17 December 2012
Azanyah – Let God Come First [Jazzman]
Bev Lee Harling – Every Little Thing Is Magic [Wah Wah 45s]
Jerker Kluge’s Deep Jazz – Little Sunflower [Perfect Toy]
Dusko Goykovic – Bosna Calling [Jazzman]
Jan Allan Quintet – Odins Oga [Jazzman]
Kenny Cox – Lost My Love [180 Proof]
Henri-Pierre Noel – Simbi [Wah Wah 45s]
Bossa Jazz 3 – Outra Vez [Far Out]
He3 Project – This Is The Struggle [Family Groove]
Ray Stephen Oche & His Matumbo – Trumpet Calls The People Of Nigeri [Favorite]
Fat Gaines Band feat. Zorina – For Your Love (Neil Diablo Edit) [Kat]
Circle City Band – Magic [Luv N Haight]
The Joubert Singers – Stand On The Word (Edit 2) [Favorite]
Donald Byrd – Wind Parade (Onur Engin Edit)
Tommy Stewart – Bump N’ Hustle Music (Zernell + Rahaan Edit) [Ubiquity]
Ashley Thomas – Kathleen
Quantic & Alice Russell With The Combo Bárbaro – Magdalena (Anchorsong Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
[re:jazz] feat. N’dea Davenport – Don’t Push Your Luck (Andreas Saag Boogie Mix) [Infracom]
Sy Smith – Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) [Psyko]
Dandy Teru feat. TY & Sarah Gessler – Fragile Things [Ubiquity]
Bondax – Gold [Justus / Relentless]
Slugabed – Rockin U feat. Leon Ware
Micatone – Break My Heart [Sonar Kollektiv]
10 December 2012
He3 Project – Dark Angels [Family Groove]
The Sure Co. – The Sure Chimes [Jazz Re:Freshed]
Electric Jalaba – Sudaniman
Deborah Jordan – Nothing Lasts (Simon S Rework)
Amin Payne feat. K-Saba – Extraordinary [Cascade]
Broke & Repeat Pattern – Take Notes [Cascade]
Broke & Repeat Pattern – King Of The Concrete [Cascade]
Dandy Teru feat. Ty, Sarah Gessler – Fragile Things [Ubiquity]
Scrimshire – Sonolo [Wah Wah 45s]
Mark de Clive-Lowe & The Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra – Take The A Trane [Tru Thoughts]
My Dry Wet Mess – Austere Coincidences [Brainfeeder]
Roots Manuva feat. Kope – Party Time [Big Dada]
Truenoys – Stand Up [Love Monk]
Maseratay – Never Let You Go [On-Point]
Bev Lee Harling – Robots and Angels (Claws For? Remix) [Wah Wah 45s]
Motor City Drum Ensemble – Space Cadets [K7]
Phoreski – Brown Biscuits [Redux]
Jamie L – What We Saw (Havana Candy Remix) [Paper]
Betoko & Climbers – Timeline [My Favourite Robot]
Wayne Ford – Dance To The Beat Freakout (Instrumental) [P&P]
Soulnaturals feat. Lotus D – Rise Brother Rise [British Soul Standard]
Batida – Alegria [Soundway]
Alton Miller – Inside Out [Smooth Agent]
3 December 2012
KRTS feat. Stevee Wellons – Your Eyes [Project Moon Circle]
Truenoys – Stand Up [Love Monk]
Full Crate & Jesse Boykins III – See With Me [Kilawatt Music]
Fayth Hope – Faith
Long Arm – After 4AM [Project Moon Circle]
40 Winks – Nocturnal [Project Moon Circle]
Andre Solomko & Vinyl Jam – Grooving With Grover In Paradise [Favorite]
Henri-Pierre Noel – Azaka [Wah Wah 45s]
Byron Morris & Unity – Reunion [Universal Sound]
Menagerie – Jamahlia [Tru Thoughts]
Izzi Dunn – It Wasn’t Love [Idunnit Music]
Truenoys feat. Declaime, P.U.D.G.E & DJ Grazzhoppa – We Been Waitin’ [Love Monk]
Two Fingers – Vengeance Rhythm (Koan Sound Remix) [Big Dada]
Drone – Answered Prayers [Base Command]
Atjazz feat. Amalia – One (Sasha Khan Remix) [ARCo]
Fila Brazilia – Airlock Homes [Tritone]
Basic Soul Unit – Across The Room [Still Music]
Kashif – Don’t Stop My Love (Olivier Boogie Edit) [Lumberjacks In Hell]
The Phantom – La Defence [Silverback]
