Lucky Brown & The SG’s: Mesquite Suite [Tramp]
Joel Ricci aka Lucky Brown returns with his third full length release for Tramp records. “Mesquite Suite” is filled with dusty instrumental analog tinged funk. The disc opens with “Lone Heart”, a slow burning funk tune in the tradition of the Menahan Street Band. “Justice” has an infectious organ grinding groove layered with sweet flute rhythms. “Glancing Meteors” is driven by funky drumming and tasty guitar licks topped off with swaying horns. A solid recording filled with inspiration from Mulatu Astatke and the aforementioned Menahan Street Band. Lucky Brown’s third lp may very well be his best.
Various Artists: From The Archives Vol. 2 compiled By Volcov [BBE]
Neroli label founder Enrico Crivellaro aka Volcov demonstrated a deft ear for hidden gems with his first Volume of archives. With “From The Archives Vol 2” he compiles another impressive array of compositions ranging from soul to house and jazz infused rhythms. In a crowded field of 70s and 80s compilations Volcov decided to focus on tunes released within the last fifteen years and the ones that made the cut are simply superb. That’s evident from the start with the sorely underrated Carleen Anderson’s “All That Glitters”. This simmering jazz tinged soul burner showcases one of the unique voices of the past twenty years. “On Space” from Ron Trent is a homage to french violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. This dreamy atmospheric gem has a touch of fusion and is heavy on groove. “The Blue Room” from Quentin Kane & Simon Sheldon is an infectious up-tempo nu soul track that gets an elevated remix from Kaidi Tathum. Other highlights include Volcov’s edit of “Lawra” by drummer Tony Williams and the soulful beauty “Let The Music Play” from Collective Peace. This disc flows with one supreme track after another. As far as compilations go, this is one of the best you’ll hear this year. Highly recommended.
Anthony Joseph: People Of The Sun [Heavenly Sweetness]
Poet/musician Anthony Joseph’s latest release is his first recording in his native island of Trinidad. For Joseph the time is right spiritually to reconnect with his homeland. He has also bought his band along for the trip from France, not an easy task but the results are well worth it. There’s much to savor here starting with the opening track. “Milligan” (The Ocean), a heartfelt tribute to his Father begins with burning grooves from bassist and composer Andrew John and vocals from Ella Andall’s Orisha. Joseph’s poetic words of wisdom dance along side the spirited percussion and horn rhythms. “Dig Out Your Eye” brims with seductive soprano sax rhythms from premiere reedist Jason Yarde, who also serves as producer. “People Of The Sun” is bursting with soca, steel pan, jazz and funk rhythms. One listen and you’ll be transported to the island of Trinidad soaking in the sun and absorbing this superb collection of music. Joseph is one of our great story tellers and this album is evidence of that.
Brandon Coleman: Resistance [Brainfeeder]
Brandon Coleman has been very busy this year. When he wasn’t in the studio working on his debut he was serving as the keyboardist for tenor titan Kamasi Washington. He’s featured using the vocoder on “Vi Lua Vi Sol” on Kamasi’s latest LP “Heaven And Earth”. With his debut “Resistance” he utilizes the vocoder over an collection of funk and boogie grooves while invoking some of his influences. The opening tune “Live For Today” is an infectious foot stomping boogie tune. “Sexy” is tasty funk that’s reminiscent of Roger Troutman (Zapp). “Sundae” is an obvious nod to Herbie Hancock’s fusion era that’s elevated by N’Dambi’s vocals. This is a promising debut from a rising talent from the progressive Brainfeeder label
