22nd March 2021
J Dilla – The $ (Madlib Remix) [Stones Throw Records]
Viktor Vaughn feat. Manchild & Iz-Real – R.A.P. G.A.M.E. [Insomniac, Inc.]
Jay.Soul – Bluenoirrr
LaNote – Forever There [Futuristica Music]
mfp feat. Natalie Slade & Stan Smith – Kite Flyer [R2 Records]
Hiatus Kaiyote feat. Arthur Verocai – Get Sun [Brainfeeder/Ninja Tune]
The Patchouli Brothers – Project Soul [Moton Records Inc]
Kaidi Tatham – Intergalactic Relations [First Word Records]
Prequel – Violeiro [Rhythm Section]
Bel Air Project – Jazz With Altitude [Corn-Flex]
Sam Binary – Pillars Of Creation [Western Lore]
PFM – Love & Happiness [Good Looking Records]
Jakob Apelian – Let Me Explain [Apparel Music]
Mikey Young x Music Yared – Sindayo (Mikey Young Remix) [Music In Exile]
BeBe Winans – Thank You (MAW Mix) [Atlantic]
Sio – Aquamarine feat. Charles Webster [Stay True Sounds]
James Copus feat. Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Rosie Turton & Al MacSween – Safe (Part One) [Jazz Re:Freshed]
George Otsuka Quintet – Something Everywhere [Wewantsounds]
Koma Saxo – Fiskeskärsmelodin (Live) [We Jazz Records]
George Sauma Jr. – Tudo Terminou [Favorite Recordings]
Lemos and Debtio – Morro Do Barraco Set Agua [Mr Bongo]
O Quarteto – Céu e Mar [Philips]
Penn Central – Sometimes [Tramp Records]
JIM – Whisper In The Wind [NuNorthern Soul]
15th March 2021
Emanative & Liz Elensky feat. Jessica Lauren – The Volume Of The Light [Home Planet Recordings]
American Gypsy – 10,000 Miles [Music On Vinyl]
Chicken Grass – Trading Bullets [Tramp Records]
Koma Saxo – Erzeben Koma [We Jazz Records]
Marcos Resende – Praça da Alegria [Far Out Recordings]
The Fergus Quill Trio – Watusi [Tight Lines Records]
Gato Barbieri – Latin Reaction [A&M Records]
Javonntte – Jazz Swing Town [Love Monk]
Contours & Werkha – Sweat [ANMA & Cognitiva Records]
South London HiFi – Like This [CoOp Presents]
Sentinel 793 – Wormholes [Seagrave]
Beringei feat. William Florelle – Without You [WotNot]
Natalie Slade – Give Me Your Love (Daniel Maunick Remix) [Eglo Records]
Besøk – Ballsy Ballad
Feiertag – Saccharine 374 [Sonar Kollektiv]
Nicola Conte & Gianluca Petrellafeat. Davide Shorty & Carolina Bubbico – People Need People [Schema Records]
Arnau Obiols & KAYYAK – Chang’an [Compost Records]
Kenny Cox – Lost My Love (DJ Amir & Re.Decay Jazz Re.Imagined Remix) [BBE Music]
Ron Wilson – Prove It To Me [Alleviated Records]
Damian Rausch feat. Meron T – Watch Me Fly [Balance Recording]
Conway Kasey feat. Earl W Green – Paradise Lost (Conway Kasey Remix) [Makin’ Moves]
Cave Dwellers – Primal Pipes [Ugly Music]
Inkswel feat. Oliver Night – Trippin’ (Ezek Remix) [Atjazz Record Company]
8th March 2021
Stump Valley – Melodj Mecca [Soul Clap Records]
The Ferry Brothers – ‘Til Mornin’ Comes [Favorite Recordings]
Asha Puthli – Space Talk [Mr Bongo Records]
Sivuca – Adeus Maria Fulô [Real Gone Music]
Francisco Mora Catlett – Rumba Morena [Far Out Recordings]
Caravela – Vale do Capão [None More Records]
Luiz Gabriel Lopes – Costura [Da Lata Music]
The Invisible Session – People All Around The World, Can Make It [Space Echo]
Work, Money, Death – Dawn [ATA Records]
Raffaele Attanasio – Indagini Sospette [Axis Records]
Yoni Mayraz – Snow [Bridge The Gap]
Themba Lunacy feat. Andrew Ashong [Impande Entertainment]
vbnd – Breathe Me In (A Little Longer) [Deep Matter]
Nimbus Sextet – Dreams Fulfilled (Fradinho Remix) [Acid Jazz Records]
Cyclonix – Metal Bass (Refix Dub) [Little Red Hand]
Don Pascal – Be Yourself (EVM128 Remix Dub) [R2 Records]
Wearing Shoes – Emotion [Apparel Music]
Jullian Gomes feat. Tahir Jones – Fak’umoya [World Without End]
