New releases from Jazzagression Records
Including the Scorpios and JJ Whitfield.
Two very fine recordings from this progressive label based in Finland, ecletic mix of Jazz , Funk ,
psychedelic Prog rock and modern jazz
You can find links on the Home page of my site for both YouTube snippets.
Both releases are available from my site very soon !
If there is one man who has single-handedly set the standard for the European rare groove scene on multiple fronts for decades, it's JJ Whitefield! JJ Whitefield, like many of us record collectors, is fascinated by the legacy of library music from its heyday, when this type of non-commercial music was obtainable through various specialist labels and publishing channels. Names such as KPM, De Wolfe, Bruton Music, CAM and Sound Workshop, and composers including Brian Bennett, Alan Hawkshaw, Nick Ingman, Piero Piccioni, Alessandro Alessandroni and Janko Nilovic, have all left a lasting impression. As a musician, JJ Whitefield has, through his record collection, carefully studied the techniques behind creating the vast range of styles found in library music. Using overdubbing techniques, he can record every instrument himself, building up the arrangements layer by layer until each track takes the shape he wants. Exotic Moods presents 14 original tracks, all composed by JJ, built around unusual, atmospheric instrumentals with a touch of exotica — whether slightly East Asian, East African or influenced by sub-Saharan sounds. The bottom line is that every track packs a punch: JJ’s arrangements are right on the money, with a locked-in, killer backbone throughout. 500 copies made with obi — and they’re going to fly fast, so grab your stock while they last.
"Sudanese rhythms, psychedelic funk and jazz collide in Scorpios’ third album, Lemon Barah!" Everyone who assumed the Afro7 label was defunct was wrong, because here is the third Scorpios album — and believe us, it’s a good one! Scorpios began in London in 2013, originally formed by Adam Bulewski and Osman Babu Mohamed as part of a mental health outreach project at a Sudanese community centre. Drawing on Adam’s fascination with 1950s and ’60s Sudanese 7-inch records, and the deep musical backgrounds of the Sudanese musicians around him — many of whom had left Sudan in the 1980s and been involved in important Sudanese musical projects — the lineup soon expanded and developed a unique blend of Sudanese rhythms, funk and jazz. The band has built a strong live following over the past 13 years, playing extensively across London and elsewhere in England, while also taking their sound to audiences around Europe. Their energetic live shows have consistently found receptive crowds, proving that the music works just as powerfully in front of an audience as it does on record. The success lies in their cross-fusion of Sudanese traditional rhythms and songs with a more Western-oriented psychedelic, funky groove, played by an orchestra of musicians with diverse, cross-border backgrounds. All the right ingredients are here: interwoven percussion beneath the lovely voices of Regaia Ishag and Osman Gerein; wobbling analogue synth patterns and studio touches from Adam Bulewski, who also plays guitar alongside lead guitarist Yasir Taha; a proper, fluid horn section featuring Dawid Frydryk and Sue Lynch; Will Robert on drums; and Jamaican Ronnie Maxwell on bass (everyone thinks he’s from Sudan!). Main percussionist Osman Gerein is joined by Joao Paulo, who adds further percussion, including conga sessions, while the legendary Mimi Kombayashi from Japan plays keys — listen to her encore on the final track. The album is entitled Lemon Barah, named after the western regions of Sudan, where this citrus fruit is said to grow especially large and beautiful. Record comes limited to 500 copies. Enjoy!
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