Jafrosax: New Standard Of The Future [Pantone Music]
Here we have the debut album from Tokyo’s saxophonist Kaz Katuta aka Jafrosax which is produced by Yukihiro Fukutomi and Jazztronik. First thing you should know was that Vikter Duplaix features on “In The Morning” which was released as a single in 2005, with excellent remixes from Orto aka Faze Action and Jazztronik. Also featured are quality Japanese rapper Gaggle and the wonderful Yukimi Nagano who sounds as good as ever on “Drawn 2 You” and “Wait and See”. Katuta has got the right balance between old and new here, and has even dared to re-work Underground Resistance’s classic 2Hi Tech Jazz”. Another fine selection from Pantone.
I:Cube: Live At The Planetarium [Versatile Records]
In June 2005 I:Cube played the Star Ball festival at the Planetarium de la Villette in Paris and here is your chance to hear a 55 minute snippet of the I:Cube Playmobil spaceship to enjoy in your own living room. This performance is a mix up of Electronica, Ambient, Dub, Deep House and beautifully structured in such a way that you need to listen to the whole album from start to finish for it to make perfect sense. If you dip and skip you will miss the point and ambiance of this album, so take time out and listen properly.
Paolo Fedreghini & Marco Bianchi: Several Additional Waves [Schema Records]
Fedreghini & Bianchi released ‘Several People’ to great acclaim in 2005 and they’ve now revisited the album to create ‘Several Additional Waves’ with new reworks rather than remixes. From the original recording only the vocals have been maintained and everything else has been re-programmed and played again, giving the tracks a more electronic feel. Some of the purists may prefer the original but for me it highlights their talent and proves they are in tune with modern clubs and classic compositions. Go on, buy both versions.
Tortured Soul: Introducing Tortured Soul [R2 Records]
I’m certain all the house heads out there have been playing this since it was released in 2004, but it’s one I completely missed and thankfully R2 have given us a second chance to check out this excellent album. With predominantly house based tunes, these tracks are the best you can buy. Lead singer is of course Christian Urich from Cooly’s Hot Box, who sounds as good as ever. Even though most tracks are for clubland, they mix Disco, Jazz and Soul elements which will even appeal to the true Soul boys. This is without doubt the best way to be introduced to Tortured Soul.
The Bamboos: Step It Up [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Originating from Australia, The Bamboo’s have been rocking dancefloors ever since their self-funded 7". They were then signed to Kay-Dee Records, and Tru Thoughts recognised the talent and signed their debut. The sound is not a million miles away from Quantic Soul Orchestra, and on guest vocals is the wonderful Alice Russell on the single ‘Step It Up’ and also on the fantastic funk-fuelled version of Afronaught’s Broken Beat anthem ‘Transcend Me’. Also featured are updated versions of the Kay-Dee releases, so don’t think you’re being fiddled if you already have the singles. Even though Tru Thoughts are currently firing out albums, every single release is of the highest quality.
Nightmares On Wax: In A Space Outta Sound [Warp]
This is George’s fifth studio album and 4 years since the release of the last N.O.W. long player ‘Mind Elevation’. Respect goes out to the fact that George Evelyn is the longest serving artist on the legendary Warp Records label and is about to drop some tunes on his very own label ‘Wax On Records’.
‘In A Space Outta Sound’ is exactly what you’d expect from a Nightmares On Wax album. Massively chilled, full of soulful beats and teasing with the odd vocal here and there. Those expecting something different from the usual N.O.W. stuff will not find it on this album. But don’t get me wrong, the sound George creates, he creates very well and the beats on this album do sound fresh and are definitely aimed at the more laid back situation if you know what I mean.
Nightmares On Wax fans will dig the album for sure and it’ll be good to hear these new tunes performed live where I feel you’ll be given a new dimension to the sound. It’s no ‘Smokers Delight’ but that was an album of it’s time. ‘In A Space’ Is less sparse with more a groove, great production and a overall quality vibe. A solid soulful number 5 for N.O.W.
