Home » Articles posted by Reg Dancy (Page 15)

Author Archives: Reg Dancy

Reg's latest reviews

Nikitch & Kuna Maze – Back & Forth [Tru Thoughts Recordings]

July 8, 2022

French duo Nikitch and Kuna Maze are firmly entrenched as masters of DJing and producers. Their catalog is filled with instrumental grooves shaped by electronics, broken beat and house. With their latest release “Back & Forth” they step outside of their comfort zone and work with an impressive set of collaborators who breathe new life into their compositions. On “Engatinhar” they inject a touch of Brazilian flavor in the arrangement and top it off with vocals from Joao Selva. “Zugzwang” is a blissful blend of jazz funk with a touch bruk for good measure. “La Di F..Da” is infectious house suitable for night clubbing or a midday chillout. “Back & Forth” marks an evolution in the duo’s sound. They could’ve rested on their laurels but by pushing the boundaries they’ve made arguably their best record to date.

https://nikitchkunamaze.bandcamp.com/album/back-forth

Handbook – Neighbourhood [Cascade Records]

July 5, 2022

UK producer Handbook has been dropping beats for a decade now. He first release dropped on Cascade records in 2012. “Neighbourhood”, his latest in two years picks up from where he left off. That means there’s an array laid back jazzy hip-hop beats with a number of guest appearances. Among the highlights are “No End”, a gritty drum snare tune featuring Supreme Sol. “Hear Me” is a piano driven beat treat featuring introspective rhymes from Rich Garvey. “Neighbourhood” explores the comfort of being part of a community through light and airy beats. They’re tailored made to get your head nod on. Definitely worth checking out.

https://cascaderecords.bandcamp.com/album/neighbourhood

Jas Kayser – Jas 5ive [Jazz Re:freshed]

June 30, 2022

Award winner drummer Jas Kayser is the latest in an array of ultra talented UK musicians to emerge out of the London based Jazz Re-freshed label. Kayser’s debut fuses Jazz along with afrobeat rhythms. The five track EP is aided by an array of premiere musicians. “Darkness In The Light” is spirited fusion enhanced by Ava Joseph on vocals and Giacomo Smith’s alto sax phrasings. Jamie Leeming’s electric guitar flurries are the icing on the cake. “Stupid On The Beat” is anotherhighlight with West African rhythms and Afrobeat grooves. With influences such as The late great Tony Allen, it’s easy to understand Kayser’s approach to the drums. Kayser manages to drive the groove yet sounds more like a percussionist. A thrilling debut that only begins to scratch the surface of this talented drummer.

https://jaskayser.bandcamp.com/album/jas-5ive

Inkswel & The Snaglepuss – Chasing Infinity [Cosmocities Records]

June 29, 2022

DJ/Producer Jules Habib, aka Inkswel has proven to have traces of funk and a knack for the groove in his DNA. He has compiled a catalogue of essential grooves ranging from boom bap hip-hop to funk n soul. Inkswel’s latest release “Chasing Infinity” is no exception. It’s a album filled with bumpin tracks aided by a star studded lineup. “Everything” is tasty hip-hop featuring veteran rapper Dudley Perkins. “Butterflies” is laid back cosmic funk featuring the familiar falsetto vocals of Steve Spacek. The title track is an infectious dance track with a thumping groove that features veteran House vocalist Oliver Knight. We’re just scratching the surface here as there’s notable contributions from Kylie Audist, Amp Fiddler and more. An energetic album filled with various tempos certain to shake your hips and press repeat.

https://inkswel.bandcamp.com/album/chasing-infinity

Harvey Sutherland – Boy [House Anxiety]

June 14, 2022

Melbourne based producer/pianist Mike Katz aka Harvey Sutherland has dropped a number of EPs since 2014 that demonstrated a flair for soulful grooves and infectious piano rhythms. “Boy”, his full length debut is filled with future funky synth grooves and dreamy rhythms. The title track is a mellow cascade of swirling synths and hazy vibes. The tempo picks up with “Time On My Side”, an ambient fusion of beats and synths. “Age Of Acceleration” goes one step further, the thumping beats and bass set up the groove. Sutherland lays down dazzling synths along with his honey tinged vocals on top. “Angry Young Man” flirts with a boogie groove primed to whip you into a party mood. Recorded between London and Los Angeles which feels approiate. The album certainly has a LA vibe which suits him well here. An impressive release that ensures you’re gonna have a funky good time.

https://harveysutherland.bandcamp.com/album/boy

Crackazat – Evergreen [Freerange Records]

June 8, 2022

“Evergreen” is the latest release from multi-instrumentalist Ben Jacobs, aka Crackazat. The twelve track lp is a bundle of infectious house grooves layered with joyful chords and vibrant melodies. Jacob’s fingerprints are everywhere from tasty guitar licks and electronics to his sparkling falsetto vocals. Among the highlights are “It’s All Different” a delicious house tune that finds Jacobs crooning over a pulsating groove and a heart pounding beat. “True Power” is equally engaging. The bass and drums set up the groove, and Jacobs layers glorious synths on top. If you don’t move to this you need to check your pulse. Overall this is a fantastic voyage of wondrous house tracks that will inspire instant body movement. It’s no wonder that Jacobs is rising up the ranks as one of the premier house producers on the scene today. With the standout London based label Freerange records behind him, the skies the limit.

