Shape Sunday's Show!

The final Blam Jam of 2013 is waiting in the wings, but needs your
help in the form of votes for two special (aural) awards.

Get your comments written in the light bit near the bottom of the Soundcloud links
or simply the names of your favourite acts in the categories for;

Best New Act



and Best Solo Artist



Get voting, and find out the winners this Sunday at 6pm on Blam Jam,
along with the awards for Best Jazz Album, Best Remix, Best Song,
and Best Album.

Plus a few surprise awards too!
http://www.csrfm.com

"Jazzed Up In Japan" - The Tales Behind The Tunes

Blam Jam celebrated four years on air at CSR last night
with a stopless selection of amazing tunes from the land
of innovation.

And in the usual manner, here's a dissection of the songs
themselves and their significance.

Jazztronik - "Real Clothes"

The brainchild of musician Ryota Nozaki, and the first
act I would recommend to anyone wanting to discover
the good stuff that Japan has to offer.

This one from 2008's "JTK" album has a late 70s disco
feel to it, sounding like a mash-up of "K-Jee" by Philly outfit
M.F.S.B., and the formation favourite "Let's Get It Together" by El Coco.

Mondo Grosso - "Life (M.G 2.7 Stepped Mix-Edit)"One of many winners from the fourth album by producer
Shinichi Osawa released in 2000.

Whilst this version has a UK garage feel to it, it's also
worth having a listen to the original latin-tinged version
of which the video can be seen here.

Casiopea - "FrouFrou"Taking it back a few decades, jazz-fusion four piece Casiopea
(pronounced Cash-ee-o-pee-a) who's synth lead rhythms
define what many may not view as a timeless musical era,
but are still worthy of inclusion, continuing to inspire many
future bands from Japan, with their energetic live shows.

Hajime Yoshizawa - "Believe Again"

Taken from the album "Music From The Edge Of The Universe"
a rather delightful collaboration with British vocalist
Vanessa Freeman, and a popular dancefloor favourite around the globe.

Bahia Sunsets - "Somewhere Not Here"

It was going to be a struggle choosing which song from the
amazing Monday Michiru to include in my jaunt through Japan,
but I decided to settle for this nice acoustic offering from a compilation
released by the Kyoto Jazz Massive in the mid 90s.

Monday Michiru Mariano being the daughter of a very talented
musical family...

Toshikyo Akiyoshi - "Manha Do Carnaval"

...including a very talented mother.

The American/Japanese musician and bandleader used her dual nationality
to help explore deeper themes within her music.

This track comes from a compilation compiled by Monday Michiru
showcasing some of her mother's lesser heard material.

Ellen Mcillwaine and Yukihiro Fukutomi - "Born Under A Bad Sign"

Originally recorded by Albert King, (and more infamously interpreted
by Homer Simpson), producer Fukotomi gives the blues standard
the broken beat treatment, with vocals from Ellen Mcillwaine.

United Future Organization featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater -
"Flying Saucer"

A Japanese/French nu-jazz duo formed in Shibuya and key players
in the 90s "acid jazz" scene.

This offering from their 1999 LP "Bon Voyage" features the
vocals of top jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, and unlike a fair
number of tunes I've featured, this one's rather timeless.

DJ Kawasaki - "You Can Make It" (KJM Cosmic House Mix)

Again it was hard to choose just one offering from the Kyoto Jazz Massive
so I've ended up going with one of their many remixes they've
produced over the years.

This one of DJ Kawasaki's house offering "You Can Make It" showcases
the combination of uplifting melodies with inspiring lyrical content
without being too preachy.

Shuya Okino - "Give Your Love a Chance"

Recently, one half of the KJM duo has gone solo and caused
quite a stir with his album "Destiny", the opening track covering
Rose Royce's "Still In Love" can be heard in the introduction
to this musical medley.

The album contains many other gems, including this 80s soul
inspired offering that's caught just as much attention in the UK
as it has in Okino's homeland.

Minako Yoshida - "Town"

I first discovered this via a cover of the tune by DJ Kawasaki
released on his "Black And Gold" covers album last year.

On hearing the original, it reminded me of many jazzy disco offerings
played on the radio whilst growing up in London at a very early age.

