#jazz LPs

[vinyl-connection]

10 SUPER CTI ALBUM COVERS

Creed Taylor’s CTI record label was founded in 1967, separating from parent company A&M in 1970. Specialising in a style of jazz that boasted instrumental excellence while keeping an eye on the pop and rock scenes, the label used staff arrangers such as Don Sebesky and Bob James to add orchestral silkiness to the jazz-based releases. Some decried this populist approach, sniffily labelling it as…

[forever70s]

Alice Coltrane - Journey in Satchidananda LP (1975)

[huariqueje]

Pyramid - Álvaro Toledo , 2019.

Spanish , b. 1965 -

Oil on board , 80 x 80 cm.

[joshiballestereo]

Nina Simone - The Amazing (2020)

[funksoul]

I Love You

[fancypantsrecords]

Skillbard - Big Bang: Music From The Universe Of Genesis Noir | iam8ibt | 2023 | "Noir" Black

[retropopcult]

Spectacular Percussion by Roger King Mozian, 1960

[fangomusic]

A Tribe Called Quest, The Low End Theory (1991).

[houseofcatwic]

Playboys Jazz Record Cover

[sexy-sexy-boy]

Afro avant-garde for Tuesday 🎺🎷

In the mid 1960s , the Art Ensemble of Chicago was one of the premier free jazz ensembles to emerge from the crucible of Chicago’s improvised music scene .

[kiwitropique]

Miles Davis Kind of Blue 12" Album (Blue Vinyl)

[forever70s]

Lou Donaldson - Pretty Things (1971)

[mrbopst]

[duchess-music]

|| Samurai - Lupe Fiasco ||

Genres: Jazz Rap, Abstract Hip Hop, Boom Bap

REVIEW

This is one of the most watertight albums I've heard this year.

The first album I've heard by Lupe Fiasco, and definitely not the last after this experience which proved to be one of the best releases of 2024 that I've had the pleasure of listening to, and if you haven't already, you should listen to it too.

Samurai opens boldly with its title track. This is one of the best performed singles of the year, Lupe's flow is electric and he bounces elegantly off the equally great instrumental. The irresistable charm of this track places it as one of my favourite songs released this year. When I saw the title of the second song was 'Mumble Rap', I was worried it'd be a cheap shot at an already hated genre. I was pleasantly surprised to learn the title served a narrative purpose instead of a boring take. Unsurprisingly, the song is fucking great. The chorus is fantastic to listen to and the verses are extremely solid.

The instrumental on 'Cake' is one of my favourite's on this album, sounding extremely unique but definitely not out of place. The flow on the verses here is immaculate as well, being some of the best on the LP. The chorus is annoying, but it can be easily looked past because of the tracks many positives in practically every other area. Contrastingly, the chorus on the following track, 'Palaces', sounds absolutely divine, but not as much as the lush instrumental. The extra drum layer that appears in verse two that accentuated the flow was a standout moment, and the beat switch almost immediately after was exceptional.

Moving on to the album's second half, 'No. 1 Headband' is another smooth and loveable track which is great for all the same reasons as the rest of the album, but with the added bonus of a Dragon Ball reference of all things, which doesn't seem out of place when Lupe's quality vocals are what's performing it. His delivery of just about every line on this album is full of class. 'Bigfoot' and 'Outside' are no different, the instrumental change on the outro of 'Outside' is a favourite moment on these two. Cool that this album has 2024's first good song called Bigfoot on it too.

To close the album, the fantastic 'Til Eternity'. The beautifully dramatic piano instrumental and some of Lupe's most powerful delivery on the album. Echoing vocals in places the addition of a brass section in the outro make for an awesome atmosphere and one of the best songs on this album. There isn't anything you can fault this track for really, every part of it hits well.

Lupe's ninth album is soothingly easy on the ear but doesn't pull any punches in terms of its content, making it wonderfully listenable and fun to look into as well. Bad moments on this album are near nonexistant, Soundtrakk's production elevating the experience a long way with his instrumentals The project can sound a little same-y, and definitely isn't mind-blowingly incredible, but it is a very solid and deeply enjoyable listen.

FINAL SCORE: 87/100

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[theparanoid]

Tomorrow's People - Open Soul

(1976 album, 2017 reissue)

Youtube Playlist | Bandcamp | Spotify

Original LP Video

[Psychedelic Soul, Funk, Deep Funk, Jazz-Funk, Smooth Soul]

[ozkar-krapo]

Konstanty Ildefons GAŁCZYŃSKI

"Liryka / Żart liryczny"

(LP. Polskie Nagrania Muza. ?) [PL]