VA – Horse Meat Disco presents Disco Boogie from Brazil Vol.1 [Mr Bongo]
“Disco Boogie from Brazil Vol.1” is a compilation thirteen years in the making from London collective Horse Meat Disco. The four member unit consists of James Hillard, Severino Panzetta, Jim Stanton and Luke Howard. They started a residency at Eagle London in 2003. Nine years later Howard would embark on the first of many visits to Brazil, He would later receive an invitation to visit the headquarters of Mr Bongo records to listen to some rare obscure Brazilian flavoured boogie recordings. A compilation was approved only to lie in limbo due to licensing issues. Well the wait is finally over. “Harmony Cats” kicks off the comp with a funky cinematic theme and a thumping groove. “Sol De Verao” by Lafayette soars with soulful vocals, blistering brass and strings. “Rio Babilonia” is a mid tempo banger from Jorge Ben. It’s always a treat when crate diggers come across some hidden gems waiting for a second chance to be heard. This is an engaging compilation from the always reliable Mr Bongo
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/album/horse-meat-disco-presents-disco-boogie-from-brazil-vol-1
5th May 2025
Horace Silver Quintet – Won’t You Open Up Your Senses [Blue Note]
Max Roach – Members, Don’t Git Weary [Atlantic]
Andy Bey – Celestial Blues [Atlantic]
Stan Clarke – Unexpected Days [Polydor]
Sandy Barber – I Think I’ll Do Some Stepping On My Own (John Morales Mix) [BBE Music]
Willie Hutch – Easy Does It [Whitfield Records]
Hyldon – Cubana [Jazzybelle Records]
Don Glori – Ron Song [Mr Bongo]
Drama On The Corner – Dzatsu (Live Version) [Tangential Music]
Mark Millington – We Fall [Albert’s Favourites]
Chip Wickham – Last Day On Earth [Re:Warm]
Edison Machado – Clodes [Far Out Recordings]
Sault – K.T.Y.W.S. [Forever Living Originals]
Pink Butter feat. T3 – Can We Go Back [DeepMatter]
Dam Swindle feat. Haile Supreme – Not Enough [Heist Recordings]
Brain Jackson feat. Raheem De Vaughn & J.Ivy – Its Your World [BBE Music]
James Simonson x Blair French – Hannah (Blair French Remix) [MotorCity Wine]
V.B.Kühl – Mesugar
Toomy Disco – Peppermint [Retrospective]
Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra – Black Sun (Joe Claussell Remix) [Far Out Recordings]
Intuit feat. Andy Bey – Planet Birth [Compost Records]
Kuna Maze – Layers [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
“Layers”, the latest full length release from DJ/Producer Edouard Gilbert aka Kuna Maze showcases a mellower tempo in contrast to his previous lp “Night Shift”. The album title speaks to his approach to composing this album. Maze’s layering of rhythms and live instrumentation captures the mood of his live performances. “Layered Memories” is a prime example. The mellow tune evokes echoes of Herbie Hancock’s early eighties fusion era. “Tangle” is another simmering tune filled with languid grooves. All eleven tracks follow this formula with superb results. Maze demonstrates that he can create jazz influenced compositions along with house and dub. The finale “Kuna’s Dub” is evidence of that. Maze’s sophomore release is every bit as impressive as his debut.
