Amanda Whiting: After Dark [Jazzman Records]
“After Dark” is the new release from harpist Amanda Whiting. Ms Whiting has performed with a number fo jazz and soul luminaries from Jamie Cullum to Matthew Halsall’s Gondwana orchestra. Whiting has played the harp since the age of 6 but mainly played classical music. She started building her chops in jazz in recent years and she hasn’t look back. Based on this release the years of study have paid off. The disc starts out in a modal mood. “Messed Up” highlights Whiting’s gentle flourishes juxtaposed with the splash of drummer John Robinson’s high hat. “Stay For One” is a melancholy tune that features fellow Gondwana member Chip Wickham on flute. Wickham shows up again on the swinging tune “The Feist”. Whiting ebbs and flows around Wickham warm melodies. The harp has become more promiment than ever. Let’s hope this is just the beginning of delightful recordings from Whiting. Jazzman records never disappoints and this release is no exception.
Madlib: Sound Ancestors [Madlib Invasion]
DJ/Producer Otis Jackson aka Madlib refuses to stay in one lane. His roots in hip-hop are firm and his deep dive into jazz and Brazilian music has elevated him well beyond your average beat maker. With his latest release “Sound Ancestors” he hands over hundreds of beats to Kieran Hebden aka Four Tet. Hebden hand picks and re-masters some of the beat conductoer’s unreleased gems and knocks it out of the park. “Road Of The Lonely Ones” is a prime example. Madlib weaves together a classic 70s soul vocal sample over a drum snare beat. “Dirtknock” is vintage neck snapping hip-hop. “Duumbiyay” is another testament to the master of his craft. The tune features what started as acapella of children singing and culminates with spiritual jazz rhythms and live instrumentation woven together. Hebden arranges the entire disc with a nice flow so you’re treated to one prime cut after another. With hundreds of tracks in his posession here’s hoping another album like this one will be on the way.
Menagerie: Many Worlds [Freestyle ]
DJ/Producer Lance Ferguson aka Lanu has so many projects that it’s futile to keep track. What’s extraordinary is there’s no dip in quality in any of them. Whether it’s The Bamboos, Rare Groove Spectrum or his Lanu project. Now with the third full length from Menagerie, he continues to cement his status as one of Melbourne’s brightest stars. “Many Worlds” blossoms with spiritual and straight ahead jazz compositions. The disc kicks off with potent “Hope”. Phil Noy’s robust tenor is in top here while Daniel Farrugla pushes everyone to the edge with his spirited drumming. The ex-factor here is the hymn caliber vocal harmonies that elevate the track to greater heights. The title track features a slow burning groove but the dynamic interplay amongst the musicians are high intensity. Pianist Mark Fitzgibon forays on electric piano are complimented by the sheer harmonic guitar rhythms sprinkled throughout. “Hymn of The Turning Stone” is another winner. Fitzgibbon’s brings the thunder once again with melodic flourishes that will keep your head on a swivel. Noy’s playing evokes images of Pharoah Sanders and the stylistic touches of the composition allows everyone to shine among this nine piece unit. The energy of the compositions, the musicianship and the vocal harmonies are healing and downright marvelous. Whether you’re a lover of spiritual or straight ahead jazz, purchasing this record will provide immediate satisfaction.
mfp: Natural Law [R2 Records]
Masaki Konagi, aka MFP first caught our attention when he appeared on Gilles Peterson’s “Brownswood Electr*c 2”. Now with his debut “Natural Law” we’re serenaded with a collection of laid back hip-hop beats and infectious synth laden grooves. MFP (Mindfullpeace) has assembled some notable collaborators to bring out the best in his compositions. The aptly titled “Your Warmth” kicks off the disc with warm and hazy synths and a catchy drum snare beat. The title track is drenched in LA funk and features Melbourne based vocalist Alien. Simon Mavin of Hiatus Kaiyote adds beautiful electronic piano melodies to “Darlin Darlin”. Other notable contributors include Sauce 81, Natalie Slade and rapper Stan Smith. Masaki becomes one with nature and delivers an organic collection where the warm vibes get inside your body and puts you in a good headspace.
Joanna Law: Rhythm Of Years [Tangential]
“Rhythm Of Years”, the new release from Joanna Law is filled with warm and soulful electronica compositions. You may be familiar with Law’s warm and languid vocals from her cover “First Time Ever” back in 1990. The Roberta Flack classic and other gems are featured here. There’s also several tracks that feature a collaboration with Pressure Drop, the Trip hop act that she worked with back in the nineties as well. “You’re Mine”, one of their collaborations starts the disc off.Law’s warm vocals are the perfect compliment to an unrelenting hypnotic groove that builds momentum over the course of play. “Song For Theo” is another winner that’s filled with sunny chords and synths layered on top of an infectious samba groove. As the title suggests, the album explores an array of rhythms and textures evolving from one composition to the next one. Add to that a number of tastyremixes and you have a gorgeous album filled with sublime recordings that you shouldn’t miss.
