John Morales Presents Teddy Pendergrass - The Voice - Remixed With Philly Love (February 25, 2022 BBE)

BBE Music presents a brand new album celebrating one of Philadelphia soul music’s most iconic figures, Teddy Pendergrass, remixed by pioneering producer and engineer, John Morales.

This exploration of 1970s Philly soul at its apex focuses on one of the era’s defining voices, Theodore DeReese Pendergrass. Born in Philadelphia in 1950, Pendergrass sang church music at age two, and was ordained a minister at ten years old. Having learned drums and played in local bands during his teens, at 20 he was hired as a drummer for the Blue Notes by group leader Harold Melvin. After being spotted singing along onstage, he was soon appointed lead singer, and the rest is history…

The masterful, revealing remix work of John Morales affords these classic songs improved clarity, allowing each individual player more space to be heard and modernising the recordings without ever losing sight of the original spirit. The virtuoso quality of the songwriting, production, arrangements and performances shine forth anew, and so do some of the music’s subtler qualities and nuanced, sometimes conflicted, subtexts that might have been overlooked in the most conventional view of Pendergrass in his prime.

Curated authoritatively, remixed with love and passion, John Morales’ collection revisits our relationship with Teddy’s and Gamble & Huff’s music as compellingly and immersively as when it was new. Teddy’s timeless force resides equally in his talent for portraying truthfully the joys and hurts, beliefs and doubts, blessings and challenges of our lives, and in the bravery of confronting them all with an honesty that is still utterly extraordinary. 

3LP (PRE ORDER)

Record/Vinyl

A1 - The More I Get, the More I Want (John Morales M + M Mix)

A2 - Only You (John Morales M + M Mix)

B1 - The Love I Lost (John Morales M + M Mix)

B2 - Come Go with Me (John Morales M + M Mix)

C1 - Don't Leave Me This Way (John Morales M + M Mix)

C2 - Now Is the Time to Do It (John Morales M + M Mix)

D1 - Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back) (John Morales M + M Mix)

D2 - If You Know Like I Know (John Morales M + M Mix

E1 - You Can't Hide from Yourself (John Morales M + M Mix)

E2 - Is There a Place for Me (John Morales M + M Mix)

F1 - Where Are All My Friends (John Morales M + M Mix)

F2 - If You Don't Know Me by Now (John Morales M + M Mix)

Shipping out on or around February 25, 2022

2CD (PRE ORDER)

Compact Disc (CD)

CD1

1 - The More I Get, the More I Want (John Morales M + M Mix)

2 - Only You (John Morales M + M Mix)

3 - If You Know Like I Know (John Morales M + M Mix)

4 - Now Is the Time to Do It (John Morales M + M Mix)

5 - The Love I Lost (John Morales M + M Mix)

6 - I Don't Love You Anymore (John Morales M + M Mix)

7 - Come Go with Me (John Morales M + M Mix)

8 - Bad Luck (John Morales M + M Mix)

9 - If You Don't Know Me by Now (John Morales M + M Mix)

CD2

1 - You Can't Hide from Yourself (John Morales M + M Mix)

2 - Where Are All My Friends (John Morales M + M Mix)

3 - Life Is A Song Worth Singing (John Morales M + M Mix)

4 - Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back) (John Morales M + M Mix)

5 - Do Me (John Morales M + M Mix)

6 - Somebody Told Me (John Morales M + M Mix)

7 - Is There a Place for Me (John Morales M + M Mix)

8 - Turn off the Lights (John Morales M + M Mix)

9 - Don't Leave Me This Way (John Morales M + M Mix)

Shipping out on or around February 25, 2022

If Music Presents You Need This: Klinkhamer Records (February 25, 2022 BBE)

IF Music owner Jean-Claude turns his attention to Dutch record shop Klinkhamer Records for the latest in his “An Introduction To…” series on BBE Music, inviting owner Michel Veenstra to compile a special selection of music to represent the store.

