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VA – Family Affair Vol. 5 [Razor-N-Tape]
Brooklyn NY based label Razor N Tape have built a reputation for discovering obscure Disco and House tracks. “Family Affair Vol. 5” of the compilation series hosts a number of veteran DJs and newcomers adept at delivering bumping dance tracks. “Dance Girl” is an infectious funk floor filler featuring Hazmet Live on vocals and DJ/Producer Recloose. “Falling” is a soulful House banger courtesy of Boston based DJ/Vocalist Saucy Lady. “Step Inside The Music” is a boogie funk gem from Gus Perilli & UK vocalist Andre Espeut. There’s a little something for everyone with happy feet on this high energy release.
Mr Kafer – A Past Sense [Melting Pot Music]
Austrian born producer Mr Kafer has made a name for himself by crafting jazzy hip-hop instrumentals. With his third solo album he ventures into new territory. “A Past Sense” contains lush compositions with live instrumentation. In addition he has compiled an array of underrated artists to elevate his work. “B-Stone” is a sublime jazzy hip-hop instrumental that features Franz Bumm on keys. “Green Roses” is a mellow soulful tune aided by Cologne based beatmaker Leavv. Berlin based vocalist Novine’s warm and gentle touch takes the tune to another level. Guitarist Van Nay’s clever phrasing complements Bumm’s blissful keys on “Melange”. If you didn’t know Mr Kafer before then it’s time to get familiar. He’s arranged an album filled with rhythm, harmony and melody. An invigorating release worthy of repeated listens.
Soulparlor – Day By Day [Atjazz Record Company]
Frank Jensen and Tobias Muller aka Soulparlor have been crafting infectious dance tracks and soul recordings for well over a decade. The Berlin based duo have worked with an array of underground musicians from Erik Rico, Rogiers and many more. The disc kicks off with “Pull Me Close” where vocalist Leona Berlin’s sultry vocals are layered over a mellow piano melody. UK bruk don Colonel Red takes the baton and follows suit with the mid-tempo burner “Day By Day”. “Splentay 4 Ya” is a broken beat banger filled with spacey synths and the funky vocals of Amalia. From their earlier recordings to this one, Soulparlor have proven to have the magic touch. Their soulful electronic recordings are always on fire and this release is no exception.
Charles Webster & The South African Connection – From The Hill [Stay True Sounds]
“From The Hill” is the new release from UK Producer Charles Webster. This is the follow up to 2020’s “Decision Time”, which was his first release in two decades. With “Decision Time”, Webster’s affection for South African rhythms was apparent across several tracks. He moved to Cape Town many years ago and some of his recordings have become a fixture in the clubs from Cape Town to Johannesburg. This release reveals a deep drive into the music and the culture he has become a part of. The South African Connection represents a contingent of DJs and musicians Webster has grown to know and collaborate with over the years. “Free” is seven minutes of ethereal mid-tempo bliss. He’s joined by Soweto born electronic producer Atmos Blaq. It embodies the signature South African sound with punchy bass grooves and melodic piano progressions. “Rain” is awash with warm guitar rhythms and hypnotic percussion. The vocals of Emamkay & Bokang Ramatlapeng layered on top makes for a spiritual genre bending journey. Vocalist Sio, who performed on “Decision Time” lends her soulful voice to “Film Me”. Released on Stay True Sounds, the premier South African label for infectious House and hip-hop. The record is a triumph in weaving together the sounds of the underground and the vast landscape of artists and producers. You need this in your collection.
Kraak & Smaak – Velvet Seas [Boogie Angst]
Dutch electronic pioneers Kraak & Smaak return with their seventh album. “Velvet Seas” blends the Sunny vibes of Los Angeles with the relaxed nature of Denmark. The thirteen track album layers the ambient moods with a thumping groove. “Herbs & Wine” pops with vibrant chords and lush harmonies courtesy of vocalist Ivar. “Morning Reverie” is a mid-tempo psychedelic tune filled with dreamy melodic synth grooves. The track features vocalist Berenice Van Lear. Van Lear and Ivar are also part of the group The Undercover Dream Lovers. Another LA duo, Rio Kosta contributed to the project as well. They’re aligned in their love for harmony, melody and lushness. Together they’ve created a superb release certain to provide good vibrations.
