Category Archives: Reviews

Manchester based Tenor Saxophonist Nat Birchall has carved out an impressive resume of spiritual jazz recordings, specifically on Matthew Halsall’s Gondwana label. On “Sound Almighty” he teams up with Al Breadwinner & the Breadwinners, a reggae group also based in Manchester. Birchall’s fluid horn floats seamlessly across the Breadwinners rhythm section that features Vin Gordon on Trombone, David Fullwood on Trumpet and Stally on Baritone sax. Founder Al Breadwinner’s guitar rhythms and percussion bring it all together. The ten track disc flows with meditative traditional reggae dub rhythms. Among the highlights are “Ancient Wisdom” and “Freedom Skank”. “Amiak Dub” is hypnotic dub at it’s best. An impressive collaboration that’s worthy of repeated listens.

Jazzanova: The Pool [Sonar Kollektiv]

There are a select number of groups that can remain relevant despite not releasing an album within the last decade but Jazzanova is one of the exceptions to that rule. Team members Alex Barck, Claas Brieler, Axel Reinemer, Jorgen Von Knoblauch and Stefan Leisering have anything but idle as they’ve been working on various projects. Their growth as musicians are evident on this release. “The Pool” embarks on a myriad of musical styles with assistance from an impressive group of friends old and new. One of those new friends is rapper Oddisee who kicks off the disc with the brooding albeit painfully short hip hop gem “Now”. “Follow Your Feel” is an upbeat soulful tune featuring Pete Josef on vocals. “Sincere” is filled with minimalist synth grooves and features up and coming vocalist Noah Slee. Jamie Cullum’s uplifting vocals will pluck your heart strings on the haunting ballad “Let’s Live Well”. There’s much more here to savor and that’s no surprise. A Jazzanova album has never disappointed and this one is no exception.

Soothsayers: Tradition [Wah Wah 45s]

The South London Afro Dub collective Soothsayers have been enlightening listeners about social issues through stimulating dub rhythms for two decades. “Tradition” is their first full length release for Wah Wah 45s and it’s filled with thought provoking messages layered over a thumping sounds system. “Sleepwalking” is inspired by Fela Kuti so having Dele Sosimi on vocals makes perfect sense. “Take Me High” is filled with hypnotic guitar rhythms and features the falsetto of Cornell Campbell. “Natural Mystic” starts out with a warm flute solo followed by hypnotic horns and percussion that will take you on a journey to the Motherland. Overall an engaging record loaded with strong instrumentation and good vibrations.

Children Of Zeus: Travel Light [First Word]

Tyler Daley and Konny Kon, better known as Children Of Zeus have been in the game for two decades. Daley appeared under the moniker Hoodman and Kon appearing in a number of groups as a DJ, beatmaker and MC. They first met in 2005 and soon after released three critically acclaimed singles and an EP on First Word records. Their impressive full length debut features an array of talented artists emerging from the burgeoning soul scene in Manchester. “Travel Light” is drenched in laidback rhodes driven hip hop soul and the results are deeply satisfying. Daley’s smooth tenor vocals are a complement to Kon’s hard hitting rhymnes. On “The Story So Far” Konny and Mc Mstr1 trade bars over a soulful hip hop inspired neck snapping drum beat. “The Heart Beat” is mellowed out 70s soul well suited for Daley’s vocals and Kon’s poignant verses. Up and coming vocalist LayFullStop lays down blissful vocals on “Fear Of A Flat Planet” and “Hard Work” is dub style lovers rock. Each of these thirteen tracks pack a punch and will be worthy of repeated listens. This is a very strong debut and certainly of the best lps of the year.

Web Web: Dance Of The Demons [Compost]

The quartet from Munich follow up their sparkling debut “Orqcle” with another winner. “Dance Of The Demons” incorporates spiritual and vintage Ethopian jazz rhythms highlighted by Moroccan based singer Majid Bekkas. Bekkas, one of the premiere voices of Gnawa-Music makes his presence felt throughout the disc. “Agowu” is a fiery tune that showcases Bekkas and is driven by pianist Roberto Di Gioia’s sweeping solos. “Sandia” explodes with rumbling percussion from Di Gioia and intense drumming from Peter Gall. Bekkas also introduces the Gembri, similar to an upright bass on “Marcoc Blues”. Tony Lakatos’s tenor is a warm presence but his soprano is especially pleasing on the title track. This quartet can not only swing hard but they display the ability to back up a singer as moving as Bekkas. This disc is filled with adventurous tracks and prolific performances and is simply a delightful listen. You need this in your collection.

