New finds on CD from/in Japan ì something for everyone.

[maarten]

It was long overdue, as my last shopping trip to Shibuya was in May. So this lunch hour I spent and expensive but highly enjoyable two hours at Tower Records Shibuya (Tokyo).

Here are the finds:

Artists:

Bob James – re-issues of his albums “One”, “Two” and “Three”. These are of course essentials, which I already owned partly on vinyl. But these are new, digitally remastered versions.

Rockie Robbins – same. Recently discovered this guy, when I found his second album “I believe in love” with the beautiful “Think about it” (a recent Masdefi mystery song). This is his first album from 1979.

Paulinho Da Costa – Happy people. I have it on vinyl, but as with Bob James, this is my safety back up. A gem of an album, and discussed here a few times.

Average White Band – The classic of… (Free Soul series). This series is a Japanese re-issue/compilation series, which comprises a great many artists. This one obviously is a best of edition of AWB. I have some of it on vinyl, but this is a nice collection. I always liked one or two songs per album, and this one combines them (almost) all (Atlantic Avenue is not included! But… I have that on vinyl).

Tania Maria – The classic of… (Free Soul Series). See above. Nice compilation of this Brazilian songstress, mostly known for “Come with me”. Bossa is HUGE in Japan right now. Note: The series is indeed called “The classic of…”, which I know is a spelling error. For those of you familiar with Japan – this country constantly invents/revises/japanises English so that they can actually understand it!

Innerlife – II. A classic, what can I say. Beautiful, and I did not own the full album. Now I need to find “I”.

Alicia Bridges – I love the nightlife – The collection. What?? She did more than “I love the nightlife”? This I have to hear… (haven’t had time to listen yet).

Montana – Heavy vibes. This is actually a remix album from the original, imported from Italy. Joey Negro, David Morales, Masters At Work… Created with much love and respect for the original, and with full cooperation of the master.

Azymuth – Outubro. This is the album that contains “Dear Limmertz” – Masdefi’s recent mystery song. See “Ask others to identify” section for my post. All (?) six Azymuth albums have been re-issued by Victor Japan.

Roberta Flack - Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway. This contains the 9 minute 48 seconds version of “Back together again”, another song recently identified from Masdefi. Interestingly, the background arrangements are by none other then Gwen Guthrie and Luther Vandross, and they sing as well. The song is written by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas. What a great song!

Earth, Wind & Fire – Soul source, the remixes. Another remix project. I haven’t listened to it yet, and I fear, I fear… But given that Danny Krivit and Masters At Work are included (alongside a ‘best of the best’ of Japanese remixers) gives me some hope that integrity has been applied. I will let you know!

Compilations:

Disco Juice. This is a UK release by Counterpoint Records (CRCD007). It includes Johnson Products “Johnson Jumpin’” (track 1, 6 minutes and 20 seconds). Other tracks on this compilation are by Licky, Chain Reaction, Clyde Alexander, Queen Yahna, L.J. Waiters, Foster Jackson, Scott Davis, Jessie Gould, Paper Doll and three by Cloud One. All these tracks were released on the P&P record label, which stood for Patrick Adams and Peter Brown. In the mean time there is now also a Disco Juice 2 CD compilation. Nicky… ring a bell?

Mantronix – That’s my beat. Kurtis Mantronik selected 12 tracks that influenced him as a DJ, music writer and producer. Interesting mix of old school rap (Funky 4 Plus 1, Jimmy Spicer, T-La Rock), electro funk (Yellow Magic Orchestra, Visage, Yello, Ryuichi Sakamoto) and disco (Suzy Q, Machine, Unlimited Touch). All long versions.

Kenny Dope – Disco heat. Has been reviewed here already and is, indeed, a gem. Don’t be put off by the awful cover art. Three CD’s!

