Runawaytrane

Look Out For #1 is the debut album by the Los Angeles, California-based duo Brothers Johnson released in 1976. The album reached number one on the R&B albums chart and number three on the jazz albums chart in the United States.

"Mary Jane Girls" is the eponymous debut album released by the girl group Mary Jane Girls on the Gordy record label on April 13, 1983. It peaked at number 56 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was produced and written entirely by Rick James. Three singles were released and each enjoyed success on the Hot Black Singles charts: "Candy Man" (#23 R&B), "All Night Long" (#11 R&B), and "Boys" (#29 R&B). All three songs charted together on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at #8.

In the 1980s, the Washington, DC bandleader Chuck Brown pioneered the percussive, hypnotically swinging dance genre known as go-go, conducting marathon all-night dance sessions with a band whose energy and sheer musical power was legendary. Brown's 2007 We're About the Business finds the master more relaxed but no less funky, with insistent jams such as "Love Nationwide" and the vintage-sounding "We Come to Party" proving he still has a lien on the dancefloor.

Former member of Con Funk Shun is back with fifth solo album. This time on the Thump label entitled, "Are We Cool". Cooper has enjoyed considerable success as a solo artist and this release is no exception. The veteran soul singer doesn't disappoint here. Funk lovers will also hear that famous Con Funk Shun horn section that made them mainstays on the R&B charts all through the late 70's and 80's. On the initial listen a stand out track will be hard to pick since there are so many, but 'Butter Luv' the lead off track, 'Are We Cool', 'Remember L.O.V.E.', 'Marry Me Again', & 'Club Feenz', highlight Cooper's creative R&B genius. Very cool album. Yes Coop....we are very cool.

Ornette Coleman's first album in several years and first recording for a major label in quite some time features his 1995 version of Prime Time with two guitars, two bassists, son Denardo Coleman on drums and Badal Roy on tables and percussion. In addition the band includes Dave Bryant, Coleman's first keyboardist in decades (although his part is actually fairly minor). The ensembles are funky and quite dense, Coleman really wails on alto (also playing a bit of violin and trumpet) and, despite the inclusion of one obnoxious rap, this free funk set is well worth picking up by open-minded listeners.