Herbie Hancock Fat Albert Rotunda (1969)

This 1977 studio recording finds Herbie Hancock embracing his jazz roots. The straightforward trio setting puts Hancock’s piano front and center. Backed by Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams behind the drums, the recording features Hancock originals as well as the Trio’s take on Miles Davis’ 'Milestones'.

Though recorded at fabled San Francisco studio The Automatt, the recording was only immediately issued in Japan. To this day Japan is the only country to see a vinyl release of this session - until now!

An essential classic! The heaviest funky jazz ever recorded. Deep, deep, deep. As good as it gets!

180 gram audiophile issue vinyl.

Tough tough Headhunters-stylee fusion. Moody! Original sound track from the 1974 film 'Death Wish', written by Herbie Hancock.

w/ Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis and Tony Williams

'Sextant' from 1972 was recorded just before 'Headhunters', and can be seen in the same vein, but it's more than just an introduction to a masterpiece. It features a kind of post-modal, free impressionism while gracing the edges of funk. Three long instrumental tracks explore how far minimalism in jazz can go. 

Seminal jazz funk fusion album including top funky re-version of Hancock's own "Cantelope Island". Also "Doin It" and "Gentle Thoughts" all with the great Headhunters in full effect.

Herbie Hancock's debut album in 1962 launched a phenomenal career. Features Freddie Hubbard and Dexter Gordon and includes the seminal 'Watermelon Man".

This formidable recording neatly summarises Herbie Hancock's work in the 60s. The title track, Cantaloupe Island, provided inspiration for US3, who sampled it heavily. Herbie's piano skills are matched by some exemplary trumpet work on Cantaloupe and Watermelon Man.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD REPRESENTATION OF HERBIES BLUE NOTE WORK, IF YOU
DONT WANT TO PLOUGH THROUGH HIS WHOLE ALBUMS OF THIS PERIOD.
MAIDEN VOYAGE, CANTALOUPE ISLAND AND WATERMELON MAN ARE ALL HERE.
RECOMMENDED. A GOOD BUY.

Brilliant, less-well-known Herbie Hancock album featuring a larger group than usual with guitar and trombone! Check the superb "King Cobra"! Recommended!

Stone cold classic Herbie Hancock featuring Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter and Tony Williams! Includes the timeless 'Cantaloupe Island'

Great album fusing modal jazz piano with latin percussion  - a classic!

A really super record from Herbie Hancock - one that's almost completely improvised over Latin percussion.

Features a sublime string-drenched version of Rainy Night in Georgia that is truly beautiful, plus some great Swamp rock - loads of excellent tracks !

Acoustic-y USA rock, 73. Original vinyl

Double album from the high priestess of deep jazz recorded live in 1978.

Does anyone know what this record sounds like?

One of the greatest, biggest-selling albums of all time, remastered on CD, with the 3xCD expanded edition including a disc of live recordings from the 1977 tour plus a disc of previously unreleased studio out-takes.

Long out of print heavyweight Headhunters progressive, fusion hardcore! Album originally released in 1971 - first time on vinyl in long time. Essential fusion!

Tough, tough, tough heavy Headhunters fusion, 1972 in the zone! Classic Herbie Hancock group line-up with Benny Maupin, Billy Hart and Buster Williams

''Can You Dig It?' is as definitive as it gets, and treats its subject seriously, lovingly and with an attention to detail that makes it a necessary purchase. An exemplary collection that is near perfect.' WIRE MAGAZINE

‘Can You Dig It?’ charts the rise of ‘Black Action Films’ from 1970-75. It comes as a double-CD collection of the stunning music from these films. The vinyl is on two monster loud separate double albums.
The Black Action Films
of the early 1970s gave the Hollywood industry its first African-American cinema – actors, directors, cameramen, editors and writers. These films discussed aspects of the African-American experience in the form of entertainment. Storylines interwove post-civil rights revolution with action stories, many involving pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers or private detectives.

