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Makez – Arriving Home Elsewhere [No Art]
“Arriving Home Elsewhere”, the latest release from Amsterdam DJ/Producers Makez showcases house music in a myriad of styles. They have blended soul, jazz and funk seamlessly with their potent compositions..The duo have invited an array of artists who fit their compositions perfectly. Liv East’s euphoric vocals layered over a simmering groove sets the tone on the aptly titled “Dreams”. “Rearrange Yourself” is soulful disco with infectious percussion. Add the vocals of Ben Westbeech and Obi Franky and you have a high energy dance friendly banger. Westbeech is also featured on the downtempo funky gem “Vibin”. “Define Us” has a slow burning groove aligned with a funky guitar and moog synths. Washington D.C. based vocalist Dreamcastmoe and Allysha Joy of 30/70 add their spicy vocals to the mix. It’s evident that this duo has the blueprint for essential house and downtempo recordings. An enjoyable record worthy of repeated listens.
Jazzanova – In Between (Remixes) [Sonar Kollektiv]
“In Between”, the groundbreaking release from Jazzanova is the gift that keeps on giving. The latest tribute takes the baton from the live instrumentation rework released earlier this year. This time a new generation of producers take their turn to breathe new life into these timeless recordings. UK duo Jacana People kicks off the album with an atmospheric take on “Another New Day”. They transform the track into an infectious dance floor heater. Three different producers take a stab at “No Use” featuring Clara Hill. Each one is solid but the one produced by Crackazat will certainly become a dance floor favorite. “Keep Falling” featuring Ursula Rucker receives a futuristic makeover courtesy of Berlin producer Magro. There’s nothing quite like the original. That being said, the producers on hand overall have done proper work to these treasured gems.
La Chooma – Local Spirits [Batov Records]
“Local Spirits”, the full length release from La Chooma builds on the strength of their debut single “Magic Plant”. The single released in late 2024 whetted the appetite of listeners with their psychedelic jazz funk sound combined with potent Moroccan rhythms. In addition they successfully blend Gnawa, Colombian and Afrobeat as well. “High Glow” blends elements of dub with Ethiopian synths and a Mulatu inspired bass groove. “Lonely” is a high energy track with spacey synths and pulsating percussion. Overall the band’s compositions are dense, hypnotic and adventurous. It’s an irresistible ride worth checking out.
Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars – Calima [Jazz re:freshed]
Calima is a natural phenomenon when sand from the Sahara Desert travels across the Atlantic Ocean, bringing nutrients that help fertilize the tropical rainforests of Latin America and the Caribbean. It serves as the perfect title for this record. “Calima”, the latest project from Balimaya Project is an encounter between the aforementioned Balimaya and the Colombian band Discos Pacifico All Stars. Together they explore the African Diaspora by fusing West African Jazz and Afro Colombian rhythms. Fifteen musicians connecting the dots from the Atlantic to the Pacific. “A Life Worth Living” brims with warmth. A mellow mid tempo groove lays the groundwork for heart pounding percussion, heavenly horns and a melodic guitar. Add to that the strong vocal harmonies lead by Edwin Ivan Jimenez Tenorio among others. “I Wish I Knew” echoes the sound of Afro-Colombian. It has a simmering intro due a haunting piano, percussion and Marimba. The sound of these worlds colliding is magical. A marvelous collaboration worthy of repeated listens.
Land of Echo – Almost Music [Wah Wah 45s]
Land of Echo is the brainchild of DJ/Producer Rob Mac. Mac is a long time figure in the UK underground club culture. He ran the legendary Scratch hip-hop nights in the nineties as well as releasing under aliases such as Speeka, Explore and Jumbonics. With “Almost Music” he delivers a nine track LP filled with infectious soulful boogie tunes certain to put you in a party frame of mind. Mac has enlisted a pair of premier vocalists to elevate these tracks. Kathy Diamond lends her soaring vocals to a number of tracks here. The opener “What We Want” is high energy boogie soul goodness. “Don’t Talk Just Dance” is a mid tempo burner. “Dream With Me” featuring Ayanna Homma is filled with synth wizardry and packs plenty of bounce. Credit the synth arrangements to violinist Lucy Wilkins. Mac has hit the mark with deep boogie funk grooves, hypnotic rhythms and high energy production. Get ready to groove tonight.
