The Portico Quartet is an ensemble based in east London. “Isla” is the follow up the critically acclaimed debut “Knee Deep in the North Sea” that dropped in 2007. Once again the quartet has conceived an album that is rich in rhythmic compositions and melodic overtones. Jack Wyllie’s saxophone playing serves as a catalyst for the groups harmonic stylings and his phrasings create beautiful soundscapes throughout the disc. What makes their sound unique is their makeshift metal percussion instrument known as the Hang. The instrument has a slight steel pan tone that can be hard to describe but the sound it creates is very satisfying. The disc starts out strong with “Paper Scissors Stone”, a sublime selection that finds Jack Wyllie on Soprano creating emotionally provocative phrases that intertwine seamlessly with Milo Fitzpatrick’s double bass playing. “Line” is another gem that displays drummer Duncan Bellamy superb use of the cymbals. He also creates plenty of space for Jack Wyllie and percussionist Nick Mulvey to improvise and bring a gorgeous composition to life. Other highlights include “Life Mask” and the title track “Isla”. Overall this is a wonderful record by four musicians whose chemistry belies the fact they’ve only started performing together since 2005. This isn’t a bunch of guys intent on soloing and trying to out perform each other. This is a unified statement by an impressive group that is merely scratching the surface of their talent. This is certainly one of the impressive recordings of the year. Don’t miss it!

Reg Dancy

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On his follow up to the successful debut “Press On”, Adam Gibbons, the man behind Lack of Afro delivers another disc rich with rare grooves, live instrumentation and soulful vocals for good measure. “My Groove your Move” is filled with loads of funky rhythms that will make your body move. Adam plays most of the instruments here with a little help from his friends and heat things up right from the start. “Special Baby” is an up-tempo funk track with an infectious rhythm guitar as the driving force behind the groove. “Closer to me” is arguably the hottest track on the disc. The rhythm section is cooking some serious funk here especially with the Hammond B3 adding some extra sauce. Plus Roxie Ray’s vocals are the seasoning that takes it over the top. The band brings the groove down to a slow burn with “Rejection in 6/8 time”, the type of jam to cool down to from non-stop partying. The two hip-hop tracks are just decent however. “International” is solid and “Suspicious Glow” would’ve been much better without the corny intro. That said, there’s more than enough funk here to satisfy any appetite. Plus the production here is excellent; each track embodies that live session experience where musicians recorded a track in one take. The result is a rewarding listening experience. Adam Gibbon’s sophomore release proves that he knows how to bring the funk either as a DJ or a musician. This is another quality recording from the Freestyle label that merits your attention.

Reg Dancy

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The career that Jody Watley has carved out for herself has been nothing short of phenomenal. When you have been an icon in the music business for three decades and still remain relevant, you’re indeed in a class by yourself. As the title of her latest project suggests, “The makeover” is an alternative take of classic songs Ms Watley has personally picked out as well as a couple of her greatest hits. One of those hits featured here is the classic “Don’t you want me?”, arranged here in a house version courtesy of King Britt. Ms Watley displays great taste in handpicking songs that sound as if they were written just for her. Take for example the Chic classic “I want your love” and Diana Ross’s “Love Hangover”. She stays true to form on both tracks but her rearrangement of Madonna’s “Borderline” is something special. As for her own original work, there’s “A beautiful Life” is a pulsating house track and “Bed of Roses” is a soulful drum n bass gem that is produced by 4 Hero. “The Makeover” is filled with quality music past, present and future. Jody Watley refuses to rest on past success and we continue to reap the benefits.

Reg Dancy

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The new Bugz in the Attic disc “Got the Bug 2” contains many of their favorite remixes in recent years from house to broken beat. While playing this disc for the first time I didn’t realize that the Bugz in the Attic team was responsible for all these quality remixes, which immediately boosted my appreciation of this record. Some of the highlights are the remix of Amy Winehouse’s “In my bed”. The first “Got the Bug” album (essential listening if you don’t have it) contained the vocal version but the dub version here is bangin’ as well. Daz-I-Kue’s “Rockstone” featuring Colonel Red is another winner worthy of repeat. There’s also a few of the Bugz own tunes such as the scorching “Flappy dayz” and “Put it out”. And if that wasn’t enough, there are several unreleased tracks that will wet your appetite like “Sow into you” by Roisin Murphy and Basement Jaxx’s “Oh my Gosh”. In the end, it will be the well known crowd pleasing tracks like Simbad’s huge hit “After the dance” and Reel People’s “Upside” that will keep this disc in rotation. “Got the Bug 2” contains the broken beat gems you have come to expect but the killer dance tracks make this an album that you shouldn’t miss.

Reg Dancy

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Many folks may be familiar with drummer/producer Julien Dyne from his work with the group Opensouls. Their signature sound is rooted in raw soul and funk but you won’t find anything like that here. Instead we have an organic collection of soulful hip-hop beats blended with jazz tinged vibes. Among the highlights are “Layer”, a mid-tempo track with a funky bass line and “Stained glass fresh Frozen”, a soulful electronic joint with horns. Both tracks feature Mara tk who provides vocals and additional beat arrangements. “Falling” is a laid back ethereal gem with heavy beats and earthy chords that features Julien on vocals. This is the type of track you could picture someone like Dwele singing over it. Although there are fourteen tracks, three or four barely exceeded 2 minutes but they still manage to keep your attention. That said, “Pins and Digits” is an impressive debut by an emerging talent. Julien successfully merges live instrumentation with electronica and creates futuristic soul that you don’t want to miss.

