17 June 2019
Brandee Younger feat. Ravi Coltrane – Soulris
Minoru Muraoka & New Dimension Group – Call Me [Mr Bongo]
Lloyd McNeill – As A Matter Of Fact [Soul Jazz]
Aldorande – Petite Cherie [Favorite Recordings]
Marcos Valle – Alma [Far Out Recordings]
Kabasa – Awundiva [BBE Music]
Goma-Laca feat. Karina Buhr – Do Pila [Heavenly Sweetness]
Galt Macdermot – Coffee Cold [Mr Bongo]
Handsome Boy Modeling School – The Truth [Tommy Boy]
DJ Cam feat. Cameo – Love Junkee (Dilla Vocal Remix) [Inflamable]
Cut Beetlez & The Good People – Point [Fabyl]
Tojin Kit – Mutual [Finest Ego]
FloFilz – Lanai Gardens [Melting Pot Music]
Bryony Jarman-Pinto – Sun Kissed [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Taxie – I Think I’m Falling In Love With You [Melodies International]
Zack & Geebah – For The Love Of Money [BBE Music]
Camarão Orkestra – Nação África (Patchworks Remix) [Favorite Recordings]
Harrison Jones And The Voices Of Harmony – On That Other Shore (Divine Situation Way Over Yonder Club Rework) [Cultures Of Soul]
The Pretenders – Just Be Yourself [Family Groove Records]
Apparel Wax – 006B [Apparel Wax]
Soulista feat. Angel A – Eyes On You (Wipe The Needle Remix) [Makin’ Moves]
Dwson – Bermuda [Freerange Records]
Robin Jones – Royal Conga (Jimpster’s Haribo Starmix) [Royal Palm]
Domu – Mandaloria [Archive]
10 June 2019
Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon – Nye Fo Chen [Wah Wah 45s]
Zeal Onyia – Nnata Na Aso Uso [BBE Music]
Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers – Witchdoctor [Freestyle Records]
Azymuth – Manha (Demo) [Far Out Recordings]
Phrydderichs Phaelda – Hoppel [Notes On A Journey]
Seeds Of Fulfillment – The Provider (Live From Studio 1) [Mo-Jazz Records]
Timo Lassy & Teppo Mäkynen – Dark Cyan [We Jazz Records]
Richard Spaven – Faded feat. Jordan Rakei (John Metcalfe Remix) [Fine Line Records]
Children of Zeus feat. HMD – 10 Toes [First Word Records]
Sampa The Great – Final Form [Ninja Tune]
Flying Lotus – Remind U [Warp Records]
Cro-Magnon – Rhythm Killer [Jazzy Sport/CM Production]
Jazzuelle – The Singularity Theory [Atjazz Record Company]
Peshay – Vocal Tune [Good Looking Records]
Lamb – Górecki (Global Communications Mix) [Fontana]
Marc Mac – Bruda Fela [CoOp Presents]
Javonntte – Jazzpianodance [Waella’s Choice]
Milton Wright – Silence That You Keep (First Version) [Athens Of The North]
Fairuz – Al Bostah [Wewantsounds]
Stevie Wonder – I Love You Too Much [Motown]
Chocolate Buttermilk Band – Head Games [Past Due Records]
Tee Mango – I Like It Here [Millionhands]
The Revenge – Prizefighter [Dirt Crew Recordings]
Kenny Bergamo – Someone Help Me (Oliver Osborne Remix) [Eyes To The Front]
3 June 2019
Stones Taro – Full Train [Third Place Dance Discs]
LTJ Bukem – Horizons [Looking Good Records]
Seba feat. Robert Manos – Space & Time [Soul:r]
Artizhan – Honky Tonk Clay [Apparel Tronic]
The Mauskovic Dance Band – Dance Place Garage [Soundway Records]
Da Lata – Oba Lata [Da Lata Music]
Scrimshire feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow – Thru You [Albert’s Favourites]
Jordan Rakei – Rolling Into One [Ninja Tune]
Izo FitzRoy – I Want Magic (Dimitri From Paris Vs. Cotonete 12″ Version) [Jalapeno Records]
Fromwood – Unexpected Gift (Abel Remix) [Atjazz Record Company]
Camarão Orkestra – Nação África (Patchworks Remix) [Favorite Recordings]
Cerrero – Cuando Canto Grito [BBE Music]
Teotima – But I Can’t [First Word Records]
The Band Of Enlightenment, Reason & Love – Starlet Road Filling Station Romance [Philophon]
San Mateo – Haliphon [8D Industries]
