Making up for lost time, here's a few more...

[DOUBLE] 10 Years Best We R&B (2008/Japan 2CD+1 DVD)
The 1st edition of this is really impressive to look at (deluxe
packaging), to listen to (two CDs of career highlights, focusing
on the r&b side), and watch (a nearly 2 hour long DVD of her
PVs and bonus material going back to the early ones with
Takako and her late sister Sachiko). I thought I'd be
disappointed that Double's mostly underexposed jazzier
side is ignored (e.g., missing the m-flo loves cut and any
track from her LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL album), but I suppose the
title gives away what the focus is here (and besides, I have
the LIB album). Although nothing here is off-the-chain
cutting edge, the wide variety of bona fide r&b/hip-hop/dance
grooves keeps my attention from beginning to end (and I have
to note her even-better-than-usual vocals on the handful of
ballads that close disc 2 and a touching solo performance by
Sachiko on one of the early demos on CD disc one). Some of
the more recent tracks fall into the radio-friendly Beyonce/Mariah
area that may turn off some progressive-leaning listeners, but
I'd say Double's cuts are strong representatives of that style.
And just when you thought that M-flo's Verbal might have
missed out on the party, he turns up for one cut. Even includes
a previously unreleased Mondo Grosso/Monday Michiru
production/songwriting effort from the mid-1990s.

http://double10years.com/top.html
(website devoted to this release, with short clips of the PVs, etc.)

[SOUL & PIMP SESSIONS] U Want More? (2007/Japan DVD)
I was somewhat disappointed at the 1st S&PS DVD (I think I
wrote about it awhile back) due to its brevity and lack of
complete song performances. This DVD more than compensates,
presenting two complete concerts -- 2006 at Montreux and
2007 in Tokyo -- and some additional docu-material and
several more live tunes. This exciting group starts out with
a bang and just gets bangier (but not bhangra), although
there are a few spots where they relax a bit, sounding at
those times not far removed from vintage 1960s Blue Note/
Impulse! jazz. From my pov, this group takes the approach
of some of the new wave/jazz units of the 1980s (Pigbag,
Contortions, etc.) to the fullest potential. Whether hot or
cool, their bona-fide jazz chops come through amid the
wild ride from start to finish. Also, there's a visual crowd-
arousing aspect to their live show, particularly the bounce-
off-the-walls reed player. Not at the expense of the quality
of the music, though. Audio is impressive (Tokyo a little above
Montreux), and unlike m-flo (see above), no complaints about
the video production.

http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/soilpimp/discography/index.html
(track info in japanese and a sample videoclip from the DVD)

[SERGIO MENDES] Encanto (2008/Japan CD)
I believe as of this writing this CD is only out in Japan.
ENCANTO is the followup to the will.i.am-produced comeback
album TIMELESS from several years ago. I thought quite highly
of the last one, which production-wise tipped imo towards
will.i.am's style with name-guest-filled, often hip-hop flavored
updates of classic Mendes cuts. Although will.i.am and a fresh
slate of guests are back, I would describe ENCANTO as an album
that swings like a pendulum back onto Mendes' home court,
leaving the hip-hop leanings of TIMELESS behind in favor of a
more percussive modern Brazilian sound that I'm even more
impressed with. I suppose this one will get released elsewhere
in the world, but I'm glad I got the Japan import because I doubt
all of the cuts here will make it onto other editions (e.g., an
impressive appearance by J-pop group Dreams Come True, a
fine bonus track with Zap Mama on vocals). All of the other
guests, ranging from Fergie, Natalie Cole and Herb Alpert/Lani
Hall to Brazilian notables Carlinhos Brown and Vanessa Da Mata
keep the tunes flowing, and the tasteful keyboards of the leader
are featured intermittently throughout.

I couldn't find any clips from the new CD, but here's the lead-off
cut from the last one, with Black Eyed Peas (Mas Que Nada):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CCKI5AX4xU
and not to forget Sergio recorded his classic version back in the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fX0zx9dF6A

[BIRD] Birdsong EP (2007/Japan CD mini-album)
Bird switched labels and she's switched musical gears with her
latest releases (a single and an EP). This EP features versions of
the single "Batucada," and some surprises (a Japanese version of
The Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love," an interesting English-
language take on the Police's "Roxanne," cover versions of
Japanese tunes). In general although her new sound isn't as
memorable as her first several albums (i.e., the Shin Osawa-
produced gems from nearly a decade ago), overall the music
does sound refreshed, and the presence of the likes of Free
TEMPO and YOUR SONG IS GOOD (an up'n'coming rock funky
party J-band) shows signs of moving away from the relatively
generic accompiament heard on recent albums (with a few
exceptions here and there). The EP ends with an unplugged take
on her classic single "Souls."

This post is turning into a Sergio tribute; here's bird's recent take
on "Batucada":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM5zzAqk1RE

[MARCINA ARNOLD] About Time (2008/Japan CD)
I took a chance on buying this one recently based on word of
mouth, and ended up really impressed by her UK r&b/soul meets
jazz approach that in my mind draws comparisons to some of
the music Monday Michiru has released over the past few years
(at least as far as musical styles are concerned). Marcina is no
clone of MM or anyone else, though. Strong vocals, tunes, and
production throughout. One of my early 2008 faves.

[ERYKAH BADU] New Amerykah (2008/USA CD)
Like this one a lot, too, but don't have time to write about it.

Best,
John

NP: Rickey Vincent's THE HISTORY OF FUNK 03-14-2008,
(KPFA 94.1) celebrating the 65th b-day of the legend, Sly Stone!
http://kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=25299