Jazzanova – In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live [Sonar Kollektiv]
Hard to believe that “In Between”, the ground-breaking debut lp from the Berlin collective Jazzanova is twenty three years old. In a time when there were a number of potent electronic and broken beat tunes, the Jazzanova lp stood out. Now the team returns with “In Between Revisited”, a live rendition of the timeless recording. The Jazzanova band have been touring and recording for fifteen years so the time was right. The live recording breathes new life and injects a wealth of warmth into the recordings. On “No Use”, Clara Hill’s vocals are every bit as lush as they were on the original recording. Florian Manzel’s trumpet is a nice addition to “Another New Day”. Nigerian born Wayne Snow takes over the vocal chair and puts his stamp on “That Night”. The word classic gets tossed around quite a bit but this lp deserves that praise. A welcome return from the Sonar Kollektiv team.
19th May 2025
Sault – T.H. [Forever Living Originals]
Divorce From New York – The Bowl [The People, The Place Records]
Likwid Biskit – Herbs & Spice [CoOp Presents]
Jimi Tenor – Release Me! (Special Guest Mix) [Fluid Ounce Records]
Basement Membrane – Stepzz [Wicked Wax]
Bruk Rogers – Get Low (Zero T Remix) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Jaybee & Anthony Kasper – Flying High [Flight Pattern Records]
Web Web – The Madness Of Ajax [Compost Records]
Baobab – Elfer Raus [Tramp Records]
Nādt Orchestra – Dualism [Locomotiv Records]
Agustin Pereyra Lucena – Pequeño Vals [Far Out Recordings]
Pedro Lima Et Os Leononses – Philomene [Strut Records]
Wildchild – Change For My 2 Cents [BBE Music]
Urbs & Cutex feat. T.R.A.C. – Wherever You Are [Beat Department]
Yu – Brainwash (Oddisee Remix) [Mello Music]
Omar – Research [BBE Music/Impressive Collective]
Natalie Slade – Telephone [BBE Music]
Herbert & Momoko – Need To Run [Strut Records]
Windjammer – Tossing & Turning [MCA Records]
Plastic Bamboo – A Scene At The Sea [Star Creature]
Darryl Baalki – Devil May Care [Deeppa Records]
Charles Webster X Atmos Blaq – Free [Stay True Sounds]
Yuu Udagawa – Beats Sculpture [Trusted Rhythm Records]
Sabrina Chyld & Atjazz – Protection [Atjazz Record Company]
Domscott & Near – Love So Pure [Atjazz Record Company]
Alexander Flood – Artifactual Rhythm [Atjazz Record Company]
Australian native Alexander Flood has been quite busy since his debut album “Heartbeat” in 2020 Flood dropped a number of singles and EPs showcasing his command of beat making and his propulsive drumming. Flood, who cites Trumpeter Christian Scott ATunde Adjuah as a mentor taps into his jazz influence while composing bruk inspired dance compositions. Surrounded by an array of top tier musicians Flood merges live instrumentation with dancehall culture with impressive results. “Life Is A Rhythm” is an infectious dance track featuring Caseaux O.S.L.O. “Can’t Get Enough” is another banger featuring Vivian Sessions. The band is filled with some of Australia’s rising stars starting with producer Lewis Moody, Finn Rees on keys and bassist Dylan Paul. Together they have captured the dancehall house inspired sound that would make a DJ blush. A potent release with a bevy of infectious grooves worthy of repeated listens.
https://alexanderflood.bandcamp.com/album/artifactual-rhythm
12th May 2025
Resavoir & Matt Gold – Dewy [International Anthem]
John Beltran presents Sol Set – War Of The Hearts [All Good Music]
Don Glori – Disaster [Mr Bongo]
Liz Vice – Woman
The Procussions – Down To One [Basementalism]
Jono McCleery – Reconcile (Fybe:One Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
44th Move – 2nd September [Black Acre]
Philippe Baden Powell – State of Music [Far Out Recordings]
Abaete – Canto Sul [Jazzybelle Records]
Aldorande – Carnaval ao Sol (para Airto) [Favorite Recordings]
Gilles Torrent – Ouverture [Jazzman Records]
Azymuth – Arabutã [Far Out Recordings]
Sampology – Morning Sun [Middle Name Records]
Will Saul & Fink – Slo-Mo Life [Aus Music]
Last Nubian feat. Achanté – Black [Eglo Records]
Feiertag feat. Jono McCleery – Lost Spirit [Sonar Kollektiv]
Slimy Ape & Wintour – Come On
Makèz feat. Douniah – Fruits Of The Universe [No Art]
Paul SG & Decon – Sumatra [Beatalistics]
Ron Trent – Just Another Love Song [Rush Hour]
Yasushi Ide feat. Emilie Chick -The Battle (Shuya Okino & Rootsoul Remix) [Grand Gallery]
DJ Oil – Pushing [Fluid Ounce Records]
Black Loops feat. Marlena Dae – Electrical [Freerange Records]
Tommaso Conforti – G-Class feat. Logan Aspin [Rocksteady Disco]
Aquarian Dream – Play It For Me (One More Time) [Elektra Records]
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