24 October 2011
Bjork – Crystalline (Boddhi Satva Remix)
Miguel Migs feat. Meshell Ndegeocello – Close Your Eyes (Osunlade’s Yoruba Soul Mix) [Om]
Exist – Lookin’ At Blue (Atjazz Astro Dub) [R2]
Other Worlds – Only Down
Block 16 feat. Jon Lucien – Morning Sun (Pepe Bradock’s Deep Remix) [Nuphonic]
River Ocean feat. India – Love And Happiness [Strictly Rhythm]
DRC Music – Lingala [Warp]
Abu Maxim and The Praetorian Steppas – Sometimes [Kat]
Mark De Clive-Lowe feat. Bembe Segue & Nia Andrews – Push [Tru Thoughts]
Kahuun – Asjett [Bagpak]
Fujimoto Tetsuro – Kobe Highway
Cleast Intwood – Off Definitions
Jonah K – Night Terrors [Permanent Damage]
Starrskream – Encore w/Dance With Me [Freeform]
Julien Angelo – Dappa Dubs
Father’s Children – Linda [Numero]
Gary Reader – My No.1 Fan [Superficially Deep]
Lord Echo – Long Time No See [Bastard Jazz]
The Triptet – Moaning [Vinylize]
The Baker Brothers – The Young Patter [Record Kicks]
Slow Motion Replay – Tell Me A Bedtime Story [Soulab]
Jon Kennedy feat. Amie J – Spellbound
Mark De Clive-Lowe feat. Ovasoul7 – Everything [Tru Thoughts]
Mr President – The Best Is Yet To Come (Radek Remix) [Favorite]
17 October 2011
M.E.D. feat. Aloe Blacc – Where I’m From [Stones Throw]
Oddisee feat. Yu – Still Doing It [Mello Music]
The Funk League feat. Diamond D & Sadat X – The Boogie Down Bombers [Favorite]
LyricL – Higher [Fresh Rotations]
Julien Dyne feat. Ladi 6 & Parks – Who Are You [BBE]
Krts – Hold On [Project Mooncircle]
Jesse Futerman – Dawn Wawn [Freeform]
Amenta – Maybe A Dream [First Word]
Cleast Intwood – Subconscious Positivity
Eric Lau – Can You Say Yeah? [Kilawatt]
Robot Koch – Bugs [Project Moon Circle]
Cooly G feat. Simbad – Landscapes [Hyperdub]
Jamie Finlay – People Circulate (Mr Scruff Remix) [Development Music]
Sauce81 – Pocket Full Of
Chanan Hanspal – Something Missing [Here and Now]
Jean Wells – Roll Up Your Sleeves, Come Out Lovin’ (Winner Takes All) [BBE]
Push feat. Candi Staton – Where I’m At [Push]
Monsieur Greg feat. Vicky Flint – High Life
Fujimoto Tetsuro – Reflections [Bagpak]
Wagon Cookin’ feat. Odille Lima – Music Is Not Far [Smoke N’ Mirrors/Om]
Altered Natives – Indigo Dream [Eye4Eye]
Wbeeza – One Solution [Third Ear]
Other Worlds – Dystope
G’Sparks – Mukubwa [Offering]
Nadir La Fonde – Three Way Situation [BBE]
Savanna – Never Let You Go (Onur Engin Edit) [Z]
10 October 2011
David Minor – The Cancer Song [Nonine]
Vindahl – Down (Boom Clap Bachelors Remix) [Tokyo Dawn]
Modeselektor – Shipwreck With Thom Yorke [Monkeytown]
Slugabed – Whirlpool [Ninja Tune]
Hidden Orchestra – Flight [Tru Thoughts]
Mecca:83 – Love Story
ARP 101 – Groove [Eglo]
Kromestar – 2012 [Cosmic Bridge]
Lossy – Rain Came Down [Tru Thoughts]
Favorite Flava – Waterfall
Julien Dyne feat. Mara TK – So Far [BBE]
Kissey – Cry
Nat Birchall – Sacred Dimension [Sound Soul & Spirit Music]
Ray Stephen Oche And His Matumbo – Okwukwu – Kiwongo [Favorite]
Guest Mix By Andy Lemay [Somethinksounds]
Steve Spacek – Live Peep Show [Jazzy Sport]
Eliphino – More Than Me [Somethinksounds]
3 Generations Walking – Midnight Bustling (Francois K Mix) [Spiritual Life Music]
Round Two – New Day [Main Street Records]
Tyree – Nuthin’ Wrong [Mojuba]
Eliphino – I Played [Somethinksounds]