30 January 2006
Sol – Just Cause I Do – White
Hadwen Bridge – The Sapeur – White
Kero One – Its A New Day – Plug Label
Dirty Drummer – Bullets – Funk Rhythm
Stevie Wonder – Boogie On Reggae Woman (Kay Suzuki Re-Work) – White
Cymande – Bra (Jonny Miller Re-Edit) – White
Bajka – I Can No Poet Be – Jazzman
Free Design – Lullaby (J-Nova Remix) – Sonar Kollektiv
Joash feat. Charlie – Work It Out – White
Zumen – Sambatech – Raw Fusion
Bugz In The Attic – Once Twice – V2
Jonny Miller – Cold Air – Phuture Lounge
Pan Cosefo – Jooker (Zed Bias Remix) – Fabrique
12th Floor – Salsa (Trickski Remix) – Raw Fusion
Das Goldenes Zeitalter feat. Bajka – A Vision – Jazzman
Doob – Princess (Ukey Disco Remix) – White
Natalie Williams feat. Ty – The Way We Like It – Eastside
Opolopo – Still Trippin – White
Brotherly – Supersensory – White
De Rigueur – Chillin On The Rhodes (Kidgusto Remix) – Citrona
Kay Suzuki + Common Sense – I Knew It Wasn’T Cool – White
Dorothy Ashby – Drink – Cadet
23 January 2006
Alton Miller & Boddhi Satva – Don’T Stop – Atal Music
Simon Grey – The Galactica Suite (Domu Remix) – Papa
Jafrosax feat. Yukimi Nagano – Drawn 2 U (Studio Apartment Remix) – Pantone
Faze Action Presents Orto feat. Vanessa Freeman – Waiting Is Over – Papa
Chateau Flight – Superflight (Maurice Fulton Remix) – Versatile
Pridon – Sortman Tales – Low Impedance
Thomas Tedesco And Ocean – The Azzier The Izz – Nimbus West
Linda Hill – Leland’S Song – Nimbus West
D’Nell – 1st Magic (Shur-I-Kan Remix) – BBE
The Jacksons – Music’S Taking Over – Epic
Only Freak – Can’t Get Away (From Your Love) – Freerange
Elmore Judd – Your Eyez (Yam Who Rework) – Above The Clouds
The Bamboos feat. Alice Russell – Step It Up – Tru Thoughts
The Nostalgia 77 Octet – Freedom (Zombie Dance Part 2) – Tru Thoughts
Moo feat. Laila Adele – Musiq – White
Lizzy Parks – Same Old – White
Shu – Can I Take You Home – White
Vicelounge – Aqua Negro – Sbx Music
Jtodd – Contact – White
Blackbeard – To Be Free – Uptown Safari
Opolopo – Unidentified Funky Object – White
Kahil El’zabar – He’S Got The Whole World In His Hands (Henrik Schwarz Remix) – Deeper Soul
16 January 2006
creative arts ensemble – one step out – nimbus west
gustavo
marques & pororocas – don’t you go away – candid
jiva – stars –
expansions
roger eno/plumbline – siren 890 – hydrogen dukebox
not your
frequency – etymology – mind
outerzone band – suny – premier cru
gum drop
– make it easy – altered vibes
jamie finlay – little trumpet 2 –
white
jtodd feat. epcot – she’s wicked (marathon men remix) – altered
vibes
roisin murphy – sow into you (bugz in the attic remix) – echo
eddy & yannah – shamed (domu remix) –
compost
paul murphy – seven samurai – afro art
freesoul – freesoul part 1
– antipodean
ok_ma – go flo – r2
keisuke suzuki – water samba – compost
black
victoria beebee – zanzibar – club brasil
camaradas na atividade –
afinador cromatico – far out
carla whitney – it’s you for me-
jazzman
hundred strong feat. alison crockett – dream on delay (break reform
remix) – altered vibes
empyreal coalition – one of a kind – premier
cru
wayne kounty – superhero – premier cru
rightkindawrong – time 2 play –
rainy city
vaceo – right here – phuture lounge
bill conti – reflections –
bbe
daedelus – impending doom (umod remix) – ninja tune
9 January 2006
Belleruche – The Itch – Hippoflex
Belleruche – Reflection – Hippoflex
Corinne Bailey Rae – Like A Star – Emi
Kamara – Inside – Abstract Blue
Troubleman feat. Steve Spacek – Without You (Wajeed’S Flash Gordon Remix) – Far Out
J*davey – Might As Well – White
Maspyke – No Big Deal – Abb
Jafrosax feat. Gaggle – Sin Ku Kan – Pantone
Daedelus – Impending Doom (Domu Remix) – Ninja Tune
Bugz In The Attic – Sounds Like – V2
Daz-I-Kue – Melon Bounce – White
Da Monikeerz feat. Marilyn David – Handle It (Ladbroke Rework) – Diggers
Phuturistix feat. Fyza – Fly Away (Mark De Clive-Lowe Remix) – Phuture Lounge
Ithamara Koorax feat. Dom Um Romao – Fica Mal Com Deus (Cargo Remix) – Irma
Shaun Escoffery – I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Terrence Parker Remix) – Oyster Music
Tomas Improta And Finn Peters – Jungle Kitten – Club Brazil
Innocent Sorcerers – The Score – Raw Fusion
The Two Tons – Never Like This (Jonny Miller Re-Edit) – White
Rosalia De Souza – Joco De Roda (Innervision Mix) – Schema
Five Corners Quintet feat. Mark Murphy – Before We Say Goodbye – Rick Tick
Mark Murphy – Someone To Light Up My Life – Muse
Geraldo Pino And The Heart Beats – Heavy Heavy Heavy – Sound Way
The Sugar Beats Band – Untitled – White
Herbie Hancock – Knee Deep – Cbs
Theo Parrish – Falling Up (Carl Craig Remix) – Third Ear
Dell + Flugel – Superstructure – Laboratory Instinct