Yearly Archives: 2006

Those of you familiar with the Dub-Step scene will agree with me that this kid is the don dada of the land of Dub-Step. ‘Midnight Request Line’ is arguably the biggest tune in Dub-Step history and definitely the most requested. This album simply gets better by the listen, it’s draws you in with it’s dubbed out sub bass and musically it’s up there for being one of the best albums of 2006. From the haunting opening vibe of ‘Tortured Soul’ it moves into dancehall and Grime territory thanks to some sweet additions from vocalists Warrior Queen and JME. These are so many influences to be felt in this album that it would be hard to pidgeonhole the album as Dub-Step. For such a young producer Skream has so much talent, like an old head on young shoulders. This didn’t come off my player for weeks after I’d got it, I reckon it’ll be the same for almost everyone. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Jax

Ralph Lawson has reached legendary status in my home county (YORKSHIRE). This has been done by working hard throughout his entire career and most certainly because of his out and out loyalty to Back To Basics – A World wide dance music institution that in my mind is in it’s own league. Anyone who’s seen Ralph DJ at Basics over the last 15 years will be able to vouch that his presence is legendary and that he’s one of the nicest peeps you is ever gonna meet in this industry. But that’s enough about Ralph. His band – 2020 Soundsystem conjure up a superb debut album that ooze’s with the freshest of beats side by side with quality vocals and supersonic bass-lines. This whole album slides along without one bad tune. The opening track ‘Hit The Fan’ is probably my favourite with it’s retro synths and bubbling bass, The Glass collaboration on the title track is a ‘must turn up louder track’ and The Tape has been echoing around clubland for a while now to a great reception. These tracks work so well in this format, but if you’re really gonna feel this vibe then be sure to check out the band live. Ralph & Co. I salute you!

Jax

This might be one of those times when it’s taken me so long to put pen to paper that due to limited quantities you may now struggle to hunt down copies of this wonderful vinyl-only album. The Plumstead Radical Club is a project from Trombone player Trevor Mires of the Nostalgia 77 Octet and happens to be the first release on Nostalgia 77’s label. This is Jazz and Soul at its best with a true classic feel to the compositions, which is due the expertise of musicians Mires, Graham Fox, Ross Stanley and Riaan Vosloo. Fans of Strata East, Black Jazz and of course Nostalgia 77 should be quick and seek it out.

Simon Harrison

A good sign of a quality compilation is when it features artists that you’ve supported for some time. Before I knew about Volume 3, I was already hammering tracks by Jonny Miller, Joash, Aroop Roy and Masoul. A great start you might say. Well the quality just keeps coming with nine more tracks that include Oracle, Flowriders, Inverse Cinematics, Nemoy and Lava Musique Ensemble. If you’ve not heard of these artists, well, get your credit cards out and support. You should note that this is only available to download but what a great way to get music out there. Top marks to the guys at Beyond Jazz for putting this together.

Simon Harrison

After teasing us with the Nostalgia 77 Remix of ‘Reversed’, Elizabeth Shepherd Trio now come with their impressive debut album. Contained within are some first rate vocal jazz performances from the opening title track, which pays tribute to some of the scene’s innovators, to the quirky ‘Price Is Right’ which concludes the set. In between there are moments of pure brilliance like the original version of ‘Reversed’, ‘Melon’, an up-tempo Latin jazz excursion and the immaculate ‘Circles’.

Andy Allen

Although Robb Scott has been performing on the live circuit for years now, ‘Afro Odyssey’ is his first long player. He seamlessly blends cosmic-soul with Afrocentric-jazz and subtle broken-beat to create an album that is contemporary yet classic sounding at the same time. Consistently strong throughout, it’s difficult to select particular favourites but at a push I’d go for the single ‘Fallin’ and ‘Reflections’, featuring the legendary Ellen McIlwaine.

Andy Allen

John Kong, head honcho at Do Right further delves into the Canadian Broadcasting Company’s archives to bring us another fine selection of deep jazz grooves. Highlights include Nick Ayoub’s ‘Perception’ and Alvin Pall Sextet’s ‘Melancholy’, both exceptional modal pieces, The Montreal Black Community Youth Choir’s take on Roberta Flack’s ‘Tryin’ Times’ and the funky fusion outings ‘Hidden Strength’ and ‘Beloved Gift’ by Ted Moses Quintet and Bernie Senensky Trio respectively. Note there are 12 tracks on the CD but only 6 on the vinyl version. However the vinyl does feature 2 exclusives not found on the CD, Elizabeth Shepherd Trio’s ‘Soya’ and the firing dancer ‘Capricorn Dance’ again from Bernie Senensky Trio.

