Erik Truffaz

In the next step of his evolution as a pioneering jazz figure, French trumpeter Erik Truffaz continues his exploration of modern dance rhythms informed by drum 'n' bass and hip hop as well as gripping rock 'n' roll with his quartet on The Walk of the Giant Turtle. This CD is Truffaz's fourth U.S. release, following up last year's remarkable Mantis, and featuring a video on the making of the album.

Erykah Badu

Born Erica Wright in Dallas in 1971, Badu attended a school of the arts and was working as a teacher and part-time singer in her hometown when she opened for D'Angelo at a 1994 show. D'Angelo's manager, Kedar Massenburg, was impressed with the performance and hooked her up with the singer to record a cover of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell duet Precious Love.

Eumir Deodato

Eumir Deodato has been a pianist / keyboardist, producer, and arranger on over 450 albums, and has won 16 platinum records. The list of top artists with whom he has collaborated is too extensive to cite.

Exodus Quartet

This band was formed in 1991 by Eric Hilton, co-founder with his partner Fari Ali of the legendary DC Acid Jazz party named Exodus. Eric decided to create the atmosphere of this legendary club on record. Most of the tracks of the album Way Out There (1996) were writen, produced and played by Eric Hilton. Later on, Rob Garza and Eric Hilton met at Eighteenth Street Lounge in May 1995.

Faded Traces

A collaborative project between Russian jazz musicians Igor Shilov (trumpet) and Alexander Alexeev (keyboards) and their German colleagues, producer and bassist Michael Fetscher (Petgroove) and drummer Florian Dauner (De-Phazz).

Fantastic Plastic Machine

The most producer-driven act in the Japanese pop movement known as Shibuya-kei, Fantastic Plastic Machine was formed by Tomoyuki Tanaka. Though he has the basic stylistic tastes requisite of the Shibuya-kei artist (namely lounge music, bossa nova, French pop, and soft rock), Tanaka has more of a club mentality, driven by his long experience as a DJ.

Fat Larry's Band

This was an entertaining Philadelphia funk band, fronted by drummer "Fat" Larry James. Fat Larry's Band never scored any major hits, but their singles for Stax, Fantasy, and Omni were prototypical late-'70s and '80s East Coast jazz-tinged funk.

Felix Lahuti

Felix Lahuti is the only musician in Russia who plays the five-string electric violin, a vocalist, composer, and arranger. He has performed at numerous international festivals and concerts in Moscow, as well as in various cities across the world.