Anthony Ferrara’s fourth SteepleChase release, Straight Into The Sun Vision, marks a striking new chapter for the rising tenor saxophonist. After three acclaimed albums: SCCD 31920 Early Spring, SCCD 31932 Cold Faded and SCCD 31975 Factory Fresh with his “dream team” veteran rhythm section, Ferrara now leads a working quartet of peers whose shared history brings a fresh cohesion to his music. In a familiar group of contemporaries the performances took to a newly open personal level of expression. Ferrara’s original compositions range from high velocity, odd meter burners to lyrical, atmospheric pieces, all unified by his distinctive voice and narrative improvising. Two vocal features reveal yet another facet of his artistry, including the reflective title track penned by Ferrara. Straight Into The Sun Vision captures a rapidly maturing artist stepping fully into his sound—bold, inventive, and unmistakably his own. “What is particularly impressive about Ferrara is that he not only has a mature, confident and appealing sound, but also is finding his own voice. Ferrara is also a capable composer, penning a diverse set of songs that invite repeated hearings, a huge challenge for any musician at the beginning of their career.” (Ken Dryden – NYCJR on SCCD 31938 Cold Faded)

Captured live at Ann Arbor, Michigan’s renowned jazz club Blue Llama in June 2024, David Janeway presents himself at the height of his powers, joined by the world class rhythm team of Robert Hurst III and Billy Hart. A Detroit bred musician with a deep lineage in that city’s storied jazz tradition, Janeway channels decades of mentorship, swing, and blues rooted expression into a set that is both powerfully modern and historically grounded. The trio’s telepathic interplay fuels inventive takes on standards, luminous ballads, and Janeway’s distinctive originals, all delivered with the group’s tightly converging sound and emotional depth that define his artistry. Following acclaimed SteepleChase releases with Hart and Cameron Brown, this live recording stands as Janeway’s most vibrant statement yet—an inspired document of three master musicians creating in the moment. “It is no small feat to say that not only is Janeway’s playing sparkling but so is his ability to write tuneful compositions.” Michael P. Gladstone, All About Jazz Review

During the darkest of the lockdowns, I took my daughter to an open field near our home. In a time when the world felt shuttered and small, walking was our only escape from the suffocating stillness. As we reached the field, a sudden sensation washed over me-a quiet awakening. It wasn't just the spring breeze or the scent of the grass; it was a sudden reminder of what being alive meant. I felt I had been touched by Zephyr, the Greek god of the west wind, sparking a renewed wish to create and perform for the world once more. Liberte�: A piece exploring and searching for emotional freedom. Zephyr: Named after the gentle west wind, this track served as the primary source of inspiration for the entire album. Fushigi no Kuni: Translating to "Wonderland" in Japanese, this piece was inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland written by Lewis Carroll. A Troubadour in the Moonlight: A composition and improvisation depicting a minstrel serenading a loved one beneath the moon. For Misato: A heartfelt dedication to Misato-san, my dear friend who departed too young. The five songs above are composed by Yukari. Eurus, Suibokuga, Pandora's Box, Don't Follow the Piper, and Au cr�puscule are collective improvisations.

Eternal Child, Avishai Cohen's new album, will be released in May and showcases the full depth of his artistry as a bassist and composer. Years later, he reunites with drummer Jeff Ballard on selected tracks, recalling their strong musical connection forged alongside Chick Corea. Recorded at the renowned Studio de Meudon in Paris, Eternal Child stands as a major new chapter in Cohen's work.

Eternal Child, Avishai Cohen's new album, will be released in May and showcases the full depth of his artistry as a bassist and composer. Years later, he reunites with drummer Jeff Ballard on selected tracks, recalling their strong musical connection forged alongside Chick Corea. Recorded at the renowned Studio de Meudon in Paris, Eternal Child stands as a major new chapter in Cohen's work.

Lovisa Jennervall - vocals Manne Skafvenstedt - piano, synthesizers August Eriksson - double bass, electric bass Edvin Glante - drums, percussion

Lovisa Jennervall - vocals Manne Skafvenstedt - piano, synthesizers August Eriksson - double bass, electric bass Edvin Glante - drums, percussion

Dodie - "Not For Lack Of Trying". Not For Lack Of Trying explores Dodie's journey with mental health over the last decade. "I have only been able to deal with parts of life in bite-size pieces. These songs are packaged reflections of those pieces - exploring heartbreak, yearning for meaning, and joy amidst depression."

