Weldon Irvine - The Sisters [P-Vine Japan]

Format: LP in gatefold sleeve with obi strip. Remastered and imported from Japan.

This 1998 album compiles unreleased sessions from the late 70s featuring Weldon Irvine, Don Blackman, and a young Marcus Miller. Known for his rare groove classics like Spirit Man (1975) and Sinbad (1976), Irvine's work shines here with a consistent succession of highlights. Among them are the soulful “Morning Sunrise,” famously sampled by Jay-Z and Drake; the jazz-funk of “The Sisters,” featuring Marcus Miller on bass and Tom Brown on trumpet; and the smooth “Heard It All Before,” which combines urban sophistication with a laid-back fusion.

Toni Smith's dynamic vocals on the funky “Think I’ll Stay A While” are another major highlight, making this masterpiece a release brimming with the best of jazz, soul, and funk.