28th April 2025
Charles Webster & Atmos Blaq – Free [Stay True Sounds]
Offshore and Coen feat. Kali Mija – Always (Alone] [Atjazz Record Company]
Marcel Vogel & Tim Jules feat. Javonntte – Just Because (Stefan Ringer Remix) [Lumberjacks In Hell]
Yuu Udagawa – Velvet City [Compost Records]
Jazzanova – Another New Day (Kid Fonque Refix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Archetyp – Old School Rules [Fluid Ounce Records]
Beatkozina feat. El Mago & Axel Camil – Merhba (Laroye Remix) [Compost Records]
Unknown – Be Cool (Rahaan edit) [Razor-N-Tape]
Amanda Whiting feat. Peach – Intertwined (Quiet Dawn Remix) [First Word Records]
Cenk Esen – Air Traffic Controller [XVI Records]
Tommy The Cat – Up Hill [Cat In The Bag Records]
Maykors & ANiMA – Falling (Eastcolors Remix) [Fokuz Recordings]
Blade – More & More [Fokuz Recordings]
Azymuth – Andaraí [Far Out Recordings]
Rob J Madin – Bouquet Garni [Miles Away Records]
Jo Tongo – What A Lovely Day [The Outer Edge]
Bennie Maupin – Quasar [Verve]
Orquesta Del Sol – Rainbow Love [BBE Music]
Joy Spheres Rees – Promised Me Love [BBE Music]
Aldorande – Sweet Spot [Favorite Recordings]
Plunky & Oneness Of Juju – Share This Love [Strut Records]
Milt Jackson – Sunflower [CTI Records]
VA – Our Music Our Culture Vol. 2 [CoOperation Records]
“Our Music Our Culture Vol. 2” celebrates the CoOp. The signature club was spearheaded by Bugz In The Attic members Afronaut and Mark Force, The late Phil Asher, Dego, Domu and IG Culture were early contributors as well. It was during this period that the seeds of Broken Beat were planted. It grew from a London Sunday night hangout into an international phenomenon. Evidence of that lies in the array of bangers compiled here. “Digital Soul” from SoulParlor receives a dynamic dub rework from Naul’s L8 Nite. It’s a certified floor filler. “Loose Legs” is another heater from London DJ/Producer Don Kamares. Other highlights includes “Your Woke Moment” and “Get Stronger” from Ben Hauke and Bruk Rogers respectively. They’re two of the new generation of Bruk beatmakers. As good a compilation as you’ll hear all year. All you need to do is press play and walk away.
Lance Ferguson – L’ocean de toi [Pacific Theatre]
Multi-instrumentalist and Bamboos bandleader Lance Ferguson returns with “L’ocean de toi”. This is a soundtrack to a long lost 1981 French film directed by Leroi Alarie. Alarie sought out Ferguson to compose an entire new soundtrack for the film’s re-release. The result is a recording filled with dreamy sun drenched soundscapes. The title track sets the tone with warm melodic synths riding a deep bass groove. The lanquid “Dream Diary” serenades you swaying wah wah guitar rhythms and warm chords. The atmospheric textures of the soundtrack evokes images of stolen moments by the beach with your partner. It’s fitting since the movie centers around a Summer romance. Whether you see the movie or not this soundtrack is certain to provide immediate satisfaction. Ferguson captures the essence of the early eighties film with another marvelous recording.
https://pacifictheatrerecords.bandcamp.com/track/loc-an-de-toi-1
21st April 2025
Gabriel Da Rosa – Pê Patu Pá [Stones Throw]
Resavoir & Matt Gold – Canopy [International Anthem]
Milton Nascimento – Os Povos [Odean]
Chico Bernardes – Ate Que Enfim [Mr Bongo]
Sambôa – Meu querer [Parsifal]
Lonnie Liston Smith – Magic Journey [CBS]
Patrice Rushen – It’s Just A Natural Thing [Elektra]
Bellcrash – White Jazz [Sunshine Enterprises]
Oliver Lutz – Calamari Fantasy [Klaeng Records]
The Vanishing System – Crab Nebula [Altered Vibes]
Tal M. Klein – Perforated [Aniligital Music]
Kuna Maze – Tangle [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Footshooter feat. Andre Espeut – Here To Learn [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Da Lata – Oba Lata (NameBrandSound Remix) [Da Lata Music]
