Category Archives: Reviews

‘Infini’ is the debut album from Parisian based jazz vocalist Anne Wirz. She’s backed in the main by a trio (piano/Fender Rhodes, bass and drums) on this largely self penned set, much of which is sung in French. For me though it’s the covers which she excels on such as Sathima Bea Benjamin’s ‘Music’ and her amazing interpretations of ‘Maiden Voyage’ and the Carlos Garnett/Norman Connors jazz-dance classic ‘Mother Of The Future’.

Andy Allen

‘Earth Blossom’ from drummer/percussionist John Betsch is one of the rarer releases on Strata-East but thankfully Heavenly Sweetness have picked it up for reissue. Originally released in 1974 this is a beautiful example of spiritual jazz and features the haunting title track plus the percussive masterpiece ‘Ode To Ethiopia’ which has long been in demand.

Andy Allen

For his latest project Herbie delves into the Joni Mitchell songbook. With a band including Wayne Shorter and vocal performances from Norah Jones (‘Court And Spark’), Corinne Bailey Rae (‘River’), Leonard Cohen (‘The Jungle Line’) and Joni herself (‘Tea Leaf Prophecy’) this makes for a pleasant listening experience and could well see some airplay on the likes of BBC Radio 2. The real standout here though is a version of one of my all time favourite Joni tracks, ‘Edith And The Kingpin’ featuring Tina Turner. I can’t say I’ve ever been a huge fan of Ms Turner but here her vocals are more restrained than usual yet retain those wonderful earthy tones which sit perfectly on this glorious laid back jazz interpretation.

Andy Allen

It’s been almost two years since ‘Cohiba’ dropped but finally the full length album is here and it’s been well worth the wait. Both ‘Cohiba’ and ‘In The Sun’ from the 12" are present plus another twelve quality broken-soul excursions. It kicks off with a killer cosmic funk intro entitled ‘Let There Be Love’ featuring a distinctive spoken word performance from Chris Jam, before moving into the flute laced ‘Everyday’ and ‘Breathe Some Light’, a great collaboration with Atjazz. With other solid moments such as ‘Eager For The Years’ featuring Michelle Amador, ‘Afrodisiosity’ with Fyza, ‘Hurt Ya Twice’ and the two Oezlem fronted tracks, ‘More Than The Eye Can See’ and ‘Women Of The Night’ this is one album you can’t afford to miss!

Andy Allen

If you are only just coming down from the happy heights their "Second Guess" album elevated you to, then rest assure this new offering is going to catapult you back there. Reel People have collaborated with the likes of Omar, Vanessa Freeman, Imaani, Tony Momrelle, Joy Rose and Dyanna Fearon to keep you in the happy zone both on this release and the forthcoming concert. An early summer sounding soul album, due to hit the shops the back end of February, and presented live for you at The Jazz Cafe on Thursday 7th February 2008 www.jazzcafe.co.uk, is destined for acceptance across the board from the soul jazz that is "Ordinary Man" through the Neo Soul that is "Anything You Want" to the jumpy "It will Be" and "High" that the broken soul lovers will adore and no album fillers here folks, just pure quality! This is Britain at its best, an album stamped with longevity and oozing passion, inhaling the best possible soulful oxygen and exhaling a progressive masterpiece with the album"s anthem tracks "Outta Love" and "Upside" destined for greatness at Southport while "Love Is Where You Are" and "Amazing" hitting every Modern Soul dance floor throughout the North. Don"t let this slip you by, make the space on your shelf now and insert a card that says "Insert Reel Music Here" and get your best dancing shoes polished ready for the live album launch at The Jazz Cafe, London and bring your banner "OMAR FOR MAYOR OF LONDON". "Seven Ways To Wonder": Just what ears were put on your head for.

Steve Williams

Modal. Jazz. Unbelievable. Sleep Walker are brought on board to remake the "United Legends" album from this time last year and for all but a few notable vocals by way of Carleen Anderson, Clara Hill, Navasha Days, Yukimi Nagano and Josh Milan you would think this was a brand new Sleep Walker release. Full on jazz encased by the now expected perfect packaging only the Japanese seem to provide us. Just good music. Oh, I nearly forgot…. CD 2 is instrumentals… now that’s cleaver.

