Cortex - Tropeau Bleu

French jazz-fusion act Cortex's 1975 debut album Troupeau Bleu has long been in demand amongst record collectors and dusty-fingered DJs, not least because it's14 tracks contain all manner of killer drum breaks, fast-fingered electric piano solos, surprise 1970s synth sounds and nods aplenty to French lounge music.

As this essential Trad Vibe issue proves, the album is every bit as good as you'd expect, with floor-friendly jazz-funk freak-outs sitting side by side with samba workouts, laidback jams of the kind associated with Bob James, piano jazz interludes, jazz-rock slam-downs and much more besides. Basically, it's the kind of freewheeling but impeccably produced set that deserves a place in any jazz-funk fan's record collection.