Browse by Label: HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)

Artist:	HANCOCK, HERBIE
Title:	Inventions & Dimensions
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 021LP

Vinyl-only release. Herbie Hancock's 1963 album Inventions & Dimensions is part of the Blue Note reissue series from Paris' Heavenly Sweetness label. All releases in the series are pressed on super-heavy 180 gram vinyl in high quality "jazz" sleeves. Uniquely more pared-down than Hancock's other Blue Note titles, Inventions & Dimensions features improvised pieces over some swishy, Latin-jazz percussion. Players include bassist Paul Chambers and Latin percussionists Willie Bobo and Osvaldo "Chihuahau" Martinez. Starting from mere sketches, this album evolves into a completely original foray into new colors, rhythms and forms, with long pieces that take your jazz-head on an unusual journey. On 180 gram vinyl.

Artist:	HUTCHERSON, BOBBY
Title:	Now!
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 022LP

Vinyl-only release. Part of the Blue Note reissue series from the Heavenly Sweetness label, Now! is one of jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson's most adventurous recordings. Cut with the Harold Land Quintet in 1969, Hutcherson augments the line-up with vocalist the Right Reverend Eugene McDaniels (then Gene McDaniels) and a chorus at the height of Black Power consciousness. The compositions reflect the tightrope Hutcherson and Land walked on their earlier outings together between post-bop and vanguard jazz. "McDaniels' voice is in fine form here, his husky baritone effortlessly coloring the mix. The title cut is a short lullaby written by Hutcherson and McDaniels, tender, simple and haunting as Land's saxophone winds through the shouts of female voices with restraint and elegance. The utter creative vision of Herbie Lewis' 'The Creators' showcases the band at the height of its powers with Stanley Cowell holding the piano chair with killer Latin rhythms, psychedelic electric guitar and a provocative engagement between Land, Hutcherson and the chorus. The original set ends with 'Black Heroes' by Land. A scatted, syncopated piece of counterculture beat jazz, it offers a better portrait of the band than it does of McDaniels or the choral group. A hard bop piece with a striated and knotty vocal intro and finish, it is a fitting and exciting final track." --All Music Guide. Featuring 4 live bonus tracks and pressed on super-heavy 180 gram vinyl in high quality "jazz" sleeves. Members include: Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone, marimba); Eugene McDaniels (vocals); Stanley Cowell (piano); Harold Land (saxophone); Joe Chambers (drums); Wally Richardson (guitar); Herbie Lewis (bass).

Artist:	PEARSON, DUKE
Title:	Wahoo!
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 023LP

Vinyl-only release. Part of the Blue Note reissue series from the Heavenly Sweetness label, Wahoo! is an album by hard-bop pianist Duke Pearson, originally released in 1964, which includes musicians Donald Byrd (trumpet), James Spaulding (alto sax, flute), Joe Henderson (tenor sax), Duke Pearson (piano), Bob Cranshaw (bass), and Mickey Roker (drums). "...one of his hippest sessions of the '60s, a lyrical batch of soul jazz tracks, with that slight edge of darkness that he was putting into his best work as the decade progressed! The overall feel is perhaps a bit like some of those Byrd sessions that were heavily influenced by Pearson, but also with a bit of the later expansive style of writing for horns that you'd find on albums like Prarie Dog or The Phantom. Titles include 'ESP,' 'Fly Little Bird Fly,' 'Farewell Machelle,' 'Bedouin,' and 'Amanda.'" --Dusty Groove; Pressed on super-heavy 180 gram vinyl in a high quality "jazz" sleeve.

Artist:	TAYLOR, ART
Title:	A.T.'s Delight
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 024LP