Located in the city of Groningen, Klinkhamer Records began in the year 2000 as an offshoot of the already-established ‘Klinkhamer Antiek en Curiosa’ shop. Having made a success of the record trade, Michel Veenstra and his brother Stephan purchased the business from founder Martin Klinkhamer in 2005. “We kept the name” says Michel “since we both loved it, and it was already well-known in our town.”

Starting out as a record dealer in the late 90s, Veenstra soon found himself a regular at the World-famous Utrecht Record Fair, and has been trading records and antiques full-time ever since. Enjoying privileged access to rare and forgotten jazz music from the Netherlands and beyond, creating his own compilation was an idea Michel had been toying with for several years, but it wasn’t until meeting Jean-Claude that plans became concrete. A list of rare, never-before reissued records was submitted to BBE and the painstaking work of licensing the music began.

Featuring mostly cuts from the late 70s and early to mid 80s, ‘An Introduction To… Klinkhamer Records’ explores some true ‘holy grail’ records, mainly from across Holland, but also roaming as far as Chicago and Italy in search of sublime jazz, blues and even gospel sounds.

“When it comes to records” says Jean-Claude, “this guy knows his onions on a whole other level; his commitment to the cause is unwavering at a time when it is getting increasingly harder to run an indie shop. So, if you find yourself in Holland for whatever reason and are a vinyl freak, do yourself the biggest favour and pay a visit to Klinkhamer Records.” 

1. Gianni Basso - Epitaph

2. West Side Oasis Band - Don't Let Love

3. Don Jules' Pules Band - Kweenie

4. Sergio Coppotelli - Funky Blues

5. Eddie Holman - Holy Ghost

6. René van Helsdingen - Offshore Sounds

PRE-ORDER

Brian Jackson - All Talk (February 18, 2022 BBE)

Announcing his forthcoming studio album, ‘This Is Brian Jackson’, which is to be released on BBE Music in May 2022, Brian Jackson offers up the LP’s lead single ‘All Talk’, presented with a brace of remixes by OPOLOPO.

Produced by Phenomenal Handclap Band founder Daniel Collás, ‘This Is Brian Jackson’ is the veteran songwriter and musician’s first true solo studio album in 20 years. Perhaps best known for his albums as co-artist/producer with Gil Scott-Heron in the 1970s, Brian Jackson remains active and innovative, producing artists such as Will Downing and Gwen Guthrie, recording with Kool and the Gang, Roy Ayers, Alabama 3, Sean Ono Lennon and constantly called upon for contributions by many other artists as well.

‘All Talk’ gives us a first sampling of ‘This Is Brian Jackson’, displaying Jackson’s sparkling songwriting, vocal delivery and musicianship, beautifully framed by Daniel Collás’s skillful, timeless production.

“I had mentioned to Daniel that I had begun work on a solo project around the time that Gil and I were recording ‘Bridges’ in 1976” says Jackson. “I even had a few unfinished tracks. The seed of Daniel’s concept centered around the question: ‘what would a Brian Jackson album sound like if the 21st century Brian were to complete that 1976 album today?’”

Now, that question has been well-and-truly answered.

‘All Talk’ comes complete with a pair of complimentary reworks from Swedish production wizard OPOLOPO, who provides a sublime futuristic boogie version and a tougher, percussion-led club mix for the dancers.

Album ‘This Is Brian Jackson’ is scheduled for release on vinyl, CD and digital formats, May 6th 2022. 

1. All Talk (Extended Version)

2. All Talk (OPOLOPO Extended Remix)

3. All Talk (OPOLOPO Club Remix)

4. All Talk

5. All Talk (OPOLOPO Remix)

6. All Talk (OPOLOPO Extended Remix Instrumental)

7. All Talk (OPOLOPO Club Remix Instrumental)

PRE-ORDER

David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Wide Eye Culture (March 18, 2022 BBE)

BBE Music announces the first ever reissue of jazz bassist David Wertman’s rare 1983 Sun Ensemble LP ‘Wide Eye Culture’, carefully remastered and presented as a deluxe expanded edition, with 8 bonus tracks.

