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Soyuz – Krok [Mr Bongo Records]
“Krok”, is the fourth alum from the Belarus collective Soyuz. “Krok”, which means “step” in Belarusian carries a lot of meaning throughout the album. The band is now based in Warsaw due to political unrest back home. The uncertainty of their new life became the inspiration for this record. Composer and multi-instrumentalist Alex Chumak has crafted a deeply meditative album that explores dreamy atmospheres. Limited by resources to record in Warsaw, the band recorded the first session of the album in Sao Paulo at the studio of prominent Brazilian musician Sessa. “Lingua Do Mundo” features Brazilian vocalist/guitarist Tim Bernados. Bernados showcases his lush vocals and swaying guitar melodies. Add to that the stirring strings and you have a blissful tune you will get lost in. “P7 Blues” is a mid-tempo mellow tune driven by warm keys and vocal harmonies. “Krok” blurs the lines of genres. In addition to the Brazilian rhythms are sketches of Jazz, folk and Eastern European textures. Chumak is joined by Mikita Arlou along with Polish musicians Albert Karch on drums and guitarist Igor Wisniewski. Chumak’s string arrangements will tug on your heartstrings. Despite their challenges the band has amassed an array of emotive compositions that offer hope for brighter days ahead. Simply put this is a marvelous record that shouldn’t be missed.
Al Sunny – Summer End [Légère Recordings]
“Summer End”, the third album from Al Sunny is the synthesis of soul and pop wrapped in atmospheric textures. Based in Nimes, France, Sunny recorded this album at the home of Parisian pianist Florian Pellissier. Pellissier is featured on keyboards throughout the album. The opening track “Why” sets the tone for melodic lush grooves combined with Sunny’s engaging vocals and songwriting. “So Lonely” rides a steady drum kick, a thumping bass line and vibrant synths. Sunny’s honey toned vocals layered on top is the main ingredient to a burning tune. The compositions embody a cool West Coast vibe that reverberates throughout the album. Sound engineer Lois Eichelbrenner’s prowess of heightening the vocals and instrumentation is noticeable from the first note. Sunny continues to build on the promise of his previous album “Planets”. This is the breakout record we’ve been waiting for.
The Expert – Vivid Visions [Rucksack Records]
Dublin Ireland hip hop producer The Expert presents an ambitious collaborative album. “Vivid Visions” is a psychedelic hip hop album that was two years in the making. A short turnaround when you consider that the project features a whopping twenty one rappers from across the pond and beyond. The roster contains veterans and newcomers of the Indie hip-hop scene. “40 Winks” has a hazy sublime guitar melody tailor made for rapper/producer NAHreally. “Dreams” has a dreamy seventies soul sample that features LA rapper Blu and Stik Figa of Tanya Morgan.”Remember The Summer” has a laid back soul jazz sample. Chicago rapper/producer Defcee and UK rap legend Jehst take turns trading bars. Defcee is a major contributor throughout the album. The Expert set out to make a left of center hip-hop album that has an easy cohesive listen. This album’s production and clever use of samples evokes Pete Rock vibes. One of the best Indie hip-hop records of the year.
Evidence – Unlearning Vol 2 [Rhymesayers]
“Unlearning Vol 2” is the fifth solo project from rapper/producer Evidence. The former member of the LA based hip-hop trio Dilated Peoples delivers an album filled with laid back beats aligned with introspective lyrics. Not to mention thought provoking interludes. “Outta Bounds” is mellow, dark and gritty. Evidence states his desire to succeed with the following. “They say it’s lonely at the top, I need to know that lonely feeling. They told us skys the limit, so many various ways to get paid and stay driven”. Fellow LA native rapper Blu jumps on board the warped melodic piano driven “Stay Alive”. DJ/Producer The Alchemist drops his signature beats and rhymes on “Rain Every Season”. Evidence demonstrates that real hip-hop is alive and well and I’m here for it.
Kid Sublime – The Paradigm Shift [Natural Element]
“The Paradigm Shift” is the latest release from Amsterdam DJ/Producer Kid Sublime. The eight track album draws on influences from Broken Beat to house and soul, The album is filled with an array of versatile contributors. East London’s Oliver Night is a prominent figure in the Bruk landscape. “Bring It Come” is an infectious bruk banger that features Night on vocals. “The Awakening” is an atmospheric house gem that features Han Litz on flute. “Stay Over” and “Kingz” are mid tempo simmering recordings. The former features Sydney native Natalie Slade and the latter features UK vocalist Colonel Red. Kid Sublime spent a considerable amount of time in London and it served him well. These soulful compositions pack plenty of punch yet are filled with warmth and dynamic rhythms. They’re certain to get a spin at the club or in your living room.
https://naturalelementmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-paradigm-shift
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.