AndileAndy & China Charmeleon feat. Suka – African Child [Stay True Sounds]
Marcel Vogel & Tim Jules – Take Me Back [Lumberjacks In Hell]
Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange + Wayne Snow – Something Special [Secretsundaze]
Menagerie: Many Worlds [Freestyle ]
DJ/Producer Lance Ferguson aka Lanu has so many projects that it’s futile to keep track. What’s extraordinary is there’s no dip in quality in any of them. Whether it’s The Bamboos, Rare Groove Spectrum or his Lanu project. Now with the third full length from Menagerie, he continues to cement his status as one of Melbourne’s brightest stars. “Many Worlds” blossoms with spiritual and straight ahead jazz compositions. The disc kicks off with potent “Hope”. Phil Noy’s robust tenor is in top here while Daniel Farrugla pushes everyone to the edge with his spirited drumming. The ex-factor here is the hymn caliber vocal harmonies that elevate the track to greater heights. The title track features a slow burning groove but the dynamic interplay amongst the musicians are high intensity. Pianist Mark Fitzgibon forays on electric piano are complimented by the sheer harmonic guitar rhythms sprinkled throughout. “Hymn of The Turning Stone” is another winner. Fitzgibbon’s brings the thunder once again with melodic flourishes that will keep your head on a swivel. Noy’s playing evokes images of Pharoah Sanders and the stylistic touches of the composition allows everyone to shine among this nine piece unit. The energy of the compositions, the musicianship and the vocal harmonies are healing and downright marvelous. Whether you’re a lover of spiritual or straight ahead jazz, purchasing this record will provide immediate satisfaction.
mfp: Natural Law [R2 Records]
Masaki Konagi, aka MFP first caught our attention when he appeared on Gilles Peterson’s “Brownswood Electr*c 2”. Now with his debut “Natural Law” we’re serenaded with a collection of laid back hip-hop beats and infectious synth laden grooves. MFP (Mindfullpeace) has assembled some notable collaborators to bring out the best in his compositions. The aptly titled “Your Warmth” kicks off the disc with warm and hazy synths and a catchy drum snare beat. The title track is drenched in LA funk and features Melbourne based vocalist Alien. Simon Mavin of Hiatus Kaiyote adds beautiful electronic piano melodies to “Darlin Darlin”. Other notable contributors include Sauce 81, Natalie Slade and rapper Stan Smith. Masaki becomes one with nature and delivers an organic collection where the warm vibes get inside your body and puts you in a good headspace.
Joanna Law: Rhythm Of Years [Tangential]
“Rhythm Of Years”, the new release from Joanna Law is filled with warm and soulful electronica compositions. You may be familiar with Law’s warm and languid vocals from her cover “First Time Ever” back in 1990. The Roberta Flack classic and other gems are featured here. There’s also several tracks that feature a collaboration with Pressure Drop, the Trip hop act that she worked with back in the nineties as well. “You’re Mine”, one of their collaborations starts the disc off.Law’s warm vocals are the perfect compliment to an unrelenting hypnotic groove that builds momentum over the course of play. “Song For Theo” is another winner that’s filled with sunny chords and synths layered on top of an infectious samba groove. As the title suggests, the album explores an array of rhythms and textures evolving from one composition to the next one. Add to that a number of tastyremixes and you have a gorgeous album filled with sublime recordings that you shouldn’t miss.
