The Best of Chuck Mangione collects various tracks from the smooth jazz pioneer's '80s Columbia recordings. While not as influential as Mangione's '70s output, his '80s albums retain much of what made him so popular an artist – catchy hooks, lush production and his clear, crisp trumpet sound. Included are such standout tracks as "Journey to a Rainbow," "Love Bug Boogie" and "Memories of Scirocco." Oddly, a live version of "Land of Make Believe" and the single version of "Feels So Good" make it on to this collection. These '70s hits don't really belong here, but should satisfy casual fans looking for his most popular recordings alongside his mid-career stuff.

Backing off a bit from the outright funky fusion of 1972's Gypsy Man, Terra Nova nonetheless finds saxophonist Robin Kenyatta still indulging his newfound love of electricity and rhythmically altered jazz-funk tempered by his newfound love of Caribbean music. This Michael Cuscuna-produced date showcases Kenyatta's alto in three different settings – though half of them feature him in an octet with a pair of electric guitarists and two pianists, an organist, bassist, drummer, and no less than Ralph MacDonald on percussion. The feel on most of these cuts is informed by bubbling funky reggae and calypso.

The Best Ever Sixties Summer Album is a 2CD compilation of music from the 1960's that celebrate the warm months of the year. This was released by EMI Music Australia.

It's been seven years since Michael Franks has graced us with a new album, and The Music In My Head was certainly worth the wait. Produced by Gil Goldstein (Esperanza Spalding, Chris Botti, Jill Scott), Chuck Loeb (Fourplay), and others, The Music In My Head delivers the sensual warmth for which Michael Franks is famous. Highlights include the super cool "BeBop Headshop," the intimate "Bluebird Blue," the profoundly beautiful "Waterfall" and more - all written by Michael Franks and destined to join his distinguished list of classic songs.

Awesome third album from the Israeli group, recorded in three different studios around the world – Berlin / London and Tel Aviv. The album blends neo-soul, modern rnb, electronic beats, eastern sounds and psychedelic touches. Fans of Hiatus Kaiyote and Little Dragon should check this. Buttering Trio’s anticipated third album aptly titled “Threesome” arrived recently through the excellent Raw Tapes label. Influenced, as always, by worldwide rhythms and ideas, you’ll hear a multitude of sounds ranging from Indian ragas, tribal music, archetypical melodies infused with complex beat-making, organic songwriting, and warm vocals. “Our third and new album is the reflection of the sobering evolvement of ourselves. We approached the making of the album with clarity and intention, working on a regular basis with a very specific vision, a vision of an album that ultimately combines the beauty of studio-beat-making and organic song writing."

A fantastic early album fromTom Scott – cut when he was still a teenager, and a record that combines some sonic adventurousness with hard bop leaning sounds! Scott, especially on his early albums, is one heck of a reed player, and can get as funky as the best of them. This LP includes a massive breakbeat track called "Rural Still Life #26", plus a lot of other nice ones that mix jazz, funk, and grooviness – which may have made it a hard sell at the time, but the blend of the bold and the more easygoing sounds is pretty sweet today. Scott's quartet includes Mike Lang on keyboards, Chuck Damanico on bass, and John Guerin on drums. Titles "Freak In", "Juss Messin' Around", and "With Respect To Coltrane". A great one, and don't pass it up!

Burnin' Waves is the 1978 album by saxophonist Toshiyuki Honda. He is joined by Ken Wild (bass), Bob Wilson (drums), Larry Williams (piano, keyboards), Bud Nuanez (guitar), Tadaomi Anai (percussion), Gary Herbig (tenor & alto sax), Eiji Arai (trombone), and Jerry Hey (trumpet), with vocalist Pauline Wilson (of Seawind) sitting in on "Havana Candy". This album has a vibe not unlike Sadao Watanabe. This was reissued in 2000 by King Records of Japan.

At the end of 1997, several members left the band, leaving their ranks decimated. But the remaining members brought in new blood, regrouped, and opened up their musical outlook to start auditioning new material (rather than just covering old standards and obscure items), and 1998 saw the new Roomful of Blues hit the racks and the road. New vocalist Mac Odom brings along his "Backseat Blues" and turns in great versions of Duke-Peacock Records staples like "I Tried" and "I Smell Trouble," while guitarist Chris Vachon emerges from the Duke Robillard and Ronnie Earl shadows to contribute a pair of strong originals in "Blue, Blue World" and "Just Like Dynamite." Strong versions of "The Comeback," "Lost Mind," and Duke Ellington's "Rocks in My Bed" and new material from Doyle Bramhall and the Cate Brothers complete the package.

Soul Source is a Japan-only series of compilation organised by Kenichi Yanai, featuring remixes of disco, jazz, funk, soul, and anything similar. They have put together compilation discs for remixes by Jackson 5 and Earth, Wind & Fire. This disc is the Remixed Boogies edition and was released by Victor Entertainment of Japan.

On the heels of his 15th Grammy Pat Metheny, the most honored jazz guitarist in history, offers one of the most adventurous albums of his career. One Quiet Night is simply Metheny and a solo baritone guitar. Completely acoustic, no overdubs, using a rediscovered low Nashville tuning and recorded in his home studio.

Guitar giants John Scofield and Pat Metheny teamed up for the first time on records for this CD. The collaboration does take awhile to get going and it is not until the fourth cut, the bluish "Everybody's Party," that the sparks begin to fly; fortunately the momentum does not let up much throughout the remainder of the CD. All of the selections (including two blues) are originals by either of the guitarists and, with the accompaniment of bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Bill Stewart, this varied set generally lives up to expectations.

In the summer of 2002, with the help Eagle Records - Candy was given total creative freedom to create the CD of her dreams, giving her the opportunity to push the boundaries with her seamless fusion of R&B, Drum `n Bass, Funk, Jazz and Ambient sounds. Right In My Soul marks Dulfer's first studio album in four years. Right In My Soul has all the trademark riffs, solos and that fit in with the new Candy Dulfer but still instantly recognizable to her legions of fans.

An idiosyncratic, girlish voice, snappy, flawless deliverance, and an irrepressible sense of light-hearted swing made Blossom Dearie one of the most pleasant singers of the vocal era. Her tenderness and glisten ensured that she'd never treat standards as the well-worn songs they often appeared in less competent hands. And though her reputation was made on record with a string of excellent albums for Verve during the '50s, she remained a draw with Manhattan cabaret audiences long into the new millennium.

TRIX was formed in 2004, led by drummer Noriaki Kumagai (ex-Casiopea), with bassist Mitsuru Sutoh (ex-T-Square) and now guitarist Yuya Komoguchi and keyboardist AYAKI has joined the group. Their very ear-catcy music with thrilling techniques, and entertaining stage performance have been widely accepted among fans. Some of their songs are featured as the main theme of TV programs.

The album that made Butler a star. The sweeping ballads, catchy uptempo, dance-oriented hits, and multi-tracked overdubs and background vocalists helped make his music a staple on late '80s Urban Contemporary radio. There is little jazz influence and even less jazz content on this release, but Butler does display a strong, effective singing voice.