Kamasi Washington: Heaven and Earth [Young Turks]
With “Heaven and Earth” Kamasi Washington picks up where “The Epic” left off. Like “The Epic” this is a triple lp filled with orchestral arrangements, a angelic choir and an array of talented musicians from his hometown of Los Angeles. The title reflects Kamasi’s view into the world and it’s potential vs it’s struggle. “Fists of Fury” is transformed from a Bruce Lee soundtrack to an anthem for justice that features Dwight Trible among others on vocals. “Hub Tones” is a blistering cover of a Freddie Hubbard original that features Chris Gray on trumpet. There’s plenty of notable Kamasi compositions as well. “Vi Lua Vi Sol” is a soft melodic tune that features Branden Coleman on keys and the vocoder. Trombonist Ryan Porter applies warm solos as well. “One Of One” is another fiery tune that brings it all together. A climatic arrangement supported by the choir, a strong rhythm section and blistering horns from Washington and Gray. Simply another superb release from a rising star who shows no signs of slowing down
DJ Simon S: Music 4 Alternative Souls [Futuristica]
DJ/Producer Simon S has been at the helm of Futuristica for well over a decade. Few labels have consistently released as much high quality downtempo grooves and jazz infused soulful hip hop during this period. The aptly titled “Music 4 Alternative Souls” is filled with dreamy tracks and thought provoking hip hop that sink into your body and warm your soul. “Looking” is sublime downtempo soul by vocalist J.Mcfysian. Newcomer Georgie Sweet’s tender vocals are a delight on the blissful “Half Human”. Rapper Jack Jones spits poignant verses on the gritty “Slick”. There’s some notable remixes as well. K15 reworks “For You” into a lush house stomper and Mecca 83’s layered beats on “Beautiful” are also a highlight. This superb release is just a snapshot of the notable contributions from the Futuristica family. Press play, lean back and enjoy.
The Lewis Express: The Lewis Express [ATA Records]
Based in Leeds, The Lewis Express pays tribute to the sixties soul jazz trio Young Holt that also featured famed pianist Ramsey Lewis. With recurring members from the ATA label they revisit a time where jazz and RnB lived side by side. “Love Can Turn A Man” is a slow burning piano driven tune featuring pianist George Cooper. “Cancao De Momento” is an upbeat funky Latin tune with a stirring piano intro followed up with spirited percussion from Pete Williams. “Brother Move On” is a classic soul jazz tune that features funky horn arrangements to complement the double bass work of Neil Innes. This is another strong release from the emerging ATA label that will get a warm reception from funk and soul enthusiasts.
30 July 2018
The Allegorist – Exotic Expeditions [Detroit Underground]
Hampshire And Foat – Nightshade (Reprise) [Athens Of The North]
Brandon Coleman feat. Patrice Quinn & Techdizzle – Giant Feelings [Brainfeeder]
Mopo – Mustafa [We Jazz Records]
Kamasi Washington – Will You Love Me Tomorrow [Young Turks]
Nicola Conte & Spiritual Galaxy – Essence of the Sun [MPS Records]
BEMET feat. KerenDun – The Chase After Tomorrow [Wah Wah 45s]
The Lewis Express – Straight Seven Strut [ATA Records]
Hugo Fattoruso – Trenes de Tokyo [Far Out Recordings]
Conner Youngblood – The Birds of Finland [Counter Records]
Kutiman – Unknown [Siyal Music]
Mike Nyoni & Born Free – SM [Now-Again Reserve Records]
O.T. Sykes – Something’s Burning [Everland]
Wildlife – All In Good Time [BBE Records]
N.O.T.E. – Night Frames [Tartelet Records]
Kaidi Tatham – 2Tone [First Word Records]
☆.A – 4th Of Joy [Jazzy Sport]
