Image Various Artists
Luxury Soul 2009

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Review:Great value 37 track triple CD has many highlights incl the modern soul dancers Neo 'Smile', James Day 'Don't Waste The Pretty' and Preston Glass 'Everybody Lets Dance'. Also good are Diplomats Of Soul Ft Noel McKoy 'Someday We'll All Be Free', Maysa 'My Destiny', Cool Million 'Leave Me', Adriana Evans 'Before You', Kloud ( 'Never Give it Up', Freda Payne 'Welcome To The Human Race' and the beautiful mellow Jiva Ft Alex Lattimore 'Confessions Of A Man'.

Image Various Artists
Sound of Jazz FM 2008

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Review: The return of Jazz FM to the airwaves is complimented by the return of the station's record label. Their legendary Smooth Jazz compilations are re-launched with this 30 track set. This mix of Smooth Jazz, Jazz Funk and Soul includes current gems like George Duke's 'Listen Baby', Chante Moore 'First Kiss', Swing Out Sister 'Butterfly' and Gerald Albright 'Never Can Say Goodbye'. Also check Jazzhole's version of 'Lowdown'. Bobby Womack 'How Could You Break My Heart', Phyllis Hyman 'Sleep On It' and Chaka Khan 'What Cha Gonna Do For Me' are among the classic tunes on this welcome return.

Image Monday Michiru
"Nexus"

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Review: Excellent set of jazzy grooves from the Japanese diva, try the Incognito sounding 'Your Eyes' or the early 80's tinged dancer 'Sands Of Time'. 'Epiphany' is a fine mid-tempo groover and the horn led 'Genetic Imprints' is strong too. On the mellower side check 'One' or the gritty mid-tempo 'Suite 610'. The vibe of this album is very much in the current Japanese Jazz Funk/ Jazz dance with its British influenced feel good grooves.

Image Al Green
"Lay It Down"

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Review: Soul has come full circle with this brilliant album his best since his classic in the early 70's, which recreates the Willie Mitchell style and finds Al in fine voice backed by an all star band inc James Poyser , The Daptone Horns and strings arranged by Larry Gold. The standout is 'You've Got The Love I Need' a brilliant duet semi funky mid tempo dancer with Anthony Hamilton and the best new track of the year so far. 'Lay it Down ' is a beautiful string laden ballad ft Anthony on BV's. The horn backed mid tempo 'Just For Me',the beat ballad 'No One Like You' the ballad duet with Corrine Bailey Rae 'Take Your Time', the more uptempo 'I'm Wild About You' and the mid tempo duet with John Legend 'Stay With Me' are also excellent on this phenomenal album. Classic 70's soul , 2008 style.

Image Maysa
"Metamorphosis"

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Review: Metamorphosis a deeply satisfying set that showcases Maysa's mellifluous vocals. The album flows with musical consistency: it is unquestionably one of Maysa's best recordings to date, on a parallel with the superb 2004 set, Smooth Sailing. Particularly noteworthy: the gentle and soothing "Grateful;" and "Walk Away," reflective of a true life experience that Maysa related to her good friend Ledisi, who co-wrote it with producer/songwriter Lorenzo Johnson. With special guests that include Najee and drummer Michael White, Metamorphosis is - track for track - one of 2008's best albums, and a career triumph for this outstanding and distinctive artist.

Image Paul Hardcastle
"The Jazzmasters V"

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Review: Jazzmasters V is the newest installment in the Jazzmasters series. The Jazzmasters albums are the work of PAUL HARDCASTLE, who penned the multi-million selling anthem to the Vietnam War, "19," and the mega 80's dance hit "Rainforest." More importantly, Hardcastle is consistently one of the biggest selling format artists in smooth jazz. Each Jazzmasters album has included a #1 single on the National Smooth Jazz charts. Features single "Free As The Wind."

Image Incognito
"Tales From The Beach"

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Review: Incognito make the 13th album and its one of their strongest, featuring mainly horn backed fresh sounding melodic uptempo and mid tempo soulful grooves that is their trademark. Maysa, Joy Rose, Imaani and Tony Momrelle provide the soulful vocals in front of the bands powerhouse backing. The uptempo 'Step Aside', 'Love Joy and Understanding', 'Happy People' contrast with the catchy mid tempo 'N.O.T.' and 'Silence In My Mind' and bass led 'I've Been Waiting'. The stepper 'When The Sun Comes Down' and beautiful slower 'When Words Are Just Words' with the Jazzier percussive 'Freedom To Love' and punchy semi-instrumentals 'Feel The Pressure' and 'Never Look Back'. Very Strong album..