Deborah Jordan: What You See [Futuristica Music]
Hearing the sound of Deborah Jordan’s voice fulfills your musical palette much in the way the taste our favorite desert satisfies our sweet tooth. The difference is there are no regrets after indulging in Deorah’s music like you would with the desert. We all remember the first time we heard her voice from way back in the day with Silhouette Brown. All she has done since is elevate her collaborations with numerous artists such as Replife, Jneiro Jarel among others. In 2009 she released her debut and now her latest “What You See”, picks up from where she left off. Her recent release contains eleven original compositions and three solid remixes. Among the tasty treats is the title track, a warm earthy mid-tempo track with sun drenched chords. Lyrically “What You See” is about looking what is beyond the surface of a person in search of who’s real and who isn’t. “Lullaby”, produced by Kira Neris is a dreamy atmospheric tune with jazzy soundscapes that will certainly transport you to another place. “See The Light” is another highlight, a mid-tempo tune with a strong groove and pretty melody. There are many more soulful selections to savor and all are exceptionally produced. All three remixes are also superb but if I had to pick one, it would be the Ty Macklin rework of “Slipping Away”, a beautiful down-tempo tune that morphs into a funky two step treat. Overall this is one fabulous record that is equal or even slightly better than “The Light”. One thing is certain is Jordan continues to build an impressive catalogue of timeless quality music for us to enjoy.
28 February 2011
Frank Foster – E.W. Beautiful People [Mainstream]
Charles Rouse – Hopscotch [Strata East]
Raphaël – Dead Sea Scrolls [Heavenly Sweetness]
Gregory Porter – 1960 What? (Opolopo Kick & Bass Rerub)
Souled feat. Ashley Thomas – Cultureless [King St.]
The Pointer Sisters – Love Them There Hills [Blue Thumb]
Harold Melvin – Don’t Give Me Up (John Morales Mix) [BBE]
Amalia – Welcome To Me [Tokyo Dawn]
Kaine feat. Kathy Diamond – Love Saves The Day (Mario Basanov Remix) [Needwant]
Space Invadas – Rise [BBE]
Wildcookie – Come Closer [Tru Thoughts]
Chamade Beat feat. Steve Spacek – One Nite
Dave de Rose feat. Colonel Red – Solid Ground
T.R.A.C. – Over My Shoulders [BBE]
Soul Evidence – Soul (Divine Intervention) [Atjazz]
Umod – Sounds
The Raah Project – Space Between Thoughts (Ennio Styles & Spray Tandoori Remix)
Brookes Brothers – Souvenir [Breakbeat Kaos]
Photek – Slowburn [Photek Productions]
Submotion Orchestra – All Yours (Jack Sparrow Remix) [Exceptional]
Actress – Harrier ATTK [Non Plus]
Siriusmo – Mosaik [Mondaytown]
21 February 2011
Rime – Walking [Infracom]
Yult feat. Tanya Auclair – Mark Your Way
Delvis – Sidechain Reaction [On-Point]
AL_PD – Moned [Cascade]
Recluse Crew & Synoptic Pressure – Lyrics [Kool Kat]
Strange Fruit Project – Soul Clap [Om Hiphop]
Poitier feat. J. Todd – Bamboo
The Baker Brothers – The Young Patter [Record Kicks]
The Voices Of East Harlem – Wanted, Dead Or Alive [Just Sunshine]
Whiskey Barons – La Murga Skank [Bstrd Boots]
Quantic and His Combo Bárbaro – Albela (Alternative Version) [Tru Thoughts]
Mr President – From South To North [Favorite]
Dorian Concept – Toe Games Made Her Giggle [Ninja Tune]
Mau’lin – Good Arithmetic [Ho_Tep]
Lotek – Wonderkidd [Non Plus]
MJ Cole – Manta [Prolific]
PhOtOmachine – Sine Language [Super]
