Whenever someone releases a collection of songs from their musical archive one has to wonder whether these are hidden gems or songs not worthy to see the light of day. In the case of Jill Scott’s “From The Vault”, these are definitely songs that merit your attention, not a small feat considering that she has recently “Light Of The Sun”. “From The Vault” features songs from her tenure at Hidden Beach and there are a bunch of quality recordings like “Wake up Baby”, s bluesy tune with tasty rhythm guitar and organ riffs. “Running Away” is another winner, a mid-tempo Rhodes inspired groover.   “Comes to Light” might be the strongest track here, a gentle ballad with a gorgeous melody. Overall this isn’t an album I would listen to from start to finish but there are four or five songs that are worthy of repeated listens. If you’re a die-hard Jill fan you may even add a few more.

Reg Dancy

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When the acid jazz movement emerged during the late eighties you had groups like The Brand New Heavies and the Young Disciples, among others leading the way. While those groups have either been on hiatus or simply disbanded there is one group that is still carrying the torch and that is the collective known as Push. Their latest record is filled with rhythmic soul and tasty grooves that only a cohesive band can deliver. Their disc starts out on an energetic note with the organ grinding horn blaring “Stomp”, an instrumental crowd mover rounded out by a tight rhythm section. “It’s Over” a mid-tempo tune with mellow Rhodes is a nice cool down track to recharge before from burning up the dance floor. “Lay It On The Line”, perhaps the strongest tune here is another scorcher aided by sparkling electric guitars riffs and the unmistakable vocals of Seal. While there aren’t any tracks that will do knock you off your feet but “Retrospective” is a solid recording throughout from a band that knows how to lay down a groove.

Reg Dancy

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Orakel, the Austrian collective’s debut is a cosmic groove odyssey surrounded with delicious nuggets of electronica and hip-hop samplings. Their hypnotic melodies will have you locked in immediately with the opener “The Gate” a spacey synth flavored intro filled with astral soundscapes and the wordless phrases of Dwight Trible. Trible appears again with uplifting vocal melodies on “Recreation Song”, a mellow jazz-funk slow burner. “Suo Do Futuro” finds them shifting gears from a jazz fusion vibe to a down-tempo electronic gem that features vocals from Vilja Larjosto. Dorian Concept stops by to provide additional keys to the dreamy “After All”. Overall this is a stunning release filled with impressive compositions reminiscent of the seventies jazz-funk period as well as future electro grooves that will certainly provide immediate satisfaction. This is the kind of release that already has me wondering, what will these guys do for an encore? This is sure to get plenty of burn until then.

Reg Dancy

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With so many compilations dropping week after week it’s easy to dismiss a number of them but when the name Louie Vega graces one you have to take notice, for good reason. For “Mad Styles & Crazy Vision 2” spans the wonderful world of House music of the various styles of the last thirty years. Few people thought that House music would stand the test of time but not only has it shown staying power it has continued to evolve, thanks to the growing number of talented DJ’s and artists who stay committed to the music. There are tracks that take you back to the early days like Todd Terry’s “I’m Your DJ”,  representative of the raw underground deep dish sound that filled many clubs back in the late eighties. There’s the pulsating disco flavored sound of Peven Everett’s “Inspiration” that will surely get your heart racing. Black Coffee’s “We Are One” is filled with bombastic percussions and uplifting lyrics. If you’re feigning for some tribal house you can’t go wrong with Phil Asher’s “Textya”. Josh Milan’s “Your Body” is a delicious slice of soulful rhythmic vocal house with tasty horns and percussion. With Forty two songs plus a continuous mix of all songs you be hard pressed to pass this up. This is a must have if you’ve ever felt or wish to experience the spirit of house.

Reg Dancy

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Amsterdam’s Tom Trego picks up from where he started with his debut; the disco flavored “Voyage Direct”. With his latest release “Iris”, he has enlisted an array of likeminded artists to enhance his eclectic soulful dance infused arrangements. On “Being With You” Tom flips the Smokey Robinson classic into a futuristic synth flavored club jam. “What You Do” is an electro soul gem with a wicked groove and fellow DJ Tyree Cooper fills in as the official hype man mid-way through the track. Om’Mas lends his vocals to the eighties inspired euro dance tune “So Cold”. With other notable appearances like Oliver Day Soul and Meikbar, “Iris” will certainly quench your thirst for twisted synth flavored dance tracks.

Reg Dancy

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“Broken Soul Jamboree” is the creation of British producer Dave Tipper, who is no stranger to composing brilliant electronic music. With this release, he has arranged a batch of dreamy down-tempo gems that meshes elements of Indian, classical and electronica into a cinematic odyssey that is tailor made for late night lounge sessions. Some of the highlights are “Big Question Small Head”, a head nodder filled with infectious beats, a wicked bassline and clever use of the mandolin instrument. “Class 5 Roaming Vapor” is an ambient down-tempo gem due to the multi layered chord arrangements. “Royal Dragon Sire” is filled with dreamy cinematic soundscapes and is simply chill out music at its best. Tipper’s orchestral arrangements and live instrumentation make “Broken Soul Jamboree” essential listening. For those looking for electronic music that pushes the boundaries, you’ve come to the right place.

