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Johnick: This Is How We Dew [BBE]
If you happen to be one of the night clubbers who worked up a sweat in the underground clubs during the nineties there’s a strong chance you jacked your body to a Johnick track or two. If you were in New York City then the chances are even greater considering Johnny ‘D’ DeMairo and Nicky Palermo crafted countless house tracks just across the bridge in nearby Brooklyn and received numerous spins by the top DJ’s throughout NYC and around the globe. In fact alongside premier House labels like Strictly Rhythm, Johnick’s Henry Street imprint produced some of the hottest House music during this period. Now courtesy of BBE, you get to experience their deep douse grooves that remain relevant and certain to make you move throughout the night. “This Is How We Dew” is filled with classics such as “Play the World”, aided by a sample of another house banger; River Ocean’s “Love and Happiness. “The Captain” is a deep and soulful track that instantly fills any dance floor and “Smoke” is a superb edit of the Eddie Kendricks classic. This double lp is filled with funky four to the floor beats, not to mention a snapshot of two world renowned DJ/producers and their essential contributions to House music.
zafmusic: Private Wax – Super Rare Boogie and Disco [BBE]
Zaf is a music aficionado, avid collector and former owner of Reckless Records in New York City. He has been compiling disco and boogie tunes for over forty years and he has dug into his vault to share a sampling of his rare grooves as the title would suggest. While every track here doesn’t qualify as a gem there are a few delights that will grab your attention. Prime cuts include “Sweet Maryline” by Christian Gaubert. “Music Freak” by Contagious is a proper funk tune with a wicked groove. “Fly with Me” by Yohon is a Disco treat with strings inspired by the Salsoul sound that will certainly move you. Thanks to Zaf and countless other DJs the sound of the boogie is alive and well and “Private Wax” is a good source to get your groove on.
Gabriele Poso: Roots Of Soul [InfraCom]
Gabriele Poso’s sophomore release “Roots of Soul” is a wonderful record that blends Latin, African and other cultural rhythms together with sterling results, Poso is surrounded by an ensemble of multi-talented musicians that help his compositions take flight and you’re certain to enjoy the ride. For instance “Dona Flora” is a mid-tempo tune that features warm piano melodies from Giuseppe Magagnino while Poso culminates with a controlled flurry of rhythms ranging from percussions to congas and timbales. There are also a number of superb vocalists that add color to these compositions. Dionisia Cassiano vocals soar on the uplifting “With Me Come Fly” and Nailah Porter’s vocals will make you shiver on the beautiful ballad “A Night with You”. Gabriele’s debut “From The Genuine World” displayed so much promise and on “Roots Of Soul” he has definitely delivered. In turn he’s carving out his place as a superb percussionist as well as a great composer who merits serious attention.
Belleruche: Rollerchain [Tru Thoughts]
The London trio Belleruche returns with their fourth album and they continue to evolve with their eclectic sound that knows no boundaries. While their debut “Turntable Soul Music” was more hip-hop driven and “The Express” contained more of a bluesy vibe, “Rollerchain” is a darker and more pop influenced. Nevertheless they make it all work with strong compositions and heavy bass infused grooves courtesy of guitarist Ricky Fabulous. What really brings it all together is the soothing voice of Kathrin DeBoer and she shines on an array of blissful tunes, most notably the seductive down-tempo “Wasted Time”. Other highlights include the slow stirring “Cloverleaf” and the percolating “Limelight” will certainly delight devout listeners and entice newcomers. Belleruche’s down to earth vibe endears them to us as if they’ve been long time friends prone to random jam sessions in your backyard. You can always count on them delivering good tunes and this disc is a testament to that.
Jazzanova: Funkhaus Studio Sessions [Sonar Kollektiv]
The Berlin collective known as Jazzanova have compiled a catalogue that long time veterans would trade their right arm to have in their possession and the numerous remixes and compilations is a testament to their success. Over the years they’ve evolved from creating timeless electronic grooves from the critically acclaimed “In Between” to composing timeless soul gems featured on “Off All The Things”. Now with “Funkhaus Studio Sessions” they have taken to the stage and improvise on their catalogue and display a musical side previously unheard from the group. Paul Randolph, who provided vocals to the 2009 hit “Let Me Show Ya”, revisits that tune and other recordings from the Jazzanova catalogue with startling results. Randolph’s raw emotive vocal chops resonate on several tracks like “No Use”. Originally sung by Clara Hill, Paul adds a touch of his own tenderness to this down-tempo ambient gem. Part 2 of this tune is a funkier version that demonstrates the cohesion the band has achieved from their constant touring during the past three years. “I Human” is the only original track featured here. Co-written by Randolph, It’s a light hearted tune that pokes fun at the social media world we now live in. There are many more highlights like the atmospheric “Believer”, a Randolph original from his “Lonely Eden album. The disc wraps up in grand fashion with Shaun Escoffery’s “Let Me Go”. Paul and fellow Jazzanova musicians let loose on the 2002 hit that serves as a fitting finale to a disc that deserves daily spins in your musical rotation. Simply stated it’s another superb recording by Jazzanova and one of the best lps you’ll hear this year.
