{"title":"Haggis Records","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaggis Records is a Funk, Soul \u0026amp; Jazz Record Label based in Leeds. With a passion for quality music, we strive to bring you the best sounds from talented artists across these genres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur label is dedicated to promoting and supporting emerging musicians who are pushing boundaries and creating unique and innovative music. We believe in giving these artists a platform to showcase their talent and reach a wider audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt Haggis Records, we carefully curate our catalog to ensure that every release represents the highest standard of musical excellence. From funky grooves to soulful melodies and jazzy rhythms, our diverse range of releases will keep your ears satisfied.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"rolling-on-a-high","title":"Rolling On A High","description":"\u003cp\u003eBristol's soul jazz kings The Jazz Defenders release a new vinyl 45 single this autumn as a taster for their third album, which is destined for release in spring 2024. Once again, they are bringing together their love of 1960's soul jazz and golden era 90's hip-hop, just as they did on a couple of tracks on their last album \"King Phoenix\" (Haggis Records 2022). This new single sees them reunited with London MC\/rapper Doc Brown, who guested on the track \"Perfectly Imperfect\", and his flow sits so naturally over the Jazz Defenders' music and beats, you'd think he's a permanent band member.\nThe A-side \"Rolling On A High\" is a real old school boom bap style party hip-hop jam. Big beats, rolling bassline (acoustic double bass), Ramsey Lewis soul jazz piano vamps, funky Hammond organ and some punchy horn section business, all topped off with Doc Brown bouncing bars back and forth with that laid back vibe he always brings to the mic. A guaranteed dance-floor bomb, whether you're a breaker, a jazz dancer or simply a Saturday night disco shuffler. The B-side \"Looking Back\" takes the tempo right down. An 'end of the night' number when the lights in the club are low, the last drinks are being drained and you're thinking and reminiscing about times gone by. The good times and bad, successes and mistakes. And made even more poignant and reflective halfway through when the mellow strings come into the song (once again excellently arranged by pianist\/bandleader George Cooper). If \"Rolling On A High\" is the fire then \"Looking Back\" is definitely the ice. Proof that the Jazz Defenders can rock the party and grab the dancers but also dig deep with emotive tunes that draw in the discerning listener.\nThe Jazz Defenders, led by keyboard maestro George Cooper from The Haggis Horns, have been building a reputation as a great musical unit since their debut Blue Note\/hard bop-inspired album \"Scheming\" appeared on Haggis Records back in 2019, which received a huge amount of praise from critics, and subsequently went on to spend 5 weeks in the top ten of the American jazz charts In 2021, their double A-side vinyl single \"The Big Man\/Love's Vestige\" got them the breakthrough they deserved. It garnered heavy support on radio from top folks like Craig Charles (BBC6 Music), Helen Mayhew (Jazz FM), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), and Worldwide FM resident DJ's Ashley Beedle and Colin Curtis. They further enhanced their reputation as a rocking band with album number two \"King Phoenix\" and by electrifying audiences at sold out live shows across the UK, including the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London.\nAlbum number three is well on its way but for now, check out this tasty limited edition 45 single on Haggis Records. The JDs and Doc Brown...the perfect combination, still keeping that sweet jazz\/hip-hop love affair alive today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haggis Records","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50401424376139,"sku":"2055811","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_015f740e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726522238"},{"product_id":"memory-in-motion","title":"Memory In Motion","description":"\u003cp\u003eUK jazz ensemble The Jazz Defenders release their third album \"Memory In Motion\" in April on Haggis Records (home of The Haggis Horns and Malcolm Strachan). The Bristol jazz boppers deliver another quality release of original material that takes in their usual diverse mix of influences and genres, from timeless acoustic jazz referencing the classic sounds of Blue Note Records, to a more contemporary fusion where jazz meets soul, funk and hip-hop.\nAlthough they love to mix things up, their roots are in the classic acoustic jazz quintet sound of the late 1950s\/early 1960s, back when hard bop and modal jazz ruled. They have already explored this musical path well on their previous albums but they still deliver a couple of classic inspired jazz cuts here. \"Chasing Fantasies\" and \"Fuffle Kerfuffle\" both give the band some space to cut loose on solos over swing jazz beats that will keep their original jazz audience happy. The latter bubbles away with a jazz shuffle beat that would make drum legend Art Blakey smile.\n\"Meanderthal\" and \"Snakebite Playfight\" bring soul to this jazz party. Exactly like jazz legends Lee Morgan\/Herbie Hancock\/Freddie Hubbard etc did back in the early-mid 1960s. The first is a feel-good, toe-tapping gem that's heavy on the backbeat and short and snappy on the solos, the exact reasons that made it the perfect opening single from the album. \"Snakebite Playfight\" comes with a jaunty New Orleans shuffle before transforming into a heavy psychedelic soul jazz burner, flipping back with ease to the NOLA shuffle for the Mardi Gras meets bebop piano solo by band leader George Cooper.