The Andy Tolman Cartel: Cypher [Freestyle]
Inspired by the great movie soundtracks of the seventies, The Andy Tolman Cartel present “Cypher”. This nine track lp captures the cinematic soundscapes that were as pivotal to film as the movie itself. An accomplished bass player, Tolman integrates funk and big band rhythms seamlessly throughout this disc. “Move Over” is a funky number that features Jo Harmon on vocals and Steve Watt on the Hammond Organ. “You What” is another sizzling highlight that kicks off with Tolman’s funky guitar intro and features Carl Hudson on keyboards. Produced by Nick van Gelder who also occupies the drum chair on the entire disc. “Cypher” engages you to visualize some of your favorite movie scores and ensures you’ll have a funky good time while doing so.
Ikebe Shakedown: The Way Home [Colemine]
The Brooklyn based band return with another collection of infectious gritty funk instrumentals. “The Way Home” pulls from an array of influences of Afro, psychedelia and a heavy dose of soul. There’s plenty to savor here starting with the opening track “Supermoon”. A fiery soul tune ripe with blistering horns, percussion and wicked electric guitar rhythms. “she’s Knocking” is slow grinding soul that follows the same formula. With their trademark tight instrumentation and no sign of filler, “The Way Home” is a sure bet for soul aficionados.
30/70 Collective: Elevate [Rhythm Section International]
Clearly there’s something in the water down in Melbourne. With the success of Hiatus Kaiyote we now have 30/70 Collective to emerge from their vibrant music scene. “Elevate” is the superb follow up to their impressive debut “Cold Radish Coma”. This sublime release resonates with warm soulful harmonies and strong instrumentation. The opener “Slangin” is laid back, warm and melodic. The tune is built around rhythmic synths, moogs and a cavalcade of vocals, most notably lead vocalist Allysha Joy. “Misrepresented” follows the same formula with the addition of funky guitar rhythms and horns. Each track here flows together thematically and filled with rich textures and catchy hooks. The only negative is there’s only 9 tracks to savor. That being said, “Elevate” is deeply satisfying record that warrants repeated listens. This is a group to keep an eye on
25 December 2017
Typesun – How We Think About Us (Live Session)
Goldie feat. Jose James – Truth [Metalheadz]
Thundercat feat. Michael McDonald & Kenny Loggins – Show You The Way [Brainfeeder]
Moonchild – The Truth (DJ Jazzy Jeff & James Poyser Remix) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Simiah – Lost My Keys [Banoffee Pies Records]
Kutiman & Princess Shaw – Backwards [Siyasl Music]
TY – Brixton Baby [Jazz Re:Freshed]
Coldcut x On-U Sound feat. Hamsika Iyer – Kajra Mohabbat Wala (10″ Mix) [Ninja Tune]
77 Karat Gold – Come Back 2 Me [Jazzy Sport]
Tuxedo – Shine [Stones Throw]
SW. – B2 [Apollo/SUED]
Homeless feat. Ahu – Small Town Girl
Richard Spaven feat. Jordan Rakei – The Self [Stamp The Wax]
Profusion – Messages [First Word Records]
Revbjelde – Buccaboo [Buried Treasure]
Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet – Theme De Yoyo [Lanquidity Records]
Ruby Rushton – Elephant & Castle [22a]
Dauwd – Macadam Therapy [Technicolour Records]
Marc Tilley – Coltrane [Atjazz Record Company]
Soulphiction – B3B4URD1 [Lumberjacks In Hell]
Azymuth – Fenix (Ron Trent Remix) [Far Out Recordings]
Dani Boom – Los Sabanales Reflux [Big In Japan]
Moon – MFB Nights (You Needed Someone) [Frank Music]
Atjazz – Track 6 (Mix 1) [Atjazz Record Company]
Cyclonix – Cyclic Multiverse [Talahachi Records]
18 December 2017
O.T. Sykes – My First Love [Everland]
Gloria Jay – Know What You Want [Melodies]
Robson Jorge and Lincoln Olivetti – Eva [Mr Bongo]
June Evans – Hardly Need To Say [Spacetalk Records]
Enlightment – Going Home [Nature Sounds]
John Wesley Dickson Band – Barrows Blues [Tramp Records]
Tomorrow’s People – It Ain’t Fair [Melodies]
Bamboo – Hustlers Of Life (Haners Edit) [Kat Records]
Lee Willhite – The World Is A Ghetto [BBE Records]
Friction Band – Watching You [Athens Of The North]
Stratus – Girl [Favorite Recordings]
Marcos Valle – Fogo Do Sol [Preservation]
Pacific Express – Sky Ride II [Matsuli Music]
The Pretenders – Just Be Yourself (KON Remix) [Family Groove Records]
Split Decision Band – Night Dancer [Now-Again Records]
Michel Sardaby – Sambando Nas Ondas [World Seven]
The Descendants Of Mike & Phoebe – Coltrane [Superfly Records]
Victor Assis Brasil – Bonita [Far Out Recordings]
Lloyd McNeill Quartet – Home Rule [Universal Sound]
Super Djata Band De Bamako – Mali Ni Woula [Mr Bongo]
Charly Kingson – Nimele Bolo [Africa Seven]
SJOB Movement – Friendship Train [Cultures Of Soul]
Barry White – I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit (M+M Mix) [BBE Records]
11 December 2017
Rhi – Night Driving [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Darwin – Lost [Cascade Records]
1954 feat. Loup Na – Blue Boy [Project Mooncirle]
