Ahu – Stellar [Mythstery Records]
Hard to believe that this is Ahu’s first solo project. The Turkish singer/songwriter has guested on numerous projects over the past fifteen years. You may recognize her voice from the Flying Lotus track “Roberta Flack”. “Stellar” features amixture of laidback and uptempo tunes that showcase her vocal talents. “I and I” starts the disc off with dreamy chords that complement her feathery vocals. “Same Sky” is a mid-tempo finger poppin’ tune with a soulful horn section. “Good News” is an uptempo sixties flavored soul number with an infectious drum snare beat. “Stellar” allows Ahu to stretch out present her own musical horizons. Let’s hope the wait isn’t too long for the next record.
25th December 2023 – Best of 2023 Part 2
Nicola Conte – Life Forces [Far Out Recordings]
Born74 & Onj – Mind Vibrations [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Simon Mavin – Good Hair Day [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
Menagerie – Kingdom [Freestyle Records]
Scrimshire – Unity Gain [Albert’s Favourites]
The Circling Sun – Jewel [Soundway Records]
Joshua Moshe – World’s Apart [La Sape Records]
Bread & Souls feat. Paul Randolph – Find The Beauty [Minipan]
Bright & Findlay – Fireflies [Athens Of The North]
Young Gun Silver Fox – Rolling Back (Disco Mix) [Legere Recordings]
Quantic feat. Rationale – Unconditional [Play It Again Sam]
Feiertag feat. Noah Slee – Keep Your Head Up [Sonar Kollektiv]
Searchlight feat. Manny – Long Time [Fallen Tree 1Hundred]
My Friend Dario – Sambatismo [Hell Yeah]
Felix Dickinson feat. Blane Lyon – People’s People (Ron Trent Remix) [Ugly Music]
The Blessed Madonna feat. Jacob Lusk – Mercy (Masters At Work Remix) [Warner Music]
Flamingo Pier feat. Steve Monite – Remedy (JKriv Disco Dub) [Razor-N-Tape]
Jimpster & Crackazat – Natural Child [Freerange Records]
At One feat. Sabrina Chyld – Could You Be? [Atjazz Record Company]
Yuu Udagawa – Illuminated Night [Cyphon Recordings]
New Sector Movements & Allysha Joy – These Times [First Word Records]
J-Felix feat. Colonel Red – Make You Mine [Inner Tribe Records]
Sababa 5 & Canay Doğan – Namdar [Batov Records]
Medline – Run For Cover [My Bags]
Isiah Collier – Parallel Universe [Night Dreamer]
“Parallel Universe”, is the latest release from Chicago native multi-instrumentalist Isiah Collier. This is a spiritual jazz journey that explores the African diaspora and connects the dots from the past to the present. “Village Song” is a thirteen minute spiritual anthem highlighted by Jimetta Rose on vocals and Sonny Daze fiery percussion. “The Lean” is an extended jam session fueled by bassist Micah Collier’s funky groove and Julien Reid’s subtle yet effective keys on top. “The Last Song” is a fitting climax to this voyage. A ten minute mellow roll call filled hazy synths and a slow burning guitar groove. A direct to disc recording, the band simply nails it in one take. Jimetta Rose’s honey soaked vocals shine throughout. Night Dreamer, the London based label has consistently delivered impressive direct to disc recordings and this is no exception. The Ancestors will be pleased and so will you.
