7 July 2014
VtotheD – Futureworld [Greta Cottage Workshop]
Kerri Chandler Vs. Behling & Simpson – Peace Of My Mind [Madhouse]
NY*AK – U Dont Understand [Shadeleaf Music]
Lock Smith – New Sequence [Thoughtless Music]
Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra – Mystery (4 Hero Main Mix) [Far Out]
Esteban Adame – Handed Down [EPM Music]
Esteban Adame – The Grind [EPM Music]
BNJMN – IV [Technicolour]
Moğollar – Garip Coban (Fattish’s Rite Edit)
Tony Gregory – I’m Gonna Break You Down [Dynamic Sounds Studios/Heavenly Sweetness]
Beatconductor – Boogie Love [Kat]
Bobby Womack – How Could You Break My Heart [Arista]
Bobby Womack – Woman Gonna Have It [United Artists]
Sammy Burdson – Moog & Brass [Buried Treasure]
Mono/Poly – Ra Rise [Brainfeeder]
Jon Phonics feat. Rup – Give It Up [First Word]
Shawn Lee feat. Ohmega Watts – We Got The Jazz [BBE]
FaltyDL – Ahead The Ship Sleeps [Ninja Tune]
Ghost Of Christmas – Metro
Marc Rapson – Mystery Of Man [Expansions Collective/Futuristica Music]
iET – The Sunlight [Analogypsy/Northern Shore]
Pacific Shore feat. Sarah Linhares – Labyrinthe [Cosmonostro]
André Solomko feat. Stiina – Afternoon [Favorite]
Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra – Tribute To Alice Coltrane [Gondwana]
Sorceress: Dose [Wonderwheel]
Formerly known as Funkommunity, the rising five piece band from New Zealand and founded by composer Isaac Aesili has re-emerged as Sorceress. The reason for this change is for everyone to recognize them as a band of many styles beyond funk. Their previous release, the sorely slept on "Chequered Thoughts" is evidence of their universal yet progressive sound and "Dose" builds on that formula. Among the prime selections are the Afrobeat flavored "Desire" filled with percussive rhythms . "Teacups" features a tasty groove aided by soothing trumpet phrasings. "Freeloadoubt" is blissful futuristic soul with playful lyrics courtesy of vocalist Rachel Fraser. "Dose" is filled with twisting melodies and phrasings that will seduce your eardrums. It all adds up to an enjoyable record that you don’t want to miss.
The Impellers: My Certainty [Legere Recordings]
On one hand The Impellers third release "My Certainty", is packed with the raw soul you’ve come to expect from the ten piece band. On the other hand this release offers a new wrinkle or two and displays noticeable growth in their music. Vocalist Clair Witcher lures us in with her sultry voice while composer mufti-instrumentalist Glenn Fallows and the band lay down tight grooves throughout the disc. "The Routine" is a signature Impellers tune that’s filled with funky horns and infectious guitar rhythms. The title track ventures into acoustic territory and presents a pleasant change of pace. "Can’t Change Me" is a bluesy slow grinding ballad. Fans will appreciate the evolution of their funky sound while newcomers will simply enjoy the ride.
Ikebe Shakedown: Stone By Stone [Ubiquity]
"Stone By Stone", the sophomore release by the seven piece Brooklyn NY based band is packed with all the ingredients that made their debut such a hit. There’s blistering horns, funky guitar rhythms and lively percussion yet the sound is more layered then the self titled debut. There’s less of a jam session feel and the result is more mature compositions. There are a number of standout tracks like "The Offering" and "Last Stand", both are head nodding hip shaking tracks. The title track "Stone By Stone" is a laid back tune with psychedelic arrangements. Recorded at Daptone studios, Ikebe Shakedown are representing the raw soul and funk movement in a huge way.
Third Coast Kings: West Grand Boulevard [Record Kicks]
The funk and soul band from Ann Arbor Michigan made quite an impression with their 2012 debut. Their sophomore release "West Grand Boulevard" is firmly entrenched in the early Detroit raw soul sound and picks up where their debut left off. This band knows how to lay down a tight groove as evidenced by "Moving In The Night" and "Lead Foot". Vocalist Michelle Belle heats things up on "Just Move" while Sean Ike croons over the deep funk "Birds And Bees". Producer Nate Goldentone knows a thing or two about bringing out the best in a band having worked with The Liberators and Dojo Cuts. If you like your funk uncut and you need to kickstart a party then you need this on your playlist.
