Category Archives: Reviews

Here we have the debut album from Tokyo’s saxophonist Kaz Katuta aka Jafrosax which is produced by Yukihiro Fukutomi and Jazztronik. First thing you should know was that Vikter Duplaix features on “In The Morning” which was released as a single in 2005, with excellent remixes from Orto aka Faze Action and Jazztronik. Also featured are quality Japanese rapper Gaggle and the wonderful Yukimi Nagano who sounds as good as ever on “Drawn 2 You” and “Wait and See”. Katuta has got the right balance between old and new here, and has even dared to re-work Underground Resistance’s classic 2Hi Tech Jazz”. Another fine selection from Pantone.

Simon Harrison

In June 2005 I:Cube played the Star Ball festival at the Planetarium de la Villette in Paris and here is your chance to hear a 55 minute snippet of the I:Cube Playmobil spaceship to enjoy in your own living room. This performance is a mix up of Electronica, Ambient, Dub, Deep House and beautifully structured in such a way that you need to listen to the whole album from start to finish for it to make perfect sense. If you dip and skip you will miss the point and ambiance of this album, so take time out and listen properly.

Simon Harrison

Fedreghini & Bianchi released ‘Several People’ to great acclaim in 2005 and they’ve now revisited the album to create ‘Several Additional Waves’ with new reworks rather than remixes. From the original recording only the vocals have been maintained and everything else has been re-programmed and played again, giving the tracks a more electronic feel. Some of the purists may prefer the original but for me it highlights their talent and proves they are in tune with modern clubs and classic compositions. Go on, buy both versions.

Simon Harrison

I’m certain all the house heads out there have been playing this since it was released in 2004, but it’s one I completely missed and thankfully R2 have given us a second chance to check out this excellent album. With predominantly house based tunes, these tracks are the best you can buy. Lead singer is of course Christian Urich from Cooly’s Hot Box, who sounds as good as ever. Even though most tracks are for clubland, they mix Disco, Jazz and Soul elements which will even appeal to the true Soul boys. This is without doubt the best way to be introduced to Tortured Soul.

Simon Harrison

Originating from Australia, The Bamboo’s have been rocking dancefloors ever since their self-funded 7". They were then signed to Kay-Dee Records, and Tru Thoughts recognised the talent and signed their debut. The sound is not a million miles away from Quantic Soul Orchestra, and on guest vocals is the wonderful Alice Russell on the single ‘Step It Up’ and also on the fantastic funk-fuelled version of Afronaught’s Broken Beat anthem ‘Transcend Me’. Also featured are updated versions of the Kay-Dee releases, so don’t think you’re being fiddled if you already have the singles. Even though Tru Thoughts are currently firing out albums, every single release is of the highest quality.

Simon Harrison

This is George’s fifth studio album and 4 years since the release of the last N.O.W. long player ‘Mind Elevation’. Respect goes out to the fact that George Evelyn is the longest serving artist on the legendary Warp Records label and is about to drop some tunes on his very own label ‘Wax On Records’.
‘In A Space Outta Sound’ is exactly what you’d expect from a Nightmares On Wax album. Massively chilled, full of soulful beats and teasing with the odd vocal here and there. Those expecting something different from the usual N.O.W. stuff will not find it on this album. But don’t get me wrong, the sound George creates, he creates very well and the beats on this album do sound fresh and are definitely aimed at the more laid back situation if you know what I mean.
Nightmares On Wax fans will dig the album for sure and it’ll be good to hear these new tunes performed live where I feel you’ll be given a new dimension to the sound. It’s no ‘Smokers Delight’ but that was an album of it’s time. ‘In A Space’ Is less sparse with more a groove, great production and a overall quality vibe. A solid soulful number 5 for N.O.W.

Jax

Although the CD was released a few months ago the beautifully packaged vinyl version has only just surfaced. If you’ve already got the 3 10” releases then you’ll have most of the tracks here. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the rest of the album is made up of fillers though. Far from it, in fact we’re treated to another 2 tracks featuring the vocal talents of Mark Murphy, ‘This Could Be The Start Of Something’ and ‘Jamming (With Mr Hoagland)’ a great spoken word outing. Also take a listen to ‘Case Study’ with Okou and ‘Unsquare Bossa’, a Hammond organ led dancer. This is an outstanding album by a truly outstanding band. Be quick though as the vinyl edition is in seriously limited supply.