Time Grove: Time Grove Roots [Wah Wah 45s]

Time Grove Roots is the brainchild of Pianist Nitai Hershkovits and beatmaker/producer Rejoicer. Joined by an array of equally talented musicians, they’ve created an amalgation of atmospheric soundscapes wrapped in jazz, funk, and other musical styles. Among the highlights are “The Navigator”, where drummer Sol Monk lays down a studdering hypnotic beat for vocalist Shuzin. Guest vocalist Georgia Anne Muldrow sounds right at home on the haunting piano driven “Sattelite Dish”. “The Chase After Tomorrow” is a down-tempo tune filled with frenzied beats by Bemet aka Rejoicer and Hod Moshonov plus vocalist KerenDun. “My Turn” is a dreamy composition from Hershkovits filled with adventurous soloing from dynamic guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. This is an engaging release that’s filled with pleasant surprises and comes together beautifully. Definitely worth checking out.

Tenderlonious: The Shakedown [22a ]

After a slew of impressive EPs, Ed Cawthorne aka Tenderlonious drops a proper full length album. “The Shakedown” features his current band the 22a Orchestra, a collective of like minded musicians who know how to groove. The album was recorded in one session and the vibe is laid back 70s jazz and soul styles. “Expansion”, a chilled out fender rhodes driven tunes filled with spirited drumming from Yussef Dayes and Reginald Omas on percussion. Cawthorne’s flute soloing dances over the beat and figures prominently throughout this session. “Yussef’s Groove” highlights Dayes prowess in driving the rhythm. “SV Disco” is a nod to Detroit hip-hop group Slum Village. The track is laced with an infectious bass groove courtesy of Fergus Ireland and tasty keys from Hamish Balfour. Tenderlonious had already made a name for himself for dropping infectious beats and heavy grooves. He’s steadily evolving into a formidable jazz musician as well.

Kamasi Washington: Heaven and Earth [Young Turks]

With “Heaven and Earth” Kamasi Washington picks up where “The Epic” left off. Like “The Epic” this is a triple lp filled with orchestral arrangements, a angelic choir and an array of talented musicians from his hometown of Los Angeles. The title reflects Kamasi’s view into the world and it’s potential vs it’s struggle. “Fists of Fury” is transformed from a Bruce Lee soundtrack to an anthem for justice that features Dwight Trible among others on vocals. “Hub Tones” is a blistering cover of a Freddie Hubbard original that features Chris Gray on trumpet. There’s plenty of notable Kamasi compositions as well. “Vi Lua Vi Sol” is a soft melodic tune that features Branden Coleman on keys and the vocoder. Trombonist Ryan Porter applies warm solos as well. “One Of One” is another fiery tune that brings it all together. A climatic arrangement supported by the choir, a strong rhythm section and blistering horns from Washington and Gray. Simply another superb release from a rising star who shows no signs of slowing down

DJ Simon S: Music 4 Alternative Souls [Futuristica]

DJ/Producer Simon S has been at the helm of Futuristica for well over a decade. Few labels have consistently released as much high quality downtempo grooves and jazz infused soulful hip hop during this period. The aptly titled “Music 4 Alternative Souls” is filled with dreamy tracks and thought provoking hip hop that sink into your body and warm your soul. “Looking” is sublime downtempo soul by vocalist J.Mcfysian. Newcomer Georgie Sweet’s tender vocals are a delight on the blissful “Half Human”. Rapper Jack Jones spits poignant verses on the gritty “Slick”. There’s some notable remixes as well. K15 reworks “For You” into a lush house stomper and Mecca 83’s layered beats on “Beautiful” are also a highlight. This superb release is just a snapshot of the notable contributions from the Futuristica family. Press play, lean back and enjoy.

The Lewis Express: The Lewis Express [ATA Records]

Based in Leeds, The Lewis Express pays tribute to the sixties soul jazz trio Young Holt that also featured famed pianist Ramsey Lewis. With recurring members from the ATA label they revisit a time where jazz and RnB lived side by side. “Love Can Turn A Man” is a slow burning piano driven tune featuring pianist George Cooper. “Cancao De Momento” is an upbeat funky Latin tune with a stirring piano intro followed up with spirited percussion from Pete Williams. “Brother Move On” is a classic soul jazz tune that features funky horn arrangements to complement the double bass work of Neil Innes. This is another strong release from the emerging ATA label that will get a warm reception from funk and soul enthusiasts.