Voilaaa: Voiciii [Favorite Recordings]
“Voiciii” (Here It Is) is the third lp from Voilaaa and is steeped in engaging Afro Disco. “Woman Can Do” is a heart pounding dance track featuring the vocals of Ayunne Sule. “Water No Get Enemy” features Pat Kalla. It would fit nicely in the TK Disco catalog. “Manu Ecoute” is a nod to Manu Dibango’s “Soul Makossa”, filled with funky horns and infectious percussion. “Voiciii” is filled with good vibes and infectious grooves that captures the spirit of pioneers such as Fela Kuti and the aforementioned Dibango. This lp has all the ingredients that made Voilaaa famous, a pulsating soundsystem and joyful vibes. Produced by Bruno “Patchworks” Hovart who has a knack for finding talented vocalists from the around the globe.
Tamil Rogeon: Son of Nyx [Soul Bank Music ]
Violinist and composer Tamil Rogeon has built an impressive resume filled with a wide array of accomplishments. He has composed and conducted for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Austrailian National Academy of Music. He’s co-founder of the orchestral electronic band The Raah Project and has worked with acclaimed producer Harvey Sutherland. “Son Of Nyx” is his latest release and it’s a spiritual jazz gem not to be missed. Rogeon’s sublime violin melodies are puncuated by Danny Fischer’s spirited drumming on “House No Wheels”. “Bad Sandals” is filled with Rogeon’s lush melodies. The track is also highlighted by engaging percussion from Fischer and warm vocal harmonies from Rita Satch that make for a climatic finale. The disc wraps up with the ten minute plus spiritual jazz delight “Horns No Eyes”. The tune unleashes splash of riveting fender rhodes in parallel with Rogeon’s majestic phrasing of melodies. Simply a superb ending to a wonderful record. This is an early standout for a 2021 release that you need to get.
LaNote: Rebirth [Futuristica]
Avid fans of the Futuristica label may be familiar with the blissful vocals of LaNote from the Parisian soul electronica group Electric Conversation. Along with beatmaker As Valet the duo made up one half of the eclectic genre bending group. With her debut “Rebirth” LaNote takes center stage and the results are simply marvelous. Valet’s compositions are drenched in down-tempo melodic rhythms. If that wasn’t enough, several tracks also receive the remix treatment from an All-star line-up of producers such Marc Rapson, Mecca 83, DJ Spinna and more. Simon S adds his soulful jazz infused hip-hop touch to “Miracle”. The title track is blissed out down-tempo soul remixed by Nicky Lars. It’s filled with warm vocal harmonies layered with LaNote’s vocals. “Truth Be Told” is warm and hazy soulful electronica at it’s best. You’ll find it hard not to get swept away by LaNote’s low pitch airy vocals. In addition Valet’s soulful compositions make this a brilliant release that you shouldn’t miss. Just press play and let the music take you away.
Takuya Kuroda: Fly Moon Die Soon [First Word]
“Fly Moon Die Soon” is the latest lp from Trumpeter Takuya Kuroda and his first on First Word Records. The Kobe Japan native and now Brooklyn resident’s sixth full length release is more groove based than previous releases yet still navigates seamlessly between Jazz and funk. Kuroda’s approach for this recording is more raw and organic, culimating in a warm and soulful project “ABC” is feverish jazz funk with a wicked bass groove. “Moody” also brims with heat. Kuroda’s warm soloing glides along side engaging synth melodies. Kuroda also puts his stamp on two covers here. The Ohio Players “Sweet Sticky Things” receives proper justice but I really love what he does with Herbie Hancock’s “Tell Me A Bedtime Story”, injecting a dose of exuberant funk. Kuroda continues to grow with each release. In a short time he’s compiled an impressive catalogue. I wouldn’t say it’s his best but you’ll no doubt enjoy it as much as his other albums.
JD73’s Electrio: Pyramid [Atjazz]
“Pyramid” is latest release from JD73’s Electrio. Formed in 2012, JD73’s Electrio sound is steeped in Jazz fusion with sleek funk serving as the foundation. The trio is comprised of Dan “JD73” Goldman, bassist Hamlet Luton and drummer Gordon Kilroy. Goldman’s rhodes playing is short and sweet and aims straight for the soul. “Stepping Up” is filled with gorgeous rhodes from Goldman layered on top of a languid mid tempo groove. “Subsonic” is an infectious funk toe tapper amplified by Luton’s terrific bass groove. “4 On 4” gets an assist from the dancing electric violin rhythms that bob and weave around Kilroy’s sparkling drumming. Goldman and company serve up a satisfying disc that aims to please jazz fusion enthusiasts.