VA – Eddy Ramich Presents Croatian Blue [BBE Music]
Eddy Ramich has crafted remixes for the likes of Arthur Verocai, Tania Maria and Sun Ra among others. In addition his house project Eddy meets Yannah and his DJ sets at Kontrapunkt in Zagreb solidifies him as one of the premier DJ/producers of the last twenty years. “Croatian Blue” is a tasty thumping compilation that showcases some of the musicians of his Croatian homeland. The disc starts out with a laid back vibe with the bouncy groove of “Koolade” from Mary & Steff. After that things heat up in a hurry. “South Side” kicks off with percolating percussion and breezy chords that puts you in a Belearic state of mind. “Dissolve” is a punchy tune with an atmospheric vibe that can certainly fill up a dance floor. The ten track disc doesn’t let up and that’s just fine with me. Ramich shines a light on home grown talent while delivering infectious club music in the process.
https://bbemusic.bandcamp.com/album/eddy-ramich-croatian-blue
Sons Of The Sun – Sons Of The Sun [BBE Music]
“Sons Of The Son is the duo of Jtronius and Maverick Quest. Texas based vocalist Jtronius (Joshua Taylor) has built an underground following while London based Maverick Quest has worked with an impressive array of musicians in his own right. Their self titled debut is filled with hot buttered funk and soul compositions. Evidence of that can be heard on “Oceanside”, way too short at a minute and thirty seconds. Long enough however to display their pulse on psychedelic funk. The track is ignited by a seductive guitar groove and a swaying chorus. “Underwater Dreaming” finds Jtronius crooning to a bouncy mid-tempo beat serenaded by sweet syrupy horns. The finale “Shine Like The Sun” is slow minimalist moody funk. Jtronious’s soulful falsetto has plenty of swagger. Add a funky cohesive rhythm section and now you’re onto something. These two have a good thing going here. Let’s hope this is just the beginning of more to come.
24th January 2022
Electric Conversation – Kro Zig [Futuristica Music]
Georgia Anne Muldrow – Canadian Hillbilly [Brainfeeder]
Morgan Spacek feat. Eska & Ghostface – Sticks & Stones
Jonny Tobin – Awake
He3 Project – Rapture Of The Deep [Family Groove Records]
Isaac Sasson – Manyanet [Olindo Records]
Lenna Bahule – Eu Quero Ser [Da Lata Music]
Brunno – Vivo_só [Notes On A Journey]
Khan Jamal – Nubian Queen [Jazz Room Records]
Afrikan Liberation Arts Ensemble – Rain Forest [Life Goes On Records]
Ju-Par Universal Orchestra – Mocha Velvet [Ju-Par Records Ltd.]
Lorenzo Morresi – Promenade [Rollover Milano Records]
Emile Londonien – Covered Bridges [Dope Tones Records]
Carl Smith And The Natural Gas Company – Livin’ A Dream [BBE Music]
Jose Carretas – Can’t Make It [Tribe Records]
Michael Watford – Love Change Over (Vocal Changeover) [Hard Times The Label]
Laroye & Abi Flynn – Rise [Atjazz Record Company]
Bonobo feat. Jordan Rakei – Shadows [Ninja Tune]
Tea White feat. Xabizo – Lullabies [Stay True Sounds]
Rima feat. Mark De Clive-Lowe & Anna Stubbs – Rivers [Compost Records]
Roska – Ice Cold [Roska Kicks & Snares]
Jacob’s Optical Stairway – Quatrain 72 (Red Horizion) [Reinforced Records]
Everson – Ina Aira [Ratface Records]
Jonny Faith – Slumber (Jonnys Drumfunk Dub) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Jonny Tobin – Together
Vancouver native and keyboardist Jonny Tobin’s fourth release was inspired to lift the spirits and soothe the souls of folks suffering from the devastating year that was 2020. “Together”. a joyous collection of tunes goes a long way to doing just that. “Neon Afterglow” a funky up-tempo tune displays some his synth wizardry. “Always” is a dreamy laidback tune well suited for lazy afternoons. “Super Genesis 64” is fast paced funk that kicks off a flurry of piano riffs. “Vivid Dreams” is an atmospheric gem filled with glorious vocal harmonies. Tobin’s compositions are vibrant, imaginative and separates him from other beat makers. You can feel the good vibes flowing throughout his beats. A superb recording filled with optimism and worthy of repeated listens.