1st March 2021
Kutiman – Surface Currents [Siyal Music]
Amanda Whiting – Time Stands Still [Jazzman Records]
LaNote – Miracle [Futuristica Music]
The Broken Orchestra feat. Lyn Acton- Tomorrow
JIM – Pheonix [NuNorthern Soul]
Penn Central – Make It Happen [Tramp Records]
Rhapsody – You Never Know [Favorite Recordings]
Lucky Sun feat. Alison David – Rain & Sunshine [Lucky Sun Recordings]
K15 – Feel More [Esencia]
Goshawk & Erik Rico – Got To Let Go [Atjazz Record Company]
Kavita – Goddess Deluxe (BB Boogie Original 12” Vocal) [I-Kue Recordings]
Jimpster – Think Of You Always [Freerange Records]
Wheeler Del Torro feat. Kenny Bobien – Thinking Of You (Doug Gomez Remix) [Makin’ Moves]
Joel Holmes – Playing With My Mind [Toy Tonics]
Rare Pleasure – Superfine Feeling [A’s + Bees]
Nubya Garcia – The Message Continues (Mark de Clive-Lowe Remix) [Concord Jazz]
Frederic Robinson feat. Richard Spaven – Muscle Memory [Bridge the Gap]
Myele Manzanza – Brixton Blues [Deep Matter]
Carter Jefferson – Why [Timeless Records]
Hideo Shiraki – Groovy Samba [BBE Music]
J.J Johnson & Kai Winding – Mojo [CTI Records]
22nd February 2021
Chick Corea & Lionel Hampton – Sea Journey [Happy Bird]
Chick Corea, Return To Forever – 500 Miles High [Polydor]
The Jeff Lorber Fusion – Proteus [Inner City Records]
Winston Neale – Sinnerman [Re:Warm]
Madlib – Sound Ancestors [Madlib Invazion]
George Sauma Jr. – Vou Mostrar Que Sei Viver [Favorite Recordings]
Antonio Neves – Summertime [Far Out Recordings]
Florence Adooni – Mam Pe’ ela Su’ure [Philophon Records]
Leo Pesci – Sur [Bridge The Gap]
Hemai – Love Dancer [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
People Under The Stairs – Intro [OM Records]
Quasimoto – Broad Factor [Stones Throw]
Magic Drum Orchestra – Mozambique [Lion Head Recordings]
Low End Activist – Engineers Origins [Low End Activism]
Calibre – Don’t Mind [Signature Records]
Robert Cotter – Love Rite [Wewantsounds]
Ghost x MdCL – Cosmic Ride [Spectrum Records]
Tomahawk Bang – H O M E (Atjazz Astro Remix) [Atjazz Record Company]
Truccy – Kenyatta (Laroye Afro Balearic Mix) [Compost Records]
Quintin Copper & Nas Mellow – Paradise (DJ Spinna Galactic Soul Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Fred Everything – Lesson In Humility [Madhouse Records]
Soul Clap feat. XL Middleton – Breath [Fools Gold Records]
Carolyn Harding – Strength [Yellow Productions]
15th February 2021
Francisco Mora Catlett – Amazona [Far Out Recordings]
Khan Jamal – The Known Unknown [Jazz Room Records]
Tamil Rogeon – Momus [Soul Bank Music]
Marcus Joseph – Beyond The Dome [Jazz re:freshed]
Al “Man” Muntzie And The Embraceables – Die Happy [Mr Bongo]
Gezim Vrioni – Addicted [Tangential Music]
Deborah Jordan – Senses (Marc Rapson Remix) [Futuristica Music]
ditu feat. dens & ATP Crew – Schwarzweissfilm [Beat Department]
J Dilla – The Clapper [BBE Music]
Stan Smith x M.F.P – Your Life (Whatchugonnadoo) [Inner Tribe Records]
Jay.Soul – Pr Break/Uh-Huhhh
Soul Premacy feat. Erik Rico – Metro
Asha Puthli – Flying Fish [Mr Bongo]
Marvin Gaye – Praise [EMI Records]
New York Disco Orchestra – The Way We Were/Version/Love In Motion [Espacial Discos]
Sauce81 – Qozmik Phunk (Aroop Roy Edit) [Unique Uncut]
Afro Bruk Band – Arboles [Eclectic Beats Music]
LCSM & Shamis – Believe (LCSM Remix) [Dopeness Galore/INI Movement]