29 October 2018
Woody Shaw – New World [Contemporary Records]
Bheki Mseleku – Angola [Matsuli]
Charles Mingus – Peggy’s Blue Skylight [BBE Music]
Time Grove – Roy The King [Wah Wah 45s]
The Broken Orchestra – Mutual
Rivage feat. Ferno Roche Musique – La Plage
Renegrade Brass Band feat. Gina Walter – Peloton [Nah’m Sayin’ Records]
Takeleave – Calibu [Project: Mooncircle]
Nadie Lafond – Jealousy (I’ve Been Watching You) [Espacial Discos]
Skymark – The Centre Of My Joy [Modern Sun Records]
Tim Maia – Não Esquente A Cabeça [Mr Bongo]
Afro National – Jokenge [Africa Seven]
Rhode & Brown – Sorry Sorry [Toy Tonics]
Darshan Jesrani feat. Charli Umami – Take Me [Imogen Recordings]
Neue Grafik – I Miss Something (NameBrandSound Remix) [CoOp]
Paper Tiger – An Ancient Secret [Wah Wah 45s]
Claude – Future [La Freund Recordings]
DJ Afro & Manchildblack – Love 4 Life [Soul Clap Records]
Brian Power feat. Hil St. Soul – Music (Wipe The Needle Remix) [SoulHouse Music]
22 October 2018
Koray Kantarcioğlu – 500606 [Discrepant]
Annabel (lee) – Circles [Youngbloods]
Chris Kaz – Clifford Bounce [Cujo]
9th Creation – Falling In Love [Pastdue]
9th Creation – Mellow Music [Pastdue]
Fatima – Waltz [Eglo Records]
Flunk – Love and Halogen (SKL Remix) [Beatservice Records]
Richard Spaven – Spin [Fine Line Records]
Sampology, Megan Christensen & Sam Stosuur – Bless [Middle Name Records]
Lone – Pulsar [R&S Records]
Sieren – Move On [Apollo Records]
The Expansions – Mosaic [Albert’s Favourites]
Abstract Orchestra – Fancy Clown [ATA Records]
Cookin On 3 Burners – Force Of Nature [Soul Messin’ Records]
Bob James – Take Me To The Mardi Gras [CBS]
The MPS Rhythm Combination & Brass – Timbales Calientes [MPS Records]
Alder Ego – Cubism [We Jazz Records]
Moods feat. Damon Trueitt – Slow Down [Boogie Angst]
Brian Power feat. Marc Evans – Falling Back Into Love [SoulHouse Music]
Empulse – Anytime [Tramp Records]
Kresy feat. Javonntte – Think Of You [Enclave Records]
Rogiérs – Heart’s A Mess (Opolopo Remix) [Fibby Music Group]
DJ Beloved feat. Kenny Bobien – Heaven Sent [Makin’ Moves]
Aretha Franklin – Jump To It [Arista Records]
15 October 2018
Julien Dyne – Teal [Soundway Records]
Farron – T-Junk [Renascence]
Aeshim – Carrot Cake [Albert’s Favourites]
Ben Hauke feat. Jerome Thomas – Simple [CoOp]
Modified Man – Hear Me Calling [Albert’s Favourites]
Itiberê Orquestra Família – Bota Para Quebrar [Far Out Recordings]
Brazelia – Brazelia [Z Records]
Marcos Valle – Vontage de Rever Voce (Rocking You) [Far Out Recordings]
Cotonete – Layla [Heavenly Sweetness]
Spaceark – Welcome To My Door [Mr Bongo]
Allysha Joy – FNFL [Gondwana]
Boz Scaggs – Lowdown [CBS]
Yan Tregger – Riff On [BBE Music]
Nadie Lafond – Three Way Situation (Part 1) [Espacial Discos]
Gabriele Poso – Everybody Loves The Sunshine (Opolopo Remix) [BBE Music]
Charlie Stark – Intro [Stark Dangerous]
DJ Spinna vs Rich Medina – Reality [Wonderwax]
El Tipo Este Y Al Quetz – Dicen [Heavenly Sweetness]
Yestersdays New Quintet – Visions [Stones Throw Records]
Felbm – Anderstein [Soundway Records]
Lionel Loueke – Mandé [Aparté Music]
John Gordon – Step By Step [Pure Pleasure Records/Strata East]
Koichi Matsukaze Trio + Toshiyuki Daitoku – Don’t Worry About Tenor Saxophone [BBE Music]
April Fulladosa – Tell Me [Reference Point Records]
8 October 2018
Don Rendell Ian Carr Quintet – Blue Mosque [Jazzman Records]
