Quarter Street: Quarter Street [Hope Street Recordings]
Quarter Street, the debut lp of the Melbourne Australia based collective is packed with classic Latin jazz and dance rhythms. Lead singer Sergio Bolero’s powerful voice soars over an array of blistering compositions backed by an exciting ensemble. There’s plenty of party tracks here starting with "Fantasia" laced with a thundering piano melody and funky horns. "Libre Soy" has a simmering groove complete with fiery percussion, a tasty trombone solo and finishes off with scorching keys. "De Cualquier Manera" rides along on a mid tempo groove and piano melody. This is a joyous listen that will transport you to that vibrant era of 1960-70 Latin Jazz and boogaloo that flowed throughout Spanish Harlem. We’re already looking forward to future recordings from this talented group.
Richard Marks: Never Satisfied [Now Again]
"Never Satisfied" is the anthology from Atlanta singer guitarist Richard Marks. Marks may not be a household name outside Atlanta Georgia however this collection reveals a talented soul singer/songwriter and guitarist as well. Over twenty one tracks Marks and his display the type of raw RnB soul arrangements reminiscent of the Stax house band sound as well as other influences. "Funky Fingers" is a funky organ flavored instrumental. The title track is driving funk with tasty guitar licks and horns. Marks voice isn’t powerful but effective. "Speak Now" is a slow burning ballad with sweet backing vocals. If not for the fact that this was unreleased material you could’ve strip off five or six songs to make a stronger record. That being said, "Never Satisfied" provides some sparkling moments of hot buttered soul that will delight raw soul enthusiasts. .
31 August 2015
Circula – Lord Of The Ringbahn [Tokyo Wax]
Ambassadeurs – Looking At You [Aucan Remix) [Lost Tribe]
Wen – Lunar Tide Cycle [Soundman Chronicles]
Alice Russell – I’m The Man, That Will Find You [Tru Thoughts]
Kartell feat. Tom Bailey – Falling [Roche Musique]
Potatohead People – All The Way [Bastard Jazz]
Jesse Futerman – Theme From The Love I Lost [Wah Wah 45s]
Electric Wire Hustle feat. Kimbra – Brother Sun [Bastard Jazz]
Roots Manuva – One Thing [Big Dada]
Kuna Maze – Flip It [Cascade]
Daniel Grau – Con El Cielo En Tus Ojos (Daniel T. Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Patrice Rushen – Perfect Love [Elektra]
Third Stream – In A Galaxy Far Away [Tramp]
Brian Auger – Whenever You’re Ready [Freestyle]
Shaun Martin – Lotus [Ropeadope]
McCoy Tyner – Little Brother [Milestone]
Rim Kwaku Obeng – Gas Line [BBE]
Omar – Get Away [Freestyle]
The Soul Motivators – Dr. Know It All [Do Right! Music]
Oliver Boogie – Funky Tropical [Hot Digits]
Claudio Ricci & Megablast feat. OG Spiritual Godess – Chyedza [Compost]
Duke Slammer – Bangkok Skytrain [Cosmic Pint Glass]
Petwo Evans – Ribbon [Kompakt / Rubadub]
Toto – Africa [CBS]
24 August 2015
Martin L. Dumas Jr. – Attitude, Belief & Determination [BBE]
Stevo – Pay The Price [Soul Jazz]
Boof – Just On The Swings [BubbleTease Communications]
The Korvids – Beach Coma (Audio Luxury Remix) [Nang]
St. Germain – Real Blues (Atjazz Stay Tuned Remix) [Parlophone/Warner]
Gary Martin – I Don’t Know Why [Motech]
Joe Europe – Trolley Dolly [Falk]
Show-B – My Contribution (20 Years Mix) [Compost]
Massive Suits Quartet – Full Moon Wizard (Wizard’s Theme) [Ubiquity]
K15 – When Things Occur
DJ Centre feat. Oddisee – Leave The City Outside (Chris Read Remix) [BBE]
Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators – One In A Million [Timmion]