Steve Williams

When did you imagine disco died? Wrong! Because it happens sometime after 2008 and The Million Dollar Orchestra are here to prove just that. Creative, refreshing, gutsy disco blinders from start to finish. If you are bored with the way some of the genres have been heading then pick this album up and stimulate the parts of the brain usually left for alcohol and wickedness. Best of 2008? Here we come and you had better step aside!

Steve Williams

Straight off the back of the label’s "Strange Games" compilation comes this onslaught of funky cuts from artists like Chain Reaction, Steve Smith and The Honey Dippers. Just when you thought the vaults and collections of some of the world’s best record collectors and labels must be nearing exhaustion arrives on the scene another, somewhat superior, gem. If you are feeling the many comps on this tip then this will not disappoint, and for those who otherwise steer clear, Mr Thing includes "Boogie Man" by The Crystal Mansion the dog’s nuts of folk funk!! Don’t hesitate; get your dry roasted funk here.

Steve Williams

Other than the well placed use of Floetry on "Marathon" there is but one worthy track, that of the two-stepper "Love Drug". The rest? Well let’s say it is in a field where players are plentiful and skill sparse. Let’s hope Jive can produce something for the Premier League later in the year.

Steve Williams

BBE and the UK’s Producer and MC Steve Ellington join forces to give us this live offering from someone better known for remixing joints by Common, LL Cool J, and Buster Rhymes. On this British Hip Hop monster we are treated to a very soulful set of thirteen tracks helped along the way by Pete Cherry, Tim Baxter and Phoebe One and the most samples.. You will be racking your memory banks listening! Particular favourite here is "Precise Precision" for its soulfulness. Those looking for something harder should head straight to "Magnificent". Top marks for this release – quality hip hop CAN come without explicit lyrics.

Steve Williams

While listening to parts of Ohmega Watts new CD "Watt’s Happening", you may feel as if you’ve gone back to the era of hip-hop when dudes carried boom boxes everywhere they went and everyone was rocking shell toe adidas. Indeed, Ohmega prooves that you can create hip-hop that is uplifting and thought provoking while keeping your body rockin’. What’s even more refreshing is the diverse collaborations, which broadens the album’s appeal. On "Eyes And Ears", Philly based rapper Jneiro Jarel comes through and rocks over a funky old school beat. "Are You Satisfied" finds Ohmega giving praise to his mom and features Sugarpie DeSanto, a west coast legend and a former vocalist with James Brown. Brazilian songbird "Tita Lima" provides soothing vocals for "Adaptacao". The laid back "Few and Far Between" finds Ohmega reminiscing about a former companion and the different stages of their relationship. Throughout this disc you’ll not only gain an appreciation for Ohmega’s rhyming skills but also the live instrumentation by some of the hottest musicians on the west coast. For example, "Work for Wealth" features Barry Hampton of the Portland based raw funk group Triple Grip is an enjoyable slice of cosmic funk. "The Playpus Strut" features Myles Tackett of the L.A. based Breakestra on bass and guitar. Indeed, the drums on this cut will remind you of how you once enjoyed your music before mpc’s existed. My only gripe was with twenty songs I felt the disc carried on a bit too long. Ohmega could’ve trimmed off about three songs. However this is a minor quibble of what is a very strong sophomore project for Mr. Watts. After debuting with the impressive "The Find", Ohmega shows what a talented MC can do when he performs outside the box. Recommended.

Reg Dancy

www.facebook.com/reg.dancy

While Mark De Clive-Lowe isn’t known as a Jazz purist, he has proven to be a wizard on the keyboards and synthesizers. His latest project, “Journey To The Light”, is a snapshot of the live Freesoul sessions he has performed over the last year or so. This project is a combination of cosmic Jazz improvisation and break beats. You may find yourself wanting to dance to this one minute or simply just enjoying the live instrumentation the next. One of those tracks that will make you move is “Voices Whisper”. Bembe Segue’s wonderful voice and scatting towards the end graces this track and the others as well. However, it is the work of Jason Yarde on Sax, Richard Spaven on drums and percussionist Sammy Figueroa that really move this disc. Jason Yarde’s solo work is powerful and a real treat while Richard Spaven’s drumming pushes everyone to greater heights. “Peace Be Central” offers more of the same. Mark’s rhythmic piano playing has never sounded better and the energetic playing left plenty of space for the lyricism of Bembe Segue’s scorching vocals. Mark and Bembe have been making beautiful music together for some time now. This is just another major achievement of the great music these two have collaborated on. This is not easy to find but certainly worth the effort. Recommended.

