Basic Soul

Hard to believe it’s been seven years since Steve Spacek and Ashley Anderson aka Katalyst last appeared on the scene. That doesn’t seem to matter for the duo known as Space Invadas are as sharp as ever. With their new lp “Wild World” Katalyst lays the foundation with classic soul inspired samples with an analog sound and beats tailor made for Spacek’s falsetto vocals. That’s apparent right out the gate with “Welcome”. Katalyst laces the track with heavy beats for Spacek and Melbourne vocalist Natalie Slade’s sweet soulful vocals to soar. The title track is a hip-hop soulful banger where rapper Remi and spacek wax poetic about the state of affairs in the world today. “Don’t Ever Look Back” has a percussion filled Latin vibe while “Say Something” is a mellowed out love song. This is a tightly produced lp with twelve strong tracks. Katalyst has distinguished himself as a premier producer while Spacek’s recognizable voice is always a delight. These two make quite a team and it’s great to have them back.

Oakland producer Space Ghost’s second lp “Endless Light” is an amalgamation of 80s synth grooves sprinkled over melodic tempos ranging from funk to house. “Color Waves” is mid-tempo cosmic funk with sparse drum programming and synths. On standout tracks “Following A Vision” and “Eyes Closed”, Ghost developes a pattern of building a house tempo before settling back into mellow atmospheric beats and synths. “Strong Heart” is a dreamy down-tempo voyage that features him on the vocoder. Space Ghost cultivates his own sound with this release by pushing the boundaries of soul, ambience and electronica. In a crowded electronic field he’s emerging as a standout.

There’s a wave of up and coming UK musicians interconnected and revitalizing the Jazz scene. They’re not subscribing to the jazz genre but pushing the boundaries in all matter of styles. Right in the middle of it all is pianist Joe Armon-Jones. Jones last appeared with the Ezra Collective and more recently the Brownswood compilation “We Out Here” which featured Nubya Garcia, drummer Moses Boyd and other newcomers. With his full length debut he’s ready to take center stage. Jones opens up with the scorching title track “Starting Today”. Joined by roots reggae poet Asheber, Jones dynamic flurries on Fender Rhodes are accompanied by Garcia on tenor sax and trumpeter Dylan Jones. They shift gears on “Mollison Dub”, a blissed out dub groove named after Ezra Collective Saxophonist James Mollison. Mollison pairs with fellow tenor Garcia on the track as well. David Mrakpor adds warm rumbling bass lines over Jones’s chords. “London’s Face” is a spirited tune that features drummers Boyd and Kwake Bass along with Oscar Jerome on vocals. This is a superb demonstration of Jones wide musical palette, not to mention his deft touch on the keys. You’ll want to seek out his other collaborations but only after repeated listens of this enjoyable record.

The Magnificent Tape Band is made up of ATA Records founders Neil Innes & Pete Williams. Their eight track lp is psychedelic soul filled with sophisticated compositions and arrangements. Top that off with the powerful soulful vocals of Sheffield born Rachel Modest and you have a recording that would fit alongside the 60s Stax recordings. The disc kicks off with “Let The Church Say”, stirring organ grinding ballad that showcases her gospel roots. “When I Saw You” is another soul ballad where Modest’s falsetto is complemented by Gareth Wilkin’s heavenly harp melodies. “Not That Kind Of Woman” is filled with sublime strings and hypnotic guitar rhythms. Modest’s falsetto will evoke images of Russell Tompkins Jr of the Stylistics but she clearly has her own sound. This is a tremendous debut and a must have for fans of classic soul.

Uniting of Opposites is the trio of Tim Liken, Clem Alford and Ben Hazelton. “Ancient Lights” blends electronica with classical Middle Eastern rhythms and the results are quite enjoyable. The opener “Mint” is a spirited tune that features Idris Rahman on Clarinet. Rahman’s phrasings figure prominently on The title track which includes Marcina Arnold on vocals. “Dr Roach” is a drum, bass and clarinet interplay where Rahman’s solos dance around drummer Eddie Hick’s energetic rhythms. “Car Number 27” and “The Uniting Of Opposites” are more traditional Indian meditative compositions that feature Manjeet Singh Rasiya on Tabla and Alford on the Sitar. Overall the trio’s modernistic take pays dividends and breathes new life into the rich Indian musical legacy.

