Marlene
Looking For Love

Oh yes! First ever official reissue of the positively sublime and very rare Butterfly LP, recorded in Tokyo in 1979 by Japanese songstress Kimiko Kasai and jazz legend Herbie Hancock.Due to it's super-rare status as a Japan-only release, this exquisite collection of covers never got the recognition it deserved at the time, despite incredibly inspired performances from Kimiko, Herbie and the supremely talented musicians assembled for the project. From heavenly drummer Alphonse Mouzon and renowned organist Webster Lewis to bassist Paul Jackson, reedman Bennie Maupin and the master percussionist Bill Summers, the legendary performers crafted amazingly good vocal versions of Herbie / Headhunters jazz-funk. Unsurprisingly, it has been heavily in demand for many years.The LP opens with Kimiko's highly desirable version of "I Thought It Was You", an elegant take on Herbie's own anthem. Other superb re-workings include the delicately soulful "Butterfly", jazzy groover "Sunlight", the smooth and sexy "Tell Me A Bedtime Story" and the beautiful ballads "Maiden Voyage" and "Harvest Time". A wonderful example of perfectly understated and masterful jazz-funk soul fusion that shouldn't be missed, the set closes with a jaw-dropping version of Stevie Wonder's "As".This lovingly curated reissue enables a long overdue reappraisal of this hitherto unavailable masterpiece. The stunning artwork which adorned the original jacket - complete with OBI strip and sumptuous4 page folded insert - has been faithfully restored. Simon Francis' sensitive mastering elevates the sound throughout and, as ever, it has been pressed at a reassuringly weighty 180g. Essential.

Recorded at Omega studios in Maryland, the album marked a transition forthe band with lead vocalist Jackie Eka-Ete recording her last sessions with Plunky and Virtania Tillery taking over lead vocal duties. “‘Make A Change’was always designed as a slightly more commercial entry in ourdiscography,” says Plunky. “We approached the sessions in the same waythat we had approached all of our music since the early ‘70s. We playedextended jams because we would always find something within thoseexplorations. The songs had enough organic qualities to be consideredR&B and enough rhythm to be Afro funk.”After catching fire in Washington DC clubs through local record pools, thedancefloor favourite ‘Every Way But Loose’ famously became an anthemfor Larry Levan at New York’s Paradise Garage, kick-starting internationalsuccess for the track. Other album cuts like funk workout ‘Higher’ and thewistful stepper ‘Always Have To Say Goodbye’ have remained staplesamong soulful DJs worldwide. “The songs and lyrics on this album havecome back around full circle,” continues Plunky. “With songs like ‘(Family Tree) Make A Change’ and ‘Every Way But Loose’, we don’t have tochange one word for them to be relevant all these years later. The positivemessages are universal and timeless.”This definitive edition of ‘Make A Change’ features the full original albumalongside five previously unheard studio takes, all remastered by TheCarvery from the original tapes. Bonus tracks include extended studioversions of ‘Every Way But Loose’ and ‘Always Have To Say Goodbye’and a previously unheard version of ‘Time’. Package features brand newliner notes by bandleader Plunky Branch.