It's the memory of hearing the beats whilst being driven through
the bright lights of London late at night combined that started
my crazy obsession with the soulful and jazzy stuff.

Whilst it maybe slightly distanced from Japan, I can imagine this
would sound just as good being driven through Tokyo late at night
and the version I've included features some "additional cityscape"
noises and atmos, which hopefully adds something extra to the
already rousing rhythms.

Show 170: Konnichi-Wow! - 01.12.13

Hour 1

Laura Mvula
"Green Garden"
Sing To The Moon
Sony

Personal Life
"Give Into The Night"
Morning Light
Expansion

The Doggett Brothers
"Reminds Me Of You"
DayLight
Doggett Brothers



Muzart
"Let There Be Harmony"
Muzart
Expansion



2013 Covers
Tracy Hamlin
"Never Too Much"
This Is My Life
DMH


Jamie Cullum
"Love For $ale" (Live At Abbey Road)
Momentum (Deluxe)
Universal

Omar
"There's Nothing Like This" (feat. Pino Palladino)
The Man
Freestyle

Alice Russell
"Retrograde"
WNYC Live Performance


Swingrowers
"Via Con Me"
Do Not Cover Part 1
Freshly Squeezed

Monday Michiru
"Celebrate" (Parabens)
Brasilified
Billboard Japan

Los Colorados
"U Can't Touch This"
Move It
Motor Entertainment



Smoking Cats
"Everyday"
Live Demo

Ahmed Sirour And Cleveland Jones
"Afro Blue"
Soundcloud

Blam Jam's Best Cover of 2013
Jessica Newry featuring Kalani Trinidad
"Butterfly"
Bandcamp

Hour 2: "Jazzed Up In Japan"

Jazztronik
"Real Clothes"
JTK
Pony Canyon

Mondo Grosso
"Life" (M.G. 2.7 Stepped Mix-Edit)
MG4
Sony Jazz

Casiopea
"FrouFrou"
Down Upbeat

Hajime Yoshizawa Ft. Vanessa Freeman
"Believe Again"
Music From The Edge Of The Universe
Geneon

Bahia Sunsets Feautuing Monday Michiru
"Somewhere Not Here"
Kyoto Jazz Massive - Various
For Life

Toshiko Akiyoshi
"Manha Do Carnaval"
Shibuya Jazz Classics
Solid

Ellen Mcilwaine and Yukihiro Fukutomi
"Born Under A Bad Sign"
12"
Routine Jazz

United Future Organization featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater
"Flying Saucer"
Bon Voyage
Mercury

DJ Kawasaki featuring Tasita D'Mour
"You Can Make It" (KJM Cosmic House Mix)
12"
Columbia

Shuya Okino
"Give Your Love A Chance"
Soul Togetherness Deluxe 2011
Expansion

Minako Yoshida
"Town"
Monsters In Town
Alfa

Be listening next Sunday, as Blam Jam reveals it's biggest
tunes of 2013! 6pm, Sunday 8th December, csrfm.com

Show 169: The Trip Of A Lifetime - 24.11.13

Hour 1
Sandra St. Victor
"I Am Better"
Honeycomb Music Volume 1
Honeycomb Music

Herbie Hancock
"Motor Mouth"
Lite Me Up
Blue Note

Album Profile: November 2013
Dianne Reeves
"32 Flavors"
Beautiful Life
Concord

Omar featuring Angie Stone
"All For Me"
Sing If You Want It
Tru Thoughts

Eric Lau featuring Fatima
"Divine"
One Of Many
Killawatt

Incognito
"Rivers On The Sun"
Surreal
Dome

Double Double Jam!: Alison Limerick

"Make It On My Own"
And Still I Rise
Arista

James Taylor Quartet Feauturing Alison Limerick
"Stepping Into My Life"
Extended Play
Acid Jazz

K-Ci and JoJo
"Love Ballad"
Love Always
Geffen

Blam Jam's Back Garage
Adeva
"Respect"
Adeva
Chrysalis

Ed Meme featuring Guests Of Nature
"Golden Years"
7"
Breakin' Bread

Jazzinho
"Papao"
Veludo
Toca Piano

Sachal Studios Orchestra
"You've Got It Bad Girl"
Jazz and All That
Sachal Music

Hour 2

Lord Echo featuring Leila Adu
"Molten Lava"
Curiosities
Bastard Jazz

Ray Harris
"Free As Me"
The Transition
Fusion Music

Retro Reworking
Alkalino
"Floating"
Golden Age Of Editing
Adultery

Drizabone Soul Family
"New York City Nights" (Disco Remix)
Soul Togetherness 2013
Expansion

