Various Artists: The Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra [Far Out Recordings]
The Far Out Monster Orchestra is an amalgamation of soulful Brazilian Disco music created by an illustrious list of musicians from the Far Out roster. Contributors include Alex Malheiros Jose Roberto Brertrami and renowned arranger Arthur Verocai among others. That alone would’ve sealed the deal but they didn’t stop there. By handing these recordings over too some of the world’s foremost DJs they have knocked it out of the park. "Don’t Cha Know" features a tasty grooves normally absent from most Disco recordings. Same goes for "Dead Dance" which features the sorely underrated Marcina Arnold on vocals and there’s also a hypnotic Mark E remix as well. "Keep Believing" is classic disco with sexy vocals and strings. However you won’t be able to resist the rhythmic drum patterns from the Theo Parrish remix. Not to be outdone, the John Morales remix of "Mystery" is also a floor filler. There’s so much so to savor here that made a double album necessary. This project originated in 2008 and finally sees the light of day. Make no mistake you need this in your collection.
Various Artists: Wah Wah 45s: We Wah fifteen [Wah Wah 45s]
What started as a little record company quickly emerged as one of the most important labels in the UK. Wah Wah records, launched by brothers Chris and the late Simon Goss have compiled a deeply talented roster of contrasting styles to rival any label and "We Wah 15" is a testament to that. There’s more than plenty to savor here from the folksy flavor of Sesong’s "Love Untold" to burning hot reggae of "Sweet Love Affair" from The Resonators. "Hey Lover" is raw soul with a heavy groove from Hardkandy with Laura Vane on vocals. "Wallflowerin", the 2006 hit is silky down-tempo soul from Max Cole. "Money" is funky brass courtesy of the Hackney Colliery Band. "Through A Window" is just one of many superb arrangements that guitarist, producer and label co-director Scrimshire has released over the years. The lush composition also features the dreamy vocals of label mate Stac. As far as compilations go this year, you’ll be there hard press to find another as good as this one. Hat’s off to Wah Wah for fifteen years of consistently discovering new talent and delivering great music in the process.
Various Artists: 20+ years rooted in jazznotjazz [INFRACom]
Jan Henning and the late Name Vaughn shared a vision for cutting edge genre bending music. Together they sought to create a home where up and coming musicians would have the freedom to create compositions as their vision sees fit. With the birth of the Germany based INFRACom, consider their mission accomplished. "20+ years rooted in Jazznotjazz" isn’t embedded in one particular genre but a myriad of musical styles. This compilation features a number of artists who’ve contributed to their impressive catalog over the years. Jan’s love for electronica is evident on the self produced drum n bass banger "Megashira". "Reicht" is a funky number filled with wicked synths and broken beats. When it comes to Jazz fusion, "Celebration Of Life" is as good as it gets. This twelve minute gem is highlighted by superb ensemble playing, particularly on trumpet and blissful melodies and rhythms. Vocalist Mediha Rustempasic joins Re:jazz to create soulful bliss on "Love Will Find You". What started as a labor of love has morphed into one of the most important independent labels today. A deeply satisfying record that you shouldn’t miss.
27 October 2014
Woodland Conclave – Celebration of Life [Infracom]
Benny Bailey – Aquarian Moods [EGO]
Richard Spaven – Vintage Year [Equinox]
Dawn Pemberton – For You [Do Right! Music]
Dos Palos – I’ve Been Around [NuNorthern Soul]
Tshaka – Possessive Pronoun [Nonine]
Frankie Knight – Moment [XVI]
Submotion Orchestra – Trust/Lust (Throwing Snow Remix) [Counter]
Anushka – These Things [Brownswood]
Emma Donovan & The PutBacks – 9 Over Under [Hope Street]
Dele Sosimi – Sanctuary [Wah Wah 45s]
The Rebirth – This Is Coming To
Da Lata – Free [Agogo]
Labi Siffre – I Got The [Mr Bongo]
Aziz Azmet & 3 Hurel – Onbeşinde Aldım Sazı (Fattish Rework)
Damiano Von Erckert feat. Peven Everett – All About Lovin’ Me [AVA]
Jeff Lorber Fusion – Magic Lady [Arista]
Siren – Gauntlet (Ray Mang Remix) [Compost]
Bonobo – Flashlight [Ninja Tune]
Alsarah & The Nubatones – Soukura (Boddhi Satva Ancestral Soul Remix) [Wonderwheel]
K15 – Yellow [Wild Oats]