Flying Lotus – Capillaries [Warp Records]
Flying Lotus feat. Thundercat – The Climb [Warp Records]
The Peter Franks Group – With Us [Futuristica Music]
Jameszoo & Metropole Orkest – (flake) [Brainfeeder]
Greg Foat – The High Priestess [Athens Of The North]
Myele Manzanza – Itaru’s Phone Booth [First Word Records]
Resavoir – Resavoir [International Anthem]
Lucas Arruda: Onda Nova [Favorite Recordings]
Vocalist Lucas Arruda continues to seamlessly merge Soul and Pop with Brazilian rhythms with his latest “Onda Nova”. The soothing synths of “Dragoes E Tigres” combined with Arruda’s vocals will sink into you like a warm summer breeze. “Soulshine” is a soul jazz number that’s driven by a thumping bass groove and gorgeous harmonies. “What I’d Do For Love” is steeped in the Brazilian Pop/AOR tradition and features a Portuguese version as well. Arruda is carrying the torch set by Lincoln Olivetti & Robson Jorge. Their recordings were a staple of Brazilian funk from the late seventies through the eighties. This release ensures that Brazilian Soul Pop is in good hands.
Coladera: La Dotu Lado [Agogo]
And yet another winner from Agogo records. Singer guitarist and Belo Horizonte native Vitor Santana & Portuguese singer guitarist Joao Pires are the duo better known as Coladera. They’re also joined by Cape Verdean master percussionist Miroca Paris. “La Dotu Lado” is a stirring collection of Lusaphone compositions inspired by Brazilian and Portuguese rhythms. The title track has a traditional bossa nova tempo highlighted by Santana & Pires unique guitar strumming and vocal harmonies. “Mandinga” is a swaying tune that features Aline Frazao on vocals. “Ceu Azulino” is filled with blissful flamenco rhythms. While their first lp failed garner much attention, this joyful release is a pleasure worthy of repeated listens.
Greg Foat: The Mage [Athens Of The North]
“The Mage”, pianist Greg Foat’s ninth album is his first for the Edinburgh based label Athens Of The North. Foat’s deft hand at composing and arrangements are in top form here as he weaves folk soundscapes with free jazz rhythms. “Of My Hands” is an atmospheric tune with soaring harmonies that features Trinidadian singer Kathy Garcia who originally recorded it forty years earlier. “The Magic Radish” starts out with a brooding bass line, hypnotic percussion and features Duncan Lamont on Tenor. Other notable contributors are veteran tenor Art Themen, guitarist Ray Russell, Malcolm Catto and the rising drummer Moses Boyd. Foat skillfully bridges the gap between the past and the present while solidifying his stature as a superb pianist and composer.
Terkel Norgaard: With Ralph Alessi [We Jazz Records]
We Jazz Records is quickly becoming one of my favorite labels for avant garde Jazz. Drummer Terkel Norgaard not only is a skilled drummer but is a talented composer as well. “With Ralph Alessi” a nod to the New York City based trumpeter who shows why he’s been one of the premiere trumpeters of the last two decades. Norgaard’s group consists of some of the key players on the Copenhagen scene. Alessi shines right from the start on “One”. Alessi’s beautifully fluid tone fits in perfectly alongside the trio’s melodic excursions. “Seventeen” is another highlight that features cascading piano melodies from Soren Gemmer. Norgaard’s subtle brush strokes on “Twentyone” is the fuse that inspires everyone to dive into his harmonic canvas. The Danish trio along with Alessi sound as if they’ve played together for years. Beyond satisfying and an example of improvised brilliance.