Thelma Houston
"You Used To Hold Me So Tight"
12" 80s Club Classics
UMC

Double Double Jam!: Doctor Who Companions

Eric Benet
"Harriet Jones"
The One
Jordan House

Bebel Gilberto
"River Song" (Grant Nelson Mix)
12"
Atlantic

Sticky Jam
Billie Piper
"Walk Of Life" (Twister Mix)
CD Single
Virgin

Jamie Cullum
"Get A Hold Of Yourself"
Momentum
Universal

Album Profile: November 2013
Dianne Reeves
"Long Road Ahead" (Featuring Gregoire Maret)
Beautiful Life
Concord

Brand New Heavies
"Turn The Music Up"
Forward
HeavyTone

Corduroy
"Moshi Moshi"
Clik!
Big Cat UK

Show 168: Jazzing Up For London - 17.11.13

Hour 1

JTQ featuring Noel McKoy
"Love The Live" (Revisited Edit)
Hammond-Ology
Sanctuary

Amy Winehouse
"You Know I'm No Good" (Skeewiff Mix)
Soundcloud

Album Profile: November 2013
Dianne Reeves
"Unconditional Love (For You)"
Beautiful Life
Concord

London Jazz Festival Preview
Cecilia Stalin
"One"
Step Like A Giant
Bandcamp

Jacob Collier
"Isn't She Lovely"
Bandcamp

Tony Momrelle
"Spotlight"
Fly EP
Reel People Music

Sticky Jam
Corona
"I Don't Wanna Be A Star"
The Rhythm Of The Night
Extravaganza

Brownstone
"Grapevyne"
From The Bottom Up
MJJ

Harleighblu
"This Way"
Forget Me Not
Tru Thoughts

Blam Jam's Back Garage
Doolally
"Straight From The Heart"
CD Single
XL

Jacqui Dankworth
"Palladium"
Live To Love
Specific Jazz

Alex Malheiros
"Papaia"
Atlantic Forest
Milestone

Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra
"Mission Impossible"
The Benevolence Of Sister Mary Ignatius
Axe Attack

Hour 2

Delegation
"In The Night"
Delegation II
Sony

Samir Maslo featuring Keith Thompson
"Tonight"
12"
IMH

Retro Reworking
Barbara Pennington
"24 Hours A Day" (Almighty Definitive Mix)
CD Single
Almighty

The Fontanelles
"Criminality"
Horns Of Freedom
First Word

Ed Meme featuring Paulo Apollo Negri
"Young Scene"
7"
Breakin' Bread

Valentine Brothers
"A Taste Of Your Love"
Single Release
Boogie Back Records

Sandra St. Victor
"Another Kind Of Diva" (Success Hooker)
Oya's Daughter
Shanachie

Double Jam: Alexander O'Neal
"Fake"
Hearsay
Tabu

Walk Don't Run (Featuring Light Of The World)
Anthology: Addicted To Funk
EMI

London Jazz Festival Preview
Alice Russell
"Let Go (Breakdown)"
To Dust
Tru Thoughts

Dianne Reeves
"Wild Rose" (Featuring Esperanza Spalding)
Beautiful Life
Concord

Tracy Hamlin
"Home"
Home
Quantize

Sapphire
"Thank You" (I'll Be Around Mix)
Get This Party Started!
Expansion

Show 167: "A World Of Pure Imagination" - 10.11.13

Hour 1

Blam Jam Belter!
Jody Watley
"Night Life" (Soulpersona Mix)
Night Life Remixed EP
Jody Watley Music

Rose Royce
"Is It Love You're After"
Rose Royce IV: Rainbow Connection
Warner Bros

Album Profile: November 2013
Dianne Reeves
"Satiated (Been Waiting)" featuring Gregory Porter
Beautiful Life
Concord

