orgyinrhythmredux

One of my first jazz lps,one of my first jazz concerts,an artist who saw me through from fusion to hard bop to the new thing and back again. Totally gutted to see he died today-he will be sadly missed.Freddie has been a big part of my record collection for over 30 years.I shall be spinning "Blue Spirits","High Energy"and "The Love Connection" tonight. What a bummer.

Cicci Santucci and Enzo Scoppa Group for Dire Italy from 1971. Recorded and Produced in Rome June 1971 by Piero Umiliani. Cicci Santucci(tp,arr); Enzo Scoppa(ts,comp); Joel Vandrokenbrak(org); Franco D'Andrea(p,el-p); Bruno Tommaso(b); Roberto Podio, Gegé Munari, Bruno Biriaco(perc). Moving to Italy and Rome 1971 for this fabulous P.Umiliani production of the Santucci Scoppa Group who are on fire for this set of ten originals which fair crackle off the wax with sheer energy and intensity. Every cut's a winner but just check out the super tough dancers "Camel Walk" and "Tip Cat" ,El Gato influenced "Tagana",the 6/8 Sardininan sounds of "Barbagia" and the dark modality of "Generational Gap". Umiliani comments on the rear sleeve "I asked them[Santucci/Scoppa]for incisive and strong themes,but not artificially obscure just to be modern ,rhythms rich and contemporary,a whole array of different atmospheres,and most of all,brief s...

Barcenlona Traction for Oliba Spain from 1975. Lucky Guri-Piano,Fender Rhodes,Mini Moog/Francis Rabassa-Drums,Percussion/Jordi Clua-Bass/Pedrito Diaz-Percussion/Manuel Joseph-Percussion Moving down to Spain for another European obscurity this is a rare Spanish only tough jazz/latin funk album stuffed with bombs from the stop 'n' go "Sudamerica" to the ever buliding intensity of "Estudi En Afro". It's been on heavy rotation on my turntable since purchasing and certainly one of my top buys this year.It just grows and grows on you with every cut a winner.Not a cheap one to pick up but worth ever penny-All Killer No Filler! Highly Recommended.

Montevideo for SweDisc Japan from 1978. Hans Olsson - Keyboards/Salomon Helperin-Horns/Ulf Wakenius-Guitar/Jan Forslund-Saxes/Mikael Anderson-Drums,Percussion/Thomas Fantokurtos-Bass. A real obscurity and a first in the blogosphere.Keeing with the Swedish theme a nice bit of Scandinavian fusion with a latin twist via Japan. Try googling this and see what you get-nada! The bass player's been listening to Pastorius big time while the rest of the band seem to be in Weather Report territory with a helping of Spanish guitar plus some candomble/latin elements. Check out the massive bass driven percussion and chants of "El Travajo" and the samba sounds of "Light Hour". If anyone can shed any more light on this session drop a comment in the box.

Hot Salsa for Amigo from 1984. MATS HERMANSSON, Trombone/ERIK HENRIKSEN, Bongos/TORBJONRN LANGBORN, Piano, Bata JAN LEVANDER, Tenor/FREDRICK NOREN, Trumpet/HUMBERTO ROSALES, Congas, Bata, vocals/RAFAEL SIDA, Timbales/WILFREDO STEPHENSON, Bass,Percussion,Vocal Keeping it Swedish and keeping it latin here's a jazz meets salsa bomb from Wilfredo Stephenson and friends. Peruvian-born Wilfredo Stephenson moved to Sweden in 1968 and after a short lived career as an economist, he decided to pack it all up to play Latin music.He studied and played with Sabu Martinez and was inspired to record this album by the Monday night Salsa meets Jazz sessions at the Village Gate in New York. Composer, singer, songwriter, bassist, percussionist and arranger, Mr. Stephenson leads a talented group of mostly Swedish musicians called Hot Salsa. Oozing in creative energy, this highly original group serves up a musical treat that doesn't forget the dancer. Check out the barnstorming versions of Night In...

Holy shit....Christmas has arrived 3 weeks early !!! Not one but two sets of previously unreleased sessions from the mighty Sabu Martinez! I ordered both today and for obvious reasons will not be posting them so I strongly recommend you put your money where your ears are and pick 'em up pronto. Sounds of the Universe in London have audio samples from the Burnt Sugar Session and both the cd/lp in stock. Honest Jons have both the Burnt Sugar and The Wind and Skins(featuring Sahib Shihab)sets in stock -I've ordered both from them.Be warned there are bonus tracks on the Burnt Sugar cd which means if you are a sad bastard like me and another member of the blogging fraternity(hello katonah!!!) you'll be coughing up for both vinyl and cd! Now check out Mellotronen who discovered and issued the sessions for more info on Winds and Skins & Burnt Sugar . That's my Christmas sorted - bollocks to everything else!!!