Algebra Blessett: Recovery [BBE]
Five years after her debut, Algebra Blessett returns with "Recovery". This fourteen track release showcases Algebra’s broad range with a mix of soulful bass heavy tracks, acoustic tunes and some tasty ballads to balance everything out. "Right Next To You" and "Nobody But You" are filled with thick beats and certain to keep your head on a steady nod. "Writers Block" is a tender tune that finds Algebra wrestling with penning a love song while managing her own emotions. "Better For Me" is a bittersweet ballad where she laments about the unfulfilled dreams of a lost relationship. Indeed Algebra’s superb songwriting skills combined with tight production leads to an entertaining record that serves notice that quality RnB is alive and well.
Various Artists: Lets Boogaloo Vol 6 [Record Kicks]
"Let’s Boogaloo", presented by Dean Rudland is a celebration of the storied legacy 60’s Latin Music. With most of the music produced by Bobby Marin, Vol. 6 features rare and unreleased material that originated out of East Harlem, the birthplace of the burgeoning Nuyorican sound. There’s plenty to savor here starting with the opener, The Machito Orchestra’s stirring rendition of Sam & Dave’s "Hold On I’m Coming". The Ocho Band, led by Chico Mendoza is a simmering Latin Jazz tune that was produced Marin. "There’s No Other Girl" is a slow burning number by The Latin Chords. Heavily influenced by the music of James Brown and Jackie Wilson, Marin’s fusion of soulful RnB and Latin rhythms still resonate today. This disc is a wonderful reminder of where it all started.
Various Artists: Americana Rock Your Soul Vol 2 [BBE]
Zaf Chowdhry and Mark Taylor, soul music connoisseurs return with their second installment of the "Americana – Rock Your Soul" series. Volume two continues with another collection of rare unreleased material from the 70’s and 80’s. Just like Vol.1 there are a few hidden gems, however this collection is a bit more upbeat and engaging than Vol.1. That’s quite evident by the opening track "There’s A New Group In Town", by A Breakaway. "Vaya Mulata" by Luc Cusineau is laid back funk with a stirring touch of the Wah Wah guitar. "Give It To You" is sweet atmospheric Disco by RCR. Jaye P. Morgan delivers a smooth ballad with an eighties vibe complete with soothing vocals and synths on "Here Is Where Love Belongs". Overall this is a much more enjoyable set than Vol.1. While they’re aren’t any knockout tracks, there’s enough to keep you entertained for the journey through the archives of the Black American songbook.
24 February 2014
Michael Garrick Sextet – Song By The Sea [Gearbox]
Nissae – Al Fatiha
Joe Kickass – Switch [Project Mooncircle]
Black Star – Twice Inna Lifetime [Rawkus]
Kalbata & Mixmonster – Prisoner In Love (CRB Version feat. Kutiman [Freestyle]
Downliners Sekt – Silent Ascent [InFiné Music]
Werkha – Tempo Tempo [Tru Thoughts]
Hokis Pokis – Keep On Rollin’ [Luv N Haight]
Bill Withers – Railroad Man (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) [Harmless]
Positive Flow – My Prediction feat. Omar (Opolopo Remix) [Tokyo Dawn]
Guest Mix By Kaan Duzarat (FOC Edits, Vesvese)
Ozdemir Erdogan – Vitrin (Dogu Civicik Edit)
Bulent Ortacgil – Sen Varsin (FOC Edits Resist Cut)
Ersen ve Dadaslar – Ne Sevdigin Belli Ne Sevmedigin
Kaan Duzarat feat. Sema Moritz – Gule Sorma
Selda Bagcan – Yaz Gazeteci (Kozmonot Rework)
Tulay German – Mecnunum Leylami Gordum (FOC Edits Rework)
Hediye Guven – Siyah Sandiklarim (Kaan Duzarat Remix)
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Corcovado (FOC Edits Rework)
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
Mike Clark – You Know How I Feel [Third Ear]
Haku – Nova [Use Of Weapons]
Offshore & Coen – Together [Phat Elephant]
Gabriele Poso – Invocation 001 (Yoruba Soul Remix) [Agogo]
17 February 2014
Yellowtail – Blunted Strut [Campus Music]
Boeboe – Drift [HW&W]
Dr. Syntax & Pete Cannon – No Time Like The Present [Tactical Thinking Entertainment]
Strange U – Strange Universe [Eglo]
