4 September 2017
Trio Da Kali & Kronos Quartet – Lila Bambo [World Circuit]
Hunrosa – Mohodo [Beating Heart]
The Andy Tolman Cartel feat. Jo Harman – Move Over [Freestyle Records]
Maurice Moore & Family Affair Band – Everything That Shines Ain’t Gold [Melodies International]
Floyd Dixon – Please Don’t Go [Jazzman Records]
Antonio Adolfo – Cascavel [Far Out Recordings]
Paul Bryan – Feel Like I Feel [Sonar Kollektiv]
Collocutor – Agama (Contours Remix) [On The Corner]
Gold – If You Can Dance [Jazzman Records]
Lord Echo – Makossa No. 3 [Soundway Records]
Portico Quartet – A Luminous Beam [Gondwana]
Fybe:one – Days Gone [Diffrent Music]
DJ Vadim & Blackstone – Choose [BBE Records]
Nicole Willis & UMO Jazz Orchestra – Still Got A Way To Fall [Persephone Records]
Glow In The Dark – Arise [Sonar Kollektiv]
Marcel Vogel feat. Khalil Anthony – Dance The Blues Away [Lumberjacks In Hell]
Metropolitan Soul Museum – Saaab [Toy Tonics]
Kurtadam – Soz Yok [Hamam House]
Blurred – In My Soul [Motech Records]
Neville Watson – De-Basement [I Love Acid]
Doc Daneeka feat. Robert Owens – Another Time Part 2 [Ten Thousand Yen]
Balako – Hora De Balako [Greco Roman]
Y Gershovsky – Disco Baby [Melodies International]
T-Roy & Kasai Masai feat. Sabrina Chyde – Umayele [Broadcite]
Preslav – Watch Your Step [Love What You Feel]
Richard Spaven: The Self [Soul Has No Tempo]
Richard Spaven continues a steady ascent as one of the premiere drummers on the scene today. He has gained international acclaim through his trademark drumming style, resulting in collaborations with the likes of Jose James, Flying Lotus and others. “The Self”, his latest release is a culmination of all his influences, notably jazz, electronica and drum n bass. “Stills” is a atmospheric gem highlighted by frequent collaborator Jordan Rakei’s smooth falsetto. “The Hidden Camera”, filled with dub step rhythms is a nod to the London club culture. “Greeting to Saud” is a blissful tribute to the great McCoy Tyner is laced with gorgeous synth melodies courtesy of pianist Kris Bowers. A visual album filled with ambient sound and textures worthy of repeated listens. If you’re familiar with Mr Spaven then you know his music defies genres and for that we’re grateful based on the results. If you’re new to him then you’re in for a treat.
Lord Echo: Harmonies [Soundway Records]
Melbourne producer Lord Echo has built an impressive resume filled with compositions that fuse reggae, afrobeat and latin rhythms. His latest full length release “Harmonies” may be his best yet. There’s plenty to savor here right from the outset. “Woah! There’s No Limit” is an engaging reggae tune with swaying horns and tropical rhythms. “The Sweetest Meditation” is a gorgeous boogie tune filled soothing vibes and infectious percussion. Both of the aforementioned tunes feature the golden falsetto vocals of Mara TK who appears on two additional racks as well. Two other noteworthy reggae tunes are “Low To The Street” and the superb cover of The O’Jays “I Love Music” Both tunes feature the blissful vocals of Lisa Tomlins. Throw in the afro-soul instrumental “Makossa” and you have one of the more enjoyable albums of the year.
Mike City: The Feel Good Agenda Vol.1 [BBE]
Producer/writer Mike City made his mark in the early 2000s with the smash hit “I Wish” by Carl Thomas. From that point he would go on to pen tracks for Brandy, Angie Stone and countless others. For his latest full length release, he’s invited a number of his friends are on board to lift these impressive RnB infused dance tracks to another level. Veteran Fayth Evans urban edged soprano vocals are the perfect match for the track “When I Luv”. The angelic vocals of Teedra Moses float on the soulful house inspired “Been Too Afraid”. The mid-tempo burner “You’re In Heaven” is boasted by the deep smokey vocals of acclaimed songstress Lalah Hathaway. Additional appearances range from Terri Walker, Maysa to UK RnB legend Junior. The title speaks for itself. “The Feel Good Agenda Vol.1” is certain to give you happy feet and provoke repeated listens.
