Pete Josef: I Rise With The Birds [Sonar Kollektiv]
Hard to believe it’s been five years since “Colours”, the debut from Bristol native Pete Josef debuted. The fact that it was such a strong debut combined with some notable side projects allowed us to enjoy his music long after the release. That wasn’t all to the extended break however. Josef felt it was necessary to step away and focus on family. The break rekindled his love for music and that renewed passion is on display here. “I Rise With The Birds” is a brillant record filled with an array of soul, pop and folk compositions. Josef sits in the production chair and surrounds himself with some of Bristol’s promiment musicians here and they rise to the task at hand. “Night Eyes” blossoms with melodic keys that stroke the heartstrings while Marie Lister’s vocals are a perfect match for Josef. “Giants” has a little bit of everything, an infectious groove, soulful horns and swirling strings. “Mainframe” is equally worthy of dance floor spins. It’s also co-written by Jazzanova’s Alex Barck. The honey toned vocalist has struck gold again with a lp worthy of repeated listens.
Dan Kye: Small Moments [Rhythm Section International]
We’re thrilled to see the return of Jordan Rakei’s alter ego, Dan Kye. With Kye it’s a return to the funky dance floor persona we couldn’t get enough of with the 2014 debut “Joy, Ease, Lightness”. With “Small Moments” he picks up where he left off and he hasn’t missed a beat. Rakei came up with these compositions during the pandemic. This thumping eight track floor burner could be the perfect boost for any anxiety you may be experiencing. The momentum building beats of “Mogen” sets the table for Rakei’s soft feathered vocals layered over warm chords. “Sober” is another winner heightened by Sheldon Agwu’s percolating guitar rhythms. Rakei’s proficiency with electronics and arrangements shines through on the instrumental banger “Focus”. The combination of deep grooves, good vibes and Rakei’s swaying falsetto will be irresistible to ignore. Quite a gap between releasesbut “Small Moments” is definitely worth the wait.
Various Artists: Blue Note Re:imagined [Decca Records]
Legendary labels Decca Records and Blue Note team up for the brilliant compilation “Blue Note Re:imagined”. A collection of some of the Uk’s young musical phenoms to provide alternate takes on some of the labels most treasured recordings. Let’s start with Ppppy Ajudha’s cover of Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man”. Ajudha’s vocal and arranging skills totally transform the tune. From the ethereal wordless phrasings to combustive jazz fusion rhythms, Ajudha takes the listener to the edge of their imagination. “A Shade Of Jade” finds Nubya Garcia channeling the spirit of Joe Henderson’s “Mode For Joe”. Garcia’s arrangements swing from 60s hard bop to infectious hip-hop beats and head nodding grooves. Trumpeter Emma Jean Thackery is a rising star with multiple projects worth checking out. She transforms Wayne Shorter’s “Speak No Evil” into an uptempo jazz funk banger. Jordan Rakei’s honey toned falsetto vocals are tailor made for Donald Byrd’s timeless jazz funk gem “Wind Parade”. With sixteen tracks there’s a ton of covers to savor here and other artists you need to get to know better. The musicians here maintain the spirit of the original recordings while bringing fresh ideas to the table. Without a doubt you need this in your collection.
Potatohead People: Mellow Fantasy [Bastard Jazz]
When it comes mellow soulful hip-hop, few do it better than the duo from Vancouver known as Potatohead People, Their third lp “Mellow Fantasy” delivers with another collection of neck snapping beats enhanced by an array of up and coming rappers and vocalists on the underground circuit. “What It Feels Like” provides plenty of bounce along with a touch of jazzy rhythms. Rapper/singer Illa J and Kapok’s verses raise the track to another level. It should be no surprise of the connection between Illa J and the duo. Their signature drum style is a result of the influence Illa J’s late brother, J Dilla has had on them. The good grooves continues with “Baby Got Work”, a bumpin track that’s tailor made for Dela La Soul’s Posdnuosto jump on. “Break Even” is simply sublime thanks in part to Kendra’s Dias’s warm and soothing vocals. Everything these guys put out is worth your attention and this release is no exception.
Sly5thAve: What It Is [Tru Thoughts]
Multi-instrumentalist Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka, aka Sly5thAve first caught our attention with his orchestral tribute to Dr Dre entitled “The Invisible Man”. With “What It Is” he draws inspiration from BKLN1834, a residence in Brooklyn that doubles as an incubator for young talent. He took part in a number of jam sessions there among a roster of emerging artists, some of whom make their presnce felt here. There’s much to like here starting with the title track, an up-tempo tune laced with heavy beats and well placed synths. Rapper Scienze laces the track with sharp verses while Lexus closes the track with her smokey vocals. “The Night” is a slow burning tune that features his orchestral skills as well as the sultry vocals from Melissa McMillan. Singer songwriter Denitia’s feathery vocals are sprinkled on four tracks here. Among those tunes are “C-Side”, an edgy tune with a touch of electronica and pop while “With You” is a blissful finale to an impressive disc. Sly%thAve’s versatility as an arranger is evident as he delivers a genre bending release that’s definitely worth checking out.
