Silent Poets: Sun [Nocturne Records]
I cannot believe it’s six years since the release of the excellent "To Come", which was a typical example of me purchasing a top dollar Japanese import to see it released a few months later released in Europe for a third of the price: hey, that’s the way it is nowadays. Japanese producer Michiharu Shimoda utilizes the talents of Shawn Lee, Alain Ho and Everton Nelson to create an ace downtempo – electronica – abstract hiphop piece of work. Recorded with a string orchestra conducted by Everton Nelson with haunting vocals from Shawn Lee, this is one album you should take note of. Just because it’s been released in France rather than Japan doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be investigated, so make the effort.
Choklate: Choklate [Kajmere Sound Recordings]
2006 has been quite a year for debut albums and here’s another from the home of the Rebirth. This is a fine selection of soul, but some people keep referring to it as R&B and Choklate is way past that (-sorry, the word R&B sends me running for miles). Some of you may have heard the single “Waitin” which features the awesome Chali 2na from Jurassic 5, who has one of those voices that I love, and here works a treat with Choklate’s vocals. There is also the lovely “Getting Is Good” and the rare groove influenced “Bigger Than You”, and my personal favourite “Heavy”. You’d be very silly not to check this out.
The Nova Dream Sequence: Interpretations [Compost Records]
King Britt has covered most of the musical bases over the years with aliases Sylk 130, Scuba, Oba Funke and Firefly, and now he moves to the dark side- techno. With Carl Craig’s remixes causing a stir around the world at the moment, it’s the perfect time for “Interpretations” to be heard. You get the impression that Britt dug out and listened to all the classic techno tracks, digested the best ideas and then took them into the studio mixing pot to create some beautiful electronica that will keep the heads happy. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next: drum and bass maybe?
Strange Fruit Project: The Healing [OM Hip Hop]
The first thing that stands out in the tracklistings for this album is that “Get Live” features Erykah Badu. It’s as good as you would expect and the perfect selling point for those who reside behind record counters. The Strange Fruit Project have been missed in the past and judging by both their previous albums there’s just no explanation. They’ve stuck to their guns and kept their effective sample-based beats and basslines. There is only one slight difference to their previous long players in that they have brought in a few guests: these include Little Brother, Bavu Blakes, Darien Brockington, DeLoach and of course the lady of soul mentioned above. I really hope this gets them the attention they thoroughly deserve, but only time will tell.
The Beauty Room: The Beauty Room [Peacefrog Records]
It was well over a year ago that Kirk Degiorgio came to DJ in Leeds and told me about a new project he was working on for Peacefrog which would be in the style of Steely Dan. I’ve been waiting in anticipation ever since and when I received a copy of the brilliant cover of Jan Hammer’s “Don’t You Know” I knew we were going to be in for something special. Kirk’s previous work covers most styles of electronic music and his DJ sets have become legendary. I’m not sure how to describe this style but it’s certainly heavily influenced by Kirk’s soul and jazz history, with beautiful harmonies and strings and stunning vocals by Jinadu, which will blow your mind. Comparisons will be made with Zero 7 but with a backing band of Ian O’Brien on guitar, Chris Witten’s drums and the involvement of The Heritage Orchestra, this has massive mainstream potential and the purists will love it too. So next time you’re watching TV and your mum changes the channel to watch Gardeners’ World, don’t be surprised if you end up singing along to The Beauty Room.
26 June 2006
Simbad – Soul Fever (Remix) [Raw Fusion]
Clara Hill Meets Vikter Duplaix – Paper Chase [Sonar Kollektiv]
Rhythm – Message In The Music (Jonny Miller Re-Edit) [White]
Soulpatrol – Qualified [Compost]
DJ Kawasaki feat. Ernesto – Like Thunder [Especial]
Adam Hurst – Lola Blackstock [White]
Logic System – Clash [White]
Herbie Hancock – Sly (Kay Suzuki Re-Work) [White]
Zero 7 – Throw It All Away [Atlantic]
Kabanjak – Gypsy Soul [Switchstance]
Amp Fiddler – Right Where You Are [Genuine]
Van Hunt – Hot Stage Lights [Emi]
Luna & Bazis – Fathal Attraction [White]
DJ Spinna feat. Eric Roberson – Butterfly Girl [Papa]
Luisito Quintero – Gbagada, Gbagada, Gbogodo, Gbogodo [BBE]
Stockholm Cyclo – Salsatech 1080 [Soundscape]
Bossa Free – Rise Me Up [Especial]
