17th June 2024
Black Diamond – Say To Yourself [We Jazz Records]
Sun Ra – Stardust From Tomorrow [Strut Records]
Ronnie April’s Positive Energy – Dancers Theme [Jazz Room Records]
Aderemi Kabaka – Funky Lagos [BBE Music]
Rasa – The Dream Is Over [Gopal]
Tom Noble feat. Alice Russel – Moon & Stars [Laws Of Motion]
Jamie Finlay feat. Ellen Beth Abdi – Daylight [Wah Wah 45s]
Steve Cobby – It’s Raining Diamonds On Neptune [Déclassé]
Inkswel & Tableek – Smarter feat. Colonel Red (Drum Machine Version) [Tokyo Dawn Records]
Danny Kuttner & Roy Reemy – Getaway [Siyal Music]
Banda Black Rio – Melissa [Music On Vinyl]
Lagos Thugs feat. Kiala & Ruth Tafébé – Radio Talk [Tangential Music]
RAH & The Ruffcats – Rodeo [Sonar Kollektiv]
Arthur Melo – Saídas [Wonderfulsound]
Culross Close – Reactive State [Esencia]
beatsbyhand – SARS [Stay True Sounds]
Kid Fonque X Jonny Miller feat. Zaki Ibrahim – Migration [Stay True Sounds]
Yuu Udagawa – Spectral (Dub) [Trusted Rhythm Records]
Mike Steva feat. Stevo Atambire – Destiny Song (Henrik Schwarz Remix) [Sondela Recordings]
Quiet Village – Reunion [The Quiet Village]
Tom Noble – Atlast [Laws Of Motion]
OG Wang – Ebony [Boogie Cafe]
Nicola Kramer – Best In Me (Best In Me (Dego And Kaidi 2000 Black Refake) [TrebleO]
Arthur Melo – Mirantes Emocionais [Wonderfulsound]
Arthur Melo, a Brazilian composer, guitarist and singer returns after a three year hiatus. Backed by his band O Ministerio da Consciencia, the new album “Mirantes Emocionais” pays homage to Melo’s heroes of the 70 & 80s, specifically Milton Nascimento. In addition, the album has plenty of film refernces as he’s studied film and is a fan of the great Director Brian De Palma. Melo’s feathery vocals float over the percussive electric guitar driven “Dama da Noite”. The psychedelic “Principios Organizadores” simmers with electric and acoustic guitar rhythms. Dante Batista Ribeiro’s playing on the sitar adds another layer of flavor to the recording. “Saidas” is a blissful acoustic tune enhanced by the gentle brushes from drummer Theodora Viana. Produced by Kassim, “Mirantes Emocionais” is a superb recording that recalls the past while applying new ideas from the present.
https://wonderfulsound.bandcamp.com/album/mirantes-emocionais
10th June 2024
Allysha Joy – Raise Up [First Word Records]
Crackin’ – You’re Winning [Warner Bros. Records]
Insxght – Uptown (Live) [Jazz Re:freshed]
WAAN – Chivat (Live) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Keith Jarrett – IIa [ECM]
Mad SKillz – The Nod Factor [Big Beat]
Jalen Santoy & KAMAE – Lip Service [PLYGRND Music]
Clyde Beats feat. Amalia – Rising Up [Atjazz Record Company]
Arjuna Oakes – Motel [Albert’s Favourites]
Culross Close – Becoming Present [Esencia]
Dr. Sud – Desert Wind [Cognitiva Records]
Quiet Dawn feat. LyricL – Celebrate [First Word Records]
Quiet Dawn feat. Oliver Night – Lost From Life [First Word Records]
Bosq & Kaleta – Mifon [Bacalao]
Àbáse – Menidaso (My Hope) [Bridge The Gap]
Hypaphonik feat. Luthando Mzi – Amandla [Stay True Sounds]
Sonic Juncture – Can’t I Just Be? (Alton Miller Remix) [Dealt With Records]
Scrappy – Don’t Give Up On Love (Long Version) [Still Music]
DFRA – Brown Sugar (Atjazz Remix) [Deeppa Records]
Zero T – Jazz Type Thing [V Recordings]
Unknown – Fight Them (Peshay Mix) [Scam Recordings]
FD – Deep Fake [The North Quarter]
Musclecars – Sugar Honey Iced Tea! [BBE Music]
Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield are Musclecars. Over the last few years they’ve been making a name for themselves for their lush house remixes for a number of artists. “Sugar Honey Ice Tea”, their debut album captures the essence of New York City club culture made famous by some of the legendary local DJs. DJs like the late Larry Levan and Louie Vega, just to name a few are known for injceting a myriad of musical styles seamlessly into their live sets and kept the party rocking. This lp follows the same formula. “Ha Ya” is a deep percussive afro house with a hypnotic chorus. “Tonight” is infectious soulful house with warm vocals. “Circles 11” is the kind of track that would’ve filled the floor at the Paradise Garage back in the day. The duo flex their remixing skills to extend the groove. The end result is a seven minute funk deluxe banger with a pulsating groove and ear popping percussion. Get to know this duo. Based on this impressive release they should be around for a long time.
Another Taste – Another Taste [Space Grapes Records]
Another Taste are a four piece band with a handful of special guests from the Netherlands. The self titled debut specializes in 70s styled boogie tunes. The live instrumentation lends to the authenticity of their sound. Bob Roche on bass and rhythm guitar is a constant presence throughout the disc. Barend Lippens synth arrangements as well as his lead vocals also hit the mark. The opener “Turn Up” is infectious boogie funk. “Anything You Want” is soulful boogie meets Disco with dazzling synths. Vocalist Sarina Voorn gliding over the thumping bass groove.s the icing on the cake. The finale “Perfect Night” is laidback synth laden boogie funk. This is a band that knows how to lay down the funk. Polish your dancing shoes, you’re gonna have a funky good time.
3rd June 2024
Bruk Rogers feat. Onj & Roberta Silva – 2 Deusa [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Omar – It’s So [Omar Music]
Bread & Souls feat. Paul Randolph – I See You [Mashibeats]
Hatti Vatti – Zwierciadło [R&S Records]
2fox feat. Laville – Elevation [Soul Clap Records]
Shaka – Magic Plan [Mate]
Mark E – Sleeping Giant [Merc]
St. Germain – Thank U, Mum (Everything You Did) [F. Communications]
Ambient Jazz Ensemble – I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun [Here & Now Recordings]
Nicola Conte – Wanin Moon [Schema Records]
Vinícius Mendes – Variações [Notes On A Journey]
Sean Khan Presents The Modern Folk & Jazz Ensemble – Solid Air [Acid Jazz]
Greg Foat & Gigi Masin – Viento Calido [Strut Records]
Photek – Can’t Come Down [Science]
Perikás – Laberinto [Mr Bongo]
RAH & The Ruffcats – Sorry [Sonar Kollektiv]
K.O.G feat. Pat Thomas – Odo Sronko [Pura Vida Sounds/Heavenly Sweetness]
Machinedrum feat. Mick Jenkins & Jesse Boykins III – Weary [Ninja Tune]
Farma G & Wish Master feat. Sonnyjim – Creme De La Creme [False Idols]
Common & Pete Rock – Wise Up
Potatohead People – Follow Your Heart [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
People – Upside Down [Tramp Records]
Amanda Whiting – The Liminality of Her [First Word Records]
In a short period, Amanda Whiting has made her presence felt on the UK jazz scene as an accomplished harpist and composer. Strong recordings on Jazzman records and Albert’s Favorite’s are evidence of that. “The Liminality of Her” is her first release on First Word records. The ten track release explores a new direction as the title suggests. Liminality is the in-between moments of what was and what is. “Liminal” is a blissful mid-tempo tune where Whiting manipulates the harp into sounding more like an acoustic guitar. “Waiting To Go” is another highlight where Chip Wickham’s flute phrasings complement the vibrations of the harp. “Rite of Passage is a gentle tune that features vocalist Peach. Whiting is venturing into new territory here. “The Liminality of Her” will be a gratifying listen for those who choose to travel along with her.
