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Black Loops – Always Moving [Freerange Records]
“Always Moving”, the new release from Black Loops seamlessly weaves soul, funk and House grooves into a high energy after hours album. The Italian DJ/Producer has been crafting 12 inch house bangers for a decade. He demonstrates that he’s much more than that by utilising live drumming and electronics. The opening track “CDMK” grabs your attention with a funky groove and shades of broken beat. “Detroit Love” featuring Byron The Aquarius is a nod to Detroit Deep House. Vocalist Marlena Dee is featured on four tracks. She’s joined by fellow vocalist Harvey Sutherland on the house heater “Pleasure Ride”. An impressive collection of beats and grooves that has a little something for everyone.
Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange – Inspire // Radicalise [Energy Exchange Records]
“Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange, a staple of the Australian music scene return with their latest album “Inspire/Radicalise”. Produced by founding member and drummer Ziggy Zeitgeist and keyboardist Lewis Moody, the band demonstrates their prowess at delivering thumping instrumental grooves. A robust rhythm section is just part of the driving force behind these compositions. The opening track, “Astras Theme” is a high energy romp fuelled by Moody on the Moog and Eric “Sunny” Owusu on congas. “Shine Your Light” is a funky boogie tune that features Karai on vocals. “Cyberfunk” is symbolic of the entire album, infectious grooves that inspire happy feet and plenty of body shaking. An engaging album that deserves your attention.
https://zeitgeistfreedomenergyexchange.bandcamp.com/album/inspire-radicalise
Jazzanova – In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live [Sonar Kollektiv]
Hard to believe that “In Between”, the ground-breaking debut lp from the Berlin collective Jazzanova is twenty three years old. In a time when there were a number of potent electronic and broken beat tunes, the Jazzanova lp stood out. Now the team returns with “In Between Revisited”, a live rendition of the timeless recording. The Jazzanova band have been touring and recording for fifteen years so the time was right. The live recording breathes new life and injects a wealth of warmth into the recordings. On “No Use”, Clara Hill’s vocals are every bit as lush as they were on the original recording. Florian Manzel’s trumpet is a nice addition to “Another New Day”. Nigerian born Wayne Snow takes over the vocal chair and puts his stamp on “That Night”. The word classic gets tossed around quite a bit but this lp deserves that praise. A welcome return from the Sonar Kollektiv team.
Mieke Miami – Birdland [Sonar Kollektiv]
“Birdland” the latest release from Berlin based Mieke Miami is an unapologetic blending of folk, psychadelia with jazz sensibiliies. Miami’s first two releases centered around evocative folk tunes tailored made for her soft vocals. With “Birdland” she taps into her love for jazz. As a result the album has a suite like structure that allows the songs themes and imagery to flow seamlessly. The opener “Whispering Pine” has a hypnotic breezy groove punctuated by her tender vocals and flute melodies. “Same River” is a free flowing composition filled wordless phrasing and burning fender rhodes. “Mahady O’Mahony” combines a touch of psychadelia with haunting sax rhythms. With the exception of the Dusty Springfield classic “Son of A Preacher Man”, Miami wrote and produced the entire project. Sonar Kollektiv’s roster is filled with an array of talented artists and Miami is no exception. Miami is indeed making a name for herself with this engaging release.
Session Victim – Low Key, Low Pressure [Night Time Stories]
“Low Key, Low Pressure” is the fifth album from the German duo known as Session Victim. Hauke and Matthias have delivered countless house tracks for labels such Rhythm Section, Toy Tonics among others. With this release on the London based label Night Time Stories, they slow the tempo down and deliver eleven tracks ranging from down-tempo dub to elements of tripped out ambient vibes. Among the highlights are “Mycellum Dub”, a trippy ethereal down-tempo gem that emanates calm vibes. “The Hidden Trail”, is an up-tempo tune featuring a hypnotic guitar accompanied by tight rhythmic synth textures. “Porchless” is another winner with warped chords and lush vocals. The first half of the disc is ideal to relax to while the tempo steadily builds along the way. This is an engaging lp worthy of repeated listens.
https://sessionvictim.bandcamp.com/album/low-key-low-pressure
VA – Neujazz 2 [Sonar Kollektiv]
The second installment from the Sonar Kollektiv series. “Neujazz 2” features an array of up and coming homegrown artists from Berlin and beyond. The lp drifts between melancholy mid tempo soundscapes to infectious jazz inspired grooves. The disc kicks off with “Open”, a previously unreleased tune from the duo known as Waan. Saxophonist Bart Wirtz and Keyboardist Emiel Van Rijthoven compose a atmospheric gem filled with engaging harmonies. Tutu Amuse have been one of the highlights of 2022 for the label. “Ohm” provides a sample of their sublime psychadelic sensabilities. Marian Tone aka Key Elements gives the a jolt with “Space”. Only a shade under three minutes, it’s a potent mix of jazz fusion and jungle. Vinicius Mendes dips into the songbook of the Brazilian songstress Joyce and emerges with a beautiful cover of Aldeia de Ogum”. There’s also impressive contributions from Pete Josef, Micatone and others. Simply put “Neujazz 2” is another winner from the label that always delivers.
https://sonarkollektiv.bandcamp.com/album/sonar-kollektiv-presents-neujazz-2
Tutu Amuse – Two To Amuse [Sonar Kollektiv]
https://tutuamuse.bandcamp.com/album/two-to-amuse