Reg Dancy

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I wondered what it would be like if I were a rapper and I was given free rein to select some beats from the vault of all-star hip-hop producer Pete Rock.  After all his production talents has been the backbone for numerous rappers for years.” Petestrumentals Ten year anniversary” celebrates the 2001 release and the great fact about these joints is that they haven’t aged at all. For instance, “A Little Soul” packed with deep grooves and thick beats is the kind of funk that never gets old. “For The People” still is hypnotic thanks in part to the wicked fender Rhodes arrangement layered nicely over more heart pounding beats. And while the focus is mainly on instrumentals, the disc is hardly devoid of vocals. Rapper Nature spits fire on “To My Advantage” as well as Freddie Foxx on “Mind Frame”. For old time sake we’re treated to a CL Smooth collaboration as he waxes poetic on how a true hustler handles his business on “Back On Da Block”. “Ten Anniversay” also arrives with additional bonus tracks and alternate takes to certify that a strong release is even better. For all hip-hop enthusiasts and beat aficionados this definitely belongs in your collection.  

Reg Dancy

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“Cheikh Tidiane” is the first of several releases from the Senegal based label “Terangabeat” which features the music of Idrissa Diop. Diop is the man largely responsible for the music known as Mbalax, which merges Senegalese with Latin rhythms and paved the way for artists like Youssou N’Dour and Omar Pene .  This release covers some of his strongest recordings from 1969-76 with the band Sahel. The latin flavor is evident on tracks like “Yaye Boye”, a warm laidback tune highlighted by Idrissa’s   tenor flavored vocals and Cheikh Tidianne Tall’s rhythmic guitar playing. “Caridad” is another winner filled with sparkling percussions and soaring keys.  Sahel’s harmonious horn section figures prominently on “Fonkale Garape” as well as Tidiane Tall’s guitar soloing. Their spirited playing elevates the compositions to another level. The sound quality on the recording is the only drawback as several tracks have an analog sound and you wonder how much better this would if it was digitally remastered. That said, “Diamonoye Tiopite” is a hidden treasure that brims with emotion, energy and is filled with heartfelt lyrics.  Kudos to Terangabeat for allowing this disc to see the light of day.

Reg Dancy

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What do you get when you put together a veteran producer and an underrated vocalist? You have “Cookie Dough”, the debut from Wildcookie aka producer Freddie Cruger and vocalist Anthony Mills. Together they have crafted an album filled with wicked bass grooves laced with warm mid to down-tempo soul rhythms. Cruger’s compositions range from chilled out jazz to mellow slow burning funk and hip-hop. Top that off with Mills varying vocal styling’s and you have an ambitious yet seductive recording that you’ll find hard to resist. Among the highlights are “Heroine”, previously released on “The Drugs EP” deals with the influence the drug had over some of our legendary artist’s in order to reach their musical heights. Cruger lays down a jazzy mid-tempo groove with a simple drum snare beat while Mills falsetto elevates to the upper register. “Touchy Touchy” has a bossa nova inspired groove with a subtle piano melody that features Mills making his move on a honey and breaking down protocol on what to do on ladies night. On the mellow funk flavored “Come Closer” Mills comes across as a mixture of Curtis Mayfield meets D’Angelo as he croons about the woman who has got him hooked and between the two of them are feigning for each other at a moment’s notice. Much like the title, “Cookie Dough” is kind of like that triple chocolate Devil’s food cake you have no business indulging in. You try to fight it but it’s no use. Just give in and enjoy it over and over. Although the disc at various moments has a dark mood to it, you won’t be able to resist the funky rhythms, the vocals and the production. Superb work by Wildcookie in delivering a disc that merely scratches the surface of their musical chemistry.

Reg Dancy

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Macon, France native Jennifer Zonou, aka Hawa has steadily built an impressive resume since starting her career in 2000. After working with local acts around France she eventually connected with Pascal Rioux of Favorite Recordings where she released her first single “D.A.N.C.E.”. A chance meeting with Bruno Howart of Patchworks would ultimately evolved into her debut lp. That is good news since “My Little Green Box” is earthy striped down soul that fits neatly within the Patchworks funk soul roster that includes The Dynamics and Mr. President. Among the highlights are “Never Give Up”, a mellow groover that brims with yearning intensity. “Lost Girl” is a good vibes up-tempo gem ignited by infectious rhythm guitar playing. “Spin Me Around” is another keeper about someone who lifts your spirits when you have those days when everything goes wrong. Hawa’s sun drenched vocals are surrounded beautifully by an irresistible groove, highlighted by the Hammond B3 organ and funky horns. Hawa scores with an impressive debut that certifies her as someone to keep an eye on. This is an enjoyable lp that will harken memories to old soul analog classics that you wish you held onto. This spirited recording will make you think they never left.

Reg Dancy

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