Ebi Soda – Frank dean & Andrew [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Ebi Soda return with their third full length release. “Frank dean and Andrew” is a left of centre blend of Jazz, dub and electronica. The Brighton based quintet push the boundaries with an organised chaos of beats, synths and atmospheric horn chords. The opening track “Bamboo” is a moody mid tempo burner with hypnotic horns and hazy reverb. “Location” serenades us with a meandering trumpet solo layered over a slow burning bass groove. “Red in Tokyo” is a banger featuring rapper Jianbo. It’s filled with rugged beats and gritty guitar riffs. You will find traces of drum n bass in “When Pluto Was a Planet and Everything Was Cool”. The swirling horn arrangements build tension with every beat. The mixing and production along with impressive songwriting make for an impressive record. The quintet has made a name for themselves with their live performances. Baes on this record, the audiences will only get bigger.
Gabriel de Rosa – Cacofonia [Stones Throw Records]
Gabriel de Rosa is a native of Cruz Alta, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. With his latest release “Cacofonia” he serenades us with his feathery voice and traditional bossa nova rhythms. de Rosa shines on “Seu Joao”, a warm bossa tune filled with piano melodies and engaging percussion. “O Pacto” is a stripped down sublime tune enhanced by de Rosa’s velvet vocals. “Menino Indio” is another highlight with warm fender rhodes that will evoke images of a warm Summer afternoon in Brazil. de Rosa has been a member of LA based Stones Throw since 2022. “E o que a casa oferece”, released in 2023 is also impressive. If you like traditional bossa nova aligned with gorgeous vocals to match then this is the record for you.
Mecca:83 – Until Dawn [Rockwell Product Shop Label]
DJ/Producer Mecca:83 aka Rise has been composing beats and rhythms for twenty years. He came on the scene under the guidance of Simon S from the Futuristica label. They share an affinity for laid back Jazzy hip-hop grooves. “Until Dawn”, the sixteen track release, has plenty of that and more. Rise has surrounded himself with a number of talented musicians he’s built a relationship with over the past twenty years. Detroit’s own Guilty Simpson has worked with Mecca:83 in the past. He’s joined by Phat Kat and their gritty lyrics fit like a glove on “Don’t Stop”. “Elevation”, co-produced by Parisian MC/producer Lex (de Kalhex) is a warm and mellow instrumental filled with soft head nodding grooves and atmospheric visuals. Rise has nailed the synergy between jazzy piano melodies and electronic beats. You’re bound to get swept away by the array of blissful compositions presented here. Although it’s been a minute since his last release, this record is worth the wait and arguably his best work to date.
VA – With Love Vol. 3 [Mr Bongo]
DJ/Collector Miche returns with his third compilation for Mr Bongo. “With Love Vol. 3” is filled with 70/80s soulful hidden gems from around the globe. Among the highlights are “Read The Fine Print” by the East Wind Band. Released in 1976, the Sunny jazz funk tune is led by vocalist Vince Elko. “Sundance” is a warm mid-tempo instrumental by the Late Nite Music Band. The jazz fusion tune was released in 1982 and features Larry Smith on soprano sax and piano. “Ruacan” is a real treat of a hidden gem by Turkish jazz vocalist Nukhet Ruacan. Released in 1976, the latin jazz rhythms aligned with Ruacon’s vocals will easily warm your heart. It’s a discovery like this that make this compilation a worthy listen.
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/album/with-love-volume-3-compiled-by-miche
Georgie Sweet – I Swear To You [First Word Records]
“I Swear To You” is the sophomore release from Brighton Vocalist Georgie Sweet. The honeytoned vocalist made a splash with her 2021 debut “Misunderstood”. Multi-instrumentalist Marc Rapson, who contributed to the first album figures prominently on this record. The two began collaborating soon after the debut’s release. “All That We Were”, the first single is a gorgeous ballad filled with lush harmonies. “Equal Measure” is lush mid-tempo soul with smooth melodies. “In My Stride” opens in ballad form before morphing into a mellow hip-hop inspired piano jam. Rapson’s arrangements provide the right balance of laid back beats and warm fender rhodes and piano. Sweet’s vocals are as tasty as warm butter on toast. A delightful recording from an artist whose star will only get brighter. Another winner from First Word records.