Cookin On 3 Burners: Lab Experiments Vol. 1 – Mixin [Soul Messin]
Hailing from Australia, Guitarist Dan West, Drummer Ivan “Choi” Khatchoyan and Organist Jake Mason make up the organ grinding trio known as Cookin On 3 Burners. “Lab Experiments Vol.1” is filled with 60s-influenced funk and soul compositions certain to get your groove on. Among the highlights are “Real Life Baby”, a laid back tune with bluesy guitar rhythms from Dan West and soaring vocals from Emmi. “Wind Up” is a funky instrumental filled with wicked organ rhythms and funky guitar riffs. Veteran soul singer and native New Zealander Kylie Audist adds her strong pipes to the sun drenched mid-tempo “More Than a Mouthful”. An engaging album that would easily fit into the crowded classic soul arena and hold it’s own. These cats indeed know how to burn.
Moonchild: Voyager [Tru Thoughts]
“Voyager”, the third full length release from Moonchild displays tremendous growth from the West coast trio. Once again there’s plenty of lush compositions filled with RnB, soul and folk influences. However “Voyager” is heighthen by a string section and a harpist giving this release a fuller sound. Collectively they’ve penned compositions centering around the varying dynamics of love. Amog the standouts are “Cure”, led by Amber Navran’s soothing vocals and gorgeous keyboard melodies. “Now and Then” features funky beats from producer Max Bryk not often heard from their compositions. “Let You Go” is aided by gentle guitar rhythms. It’s easy to see why this trio has garnered a long line of admirers. This disc is filled with one gorgeous composition after another. Three years in the making, “Voyager” is well worth the wait.
The Abstract Orchestra: Dilla [ATA]
The Abstract Orchestra is a big band comprised of jazz musicians from around the UK placing an emphasis on hip-hop with “Dilla”. Their latest release is filled with alternate takes from the catalogue of the acclaimed producer, the late J Dilla. Led by saxophonist Rob Mitchell who mirrors the mixture of rhythms and textures frequently constructed in hip-hop productions. “Fall In Love” brings all the elements together perfectly. Backed by an irresistible drum snare beat and topped off by lush strings and soothing horns. “A.N.G.E.L.” is another banger that highlights the synergy between the strings and horns along with lush backing vocals. “Dilla Mix 1 & 2 is a medley of Dilla treats like “Last Donut” and “Welcome to The Show”. Mitchell and company successfully capture the spirit of hip-hop and Dilla specifically with a superb LP that will remind you of his brillance.
31 July 2017
Gacha Bakradze – Sun Watch [Apollo Records]
Ghost Of Christmas – Hard To Get
Boyan x Ruth Koleva – Fade Away [BBE Records]
Future Unit – Lazy Bones (Ashley Beedle’s North Street Remix) [Ramrock Red Records]
Jordan Rakei – Add the Bassline [Into Somethin’]
Enlightment – Going Home [Nature Sounds]
Split Decision Band – Crystal Powder [Now-Again Records]
Azymuth – Caça a Raposa [Far Out Recordings]
Two Tail & Quiett – Wallpaper [Hush Hush Records]
Auntie Flo feat. Anbuley – Waiting For A Woman (The Revenge Rework – Dixon Beat Edit) [Highlife]
Atjazz – Track 6 (Mix 1) [Atjazz Record Company]
Lone – Minds Eye Melody [R&S Records]
Stan Serkin – Save Me (Ashley Beedle’s North Street Remix) [F*CLR Music]
Cyclonix – You’d Better Not (Nu Era Remix) [Phuture Shock Musik]
Zara McFarlane – All Africa (Alternate Version) [Brownswood Recordings]
Robson Jorge and Lincoln Olivetti – Eva [Mr Bongo]
Antonio Adolfo – Nordeste [Far Out Recordings]
Sabu Martinez – Afro Temple [Grammofonverket]
Ben Hadwen – Oshiri Ga Puripuri [Home Planet]
The Heath Brothers – Smilin’ Billy Suite [Everland Jazz]
Pege Quintet – Baby Car [Cosmic Sounds]
24 July 2017
Keope – Notturno [Keope Music]
Slackk – And The Sun [R&S Records]
Wen – Blips [Big Dada]
Rio Mira – Roman Roman [Aya Records]
Sorry Bamba – Porry [Africa Seven]
Grupo X – Sunshine And You (Johnny Machin Mix) [Loft Recordings]
Eddie Russ – Tomorrow Is Another Day [Monument]
Herbie Hancock – Chameleon [Columbia]
Eddie Henderson – Kudu [Blue Note]
Bop & 291out – L’alba Dei Vinti [Early Sounds Recordings]
Bézier – Primes [Dark Entries]
XOA – Mon Ecole (Glenn Astro Remix) [Soundway Records]
Strandtuch – Wired [F*CLR]
Jay Anderson – Didn’t Care Too Much [Banoffee Pies Records]
Karl Hector & Nicolas Tounga – Ngunga Yeti Fofa (The Joaquin Joe Claussell’s Electric Afrika Version) [Toy Tonics]
Zepherin Saint & Nathan Adams – Love Of My Life (Atjazz Astro Dub) [Tribe Records]
Shadowchild – UM (MJ Cole Remix) [Food Music]
The Invisible feat. Anna Calvi – Love Me Again (Chaos In The CBD Remix) [Ninja Tune]
17 July 2017
Georges-Edouard Nouel – Mazurka [Rebirth On Wax]
Billy Parker’s Fourth World – Home [Strata East]
Byron Morris & Unity – Reunion [Universal Sound]
