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Various Artists: Brownswood Bubblers 3 [Brownswood Recordings]
For me the bar was raised significantly last year when Gilles Peterson dropped Brownswood Bubblers 2. Now Brownswood Bubblers 1, the first compilation on Gilles new label had some tasty treats but Bubblers 2 was off the charts. I’m not certain that Bubblers 3 is on the same level but it’s not far off. Either way the Brownswood Bubblers series are the compilations that trumps all compilations. There are many excellent selections here as proof such as the soul funk club banger "Turn It Out" by Joey Negro and The Sunburst Band. "How Bout’ Us" by Katalyst is definitely one of the hottest cuts this year thanks to the voice of Steve Spacek. One of the best records I’ve heard that few know about is the ballad "Where would I Be" by Yaw who simply sounds like the second coming of Sam Cooke. Another highlight is the funky spoken word gem "Prayers for Angry Young Men" by Charlie Dark. Once again Gilles has shined the light on underground hits. Let’s hope that a larger audience will take notice. Highly recommended.
Clive Hunt & The Dub Dancers: Clive Hunt & The Dub Dancers [Makafresh]
Love this, the man has dub flowing through him and lets all his studio skills fill the CD with a wide range of dub influences from the safe to the adventurous. There’s a conscious sprit flowing through as well, evident especially on my pick of the tracks ‘Baghdad In Dub’. Highly recommended.
Colm O Snodaigh: Giving [Kila Records]
From Kila, this is his second solo release (although you have to go back to 1994 for the first!) and very good it is too. My favourite track ‘Uaireannta’ has Lisa Hannigan on backing vocals with the Gaelic lyrics bringing a little magic all of their own.
Marsha Swanson: Sentient Stardust [Mostly Music]
Good thought provoking lyrics, which are delivered in catchy songs, that stand well alongside others at the top of the female singer songwriter genre with influences ranging from Kate Bush to Carol King.
Kanda Bongo Man: Soukous Time [Gallo]
Sometimes you forget how uplifting soukous is but just a few seconds of those twinkling guitar ripples soon brings a smile and the need to dance. Over the years KBM has brought in a few other subtle and related influences like zouk but it’s when he hits the groove of ‘Amani’ that troubles can take a back seat and the musical sun shines. Very good.
Donnie Munro: An Turas [Greentrax]
Recorded live at 2008’s Celtic Connections, the title translates to The Journey and is based on emigration from Scotland to America. ‘Heart Of America’ evolved from a 2004 trip to the US where a visit to Ellis Island was very significant and proved to be the catalyst for the project. Donnie’s band is joined by guests like Fraser Fifield, Sandy Brechin and the Glasgow Islay Choir plus strings from RSAMD Glasgow. Rousing.
Various Artists: Putumayo presents Quebec [Putumayo]
To celebrate the city’s 400th anniversary Putmayo bring us this collection of some of Quebec’s finest. Featured artists include Anne Villeneuve and the magnificent La Bottine Souriante, the funk meets African of DobaCaracol and the excellent Le Vent Du Nord. A rich musical city.
Mikey Ras Starr: Fire & Rain [Makasound]
Makasound find another gem, with this release originally recorded in 1979. plus various singles including Mikey’s first one ‘Got To say Love’ from 1975 and others through to 1984, great collection of musicians too including Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh and Robbie Shakespeare. Sweet.
La Shica: Trabajito DeChinos [Warner Jazz]
Elsa Rovayo aka La Shica started off as a flamenco dancer but then singing took over as did taking a contemporary view of flamenco. She integrated hip hop into her music, not the most obvious of fusion partners but one that works really well taking both genres into new territory . There’s still a place for the traditional though with ‘Dos Carnes Paralelas’ being a beautiful ballad with guest Miguel Poveda. Very good.
Ivo Papasov: Dance Of The Falcon [World Village]
Magical long over due release from the stunning Roma clarinettist. His playing is better than ever with even a variation on the Pink Panther theme getting his adventurous interpretation amongst wedding dances and jazz. An album of the year no question.
Various Artists: Rough Guide To The Music of Japan [World Music Network]
18 tracks which bring a whole wealth and diversity of Japanese music to life but often take it off into unexpected directions which we like a lot. my picks would have to be Oki Dub Ainu Band’s ‘East Of Kunashri’ and Shibusashirazu’s ‘Akkan’, oh and make sure you listen to Takeharu Kunimoto & The Last Frontier’s ‘Appalchian Shamisen. Superb.
N’Faly Kouyate & Dunyakan: Tunya [Galileo Records]
Promising release from one of the Afro Celt founders with N’Faly Kouyate taking centre stage on kora and balafon, his Belgian based band has members from France, Belgium, Angola and Cameroun. It’s a bit rough round the edges in places but N’Faly’s charisma shines through driving the band forwards.
Hint: Driven From Distraction [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
After releasing several entertaining ep’s for Tru Thoughts, Jonathan James, aka Hint has finally dropped his second full length disc “Driven For Distraction”. While “Portakabin Fever” was a chilled out downtempo affair, “Driven” is full of instrumental clubs tracks and soulful delights. One of those delights is the opening track “Keep On Your Shirt On” featuring the soulful voice of Laura Vane. This upbeat track is a great introduction to the diversity of Hint’s talents. “Afro Love Forest” is an intoxicating melodic uptempo jam that features underrated label mate Kinny. Aside from the stellar vocal performances, “Driven” contains an assortment of club bangin’ instrumental joints like “Mutes And Drops”, a funky piano driven jam. The disc wraps up on a high note with the hit “The Tremmuh”, a funky broken beat track that made its way onto many dj’s playlists ever since it premiered as an ep back in 2005. In a short period of time, Hint has compiled an array of compositions that should catapult his status as one of the most talented producers on the rise.
Monday Michiru: Nexus [ArtistShare]
With all the albums that Monday Michiru has dropped over the past ten years, it’s a crime she hasn’t received the acclaim she rightly deserves. “Nexus” is the fourth lp she has released through Artistshare and purchased through her website. Without the restrictions of the majors, she is free to create a record that capitalizes on her classically jazz influenced background while infusing an array of diverse dance and rhythms. To label her sound as acid jazz isn’t accurate when you have first rate musicians like Adam Rodgers on guitar and Kyoto Jazz Massive to give the music a fuller sound. The track “Your Eyes”, produced by Soulfeenix is a funky uptempo tune that features some nice Fender Rhodes playing beneath the sweet horn arrangements. “Sands Of Time” is an uplifting soulful club flavored track. “Candy” is a nice midtempo track that finds Adam Rodgers on acoustic guitar surrounding Monday’s voice with warm colorful melodies. I’ve only touched on a few but, the truth is, this a strong record throughout. If you own any of Monday Michiru’s records then this will make a nice addition to some of her strongest material (Optimista, 4 Seasons, Routes). If you’re new to her then purchasing this wonderful record would be a great place to start to familiarize yourself with such a talented artist.
Buika: Nina De Fuego [Warner Music]
Flamenco with a superb, gritty voice described as a blend of Tina Turner, Lola Flores and Sarah Vaughan. That voice teases its way through the roots and passion of flamenco bringing to it the jazz of Vaughan and on a couple of tracks the funk of Turner to create a subtle new take on the style, great piano too from Ivan Gonzalez Lewis. Excellent.