David Nesselhauf: Afrokraut [Legere Recordings]
Producer and multi-instrumentalist David Nesselhauf latest release pays homage to the 70s period in German music known as “Afrokraut” This era fuses 70s Afro beat rhythms and German rock elements. Nesselhauf’s infectious compositions pay immediate dividends here. The opening track “Boat Mama” has a funky albeit relaxed groove enhanced by cosmic guitar rhythms. “Come Along Bintang Bolong” features a spirited groove plus vocals from Amadou Bah and fellow Diazpora drummer Lucas Kochbeck “A Route Obscure” is layered with sublime keys and ethereal synths. This is a atmospheric journey that will arouse your curiosity to seek more music from this forgotten period.
28 November 2016
Carleen Anderson – All That Glitters [Freestyle Records]
Moon child – Nobody [Tru Thoughts]
Jeb Loy Nichols – Come See Me [City Country City]
Stranger Stranger – Nation
Yussef Kamaal – Black Focus [Brownswood]
Expanding Universe – Global Innovations [Next Phase Records]
Marvin Whoremonger – Street Scene [Now-Again Records]
Dear Earth – Ring Swim Wing [Intimate Friends]
Midori – 1993 [Cascade/Jazzy Sport Records]
BodyMoves & Tom Central – Himba [Shapes Of Rhythm]
Gene Harris – Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong [Blue Note Records]
Azymuth – Villa Mariana (De Tarde) [Far Out Recordings]
Bill Laurance – The Pines [GroundUp]
Chip Wickham – Sling Shot [Love Monk]
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Pick It Up Lay It In The Cut [Daptone Records]
Greyboy feat. Quantic & Sharon Jones – Got To Be A Love [Ubiquity Records]
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – 100 Days, 100 Nights [Daptone Records]
The Manuel Azevedo Quartet – Futebol de bar [Freestyle Records]
Hector Plimmer – Kalimba [Albert’s Favourites]
Hiatus Kaiyote – The Lung (Paul White Unofficial Remix)
Dan Kye – Iigo [Rhythm Section]
Greymatter – Tesla [Move Slow]
Kiko Navarro – All Because Of You (Koki Vocal Mix) [BBE Records]
Paul Woolford – Father [Aus Music]
Rough Fields – ZERO7411310518296 (YTAC Remix) [Eis Haus]
Pulsinger & Irl – Mortise [Big Beak Recordings]
21 November 2016
Sun Palace – Rude Movements [Nuphonic]
Dexter Wansel – Life On Mars [Philadelphia International Records]
Ten City – Devotion [Atlantic]
Inner City Sound Clash feat. J. Veda and Rise Ashen – Press Play [Stilnovo Music]
Deep Space Orchestra – Quarterly Report [W&O Street Tracks]
Marcel Vogel – I Got Jesus [Lumberjacks in Hell]
Cyclonix – On My Mind [Phuture Shock Excursions]
Fakear feat. Andreya Triana – Light Bullet (Mona Vale Remix) [Counter]
Lexis Meets Universal – Groove Therapy (Photek Remix) [Cert. 18 Records]
Calyx & TeeBee – Loose Ends #savefabric [Fabric Records & Houndstooth]
Baast – Bazaar [Ubiquity]
The Lloyd McNeill Quartet – St. Margaret’s Church [Universal Sound]
Babs Robert & The Love Planet – Extra-Pol-Action (Ice Crewm ’70) [seriE.WOC]
Barcelona Traction – Foc I Pluja [PDI]
Leroy Hutson – Closer To The Source [Curtom]
Funky Communication Committee – That Didn’t Hurt Too Bad [Free Flight]
Midnight Magic – Down Delay [Soul Clap Records]
The Milk – Deliver Me/Every Time We Fight (Live) [Wah Wah 45s]
iZem feat. Aminah Dastan – Seasons [Soundway Records]
Rakim – Once Upon A Rhyme [White]
A Tribe Called Quest – Kids [Epic]
Henry Wu & Tito Wun – Cheese N’ Kraut [Tartelet]
14 November 2016
Mal Waldron – Red Match Box [Libreville Records]