Antonio Adolfo – Paraiba Do Sul [Far Out Recordings]
Soopasoul – Pushin Weight [Jalapeno Records]
The James L Estraunge – Closer [BBE Records]
Moonchild – Show The Way [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Typesun – How We Think About Us (Live Session)
Contonete – Earth Overshoot Day [Heavenly Sweetness]
Robson Jorge and Lincoln Olivetti – Squash [Mr Bongo]
Gal Costa – Da Maior Importância [Mr Bongo]
Trio Da Kali & Kronos Quartet – Eh Ya Ye [World Circuit]
Baba Sissoko – Black Rock [Blind Truth Records]
Sibusile Xaba – Angisenalutho [Mushroom Hour Half Hour]
Wildflower – Flute Song [Brownwood Recordings]
DMX Krew – Snowy Blue [Hypercolour]
Cop Envy – Head Mark [Templar Sound]
Nu Era – Octahedron [Omniverse]
Osage feat. Dezeray Dawn – I Found You [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
Ada Kaleh – Palatul de Cleştar [R&S Records]
Teddy Douglas – Land of Love (Ron Trent Overdub Remix) [Tribe Records]
Bamboo – Hustlers Of Life (Haners Edit) [Kat Records]
Marcel – On The Beach [Nuphonic]
10 July 2017
Nomade Orquestra – Madame Butterfly [Far Out Recordings]
Cookin’ On 3 Burners – Enter Sandman [Soul Messin’ Records]
Willis Jackson – Nuther’n Like Thuther’n [INCredible]
Woodland Conclave Project – Celebration Of Life (Song For Si)
Pacific Express – Black Fire [Matsuli Music]
Jordan Rakei – Sorceress (Photay Remix) [Ninja Tune]
K15 & Kuniyuki – Moving Minds (K15 Remix) [Sound Of Speed Records]
Kurt Baggaley – Interfaced [Lucky Sun Recordings]
Doc Daneeka – Save Me [Ten Thousand Yen]
Veronique Page – Metropolis [Motech Records]
Stratowerx & Matt Walsh – Almost [Clouded Vision Recordings]
Subjective – Inkolelo [Beating Heart]
Richard Spaven feat. Jordan Rakei – Stills [Fine Line Records]
RODN3Y – Growing [Banoffee Pies Records]
L One – Kaffee [Beat Department]
Slum Village – Ooo Wee [Ne Astra Music Group]
Boogie Down Productions – Jack Of Spades [Jive/Get On Down]
Public Enemy – Raise The Roof [Def Jam Recordings]
Public Enemy – Don’t Believe The Hype [Def Jam Recordings]
Pfunk – Farewell Four [Apollo Records]
The Broken Orchestra – Shallow Humour [A Bridge Too Far Recordings]
Profusion – Time’s Up [First Word Records]
Artefacts – Man Digga (Instrumental) [White]
3 July 2017
Moonchild – Every Part (For Linda) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Camilla Luna – Get Out [Cymasonic]
Eamon – Before I Die [Huey Ave Music]
Cookin On 3 Burners feat. Kylie Auldist – More Than A Mouthful [Soul Messin’ Records]
Candeias – Sambaiana [Dare-Dare/Sonar Kollektiv]
Samboa – Ze Bede [Playa Sound]
Potter and Tillman – …Space…Rapture [High Jazz Records]
The James L’Estraunge Orchestra – Groovin’ You [BBE Records]
Zara McFarlane – All Africa (Alternate Version) [Brownswood Recordings]
Nu Era – Heartstrings [Omniverse]
Reso – Tiberium [RX0]
Goldie – The River Mirrored [Metalheadz]
Space Craft’s Men – Crossing [Fly By Night Music]
Tom Glide & Chidi – Old Skool Dayz (Ashley Beedle’s North Street Remix) [Ramrock Blue]
Romare – Come Close To Me (Live Session 1) [Ninja Tune]
Wayne Snow – Nothing Wrong (Byron The Aquarius Live Mix) [Tartelet Records]
LK – Angel [Shall Not Fade]
Joe S – David’s Vocal [Forgot Records]
Cyclonix – Two Face [Phuture Shock Musik]
Boddhi Satva feat. Maalem Hammam – Zid Lmel (FNX Remix) [Offering Recordings]
Mae-i – Sweet Melody [Mo’ Hop Records]
Leiik – Realise (Junk Son Remix) [Squareglass]
DJ Bwin – Herodot [Hundert]
Wayne Snow: Freedom TV [Tartelet Records]
Nigerian born and now based in Berlin, Wayne Snow serves up an array of future tripped out soul sounds with “Freedom TV”. Fellow Berliner Max Graef lends his much sought after production skills to six tracks here as well. Two of those standouts are “Drunk” where Snow’s smooth falsetto rides over a spacey uptempo synth groove. The other is “Rosie”, a slow grinding funk gem that would easily fit into a D’Angelo tracklist. “Nothing Wrong”, produced by Nu Guinea is an uptempo dance floor gem that starts off with simmering percussion followed by an infectious bass groove. After two impressive EPs, Snow has delivered one of the more engaging albums to emerge this year.
BB Boogie: Standing On The Wall [R2]
One of the pioneers of the West London broken beat scene, Daz-I-Kue shifts gears, relocates to Atlanta and gets into the spirit of the boogie with “Standing On The Wall”. Daz invites a superb collection of vocal talent to capture the essence of seventies boogie grooves. Among the highlights are “We Can Do it” a high energy floor burner featuring Vanessa Freeman. “In The Middle”, a cover of the seventies funk group Unlimited Touch is an engaging boogie tune featuring Joy Jones. “Tonight We’re Gonna” is soaring Disco funk that features legendary Soul and Dance vocalist Leroy Burgess. A splendid collection of soulful dance tunes filled with infectious rhythms certain to get your party on.