Karizma – Klearkut [R2]
20 October 2014
Marconi Union – Weightless Part 2 [Just Music]
Phaeleh – Alignment [Undertow]
Seyr – RHB
Olli Ahvenlahti – Aura [Love/Mr Bongo]
G’s Way – Space Invaders
Gerardo Frisina – Movement [Schema]
Florian Pellissier Quintet – J’ai du Rêver [Heavenly Sweetness]
The Elvin Jones Jazz Experience – Giraffe [MPS]
The Brand New Heavies – Pleased To Meet Ya [Ear Music]
Alice Russell – Citizens [Tru Thoughts]
Fat Freddy’s Drop – Slings & Arrows [The Drop]
DJ Cam presents Bentley Bass Music – Bass Giorgio [Inflamable]
Fulgeance & DJ Scientist – Caucasian Wolf Dance [First Word
The Star Seeds (K-Murdock & ParanormL) – Come Back
Marina Quaisse feat. Mattic – Good Times [Phonosaurus]
Vaitea – Dreamworld [BBE]
LFO – LFO (The Leeds Warehouse Mix) [Warp]
Nu Era – Nu Romantic Soul [Omniverse]
Bosq feat. Nicole Willis – Bad For Me [Ubiquity]
Hieroglyphic Being – The Fourth Dimensions [Technicolour]
Jazzuelle – Travelling (Atjazz Astro Remix) [Phat Elephant]
Craig Bratley – Analogue Dreams [Tsuba]
13 October 2014
Shafiq Husayn feat. Anderson Paak – It’s Better For You [Eglo]
Georgia Anne Muldrow – Crossroads
ScienZe feat. Asher Roth – Jukebox
Homeboy Sandman – Refugee [Stones Throw]
Paul White – Watch The Ants [One Handed Music]
Captain Planet – Cicada [Bastard Jazz]
Doc Mastermind – Space Homeboy (Prequel Reboot) [Expansions Collective]
Kratos Himself – Dandelion [Jus Like Music]
The Bug feat. Liz Harris – Void [Ninja Tune]
Anushka – Atom Bombs [Brownswood/Wah Wah 45s]
Megashira – Eyjafjallajîkull [Infracom]
Limbo – Forever [Meze]
Ensemble Du Verre – Time (A Green Meadow Remix) [Compost]
Reverend Cleatus & Soul Saviours – Brian Damage [Tramp]
Calibro 35 – The Butcher’s Bride [Record Kicks]
Lee Bernard – Turn Around And Go [Tramp]
Woodland Conclave – Celebration of Life [Infracom]
Quantic feat. Alice Russell – Pushin’ On (Situation Edit) [Tru Thoughts]
Andras & Oscar – Make It Better [Dopeness Galore]
Mr. Fingers – What About This Love [FFrr]
James Mason – Rhythm Of Life [Soul Brother]
Christian Prommer – Marimba (Jon Charnis Remix) [Compost]
Avery Sunshine – Call My Name (Ananda Project Vocal Mix) [Big Shine]
Ralf Gum feat. Hugh Masekela – With Her Hand [Gogo Music]
Miguel Migs feat. Martin Luther – Let It Play [Soul Heaven]
Mudkid – Turn Out [Greta Cottage Workshop]
6 October 2014
Beatconductor – Boogie Love [Kat]
Emanative – Evil A.M [Equinox]
Kutiman – No One In This World
Bosq feat. Nicole Willis – Bad For Me [Ubiquity]
Emma Donovan & The PutBacks – Daddy [Hope Street]
Hackney Colliery Band – Smile For The Webcam [Wah Wah 45s]
Third Coast Kings – Birds & Bees [Record Kicks]
The Gene Dudley Group – No Trouble On The Mountain [Wah Wah 45s]
The Electric Peanut Butter Company – Mr Pink [Ubiquity]
Resolution 88 – Fat Bald Funk [Synthethesia]
Butcher Brown – Sticky July [Jellowstone]
Quantic feat. Thalma De Freitas – Águas De Sorongo [Tru Thoughts]
The Mighty Sceptres – Land Of Green Ginger [Ubiquity]
Max Cole – Wallflowerin’ [Wah Wah 45s]
Malena Perez feat. Deborah Jordan – Sister [Cubanita Groove]
Cole Nibbe x Howie Wonder – Safe Bayonets [Cascade]
Vermont – Übersprung [Kompakt]
Alex Barck feat. Jonatan Baeckelie – Doubter (Ada Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Moon B – Puddin’ [Peoples Potential Unlimited]
Budakid – Blue Robin [Jalapeno]
Martin Iveson – Cobra (An Afefe Iku Offering) [ARCo]
Cyclonix – Ghost Moves [Ruff Draft]
Sy Sez feat. Phoenix Pearle – Send Me High [R2]
Fatima: Yellow Memories [Eglo]
Swedish native and now London resident, Fatima has been teasing us with a few tracks and EPs here and there for a number of years now. Finally we’re treated to her full length debut released on the highly regarded Eglo records. "Yellow Memories" is a fabulous collection of future soul filled with contrasting styles. This is due to the diverse collection of producers on hand. One of those producers is label mate Flako, who produced "Family" and La Neta". Two tasty mid-tempo tunes filled with gorgeous chords and funky guitar rhythms. Other highlights include "Do Better", one of five tracks produced by Floating Points. "Riding High" is an outer-worldly hip-hop soul highlight, produced by Scoop DeVille. Where much of Fatima’s earlier recordings were arranged primarily with samples. "Yellow Memories" features plenty of live instrumentation to go along with thoughtful songwriting. It all adds up to an impressive coming out party, not to mention one of the strongest records of the year.