Myele Manzanza – Absent Fade (Live) [First Word Records]
Mor Thiam – Africa (Dedication To All The People) [Jazzman Records]
The KutiMangoes – Ouagadougou [Tramp]
Mighty Atlas feat. Baba – Nyama Kala [Valley Heat Records]
Ayo The Artist – IBI – Birth
Rupture – Alice Aux Miroirs [Diggers Digest]
Pavel Dovgal feat. Starving Yet Full – Euphoria [Project Mooncircle]
Pavel Dovgal feat. Blu – The Aura [Project Mooncircle]
In Fields – Stay Safe [La Belle Records]
Sporting Life feat. Devonte Hynes & Wiki – Nothing To Hide [R&S]
The Mixtapers – We So Good feat. Frank Nitty, Illa J, Mr..Monk, LMNO & Han Litz (Inkswel Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
B. Bravo – I’m For Real [Bastard Jazz]
The New Buzz feat. Jess Lean – Like We Used To
David Nesselhauf – MS Utopia [Légère Recordings]
Bahama Soul Club feat. Brenda Boykin – No Words [Buyu Records]
Dedication – Let Me Rock You [Claremont 56]
Martin Brodin – Funky Gura (Ray Mang remix) [Nine Lives Recordings]
Sputnik – Mumakata [Edits From]
Hi & Saberhägen – Good Deeds [Belters]
Punk Mbedzi feat. Wales – Catch Feelings (Cee ElAssaad Voodoo Mix) [Offering Recordings]
David Borsu feat. Heidi Vogel – Love Is Running [Broadcite]
The Black 80s – To Hang On To [Sonar Kollektiv]
Romare – Come Close To Me [Ninja Tune]
7 November 2016
The Parker Brothers – Lady Day [Favourite Recordings]
Air – Mr. Man [Be With]
Al Etto – Hold On To Love [Culture Of Soul]
Lee Ritenour – (Just) Tell Me Pretty Lies [Electra]
Kan Wakan – Molasses [Murmur Music]
Electric Wire Hustle feat. Deva Mahal – March [Bastard Jazz]
Paper Tiger – Ooh (J-Felix Remix) [Wah Wah 45s]
DJ Mitsu The Beats – Pax [Jazzy Sport]
Yussef Kamaal – Strings Of Light [Brownswood]
Tommaso Cappellato feat. Nia Andrews – Fly [Mashi Beats]
Hi & Saberhägen – WC122 [Yumé Records]
Allan Harris – Mother’s Love (Nobody’s Gonna Love You) [Love Productions Records]
Gilles Peterson presents Havana Cultura – Calle F [Brownswood]
Hot 8 Brass Band – Keepin’ It Funky [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Lakuta – Rice & Peace [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Bonobo – Kerala [Ninja Tune]
Freeway feat. Mark J – Changes [Peoples Potential Unlimited]
Sun Palace – Raw Movements [BBE Records]
Roy Davis & Jay Juniel – Egyptian Jazz [Pleasure]
Marcel Vogel feat. Khadija – Human Being (NY*AK Remix feat. Mark Hand) [Intimate Friends]
Kerem Akdag – Friend [Apparel Music]
Saytek – Compulsive Behavior [Motech]
Jeb Loy Nichols – That’s How We’re Living (X-press 2 Vocal Mix) [City Country Records]
Shamos – Palace Pavillion [Apron]
Duke Hugh – Your Number [Rhythm Section]
Jazz Chronicles: Living In The Past [Futuristica]
“Living In The Past” is the third release from Jazz Chronicles aka DJ/Producer Simon S. Simon has created an array of emotive soul jazz compositions fused with hip-hop beats and infectious grooves. There is much to savor here starting with the opener. “Drift” is an ethereal tune filled with warm harmonic rhythms courtesy of Jon Lloyd on Bass Clarinet and Flutist Rachel Grennell. “Lately” is a sweet down-tempo tune layered warm chords and features the sublime vocals of Nicola Kramer. Potent rhymes from rapper Jack Jones grace the bumpin track “Serious”. A blissful collection that emanates good vibrations and warms the spirit from start to finish. Simply stated another superb release from his Futuristica label