Reg Dancy

www.facebook.com/reg.dancy

The offsprings of hip-hop are popping up all over the globe. The forefathers should take great pride in this evolution. Look no further for evidence than in the city of Amsterdam, home of the duo Pete Philly & Perquisite. When they dropped their 2005 debut "Mindstate", it served notice that this duo had a lot to offer. Musically it was very creative and Pete Philly showed that he was no slouch on the mic. As good as their debut was, "Mystery Repeats", their new release may be even better. Combining elements of jazz and even classical (yeah, that’s right), this disc massages your ear lobes like a cool breeze on a sunny day. The title track combines Pete Philly’s rhyming skills along with Perquisite’s talents on the cello. Not to mention his skills behind the boards. "Fish To fry" with the jazzy piano loop has a real late night jazz club vibe to it. If you only dig hip-hop of the boom-bap variety then this isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you want to hear hip-hop beyond the outer limits then you will surely enjoy this offering. No sophomore slump here, just a very solid and enjoyable record.

Reg Dancy

www.facebook.com/reg.dancy

Sometimes the gap between the release date for that coveted CD can seem so distant. Sure I have other selections to hold me over but I’ve been teased with the pending release of the Politik for quite some now. Almost a year to be exact. It’s enough to make a music fiend go postal. Fortunately, the anticipation has paid off and the Politik is finally in my possession. Who is the Politik? New Zealand born and now London resident Mark De Clive Lowe and Bembe Segue, that’s who. Mark has become adept at merging his jazz influenced background with soul, funk and broken beat. His last CD, “Tides Arising,” is proof of that and should be picked up if you don’t have it already. Bembe is one of the most sought after vocalists in the UK today. Having worked with Bugz In The Attic and 4 Hero, among others. On the Politik, Mark and Bembe build on the foundation they created from “Tides Arising” and the “Freesoul Sessions”, the latter being their weekly jam sessions with several other musicians. The chemistry between them is evident on “Moonlight Feat. Blu”. The combination of Blu’s superb rhyme flow, Bembe’s complimenting vocals and Mark’s keyboard wizardry make this one a highlight. “Money” is another pleasing track that has an irresistible groove, great synth work and Bembe’s soulful vocals. On “Mistaken” and “She’s Gone”, Mark slows down the tempo and creates gorgeous melodies that gives these songs a richness and character that will remain with you well after the song has completed. If you picked up the import, “Black Sun” is another treat that you’ll enjoy. It’s one of their first singles but didn’t make the US release. Don’t feel like you need to pick up the import for that one. You can check it out on the Politik myspace page. Bottom line, this is a very good CD with thirteen tracks that fuses the improvisational techniques of cosmic jazz with soul and broken beat. Simply put, this will have your head nodding from start to finish. Refreshing and enjoyable.

Reg Dancy

www.facebook.com/reg.dancy

If you enjoyed “Sun and Moon”, Jiva’s first CD then you’ll simply love “Day Into Night”, their latest. Here, Jiva builds on their formula of soulful compositions with touch of bossa nova rhythms. Khari Simmons, the founder of Jiva, places an emphasis on live instrumentation. Each member of the group is very talented in their own right, with a number of them having outside projects of their own. The result is a vibrant, refreshing offering of soul music with no boundaries that will quench your musical thirst. “Sol E Lua” (which is Portuguese for Sun and Moon) is a wonderful song with a samba rhythm that displays awesome percussion work by Forrest Robinson. “Better2gether” is another pleasing track that relies on the vocal harmonies of Brenda Nicole and Chantae Cann as well as Khari’s fine synth work. “This Love” features the lovely vocals of Rhonda Thomas. Rhonda was the featured vocalist on “Stars” and “I Realized”, the hits from Jiva’s debut cd. This upbeat soothing jam is bound to be a winner as well. “Understand” also features another great vocalist, Alex Lattimore, who really shines here as well. Jiva shows here that they have no plans of succumbing to the sophomore jinx. In fact you could say that this disc is even stronger than the first. The one issue I had with “Sun and Moon” was that the remixes filled out the end of the disc. Especially when I had already owned those remixes for months. Therefore, I always skipped over them. No such problem here. This is simply a great disc that you’ll enjoy from start to finish. It’s quality records like this that remind you why you love music in the first place.

Reg Dancy

www.facebook.com/reg.dancy