[engl] 2018 REPRESS! Popular and increasingly in demand, IZIPHO ZAM (my gifts) falls into the ?rare? category among record collectors and is a gift to fans of master Pharoah Sanders. This demand is partially galvanized by the fact that ?Prince Of Peace? has become an inspirational mine to Hip Hop artists and is much loved by samplers. Izipho Zam is Pharoah Sander?s 3rd album, initially recorded in january 1969, it was originally released on the Strata-East label in 1973. On Izipho Zam Sanders and his band take you on a journey into another world providing an amazing experience! Passionate, intense and free, Sanders saxophone especially, is exquisite, pouring out its soul telling a story of its own. Hailed by peers as the best tenor saxophonist in the world, Pharoah Sanders is a legend in Jazz music. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of free jazz and is the mentor of jazz giant, saxophonist Robert Stewart. Born in 1940 into a musical family as Farell Sanders in Arkansas, he first played the clarinet before switching to tenor saxophone in High school. After High school he moved to California to study music and art. In 1961 Sanders moved to New York where he often played gigs with a number of free jazz dignitaries including Billy Higgins, Sun Ra and Don Cherry. His name ?Pharoah? was given to him by Sun Ra, who was his bandleader then. It was during one of these gigs that he met John Coltrane who became his mentor. While playing with Coltrane, Sanders inevitably rose to prominence due to his very distinctive tenor saxophone sound. - Rachel Kinoti, www.everland-music.com > Licensed by Strata East Records, Inc.

[engl] Everland Jazz have picked a real gem for a reissue here! Originally released in 1980, "A Safe Return" is the second album by the Surinam jazz flutist RONALD SNIJDERS. It is a strong alloy of soul, funk, jazz and smooth disco sounds! Mersmerizing musical craftsmanship! “Lenox” the opening track, has a playful haze escaping from every groove,with a solid hypnotical rhythmical base and haunting flute melodies that have the character of the lead vocals. Despite the slower pace, the jazzy approach of all instrumental parts brings in enough edge to capture the listener’s attention. The few dreamy vocal lines add the slick pop element that takes this song to a different level and keeps it accessible. “Surinam Lady“, the next tune, on the other hand has a lightweight feeling with a beautiful lead melody from the flute and easy slow dance rhythms with a latin touch. All instrumental lines are tightly intervowen in arrangements that make this a perfect tune. Easy to listen, easy to enjoy, but still a complex soundscape with captivating changes in the melodies and instrumental dialogues that tie up your senses to the composition. „Kaseko attack“ the third tune really does justice to it’s title.The rhythms are powerful, the pace is faster. Bass and percussions create a whirlwind of groove due to another quite complex web of different instruments like maracas, drums, tambourines and whatever can be used to make rhythmical noises. There is even a guitar straddling into the footing of grooves and the electric piano joins the guitar. For most of it’s running time this song is about groove and nothing else. The melodies from the flutes are sparsely used here adding a completely different character, rather dreamy and floating. Both worlds flow and blend beautifully. „Sisa“ follows and shows an affinity for spiritual free jazz. In it’s opening section flutes, acoustic guitars and other instruments tumble into the scene. The song then opens into a funky base forming the fertile soil on which the fluttering flute melodies can grow to a colorful size. The middle section is a gentle passage with an utterly beautiful flute harmony that turns into a playful and quite progressive sounding part before it fades away. „Tukayana“ is an impressive journey to unknown landscapes with even a mystical turn from time to time. With „Soweto friend“ you enter a lounge or bar after returning to your place of accomodation from the trip. You sit in the roof garden, take a zip from your long drink and look out to the ocean during the twilight time. This song starts with such a relaxed and easy atmosphere but soon twists the lightweight latin grooves into a jazzy rhythm figure that shows a fractured structure being kept in one piece by the enthralling flute melodies and some moony synthesizer carpets. With zippy „Djamba“ with the flute going wild on a base of samba grooves from drums and bass guitar, plus a little support by the electric piano. This tune stays instrumental during it’s running time but that’s certainly fine. A dreamy finale comes with the title track of the album. Flute and electric piano float around another, interact like two loving souls in a gentle dialogue. A beautiful way to end such an exciting yet still accessible album. You can either turn on the stereo and turn off your mind swaying to the music, or you may as well listen closely to the many little details that make this record so intense. The playing and the sound are extraordinary! The reissue comes with a slightly improved sound by Ronald Snijders himself with the whole package retaining the spirit of the original release. For all fans of jazzy fusion and funk sounds that peep at disco music from time to time, this 1980 classic is a must have!

