Hallucination Engine is an absolutely monumental, hypnotic, and historically staggering avant-garde world-fusion masterpiece by the legendary New York collective Material, masterminded and produced by visionary bassist Bill Laswell, released in 1994 on his iconic Axiom label. Spanning over 67 minutes across eight expansive sonic dreamscapes, this high-fidelity document captures the ultimate zenith of Laswell's pan-global musical philosophy—a seamless, deeply immersive collision of ambient dub textures, heavy space-funk rhythms, acid jazz improvisations, and traditional Middle Eastern and Indian classical music architectures. The album features an unprecedented assembly of legendary musical titans: jazz saxophone giant Wayne Shorter spins haunting lines across the ether; rhythm royalty Bootsy Collins and Sly Dunbar lock down the groove; Bernie Worrell unloads cosmic organ soundscapes; and percussion masters Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu, and Vikku Vinayakram weave intricate polyrhythmic layers. The session is further immortalized by a legendary spoken-word performance from literary icon William S. Burroughs on Words of Advice, alongside a transcendent, microtonal reading of John Coltrane's Naima featuring Simon Shaheen and Shankar. Moving fluidly through cinematic epics like Mantra and the jazz-funk mutation of Weather Report's Cucumber Slumber, the recording balances earth-shaking bass frequencies with beautiful, acoustic ethno-ambient stillness. Exceptionally preserved in pristine dual-format lossless and high-bitrate audio with full retail artwork scans, this definitive document stands as a mandatory cornerstone and an absolute holy grail for global purists of experimental world fusion, advanced dub production, and boundary-pushing creative music history.

Saudade is a sun-drenched, spectacularly vibrant, and masterfully executed jazz-funk fusion masterpiece by the legendary Japanese guitar virtuoso Masayoshi Takanaka, released in 1983 on the iconic Kitty Records label. Spanning nearly 44 minutes across nine tracks, this high-fidelity archive captures the undisputed pioneer of Japanese resort-fusion at the absolute zenith of his creative and global power. For this definitive studio session, Takanaka traveled to California to collaborate with a legendary, jaw-dropping dream team of American powerhouse musicians. Driven by the thunderous, high-octane drum engine of Narada Michael Walden, the iconic slapping bass lines of T.M. Stevens, and the sizzling, hyper-rhythmic percussion of a young Sheila Escovedo (Sheila E.), the ensemble provides an unstoppable, groove-heavy canvas for Takanaka's signature soaring guitar lines and fluid melodic phrasing. The sonic landscape is beautifully elevated by Frank Martin's lush keyboards, Andy Narell's tropical steel drum accents, and Joaquin Liévano's sweeping rhythm guitar work. The tracklist is an absolute masterclass in instrumental pop-fusion pacing, highlighted by the majestic, wind-swept opener A Fair Wind, the deeply lyrical and emotionally resonant title track Saudade, the infectious, driving dance rhythms of Chill Me Out, and the complex, jazz-funk workout New York Strut. Exceptionally preserved in pristine lossless quality with full booklet artwork scans, this definitive vintage release stands as a mandatory cornerstone and an absolute holy grail for global purists of 1980s Japanese City Pop history, classic fusion guitar mastery, and elite global jazz-funk culture.

Super Studio Live! is an absolutely explosive, beautifully vibrant, and masterfully executed live-in-the-studio celebration by the legendary Japanese guitar virtuoso and pioneering jazz fusion icon Masayoshi Takanaka, released in 2014 as a highly prized deluxe edition on Ivy Records. Spanning over 53 minutes across 10 career-defining masterworks, this high-fidelity document captures the undisputed king of resort-fusion revisiting his most legendary, holy-grail compositions with an incredible powerhouse line-up of veteran Japanese session titans. Recorded live in a single room to capture the raw, immediate energy of a true concert setting with the pristine precision of a high-end studio, Takanaka’s signature blazing speed, fluid melodic phrasing, and iconic soaring guitar tone are pushed to thrilling new heights. The backing ensemble features legendary bass architect Akira Okazawa, long-time percussion partner Nobu Saito, driving drummer Masahiro Miyazaki, and keyboard wizards Yoshinobu Kojima and Makoto Aoyagi, alongside guitarist Naruhi Inaba to create an immense wall of sound. The setlist is a dream come true for fusion purists, highlighting jaw-dropping, hyper-charged modern updates of his defining anthems, including an extended 6-minute opening stretch through Blue Lagoon, a roaring 8-minute rendition of Ready to Fly, the tropical brightness of Tropic Bird, and a fiery performance of the classic rock cornerstone Kurofune. Exceptionally preserved in immaculate lossless audio quality, this definitive document stands as a mandatory cornerstone and a prized collector's treasure for global purists of Japanese City Pop history, classic fusion guitar mastery, and vintage instrumental jazz-funk culture.

