Little Dragon – Slugs of Love [Ninja Tune]
“Slugs of Love”, the latest release from Little Dragon doesn’t deviate from what they do best. That is deliver another collection of gorgeous synth pop recordings certain to brighthen your mood. There’s a couple of guests on board to spice things up. Vocalist Damon Albarn adds a nice contrast to lead vocalist Yukimi Nagano on the dreamy “Glow”. Rapper JID adds clever rhymnes on “Stay”. The title track is an up-tempo number that erupts with a rumbling guitar groove with a hint of a new wave nineties vibe. Throughout the disc Nagano’s vocals sparkle while elevating the sublime arrangements. This band just continues to deliver feel good music.
27th November 2023
Tara Lily – Double Time (Instrumental) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Calibre – No Sense [Signature Recordings]
Photek – Minotaur [Science]
Photek – 124 [Science]
Lehto – Kettu [Bathurst Music]
Supa – Camel [Besides Records]
Bruno Berle – Tirolirole [Far Out Recordings]
Miguel Atwood Ferguson – Kairos (Amor Fati) [Brainfeeder]
Barbara Moore – Hot Heels [Jazzman Records]
Bold Parade – Cutting Room Floor [Suzume Recordings]
Julian Jonah feat. Dutch Robinson – If You Wanna (Know What’s Missing) [Izipho Soul]
Record Player – Free Your Mind [Soul Cal]
Sweet Reaction – Take It Easy (Simbad & Fred Spider Remix) [Voom Voom Records]
Bread & Souls feat. Paul Randolph – Find The Beauty [Minipan]
Magic Number – Better [Atjazz Record Company]
Manabu Nagayama & Soichi Terada – Low Tension (Jimpster Remix) [Cosmocities & Unknown Season]
Wapo Jije – City Storm [Stay True Sounds]
Mark E – Bodymap [Delusions Of Grandeur]
DJ 3000 – Pitë [Motech Records]
V.B.Kühl – Road Trip
Searchlight feat. KSR – We Could Be More (Wipe The Needle Remix) [Fallen Tree 1Hundred]
Finn Irregular feat. Monique Araujo – Feel Free (NameBrandSound Remix) [CoOp Presents]
20th November 2023
Jill Scott – Slowly Surely (Theo Parrish Remix) [White]
Sweet Reaction – Take It Easy [Voom Voom Records]
Espen Horne feat. Olav Wöllo – Nada Pode Me Calar [Wah Wah 45s]
Blurum13 & Inkswel – Set It Out! [Inner Tribe Records]
Gang Starr – Mass Appeal [Virgin]
Gang Starr – Code Of The Streets [Virgin]
Finn Irregular feat. Monique Araujo – Feel Free [CoOp Presents]
Atjazz – Stike [Atjazz Record Company]
Turbojazz & Broke One – Take 3 [Last Forever Records]
The Blessed Madonna feat. Jacob Lusk – Mercy (Masters At Work Remix) [Warner Music]
Atlantis Jazz Ensemble – Oneness [Marlow Records]
Fumio Itabashi – When You Smile [Mule Musiq]
Soil & “Pimp” Sessions – Dawn [Brownswood Recordings]
A.K. Yeboah – Make Me Know My Position [BBE Music]
Thomas Frempong – Okwan Bi [BBE Music]
Sababa 5 – Tri Li Li [Batov Records]
Alvarez – I Can’t Stop Loving You [Izipho Soul]
Young Gun Silver Fox – Tip Of The Flame (12″ Disco Mix) [Legere Recordings]
Peacey feat. Vanessa Hidary – Culture Bandit [Atjazz Record Company]
China Charmeleon & Sio – Little Me [Stay True Sounds]
Crackazat – Be Real [Stay True Sounds]
Go Soul Map feat. Derane Obika – Pushing [Space Echo]
13th November 2023
Taxie – I Think I’m Falling In Love [Melodies International]
Haroldo Bontempo & João Donato – Risada [YB Music]
Ahu – Jeito Bom De Sofrer [Mythstery Records]
Yaya Bey – Crying Through My Teeth [Ninja Tune]
Stro Elliot – Praylude [Def Pressé]
Jyager feat. Jehst, Micall Parkinsun, Cobane, Sir Smurf Lil, Kyzer, Joker Starr & Dubbledge – Eyes Open (Re-Spit) [YnR]
E. lundquist – Between Minds
Siraba – Toroba [Secret Teachings]
Dina Ögon – Det Läcker [Playground Music]
Fumio Itabashi – Macumba [Mule Musiq]