Cajmere feat. Dajae – Brighter Days [Underground Goodie] [Cajual Records]
MK – Given [MK Dub] [FXHE]
Baby Prince – Nobody [Somethinksounds]
Gerry Read – Side We Are [4th Wave]
Klic & Greymatter – Thinking About You [Somethinksounds]
D’Angelo – The Root [EMI]
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
Anchorsong – Plum Rain [Tru Thoughts]
Timmy Regisford – At The Club (Da Capo’s Afro Remix) [Tribe]
3 October 2011
Dennis Jr. feat. Christabelle – Please Don’t Give It Up [Beatservice]
Barnaby Keen – Crooks (Soundspecies Remix)
Miguel Migs feat. Meshell Ndegeocello – Tonight [OM/Salted Music]
Other Worlds – South Of Heaven
Cei Bei – I Need You Lord (Blaq Soul Remix) [Smooth Agent]
Zoowax – Nine To Five (Round Table Knights Dub) [Loungin’]
Gecko Turner – When I Woke Up (Ezel Dub) [Love Monk]
Liquideep – Angel [Tribe]
TrueSelf – Future Memories [ARCo]
Anchorsong – Plum Rain [Tru Thoughts]
Jonah K – Night Terrors [Permanent Damage]
3LLL – Indigo Principle [Freeform]
RLP – Minovsky Physics [Freeform]
Ackryte X AL_PD – If I May [Cascade]
Mist Works – Common Question? (Si Tew Remix) [ARCo]
LyricL – How [Fresh Rotations]
Ambassadeurs feat. Elbi – Higher Ground [Jalapeno]
Tall Black Guy Productions – Dance Forever [First Word]
Mizz Beats – Scientific Brainpriest [Eglo]
Dirg Gerner feat. Fatima – Rubies & Diamonds [Ho_Tep]
Brian Protheroe – Pinball (Ashley Beedle’s Tripped Rework) [Kat 45]
Deep Street Soul – Bristol [Freestyle]
Mr Chop – Deep Gully [Five Day Weekend]
Mike And The Censations – Victim Of Circumstance Part. 1 [Ubiquity]
SunlightSquare – California Soul [Sunlightsquare]
The Triptet – Moaning [Vinylize]
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band – Started Off As A Dancer [Heavenly Sweetness]
The Dynamics – Squeezed Lemons [Favorite]
BBE 15: 15 Years Of Real Music For Real People [BBE]
Since 1996, BBE has released a whopping 160 compilations and in the process they have cemented their status as a groundbreaking record label that spans the musical landscape of quality music. Whether its funk, soul, house or hip-hop, you can always count on them to do it proper. This latest release highlights some of the prime cuts that only serious music lovers would be hip to over that period of time. Mixed by Chris Reed, “15 Years Of Real Music For Real People” starts out as a journey through early hip-hop with quality joints from Marly Marl’s “Spazz” to Pete Rock’s “Nothin Lesser”. There’s an assortment of soulful gems to savor in the form of Slakah The Beatchild’s “Enjoy Yo Self” and Katalyst’s “How Bout Us” feat. Steve Spacek. Vintage soul classics like “Funk In The Hole” and “Mystic Voyage”, courtesy of Roy Ayers fit nicely among these treats as well as the sorely underrated house track “Music In Me”, sung by Shaun Escoffery, mixed by DJ Spinna. Tracks of honorable mention are “I See The Sun” by Vikter Duplaix and “Dancing Girl” by Aaron Jerome. With well over fifty tracks included here it would be easy to dismiss many as simply filler but that’s not the case here. With BBE 15, you’re treated to nothing but simply good music and this is a compilation that can rock a party on its own or simply quench your musical thirst to get you through the day. Either way you won’t be disappointed once you add this impressive disc to your collection.
