Kokoroko - Could We Be More

I had a rough sleep so I needed something less intense this morning. Accept when I popped this on I remembered it was not intense enough.

Floating between Jazz and Highlife this band were given huge praise by Gilles Peterson and released this on his label. Live, I reckon they would be tops. I think from memory I bought this on the back of listening only to a handful of tracks and not the whole album. Mistake. I’m not saying it’s a bad record. The second side has more high life sounds and variety. It’s very beautiful, but doesn’t go anywhere and a bit too smooth for me as an overall album. Could they be more? Yes in my view.

I commented this to my husband who said, "well get ready for an album that does go somewhere ...fast" and proceeded to put on Judas Priest.

#Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #Kokoroko #Jazz #Highlife #afrobeat

Hiroshi Suzuki – Cat

I’m still on call, it’s raining and stormy, and I’m still sorting out my records. Whilst moving things I was reminded of this.

Hiroshi Suzuki is a Japanese Trombonist (also plays keys in this) but spent a majority of his time living in America. This album was recorded in 1975 when he returned to Japan briefly. When released it was a flop. It’s now a become a bit of cult hit. This is the repress on We Release Jazz, the sub label of We Release What Ever the Fuck We Want Records which is a great name for a label and their logo design is top notch too as is the little cat on the label of this.

I probably wouldn't recommend trying to listen to this whilst sorting out your record collection on a Sunday afternoon. It's short and to be honest requires more attention.

#HiroshiSuzuki #jazz #Japanesejazz #Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning

Flora Purim – Encounter

I’m on call this weekend. One of the hated parts of my job. So I decided to make the most of it by listening to last weeks haul which includes this.

This album is gorgeous and features an array of the usual and other guests. It was the perfect album for sitting in the lounge room with a nice drink and the sun shinning vibe (total opposite of todays thunder and lightning storm).

This one might be my new favourite of hers.

#Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #folk #FloraPurim #jazz #Brazilianjazz

Miles Davis – On the Corner

This has been on frequent rotation since I picked it up the other week. Jam packed with dense layers of jazz and funk rhythms there is a lot going on here without sounding too overwhelming. Seen as a controversial album at the time – both in sound and artwork I was curious to learn more. There is a great book “sounds from the other side” that contains a chapter about the album. It’s free online and a good read. McCoy, the illustrator, was tasked by Miles with representing the street corner however he went beyond that and went fuck it, lets make this a political as fuck and highlight the communities we don’t see on album covers including black panthers, sex workers and queer communities.

I love this album.

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #music #jazz #milesdavis #onthecorner

Enrico Rava - The Plot

1976 jazz by Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava with a quartet. I bought this on a whim years ago - it was $15, was on EMC, I like trumpets and the cover was gorgeous (except for the guy staring at the couple snogging disapprovingly). I don't pull this one out often but was on a jazz tip this morning. I forgot the second half veers into jazz noodly guitar which isn't really my jam. But I think overall this deserves some more listens.

#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #EnricoRava #jazz #emc

Although it came out in 2021 this album has that very now sound. Sometimes you need some mellow vibes on your public holiday morning. Huge stack of guest collaborators on this. I got this from the the sale bin on record store day.

#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning 
#jazz #TheoCroker

Patrice Rushen - Prelusion

I'm not a huge jazz piano fan. But I like Patrice, I like when she plays, and I like this. Repressed for the first time in 51 years this was recorded when she was 20yrs old. Incredible she went from high school talent show at 17, preformed at Monterey Jazz Festival in 1972, to then composing and recording her own album shortly after. The album features Joe Henderson on Tenor Saxophone and ends with a surprise synth jazz funk track Puttered Bopcorn. I never thought I'd find a copy of this on vinyl and thank goodness the repress sounds good.

#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #PatriceRushen #jazz #Prelusion #jazzfunk

Makaya McCraven - In these times

I love this album. It's beautiful and the perfect evening wind down album. Hence the shadows on the pic. We were fortunate to see Makaya Mccraven in late Oct 2023. Twas a small intimate show at Summertown (the venue not the town) supported by a three piece band - all incredibly talented. You could see the sweat flying off the cymbals. Track 9 second side - So Ubuji - is in the high rotation permanent collection of tunes.

You can still pick up a new copy for a very reasonable price which is rare these days.

On a side note - spot the difference 👀

#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #jazz #MakayaMccraven #internationalanthem #xlrecordings

Don Cherry - Brown Rice

Blows my mind this was only repressed in 2022, and with the orignal artwork by Moki. I found a copy on holiday - unlike my friend who found an alternate cover copy in an opshop!

Reading Neneh's memior, Moki was truly one of the hardest working women and the thread that held the family and at points Don together. There was a recent exhibition of her work last year and it's great to see her incredible work being recognised finally!

#vinyl #records #jazz #doncherry #mokicherry #nowspinning #nowplaying