Voilaaa feat. Lass – Ben Bene La [Favorite Recordings]
Prequel feat. Cazeaux O.S.L.O – Love Is [Rhythm Section International]
Kid Fonque x Jonny Miller – Afrika Is The Future! [Stay True Sounds]
Fred Everything – Phoenix [Atjazz Record Company]
Nico Lahs – Your Sweet Lovin’ [Delusions of Grandeur]
Souldrummers – Space And Time (Restless Soul Galaxy Mix) [Afro Art]
8th February 2021
Madlib – Road Of The Lonely Ones [Madlib Invazion]
People Under The Stairs – The Hang Loose [OM Records]
People Under The Stairs – Big Daddy Brown [OM Records]
People Under The Stairs – Pass The 40 [Tres Records]
Beatchild – Living for The Rush [BBE Music]
Raquel Martins – Freedom [Bridge The Gap]
Shamis & Rebiere – Moonlove [INI Movement]
Dianne Mower – The Secret Sign [Mind Fluid Music]
Bridge – Crying For Love [High Jazz]
Naresh Sohal – Evening Prayer [Buried Treasure]
Work, Money, Death – Dusk [ATA Records]
Yoni Mayraz – The Rat [Bridge The Gap]
American Gypsy – Inside Out [Music On Vinyl]
Low End Activist – Engineers Origins [Low End Activism]
Danny Goliger feat. Sensor – Your Hand [Fantastic Voyage]
Bicep – Saku [Ninja Tune]
Raffaele Attanasio – Parlesia [Axis Records]
mfp feat. Simon Mavin – Darlin Darlin [R2 Records]
Joanna Law – Song For Theo [Tangential Music]
Wipe The Needle & Josh Milan – Tenderly (Honeycomb Remix) [Makin’ Moves]
Apparel Wax – 008A2 [Apparel Music]
Underground Evolution – Soul Searcher (Joe Claussell Remix) [Ugly Music]
Metropolitan Soul Museum – Les Mondes Des Images [Step Recordings]
Voilaaa: Voiciii [Favorite Recordings]
“Voiciii” (Here It Is) is the third lp from Voilaaa and is steeped in engaging Afro Disco. “Woman Can Do” is a heart pounding dance track featuring the vocals of Ayunne Sule. “Water No Get Enemy” features Pat Kalla. It would fit nicely in the TK Disco catalog. “Manu Ecoute” is a nod to Manu Dibango’s “Soul Makossa”, filled with funky horns and infectious percussion. “Voiciii” is filled with good vibes and infectious grooves that captures the spirit of pioneers such as Fela Kuti and the aforementioned Dibango. This lp has all the ingredients that made Voilaaa famous, a pulsating soundsystem and joyful vibes. Produced by Bruno “Patchworks” Hovart who has a knack for finding talented vocalists from the around the globe.
Tamil Rogeon: Son of Nyx [Soul Bank Music ]
Violinist and composer Tamil Rogeon has built an impressive resume filled with a wide array of accomplishments. He has composed and conducted for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Austrailian National Academy of Music. He’s co-founder of the orchestral electronic band The Raah Project and has worked with acclaimed producer Harvey Sutherland. “Son Of Nyx” is his latest release and it’s a spiritual jazz gem not to be missed. Rogeon’s sublime violin melodies are puncuated by Danny Fischer’s spirited drumming on “House No Wheels”. “Bad Sandals” is filled with Rogeon’s lush melodies. The track is also highlighted by engaging percussion from Fischer and warm vocal harmonies from Rita Satch that make for a climatic finale. The disc wraps up with the ten minute plus spiritual jazz delight “Horns No Eyes”. The tune unleashes splash of riveting fender rhodes in parallel with Rogeon’s majestic phrasing of melodies. Simply a superb ending to a wonderful record. This is an early standout for a 2021 release that you need to get.
