Marcos Valle: Sempre [Far Out Recordings]
Marcos Valle returns with another collection of samba tinged boogie tunes. “Sempre” is Valle’s fifth release on the Far Out label. This vibrant recording is heightened by prominent Brazilian musicians like Asymuth bassist Alex Malheiros and percussionist Armando Marcal among others. The opener “Olha Quem Ta Chegando” is infectious samba boogie laced with funky guitar and brass arrangements. “Odissela” is a funky synth laden instrumental. “Alma” is a mellow sun drenched head nodder. Valle’s vocals are in peak form and the production is in the capable hands of Daniel Maunick (son of Incognito frontman Bluey). This is another impressive release from the resurgent vocalist that will please long time fans and attract newcomers as well.
The Rail Abandon: Kalba [Wah Wah 45s]
“Kalba” is the debut from Issac Birituro and Sonny Johns better known as The Rail Abandon. Biritur, a xylophonist from Ghana and Johns is a singer/songwriter/producer from Leeds. “Kalba”, named after Birituro’s home town in Ghana. The opener “Yesu Yan Yan” is a spirited tune that channels the spirit of Ghana thanks to the vibrant vocal harmonies and birituro’s xylophone melodies. “Fur Svenja” is a warm folksy tune woven by Leafcutter John’s guitar rhythms and Sonny John’s vocals. Birituro’s xylophone aligns beautifully with the string melodies featured on “Nye Fo Chen”. Recorded in St Mary’s Church, these emotive compositions take on a spiritual vibe that builds throughout the lp. This is a collaboration that was meant to happen. A duo from different paths come together to compose a brilliant record that will lift your spirits.
Various Artists: IF Music Presents You Need This – A Journey Into Deep Jazz Vol. 3 [BBE]
Jean Claude, the founder of the London record shop IF Music continues to resurrect hidden gems from every corner of the universe. With “A Journey Into Deep Jazz Vol 3, he blesses us with an eclectic collection of tasty treats from all parts of the globe. Among the highlights are “24 Caret” from Gazor Szabo. The legendary Hungarian guitarist incorporates folk with deep jazz over a scintillating fourteen minutes that’s filled with melodic passages. “Manteca” features a flurry of piano melodies courtesy of the underappreciated Phineas Newborn Jr. “Hasla La Victria Siempre” is infectious Latin Jazz from Copa Salvo. Ten solid tunes that will certainly fill your jazz appetite. As Jean Claude says: “These rare jazz nuggets need to be given their day in the Sun”. We couldn’t agree more.
Ikebe Shakedown: Kings Left Behind [Colemine Records]
Another bundle of instrumental funk from the Brooklyn based band Ikebe Shakedown. “Kings Left Behind” is a collaborative effort with each band member taking part in the production. The opener “Not Another Drop” sets the tone with raw psychedelic soul layered with infectious wah wah guitar rhythms. The slow burning “Mary’s Corner” is reminiscent of cinematic Western soundtracks. “No Going Back” is another winner. While the bongo and wicked guitar licks get you in the mood to groove, the brass adds the final touch of an instrumental treat. There are several parts to this band but they all come together as one. That’s what makes their releases such an essential listen.
29 July 2019
Emanative & Phil Ranelin – Vibes From The Tribe
Nate Morgan – He Left Us A Song [Outernational]
Stafford James Ensemble – Impressions [BBE Music]
Justine – Mama Didn’t Tell Ya [Left Ear Records]
Dave Hubbard – T.B.’s Delight [Wewantsounds]
Sio – I Love It [STY TRU BTS]
Moonchild – Too Much To Ask [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Children of Zeus – The Heart Beat Pt.2 [First Word Records]
Scrimshire feat. Ego Ella May – Don’t Stop Here [Albert’s Favourites]
Lady Alma – Far Away [Mashibeats]
Planetself x Daniel Crawford feat. blurum13 – The Chosen [Low Key Source]
Blackfish – Northern Native [Blackfish Productions]
Tenderlonious – Casey Jr. [22A]
Ojo Balingo – Igbe Eiye Oloburo [BBE Music]
Joe – Get Centred [Cómeme]
Kutiman – Line 2
Doobie Brothers – What A Fool Believes [Warner Bros.]