Force Of Nature – A Dark Nebula (Moonstarr Remix) [Exceptional]
Brainwaltzera – Medal Headz [G.B.D.F] (Peshay Remix) [Film Recordings]
Pyxis – Lucky Charm [Fokuz Recordings]
Larigold – Steps Range [Celsius Recordings]
Jo Tongo – Stand Up Now [The Outer Edge]
Trulz & Robin – Beneath The Surface [Cymasonic]
Uschi Classen feat. Eska – Home (Where The House Is) [Earth Project]
Herbert & Momoko – Babystar [Strut Records]
Sub Ensemble – Faster Than The Sun (Domu Remix) [Especial Records]
14th April 2025
Jazzanova feat. Wayne Snow – That Night (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Rosettes – The Call [Timmion Records]
Ria Moran – No Reason (Ode to You) [DeepMatter Records]
Emanative – When On Earth [Futuristica Music]
Collettivo Immaginario feat. Dwight Trible and Isaiah Collier – Vento Eterno [Domanda Music]
Drama On The Corner – Dzatsu (Live Version) [Tangential Music]
Wood Shaw With Tone Jansa Quartet – May [Timeless Records]
Mark Millington – Overdrive [Albert’s Favourites]
Carlos Nilmmns – Moon Dance [COD3 QR]
Cocktail Party Effect – Shattered Retina [Tectonic Recordings]
Beatrice M. – Magic (Slimy Ape Remix)
Nubiyan Twist feat. Horseman – Battle Isn’t Over (D’n’B Version) [Strut Records]
Ostr-size – Vibrations (Jam) [Influenza Media]
James D. Hall – I Wanna Get Into You [Favorite Recordings]
Hyldon – Vem Dançar O Samba [Jazzybelle Records]
Idjut Boys – One For Kenny [Smalltown Supersound]
Herbert & Momoko – Babystar [Strut Records]
Sue Wright – I Believe In You [Canopy Records]
Phreek Plus One – Astro Boogie [Compost Records]
Cee ElAssaad & Sabrina Chyld – The Time Is Now [Makin’ Moves]
Alton Miller feat. Maurissa Rose – Bring Me Down (Coflo Remix) [Cataleya Music]
Black Loops feat. Byron The Aquarius – Detroit Love Letter [Freerange Records]
La BOA + Tony Allen – La BOA meets Tony Allen [Comet Records]
“LOA BOA Meets Tony Allen” is the brainchild of producer Daniel Michel. Michel and his band La BOA – La Bogota Orquesta Afrobeat blends Afrobeat with the rhythms of Colombia. Michel has been fusing the rhythms of the afro-colombian underground with Afrobeat for over a decade. This began as a tribute to the late great drummer Tony Allen. Inspired by a recording by Allen in 2011 for the Parisian label Comet records. Along the way, Michel’s compositions have evolved into a passing of the torch. The opening track “Ale” is a burning mid-tempo banger. The Orquesta’s horn section sparkles while Michel shines on bass and synths. “La Maquina de Tony” kicks off with hypnotic percussion. The horn section adds a wealth of warm melodies layered over a simmering beat. The time Michel spent on this recording has been time well spent. The Orquesta band is filled with superb musicians and the performances are top notch. For fans of Afrobeat you need this in your collection.
https://tonyallen.bandcamp.com/album/la-boa-meets-tony-allen
Nick Marks – Cinematic Chromatics Vol.III [Marks Brothers]
New York based artist Nick Marks returns with Volume 3 of the Cinematic Chromatics series. Born and raised in Melbourne Australia, Marks grew up in a fertile music scene. Since moving to New York in 2016, Marks has established himself as a sought after producer, composer and musical director, Volume One leans into his deep passion of film scores. The result was an impressive blend of strings and electronics. Volume two pivoted towards jazz fusion and hip hop. Volume three brings it all together. “Alpha Bete” packs a lot of funk along with soothing synths and strings. “Into The Void” is a breezy mid tempo burner featuring wordless phrasings from Arta Jekabsone. The jazz funk fusion genre is a crowded market but Marks has the chops to stand out. The six track release is one satisfying release after another.
https://nickmarks.bandcamp.com/album/cinematic-chromatics-vol-iii