Jazz

n some quarters, Tijan Pou Velo is considered something of an unheralded jazz-fusion classic. Here issued on CD for the first time by Heavenly Sweetness, the 1988 album saw trumpeter Edmondy Krater join forces with occasional backing band Zepiss to deliver unique blends of modern Gwo Ka (a style born and popularized in Guadeloupe) with American jazz-funk and electric jazz influences. The resultant music is a humid, highly attractive hotchpotch of Guadeloupe's traditional African and South American influences, and distinctive nods to (then) contemporary European and North American sounds. In other words, it's a tropical fusion masterpiece.

A gem of independent Detroit jazz, reissued for the first time on Jazzman Records. James Tatum's stunning, spiritualised Contemporary Jazz Mass is one of the only true jazz masses ever released. Inspired by Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts, Tatum's masterwork was recorded on its first ever performance at St Cecilia Church in Detroit, and released on his own private label in 1974. Professional music educator and jazz composer Tatum had been working as a teacher in Detroit, and in the long aftermath of the 1967 riots he had started to instruct local children music in St Cecilia's. The Church commissioned the mass in 1972, and Tatum put together an ensemble of singers from within the church, backed by his own trio and local jazz musicians.Looking toward the great sacred works of Ellington, but with lyrics drawn straight from liturgy, the Contemporary Jazz Mass is a unique work of sanctified vocal jazz - nourishment for the spirit and soul, brought back to you by Jazzman Records!The CD version of this release also includes Tatum's independent second release Live at the Orchestra Hall & Paradise Theater. Another breathtaking long-form vocal jazz composition, Tatum intended Live ... to take the listener on a trip through the deep history of African-American music, expressing the spirit and sound of the past through the medium of jazz music and song.- All tracks fully licensed and digitally restored- Another super rare gem that's part of our esteemed HOLY GRAIL series- Only 1000 vinyl LPs available, all numbered!- Comprehensive and detailed liner notes with pictures and information taken from our interviews with Mr James Tatum himself- CD set with 8 page colour booklet- Only on Jazzman- all because WE DIG DEEPER!

DJ Cam returned with his one-man quartet and presents the album The Soulshine Session.After the worldwide success of Rebirth of Cool (2008), Stay (2009) and Diggin (2009), DJ Cam is also back with his Quartet for the fourth time, presenting the unreleased instrumental versions of his classic album Soulshine (2001) for the first time.The Soulshine Session consists of 8 songs which are full of groovy, jazzy and funky vibe. Where the previous releases were closer to hip-hop, this new project is all about live instruments and jazz sounds.Exclusive and very limited!!

Kev Beadle is back on BBE with his new compilation Best Of Inner City Records.Created by industry legend, MMO Music Group founder and true godfather of karaoke (but that’s another story) Irv Kratka alongside producer Eric Kriss, Inner City Records was formed in 1976. During its decade or so in existence, the label put together a formidable catalogue of jazz music and was voted Record Label Of The Year in 1979 by the International Jazz Critics Poll. As well as ‘classic jazz’, the label also gave a platform to more avant-garde material and dabbled in the emerging ‘jazz fusion’ sounds of the day. Fondly remembered by jazz lovers everywhere, the label boasts a particularly fervent fan-base in London, where many of its releases found favour in the underground dance clubs of Soho and Convent Garden. Fittingly enough, London DJ and tastemaker Kev Beadle is the man chosen to put together this very special compilation of Inner City’s finest moments. Having previously curated projects for labels such as Blue Note and Cadet, Kev has dug deep in the crates to emerge with this gem of an album. From the soaring vocals of the jazz-fusion classic ‘The Other World’ by Judy Roberts to the irrepressible dance-floor fire of Eddie Jefferson’s ‘Jeannine’, ‘The Best Of Inner City Records’ serves as a wonderful and eclectic introduction to a label which is rightly remembered with a level of affection which borders on reverence.KEY SELLING POINTS• limited edition double 180g vinyl and premium quality gatefold packaging• First ever retrospective of the label with full support from the founder Irv Kratka• Coverage assured on relevant websites & magazines, with full press & radio campaign in key territories

Ron English’s full-length Strata debut, Fish Feet, was recorded, promoted, and even mocked up with an album cover. Unfortunately, the Strata machine ran out of financial steam before the LP could see release.John Sinclair, in his original liner notes to the Lyman Woodard Organization’s Saturday Night Special LP, mentions Fish Feet, hinting at a track listing and even assigning it a catalog number (Strata SRI-108-75). Recorded in the same spirit, same space, and with essentially the same line-up as Saturday Night Special, Fish Feet could have achieved the same renown as Woodard’s cult classic.The enduring momento of this never-released LP comes courtesy of its album artwork. Funk aficionados will recognize the work of Overton Loyd, best known as an artist in George Clinton’s P-Funk camp. (Loyd created the delightfully demented cover illustration for Parliament’s 1978 classic Motor Booty Affair).“The concept was entirely Overton’s,” says Ron English. “I just told him what the music was we would be doing—[Lyman Woodard’s arrangement of Thom Bell’s] ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’ and some of my originals. And going from that, and what he knew of me, and my way of life in those days, and the scene in general, he said, ‘Fish Feet? All right, here it is: A mermaid tending bar, basically, and the floor of the bar drops away and it’s a night sky and all the regulars are lined up and down the bar.”

10" label that delves deep into the jazz vaults and this series opens up with a cracking double header from Willis Jackson. An essential purchase for anyone who does not own these masterpieces currently, do not miss the chance to do so now. Limited pressing, so don't snooze...