17th January 2022
Bobby Cole – A Perfect Day [Tramp Records]
Vince Andrews – The One Who Needs You [Gerard Records]
Ziad Rahbani – 5 To 7PM [Wewantsounds]
Embryo – Yu Mala [Madlib Invazion]
Jimpster feat. Cairo – Rain [Freerange Records]
Mamas Gun – Party For One [Candelion]
LNDFK – Ku [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
Isabelle Mayereau – Jeu De Regards [BBE Music]
Nolan & Crossley – Salsa Boogie [Motown Records]
Magic Source – Riviera Drive (Extended 12″ Version) [Favorite Recordings]
Seyyal Taner – Sarmaş Dolaş (Fattish Edit)
Typesun – Last Home (DJ Nature Remix) [Compost Records]
Tamil Rogeon – Momus (Rebecca Vasmant Remix) [Freestyle Records]
JAB – Currents [Joon Dada Records]
Wipe The Needle – Cardassian Neck Back [Broadcite]
Jonny Faith – Rare Move [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
7Even – I See No Changes [Northside Records]
Benjamin Long – Cobbles [Apparel Music]
Jazzanova & The Lyman Woodard Organization – Creative Musicians (Henrik Schwarz Remix) [BBE Music]
Fka Mash – Lonely Jester (Atjazz Galaxy Aart Remix) [Atjazz Record Company]
Sharp 9 – Sped Up [Compost Disco]
J-Laze – Stratosphere [Looking Good Records]
Tommy The Cat – We Will Stay Together In the Dark [Unknown to the Unknown]
Special Forces – The End [Photek Productions]
MF Robots – Break The Wall [BBE Music]
MF Robots are the duo of Jan Kincaid and Dawn Joseph. If the name Kincaid rings a bell, it’s because he’s one of the founding members of the Iconic UK group The Brand New Heavies. Together the duo has arranged an array of sophisicated funk, soul and disco compositions that are refreshing and downright enjoyable. Notable tracks are “Gold”, an irresistible dance friendly tune filled with lush vocals and funky horns. “Good People” is a mid-tempo stomper with slick keyboards and funky rhythm guitar. The aptly titled “Happy Song” is bursting with sparkling percussion, tasty horns and arm vocal harmonies. In the age of electronics and DIY production, Music For Robots is reminding us how enjoyable the sound of a sparkling rhythm section can be. Add some horns and sweet vocals with heartfelt lyrics and you got a bonafide banger.
10th January 2022
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Kodama Shade
Penya – The World Is Full Of Gentle Souls (Ink Project Remix) [Liminal Recordings]
Meeka Kates – Laredo [Boogie Angst]
Habibi Grooves – Imaginary Friends [Lisztomania]
Isaac Sasson – Manyanet [Olindo Records]
El O – Bats Toi! [My Bags]
Dream Crews feat. Hunger The Mc – 72 Skyline [Inner Tribe Records]
Greg Surmacz – Live In A Cave [XVI Records]
Pharoah Sanders – Moon Child [Music On Vinyl]
Timo Lassy – Sointu [We Jazz Records]
Tranquil Elephantizer – Sugarlump [Futureboogie Recordings]
Nu-Era – Sky Walk [Reinforced Records]
Mark Hawkins – The Wash [Unknown To The Unknown]
Nasiphi & Sthamzen – uNalanto [Vagrant Soundz]
Diogo Strausz – Emancipação [Razor-N-Tape Reserve]
Karyme – Solo Jig [Apparel Tronic]
Laroye & Abi Flynn – Rise [Atjazz Record Company]
Cyclonix – Careless [Broadcite]
Misho Urushadze – Startus Cloud [Bubbling Records]
Turbojazz feat. Jennyfire – Optimistic (Atjazz Love Soul Remix) [Atjazz Record Company]
Zoe’s Shanghai – Open & Hoping
K.O.G – Shidaa [Heavenly Sweetness]
Leo Pesci – No Secrets [Bridge The Gap]
Laurent Bardainne & Tigre d’Eau Douce – Adieu My Lord [Heavenly Sweetness]
Chris Karen – Upa Naguhino [Earful Records]
Jan Tober & Ron Satterfield – Focus [Mind Fluid Music]
3rd January 2022 – Best of 2021 Part 3
Apparel Wax – 008A2 [Apparel Music]