Amp Fiddler: Motor City Booty [Midnight Riot]
Detroit native and veteran funkmaster Amp Fiddler has been a pioneer in the Motor City for over twenty years. The keyboardist/producer’s resume includes a ten year stint in George Clinton’s band as well as working with everyone from Moodyman to Maxwell. Released on Yam Who?’s Midnight Riot label, “Motor City Booty” is a 11 track dance floor burner that showcases his distinctive sound of formulaic funk and soul. Among the highlights are “Superficial” filled with soulful dance grooves peppered with funky keys and percussion. “Soul Fly Pt. 1” is vintage 60s soul while Pt. 2 is a pulsating party house groove. Both versions as well as other tracks here feature the sultry vocal trio Dames Brown as well as contributions from Nico Redd and Alena. Fiddler’s myriad of infectious grooves are synonymous with the Detroit sound and ensures you’ll have a funky good time throughout this enjoyable disc.
Various Artists: Down n Wired [Perfect Toy]
“Down & Wired Vol. 1” is a collection of dusty grooves compiled by the Germany based Perfect Toy label. There’s a number of hidden gems here for the raw soul enthusiast “Tragedy” is up-tempo funk and the only song released by The Revised Brotherhood. “Going West” is a gritty guitar and organ grinding soul jazz gem. “Chain” is slow burning funk filled with blistering horns. While there were a number of funk and soul heavyweight groups during the seventies there were many groups that fell through the cracks. Thankfully we have labels like Perfect Toy to make sure they remain relevant.
31 October 2016
The Cinematic Orchestra feat. Moses Sumney – To Believe [Ninja Tune]
O$VMV$M – Sleep [Idle Hands]
Yesking – Hardground [BBE Records]
Seraleez – My Pride [Agogo Records]
Sophie Barker – Start Me [Disco Gecko Recordings]
Josef Leimberg – The Awakening [World Galaxy]
Jimmy Heath – Gemini [Riverside Records]
Ocho – Hot Pants Road [West Side Latino Records]
Azymuth – Villa Mariana (Pela Madrugada) [Far Out Recordings]
Enlightment – Faith Is The Key [Cultures Of Soul]
Captain Torkive – Krypton [Opilec Music]
Jonatan Bäckelie – Britch [Sonar Kollektiv]
Nikitch feat. Andreya Triana – When It All Falls Down [Cascade Records]
Mali Hayes – Jump
Hannah Williams & The Affirmations – Woman Got Soul [Record Kicks]
Etienne de la Sayette – Jungle Blue [Paris DJs]
The Golems – Contergan, Hunger und andere Kreuze [Tramp Records]
The Left Rib – Daughter (K15 Remix) [Blind Colour]
Cass. – Running [Emotional Response]
Marcel Lune – Equations [Studio Rockers]
Nightmares On Wax – Reclaim The Balcony [Warp Records]
Nemoy – We Made It (Sam Irl Remix) [Uknowy]
Nickodemus & Alsarah – Alkoan Kulu Bidoor (iZem Remix) [Wonderwheel Recordings]
Tommaso Cappellato feat. Victor Lewis – Team Ball [Mashi Beats]
24 October 2016
Felix Laband – Righteous Red Berets (Luke Vibert Remix) [Compost Records]
Dedication – Let Me Rock You [Claremont 56]
Mehmet Aslan & Dario Rohrbach – Gazel [Fleeting Wax]
Jay Daniel – Paradise Valley [Technicolour Recordings]
U-Dee – Love Is Gone [Delusions Of Grandeur]
Liem & Eddie Ness – The Smiler [Banoffee Pies Records]
McDoo – My Drum Machine [Sector 12/12]
Demuir – Bichano Doce [Magnetic Recordings]
Duke Hugh – Loft Nights [Rhythm Section]
Tanzania Soundsystem – Upotofu [Highlife]
Clemens K – Her [Moody Records]
Anomie Belle – Lovers [Diving Bell Recording Co.]
