Yearly Archives: 2007

This debut release is one to go straight to the top of your shopping list if you like your music deeply rooted but adventurous, when I say deeply rooted the core influence is the blues but when I tell you that Huur-Huur-Tu, the Tuvan throat singers guest on 3 tracks then you know there’s something different going on here. The band features the dueling harmonicas of front-man Wade Schuman and Randy Weinstein, the funky tuba of Joseph Daly plus Pete Smith, Michael Gomez, Rich Huntley, Pam Fleming and Steve Elson. They bring in elements of early blues, rockabilly, klezmer, reggae and Romanian brass and make it sound simply wonderful.

Graham Radley

Second CD, from the Mozambique group from Niassa Province, who were formed in 1994 to preserve the traditional rhythms of the area. They’ve used their rise to number one band in the land to fight poverty and to bring about social change, in fact Bumping is dedicated to the memory of Massukos’ percussionist Americo Miguel who died in last year aged 32 from a preventable and curable illness. He leaves his daughter and wife who has since given birth to his second child. This is African music at its infectious best, dancing music that gives that happy glow. Don’t miss them at Womad and check out more info on www.massukos.org.

Graham Radley

A collection of lullabies from around the world put together by classical guitarist Hilary and vocalist Patrice. Material sourced from Ireland, Russia, Spain, Indonesia, Italy, France and more with the common theme being to get little ones to sleep peacefully. Well, not always little ones, it worked a treat on me as well !

Graham Radley

Kenyan band founded in the early 1990s and celebrating the acoustic roots of ‘benga’ and keeping the ancient traditions fresh. African dance music at its best using traditional Luo instruments like the oporo (horn) asili (flute) and orutu (one stringed fiddle) in fact the band’s name translates as ‘fusion of small, exhilarating instruments’ which sums things up rather well. Very good.

Graham Radley

Alan Hull solo release in 1970 for Rocket Records reissued for the first time on CD. Here there are 10 tracks from what was his third solo album ‘Phantoms’ although, as the sleeve notes point out, six had already been released on the Radiator album ‘Isn’t It Strange’ then we get 4 tracks from the aforementioned Radiator album with the package completed by five bonus demos from 1975. A great songwriter who had the capacity to write catchy pop songs as well as address less lightweight subject matter . The albums twelve page booklet features extensive notes and previously unpublished photos.

Graham Radley

Nice little collection this which features material from RobinElla, Mulehead, The Little Willies, Robert Earl Keen, Eliza Lynn, Old Crow Medicine Show, Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez, Tim O’Brien, Alison Brown, Terri Hendrix, Josh Ritter and Ruthie Foster.

Graham Radley

Here we get their two American releases (Island Life and President Alien) fused onto one release. Yerba Buena is the brainchild of ‘the master chef of Urban fusion’ Andres Levin whose track record (Nile Rogers, David Byrne, Chaka Khan and the Fela Kuti tribute ‘Red Hot & Riot’) speaks for itself. Here the dance party is mainly Latin based but as you’d imagine there’s a whole lot more going on there too. The guests line up is mighty impressive too, including Carlinhos Brown, Les Nubians, Joe Bataan, Gogol Bordello, Fulantion etc. Excellent.

Graham Radley

Somali rapper K’Naan’s debut album has never been officially released here, so it’s good to see this live set getting released, recorded on his recent World tour. K’Naan grew up in Mogadishu where he fired his first gun aged 8 and saw many of the horrors of the civil war there before thankfully escaping when he was 13, to America. His lyrics address the realities of life in Somalia in a thought provoking way, this is hip hop on the sensitive side, indeed hip-hop itself comes under close scrutiny. Rap and Somali melodies with those intelligent lyrics make for an original and compelling package. A star, no mistake.

Graham Radley

This little Reggae infused dubfest glides along through all manner of guests and is more typical of Ninja Tunes than of Sonar Kollektiv releases. One of those love it or hate it albums. For my special moments try skipping to ‘Speakeasy’ and ‘Zerrdub’ for maximum effect.