[engl] Some albums show you right away what kind of spirit backs them. Ronald Snijders solo debut from 1977, „Natural sources“, is one of these. It begins with a free improvised, sometimes scatting flute and while the flute goes more and more crazy some scat vocals join in to make this first track a kinda strange affair. Jazz, free and spirited, seems the way but Ronald Snijders, son of Surinamese composer Eddy Snijders, outwits us in all our tiny minded expectations with the next song already. An evergrooving base of polyrhythmical grooves from several percussion instruments builds the ground from which captivating flute patterns arise. The foundation is a repetitive latin beat influenced by Brazilian dance music but the free jazz flute eruptions on top make it a wicked listening experience, even though this is just the middle section of the song and the beginning and ending themes show a rather lighthearted jazz sound with latin grooves. So here we go. Ronald Snijders explores the depths of his musical heritage, the latin and the jazz and really pulls it off here. The next tune even drifts into a kind of exotica direction with a rather picturesque approach that drags images of indigenous dances in a jungle surrounding to the listener’s mind but then Snijders falls back on free jazz with reduced arrangement and his fondness for avant garde sounds wins over. This is certainly a challenge for music lovers due to the fact that next we face the return of the latin jazz with a slightly more modern fusion feel. All instruments on all the songs get played only by Ronald Snijders by the way. I think this is important to mention if you want to understand the whole width of his talent. Latin jazz the way Snijders composes and performs is far from silky elevator fusion. He plays with passion and his creations might have a lightweight appearance from time to time but all those little percussion themes, the guitar harmonies, the time changes and sounds echoing from far beyond the surface make this a real challenge for the listener. This record has an accessible side but demands full attention. A thrilling masterpiece where latin jazz, free jazz and fusion flow into another for some great new music. Even elements of 1950s electronic music find their way onto this record and although just as an interlude. For those who dare this is the sacred progressive jazz fusion grail.

[engl] Scherrie Payne is the younger sister of well known actress and singer Freda Payne and has been co lead singer with THE SUPREMES from 1973 to 1977. Quite a vita, one might say. But her 1987 solo album “Incredible” sank without a trace, despite the high quality pop music included. 670 US$ is the highest price fetched for this gem that I saw and I thought it must be an amazing piece of music. I can assure you, if you would not have known this masterpiece as a fan of perfectly produced 80s pop with a definite soul influence, you would have dearly missed out one of the most intense collections of pop songs ever released, but thanks to EVERLAND MUSIC we hold this gem in our hands as a reissue and can now witness the truly incredible talent of Ms. Sherrie Payne and her partner in crime, former SWITCH member Philipp Ingram. Sherrie croons on every song here in a breathtaking way with a voice of divine power and angelic brightness. The arrangements are not frugal with little details, of course most coming from electronic sound devices of the day, as usual with most 80s pop music. A few funky guitar licks here and there and probably the bass guitar lines are certainly handmade, the rest is synthesizer pop but of the highest order. The grooves are addictive, the melodies haunt you and won’t leave for a long time after the record has reached the final track. This is 100 % pop music from the 1980s, a product of it’s era but with a vibrant charme and songs that are outstanding. It is hard to compare this to other female fronted pop acts of the day, on the other hand this fits well with fans of YAZOO, Madonna, Sinitta, Whitney Houston and BANANARAMA as it features all the trademarks that this music needs. Catchy tunes with a longer lasting effect, great melodies, a slick and powerful production and a joyful atmosphere. Stylistically there is so much funk to be found in here, that with a more natural sound this album could have easily topped the charts in 1978 during the disco heydays due to these outstanding songs. Everything is a little bit more flashy here, as we have reached the second half oft the 80s. Anyway, this record gives a fan of energetic 80s pop goosebumps for it’s depth in the compositions and great emotional expression. So grab your copy today or at latest tomorrow for you have no excuse to miss this gem again.

