VA – Family Affair Vol. 5 [Razor-N-Tape]
Brooklyn NY based label Razor N Tape have built a reputation for discovering obscure Disco and House tracks. “Family Affair Vol. 5” of the compilation series hosts a number of veteran DJs and newcomers adept at delivering bumping dance tracks. “Dance Girl” is an infectious funk floor filler featuring Hazmet Live on vocals and DJ/Producer Recloose. “Falling” is a soulful House banger courtesy of Boston based DJ/Vocalist Saucy Lady. “Step Inside The Music” is a boogie funk gem from Gus Perilli & UK vocalist Andre Espeut. There’s a little something for everyone with happy feet on this high energy release.
Mr Kafer – A Past Sense [Melting Pot Music]
Austrian born producer Mr Kafer has made a name for himself by crafting jazzy hip-hop instrumentals. With his third solo album he ventures into new territory. “A Past Sense” contains lush compositions with live instrumentation. In addition he has compiled an array of underrated artists to elevate his work. “B-Stone” is a sublime jazzy hip-hop instrumental that features Franz Bumm on keys. “Green Roses” is a mellow soulful tune aided by Cologne based beatmaker Leavv. Berlin based vocalist Novine’s warm and gentle touch takes the tune to another level. Guitarist Van Nay’s clever phrasing complements Bumm’s blissful keys on “Melange”. If you didn’t know Mr Kafer before then it’s time to get familiar. He’s arranged an album filled with rhythm, harmony and melody. An invigorating release worthy of repeated listens.
5th January 2026 – Best of 2025 Part 3
Slimy Ape – Onstera [Menace]
Makèz feat. Douniah – Fruits Of The Universe [No Art]
Bravil – Ocean Mist [Fokuz Recordings]
Blade – Third Bounce [Fokuz Recordings]
Bassment – Gumshoe Blues [Warm Communications]
Lay-Far Dance Orchestra feat. Seven Davis Jr. – Aquarius Love [In-Beat-Ween Music]
Florence Adooni – Uh-Ah Song [Philophon]
Ebi Soda – When Pluto Was A Planet & Everything Was Cool [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Kuna Maze – Stab [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Frankson feat. Sarah Scott – It’s You [LxL, DxD]
Jerk Boy, Marcel Vogel, Million Miles – Real Love (Oliver Night’s Brukwise Remix) [Lumberjacks In Hell]
Ellis Aaron – Stay Close (Sentinel 793 Remix)
Frank de Jojo – Space Pt.1 [Fluid Ounce Records]
Massiande & Oliver Night – Don’t Hold Me Back [Makin’ Moves]
Charles Webster & Muzi – Bakulindele [Stay True Sounds]
Offshore and Coen feat. Kali Mija – Always (Alone] [Atjazz Record Company]
Kid Sublime feat. Natalie Slade – Stay Over [Natural Element]
Kibbi Gibbon – Still Dreamin’ [Star Creature]
Diogo Strausz feat. Brandon Markell Holmes – Gravity [Razor-N-Tape]
Da Lata – The Lonely City [Da Lata Music]
Collettivo Immaginario feat. Dwight Trible and Isaiah Collier – Vento Eterno [Domanda Music]
The Circling Sun – Constellation [Soundway Records]
Jonson, Jonson & Jonson – Circles [Ramrock Blue Records]
Kotoa – I Am [Wah Wah 45s]
Soyuz – Voo Livre [Mr Bongo Records]
Soulparlor – Day By Day [Atjazz Record Company]
Frank Jensen and Tobias Muller aka Soulparlor have been crafting infectious dance tracks and soul recordings for well over a decade. The Berlin based duo have worked with an array of underground musicians from Erik Rico, Rogiers and many more. The disc kicks off with “Pull Me Close” where vocalist Leona Berlin’s sultry vocals are layered over a mellow piano melody. UK bruk don Colonel Red takes the baton and follows suit with the mid-tempo burner “Day By Day”. “Splentay 4 Ya” is a broken beat banger filled with spacey synths and the funky vocals of Amalia. From their earlier recordings to this one, Soulparlor have proven to have the magic touch. Their soulful electronic recordings are always on fire and this release is no exception.