Jodeci – Freakin U (Simbad Remix)
Comfort Fit – Fuh Real (Atjazz Remix)
Anton Romezz – Marzipan World (Havana Candy Remix)
Offset – Comfort [Fine Art]
C.9ine – Chasing (Atjazz Remix) [Atjazz]
DJ Le Roi – Soller [Compost Black]
Djeff & Silyvi feat. Cef – Mwini [Offering]
The JB’s – Rock Groove Machine (Kay Sputnik Edit) [Bipolar]
14 February 2011
K.C. White & The Love Joys – Open The Gates [Wackies Music]
African Roots – Gem Rock Dub [Wackies Music]
Johnny Osbourne – We Need Love [Soul Jazz]
Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up (The Dynamics Rework) [Big Single]
Cantina y Su Combo – Santa Marta Cumbia [Soundway]
Cravo & Canela – O Trem Atrazou [Mr Bongo]
Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra – Ethio [Ubiquity]
Hackney Colliery Band – Right Foot Up [Wah Wah 45s]
Rise – Psalm 64 [Futuristica Music]
Richard Spaven – Rockers Round Window [Jazz Re:freshed]
Atjazz feat. Amalia – One (Boddhi Satva Ancestral Poetry Mix) [Atjazz]
Taylor McFerrin – Awake To You [Brainfeeder]
Venue Connection – Mar de las Calmas
GuSHee – When I Think Of You …Sunshine
Eric Lau – Vu Ja De [Kilawatt Music]
Recess – The Gentleman [Homebase NYC]
Photek – Slowburn [Photek Productions]
Amalia – Luxurious [Tokyo Dawn]
Opolopo feat. Farah – Waiting [Tokyo Dawn]
Agoria – Simon [Infine]
Francesco Tristano – Mambo [Infine]
Afrikan Sciences – Two As 36 [Deepblak]
Domu – Two
Grooveman Spot – Take Back [Jazzy Sport]
Skwerl – Betaserc [Sonar Kollektiv]
Photek – Slowburn [Photek Productions]
DJ Jazzy Jeff feat. Erro – Rock Wit U (Yoruba Soul Remix) [BBE]
Prommer & Barck – Sleeping Beauty [Derwin]
7 February 2011
Rise – Shine A Light [Futuristica Music]
Raphaël – Archangelo [Heavenly Sweetness]
Rise – Shine Down [Futuristica Music]
Andre Zimma feat. Delhia De France – Wicked Games & Careless Love [Swedish Brandy]
Resonators – Sweet Love Affair (Jstar Innachickenhead Mix) [Wah Wah 45s]
Anthony David – Let Me In [Dome]
Nostalgia 77 – Simmerdown [Tru Thoughts]
Ilya Santana – Transborder (Letherette Remix) [Eskimo]
Wildcookie – Jackson Miles [Tru Thoughts]
Space Invadas – Listen [BBE]
Reso – Aethra [Civil Music]
Jonny Faith – Meteor Shower (Ital Tek Remix) [Civil Music]
Jessie Ware & Sampha – Valentine [Young Turks]
Rime – Smoke & Regret [Infracom]
Joash feat. Replife – Misson [Compost]
PhOtOmachine – Sine Language [Super]
Blundetto – Mi Condena (Grooveman Spot Remix) [Heavenly Sweetness]
Boohgaloo Zoo – Come To This [Love Monk]
Phreek Plus One feat. Ovasoul 7 – Don’t Wanna [Compost]
Prommer & Barck – Submarine Bells [Derwin]
Wbeeza – Let Me Know [Third Ear]
Art Bleek – Friends [Loungin’]
Orakel – Feel The Process [4Lux]
Frootful – Astronaughty [Freestyle]
The Shaolin Afronauts – Journey Through Time [Freestyle]
Floating Points Ensemble – Almost In Profile [Ninja Tune]
31 January 2011
Orakel – The Beginning Of The End [4Lux]
Buddy Sativa – The Pilgrim [Favorite]
Richard Spaven feat. Jose James – Maz [Jazz Re:freshed]
Hundred Strong feat. Pete Simpson – You Make Me Feel [High Noon]
Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra – Ghost In The Rain [Ubiquity]
Mizz Beats – Dirty Dishes [Eglo]
Guest Mix By Nitzan [Edit/Fine Art Records]
Soul Center – How Far Do You Want To Go? [NovaMute 2001]
Moodymann – I’d Rather Be Lonely [Mahogany Music 2007]
El Coco – Cocomotion Part 1 [AVI Records 1977]
Plastic People – Santiago Salazar [Xoledad 2007]
Jonny L – This Time (Carl Craig Remix) [CCR 2005]