Eric Roberson: Mr Nice Guy [Eric Roberson music]
There are many male soul singers out there whose vocals can make your heart melt but few possess the lyrical ability and the vocal dexterity like Eric Roberson. “Mr Nice Guy’s” songwriting skills have served many artists well such as Jill Scott and Musiq, just to name a few and his latest release is filled with a few tracks to groove to but more so to romance to. For starters, the title track is a mid-tempo gem with a thick bassline that speaks to all the good guys out there who seem to wind up with all the wrong women. “Summertime Anthem” is exactly that, good vibe dance happy tune aided by hip-hop pioneer Chubb Rock. “Picture Perfect” is the highlight however, a warm and mellow tune that expresses the love in his heart for the lady in his life, with a little help from rapper/vocalist Phonte. “At The Same Time” is another winner, a melancholy groove with heartwarming chords. Overall Eric delivers a strong soul record filled with heartfelt lyrics that is cool enough for the fellas to rock and endearing to the ladies as well. This could very well be the record that grants him the recognition he truly deserves.
The Baker Brothers: Time To Testify [Record Kicks]
Over the course of six full length albums, The Baker Brothers have demonstrated that they can pack a solid one two punch with a killer rhythm section and a hip winding funky horn section. On their seventh full length release “Time To Testify”, they continue to keep the pedal to the metal with an assortment of stripped down soulful grooves. The group starts out with a bang with the revved up “Statement Of Intent”, with the band contributing backing vocals as well. “Make Your Move” finds them slowing down the tempo into a sizzling laidback groover that displays impeccable rhythm guitar playing. Collectively the band displays strong vocal harmonies on several cuts but it is the instrumentals that really stand out for me. For instance “Roll It” kicks off with some irresistible rhythm guitar strumming followed up with some serious funky drumming. And there is the silky soulful “The Young Patter”, which was featured on “The Mo’ Record Kicks Act II” compilation, the band lays down a nice groove and horn section gets down and dirty with the funk. “Snap B” is a definite keeper that has a catchy vocal chorus but also displays some greasy Hammond B3 organ playing. This is another strong effort from one of the tightest bands in the modern soul movement that is certainly worth checking out.
Various Artists: Americana-Rock Your Soul [BBE]
BBE has been very busy dropping a number of quality compilations and there are many that demand your immediate attention, “Blued Eyed Soul and Sounds from The Land of The Free” however isn’t one of them. This compilation of soft rock and soulful grooves courtesy of Zafar Chowdhry and Mark Taylor provides a few moments of enjoyment starting with Eric Tagg’s “Living off the Love” and Tender Leaf’s “Coast to Coast” which features a nice falsetto voice floating over a nice rhythm guitar and keys. In addition, Midnight Flyer’s “I Just Want To Love You” is a nice soft rock soul tune would’ve been spiced up if left in the hands of, say Shuggie Otis, of whom it reminded me of. Instead it starts out with a little fire and fades with a fizzle. After that you’re left with tunes like “Can’t Hide Love” by Jaye P. Morgan that will make no one forget the EWF original. “I Got the Feelin’” is symbolic of most of the tracks here: a mediocre soulful pop tune with good intentions but doesn’t have the grooves that will make you want to play it again. I got the feeling that if you’re looking for quality soulful sounds you will find plenty of alternatives within the BBE catalogue that will live up to the billing.