Gregory Hutchinson's "Kind of Now - The Pulse of Miles Davis" is a fascinating and highly rewarding album that breathes new life into some of the immortal classics from Miles Davis' repertoire, such as Charlie Parker's "Ah-Leu-Cha" or Miles' own "Seven Steps to Heaven", discounting the obvious while closing in on the deep cuts. The leader's excellent drum interludes tie this hour-long program tightly together, adding a futuristic newness that's all in Hutch's time. The overall quality and density of "Kind of Now" has everything to do with the musicians involved, a great group of young legends and lions carefully selected by the leader, just the way Miles used to do: Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Ron Blake (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet), Jakob Bro (guitar), Emmanuel Michael (guitar), Gerald Clayton (piano) Joe Sanders (double bass).

Little Girl Blue, released in 1957, was Nina Simone's first studio recording ever. Many of the tracks from this LP would become true classics, among them her perennial versions of "I Loves You Porgy" and "My Baby Just Cares For Me". THE COMPLETE LP 180-GRAM BLUE COLORED VINYL INCLUDES PHOTOS BY RENOWNED FRENCH JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHER JEAN-PIERRE LELOIR LIMITED EDITION

At the Village Gate followed the enormous success of Nina Simone's first "live" LP, which she had recorded at Town Hall, in New York, on September 12, 1959. That same year, she had signed a contract with the New York-based label Colpix Records. She recorded her second album for them, The Amazing Nina Simone, which contained the original studio version of "Children Go Where I Send You, " also performed at the Village Gate. The two bonus performances that follow the eight on the original album are thought to be from the same Village Gate gig. They consist of the Israeli song "Vaynikehu" and "Sinnerman." She would record the latter again for the Philips label in 1964. THE COMPLETE ALBUM + 2 BONUS TRACKS- 180-GRAM CRYSTAL CLEAR VINYL - LIMITED EDITION

The "[Everything Jazz - Vol.5 ECM Edition]" collection stands as an essential, high-fidelity offering for any serious jazz enthusiast, compiling fifty carefully curated, generation-spanning masterpieces from the renowned ECM label that have earned acclaim both internationally and in Japan. What truly elevates this set is the commitment to superb technical brilliance; presented on the Ultimate High Quality CD (UHQCD) format-often for the first time-and enhanced with the Green Color Label Coat specification, these reissues promise pristine audio fidelity, faithfully reproducing the original master recordings with astonishing clarity. Beyond the cutting-edge sound, the collection adds substantial value with detailed booklets featuring brand-new liner notes and artist comments for each work, making this an indispensable, comprehensive package that blends timeless classics with definitive sound quality, ready for you to discover your next destined masterpiece.

The "[Everything Jazz - Vol.5 ECM Edition]" collection stands as an essential, high-fidelity offering for any serious jazz enthusiast, compiling fifty carefully curated, generation-spanning masterpieces from the renowned ECM label that have earned acclaim both internationally and in Japan. What truly elevates this set is the commitment to superb technical brilliance; presented on the Ultimate High Quality CD (UHQCD) format-often for the first time-and enhanced with the Green Color Label Coat specification, these reissues promise pristine audio fidelity, faithfully reproducing the original master recordings with astonishing clarity. Beyond the cutting-edge sound, the collection adds substantial value with detailed booklets featuring brand-new liner notes and artist comments for each work, making this an indispensable, comprehensive package that blends timeless classics with definitive sound quality, ready for you to discover your next destined masterpiece.

The "[Everything Jazz - Vol.5 ECM Edition]" collection stands as an essential, high-fidelity offering for any serious jazz enthusiast, compiling fifty carefully curated, generation-spanning masterpieces from the renowned ECM label that have earned acclaim both internationally and in Japan. What truly elevates this set is the commitment to superb technical brilliance; presented on the Ultimate High Quality CD (UHQCD) format-often for the first time-and enhanced with the Green Color Label Coat specification, these reissues promise pristine audio fidelity, faithfully reproducing the original master recordings with astonishing clarity. Beyond the cutting-edge sound, the collection adds substantial value with detailed booklets featuring brand-new liner notes and artist comments for each work, making this an indispensable, comprehensive package that blends timeless classics with definitive sound quality, ready for you to discover your next destined masterpiece.

ROAD TO FUSION

Jeremy Pelt's latest recording is one of his most culturally aware and musically astute projects yet. Pelt observes in his liner notes that the social realities "in these United States all but force you to constantly examine the virtues and contributions of your own community, if only for the sake of positive reinforcement... and the music I've produced herein for the world to hear seeks to be a part of that positive reinforcement." That perspective, echoed in his multi-volume book series "Griot: Examining the Lives of Jazz's Great Storytellers," anchors a program that balances cultural heritage with musical innovation. Pelt's compositions flow effortlessly across straight-ahead neo-bop, spacious ballads, post-impressionist color, and the tasteful integration of electronics. Legendary bassist Buster Williams and acclaimed drummer Lenny White bring deep authority and experience, giving the album it's solid grounding, while pianist Orrin Evans supplies a modern harmonic foundation that keeps the music vibrant and alive, as Lasse Corson sprinkles in subtle electronic colors. The result is a thrilling, forward-looking statement from a trumpeter and composer whose voice continues to grow with purpose, presence, and unmistakable personality.

