Reviews – Page 12 – Basic Soul

Kuna Maze – Night Shift [Tru Thoughts Recordings]

June 6, 2023

“Night Shift”, the debut album from Brussels based producer Kuna Maze captures the essence of night clubbing. The thirteen track disc is busting loose with infectious broken beat and jazz infused funk grooves. Maze picks up where his last project with Nikitch, “Back and Forth” left off. Both releases merge electronica alongside live instrumentation that exude warm vibes. “Broken Light” pops with tasty synths and wicked bass riffs. “Don’t Drop Dead” is another burner filled with spacey synths and soft drums. “On The Way” displays a jazzier side. The tempo downshifts a bit but the energy remains the same. Maze has demonstrated that he can manipulate space and create atmospheric soundscapes that will heighthen your mood. Whether you’re clubbing or simply want to nod your head to good grooves, you need this.

https://kunamaze.bandcamp.com/album/night-shift

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El Michaels Affair & Black Thought – Glorious Game [Big Crown Records]

May 16, 2023

Ever since El Michaels Affair, led by Lee michaels dropped their first lp back in 2005, they have put their stamp on creating cinematic seventies soul music. “Glorious Game”, the latest project finds him partnering with the iconic rapper Black Thought from The Roots. The twelve track disc kicks off with the brooding boom bap heater “Grateful”, where Black Thought pays tribute to the people that came before him. The following tracks ease into stripped down soul that could easily fit into the Stax catalog. “Hollow Way” begins with a slow burn layered with haunting soundscapes while the tempo steadily cranks up. Black Thought the story teller paints a picture of a man navigating through the obstacles of street life. Michaels seamlessly arranges tasty samples with live instrumentation. Simply said this is straight no chaser hip hop at it’s best. Each track serves as a chapter in Black Thought’s life as he serves as the consummate narrator.

https://elmichelsaffair.bandcamp.com/album/glorious-game

Reg Dancy

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Jsphynx – Reflex [Sekito Records]

April 16, 2023

Johnny Woodham, aka Jsphynx is a talented trumpeter and composer. He’s cut his teeth playing alongside premiere musicians such as Ashley Henry, Jordan Rakei, Barney Artist among others. During lockdown Woodham started laying down the ground work for this album and also looped in some of his friends. Bassist Rudi Creswick and dynamic drummer Richard Spaven are at the center of London’s vibrant jazz scene. Released on Sekito, the label started by Pianist/producer Alfa Mist “Reflex” blends a touch of jazz and broken beats resulting in an engaging session highlighted by superb performances. The title tracks gets the disc to a rousing start. Spaven’s pulsating drumming sets the tone for Woodham’s melodic flourishes. “King Cobra” is another burner ignited by Alfa Mist on keys and hard driving frenetic pace courtesy of Spaven. The palette of Woodham along with trombonist Liam Shorthall and Michael Underwood on sax merge and create a variety of harmonic ecstasy. “Reflex” showcases an array of London’s up and coming musicians. Based on this release it would be wise to keep an eye out for upcoming releases from t
his label.

https://jsphynx.bandcamp.com/album/reflex

Reg Dancy

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Kai Meara – Statik [XVI Records]

April 15, 2023

London based beatmaker Kai Meara’s latest project “Statik” hits you like a warm Summer breeze. The twelve track disc starts and ends with warm and mellow beats and hypnotic chords. Like all good beat tapes it instantly puts you constant head nod mode and you willingly go along for the ride. The disc begins with “Self is Gone”, a hazy jazz infused mellow soul burner. “Madbass” seduces you with sizzling fender rhodes and wicked basslines. Maxing out at around twenty minutes, each track hits the mark and sets the mood while quickly moving onto the next track. Meara’s previous releases all have mellow textures but “Statik” packs more soulful grooves. All of them are a pleasant listen and this one is no exception.

https://kaimeara.bandcamp.com/album/statik

Reg Dancy

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Sunbörn – Sunbörn [Tramp Records]

March 28, 2023

The Danish band formerly known as KutiMangoes returns as Sunborn. Their eight track release is a vibrant collection of West African influences and brassy afro-beat rhythms. The opening track “Dancing In The Dusk” is an exhilarating display of swirling horn arrangements and percussion certain to put you in full blown toe tap mode. Along with fiery tunes there’s an equal amount of simering mellow burners as well. “Reach” kicks off with tasty melodic guitar intro that takes center stage. “Echoes” is a meditative tune driven by warm trombone harmonics. Their name may have changed but their sound has only gotten better with time. A terrific album certainly worth checking out.

https://tramprecords.bandcamp.com/album/sunb-rn

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Gabriel Da Rosa – É o que a casa oferece [Stones Throw Records]

March 16, 2023

Vocalist Gabriel Da Rosa grew up in Cruz Alta, Rio Grande do Sul Brazil listening to a variety of music that eventually would serve his quest for a music career. A quest that came to life when he moved to Los Angeles. He would find a like minded lover of Brazilian music in Stones Throw founder Peanut Butter Wolf. Da Rosa’s full length debut “E o que a casa oferece” is blissful bossa nova highlighted by Da Rosa’s tender vocals and acoustic guitar. The opening track “Bandida” sets the mood for a collection of sublime bossa. “Jasmin Parte 1” is a mellow tune riped with warm keyboard and flute melodies. “So You Can See Me” is a moving ballad swaying over a feathery percussion. Da Rosa’s debut will put you in touch with nature and will transport you to Rio. A blissful bossa recording that will warm your heart.

https://gabrieldarosa.bandcamp.com/album/o-que-a-casa-oferece

Reg Dancy

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Tea White – Between Planets [Stay True Sounds]

March 5, 2023

South African label Stay True Sounds continues to launch an array of talented artists from South Africa. The latest is electronic Producer Tea White. With “Between Planets” White demonstrates a flair for atmospheric house tracks filled with sonic arrangements. The opener, “Anemoiapolis” is a moody mediatative tune that transports you into White’s planetary vision. “Astro Retro” veers towards traditional house with a deliberate hypnotic rhythm and pulsating beats. A promising release from a up and coming producer who has caught the attention of premier DJs worldwide.

https://staytruesounds.bandcamp.com/album/between-planets

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Kevin Reynolds – A Certain Circumstance [Yoruba Records]

February 25, 2023

Kevin Reynolds had the fortune of growing up in the musical oasis of Detroit where he absorbed a variety of sounds. As a kid he loved hip-hop but the trajectory of his life was changed when he attended his first underground electronic party. From there he has ascended to becoming a premiere producer of soulful elctronic music. Reynolds full length debut, “A Certain Circumstance” is evidence of that. Released on Yoruba records, the thirteen track lp is awash with deep house grooves and atmospheric mid tempo gems. The opener, “Abandoned” emobodies the yoruba sound with infectious percussion rhythms and warm keys. “Para Ti” is another floor burner that features fellow Detoit native Paul Randolph. Yoruba records has been delivering potent recordings for some time now. Reynolds release is no exception.

https://www.facebook.com/kevinreynoldsdetroitmusic/

Reg Dancy

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