Compiled by Jazzanova and Erik Ott ‘Nueva Vision’ shines the spotlight on Cuba’s EGREM/Areito label between 1971 and 1989. Across 17 tracks it covers a variety of styles including jazz dance delights such as Chucho Valdes’ ‘Triton’ and ‘La Sombra’, the latter of which has an air of Bossa Tres’ ‘Imprevisto’ about it, mellow jazz-fusion with Emiliano Salvador’s ‘Angelica’ and Orchestra LA 440’s ‘Y No Me Ire’ and full on Jazz-funk in the shape of Ricardo Eddy Martinez y Expreso Ritmico’s ‘Mi Conga es laque es’. Psychedelic folk-funk is represented by Grupo Tema IV who serve up ‘Tema 4’ and ‘Yayabo’ and there’s also the superb 2-step soul cut ‘De tu amorme enamore’ from Yo, tu, el y ella. Also available is a 6 track 12" for the vinyl junkies.

Andy Allen

Originally released in very small quantities on the private Numu Numu label in 1981 ‘Fearless Warriors’ was the debut recording by Life Force, an Atlanta based group founded by Joe Jennings and Howard Nicholson. Thanks to Sonorama this spiritual jazz-fusion rarity now gets a welcome reissue. The set sits somewhere between Pharoah Sanders and Jeff Lorber’s early material and features the solid mid-tempo grooves ‘Wow’, ‘Sister Bea’ and the brilliant title track plus the bright and breezy ‘To Pharaoh With Love’, an awesome jazz dancer which should find favour at nights such as Messin’ Around and The Jazz Rooms.

Andy Allen

There’s no denying that Jill Scott is one of the most significant artists to have emerged in the past decade but since her classic debut ‘Who Is Jill Scott?’ she has never quite captured the same sense of magic. That’s not to say her subsequent releases haven’t featured some great moments, they have and ‘The Real Thing’ is no different. ‘Let It Be’ and ‘Only You’ are strong cuts on a funky mid-tempo tip but my personal favourites here are the rich down-tempo arrangements of ‘Insomnia’ and ‘My Love’. Well worth investigating for these tracks alone.

Andy Allen

Fresh for Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label is the stunning debut long player from Jose James. Jose possesses a distinctive smoky quality to his voice which sits perfectly on this 10 track selection of largely down-tempo jazz works. ‘The Dreamer’ which initially appeared on ‘Brownswood Bubblers Vol. 1’ is present and correct along with the original mix of ‘Blackeyed Susan’. Other highlights include ‘Love’, a slightly funkier outing with a live, almost drum ‘n’ bass rhythm and an inspired version of ‘Nola’ originally performed by Bill Lee and Ronnie Dyson on the Spike Lee movie soundtrack ‘She’s Gotta Have It’. Touch down anywhere on this album though and you won’t be disappointed. If I had to make one slight criticism it would be that ‘Equinox’ and ‘Resolution’ from the limited edition 10" haven’t made it on to the set.

Andy Allen

Benedic Lamdin keeps the pressure on with yet another exquisite release under the guise of The Nostalgia 77 Octet. Again this is deep jazz of the highest order and features outstanding moments such as the funked up ‘Journey Home’, ‘Chola’, a stunning waltz and the modal ‘Stars’ fronted by vocalist Sophie Smith. Sophie also graces ‘One Step Out’ and ‘To Have Or To Be?’, two spiritual outings. Not to be overlooked though are the gentle meanderings of ‘Medusa’ and ‘When Love Is Strange’.

Andy Allen

Recorded on the last date of the band’s 2006 tour at the Barcelona Teatre Musical, the band was augmented on the night by guests from the original CD, Roberto Carcasses on piano, Raúl Rodriguez on tres, Faada Freddy from Daara J, a full Cuban horn section and Gyan Singh on tabla. Everyone is firing on all cylinders and the DVD fully demonstrates what a brilliant band they are. They also include a live and studio version of ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ what more could you want?

Graham Radley

Good new album from Luka, which sees him collaborating with Simon O’Reilly, who also produces. Tribe reflects Luka’s roots and has an overall relaxed feel but is not without a bit of bite where it’s needed. Excellent collection of musicians helping out as well including BJ Cole, Elmear O’Grady and Robbie Perry.

Graham Radley

Excellent dance floor filler with beaty, bouncing tracks fromj Jose Cone y Ola Fresca, Joe Bataan, Anitibalas, Quantic, X Alfonso, Los Amigos Invisibles, The Spam Allstars, Bobi Cespedes, Baku, Bitman & Roban, Nortec Collective, Ozomatli, Up, Bustle & Out & Los Mocosos. That’ll keep your feet busy won’t it?

Graham Radley

The title comes from the Scots word for what you do at hallowe’en – as in ‘dookin’ for apples. Mike Katz, Alan Reid, Alasdair White and Sean O’Donnell demonstrate why they are still one of the best bands around, 30 years on and still producing creative, quality music. Picks for me would be ‘Gathering Storm’ a song from Alan and ‘Dookin’ For Beetroot/The Head Rooster’ from Mike Katz. An excellent collection.

Graham Radley

Follow up to ‘State of Mind’ for the Afro-Argentinean singer-guitarist and it’s more infectious soul pop produced by Joe Mardin. Several of the tracks carry a message including ‘All The Answers’ and ‘Ghost Of War’ and the music varies from the acapella doo-wap of ‘Ain’t Happened Yet’ to ‘Tembererana’ which is another song with a message while incorporating music from his Argentinean roots. Raul has clearly soaked up a lot of influences but he’s made his own music as a result and rather splendid it is too.

Graham Radley