Azymuth: Demos (1973-75) Volumes 1&2 [Far Out Recordings]
“Demos Vol 1 & 2” are Azymuth releases taken from reel to reel and cassette recordings from 1973-75. These recordings took place at the late Jose Roberto Bertrami’s home studio in Laranjeiras, Rio De Janeiro. When he shopped these demos to various labels around Brazil he was turned away. One listen and it’s clear that this vibrant mix of samba, jazz and rock was free flowing fusion that was ahead of it’s time. There are brillant performances featured right from the start with “Prefacio”. This spirited tune is highlighted by Bertrami’s fiery work on keys and Ivan “Mamao” Conti’s intense drumming. “Laranjeiras” and “Equipe” are slow burning soulful funk tunes. They pick up the intensity once again on tracks like “Duro de Roer” and “Castelo”. Alex Malheiros funky bass builds a steady groove for Bertrami and Conti to let loose. Credit producer Joe Davis for finally bringing this project to light. It’s certainly their most experimental work that stands tall alongside their classic recordings.
27 May 2019
K15 – Our Mourning [Esencia]
Tommaso Cappellato feat. Piero Bittolo Bon – No Flies For A Closed Mouth [Mother Tongue Records]
Dead Horse Beats – Home Days [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
Mabumi Yamaguchi Quartet – Leeward [Union Records]
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Ryugu-jo [Ropeadope Records]
Minoru Muraoka – Soul Bamboo [Mr Bongo]
Azymuth – Xingó (Version 1) [Far Out Recordings]
Chelique Sarabia – Barlovento [Pharaway Sounds]
Marcos Valle – Alma [Far Out Recordings]
He3 Project – Just Like Magic [Family Groove Records]
Aldorande – Praia Do Destino [Favorite Recordings]
Hackney Colliery Band feat. Angelique Kidjo & Roundhouse Choir – Mm Mm [Veki Records]
Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas & Uhuru Yenzu – Uhuru Special [Mr Bongo]
Alif Tree – Forgotten Places (Moodymann Remix) [Compost Records]
Web Web – Land Of The Arum Flower (Like Remix) [Compost Records]
Apparel Wax – 006B [Apparel Wax]
Laroye – The Trickster [Tiff’s Joints]
Tush – Oh My (Yoruba Soul Remix) [Do Right Music]
Sivey – Nobody Else [CoOp Presents]
Modaji – End Zones (End Zones Live Pass) [Laws Of Motion]
20 May 2019
Arifa – Naomi’s Dance [Audiomaze]
The Cinematic Orchestra feat. Moses Sumney – To Believe [Ninja Tune]
Efe Erdem feat. Lady Shaynah – Catching Fire [Audiomaze]
Manfredo Fest – Who Needs It [Treasure Trove Records]
Nathan Davis – Stick Buddy [Universal Sound]
Ahu – Go (Jazz Version) [Epic]
FloFilz feat. Biig Piig – Inside Out [Melting Pot Music]
Abstract Orchestra – Eye [ATA Records]
Jungle Brown – Keep It Moving [Mr Bongo Records]
The Roots – Y’all Know Who [Okayplayer Records]
14KT feat. Rasheeda Ali – An Empty Vessel [First Word Records]
Imagination – Music And Lights [R&B Records]
Scrimshire – Won’t Get Better (Hazards of Prophecy Remix) [Albert’s Favourites]
Harari – Senyamo [Mr Bongo]
Kabasa – Rainbow Children [BBE Music]
Mexico68 Afrobeat Orchestra – Quench [Rampart Records]
Guts – Mucagiami (Voilaaa Remix) [Heavenly Sweetness]
Voilaaa feat. Rama – Tu Mens Devant Moi [Favorite Recordings]
Quantic feat. Denitia – You Used To Love Me [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Don Carlos – Alina [Imogen Recordings]
Hugo Mari – Unalloyed Pleasure [Freerange Records]
Najel Monteiro – Light Of Jah [Motech Records]
Almaty – Sonic Signature [Naive]
Lea Lisa – Let Your Heart Beat [Inner Balance]