Charles Webster & The South African Connection – From The Hill [Stay True Sounds]
“From The Hill” is the new release from UK Producer Charles Webster. This is the follow up to 2020’s “Decision Time”, which was his first release in two decades. With “Decision Time”, Webster’s affection for South African rhythms was apparent across several tracks. He moved to Cape Town many years ago and some of his recordings have become a fixture in the clubs from Cape Town to Johannesburg. This release reveals a deep drive into the music and the culture he has become a part of. The South African Connection represents a contingent of DJs and musicians Webster has grown to know and collaborate with over the years. “Free” is seven minutes of ethereal mid-tempo bliss. He’s joined by Soweto born electronic producer Atmos Blaq. It embodies the signature South African sound with punchy bass grooves and melodic piano progressions. “Rain” is awash with warm guitar rhythms and hypnotic percussion. The vocals of Emamkay & Bokang Ramatlapeng layered on top makes for a spiritual genre bending journey. Vocalist Sio, who performed on “Decision Time” lends her soulful voice to “Film Me”. Released on Stay True Sounds, the premier South African label for infectious House and hip-hop. The record is a triumph in weaving together the sounds of the underground and the vast landscape of artists and producers. You need this in your collection.
Kraak & Smaak – Velvet Seas [Boogie Angst]
Dutch electronic pioneers Kraak & Smaak return with their seventh album. “Velvet Seas” blends the Sunny vibes of Los Angeles with the relaxed nature of Denmark. The thirteen track album layers the ambient moods with a thumping groove. “Herbs & Wine” pops with vibrant chords and lush harmonies courtesy of vocalist Ivar. “Morning Reverie” is a mid-tempo psychedelic tune filled with dreamy melodic synth grooves. The track features vocalist Berenice Van Lear. Van Lear and Ivar are also part of the group The Undercover Dream Lovers. Another LA duo, Rio Kosta contributed to the project as well. They’re aligned in their love for harmony, melody and lushness. Together they’ve created a superb release certain to provide good vibrations.
29th December 2025 – Best of 2025 Part 2
John Beltran presents Sol Set – Through Fire [All Good Music]
Besøk – Rommet Snakker Tilbake
Kutiman – So Long Stay Safe [Siyal Music]
Omar feat. Jeru The Damaja – 1234 [BBE Music]
Brian Jackson feat. Black Thought – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised [BBE Music]
Mecca:83 feat. Phat Kat x Guilty Simpson – Don’t Stop [Rockwell Product Shop Label]
DJ Marrrtin & Tino – Paris Fashion District [Stereophonk]
Ethel Lindsey – Hold On [Favorite Recordings]
Sault – K.T.Y.W.S. [Forever Living Originals]
Land Of Echo feat. Kathy Diamond – What We Want [Wah Wah 45s]
Shokazulu – Navigate Your Soul [2000 Black]
Herbert & Momoko – Fallen [Strut Records]
Jiri Jiri – Gino [Batov Records]
NATE08 feat. Dishaan & Mallika – Where Are You Tonight [Needwant]
Drama On The Corner – Dzatsu (Live Version) [Tangential Music]
Aldorande – Carnaval ao Sol (para Airto) [Favorite Recordings]
Vick Lavender feat. Ron Carroll – All I Got For You (Is Love) [Cataleya Music]
Radic The Myth feat. Jimpster – Summer Solstice [Freerange Records]
beatsbyhand – Sandf [Stay True Sounds]
Alexander Flood feat. Cazeaux O.S.L.O – Life Is A Rhythm [Atjazz Record Company]
Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra – Black Sun (Joe Claussell Remix) [Far Out Recordings]
