After a handful of 12" releases for the MAW and its subsidiary labels over the past couple of years, V finally delivers his debut album. Produced by Jazzy Jeff at his A Touch Of Jazz Studios, ‘The Revelation Is Now Televised’ is largely a down-tempo soul affair. As you would expect the production and vocals are strong throughout but for me the set lacks a standout song. The groovy ‘Confess’ and ‘Who Will I Be’ are the better cuts but unfortunately the album omits the killer ‘Confusion’ which appeared on the recent T.R.I.N.T. 4 track EP.

Andy Allen

‘Three Voices From The N-Side’ is the 1st album to be released by jazz poet N-Side, a.k.a. Norman A. Woods. It draws together a collection of tracks from 3 un-issued sets, ‘Love Is Playing Live In My Bay Area!’, ‘Jazz Opera’ and ‘A Softer View From The N-Side’. Why these individual albums haven’t been released is beyond me, since the standard of material presented here is brilliant. I’m currently hooked on the melodic ‘Within 5%’, a stunningly beautiful piece, ‘The Tribe (That’s Who We Are)’, a real swinger and the avant-garde ‘Vanguard Five’, but touch down anywhere on this set and you won’t be disappointed. Let’s just hope there’s more material coming from N-Side very soon.

Andy Allen

Gil Scott-Heron along with his long time musical partner Brian Jackson have committed to vinyl some of the most important politically and socially conscious music ever recorded. This compilation focuses on the period between 1973 and 1980 and includes tracks from 7 albums. The timeless classic, “The Bottle”; kicks off proceedings before moving into the uplifting “It’s Your World”, “Johannesburg” and the haunting “Winter In America”, a track I have never tired of since first hearing it 16 years ago when I was just starting out on this crazy collecting journey. “Angel Dust”, “Shut Um Down”, “Alien (Hold On To Your Dreams)” along with “The Liberation (Red, Black & Green)” and a storming live version of “Home Is Where The Hatred Is” are all here. However, I’m currently hammering the tracks taken from the 1977 album “Bridges”, mainly because I’ve never heard them before. “Delta Man (Where I’m Coming From)” and “We Almost Lost Detroit” are amazing low slung gritty grooves but even better is “Racetrack In France” which starts with a happy clappy rhythm and blues intro before slipping into a driving synth bass lead electro groove. Pure perfection!

Andy Allen

Soul DJ Andy Davies kick starts his new Streetsoul label in fine style with this Chicago rarity which he discovered on acetate whilst working at John Anderson’s Soul Bowl record shop during the mid 90s. After airing ‘Joy Trip (Part 1)’ on his radio show the track caused a huge buzz amongst the soul fraternity and has eventually resulted in this release. ‘Joy Trip (Part 1)’ is a majestic string fueled two stepper of the highest order but the album packed full of quality tunes covering northern, crossover and funk styles plus a great version of The Lovelites’ ‘Get It Off My Conscience’.

Andy Allen

The second edition of Soul Brother’s ‘The Wants List’ delivers another 18 in demand rare groove / 2 step soul tracks to end the frustrating search for many a collector. As you would expect, everything here is quality from the album’s opener Kellee Patterson’s version of ‘I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More’, through to the finishing cut ‘When We’re Making Love’ by Denise LaSalle. In between we’re treated to classics such as ‘World In A Crisis’ from Barbara Mason, Edna Wright’s ‘Oops! Here I Go Again’, ‘Shake It Up’ by The Vibrations, Michelle Wiley’s ‘I Feel So At Home Here’ and ‘Unwanted Company’ from Jeannie Reynolds. It’s also good to see Samuel Jonathan Johnson’s ‘My Music’ included. This has long been a favourite of mine, a great quirky soul stepper with an almost mystical feel, taken from the 1978 Columbia album of the same name. One that was actually on my ‘wants list’ was ‘Sho’ Nuff’ by the sweet male harmony group, Sly, Slick & Wicked. This is a fantastic tune originally released on People Records in 1973 and sounds like The Lost Generation.

Andy Allen

Atmosfear’s rare debut album ‘En Trance’, originally released in 1981 on Elite Records, gets a welcome reissue via Sanctuary. This is British jazz funk at its best and features delights such as ‘Free Tonight’, Interplay’ and ‘Invasion’ along with the Latin flavored ‘Duende’ and ‘Return Of LB’. This package also includes 4 bonus tracks, ‘Extract’, ‘Motivation’, ‘Outer Space’ and the classic ‘Dancing In Outer Space’ which were previously only released on 12”. Essential!

Andy Allen

I recall talking to Ed Motta about his musical influences following his appearance at the Jazz Cafe a couple of years back. He cited a diverse spectrum of styles from Black Jazz / Strata East to Barry Manilow. Fortunately ‘Aystelum’ leans towards the former, particularly on tracks such as the opener ‘Awunism’, ‘E Muita Gig Vei!!!’, ‘Balendoah’ and the title track. His Brazilian soul roots are also present and correct on the fabulous ‘Patidid’ and ‘Gueagui’. Of course he delves into the Parisian music hall style as he did on ‘Dwitza’, but on the whole this is an excellent set from an outstanding talent.

Andy Allen

Soil & Pimp Sessions waste no time in following up their recent ‘Pimp Master’ set with this 6 track EP. No surprises here just more of their distinctive brand of frantic ‘death jazz’. ‘Fragment’ is the instant highlight but drop ‘Ms B.C.’, ‘Sweat’ or the title track and you won’t be disappointed.

Andy Allen