Category Archives: Reviews

East London’s Black Britanyaa serves up thought provoking hip hop with reggae flavored drum n bass rhythms. The group draws upon the black heroes of the rich British heritage as well as speaking to the youth of today. The disc starts out with “The Excursion”, a song that pays homage to the black pioneers in UK soul like Sade, Soul to Soul and Loose Ends. “Wha Gwan” is an upbeat joyful track that talks about celebrating life and has a Middle Eastern feel to it thanks to the flute playing that complements the thumping bass. “Illegal Aliens” is a cover of Sting’s hit “Englishman In New York” except they flip the script and speak on life as a black man in Britain. Another favorite is “Libation” which features the soulful voice of UK soul man Omar. The “Windrush Vol. 2” is a solid combination of banging beats and conscious lyrics. Black Britanyaa does its part to ensure that UK hip hop is in good hands.

Reg Dancy

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Fans of straightahead jazz know that Joe Lovano is one of the most important tenor saxophonists in the business. His catalogue is far too long to list here. As impressive as he has been through the years, his latest may be one of his best. “Symphonica”, his 20th recording for Blue Note, is an orchestral masterpiece. The main reason for that is the enlistment of the WDR Radio Big Band from Cologne, Germany. With the exception of “Sound Of Love”, the other six tracks are his own compositions that he previously recorded for other projects. One of those compositions is “Eternal Joy”, an energetic track that finds Lovano playing soprano and creating melodic explorations. “Alexander the Great” is another gem that is also full of fire but is very elegant and imaginative. “I’m All For You” is a lovely ballad that is full of lush strings and romantic harmonies. Warm and cinematic, “Symphonica” is wonderful work by an underrated giant. Make sure you don’t miss out on this.

Reg Dancy

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When two talented instrumentalists collaborate on a project, you wonder about the chemistry between them. In the case of Shawn Lee & Clutchy Hopkins however there is no such concern. In fact, they sound as though they’ve been playing together for years. On “Clutch of The Tiger”, the cinematic compositions of Shawn Lee blend in well with the gritty organic production skills of Clutchy Hopkins. The results are slow burning soulful hip hop jazz masterpieces that are made for late night lounging. Among the highlights are “Two Steps Back”, a laidback downtempo track with a jazzy piano riff that dances over the deep soulful grooves. “Bill Blows It” is another soul jazz number that features soothing flute playing by Clutchy himself. “Dollar Short” is highlighted by a deep bass and jazzy chords. This is stellar work by Shawn and Clutchy. You can add this to the expanding catalogue of quality recordings these two have compiled in recent years. This record is first rate and shouldn’t be missed.

Reg Dancy

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Will Holland (a.k.a. Quantic) is nothing if not prolific and, as we all know, in music, quantity very often leads to an inevitable dip in quality that simply proves the famous mantra. Holland, though, likes to buck the trend and in “Death of the Revolution” he has managed to up the ante and deliver an album of undeniable quality. Inspired and produced in Columbia, recorded in the brand spanking new studio at Holland’s South American base, this is possibly my favourite Quantic-related album. It’s not complicated or fancy, or even particularly original in concept, it’s just plain, old-fashioned, good, easy listening music. Largely instrumentals, the tracks are all developments on a laid back, dub-reggae theme, decorated with welcome Latin flourishes. Holland himself plays piano, guitar and whatever else he can lay his hands on here, whilst being ably supported by the talented locals who are now members of the Quantic touring party. All in all, the grooves are infectious, there’s funk in abundance and there’s never any need for the ‘skip’ button.

Tom Breslin

This is the third solo long player from former member of Rockers Hi-Fi, Biggabush, following on from 2002’s Best 7 release, “Studio Don”. The bulk of this album may have been recorded in Bigga’s farmhouse studio in the south-west of England, but don’t be fooled, for the music here is a beautiful fusion (in the nicest sense of the word) of skanking dub-reggae, JBs era funk, bass-heavy electronica, Hi-Life, Afro-beat and the other West African sounds about which Biggabush is so passionate. A hybrid approach on this scale can often produce such insipid, disappointing results, but not under the stewardship of a master craftsman like Biggabush, who somehow appears to be forever shredding up the blueprint and yet, at the same time, treating the music with an unquestionable integrity. This is one of the albums of the year and its music speaks for itself. Miss it at your peril.

