Ricotti & Albuquerque - First Wind (Remastered, 2025)

Here's a blast from the past that's more refreshing than a gust of wind on a stuffy 70s disco floor. "First Wind" by Ricotti & Albuquerque is the jazz-rock love child you never knew you needed, finally escaping from its 1971 time capsule to blow your mind in the present day.

Picture this: UK's top vibraphonist Frank Ricotti and guitarist/vocalist Michael de Albuquerque decide to throw a musical party. They invite jazz, rock, and folk, spike the punch with experimental vibes, and let the good times roll. The result? An album that rocks harder than a jazz cat on a hot tin roof while maintaining more cool than a cucumber in a bow tie. With an all-star lineup that reads like the guest list for the coolest jam session in history, "First Wind" serves up a smorgasbord of sounds. From taut and laconic originals that'll make you "Give A Damn" to covers smoother than a Cat Stevens impersonator at a James Taylor convention, this album is a kaleidoscope of auditory delights, newly remastered by Prof. Stoned.

But don't just take our word for it. The critics of yesteryear were tripping over their bell-bottoms to praise this "absolute must" for jazz-rock enthusiasts. Record Mirror called it "very nice" (high praise in British speak), while Cream magazine noted its "immaculately organised" sound (because who doesn't love a well-organized revolution?). So, whether you're a longtime jazz-rock aficionado or a curious newcomer, "First Wind" is your ticket to a bygone era when genres blended as smoothly as a well-mixed martini. Grab this reissue faster than you can say "vibraphone solo," and let the wind of change blow through your playlist.