Jill Scott: Light of the Sun [Warner Bros]
By all accounts, “Light Of The Sun” feels like a breath of fresh air for Jill Scott and that is good news for us. After all this is her first record on her new label, Blues Babe (Warner Bros), and the opening track “Blessed” is evidence that she is in good spirits. Jill opens up with “Blessed” a smooth foot stomper with strings in which she gives thanks for the blessings of her family, particularly her newborn son. “So In Love” featuring Anthony Hamilton is a lush feel good up-tempo tune with an infectious groove. “Missing You” is a slow grinding ballad that is the kind of tune one plays repeatedly when they’re yearning for that special someone. “When I Wake Up” has a nice jazz fusion vibe and is warm and sublime. Overall “Light of the Sun” is a much stronger record than her previous release though not quite on the level of her first two albums. Then again, those two are classics by my definition. That said there is plenty here to keep you engaged. This is certainly a strong disc filled throughout with stellar production, heartfelt lyrical content and quality recordings to satisfy longtime fans and encourage newcomers.
Jill Scott: From The Vault [Hidden Beach]
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.
26 September 2011
Nat Birchall – Ancient World [Sound Soul & Spirit Music]
Jussi Lampela Nonet feat. Jukka Eskola – Yardpost [Ricky Tick]
Father’s Children – Universal Tran [Numero]
Nat Birchall – Dance Of The Mystic [Sound Soul & Spirit Music]
Sabrina Malheiros – Bobeira [Far Out]
The New Mastersounds – Run The Gauntlet [Tallest Man]
Shirley Jones & Jean Carne – Whatever It Takes (Joey Negro Mix) [Expansion]
The Deadbeats – Heaven [Wax On/Ministry Of Sound]
Sarah Linhares – Move Along [Public Transit]
Mecca:83 – Love Story
ARP 101 – Groove [Eglo]
Git feat. Future Robot Monster – Spaced Out [BBE]
M.E.D. feat. POK – Get That [Stones Throw]
Rodney P feat. The People’s Army and Mighty Moe – Live Up [Tru Thoughts]
M.E.D. feat. Talib Kweli – Classic [Stones Throw]
Robot Koch – Lights [Project Moon Circle]
Fujimoto Tetsuro – Slightly Gray [Bagpak]
Non5ilent – Fontaine [Fullfridge Music]
G’Sparks – Mukubwa [Offering]
Cyan341 – Disconnected [Uncharted Audio]
Exist – Lookin’ At Blue [R2]
Bugge Wesseltoft & Henrik Schwarz – Dreaming [Jazzland]
Carl Craig Vs. Johnny Blas – Picadillo 7 [Ubiquity]
19 September 2011
Jill Scott – Comes To Light (Everything) [Hidden Beach]
Weeland & The Urban Soul Collective – Lil Sumthin [Soulab]
JtotheC – Nbitje Deeper In The Woods [On-Point]
GIT – Imagination [BBE]
Isaac Aesili – Can I B [Soulab]
Eric Roberson feat. Phonte – Picture Perfect
Paul White feat. Guilty Simpson – Dirty Slang [One Handed Music]
M.E.D feat. Hodgy Beats – Outta Control [Stones Throw]
Ackryte X AL_PD – Threw It All [Cascade]
Katalyst feat. Bootie Brown & Steve Spacek – The Popcorns [BBE]
Phaeleh – Caustic Storm [Afterglow]
Landslide – Parables (Ramadanman Remix) [Round The Houses]
Tatsuro Yamashita – Love Talkin’ (Onur Engin Edit)
Lily Fields – Lover [BBE]
Grooveboy – What U Are [Jazzy Sport]
Alexander Robotnick – Love Supreme [Hot Elephant Music]