Jake Mason previously occupied the Organ chair for the funk group Cookin’ On 3 Burners steps out on his own with his full length debut. “Stranger In The Mirror” is a blues rooted soul jazz Organ trio made famously by stalwarts such as Jimmy Smith and Jack Mc Duff. The ten track disc is filled primarily with laid back swaying soul grooves but some tasty funky numbers as well. Mason and company dial it up on the hot buttered track “Rib Eye”. Guitarist James Sherlock stretches out but leaves room for guest saxophonist Paul Williamson to shine. They ease up on the gas with the burnin ballad “People Two & One”. They close out with the toe tappin’ “Candy Smack”, ensuring that everyone’s having a groovin’ good time. This trio has played together for more than 20 years and are having as much fun as ever. You’re certain to enjoy the ride as well.

Once known as simply a DJ/Producer, Nicola Conte has turned himself into a credible guitarist as well. “Let Your Light Shine On”, his first release for MPS records showcases his own playing along with his band Spiritual Galaxy. The band members are a accomplish group who are joined by an A-list of guest stars. Together they blaze through an array of jazz infused Afro soul compositions. Trombonist Glantuca Petrella’s coloring behind the beautiful vocals of Bridgette Amofah on the sun drenched “Space Dimensions” is a delight. Another lovely voice, Zara Mac Farlane serenades us with her tender vocals on the soulful sublime “Ogun”. “Mystic Revolution” and “Me Do Wo” are two mellow Afrobeat tunes that feature trumpeter Theo Coker and alto saxophonist Logan Richardson. Every track stands on it’s own and worth playing throughout. Conte’s sparkling release emanates positive vibes during restless times and makes for a joyful listen.

Nick Woodmansey aka Emanative’s 2009 release “Space” was a celestial beauty of cosmic compositions. That astral journey would lead to “The Light Years Of The Darkness”, the first release for the Steve Reid Foundation. Through that project he would connect with a number of like minded musicians that would inspire a deeper dive into his spirituality, which brings us to “Earth”. Emanative’s latest release focuses on African, Indian and Middle Eastern influences. Among the highlights are “Heaven’s Mirror”, enhanced by The Pyramids Idris Ackamoor’s psychedelic horn riffs and David Molina’s deep bass grooves. “Iyaami” sets the tone with a five minute balafon solo before seguing into a slow simmering Afrobeat groove for vocalist Dele Sosimi. “Sandhyavandanam” is a meditative tune with a hypnotic bass and Tabla rhythms. Nat Birchall contributes his tenor sax melodies to “Spice Route Suite” and “Reflection”. The latter features heavenly vocal harmonies from Liz Elensky. Other notable contributors throughout this disc include Jessica Lauren, Sarathy Korwar, Tamar Osborn, Ben Hadwen and Ahu just to name a few. Woodmansey set a high bar with his previous projects yet he has easily surpassed them with a tremendous record.

With “Shamal Wind” flutist/saxophonist Chip Wickham draws inspiration from Arabian influences. Specifically Doha, a land rooted in ancient cultures and a destination for him to recover from throat Cancer. A new perspective on life inspires him to release five albums within the next five years. For now let’s just enjoy this engaging record. Recorded in Madrid, Wickham’s band is comprised of musicians from Spain as well as the UK who were part of the soul jazz circuit he helped cultivate from years past. On the sublime title “Shamal Wind”, Wickham’s warm touch receives harmonic support from Ton Risco on vibes. “Snake Eyes” is a explosive tune that showcases Wickham’s fluttering expressive flute and Phil Wilkinson’s prowess on keys. Matthew Halsall jumps aboard and combines warm melodies on the splendid modal ballad “The Mirage”. Wickham is following the lineage of Spiritual jazz multi-instrumentalists like Yusef Lateef and Sahib Shihab. It’s a blessing that he’s restored his health and contributing superb compositions once again.