Dopegems: Necksnappin [Heavenly Sweetness]
"Necksnappin" is the latest release from Dopegems, is filled with soulful psychedelic funk. Slick Tim, drummer, guitarist and producer of the french funk group knows how to lay down a good groove and surround it with wicked electric guitar rhythms. Highlights include "Condor Redux, a slow tempo funk with Wah Wah guitar rhythms". "Like A Thief In The Night" is a scorching up-tempo funk number filled with tasty vibes and Rhodes. "First Come, First Serve" is another slow tempo funk with soft rock sensibilities. There’s no doubt that Slick Tim has embraced the seventies funk and fusion scene and has applied those lessons well. Tasty grooves surrounded by slick arrangements makes this an impressive release from the versatile five piece band.
Hollie Cook: Twice [Mr Bongo]
"Twice", the followup to the critically acclaimed debut from Hollie Cook picks up where she left off. That is serenading us with tropical string laden reggae tunes filled with cinematic sound scapes. Indeed Holli’s sunny vibe and breathless vocals are as refreshing as a cool summer breeze. Cook and Prince Fatty, who also produced her first album strike the right chord on tunes like "Ari Up", "99" and "Looking For Real Love", "Postman" is another gem augmented by the steel pan rhythms. With nine tracks in total, the disc moves along swiftly with no weak tunes to skip over. Overall "Twice" is a lovers rock filled with affairs of the heart that you’ll find irresistible
Neil Cowley Trio: Touch and Flee [Maim Jazz]
Pianist Neil Cowley along with Bassist Rex Horan and Drummer Evan Jenkins have been a unit from the beginning and the synergy between them is flawless. Their fifth studio release is further proof of that chemistry. "Touch and Flee" has an assortment of lightly energetic tunes surrounded by a number of mellow compositions. Two of those perolating tunes are "Sparkling" and "Couch Slouch", both are fresh and imaginative. Modal tunes such as the enchanting "Queen" and "Bryce" are glorious arrangements that highlight Cowley’s skills as a composer. There is great interplay here and as far as trios go, these guys are first rate. Pour yourself a glass of your best wine and let this marvelous record take you away.
29 September 2014
The Crusaders – Street Life [MCA]
The Crusaders – Sweet & Sour [ABC]
Craig Peyton Group – Snow [BBE]
EVM128 feat. Omar – Beyond Revisited [Studio Rockers]
Sean McCabe feat. Hannah Khemoh – Reach Out [Z]
Boddhi Satva feat. Omar – Benefit [Offering]
Osunlade – Envision (Ame Remix) [Innervisions]
Charlotte OC – Strange (Andrés Remix) [Polydor]
Jazzanova – Now There Is We (Metome Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Lapalux – Movement I, II & III [Brainfeeder]
Machinedrum – Only 1 Way 2 Know [Ninja Tune]
Kindness feat. Kelela & Ade – World Restart
Si Tew feat. Amy Clarie Scott – Slow Everything [ARCo]
Omar – Stop War, Make Love [Freestyle]
Duct Tape – Start The Show [BBE]
Marina Quaisse feat. Mattic – Dance With The Devil [Phonosaurus]
Homeboy Sandman – America, The Beautiful [Stones Throw]
The Roots – Grits [Remedy]
Amin Payne, Ben Bada Boom – Sunset On Saturn (Budamonk Remix) [Cascade]
Ron Henderson & Choice Of Colour – I’ll Be Around [Soul Junction]
Janette Renee – What’s On Your Mind (Super Club Remix) [Luv ‘N Haight]
Archie Whitewater – Cross Country [Cadet Concept]
Collocutor – Agama [On The Corner]
Dos Palos – I’ve Been Around [NuNorthern Soul]
Roberta Flack feat. Donny Hathaway – Back Together Again [Atlantic]