Ballistic Brothers – Tuning Up [SoundBoy]
Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra – Towards Other Worlds [First Word]
Da Lata – Going Underground [Agogo]
Smoove: First Class [Jalapeno Recordss]
DJ/Producer Smoove has long established his allegiance to the funk and his love for Hip-Hop through his DJ sets as well as his recordings with partner Turrell. On his latest solo project “First Class”, he treats us to his exclusive remixes from an array of artists who know how to lay down a groove. “Traveling Man” is a prime example of the funk that is brewing here as Jazz & Blues singer Brenda Boykin croons over a sizzling organ grinder meets thumping bass groove. Smoove turns up the heat with some well-placed edits on “Baby Your Lovin” by Electmric Empire. “Da Wiesel” by Boogaloo Stomp evokes memories of Kool & The Gang’s “Love & Understanding” and hearing this again will get you moving on the good foot. Other highlights include “It’s My Funk” by Charlie Funk feat Afrika Bambaataa & King Kamonzi and “Son Montuno” by the Una Mas Trio. “Frist Class” is exactly that; a first rate funk and soul burner that delivers from beginning to end.
Olympic Cyclone Band: Seasons Greetings [Jalapeno Recordss]
Some of my favorite holiday songs are the ones that don’t necessarily sound like holiday songs. In the case of “Seasons Greetings” by the Olympic Cyclone Band they clearly know how to lay down a groove and make Christmas tunes sound hip. From the traditional “Little Drummer Boy” laced with a sizzling bass line to the bluesy organ grinding “Away In A Manger”. In addition to the instrumental holiday delights there are some vocal treats as well. Stephanie Davies soothing vocals add a bit of spice to “When A Child Is Born” and Fiona Egan on “All Is Bright” will leave you feeling that “Silent Night” never sounded as good as this. If you’re a traditional sort then you’ll feel right at home with their renditions of “Jingle Bells” and the “!2 Days Of Christmas”. Either way “Seasons Greetings” would make for a great stocking stuffer and should make its way onto everyone’s holiday playlist.
Re:jazz: Kaleidoscope [InfraCom]
There’s a lot to like about the latest release from the Frankfurt band known as Re:jazz. While their previous recordings have featured more of an acoustic sound “Kaleidoscope” features that as well as elements of contemporary Jazz, Latin rhythms and groove based electro soul. Credit Jazzanova producer Axel Reinemer for providing the analog approach to these recordings and in the process creates a live organic listening experience. Take for instance the sunny vibes of “Wonders Of The World”, a mellow tune that introduces featured vocalist Mediha. Mediha replaces Inga as the lead vocalist here and makes her mark on three tracks, including a stirring cover of Robert Owen’s “Tears”. Pianist/DJ Matthias Vogt highlights the transformation of this classic from a deep house classic to an acoustic Jazz gem. “Windy City” is an adventurous jazz instrumental filled with multiple moods and textures. “Lambic 9 Poetry” is funky soul jazz fusion with a laid back groove. No matter what direction the seven member ensemble has taken here they’ve achieved their task of broadening their musical horizons. The result is an exceptional record that should satisfy devoted supporters while inviting new listeners as well.
