Time is the 4th studio album for soul poet Anthony Joseph. Produced by Meshell Ndegeocello and backed by a new band, this new project sees Anthony making a shift from the Afro-funk sound he was creating with his Spasm Band. The sound is still soulful and jazzy but takes more of a back seat in supporting the poetry and is particularly effective on the low slung space funk of Hustle To Live which has a killer popping bass line, the ambient Shine and Joy, a tasty slab of Jazz-Funk.

Andy Allen

Long before "Rap Album One", Jon Wayne showcased his skills as a producer with the instrumental album "Bowser" as well his three "Cassette" mixtape series. So it’s no surprise to find him successfully performing dual roles on his Stones Throw debut. JonWayne’s dark yet introspective lyrics serves as an open book that reveals a man with a plan who has little time for playing the fake thug role. This is evident on the track like"Find Me In The Future". where he states "You won’t find me doing those silly dances with the proverbial gun to my face. This ain’t Kansas!". On "You Can Love Me When I’m Dead" he displays his lyrical skills and art of story telling over a chilling chopped up piano sample. Other highlights include "Black Magic" and "The Come Up". "Rap Album One" succeeds due to JonWayne’s ability to wax poetic on his story as opposed to rehashing tired cliches. For hip-hop heads who can appreciate lyrical skills and tight production, he’s certainly worth checking out.

Reg Dancy

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Bastard Jazz delivers a second installment of Tempo Dreams, this time enlisting the talents of Bay area funkateers DJ/Producer Teeko and B. Bravo. Together they create an lp filled with electro-funk jams reminiscent of the eighties funk revolution. Highlights include  Don’t Stop", a wicked bass heavy tune with spacey synths. "Come Too Far" eases along with a laid back groove and features the deep bass vocals of Black Spade. "Back To The Mitten" is another funky gem with sweet synths augmented by Tony Ozier holding down the vocals. Teeko’s production is solid throughout and the vocal arrangements are on point. There’s a new generation of funk enthusiasts on the scene delivering the funk and Teeko and B. Bravo are two of many newcomers doing their part to push it along. Much to our delight.

Reg Dancy

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Funk, Brass and Groove are just a few ways to describe the sound of the Hackney Colliery Band but their sound doesn’t end there. They have managed to combine elements of Punk, Afro-beat  and Hip-Hop into their sound with a high degree of success. Ever since they emerged in 2008 their brand of Brass has fused the aforementioned sounds into the London underground music aesthetic. Their latest release, "Common Decency" was recorded live and takes another step forward in their evolving sound. Among the highlights is "Creeping Around After Dark", a tune with a nod to Afro-beat rhythms and swinging horns. "Dead Dialogue" features plenty more funky horns as well as Luke Christie’s spirited work on High Hat and Cymbals. Other treats include "Is Your Love Big Enough?", "Superhero Disco" and the crowd favorite "Prodigy Medley". All in all this is an entertaining and energetic record that will provide definite satisfaction. There’s a surge of Brass Bands emerging all over the globe. With HCB’s British blend of Brass with a touch of Balkan flavor they’re certain to stand out amongst the pack.

Reg Dancy

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Glasgow native Ray Harris has been fusing Latin grooves with Disco rhythms for a minute now. His new release "The Transitions" follows up the huge success of the Latin Dance hit "Scaramunga" and features a new set of tasty tunes to savor. Among the highlights is "Deep Down Inside", an infectious Disco tune with a catchy hook and blissful vocal arrangements. "Time Of Night" is a Latin dance track filled with live percussion and Harris applying tasty keyboard riffs. "Lose And Find Yourself" is an another winner that starts out as a down-tempo instrumental with Harris providing jazzy synths and closes with warm melodic vocal harmonies. Although only eight tracks, "The Transitions" lush arrangements and engaging rhythms solidifies him as one of the premier Latin dance producers on the scene today.

Reg Dancy

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Bruno "Patchworks" Hovart has built quite a diverse resume over the years. He  has collaborated to projects like Mr President, The Dynamics and many more. He returns under the title of Patchworks Galactic Project. With his latest release entitled "Space" he has composed a collection of spaced out boogie tunes with a nod towards seventies Disco soul as well. Patchwork’s fascination with the outer limits is apparent from the outset with the opening track "Cosmic Tripping", a slow burning soul tune with spacey synths. "Cruising Through Space" is a soulful Disco tune with sweet string arrangements. "Dancing Among The Stars" is atmospheric space funk. Patchworks succeeds in transporting the listener into his musical galaxy. With these polished arrangements it’s a trip worth repeated visits.

