Nostalgia 77 - A Journey Too Far (2014)

‘A Journey Too Far’ is out on 10^th February 2014. The fifth studio LP from Benedic Lamdin under his main Nostalgia 77 moniker, this album finds the respected producer, composer, songwriter and guitarist further developing his creative partnership with rising German singer Josa Peit, whose rich, quirky lead vocals grace nine of the 11 tracks; with country-soul supremo Jeb Loy Nichols (Island) singing the remaining two in his loose and charismatic style.

Lack of Afro - Music for Adverts (2014)

A Wide ranging, eclectic and progressive musical outlook has always been the Lack of Afro approach. His latest material follows suit as he harnesses disparate musical styles ranging from funk, soul and hip-hop to create a contemporary yet vintage musical escapade of superb songs.

On his 4th studio album for Freestyle Records, the influences, sounds and musical textures are more eclectic than ever. Below, Adam talks us through some of the his favourite moments on 'Music For Adverts'.

First out of the box is the steaming funk killer Freedom: This time around I knew I didn't want an intro or a skit to start the album - I needed a strong, heavy opener - I had the melody for the chorus floating around in my head. It was then just a case of working with Jack Tyson - Charles on the rest of it and getting the vibe that the song required.

VA - Let's Boogaloo vol. 6 (2014

After 4 years in the making finally a new chapter of RK's premier collection Let's BOOGALOO sees the light. This time legendary compiler Dean Rudland, who is responsible of dozens of wicked compilations on BGP, Kent and Blue Note, digs deep into - mythical NYC latin boogaloo producer - Bobby Marin's catalogue to bring you an explosive collection of (northern) soul, deep funk and latin jazz tunes from Spanish Harlem aka El Barrio. Most of the tracks that are featured in this new volume arrive straight from Bobby Marin, Bobby has been one of the main contributors and a leading figure behind the latin Boogaloo movement in the mid 60s in New York producing and working close together with stars such us Joe Cuba, Eddie Palmieri, Machito, Riccardo Marrero, not to mention his own combo the legendary Latin Blues Band, recently sampled by DJ Premier as the hook to Christina Aguilera's 'Ain't No Other Man'. 

Takuya Kuroda - Rising Son (2014)

Ascendant trumpeter & composer Takuya Kuroda makes his Blue Note debut with the February 18 release of Rising Son, produced by José James. The album finds Kuroda stepping forth to helm James’ remarkable band (keyboardist Kris Bowers, bassist Solomon Dorsey, drummer Nate Smith, trombonist Corey King) plus vocal contributions from James (“Everybody Loves The Sunshine”) & a guest appearance from imaginative guitarist Lionel Loueke (“Afro Blues”). Listen to the track premiere of "Afro Blues" on The Revivalist!

Jef Gilson - Chanson De Jazz (2013)

The French chanson is a song that’s as inextricably linked to French culture as crêpes, croissants and cognac. Their poetic, romantic lyrics are set to music that’s characterised by following the rhythms of the French language rather than those of English, and have been used as serenades since time immemorial. Even in recent years many French artists, from Édith Piaf to Serge Gainsbourg, have added their own particular gems to the roster. Here is a small yet perfectly formed collection of some little known chansons - with a twist of jazz – produced by French jazzman extraordinaire, Jef Gilson.

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Give the People What They Want (2014)

For over a decade, the band has traveled the world, blowing minds with their explosive live performances and their raw, hand-crafted studio recordings.  While other artists have ridden the crests and troughs of passing fads, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings have bypassed the hype-and-hit superhighway and taken a detour straight to the hearts and bodies of their listeners, transcending fleeting trends and demographics and delivering a visceral rhythm and soul sound to an ever-expanding base of deeply loyal fans.  Give the People What They Want is poised to become not only an iconic album from a prolific band, but a fixture in the canon of Soul Music.

Zara McFarlane - If You Knew Her (2014)

Listening to Zara McFarlane's new album you can't help but thinking that she is 21st century Alice Coltrane or Nina Simone soaked up in London drizzle and with a warmth in her soul that these fine ladies somehow lacked. In her follow up to that absolutely marvelous ep from 2010 (on heavy rotation in the TJ headquarters ever since) Until Tomorrow, and she's already broken away from any comparison to any other artist whatsoever. See for example how she appropriates Junior Murvin's Police and Thieves moving it into the new millenium and giving it more space to breathe and a whole new context (I'm thinking about the London riots here but it just might be me) to be associated with.

There are tracks in this record destined to become modern classics. Angie La La featuring Leron Thomas on vocals trumpet is one of them, a jazz zen love song equal to the best work of say an Abbey Lincoln god rest her soul.