Dele Sosimi : No Fit Touch Am [Wah Wah 45s]
Almost ten years since his last release, London resident and aforbeat ambassador Dele Sosimi returns with "No Fit Touch Am". Dele worked alongside the legendary Fela Kuti and eventually became his music director of Fela’s Egypt 80 and Positive Force. Dubbed the King of Afrobeat piano, Sosimi’s keyboard prowess appears on a number of tracks here. "Where We Want to Be" is a mid tempo groove with infectious syncopated rhythms and tasty horns. "Na My Turn" is another funky number that speaks about rising up to the political corruption in Nigeria. "I don’t Care" is filled with tasty rhythmic guitars and percussion. Sosimi’s sought out to produce a recording that’s not only filled with powerful lyrics that speak to activism but also superb instrumentation and arrangements. He succeeds mightily on both fronts.
Hiatus Kaiyote: Choose Your Weapon [Sony]
Out of nowhere "Tawk Tomahawk", the debut from the Australia based group Hiatus Kaiyote swooped in and sunk into our hearts and souls and captured everyone’s attention. Their debut was rich with gorgeous melodies, creative songwriting and a multifaceted talent in vocalist/guitarist Nai Palm. Their follow up lp "Choose Your Weapon" is a wonderful record with an myriad of unpredictable melodies with a soulful element that defies categories. "Shaolin Munk Motherfunk" is a syncopation of rhythms thanks in part to Simon Mavin’s imaginative keyboard arrangements. "Jekyll" starts out with Mavin’s lush piano melody that gradually builds into a thematic gem. "Breathing Underwater", an ode to Stevie Wonder is full of warm arrangements and swaying melodies. Paul Bender lays down hypnotic guitar rhythms on the Japanese cinematic inspired "The Lung". Few releases with eighteen tracks could keep you satisfied quite like this one. Not only is this an exception but it’s certainly one of the best releases of the year. Highly recommended.
Ajoyo: Ajoyo [Ropeadope]
Ajoyo is a seven piece collective spearheaded by saxophonist Yacina Boulares. Originally from Tunisia (North Africe), "Ajoyo" is a hybrid of rhythms emanating from Cameroon. Boulares cultivated this sound while working with an illustrious collection of Cameroonian musicians like Jojo Kuo, the former drummer for Fela Kuti and the late Martino Atangani, among others. This engaging eight track release has much to offer. "Chocot" is a blistering instrumental with funky horns and festive afrobeat rhythms. "Benskin" features lush vocals from Sarah Elizabeth Charles and spirited melodies from Can Olgun on keys. "The Pearl" is another uplifting tune with soothing horns which also features Charles.Overall Ajoyo is filled with strong yet understated musicianship and uplifting lyrics that touch on social issues. This is a glorious record filled with good vibes that will move your feet and lift your spirit.
29 June 2015
Goldie – Inner City Life, Pressure & Jah [FFrr]
Typsun – Icebergs [Root Elevation]
GhostChant feat. Sarah Zad – Nights Like These [BBE]
Quiet Dawn feat. Miles Bonny – Hold Them Close [First Word]
Par- Lé – Kamden Town [Movement]
Sadaka – African Violet [Jazzman]
Michael Garrick – Fellow Feeling [Vocalion]
Janet Lawson Quintet – Sunday Afternoon [BBE]
Shaun Martin – The Torrent [Ropeadope]
Tricky D – Fight You With The Love (Steve Cobby Remix) [BBE]
Kutiman – Inner Galactic Lovers (Kutiman mixes Fiverr)
A Coral Room – Überfahrt [Infracom]
Sean Khan – Samba Para Florence (Henry Wu Remix) [Far Out]
Ruth Koleva – Clarity (Opolopo Remix)
Andras & Oscar – (I Know) What You Want [Dopeness Galore]
Bosq feat. Kaleta – Take Over [Ubiquity]
Manu Dibango – Qui Est Fou De Qui [Africa Seven]
The Gene Dudley Group – Tiger Jaw [Wah Wah 45s]
Werka – Falling Through the Wall [Tru Thoughts]
DJ Trasta – Winter Cherry [Mezé]
Deceptikon – Found Message [Project Mooncircle]
22 June 2015
The Steve McQueens – You Bring Me Up [Splash Blue]
Kamasi Washington – Cherokee [Brainfeeder]
Bilal – Satellites [BBE]
Letta Mbulu – Down By The River [Be With]
Maximoe – Dorian Funk [Expansions Collective]
Gizmo – Invalid
Group Home – Livin’ Proof [Payday]
Nujabes feat. Pase Rock – The Sign [4our.4our.]