Ben E. Chali Kweli – Lock Sh*t Down (Mr Doris & D*Funk’s Supernatural Rework)
Dubkasm – Victory (Nirobi Re-Edit)
Augustus Pablo – Mr. Big [Trojan]
David Last – Height Spaces [Mesa]
Breakaway – Who Was It This Time [BBE]
Anthony Joseph – Michael X [Heavenly Sweetness]
Orlando Julius – Children Of The World [Hot Casa]
Shez Raja feat. Soweto Kinch & Monika Lidke – Karmic Flow (Live) [33 Jazz]
Tongues Of Fire – Egypt (Jung Collective Rehash) [Buried Treasure]
Alsarah & The Nubatones – Soukora (Boddhi Satva Ancestral Soul Remix) [Wonderwheel]
Jose Burgos feat. Kenny Bobien – For Your Love [Soul Heaven]
Dokta Venom – Space Dust [Five Fold]
Kaan Duzarat – Piece for Bass [Reckless Republic]
Tomson & Fyza – Elevate [Tone Control]
The Poets – Emotion [Favorite]
The Incredible Bongo Band – Sing Sing Sing [Mr Bongo]
Maulawi – Maiden Voyage [180 Proof/Strata East]
Jimmy Owens – Secret Love [Horizon]
10 February 2014
Otis Trio – Montag’s Dream [Far Out]
Otis Trio – DNN [Far Out]
Quantic – Duvidó [Tru Thoughts]
The Eminent Stars feat. Lana Gordon – Write Me [Tramp]
Satanique Samba Trio- Mangrou [Far Out]
Dizz1 feat. Om’Mas Keith – We Go Ridin’ [Tru Thoughts]
Cotton Claw – Suzanna [Cascade]
Slugabed – Do U C Me Tho [Ninja Tune]
Pursuit Grooves – Chain Reactions [What Rules]
Reva DeVito – Kisses [HW&W]
Allie – Maharaja [HW&W]
Coultrain – Asherah Le Chameleon [Giant Step]
Portishead – Glory Box [Go Beat]
Lord Echo – Arabesque [Bastard Jazz]
Alex Kolodzie – Id is Ill Jean [Czak]
Titeknots – Triangle Tracks [Tru Thoughts]
Part-Time Heroes – Leaving (Noisses Remix) [Wah Wah 45s]
Bruk Boogie Kru – Freakin [Broadcite]
Wipe The Needle feat. Gregory Purnell – Soothe [Broadcite]
Temma-Teje – Potive (Tevo Howard Remix) [Release Sustain]
Fattish – Nutshell
Addison Groove – Space Apples [50 Weapons]
Bass Clef – Cannot Be Straightened [Blank Tapes]
Peshay – On The Nile [Metalheadz]
Special Forces – The End [Photek]
3 February 2014
Modlee & Vlooper – Dancin’ [Soulection]
Erykah Badu – On & On [Universal]
Andrew Ashong – Special [Which Way]
Kings – Trap Musik 1 [Soulection]
Common – Come Close (Break Reform Remix)
Jazz Liberatorz feat. Tre Hardson, Fat Lip and Omni – Easy My Mind [Kif]
Linn Mori – Silent Kiss [Cascade]
Brahj feat. Monica Janke – Wading On [Meze]
Rain Dog – Like A Lame Man Stepping [Project Mooncircle]
Fatima – La Neta [Eglo]
Teotima Ensemble – Orange Lamps [First Word]
Mighty Mighty – Dark Sun [Schema]
Ray Harris – Letting Go [Fusion Music]
Twilight – You’re In Love (Kon Remix) [Ubiquity]
Chris Read feat. Myles Sanko – The Magic Is Gone (Renegades Of Jazz Remix) [Breakin Bread]
Lack Of Afro – Recipe For Love [Freestyle]
The Gap Band – Keep Holding On (Ashley Beedle Re-edit) [Harmless]
Vaxfunk – On My Own [Solid Fool]
Christian S – Pitch Rider [Kompakt]
DJ3000 – Morning Bird [Motech]
The Maghreban – Horse [Zoot]
Echaskech – Sub Ray [Just Music]
Christian Prommer feat. Jinadu – Future Lights with Bugsy [Compost]
Abimaro And The Free – Mark (Lo Tide Followers Remix) [NuNorthern Soul]
Beat Spacek – Alone In The Dark [Ninja Tune]
Various Artists: Freedom Jazz France [Heavenly Sweetness]
The Parisian label Heavenly Sweetness once again have dug deep into their vaults to showcase some of the most obscure yet very stimulating Jazz compositions. "Freedom Jazz France", a collection of spiritual Jazz recordings spanning from the mid to late sixties from artists who had taken up residence in Paris for one reason or another. No matter the reason, there are timeless treasures like "Note So High", a hard bop tune that features vocals from vocalist Stella Levitt. "Colchiques" is sublime modal jazz from organist Eddie Louiss. "La Musique d’ orphee" is celestial jazz with melodic background vocals. These recordings certainly were influenced by the burgeoning free jazz movement of the late sixties yet each artist has their own unique story to share and their impressive compositions are a testament to that. Overall this is a fascinating listen and another superb release from Heavenly Sweetness.