Sweatson Klank – Slow Dancing To A Fast Break [Friends of Friends]
R.O.D. (Rainie Of De’Lacy) – The Cure (Conway Kasey Remix) [Makin’ Moves]
Radic The Myth – Chocolates & Charlotte [Stay True Sounds]
Milton Jackson – Birdsong [Freerange Records]
Sonarpilot – The Last Machine (Atjazz Rudinova Dub) [Sonarpilot Audio]
Tryangle Man – Night Jazz [Atjazz Record Company]
K15 – Feel More [Esencia]
Pete Josef – Giants (Jazzanova Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Crush Velvet (for Phlash) [Mother Tongue]
Kondi Band feat. Sweatson Klank – It’s God’s World (So Don’t Do Bad) [Strut Records]
Jembaa Groove – Bassa Bassa [Agogo Records]
Pigeon – Yagana [Soundway Records]
Kutiman – Guruji [Siyal Music]
EESKRA – Belong [Ramrock Records]
Stump Valley – Melodj Mecca [Soul Clap Records]
Inkswel feat. Andrew Ashong – Fallin’ (Eachother) [Atjazz Record Company]
My Friend Dario – Malvasia (Blair French Remix) [NuNorthern Soul]
Kuna Maze – Almost Gone [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Anthony Joseph – Calling England Home [Heavenly Sweetness]
As Valet feat. J.Mcfysian – Inevitable [Futuristica Music]
Pale Jay – Donny In Valdez
Sean Khan – Supreme Love – A Journey Through Coltrane [BBE Music]
With “Supreme Love”, UK saxophonist Sean Khan breathes new life into the timeless recordings of the saxophone colossus John Coltrane. Khan is joined by legendary UK jazz musicians Saxophonist Peter King and guitarist Jim Mullen as they cover different periods in the Tenor titan’s career. Vocalist Heidi Vogel, a supreme vocalist known for her work with the Cinematic Orchestra among others elevates the spiritual recordings of “A Love Supreme” and “Naima”. She equally shines on “Starchild” as well. Khan lets loose on “Cousin Mary”, one of Coltrane’s premiere bebop compositions. Also on board are Kaidi Tatham and Daz I Kue, two old friends from the broken beat movement. Tatham’s remixes on “Starchild” and “Azawala” are notable highlights. Khan’s journey through music has led him to this moment. Covering Coltrane’s work is no easy task but he has met the moment. A marvelous record that shouldn’t be missed.
https://seankhanfo.bandcamp.com/album/supreme-love-a-journey-through-coltrane
27th December 2021 – Best of 2021 Part 2
Scrimshire feat. Nat Birchall & Faye Houston – I Hear You, I See You [Albert’s Favourites]
Foat, Heinola, Åkerblom – Valley Of The Black Cats [Jazzaggression Records]
Marcus Joseph – What If? [Jazz re:freshed]
John Carroll Kirby – Sensing Not Seeing [Stones Throw Records]
Timo Lassy – Foreign Routes [We Jazz Records]
Archie The Goldfish – On a Summer’s Day [Funkiwala Records]
Mara TK – Highly Medicated [Extra Soul Perception]
Jerome Thomas – No B.S [Rhythm Section]
Plutonic Lab feat. Natalie Slade – Good Thing [Low Key Source]
LaNote – Forever There [Futuristica Music]
ditu – Schwarzweissfilm [Beat Department]
Dego feat. Samii – Recovered Memories [2000 Black]
Sean Khan – Starchild (Kaidi Tatham Remix) [BBE Music]
Menagerie – Hope [Freestyle Records]
Alex Malheiros feat. Sabrina Malheiros – Alto Verao [Far Out Recordings]
Aldorande – La Promesse Au Soleil [Favorite Recordings]
Basement Membrane – Banana [Inner Tribe Records]
LCSM & Shamis – Believe (LCSM Remix) [Dopeness Galore/INI Movement]
Soulparlor feat. Colonel Red – To Be More [Inner Tribe Records]
Sentinel 793 – Wormholes [Seagrave]
Calibre – Time To Breathe [Signature Recordings]
SPD – Pfhin [Keysound Recordings]
Low End Activist – Engineers Origins [Low End Activism]
K-65 – In My Mind [Seagrave]
Searchlight – Breathe [Fallen Tree 1Hundred]
Kmyle – Reptil [Still Techno]