\n\"Rolling On A High\" is a hip-hop\/jazz banger that sees the band continue their collaborations with UK rapper Doc Brown, a perfect combination that began on their second album \"King Phoenix''. This time, the Doc spits some old-school block party-style bars over a bouncy uptempo funky beat with the band cooking up some soul stew behind him. Definitely dancefloor material.\nAnother uptempo jam is the heavy jazz fusion jam \"Net Zero\". It kicks off with some live broken beat kit playing and piano\/bass staccato vamping before taking off into Headhunters territory on the solos, sounding both contemporary and classic at the same time. This is The Jazz Defenders at their fiercest and toughest and delivering a track that will have jazz dancers worldwide in an utter frenzy.\nIt's not all uptempo numbers or dancefloor-oriented compositions on this album. Two tracks take the musical dynamics right down to give a temporary break from the high-energy numbers. \"Take A Minute\" has a rolling double bass line locked into the groove while the horns play a lazy and laid-back theme with vibes embellishment, sounding like some trippy independent film soundtrack. Another recurring musical reference point for this band over the years.\nThe album finishes on a poignant and introspective note with a beautiful piano and double bass feature for George Cooper and bassist Will Harris. It's called \"Enigma\", it was recorded live in Paris and it closes the album on a peaceful note evoking the music and playing of Bill Evans. The perfect way to close this brilliant third album from The Jazz Defenders.\nWith Memory In Motion, pianist George Cooper and his band undoubtedly pay great homage to a golden era of jazz music that they love, but also elaborate on this influence with a wealth of modern musical experience, to create their own raw and vibrant compositions. The result is an enthrallingly unique sound that is as danceable as it is listenable.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haggis Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP.","offer_id":50407758758219,"sku":"2193000","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50407757480267,"sku":"2192989","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_e24638eb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726600543"},{"product_id":"stand-up-for-love","title":"Stand Up For Love","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe UK's funk brothers are back! After 2 years working hard in their studio in Leeds in the north of England, The Haggis Horns are ready to drop album number 5! \"Stand Up For Love\" is released worldwide on their own label Haggis Records. They should have added a subtitle to it...back to roots! This one has them doing what they've done best from day one...kicking the funk! plus the spotlight is truly on the band - no special guests, just Haggis Horns band members past and present including \"Hot Damn!\" singer John McCallum who features on seven out of the nine tracks making this their most vocal-led album to date. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Haggis Horns first hit the music scene in 1999 as both a band and brass section, the horns making their first recorded appearance on The New Mastersounds debut album that year. Featuring some of the finest brass and rhythm section players in the UK, Haggis Horns musicians have played live and recorded with a host of major music artists including Mark Ronson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lou Donaldson, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Martha Reeves, Jamiroquai, John Legend \u0026amp; The Roots, The Cinematic Orchestra, Morcheeba, Roots Manuva, Finley Quaye and Nightmares On Wax.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haggis Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50417163960651,"sku":"1093562","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/5de04369-c15b-439f-b381-9e74a103609b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726719670"},{"product_id":"scheming","title":"Scheming","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe debut album from The Jazz Defenders is released on Haggis Records, the label started by U.K funk band The Haggis Horns. Jazz has always been a massive part of what The Haggis Horns are about so this marriage was the perfect fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Jazz defenders are a group borne out of a deep love for Blue Note Records - specifically the hard bop recordings of Horace Silver, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan and Art Blakey. Those records were highly regarded for a reason - catchy horn lines and incredible musicianship combined with Rudy Van Gelder's engineering skills mean they will forever be regarded as classics of the genre. The Jazz Defenders are a group that would 'defend' the legacy of those recordings whilst creating its own original identity and distinctive flair. The music they produce together is a modern soul jazz slant on this classic Hard Bop, effortlessly channelling the spirit of the golden Blue Note era of Jazz.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haggis Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50435779363147,"sku":"1082412","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/c427be41-f413-4cc0-a91b-5911a7acfc7c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726907686"},{"product_id":"point-of-no-return-2","title":"Point Of No Return","description":"\u003cp\u003eScottish jazz trumpeter Malcolm Strachan releases his second solo album \"Point Of No Return\" on Haggis Records on 27th January 2023. A follow-up to his debut album \"About Time\" from March 2020 (also on Haggis Records), which received great critical acclaim and strong radio support across the globe. Once again, Malcolm delivers an album of original music written by himself and featuring material covering a broad spectrum of jazz styles. From modal jazz grooves to Brazilian samba beats, Latin rhythms to cinematic soundtrack vibes, and along the way, some beautiful ballads.