Ray Davies - Our Country: Americana Act 2 - VINYL LP

Antonin Dvorák's Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88, B. 163 performed by the ORF Symphony Orchestra with Milan Horvathconducting.

Latin funk at it's finest. A kingpin player of Miami's Cuban music scene, Ray Fernandez, brought together his 'court' for this sensational Afro-Cuban funk triumph. Largely a family affair, the album features his wife, two sons and a range of other talented musicians including Rickey Washington on saxophone, father of the contemporary jazz maestro Kamasi Washington. Originally released in 1973 on Manuel J. Mato's iconic and collectible Sound Triangle Records, Ray & His Court is a dose of Miami heat fuelled by a Cuban fire, taking in salsa, soul, funk, calypso and Afro-Cuban rhythms.A kaleidoscopic album that draws influence from a range of different genres and scenes blended together in true Ray Fernandez style. Side A, showcases an array of traditional Latin workouts including the addictive enticing opener 'La Señorita Lola' and the pulsating 'Lo Sabia' with it's punchy horns and Ray's wonderful, quirky bubbling organ groove. The tantalising 'Venimos Acabando' and bouncing organ stabs of 'El Alacran' are two further tickets to get a dancefloor vibing.The B-side then steps things up, slipping a hit of heavy-weight Miami funk into the mix. Take the DJ favourite 'Cookie Crumbs' with it's fiery bassline, tripped-out voiceovers and breakbeat drums. Or the amazing, memorable and truly unique funk instrumental 'Soul Freedom' with some mighty fine bass clarinet work courtesy of Gary Gottfried. Also featured is a seductive organ-led Cuban funk rework of Bobby Hebb's 'Sunny' (are there any bad versions of this song?), with a sumptuous female vocal that combine to serve up a seductive take us this much-loved classic. 'Ray And His Court' is a brilliant blend of Afro-Cuban gems and Miami funk heat from an influential group on Miami's Latin music scene. A majestic and magnetic classic where every track is a surefire winner.

PRESERVATION ACT 2 is the 1974 follow-up to THE KINKS' 1973 Preservation Act 1 RCA album, and their thirteenth studio LP. The album is a finely produced concept of story, theatre, instrumentals, announcements, guest singers and songs. A further installment of Ray Davies' musical drama, with the character sketches, wry observations and ballads seen on Preservation Act 1. Full of The Kinks' distinctive and unique charm, featuring gems such as InchMoney Talks,Inch InchHe's Evil,Inch InchMirror Of LoveInch and InchArtificial Man.Inch This is a 2LP black heavyweight 180g vinyl in gatefold sleeve, with original artwork faithfully reproduced. The first repress, apart from a limited edition 2008 US pressing, since the original in 1974.