James Mason
Sweet Power (Collection)

By the 80s, 'Fusion' had become pretty gimmicky in the minds of Jazz players thanks to a trend of boring and undercooked eternal noodling on guitars and pianos. Thankfully, Brazilian trio Azymuth have always kept this combination of jazz and rock 'fusion' alive, even on this lesser discussed 1986 release. Rooted in the groove of Ivan Conti's drumming, it's a sweet record of uplifting, soft Brazillian jazz with some playful drum machine and synth workouts. Ripper.

Soundway Records re-issue of the massively in-demand Soca cover version of Sade's classic cut "Sweetest Taboo" by Caribbean band Rebels from 1986. In the late 80s, as electronic music permeated popular culture, Rebles helped define the soca genre outside of the Caribbean. The group were the 1980s house band for mega NYC-based Caribbean label, Strakers Records, who released hundreds of Calypso and Soca tracks from 1970 to 2000. HUGE ONE!

Jazz Room Records big boss Paul Murphy reissues another obscure, hard-to-find and sought-after Latin jazz album of the highest order! This time, a glorious New York fusion of salsa, Latin jazz, boogaloo and funk most famous for the two-part 'Suite Gauracho' - a piano-popping, flute-laden affair that has become a favourite of both Balearic and nu-jazz DJs. Big chunes for the Jazz dancers!