Steve Reid is the legendary drummer who has played with all the big names over his some 40 year career. I could be all day listing artists, so I’ll let you do the search through history. Over the last few years Soul Jazz Records have reissued Reid’s excellent albums ‘Nova’ and ‘Rhythmatism’. Kieran Hebden aka Fourtet hooked up with Reid for some heavyweight live shows and then embarked on two new projects with him. The first was the Steve Reid Ensemble’s ‘Spirit Walk’ which was released again on Soul Jazz in 2005 and has already been reviewed here by Andy Allen. The second is the Exchange Sessions, which mixes experimental electronics within Reid’s musical heritage. Volume One is only made up of three tracks: the first track is around seven minutes and the other two are around fifteen minutes each, and the latter two give them chance to spread their wings a little. As with all of Four Tet’s previous work, give it time and all will become clear. Volume 2 will be released later in 2006.

Simon Harrison

Here is the launch of Leeds’ first Hip-hop compilation which brings local, up and coming artists in a bid to bring them to the masses. As I have lived in Leeds for over fourteen years, it is great to see such a positive project finally coming to fruition and there is some real quality here. Listening to lyrics that are relevant to the city where I live and hearing their point of view is great. Established artists like Breaking The Illusion and Junkyard Tactics feature but many of the other artists are in the same league with good productions and lyrics. I hope people learn from this project and start digging for other artists and musical styles in their own city, because there’s always quality music to be found. Roll on Volume 2.

Simon Harrison

How times fly when you’re having fun: It’s amazingly only been one year since Jonathan Radford Diesler dropped his debut "Diggin It Somethin Rotten", which I can assure you has been a big favourite around these parts. I’ve been hammering the new single "Charmed" and was really looking forward to hearing where Jonathan was going to take us this time. There are some joints that continue from where "Diggin" left us, with those dirty funk bassline instrumentals and horns stabs, which we know and love. The main change is the excellent vocalists that include: Laura Vane, Double Yellow and Joseph Malik. All compliment the productions perfectly, and if you like "Charmed", you’re in for a treat because there are more vocals hooks and lyrics that will be running around in your head for weeks.

Simon Harrison

Ten years ago I was working in a local record shop, and I remember the first release on Chilli Funk, DSL’s ‘Enfusion’, arriving in a box of new releases, and I’ve been a fan ever since. With an extensive back catalogue, Lofty, the man behind Chilli Funk and selector of this compilation, has wisely chosen to spread the selection over two cds. If you’ve missed any of their back catalogue, this is the perfect opportunity to do some catching up. All the heavy weights are here: Nathan Haines, Eastwest Connection, Restless Soul, Marathon Men, Vanessa Freeman and Jody Watley, with remixes by the likes of Kenny Dope, Ashley Beedle, Blaze and DJ Gregory. A limited four track 12′ will also appear and as if that’s not enough, there is a bonus cd mixed by Notenshun. Phew, Chillifunk don’t do things in halves.

Simon Harrison

Most of you will remember Cecilia from Koop’s excellent "Baby" and "Waltz for Koop" but judging by this album, those two tracks are only the tip of the iceberg. Cecilia is based in Stockholm but has also lived in New York and in both cities she has quickly become a regular at the legendary jazzclubs. Here is proof yet again that Scandinavians are leading the way with 21st century jazz. With a total of nine tracks this is a wonderful journey through the acoustic jazz productions and Celcillia’s expressive vocals and lyrics. "Straight It Up" has been compared to some of the true greats of our scene and I cannot disagree. In fact it is so good that it would not look out of place on the excellent Ricky Tick Records, and fans should take note.

Simon Harrison

Here is a producer and DJ who’s been on the scene for many years pushing quality music in his city of Liege in Belgium. Counterpoint recognised such a great talent and wisely snapped up David’s debut. ‘Insight’ builds over the 70mins, as a DJ should build up a crowd, starting off with some Jazzy cuts, through mid tempo workouts, to house anthems ‘Move’ and ‘Hustle The Funk’. For the last 6 months I’ve been hammering to death the Broken Beat anthem ‘Mannequin Mankind’. Watching people dance to this mental track with devastating beats and basslines is pure entertainment. The ace Mark De Clive-Low remix of ‘Move’ is included if you missed out on the recent single but make sure you don’t miss out on this.

Simon Harrison

In May 2005 a Social Beats twelve track sampler dropped on my doorstep and featured three tracks by the unknown to me Jazzinvaders. The main track "Up & Out" became a firm favourite and was in my record box for the rest of the year. Producer/percussionist Phil Martin is the force behind the Jazzinvaders with contributions from two members of the Dutch jazz band The Houdini’s: Rolf Delfos on horns and saxophone and Erwin Hoorweg on piano. It initially started off as a jam session and eventually turned into a cracking album, combining latin and afro beats with some moustache tingling basslines that will keep any dancefloor happy. Lovely vocals are by Danish jazz vocalist Mette Burild and Dutch vocalist Linda Bloemhard, to round off a quality album.

Simon Harrison

Since the release of Eddie’s excellent Roughneck album back in 2004 he’s been on the road with both The New Mastersounds and his Roughneck project, doing what he does best and packing out clubs all over Europe. Now is your chance to take the vibe of the live show which was recorded at Le Triptyque, Paris in October 2005 and enjoy it at your leisure. I’m unsure of the full line-up of the band but as always with Eddie’s projects they come into their own at a live gig, and if you’ve not checked out the live show, shame on you. Eddie’s second instalment of Roughneck should be out later this year: can’t wait.

Simon Harrison

Uprock Recordings started back in 2000 with the merging of some serious heads. One of the seven original members is Steve Austin and here is his latest album. He has worked with some of the big names in hip hop, the broken beat scene, and is a regular MC and DJ at CO-OP, which has certainly given him a wealth of knowledge and experience. Steve has gone back to his roots and turned out an album which displays UK hiphop at its best. Even though there are some obvious samples used, especially in ‘Rapper Have No Style’, they are worked to perfection with Steve’s lyrics, timing and production. Fans of Roots Manuva and TY need this.
 

Simon Harrison

Munich’s DJ Force aka David Muallem delivers his debut album for Compost Records ,and in true tradition it’s another album you need in your collection, mixing tempos and styles of new and old, somewhere between Hip Hop and House. The soundtrack provides old skool B-Boy rhythms and electronic dancefloor bombs that will appeal to the kids, especially with those 80’s style synthesizers. David has got his ideas set high because he also brought in some heavy-weight vocalists, including Martine Girault, Shawn Lee, Audrey, Lyrics Born, Wordsworth and Beans. With each one he’s not gone for the same old sound expected from the specific vocalist; instead he’s pushing things forward and trying out new ideas to great effect. Compost’s on a winner here.

Simon Harrison