Roy Ayers is a musical genius, he’s a band leader, plays the vibraphone virtuoso, and is the second most poplar man sampled in hip-hop. Through the worlds of jazz, funk, soul and hip-hop, Ayers glides his way in and out of these genres, only receiving positive feedback from the lovers of quality records world-wide. His most famous single is a song called ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’ released in 1976, along with his popular albums ‘Stoned Soul Picnic’ in 1968, ‘Mystic Voyage’ in 1975. He is an musical innovator, and has played with some of the most loved artists of this century including Ron Carter, Erykah Badu, Herbie Hancock, Fela Kuti, the Roots, Guru and Mary J Blige. This album was released in 2003, on Rapster/BBE Records, and is a compilation of his unreleased recordings. It’s the 2nd in the lost and found series, including ‘What’s the T’, ‘I Really Love You’, ‘Oh What A Lonely Feeling’, ‘Mystery Of Love’, ‘Green and Gold’ and more incredible tracks. Energetic, classy, and raw, are just a few words to describe Roy’s hidden masterpieces, that you will hear on this album. Carla Vaughn and Merry Clayton; are the impressive vocalists that teamed up with him in the studio, to record some of the best of Roy Ayers. With many iconic albums already under his belt, ‘Unreleased recordings 1976 – 1981’, is another one to add to his extensive catalogue.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Tasha’s 2nd album “World Domination” is due for release in early March 2006. Signed to The Klinik Music Productions, the album was delayed due to the demand for her live shows, after a two and a half year world tour. “World Domination” is the follow album up to her hugely successful first album, self entitled “Tasha’s World” which was voted as ‘one of the best albums of 2002’ by one of the leading music magazines. Tasha’s music, born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is pushing the right buttons for me. I think her voice has imperfections, unstructured at times, but could this be deliberate? As it pulls together well and when sung live, I’m sure would make for a very organic performance. The good melodies and music lure you into Tasha’s lyrics. Tasha writes most of her lyrics, but is not afraid to involve other writers who feel at one with her music. The album starts well with “Past Lives” a funky first tune, nicely persuading you to want to look further into the album. “Glowing (Growing)” is an up-tempo tune which will get your feet tapping, a track which is musically very impressive with a Telecaster sounding guitar helping it along nicely. “Home Alone” is a lovely track, which many people will relate to with the lyrics “tired of crying myself to sleep at night” and “tired of praying for a brighter day” along with “I practice safe sex ‘cos I’m always on my own”. This track has the feeling, which comes from somebody’s troubles, both past & present. “Corny Love Song” once again, is musically very good and has a warm feel to it, Tasha’s voice much softer, this being one of my particular favourite tracks from the album – a real nighttime listening tune. Reminding me of those classic Bee Gees tracks, with the distinctive Bee Gees backing vocal sound, it leads you into a cosy, relaxed mood and a distinct feeling of forgetting your other plans and settling down to listen to the rest of the CD. “Brown Eyes Blue” is sung with attitude and powerful lyrics, this lady meaning business! “Move ya hips” does just that; makes you want to move those hips, but late at night with your partner, with those hypnotic rhythms. “Always Change” features TY, former MC and London Hip Hop artist. An interesting song, has the feel of several artists of Soul, but is difficult to concentrate on due to the prominent drumbeat, which I feel is a little distracting to the song. Billy Holliday’s “Don’t Explain” is nicely sung, Tasha is at ease with the Jazz/Blues, even Rock feel, with that underlining Soul sound which the Soul Diva Irma Thomas said is a feeling, not a category, which particularly makes this song very interesting and enjoyable to listen to. The final track “What Must I Be” is a lovely track to finish the album with. Wouldn’t sound out of place as a title track to a movie…

