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.

Graham Radley

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.

Graham Radley

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.

Graham Radley

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.

Reg Dancy

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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.

Reg Dancy

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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.

Graham Radley

I love this, yes it’s often dated and often raw but those are its strengths too with the infectious enthusiasm of what, at the time,  (these recordings cover 1972-1979) was a youthful explosion of new influences as the rock of Hendrix mashed up with heavy African rhythms. Among the featured artists are  Mono Mono, The Hygrades, Tabukah ‘X’, The Elcados and Ofege. Really good.

Graham Radley

Brazilian reggae from Northern Rio and the bands second CD. Great production by Chico Neves with singer Helio Bentes adding a rawness to the tightness of the band. I like.

Graham Radley

Double CD compiled by Charlie Gillett, 34 tracks altogether with a nice wide global mix. Probably best for me to list a few and that way you’ll get a better feel of where the compilation is coming from. Yasmin Levy, Almasala, DJ Delores, Dengue Fever, Nancy Arjam, Madilu System, Ceu, Lucky Dube and Servara, gives you an idea of the range of countries and styles. A good summer soundtrack.

Graham Radley

No shortage of options here in terms of artists and to prove that we get Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, Amadou & Mariam, Oumou Sangare, Rokia Traore, Vieux Farka Toure , Tinariwen and Afel Bocoum. Excellent selection of artists and of course superb music.

Graham Radley