Laurent Garnier – Jackin’ Zone [F Communications 1998]
Laurent Garnier – Kall It [F Communications 1997]
Scaffolding – D–tron (Fakesch Remix) [Plastic Sound Supply 2010]
Musique – Summer Love Theme [Prelude 1978]
Tuxedomoon – No Tears [Crammed 1978]
Eurythmics – I Did It Just The Same [Virgin 1984]
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
Cosa Nostra feat. Miss MIC – Let It Go
Priss – On My Way [Offering]
Chaim – Rain [BPitch Control]
Curtis Mayfield – Love Me Love Me Now (Onur Engin Edit)
Diana Ross – Love Hangover [Tamla Motown]
Floating Points Ensemble – Almost In Profile [Ninja Tune]
24 January 2011
Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra feat. Nanny G – Nanny Jee [Ubiquity]
Frootful – Fish In The Sea [Freestyle]
The Afro Soul-Tet – Afro Revolt [Luv N’ Haight]
37th State – Found [Mozik]
Lanu feat. Megan Washington – Beautiful Trash (Hidden Orchestra Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Deborah Jordan – Love From The Sun [Futuristica Music]
Maddslinky feat. Tawiah – Further Away [Tru Thoughts]
Ahu – To Love (Tightface Remix) [One Handed Music]
Saturn Never Sleeps – The Magic Hour [Tokyo Dawn]
Elan Tamara & Dimitri Grimm – Doze
Tom2k – Smoothmaster5000 [UBeat]
Kalbata – Silver Balls [Brownswood]
Truth – Bubba Ho Step [Disfigured Dubz]
Commix – Be True (Burial Remix) [Metalheadz]
Survival – Sky (Break Remix) [Dispatch]
Ron Forella – Crystals [Groove Merchant/Luv N’ Haight]
The Planty Herbs – Portal [Wax On]
Georg Levin – Intangible [BBE]
Deep Space Orchestra – Moonrunners [Winding Road]
Alan1 – Concertmate [Gomma]
Reel People feat. Tony Momrelle – Star [Papa]
Studnitzky – Hauke (Atjazz Remix) [Best Works]
Theo Parrish feat. Larry Mizell – Untitled [Sound Signature]
Capracara – Panic Beats [Fine Art
Alton Miller – Shine On Me [KDJ]
17 January 2011
Floating Points – Peoples Potential [Eglo]
Mark E – You [Merc]
House Of House – Rushing To Paradise (DJ Harvey Remix) [White]
Deep Space Orchestra – Outliers (Clean and Jerk Mix) [Use Of Weapons]
Sage Monk – Baram Bakié (Mushroom Boyz Remix) [Offering]
Agoria – Grande Torino [Infine]
Buzz Compass – Samba Rambo [Akustikk]
Deborah Jordan – Lullaby [Futuristica Music]
Danay Suarez – Ser O No Ser [Brownswood]
Esperanza Spalding – I Adore You
Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble – P.D.P. [Tramp]
Eveson – Numbers [Channel 82]
Nuphlo – 40 Thieves [Studio Rockers]
Daniel Drumz – Walking Into Sunshine [U Know Me]
Maddslinky feat. Tawiah – Further Away [Tru Thoughts]
Benny Tones feat. Sacha Vee – Chrysalis [BBE]
Slakah The Beatchild feat. Ebrahim – This Beautiful Feeling [BBE]
Cleast Intwood – Homeless
Hundred Strong feat. Amp Fiddler – Mood Swing [High Noon]
10 January 2011
Kaisen – Movement II [Nonine]
Mecca:83 – Untitled 147
James Blake – Limit To Your Love [A&M]
Soul Evidence – Soul (Evidence) [Atjazz]
Mizz Beats – Sanctuary [Eglo]
DJ Vax1 – Summer Jazz
The Raah Project – Space Between Thoughts (Ennio Styles & Spray Tandoori Remix)
Sandra St Victor’s Sinner Child – At My Spheres (Funkineven Remix) [Strategic Soul]
Floating Points Ensemble – Post Suite [Ninja Tune]
Theo Parrish – Hope For Tomorrow [Sound Signature]
Lanu – der Hotel Blume [Tru Thoughts]
Teena Marie – You Make Love Like Springtime [Motown]
Mark de Clive-Lowe presents Sy Smith – Teena (Lovergirl Syberized)
Portico Quartet – Monsoon: Top To Bottom [Real World]
Bamana Quartet – 4 I Farati!