Black Loops feat. Marlena Dae – Electrical [Freerange Records]
DJ 3000 – Laya [Motech Records]
Footshooter feat. Allysha Joy – Folding [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Joakuim – Tequila Sunset [Fokuz Recordings]
InsideMan – Chronograph [Rebel Music]
Phylipe Nunes Araújo – Phylipe Nunes Araújo [Far Out Recordings]
The self titled album from Phylipe Nunes Araujo is stripped down intimate Brazilian pop compositions infused with folk sensibilities. Araujo wrote these songs in the scenic landscape of Caruaru, Pernambuco. On his debut he’s joined by multi-instrumentalists Bruno Berle and Batata Boy among others. “Bixin”, written by Ivana Fontes starts out with understated percussion. Araujo’s gentle guitar and falsetto vocals lay the groundwork for an emotional nuanced recording. “Asa” is another emotive number where Araujo treats the tune with tenderness by caressing every lyric. Like the great Brazilian singers before him, Araujo approaches his recordings with an elegant simplicity yet underneath there’s an abundance of passion. Each recording is short and sweet and captures the stylings of traditional Northeastern Brazilian music.
https://phylipenunesarajo.bandcamp.com/album/phylipe-nunes-ara-jo
22nd December 2025 – Best of 2025 Part 1
Milton Nascimento – O Trem Azul [Odean]
Hector Costita – Lou [Jazzybelle Records]
Edison Machado – Janeiro [Far Out Recordings]
Hyldon – Vem Dançar O Samba [Jazzybelle Records]
Luisa – Lenha Na Fogueira [Far Out Recordings]
Banda 22 – A Luz Que Brilha Meu Viver [Mr Bongo Records]
Mulatu Astatke – Nètsanèt [Strut Records]
Mr Circle – Suka [Outernational Sounds]
Roy Haynes – You Name It / Lift Every Voice And Sing [Wewantsounds]
Joe Henderson & Woody Shaw – Invitation [Real Gone Music]
Baobab – Seven Up [Tramp Records]
Bennie Maupin – Quasar [Verve]
Sue Wright – I Believe In You [Canopy Records]
Laurin Rinder & W. Michael Lewis – Envy (Animal Fire) [Be With Records]
Roy Ayers – Brand New Feeling (Yoruba Soul Mix Part 1) [BBE Music]
Unknown – Be Cool (Rahaan edit) [Razor-N-Tape]
Phylliss Bailey – Focus [Celestial Echo Records]
Rome Jefferies – Good Love [Backatcha]
Mal Waldron – Red Match Box [Strut Records]
John Lamkin – Flower Power [Jazz Room Records]
Sessa – Pequena Vertigem de Amor [Mexican Summer]
“Pequena Vertigem de Amor” is the third album from Sergio Sayeg, aka Sessa. Recorded on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, the album finds Sessa in a new chapter in his life. He recently became a father and suddenly he had a purpose greater than music.. Fatherhood played a role in his songwriting approach for this project. The music of Erasmo Carlo’s 1972 album “Sonhos e Memorias” also is a heavy influence as well. Evidence is found in “Bicho Lento”, filled with blissful flute arrangements courtesy of Alex Chumak (Soyuz). Sessa’s feathery vocals and gentle guitar are simply sublime. “Nome de Deus” is modal Jazz meets Samba. “Vale a Pena” is a melodic tune aided by warm female vocal harmonies. Sessa incorporates a Suette electric piano, an obscure Brazilian keyboard comparable to the fender rhodes. Cecilia Goes, Lau Ra, Ina & Paloma Mecozzi are the vocalists who are at Sessa’s side throughout the album. Sessa stretches the boundaries of traditional Brazilian music with inspiration from his soul music influences. Unlike “Grandeza” which is delightful in its own right, the inclusion of piano and synths here takes this record to another level.