Favorite Recordings and Charles Maurice proudly present a brand new compilation series: Fusion Global Sounds. 9 rare and
hidden tracks produced between 1970 and 1983 in various parts of the world. As a fine collector of Jazz-Funk and Fusion for many years,
Charles Maurice selected some of his favorite forgotten productions, as he previously did for the AOR Global Sounds, French and
Brazilian Disco Boogie Sounds compilations series.
This time, recordings come from Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, New Zealand, Uruguay, Spain and France, from artists and
bands mostly known in their local scenes. You'll hear here the best elements of the Fusion and Jazz-Funk genre: breezy vocal
arrangements reminding Flora Purim in Return To Forever or George Duke's albums, sweet and virtuosic Fender Rhodes (kind of common
thread of the comp), melodic spiral-shaped fuzzy synthesizers leads, or irresistible basslines, altogether bringing a unique groove to life.
"Buster" is taken from the first and only album of the Swedish band, Sundance. The band from Gothenburg was formed around US
trumpet player Stephen Frankevich (notably playing with Mahavishnu Orchestra) after he moved to Sweden. Cosmic, with razor-sharp
rhythms, it naturally brings you to the second title, "Hello Mr. Ancuvis" by Renato Anselmi. One of the key players of the Swiss Jazz
scene during the sixties and the seventies, Renato also had the chance to play with Harvey Mason or Alphonso Johnson. Funky, jazzy but
still a bit breezy, here again sweet vocals nicely blend with uptempo Rhodes part. Also included is another title from Renato Anselmi,
"Quiet Fire", a mellow Rhodes-driven ballad with funky accents, wide strings and guitar arrangements.
"Tropical Island" by Zane Cronje, a South-African composer and arranger, was initially a track from a music library catalogue:
dreamy, soaked in thorough synthesizers, we're only attached to the earth by the Guiro groove. You'll also hear this cosmic vibe in "Astral
Dance" by French-American drummer and Jazz musician/composer Daniel Bechet, taken from Songs To My Father LP, dedicated to his
father the famous Sax/Clarinet player Sydney Bechet. In this 4 minutes dope jam, keys, guitar and percussion will elevate your mind to
another level of consciousness: deep!
The 1860 Band was hailing from Wellington, New Zealand, playing mostly in bars, cafes and pubs - their name is taken from a tavern
where they had an extended afternoon residency keeping the clients entertained. Their sole LP, now rare and sought-after, was a nice mix
of Jazz-Funk and Disco grooves. Their amazing and groovy cover of "Keep That Same Old Feeling" by The Crusaders, brings the best of
their playing.
Otroshakers was formed around Hugo and Osvaldo Fattoruso, as a tribute project to their former band Los Shakers, some sort of
copycat band of The Beatles with great success in Latin America. Listening to "Siempre Tu", you can almost hear The Beatles'
psychedelic vocal of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Later joining Ringo Thielmann in the US, they formed the band OPA together,
after having recorded for Airto's seminal album Fingers. Blending Jazz, South-American musical elements and Funk, their fusion quickly
gained the respect of the NY musical scene.
"Despertar" by Spanish drummer, singer and actor Pedro Ruy-Blas, is taken from Luna Llena, his great first Jazz-Funk album. The
track is a funky piece with wah-wah expressive Rhodes, ending with a beautiful flute solo. "Prologue" by Dutch-French pianist Majoie
Hajary (sometimes called the "Hindu pianist"), can be found on La Passion Selon Judas, a very unique religious album blending her own
style with Psych, Funk and Jazz elements.
Surely we could continue detailing stories of all these gems, but we guess that the best way to learn more about them, is to listen
to Fusion Global Sounds, fully remastered from originals and whether your preference is for vinyl or CD formats.

TRACKLIST:

A1. Sundance – Buster
A2. Renato Anselmi – Hello Mr. Acuvis
A3. Zane Cronje – Tropical Island
A4. The 1860 Band – Keep That Same Old Feeling
B1. Otroshakers – Siempre Tu
B2. Daniel Bechet – Astral Dance
B3. Renato Anselmi – Quiet Fire
B4. Pedro Ruy-Blas – Despertar
B5. Majoie Hajary – Prologue More