[engl] The group Shake was the brainchild of the elusive soul and funk singer/producer Lenis Guess from Norfolk, Virginia. It is now considered one of the great overlooked funk bands of the late 70s Virginia scene – a tight little combo with a warm style that's just right for the dancefloor! The VA groove of the time was a different take on the styles being used up north in Philly and New York – as the groups were often more traditionally funk-based, especially in their instrumentation – but played in a mode that was upbeat and soaring, perfectly suited for the disco-era dancefloor, yet handled with the sincerity of an indie soul group. Shake communicate a heck of a lot in their music – moving through some great original tunes written by producer Lenis Guess, done with some nicely personal touches that maintain the indie spirit of the set, even though the group's overall sound is tightly professional. Originally released on Guess records, it includes the Kon & Amir favourite 'Lost In Space', but the whole album is just great.

[engl] The late Nathaniel ?Snoopy? Dean is one of those many underrated southern soul and blues men who never reached great fame outside their home ground. His legacy is deeply treasured though by hardcore black music followers. In the late sixties he instigated the now very sought after group Third Guitar who recorded some great sides for the Rojac label out of NYC. He subsequently became a member of the Deep City Band and started recording under his own name. In the early to mid seventies Dean made five singles and an album Wiggle That Thing on Henry Stone's Blue Candle imprint which is being reissued here. The album - originally released in 1977 - contains a rare combination of deep, southern soul, funk and blues in such a way that the LP really does not fall straight in neither category. In the 80?s Snoopy Dean became a much in demand session musician as a guitarist in Miami and recorded at least two more albums that belong more in the blues and indie soul field. Unfortunately Snoopy Dean died in 1998 due to complications arising from diabetes. Still, it is this great LP Wiggle That Thing he will be always and best remembered for.

[engl] Long awaited reissue of one of the rarest Mongolian albums, originally released in 1981. A musical pearl in the vein of Dos-Mukasan, Firyuza, The Bayan Mongol Variety Group and Gunesh. Released by Soviet label Melodia, the vinyl sold out immediately and has never been re-pressed after the falling of the USSR. Now EBALUNGA!!! presents an official reissue on vinyl. Soyol Erdene (Cultural Jewel) was the first Mongolian rock band. The band was established in 1971 and was frequently criticized by political party censorship for the promotion of Western musical style and Western fashion.

[engl] SHORT: STANDING ROOM ONLY’s “Heart and soul” is a masterpiece of 80s soul funk with a pop edge that will excite fans of Chaka Khan, Sade, Luther Vandross, THE TEMPTATIONS or Marvin Gaye with well crafted memorable songs that show a great production and lush arrangements that reveal many quirky only with further spins on the turntable. A holy grail for collectors finally made available again. DETAILS: 1982, funky dance music, disco, pop and soul, sounds like something familiar. But try to score a copy of this beauty and you will splutter getting aware oft he price which lies at 750 USD or even more for a copy in perfect condition. So feel grateful for Everland Music and their brandnew reissue if you are a fan of black 80s soul pop with a funky edge. This is music that was very present in the early 80s and could be heard nearly everywhere in movies such as “Beverly Hills Cop” or similar flicks, which gave us an overplayed insight into the lifestyle of those days, especially in the black community. I can see good ol’ Axel Foley chasing gangsters before my inner eye listening to this record. The production is typical for the release year. In some of the tunes you find synthies allover the place, but still the recordings feel handmade by highly skilled musicians. Flashing horn arrangements dance around your mind, the bass guitar pumps a jittery groove and the beats of the drum pulsate with a very clean sound. You have to dig deeper into the arrangements for more little details and will be surprised how many layers of rhythms and synthesizer lines with little solos added here and there can be traced within the complex, yet not complicated structure of such a song. These were the 80s and despite being up to date with sound and production values, this record offers so much depth. The vocal harmonies and all the melodies on this album point back to the huge mid to late 70s soul pop landmarks. And within all the very modern black pop songs on this album you can still find some of these lush anthems of silky soul that just blow your mind. This is certainly more than just a dance album which lasts with you for the time it rotates on your turntable. This record tells a story, probably not with the actual lyrics but with the music itself. And each song is different and has only one thing in common with the forthcoming song, namely the good vibrations, the expression of utter joy and love for the sunny side of life. The atmosphere here is great and puts the listener in a happy mood. My favorite tune here is the modern pop funk of “Take a chance” with loads of synthesizer lines duelling with the brass section, cool verse and chorus melodies and a steady groove. Now you may jump up from where you sit and swirl around in your place like a tornado, or you do it the other way round and stay there, listen to the music, listen more and more deeply and discover all the details and little quirky ornaments hidden in the thicket of the arrangements. Either way this album will soon become a regular guest on your stereo and those very memorable tunes even play in your head when you’re somewhere out there so that you cannot stop humming and whistling these harmonies. So get hooked on this record and discover one of the holy grails for collectors of 80s funk and soul music, you will realize right away why lovers of this style have laid down half of their salary of a month for a copy of this gem. Finally a new generation of fans gets the chance to listen to and fall in love with STANDING ROOM ONLY’s “Heart and soul”.