Music Inc. – Ruthie’s Heart [Pure Pleasure Records/Strata East]
John Gordon – Making Memories [Pure Pleasure Records/Strata East]
The Putbacks – No Man No with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson [HopeStreet Recordings]
Jesse Futerman – One for Dan Zacks [Jus Like Music Records]
Fourth Kind – The Star Of The Story [Omniverse Records]
Jim Lawless – Tribal Warfare [Buried Treasure]
April Fulladosa – Tell Me [Reference Point Records]
Abstract Orchestra – ALL CAPS [ATA Records]
Walter Cornelius – Midnight Sun [Cascade Records]
Renegrade Brass Band feat. Gina Walter – Peloton [Nah ‘M Sayin’ Records]
Lucinda Slim & The Law Men – Wrath Of The Lawmen [Haggis Records]
Thabang Tabane – Richard [Mushroom Hour Half Hour]
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley – Akoko Ba [Mr Bongo]
Pat Kalla & Le Super Mojo – Ballade de nuit [Favorite Recordings]
Nappy Mayers – Let Yourself Go [Espacial Discos]
Te’Amir – Back To Abyssinia [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Duke Zilla – Trop Fonk [Jazz-O-Tech Records]
Claude – Future (Duke Hugh Remix) [La Freund Recordings]
Phenomenal Handclap Band – Judge Not (Ray Mang Special Mix) [Toy Tonics]
Black Loops feat. Nikos Haropoulos – King Paul [Freerange Records]
C.9ine feat. Kholi – Chasing (Dave Anthony Remixes) [Atjazz Record Company]
Ben Hauke feat. Jerome Thomas – Simple [CoOp]
Carmel – Nujazzkiller [Fluid Ounce]
1 October 2018
Anthony Joseph – Dig Out Your Eye [Heavenly Sweetness]
Penya – Search It Out (Dengue Dengue Dengue Remix) [On The Corner Records]
Lucky Brown & The S.G.’s – Glancing Meteors [Tramp Records]
Bheki Mseleku – One For All – All For One [Matsuli]
BRZZVLL – De Vlijtige Kip [SDBan Ultra]
Bowman Trio – The Chase [We Jazz Records]
The Brian Auger Piano Trio – Little Sunflower (Live) [Freestyle Records]
Célia – A Hora É Essa [Mr Bongo]
Cesar Mariano & Cia – Fabrica [Sony]
Emeson feat. Shai Soul-Wright – SOS
The Last Poets – We Must Be Sacred (Mo Kolours Remix) [Studio Rockers]
C-Ras – Visitors [Beat Department]
Common – Invocation [Relativity]
NSM feat. Jneiro Jarel – Mumbo Jum (Remix) [Jazzy Sport]
BADBADNOTGOOD & Little Dragon – Tried [Ninja Tune]
The Devonns – Think I’m Falling in Love [Record Kicks]
Richard Spaven feat. Jordan Rakei – Faded [Fine Line Records]
Tsha – Move On
Parco Palaz – Prelude To A Dream [Akoya Circles]
Atjazz & Jullian Gomes – It’s My Time [Atjazz Record Company]
Simbad feat. Brian Temba – Take My Hand (Jimpster Remix) [Freerange Records]
Kassian – The Premise [Heist Recordings]
Gerardo Frisina – Katanga [Schema Records]
Fourth Kind – Time Flies By [Omniverse Records]
Chris Bowden – Beautiful Nasty (4 Hero Remix) [Ninja Tune]
Various Artists: Backstreet Brit Funk Vol.2 Compiled by Joey Negro [Z Records]
Leave it to premiere DJ Joey Negro to assemble another enormous selection of rare gems. Brit Funk Vol.2 has dusted off some hidden UK funk tracks from the late seventies and early eighties that will have you searching for your platform dancing shoes. There’s plenty to savor from this double lp that features several unreleased tracks. Among the highlights are Eastbound Expressway’s “Never Let Go”, a late seventies funk groove with a break beat that certainly jump started parties back in the day. “Ease Your Mind” by Touchdown has an infectious uptempo groove and swirling horn rhythm that has found it’s way into several DJ’s playlist today. “You Gotta Get It” by Congress is another banger with a wicked synth laden bass groove. Eight years after Vol.1 Negro hits the mark once again.