Le Deal – Riot In Chinatown [Favorite Recordings]
Amaro Freitas – Encantados [Psychic Hotline]
Nery Bauer – Mercado Do Porto [Fluid Ounce]
Part-Time Heroes feat. Jono McCleery – Realise [Mums The Word]
Bread & Souls feat. Paul Randolph – Find The Beauty [Minipan]
Quantic feat. Rationale – Unconditional [Play It Again Sam]
Sweet Mixture – I Love You [Discs Of Fun & Love]
Eric Agyemang And His Kokroko Band – Onyame Som [BBE Music]
LSCM (Likwid Continual Space Motion) feat. Allysha Joy – Givin’ Up [Super Sonic Jazz Holland]
The Blessed Madonna feat. Jacob Lusk – Mercy (Masters At Work Remix) [Warner Music]
Offshore and Coen – Towards The Stars (Staccatoman Version) [Atjazz Record Company]
Robert Frederick – Beatnik (East Village Mix) [Morris Audio]
Disques Du Livres – Dancin In New York [Noid Recordings]
Session Victim – Low Key, Low Pressure [Night Time Stories]
“Low Key, Low Pressure” is the fifth album from the German duo known as Session Victim. Hauke and Matthias have delivered countless house tracks for labels such Rhythm Section, Toy Tonics among others. With this release on the London based label Night Time Stories, they slow the tempo down and deliver eleven tracks ranging from down-tempo dub to elements of tripped out ambient vibes. Among the highlights are “Mycellum Dub”, a trippy ethereal down-tempo gem that emanates calm vibes. “The Hidden Trail”, is an up-tempo tune featuring a hypnotic guitar accompanied by tight rhythmic synth textures. “Porchless” is another winner with warped chords and lush vocals. The first half of the disc is ideal to relax to while the tempo steadily builds along the way. This is an engaging lp worthy of repeated listens.
https://sessionvictim.bandcamp.com/album/low-key-low-pressure
Pedro Ricardo & Damián Botigué – Un Nuevo Amanecer [Canela En Surco]
“Un Nuevo Amanecer” is the debut of Pedro Ricardo and Damian Botigue (aka Karmasound). The title speaks to the journey between two worlds. Ricardo is from Portugal while Botigue is from Argentina. Out on the Barcelona label Canela En Succo, the seven track lp is striped down Latin jazz aligned with fusion and folk harmonies. The title track is a simmering blend of warm guitar rhythms and vocal harmonies layered over wobbly electric piano riffs. “Atlantico” heats up the mood with sunny chords and percolating percussion. “Mar de Fora” brims with a bossa nova groove along with subtle guitar licks from Luis Tanez. Label boss Breixo MArtinez add soft vocal harmonies alluding to the Galician beach of Mar de Fora. You don’t have to be near the Galician beach to enjoy this record. Just find yourself a quiet place and let this lp sink into your body. You won’t regret it.
https://canelaensurco.bandcamp.com/album/pedro-ricardo-dami-n-botigu-un-nuevo-amanecer-lp-cnl-003
VA – Reference Point [BBE Music]
Mark GV Taylor and George Arthur are the curators for Reference Point. Since 201
2 Reference Point has hosted events that have attracted listeners and musicians
world wide. The twelve track lp features a global menu of glorious music old and new. “Palavras” erupts with warm Samba vibes courtesy of Caixa Cubo. “We Don’t Have To Talk About It” is classic rock with a touch of mellow jazz from the NYC based band Bell Helium. “A Place In Space” is a laid back seventies boogie tune from Joe Thomas. “Factory Rhythms” is sublime modal jazz from the JR Quintet. Once again BBE delivers with another marvelous compilation certainly worth checking. A great combination of reuniting with familiar tunes as well as an introduction to something new.