Marcos Valle – Aviso Aos Navegantes [Far Out Recordings]
Skyy – You Got Me Up [Salsoul Records]
Stevie Wonder – That Girl [Tamla]
Kurt Baggaley – Interfaced (Ashley Casselle & Tom Gillieron ReWork) [Lucky Sun Recordings]
Art Of Tones – Sly & Spiegel [Atjazz Record Company]
Sloppy J – Lange Nacht [Phuture Shock Musik]
22 July 2019
Mecca:83 – The Journey
K15 – Our Time Is Borrowed [Esencia]
Submerse – Staff Roll [Project Mooncircle]
Ana Mazzotti – Eu Sou Mais Eu [Far Out Recordings]
Donald Byrd – The Emperor [Blue Note Records]
Koma Saxo – Port Koma [We Jazz Records]
Teotima – What We Were Waiting For [First Word Records]
Y-Bayani – Asembi Ara Amba [Philophon Records]
Zeal Onyia – Zeal Anata [BBE Music]
Shirley Finney – Go On, There’s Something Telling Me To Go On [Savoy Records]
K15 x SMBD – Oceans [Apron]
Ilija Rudman – S.O.S. Flight Theme [Bear Funk Entertainment]
J-Shadow – The Awakening [Bun The Grid]
Mahakala – The Realms [Mahakala]
JESUSLOVESACID – Fundamentals [Vitalik Recordings]
Five Alarm Funk – Widowmaker (Max Paparella Remix) [Selekta Recordings]
James Shinra – Signs [Feel My Bicep]
Abel feat. Shelley Chapman – Just Another Day [Atjazz Record Company]
Petit Beurre – Chandra [Motech Records]
Cocktail Party Effect – Shattered Retina [Tectonic Recordings]
Khalab – Bafia (Bodycode presents RANGr Remix) [On The Corner Records]
Sumo – Hokori [Sonar Kollektiv]
Sivey – Nobody Else [CoOp Presents]
15 July 2019
Gang Starr – Mass Appeal [Chrysalis]
Mos Def – Ms Fat Booty [Rawkus]
Jaylib – The Red [Stones Throw Records]
Public Enemy – Fight The Power [Def Jam Recordings]
LFO – LFO (The Leeds Warehouse Mix) [Warp Records]
Photek – Aleph 1 [Science]
Peshay – Switch [Island Blue]
Bob Azzam — Batucada Por Favor [Mr Bongo Records]
Nuyorican Soul feat. Jocelyn Brown – I Am Black Gold Of The Sun (4 Hero Remix) [Talkin’ Loud]
Soul Dhamma – Flower (King Britt’s Scuba Mix) [Velocity]
3 Dee Present Urban Blues Project feat. Michael Procter – Deliver Me [Hott Records]
Ron Trent / Joshua / Abacus / Chez Damier – Untitled [Prescription Records]
Domu Presents Pete Simpson – Look A Little Further [Papa Records]
Robert Owens – Hearts and Soul [Compost Records]
Jimmy Mcgriff – Mean Machine [Groove Merchant]
Bobbi Humphrey – Chicago Damn 1973 [Blue Note]
Stevie Wonder – Too High [Motown]
Marcos Valle – Tira A Mão [Odeon]
Joyce – Feminina [EMI]
Byron Morris & Unity – Panamanian Aire [Céleste]
Woody Shaw – Rosewood [Columbia Records]
Jon Lucien – Lady Love [RCA Victor]
Letta Mbulu – What’s Wrong With Groovin’ [Jazzman Records]
Dee Dee Warwick – Suspicious Minds [Atlantic]
8 July 2019
Mabumi Yamaguchi Quartet – Distant Thunder [Union Records]
Ahmad Jamal – Misdemeanor [20th Century]
Tarika Blue – Truth Is The Key [Chiaroscuro Records]
Marcos Valle – Nordeste (North East) [Far Out Recordings]
He3 Project – Rapture Of The Deep [Family Groove Records]
David Walters – Mama [Heavenly Sweetness]
Dom Um Romao – Escravos de Jo [Pablo Records]
Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas & Uhuru Yenzu – Hitsville Re-Visited [Mr Bongo]
Ojo Balingo – Igbe Eiye Oloburo [BBE Music]
Lance Ferguson’s Rare Groove Spectrum – 8 Counts For Rita [Freestyle Records]
Chocolate Buttermilk Band – Can’t Let Go [Past Due Records]
Dead Horse Beats – Easy Nothing [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
Rhi – Swagger [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon – Bo Le De Ma [Wah Wah 45s]
Real Life – Break Of Dawn [Seimshit Industries]
Planetself feat. SoulParlor – Free Fallin’ [Tokyo Dawn Records]
Hans Nieswandt feat. Eric D. Clark – Work Work Work (Marcel Vogel Remix) [Footjob]
Crump – Charcoal [Idle Hands]
Lowheads feat. Tomomi Ukumori – Gentle Rain [Wolf + Lamb]
Loftsoul x Kengo – Believe (Atjazz Remix) [Makin’ Moves]
SGVO – Dub Warehouse (Deeper Dub) [Atjazz Record Company]
Sol Power All Stars feat. Denise Henderson – Take Heed [Soul Clap Records]
Matthaus – Scat Box [Stickman Records]
1 July 2019
Submerse feat. Devin Morrison & Pink Siifu – Flashback [Project Mooncircle]
AstroLogical – Bottom Of My Heart [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
TY – Brixton Baby [Jazz Re:Freshed]
Tensei x Georgia Anne Muldrow – Walk It Out feat. John Robinson (Inkswel Remix)
Lightning Head – Me & Me Princess [Best Seven/Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Emanative & Phil Ranelin – Vibes From The Tribe
Myele Manzanza – Itaru’s Phone Booth [First Word Records]
Starcrost – Grandfather Clock [Jazzman Records]
Prince Ozay – Ultima Caccia [Chiaia Lovers]
Flowriders – Hang Flute [Mr Bongo]
Romaal Kultan – High & Mighty [YAM Records]
Graziela Medori feat. Fernando TRZ & Thiago Duar – Salve Rainha
Don Carlos – Alina [Imogen Recordings]
Marcos Valle – Odisséia [Far Out Recordings]
Forty Seven Times Its Own Weight – March Of The Goober Woobers [Jazzman Records]
Javonntte – Jazzpianodance [Waella’s Choice]
Tender Games – Movin’ (Black Loops Remix) [Midnight Snacks]
Dircsen – No Sign Of Life [Beef Records]
Stephane Attias – Live Life [Visions Recordings]
Scsi-9 – No Rush [Apparel Tronic]
Ewan Jansen – Logarithm [Freerange Records]
Lady Alma – Hold Your Head Up [Mashibeats]
Paper Tiger: Rogue Planet [Wah Wah 45s]
Paper Tiger returns with their third lp. “Rogue Planet” picks up where “Blast Off” left off. That means more left of center sci-fi beats coinciding with their engaging brand of hip-hop. There’s much to savor from this project whether it’s rapper Raphael Attar displaying his lyrical dexterity on bangers such as “Lullaby” and the jovial “Old”. There’s notable guest appearances from Steve Spacek on “The Cycle”.”Bioluminescent” features blissful vocals from Noya Rao bandmate Olivia Bhattacharjee. “Slinky” and “Posture Poseurs” are two of several notable instrumentals to keep your head on a constant nod. The Leeds based band find the right balance between electronica and soulful instrumentation and are growing with each release. It all adds up to a superb record that provides immediate satisfaction.