30 June 2014
Richard Spaven – The Look Out [Fine Live]
Richard Spaven – SideIISide [Fine Live]
Ambient Jazz Ensemble – Waiting For Space [Here & Now]
B.J. Smith – Prototype [NuNorthern Soul]
Henri-Pierre Noel – “Afro-Funk” Groove [Wah Wah 45s]
The Janet Lawson Quintet – Dreams Can Be [Omnisound/BBE]
Big Bang – Spiral Waltz (Indigo Jam Unit Remix) [Mukatsuku]
Tumi Mogorosi – In the Beginning [Jazzman]
Barbara Stant – Superman [Tramp]
Cookin On 3 Burners – Blind Bet [Freestyle]
Mr Bird feat. Greg Blackman – Get On Through [BBE]
Aurra x Dām-FunK – Somebody (Dam-Funk Remix) [Family Groove]
Roy Ananda feat. Pete Simpson – The Only Thing That Make Sense (Is You) (Opolopo Remix) [Goodnws]
Abimaro and the Free – Mark (Flashbaxx Remix) [NuNorthern Soul]
Titeknots – So Natural [Tru Thoughts]
Inigo Vontier & Dan Solo – Higher [La Dame Noir]
Hamilton Brothers – Music Makes The World Go ‘Round [Charlie’s/Heavenly Sweetness]
Alister Johnson – Invitation [Wah Wah 45s]
Busdriver feat. Aesop Rock & Danny Brown – Ego Death [Big Dada]
Bugseed – Inner City Blues [Cascade]
Bruva – You Could [Cheap Thrills]
Luna & BHLB – Buggin Out
Chris Kaz – Little Dreamer [Cujo]
Eric Lau & Tawiah – The Way We Are [Northern Shore]
23 June 2014
Horace Silver – Mama Suite Part I: Not Enough Mama [Verve]
Horace Silver – Won’t Open Up Your Senses (4Hero Version) [Blue Note]
Pharoah Sanders Quartet – Moon Rays [Timeless]
Kathryn Moses – Music In My Heart [BBE]
Ruby Lambert – Love [Tramp]
Neil Cowley Trio – Couch Slouch [Niam]
Newcomer – Walt Rockman [Buried Treasure]
Toco – Mané (Dois Do Rio Remix) [Schema]
Nina Miranda & Friends – Futebol [Far Out]
Shandy, Will & Grruff – Loverdub Time [One Note]
Harleighblu – Sittin’ By The Window (Lost Midas Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Submerse – Snorlax [Project Mooncircle]
Roses Gabor – Rush [Ninja Tune]
Paper Tiger – Make It Through (Werkha Remix) [Wah Wah 45s]
Martyn – Lullaby [Ninja Tune]
Riton feat. Meleka – Inside My Head [RitonTime]
Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra – Dead Dance [Far Out]
Mannmademusic feat.Kali – Rough Times [Shadeleaf Music]
Tronik Youth – Zulu Whisky Hotel (Disko Selectors Remix) [Nein]
The Maghreban – Amok Time [Zoot]
Yokto – Panamax [Compost]
Pete Grace feat. Pete Josef – The Way You Taste [Sonar Kollektiv]
Undergroundvibe & Jaidene Veda feat. Pete Morris – Healing (Veda Mix) [Broadcite]
Moodymann feat. Nikki O – Ulooklykicecreaminthesummertyme [Mahogani Music]
Taylor McFerrin feat. Ryat – Place In My Heart [Brainfeeder]
16 June 2014
Chris Kaz – Clifford Bounce [Cujo]
Rael – Double Rule Of Three [Nonine]
Luna & BHLB – Buggin Out
Sylvain Gourlay – Kind Of Light
Deejay Kul – Crucial Fonk
Olof Broberg & Master Pe – Peace of Mind
Fatima – Biggest Joke Of All [Eglo]
Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra – Sagano Bamboo Forest [Gondwana]
Bill Laurance – The Good Things [GroundUP Music]
The Sachal Jazz Ensemble – Blues Walk [Sachal Music]
The Shaolin Afronauts – Ojo Abameta [Freestyle]
Charles Atangana & Emitais – Onguindo (Tahira Edit) [Hot Casa]
Friends From Rio feat. Robertinho Silva – Batucada Bidu [Far Out]
Nur Azak & Cahit Oben Orkestrası – Karadır Bahtım (Kendim Ettim Kendim Buldum) (Fattish’s Back To Basics Rework)
Roy Ananda feat. Pete Simpson – The Only Thing That Make Sense (Is You) (Opolopo Remix) [Goodnws]
Manfredo Fest – Slaughter On 10th Avenue [Tabu]
AD Bourke – Divvy [Five Fold]
Abimaro and the Free – Mark (Flashbaxx Remix) [NuNorthern Soul]
K15 – Bordeaux (Kaidi Taitham Remix) [Wot Not Music]