Martha Wash – Carry On (Masters At Work Alternative Dance Mix) [RCA]
K’bonus & Negghead – Harmonizing Pt. 2 [Compost Black]
Altered Natives – Galactic [Eye4Eye]
Shazz + St. Germain – Muse Q The Music (Remix) [F. Communications]
Mark de Clive-Lowe feat. Nia Andrews – The Why [Tru Thoughts]
The Baker Brothers – Make Your Move [Record Kicks]
Slow Motion Reply feat. Yannah Valdevit – One Step [Soulab]
SBTRKT feat. Sampha – Living Like I Do [Young Turks]
Katalyst – Beware [BBE]
12 September 2011
Weldon Irvine – Music Is The Key [RCA/Get On Down]
Weldon Irvine – Walk That Walk; Talk That Talk [RCA/Get On Down]
Herman Kelly & Life – Time After Time [Alston/Get On Down]
Hackney Colliery Band – House Arrest [Wah Wah 45s]
Alex Wilson – Ariel [Salsa Veritas]
Deep Street Soul – Look Out, Watch Out [Freestyle]
Shigeru Tanabu feat. Akane Del Mar – El Camino (Mute Speaker Mix) [Falk]
Victor Davies – Somebody (Dimitri From Paris Remix)
Ashley Thomas – Kept On Runnin’ [Counterpoint]
Peven Everett – Sweetness Is [Bombay]
Agnès presents Cavalier – Napoletano [Drumpoet Community]
Osunlade – No Way [Defected]
DJ Cam – Swim [Inflamable]
Raphaël – Archangelo [Heavenly Sweetness]
Freddie Hubbard – The Melting Pot [Blue Note]
Leon Ware – Sure Do Want You Know [Elektra]
Push – It’s Over [Push]
Pajaro Sunrise – Old Goodbyes (Charles Trees Remix) [Love Monk]
Colonel Red – Each and Every Way [Tokyo Dawn]
The Soul Session feat. Karl Frierson – Soul Desire [Agogo]
Erykah Badu – Telephone (Freddie Joachim Remix)
AZitiZ – What Is Love (Telepathe Mix) [Carbon Logic]
B.Lewis – Trouble [Jus Like Music]
Paul White feat. Jehst – Indigo Glow [One Handed Music]
5 September 2011
He3 Project – Make It Sweet ’75 [Family Groove]
Guelewar – Balla Jigi [Teranga Beat]
Afrobuddha Meets Kakatsitsi Drummers – Obame (Treat Mix) [Round In Motion]
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band – Cobra [Heavenly Sweetness]
Diana Ross – You Were The One (Womack Rework)
Mark de Clive-Lowe feat. Nia Andrews – The Why [Tru Thoughts]
Tomson & Benedict feat. Bantu Soul – Blind (Opolopo Remix) [Tone Control]
Si Tew feat. Pete Simpson – Need To Grow (Yoruba Soul Remix) [Atjazz Rec. Co.]
Blacktrix feat. Rider – Between The Lines [Skreener]
Aroop Roy – Clickstrodinaire (Musicaholic Remix)
Suzi Analog feat. Dudley Perkins – The Program [Dopeness Galore]
Favorite Flava – Waterfall
BUG – Indigo Children [Jus Like Music]
Klic & Article.01 – Mustard Tiger (Gerry Read Remix) [Hit & Hope]
Guest Mix By Rise [Futuristica Music]
Mecca:83 – Together(ness)
Roy Ayers – Funk In The Hole (Grandear Remix)
Chief – Anyway
Erykah Badu – Telephone (Freddie Joachim Remix)
Elaquent – Grimey & New
Fitz Ambro$e – Kassie
Hazel – Can’t See You
Freddie Joachim – Waves
Knxwledge – Bight Lridge
Mecca:83 – Around Midnight
Jazz Chronicles – Bologna (Rise Spiritual Edit)
Creative Arts Ensemble – Unity
Takheiro Honda – Dij Dij Eitch Eitch
Sunrise Ltd. – Our Love Will Grow
Phil Cohran & Legacy – Theme
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
Laak – Hurt Me So [Austere]
Alton Miller – Find A Way [Vibe Boutique]
Push: Retrospective 1987-2004 [Pushband]
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.