Resonators – Sweet Love Affair (Jstar Innachickenhead Mix) [Wah Wah 45s]
Laki Mera – How Dare You (Part-Time Heroes Remix) [Just Music]
Von D & Riskotheque – Like A Bird [Disfigured Dubz]
Calibre – Broken [Signature]
Survival feat. Christina Nicola – Mistakes [Dispatch]
Ozdemir Erdogan – Ac Kapiyi Gir Iceri (FOC Edit)
Cali – Looking Back
Chris Barker – Omnia
Deep Space Orchestra – Trust Skynet [Use Of Weapons]
Herman – Rock Your Body [Fine Art]
3 January 2011
Robert Owens – Heart & Soul [Compost]
GB – The Dreamer [Gifted & Blessed]
John Arnold & Jeremy Ellis feat. Paul Randolph – Magic [Future Soul]
Deep Space Orchestra – Vanishing Point [Use Of Weapons]
Billy Love – Can’t Keep Running Away [Sound Signature]
Vikter Duplaix – Electric Love (Boddhi Satva Remix)
Pirahnahead – Mirror Muse [Third Ear]
Pariah – Detroit Falls [R&S]
Riya – The Cycle [Automatic]
James Blake – Footnotes [R&S]
Cleast Intwood – Touching A Tree Cause I’m Nervous
FantastikClick & Sport G – Brain 02 [4Lux]
Andreya Triana – Far Closer (Mr. Scruff Remix) [Ninja Tune]
Marc Rapson feat. Liz Elensky – Love Is All [Futuristica Music]
Nat Birchall – Keep The Light Shining [Gondwana]
Lloyd Miller & The Heliocentrics – Spirit Jazz [Strut]
Donso – Hunters [Comet]
TJ Kong & Nuno dos Santos feat. Robert Owens – Where Were You (Kirk Degiorgio Remix) [Compost Black]
Aybee feat. Omega – Every Kind Of Way [Deepblak]
Ron Trent feat. Eric Rico – Sensation [Future Vision]
JD73 – Sweet Stuff [Z]
Opolopo – Glide [Tokyo Dawn]
Mr Scruff Vs. Kirsty Almeida – Pickled Spider [Ninja Tune]
Various Artists: Soulshaker Vol. 7 [Record Kicks]
The good folks at Record Kicks have done it again by assembling some of the hottest funky treats past and present from both sides of the pond. Indeed, Vol. 7 turns up the heat right from the outset with "His Voice", armed with a smoking rhythm section and the voice of Elder William Smith will move your hips and leave your soul feeling sanctified. In addition to the funk, we’re serenaded with "Rags To Riches", a wicked Afro funk tune from The Liberators that features vocals from Roxie Ray from Dojo Cuts. "Tonic Stride" is a deep soul groover from Detroit based Third Coast Kings that is worthy of repeated listens. Other honorable mentions include "Sookie Sookie" by The Hi Fly Orchestra and "Let Me Take You Higher" by Roy Ellis and The Teenagers. The Soulshaker compilations have been consistent with delivering essential soul and funk recordings and this one is no exception.