Five years after the release of his Sun Ensemble debut ‘Earthly Delights’, also reissued on BBE Music, spiritual jazz bassist and prolific composer David Wertman returned to the studio in 1983 to record the follow-up, ‘Wide Eye Culture’. Now, thanks to David’s wife and musical partner Lynne Meryl, in this special deluxe edition of the album we’ve been able to include three more obscure independent releases by Wertman and Meryl, which bridge the gap between the two LPs. Two impossibly rare 1981 flexi-discs and one 1982 two-track ’45 serve to chart Wertman’s musical evolution as he settled in the lush Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts and surrounded himself with a whole new array of talented collaborators and musical influences.

Emerging from the ferment of New York’s infamous free jazz loft scene, where the music was free and ‘out’, the sessions went on for hours and the characters were dangerous and wild, David Wertman had spent his young adulthood attending what he described as “the college of ‘da streets’.” Having sharpened his skills against those of Billy Bang, Arthur Blythe, Steve Reid and Charles Tyler, among others, during the late ‘70s, Wertman made the move to Northampton, MA where his irrepressible, magnetic energy quickly drew a diverse, openminded and talented group of players into his orbit.

Alongside a core trio of vocalist Lynne Meryl, pianist Tom McClung and Wertman himself, the Wide Eye Culture album features future Sting/Don Cherry collaborator Tony Vacca on drums and Aretha Franklin/Tony Bennet band member turned music lecturer Tim Atherton on trombone. Other local musicians and friends feature on the 1981 flexi-disc ‘You Are My Love’, recorded under Lynne Meryl’s name only; the Sun Ensemble’s ‘Up In The Sky’, recorded that same year at Smith College’s John M. Greene Hall; and 1982’s 7” ’45RPM release, ‘Blessing of Love/Golden Light’, recorded as David Wertman & Lynne Meryl. Soon after these recordings, Tom McClung left for Europe to perform with Archie Shepp and Steve McCraven, where he remained until his death in 2017.

With the addition of McClung’s lyrical, effortless piano playing, Lynne Meryl’s acrobatic vocals and Vacca’s expressive, visceral drumming, Wide Eye Culture is perhaps more accessible than Wertman’s earlier works, although flashes of his experimental freeform style still remain throughout these discs. “What Dave played was like nothing I’d heard before. I was inexperienced as a jazz singer, but I opened up quickly and started to improvise and scat. Coming from the New York loft free jazz scene, Dave had never played structured tunes before. So, he lifted me up and I grounded him. It was perfect.” – Lynne Meryl 

1. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Forest Dance

2. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Camel

3. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Flute Song

4. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - New Earth

5. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Sing My Love Song

6. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Dance Of The Mid-East Madness

7. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Summer Heat

8. Lynne Meryl - How Come?

9. Lynne Meryl - Political Science

10. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Up in the Sky

11. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Sci-Fi Fantasy

12. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Blessing of Love

13. David Wertman & Sun Ensemble - Golden Light

14. Lynne Meryl - You Are My Love

15. Lynne Meryl - Near My Heart

PRE-ORDER

Koichi Matsukaze Trio (feat Ryojiro Furusawa) - At The Room 427 (January 2022 BBE)

The ninth album in BBE Music's J Jazz Masterclass Series presents ‘At the Room 427’ by Koichi Matsukaze Trio Featuring Ryojiro Furusawa, a rarely heard exemplar of post-modal power bop and free jazz.

Delivered by a trio playing with an intensity and energy that draws on classic Eric Dolphy and mid-era Coltrane but definitely with its own particular vibe, At the Room 427 is an exemplar of febrile improvised jazz that could only come from Japan.