[engl] Starchild Jr. named GARRETT SHIDER, is a seriously talented guitarist, much lauded and in demand in the music industry. This might be unsurprising since Garrett was brought up on guitars being the son of legendary PARLIAMENT / FUNKADELIC guitarist, musical director GARRY SHIDER. This Funky album is a tribute from son to father, and an extension of PFunk Allstars (the next generation so to speak). ?Hand me down diapers? is a punchy versatile album with gorgeous guitars and harmony. Featured on it is the Funk maestro himself, GEORGE CLINTON, as well as other bandmembers of today's FUNKADELIC crew. - Rachel Kinoti, www.everland-music.com

[engl] „Upward Bound“ is a long lost, incredibly rare and very expensive classic disco era album! It combines soul, funk with and slick pop appeal into a great cocktail of grooves and melodies! This will drive you to the dancefloor and make you sing along at the same time! The lush arrangements, tight grooves and powerful soul vocals with catchy harmonies make this album an instant evergreen. I’m least surprised that the arrangements should pose a challenge to every rhythm section and that the catchy melodies instantly stick to the listener. The flashing horn arrangements are amazing! The funky bass grooves and guitar riffs weave a cocoon of sound around your soul. The sound is certainly clean but also vivid and the music feels grounded despite it’s larger than life expression. The swirling backing vocals in combination with the lead singer are the icing on the cake that already consists of catchy and outstanding songs. This is more funk and soul than simple disco music. There is depth in the arrangements with awesome details as you delve deeper into each single track. You can of course groove along and just enjoy the songs as they are, but be sure to at least be on the lookout for the beautiful ornaments in each song. This music will surely move you, it makes it impossible sit still . In this album you’ll find a wide range of funky music, from Slow groovers to fast paced tunes, you will get them all. Some with a deep atmosphere, some energetic, all of them memorable with arrangements that keep your attention going even with the 50th spin on your turntable. To my opinion this album is an unmissable gem of the disco era at it’s peak! The original album retails at $ 400 going up, rarely a decent copy could surfaces on the market once a year. So here’s a chance for you to grab an affordable copy of this well-deserved and long overdue reissue on vinyl and be enchanted!

[engl] Anybody remember STREET FEET? These guys used to be an all instrumental 1970s funk act with a cineastic feel, means that their music could easily have been used as library music for TV productions, especially police movies. They had one album in 1977 and then disappeared. At least it seemed so. But they rather teamed up with singer Sharon Robinson, who has been background vocalist with Leonard Cohen and songwriter for people like Diana Ross, Patti Labelle or Michael Bolton later on and was reluctant to use her own name on the album for tax shelter issues with her label. Since her middle name is Terea, as it was said, this became the project name as well. Original copies from the long since vanished BABY GRAND label fetch prices of 1500 $ and more, so here EVERLAND MUSIC, who own the whole catalogue of the BABY GRAND label, kick out the jams with their ultimate reissue of this classic. The music on this outstanding album could easily be regarded as some of the greatest late 70s black music. And what a great variation of sounds do we found here. Smooth funk with a silkier edge and piercing synthesizers, soul pop with lush arrangements, giant harmonies and a cineastic atmosphere or warm and soulful ballads, no matter what, it is in here. Each song has his own spirit and memorable hooks. The performance is tight and despite all perfection quite passionate. The overall musical direction is gentle since this is pop music par excellance. If you dream yourself on through the dense arrangements you will find so many nifty little details that you can only speak out your deepest respect for the participating band and the singer with the enthralling voice. What goes on beyond the surface is so sorcerous. All those ghostly synthesizer lines. The funky and evergrooving pop version of Hendrix‘ „Manic depression“ fits perfectly well with the rest of the tunes. Organ, percussions, bass guitar, electric piano and vocals make it a massive head swirler and dancefloor sweeper. Next big thing on this album a few songs later is the gospel influenced ballad „For free“, which could have been, in a little more reduced version, one of the most haunting pieces on an early THE BAND or Neil Young record. Here we get a song with lush string arrangments and melodies so haunting and so deeply touching that you almost start crying the one or another tear of joy. All in all this music might feel glamourous but it has an earthy approach and this makes it stand the test of time with ease. Black music aficionadoes will find themselves in need of this record.

