Mancefield & Brother Man Band
Brotherman Pt. 1 & 2

The second release on Canopy Records lifts off from where the last release touched down, inspired by the vintage Edo-funk and reggae-disco of General Ehi Duncan’s “Africa My No. 01”.Colombian based producer bosq re-joins long-time collaborator and vocalist, Kaleta, while also bringing in Ibibio Sound Machine who add their horn section & keys, followed by guitar, balafon and timbales, to deliver a special afro-funk-reggae-disco vibe.Loose and jammy, earthy and organic rhythms that bring a positive message and echo sun-kissed tropical lands. Light electronics complement the instruments, percussion and warm organic production.An Afro-funk electronic disco groove, vocal & percussive, with reggae-highlife touches and instrumental flourishes. Explosive horn arrangements go head to head with timbale breakdowns all transcended by soaring trumpet solos….Summery balafon melodies bounce among the joyous fretwork of Alfred “Kari” Bannerman's guitar, while Kaleta’s vocals sing a timeless message of peace.

Edition Hawara re-issue of a very rare and sought after Austrian jazz / AOR / funk / pop album 'Straight Ahead' by Zenit from 1986. Includes the awesome track 'Waitin’ featuring Linda Sharrock on vocals.

You’d be forgiven for not knowing about these Studio Ghibli commissioned jazz reworkings of much-loved classic soundtracks with the three-piece All That Jazz being one of Japan’s best kept secrets until now. Originally put together by the power-house animation studio for a series of jazzed-up covers, the group took off with their simple yet moving set-up of piano, bass and drums, and afterwards went on to do another record of anime classics. Sprinkled with complementary instruments, the project is tied together by the soothing vocals of Yukiko Kuwahara. On this second record, you can find the main theme of Spirited Away, three cuts from My Neighbour Totoro, the theme to the more recently appraised Only Yesterday and carefully curated tracks.