DJ Mitsu the Beats – Fluid [Jazzy Sport]
Evan Geesman – Soda [Ubiquity REcords]
Venn – The Judger
Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy – Mam Yinne Wa [Philophon]
Joyce – Muito Prazer [Odeon]
Cesar Mariano & Cia – Poluicao [Sony]
Jay Hoggard – Sao Pablo [Contemporary Records]
Emiliano Salvador – El Montuno [Areito]
The Tibbs – Armada [Record Kicks]
Carleen Anderson – Your Heart Will Know [Freestyle Records]
Etienne de la Sayette – Flynn’ [Muju Records]
Mor Thiam – Sindiely (Song For The Black Beauty) [Jazzman Records]
Horace Parlan – Home Is Africa [Blue Note]
17 October 2016
Henry Wu & Tito Wun – Don Müller [Tartelet]
Arnaldo – Going Under To Meet You [Greta Cottage Workshop]
Bugalu Foundation – Rocksteady Bugalu [Stutter & Twitch]
The Hi-Fly Orchestra – Let Love Rule [Agogo Records]
The KutiMangoes – Red Rain [Tramp Records]
Brian Auger feat. Julie Driscoll – All Blues [Freestyle Records]
Silvano D’Auria – Sortilegio M9 [Four Flies Records]
Fulgeance – Loot Them All [Cascade Records]
Twilight – You Look So Good [Luv N’ Haight]
GC Cameron – Me And My Life [Motown]
Kashie – Stone Love [Arista]
Linda Clifford – I Want To Get Away With You [Curtom]
Nel Oliver – You are My Dream [Favorite Recordings]
Coldcut feat. Roots Manuva – Only Heaven [Ninja Tune]
Jazz Chronicles – Ya’ Never Know [Futuristica Music]
Slim – Amsterdam Blues [Banoffee Pies]
Dead Horse Beats – Young Ruins [Bastard Jazz]
Sporting Life feat. Evy Jane – Court Vision [R&S Records]
Theatre 1 – Jackie [Melting Bot]
Nomumbah – Precious [Yoruba]
Marcel Vogel – I Got Jesus [Lumberjacks in Hell]
Contours – Loose Wood [Shall Not Fade]
Da Lata – Asking Eyes (Phil Asher’s West Ten Mix) [Agogo Records]
Voilaaa – Spies Are Watching Me (Africaine 808 Remix) [Favorite Recordings]
Mr Bird feat. Greg Blackman – Over Again (Ashley Beedle’s North Street Mix) [BBE Records]
Sinoptik Music – Voices In My Head [Apollo Records]
10 October 2016
Hidden Orchestra – Wingbeats Source III Piano and Wings [Tru Thoughts]
Revbjelde – Brigantia Lufian [Buried Treasure]
High Lucia – Underneath [Lex]
Barnaby Carter – Your Greatest Gift [Project Mooncircle]
Electric Wire Hustle – Aeons [Bastard Jazz]
Electric Wire Hustle – Red Windows [Bastard Jazz]
Tall Black Guy feat. Moonchild – Will Never Know [First Word]
Lahun feat. JD73 – Mystic Jam Hands [Apollo]
TJ – You’re The One [BBE]
Freeway feat. Mark J – No More [Peoples Potential Unlimited]
Herbie Hancock – Jack Rabbit (Mark de Clive-Lowe Remix) [Blue Note]
Manu Dibango – Baobab Sun 7 [Africa Seven]
Herbie Hancock and Patrice Rushen – Give it All Your Heart [CBS]
George Benson – Give Me The Night [Warner]
EKO – Bowa’a Mba Ngèbè [Fly By Night Music]
TOYC – Kicks (Deft Remix) [Bun The Grid]
Tebhis & Touchy Subject – 1988 [Astrophonica]
Felix Laband – Righteous Red Berets (Luke Vibert Remix) [Compost]
Jason Hogans – Sunny Grey [Third Ear]
Letherette – Shanel [Ninja Tune]
Jet feat. feat. ZG. Dr – Ease Your Pain [Offering]