Lord Echo: Curiosities [Bastard Jazz]
Producer and mufti-instrumentalist Mike Fabs, aka Lord Echo first made his impact from his work with the reggae dub group The Black Seeds. He followed up that successful release with his sparkling debut "Melodies" in 2010 which featured some hypnotic dub beats, wicked grooves and tasty vocals as well. With his sophomore release "Curiosities" he incorporates vintage 60’s rhythms with authentic reggae grooves certain to keep your finger on the repeat button. One of those highlights include "Bohemian Idol" which features Toby Laing of Fat Freddy’s Drop on vocals. "Digital Haircut" features a wicked groove reminiscent of James Brown’s "Sex Machine". "Put It In My Head" blends reggae grooves with a disco beat. In addition, Mara TK’s velvet falsetto takes it to another level. Overall "Curiosities" demonstrates Fabs growth as a producer and a keen ear for classic grooves. Like his debut, this release is a winner and deserves a place in your playlist.
Otis Trio: 74 Club [Far Out Recordings]
Far out can always be relied upon to bring us the finest in Brazilian music and this debut album from Otis Trio is no exception. Whilst the core group are indeed a trio on 74 Club they have greatly expanded the band to produce a very full jazz sound. There’s plenty of vibes on offer here which is always sure to draw me in and although there is a tendency to head off into free-jazz territory in places there are some beautiful moments. Try the brooding No Oceano and Montag’s Dream, a heady spiritual piece.
Breakaway: Breakaway/Straight To The Top! [BBE Records]
Reissued as two separate LPs or as two albums on one CD, these rare recordings were originally only released as private pressings in late 70s. The music on display ranges from raw disco funk through to heart wrenching pop ballads, mainly fronted by a female vocalist who sounds remarkably like Minnie Ripperton. Whilst much of the material is not my bag I must draw your attention to the dance floor winner There’s A New Group In Town and the sweet sweet groove of Who Was It This Time.
Anthony Joseph: Time [Heavenly Sweetness]
Time is the 4th studio album for soul poet Anthony Joseph. Produced by Meshell Ndegeocello and backed by a new band, this new project sees Anthony making a shift from the Afro-funk sound he was creating with his Spasm Band. The sound is still soulful and jazzy but takes more of a back seat in supporting the poetry and is particularly effective on the low slung space funk of Hustle To Live which has a killer popping bass line, the ambient Shine and Joy, a tasty slab of Jazz-Funk.