Andy Allen

Despite numerous releases I’ve got to admit to knowing little by French vocalist Isabelle Antena other than ‘Playback’ from her 1986 LP ‘En Cavale’, which was covered brilliantly by Yukihiro Fukutomi in more recent times. Her latest offering, ‘French Riviera’ sees her team up with some of Japan’s top producers such as the aforementioned Yukihiro Fukutomi, Tatsuo Sunaga (Sunaga T), Kazuma Fujimoto (Orange Pekoe) and Jazztronik. The result is a gorgeous bossa laced jazz set which includes the outstanding fusion dancer ‘Brazilian Dorian Dream’ produced by Kyoto Jazz Massive’.

Andy Allen

Well we would have included this one for the name alone but Ceilidh Minogue has deservedly developed over the last eight years to become one of Scotland’s most popular ceilidh bands. This is ceilidh with a new twist provided by Gregor Lowrey (accordion) Gavin Marwick (fiddle) Bob Turner (piano) and Al Morrow as the core of the band joined by Duncan Findlay (guitar) Roy Percy (bass) John Burgess (sax) Steven Hawkes (trumpet) and Angus Wares (guitar/mandolin). Really good.

Graham Radley

I’ve been playing this more & more over the past few weeks, a special priced double CD from one of India’s most popular contemporary singers. Classically trained but not afraid to collaborate or bring his excellent voice to other styles, he’s been the regular singer for A.R. Rahman and worked with John McClaughlin in the reformed Shakti. Also includes a video of his 1998 hit ‘Breathless’ Superb.

Graham Radley

Dego and Marc return after six years with another sure to be classic and sought after album. From the moment I pressed play I knew this was another album I will treasure for years to come. Proceedings kick off with the Rotary Connection style “Morning Child” with beautiful vocals from Carina Andersson, who sounds amazingly similar to Minnie Ripperton and, of course, featured on the cover of “Les Fleur”. The guests are, of course, top notch but I bet people were queueing up to work with the duo. They include Jody Watley, Talita Long, Larry Mizell, Face, Phonte, Bembe Segue & Kaidi Taitham to pick a few at random and all sound wonderful with the strings, drums and beautiful arrangements. Also watch out for the cover of “Superwomen” featuring Terry D: it’s up there with the best of their previous re-works. A little late for album of 2006 but it’ll be certainly up there in 2007, mark my words.

Simon Harrison

Son of Kandara Cissoko (Ballet Djoliba) Ba Cissoko is a kora master who brings a fresh direction to the traditions of this instrument. His band features, Kourou and Sékou Kouyate on bass, kora and electric kora plus percussionist Ibrahim Bah plus there’s several special guests featured like K’Naan, Les Nubians, and Amadou Bagayoko. Grooving along with the best of them.

Graham Radley

Fourteeen years and now 7 albums since the first came together, this is a tribute to the late Gnonnas Pedro who sang with Africando from 1996 until his death in 2004. The title song,being his last recording.

This album also sees Pascal Dieng of Super Cayor and Basse Sarr of Orchestre Afro-Salsa de Dakar joining the Africando family. My pick is Madilu System who joins Africando for an excellent version of “Mario”, which he originally recorded with Franco’s T.P.O.K. Jazz. Superb.

Graham Radley

Double CD and what a wonderful collection of tracks there are here celebrating the first twenty years of this excellent label. They describe the selection process as ‘musical moments that we happen to believe in’ when those ‘moments’ include Ibrahim’, Buena Vista Social Club, Ali Farka Toure, Toumani Diabaté, Omara Portuondo, Oumou Sangare andikh Lo then we all should believe. Look out too for unreleased tracks from gnawa master Mustapha Baqbou and Mauritanian griot Dimi Mint Abban plus a taster from the, as yet, unreleased follow up to Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté’s ‘In the Heart of the Moon’. As good as it gets.

Graham Radley

Akli D arrived in France in the early 80’s after fleeing Algeria. Discovered by Manu Chao playing in a cafe (I wish they had cafes like that around here) Manu Chao went on to produce this, Akli D.’s second album. Songs of our time, told by a modern day storyteller, songs that have an enlightened perspective on global issues that affect us all. Songs like ‘Malik’ which is the ‘never again’ story of Malik Oussekine, a pacifist student who died from injuries inflicted by the police at the famous student demonstration of 1986. Rooted in the Berber rhythms of North Africa he also mixes in reggae, celtic and global roots to produce a chilled backdrop to the songs. He’s in UK next February but it looks like only playing the predictable ‘big’ venues as part of a package hopefully he’ll be back soon playing a cafe near you.

Graham Radley