Released in 2009 on Strut Format: LPx2
Tag: Groovy
Soft Machine – Third
Pulling away from the jazzy psych-pop of their first two albums, Soft Machine gears towards sprawling sidelong compositions of spacey prog infused with thematic jazz fusion improvisations, compositional edits, and heavy doses of experimental post-production (for the more psychedelically inclined). Motivic electric-bass grooves, multi-tracked saxophones, loose swinging drums and fuzzy organs reign supreme. The whimsical and diverse musical nature of founding member/drummer Robert Wyatt was relegated to the eclectic C-side, “Moon in June”, which was his last composition for the band due to the other members not being a fan of his vocals and preferring the seriousness of jazz fusion to Wyatt’s child-like playfulness and spontaneity.
James Blood Ulmer – Free Lancing
Stevie Wonder – Innervisions
Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society – Simultonality
Over the past decade, Josh Abrams has been using his guimbri to create music inspired by the ceremonial music of the Gnawa in North Africa, infusing it with a wide variety of influences from kosmische to minimalism to the avant-garde jazz of his local scene in Chicago. On this album, the focus is on “pure motion” driven by double drummers hypnotically interlocking with guimbri, guitar, keys and harmonium. Each individual plays unique rhythmic figures that push and pull against each other like polyrhythmic tectonic plates, creating constantly changing, yet circular grooves.
Parliament – Funkadelic
Idris Ackamoor & the Pyramids – An Angel Fell
An Angel Fell is a call to action for protecting and healing our planet, using folklore, group vocals, uplifting themes, deep grooves, and expressive improvisations to deliver the message. While not as wild and loose as the dense free jazz the Pyramids made back in the 70s, this record is an organic and vibrant fusion of spiritual jazz, dub, and Afrobeat that will give fans of musical geniuses such as Sun Ra, King Tubby, Fela Kuti, and Pharoah Sanders plenty to vibe to.
Dawn of MIDI – Dysnomia
An acoustic trio of piano, upright bass, and drums utilize creative extended techniques to play evolving minimalist compositions of mutating grooves, polyrhythms, and textures.
D’Angelo & the Vanguard – Black Messiah
Released in 2014 on RCA Records Format: LPx2 Includes 12″x12″ lyric booklet
Miles Davis – Bitches Brew
Recorded August 19-21, 1969 Originally released in 1970 on Columbia Records 2008 Legacy Pressing Format: LPx2
David Axelrod – Songs of Innocence
Groovy soul instrumentals decorated with sweeping orchestral arrangements, jazz soloing, and psychedelic guitars, all inspired by William Blake’s writings.
Alfonso Lovo – La Gigantona
Review: Originally recorded in 1976, this psychedelic latin-jazz masterpiece never got a proper release due to both a lack of … More
Weather Report – Black Market
Soft Machine – Fourth
Released in 1971 on Columbia Records Format: LP
The Meters – Look-Ka Py Py
Miles Davis – Get Up With It
This fantastic compilation album consists of 2 hours of unreleased recording sessions ranging from 1970 to 1974. Despite some incohesiveness, this release contains some of the most exciting, creative and uncategorizable music of Miles’ career.
Frank Zappa – Hot Rats
Information: This album was released in 1969 on Bizzarre Records
Julian Priester Pepo Mtoto – Love, Love
I highly recommend this album to fans of the innovative and exploratory period of jazz fusion of the early 70’s, where electric instrumentation, funk rhythms, experimental production techniques, and spacey synthesizers met the improvisation, freedom, and uplifting soul of the spiritual jazz of the 60’s. Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi trilogy, Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew, Weather Report’s first LP are good touchstones, but this album truly offers something unique.
Caravan – In the Land of Grey and Pink
Information: Originally released in 1971 This deluxe pressing was released in 2013 on Klimt Records Format: LPx2 (second LP contains … More
Stereolab – Dots & Loops
Space Age Pop
Poliça – United Crushers
Poliça’s brooding, atmospheric trip-hop/synth pop consists of the passionately dynamic vocals (from co-leader/lyricist Channy Leaneagh), prominent, groovy basslines, driving double drums, and occasional string and horn arrangements all run through effects and mapped into intricate, quantized webs of programmed beats and synthesizers by co-leader/producer Ryan Olsen. Lyrically, the album centers around themes of isolation, fading love, and even addressing on police violence on “Wedding”.
For fans of Portishead, The Knife
Holger Czukay – On the Way to the Peak of Normal
Album Information Originally released in 1981 This pressing was released in 2013 on Grönland Records Format: LP Features parallel groove … More
Donald Byrd Band & Voices – A New Perspective
Album Information: Originally released in 1964 on Blue Note Records 1975 United Artists Pressing
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin III
Album Information: Originally released in 1970 on Atlantic Records 1974 Repress
Can – Future Days
Album Information: Originally released in 1973 on United Artist Recordings This pressing was released in 2014 on Mute Records
Erykah Badu – Mama’s Gun
Album Information: Released in 2000 on Motown Records 2016 pressing on Motown Format: LPx2
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez – Solar Gambling
Album Information: Released in 2009 on Rodriguez Lopez Productions Artwork by Sonny Kay Recorded on the E-Clat Morgue Portable Disaster … More
Herbie Hancock – Sextant
Album Information: Released in 1973 on CBS/Columbia
Joe Henderson – Black is the Color
Abstract fusion grooves, driving hard bop, and spacious modal jazz with horn overdubs and spacey synthesizers.
Lilacs & Champagne – Danish & Blue
Album Information: Released in 2013 on Mexican Summer Hand numbered: 777/1000 Format: LP
Lilacs & Champagne – Midnight Features Vol. 1: Shower Scene
Album Information: Released in 2014 on Mexican Summer Hand numbered: 139/1000 Format: 12″ EP
SZA – Ctrl
Album Information: Released in 2017 on RCA Records
Miroslav Vitous – Magical Shepherd
Description: Czech bassist Miroslav crafts some flashy jazz funk with Herbie Hancock, percussionist Airto Moreira, vocalists Cheryl Grainger & Onike, … More
A Tribe Called Quest – “We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service”
18 years after their last album, golden-era hip-hop legends A Tribe Called Quest return with a fresh, progressive take on their signature sound. Featuring André 3000, Talib Kweli, Anderson Paak, Kendrick Lamar, and Busta Rhymes
Jeff Parker – The New Breed
“Classic creative bop melodies and golden era beat memories woven into a vibrant new thread of psychedelic soul jazz”
Vinyl Williams – Into
Kaleidoscopic pop driven by round, groovy bass locked in with funky, motorik drumming, all floating through layers of swirling, delayed guitars, shimmering synths, and dreamy vocals. Recommended to anyone looking for a smooth, sugary middle ground between Stereolab, Toro y Moi, and Neu!
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
Album Information: Released in 1971 by Tamla/Motown