Reg Dancy

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Bassist Ross McHenry may be familiar to some from his work as a member of the Shaolin Afronauts. As a result he has been on the radar for some time now so it’s great to experience his debut entitled "Distant Oceans" for First Word Records. McHenry shows that he isn’t messing around by enlisting an impressive roster of musicians. Keyboardist Mark De Clive Lowe needs no introduction and Drummer Myele Manzanza’s career has soared since emerging with Electric Wire Hustle. Ross has wrote all but one track here and has served up a fusion of rhythmic spacey experimental jazz. His compositions provide a perfect canvas for Adam Page’s Tenor Sax and flute phrasings, not to mention Luca Spiler hearty Trombone riffs. Manzanza’s drumming sets the foundation for everyone to improvise and they do so in grand fashion. There are many highlights to savor but let’s start with "Intercosmos". Page and Spiler combine for a soaring ethereal intro that eases intro Ross’s laid back bass groove. On "Griffith Park" Ross’s rhythmic bass licks complement Page’s hearty solos. "Malmsbury Shale" and "Prayers" are spirited excursions into celestial territory, particularly on the latter. MDCL sprinkles in some tasty Rhodes alongside the explosive horn section of Page, Spiler and Jon Hunt on Bass Clarinet. Normally you would be concerned that a lineup this impressive would give in to excessive soloing but this group sticks to the script by playing their roles well and taking these compositions to another level. This is simply a superb record that certainly merits your attention. Here’s hoping this is the first of many releases from Mr McHenry.

Reg Dancy

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The aptly titled "Orquesta Bossa" by Trumpeter Jukka Eskola is a soothing atmospheric bossa with strings. Recorded live on a 8-track recorder, Eskola captures the essence of sixties bossa effortlessly. Highlights include the uplifting "Bolly Beat". "Chester-Le-Street" is a funky string laden Bossa  that ends with beautiful vamp. "And The Days Passed By" is one of many gentle recordings that demonstrate Eskola’s gift of creating adoring melodies. "Wien" is the only vocal recording here and it features the beautiful vocals of Chihiro. This is an intimate recording filled with strong performances from the string quartet as well as Eskola’s Quintet. For his part Eskola handles his solos with warmth and tenderness and the result is an engaging record worthy of repeated listens.

Reg Dancy

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"Reunion" the new release from Alex Barck is a triumphant return after a break from the music scene. Indeed "Reunion" is filled with an assortment of uplifting dance tracks filled with Soul, Pop and African rhythms. It’s obvious that the hiatus was good to Barck for the superb writing and arrangements is only surpassed by the spirited collaborations from an array of talented vocalists filtered throughout this disc. Among the many highlights is "Oh Africa", a soulful house track features the deep husky vocals of Christine Salem, a native of La Reunion, located in the Indian Ocean where Barck sought repose. "Don’t Hold Back" is another pulsating track that features the powerful vocals of Sweden’s own Jonathan Backelie. Backelie also shines on "We Get High" and the moving "Doubter". Vocalist Pete Josef, one half of The White Lamp blesses two other tunes, "Reset" and "Spinning Around". With other notable contributions from Stee Downes and Fetsum "Reunion" is highly recommended dance music at it’s best.

Reg Dancy

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"Burn", the aptly titled debut from the quartet known as Sons Of Kemit doesn’t just burn, it scorches. The ten track debut is a fusion of African, folk and spiritual Jazz rhythms that is engaging, intense and defies categories. Clarinetist/Saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings apprenticeship with Courtney Pine and Tomorrow’s Warriors has served him well here. His explosive playing and ambitious compositions is complimented by the dual drumming of Tom Skinner and Seb Rochford. On "Inner Babylon" Hutchings and Tuba player Oren Marshall rhythmic explorations and lyrical content extend into Afro-Caribbean ancestry. "Adonia’s Lullaby" evokes deep passion and emotions highlighted by Hutching’s melodic clarinet rhythms. Each member is a leader in their own right yet they come together focused on their take on the movement of the African Diaspora and the result is one of the best records of the year.

Reg Dancy

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