‘Now’ (Expanded Edition), Patrice Rushen
In keep with Strut’s Patrice Rushen original album reissue series, they bring us the definitive edition of her classic album ‘Now’ from 1984. Marking a shift in Rushen’s sonic palette, ‘Now’ saw stripped back arrangements combined with top level musicianship and the evolving studio technology of the mid-‘80s. “By this time, I had built a little home studio,” explains Patrice, “and the new synthesisers and drum machines opened a lot of possibilities.” However, Rushen never fails to bring the boogie, with ’Now’ being no exception.
Amplitude – The Hidden Sounds of French Library (1978-1984), Various Artists
Farfalla Records presents its new compilation “Amplitude – The Hidden Sounds of French Library”. 12 tracks exclusively recorded for professional use between 1978 and 1984 in France. Dive into the universe of the early 1980s with colourful sounds and catchy rhythms from talented musicians from the French scene, composing and arranging both for library music and variety, and accompanying big names in French music.
Romare announces his new album Fantasy to be released in November on his newly minted label, You See. Fantasy takes a more abstract approach to sampling than his previous work, bringing his own instrumentation and vocals to the fore, while folding elements from fantasy cinema into his distinctive strain of rhythmic, off-centre electronica and kinetic club music.
Ten City – Be Free, Dimitri From Paris
Chicago’s Ten City have long been one of the most respected and successful vocal house groups to emanate from the city since the late 80s. The groups original and unique style fused elements of gospel and soul with acoustic, orchestral arrangements, underpinned by the throb of Chicago’s house sound. ‘Be Free’ is the first new release from the group since 1994, heard here with Dimitri’s magic touch and released on his Le-Edits Records sub label DFP Vaults. As with most of his work, Dimitri used all of the original production, respectively and intuitively adding a few extra touches for maximum dance-floor potential.
John Sinclair Presents Detroit Artists Workshop, Various Artists
This complication is the culmination of a 7-year research project delving into the archives of the Detroit Artists Workshop, an artist collective founded and led by author, DJ and activist John Sinclair and trumpeter Charles Moore. Strut and Art Yard bring us the first ever retrospective of the Workshop concert recordings during the years 1965 to 1978, which saw Detroit residents like Moore’s Contemporary 5, Ron English and Lyman Woodard play alongside other jazz legends including Donald Byrd, Sun Ra Arkestra and Herbie Hancock. The result is a revelatory series of previously unreleased recordings by these US jazz luminaries, all of which have been remastered from the original tapes.
Song of Island, Yasuhiro Kohno Trio + One
A private press rarity, ‘Song of Island’ was the third album from pianist Yasuhiro Kohno’s trio, recorded live at the jazz club and live house ‘Again’ in August 1985. Pressed up in small numbers, ‘Song for Island’ was issued on the private ASCAP Records, set up by pianist and band leader Yasuhiro Kohno. This is a very special album that captures a special time in Japanese jazz, when exemplary acoustic jazz was still being performed and recorded by dedicated and talented artists at the height of mid-80s synth pop. Reissued on BBE by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden as part of the J Jazz Masterclass Series, ‘Song of Island’ features four original compositions by Yasuhiro Kohno plus a distinctive take on a jazz standard.
