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Jazzanova – In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live [Sonar Kollektiv]
Hard to believe that “In Between”, the ground-breaking debut lp from the Berlin collective Jazzanova is twenty three years old. In a time when there were a number of potent electronic and broken beat tunes, the Jazzanova lp stood out. Now the team returns with “In Between Revisited”, a live rendition of the timeless recording. The Jazzanova band have been touring and recording for fifteen years so the time was right. The live recording breathes new life and injects a wealth of warmth into the recordings. On “No Use”, Clara Hill’s vocals are every bit as lush as they were on the original recording. Florian Manzel’s trumpet is a nice addition to “Another New Day”. Nigerian born Wayne Snow takes over the vocal chair and puts his stamp on “That Night”. The word classic gets tossed around quite a bit but this lp deserves that praise. A welcome return from the Sonar Kollektiv team.
Alexander Flood – Artifactual Rhythm [Atjazz Record Company]
Australian native Alexander Flood has been quite busy since his debut album “Heartbeat” in 2020 Flood dropped a number of singles and EPs showcasing his command of beat making and his propulsive drumming. Flood, who cites Trumpeter Christian Scott ATunde Adjuah as a mentor taps into his jazz influence while composing bruk inspired dance compositions. Surrounded by an array of top tier musicians Flood merges live instrumentation with dancehall culture with impressive results. “Life Is A Rhythm” is an infectious dance track featuring Caseaux O.S.L.O. “Can’t Get Enough” is another banger featuring Vivian Sessions. The band is filled with some of Australia’s rising stars starting with producer Lewis Moody, Finn Rees on keys and bassist Dylan Paul. Together they have captured the dancehall house inspired sound that would make a DJ blush. A potent release with a bevy of infectious grooves worthy of repeated listens.
https://alexanderflood.bandcamp.com/album/artifactual-rhythm
VA – Horse Meat Disco presents Disco Boogie from Brazil Vol.1 [Mr Bongo]
“Disco Boogie from Brazil Vol.1” is a compilation thirteen years in the making from London collective Horse Meat Disco. The four member unit consists of James Hillard, Severino Panzetta, Jim Stanton and Luke Howard. They started a residency at Eagle London in 2003. Nine years later Howard would embark on the first of many visits to Brazil, He would later receive an invitation to visit the headquarters of Mr Bongo records to listen to some rare obscure Brazilian flavoured boogie recordings. A compilation was approved only to lie in limbo due to licensing issues. Well the wait is finally over. “Harmony Cats” kicks off the comp with a funky cinematic theme and a thumping groove. “Sol De Verao” by Lafayette soars with soulful vocals, blistering brass and strings. “Rio Babilonia” is a mid tempo banger from Jorge Ben. It’s always a treat when crate diggers come across some hidden gems waiting for a second chance to be heard. This is an engaging compilation from the always reliable Mr Bongo
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/album/horse-meat-disco-presents-disco-boogie-from-brazil-vol-1
Kuna Maze – Layers [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
“Layers”, the latest full length release from DJ/Producer Edouard Gilbert aka Kuna Maze showcases a mellower tempo in contrast to his previous lp “Night Shift”. The album title speaks to his approach to composing this album. Maze’s layering of rhythms and live instrumentation captures the mood of his live performances. “Layered Memories” is a prime example. The mellow tune evokes echoes of Herbie Hancock’s early eighties fusion era. “Tangle” is another simmering tune filled with languid grooves. All eleven tracks follow this formula with superb results. Maze demonstrates that he can create jazz influenced compositions along with house and dub. The finale “Kuna’s Dub” is evidence of that. Maze’s sophomore release is every bit as impressive as his debut.
Lance Ferguson – L’ocean de toi [Pacific Theatre]
Multi-instrumentalist and Bamboos bandleader Lance Ferguson returns with “L’ocean de toi”. This is a soundtrack to a long lost 1981 French film directed by Leroi Alarie. Alarie sought out Ferguson to compose an entire new soundtrack for the film’s re-release. The result is a recording filled with dreamy sun drenched soundscapes. The title track sets the tone with warm melodic synths riding a deep bass groove. The lanquid “Dream Diary” serenades you swaying wah wah guitar rhythms and warm chords. The atmospheric textures of the soundtrack evokes images of stolen moments by the beach with your partner. It’s fitting since the movie centers around a Summer romance. Whether you see the movie or not this soundtrack is certain to provide immediate satisfaction. Ferguson captures the essence of the early eighties film with another marvelous recording.