The Gene Dudley Group – The Arm Wrestling Channel [Wah Wah 45s]
The Manuel Azevedo Quartet – Futebol bu Bar [Freestyle]
Pamela Samiha Wise – Ode to Black Mothers [Wenha/Tribe]
Goldie – State Of Mind [FFrr]
Kamasi Washington – Malcolm’s Theme [Brainfeeder]
Raphaël – Dead Sea Scrolls [Heavenly Sweetness]
Joe Farrell – Outback [CTI]
Paz – Time Stood Still [Spotlite]
17 August 2015
Samuel – These Days [Big Dada]
Oscar Key Sung – Alturism
Jeb Loy Nichols – That’s All I Want
Daye Jack – Easy
The Star Seeds feat. Raw Poetic – Hip Hop Goes
The Louis Hayes Group – Little Sunflower [Gryphon]
Billy Parker’s Fourth World – Get With It [Strata East]
John Thomas & Lifeforce – Like A Samba [Nabel]
The Greg Foat Group – The Eye Of Horus [Jazzman]
Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids – Rhapsody in Berlin Parts 1 and 2 [Philophon]
Richard Marks – Never Satisfied [Now-Again]
Souleance – Secoue [First Word]
SoulParlour – Pure (K15 Remix) [INI]
Rukaiya Russell feat. Christine Asamoah – Moving [RuRu]
Dego & Kaidi – The Vault Descends [Eglo]
JD73 feat. Pete Simpson – Don’t Wanna Lose This Feeling [Splash Music]
James Mason – The Love Song [Shout]
Kieran Holden – Wild Palms [Alfresco Disco]
Nuage feat. Olga Maximova – Overflow [Project Mooncircle]
TIYG – In Your Guts (AD Bourke Remix) [Five Fold]
Myles Bigelow – Turning Pages [Yoruba]
Solo Hit – Ododo [Analog Africa]
The Amalgamation Of Soundz – Batunova Scat [Ubiquity]
Cesaria Evora – Angola (Carl Craig Remix) [Lusafrica]
10 August 2015
Ayota – Peacocks [Primaudial]
Renegade Brass Band – Just Business (Tall Black Guy Spanky Remix) [Nah’m Sayin’]
Mecca:83 feat. Octavio Santos & J Vibes – Inbetween Times
Coke Escovedo – Why Can’t We Be Lovers [Mercury]
Patti Austin – That’s Enough For Me [CBS]
Olivier Boogie – Cyclops [Hot Digits]
Mark Nicholas – Jah Jazz [Banoffee Pies]
Guest Mix By Annie Trailer Trash
King – Can’t Get It Into My Head [Major Record Label]
Jay Richford & Gary Steven – Having Fun [Golden Pavilion Records]
Larry Saunders – On The Real Side [Real Side]
Edwin Starr – Time [Gordy]
Gloria Ann Taylor – Love Is A Hurting Game [White]
Carl Craig – Desire [R&S]
DMZ – Anti War Dub [DMZ]
Virgo – Free Yourself [Trax]
Causa – Lucan [3]
Dahlbäck & Krome – DK5 [White]
Big Maybelle – I’ve Got A Feeling [Outta Sight]
Mel Torme – Coming Home [Outta Sight]
Ann Peebles – Tear Your Playhouse Down [Hi Records]
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
Jaga Jazzist – Oban (Todd Terje Remix) [Ninja Tune]
Bosq feat. Evan LaFlamme – Bounce And Pull Up [Ubiquity]
Dom um Romao – Braun-Belk-Blu [Muse]
Tania Maria Boto & Helio – Chega De Saudade [Barclay]
Verckys et l´Orchestre Vévé – Sex Vévé [Analog Africa]
Manu Dibango – Ceddo [African Seven]
3 August 2015
Gary Bartz – Straight Street [Catalyst]
Carlos Garnett – Mother Of The Future [Muse]
John Coltrane – Amen [Impulse]
Warmth – Fool On The Hill [Tramp]
Lindsey Webster – You Change [Atlanta]
Daymé Arocena – Don’t Unplug My Body [Brownswood]
Par-lé – Shake & Break [Movement]
Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators – One In A Million [Timmion]
Quarter Street – Fantasía [Hope Street]
Massive Suits Quartet – Dancing with Her (Woman’s Theme) [Ubiquity]
Leron Thomas feat. Bilal – Role Play (Thomas Crumple Mix) [Heavenly Sweetness]
Gangrene feat. Action Bronson – Driving Gloves [Mass Appeal]
Method Man feat. Redman, Hanz On & Streetlife – Straight Gutta [Tommy Boy]
KMD – Trial And Error [Traffic Entertainment]
Positive Flow feat. Vanessa Freeman – In The Garden Of Your Life (MainFrame Remix) [Tokyo Dawn]
