove. ‘Bee to the Flower’, the follow up 7”, was remixed by renowned French DJ/Producer, The Reflex, catching the ear of iconic Jazz Funk DJ and radio presenter, Robbie Vincent, garnering King Bee a place on the prestigious Ronnie Scott’s Radio Show play-list. An updated, supercharged version of the original banger was released in 2021 on 7” limited vinyl by Italy’s Tesla Groove International Records. The band have been incredibly busy writing new material, and now King Bee are ready to unleash new sounds on Ramrock Red Records. Exciting times ahead!

Buy digital

Good To Be Back (Original Vocal)

Brazil 45, number 19: http://www.mrbongo.com/products/wilson-das-neves-pick-up-the-pieces-b-w-som-tres-tanga

Wilson das Neves - Pick Up The Pieces:

Wilson das Neves was is a legendary Brazilian percussionist most well known for being part of Os Ipanemas. 

His cover of Average White Band’s ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ recorded with his ‘conjunto’ ensemble, takes the track into funky samba territory, laden with percussion and horns.

Originally released on the ‘O Som Quente E O Das Neves LP in 1976. Previously unreleased on 7”.

Som Tres - Tanga:

A Mr Bongo all-time Brazilian Funk favourite. Tearing drums, vocals and piano packed into just over 2 minutes. Killer. Som Tres were a trio formed by prolific pianist, arranger and producer Cesar Camargo Mariano.

Originally appeared on the ‘Um É Pouco, Dois É Bom, Este Som Três É Demais’ LP on Odeon Brazil in 1971. Previously unreleased on 7”.

Som Tres - Tanga

Intro
Le fini.                     Ursula 1000
Pollution                  4Dkiller
Riviera 69                Chris Joss (67 Re-edit)
Wave of love            Chris Joss (67 Re-edit)
Rolling Space           Expo 80 (67 re-edit)
A silness song         Puccio Roelens  (67 Re-edit)
That fat man            Dick Walter (67 Re-edit)

Spring rain              Al Kent (67 Re-edit)
Planet Medora         Berry Lipman
La famiglia Nicotera  Piero Piccioni
Hard Times             Piero Umiliani (67 re-touch)
Masquerade            Trovajoli  -Gak Sato remix-
Sesso Matto            Trovajoli Karminsky Exp remix   (67 re-edit)
Departures             Karminsky Experience Inc.
Tess                       David Holmes
Wooly Waltz            Chriss Joss (67 re-edit)
A soft reprise         Chriss Joss 
Mama Lion              The Electric Peanut Butter Company (67 re-edit)
Lady Magnolia        P.UMILIANI Kid Loco remix (67 re edit)
Liquid                     The Bas Lexter Ensample
Liquid Sunshine     John Cameron
Le dernier verre     De Kersaint (67 re-touch)

Riviera 70

Tomorrow's New Dream

Now That I've Found You (feat. Imaani)

Fitzwilly's Date-John Williams (C-67 Re-edit)

EL -5-

Listen to me screw up a classic by the legendary Donald Byrd.  Na..I don't fuck with it too much, what do you think I am?  Some kind of asshole?   Rest in Peace Byrd a true innovator

Message me for a 320 .mp3



Donald Byrd Lansana's Priestess (Byrd in Brazil mix)

Funky Soul drenched Spiritual Jazz from 1979. Releases on Vinyl on Jazz Room Records in 2021.

SHAMEK FARRAH & FOLKS - WAITING FOR MARVIN

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Good To Be Back (Original Vocal)

Ramrock/ Ramrock Blue/ Ramrock Red

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