https://crackazat.bandcamp.com/album/evergreen

Deborah Jordan & K15 – Human [Futuristica Music]

May 26, 2022

“Human” is the collaborative project from pianist/producer Kieron Ifill aka K15 and vocalist Deborah Jordan. K15 has produced a number of tracks for Jordan’s solo work in the past but this is their first full length project. What the two have in common is their ability to stir the depths of our emotions through their compositions. Whether through his jazz quintet Culross Close or his house & broken beat projects, K15’s compositions sink into your body and lift your spirits. Jordan’s lush vocals and heartfelt lyrics have always strum the heartstrings since her early work on Silhouette Brown with Dego and Kaidi Tatham. The way they they play together feels complimentary musically and the result is a gorgeous collection of thought provoking compositions. As the song titles suggest, this project explores the various layers of humanity, diving into an array of emotions that make us vulnerable. “Heartbroken” kicks off with a subtle down-tempo hip-hop beat that creates a canvas for Jordan’s blissful vocals. On “Fragility” Ifill opens with a slinky beat followed by tender chords and warm melodies. Jordan laments about the fragile state we find ourselves in the world today. The album goes on like this, delivering one engaging track after another. It’s a marvelous record you shouldn’t miss.

https://deborahjordank15.bandcamp.com/album/human

Allysha Joy – Torn Tonic [First Word Records]

May 24, 2022

“Torn Tonic” is the second full length solo release from Melbourne based artist Allysha Joy. Joy who produced this album also serves as a member of the collective 30/70. In addition she’s a frequent guest on a number of emerging Australian artists in an burgeoning music scene. The ten track release is loaded with superb down-tempo compositions that showcase her husky vocals and her lyrical prowess. “Calling You” is a warm composition that features another talented lyricist in her own right in London based vocalist Ego Ella May. “Still Dreaming” is a sonic soulful gem enhanced by Rara Zulu’s melodic phrasings. Joy’s keyboard arrangements are soothing and hypnotic. An introspective LP where Joy tackles personal, social and political issues. It’s a triumph to find her transcending through trying times and finding joy, no pun intended on the other side. Let’s shine a light on this multi-talented artist. All she does is create timeless recordings. This album is no exception.
https://allyshajoy.bandcamp.com/

Daniel Maulnick – Persistence [Far Out Recordings]

May 5, 2022

Multi-instrumentalist Daniel Maulnick, son of the infamous Jean “Bluey” Maulnick has certainly blazed his own trail these days. In a short time he’s become a prolific producer for Far Out Recordings and has delivered a number of essential remixes and numerous guest appearances. Maunick’s latest release “Persistance” pulls from influences ranging from drum n bass to Detroit house and garage. The opener “Arraia” exudes infectious deep house rhythms that soothes you even in it’s intense moments. “The Love has Gone” provides blistering drum n bass grooves. “Just Deserts” channels the spirits of Theo Parrish and other Detroit house pioneers. Like many tracks here it has a meditative quality that lingers long after the song is over. “Persistance” is all about pushing through the tough times of lockdown and coming through on the other side. It’s not easy for everyone to quaratine and emerge with essential recordings but Maulnick certainly does and hits the mark.

https://faroutrecordings.bandcamp.com/

Culross Close – Pressure [Esencia]

April 27, 2022

“Pressure” is the latest from Culross Close, the London quintet featuring producer/pianist Anthony Kieron aka K15. Fans of K15 who have long embraced his soulfully deep electronic recordings have certainly appreciated his growth as a pianist as well. The opening trumpet melodies of “To Belong” serve as e serenading appetizer to the heavenly strings and chords that propels the tune to greater heights. “Convictions” kicks off with spoken word while easing into a mellow piano driven hip-hop inspired tune. The finale “The Will to Live” raises the tempo and unleashes infectious beats and synths. Kieron and his bandmates blurr the lines between jazz and electronica and the results are an array of splendid emotive recordings.

https://k15music.bandcamp.com/album/pressure

Post navigation

← Older posts Newer posts →

Tune In

Tuesday

03:00 African FM

04:00 Pool FM
13:00 Dinamo FM
14:00 Ness Radio

Wednesday

19:00 Radio 42
19:00 RauteMusik.FM

22:00 Educa Web Radio

Thursday

22:00 ASSK Radio

Friday

11:00 Ness Radio

15:00 Pattern Radio

Saturday
Sunday

10:00 Dinamo FM
17:00 Ness Radio
22:00 Educa Web Radio

Podcast

itpc://www.basic-soul.co.uk/podcast