Written and produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint, this is a hidden New Orleans soul gem with a storming vocal from Betty Harris and some heavy ‘down south’ drums from James Black.
Amsterdam based trio with a heavy Earth, Wind & Fire inspired slice of broken beat. Superb.
Florida born rapper Denzel Curry delivers one of the best jazz-tinged hip hop tracks of the year. Dreamlike and soulful. Taken from his fifth studio album, ‘Melt My Eyez See Your Future’. Enjoy.
Once in a while a track feels transcendent and just gets everything right. Brazilian jazz musician Marcos Valle and British broken beat producer Kaidi Tatham combine here for my favourite dance track of the year. Groove, harmony, soul, fusion…….heavy.
Raised in the church and the first signing to Missy Elliott’s own label, this track shows the power of ‘less is more’ and absolutely captures the sound of classic American R’n’B/Soul.
The Seattle based trio deliver an old school R’n’B/Jazz sound that packs a real punch. From the album ‘I Told You So.’ Go call your mom…….
From Rap Album 2 produced by Dibia$e, this is hip hop / jazz that would work in any era…..a tidal wave of poetry with off centre production that hits the spot.
The four piece band from Melbourne, Australia deliver a brilliant new slice of contemporary soul / jazz with a great ‘sci-fi’ video. So good.
Taken from the album Adam’s Apple, this is one of my favourite Blue Note releases. Only the best make it swing and feel this relaxed as they exchange solos and step in and out of key. I’ll stay with tradition and name check the band for this one.
Wayne Shorter – Tenor Sax
Herbie Hancock – Piano
Reginald Workman – Bass
Joe Chambers – Drums
From her early work in the 90s as one half of Sheffield-based electronic music duo Moloko, Róisín Murphy has always set the bar high. This track produced by Richard Baratt is yet another outstanding dance track. Luxurious, like a bath of hypnotic soul.
theintegrativelife 