Oliver Nelson - Skull Session

Year : 1975

Label : Flying Dutchman
Genre : Jazz
Style : Fusion, Big Band, Electronic Moods, Soul Jazz, Post Bop

"Skull Session" is an amazing eclectic album of saxophonist and arranger Oliver Nelson who borrows various styles as well as Bossa Nova, Electronic, Jazz Funk, Soul and Contempory Jazz. Entirely composed by Oliver Nelson, the album features Lonnie Liston Smith (keys), Willie Bobo (per), Lee Ritenour (eg),  Buddy Collette & Bill Perkins (sax) evolving in big brass band. Titles include the electronic groove "Skull Session", the Oliver Nelson standard "125th St. And 7th Ave." and the funky tracks "Dumpy Mama" & "Flight For Freedom". All tracks composed, conducted and arranged by Oliver Nelson, produced by Bob Thiele.

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek (Reflections Eternal) - Train Of Thought

Year : 2000
Label : Rawkus
Genre : Hip-Hop
Style : Jazzy Hip-Hop, R&B, Conscious

Essential classic of rap from the beginning of 21th century by Reflection Eternal, a hip-hop duo formed by conscious rapper Talib Kweli (ex-Black Star) and Tony Cottrell aka Hi-Tek, a DJ and producer from Cincinnati. "Train Of Thought" was originally released on legendary alternative Hip-Hop label, Rawkus Records, featuring jazz pianist Weldon Irvine from the Crusaders (African Dream, Too Late), Mos Def from Black Star (This Means You), legends of rap Kool G Rap (Ghetto Afterlife), De La Soul (Soul Rebels), french songstress Les Nubians (Love Language), Xzibit (Down For The Count), Vinia Monica from The Native Tongues hip-hop collective (The Blast), among others. All tracks produced by Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek.

6ix Toys - 6IX TOYS

Year : 2008
Label : FW (First World Records)
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz, Soul, Electronic
Style : Jazz Funk, Funk/Soul, Hip-Hop, Fusion

"6ix Toys" take place on their first live performance at The Isle of Wight Festival in 2008. Originally from Liverpool, the band is formed around Marco Bernardis (ts) and the DJ Fred Ruddick (turntables), including Paul Burton (tb), Tom Ashbrook (keys), Mark Beaney (eg), Jake Foord (eb) and Adam Beaney (ds). The album mixes Jazz with Funk including Afro-Cuban Jazz (Mosquito & P-Knuckle) & Hip-Hop (Wake 'N' Bake & Wanna Ride). The band played a fusion style approaching the sound of their main influence, the japanese Nu-Jazz band, Soil & Pimp Sessions, but also The Meters, James Brown & The JBs. Titles include featurings with the british blues singer Connie Lush on "Paint The Toon", MC Yarah Bravo from One Self (DJ Vadim's collective) on "Wanna Ride" and Katie Miller on "Cannibal Lunch". Produced by Fred Ruddick. All cuts & beats by Fred Ruddick.