Vinyl-only release. Part of the Blue Note reissue series from the Heavenly Sweetness label, this is a swinging and percussive affair from legendary hard bop drummer Art Taylor, originally released in 1960. "Although Art Taylor was one of the busiest modern second-generation jazz drummers, working in the studio with Coleman Hawkins, Donald Byrd, John Coltrane and many others, he only released five albums under his own name, of which A.T.'s Delight was the third. And a delight it is indeed, bright and percussive, and when conga player Carlos 'Potato' Valdes joins Taylor and pianist Wynton Kelly and bassist Paul Chambers on three cuts (Thelonious Monk's 'Epistrophy,' 'Move' and a Taylor calypso-inflected original called 'Cookoo And Fungi'), the rhythm pocket opens into a deep blue sea for the horn men (Stanley Turrentine on tenor sax and Dave Burns on trumpet). 'Move' does exactly that, it moves, and at a blistering pace. Monk's 'Epistrophy,' thanks in part to Valdes, reveals its rumba roots, and has never sounded brighter. The seldom-covered Coltrane composition 'Syeeda's Song Flute' seems likewise refreshed and revived. The lone Taylor original, the driving 'Cookoo And Fungi,' is as sharp and alert as a kitten waking from a nap in the spring sun, and Taylor's drum solo is crisp, efficient and slides seamlessly into the calypso-informed main theme. A.T.'s Delight is a solid outing, with a wonderfully nervous but completely focused energy." --All Music Guide; Pressed on super heavy 180 gram vinyl in a high quality "jazz" sleeve.

Artist:	HILL, ANDREW
Title:	Lift Every Voice
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 025LP

Vinyl-only release. Part of the Blue Note reissue series from the Heavenly Sweetness label, this is Andrew Hill's Lift Every Voice, originally released on Blue Note in 1969. Featuring Woody Shaw (trumpet), Carlos Garnett (tenor sax), Andrew Hill (piano), Richard Davis (bass), Freddie Waits (drums) and singers Lawrence Marshall, LaReine LaMar, Gail E. Nelson, Joan Johnson, Benjamin Franklin Carter, Antenett Goodman Ray and Ron Steward. A rare and beautiful Andrew Hill session, and one of the classic Blue Note entries into the "jazz and voices" sound that the label pioneered with Donald Byrd and Eddie Gale. "Hill leads a core jazz group that includes Woody Shaw, Carlos Garnett, Richard Davis, and Freddie Waits -- and the group is backed by a vocal ensemble with a very spiritual vibe. The sound is a lot more hip than the Donald Byrd & Voices albums, and the playing of the core jazz group is very very soulful -- along the lines of Hill's Grass Roots album, which was also from the same period. The record's similar to the Max Roach/Billy Harper vocal work around the same time, and titles include 'Ghetto Lights,' 'Hey Hey,' 'Two Lullabies,' and 'Love Chant.' A very unique album for Andrew Hill!" --Dusty Groove; Pressed on super heavy 180 gram vinyl in a high quality "jazz" sleeve.

Artist:	MONCUR III, GRACHAN
Title:	Evolution
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 026LP

Vinyl-only release. Part of the Blue Note reissue series from the Heavenly Sweetness label, legendary jazz trombonist Grachan Moncur III's Evolution was originally released on Blue Note in 1963. Incredibly dramatic jazz compositions featuring Lee Morgan (trumpet), Grachan Moncur III (trombone), Jackie McLean (alto sax), Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone), Bob Crenshaw (bass) and Anthony Williams (drums). "One of the New Thing's extremely few trombonists and a greatly underappreciated composer of tremendous evocative power, Grachan Moncur III got his first major exposure on Jackie McLean's groundbreaking 1963 masterpiece, One Step Beyond. Toward the end of the year, most of the same musicians reconvened for Moncur's debut as a leader, Evolution; McLean, vibist Bobby Hutcherson, and drummer Tony Williams are all back, with Bob Cranshaw on bass and an extra voice in trumpeter Lee Morgan, moonlighting from his usual groovy hard bop style. While Moncur takes a little more solo space here, the main emphasis is on his talent as a composer. The four originals are all extended, multi-sectioned works (the shortest is around eight minutes), all quite ambitious, and all terrifically moody; much of the album sounds sinister and foreboding. Part of that is due to the accuracy with which the musicians interpret Moncur's vision. Hutcherson provides his trademark floating chordal accompaniment, which is crucial to the overall texture; what's more, the album features some of McLean's weirdest playing ever, and some of Morgan's most impressively advanced, as he makes the most of a situation he longed to be in more often. Of the pieces, 'Monk In Wonderland' is the most memorable; its whimsical, angular theme is offset by Hutcherson's mysterious vibes, which create a trippy effect in keeping with the title. 'Air Raid' is alternately ominous and terrifyingly frantic, and the funereal title track keeps time only in the pulse of the horns and the backing, which is based entirely on whole notes. With such an inventive debut, it's a shame Moncur didn't record more as a leader, which makes Evolution an even more important item for fans of Blue Note's avant-garde to track down." --All Music Guide; pressed on super heavy 180 gram vinyl in a high quality "jazz" sleeve.