Steve Williams

After 20 successful compilations in the last ten years Makossa’s heritage sits tight beneath this album, with hard beats and subtle tones. The collaboration here with Megablast works like some music mad conjoined twins permanently in the studio together. This is a breath of fresh air including two of the tuffest tunes so far this year – ‘Kunuaka’ and ‘Mama’. Give this release your undivided attention as its place in your collection is just.

Steve Williams

Rong Music have built a solid reputation for releasing quality deep house in its various guises. Be it slow motion disco, electro, ambient or Balearic it’s always interesting. This two disc compilation showcases a selection of their output so far. Disc one is mixed by DJ Spun and kicks off with the mid-tempo jazzy groove ‘Slow And Low’ by Bits Breaks And Beats moving perfectly into ‘Set It Up’ from Projections before ending on the gorgeous ‘Damn Flu’ by Mudd. The second disc is unmixed and features delights such as DJ Harry’s funky ‘Aquarium Man’, the boogie bomb ‘Outhere’ (Instrumental) by Projections and the almost modal ‘Kerry’s Caravan’ again by Mudd featuring the legendary jazz drummer Chico Hamilton. Rong Music it may be but it feels so right!

Andy Allen

Released on Victor Records in Japan earlier this year, Soil & Pimp Sessions’ ‘Pimpoint’ now gets a UK issue via Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label. There are no real surprises here just the kind of quality furious horn driven jazz we’ve come to expect from this sextet. Their version of Freddie Hubbard’s ‘Red Clay’ is certainly one of the highlights but check ‘Makuroke’ with its twisted cosmic keys making it sound like a 70s cop show theme and the feel-good funk of ‘Funky Goldman’. Also included as a bonus track is the brilliant ‘Sahara’ from their ‘Pimp Of The Year’ set. Look out for the track on 12” with a remix from Zed Bias.

Andy Allen

Elektrons are Justin Crawford and Luke Cowdrey, AKA The Unabombers of Manchester’s famed Electric Chair club night and acclaimed Electric Souls re-edit series. As with Electric Chair, ‘Red Light Don’t Stop’ incorporates a variety of dance-floor styles taking influence from the rich heritage of UK underground club culture but giving it a unique modern twist. The talented but under recorded vocalist Pete Simpson graces five tracks including the hip hop/funk of ‘Get Up’ which also features Soup of Jurassic 5, ‘The Source’, an infectious nu disco cut and the brilliant house track ‘Joy’ with its old school piano chords. Other guests include Eska who fronts ‘Dirty Basement’ and the superb electro soul of ‘Be With You’, Mpho Skeef on the catchy R&B flavoured ‘Classic Cliche’ and Holy Backler who has worked with Secret Stealth. With the right airplay this album could well see some commercial success.

Andy Allen

After releasing the singles, ‘Reflection/Bird Mess’ and ‘The Itch/13:6:35’ on their own Hippoflex label, Belleruche have now found a perfect home for their debut album with Tru Thoughts. Their style combines hip hop beats and funk and jazz breaks with the smoky blues vocals of Kathrin deBoer. Think of a UK version of Erykah Badu and you won’t be too far off the mark. This is a consistent set throughout but for me it lacks a particular standout moment. Well worth investigating though.

Andy Allen

Catalyst were a Philadelphia based quartet who recorded a total of four albums together before going their separate ways. This reissue of their 2nd set was originally released in 1972 and is firmly rooted in jazz-fusion. It kicks off with the funk driven ‘Ain’t It The Truth’ before embarking on an ethereal journey with the majestic ‘East’. Other highlights include the deep swing of ‘Catalyst Is Coming’ and the beautiful melody of ‘New-Found Truths’. If you’re into The Visitors (Earl & Carl Grubbs) then this is for you.

Andy Allen