This deluxe reissue sees a welcome return to the J Jazz Masterclass series for saxophonist Koichi Matsukaze. Originally issued in 1976 on the cult ALM label, At the Room 427 is the debut album from one of the most exciting and forward-thinking instrumentalists to emerge in the mid 1970s. Matsukaze's distinctively angular, deconstructive style adds an unpredictable quality to the session that is balanced by the muscular bass of Koichi Yamazaki and the kinetic drumming of Ryojiro Furusawa, who provides a sound footing for Matuskaze’s fiery solos and free-form chemistry.

The album opens with the epic Acoustic Chicken, a 20-minute tour de force of dynamic and explosive interplay. Featured on J Jazz: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan volume 3 and written by Furusawa, Acoustic Chicken's strong melody lines and scorching sax finely mesh with the driving rhythm section. Furusawa’s Elvin Jones-like rolls and batteries of percussion are underpinned by Yamazaki’s driving and rounded bass.

At the Room 427 also includes a radical deconstruction of the Billie Holiday classic Lover Man and three more original compositions by Matsukaze. The album was recorded live in November 1975 before a small audience in – as the title states – Room 427, a classroom in Chuo University, the alma mater of both Matsukaze and Furusawa. However, despite the rudimentary surroundings, the recording by Yukio Kojima, founder of ALM, manages to give the listener the feeling of being in the room itself, up close to the band, bristling with an intense energy.

This reissue of a long-lost rarity of post-bop/free playing maintains the exceptionally high standard set by the previous releases in the BBE Music J Jazz Masterclass Series. As with all releases in the series, At the Room 427 comes with full reproduction artwork and extra sleeve notes, with artist interviews and biographies.

The J Jazz Masterclass Series is curated by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden for BBE Music. 

1. Acoustic Chicken 20:08

2. Theme Of Seikatsu Kojyo Iinkai 07:46

3. Little Drummer 11:45

4. Lover Man 09:45

5. Theme Of Seikatsu Kojyo Iinkai (Version) 02:03

PRE-ORDER

Jazzanova - Creative Musicians (Waajeed & Henrik Schwarz Remixes) January 2022 BBE

Announcing new album ‘Strata Records – The Sound of Detroit – Reimagined by Jazzanova’, BBE Music, DJ Amir and 180 Proof records present the first single from the project, ‘Creative Musicians, featuring remixes by Waajeed and Henrik Schwarz.

‘Strata Records – The Sound of Detroit – Reimagined by Jazzanova’ is no ‘covers’ album, rather a brand-new celebration of the iconic imprint, as Jazzanova’s take on Lyman Woodard Organization’s musical manifesto ‘Creative Musicians’ makes clear from its Afrobeat-inspired horn arrangements, drum track, and syncopated tempo.

The vocalist for these sessions is Sean Haefeli, who originally hails from Indianapolis, and brings a relaxed urgency to his contributions, sounding like a young Gil Scott-Heron.

Leveraging his 20 plus year friendship with legendary Detroit DJ/Producer extraordinaire, Waajeed, Amir enlists him for a special four-to-the-floor mix that not only keeps that organic vibe but also adds a unique contemporary Detroit flavour!

Henrik Schwarz needs little introduction to fans of eclectic electronic sounds. For over thirty years, his amazing body of work has packed dancefloors worldwide. Henrik takes ‘Creative Musicians’ in a slightly different direction, retaining many of Jazzanova’s original elements while adding his signature sound to the mix, providing another dance floor scorcher!

And just to give you proper context, we have included the cult-classic, much-loved original version of ‘Creative Musicians’ by the Lyman Woodard Organization. 

1. Creative Musicians 03:38

2. Creative Musicians (Waajeed Remix) 06:09

3. Creative Musicians (Henrik Schwarz Remix) 04:34

4. The Lyman Woodard Organization - Creative Musicians 02:37

5. Creative Musicians (Waajeed Remix Instrumental) 06:10

6. Creative Musicians (Henrik Schwarz Dub) 04:35

PRE-ORDER