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf the first album nodded slightly to mid-late 1960s classic Blue Note Records type jazz, this one is more reminiscent of the jazz fusion albums that Malcolms's jazz trumpet hero Freddie Hubbard recorded for the legendary CTI Records label in the early-mid 1970s. The same groove-based jazz where soul and funk beats are at the heart of the arrangement. Rock solid rhythms that allow complex horn parts and improvisation to float over the top with ease. The ensemble playing is strong and the leader's trumpet solos show why he's been one of the most in-demand session musicians in the UK for the last 20 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe's recorded and toured with the likes of Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamiroquai, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Jess Glynne, The Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band, Black Honey, The New Mastersounds, Abstract Orchestra and Blue Note Records jazz saxophone legend Lou Donaldson. Of course, he's also a founder and existing band member of the UK funk kings The Haggis Horns.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe core band on \"Point Of No Return\" are musicians that Malcolm has known and worked with for over two decades, often in The Haggis Horns, and most appeared on the debut album. Those musicians making a welcome return are Atholl Ransome (tenor sax\/flute), George Cooper (piano), Danny Barley (trombone), Courtny Tomas, (double bass), and Erroll Rollins (drums). Newcomers this time are longtime Haggis Horns guest percussionist Sam Bell plus special guest vocalist UK jazz singer Jo Harrop, who adds non-verbal Flora Purim style vocals on tracks one and three. Three tracks feature strings, arranged by Phil Steel, with all the strings played by Richard Curran. One of the tracks is the beautifully poignant ballad for strings and trumpet \"The Last Goodbye\" which could easily have come from a film soundtrack and where Malcolm digs deep into his love for jazz ballads in his solo.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Point Of No Return\" by Malcolm Strachan will definitely appeal to lovers of contemporary acoustic jazz with a classic jazz feel. For those who love the music of Blue Note Records and CTI Records and trumpeters Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Lee Morgan, Art Farmer, and Miles Davis. Without a doubt, it will be one of the standout UK jazz releases of 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haggis Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50442018849099,"sku":"2005910","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50442018357579,"sku":"2005909","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_6_08f39875_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726990363"},{"product_id":"king-phoenix","title":"King Phoenix","description":"\u003cp\u003eBristol's jazz daddies The Jazz Defenders drop their second album for Haggis Records and it's a real departure from their debut release. Whereas that album was a homage to the late 1950s\/early 1960s classic jazz style known as hard bop, this release moves into new territory with hip-hop\/jazz, cinema soundtrack flavours, Latin rhythms and soul-jazz all upfront in the mix. The classic sound that has inspired the band this time is very much from the mid-late 1960s era and the merging of soul and funk beats with jazz solos\/improvisation. Tracks like \"Wagger Jaunt\" and \"Munch\" nod to the piano and organ-led soul-jazz of artists like Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Hancock, Reuben Wilson, and Jimmy Smith. Meanwhile \"Saudade\" and \"Love's Vestige\" feature Brazilian bossa rhythms but with some added film soundtrack overtones. Speaking of movie soundtracks, \"The Oracle'' is a pure homage to the classic cinematic compositions of maestros like John Barry(James Bond, The Ipcress File) or Lalo Schifrin (Mission Impossible, Bullitt) right down to the very impressive string arrangement, beautifully scored and orchestrated by band leader George Cooper.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haggis Records","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP.","offer_id":50459121484107,"sku":"1148613","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50459121090891,"sku":"1148612","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/befe522e-6cc1-4fda-bdf2-a9119ce68412_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727217545"},{"product_id":"look-on-the-bright-side","title":"Look On The Bright Side","description":"\u003cp\u003eOn \u003cem\u003eLook On The Bright Side\u003c\/em\u003e, Malcolm Strachan sounds more open than ever. His third solo album moves effortlessly between soul-jazz, Latin grooves and Afrobeat touches, anchored by the warm, cinematic feel of 1970s jazz but driven by a clear sense of forward motion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReleased via Haggis Records, the album sees Strachan stepping further into his role as a composer and bandleader, drawing together the threads of a career spanning more than two decades at the heart of the UK’s jazz, funk and soul scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere his debut \u003cem\u003eAbout Time\u003c\/em\u003e (2020) channelled the spirit of classic Blue Note recordings and Point Of No Return (2023) leaned into the groove-heavy CTI era, \u003cem\u003eLook On The Bright Side\u003c\/em\u003e feels broader in scope – still rooted in groove, but more open to outside influences and a more consciously uplifting tone.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haggis Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":57140859797835,"sku":"R1949-3585","price":25.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":57140859830603,"sku":"R1949-2026","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_f8bfcda7-9b84-429b-a3a4-13c40387f4f1.jpg?v=1777305594"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_58e69973_thumbnail_4096_ada472a9-c026-475f-8bf9-ef1bf14e39f9.jpg?v=1726522216","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/haggis-records.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}