6th November 2023
Kosmischer Läufer – In der Stadt und auf dem Land [Compost Records]
Ola Szmidt – Rooted (Louf’s Glass Room Exploration) [Accidental Records]
The Human Touch – Sophisticated (Patio G Remix) [Human Touch Music]
Sweet Reaction – African [Voom Voom Records]
Nicola Conte feat. Myles Sanko – Into The Light Of Love [Far Out Recordings]
Quantic feat. Rationale – Unconditional [Play It Again Sam]
Searchlight feat. Tolü Makay – Breathe (Afroforce Remix) [Fallen Tree 1Hundred]
WheelUP – BlackJoy Freestyle (Wipe The Needle Remix) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Finn Irregular feat. Monique Araujo – Feel Free (NameBrandSound Remix) [CoOp Presents]
Calibre – No Stopping [Signature Recordings]
Spring Heel Jack – Wide As The Moon [Trade 2]
Krystyna Prońko – Oto Przyczyna [Favorite Recordings]
Miguel Atwood Ferguson – Taijasa [Brainfeeder]
Fabiano do Nascimento – De Manhã [Far Out Recordings]
Mike Reed – Floating With An Intimate Stranger [We Jazz Records]
Niji – Somewhere In The Middle [Aernonxtics]
Thomas Frempong – Wobre [BBE Music]
Pat Kalla & Le Super Mojo – Fou de Vous [Heavenly Sweetness]
MannmadeMusic – Rough Times (Thatmanmonkz Remix) [Shadeleaf Music]
Soulparlor – Next One [Well! Well! Music]
Justnique – I Lady, We Could Have Been Together [Apparel Music]
Brandon Markell Holmes – Fuller [Toucan Sounds]
Feiertag feat. Noah Slee – Keep Your Head Up [Sonar Kollektiv]
South Beach Recycling – &Just&Nige&Mark&G (Justin Harris Remix) [Atjazz Record Company]
DJ3000 – Tanbur [Motech Records]
30th October 2023
Isaiah Collier – Retreat [Night Dreamer]
Moses Yoofee Trio – Minor Issues [Leiter]
Atlantis Jazz Ensemble – Transcendence [Marlow Records]
Espen Horne feat. Aich – Den Franske Gitaren [Wah Wah 45s]
Don Leisure & Amanda Whiting feat. Deborah Jordan – Just Be (Free) [First Word Records]
The KBCS – I Wish You A World Of Happiness [Sonar Kollektiv]
Stro Elliot – Solid State [Def Pressé]
Dan Ubick – Hearts Of Darkness [Madlib Invazion]
Fratelli Malibu – Tema Di Susie (Banda Maje Vocal Retouch) [Four Flies Records]
Jewel Ackah – Eko Awar A Bisa [BBE Music]
Nana Budjei – Adasama [BBE Music]
The Ascension & PYY Log Drum King feat. Koek Sista & Charisse C – 4EVA [Don’t Sleep]
Alexander IV feat. LYMA – Find My Balance [Sonar Kollektiv]
Young Gun Silver Fox – Rolling Back (Disco Mix) [Legere Recordings]
Alvarez – I Can’t Stop Loving You [Izipho Soul]
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Crush Velvet (Laroye Remix) [Mashi Beats]
TshegoTMM – Black Hole [Atjazz Record Company]
DJ 3000 – Pitë [Motech Records]
Bruk Rogers – Get Low [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
DJ 3000 & Esteban Adame – Heritage (Deviant Remix) [Motech Records]
Slimy Ape x Jamzigg x Rakjay – Watch
Alix Perez – Fade Away [Shogun Audio]
Spring Heel Jack – Hale-Bopp (Nasty Habit Remix) [Trade 2]
Dizz1 – Once Again (Mshcode Remix) [Echo Chamber Records]
Illa J – No Traffic [BBE Music]
Rapper Illa J has consistently built his reputation as one of Detroit’s premiere MCs with a number of projects over the years. The former member of Slum Village and younger brother of the late great J Dilla has cemented his own place in hip-hop. “No Traffic” is his first release for BBE. The nineteen track lp is well represented by some of Detroit’s veteran MCs along with a number of MCs on the rise. Along the highlights are the cosmic funk of “Off The Tap”. The banger includes fellow lyricists Zay Bcuz and Nicx Rhett. Detroit native Amp Fiddler applies his signature brand of funk and vocals on “Get Down”. UK vocalist Harleighblu adds her distinctive vocals to “Not Ever”. Illa J serves up a heavy dose of mid-west boom bap while showcasing a plethora of talent. As evidence here, real hip-hop runs deep in the Motor City.