Tom Breslin

For over ten years the collective from Berlin known as Sonar Kollektiv have been at the forefront of delivering cutting edge music by an eclectic group of artists. Their blueprint has been to place emphasis on quality recordings without dwelling on the number of units that are sold. Their latest record “SK200” marks their 200th release and serves as a testament that the formula certainly works. “SK200” contains seventeen tracks of some of their finest work this year and beyond. The disc starts off with “Sun Children” by Soulphiction, a soulful ambient tune with strings from their early 2008 release “Do You Overstand?!”. Thief contributes to the ensemble with “Somewhere”, a warm up-tempo tune with nice synth arrangements. The jazz quartet Quasimode is also featured here with “Objects In The Mirror”, which features the superb vocals of Carmen Lundy who is certainly one of our finest vocalists in jazz today. Label veteran Clara Hill sings sweet folksy melodies on “Ocean Queen”. There are also contributions from the likes of Roland Appel, Lars Bartkuhn, Benny Sings and many more. This is a wonderful record that is loaded with great performances. Just another example of why Sonar Kollektiv is one of the premier record labels around today.

Reg Dancy

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Okay, so this album requires fairly little conceptual explanation. Reel People consists of London’s Oli Lazarus and Mike Patto and this is a collection of remixes of tracks from their second album, “Seven Ways to Wonder”, released earlier this year. These boys are at the top of the soulful house music production pecking order, and specialise in turning out big room tunes with uncompromising 4:4 beats, warm chords and keys, and catchy garage vocals, regularly featuring in DJ sets from the likes of Louie Vega, Kenny Dope and Aaron Ross. The retouch treatment here comes from an armoury of pretty big guns, with impressive remix pedigree, including 4 Hero, Bugz in the Attic, Dennis Ferrer, Karizma, Domu and Kyoto Jazz Massive. If this all sounds good to you, then you’re going to love this collection. If it doesn’t, then don’t buy it! It’s as simple as that. Two notable highlights are Karizma’s take on “Upside” and Dennis F’s Out on Bail remix of “Alibi”, both guaranteed to raise the roof at Southport and Soulheaven.

Tom Breslin

Crazy P have been established in the dance music space for quite some time now (albeit with a slightly more risqué and genital inspired moniker) and, although their oeuvre undoubtedly includes some top quality 12 inches and remixes, when it comes to their albums I have, on occasion, been left a touch under whelmed. So, upon hearing the opening salvo of “Stop Space Return”, the title track of this (their fourth) album, I was convinced that the tide must have turned and that we were on to a real winner here. “Stop Space Return” is a tough, dirty, disco-squelcher with a perfectly executed vocal from Danielle Moore (now a permanent member of the band), just choc full of attitude and primed for the dance floor. This, however, is the high point and it all goes slightly weird from here on in. “Caught Up” and “Love on the Line”, for example, just seem to be a bit ‘cheesy Saturday night dance anthem’, whilst some of the other songs appear to be aiming for Scissor Sisters-esque pop territory. Granted, this is not necessarily a bad thing and the record is certainly more commercially viable as a result, but just not quite what I was expecting or hoping for.

Tom Breslin

Daniel Judd is better known as Sorcerer and Sam Grawe is better known as Hatchback and when their mesmeric musical powers combine they make up the exciting, San Francisco based duo, Windsurf. “Coastlines” is the first fruit of their collaborative labour and anyone who has had the pleasure of hearing “Surfing At Midnight”, the first Sorcerer 12 inch released on the UK’s Tirk record label, will kind of know what to expect. Comparisons with Prins Thomas, Morgan Geist and Erland Oye, whilst thoroughly deserved, don’t quite say enough, for Windsurf have their own thing going on, and that thing is perfect, poppy, Nu Disco-ish, electronica that, with wave after wave of washing synthesizer and its lolloping, laidback guitar strum, will have you yearning for long, lazy days by the sea. “Bird of Paradise” is the jewel in the crown, a wondrous, hum-along, vocoder-backed vocal that evokes synth-pop comparisons with Air at their Moon Safari best.

Tom Breslin

TM Juke’s production skills have been widely praised for his own recordings as well as his work with Alice Russell. His classical jazz training and affinity for hip hop beats make for explosive compositions. The Jack Baker Trio is really just a one man band who serves as a producer and the drummer for Ninja Tune artist Bonobo. Together they fuse a brilliant mix of soul, reggae, funk and samba that will have your feet moving and your ears craving for more long after the disc is over. Some of the highlights are “That Gut Feeling”, an afro-soul tune that bubbles with flavor. It dosen’t hurt to have the beautiful voice of Andreya Triana blessing the track and sets in motion a succession of delicious beats and rhythms. “Echoes From The Surface” is pure New Orleans funk with thumping bass, lively percussion and blistering horns. “Rolling Stone To Landslide” is a lovely mid-tempo melodic tune that features the soothing voice of Kathrin DeBoer. If that isn’t enough there’s the ultra talented Gecko Turner lending his vocals to the tropical flavored “Party Favours”. TM Juke & Jack Baker have created a musical gumbo that will excite your palate. This is simply an enjoyable record that gets better with every listen.