Patrick Adams: The Best of P and P Records [P&P]
You can’t reminiscence about the essence of boogie and Disco music without invoking the contributions of Patrick Adams who along with Peter Brown formed P&P records during the mid-seventies. Indeed Cloud One, one of the first groups to emerge from the P&P imprint would release one of the most sought after underground hits in 1976 with “Atmosphere Strut”. The nine minute bouncy party jam with the wicked synths and the catchy chorus “Get Up and Fly, Fly Away” was that rare Disco hit that could host a party all by itself. This would be the first of many hits; “Disco Juice” was another Adams masterpiece that had a sweet melody and a funky groove. Aside from Cloud One, Adams penned another hit with Marta Acuna with the club friendly “Dance Dance Dance”. As many of the Disco hits of this period relied heavily on synthesizers to make a hit, Adams brought more than that to the table. He was a consummate writer, composer and musician who knew how to make quality recordings that turned into hits. That he’s remained relevant after thirty years is a testament to that. That being said, the P&P catalogue captures some of his most creative work that still sounds great today.
26 November 2012
Mooryc – Dive [Stem]
Benjamin Brunn – The Way She Giggled [Third Ear]
Dubble D presents Moodymanc – Clear Mountain (Cole Medina Lone Wolf Mix) [Fly By Night Music]
Elias Tzikas – Dreamer [Retrospective]
Black Mighty Wax – Pull Down (LTJ Xperience Remix) [Irma]
Circle City Band – Magic [Luv N Haight]
Evans Pyramid – No I Won’t [Culture Of Soul]
Rainer Trueby – Jack (Chocolate Garage Productions Remix) [Compost Black Label]
SMI feat. Shea – Just Fine (David Harness Yoself Remix) [Makin’ Moves]
Thatmanmonkz – Alaf [Tone Control Music]
Smoked Sugar – Bump Me [Wind Hit]
Double Yellow – No One Knows [Here & Now]
Prince – Rock And Roll Love Affair [Purple Music]
Wendell Harrison – The Wok [Ubiquity]
Submotion Orchestra – Sleepwalker [Exceptional]
Slugabed feat. Szjerdene – Wake Up [Ninja Tune]
Jamie Lidell – What A Shame [Warp]
Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra – Future Ancestors [First Word]
Robert Aaron feat. Anthony Joseph – The Saddest Kiss [Heavenly Sweetness]
Nostalgia 77 – Sleepwalker (Ambassadeurs Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
DJ 3000 & Ursula Rucker – My Sunday Afternoon (DL Jones Mix) [Motech]
Fayth Hope – Truly Deeply Madly
Jose James – Vanguard [Blue Note]
The High Fidelity – Life Time [P&P]
19 November 2012
Nostlgia 77 & The Monster – Angels And Demons At Play [Impossible Ark]
Matthew Halsall – John Coltrane
The Greg Foat Group – Girl And Robot With Flowers (Part 2) [Jazzman]
Alice Russell – Heartbreaker [Tru Thoughts]
Da Lata – Places We Go [Agogo]
The New Mastersounds feat. Jazz Mafia Horns – Redwood Jungle [One Note]
Sultans – Boppin’ With The Mambo [Jazzman]
Phil Gerus – If Music Be The Food Of Love [Sonar Kollektiv]
Handbook – Growth [Cascade]
Oh No – Elegant Smoke [Five Day Weekend]
Amin PaYne feat. K-SABA – Extraordinary [Cascade]
Positive Flow feat. Colonel Red – Hold On [Tokyo Dawn]
[re:jazz] feat. Mediha – Wonders Of The World [Infracom]
KRTS feat. Stevee Wellons – Your Eyes [Project Moon Circle]
Drone – Answered Prayers [Base Command]
Machete Savane – Elysian Fields [Redux]
Phrij – Zigzaggard [Keep Up]
Mr Raoul K – Sierra Leone (Deetron Remix) [Still Music]
North Beach – Preacher [Swedish Brandy]
Diephuis – Between Time & Space [Smooth Agent]
Hot Coins – Geek Emotions (Jacob Korn Extra Workout Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Mark Graham – Sweetness
MonkeyRobot – Northern Light [Bastard Jazz]
Cloud One – Happy Music [P&P]
12 November 2012
The Greg Foat Group – For a Breath I Tarry [Jazzman]
Kenny Cox – Clap Clap! (The Joyful Noise) [180 Proof]
