Yearly Archives: 2010

There aren’t many artists that can have a nine year gap between albums and still remain relevant but Bilal has done just that. In fact, with each guest appearance and live performance, the anticipation for this release grew at a rapid rate. Finally with “Airtight’s Revenge”, Bilal delivers an eclectic project that merely scratches the surface of his unique talents yet still provides definite satisfaction. Right from the start we’re treated to the twisted funky grooves of “Cake and eat it too” where he unleashes many layers of his infectious voice. “Move On” is another funky experimental highlight that laments on the heart break of a lost love. “Robots” is laden with slick grooves and wicked electric guitar licks. It also provides some social commentary on the political machine that exists how it affects the common man while the rich get richer. The disc wraps up with the acoustic flavored “Think It Over”, a warm and heartfelt ballad. Bilal isn’t content with going with the flow but instead seeks to push the boundaries of his musical landscape. This is a welcome return and hopefully there’ll be much more to follow.

Reg Dancy

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DJ Spinna continues to dig in the crates in order to shine the light on the underground soul and rare grooves of the seventies with satisfying results. “Strange Things & Funky Things Vol.5” is jam packed with an assortment of tasty treats you may or may not be familiar with but you’ll no doubt enjoy them. The disc starts out with the silky seductive “Sweet Stuff” by Sylvia. This is definitely a dim the lights and hold your lady tight track. “Capricorn Rising” is one of those quality timeless tracks that slips through the cracks and you’re left wondering why. This is a wonderful jazz infused record by Richard Evans reminiscent of Charles Stepney’s arrangements with Earth, Wind & Fire. Other highlights include the afro-Latin rhythmic “War Is Coming” by War and “Obaa Yaa Aye Me Bone” by CK Mann & his Carousel 7. The latter is a thirteen minute medley of deep and funky Afrobeat rhythms that is essential listening. Overall DJ Spinna has created a tremendous passage into an era where quality recordings were the rule and not the exception. Need an immediate soul and funk injection, you’ll be wise to pick this one up.

Reg Dancy

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It’s hard to listen to Nat Birchall’s latest release and not feel the spirit of John Coltrane swirling in your head. Like the tenor titan, Birchall brings a lot of depth and spirituality to his compositions and surrounds himself with a ensemble of talented musicians to bring out the best in him. On the opening track, “Open Up The Gates”, Birchall starts out with a colorful solo on soprano before building into a intensified and melodic gem. “Keep The Lights Shining is another winner where pianist Adam Fairhall’s harmonic explorations blend perfectly with Birchall’s passionate playing. The disc wraps up with the title track, a beautiful ballad that starts out with the subtle yet moving cymbal playing of drummer Gaz Hughes as well as Chris Manis on percussion. Birchall and Fairhall complement each other well as they ascend to heavenly heights on this emotional composition. Despite the obvious influences, Nat Birchall and company have created a wonderful record that showcases his own voice and asserts him as a musician to keep an eye on. Highly recommended.

Reg Dancy

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German label Tramp records founder Tobias Kirmayer follows up his Contemporary Funk release with the Contemporary Jazz compilation. Kirmayer displays his love for jazz on all levels by selecting a variety of different styles from the spiritual minded composition of “Starlings Talk” by Deep Jazz to the greasy soul flavored “Sugar’s Boogaloo” by Sugarman 3. Other highlights include “A Vision Part 1” by Das Goldene Zeltalter, an organic gem that is enhanced by the raspy vocals of Bajka. The disc wraps up with the laidback modal jazz influenced “Hier Kommit Die Laterne” by the German quintet Hipnosis. There is an added incentive to this compilation in that several songs were previously unreleased. It would have been a shame to keep these quality recordings locked up. To his credit, Tobias shines a light on the music as well as a group of musicians that may not be on your radar but once you hear them you’ll no doubt make the effort to dig a little deeper for more of their recordings.

Reg Dancy

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Multi-instrumentalist and Ethnomusicologist Lloyd Miller teams up with The Heliocentrics to explore the methodology between Eastern and Western music and the results are deeply satisfying. Led by drummer Malcolm Catto, the UK collective utilize an assortment of instruments commonly used in world music like the oud, a pear shaped guitar and the harp like Chinese Swarm among others. Standout selections are “Nava”, a contemporary jazz piece with Indian influences that features James Arben on tenor sax and Catto on piano. “Spirit Jazz” is a beautiful Middle Eastern piece that plays like a musical canvas layered with many colors. The centerpiece is Jack Yglesias on flute and also features Lloyd Miller and Catto on vibes and various instruments. “Modality” features both Arben and Ray Carless on sax overlapping melodies that are augmented by percussion work of Adrian Owusu. Lloyd Miller’s musical passage of the last thirty years is skillfully brought back life and the Heliocentrics have provided the wings to make the music soar. This collaboration is a must have for any enthusiast of spiritual minded music.