The films also featured the finest funk and soul black music of the time as stars such as James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Willie Hutch and Roy Ayers produced some of their finest work, with film budgets allowing for the addition of huge orchestral arrangements by jazz legends such as Quincy Jones, Johnny Pate and JJ Johnson. In the early 1970s, Black Action Films exploded into the cinema with three extremely successful films – ‘Shaft’, ‘Super Fly’ and ‘Sweet Sweetback’s Badasssss Song’. The most profound statement of these films was their actual existence – black actors and black directors entering the previously closed Hollywood film industry. Black Action Films were a representation of politically everything that had gone before and stylistically of everything that was current. Civil rights, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Black Power, Black Panthers, Vietnam sit alongside the criminal worlds of policemen, private investigators, bail bondsmen and the criminals, drug dealers, pimps and hustlers that they parole. ‘Can U Dig It?’ brings you everything you always wanted to know about black action films. This is an essential Soul Jazz Records release!

VOLUME ONE OF VINYL is TRACKS 1-16
VOLUME TWO OF VINYL is TRACKS 17-34

FEATURE REVIEW

The INDEPENDENT

Composed and conducted by Quincy Jones, this is one of the funkiest soundtracks ever recorded!

Seminal deep jazz with 'Tiny Pyramids'. Recorded in Chicago late 50s - a true high point! All-star line-up, essential recording.

A super rare album of heavyweight funk tracks including "Razor Blade", "Soul Train" and 'Panama Red".

Classic funk album from 1974 featuring the massive "Just Kissed My Baby", "People Say", "What 'Cha Say", "Jungle Man", "Hey Pocky Away", "It Ain't No Use" and "Africa"

This is the best Meters album !

Superb soul album featuring the classic tracks: "You Cant Hide Love" & "Who Is He And What Is He To You". A must have album.

Includes the all-time killer rare-groove classic "Riding High"!

Original = Original USA Vinyl VG+/Sleeve VG+

High-end Audio Desk Systeme Pro Machine Utrasonic cleaned+

100% Guarantee on this and all Original Vinyl at Sounds Of The Universe - 'if you're not happy we're not happy' or your money back!

Early 70s deep experimental jazz.

Acid Jazz reissue this reissue of this ultra rare album featuring the modern soul / disco essential, 'Gonna Find A True Love'!

Classic jazz funk album written and produced by the magnificent Mizell brothers! Includes 'Lansana's Priestess'.

Classic Roy Ayers album featuring deep jazz legend Harry Whitaker on keyboards alongside Strata East musicians Charles Tolliver and Sonny Fortune! Funky deep early 1970s soulful jazz and jazz-funk!

Awesome 1965 recordings from the period just after the landmark 'A Love Supreme'! Awe-inspiring deep jazz from a god-like genius! Recommended!

Includes the killer dancefloor organ funk tune "Right On"! Highly recommended.

Brilliant double disc compilation of the best tracks from the great psychedelic soul-rock fusion band! Rotary Connection were fronted by the amazing voice of Minnie Ripperton and produced and arrange by the genius that was Charles Stepney! This compilation features loads of their best tracks including 'Respect', 'Sunshine of Your Love', 'Love Has Fallen On Me', and more!

Classic jazz funk album produced by the brilliant Mizell brothers! Features "Music Is My Sanctuary" and "Carnival De L'esprit"!

Great compilation of loads of great early Gil Scott-Heron. Recommended. Every one is an essential track.

Written and produced by Larry Mizell, their first collaboration! It's a classic! Nuff tunes, seriously deep funky heavy 70s jazz monster

'Cyan' is the third full length LP from San Francisco Bay Area-based band The Seshen. Contmeporary R&B/electronic fusion. Fans of Hiatus Kaiyote to Thundercat should check!

Awesome album! Includes the all-time boogie CLASSIC "I Know You, I Live You"! Essential! Superb New York Loft/Garage disco soul.