Jimmy Bo Horne – Hey There Jim [Tramp]
Pth Projects – Thin Air [Wah Wah 45s]
Choklate – Heavy [Kajmere]
Moxo Tengu – Hula Hoops [Other Worlds]
Hundred Strong feat. Jason Todd – Shine [Altered Vibes]
The Earlyman – City Smoke [Non Stop]
Steve Spacek – Dollar (Up Hygh Remix) [White]
Dabrye feat. MF Doom – Air [Ghostly]
Hearin’ Aid – Meet My Approval (Up Hygh Remix) [Raw Fusion]
19 June 2006
Eddie Roberts – Every Goodbye (Live In Paris) [One Note]
Carlton Basco – Don’T Chain My Soul [Tramp]
Patrice Rushen – Shortie’S Portion [Prestige]
Azimuth – Brazil [Som Livre]
Greg Harris – Folklore [White]
Stark – Would You [Futuristica]
Def-Tron – Sub-Atomic [White]
Jocelyn Brown – She’D Called [Digisoul]
Troubleman feat. Steve Spacek – Without You (Waajeeds Remix) [Far Out]
Dabrye feat. Wildchild – The Stand [Ghostly]
Q-Tip – Official [Motown]
People Under The Stairs – Pass The 40 [Tres]
Low Budget Soul – You Are The One (Blackbeard Remix) [Futuristica]
Unity – Escape [White]
Bugz In The Attic – Don’T Stop The Music [V2]
Nutmeg – Porno Futbol [Neroli]
Domu feat. Yolanda – Dangerous Times (Simbad Remix) [Co-Op]
Opolopo – Street Lights (Remix) [White]
Spirit Catcher – Rise And Shine (Pascal Rioux Philly Mix) [Rotax]
Mowgly – Solar System [White]
The Prime Element – The Prime Element [Trova]
The Frank Cunimondo Trio Introducing Lynn Marino – A House Is Not A Home [Mondo]
Freddie Hubbard – Blue Frenzy [Blue Note]
Byron Morris & Unity – Sun Shower [Celeste]
12 June 2006
Norman Weeks – Hold On [Sonar Kollektiv]
Phillip Wright – Keep Her Happy [Jazzman]
Ilya Santana – Leather Black Pants After Midnight [Permanent Vacation]
Reverso 68 – Tokyo Disko [Eskimo]
Nick Chacona – Through The Door [2020 Vision]
Cro-Magnon – Space Love [Jazzy Sport]
Def-Tron – Secret Groove [White]
Nu Tropic – Suave (Patchworks Clubjazz Remix) [Soultronik]
Coldcut feat. Robert Owens – Walk A Mile In My Shoes (Henrik Schwarz Remix) [Ninja Tune]
Inverse Cinematics & Icasol – Rolex [Pulver]
Mr President – From South To North [Favorite]
Soulphiction – Midnight Funk Infinity [Sonar Kollektiv]
Custom Blue – Under The Counter [Far Out]
Omar – Your Mess [Ether]
Steve & I – Higher Place [White]
Steve Spacek – Ubur [Jazzy Sport]
DJ Spinna feat. Lizz Fields – Could It Be Too Soon [Papa]
Mocky feat. Jamie Lidell – How Will I Know You (Moto Remix) [White]
Herbert – Moving Like A Train [K7]
Delgui feat. Jenna G – Let The Music Play [4 Lux]
DJ Enne – Lazise [Compost Black]
Isoul8 – Speak Your Word [Sonar Kollektiv]
Zero Db feat. Heidi Vogel – A Pomba Girou [Ninja Tune]
5 June 2006
Silent Poets – Future [Nocturne]
Steve Austin – Return Of The Cloak [Sick Trumpet]
Vicelounge – Deep Inside [White]
Dabrye – Get It Together [Ghostly]
Lost Idol – Firmly Rooted (Hint Remix) [Cookshop]
Positive Flow – Red Light Emergency [Native Source]
Bugz In The Attic – Move Aside [V2]
Jimpster feat. Capitol A – Left & Right [Freerange]
OK_MA – Switch [Sick Trumpet]
Sw Amp – Hi (Bak It Up) (Maddslinky Dub) [Striking Hand]
October – Piano Phone (Freedom Soundz Rework) [Striking Hand]
Tone Control – Take It To The Top (Dub) [Tone Control]
Sumo – Lovebeat [Heya Hifi]
Guest mix by Boddhi Satva (Atal Music)
Snowboy – Casa Forte (Joe Claussel Dub Version) [Ubiquity]
Felix Laband – Whistling In Tongues (Todd Terje Remix) [Compost]
Osunlade – Sokinsikartep [Yoruba]
Zoetic – Secrets Of Ancestry [Promo]
Alton Miller – Long Time Coming [Promo]
Master-H Unit feat. Yuanist Woods – No Ordinary Day (Bonus Beats) [Vega]
DJ Spinna feat. Heavy – We Can Change This World [Papa]
Kyoto Jazz Massive feat. Chris Frank & Guida De Palma – Shine (Kenny Dope Remix) [Compost]
7 Samurai – Brother [Gamm]
Karizma – Neke’s Theme [Defected]
Alton Miller & Boddhi Satva feat. Saï Saï Mouss – African People (Tchatcho Mix) [Atal Music]
Ron Blake – Tom Blake (Osunlade Yoruba Soul Mix) [Freestyle]
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
Players – Wonderful (Yam Who Instrumental) – Sanctuary
Brisa – Release (Mind Dub) – Irma
Alif Tree – Forgotten Places (Moodymann Remix) – Compost
Finnish Big Band Jazz – No Comments – Jazz Puu
Freddie Kruger Presents 3 Foot People: 3 Foot High & Rising [Homegrown Records]
Finally, we have the debut album from the man behind Red Astaire who is responsible for many releases on Gamm, Jugglin, Swedish Brandy, and here is yet another alias for Freddie Cruger: 3 Foot People. For a producer who has covered most styles over the last few years, this is basically downbeat with a mix of hip hop, dub reggae, soul and jazz. It’s great to hear more from Linn whose vocals always work a treat with Freddie’s productions. Make sure you hunt down Freddie & Linn “Keep on Playing” which was one of the best tracks from 2004. Great album to compliment Freddie’s label.