Definitive George Duke Collection that covers the period of 1977 through to 2000 that features his Epic Records and Warner Brothers period. This unique five CD Set containing 87 fantastic tracks, celebrates the storied solo career of a veritable colossus whose multi-faceted music straddled different genres. Contains all of George Duke’s biggest Epic hits including ‘Dukey Stick’, ‘Say That You Will’, ‘Shine On’ and the fabulous extended Mike Maurro’s 12” mix of the track ‘I Want You For Myself’. Also featured are tracks from the Clarke / Duke Project releases including the Smash Hit ‘Sweet Baby’.

The Man With The Guitar: Recorded at Liveteria is an electrifying, sun-drenched, and masterfully high-octane live-in-the-studio masterpiece by the legendary Japanese guitar virtuoso and pioneering jazz fusion icon Masayoshi Takanaka, released in 2008 by Sony Music. Spanning over 49 minutes across eight career-defining anthems, this high-fidelity document captures the undisputed king of Japanese resort-fusion reimagining his most celebrated classics with an absolutely devastating powerhouse line-up of legendary Japanese session titans. Armed with his signature blazing speed, fluid melodic lines, and iconic bright, soaring tone, Takanaka drives his ensemble through a breathtaking celebration of breezy West Coast fusion, infectious tropical funk, and explosive prog-jazz dynamics. The backing group reads like a historic hall of fame roster, featuring bass wizard Tsugutoshi Goto, legendary percussionist Nobu Saito, a dual-drum engine of Hideo Yamaki and Tatsuo Hayashi, and the lush, shimmering keyboard textures of Masae Nanbu and Keiji Matsumoto, all elevated by the sleek vocal backing of Eve. The tracklist is an absolute dream for fusion purists, highlighting phenomenal, hyper-charged modern updates of his definitive holy grail cornerstones, including a monumental 8-minute tear through Ready to Fly, the immortal sun-soaked groove of Blue Lagoon, the deeply lyrical balladry of Saudade, and the intricate, rhythmically complex Finger Dancin'. Exceptionally preserved in pristine dual-format lossless and high-bitrate audio, this definitive Sony archive stands as a mandatory cornerstone and a prized collector's treasure for global purists of Japanese City Pop history, classic fusion guitar mastery, and vintage instrumental jazz-funk culture.

If Love Bug skirted the edges of free jazz and black power, Blue Mode embraces soul-jazz and Memphis funk in no uncertain terms. Opening with the cinematic, stuttering "Bambu" and running through a set of relaxed, funky grooves - including covers of Eddie Floyd's "Knock on Wood" and Edwin Starr's "Twenty-Five Miles" - Blue Mode isn't strictly a jazz album, but its gritty, jazzy vamps and urban soul-blues make it highly enjoyable. Reuben Wilson has a laid-back, friendly style and his supporting band - tenor saxophonist John Manning, guitarist Melvin Sparks, and drummer Tommy Derrick - demonstrate a similarly warm sense of tone. While none of them break through with any improvisations that would satiate hardcore jazz purists, they know how to work a groove, and that's what makes Blue Mode a winner.

"High On The Groove" is a spectacular, dazzlingly psychedelic time capsule that captures the absolute zenith of late-1960s and early-1970s Lounge, Mod-Jazz, Euro-Funk, and Exotica. Operating more as a high-concept studio orchestra rather than a traditional touring band, The Mood Mosaic delivers a sonic landscape drenched in cinematic glamour, swinging rhythms, and infectious mid-century optimism.