18th December 2023 – Best of 2023 Part 1
Harold Land – Damisi [Wewantsounds]
Pharoah Sanders – Love Will Find A Way [Luaka Bop]
Sphere – Where [BBE Music]
Krystyna Prońko – Oto Przyczyna [Favorite Recordings]
Julius Brockington – Jaded Jackie [BBE Music]
Aquarius – So Tem Lugar Pra Voce [Vampi Soul]
Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção – Tá Tudo Aí [Mr Bongo Records]
Jorge Ben Jor – Palco (Tahira Edit)
New York Community Choir – I’ll Keep My Light In My Window [Mr Bongo Records]
Ruth Waters & The State Of Mind Show Band – Superstar Part 1 [Miles Away Records]
Alice Cohen & Fun City – Save The Best ‘Til Last [Mr Bongo Records]
GC Cameron – If I Love You [Soundway Records]
Alvarez – I Can’t Stop Loving You [Izipho Soul]
Clarity – The Way U Make Me Feel [Freestyle Records]
Remi Kabaka – All Black Festival [BBE Music]
Soul Liberation – Touch Me Again [BBE Music]
Vaneese & Carolyn – Just A Little Smile (From You) [Soul Brother Records]
Doctor Rhythm feat. Spirit Rejoice – I’m So Strong Now [Voom Voom Records]
Nkono Teles – Martin Street [Soundway Records]
Jewel Ackah – Wulemo [BBE Music]
Richie Weeks – Loose Joints (Version 3) [Past Due]
Ten City – That’s The Way Love Is (DFNY & PIEK Remix) [BuenoBueno Discos]
Sweet Reaction – African Sunrise [Voom Voom Records]
11th December 2023
Nivaldo Ornelas – Cactus [Favorite Recordings]
Agustín Pereyra Lucena – Tema Para Martin [Far Out Recordings]
Pharoah Sanders – Harvest Time Live 1977 (Version 2) [Luaka Bop]
Florian Pellissier Quintet – Coup De Foudre A Thessalonique [Heavenly Sweetness]
Espen Horne feat. Olav Wöllo – Nada Pode Me Calar [Wah Wah 45s]
Erin Buku – The Way (Spacek Remix) [Inner Tribe Records]
Tino & Marrrtin – Pie Bavarde (Remix) [Stereophonk]
Guilty Simpson & DJ Marrrtin – TaylorMade (2.0) [Stereophonk]
Slimy Ape – 99.99Mhz
Vromm – Horizon [R&S Records]
Currency Audio – Adder [Exit Records]
Afrikan Sciences – Two As 36 [Deepblak Recordings]
Domu feat. Lori – On The Line [Neroli]
Turbojazz & Broke One – Take 3 [Last Forever Records]
Cody Currie – Ghost [Razor-N-Tape]
Lehto – Northbound [Bathurst Music]
Masters At Work Presents People Underground – My Love [Freetown Inc]
Michael Watford – Love Change Over (Salt City Orchestra Vocal Changeover) [Hard Times]
Brine – The Way I Do It [Last Forever Records]
Offshore and Coen feat. Paja – Hold On [Citizens Of Vice]
Steven Julien – G-Out [Apron Records]
Isoul8 feat. Paul Randolph – Clover [Sonar Kollektiv]
Spunk – La Bimini [Boogie Times Records]
Mamas Gun – This Is The Day (Full Band Version) [Légère Recordings]
Feiertag – Roots [Sonar Kollektiv]
Joris Feiertag, aka Feiertag is a dutch based drummer/producer from the Netherlands. “Roots”, his third release on Sonar Kollektiv is a fresh concoction of tasty uptempo electronic grooves laced with live instrumentation. There’s a number of talented vocalists on board lifting the compositions to greater heights. “Keep Your Head Up” percolates with warm percussive rhythms aligned with the falsetto vocals of Noah Slee. UK Poet Nego True appears on two tracks, the laid back “Love Hills” and the infectious banger “Feel Me”. “Law Of Attraction” has a slow burning lovers rock kind of vibe that features Oshun. Fellow labelmate Pete Josef adds his golden voice to the joyful “Give A Little”. Although the lineup is impressive it’s Feiertag’s array of creative compositions that ignite this disc. This is a joyful listen throughout that’s worthy of your attention.
