I’ve been lucky enough to have had a copy of ‘Songs Of Icons’ for over a year now and I thought it was time to write a review. The singles ‘Asokere’, ‘Oba Awon Oba’ and next up ‘Kabioye’ have been very well received with remixes from IG Culture, Afronaught, Mark De-Clive Lowe and Restless Soul. These are all ace but it’s the originals that you’ll keep going back to.
I’m not sure all 12 tracks will make it to the final release but whichever tracks see the light of day, this will be an essential purchase. Lekan has played on percussion with some of the finest musicians known to man; Roy Ayers, Pharaoh Sanders, Miles Davis and Fela Kuti. It’s no surprise ‘Songs Of Icons’ is very heavily influenced by his upbringing in Nigeria and jamming with the legends, giving us a mix of tribal rhythms with some wonderful brass solos and hooks. Highlights for me are ‘Oososi’, ‘Oya’, ‘Ide Osun’ and of course the singles mentioned above, which of course you’ll already own.
Half-way through writing this review I received notification this will be released by the end of 2005, fingers crossed.

Simon Harrison

The Marathon Men have been causing quite a stir over the last few months with their deep house workout featuring Me’shell Ndegeocello “In Paradise”. Out of the blue comes their debut on Loft’s Chillifunk records. Simbad and partner in crime Freddie McQuinn, really know how to mix up the styles with Garage, Broken, Hiphop beats and a full range of vocalists to suit the arrangements. At the start of a few of the tracks, I was little unsure of some of the vocals; but then half-way through each track it made sense. On second listen, all the parts of the puzzle were in place. Their first single “Tell Me What You Know” is very much in a Basement Jaxx affair, which will hopefully give them the attention they fully deserve.

Simon Harrison

Gerardo Frinsina is proving a very busy man at the moment, having just released the excellent Congrat single on Afro Art and now his third album "The Latin Kick" drops on Schema. This man never seems to let the tempo drop with another fine selection of dancefloor bombs over the full album. Jazz is very much the foundation here with just the right amount of fusion between Jazz, Latin and Brazilian over Frisina’s tip top beats. It’s amazing how much energy you get when listening, so be careful, we don’t want any more road-rage on the roads. A stunning follow up to his previous, already classic albums: "Ad lib" and "Hi Note".

Simon Harrison

Some time ago it was rumoured that a soundtrack was being produced by some of the hottest West London producers, which sent excitement around the music heads and message boards. Yes it’s finally here and it’s the work of none other than: Seiji, Domu, Bembe Segue, Rasiyah and Mark De Clive-Lowe. These guys bring together a mix of cinematic broken beats and nu-jazz, as well as techno and African influences. At a running total of 25 minutes you may be thinking that’s fairly short-changed until you listen to the 9 min workout of ‘Paradise Garden’ which was the reason I bought this OST in the first place. I hope the film’s as good as the music.

Simon Harrison

Breakthrough are the brain child of three up and coming Japanese producers who have set their standards high, just look at the list of vocalists for their debut: Bahamadia, Amp Fiddler, Bembe Segue, Gagle, Jneiro Jarel, Count Bass D, Maspyke and that’s just for starters. These guys are not messing about and with a whopping 21 tracks, you’re in for a real treat. Breakthrough is predominately Hiphop and Soul based with a Broken Beat tune thrown in for good measure, featuring the amazing Bembe Segue. This may cost a small fortune in Europe but it’s worth every penny. Top marks to Jazzy Sport.

Simon Harrison

Schema records have been digging in the vaults to give us some unreleased tracks and remixes for this second in the series of Freedom Jazz Dance compilations. Here you have the wonderful Nicola Conte Remix of Gerardo Frisina’s ‘Giga’s Dance’, Paolo Fedreghini and Marco Bianchi’s unreleased ‘Stars’, S-Tone Inc’s "Some Kind Of Blues" and Quintetto Lo Greco "Yes and No". Let’s hope there’s more to be unleashed from the Schema archives.

Simon Harrison

It must be more and more difficult to come up with rare and original selections for compilations, so the pressure is on for head of Perfect Toy Records: Marcus Hacker to deliver the goods. Marcus was involved with compiling the excellent Spinning Wheel and Pop Boutique compilations, so he has set his standards high. Here we have a great selection of jazz tracks that will blow any dancefloor apart covering from the 1970’s through to 2005. My favourites include: The Earthquakers “Soul Samba”, “Photograph” by Swegas, Orchester Heinz Kiessling’s “Drift” and of course the 2005 anthem “Carrousel” by Hipnosis. Marcus has done himself proud.

Simon Harrison

For those of you who have been in hiding for the last few years, Spacek have released two excellent albums ‘Eve’ and ‘Vintage Hi-Tech’. Back when ‘Eve’ was released they upset the applecart by mixing a fusion of Steve’s unique yet stunning vocals and beats that will shake your house. In 2005 it’s time for Steve, the voice behind Spacek to go solo. There has been a lot of hype about the single ‘Dollar’ and quite rightly so: It was produced by the beatmaster J. Dilla. ‘Spacek Shift’ continues in that formula as did the previous albums and still sounds as fresh as ever. This is soul music for the twenty first century and beyond.

Simon Harrison

Here is the next instalment from the ever consistent F-IRE collective and this time it’s turn of pianist Robert Mitchell who’s been on the British jazz scene for ten years. His influences include Cecil Taylor and McCoy Tyner, which shines throughout the album. What struck me on first listen was the shear quality of vocalists involved, which include Deborah Jordan, Eska, TY, Robin Mullarkey, Eugene Skeef and legend Norma Winston. When was the last time you saw such a line up? “Trust” includes poetry, wonderful lyrics and just about every style of music known to man, making me wonder what would be next. It took me a little while to get my head around a few of the tracks but for me that makes a more interesting album and keeps me going back again and again

Simon Harrison

Hajime is a very busy man. His Sleepwalker project is still causing excitement around the globe with the imminent live shows. He’s played piano on a whole host of amazing projects over the last few years and now it’s time for his new album. This is an outstanding selection with Brazilian, Latin and of course Soul influences, with the majority of tracks are for clued up dancefloors. It’s great to hear the lovely Vanessa Freeman on "Believe Again" and "Sweet Way", Jason Yarde on "Waltz For Jason" and Face on "Keep It Movin" and "Favourite Virtual Kiss" and that’s just for starters. Bear in mind the album totals 77 minutes and sixteen tracks. So far Especial Records have released a 4 track sampler on vinyl – let’s hope the rest make their way onto vinyl soon.

Simon Harrison