Now that OC-based indie titan Ubiquity Records is distributing in the U.S. releases by Brighton, England, beat factory Tru Thoughts, it’s a helluva lot easier to find the stuff over here. Take advantage, Americanos.

Artists like Quantic (with or without his Soul Orchestra), Alice Russell and Jon Kennedy always bring that funk-45 grit, whether with live bands or in loopdigger patch-up style. While Nostalgia 77’s 2004 debut “Songs for My Funeral” was much along those lines, the spring 2005 release “The Garden” sees producer goes deeper into spiritual rhythms and Afrobeat territory, with a nod to the downtown New York jazz scene.

Here’s the man in his own words:”Coming from producing hip hop style beats I’d always heard snippets of jazz tracks I loved. This LP was a way of doing some jazz tracks which did what I wanted from start to finish.”

With apparent influences like Art Ensemble of Chicago, Sun Ra and Mwandishi-era Herbie Hancock, the new Nostalgia 77 will go nicely in your collection alongside LA collective Build an Ark (see my radio blog). “The Garden” even includes a cheeky, sloppy cover of White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” with vocals by Ms. Russell.

Purchase the mp3s for cheap here. Buy the CD or vinyl for cheap here.

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