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The two tracks on this limited edition jazz dance 12 are available for the FIRST and ONLY time on vinyl!

Even if you know Ray Noble’s jazz standard ‘Cherokee’ (initially made famous by Charlie Parker), this version by Peter Herbolzheimer’s Rhythm Combination & Brass features the vocals of Dianne Reeves. German composer and bandleader Peter Herbolzheimer’s international group very active in Europe from the 1970s and were signed to the very influencial MPS label (as plundered by numerous compliers including Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Jazz: Themes From The Black Forest series and Germany’s Mojo Club Presents Dancefloor Jazz to name just two).

Dianne Reeves isn’t my favourite jazz singer. Previously, her duet with Cassandra Wilson on the Bob Belden Project’s ‘Come Together’ would be my favourite but on this one, her jazz skat is up there like a cross between Flora Purim, Ella Fitzgerald and Janet Lawson. Taking of which, ‘Cherokee’ was one of the highlights of Big Band section yesterday’s version of Jazz Chronicles Live (see links below) and hopefully there will be some podcast evidence to prove it on the web coming soon!

Now if you mention jazz dance to most folks, it’s all about 100mph Latin percussion (as in Robin Jones), big horns, a driving piano and a throbbing bass solo. Well not all the time but Martinique pianists Mario Canonge certainly ticked all the boxes with ‘Kon Djab Djigidi’ and it’s safe to say that it’s been a fusion jazz monster for at least 15 years now.

You definitely need a rest after these two (unless you’re a Jazz Co Tech regular) but there’s another ten corkers on the album Music For Jazz Dancers that’s coming out on Freestyle Records (Cat. No. FSRCD074) on 31st May 2010. in the meantime, you also might like to check out some of the other notables on the label like Cookin’ on 3 Burners, Valique, Diesler, Lack of Afro and not forgetting another jazz classic, Shirley Eubanks Ensemble’s version of ‘Blessing Song’ proving that it’s always quality from the Freestyle team.

Reviewed: Various - Music For Jazz Dancers (Freestyle Records) Cat. No: FSR083 : Vinyl, 12” Release date: April 2010
Tracklisting:
A Peter Herbolzheimer Rhythm Combination & Brass feat. Dianne Reeves - Cherokee (5:58)
B Mario Canonge - Kon Djab Djigidi (7:04)

Links:
freestylerecords.co.uk
www.myspace.com/freestylerecordsuk
1st May 2010 - Simon S, Martin Gordon & Gerry Hectic : Jazz Chronicles @ Sixty Million Postcards, Bournemouth 3 to 8pm www.sixtymillionpostcards.com