https://pacifictheatrerecords.bandcamp.com/track/loc-an-de-toi-1
La BOA + Tony Allen – La BOA meets Tony Allen [Comet Records]
“LOA BOA Meets Tony Allen” is the brainchild of producer Daniel Michel. Michel and his band La BOA – La Bogota Orquesta Afrobeat blends Afrobeat with the rhythms of Colombia. Michel has been fusing the rhythms of the afro-colombian underground with Afrobeat for over a decade. This began as a tribute to the late great drummer Tony Allen. Inspired by a recording by Allen in 2011 for the Parisian label Comet records. Along the way, Michel’s compositions have evolved into a passing of the torch. The opening track “Ale” is a burning mid-tempo banger. The Orquesta’s horn section sparkles while Michel shines on bass and synths. “La Maquina de Tony” kicks off with hypnotic percussion. The horn section adds a wealth of warm melodies layered over a simmering beat. The time Michel spent on this recording has been time well spent. The Orquesta band is filled with superb musicians and the performances are top notch. For fans of Afrobeat you need this in your collection.
https://tonyallen.bandcamp.com/album/la-boa-meets-tony-allen
Nick Marks – Cinematic Chromatics Vol.III [Marks Brothers]
New York based artist Nick Marks returns with Volume 3 of the Cinematic Chromatics series. Born and raised in Melbourne Australia, Marks grew up in a fertile music scene. Since moving to New York in 2016, Marks has established himself as a sought after producer, composer and musical director, Volume One leans into his deep passion of film scores. The result was an impressive blend of strings and electronics. Volume two pivoted towards jazz fusion and hip hop. Volume three brings it all together. “Alpha Bete” packs a lot of funk along with soothing synths and strings. “Into The Void” is a breezy mid tempo burner featuring wordless phrasings from Arta Jekabsone. The jazz funk fusion genre is a crowded market but Marks has the chops to stand out. The six track release is one satisfying release after another.
https://nickmarks.bandcamp.com/album/cinematic-chromatics-vol-iii
Nyron Higor – Nyron Higor [Far Out Recordings]
Nyron Higor returns with his sophomore release to 2022’s “Fio de Lamina”. The sublime recording is rooted in the foundation of Northeastern Brazilian rhythms. “Louro Cantador” is a subtle bossa nova tune that will transport you to the beaches of Brazil. Higor plays drums, bass and synths on this track among others. “Sao So Palavras” is another mellow tune that features vocals from Higor along with Alici Sol and Bruno Berle. Another vocalist, Johanna, brings warmth to “Estou Pensando Em Voce”. Rubens Adati’s guitar and piano arrangements raise the track to another level. Higor along with many of his contemporaries have composed a marvellous recording that captures the essence of Brazil. In addition Higor is an emerging talent to keep on your musical radar.
Anthony Joseph – Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back (Vol. 1) [Heavenly Sweetness]
Poet Anthony Joseph has invited a few old friends for his latest release “Rowing Up The River To Get Our Names Back”. Producer David Okumu is on board for this set and sound is notable from the start. “Satellite” has a hypnotic funky groove aided by Okumu’s spacey synths along with vocals from Eska. “Tony”, an ode to the late drummer supreme Tony Allen is a spirited Afrobeat gem. The horn section adds a touch of spice lead by trumpeter Byron Wallen. “A Juba For Janet” continues the journey across the African diaspora in the form of infectious roots reggae dub plate. Joseph pulls us into a day in the life of the Afro Caribbean experience. The listener feels like an invited guest and no doubt having a grand old time. Okumu’s sonic production puts us in the right frame of mind. This release sits firmly alongside Joseph’s previous stellar recordings.
https://anthonyjosephofficial.bandcamp.com/album/rowing-up-river-to-get-our-names-back
Ronald Snijders – Penta [Night Dreamer]
Dutch-Surinamese multi-instrumentalist Ronald Snijders latest release “Penta” is his debut for Night Dreamer records. The label known for it’s direct to disc recordings. Snijders released four albums between 1977-1983. Over four decades he has over fifty releases. Snijders supporting cast are premier musicians in their own right. Drummer Yoran Vroom, bassist Jeroen Vierdag and Mike Del Ferro on keys. Together they create a thumping groove for Snijders melodic flurries to soar. The opening track “Kaseko Sisters” kicks hard with a heavy bass groove and heavenly flute harmonies. “Ode To Wayne Shorter” is a mediative tribute where Snijders is joined by Efraim Trujillo on soprano sax. Snijders is widely recognised in the Netherlands, having received the Boy Edgar prize in 2022. However his recordings have been largely obscure outside the Netherlands. Night Dreamer has reissued his earlier work. It’s worth the effort to give those recordings a proper listen. This recording is certainly worth supporting as well.