Fuminori Kagajo & Sheree Hicks – No Place Like Home [Makin’ Moves]
Adam Feingold – Inner Zone [Apron]
Sarathy Korwar – Mawra (Transcendence) (Emanative Remix) [Ninja Tune]
Pulsinger & Irl – Peak Streets (Big Beak Recordings]
Blaze – Seasons Of Love [Nite Grooves]
3 October 2016
Joe Haider Trio – Seasons [Be! Jazz]
Creative Arts Ensemble with B.J. Crowley – One Step Out [Nimbus]
Manu Delago feat. Pete Josef – A Step [Tru Thoughts]
Rain Dog – Hierlera [Project Mooncircle]
FaltyDL feat. Rosie Lowe – Drugs [Blueberry Records]
Resonators – Healer [Wah Wah 45s]
Emiliano Salvador – Angélica [Areito]
Evinha – Esperar Pra Ver [Mr Bongo]
Edwin Sanz – Yo Vengo De Venezuela
Sory Bamba – N Nebakaidi [Africa Seven]
Maajo – Okudu [Queen Nanny]
Pete Josef – The Travelling Song (Kyoto Jazz Sextet Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Ted Coleman – If We Took The Time [BBE]
Gato Barbieri – Adios [A&M]
Skinny Pelembe – Mindset Is Fear
Uffe – Lesser Known Values [Tartelet]
Andy Compton & Han Litz – Slow And Low [Peng]
Shaun Escoffery – Ain’t No Time (Gil Cang Extended Mix) [Dome]
Be Yokai – Facemissed [Space Hardware]
Arnold Jarvis – Take Some Time Out (Ilija Rudman Reconstruction Mix) [Fourth Floor]
Kevin Reynolds – Fembehyahget [Yoruba]
Edmondson – Flamingo Tripper [Lissoms]
Max Graef – B.E. [Apron]
DJ 3000 – Delray [Motech]
Resolution 88: Afterglow [Splash Blue ]
Resolution 88 is a four piece band from London led by composer and keyboardist Tom O’Grady. “Afterglow” their second full length LP builds on their brand of jazz tinged funk styling with impressive results. Among the highlights are “three Four Or More”. filled with O’Grady’s spacey keys and funky bass grooves from Tiago Coimbra. “Raios Do Sol” embodies the Brazilian heritage of bassist Coimbra with warm and melodic rhythms. “Phantom Of The Oberheim” is another winner. Drummer Ric Elsworth lays down a funky rhythm and provides plenty of space for O’Grady’s spacey keys and Alex Hitchcock’s riffs on bass clarinet. Inspired by projects like Herbie Hancock’s “Headhunters” and Asymuth, this is an engaging slice of fusion filled with catchy hooks and funky riffs in abundance.
The Tibbs: Takin Over [Record Kicks]
Record Kicks has proven time and again to be a haven for quality funk and soul music. The latest addition to their roster is the Amsterdam based group The Tibbs. After self releasing an EP in 2014 they’re poised to garner a larger audience with their debut “Takin’ Over”. The eight piece band demonstrate that they can lay down some tasty grooves while lead vocalist Elsa Bekman lights a fire under every tune. “Dog Days” is a fiery tune filled spirited guitars licks from Henk Kemkes. “Until We Meet Again” is a slow burning dim the lights ballad. Guitarist Henk Kemkes spirited guitar licks add a little spice on the classic “96 Tears”. Tight horn arrangements and heartfelt lyrics make The Tibbs an emerging band with plenty of soul to help you get your groove on.