Heaven & Earth – You’re A Blessing [WMOT]
The Haggis Horns feat. Lucind Slim – I Can’t Stop The Feeling [Haggis]
Soft Rocks – Obo [ESP Institute]
Mugwump feat. Circlesquare – After They Fall (Eskimo Twins Remix) [Subfield/!K7]
Tony Momrelle – Back Together Again (Opolopo Remix) [Reel People Music]
Mega Jawns – Joy (Booker T Remix) [BBE]
Howling – X Machina EP [Counter]
St. Germain – Real Blues (DJ 3000 Remix)
Save Detroit – North [Sector 12/12]
San2 – Impartial Perspective [Bobby Donny]
DJ Vadim and Sena: Grow Slow [BBE]
"Grow Slow", the aptly titled new release from DJ Vadim and Ghanaian native Sena has been brewing for several years. Their chance meeting in 2005 at a festival in Hungary led to a blistering appearance on Vadim’s 2007 critically acclaimed release "Soundcatcher". Sena has since built an enormous following complete with two solo albums of her own and sold out shows as well. So the time felt right to finally collaborate on a full length lp and there’s much to be excited about here. "Work Hard" is an infectious up-tempo tune with well placed synths, African funk and South London beats. The title track kicks off with a tasty rhodes riff before settling into a mid-tempo funky groove. "Morning Light" is a mellow burner filled with fat beats and wicked guitar licks. As one has come to expect from a Vadim recording, the sound system is superb and the arrangements are tailored to bring out the best in his artist. Overall "Grow Slow" packs a punch and keeps on hitting you with rough and rugged grooves and powerful vocals. If you haven’t already taken notice of this emerging talent, it’s time to get familiar.
Alex Puddu: Soultiger [Schema Records]
Guitarist Alex Puddu, Italian native and Copenhagen resident for over thirty years delivers a touch of Latin Soul with his latest release. "Soultiger" will conjure images of Spanish Harlem 1960 through 1970. This was a vibrant period where a new generation of Latin musicians were being influenced by Soul RnB and Caribbean rhythms This melting pot of rhythms would later become known as Boogaloo. One of the prominent members of this emerging new genre was legendary vocalist Joe Bataan, who appears on three tracks here. Indeed "Soultiger" attempts to captures the spirit of the Boogaloo and there are moments of success, The title track is a light boogie funk tune with percolating vibes and percussion. Joe Bataan’s ageless vocals shine the ballad "Love Talk". "I Want You" kicks off with s simmering bass groove followed by warm keys, tasty vibes and sultry vocals from Maja Muhlack. For a thorough venture into the world Latin Afro soul, do check out the earlier recordings of Joe Bataan and Joe Cuba but "Soultiger" is a good place to start.
Beam Up: Innerstand [BBE]
Brian May aka Beam Up captures the spirit of experimental Dub with the release of "Innerstand". This release features an array of great vocal performances that compliment May’s rough and rugged riddims. One of those vocalists is UK resident Terrence Alfonso Bowry. "I Must Be Dreaming", one of five tracks he appears on is filled with classic deep dub grooves, reverbs and monster bass. "No Chains" a traditional roots reggae tune with funky horns features the booming vocals of Jornick Joelick. "Dive" is a touch of spacey dub that features the blissful vocals of Katya Tasheva. The sound system throughout "Innerstand" is incredible and the arrangements are first rate. It’s just the kind of record that will satisfy hard core fans while easily seducing new ones.
