' At the time of the release of "Think (About It)" in 1972, Lyn Collins had been a member of James Brown's performing revue for about two years. Her full-throated voice had earned her the nickname "the Female Preacher" and a shot to record her own album. Of course, the Godfather was in the producer's chair, writing four of the nine tracks, directing the J.B.'s as they laid down their usual funky grooves, and liberally adding vocals throughout. ' Tim Sendra at AMG

The Finnish blues artist Pepe Ahlqvist will be known to many European blues lovers as he has been active since the early seventies and made some excellent records along the way! Though many will recall him as a singer and harmonica player, here he has dropped the harp and taken up his first instrument, the guitar – and how! Not that he is a flashy player – far from it, but the notes he chooses are just right – quality over quantity. The Umo Jazz Orchestra are the kind of outfit all too rarely heard these days, a big, swinging and genre hopping outfit, akin to the Ray Charles Orchestra at its best, or Gil Evans Band (think particularly when they worked with Cleanhead Vinson). Pepe sings well in a variety of styles, from the swinging jump-blues of the opener to the blues-rcoing cover of BB King’s ‘So Excited’ that closes the set – in between there are soul numbers, a variety of blues styles, some wonderful modern(ish) jazz with a cover of Horace Silver’s ‘Senor Blues’, funk via ‘Dancemaster’ and even the almost jazz-meets-rap of ‘T’s And B’s’. This kind of big band blues comes along all too rarely, which means it is invariably worth listening to – and this release is sheer class.

Munich Machine - Introducing The Midnite Ladies (1997)
EAC Rip | 07 tracks | FLAC (tracks) - Log - Cue | Scans | Release: 1997 | 220 MB
Genre: Disco | Label: Casablanca Records | Catalog#: NBLP 7058-V

Munich Machine, though created by Giorgio Moroder & Pete Bellotte, were several studio musicians that played on the majority of the German records that came out in the late 70's. Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte were the production team behind Donna Summer, and Munich Machine were were the musicians for the early Donna Summer and Roberta Kelly albums. This release was remastered at Universal Mastering Studios.

Ultra sick new Brutal Guttural Death Metal band from NORWAY! Featuring Erlend Caspersen (Deeds Of Flesh, Spawn Of Possession, Emeth, etc..) on bass and Darren Cesca (Goratory, Vile etc..) on Drums. Cover art done by the master Tony Koehl!! Hands down the most Brutal Death Metal band ever to emerge from Norway!

' One of Bill Laswell's many projects, Deadline is a collaboration with drummer Phillip Wilson. "Down By Law" is an interesting blend of industrial DMX beats and live percussion, African influences and Western funk. Saxophonist Manu Dibango pops up on half of the tracks and invokes memories of his Laswell-produced album "Electric Africa". The killer track on this album is the ten-minute-plus "Makossa Rock," which combines clever, funky rhythms, an irresistible synth bassline, Steve Turre's haunting didgeridoo, scratching-like sounds by Laswell and Robert Musso, plus solos by Dibango, bluesman Paul Butterfield on harmonica, and bass legend Jaco Pastorius. Actually, this track is so good it could play forever. The other tracks, including the abstract, percussive pieces "Gammatron" and "Doo Rot," never let go of their fierce rhythmic edge either. While "Makossa Rock" may be worth the price of the album alone, the other tracks should not be neglected. ' Christian Genzel at AMG

L'Age D'Or is a 3-disk set. Volume 1 is an anthology of Italian dances, diminutions, improvisations, and sonatas. Volume 2 is music by composers associated with Venice in the time of Monteverdi. Volume 3 is music by Buxtehude. Dongois plays with elegance and charming phrasing while offering the listener breath-taking technical virtuosity.

' As a rule, it's a bad idea for a band to have more than one bass player. Three bass players, under normal circumstances, would be completely out of the question. But when the three are Bill Laswell, Jonas Hellborg and Bootsy Collins, well…at least you need to give a listen. And in this case, the sound of common sense being thrown out the window has never been so sweet. Aiding and abetting our three bass-playing overachievers on this album are keyboardists Jens Johanssen and Bernie Worrell, percussionist Aib Dieng and guitarist Nicky Skopelitis, most of whom have worked together on other projects and all of whom share a penchant for the funkily experimental. ' Rick Anderson at All Music Guide