Author Archives: Andy Allen

The second installment of ‘Underground Hits & Exclusive Bits’ includes recent highlights from the Wah Wah 45s label like the bright and breezy soul/jazz swinger ‘Love Untold’ by Sesong, Speeka’s ‘Bend’ featuring Ben Parker, PTH Projects’ ‘What The Sun Brings’ and ‘It’s Only Perfect by Man/Boy (Talc) featuring Girl. Of the exclusive bits there’s another offering from Talc who serve up the Steely Dan inspired ‘Wonder Bar’. ‘Melancholic (Your Love Blinds Me)’ by Luna & Bazis, is a solid bass heavy jazzy groove, as is Jamie Finlay’s ‘Any Given Sunday’ featuring a powerful spoken word message from Dwayne Morgan. The highlights for me though are the tech-soul of Landslide’s ‘Solitary’ featuring the delightful vocals of Ernesto, ‘Blow The Man Down’, an acoustic folk outing from London based singer/songwriter Rosie Brown and Scrimshire’s ‘Warm Sound’ featuring Inga Lill Aker, a stunning orchestrated soul/jazz piece reminiscent of 4hero.

Andy Allen

The latest release from Japanese jazzers Sleep Walker is essentially a compilation featuring tracks which haven’t made it on their albums plus their remixes of other artists’ material. It kicks off with two tracks from the new 12" released on Especial, ‘Quiet Dawn’ and the amazing ‘Wind’ featuring Yukimi Nagano. The Bembe Segue fronted ‘River Of Love’ is also included along with their rework of Kyoto Jazz Massive’s ‘Eclipse’ and a new take on ‘Waltz For Moe’, the original of which appeared on ‘The Room – 10th Anniversary’, a four track EP released in 2003. Their re-work of Jazzinho’s ‘Sim Ou Nao’ is a worthy inclusion but check their blissful remix of Victor Davies ‘Don’t Believe A Word’ from his recent ‘Hear The Sound – Remixed’ set.

Andy Allen

It’s been a long time coming but Dalindeo’s debut album is now finally with us. The Brazilian influenced Finnish jazz sextet impressed with their first 12" ‘Poseidon/Solifer-Lento’ and their follow up ‘Go Ahead, Float/Voodoo’. Sadly though ‘Go Ahead, Float’ hasn’t made it on to the album at all and ‘Poseidon’ and ‘Voodoo’ only appear on the CD version. There is however plenty here to keep your attention such as the beautifully orchestrated ‘Samba Da-Li’ and ‘Non-Stop Flight’, a gorgeous bossa cut featuring Japanese vocalist Michiko. Michiko also graces ‘Tsunami’ and the immaculate waltz ‘Empty Fruits’, which for me is the album’s finest moment.

Andy Allen

Originally issued in 1972 on Cotillion Records, ‘Prelude To’ was Barbara Massey and Ernie Calabria’s one and only album together. Due to the growing interest in the folk-funk sound this has become much sought after piece in recent years so top marks to Fallout for this timely reissue. Orchestrated by Eumir Deodato and featuring players such as Grady Tate, Ralph MacDonald, Joe Beck, Keith Jarrett and Richard Tee, it effortlessly fuses elements of psychedelic pop, folk, funk and jazz to create an outstanding collection. It includes the in demand ‘Play With Fire’ and ‘Somebody To Love’ but equally as good are ‘Searching The Circle’, and ‘My Love & I.

Andy Allen

Teressa Edwards was born and raised in Trinidad but now resides in England. Her My Space page states that this is both her debut and second album so I’m a little confused! Whatever the case may be ‘Days Ahead’ is a solid R&B/soul set which showcases Tersessa’s sweet honey voice perfectly. She particularly shines on the nu-soul orientated tracks ‘No More’ and the title track, a simple but effective mellow groove with warm key chords.

Andy Allen

Soul DJ Andy Davies kick starts his new Streetsoul label in fine style with this Chicago rarity which he discovered on acetate whilst working at John Anderson’s Soul Bowl record shop during the mid 90s. After airing ‘Joy Trip (Part 1)’ on his radio show the track caused a huge buzz amongst the soul fraternity and has eventually resulted in this release. ‘Joy Trip (Part 1)’ is a majestic string fueled two stepper of the highest order but the album packed full of quality tunes covering northern, crossover and funk styles plus a great version of The Lovelites’ ‘Get It Off My Conscience’.

Andy Allen

Nomumbah are Sao Paulo based trio Ale Reis, Rafael Moraes and Andre Torquato who drop their debut long player for Osunlade’s Yoruba records. ‘Love Moves’ is a beautifully produced album of deep house grooves incorporating heavy doses of Brazilian soul and jazz. Their version of Lo Borges’ ‘Tudo Que Voca Podia Ser’, which initially appeared on Osunlade’s ‘Ibara: River Crossing’ compilation is exceptional, as are ‘Outono’ with it’s squelchy bass and electro keys noodlings and the jazz-funk/broken-boogie flavour of ‘I Can Fly’. ‘Love Moves’ is really strong throughout though and deserves your full attention.