Artist:	VA
Title:	Heavenly Sweetness Label Compilation # 1
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$23.50
Catalog #:	HS 028CD

Finally a CD compilation from the Parisian jazz outfit Heavenly Sweetness! The musical family that is Heavenly Sweetness is made up of both unjustly neglected artists and fresh talents who are at the beginning of their careers. At a time when music is dominated by technology, the label has decided for artistic reasons to return to the conditions in which music was recorded in the '60s, which means recording a track in a single take without any overdubs (or almost). This is not out of nostalgia but rather to preserve the intensity and authenticity of a track when it is played for the first time. The first take is synonymous with music that is rough, candid and honest, the flaws only adding to its emotional impact, but it offers complete freedom of expression to the musicians. This compilation is the opportunity to bring together tracks that have been released on various different media -- on vinyl, CD and digital, some of which are no longer in circulation. The label has used the same concept as their famous 45 rpm singles with one side containing jazz tracks from albums and singles by the label's artists (CD1) and the other with remixes and covers, for which the label has asked other artists to play new versions of tracks from their catalog (CD2). The two CDs are very different from each other, but they share a common spirit, a musical quality that will give you the same pleasure with which they were recorded. Package includes a fold-out poster of select album covers as well as extensive liner notes. Artists include:The Thunderbird Service, The John Betsch Society, The Rongetz Foundation, Byard Lancaster, Robert Aaron, Doug Hammond, Anne Wirz, Don Cherry & Latif Khan, Anthony Joseph & The Spasm, Abdul Rahim Ibrahim, Monnette Sudler, Sunil Dev, Professor Inlassable, Four Tet, Carlos Ni�o, Fulgeance, Kidkanevil, Chin Chin, Blackjoy, Patchworks, Blundetto, and Chickenwing All Stars.

Artist:	AARON, ROBERT
Title:	Trouble Man
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP + 7"
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 030LP

A soul-jazz trip from the streets of Brooklyn & Afro-Paris to the Cuban bush by a legend of the New York music scene. Former busker and NYC no wave scenester and all-around amazing New York life-force Robert Aaron -- working beautifully here in a timeless soul-jazz inspired mode -- capturing that vibe wonderfully on this effort for the Heavenly Sweetness label. Keys, smooth, but lively saxes and some great percussion are usually at play in these tunes -- which bear the influences of greats from Pharoah Sanders to Gato Barbieri in spirit and instrumentation. Aaron plays a lot of instruments, here working on saxes, piano, Hammond organ and electric bass, with Cheick Tidiane Seck on organs and piano, Marc Bertaux on bass, Steve McCraven on drums, Roger Raspail and Emilo Del Monte on percussion, Jose Palmer on guitar and guests Anthony Joseph who sings on "The Saddest Kiss," guitarist Monnette Sudler and alto sax player Suleyman Hakim. Trouble Man is a journey in jazz as it was lived and defined in the '70s; no borders, no conventions. Robert Aaron's music, with its range of saxophones and keyboards (piano, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer), has a unique style that is hard to find in this age of mathematical solos. When you listen to this album, you experience the profound and now rare feeling of what drives the playing and writing of an exceptional musician. We call it "soul," that paradoxical state when the profane and the sacred, joy and sorrow merge into one. We hear it less and less in increasingly rational musical recordings because it can only happen when there is a live connection between two hearts. Includes "Trouble Man," "A Song For Monette," "Maimouna," "Thembi," "Bombo" and "Sweet Obsession." Includes a bonus 7" featuring the tracks "The Saddest Kiss" and "Flower Like A River."

