Bah, Humbug

Floral Pops 70 - Drum Christmas Para Bailar DIM Serie Especial E-108 (Spa) (197?)

A festive diversion - normal service will be resumed shortly!

I'm not a big fan of the Christmas record but this novelty is worth a listen. An obscure Spanish release with a groovy loungecore edge complimented by wordless 'Barbara Moore' style vocals. Might raise an eyebrow or two at the Christmas party.

1) Jingle Bells
2) White Christmas
3) Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
4) Here Comes Santa Claus
5) Winter Wonderland
6) Blue Christmas
7) When The Saints Go Marching In
8) Silent Night
9) I Saw Mammy Kissing Santa Claus
10) Santa Claus Is Comming To Town
11) Joy To The World
12) Ave Maria
13) Auld Lang Syne

Franko Xavier

Franko Xavier - Same Odeon SMOFB-3845 (1974)

Here's a gem. A high calibre funky samba soul LP you shouldn't be without...

1) Eu Sou Marinheiro
2) Di Bambue
3) Nana
4) Maria, Mariazinha
5) Linda
6) O Chamante
7) Antes Pouco Que Nenhum
8) Mane Joao
9) Somos Todos Irmaos
10) Canto Sul
11) Chuva Miuda
12) Tema Do Amor Amado

Stop, Look & Listen

Mario Castro Neves - Stop, Look & Listen Canadian Talent Library CTL S-5211 (1977)

An obscure Canadian library release by an artist who needs little introduction. So I won't, except to say any fans of that female led Sergio Mendes sound should not go without this little gem.

1) Sometime Love Affair
2) Feelings
3) Subtle Chemistry
4) All You Get From Love Is A Lovesong
5) Boca Grande
6) Stop, Look & Listen
7) Summersoft
8) Why Can't There Be You
9) This One's For You
10) Open Up (Try Understanding)

Keeping it short 'n' sweet today as I'm overwhelmed by other commitments and it's all hands on deck with regard getting the new site live - stay posted, it'll be worth the wait!

Caçhasa Suite

Lars Färnlöf, Staffan Abeléens Kvintett & Radiojazzgruppen - Svit Caçhasa SR Records RELP-1152 (Swe) (1973)

“Caçhasa” is singularly impressive, showing that while trumpeter and composer Färnlöf was quite comfortable writing for a larger group, he kept the musical landscape reasonably uncluttered and gave the ensemble and its component parts ample room to swing. Besides the members of the quintet, the soloists on “Caçhasa” include some of Sweden’s best — pianist Bengt Hallberg, guitarist Rune Gustafsson, saxophonist / flautist Lennart Åberg, drummer Egil Johansen, trombonist Lars Olofsson, baritone Erik Nilsson and others. This perceptively written and handsomely performed Jazz album really impresses and grooves hard from the opening bar to the last.

THE STAFFAN ABELEEN QUINTET
Lars Färnlöf : cornet, flugelhorn
Björn Netz : tenor saxophone
Staffan Abeleen : piano
Fredrik Norén : drums
Red Mitchell : double bass
THE SWEDISH RADIO JAZZ GROUP
Bosse Broberg : trumpet
Bertil Lövgren : trumpet
Jan Allan : trumpet
Håkan Nyquist : french horn
Lars Olofsson : trombone
Sven Larsson : bass trombone, tuba
Bertil Färnlöf : oboe, cor anglais
Arne Domnérus : alto saxophone
Claes Rosendahl : tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute
Lennart Åberg : soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute
Erik Nilsson : baritone saxophone
Bengt Hallberg : piano
Rune Gustafsson : guitar
Stefan Brolund : electric bass
Egil Johansen : drums
Jan Bandel : congas

1) Mörkret Ler
2) La Bergerie I
3) La Bergerie II
4) Caçhasa
5) Delta Queen

Cult Of Marius

Marius Cultier - Ouelele...Souskai Fiesta 360 066 (1975)

This famed pianist was born in Martinique and when as a teenager he began touring the Caribbean & French Antilles participating in various events & contests it wasn't long before he gained notoriety from his peers. At 20 he shifts to Canada where his fame there allows him to promote the young jazz talents of the Antilles.

This album, cut in France has become somewhat of a cult latin jazz masterpiece - and whilst retaining that West Indian flavour is infused with the lateral jazz expressiveness of the day and a compulsive funky flare that is irresistable on the dancefloor. Don't miss the percussive fusion bomb 'Diamant', a true tour de force...

1) Ouelele
2) Missie Sirop
3) Diamant
4) Laini
5) Souskai
6) Ni Tellement Longtemps (Eh Oui Doudou)
7) Gade Boudin Madame
8) Rezouk Souvenir

Uncommonly good Werther!

Werther - Werther Stylo SSLP-1 (1970)

Here's one you don't see too often. A rare slice of jazzy bossa on the obscure Stylo label.

Werther (acoustic guitar &,vocals); Tranka (acoustic bass, tenor sax, piano); Luiz Roberto (drums); Bill Horne (flute, trumpet, melophone); Wanda, Helo, Malu, Carreteiro and Rupp (male/female chorus) with guest musicians featuring Edison Machado (drums); Naná Vasconcelo (percussion); Boi (bongo) and Toninho Silva (acoustic guitar).

With songs by Werther/Gil, Ricardo Arnt, Arthur Verocai/Paulinho Tapajós, Toninho Horta, Caetano Veloso and others. Slick, infectious and haunting - this LP delivers on several fronts.

1) Terça-Feira
2) Leilão
3) Catavento
4) Mudança
5) Litoral
6) Estuário
7) Mararia
8) Lenda
9) Aprestentação
10) Rei Do Chão
11) Dimensão
12) Ave Maria

Blog Radio

With the jukebox you can control which song you want to hear! I have kept the file quality to size ratio to a happy medium to ensure decent sound whilst download pauses are connection speed dependent. The selection will be updated frequently so remember to tune in. Enjoy...