Originally recorded in November 1974 for Creed Taylor's legendary CTI sub-label Kudu and masterfully reissued by Wounded Bird Records, Canned Funk is a blistering, greasy, and fiercely kinetic fusion classic led by virtuoso multi-reedist Joe Farrell. Highly revered for his foundational work with Chick Corea's original Return to Forever, Farrell steps out here to deliver one of the rawest and most hard-driving funk-jazz dates in his catalog. Eschewing lush orchestral strings for a lean, street-smart quintet, Farrell unleashes a fiery torrent on tenor, soprano, and baritone saxophones alongside his signature, lightning-fast flute work. The performance is supercharged by the blistering, blues-drenched electric guitar work of Joe Beck and a relentless, deep-pocket rhythm section anchored by Herb Bushler, Jim Madison, and the sizzling Afro-Cuban percussion loops of Ray Mantilla. From the unstoppable groove of the title track to the shifting, epic movements of Suite Martinique, this pristine acoustic-electric document stands as a towering, essential masterpiece of seventies high-voltage fusion.

Released in 1993 on the independent label Mammoth Records, the self-titled debut from the Charlie Hunter Trio is an explosive, greasy, and fiercely innovative landmark album that helped redefine modern guitar jazz in the nineties. Emerging out of the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area club scene, Charlie Hunter completely upends traditional group dynamics by wielding a custom, mind-boggling eight-string guitar. By routing his instrument through separate bass and guitar amplifiers, Hunter simultaneously lays down fat, walking bass lines and crunchy, organ-like chordal rhythm work, entirely eliminating the need for a traditional bassist. Backed by the razor-sharp, deep-pocket funk rhythms of master drummer Jay Lane (Primus) and the muscular, fiery post-bop blowing of tenor saxophonist David Ellis, the trio hits a scorching groove. Moving effortlessly from the street-smart funk of Funky Niblets to a blistering, re-imagined punk-jazz reading of Charles Mingus's classic Fables of Faubus, this debut is a raw, highly energetic, and essential tour de force of modern groove-jazz history.

Recorded during mid-seventies sessions and released in 1977 to massive critical acclaim, Dancing In Your Head is a groundbreaking, ecstatic, and revolutionary masterpiece that marks the explosive studio debut of master saxophonist Ornette Coleman's electric Prime Time ensemble. Pioneering his visionary Harmolodic theory—where melody, harmony, and rhythm share equal expressive weight—Coleman shatters conventional jazz boundaries to forge a dense, celebratory wall of polyrhythmic sound. Armed with a fierce, crying alto saxophone tone, he unleashes relentless melodic variations over the twin interlocking electric guitars of Bern Nix and Charles Ellerbee, the propulsive, hyper-kinetic bass lines of Jamaaladeen Tacuma, and the thundering avant-funk drive of master drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson. The absolute crown jewel of the collection is Midnight Sunrise, a historic 1973 field recording captured in Morocco, where Coleman improvises alongside the hypnotic, traditional double-reed ghaitas and polyrhythmic percussion of the Master Musicians of Jajouka. Restored with exceptional fidelity, this legendary record remains a vibrant, thrillingly complex, and essential cornerstone of modern creative music.

A really lovely album from pianist Masaru Imada – a set that has some elements of the great Japanese fusion scene of the time, but a record that also has some warmer more acoustic moments too! Imada does a great job of balancing between upbeat groovers and some more personal, lyrical songs – and although he plays a bit of keyboards, most of his work is on acoustic piano – in a lineup of players that also includes Grovewr Washington Jr on soprano sax, Steve Khan or Kazumi Watanabe on guitar, Michael Brecker on tenor, and Steve Jordan on drums. There's some great interplay between the American and Japanese players – and titles include a version of Azymuth's "Carnival", plus "Morning Dream", "Blue Marine", "Secret Sounds", "Jumpin Dolphin", and "Andalusian Breeze".