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Herbie Hancock has ten Grammy Awards, an Academy Award and countless other accolades, due to his incredible musicianship. He’s back to bless the world with an impressive jazz album ‘Possibilities’. It features John Mayer, Santana, Angelique Kidjo, Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan, Sting, Joss Stone, Annie Lennox, Christina Aguilera and Trey Anastasio. Producers include Herbie Hancock, Alan Mintz, Ken Levitan and Jack Rovner, and they create an interesting yet commercial sound. Herbie has selected some of the finest musicians and vocalists to collaborate with, and they are different to what you’d usually find from this African-American rooted artist. This record is almost like a musical exploration, released on Hancock Music as well as another label called Hear Music; you’ll hear polished and professional production. The collaborations with white rooted vocalists are strange for someone who has never attempted to work with these type of singers before. Another smooth and silky song is ‘Sister Moon’ featuring Sting, again another iconic artist in the new millennium. Herbie manages to play the piano with passion and this has ended him up with two Grammy nominations. Personally, I don't understand why Herbie has chosen vocalists such as Christina Aguilera, or Damien Rice, because they do not fit his style. The only artists who I think fit his style is Joss Stone and Raul Midon. Over all this is a highly recommended release from the highly respected creative spirit.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

I discovered Matthew Chicoine, the man behind Recloose on the Miguel Migs album ‘Get Salted’. It hosted a selection of underground house acts, including: singers and producers. Recloose was signed to Planet E record label, where Recloose would release their EP entitled ‘Dust’. There style of production is electronic, dance, jazz, break beat, abstract, trip hop, pretty much anything in-between. Appearances are from Justin Chapman, Genevieve Marentette, Hollie Smith, Lisa Tomlins and Joe Dukie. All talent that is not on the spot light, you’ll find on this debut. Recloose brings their voices through the form of song, with his quality production skills. ‘Hiatus on the Horizon’, is a new form of Funk music from Detroit, its soulful music with a twist. It can be quite odd sounding at times because the genre is some what experimental, tracks like ‘Time Is on Your Mind’ is a quirky but interesting featuring Joe Dukie. My favourite track being ‘Still beyond me’ featuring Hollie Smith, who has impressive female vocals. This album reminds me a lot of the North London’s label Chilli Funk records. ‘Dust’ being on the previous first EP that Matthew recorded, is an impressive number, with fusions of Funk and Dance, but also smooth vocals. ‘Mana’s Bounce’ is an uplifting, reggae influenced song, and it gets you in the summer mood. Lisa Tomlins offers sweet sultry vocals on the cool track ‘Spinnin Out’. Other out standing tracks is ‘Makutu Man’, ‘Turkish Delight’, ‘Landed’, and ‘Why I Otta’. I think that Recloose are a really talented outfit from the Detroit music scene. It’s experimental, passionate, and uplifting, it’s something different from the usual soul music that we always get our ears and minds wrapped up in!

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

The new album ‘Sweet Classic Soul’ is what the title says, sweet soul music, were she covers classic soul songs. The live band is an impressive and mature soulful sound, with fusions of jazz. Her voice has a certain pureness to it that I have never heard in any other female voice. Imagine vocal mixtures of Anita Baker, Angela Bofill, Cassandra Wilson and Lalah Hathaway, if that isn’t silky soul I don’t know what is. However, there are some off songs like ‘All I Do’ and ‘Any Love’, which have a very old fashioned dance feel to it, to me it doesn’t compliment the beautiful covers she does on the other songs, but they do include bits of Funk music. There is a very talented saxophonist on this album and the song that this musician stands out on is track five ‘Love Won’t Let Me Wait’, which is already a favorite of mine by Major Harris. ‘Come go with me’ is a very good cover from the original recording by legendary Teddy Pendergrass. The last track from ‘Sweet Classic Soul’ is a beautiful cover of Roberta Flacks ‘First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’, with professional piano and amazing vocals from Maysa. This artist has obviously spent a lifetime soaking in all the good old soul records, and now she thought it was about time to give back the romance to soul music and cover them. She has done them with justice, as her vocals will provide soul churning songs. I’m sure that this will go down well with all the soul music- lovers, and any one who is generally into professional/polished records. There is a lush trumpet section on ‘Playing Your Gone, Baby’. ‘Betcha by Golly Wow’ is a smooth song, offering a solitude mood and peaceful background vocals.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]