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Bright & Findley – Everything Is Slow [Athens Of The North]
In 2019 James Alexander Bright & Tom Findley made their presence felt with the single “Tigers Roar”. The single garnered critical acclaim and filled us with hope there was more to come. The wish has been granted. “Everything is Slow” is the debut from Bright & Findley. The eleven track disc is filled with laidback synth funk compositions tailored made for lazy Summer afternoons. Findley’s arrangements combined with Bright’s vocals are a potent mix. Among the highlights are the languid “When I look into the World” The swaying string arrangements and ambient soundscapes will warm your heart. “It’s Only Rain” is another downtempo delight. “NY Disco” is a nod to the Brooklyn Disco scene that also leans into eighties boogie. Warm and melodic, this is an electro soul gem that you shouldn’t miss.
https://brightandfindlay.bandcamp.com/album/everything-is-slow
Lorenzo Morresi & Le Isole – Pop Flop [Space Echo Records]
Italian DJ/Producer Lorenzo Morresi and Le Isole pay tribute to “library music” on his latest release “Pop Flop”. Library Music are obscure vinyl recordings written strictly for radio and television. These string laden jazz funk recordings were written by an array classically trained composers. Producer Luciano Cantone, who co-produced some of the recordings owns a large collection of rare library gems. Together they breathe new life into these recordings and lay down the groundwork for this impressive album. The disc kicks off with “Shalom”, a cosmic jazz funk heater. “Savana Urbana” is a mellow experimental number with a haunting groove. The ten track disc is filled with other cinematic compositions worth digging into. With Cantone’s vast collection I would expect to hear recordings like this from Morresi. This record deserves an encore.
Wheel Up – We Are The Magic [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Danny Wheeler aka Wheel Up returns with his sophomore lp “We Are The Magic”. The West London based producer is one of the new torch bearers of the broken beat sound. This album however, is much more than that. The opening track “Infinity” will win you over with warm ethereal vibes. It’s co-produced by Harry Bryson aka Abacus, who brings a touch of drum n bass flavor that he’s known for. The tempo is scaled back a bit but the strings and the wicked bass will take you back to the early days of 4hero. Wheeler has also enlisted an array of superb vocalists that give the tunes wings. On “More Life” Wheeler creates an intimate mood tailor made for the angelic vocals of Victoria Port to draw you into her world of song. Port, one half of the duo Anushka also shines on the title track as well. “Singularity” featuring Steelo will certainly fill a dance floor. It has all the ingredients, a strong groove, infectious drumming, electronics and tasty vocals. Whether he’s dj’ing or producing, Wheeler has his finger on the pulse of club culture. This is another superb release that packs plenty of heat.
Caixa Cubo – Agoro [Jazz & Milk Recordings]
“Agoro” is the new release from the Brazilian trio Caixa Cubo. Their eight track release is a free flowing soundscape of warm rhythms, soft melodies and tenderlyrics. It’s layered on top of burning Brazilian Jazz funk. The opening track “Asase” is a simmering tune filled with hypnotic fender rhodes and a engaging chorus. The title track erupts with boundless energy highlighted by Trumpeter Matthias Schriefl. Schriefl’s flurries are the ying to the bands yang. Joao Fideles’s drumming will lift your feet off the ground and Henrique Gomide’s funky vamping are a warm summer breeze of rhythms. Although the disc wraps up around twenty five minutes, it packs a punch nonetheless. This ia a formidable trio to keep an eye on.
The Circling Sun – The Circling Sun [Soundway Records]
The New Zealand based collective The Circling Sun channel the spirits of Pharoah
Sanders and Alice Coltrane on their marvelous debut. Fellow New Zealnder, producer Julien Dyne serves as the primary songwriter and he delivers. The six track lp is a blissful ride of spiritual jazz that will resonate with any fan of the genre. Among the highlights are “Kohan”, a blissful tune driven by the bass rhythms of Ben Turua building the canvas for all to shine. The heavenly chorus aligned with J.Y. Lee’s warm melodic flute makes for a fantastic voyage. “Spirits” evolves with a wave of piano rhythms and hypnotic percussion. Lee’s Soprano lifts the tune to another level. Each track is a delight in its own right that’s filled vibrant energy and superb performances. Highly recommended.