Sonzeira – Aquarela Do Brasil (Mark E Remix)
Dr Meaker feat. Sian Evans – Right Back (Breaks Remix) [V]
Bonobo feat. Bajka – Nightlite (Zero DB Reconstruction) [Ninja Tune]
Seba feat. Robert Manos – Space & Time [Soul:R]
9 June 2014
Ambient Jazz Ensemble – The Journey [Here & Now]
Clarke Boland Sextett – Please Don’t Leave [Rearward]
Toco feat. Nina Miranda – Cigana [Schema]
Gabriele Poso – Invocation 010 [Agogo]
Sonzeira feat. Emanuelle Araújo & Chico Chagas – Xibaba (She-bá-ba) [Harvest]
JariBu Afrobeat Arkestra – Devil Pt.1&2 [Tramp]
André Solomko – Living In A Paper House [Favorite]
Daniel Crawford feat. Amp Fiddler & Monet – Trouble
Simon Spillett – Bass House [Gearbox]
Marc Rapson feat. Liz Elensky – Love Is All [Futuristica Music/Expansions Collective]
iET – Fool [Analogypsy/Northern Shore]
The Elder Statesman – Trans-Alpine Express [Bastard Jazz]
9 In Common – Foggy [Seamless]
Pacific Shore feat. Sarah Linhares – Street Confusion [Cosmonostro]
Essa – The Middle Man (Tall Black Guy Remix) [First Word]
Olof Melander – Journey Through Time [Project Mooncircle]
Taylor McFerrin feat. Emily King – Decisions [Brainfeeder]
Bunny On Acid feat. Amp Fiddler – It’s On (Badwan’s Enterthevoid Mix) [Studio Rockers]
Cortex – Stand & Move (The Reflex Disco-Jazz Odissey) [Trad Vibe]
Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra – Don’t Cha Know He’s Alright [Far Out]
Martin Iveson – Life On Titan [Less Than Ten]
Nepz – Chaabi [Motech]
Causa – 7 [LBL]
Sauce81 – Modulation [Wonderful Noise]
2 June 2014
Blu James – Motions Of Love [Ten50]
Debukas – Somedays (Psychemagik Remix) [2020 Vision]
Mop Mop – Kamakumba (Valique Re-take) [Agogo]
Zara McFarlene feat. Leron Thomas – Angie La La (Ay Ay Ay Ay) (Yoruba Soul Remix) [BBE]
Mr Scruff feat. Denis Jones – Render Me (Andres Remix) [Ninja Tune]
Daniel Crawford feat. Vikter Duplaix – The One
Sorceress – Treat The Feel [Wonderwheel]
Magic Number – Song For Sophia [Numb]
Nicola Conte – Spirit Of Nature [Schema]
Benny Bailey – Flunkeyania [Rearward]
The Sahib Shihab Quintet – Another Samba [Rearward]
Michael J McEvoy – When I Get My Wings [Rezzonator Music]
Cookin’ on 3 Burners feat. Kylie Auldist – Chew You Up [Freestyle]
The Cactus Channel – Laika [Hope Street]
Kelis – Rumble (Actress Sixinium Bootleg Mix) [Ninja Tune]
Echaskech – Sovereign System (Submerse Remix) [Just Music]
Electric Wire Hustle – Bottom Line (Flako Remix) [Somethinksounds]
Kidkanevil – Shunkanido [Project Mooncircle]
Guti – El Loco
Fatima – Do Better [Eglo]
Mark de Clive Lowe – Sketch for Miguel [Ropeadope]
Marc Rapson – Return To The Dilla Suite [Expansions Collective]
Lea Lea – Psycho Killer [Wah Wah 45s]
Aurora Dee Raynes – Be
Mr Thing: Strange Breaks And Mr Thing 3 [BBE]
Mr Thing has built up a resume as one of the most sought after DJ/Producers on the scene today. He and BBE have formed a strong relationship that is going well beyond a decade now and with "Strange Breaks Vol. 3", it certainly feels like a happy marriage. "Vol. 3" is all about the funk and I mean Deep Funk. Mr Thing has dusted off an assortment of gritty funk joints from the seventies that will inspire you to shake your groove thing on any given day. He kicks things off with The Disco Orchestra’s "Do It Again" which features slick horn arrangements that covers Issac Hayes "Do Ya". Amral’s Trinidad Cavaliers "It Sure Is Funky" is highlighted by beat scratching and tasty Steel Pan rhythms. "Fire To The Galleon" lays out some infectious guitar grooves. If you love rare grooves and funky rhythms then you’ll certainly enjoy this disc.