Gerardo Frisina: Moving Ahead [Schema Records]
Schema records has become the home for infectious groove based Latin Jazz recordings and DJ/Producer Gerado Frisina is a major reason for that. “Moving Ahead”, his latest release is loaded not only with Latin Jazz but Dub, electronica and Afro Cuban rhythms. Like his previous albums, Frisina has surrounded himself with an all star lineup of superb musicians. Ermesto Lopez’s sizzling percussion is the ignition to “Marombo”, a tune originally featured on last years EP. Lopez’s percussion combined with Alfonso Deidda’s baritone sax is simply hypnotic on “Face The Music”. “Nalhl’s Son” features Haruna Kuyateh on the Kora. Frisina discovered Kuyateh, a native of Gambia by chance while walking the streets of Milan where his playing caught his attention. It will certainly catch yours too. “Moving Ahead” is an instant party starter with fourteen tracks will have you moving and groovin. It evokes images of a bygone era of crowded dance floors and live jazz bands filling a room. You’ll no doubt enjoy this album no matter how you consume it.
The Vision: The Vision [Defected]
The Vision is the brainchild of singer songwriter Ben Westbeech and DJ/Producer Kon. This was a project five years in the making. They first worked together in 2012 and a chemistry was established. We won’t hold it against them that a follow up has taken so long only because this lp is so darn good. We’re simply thrilled it actually happened. Westbeech adds his vocals to a couple of tunes here. The remaining vocal dutuies are placed in the very capable of hands of Andreya Triana. She’s simply marvellous on “Missing”, a thumping track with a wicked bass groove. Triana isn’t the only guest vocalist here. The Detroit trio known as Dames Brown demonstrate that they’re a vocal powerhouse to be reckon with as evidenced on the soul stomper “Down”. Westbeech’s vocals shine on “Time” which also includes sparkling vibes from Roy Ayers. The disc winds down with “Home”. Triana sings about the long grind of being on the road that’s coming to an end. Kon and Westbeech knock it out of the park with a wonderful lp loaded with infectious dance grooves. If this doesn’t lift your spirits, check your pulse.
Thorne Miller: House Of Dreams [Stay True Sounds]
The popularity of House Music in South Africa is unrivaled by any other country. Pretoria native Thorne Miller, one of the premier producers has made a significant contribution with a healthy catalog of quality EPs and remixes over the last five years to boost his status. “House Of Dreams”, his first full length release embodies his signature sound of stripped down deep house grooves with a distinctive emotional vibe. Look no further than the title track, a pulsating tune enhanced by the soft and airy vocals of Jamie Fallon Smith. “The Sound Of Her Voice” is soothing atmospheric house layered with electronic rhythms. “Night Moves” just oozes with melancholic vibes punctuated by a driving house groove. Chances are you’ve grooved to a Thorne Miller track before and didn’t even know it. This disc, highlighted by one superb track after another provides plenty of warmth and soulful goodness one graves in a dance track. It should also provide the accolades that Miller rightfully deserves.
Girls Of The Internet: Girls FM [Drab Queen]
Girls Of The Internet is a dance band collective lead by Tom Kerridge. “Girls FM”, their second album evokes memories of 90s House and vintage Disco grooves. “Infinite Harmony”, the lead single is filled with infectious electronic grooves complimented by soothing strings. “By My Side” is a slice of 80s funk with emotive vocals. “Shelter Me From The Storm” is punctuated by a combination of gorgeous chords, a heart pounding drum snare and soaring vocals from B Mela. “Time” is a mellow synth pop pleaser. Kerridge pays tribute to the Disco divas whose vocals graced many timeless dance tracks yet never received their due. There’s plenty of tasty tunes here certain to grip your hips and move your feet. A well produced and thrilling release that captures the spirit of the past yet sounds right on time today.
Ill Considered: Ill Considered 3 [CNM LDN]
In a short time, Ill Considered has built a reputation as a unit delivering inspired meditative as well as spiritual jazz compositions. Although “Ill Considered 3” contains material written specifically for this recording, the group still manages to stretch out and improvise on the fly. By doing so they’ve captured the spirit of the live performances they’ve become known for. Each recording here starts out with warm, if somewhat loose melodies before they begin to push the boundaries. None more so than saxophonist Idris Rahman. “Djinn” begins with Leon Brichard’s simmering bass groove along side Vincent De Boer’s mystical brushes that create a mood of an ethereal passage. Rahman’s sax is warm yet powerful and full of raw emotion. “Delusions” pushes the tempo into high gear with the help of percussionist Satin Singh. Rahman’s melodic flourishes coat every composition and they are a thing of beauty. There’s a lot going on with these recordings and each member brings their own unique set of skills to the table. This is essential listening that you shouldn’t miss.