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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.
Azymuth – Marca Passo [Far Out Recordings]
“Marca Passo”, is the latest release from the iconic Brazilian group Azymuth. The record is their first since the passing of founding drummer Ivan “Mamao” Conti. Before that they lost keyboardist Jose Roberto Bertrami back in 2012. That leaves Alex Malheiros as the remaining original member. Not to worry, Malheiros has surrounded himself with A-list musicians. Keyboardist Kiko Continentino has been with the band since 2016. Renato Massa takes over the drum chair. He previously played with Marcos Valle and Ed Motta. Produced by Daniel Maunick, “Marco Passo” captures the spirit of vintage Asymuth recordings. The opener “Fantasy ’82” is a mid-tempo tune with warm and hazy synths from Continentino. “Last Summer In Rio” is a mellow after dark delight that features Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick of Incognito. “Andarai” is spicy Jazz fusion reminiscent of their earlier recordings. Massa’s spirited drumming and vocals set the tone while Malheiros wicked bass grooves provide the punch. Loyal fans will feel right at home with this recordings. New fans will start digging through the catalog but not before they wear out this superb record.
Vick Lavender – Beyond [Cataleya Music]
DJ/Producer Vick Lavender has been immersed in music for over thirty years. The Chicago native is best known for his timeless House music recordings. He was a member of Glenn Underground’s Strictly Jaz Unit. Afterwards he would form the deep house band Mr A.L.I. along with Jerry McCallister. Lavender would later start Sophisticado Records where he would release numerous essential house bangers. Joining Lavender on this set is pianist/organist and fellow Chicagoan Justin Dillard. Dillard honed his craft working with legends such as Ornette Coleman, Von Freeman and Roscoe Mitchell among others. “Beyond” features modern soul compositions along with quintessential Chicago house recordings. “The Midnight Hour” is a mellow soul jazz instrumental that features Dillard on keys and synths. The title track is an atmospheric mid-tempo tune with warm and hazy rhodes. Of course there’s an array of deep house bangers certain to move your body. “Experimental” is rhythmic soulful house that features Smokey Williams on vocals. Dillard’s funky solo on rhodes takes the tune to another level. The aptly titled “Sunset Blvd” is a Balearic tune with laid back Afro house rhythms. Lavender has amassed an impressive collection of bangers that could rock a party all by itself. There’s plenty of deep breezy house recordings worthy of repeated listens.