DJ Vadim: Dubcatcher [BBE]
DJ Vadim has been very busy these days. When he isn’t DJ’ing around the world he’s also producing for numerous artists in all manner of styles. With his latest release "Dubcatcher" he has composed a rich collection of Dub beats and Dance hall rhythms enhanced by an array of talented vocalists and rappers alike. There’s so much to savor starting with "Hope" and "Rise". Each tune feature Bassist/Vocalist Rio Hemopo and frequent Vadim contributor Sabira Jade. "Action" featuring rising star Jimmy Screech is another winner that packs a lot of bass and Hip-Hop beats. Other notable tracks include "Nah Join" and "Originate It", the latter featuring Dynamite MC. Locked and loaded with sixteen tracks, "Dubcatcher" flows with one great vocalist after another and the production is first rate. If you purchase only one Dub record this year, make sure this is the one.
Shawn Lee: Golden Age Against The Machine [BBE]
Multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee has experimented with an assortment of musical flavors over the years ranging from psychedelic soul to cinematic soundtracks. As the title of his latest project suggests, "Golden Age Against The Machine" pays homage to the birth of Hip-Hop in it’s formative years. One ride through this disc will have you searching for your Kangol hat and your shell top Adidas. Further proof lies with tracks like "Back To The Future" where the grooves and synths will invoke memories of Afrika Bambaata’s "Planet Rock". Ohmega Watts smooth flow is the perfect match for the laid back vibe of "We Got The Jazz". "Jackie Chan" would fit perfectly in the Wu Tang library thanks in part to the haunting rhythms and thick beats. While mainstream Hip-Hop has gone corporate, ala "The "Machine", it’s nice to take a trip down memory lane and enjoy beats and rhymes in it’s purest form.
Mark De Clive Lowe: Church [Ropeadope]
There are few of artists who perform comfortably in a myriad of musical styles as well as Mark De Clive Lowe. His personal projects range from Jazz, Broken Beat to Hip-Hop and future soul. In addition, his production credits extend to artists like Sy Smith and Sandra St Victor, not to mention numerous collaborations with the likes of Sheila E and Omar just to name a few. His latest project entitled "Church" is named after the music events he hosts in New York and Los Angeles respectively. From the opener "The Mission", a simmering appetizer that builds momentum features rapper John Robinson. "Brukstep" is a frenetic up-tempo number that displays his keyboard wizardry. Vocalist and partner Nia Andrews contributes her blissful vocals to the elegant tune "Hollow" as well as two other compositions. There’s a number of tasty Jazz compositions here that are airy and rhythmic like "Imam" and "Sketch For Miguel" the latter featuring Miguel Atwood Ferguson on Viola and Jamire Williams on drums. Quite simply you can insert this disc, press play and walk away and you’re disappointed only when the record ends. Highly recommended.
26 May 2014
Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra – Kiyomizu-Dera [Gondwana]
The Ronnie Scott Quintet featuring Alan Skidmore – Sonnymoon For Two [Gearbox]
James Tillman – And Then
Ferdi özbeğen – Koca Dünya (Fattish Edit)
Da Lata – Deixa (Drumagick’s Sun n Bass Remix) [Agogo]
Friends From Rio feat. Denise Pinaud – Veneno [Far Out]
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Ghaziya [Ropeadope]
Taylor McFerrin feat. Robert Glasper & Thundercat – Already There [Brainfeeder]
The Impellers – My Certainty [Légére]
Mr Bird feat. Greg Blackman – Where Did The Party Go? [BBE]
Samuel Truth – Let You Go [Cascade]
DJ Lubi’s 10 Years Of First Word Records Guest Mix
Frameworks feat. JP Cooper – Old Friend
Souleance – La Californie
Tall Black Guy – From Home To Work And Back
Homecut feat. J.Live – Time Difference (Marc Mac Remix)
KidKanevil feat. Andrya Triana – Good Morning What’s New (Capston reversion)
Haggis Horns – Love Gets You High
Riot Jazz Brass Band – Suspicious Bulge
Essa – The World Belongs To You
Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra – Put Leg To Road
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
DJ3000 – Phoenix [Restructured]
AD Bourke – Driving Flow [Five Fold]
Monkey Brothers – A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings [Parallel Label]
Rancido – Thief (Atjazz Remix) [ARCo]
Tricky D – Latin Seed [BBE]