Nubya Garcia: Nubya’s 5ive [Jazz Re:freshed]
There’s a new generation of UK jazz artists and Tenor saxophonist Nubya Garcia is one of the key players on the scene. She has studied with members of the educational program known as Tomorrow’s Warriors and has emerged as a sought after horn player. With “Nubya’s 5ive” she fronts a band filled with musicians broadening the scope of jazz. Drummer Moses Boyd is a band leader in his own right and seamlessly keeps the rhythm cooking throughout. With the opening track “Lost Kingdom”, Boyd’s deft command of rhythm provides a foundation for Garcia and trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey. Pianist Joe Armon-Jones spirited playing is pure delight on “Fly Free”. With “Red Sun” Garcia and company stretch out in freewheeling form and the results are pure joy. Whether it’s bebop or experimental, Garcia is a rising star who certainly warrants your attention. The multifaceted Jazz Re:freshed label never disappoints and this superb release is no exception. Highly recommended.
Annabel (lee): The Cleansing [Youngbloods]
“The Cleansing” is the new album from Richard E and Sheila Ellis, better known as Annabel (Lee). Sheila’s poetic songwriting and haunting vocal phrasings compliment the cinematic soundscapes arranged by Richard and they resonate throughout this disc. There are two themes to savor here. The A side is intimate acoustic folk highlighted by “Paris, Room 14” and “Move With Me” where Sheila’s vocals evoke a peaceful dreamy atmosphere. Strings and instrumentation drive the B side and evidence of that lies in the emotive “Autumn Requiem”. “Far” is Avant garde folk and one of the highlights here. This is an intimate and peaceful disc wrapped around abstract sounds and howling classical imagery. A mystical voyage you shouldn’t miss.
28 August 2017
Annabel (lee) – Move With Me [Youngbloods]
Tiny Leaves – You’ll Be Okay (Equador Reworked) [Pegdoll]
Goldie feat. Jose James – Truth [Metalheadz]
Ghost of Christmas – The Rain [Pschent Music]
SW. – B2 [Apollo/SUED]
Jilk – Clavoline [Project Mooncircle]
Marenn Sukie – Mauá [OTAKU]
TY – Brixton Baby [Jazz Re:Freshed]
Son Of Sam feat. Masta Ace & Large Professor – Come A Long Way
Courtney Pine feat. Omar – Butterfly [Freestyle Records]
The Soul Session feat. Omar – Wish The Beat To Never Stop [Agogo Records]
George Benson – The World Is A Ghetto [Warner]
Charles Earland – Intergalactic Love Song [Mercury]
Jay Hoggard – The Guiding Spirit [Contemporary Records]
Mirai no Rekishi – O-Edo Nihonbashi (One Take Live)
Lewis Badwan – Evermore [Studio Rockers]
FaltyDL feat. Rosie Lowe – Drugs (Kaidi Tatham Remix) [Blueberry Records]
Jay Anderson – Dreams [Banoffee Pies Records]
Dynamic Africana – Igbehin Lalayo Nta (Tunnelvisions Edit) [Atomnation]
Lord Echo feat. Mara TK – The Sweetest Meditation (Club Mix) [Soundway Records]
Coflo – Quem Tem Fome [Offering Recordings]
Afrobrotherz – Story Of Piano [Afrocentric Records]
Sam Irl Dusty – Drift [Jazz & Milk]
Lorca – All My Love [Live Ones]
21 August 2017
Pharoah Sanders – Prince Of Peace [Everland Jazz]
Ruby Rushton – Elephant & Castle [22a]
Danser’s Inferno – Sombre Guitar [Everland Jazz]
Michael Longo – 900 Shares Of The Blues [Groove Merchant]
Revbjelde – The Weeping Tree [Buried Treasure]
Coldcut x On-U Sound – Kajra Mohobbat Wala [Ninja Tune]
Kutiman & Princess Shaw – Backwards [Siyasl Music]