4th December 2023
Maspyke – The Writer [ABB Records]
Bahamadia – Culture Cut [Jam Recordings]
Yancey Boys feat Detroit Serious, J Rocc & Vice – Fisherman [KingUnderground]
Pan Amsterdam – Twit Coin [Def Pressé]
Dan Hastie & Terin Ector – Dorado [Madlib Invazion]
Badge and Talkalot feat. JazzZ – About You
Fabiano do Nascimento – Curumim 2 [Far Out Recordings]
Inês Loubet – Sambo Mesmo Sem [Albert’s Favourites]
Isaiah Collier – Village Song [Night Dreamer]
Idris Muhammad – Piece Of Mind [Kudu]
Tess Hirst – Magic [Jazz Re:freshed]
Nutmeg – Change [Neroli]
WheelUP – BlackJoy Freestyle (Wipe The Needle Remix) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Domu feat. K15 – Ya Nah Gonna Get It [Neroli]
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Repetition (MdCL Remix) [Mashi Beats]
Mr Cee – Nye Wonko [BBE Music]
Teena Marie – I Need Your Lovin’ [Motown]
SIS – Double Rapture (Matthew Herbert Remix) [Native Cat Recordings]
Thatmanmonkz feat. Dnae – Burnin Up (Ducktape Dub Out) [Shadeleaf Music]
Peacey feat. Vanessa Hidary – Culture Bandit (Yoruba Soul Mix) [Atjazz Record Company]
Kenny Dope – The Illout [Dopewax]
Little Louie Vega & Marc Anthony – Ride On The Rhythm (Kenlou Rhythm Mix) [Atlantic]
Little Dragon – Slugs of Love [Ninja Tune]
“Slugs of Love”, the latest release from Little Dragon doesn’t deviate from what they do best. That is deliver another collection of gorgeous synth pop recordings certain to brighthen your mood. There’s a couple of guests on board to spice things up. Vocalist Damon Albarn adds a nice contrast to lead vocalist Yukimi Nagano on the dreamy “Glow”. Rapper JID adds clever rhymnes on “Stay”. The title track is an up-tempo number that erupts with a rumbling guitar groove with a hint of a new wave nineties vibe. Throughout the disc Nagano’s vocals sparkle while elevating the sublime arrangements. This band just continues to deliver feel good music.
27th November 2023
Tara Lily – Double Time (Instrumental) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Calibre – No Sense [Signature Recordings]
Photek – Minotaur [Science]
Photek – 124 [Science]
Lehto – Kettu [Bathurst Music]
Supa – Camel [Besides Records]
Bruno Berle – Tirolirole [Far Out Recordings]
Miguel Atwood Ferguson – Kairos (Amor Fati) [Brainfeeder]
Barbara Moore – Hot Heels [Jazzman Records]
Bold Parade – Cutting Room Floor [Suzume Recordings]
Julian Jonah feat. Dutch Robinson – If You Wanna (Know What’s Missing) [Izipho Soul]
Record Player – Free Your Mind [Soul Cal]
Sweet Reaction – Take It Easy (Simbad & Fred Spider Remix) [Voom Voom Records]
Bread & Souls feat. Paul Randolph – Find The Beauty [Minipan]
Magic Number – Better [Atjazz Record Company]
Manabu Nagayama & Soichi Terada – Low Tension (Jimpster Remix) [Cosmocities & Unknown Season]
Wapo Jije – City Storm [Stay True Sounds]
Mark E – Bodymap [Delusions Of Grandeur]
DJ 3000 – Pitë [Motech Records]
V.B.Kühl – Road Trip
Searchlight feat. KSR – We Could Be More (Wipe The Needle Remix) [Fallen Tree 1Hundred]
Finn Irregular feat. Monique Araujo – Feel Free (NameBrandSound Remix) [CoOp Presents]
20th November 2023
Jill Scott – Slowly Surely (Theo Parrish Remix) [White]
Sweet Reaction – Take It Easy [Voom Voom Records]
Espen Horne feat. Olav Wöllo – Nada Pode Me Calar [Wah Wah 45s]
Blurum13 & Inkswel – Set It Out! [Inner Tribe Records]
Gang Starr – Mass Appeal [Virgin]
Gang Starr – Code Of The Streets [Virgin]
Finn Irregular feat. Monique Araujo – Feel Free [CoOp Presents]
Atjazz – Stike [Atjazz Record Company]
Turbojazz & Broke One – Take 3 [Last Forever Records]
The Blessed Madonna feat. Jacob Lusk – Mercy (Masters At Work Remix) [Warner Music]
Atlantis Jazz Ensemble – Oneness [Marlow Records]
Fumio Itabashi – When You Smile [Mule Musiq]
Soil & “Pimp” Sessions – Dawn [Brownswood Recordings]
A.K. Yeboah – Make Me Know My Position [BBE Music]
Thomas Frempong – Okwan Bi [BBE Music]
Sababa 5 – Tri Li Li [Batov Records]
Alvarez – I Can’t Stop Loving You [Izipho Soul]
Young Gun Silver Fox – Tip Of The Flame (12″ Disco Mix) [Legere Recordings]
Peacey feat. Vanessa Hidary – Culture Bandit [Atjazz Record Company]
China Charmeleon & Sio – Little Me [Stay True Sounds]
Crackazat – Be Real [Stay True Sounds]
Go Soul Map feat. Derane Obika – Pushing [Space Echo]