27 July 2015
Love Unlimited – If You Want Me, Say It [CBS]
James Mason – I’ve Got Your Love [Shout]
Dunn Pearson Jr. – Groove On Down [Soul Jazz]
Mannmademusic – Under [Shadeleaf Music]
Yumi Arai – Anata Dake No Mono (Florent F Rework) [Kat45]
The Sorcerers – Night Of The Sorcerer [ATA]
Collocutor Vs. The Expansions – Gozo [On The Corner]
Shaun Martin – The Yellow Jacket [Ropeadope]
Qualiton Jazz Ensemble – Night & Day [Cosmic Sounds]
Kenny Burrell – Suite for Guitar and Orchestra: Growing (Theme 2) [Chess]
Quintonal – Time Compulsion [Jazzaggression]
Kutiman – Space Cassava [Siyal Music]
Friends From Rio – Anthemia (Tahira Remix) [Far Out]
Rukaiya Russell feat. Christine Asamoah – Moving [RuRu]
Robinn – Duillac (Bedroom Version) [Compost]
Boof – Birgit Boogie [BubbleTease Communications]
The Sonic Emporium – What Do You Think You Saw [Blindetonation]
John Baker – The Dolly Man (Cue 3) [Buried Treasure]
The Gene Dudley Group – Do The Cookie Dough Throw [Wah Wah 45s]
The Polyversal Souls – Sad Nile [Philophon]
Oz – The Sun [Futuristica Music]
Parker Madicine – Mystic Blues [CT-HI]
Revy – Steptone [Mesa]
20 July 2015
Moscillate x Garimastah feat. Gala Ga – Autumn Comes [Cascade]
The Sorcerers – The Viking Of Fifth Avenue [ATA]
Tall Black Guy – Cole Marrom
Robot Orchestra – Chasing Rainbows [Expansions Collective]
Vursatyl – Bring It To A Halt (Jake One Remix) [BBE]
Georgia Anne Muldrow feat. Declaime – Gitdown [Mello Music]
Quiet Dawn feat. Oddisee – New Dawn [First Word]
Sam Gellaitry – Glacier [Soulection]
Ira Kris – Canto De Iemanja [MPS]
The Detroit Jazz Composers Ltd. – Ja-Mil [Midnite]
Vince Andrews – Being With You [Gerard]
Strange Faith – Walking Over [Tru Thoughts]
Souleance – Secoue [First Word]
Hailu Mergia – Hailu [Philophon]
Hidden Jazz Quartett feat. Greg Blackman – Tap On The Backdoor [Agogo]
Kasar – Gone (Robot Koch Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Nuage feat. Olga Maximova – Neida [Project Mooncircle]
The Levels feat. Re-Drum – Remember [The Levels Music]
ComixXx feat. Pete Josef – Broken Connection (Aanbreeken Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Pawas & Schaffhäuser – Hunt (Vocal Edit) [Compost Black Label]
Weisz2 feat. Aladin Anyebe – Ko Si Eda To Mola (Henrik Schwarz Rework) [Luv Lite]
Soccer96 – Flight Formation (DK Edit) [WotNot Music]
Helena Hauff – Sworn To Secrecy Part II [Werkdiscs]
Mr Q – Love & Time [D.K. Sounds]
Voilaaa – Spies Are Watching Me [Favorite]
77 Karat Gold – Memories In The Rain [Jazzy Sport]
13 July 2015
Inhmost – Close Your Eyes [Greta Cottage Woodpile]
Gacha feat. Natalie Beridze Tba – Bliss [R&S]
Deceptikon – In Watermelon Sugar [Project Mooncircle]
Maribou State feat. Pedestrian – The Clown (John Beltran Remix) [Counter]
Funkstörung feat. Audego – Fall Into You [Monkeytown]
Samuel – These Days [Big Dada]
Lindsey Webster – I’m Strong [Atlanta]
Arthur Blythe – Down San Diego Way [Sony]
Airto – Mixing [Buddah]
The Milk – Kicking the Smoke [Wah Wah 45s]