Andy Allen

Idea 6 are a sextet consisting of old timers (no disrespect intended) Gianni Basso and Dino Piana on sax and trombone respectively along with younger cats Guido Pistocchi on trumpet, Luciano Milanese on double bass, Stefano Bagnoli on drums and Andrea Pozza on piano. ‘Metropoli’ is a modern Italian jazz album rooted in the 50s and 60s modal and bop style and across 6 tracks they display their talents to great effect. ‘Windly Coast’ just edges it for me at the moment but this is excellent throughout. An album for life, not just for Christmas!

Andy Allen

Next project from the Premier Cru stable has more of a commercial feel than previous projects. That is not a bad thing; I just get the idea that if given enough airplay this will easily make it into the charts and on every radio station. There’s the immediate radio anthem ‘Fast Life’ and ‘Snapshots’. Personally my favourites are the soulful ‘Superhero’, "Consequences and ‘Heroin’. For good measure they’ve brought in guests Amp Fiddler and old skool rapper and film star ‘Queen Latifa’. If you’re still not convinced, check out the beautifully packaged gatefold double vinyl.

Simon Harrison

People are finally starting to wake up to Altered Vibes after an excellent selection of releases in 2005. Kicking off 2006 with the debut from Gum Drop proves the perfect way to start the year. Gum Drop is produced by Rob Mac whose previous alias’s include Jumbonics, Speeka and course writer for Straight No Chaser and as you’d expected from a man of with such eclectic taste, there is a mixed bag of styles, beats and grooves. Vocalist Randolph Matthews is yet another name you need to watch out for in 2006, with a number of projects and his debut dropping later in the year. Here he features on three tracks "Coming Up For Air", "(Keeps On) Burning" and "Sinking Feeling". Other guests include Hiphop and P-Funk vocalist Jason Todd, the unknown-to-me-until-now Zena Edwards, and on strings Lucy Wilkins who of course worked with 4 Hero and Massive Attack. Another essential release.

Simon Harrison

Orgatronics is the debut album from producers Sam Bell and Rich Arthurs, who’ve made quite a name for themselves on the Latin Jazz scene with bands such as The New Mastersounds and Saudade. Here they mix electronica with Latin and Flamenco instrumentals to create some really classy and catchy numbers. There is definitely some Zero 7 and Air influences mixed in the pot, which is certainly no bad thing.

Simon Harrison

When is comes to compilations BBE are at the top of their game. Pete Adarkwah is of course back at the controls and digging out even more Soul, Funk and Jazz in a similar vain to the previous three volumes as compiled by Pete and Kenny Dope. Here are 15 wonderful sought after tracks, which have been sampled by a numerous Hip Hop and R&B artists. Highlights for me are Barbara Mason ‘Give Me Your Love’, Bill Conti ‘Reflections’, American Gypsy ‘Inside Out’, Jay Dee ‘Strange Funky Games and Things’ and that’s just for starters.

Simon Harrison

What strikes you first about “Better Luck Next Time” is the attention to detail in the press release and packaging; this is top quality. Doctor L has been a very busy man over the years working with the likes of Tony Allen, James Blood Ulmer and Nicolas Baby (Kaktus Hunters). This time he teams up with French vocalist Dom Farkas under his new Broken alias. Mixing up the deepest house grooves with soul, jazz and, yes, rock, is a bit of a shock at first but just like when you first heard Mos Def’s “Rock N Roll” it works a treat.

Keep your eyes peeled for the 12” with four more tasty tunes.

Simon Harrison

It’s been quite some time since we heard from Bukky Leo, so top marks to Mr Bongo for getting him back in the studio. Having worked with a number of the greats- Tony Allen and of course Fela- he has also been flying the flag for the British jazz scene for a number of years. Ben Mitchell has been brought in to produce and has given Afro Funk a more dancefloor feel but still keeping an old skool feel to all the tracks. Mixing Afro beat and electronic beats exactly how it should sound.

Simon Harrison

Those in the know may have checked out Corbett’s “Corbenova” album that was released in 2003 but I have to admit he was unknown to me until Woodland released the excellent three track EP at the end of 2004. All three tracks from the EP are featured here and still sound as good as ever. The rest of the album is a real mix of Nu-Jazz, where Corbett plays flugelhorn and trumpet, over some beautiful breaks and beats. Not only that but also featured are the lovely vocals of Lizzy Parks, a name you really need to watch out for in 2006.

Simon Harrison