Peter Erskine – Leroy Street [Contemporary]
Naughty Professor – It’ll Happen [Ropeadope]
The Polyversal Souls feat. Hailu Mergia – Sad Nile [Philphon]
Richard Marks – Boom Boom [Now-Again]
Hiatus Kaiyote – Borderline With My Atoms [Sony]
Andreya Triana – Lullaby (Shigeto Remix) [Counter]
Wen – Arlington CT9 [Soundman Chronicles]
Ghost Writerz feat. Shiffa Dan & G.O.L.D – Tell Me (Gold Dubs & Nushu Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Lakker – Milch [R&S]
Hi & Saberhägen – Clan Of Sisterhood [Highlife]
The Korvids – Beach Coma (Ilya Santana Balearic Remix) [Nang]
The Whole Truth – Keep On [The Whole Truth]
U – Easy Prayer [Technicolour]
Astral22 – It Will Always Be [Trans Phatt]
Voilaaa – Spies Are Watching Me [Favorite]
GQ – Shy Baby [Arista]
Carmen Amez – Never Gonna Fall In Love Again (Like I Fell In Love With You) [BBE]
15 June 2015
Paul Chin – Deep Jupiter [Bastard Jazz]
B.J. Smith – We Can Sail [NuNorthern Soul]
Amanaz – Africa [Now-Again]
Ahmad Jamal – Trouble Man [20th Century]
Ambassadeurs – Looking At You [Aucan Remix) [Lost Tribe]
Dego – The Writings Clear [2000 Black]
Sean Khan – Samba Para Florence (Henry Wu Remix) [Far Out]
Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra – Give It To Me (DJ Spinna’s Galactoc Soul Mix) [Far Out]
Ambient Jazz Ensemble – Never In Doubt (Widescreen Rework) [Here & Now]
Maribou State feat. Pedestrian – The Clown (Axel Boman Remix) [Counter]
Café 432 – I Got U [Soundstate]
77 Karat Gold – Tossin’ & Turnin’ [Jazzy Sport]
Erkin Koray – Yok Yok (Fattish’s Nein Re-Edit)
The RAH Band – Perfumed Garden (Atjazz Remix) [ARCo]
Twilight feat. Kon – Play My Game [Luv N Haight]
Bosq feat. Kaleta – Take Over [Ubiquity]
Jake Sollo – Say No More [Africa Seven]
Airto – Xibaba [Buddah]
Coke Escovedo – Rebirth [Mercury]
Painel De Controle – Relax [Athens Of The North]
Parker Madicine feat. Kae & Veez-O – Looking In [CT-HI]
DJ Vadim & Sena – Day By Day [BBE]
Degrees of Freedom – Children Of The Sun [Gutterfunk]
Kamasi Washington – The Rhythm Changes [Brainfeeder]
8 June 2015
The Greg Foat Group – Door Into Summer [Jazzman]
Theo Jackson – Moonchild [Dot Time]
Lucas Arruda – Uma Onda [Favorite]
Flora Purim – You Love Me Only [Warner Bros.]
Bea Benjamin – Music [Matsuli]
The Estonian Ensemble Collage – Petis Peiu [Wool]
J-Felix feat. Abi Flynn – Patience [Tru Thoughts]
Lo Tide feat. Tomina Vincent – Swallow The Stars [Organik]
Gacha – Waterfall [R&S]
Pursuit Grooves – Cauldron
Dizz1 – Clocks [Tru Thoughts]
Dizz1 feat. Killbot Kindergarden & Frank Nitt – What You Want [Tru Thoughts]
Brand New – Thousand Years [Athens Of The North]
Speedometer – No Turning Back [Freestyle]
Riot Jazz Brass Band – Just One Second [Hospital]
Kanaku Y El Tigre – Quien Se Queda Quien Se Va [Tiger’s Milk/Strut]
Quantic Presents The Western Transient – Creation (East L.A.) [Tru Thoughts]
Damon Bell – Radius [R&S]
Jean Luc Ponty – The Gift Of Time [Columbia]
JD73 – Believe In Love (Incognito Remix) [Splash Music]
Maxxi Soundsystem feat. Danielle Moore – Near Me [Futureboogie]
Olivier Boogie – Flash Gordon (Dub) [Phat Elephant]
J. Mcfysian – For You (K15 Remix)
Joe Munday – Ama’s House (Mark E Remix) [Krankbrother]
1 June 2015
Love And Money – Strange Kind Of Love (Haraket Remix) [Tirk]
ComixXx – Hearing You [Sonar Kollektiv]
Funkstörung feat. Jamie Lidell – So Simple [Monkeytown]
Craig Bratley – Mannequin (Ewan Pearson Instrumental) [Tsuba]
Tosca – Happy Hour (Demus Remix) [!K7]
Lakker – Tundra [R&S]
Moods – Forward [Boogie Angst]
Marcel lune – Voids [Studio Rockers]
Weisz2 feat. Aladin Anyebe – Ko Si Eda To Mola (Henrik Schwarz Rework) [Luv Lite]
Olderic – Oasis [Compost Black Label]
Bakradze – Message From Home [Space Hardware]
Hi & Saberhägen – Better Love [Highlife]
Martin L. Dumas Jr. – Attitude, Belief & Determination [BBE]
The Polyversal Souls feat. Guy One – Yelle Be Bobre [Philophon]
Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers – Lord Morocco [Freestyle]