Reg Dancy

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The music scene in New York during the late seventies and eighties featured an avalanche of independent recordings that usually would gain acceptance when played out in the clubs as opposed to the traditional format of radio play.  Clearly this was one of the most progressive periods in the musical history of New York and one of the pioneers during this period was producer Bob Blank. Originally Blank started his career as a guitarist before starting Blank Tape studios and collaborating with some of the creative forces New York had to offer. Among the many artists he worked with was Charanga 76. Led by Tito Rodriguez, they reworked the Ben E. King disco track “Music Trance” and added a little Latin rhythm with enough spice to fill a dance floor. “I got a Big Bee” by Bumblebee Unlimited” was the creation of Greg Carmichael and Patrick Adams. The track features the synthesized sound that was prevalent throughout the eighties and made famous by Adams previous groups like Phreek and The Universal Robot Band. This release isn’t totally focused on disco hits, as evidenced by Sun Ra’s “Where Pathways Meet” and the funkified sounds of James Blood Unlimited. Of all the selections here, none was bigger than Fonda Rae’s “Over like a Fat Rat”. More than twenty years later, the track still features one of the fiercest bass grooves on wax and makes your head nod today. If you’re too young to remember or old enough to reminiscence then “Blank Tapes NYC” will provide a vivid snapshot on a rich musical legacy.

Reg Dancy

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My first trip through the city of Blaktropolis (aka, Blaktropolis Vol.1) was rather impressive. The city was filled with musical nourishment that took my mind to a far away place, kept my head nodding and my feet moving throughout my stay. Well my second trip through the city (aka, Blaktropolis Vol.2) offers all that and more. Aybee Deepblak, the resident towns keeper and musical director featured an assortment of essential house tracks on his 2008 release and with his latest effort he expands his horizons a little further. Highlights include “Void” a bass heavy mid-tempo gem with a wicked groove courtesy of seventeen year old Shen-7. “5 Spot” by Afrikan Sciences is a real highlight filled with moving arrangements enhanced by live instrumentation and spiritual influences. Of course there a number of dance that deserves honorable mention. “Out On The Dance Floor featuring Erik Rico” is the bumping kind of four to the floor track that will have you turning up the volume the moment it begins. “Every Kind Of Way” featuring Omega Brooks is soulful house music at its best, a gorgeous melody, an irresistible groove and elegant vocals that soar. Aybee continues to create rhythmic quality music to soothe your soul and rattle your bones. There is much more to savor than I’ve already mentioned so I would suggest adding this recording to your collection to receive the experience. You won’t be disappointed.

Reg Dancy

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Leftfield electronic hip-hop from Dimlite, who has been crafting warp flavored quirky beats since appearing on the Sonar Kollektiv label in 2003. Highlights include “On The Same Picture” featuring the talented Elan Tamara on vocals. “Sun Sized Twinkles” is filled with twisted electronic beats and features Dimlite on the vocorder as well. The track “Elbow Flood” starts out with dreamy cosmic soundscapes and then elevates into a mid-tempo bounce flavored beat that would make fans of Flying Lotus proud. I was a little disappointed that there only eight tracks on this lp but I prefer a short solid album as opposed to one bombarded with filler. That said, “Prismic Tops” is a nice antidote when you need a break from the traditional hip-hop and you like your beats distorted just a bit. 

Reg Dancy

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Hard to imagine that for a short period that this compilation was actually available for free. This was made possible by the contributors to the Brownswood message board forum. While it’s now available at a very modest price, it’s a worthwhile purchase for there is much to savor here. For starters there’s the funky synth laden “Dancing On Ice” by Mr Beatnick. “Alethia” is a warm atmospheric up-tempo pleaser by Surra. In addition, there are a number of burnin’ house tracks here, most notably “I have seen” by Red Rackem and “Roma” by K Schrieber. Arguably the best track here would have to be “Say Something” by Scrimshire feat Inga Lill Aker, a soothing mid-tempo nu-jazz tune armed with cool rhodes playing and the beautiful voice of Inga. The disc mellows out with the melodic “Wonky” by bassist Rich Brown who knows how to lay down a groove. This is a solid compilation that has a little something for everyone and is certainly worth checking out.

Reg Dancy

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Diesler returns with his fourth full length release that’s once again packed with aload of head snappin’ beats and rhythms that we’ve come to expect from the Dj/producer. In addition, he has enlisted some very talented musicians to spice up his work like mainstay Laura Vane, whose raspy voice is always pleasing to the ears. Here she blesses the Latin flavored “Samba Magic” and “Pickpocket”. A standout track that will be on many Dj playlists is “Buzzin”, an instrumental crackling with live horns and smokin’ beats. Sonar Kollektiv member Stee Downes contributes on two tracks, “Southside Morning” is one but the standout tune is unquestionably “Change Trust”. No wonders where Diesler finds the time to produce his own album when he frequently lends remixing skills to an assortment of 12 inch singles year in and year out. Despite the heavy workload, there’s no drop off in quality and “Tie Breakers” is a prime example of that. This is a strong release that will provide immediate satisfaction.