Reg Dancy

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Adrian Gibson’s latest project focuses on the funk, the whole funk and nothing but the funk. “Stay On The Groove” contains some of the hottest UK funk bands on the scene today and the entire disc could be used to rock your next house party if necessary. You know right away you’re gonna have a funky good time with tracks like “You Got Me Thinkin’” by The Tornadoes & tyra Hammond. The performance of the Tornadoes is spirited and Tyra’s voice is electric. “Panama City” is another high octane funk jam courtesy of the Quantic Soul Orchestra, a band that needs no introduction. Another band to keep an eye on is Funkshone. These guys bring the whole package on the track “Droppin’”, a wicked rhythm section, funky bass lines and soulful vocals. The New Mastersounds unleash a spirited jam session on the track “Nervous” (Kenny Dope remix). Without a doubt this is an entertaining disc filled with monster funk jams. Once again Adrian Gibson’s love of quality music is a boon for everyone.

Reg Dancy

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It’s hard to believe that it’s been nine years since Q-Tip’s last full length release. That would be an eternity for most rappers but it feels as though Q-Tip hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s had opportunities to record but chose to wait for the right project to come along. “The Renaissance” feels like the right project at the right time. Q-Tip has always demonstrated that he knows a hot beat when he hears one and “The Renaissance” unleashes one hot track after another. Among the highlights are “Gettin’ Up”, a bangin’ track that finds Q-Tip praising his girl and the bond that exists between them. The track makes great use of a sample of old school soul group Black Ivory’s “You And I”. “We Fight, Love” is a warm soulful track gets production and vocal assistance from Raphael Saadiq. “Move” is another boom bap banger that features production by the Late J-Dilla and features a sample of the Jackson Five’s “Dancin’ Machine”. “I Believe, Featuring D’Angelo” was actually released a few years ago and receives an alternative take here. The original version was an up-tempo party song but this version has more of a mid-tempo soul groove. “Life Is Better” is another satisfying track with a mid-tempo groove and the blissful vocals of Norah Jones. Infectious beats and thought provoking rhymes, “The Renaissance” is a triumphant return for Q-Tip. Let’s hope that he’s here to stay for awhile.

Reg Dancy

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There are good records that you will play for a few days, maybe a few weeks before they fade to black. Then you have that great record that you have been playing for weeks. The weeks turn into months and before you know it you have a future classic in your possession that you can’t put down. Jazzanova’s new release “Of All The things” would belong to the latter. The new record features appearances from Ben Westbeech, Leon Ware and Jose James just to name a few. Where their last record “In Between” was more of a electronic offering, “Of All The Things” is packed with 70’s soul, Brazilian bossa and jazzy ballads that provide immediate satisfaction. Among the many highlights is “Let Me Show Ya”, a song that is simply love at first listen. This is classic soul music at its best and the voice of Paul Randolph is smooth, rich and passionate. The same track gets sampled and reworked into a hip-hop track entitled “So Far From Home” that is performed flawlessly by Phonte of Little Brother. “Gafiera” is a nice breezy Brazilian tune performed by Pedro Martins & Azymuth. It’s always a treat to hear Bembe Segue and hearing her sing a jazz tune is an added bonus. “Morning Scapes” is an excellent combination of sultry vocals and live instrumentation, particularly Magnus Lindgren’s performance on flute. In fact, the Jazzanova musicians bring a sense of warmth on every track here that reminds you of how music used to be made. Before you purchase any other record, be sure you have “Of All The Things”. Jazzanova delivers an outstanding disc that delivers one great track after another. This is without a doubt one of the best records of 2008.

Reg Dancy

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Oh what a joy this CD is, a debut from Victor Démé,  a 46-year-old singer from Burkina Faso. His rich, warm voice is of the sort to give you goose bumps, mixed as it is with some delightful guitar playing and a rawness that just adds to its charm  Very highly recommended.

Graham Radley

10 great female vocalists here so let’s name them: Melody Gardot, Madeleine Peyroux, Cassandra Wilson, Sophie Milman, Hope Waits, Kate Paradise, Jennifer Hartswick, Stacey Kent, Della Griffin and Etta Jones. Good collection.

Graham Radley