Aura (Aspiritual Emanation) – Boogie On Saturday [Afrodisia]
Bostro Pesopeo – Si Tacuisses [Belters]
Sixtyone – Ezzef
Rhode & Brown – Sparkle [Slam City Jams]
Nils Wulker feat. Jill Scott – Worth The Wait (Mark de Clive-Lowe Remix) [Mashibeats]
23 July 2018
Mitch von Arx – Mist [Project Mooncircle]
Greymatter – Move Slow (Original Mix) [Unique Uncut]
Munir – Members Only [Dopeness Galore Records]
Frank Mccomb – Listen To Your Heart (Wipe The Needle Remix) [Makin’ Moves]
Cyclonix – Heart And A Mind [Flight Recorder]
Naohito – Purple Vale [Foureal Records]
Sandilé – Not Drum & Bass [Phuture Shock Musik]
Ben Hauke feat. Eggrum – Digi Luv [Far Out Recordings]
Captain Planet – Oluko [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
Electric Machine – Space Ship [Erezioni]
The Friends Of Distinction – When A Little Love Began To Die [Expansion]
Freddie Hubbard – Here’s That Rainy Day [CTI Records]
Annie Ross & Pony Poindexter With The Berlin All Stars feat. Carmell Jones And Leo Wright – Home Cookin’ [MPS Records]
Chaka Khan, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke & Lenny White – High Wire – The Aerialist [Elektra]
Stanley Turrentine – Buster Brown [Blue Note]
Papik feat. Francesca Gramegna – Você Me Apareceu [Irma Records]
Tenorio Jr – Sambinha [Mr Bongo]
Nitai Hershkovits feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow – Sattelite Dish [Wah Wah 45s]
Dizz1 feat: MED and Jimetta Rose – Hard to Breathe [Strange Neighbor]
Children of Zeus – Vibrations (Divine Signature) [First Word Records]
Photek – Minotaur [Science]
Invisible Man – The Beginning (Army of Ghosts Remix)
Primary Motive Dreamworld [Creative Source]
16 July 2018
Web Web – Maroc Blues [Compost Records]
Thabang Tabane – Nyandi Yeni [Mushroom Half Hour]
Verckys et l´Orchestre Vévé – Nakomi Paralise [Analog Africa]
Te’Amir – Randal In Addis [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Tenderlonious feat. The 22archestra – You Decide [22a]
Timo Lassy feat. Eero Koivistoinen – E71 [Membran]
Jack Wilkins – Canzona [Wewantsounds]
Ryo Kawasaki – Trinkets & Things [NuNorthern Soul]
Maurice – Freeway [Backatcha Records]
Gülden Karaböcek – Artık Sorma Beni [Pharaway Sounds]
The Deli – Jazz Catz [Cold Busted]
Foreign Exchange – Be Alright [BBE Records]
Space Captain – Loveline (Jesse Fischer Remix) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Metal Fingers – White Willow Bark [Shaman Work Recordings]
Wen – Grit [Big Dad Records]
Jitwam – Desires (K15 Hats & Scarves Ting) [The Jazz Diaries]
Ilija Rudman – Lovers Change Minds [Classic Music Company]
Corrado Bucci – Lisa [Whirling Wolf Recordings]
Munir – Until U Come [Darker Than Wax]
Alma Negra – Sueno Latino [Lumberjacks In Hell]
Flat Maze – Room 111 [Jazz-O-Tech Records]
Rose Royce – Still In Love [Epic]
The Chris Rhodes Band – Wait Until Dark [BBE Records]
Di Melo – A.E.I.O.U. (Dub Version) [Favorite Recordings]
Tunde Mabadu – Alabosi [Mr Bongo]
9 July 2018
Lewis Parker – Real Life Real Drama [KingUnderground Records]
Potatohead People feat. Illa J – Change Of Heart [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
Madvillian feat. Viktor Vaughn – Fancy Clown [Stones Throw]
Flying Lotus – Shadows
Culross Close – Requiem + Reflections [Sound of Speed]
Nat Birchall meets Al Breadwinner – In The Hills [Tradition Disc]
Keith Hudson – California [Basic Replay]
Soothsayers – We Watch The Stars [Wah Wah 45s]
Vicky Flint – This Situation
John Coltrane – Untitled Original 11386 (Take 1) [Impulse Records]
Kamasi Washington – Testify [Young Turks]
Marco Di Marco / Chris Woods Sextet – Portrait For a Golden Angel [Arision]
Guanabara – Festa de Sao Joao [Baystate]