[engl] Originally released in 1978, it?s the only known album by this super hot Atlanta, Georgia band. The Chapparrals were known for wild onstage antics, deep funky sounds and for taking no prisoners when they opened for any of the numerous recording acts they had the pleasure of working with back in the ?70s. These guys are a perfect summation of popular funk groove as their album is a blistering blend of bassy rhythms and tight instrumentation. It also includes mighty sweet keyboards that sneak wonderfully alongside the guitar and horns, sometimes with wild moogy touches that are almost P-Funk. They performed with notables like The Commodores, The Isley Brothers, Sly & The Family Stone, Marvin Gaye, Graham Central Station, Kool & The Gang, Parliamant/Funkadelic and many others. This great album is a compilation of hot, stingy tunes with horns, smooth ballads with strings, featuring both fast and slow funky songs with heavy rhythmic passages. A surefire holy grail funk and soul LP!

[engl] This obscure and difficult to find LP is the Heath Brothers debut album and is considered to be their best. 'Marchin?on' is unquestionably a masterpiece and is a much sought-after album. With its wealth of riffs, it is much appreciated by samplers and has been sampled by various contemporary artists. It was originally released in 1976 on Strata-East, a label at the time co-owned by Stanley Cowell. The album flows fluidly, meticulously in a warm rich blend with the four part smilin Billy suite being a tour de force on its own. All suites have the same anchor in melody but each branches out to its own distinctive song varying from relaxed to light to dramatic and upbeat. The Heath Brothers was formed in 1975 by brothers Jimmy, Percy, Albert Heath and the much celebrated pianist Stanley Cowell in Philadelphia. The band later on continued with the brothers and alternate new members, with at one point the very talented 'Mtume' who is Jimmy Heath?s son, joining. - Rachel Kinoti,

[engl] Earlier in 2017 Everland Jazz presented a reissue of Danser's Inferno's - Creation One, originally released in 1973. Now we present the even more obscure release The Danser Revolution by The John Danser Octet, almost impossible to find in original format. The ultra rare funky jazz LP from 1977 contains the killer funky fusion tune ''Cool'' known for being sampled by Gangstarr, Blackalicious and J.Dilla. At age 14, John Danser emigrated from London and established himself in New York City where he earned a master's degree in music at the Manhattan school of music. In his early years, Danser played in classical as well as jazz gigs, simultaneously arranging and composing. In the 1970?s, composer and multi-instrumentalist John Danser formed Danser?s Inferno, a funky Jazz-Rock-Fusion band, an ensemble of 14 very talented musicians. The John Danser Octet most probably contains the core of that same ensemble but the groups?s single album is so rare that little is known about it?s exact origins. So, just let the great music speak for itself. Licensed from Jessica Danser

[engl] This is the only album from The Tutt Band known to ever be recorded. The ultra rare and sought after boogie-funk LP on Spoonful Records out of Phoenix, Arizona was released in 1988, but style-wise it sounds much more like being recorded in 1983 or 1984. It contains ten very solid and good tracks - both club tunes and slow jams - that all hit the required spot. There's also some treats for all Roger Troutman and vocoder lovers. Head straight to the ultra dope tracks 'Get It On' and 'She's Got It Going'. In retrospect The Tutt Band has been one of the little known but essential groups whom created the funky and beat heavy new jack swing sound that dominated American r&b from the mid eighties and early nineties.