The Broken Orchestra – Blinded [A Bridge To Far Recordings]
Onyx Collective – Fruit Stand [Big Dada Records]
Erykah Badu – Boogie Nights / All Night [Universal Records]
S-Tone Inc. with Toco & Friends – Estrada Real [Schema Records]
Burnier & Cartier – Lejos De Mi [Mr Bongo Records]
Minas – Calma Mulher [Blueazul Records]
Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo Vice Versa – Dança Do Paje [Far Out Recordings]
The Lightmen – Free As You Wanna Be [Now-Again Records]
Yakhal Inkomo – Dedication (To Daddy Trane And Brother Shorter) [Jazzman Records]
Benny Sings – Coconut [Sonar Kollektiv]
Hidden Orchestra – Wingbeats (Max Cooper Remix) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Osage feat. Yemi – Anyway [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
Michael Wycoff – Looking Up To You [RCA Records]
Lyric L – Amazed (SMBD ’83 Dub) [Broadcite]
JRBB – Trust In Me [Kryptox]
Gerome Sportelli – Rejack [Motech Records]
Bunny On Acid feat. Amp Fiddler – It’s On (IG Culture Remix) [Studio Rockers]
Giovanni Damico – Essential [Lumberjacks In Hell]
Jaxx Madicine – Mo’ Funk Mo’ Problem [Local Talk]
4 December 2017
Michel Sardaby – Welcome New Warmth [World Seven]
Art Pepper – Mambo Koyama [Galaxy Reecords]
N’Kouri – The Warras Beat [Superfly Records]
Victor Assis Brasil – Ginger Bread Boy [Far Out Recordings]
Monty Alexander – Here Comes The Sun [MPS]
Ross McHenry Trio – Us and Them [First Word Records]
Frederick – Games (Ashley Beedle’s ‘North Street’ Stripped Back Remix) [Ramrock Blue]
Manu Delago feat. Pete Josef – A Step (Chamber Orchestra Version) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Yotaro – Sword [Cascade Records]
Ikebe Shakedown – Assassin [Colemine Records]
Amadou Balaké – Super Bar Konon Mousso [Mr Bongo Records]
Collocutor – Black Satin [On The Corner Records]
Ethnique Punch – Shiva
Calibre – Out Of The Box [CIA]
Physics – The Most Beautiful Boy In Brazil (Drumagick Remix)
Dr Meaker feat. Lorna King – Deep In My Heart (DJ Marky & Dr Meaker Remix) [Circus Records]
The Maghreban – Pots & Pans [Zoot Records]
Lewski – Occultation [Patron Records]
Iakovos – Singers [Bliq]
Causa – Cantales [Boogie Box Records]
Ephemerals – In And Out (Titeknots Remix) [Jalapeño Records]
Kaidi Tatham – Hard Times [First Word Records]
Barry White – I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit (M+M Mix) [BBE Records]
James L’Estraunge: Eventual Reality [BBE]
“Eventual Reality” is the full length debut from The James L’Estraunge Orchestra. Producer Ricky Reid, one half of the Soul Renegades shifts gears by crafting an engaging collection of atmospheric gems and dreamy soundscapes. In order to tap into this creative process he escaped the busy Edinburgh scene and retreated to the peaceful Swedish highlands. The move has made an immediate impression right from the start. “Me And The Bear” is a down-tempo tune filled with gorgeous rhodes and string melodies. “We Rise” begins with a stretch of boisterous strings and horns followed by lush vocals layered over an infectious groove. An a composer Reid strikes the right balance between electronica and live instrumentation and makes a profund statement with this impressive release.
Ross McHenry Trio: The Outsiders [First Word]
Guitarist Ross McHenry’s third release for First Word records is his first trio album. “The Outsiders” is rounded out with long time collaborators drummer Myele Manzanza and pianist Matthew Sheens. Their synergy is apparent on a number of standouts tracks. On the opening tune “It’s Not How I Remembered It”, Sheens melodies are assertive yet tender while Manzanza’s rhythmic phrasings gain momentum along the way. The title track comes in three parts, each beginning with elegant melodies yet each distinguishing itself from the other. On “Pt.2” McHenry lays down moody rhythms augmented by Manzanza’s deft touch on cymbals. On “Pt.3” Sheens, the lead voice throughout dials up the heat with a swirling barrage of high powered virtuosity. With two impressive fusion lps to his name, McHenry demonstrates he’s equally adept in a trio setting as well. This is a highly satisfying record.
Various Artists: DJ Andy Smith Presents Reach UP – Disco Wonderland [BBE]
DJ Andy Smith, internationally known for collaborations with Portishead as well as his sort after DJ sets reinforced his reputation as a certified crate digger. “Reach Up – Disco Wonderland” is an ode to the seventies NYC club scene, specifically the Paradise Garage and Studio 54. In addition he resurrects a few hidden gems for us to enjoy all over again. “For The Love Of Money” a seventies classic from the Disco Dub Band has an unforgettable bass groove that drove folks to the dance floor and still resonates today. “First Time Love Affair” was an early eighties hit from the late Jimmy Ross. “Share The Night” is an underrated synth laden boogie tune that captures the spirit of NYC eighties club culture. If you want to take a trip down memory lane then you’ll no doubt enjoy this disc.