Gülden Karaböcek – Affetmem Seni Seni Yar [Pharaway Sounds]
☆.A – dotA [Jazzy Sport]
Henrik Schwarz feat. Ben Westbeech – Counter Culture [!K7]
Jazzanova feat. Ben Westbeech – Summer Keeps On Passing Me By [Sonar Kollektiv]
Kool Customer – Blackberry (Somebody Told Me) [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
Septimus You’re A Mind Blower [Cultures Of Soul]
Opolopo feat. Amalia – Life’s A Dance (After Hours Glide Mix) [Especial Records]
Nina Lares – Uncover Me (MdCL Remix) [Mashibeats]
Pulsinger & Irl – A Exu [Big Beak Recordings]
Kyoto Jazz Massive feat. Vanesssa Freeman – The Brightness Of These Days [Compost Records]
Stevie Wonder – All I Do [Motown Records]
2 July 2018
Ira Sullivan – The Girl From Ipanema [Flying Fish Records]
Marco di Marco feat. Nathan Haines – Brazilian Waltz [Arision]
The Five Corners Quintet feat. Okou – Blue Cycles [Ricky-Tick Records]
Kamasi Washington – Fists of Fury [Young Turks]
Tohru Aizawa Quartet – La Fiesta [BBE Records]
Web Web – Agowu [Compost Records]
Black Savage – Grassland [Afro7 Records]
Cengiz Coşkuner – Erkilet Güzeli [Pharaway Sounds]
Emilio Santiago – Batendo a Porta [Far Out Recordings]
Penya – Iyesa [On The Corner Records]
Jazzanova feat. Oddisee – Now (L.O.V.E. And You & I Part 2) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Dabrye feat. Jon Wayne – Pretty [Ghostly International]
Retta Young – Really Really [Expansion Records]
Barış Manço – Tell Me Old Man [Pharaway Sounds]
Hugo Fattoruso – Candombe Beat Funk [Far Out Recordings]
Ambrosia – Livin’ On My Own [Warner Bros. Records]
Vorticon – Soma [Hupu Records]
Edmony Krater – An Ba Jouk (Olivier Portal Playin’ 4 The Beach Remix) [Heavenly Sweetness]
Dauwd – Macadam Therapy (Vakula Remix) [Technicolour Records]
Obas Nenor – I Can’t Stay [Nenorion Music]
Solution 99 – I Need You [PITS]
Ron Hall & The Muthafunkaz feat. Marc Evans – The Way You Love Me (Tom Moulton Philly Re-Grooved Remix) [Glitterbox Recordings]
Waaju: Waaju [Olindo Records]
Waaju is a quintet specializing in Afro Caribbean funk with a touch of jazz. The London based band have collaborated with a number of acts like Ashley Henry, Jordan Rakei and others. Although it’s only an ep with five tracks they leave a lasting impression with infectious compositions and sparkling performances. The energetic opening track “Ali’s Mall”is filled with pulsating percussion and warm guitar arrangements. It’s also a nod to Malian guitarist Ali Farka Toure, a huge influence on the band. The polyrhythmnic “Kaolack” has sketches of dub and features sparkling cerebral electric guitar playing from Tal Janes. “Waaju” is filled with spirited percussion from Ernesto Marichales. Sam Rapley’s Tenor sax is also a highlight. One can only hope that this is just the appetizer and a full length lp will be forthcoming. It should be a certainty based on the strength of this engaging record.
Otis Sandsjo: Y-OTIS [Wejazz]
This is the debut album from Swedish native and Berlin based Saxophonist Otis Sandsjo. “Y-OTIS” is filled with dazzling compositions built around wobbly polyrhythms and electronics. Bassist Frans Petter Eldh, who also produced the album knows how to shake things up end move in an exploratory direction. On engaging tracks like “Yung” and “BOO!”, Sandsjo’s melodic riffs meld seamlessly with glorious interaction from pianist Elias Stemeseder. “Sun Sun” is another abstract tune that kicks off with heavy beats from drummer Tilo Weber followed by hazy horn riffs and imaginative keys. Each member of this quartet has received their share of praise from the jazz community but they’re unafraid to soar beyond the boundaries. This is a creative gem that you shouldn’t miss.