Moonchild – The Truth (DJ Jazzy Jeff & James Poyser Remix) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Mahbie – Cosmo [Jazzy Sport Records]
Jordan Rakei – Nerve [Ninja Tune]
Sabrina Malheiros – Clareia (IG Culture Remix) [Far Out Recordings]
Lamb – Górecki (Global Communications Remix) [Fontana]
Brainwaltzera – Kurrytree [MIDI 2 CV] [FILM]
Albrecht La Brooy – Memories [Voyage]
Metropolitan Soul Museum – Saaab [Toy Tonics]
Harvey Mason – Groovin’ You [Arista Records]
Bop & 291out – L’alba Dei Vinti [Early Sounds Recordings]
Dan Shake – Wake Bake and Shake [Lumberjacks In Hell]
Siren – Lulu [Compost Records]
Atjazz – Track 6 (Mix 1) [Atjazz Record Company]
Black Science Orchestra – Sunshine [Afro Art]
14 August 2017
Coldcut – Walk A Mile In My Shoes (Henrik Schwarz Remix) [Ninja Tune]
Liquid Phonk – In The End There Is A Smile (Truccy Remix) [Compost Black]
Christian Piers – Pseudo Space [Of Unsound Mind]
Smagghe & Cross – MMMMMMM [Belters]
Mahbie – Yes I Do [Jazzy Sport Records]
Simon’s Guest Mix For AMNA Records
Homeless feat. Ahu – Small Town Girl
G Louie – Enclave [Jelly Bean Farm]
Boxwork – Honest Loose (Cloaka Remix) [Shades Recordings]
Soulphiction – Acid Test [Lumberjacks In Hell]
Atjazz – Track 1 (Mix 1) [Atjazz Record Company]
Moon – MFB Nights (You Needed Someone) [Frank Music]
Linda Evans – I Am Gold [Good News]
Michele Hendricks – Lover Man [Muse Records]
Friction Band – Watchin’ You [Athens Of The North]
Tuxedo – Shine [Stones Throw]
Thundercat feat. Michael McDonald & Kenny Loggins – Show You The Way [Brainfeeder]
Tagi & Steven Beatberg feat. Pumpkin & Sly Johnson – Leiho [Heavenly Sweetness]
Slim feat. Merryn Jeann – Time Will Let Us Go [Banoffee Pies Records]
Victor Assis Brasil – Dini [Far Out Recordings]
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
Nautilus – Bill’s Chill [Agogo Records]
Candeias – Casas De Invierno [Dare-Dare/Sonar Kollektiv]
Web Web – Unreal Prediction [Compost Records]
Alemayehu Eshete – Temar Ledje [Philophon]
Sorry Bamba – Yayoroba [Africa Seven]
7 August 2017
Jordan Rakei – Sorceress (Acoustic) [Ninja Tune]
Sweet Maya – Illusions [Luv N’ Haight]
Trevor Lawrence Jr – B Side [Ropeadope]
Koko Ateba – Si T’Es Mal Dans Ta Peau [Heavenly Sweetness]
Chris Read & Pugs Atomz – She Said [BBE Records]
Richard Spaven feat. Jordan Rakei – The Self [Stamp The Wax]
Guest Mix By Steve Williams (UK Vibe)
The Impressions – We Go Back A Ways (1973)
Frederick Knight – I Let My Chance Go By (1973)
Tomorrow’s People – It Ain’t Fair (1976)
The Modulations – I Can’t Fight Your Love (1975)
Leon Haywood – It’s Got To Be Mellow (1976)
Avery Sunshine – Twenty Sixty Four (2017)
Numonics – You Lied (1982)
Willie ‘Beaver’ Hale – Groove-On (1980)
Archie Bell & The Drells – It’s Hard Not To Like You (1977)
The Dynamic Superiors – Hit and Run Lovers (1975)
Pacific Express – You’re Everything (1976)
Lou Ragland – Understand Each Other (1978)
Bill Murphy Plus One – Ain’t No Big Thing (1969)
The Montclairs – Unwanted Love (1972)
Vicki Anderson / Bobby Byrd – You’re Welcome, Stop On By (1975)
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
Midnight Runners – Rare Essence [Neon Finger]
The James L’Estraunge Orchestra – Closer [BBE Records]
K15 & Kuniyuki – Moving Minds (K15 Remix) [Sound Of Speed Records]
Gacha Bakradze – Head Piano [Apollo Records]
Wen – Blips [Big Dada]
Goldie – Triangle [Metalheadz]
Harmonic 33 – Funky Duck [Warp Records]