07. Jimmy Hiacynthe "Yatchiminou"

Jimmy Hyacinthe, born in Treichville, a district of Abidjan, was an arranger and singer from Ivory Coast. He collaborated with Nayanka Bell and many other musicians and singers from the Ivory Coast and Mali in the 1970 and 1980. People called him Mr. Guitar. If you give it a try you'll see why!

Jimmy Hyacinthe - Yatchiminou

08. Pierre Dalmon "Jungle Melody"

This is the funky break-heavy track "Jungle Melody" by Pierre Dalmon from his 1977 untitled album. European disco heavy-weights Roger Tokarz and Pierre-Alain Dahan from Voyage and Arpadys also appear on the track.

Pierre Dalmon - Jungle Melody

09. Jukka Eskola "1974"

Right now there is a lot of great new funky and experimental jazz music coming out of Finland and Ricky-Tick Records is one of the big reasons for this recent regional jazz explosion. Over the last half-decade, the label has been highlighting the countries growing jazz scene by releasing a number of great records by Finnish artists like Astro Can Caravan, Timo Lassy, The Five Corners Quintet, Auteur Jazz, Dalindèo, and many others. One of many musicians on Ricky-Tick is trumpet and flugelhorn player Jukka Eskola. Along with playing in The Five Corners Quintet, Jukka has released a couple of solo albums and a few singles including the amazing 2009 LP Walkover. This funky jazz gem "1974" was released as a single back in 2004, as well as included on his self-titled debut the following year.

Jukka Eskola - 1974

10. Timo Lassy "African Rumble"

Timo Lassy has been a prominent figure in the field of contemporary jazz with firm roots and a strong rhythmic presence ever since the early 2000’s. His work with the Blue Note recording U-Street All Stars, the ever-so-successful The Five Corners Quintet, and of course his own ensemble, the Timo Lassy Band, has gained the man a steady international following in addition to domestic success. His 2007 debut “The Soul & Jazz of Timo Lassy” ranks among the most celebrated releases on the Ricky-Tick label, and Lassy himself, pre “Round Two”, is noted as a force to be reckoned with in any given setting.

When considering the message of Timo Lassy and his music, one cannot omit the realisation of just how deeply immersed in innovation yet easily approachable his sound is. The roots of jazz with attitude are there, but the execution is distinctively 21st century without sounding selfrighteously retro.

This is pure high-quality jazz “post” the “modern” age.

Timo Lassy - African Rumble

11. Prins Thomas "Kukkelure"

Thomas Moen Hermansen, recording under the name Prins Thomas, is a Norwegian record producer, best known for his collaboration with Hans-Peter Lindstrøm as Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas. Their music has been described as "space disco", and influences include krautrock, psychedelia and prog. Their records include the album Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas, released in 2005 on the Eskimo Recordings label, and Reinterpretations, a compilation of remixes and unreleased versions of tracks from the album. The duo have released a second album, Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas II.

Prins Thomas' label, Full Pupp, also features similar-sounding artists like Blackbelt Andersen and Todd Terje.

Prins Thomas - Kukkelure

Purchase Prins Thomas's twelve-inch single Morfar by Clicking Here.

12. The Souljazz Orchestra "Mista President"

Since their creation in Ottawa, Canada, back in 2002, the Souljazz Orchestra have become one of the most potent bands in their field. Drawing on the rough, raw grooves of the '60s and '70s and effortlessly fusing soul, jazz, afro and latin rhythms within their music, the group have moved forward the blueprint of Fela, Fania and the funk in entirely new ways, while keeping the vital analogue grit intact. As a live unit, years of relentless touring have formed the band into an in-demand fixture at venues and festivals worldwide.

Having turned heads with two fine records on the Toronto-based Do Right! label, Freedom No Go Die (2006, featuring their breakthrough single "Mista President") and Manifesto(2008), the Souljazz Orchestra have recently released the hotly anticipated Rising Sunalbum on London-based Strut Records. Drawing on a wider canvas of styles than ever before, touching on spiritual jazz, deep African rhythms, and cinematic soundscapes, the Orchestra take their sound to new heights with stunning musicianship and virtuoso arrangements throughout. Long-time fan Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio One) has already declared this album to be their best yet.

The Souljazz Orchestra - Mista President

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13. The Hi-Fly Orchestra "Roda De Samba"

The Hi-Fly Orchestra means all-acoustic jazz with a totally infectious and heavy dancegroove that always gets the crowd on the floor!

The heavy and rough rhythms are played by drums, double-bass, congas and piano, supporting the wonderful horn-lines by sax and trombone. The high musicality of the 6 members of THFO and the original sound of their instruments assure the most authentic perfomance with absolute high-energy playing!

THFO was founded in 2005 by Jerker Kluge and Florian Riedl. Though played by young musicians, who are influenced by all kinds of todays music, the intent was to create music that sounds as hip as the classic jazz records of the blue note era. Music to dance, without DJ´s, electronics or samples, just pure acoustic music!

The Hi-Fly Orchestra - Roda De Samba

Purchase The Hi-Fly Orchestra's 45rpm single Roda De Samba and many of the other group's releases by Clicking Here.