https://amandawhiting.bandcamp.com/album/the-liminality-of-her
Alina Bzhezhinska and Tony Kofi – Altera Vita [BBE Music]
When it comes to Jazz duos, the tenor sax and the harp probably isn’t the first combination you think of. That said, the pairing of Tenor saxophonist Tony Kofi and harpist Alina Bzhezhinska is a heavenly match indeed. “Altera Vita” is a divine recording of two musicians submerging into a cohesive duo creating crisp yet warm compositions. “Tu Vides” begins with meditative percussion that the duo also contributes to the set. Kofi follows up with a seductive solo intertwined with Bzhezhinska’s gentle phrases. While her touch is tender she manipulates the strings for a bigger sound. “Audite Me – Hear Me” opens with the superb Muriel Grossman on the tanpura bass. The Middle Eastern rhythms combined with Kofi’s solo creates a spiritual jazz vibe. Bzhezhinska spins out phrases that bring it all together. Two great performances result in a marvelous recording. This will certainly inspire repeated listens.
27th May 2024
JJ Whitefield & Forced Meditation – Spectral Realms [Jazzman Records]
The Selenites Band – Crush Rotten Fruit [Stereophonk]
Chet Baker – Party Is Over [Right Tempo]
Finn Rees – Expansion [Mr Bongo]
Jay Richford & Gary Stevan – Having Fun [Schema]
Emile Londonien – Nympheas [Naïve Records]
Lau Ro – Lugar [Far Out Recordings]
Inês Loubet – Haja Paciência [Albert’s Favourites]
Astairé – Greener Days [Root Records]
Rasa – Questions In My Mind [Backatcha Records]
Maxx Traxx – Don’t Touch It [BBE]
Chaka Khan – Eye To Eye [Warner Bros. Records]
Common & Pete Rock – Wise Up
Manuel Tur – Shadowgraph (Yuu Udagawa Remix) [Spaced Repetitions]
Culross Close – Attachments [Esencia]
2000Black feat. Samii – Circus Ride [2000Black]
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Traveling [Antipodean Records]
China Charmeleon & Sio – Little Me (Kaidi Tatham Remix) [Stay True Sounds]
Quiet Dawn feat. Bembe Segue – All Around [First Word Records]
Alton Miller feat. Giinga Flame – Vibe Check [Mister Bear Records]
Nicola Conte – Umoja (Joaquin’s Sacred Rhythm Dub) [Far Out Recordings]
Mr Raoul K – Loni kè [Compost Records]
Tryangle Man – Everything [Tryangle Man Records]
Sly5thAve – Liberation [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Sylvestor Uzoma Onyejiaka, aka Sly5thAve expands on his love of orchestral compositions with “Liberation”. Onyejiaka’s third solo album begins as a suite of orchestral soulful compositions filled with heavenly strings and high hat cymbals. The disc takes on the feel of a film score that captures the essence of sly’s personal journey. “Water Suite” breaks into four parts. The opener “Thirst” is filled with funky brass arrangements. Peter Knudsen compliments the horns with sparkling guitar rhythms. Act two showcases a smaller ensemble but packs a punch nevertheless. “No, No, No, PT 2” is a funky remake of the Destiny’s Child hit that features soulful horn soloing from Jonathan Mones. “Monoxide” has funky hip-hop inspired basslines courtesy of MonoNeon and MacKenzie on vocals. Onyejiaka demonstrates his skills as a composer as well as an arranger. This cinematic release is a portrait of his vision that will certainly resonate with you.
https://sly5thavenue.bandcamp.com/album/liberation