Category Archives: Reviews

Joining the likes of Dwele and Van Hunt in the list of genuinely talented Soul artists emerging from the manufactured mush of chart-clogging ‘R&B’ is Baltimore’s Raheem DeVaughn. This debut offering sees DeVaughn’s immense voice and refreshing song-writing ability coupled with some of the most creative, and musically sensitive producers around; including the tragically underrated Pete Kuzma. With 18 tracks, the spine-tingling Soul is bountiful, and if there was any justice, the Kenny Dope produced ‘Guess Who Loves You More’ would be a chart-cleansing hit.

Tom Breslin

Demonstrating that he is not only a superlative spoken-word artist and skilled DJ, but a gifted producer to boot, Philadelphia’s Rich Medina draws from a vast pool of influences here to deliver a work that takes us from Philly to Detroit via Nigeria and West-London. With an impressive array of guest-vocalists and musicians, and stylish, original melodies, we are treated to head-nodding Hip-Hop, mid-tempo soulful House, the finest Soul, and other boundary-defying grooves. 1xtra’s Benji B is a fan, and so should you be!

Tom Breslin

With a career spanning more than 40 years and no less than 30 albums, Pharoah Sanders has long been revered in jazz circles. Combining African and Eastern influences with the distinctive ‘shrieking’ manner in which he plays the tenor sax, he has created some of the most spiritual music to have ever been recorded. For this Anthology, Soul Brother in collaboration with Universal, draw together 18 tracks (13 on vinyl) of Pharoah’s major compositions, covering the period 1967-1996 and incorporating material from the Impulse, Theresa, Arista and Verve labels. To highlight particular tracks would be pointless since they are all worthy inclusions. My advice is to grab a copy and sample for yourself the music of a true jazz great. If I were to make one small criticism it would be that a number of the longer cuts have been edited in order to allow the maximum number of tracks to be included. Personally I would have preferred an extended 3-disc package so the full-length versions could be featured. I guess cost restrictions prevented this.

Andy Allen

Subtitled ‘Rare & Classic Soul, Funk And Jazz From Michigan 1968-1980’, this compilation showcases just a small selection of the countless records which originated from the North American state. On small independent labels with low budgets and often limited distribution, many of these records were largely overshadowed by the hit making machine of Detroit’s Motown. However, there’s no denying the talent of these artists particularly on tracks such as Dee Edwards’ outstanding soul stepper ‘(I Can) Deal With That’. In fact it’s the album’s soul cuts which really shine through for me. Try Burning Desire’s ‘Why She Had To Go’, a funky mid-pacer, the slow motion grinding groove of ‘Trust Me’ from Aged In Harmony or Wendell Harrison’s wonderful bright and breezy soul/jazz offering ‘Take Time Out’ for solid examples of what it is.

Andy Allen

Gilles’ Brownswood Basement sessions for his Worldwide shows are essential listening for any discerning music fan. With rarity guaranteed, the quality is always impeccable, as is the case with this selection of gems from the U.S. The set opens in fine style with the Al Green influenced ‘Didn’t I’ by Darondo, before passing through Jon Lucien’s ‘Search For The Inner Self’ (released as a 7” prior to his legendary RCA albums) and on to the immaculate vocal jazz dancer ‘A Perfect Day’ from Bobby Cole. As if that wasn’t enough to wet your appetite there’s Baaska & Scavelli’s mythical ‘Get Off The Ground’, ‘The Kingdom Within You’ by Ira Sullivan and J.R. Bailey’s soul sensation, ‘Just Me ‘N’ You’. Experimental folk comes in the form of Ellen McIlwaine’s version of ‘Higher Ground’ and Caroline Peyton’s ‘Just As We’. Also pay special attention to the funky jazz of ‘Circles’ by The Ensemble Al Salaam from the Strata East stable and The World Experience Orchestra’s ‘The Prayer’, an intensely beautiful piece. This is an absolute must!

Andy Allen

Tom Wieland is back again with yet another excellent selection of Hungarian Jazz and as with all previous Cosmic Sounds compilations, this is stunning. Tom has been travelling to Hungary for a number of years DJing, and, of course, on the look out for quality records, making him the perfect choice. Most of the tracks here are from the 60’s, with a number taken from the Modern Jazz Anthology series released on the Hungarian state label, which of course are well sought after now. Tom’s done all the work for you, all you have to do is support with your hard earned cash.

Simon Harrison

You are in for a treat: two releases from Cosmic sounds in the same month. This the ninth Rare Gems Series and they’ve drafted in Hungarian experts Tibor Mozsik and Gabor Valyi from the Create Soul Brothers. Volume 1 was mainly 1960’s, so this time it’s the 1970’s and funky fusion. With influences rock, African and Brazilian, it’s a mixed bag but every single track is a killer.
Once you’re got to the end of this amazing compilation you cannot believe that, like a Tom and Jerry cartoon, none of these have dated. I hope there’s more gems like this to be found in Hungarian archives.

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

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

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

Inspired by the parties held at beach bar Xiringuito in Playa Del Postiguet, Alicante, Spain, this 5 CD package features mixes from a selection of DJs who have graced it’s decks. With offerings from Biggabush, Nick Matthews, Gav Smith, Ben Mono and resident (and the man behind Fusionova021 Records) Enrique Domenech, you know this is going to be tasty. Nick Matthews’ selection features the Yam Who? remixes of Alison Crockett’s ‘UR’ and Amp Fiddler’s ‘Dreamin’ along with the brilliant ‘Nocturne’ from David Borsu and Sidewinder’s ‘The Adventure [Version #2]’. Intuit’s ‘Crianca Das Ondas’, Mojo Project’s ‘Where Is The Butterfly [Break Reform Mix]’ and Break Reform’s own ‘Medusa [Dynamic Syncopation Mix]’ turn up on Enrique’s mix. It’s the Gav Smith disc which is my favourite though, with tracks from his own Pantone label like Jazztronik’s ‘Froro’ and ‘In The Morning’ by Jafrosax feat Vikter Duplaix. There’s also the Spiritual South mixes of Paul Murphy’s ‘Jazz Room’ and ‘Veja O Sol’ from A Bossa Electrica, plus Antonio Ocasio’s ‘Blessed’. I’ve never been to Xiringuito but if this is the sort of stuff they’re playing then I think I need to pay a visit and taste a slice of paradise for myself.

Andy Allen

After a handful of 12" releases for the MAW and its subsidiary labels over the past couple of years, V finally delivers his debut album. Produced by Jazzy Jeff at his A Touch Of Jazz Studios, ‘The Revelation Is Now Televised’ is largely a down-tempo soul affair. As you would expect the production and vocals are strong throughout but for me the set lacks a standout song. The groovy ‘Confess’ and ‘Who Will I Be’ are the better cuts but unfortunately the album omits the killer ‘Confusion’ which appeared on the recent T.R.I.N.T. 4 track EP.

Andy Allen

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

‘Three Voices From The N-Side’ is the 1st album to be released by jazz poet N-Side, a.k.a. Norman A. Woods. It draws together a collection of tracks from 3 un-issued sets, ‘Love Is Playing Live In My Bay Area!’, ‘Jazz Opera’ and ‘A Softer View From The N-Side’. Why these individual albums haven’t been released is beyond me, since the standard of material presented here is brilliant. I’m currently hooked on the melodic ‘Within 5%’, a stunningly beautiful piece, ‘The Tribe (That’s Who We Are)’, a real swinger and the avant-garde ‘Vanguard Five’, but touch down anywhere on this set and you won’t be disappointed. Let’s just hope there’s more material coming from N-Side very soon.

Andy Allen

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