LaNote: Rebirth [Futuristica]
Avid fans of the Futuristica label may be familiar with the blissful vocals of LaNote from the Parisian soul electronica group Electric Conversation. Along with beatmaker As Valet the duo made up one half of the eclectic genre bending group. With her debut “Rebirth” LaNote takes center stage and the results are simply marvelous. Valet’s compositions are drenched in down-tempo melodic rhythms. If that wasn’t enough, several tracks also receive the remix treatment from an All-star line-up of producers such Marc Rapson, Mecca 83, DJ Spinna and more. Simon S adds his soulful jazz infused hip-hop touch to “Miracle”. The title track is blissed out down-tempo soul remixed by Nicky Lars. It’s filled with warm vocal harmonies layered with LaNote’s vocals. “Truth Be Told” is warm and hazy soulful electronica at it’s best. You’ll find it hard not to get swept away by LaNote’s low pitch airy vocals. In addition Valet’s soulful compositions make this a brilliant release that you shouldn’t miss. Just press play and let the music take you away.
1st February 2021
Nathan Haines feat. Shelley Nelson – Believe (Restless Soul Album Mix) [Chillifunk Records]
Restless Soul feat. Valerie Etienne – Beautiful [People]
Basic Soul – Lo-Line [Basement 282]
Phil Asher Presents Focus – Never Giving Up [Versatile Records]
Nubian Mindz – Black Science (Restless Soul Looptime Mix) [Archive]
Electric Soul – Anewsong [People]
Phlash feat. Marcus Begg – Participate [Estereo]
The Janet Lawson Quintet – So High [BBE Music]
The Janet Lawson Quintet – Better Get (H)it In Your Soul [Omnisound]
Marcos Resende & Index – Nina Neném [Far Out Recordings]
Shintaro Quintet – Evolution [BBE Music]
The George Otsuka Quintet – Loving You [Wewantsounds]
Myele Manzanza – Portobello Superhero [Deep Matter]
The Afro Soul Prophecy – Fire In Acapulco [Schema Records]
Luiz Gabriel Lopes – Venue [Da Lata Music]
Sons Of Kingdom – Hey There [Pressure Makes Diamonds]
New York Disco Orchestra – Get It Up And Dance [Espacial Discos]
Feiertag feat. Oli Hannaford & Tessa Rose Jackson – Yearn [Sonar Kollektiv]
Cave Dwellers – Word Is Out [Ugly Music]
Nicola Conte & Gianluca Petrella feat. Nduduzo Makhathini – Tribes [Schema Records]
Restless Soul – Let Your Feelings Show [2000 Black]
25th January 2021
Jimpster feat. Greg Paulus – Soul Spectral [Freerange Records]
Soul Clap feat. Desmond ‘DSP’ Powell – Back 2 Love [Fools Gold]
Babsy – Social Distancing [Apparel Music]
Deep Soul Syndicate & Andre Espeut – My Desire [Makin’ Moves]
Fattish – İmparator (Yaradan Var) (Lockdown Mix)
Kmyle – Reptil [Still Techno]
TSHA – Demba (Demi Riquisimo Remix) [Ninja Tune]
Close Counters feat. Allysha Joy – Speak The Truth
WheelUP feat. Afronaut, Brint Story & Destiny Will – Good Love [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Change – The Glow Of Love [Warner Bros. Records]
Jerry Knight – Nothing Can Hold Us Back [A&M Records]
Blue Gas – Shadows From Nowhere [Best Record]
Rela & Beka – YYY [Inner Tribe Records]
NativeSon 91 – Mob of Barz [Inner Tribe Records]
KMD feat. Brand Nubian – Nitty Gritty [Nature Sounds]
ZND – The Schism
Tyson Amir – Black Mirror (Rico’s Raised Fist Remix)
Martinho Da Vila – Cresci No Morro [RCA Victor]
Tania Maria – Sementes, Graines & Seeds [Concord Jazz Picante]
The Fantastics! – Pyramid [BBE Music]
The Invisible Session – Pull The Handbreak [Space Echo]
Ken Rhodes – Stay By Me [Amayana]
Stanley Cowell – Thank You My People [Strata-East]
Ronnie Boykins – Dawn Is Evening, Afternoon [Get Back]