Nick Rosen: Into The Sky [Porter Records]
Twenty three year old multi instrumentalist Nick Rosen’s debut “Into The Sky” is a dreamy collection of atmospheric soundscapes that are deeply melodic and spiritually uplifting. Rosen co-produced several tracks with Miquel Atwood-Ferguson, with whom he’s worked with as a member of the Build An Ark ensemble. Their chemistry shines on tunes like “Ancestral Echoes” on which Atwood-Ferguson begins with a simple yet enchanting piano melody before accompanied by his ensemble to build a rich aural mesmeric sound. Atwood-Ferguson’s playing on violin is equally engaging. The performances on “African Sun” are also joyful and equally moving, Rosen’s playing on acoustic bass provides warmth and will certainly strum your heartstrings. The disc also brings together a host of innovative musicians that leave their mark on each arrangement. Cellist Peter Jacobson, French horn Danielle Ondarza and vocalist Mia Doi Todd all put their stamp on this disc. This is a wonderful record, If you like the stylistic string compositions of Build An Ark that echo peace and hope then you’ll certainly enjoy this.
Eric Lau: Makin Sounds [Kilawatt Music]
After listening to Eric Lau’s latest release, “Makin Sounds”, I couldn’t help but think that somewhere there was a vocalist or a rapper who wishes their vocals were sprinkled over his trademark mid-tempo soulful grooves. Although the disc plays like a collection of snippets as only one tune, the mellow bouncy “Cruise Control” exceeds three minutes. However there is still much to savor amongst this twenty track disc. “Home Run” is armed with a rugged beat laced with samples of Buster Rhymes. “Dreamsville” is aptly titled with a laidback rhythm guitar providing a bluesy groove. “Noma” is a standout track that serves as the perfect canvas for Ben Hadwen’s colorful flute phrasing. This is an enjoyable release that will serve as a nice appetizer as we await the new projects this talented producer has in store for us.
Incognito: Transatlantic RPM [Dome Records]
Incognito has been blessing us with jazzy flavored soulful dance tracks for over thirty years and on their latest release “Transatlantic RPM”, One has to admire Bluey’s taste in musicians across the pond for he has recruited an all star line-up to add some additional flavor to his signature sound. You can’t go wrong when you open the set with the incomparable Chaka Khan. While she does a fine job covering the Boz Scaggs classic “Low Down”, she sounds superb alongside Mario Biondi on “The Song”. “Gotta” features a softer side of Poet/Singer Ursula Rucker that is soothing to the eardrums. Of course an Incognito album wouldn’t be complete without the beautiful voice of Maysa and she shines on “Your Sun My Sky”. The rhythm section stretches out and lays down a nice groove on “Expresso Madureira” and “Can’t Get Enough” is an infectious dance track. When you think of the pinnacle of Incognito albums, “Positivity” and “100 Degrees and Rising” come to mind. I’m not ready to add this one to that list but it’s certainly their strongest release since “Adventures In Black Sunshine”. Long time fans and newcomers will certainly this one throughout.
Diplomats of Solid Sound: What goes around [Record Kicks]
Hailing from Iowa City, Iowa, The Diplomats of Solid Sound return with the follow up to the 2008 release “Diplomats of Solid Sound featuring The Diplomats”. “What Goes Around” features eleven tracks of old school soul filled with hip twisting grooves and a funky horn section. Among the highlights are “Promise Of A Brand New Day”, a rock ‘n roll inspired tune armed with vocals by the Diplomettes. “Gimme One More Chance” lays down a nice groove that is augmented by a lush string section. “Bailout” is a funky instrumental that features some impressive work by Nate Basinger on the Hammond B3 Organ. With the album remixed by Adam Gibbons of Lack Of Afro, you sound quality is top notch. Overall this is a solid (no pun intended) release by Iowa based band that will delight those enamored with the vintage soul sound.