The "[Everything Jazz - Vol.5 ECM Edition]" collection stands as an essential, high-fidelity offering for any serious jazz enthusiast, compiling fifty carefully curated, generation-spanning masterpieces from the renowned ECM label that have earned acclaim both internationally and in Japan. What truly elevates this set is the commitment to superb technical brilliance; presented on the Ultimate High Quality CD (UHQCD) format-often for the first time-and enhanced with the Green Color Label Coat specification, these reissues promise pristine audio fidelity, faithfully reproducing the original master recordings with astonishing clarity. Beyond the cutting-edge sound, the collection adds substantial value with detailed booklets featuring brand-new liner notes and artist comments for each work, making this an indispensable, comprehensive package that blends timeless classics with definitive sound quality, ready for you to discover your next destined masterpiece.

Debut album by LA saxophonist / flautist co-produced by Carlos Ni�o documents a transformative recovery from major illness. By no means a secret, but certainly in the category of IYKYK, saxophonist/flautist Aaron Shaw is one of Los Angeles's brightest young jazz musicians. A player's player, and frequent fixture at The World Stage in Leimert Park, Shaw has collaborated with the likes of Anderson Paak, Dave Chapelle, Herbie Hancock, Mary J. Blige, and Shawn Mendes.

The "[Everything Jazz - Vol.5 ECM Edition]" collection stands as an essential, high-fidelity offering for any serious jazz enthusiast, compiling fifty carefully curated, generation-spanning masterpieces from the renowned ECM label that have earned acclaim both internationally and in Japan. What truly elevates this set is the commitment to superb technical brilliance; presented on the Ultimate High Quality CD (UHQCD) format-often for the first time-and enhanced with the Green Color Label Coat specification, these reissues promise pristine audio fidelity, faithfully reproducing the original master recordings with astonishing clarity. Beyond the cutting-edge sound, the collection adds substantial value with detailed booklets featuring brand-new liner notes and artist comments for each work, making this an indispensable, comprehensive package that blends timeless classics with definitive sound quality, ready for you to discover your next destined masterpiece.

Stepping up next in our Mr Bongo 12" Edits series, we've invited another legend of the game, DJ Nature, to craft a special EP of signature edits. Following editions by Dan Tyler and Nick The Record, Luke Una, and Danny Krivit, DJ Nature selects four prime cuts spanning modern soul, psychedelic funk, boogie, and leftfield disco, giving each his trademark tweak for today's dancefloor. In 1989, Bristol-born DJ Nature moved to New York, a city where he knew his raw and textured aesthetic would be more appreciated at the time. He immersed himself in the NY scene, frequently attending underground house and disco clubs to hear pioneers such as Larry Levan (The Choice), Louie Vega (Sound Factory Bar), and Tony Humphries (Zanzibar). That same year, being surrounded by a wealth of underground dance music, DJ Nature set up an export company to supply the Japanese market. "I have had a connection with Japan for over 40 years, beginning when I visited as part of Ray Petri's Buffalo fashion house as a DJ. From there, I linked up with the Major Force crew and others," he explains. Having already been a record collector for 20 years, DJ Nature launched his own label, Ruff Disco Records, in 1992, releasing productions under his early moniker, Natureboy. Since then, Nature has gone on to become an underground DJ/producer legend himself, touring the world and releasing records on esteemed labels such as Golf Channel Recordings, Jazzy Sport, Hot Biscuit Recordings, and Futureboogie Recordings. Reflecting his love of raw, independent disco, jazz fusion, and early house music, DJ Nature has chosen four tracks from the Mr Bongo archive that he felt had club-ready production ripe for an edit. First up, is an extended rework of the ultra-rare Chicago modern soul/disco joint 'Straight Forward (Non-Stop)' by P.J. City from 1986. Staying true and respectful to the original, DJ Nature tweaks and extends it so it feels like a longer take lifted from the original recording session. Next is a sublime version of Cuban band Grupo Los Yoyi's 1977 track 'Del Copacabana A 34'. Here, Nature extends and enhances the song, looping the more driving, hypnotic, spacey sections to let the energy brew and bubble to boiling point. On the B-side, DJ Nature revamps a lesser-known gem from the Elite Records catalogue. Originally produced by Andy Sojka, Antoniou's pulsating 1982 electronic disco groover 'Sound On Sound' is transformed into a peak-time cosmic boogie whirlwind. Rounding off the EP, he turns to the mysterious Marxist Love Disco Ensemble's 2022 album 'MLDE', re-editing the quirky leftfield disco winner 'Dust' into a more DJ-friendly club track.