The Soul Surfers – You Can Run (But You Can’t Hide) From My Love (Part 1) [Ubiquity]
Piscean Group feat. Osunlade – Fairytale [R2]
Paul Horn – Visions [CBS]
Edge – Danielle and the Holly Tree [Jazzman]
Victor Feldman – I Love Lucy [Choice]
Warmth – A Song The Children Dance To [Tramp]
Georgia Anne Muldrow feat. Declaime – Gitdown [Mello Music]
Beam Up feat. Jornick Joelick – No Chains [BBE]
Kartell feat. J-Rican – Aura [Roche Musique]
J’von & Ackryte: Raw Sheep [Cascade Records]
Born in Oakland but raised in Seattle Washington, rapper J’Von teams up with Minneapolis producer Ackryte for their third project entitled "Raw Sheep". J’Von’s lyrical dexterity serves him well as he effortlessly breezes through a variety of topics over Ackrute’s hypnotic laid back beats. Evidence of this can be heard on "Where’s Bob Villa". J’Von calls out wannabe hard core rappers on "[Violence] of the lambs". LA based tapper Blu jumps on the track "They dnt beleev"as well as "Autmn". A perfect marriage of wicked beats and tight rhymes results in a very entertaining record by the emerging duo. Definitely worth checking out.
The Rebirth: Being Through The Eyes of a Child [Walk Talkin]
It’s a crime that we’ve had to wait ten years to the Rebirth’s follow up to the amazing "This Journey In". You can find comfort that the new release "Being Through The Eyes of a Child" will not disappoint you in the least. Their is one noticeable difference, Noelle Scaggs, the featured vocalist on their debut has moved on but replacement Baskerville Jones more than holds her own. Carlos "Loslito" Guaico and company provide plenty of the sunny soul jazz arrangements you’ve come to expect from them here. They kick things off with "This Is Coming To?", featuring a funky guitar hook and soulful harmonies led by Jones. "Caterpillar" is a warm synth laden instrumental reminiscent of "Walk Talkin’ Mizell" from their previous release. "Come On Over" is a stripped down gentle acoustic ballad. While their debut is a tough act to follow, The Rebirth succeed by delivering an joyful array of lush arrangements and funky rhythms worthy of repeated listens.
Ambient Jazz Emsemble: Suite Shop Reworks [Here and Now Recordings]
Ambient Jazz Ensemble is composer/producer Colin Baldry. "Suite Shop Reworks" flips the script on his original release "Suite Shop", which was a blissful collection of ambient jazz compositions. "Reworks" however is ambient jazz with a splash of house and electronica filled with atmospheric vibes. The A-list of remixers on board capture the spirit of the original while adding their own signature touch. Cardiac Club contributes on "The Journey" filled with thunderous drums and blazing sax as well as the four to the floor house inspired "Vibrations". The AJE remix of "Jazzface" is an hypnotic cinematic gem. Dylan Colby adds a touch of drum n bass on "Waiting For Space". Veteran mixer George Schilling, whose credits include everyone from Coldcut to Blur and New Radicals handles the majority of the mixing duties here and performs his customary superb work. Baldry and company’s alternate take adds wings to an already impressive record. Climb aboard and enjoy the ride.
The Mighty Mocambos: Showdown [Legere]
"Showdown", the latest full length release of The Mighty Mocambos demonstrate once again that this group can bring the funk and lay down a groove with the best of them. On this date they’ve invited a bunch of guests to ensure you’ll have a funky good time. "In The Dark" is simmering funk featuring vocals from Nichola Richards. "Not Get Caught" is a guitar thumping tune that features vocalist Derobert. "The Spell Of Ra" and "Locked And Loaded" are high energy instrumentals with blistering horns. The legendary Afrika Bambaata appears on three thumping tracks here but he appears to be more of a hype man these days than a lyricist. Overall "Showdown" provides plenty of funk and soul to keep you more than satisfied.