Reg Dancy

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DJ/Producer Gerardo Frisina has been creating a buzz ever since his work as a producer and remixer on the Ishtar label and eventually his own releases. His latest offering on Schema records, “Join The Dance” is a wonderful collection of compositions where some songs will lure your feet to the dance floor while others will simply fulfill your thirst for spicy rhythmic Brazilian jazz. For instance, the energetic “Will You Walk A Little Faster” is a up-tempo dance track strongly enhanced by the beautiful vocals of Norma Winstone. Other highlights include the exotic “Mille E Una Notte” that features Dj/Pianist Paolo Fedreghini. The aptly titled “Bubbly” starts out with a simmering groove on double bass courtesy of Enzo Lo Greco and complimented by the piano licks of Luigi Bonafede that eventually builds into a sparkling composition full of flavor and worthy of repeated listens. The Latin/Brazilian influences are brought to life by an A-list of musicians on the Italian jazz scene with overwhelming success. The result is a superb record that will build Frisina’s reputation as a first rate producer who proves that there’s room for jazz in the clubs and not just in your living room.

Reg Dancy

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I like my share of electronica as much as anyone but eventually I have to come back home to the funk and a band that has been bringing that raw sound with each performance is the nine member group called Orgone. The LA based band opened eyes with their debut, “The Killion Floor” and they continue to lay down a fierce groove on “Cali Fever”. There is much to savor among the twelve tracks here. On “Crazy Queen”, Fanny Franklin’s soaring vocals fit perfectly with the funky upbeat groove performed by the rhythm and horn section. The title track is a rhythmic Afrobeat flavored gem that provides a snapshot of their diverse musical influences.. “The Only One” is a welcome blend of funk meets disco. The track features a steady groove that breaks down three and a half minutes deep and then is followed by a wicked percussion solo that takes it to another level. “Cali Fever” is filled with raw funky grooves that will satisfy all admirers of funk and soul and are poised to carry the torch ignited by groups like the Booker T & The MG’s and the Meters.

Reg Dancy

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When you take a record that already has an assortment of quality recordings and you lay down some equally burnin’ remixes, it’s comparable to taking your favorite dish and adding a few new spices to them. Indeed, “Havana Cultura” captured the spirit of traditional Cuban music and introduced the masses to a bunch of musicians we might not have otherwise heard from. Now “Havana Cultura Remixed” receives the blessings of some of the foremost dj’s and producers in the game today. For starters, there’s Louie Vega’s rework of “Reforefo Fight”, a nine minute mélange of swirling horns, energetic percussion and crisp vocals by Mayra. “Rezendo” is an infectious piano driven groover courtesy of Michel Cleis. A surefire favorite will be the Donald Byrd classic “Think Twice”. Remixed by 4Hero, this alternate take gives the track a breath of fresh air. Not that was needed but it’s certainly welcome. The same can be said for the entire disc, there are quite a number of appealing remixes here that will have you adoring these songs for the first time all over again.

Reg Dancy

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I think it’s time for Detroit to change their nickname from the Motor City to the Music City. They’re not producing automobiles like they once did but they’re sure as heck producing an abundance of talented musicians, singers and producers left and right. Without a doubt one of those musicians is Paul Randolph, a talented bass player with the distinctive raspy voice heard previously on Jazzanova’s “Of All The Things”. “Echoes Of Lonely Eden” is two cd’s in one. Disc 1 features the original recordings while disc 2 features an assortment of reworks from an all star lineup of dj/producers.  One of those dj’s, East London’s Simbad flips “Lonely Eden” into a bass heavy mid tempo funk deluxe. Deetron adds a laidback soulful groove with some experimental Rhodes playing on “Leanin”. Aaron Jerome starts out “Golden Days” with a mellow groove and then it morphs into a up-tempo house treat. Speaking of house, there are lots of gems here like the Jazzanova remix of “Believer” and Archety’s Lower Harmonic remix of “Claim”. If by chance you missed out on the 2009 release, there’s no excuse now. This is an impressive collection of original recordings and outstanding remixes from an artist who clearly deserves more recognition.

Reg Dancy

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The duo from Croatia returns with their third album and delivers with an enjoyable disc filled with their signature array of house flavored dance tracks, not to mention some nu-soul rhythms and progressive beats. Among the highlights are ”Mr. Sakamoto & The Forgotten Rails”, a futuristic house track enhanced by notable guest Zed Bias.  “Little Dragon” is a cleverly composed broken beat treat. Yannah’s soothing vocals and Capital A’s low key rhyming style complement each other very well. Add Eddy’s composition skills and you got a sure fire banger that ranks very high on the head nod meter. “Difference” is a nice mid tempo nu-soul treat that demonstrates that their talents stretch beyond dance music and they’re equally adept at. “Nostalgic” is a high energy instrumental packed with a thumping bass and clever synth arrangements. Eddy’s production talents and Yannah’s vocal artistry make a winning combination. As solid as “Once In A While” was, Fiction Jar” is a much stronger record that you need to add to your collection.

Reg Dancy

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