Sy Smith: Fast and Curious [Psykol Records]
Despite three impressive albums and two EPs to her credit Sy Smith has yet to receive the recognition that her body of work would suggest. Sy’s vocal talents have graced the recordings of esteemed artists like the Chaka Khan, Me’Shell N’degeocello and many more as well as a frequent contributor to the Foreign Exchange. All of her releases have been well received by her devoted fan base yet they haven’t taken off to the masses. That could very well change now with the infectious “Fast and Curious”. Mark De Clive Lowe takes hold of the production chores and provides Sy with a soulful dance sound that guarantees hip twisting and neck snapping movement. His wizardry behind the boards and on keys combined with Sy’s angelic vocals feels like the perfect marriage. The disc kicks off with the title track which is built on a mid-tempo groove and funky synths. From there the tempo builds with “Truth” but the formula of funky bass grooves and clever synth arrangements remains the same. Sy’s cover of two classic recordings is also impressive. On “Nights” (Feel like Getting Down) she’s joined by Rahsaan Patterson as they breathe life into the Billy Ocean dance hit. While on “Lovergirl” she woos her lover while flipping the Teena Marie dance track into a tender mid-tempo teaser. From start to finish this disc delivers and could easily ignite your next house party or simply quench your daily soul music thirst. Whatever the case be sure not to miss it.
Visioneers: Hipology [BBE]
Marc Mac demonstrated his love for hip-hop when he dropped “Dirty Old Hip-hop” for BBE in 2007. With his latest release “Hipology”, he takes his appreciation to another level. “Hipology” is filled with jazz infused funk and soulful hip-hop treats that are certain to keep your head on a swivel. The disc is also filled with first rate performances starting with BK MC T.R.A.C. who reminiscences about simpler times during his youth on “Back In Time”. On “Shine”, underrated wordsmith John Robinson waxes uplifting poetics about fulfilling your dreams. On “Swahililand”, Marc reworks the classic Ahmad Jamal track made famous by De La Soul and gives it a fresh coat of beats to groove to all over again. With other notable funky gems like “Jungle Green Outlines” and the classic “Apache”, “Hipology” is poised to deliver immediate satisfaction to hip-hop heads and funk aficionados alike.
Pitch & Scratch: Together [Legere]
DJ Suro and Mzuzu, the duo from Hamburg known as Pitch & Scratch follow up their 2009 release “Hamburg Hustle” with another collection of rhythmic funk and soul grooves. “Together” is heavily influenced by pioneers like the JB’s and indications are they’re honed their craft well. Highlights include “Maculele” highlighted by Leila Pantel’s soothing vocals. “Breakers Delight” is a mid-tempo funk pleaser and “Get Down” is a laid back melodic tune with a jazzy groove. The funk and soul group roster is growing by the minute but as long as Pitch & Scratch are contributing grooves like these they’ll have a long term membership.
Blundetto: Warm My Soul [Heavenly Sweetness]
Max Guiguet aka Blundetto has shown a flair for beats and rhythms. After turning heads with his 2010 release “Bad Bad Things” he returns with the superb “Warm My Soul”. Blundetto’s sophomore release is filled with jazzy tinged soulful rhythms merged with reggae beats and a talented array of vocalists. On “Hercules” Blundetto teams up with multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee to create a slow burning reggae groover highlighted by the vocals of Hugh Coltman. Rapper Aqueel drops lyrical commentary over the down-tempo “It’s All About”. Courtney Johns falsetto delights on “Treat me like that”. Overall this eleven track disc doesn’t have a weak song in sight and provides fresh arrangements to some familiar reggae grooves. Blundetto is definitely one to keep an eye on as a producer on the rise.
Various Artists: Spiritual Jazz 2 Europe [Jazzman]
Jazzman records are routinely dropping gems and this fine collection of jazz classics is no exception. Dedicated to the late UK Pianist Michael Garrick, “Spiritual Jazz 2 Europe” features unreleased material that centers on the 60’s UK Jazz evolution. The opening track “Communion” by Trombonist Erich Kleinschuster and his sextet is a modal jazz treat filled with Rhodes and strings. “Archangelo” by Raphael is avant-garde spiritual jazz with a shivering chorus. Barney Wilen continues on this path with the fiery “Africa Freakout” that features shimmering Tenor riffs layered over a tasty rhythm guitar and is certainly one of the highlights. Serbian Trumpeter Dusko Goykovic also delivers with “Bosma Calling. This is a very strong release that would fit nicely in the playlist of any Jazz aficionado who appreciates the spirited compositions of Trane and Pharoah. There are great performances throughout and provides insight into the history of some of the esteemed composers/musicians of UK Jazz.