During the mid to late seventies, Peter Brown and Patrick Adams wrote and produced a number of future disco classics for their own label P&P records that would stand the test of time for DJ’s and record aficionados alike. With the help of DJ Spinna, we get re-introduced to these quality recordings all over again. When I think of P&P I think of Cloud One, probably their most successful group on the P&P roster and fittingly there are three tasty tracks from them.  The atmospheric “Dust to Dust” kicks off the disc and “Don’t Let My Rainbow Pass Me By” is another floor burner. Other notable cuts are “Ain’t It Time” from Queen Yahna, a string laden disco tune that could fit into the Salsoul catalogue. Eddie Owens gritty funk n soul track is bursting with a fierce brass section and serves as a nice diversion from the collection of disco and boogie tunes. This is just a sampling of the P&P catalogue but one that is definitely worth checking out.

Reg Dancy

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Adam Scrimshire’s follow up to his 2008 release is filled with a wide variety of melodic compositions covering all matter of styles. There’s a load of stellar vocal contributions as well as tasty instrumentals that makes the album flow at a swift pace. For instance there’s the latin flavored “Everything You Say” that receives support from Cinematic Orchestra vocalist Heidi Vogel. “Home” is a wonderful dance track infused with a spirited groove and heavenly vocals from the Resonator’s Faye Houston. “Ascension” features funky brass courtesy of the Hackney Colliery Band. Sometimes less is more and with nine high quality tracks that is certainly the case here. If you liked Scrimshire’s first record there’s no doubt you’ll love this one. Don’t miss out on this superb record.

Reg Dancy

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The ten piece soul juggernaut known as The Impellers return with their second full length lp. Their twelve track sophomore release features plenty of soulful bangers like “Hear What I Say”, filled with funky horns and the wicked rhythm section that will certainly move your feet and twist your hips. “Pon Lo Afuera” is another winner filled with funky drumming and tasty Rhodes. “Signs Of Hope and Happiness” is slow burning grind it out soul that is certain to turn up the heat. Their first recording for Legere records is evidence that The Impellors can lay down a groove and bring the funk with the best of them. As the title implies this is not a drill, just real live soul that will meet the approval of raw soul aficionados worldwide.  

Reg Dancy

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Is it me or has Tokyo Dawn records just been smashing it over the last several years with futuristic funk and infectious dance tracks from an eclectic group of artists worldwide. Peter Opolopo knows talent when he hears it and with the Oakland USA based duo Edd Dee Pee and X-Ray aka Blaktroniks, the bangers just keep on coming. “Ready, Set, Blow..” is a spacey electronic collage of combustible funk,  warm soulful grooves and other alternative offerings that pushes the boundaries and seduces you into repeated listens.  Among the prime cuts are “It’s All Right Now” and “Special Kind Of Love”, two laidback organic soulful cuts that feature Alicia Renee on vocals. “Strawberry Cough” is one of many highlights, a moog induced warp bending electronic banger. “Dot 2 Dot” is an atmospheric beat treat filled with spacey synths. “Dying Game” is a soulful tune filled with dreamy soundscapes and is one of several down-tempo tracks that wrap up the disc. With eighteen tracks, Blaktroniks hit you hard yet kill you softly with their wicked electronic arrangements that should propel them to greater heights.

Reg Dancy

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We look forward to a new release from Incognito much like we welcome the arrival of spring and with “Surreal” there is plenty of good vibrations to brighten your mood no matter what the season. Bluey is joined by his longtime collaborator Maysa plus special guests Mo Brandis, UK songstress’s Natalie Williams and Vanessa Haynes. Mo’s smooth falsetto voice blazes the dance track “Goodbye To Yesterday” while Vanessa’s soaring vocals blesses the horn friendly “Ain’t It Time”. Williams’s buttery vocals are pure bliss on the mid-tempo taster “Restful As We Are”. “Rivers Of The Sun” is classic Acid Jazz Incognito that we can never get enough of, hypnotic Rhodes, tasty horns and an infectious groove. Just when you think they can’t take you higher, Bluey and company deliver a superb record that is vintage Incognito and one of the strongest full length releases to emerge this year.

Reg Dancy

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Pianist Jessica Lauren has built a diverse resume, having chaired with everyone from soul icons Jean Carne and Dexter Wansel, to present day visionaries like Emanative and Scrimshire . With “Jessica Lauren Four” she has blended elements of soul, gospel and Latin Jazz melodies into an impressive intimate engagement worthy of repeated listens. The disc kicks off with the hypnotic “White Mountain”, an ambient tune filled with deep grooves and lush rhythms that would fit comfortably either on the dance floor or in your dining room. Jessica glides into an assortment of Latin arrangements that showcase her superb use of time and space, effectively allowing her compositions to breathe and her musicians to shine. That’s apparent on “Mel Benson” where David “Booie” Gallagher and Paul Gunter’s rhythmic percussion wizardry erupt throughout the track. “Swamp Thing” is haunting, moody and simply gorgeous, thanks in part to bassist Andrew Kramer’s dark grooves. Legendary vocalist Jocelyn Brown appears on the disco flavored “Happiness Train” but it’s the gospel inspired “I Believe”, highlighted by Jessica’s shivering organ grinding that will awaken your spirit. “Jessica Lauren Four” is filled with compositions benefiting from her delicate approach that ultimately evolves into one enjoyable record.

