Nightlife – Blair
(Solar Sound Records ) Nightlife LP 1978

An essential purchase for everyone. Out of left-field on a small USA independent label Solar Sound Records. The artist was Barney Blair Perry who had previously been guitarist with The Blackbyrds. The man wrote every track on this album and it started its life because of its downtempo vibe, being played early in the night. But over a short period of time it took on a life of its own. People bought the album from Spin Inn records and it became the most popular import LP in Manchester, also picking up radio support from Piccadilly Radio’s Mike Shaft on his hugely popular Takin Care Of Business show. A haunting, vibey track that just sticks with you and is still hugely in demand to this day with original vinyl pressings commanding upwards of £200.

Hunt Up Wind – Hiroshi Fukumura
Hunt Up Wind LP (Flying Disk) 1980

The Jazz Funk scene was gaining huge momentum through the underground clubs and even national radio (via Mr Robbie Vincent on BBC Radio London and Radio One). The search for new music reached great intensity. A friend of mine returned from a trip to Japan with some music by Sadao Watanabe, the Japanese saxophone player. The trend with some American musicians (like Dave Grusin, Paulinho Da Costa, Lenny White, etc) was to make appearances on Japanese albums. So a new door had been opened and some great music came flooding through. Tony Monson and his record shop on the Kings Road London were one of the leaders of importing Japanese albums and distributing them in the UK. Hiroshi Fukumara, a trombone player, hooked up with Sadao Watanabe on this 1978 album on Flying Disk Records. It also featured Dave Grusin on Keys, Paulinho Da Costa on Percussion and Harvey Mason on Drums. You just get drawn into the spacey keys at the start as the trumpet and trombone ride the catchy groove. This track became hugely popular around the country in the Jazz Funk clubs and is still a stand out track today.

Jazz Carnival – Azymuth
Light As A Feather LP (Milestone Records) 1979

The search for new music on import was now global, the door was open and in came the modern sound of Brazil. Azymuth were a three piece Brazilian powerhouse consisting of Alex Malheiros on bass, Ivan Conti on drums and synthesiser, and Jose Roberto Bertrami on Keys. They had previously backed Marcos Valle on an album and prior to that, they performed as a cover band. Newly signed to Milestone Records after a brilliant Japanese album release for Atlantic records in 1977, their new Light as a Feather 1979 album contained this life changing dance floor gem; Jazz Carnaval, which just ripped up dance-floors everywhere with its driving Brazilian rhythms. In essence, you are dragged along kicking and screaming with the driving beat. Synths, keys, percussion and bass licks to die for!

Caveman Boogie – Lesette Wilson
Now That I’ve Got Your Attention (Headfirst Records) 1981

From the aptly titled Now that I’ve Got Your Attention LP, comes New York city’s Lesette Wilson.  A piano, Rhodes, synthesiser and vocal artist/songwriter, with bucket loads of style and panache. The track Caveman Boogie creates huge drama from the offset, her four piece outfit opening up  with some haunting synth stabs and bass to blow your socks off! The synth enters again and is joined by killer bass and keys before the whole package takes on Lessette’s Brazilian style vocals, intertwining with her great Rhodes playing, to complete an unforgettable Jazz Funk masterpiece.

Space Princess – Lonnie Liston Smith
Exotic Mysteries LP (Columbia) 1978

This man appeared in our lives via his work with the Mysterious Flying Orchestra and his contributions with Gato Barbieri, alongside his own masterpiece albums with his Cosmic Echoes group on RCA Records, including the legendary Expansions track. In 1978 Lonnie had signed to Columbia records and this track was taken from his 2nd album for the label  Exotic Mysteries. Featuring one of my favourite arrangers Bert DeCoteaux, along with the great Marcus Miller on Bass (who also wrote the track). The cosmic sound was still there, the power, drive and focus, propelled this to become a dance-floor and radio favourite. It was also released as a 12″ single. It’s in your face from the off with synths, strings and percussion before the cosmic vocals take us on a galactic ride. Lonnie’s huge ensemble; including Jimmy Owens on trumpet, plus Gwen Guthrie and Zachary Sanders on vocals. Still a popular track nowadays and was remixed in recent years by Dave Lee (Joey Negro) and initially passed to myself and Louie Vega.

Jungle Kitten – Manfredo Fest
Manifestations (Tabu) LP 1979

The Jazz Funk sound was on the rise, the vibe and the dancing were individual and vibrant, the fashion and dance-floors full of passion and colour. Enter Manfredo Fest, already an established Bossa Nova aficionado in Brazil. In 1979 Jazz pianist and keyboard player  Manfredo Fest signed to Tabu records, founded by Clarence Avant who had previously set up  the Sussex label that brought us the Bill Withers, Soul Searchers and Creative Source among others. Jungle Kitten was the killer track from this album. We had the precursor to this in 1976, in the guise of an album track called Jungle Cat. Well, here we go, another dance-floor winner, with all the necessary ingredients Roberta Davis (Jazz vocalist), Lee Ritenour (guitar) and Abraham Laborial on bass. Hold tight for this 3 and a half minute ride, chimes bring us in, as the synths, keys and strings swirl with that Brazilian jungle background and great scatty south American vocals. We take off and fly, you are hooked to the rhythm and drive, cosmic keys, the whole dance-floor rides! And again, due to high demand, issued on a UK 12″ (with an extended mix) via Bluebird Records, set up by Blue Bird’s successful London Record shops.

Judy Roberts – The Other World
(Inner City Records!) 1980

From 1976 Inner City Records had started to attract the attention of the Jazz Funk scene and had a prolific output between 1976 – 1984. Standouts included Janet Lawson, Carlos Franzetti, Jeff Lorber, Ursula Dudziak and many more. The emphasis had also encompassed jazz vocals and this Judy Roberts track falls perfectly into that genre for Jazz Funk fans. This was the title track from Judy’s album, she took care of keyboards, synth, vocals and production. Assisted with bass, drums, congas, percussion and guitar. A killer quintet combination, adding up to a great album. ‘The Other World’ title track was undoubtedly the stand out; opening with percussion and Judy’s vocals riding the guitar, with key riffs and some biting bass. The guitar solo hits in as the track lifts into a crescendo with Judy’s keys, then the vocals re-emerge to keep that dance-floor driving as Judy scats her way to the close. Classic Jazz Funk for this prolific period!