VA – Luke Una Presents É Soul Cultura Vol.2 [Mr Bongo]
Manchester based DJ Luke Una delivers another impressive compilation for the premiere global label Mr Bongo. “E Soul Cultura Vol 2” is laced with obscure yet superb recordings found in dusty record shops across the globe. Una, like many promiment DJs frequent these record shops and always manages to come away with an assortment of hidden gems. “Ile De Mes Amours” is a soul jazz gem from Guadeloupean singer percussionist Erick Cosaque. “Lost Children” is a mid-tempo synth laden 80s soul number with a Northern Soul vibe from Gospel vocalist Veronica Mickie. “Logun Ede” is a strip down late seventies Brazilian soul jazz gem from Eloah. House music is represented here as well with a scintilating dub remix of Mr Scuff’s “Giffin” courtesy of Speechless. Una picks up where he left off with Vol 1 by delivering another quality compilation in all manner of styles. Vol 1 was quite impressive and this one is no exception.
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/album/luke-una-presents-soul-cultura-vol-2
Kuna Maze – Night Shift [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
“Night Shift”, the debut album from Brussels based producer Kuna Maze captures the essence of night clubbing. The thirteen track disc is busting loose with infectious broken beat and jazz infused funk grooves. Maze picks up where his last project with Nikitch, “Back and Forth” left off. Both releases merge electronica alongside live instrumentation that exude warm vibes. “Broken Light” pops with tasty synths and wicked bass riffs. “Don’t Drop Dead” is another burner filled with spacey synths and soft drums. “On The Way” displays a jazzier side. The tempo downshifts a bit but the energy remains the same. Maze has demonstrated that he can manipulate space and create atmospheric soundscapes that will heighthen your mood. Whether you’re clubbing or simply want to nod your head to good grooves, you need this.
El Michaels Affair & Black Thought – Glorious Game [Big Crown Records]
Ever since El Michaels Affair, led by Lee michaels dropped their first lp back in 2005, they have put their stamp on creating cinematic seventies soul music. “Glorious Game”, the latest project finds him partnering with the iconic rapper Black Thought from The Roots. The twelve track disc kicks off with the brooding boom bap heater “Grateful”, where Black Thought pays tribute to the people that came before him. The following tracks ease into stripped down soul that could easily fit into the Stax catalog. “Hollow Way” begins with a slow burn layered with haunting soundscapes while the tempo steadily cranks up. Black Thought the story teller paints a picture of a man navigating through the obstacles of street life. Michaels seamlessly arranges tasty samples with live instrumentation. Simply said this is straight no chaser hip hop at it’s best. Each track serves as a chapter in Black Thought’s life as he serves as the consummate narrator.
Emile Londonien – Legacy [Naïve Records]
Emile Londonien is a trio from Strabourg, France who have emmersed themselves in London club culture. “Legacy” captures the essence of their sound by merging jazz rhythms with soul and broken beat grooves. The disc begins with the title track, a lo-fi instrumental with a simmering horn section courtesy of trumpeter Antoine Berjeaut and saxophonist Leon Phal. They shift gears on “Make it Easy”, a percolating tune ignited by house grooves and sublime vocals from Lara Issa. Although “House Party” is under two minutes it’s a live performance filled with infectious energy, providing a taste of what they’re capable of on stage. “londonien” demonstrates that this trio can jam in all manner of styles. An impressive release certainly worth checking out.
Sunbörn – Sunbörn [Tramp Records]
https://tramprecords.bandcamp.com/album/sunb-rn