Derek Bailey
Aida

High Pulp returns with a brand new installment of covers, on Mutual Attraction Vol 2. A spiritual jazz journey, interpreting arrangements by Arthur Verocai, Cortex, and Casiopea The 8-piece fusion band pays homage to tracks and artists that have woven themselves into their DNA.

WRWTFWW: ...Official reissue of Ryo Fukui’s only solo piano album recorded live, June 4-5, 1994 at The Lutheran Hall in Sapporo.A beautiful bop adventure with two compositions Ryo Fukui wrote for his beloved Hokkaido region, the fan-favorite “Nord” and “Voyage”, as well as alternate versions of his classics “Scenery” and “Mellow Dream”, and bewitching takes on Barry Harris, Sonny Clark, and Avery Parrish gems.

Ridiculously rare vinyl, superb musicianship, and a Playboy club are ingredients that make the Don Cunningham Quartet's "Something For Everyone" album so tasty. Luv N'Haight is proud to preserve and re-issue one of the most collectible and highly sought-after jazz-dance records."Bunnies plus food and drink equals good time."The Quartet's unique blend of exotica, Latin and Brazilian rhythms, jazz and easy listening was a perfect fit for the Playboy club."I was influenced by having seen Arthur Lyman, Cal Tjader, Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaria, and Harry Belafonte play live. Not to mention that I was buying all the Les Baxter I could get!" adds Cunningham. The band's sound caught the attention of Bob Webb, a wealthy local businessman. As a friend of piano player Marion Miller he'd learned of the Quartets popularity."I don't want to work, you work, I'll put up the money," Miller recalls Webb 's words.Webb fronted the funds for Miller to create Exclusive records, releasing three albums and two 45rpm singles, including the "Something For Everyone" LP."The music was only sold locally. We never looked up a distributor and we really didn't have a regular record deal," says Miller.Don Cunningham only remembers selling and giving-away the album at Playboy appearances and to a few friends outside of club hours. Only 500 copies were ever printed, some mono, some stereo, it's not known how many of each format."It's great that the album is being re-issued. There's truly a quality of music on it that has been missed for so long. In a way it's world music - Polynesian, samba, Brazil, jazz, West Indian. It has the energy of Latin and funk records. It's inspired by - but is not really - easy listening, you couldn't exactly sleep in our "Quiet Village!"" says Cunningham.

juno.co.uk: ...Formed in 2017, the Sokratis Votskos Quartet is fast becoming one of the leading lights in Greek jazz. Later in the year they'll be releasing a brand new album on Jazzman, from which this tasty double A-side is taken. "Almopian Etude" is a veritable humid summer breeze of a track: a loose and languid fusion of spiritual piano motifs, languid double bass, bustling drums and alternately snaking and intoxicating horn solos. B-side "Sevenates" is an altogether funkier proposition, with cyclical saxophone motifs increasing in intensity over a jumpy, piano-driven rhythm track. It's not exactly jazz-funk, but it's certainly travelling in that direction. Either way, it's ace.