Phylipe Nunes Araújo – Phylipe Nunes Araújo [Far Out Recordings]
The self titled album from Phylipe Nunes Araujo is stripped down intimate Brazilian pop compositions infused with folk sensibilities. Araujo wrote these songs in the scenic landscape of Caruaru, Pernambuco. On his debut he’s joined by multi-instrumentalists Bruno Berle and Batata Boy among others. “Bixin”, written by Ivana Fontes starts out with understated percussion. Araujo’s gentle guitar and falsetto vocals lay the groundwork for an emotional nuanced recording. “Asa” is another emotive number where Araujo treats the tune with tenderness by caressing every lyric. Like the great Brazilian singers before him, Araujo approaches his recordings with an elegant simplicity yet underneath there’s an abundance of passion. Each recording is short and sweet and captures the stylings of traditional Northeastern Brazilian music.
https://phylipenunesarajo.bandcamp.com/album/phylipe-nunes-ara-jo
Sessa – Pequena Vertigem de Amor [Mexican Summer]
“Pequena Vertigem de Amor” is the third album from Sergio Sayeg, aka Sessa. Recorded on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, the album finds Sessa in a new chapter in his life. He recently became a father and suddenly he had a purpose greater than music.. Fatherhood played a role in his songwriting approach for this project. The music of Erasmo Carlo’s 1972 album “Sonhos e Memorias” also is a heavy influence as well. Evidence is found in “Bicho Lento”, filled with blissful flute arrangements courtesy of Alex Chumak (Soyuz). Sessa’s feathery vocals and gentle guitar are simply sublime. “Nome de Deus” is modal Jazz meets Samba. “Vale a Pena” is a melodic tune aided by warm female vocal harmonies. Sessa incorporates a Suette electric piano, an obscure Brazilian keyboard comparable to the fender rhodes. Cecilia Goes, Lau Ra, Ina & Paloma Mecozzi are the vocalists who are at Sessa’s side throughout the album. Sessa stretches the boundaries of traditional Brazilian music with inspiration from his soul music influences. Unlike “Grandeza” which is delightful in its own right, the inclusion of piano and synths here takes this record to another level.
Sunborn meets Clap Clap – Earth Is Begging [Wah Wah 45s]
“Earth Is Begging” is a collaboration between Danish instrumental sextet Sunborn and Italian DJ/Prodcuer Clap Clap. Their project is a global melting pot of infectious electronic production and live instrumentation. Sunborn has built a worldwide following due to their vibrant rhythm section and soulful horns. Clap Clap has amassed an array of electronic dance floor compositions and remixes. The sizzling opener “Acaraje do Salmao” erupts with fiery percussion and Middle Eastern rhythms. “Nigeria 1984” is Afrobeat grooves meets Belearic textures. The genre bending grooves will transport you to a Summertime party on the beach. Afrobeat star Dele Sosimi jumps on the title track, a simmering mid-tempo tune. The sunny vibes flow throughout this album. Lay your burdens down and let these feel good compositions sink into your body.
https://sunbrnmeetsclapclap.bandcamp.com/album/earth-is-begging
Soyuz – Krok [Mr Bongo Records]
“Krok”, is the fourth alum from the Belarus collective Soyuz. “Krok”, which means “step” in Belarusian carries a lot of meaning throughout the album. The band is now based in Warsaw due to political unrest back home. The uncertainty of their new life became the inspiration for this record. Composer and multi-instrumentalist Alex Chumak has crafted a deeply meditative album that explores dreamy atmospheres. Limited by resources to record in Warsaw, the band recorded the first session of the album in Sao Paulo at the studio of prominent Brazilian musician Sessa. “Lingua Do Mundo” features Brazilian vocalist/guitarist Tim Bernados. Bernados showcases his lush vocals and swaying guitar melodies. Add to that the stirring strings and you have a blissful tune you will get lost in. “P7 Blues” is a mid-tempo mellow tune driven by warm keys and vocal harmonies. “Krok” blurs the lines of genres. In addition to the Brazilian rhythms are sketches of Jazz, folk and Eastern European textures. Chumak is joined by Mikita Arlou along with Polish musicians Albert Karch on drums and guitarist Igor Wisniewski. Chumak’s string arrangements will tug on your heartstrings. Despite their challenges the band has amassed an array of emotive compositions that offer hope for brighter days ahead. Simply put this is a marvelous record that shouldn’t be missed.
Al Sunny – Summer End [Légère Recordings]
“Summer End”, the third album from Al Sunny is the synthesis of soul and pop wrapped in atmospheric textures. Based in Nimes, France, Sunny recorded this album at the home of Parisian pianist Florian Pellissier. Pellissier is featured on keyboards throughout the album. The opening track “Why” sets the tone for melodic lush grooves combined with Sunny’s engaging vocals and songwriting. “So Lonely” rides a steady drum kick, a thumping bass line and vibrant synths. Sunny’s honey toned vocals layered on top is the main ingredient to a burning tune. The compositions embody a cool West Coast vibe that reverberates throughout the album. Sound engineer Lois Eichelbrenner’s prowess of heightening the vocals and instrumentation is noticeable from the first note. Sunny continues to build on the promise of his previous album “Planets”. This is the breakout record we’ve been waiting for.