Andy Allen

After breaking onto the scene in 2005 with ‘Put It Out’ featuring Eska and following up with the excellent ‘Searching’ last year the duo of Rob Mullarkey and Anna Stubbs now come with their debut long player. As with the singles, both of which are included here, the album is a broken-soul affair and features guests Ty on the title track and Earl Zinger who graces ‘Elevate’ with his distinctive spoken word delivery. Although there’s nothing here to quite top ‘Searching’ the set has some strong moments such as ‘True’, ‘A Little Trouble’, the funky ‘DTs’, and the blissful ‘Raindown’. Well worth investigating.

Andy Allen

Although Mudd aka Paul Murphy (not the jazz DJ/producer and Afro Art Records boss of the same name) has been producing music in other guises for years now he first came to my attention in 2005 with ‘Kerry’s Caravan’ a collaboration with Chico Hamilton released on Rong Music. More recently he impressed with the brilliant ‘Villa Stavros’ which saw him team up with keyboardist Kevin Pollard. His latest release ‘Claremont 56’ is his debut solo album which takes in elements of slow motion disco, electro and folk resulting in an atmospheric Balearic soundscape. ‘C40’, a tripped out folk instrumental opens the set before merging into the ambient ‘Mount Pleasant Lane’ which features warm key chords from the aforementioned Pollard. ’54B’ is a solid discoid piece but it’s Mudd’s jazzier side that appeals to me the most with tracks such as the soothing fusion outing ‘Spyro’, ‘The Snicket’ which is underpinned with a subtle samba rhythm and the gentle Latin flavoured ‘Summer In The Wood’.

Andy Allen

Originally released in 1973 Gary Marks’ ‘Gathering’ gets a welcome reissue by Kindred Spirits. Gary has a gentle yet mesmerizing quality to his voice and together with his band, featuring amongst others guitarist John Scofield and David Samuels on vibes, he delivers a stunning collection of folk-jazz compositions. ‘Sailing’, a tranquil piece, the blissful ‘We Free’, the funky fusion instrumental title track and ‘Him Sometimes’, a superb modal outing are all exceptional but this album is a pleasure to listen to from beginning to end.

Andy Allen

When Adriana Evans’ self-titled debut was released in 1997 it impacted greatly on the newly emerging neo/organic soul scene. Although her follow up ‘Nomadic’ failed to spark the same level of interest this, her third set sees a return to form. It features all the traits of her first, strong beats, infectious horn arrangements and of course Adriana’s delectable vocal tones. She particularly shines on ‘Hey Now’, ‘Calling Me’ and ‘Undercover’ along with the mellow samba ‘Blue Bird In Bahia’ and the Latin flavoured ‘All For Love’, all of which are like a breath of fresh air.

Andy Allen

Vocalist, Simone Moreno has steadily been releasing material in her native Brazil since her self-titled debut in 1994. This, her fifth set is the first to be released outside of Brazil and was recorded in Stockholm, Sweden where she now resides. ‘Samba Makossa’ draws together a variety of influences from bossa nova and samba to Afro-beat and reggae. Although the album overall fails to capture my interest it does include pleasurable moments such as the funked up ‘Umbabarauma’ and the breezy ‘Meio De Campo’. Well worth investigating for these tracks alone.

Andy Allen

‘Something New’ is Double Beat’s follow up to ‘International Funk Music’ (Big Sur 2004). Stefano Ghittoni (manager of Big Sur Recordings) and Marco Rigamonti are both DJ/producers who together have produced a hybrid sound of funk and nu-jazz built around 4×4 house beats. For me the set lacks the vital ingredients to give it longevity but ‘Profondo’ and particularly ‘Beat It’ with its African vocal snippets would certainly work in a club environment.

Andy Allen

Watch TV (Ruben Garcia) and his band The Primetimes combine programmed beats and samples with live elements to create a set of mainly dance-floor orientated nu-funk grooves. Although this isn’t a bad album, as with the Double Beat set, it lacks those classic elements. For the younger crowd though like those who frequent The Hi-fi Club (Leeds) I’m sure it will win favour.

Andy Allen

Secret Stealth are Nottingham’s Bob Sadler and Jim Baron and the oddly titled ‘Mince & Onions’ is the follow up to the duo’s 2005 debut ‘Ssshhh’. With element of disco, boogie, electro and house all thrown into the mix this should appeal to fans of the Baron’s other project Crazy P. The soulful cuts ‘Drive Me Crazy’ and ‘Hooked On You’, both of which feature Holly Brackler on vocals are the standouts for me along with ‘Free’ a gorgeous string laced arrangement reminiscent of 4hero.

Andy Allen