25 May 2015
Typesun – Icebergs [Root Elevation]
Submerse – Bokeh [Project Mooncircle]
Ateller feat. O Mer – On The Beach [Cascade]
Yellowtail feat. Jeni Fujita – Over It (YT Re-Edit) [Campus Music]
Farnell Newton – Softly [Atlanta]
Raf Vilar – Quietly [Far Out]
Monika Linges – Til We Get There [Nabel]
Kamasi Washington – Henrietta Our Hero [Brainfeeder]
Sandra Wright – Midnight Affair [Soul Brother]
The Steve McQueens – More Than We Know [Splash Blue]
Gene Dudley Group feat. E – I’ve Changed [Wah Wah 45s]
Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers – Witchdoctor [Freestyle]
Auntie Flo + Esa Presents Sarabi – Fire [Highlife]
Dele Sosimi – You No Fit Touch Am [Wah Wah 45s]
Natures Plan feat. Ed Motta – Without Words [Far Out]
Maximilian Blanc – Blackpool Stardance [Kat]
Mannmademusic – Under [Shadeleaf Music]
Proper Heat – Something New [Nang]
Cotton Claw – Outrun [Cascade]
J-Felix – Late Night SOS [Tru Thoughts]
ComixXx – Slow Motion [Sonar Kollektiv]
Byron The Aquarius – Moments Of Time
Parker Madicine – Carnival Into Space [Bastard Jazz]
Migosy – Loyal People (Migosy’s Skyline Mix) [Offering]
Pben – Bubliner (DJ 3000 Remix) [Bullet Dodge]
Soul Dhamma – Flower (King Britt’s Underwater Garden Dub) [Velocity]
18 May 2015
Manu Dibango – Les Cavaliers [African Seven]
Ive Seixas – Cervejas Populares [Far Out]
Marcos Valle – Apaixonada Por Voce [Far Out]
Ajoyo – Chocot [Ropeadope]
Electric Jalaba – Cubaili
Gecko Turner – Medium Rare [Love Monk]
Liz Elensky – Distractions [The Sound Of Everything]
Lee Morgan – Twice Around [Blue Note]
Rupture – Israel Suite [Diggers Digest]
Kamasi Washington – The Rhythm Changes [Brainfeeder]
Bruce Brubaker – Metamorphosis 3 [InFiné Music]
Honne – Top To Toe [Tatemae]
Bass Sekolah – Kolam [Mouthwatering]
Zinc – Boppa [Bingo Bass]
Pablo – Feels Like [Pink Lizard Music]
Fiium Shaarrk – Krypton Tunning [On The Corner]
Painel De Controle – Relax [Athens Of The North]
Jake Sollo – Weebo-Me Weebo [African Seven]
BodyMoves – What Cha Gonna Do? [Keep Up!]
Douze – Friday Night [L.O.V.E LTD]
Mi – Flexions [Mesa]
Premiesku – Voice Game [20/20 Vision]
Si Tew – Dinosaur Hunt [Less Than Ten]
11 May 2015
Quincy Jones feat. Leon Ware & Minnie Riperton – If I Ever Lose This Heaven [A&M]
Wlodek Gulgowski – Manhatten Vibes [Poljazz]
Womack & Womack – Baby I’m Scared Of You [Elektra]
Lord Echo – Bohemian Idol (DJ Day’s Chair Bro Remix) [Bastard Jazz]
The Rurals feat. Sabrina Chyld – Suns Going Down [Peng]
Piscean Group – Futureworld [R2]
Ambient Jazz Ensemble – Vibration (Cardiac Club & A J E Rework) [Here & Now]
Maribou State feat. Pedestrian – The Clown [Counter]
Dego – Feminist Meetings [2000 Black]
Opolopo – Get On Up [Z Records]
Frameworks – Dawn (Throwing Snow Remix) [First Word]
Kutiman – Give It Up (Red Axes Remix)
Scrimshire feat. Chris Boot – Cloud Cover [Wah Wah 45s]
Danielle and The Holly Tree – Edge [Jazzman]
Nottingham Jazz Orchestra – Sixes and Severns [Jazzman]
Stephan Abel feat. Ken Norris – Never Let Me Go [Agogo]
Randy Roberts & The Capital Strokes – Tomei’s Joint [Goodfellas]
Raf Vilar – High Class Cat [Far Out]
Alex Puddu feat. Joe Bataan – Love Talk [Schema]
Lo Tide – Decisions [Organik]
Tall Black Guy – Far From Human
GoldLink – Sober Thoughts
Harleighblu feat. Dr. Zygote – Mmm [Tru Thoughts]
Marcel Lune feat. Haze – Fantazia (Redpine & Solo Remix) [Studio Rockers]
4 Hero – Escape That [Talkin’ Loud]
Peshay Vs. Flytronix – Disco [Creative Source]