The new year 2020 with its first quarter just began. Therefore I am pleased to present you further records of my vinyl collection. In the following, you will get to know three old records and a more recent one. If you have missed the last vinyl selection post of 2019, you can find it here. Enjoy the following presentation of the next four records of my collection that are randomly picked out of the vinyl shelf.
Herbie Hancock - Man-Child (1975)
The jazz-funk/jazz-fusion record "Man-Child" is the fifteenth studio album by American jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock. The record that consists of instrumentals only was released in 1975 by Columbia Records (Sony Music Entertainment). It is one of Hancock's most funk-influenced albums, and it represents his further departure from the "atmosphere jazz". Hancock uses more funk-based rhythms around the hi-hat, and snare drum. Man-Child features less improvisation from the whole band and more concentrated grooves with brief solos from the horns and Hancock himself playing synthesizers or Fender Rhodes electric piano. Additionally to that new sound, the album also features the electric guitar with excessive use of Wah-Wah effects. Especially the first two songs "Hang Up Your Hang Ups" (Track #1) and "The Traitor" (Track #2) caught my attention.
Mezzoforte - No Limits (1986)
Mezzoforte is an instrumental jazz-funk fusion band from Iceland, formed in 1977. The band was named after the traditional musical term mezzo-forte, an instruction to play literally "moderately loud". "No Limits", the band's seventh studio album released in 1986 on RCA Records (Sony Music Entertainment). The band was still touring through Europe the past two years. On "No Limits" that mostly features instrumentals without vocals, my favourite songs are "Icebreaker" (Track #1), "No Limit" (Track #2) and "E.G. Blues" (Track #6).
Cameo - Cameosis (1980)
In Vinyl Selection Of The Quarter (Q4/19), I already presented you their most famous record "Word Up" (1986). "Cameosis" is not only a six years older record but also consists of far less "mainstream"-ish tracks. However, the fifth album by the funk/soul band is generally regarded by fans as the band's best album overall. "Cameosis" was released in 1980 on Chocolate City Records (Universal Music Group) and reached number one on the R&B album charts and number twenty-five on the Billboard 200 album charts. It was certified gold for sales of more than 500,000 copies in the US. The two singles, "We're Goin' Out Tonight" and "Shake Your Pants", charted on the R&B singles charts at number 11 and 8 respectively. I recommend you to have listened especially to "Shake Your Pants" (Track #2) and "On The One" (Track #6),
Issues - Beautiful Oblivion (2019)
"Beautiful Oblivion" is the third studio album by American metal band Issues, released in autumn 2019 on Rise Records (BMG Rights Management). It was produced by Howard Benson (Credits: Motörhead, Papa Roach, Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Cornell, Adam Lambert, Bon Jovi, Santana, Mark Ronson, 3 Doors Down, Billy Talent, State Champs, Simple Plan, In Flames, Of Mice & Men, among others) and is the first album without original member and shouter Michael Bohn since his departure in 2018. The album showcases the group's progression of experimenting with other musical styles and influences, using elements of nu-metal, progressive metal and djent, and influences of neo-soul, R&B, funk, electronica and pop. Writing sessions for songs on the album began as early as 2014 when the band started reviving old demo recordings while recording sessions took place between 2017 and 2019. My favourite songs of the album are "Find Forever" (Track #3), "Tapping Out" (Track #4), "Without You" (Track #5), "Get It Right" (Track #9) and "No Problem (Keep It Alive)" (Track#11).