[engl] Yugoslavia - six republics, four decades, one dictator and a single record label that ruled them all: Jugoton (Zagreb, Croatia). Jugoton was by far the country's largest label with the strongest and most diverse output that stretched from Balkan roots to contemporary trends and the sound of tomorrow . The early days of Yugoslavia featured strong censorship but by the end of the 60's the Communist party views softened up by a large degree. Westernized music already had a solid presence and first James Brown influenced compositions were released. Yugo funk, a term coined by DJ’s and crate diggers from the Balkans, encompasses a wide variety of performers and genres: from the 60's merseybeat rock bands, prog rock groovers and big band jazz orchestras to the late 70's sophisticated 4x4 funk and essentially everything in between. Jugoton Funk Vol.1, a first of its kind, celebrates the pioneer years of funk infused music released by Jugoton. While in pursuit of these treasures all over the Balkan region and beyond, the compilation’s selectors, Dr. Sme?i Še?er & Višeslav Laboš, both active as DJ's and crate diggers from the sole beginnings of the ex-Yu craze, wanted to capture the authentic and idiosyncratic funk sound of Jugoton and Yugoslavia. So here it is, comb your moustache, light up a fat one, turn up the amplifier and headbang away to these amazing tunes remastered from original master tapes dug out of the Jugoton vaults (now Croatia Records).

[engl] Here?s one very rare early 80?s soul and boogie LP, as clean original copies now fetch well over $500, if you can find it... This brand new and first official reissue ever contains the now classic modern soul dancer ?Not About That (Show Me Some Respect)? alongside some very attractive ballad material for the more dedicated soul fans. The elusive Van Jones from Pughsville, VA continued to record - as he did since 1976 - several 7? and 12? singles into the decade. But this highly sought after album from 1981 is widely considered as the definitive moment in his short though fruitful recording career. - Marc Janssen, www.everland-music.com

[engl] Where were we in 79 when the dam began to burst? Well, some of us were hanging out in the clubs to dance to smooth and sweet disco music with utterly cheerful melodies, slick and lush arrangements of brass and string sections over an ever pulsating rhythm section borrowing elements of funk and soul to create something new, fresh and exciting. And some of the disco acts that popped up like daisies on a lawn even hit the big time. Most of the acts on the other hand sank without a trace and only the real music lovers among those who danced through the nights remembered great bands and albums such as WILD HONEY. No wonder that their sole effort from 1979 is a rare diamond today and goes for more than 200 € among collectors of great black music if it ever turns up for sale. The very go – getting EVERLAND label from the Netherlands have filled the gap and did a reissue of the highest order. It is time to make this beauty available again since there is still a huge crowd out there craving for enthralling black music. WILD HONEY consisted of talented musicians backing up the three singing queens. The playing is powerful and precise. Despite the slick and perfect production the music shows feeling and is vivid. You hear every single beat from the percussionists due to the crystal clear sound. And still this music is intense and emotional. Six songs in the five minute range give you a great listening experience with the ballads even showing the peak of all talent gathered here. The arrangements are amazing. Every note, every sigh of the backing vocals, every clap from the percussion department sits perfectly in its place. The harmony vocals nearly reach the level of QUEEN and WILD HONEY are far from being a rock band at all. This is captivating, fascinating and enchanting while being as acccessible as it is necessary for disco and club music made to make the audience dance and party. But higher art and pop appeal go fairly well with each other in some cases. For example in the dancefloor sweeper „This time tomorrow“ with hot blooded lead vocals and nearly ethereal backing choirs repeating the title over and over again while the instrumental arrangements in the back capture your soul. If you could ever call a disco song haunting, then it should be this one. This gets really close to Donna Summer with her major anthem „I feel love“. The closer of the album, „Selfish for unselfish reasons“ is a slow dance, a slow pop tune with really atmospheric melodies and some very angelic lead vocals. The silky aspect of the overall sound should make the album appeal to a wide range of black music and disco music fans that go beyond the surface with their taste and really care for good songs that stick to your mind. There is nothing complicated with each of the six tunes here but definitely a complex pattern of several instrumental layers can be found if one listens closer and loves to explore a song rather than just dance to it. You can for sure also just ride on the wave of good vibrations this album. For fans of disco music and disco oriented soul this is truly a gem on par with the best Donna Summer moments.