DJ Lovely – Summer sweetness, classic soulful grooves for funky modern people. This is a compilation by Dutch DJ Lovely. Don’t be put off by the silly name. Included are 2 CD’s with classics by Roy Ayers, Patrice Rushen, Bobbi Humphrey, Maze, Chocolate Milk, Minnie Ripperton, Ramsey Lewis, Donald Byrd, Idris Muhammad, etc. Focus is 70’s mellow funk.

Soulfuric Sessions Mixed by Jazz ‘n’ Groove. These guys keep disco alive. I think Defected Records have an awesome series of club releases. If you like soulful garage/house, this is great.

Rampling & Morales – UK & USA. A 2CD, one mixed by Danny Rampling, one by David Morales. See above. I am trying to keep my David Morales/Def Mix collection complete, so this had to be had.

Soul Essentials 4. This is a nice series, produced by Japanese dance record company Avex Trax (GTS!). It includes some interesting releases such as Oliver Cheatham featuring D-Train singing “Never too much”. This pairing works very well.

Well, that is it. Next time I will hit the vinyl shops. Sorry for the long post.


_________________
"ON THE BEAT"


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: maarten on 2002-07-24 04:06 ]</font>

[jazz_pilgrim]

Sounds like you had a fantastic time!!

Love the Brazilian connection there, Maarten

I bought the Outubro (October) LP by Azymuth on US import when it first came out, and I have always loved "Dear Limmertz" to death!!! A fantastic atmospheric track - it just has that October autumnal feel to it, don't you agree?

The same goes with Tania Maria. Her "Come With Me" LP was probably my favourite LP of the Eighties!!

And I love those fantastic duets by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. What a great combination they were. I got the "Best Of Donny Hathaway" CD for last Xmas. Brilliant!! I did some research, and found on http://www.soul24-7.com an excellent article in edition 2 of their on-line magazine on Donny Hathaway's life ... I appears that when they were recording "Back Together Again", Donny would wonder out into the street, get his mind together again, and then come back into the studio.. Later that night, he took his own life... Real sad ...To me, he was right up there with OTIS and MARVIN ....... A real genius...And they say that "Donny Hathaway Live" was probably the greatest live Soul LP ever recorded ...

Enjoy your CDs!!

[california mike]

a great selection of music of the items i do recognize.
yes, bob james 3 with 'westchester lady" featuring grover washington. and of course one of bob james' earlier albums featured my first introduction to patti austin... and have been a fan of hers ever since.
the flack/hathaway i still enjoy, can't get enough of "don't make me wait too long" and "back together again". although i own this on vinyl, one of the few i went a bought the cd copy too much later. almost hypnotizing.

[Giovanni]

Innerlife – II. A classic, what can I say. Beautiful, and I did not own the full album. Now I need to find “I”.



Disco Juice. This is a UK release by Counterpoint Records (CRCD007). It includes Johnson Products “Johnson Jumpin’” (track 1, 6 minutes and 20 seconds). Other tracks on this compilation are by Licky, Chain Reaction, Clyde Alexander, Queen Yahna, L.J. Waiters, Foster Jackson, Scott Davis, Jessie Gould, Paper Doll and three by Cloud One. All these tracks were released on the P&P record label, which stood for Patrick Adams and Peter Brown. In the mean time there is now also a Disco Juice 2 CD compilation. Nicky… ring a bell?


DJ Lovely – Summer sweetness, classic soulful grooves for funky modern people. This is a compilation by Dutch DJ Lovely. Don’t be put off by the silly name. Included are 2 CD’s with classics by Roy Ayers, Patrice Rushen, Bobbi Humphrey, Maze, Chocolate Milk, Minnie Ripperton, Ramsey Lewis, Donald Byrd, Idris Muhammad, etc. Focus is 70’s mellow funk.

INNERLIFE: How could you dare to miss these two pillars????

DISCO JUICE: A must have for everyone, since these vinyls, believe me, are very hard to find (i have 9 out of 13 )))))))

DJ LOVELY: sounds good. You convinced me!!!