22 September 2014
Kratos Himself – Forget Me Not [Jus Like Music]
Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra – Kung Fu [Ubiquty]
Memotone & Soosh – This Hush [Project Mooncircle]
Jose James feat. Takuya Kuroda – Simply Beautiful [Blue Note]
Vaitea – Heartbreak [BBE]
Profusion – Flying
Mungo’s Hifi feat. Marina P – Slavery [Scotch Bonnet]
Yosi Horikawa – Beer (Fulgeance Disco Aishiteru Reprise) [First Word]
Electric Wire Hustle – Bottom Line [Okayplayer/Somethinksounds]
Souleance – Segrados Do Samba [First Word]
Olli Ahvenlahti – Sunday’s Stuff [Love/Mr Bongo]
Kutiman – Give It Up
Scrimshire feat. Matthew Halsall – Saltwater [Wah Wah 45s]
Crystall Winds – Lovers Holiday [BBE]
Daniel Grau – Delirio En Fa Menor [Sonar Kollektiv]
Gloria Ann Taylor & Walter Whisenhunt’s Orchesttra – Love Is A Hurting Thing [Music Gallery]
Anchorsong – Mawa [BBE]
Andras & Oscar – Everytime I Go [Dopeness Galore]
DJ Oil – Le Rythme De La Vie [BBE]
Traumer – Underlying [A-Traction]
Causa – Lacanau [Blind Jack’s Journey]
Sean Khan – Things to Say (Nicola Conte Remix) [Far Out]
Drala – datFREAKY [Yoruba]
Kratos Himself – Razor Leaves (Walrii Remix) [Jus Like Music]
Paul White – Peace It Together [R&S]
15 September 2014
Lord Echo – Digital Haircut (Dub) [Bastard Jazz]
Potter & Tillman – …Space…Rapture [Woodland]
Sello – Lovely Files [Compost]
Daniel Crawford feat. Vikter Duplaix – The One
Darko V – Metronomic [Studio 11]
Zed Bias feat. Mark De Clive-Lowe – Cottonmouth [Sick Trumpet]
Matias Aguayo – Legende [Kompakt]
Wolfgang Haffner – Bing (Acid Mondays Remix)
Letta Mbulu – Namalizo [Heavenly Sweetness]
FaltyDL – Ahead The Ship Sleeps [Ninja Tune]
Anushka – Atom Bombs [Wah Wah 45s]
Antennasia – Spiral Sequence [Meze]
Dagmxy – ASA [Expansions Collective]
80’s Babies – I Digress
R.P.M. – 2000 [Mo Wax]
Evil Needle – Antidote [Soulection]
Paul White – Sitting In Circles [R&S]
Malena Perez – Yellow Sips Of Daylight [Cubanita Groove]
Marcos Valle – Os Grilos [Odeon]
The Gene Dudley Group – No Trouble On The Mountain [Wah Wah 45s]
The Mighty Mocambos and Afrika Bambaataa – Hot Stuff [Favorite]
Jarrod Lawson – Sleepwalkers [Dome]
Friends From Rio feat. Denise Pinaud – Veneno [Far Out]
The Shaolin Afronauts – Abyssinian Suite, Pt. 2 [Freestyle]
Marconi Union – Weightless Part 5 [Just Music]
8 September 2014
London Experimental Jazz Quartet – Destroy the Nihilist Picnic [Jazzman]
Mammal Hands – Bustle [Gondwana]
The Cannonball Adderley Quintet – New Delhi [Riverside]
The Bill Evans Quintets – Loose Bloose [Milestone]
Sara Mitra – Baltimore Oriole [Impossible Ark]
Vermont – Lithium [Kompakt]
Paul White – Running On A Rainy Day [R&S]
Paul White – All We Know [R&S]
Dave De Rose – Anxieties Pt.1
Georgia Anne Muldrow – These Worlds
Guts feat. Masta Ace – Innovation [Heavenly Sweetness]
My Panda Shall Fly & Mau’lin – 15Keys (Lakker Remix) [Project Mooncircle]
Profusion – Flying
Lucky Sun feat. Debris – I Wanna Live [Lucky Sun]
Phaeleh feat. Sam Brookes – City Rose [Undertow]
Sleepin’ Giant feat. Romaine Smith – Six (Typesun Remix)
Martin Iveson – Cobra XL [ARCo]
Tahira feat. TRZ – Amanhecer
LeBird – Book and Sword [Phat Elephant]
Ilya Santana – Big Foot [Retrospective]
The Whole Truth feat. Mo Kolours – Don’t Tell Me No Lies [Whole Truth]
Harleighblu – I Believe (Peshay Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Sputnik-1 – The Whole Earth [Ubiquity]
Renegades Of Jazz feat. Aspects – Fire [Agogo]
The Bluebeaters – Catch The Drop [Record Kicks]
Hackney Colliery Band – Africa [Wah Wah 45s]