JAMES MASON Vinyl & CDs

Review: This iconic debut album from James Mason is reissued here, and any self-respecting fan of jazz, funk or soul in any of their forms should consider picking up a copy if they haven't already. Not to be confused with actor, a one-time member of Roy Ayers' Ubiquity band, Mason's output is a testament to quality over quantity i he didn't release much, but everything that did see the light of day is worth its weight in gold. Bursting with intention, consciousness and masterful musicality, Rhythm of Life is nothing short of a tour de force. From the searing vocals, psychedelic synths and propulsive rhythm section of floor-fillers like 'Sweet Power, Your Embrace' and 'Free', to the heartfelt messaging of 'Good Thing' and the feel-good charm of 'Slick City', the album never misses a beat i and still sounds as fresh today as it did on its original release in 1977.

Review: James Mason's 'Rhythm of Life' - one of the long overlooked but now celebrated musician's most popular cuts - has never appeared on a seven-inch single before, in part because its' six-minute length made it more suitable for 12" singles and LPs (it first appeared as the title track of Mason's 1977 debut album). Dynamite Cuts have decided to address this by preparing their own (fully licensed) seven-inch edit, which successfully chops down the high-octane, spiritually inspired jazz-funk gem without losing any of its energy or soul. This time round it comes backed by another classic cut from the Rhythm of Life LP, the more laidback, spacey synth solo-sporting jazz-funk warmth of 'Good Thing'.

Review: Rush Hour did us plenty of favours this year but by far our most cherished was the reissue of James Mason's timeless, proto-house excursions on the infamous "Nightgruv" EP. There's really not much to be said about these peerless productions, the original mix is a stunning voyage through glimmering synths backed by a chugging beat groove, but the unreleased longer edit is the one - voyaging through those gorgeous drums and piano keys like there's no tomorrow! "I Want Your Love" is another masterpiece - slo-mo hip-hop beats mixed in with those killer funk bass lines and the infamous vocals taking you to another dimension.