Joe Henderson – Old Slippers [Milestone]
Willie Hutch – California My Way [Motown]
Alex Puddu – Lusty Nurses [Schema]
Maseratay – Never Let You Go [On-Point]
Chieftain – Scald The Fly [Steel Tiger]
Behling & Simpson – U Were All Mine [2020 Midnight Visions]
Rey & Kjavik – Lost [Compost Black Label]
Matt Tolfrey feat. Jem Cooke – Mission to Paradise [Leftroom]
Basic Soul Unit – Breathe [Still Music]
Lana Del Rey – Blue Velvet (Lindstrom Remix) [Polydor]
Christo – Urgencia [Superficially Deep]
Basic Soul Unit – This [Still Music]
Ashley Beedle – Inner Burning [Girls Music]
Stubborn Heart – Starting Block [One Little Indian]
Photek – Pyramid [Photek Productions]
Letherette – Wecko [Ninja Tune]
KRTS feat. Jon Hairston – Something New [Project Moon Circle]
KRTS – Regret to Retreat [Project Moon Circle]
Albert – Sustain [Studio Rockers]
Essa feat. Inspectah Deck & Skinny Man – Let’s Start Living [First Word]
Kidkanevil & Daisuke Tanabe – MoOoOoOn [Project Moon Circle]
5 November 2012
Terry Callier – African Violet [Elektra]
Terry Callier – Timepeace [Talkin’ Loud]
Terry Callier – Dancing Girl [Cadet]
Jacaranda Muse – Emergency Exit [Heavenly Sweetness]
Woodpecker Wooliams – Dove (Emanative Remix)
Matthew Halsall – The Sun In September [Gondwada]
Robert Mitchell 3io – A Map Of The Sky [Jazz Services]
Henri-Pierre Noel – Simbi [Wah Wah 45s]
Mo Kolours – Brave [One Handed Music]
Roses Gabor – Night Sky [Girls Music]
Boneshaker – The Rain
Resonators – Vipers [Wah Wah 45s]
The Federation Of Disco Pimp – More Than Dancing [Freestyle]
Hiatus Kaiyote – Malika (Mark de Clive-Lowe Remix)
Hint feat. T-Fly – Aliens Enter (Hint Club Mix) [Tru Thoughts]
Positive Flow feat. Omar – My Prediction [Tokyo Dawn]
Aybee – Rays [Deepblak]
Lonnie Givens – The Heat Is On [Past Due]
Jamie L – What We Saw (Havana Candy Remix) [Paper]
Benjamin Brunn – U Teach Us [Third Ear]
Audiojack – No Equal Sides [2020 Vision]
Boddhi Satva feat. Mangala Camara – Nankoumandjan (Ancestral Dékalé Remix) [BBE]
Mathias Stubo: Mathias Stubo [BBE]
Norwegian drummer/multi-instrumentalist embarks on a journey of heavenly rhythms and atmospheric soundscapes. Among the highlights are the explosive afro-beat inspired “Those High Frequency Feelings”. Martin Mata contributes to the celestial “Opp I Lufta”. “Back Into My Life” is another enjoyable instrumental slice of electro ambient grooves. With other subtle hints of Pop, funk and well placed sampling throughout the disc, Mathias Stubo delivers a refreshing album filled with creativity and imagination that proves to be a fascinating listen.
29 October 2012
Kenny Cox – Island Song [Strata East/180 Proof]
Allsopp, Vosloo, Stanley, Giles – Like Someone In Love [Impossible Ark]
[re:jazz] feat. Mediha – Wonders Of The World [Infracom]
Pyramid Blue – Arácnido [Love Monk]
The New Mastersounds – Way Out West [One Note]
Danny Cobb – My Isabella [Jazzman]
Bobby & Deborreh Williams – The Pusher’s Thang [Tramp]
Bukky Leo & Black Egypt – Rhythemic [Agogo]
Myrian Makenwa – Amampondo [Analog Africa]
Bugseed – Drops [Cascade]
Letherette – Surface [Ninja Tune]
Photek – Shape Charge [Photek Productions]
Touchy Subject – Cracken
Rude Audio – Fin On A Hill (Lamis Remix) [Zirkus]
Menagerie – The Chosen [Tru Thoughts]
Tatham, Mensah, Lord & Ranks – Mr Pickles [2000 Black]
Circle City Band – Magic [Luv N Haight]
FaltyDL – Straight & Arrow [Ninja Tune]
Fantastic Man – Late At Night [Fine Choice]
thatmanmonkz – That Would Be Alright [Tone Control Music]
Paskal & Urban Absolutes feat. Byron Stingily – Gotta Make It Right [Peppermint Jam]
The Digital Kid v The World feat. Pezzner – Shooting Star [The Classic Music Company]
Benjamin Brunn – No Kicks (XDB Reshape) [Third Ear]
Weldon Irvine – We Getting Down [RCA Victor/Traffic Ent.]