Reg Dancy

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In the history of drum breaks there isn’t a record more celebrated and sampled than ”Apache” by The Incredible Bongo Band. Thanks to the creativity of DJ/Producer Shawn Lee we’re treated to an alternate take of the Bongo classic by incorporating Indian rhythms to the entire album. With “Tabla Rock” Shawn has enlisted the Tabla player Prithpal Rajput and keyboardist Mark Talbot and breathes new life into The Bongo Band’s compositions. Shawn’s inclusion of the Sitar brings a fresh new element to prime cuts like “Bongolia” and “Pipeline”. The dramatic “Last Bongo in Belguim” is another highlight with exploding Bongo beats and horns colliding to create infectious Indian funky rhythms. This an impressive spin on a historical record that will garner new fans and allow old fans to enjoy all over again.

Reg Dancy

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The Sydney based band known as Dojo Cuts build on the promise shown on their self-titled debut from 2009. Their latest, “Take From Me” features a strong collection of tasty grooves and the soulful voice of Roxie Ray that is reminiscent of blue light basement parties, plaid bell bottom pants and quality soul music in abundance. Roxie’s seductive voice soars on a number of tracks here, most notably “Easy To Come Home” and “Lift Me Up”, two simmering mid-tempo tunes featuring silky smooth horns and finger popping guitar licks. “Sonny’s Strut” is a funky instrumental that finds the band stretching out and laying down grooves certain to fill any dance floor. “In This Moment” is a slow burner that is indicative of the entire disc, soulful and seductive grooves that ease up and rock you, over and over again. In a world filled with over-produced recordings and the sound of auto-tune makes you want to scream, Dojo Cuts take you back to the essence of soul and chances are you won’t make any plans to go anywhere else.

Reg Dancy

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Back in 2007, The Robert Glasper trio dropped subtle hints that this album was coming. It was the track “J Dillalude” from “In My Element” where he succeeded where many have failed; seamlessly merging Jazz and Hip-Hop. He came one step closer on “Double Booked” where the Experiment Band went half jazz and experimental grooves rooted in soul and Hip-Hop. Now on “Black Radio” the band takes the kid gloves off and delivers an album that pushes the boundaries across genres and will appear on many playlist throughout the year. It doesn’t hurt when you have an all-star lineup that features Erykah Badu, Yasin Bey (aka Mos Def), Bilal and many more. Among the highlights are Lalah Hathaway’s sultry vocals on Sade’s “Cherish The Day”. The trio King adds their heavenly vocals to the uplifting “More Love”. As for the instrumentals, well there aren’t any but one of the great ingredients of this record is the musicianship of the Experiment band radiates through all the compositions. Take for instance Ledisi’s version of “FTB” (Gonna Be Alright) is supported by the wondrous melodies painted by Glasper and the grooves thrown down by bassist Derrick Hodge will keep you in constant head nod mode. So if you were looking for a jazz record you might be disappointed. Instead what you have here is the template for 21st century soul music. This is a superb record in which soul and hip-hop collide with jazz as the glue that holds everything together. The result is an early candidate for album of the year.

Reg Dancy

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It must be a daunting task to follow up a critically acclaimed album such as “Meanwhile” but Ross Wakefield and Toby Vane, aka Part Time Heroes have pulled it off with “Lightfalls”. Their sophomore disc is filled with lovely string laden songs with warm emotive vocals from featured songstress Sarah Scott. Their first disc featured several tracks that were suitable for the dance floor and were logical choices for DJ’s. This release however is mellower in an orchestral vein that will stir your soul with compositions heavy on lyrical depth and arrangements filled with cinematic soundscapes. Sarah shines on a number of tunes here, most notably “Flight” an epic tune that begins in a down-tempo mood then evolves into a passage augmented by the crescendo of the strings. On “Leaving” the strings serve as the appetizer along with a hollowing acoustic bass that slides in comfortably alongside Sarah’s lovely voice. Colonel Red leaves you wondering doesn’t he sing more ballads as he effortlessly strokes the heartstrings on the powerful “Day”. Four years can feel like an eternity when you’re waiting for an encore this wonderful record by PTH is well worth the wait.

Reg Dancy

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