Reg Dancy

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Impossible Ark is a record label created by Nostalgia 77’s Ben Lamdin, Hugo Mendez and Riaan Vosloo. The idea was to create a home for some of the finest Jazz artists performing in the UK today and given the quality recordings presented here, it was a great idea. The style varies from 60’s bebop to soulful folk compositions and it all comes together in the end. Among the highlights are “African Mailman” by the Rhythmagic Orchestra, a collective made by members of the Nostalgia Octet, the Alex Wilson Band, Jazz Jamaica and many others. Together they create a spirited mix of Afro-Cuban rhythms with an infectious groove and ear splitting percussion. The Fiction Trio are clicking on all cylinders with “Haitian Fight Song”, reminding us how entertaining the trio can be. Now while I don’t know who the musicians are, I do know that the drummer creates plenty of space for the piano player’s intense but beautiful playing. Jeb Loy Nichols shines on the relaxing and peaceful “Day that never came”. “Orange Gold” is a wonderful cinematic ballad that takes you through many levels, a gorgeous brass section one minute, superb piano playing the next and lush strings throughout that builds to a crescendo. The Nostalgia 77 team continues to bless us with quality jazz music of the highest order. This is an exceptional record that belongs in your collection. Highly recommended.

Reg Dancy

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Homecut is a six member ensemble that is the creation of rapper/vocalist Testament delivering soulful hip-hop with live instrumentation. The results are a refreshing blend of laidback grooves with jazzy overtones that bring to mind the early days of the Brand New Heavies while Testament’s rhymes’ evoke memories of the native tongues. The first single “I don’t even know” features Corrine Bailey Rae and Soweto Kinch. Corrine sings the chorus over a laidback piano riff with Testament and Soweto dropping verses lamenting the struggles of a hard knock life. “Not too far to go” showcases a funky baseline and finds Testament singing over a soothing keys and flute collaboration. “Time difference” is a laidback jazzy tune that Testament sharing the stage with J-Live. You won’t find any sampling on this disc, just soulful bangers with thought provoking lyrics that will move your feet and stir your soul. When you add contributors like Andreya Triana and Lee Sun to the mix, you have one record that definitely deserves a place in your collection.

Reg Dancy

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Ever since he burst onto the with his solo project “A New beginning”, DJ Mitsu has made a name for himself not only as one of the premiere dj’s in Japan but worldwide. His latest full length release, “A Word to the Wise” offers a little bit of everything that adds up to an outstanding record. DJ Mitsu features some of hip-hop’s most sought after rappers like the underrated Maspyke on “Playing with Crime”, complete with clever wordplay and dope beats. One rapper whose stock continues to rise is Detroit’s own Elzhi. On “Get’em Up” he displays his lyrical prowess over a neck snapping beat. Jose James drops by to add his warm velvet voice to the wonderful “Promise In Love”. Other highlights include the funky “The Game Changer” by Wildchild and Georgia Anne Muldrow. “Dim Skyline” is an instrumental bamger that features Mark De Clive Lowe on keys. “A Word To The Wise” is that rare recording where there is nary a weak track amongst eighteen selections. As good as “A New Beginning” was, this one is significantly better. It would be very wise would be to pick this up, you won’t be disappointed.

Reg Dancy

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After an impressive debut with “Scheme for thought” on the Brownswood label, Elan Mehler returns with the gorgeous “The After Suite”. Elan’s sophomore release reaches higher degrees of sublimity than the first disc. Each composition is rich in harmony and is augmented by the inclusion of vocalists, particularly Becca Stevens. Her phrasing is so soothing on tracks like “Factory” and “The 54th Leap” and each is simply superb. “The After Suite Part 2” is another tune that strikes that delicate balance between powerful and tenderness. “Strange Bird” is a stirring solo that is a glorious display of Elan’s supreme talents. I could go on about but you need to experience the sheer beauty of this record for yourself. Quite simply, this is an absolute gem that you shouldn’t miss.

Reg Dancy

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The fact that the Cinematic Orchestra’s latest release is on the Disney Nature label might be cause for alarm for die-hard fans who might think they sacrificed their eclectic sound for commercial success. While “Les Ailes Pourpres” doesn’t possess any of the electronic jazz stylings of “The Man with a movie camera” or “La Fleur”, there is still plenty to like about this soundtrack. Jason Swinscoe adeptly composes a new score for Disney about the lives of Flamingos on Northern Tanzania and creates a peaceful and elegant composition that flows from one track to the next. Each track plays like a suite so there isn’t much in the arrangements that distinguishes one from the other but there are a few standouts like “Arrival of the birds” and “Marabou”, the latter starts out with a haunting bass clarinet riff that draws you deeper into the melody. “Crimson Skies”, sung by Luo Rhodes is a nice record and is the only vocal track on the album. Overall this is a nice, relaxing soundtrack. Pour yourself a good glass of wine and enjoy this fine piece of work.

Reg Dancy

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