Memphis Horns – I Can’t Turn You Loose [Atlantic]
Quarter Street – Libre Soy [Hope Street]
The Haggis Horns feat. Lucind Slim – I Can’t Stop The Feeling [Haggis]
Bilal feat. Big K.R.I.T – Pleasure Toy [BBE]
Illa J – Universe [Bastard Jazz]
Dego & Kaidi – Man Made [Eglo]
Cassio Kohl – Hear Me [Futureboogie]
daWad feat. Dr No – Dancing Delight [La Dame Noir]
Pacifica – 6:34 AM [Drumpoet Community]
St. Germain – Real Blues (Atjazz Stay Tuned Remix) [Parlophone/Warner]
Terhagan – Reflexion [Motech]
TIYG – Dizzy Horizons [Five Fold]
Yambu – Sunny [World Music Network]
MFSB – Mysteries Of The World [CBS]
6 July 2015
Herbie Hancock – Spiraling Prism [Columbia]
Junior Tucker – Take A Message (Instrumental) [Heavenly Sweetness]
Keni Burke – Gotta Find My Way Back In Your Heart [RCA]
Ashford & Simpson – It Seems To Hang On [Warner]
Soft Rocks – Slowdown [ESP Institute]
Yumi Arai – Anata Dake No Mono (Florent F Rework) [Kat45]
The RAH Band – Perfumed Garden (Atjazz Remix) [ARCo]
Moods – U Got Me [Boogie Angst]
Daymé Arocena – El Ruso [Brownswood]
Electric Jalaba – Subai
Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers – Talking Drum [Freestyle]
Vince Andrews – The One Who Needs You [Gerard]
Greg Foat Group – The Eye Of Horus [Jazzman]
Theo Jackson – Wild Flower
Warmth – Girl Gardening [Tramp]
Stevens & Foster – I Want To Be Love [Athens Of The North]
Ngozi Family – Tikondane [Now-Again]
Speedometer feat. James Junior – Don’t Fool Yourself [Freestyle]
77 Karat Gold – Sunshine [Jazzy Sport]
DJ Vadim & Sena – Work Hard [BBE]
London Elektricity – All Hell Is Breaking Loose (Gentlemen’s Dub Club Remix) [Hospital]
Sacha Vee – Hey Sugar (Mr Bird Remix) [BBE]
Ahmet Kaya – Hani Benim Gençliğim (Fattish’s Dark Red Edit)
Boddhi Satva feat. Teedra Moses – Skin Diver [Offering]
Christo – The Path [Superficially Deep]
Kamasi Washington: The Epic [Brainfeeder]
The aptly titled "The Epic" is the debut from thirty four year old tenor Saxophonist Kamasi Washington. Kamasi has been part of the burgeoning Los Angeles jazz scene for a number of years and has finally taken a break from performing to compose a stunning body of work. The triple lp is rooted in Jazz while fusing rnb and funk. He’s also complimented by a large orchestral ensemble and his working band The West Coast Get Down. There’s much to savor here starting with "Change Of The Guard", an explosive tune highlighted by Kamasi’s spirited soloing and the melodic phrasings from the 20 piece choir. "Final Thought" kicks off with a smoothing gospel tinged organ riff before shifting into an explosive spiritual tune. Fellow LA residents Dwight Trible lends his spirited vocal phrasings to "Malcolm’s Theme" and Thundercat lays down some stimulating bass licks on "The Message". Overall "The Epic" is a triumph filled with nearly three hours of spiritual inspiring compositions and superb performances. This is a great introduction to the talented Saxophonist and to a record that is easily one of the best of the year.