Yearly Archives: 2007

The September/October 2007 issue free CD with 16 tracks that open with a especially recorded track from ‘And Did Those Feet’ . Following the magazine’s ethos of ‘roots, rock, blues and beyond’ amongst the other tracks are Rob Johnson & The Irregulars’ Martin Simpson, Amy Speace, Paul King and the Skeleton Crew and Mabon. Try the above link and see what you might be missing.

Graham Radley

In my recent review of the Elektrons album, on which Pete Simpson is featured, I commented that he is a talented but under recorded vocalist. Well to my welcome relief here is a full length set from the man with the added bonus of Domu on production duties. It comprises of ten beautifully crafted, largely mid-tempo soul/boogie cuts which are all nothing short of brilliant, so there absolutely no point in me trying to select highlights. Just do yourself a favour and buy what will be a heavy weight contender for album of the year!

Andy Allen

This is London based trio The BDI’s debut album and a refreshing album it is too. With live instrumentation throughout including acoustic guitar, congas and horns, it’s firmly rooted in the sound of 70s Soul and Rhythm & Blues and in places reminds me of Traffic. Tracks such as ‘Crying Wolf’, ‘Still Get The Same Old Kick’ and ‘Marathon’ really hit the spot but this album is a pleasure to listen to from start to finish.

Andy Allen

‘Outro Lugar’ is the debut long player from Brazilian vocalist Tomaz Di Cunto AKA Toco. Recorded in Rio and produced by S-Tone this is a stunning collection, based in the classic bossa nova tradition of the 60s. His interpretation of Edu Lobo’s ‘Zum Zum’ is immaculate as are ‘Assuntos Banais’, ‘Guarapiranga’, the title track and ‘Bom Motivo’ featuring the sun kissed vocals of Rosalia De Souza. With the onset of winter this album is sure to keep those winter blues at bay.

Andy Allen

Chris Brann’s Ananda Project follow up their ‘Fire Flower’ EP from a few months back with a full length album packed full of deep house flavours. Included from the EP are the blissful ‘Into The Sunrise’ which is underpinned by subtle Latin rhythms and features Terrance Downs on vocals and the outstanding ‘Remember When [The Wind Destroyed Our Village]’, an intense atmospheric instrumental with a popping bass line, dirty keys and haunting wind effects. ‘Time And Space’ again fronted by Terrance Downs is a fine example of uplifting soulfulness but also check the Latin jazz dancer ‘Free Me’ and ‘Where The Music Takes You’, a superb slice of synth laden disco-boogie. Classic house music!

Andy Allen

Fourteen tracks on this second CD from the Manchester based singer songwriter. Patrick is a bit special on the acoustic guitar with his songs having a folk heritage and dealing with intimate and concerning issues. Nick Drake will spring to mind but only as a pointer as Patrick has his own niche. Good stuff.

Graham Radley

One of Africa’s biggest selling artists, it’s been six years since his last release ‘Baro.’ The main theme looks at developing Africa’s strengths and getting Africans themselves to see that what they have can be worth a lot and is worth championing. The familiar range of Malian styles is adapted on the track ‘Afriki’ by some nifty Pee Wee Ellis horn arrangements, this is music from the soul and from the heart and is just superb.

Graham Radley

A second album, and a great new singer in Gaelic vocalist Calum Alex MacMillan who joins Angus MacKenzie, Colm O’Rua, Gabe McVarish, James Bremner and Ross Martin who are variously from the Scottish West Highlands, Cape Breton, Ireland and America. Produced by Iain MacDonald who adds flute and whistle on several tracks, plus some excellent guests – Anxo Lorenzo (Galician gaitas, Baroque recorder), Xose Liz de Cea (bouzouki, lute) and The Clachnabrochan Gaelic Choir. Very good.

Graham Radley

Film tunes from the vaults of Warner & Atlantic with 21 classic tracks which include ‘Theme From Lawrence Of Arabia (Les Baxter) Batman Theme (The Markettes) A Taste Of Honey (Esther Phillips) Midnight Cowboy (Young-Holt Unlimited) Theme From Mash (Jimmy Smith) Our Mann Flint (Herbie Mann) and 77 Sunset Strip (Warren Baker). A good dose of nostalgia.

Graham Radley

Excellent live recording, at this jazz festival, from accordionist Richard Galliano which was the first appearance of this new group made up of Alexis Cardenas, Rafaël Mejitas and Philippe Aerts. The concert also features Hamilton De Holanda on mandolin. Very good.

Graham Radley

The Birmingham collective hook up with some of the city’s finest reggae musicians – Moses and Jaffa from the excellent Crucial music plus Conrad Kelly (Steel Pulse/UB40) aka the Mighty Tree who set down a mighty rhythm structure for the GCorp team to weave in their dub magic. You also get a limited edition cookbook with original recipes for classic West Indian food plus original artwork by Ninety. Absolutely ******* brilliant, the queue starts here for Volume 4!

Graham Radley

Wildly good this one, Champeta is the vibrant Afro-Colombian sound from the street’s of Colombia’s Caribbean coast with Congolese soukous, Ghanaian highlife, and Nigerian Afro-beat meeting Latin and exploding in rhythms. The project took 3 years to put together and has Colombian champeta stars Viviano Torres, Luis Towers and Justo Valdez jamming with African legends Dally Kimoko, Diblo Dibala, Sékou Diabaté, Nyboma and Rigo Star.
Afro-Colombian grooves meet Africa and I’d buy it just to hear Diblo & Rigo fingers caressing those guitar strings into life. Highly recommended.

Graham Radley

Great debut album from this group of Francesca Amati (vocals) Mattia Mercuriali (guitar) Marco Trinchillo (acoustic guitar/drums) and Paolo Gradari (trumpet/guitar/keys) from Ravenna in north eastern Italy. The pointers/influences are Bjork, Aphex Twin and Belle & Sebastien with folk at the core but this is music that evolves beautifully in its own chilled world.

Graham Radley

This takes salsa away from the dreadful dance classes and back to the streets, raw and edgy. 15 great tracks which include Ozomatli, Spam Allstars, Alex Wilson, Cuban Cowboys, Los Amigos Invisibles and two for special note – Baku and ‘Desde Cuba Hasta Afghanistan’ and Roberto Rodriguez featuring Irving Fields ‘Wolfie’s Corner’ remix. Great compilation.

Graham Radley

Cro-Magnon’s ‘Great Triangle’ continues the cosmic disco vibe established on their self titled debut album but touches on other elements along the way to create a far stronger set throughout. The fusion/boogie gems such as ‘La Fusion’ and ‘New Horizon’, the down-tempo ‘Eclipse’ with its rock steady bass line, the Acid House influenced ‘Take Me Higher’ and the Balearic ‘Keep Me Satisfied’ all sound good to these ears. Even better though is the monster jazz-funk workout ‘Chase After The Storm’ which features Soil & Pimp Sessions’ Tabu Zombie and Motoharu on trumpet and sax respectively. Think Lonnie Liston Smith’s ‘Expansions’ and you won’t be far off the mark!

Andy Allen