27 January 2014
Jazzanova – Now There Is We [Sonar Kollektiv]
Eric Ericksson – Little Gold [Swedish Brandy]
Blaq Soul – Vision [Deeper Shades]
Thee Afterdark – No No I Can’t (Kyoto Jazz Massive Reconstruction) [Bodega House]
El Prevost – Allez Ally (El Prevost Deptford Dub) [Third Ear]
Dreamsploitation – Spengler (KRTS Remix)
Henry Wu – Dutty Dub [XVI]
Genf Pakula – Lowdown [Compost Disco]
Paxton Fettel – We Can Change If We Want To [Greta Cottage Workshop]
Yusef Lateef – Brother John [Impulse]
Yusef Lateef – Oasis [Impulse]
Dexter Gordon – Coppin’ The Haven [Blue Note/Heavenly Sweetness]
Riot Jazz Brass Band – I’ve Got A Sousamaphone [First Word]
Walrus Ghost – We Build It Up To Tear It All Down [Project Mooncircle]
Breakaway – Love My Eyes [BBE]
The Wah Wah Collective – Gordo [I-innovate]
Anu~Sun feat. Augi – Where Did We Go Wrong [BBE]
Lady Daisey – Fruit [BBE]
Slakah The Beatchild – Where’s Yesterday [BBE]
Mattic feat. Marina Quaisse – Stop Look And Listen Pt. 1 [Phonosaurus]
Pete Cannon and Dr. Syntax feat. Del The Funky Homosapien & Jehst – Do What We Wanna Do [Tactical Thinking Entertainment]
KRTS – Don’t Need Your Love [Project Mooncircle]
Rufus – I’m A Woman [ABC]
20 January 2014
The Michael Garrick Sextet with Norma Winston – Song By The Sea [Vocalion]
Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone & London Vocal Project – Humpty Dumpty [Edition/Gearbox]
Jef Gilson – Anamorphose (Live) [Jazzman]
Algebra Blessett – Right Next To You [BBE]
Sophie Barker – Break The Habit
Ruth Koleva – Freak And Fly
Anthony Joseph – Shine [Heavenly Sweetness]
Nick Pride & The Pimptones – 99 Reasons [Légère]
Harleighblu – Let Me Be [Tru Thoughts]
Julien Dyne – Fog [BBE]
Soundsci – Coastin’ [Ubiquity]
Ronny Jordan feat. Mos Def – A Brighter Day (Remix) [Rawkus]
Guru – No Time To Play [Chrysalis]
TY – Knock Knock (DJ Spinna Beyond Real Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Yellowtail – Louisiana Tease [Campus Music]
Dego & Kaidi – Ankle Injury [Eglo]
FaltyDL – Danger [Ninja Tune]
Robinn feat. Nathaniel Pearn – Hall Of Mirrors [Compost]
Blamma! Blamma! feat. Kristina Train – Zsa Zsa [Eskimo]
Bill Withers – Railroad Man (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) [Harmless]
Twilight – You’re In Love (Kon Remix) [Ubiquity]
Peter Oakden – What Can I Be [Fifty Fathoms Deep]
Filipe Narciso feat. Wayne Tennant – Pandemonium (Rancido’s Travelling Soul Mix) [Narciso]
Boddhi Satva feat. Game Walla – Apaga O Fogo [Offering]
Silver Man – Analog X (Diesler Remix) [3 Bar Fire]
Ad Bourke – Astral [Five Fold]
13 January 2014
Dreamsploitation – Spengler (KRTS Remix)
Rain Dog feat. Sam Rogers – Watch Over [Project Mooncircle]
Pugs Atomz feat. Simeon Viltz & Mulatto Patriot – Once Again [Tokyo Dawn]
Mattic – Let Us In [Phonosaurus]
Paper Tiger feat. Sabira Jade – Irresistible [Wah Wah 45s]
Linn Mori – Ballroom [Cascade]
Blossom – Eternaldream [Project Mooncircle]
Satanique Samba Trio – Piece For Throat Clearing and Some Latino Drum [Far Out]
Mighty Mighty – See The Light [Schema]
The Mighty Sceptres – Siren Call [Ubiquity]
Lack of Afro – Recipe for Love [Freestyle]
Anamaria E Mauricio – Fatal, Fatal [Chantecler]
Christian Prommer feat. Kim Sanders – Where You Gonna Go [Compost]
Mark Graham Rehab – Stay Classy
Emanative & Ahmed Abdullah – Love In Outer Space
Infest – Up Past [Sector]
Dego and Kaidi – Carrot & Sesame [Eglo]
Slowly Rolling Camera – Protagonist (NuEra Remix) [Edition]
Magic Number – Coming Back To Me (Atjazz Remix) [Numb]
Newbie Nerdz – I Am So [Gruuv]
Stephen Encinas – Disco Illusion [Invisible City Editions]
Patchworks – No You Didn’t [EDR]
Révolution Française – Translocomotion (Psychemagik Remix) [Favorite]
Horace Parlan – Back From The Gig [Blue Note/Heavenly Sweetness]
Hank Mobley – No Room For Squares [Blue Note/Heavenly Sweetness]