Kenny Cox – Lost My Love [Strata East/180 Proof]
22 October 2012
[re:jazz] feat. Andy Herbertson – Out Of Phase You Me [Infracom]
Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators – It’s All Because of You [Timmion]
Hannah Williams & The Tastemakers – Tell Me Something (Liberties) [Record Kicks]
Martha High & Speedometer – Sunny [Freestyle]
The Soul Immigrant – Sunk Without The Funk [Dry Rooti]
Andre Solomko & Vinyl Jam – Summer 77 [Favorite]
Double Yellow – Mono Soul [Here & Now]
Matthew Halsall – Mary Emma Louise [Gondwada]
Young Lenny & Weegee – Microdots and Moonbeams [Sudden Hunger]
Bukky Leo & Black Egypt – Anarchy [Agogo]
Strange U – Scarlet Jungle [Eglo]
Dobie – Prozac [Bag Dada]
Roses Gabor – Night Sky [Girls Music]
[re:jazz] feat. Mediha – Tears [Infracom]
Mark de Clive-Lowe feat. Nia Andrews – Hooligan (Nostalgia 77 Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Kylie Auldist – Changes [Tru Thoughts]
The White Lamp – Make It Good [Sonar Kollektiv]
DJ 3000 – Serpiento [Motech]
Usmev – Cosmica [Sintetics]
Punk feat. Magic Soul – I Can’t Wait [Offering]
Matt Tolfrey feat. James Teej – Never Assume [Leftroom]
DrumTalk – Strata [Soundway]
Tatham, Mensah, Lord and Ranks – Celebrate [2000 Black]
Belleruche – Henbane (Walter Ego Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
LPZ – Grace (C.O.N.E. Remix) [Loungin’]
Domu – Let Me Be [Archive]
15 October 2012
Freddie Hubbard – God Bless The Child (Live In Warsaw) [Kingdom]
Jose James – Come To My Door [Acoustic Version) [Blue Note]
Kidkanevil & Daisuke Tanabe – The Last Train [Project Moon Circle]
Sekuoia – Like I Wasn’t There [Project Moon Circle]
Kwadjo & Beyond The Stars – Candy Stick (Blunted Monkz & Vicky Flint Remix)
Micatone – Break My Heart [Sonar Kollektiv]
The Herbaliser feat. George The Poet – The Lost Boy (Danny K Remix) [Department H]
Robert Glasper Experiment – Dillalude #2 [Blue Note]
The Echocentrics – It’s Not Too Late (McPullish’s Blue Dub Mix) [Ubiquity]
Ade Alafia Adio – Fulfilment [Offering]
Bosq From Whiskey Barons feat. Kaleta – Dem Know [Ubiquity]
Joe Bataan – Ordinary Guy (Jazzanova Extended Rework) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Two Fingers aka Amon Tobin – Sweden [Big Dada]
Touchy Subject – Cracken
My Panda Shall Fly & Will Ward – Giant Shoe [XVI]
Offshore – Venom [Big Dada]
EnaWadan – Reborn (sandrobianchi & be.lanuit Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Christo – Utopic [Superficially Deep]
Sunshine Jones – Four Million Miles [Nite Grooves]
Alton Miller – Inside Out [Smooth Agent]
Cecilia Stalin – Afro Blu (Daz-I-Kue Vocal) [Broadcite]
Tommy Stewart – Bump N’ Hustle Music (Zernell + Rahaan Edit) [Ubiquity]