Artist:	MITCHELL, BLUE
Title:	Bring It Home To Me
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 035LP

Among 33 albums recorded with American jazz, blues, soul and funk trumpeter Blue Mitchell as a leader, Bring It Home To Me from 1966 is the thirteenth. This is not only an excellent album, but also the artistic peak of Mitchell's discography. The album mixes modal harmonies, lyrical moments and groovy, even funky rhythms. This album is very rare on LP format and very hard to find with a restored analog sound. Blue Mitchell is here joined by Junior Cook on tenor, Harold Mabern on piano, Gene Taylor on bass and the great Billy Higgins on drums. The artistic direction is strong, the aesthetic is powerful. Heavenly Sweetness' reissue and its analog sound is the best tribute that can be given to this great and rare record and its original recording sound. Pressed on finely-selected 180 gram vinyl.

Artist:	RIVERS, SAM
Title:	Contours
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 037LP

The album Contours by American saxophonist/composer Sam Rivers was recorded for Blue Note in 1965 following the album Fuschia Swing Song. The musicians joining Sam Rivers (tenor & alto sax and flute) are Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), Freddie Hubbard (trumpet) and Joe Chambers (drums). Four vigorous and strong tracks composed by Sam Rivers, including "Point Of Many Returns" with a hard pop structure, "Dance Of The Tripedal" and "Euterpe," illustrate the sharp incisiveness of Sam's style. "Mellifluous Cacophony" mixes marvelous harmonies with beautiful dissonances. The presence of Sam Rivers' very personal style is key to the structure as well as the execution of this record session and emblemizes the crucial role that Rivers played in the mid-'60s as one of the leaders of the avant garde. Contours is a staggering record just in between avant garde and traditional jazz, featuring sounds from Hancock, Hubbard and Carter not heard on their other records from the same period. Pressed on finely-selected 180 gram vinyl. Original analog sound.

Artist:	BLAKEY, ART
Title:	A Message From Blakey Vol. 1: Holiday For Skins
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 038LP

This is Art Blakey's rarest project dedicated to percussion and probably the best one. On A Message From Blakey Vol. 1: Holiday For Skins Art Blakey leads a great jazz and percussionist large band. Art Taylor and Philly Joe Jones on drums, Donald Byrd on trumpet, Ray Bryant on the piano; on percussions no less than Ray Barreto, Sabu Martinez, Victor Gonzales, Julio Martinez, Chonguito Vicente, Fred Pagani Jr. and additionally, a great choir. The result is a rich confrontation of African and Latin rhythms with late '50s contemporary jazz. "The Feast," "Aghano" and "Lamento Africano" represent the peak of this recording session, with counterpoints, breathtaking variations in rhythm and tempo and a real liberty of expression for each soloist. Classic jazz is not absent and it is illustrated here by tracks such as "O'Tinde" or the Ray Bryant compositions "Swingin' Kilts" and "Reflection." The whole record is a vibrant celebration of pure rhythm. Let us not forget that Art Blakey travelled extensively through Africa and was deeply aware what jazz owed to African and Latin patterns. The sound of the record is unbelievable and was originally released in 1958 on Blue Note. Pressed on finely-selected 180 gram vinyl. Original analog sound.

Artist:	AMY & DUPREE BOLTON, CURTIS
Title:	Katanga!
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 039LP

Katanga! is a key soul jazz record, unknown by mainstream audiences and for which jazz fans have been desperately searching out for years, originally released in 1963 on Pacific Jazz. This session is the sixth and last one recorded by West Coast saxophonist Curtis Amy in his Pacific period (between 1960 and 1963). Between hard bop and soul jazz, this is a unique and legendary record. The only presence of trumpeter Dupree Bolton, who is so rare on records and so absent from jazz recording sessions as he spent most of his time in jail, justifies the key interest of this record. Fans of Clifford Brown and Fats Navarro will praise Katanga!. Curtis Amy is, of course, imperial on both soprano and tenor. "Katanga" and "Lonely Woman" are both jewels and both are composed by Curtis Amy. There are a lot of colors and a pure sound for this astonishing jazz session, embellished by musicians such as guitarist Ray Crawford, pianist Jack Wilson, bassist Victor Gaskin and drummer Doug Sides. The record was recorded in Los Angeles with a very original West Coast sound. Pressed on finely-selected 180 gram vinyl. Original analog sound.

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Artist:	RONGETZ FOUNDATION, THE
Title:	Simone/Zap Carnivorous (Patchworks Remix)
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	7"
Price:	$8.00
Catalog #:	HS 041EP