I think this is the 8th in the Good Times series and does Norman prove he knows his stuff time and time again. Certainly one of the most respected DJs there is and if ever there was a DJs deejay, Norman Jay is one; along with his achievements in radio and television broadcasting and innovator of the Good Times Sound System at Notting Hill.

Instead of calling this Vol. 8, Azuli have sensibly gone for the more timeless title of ‘London’. Not that the music is particularly London based but more in the sense of the ‘London Sound’ that Jay has moved dance floors with all over the world from his huge collect of rare groove, soul, disco, jazz , funk, house, hip-hip and reggae.

The compilation kicks off with a stonkin’ version ‘Get Ready (Here I Come)’ by, what sounds like, a youthful Ella Fitzgerald. That’s followed by Caveman’s hip-hop ‘I’m Ready’ to samples of Jimi Hendrix’ ‘Crosstown Traffic’ (for fans of Jimi adaptations, also check Jazz K. Lipa’s ‘Purple Haze’ on the Resense label). London? I’d say so as it’s the ‘sound’. And you can’t get more capital carnival than Denis Brown and Ritchie Spice (on the ‘Some Like It Hot’ riddem), a bit of d’n’b (Origin Unkown) and Northern Soul from Gloria Jones. Our Norman does like those big string arrangements and a female vocal (Ullanda McCollough’s ‘Bad Company’ fits the bill). And who doesn’t?

Disc two is arguably a bit more ‘London’. For example, Bembe Seque is ‘London’ but ‘Green Like The Sun’ comes via Breakthrough from Japan (taken from the Pantone album, Breakthorough) and there’s the usual Jay trademarks, uplifting soulful house (with Bobby ‘D’ Ambrosia’s ‘Girl You Need A Change Of Mind’) and conscious rare soul (Lou Rawls’ ‘The Politician’). Even so, he’s not scared of a bit of funky jazz via Gilles Peterson’s current favourite horns, the ‘offspring’ of Philip Cohran, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and some proper old skool from Chaka Khan.

Current personal favourites are the last two tracks of the first CD. Steve Parks moves his soulful jazz funk in the right direction (just the right balance of boogie and jazz) and ‘Invitation’ by Maynard Ferguson. Now Ferguson is a proper jazzman but when this came out in 1976, the jazz-funk fusion was supposed to hard. Even though the cast is strong (including Steve Gadd, Eric Gale, Ralph Macdonald, Mark Colby, Joe Farrell, Chick Corea), this is hardly a Primal Scream as there’s was a bit too much Bob James and David Sanborn about it. Only now I can feel confident to say, I love this track.

I don’t know how Norman he keeps doing it, but he does and it’s a good job that he does. All we need now if a bit of sunshine and a beer and everything will be all right. Good times in London town; where ever your personal London is located.

Reviewed: Various - Norman Jay MBE Presents GOOD TIMES - London (Azuli) Cat. No. AZCD70 Release date: 11th August 2008
Disc One
1. Ella Fitzgerald - Get Ready (2:33)
2. Robert Parker - Let’s Go Baby (Where The Action Is) (4:01)
3. Origin Unknown - Valley Of The Shadows (3:22)
4. Dennis Brown - Some Like It Hot (4:30)
5. Chubb Rock - Organizer (3:46)
6. SL2 - On A Ragga Tip (3:07)
7. Steve Parks - Moving In The Right Direction (3:21)
8. Ullanda McCollough - Bad Company (4:00)
9. Gloria Jones - Windstorm (3:14)
10. The Whispers - A Mother For My Children (4:20)
11. High Inergy - Lovin’ Fever (4:13)
12. Maynard Ferguson - Invitation (5:33)
Disc Two
Jet Tricks - Free (4:06)
Eamon - Love Them O’s (3:20)
Breakthrough feat. Bembe Seque - Green Like The Sun (5:52)
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Sankofa (5:16)
Vivian Green - Keep On Going (6:08)
Lou Rawls - The Politician (3:11)
Congress Alley - Congress Alley (2:55)
Chaka Khan - Love Has Fallen On Me (4:55)
Dramatics - Get It (7:51)
Lisa Shaw - All Night High (6:55)
Bobby ‘D’ Ambrosia - Girl You Need A Change Of Mind (8:52)
Brainstorm - We’re On Our Way Home (6:17)

Links
www.normanjay.com
www.azuli.com
www.myspace.com/hypnoticbusiness
www.myspace.com/bembesegue
V/A - Good Times Vol.7: Norman Jay Presents Let the Good Times Roll