Omar featuring Caron Wheeler
"Treat You" (Opolopo Remix)
Online Download
Freestyle

Youngblood Brass Band
"Ain't Nobody"
Pax Volumi
Tru Thoughts

Sticky Jam
Madonna
"Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (Miami Mix Edit)
CD Single
Warner Bros
Count Indigo
"My Unknown Love"
This Is Easy (Compilation)
Virgin

Level 42
"Mind On You"
Sirens EP
Mark King

Blam Jam's Back Garage
Urban Soul
"Alright" (Sasha Remix)
Back To Love 03.03
Hed Kandi

Richard Earnshaw Featuring Imogen Ryall
"Cry Me A River"
In Time
Groovefinder

The Tequila Brass
"Uptight"
Tamla Meets Tijuana
EMI

Hour 2

Mistura
"Sweet Magic" (Joey Negro Club Mix)
The Mystery Of Mistura
Z

Sheila Ford
"The Best Of My Love"
12"
Quantize

Retro Reworking
Jacob Collier
"Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing"
Bandcamp

Kraak and Smaak featuring Joi Cardwell
"Just Wanna Be Loved"
Chrome Waves
Jalapeno

Nick Pride and The Pimptones
"Take Care Of My Love"
Reduced Phat Shake
Record Kicks

Carl Hudson
"Sea Snake"
Zoology For Martians
Digisoul

"Triple" Jam: Joni Mitchell

"Help Me"
Court And Spark
Asylum

"The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines"
Mingus
Asylum

"You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio"
For The Roses
Asylum

Cody ChesnuTT
"I've Been Life"
Landing On A Hundred
One Little Indian

Dianne Reeves
"Dreams" featuring Robert Glasper
Beautiful Life
Concord

Gwen Guthrie
"Sweet Bitter Love"
Hot Times
Reprise

Jacob Collier
"Pure Imagination"
Bandcamp

Show 166 - Another Pair Of Pairs: 03.11.13

Hour 1

Steve Arrington
"Mellow As A Cello"
Positive Power
Atlantic

Bluey
"Elevate The Feeling"
Soul Lounge Volume 10
Dome

Album Profile: November 2013
Dianne Reeves
"Feels So Good (Lifted)" (featuring George Duke and Nadia Washington)
Beautiful Life
Concord

Don E
"Waiting In Vain"
Natural
Dome

Stevie Wonder
"Jesus Children Of America"
Innervisions
Motown

Gregory Porter
"Movin"
Liquid Spirit
Blue Note

Double Double Jam 1: Lulu

"Independence"
Independence
Dome

"Better Get Ready"
CD Single
Mercury

Al Johnson and Jean Carne
"I'm Back For More"
Back For More
Sony

Sandra St. Victor
"Spirit Talk"
Oya's Daughter
Shanachie

Blam Jam's Back Garage
Believers
"Who Dares To Believe In Me?"
12"
Strictly Rhythm

Karol Conka
"Boa Noite"
Brazilian Beats 7
Mr Bongo

Baby Charles
"Step On"
Baby Charles
Record Kicks

Crusaders
"Sweet N' Sour"
Free As The Wind
Verve

Hour 2

Exist
"Lookin' At Blue"
12"
R2

Bosq Of Whiskey Barons
"Up And Down" (NYC 91 Mix) featuring Kaleta
Bosq Y Orquesta De Madera
Ubiquity

Retro Reworking
Chic
"Good Times" (Kon's Let's Do It All Again Remix)
Soundcloud

Shea
"Where Did You Go" (Acoustic)
Where Did You Go-Single
TwoPointNine

Scritti Politti
"The Word Girl"
Cupid And Psyche '85
Virgin

James Taylor Quartet
"Blow Up"
Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club Volume 2
Freestyle

Double Double Jam 2: "Mars"

Cajmere And Gene Farris
"Mars Bar"
12"
Cajual

Men From Mars
"Get Down Tonight"
Get Down Tonight
Koch

Album Profile: November 2013
Dianne Reeves
"Stormy Weather" (Featuring Tineke Postma)
Beautiful Life
Concord

Ahmed Sirour And Cleveland Jones
"Afro Blue"
Soundcloud

Guida De Palma and Jazzinho
"Celebration"
Veludo
Toca Piano Fala Frances