Review: Many Hands is a fresh label helmed by Jona Jefferies and Kava that here kicks out an eclectic EP with four tracks from various members of its musical family. Dan Aikido opens with '0800 TXT4 Herb,' a smooth fusion piece that builds a laid-back groove, blending fretless bass, jazzy keys and soulful vocals all reminiscent of Rare Silk's 'Storm.' Ernie Ruso's 'Stroke It' offers slow, sensual r&b infused with P-funky wah-wah effects while DJ Nomad's 'African Boy' brings upbeat pop house next to funky organ and a female reggae MC.Jefferies' closer 'A Change Will Come' samples Dr. Martin Luther King Jr with a rave-inspired beat and soulful piano. Cracking stuff.
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - "Calico Suit" (3:43)
Review: Althea & Donna combined to beautiful effect on the Joe Gibbs label here with a tune that very much remains an iconic reggae anthem. It was originally released in 1977 and effortlessly captured the spirit of Jamaican music of the day with its irresistible blend of ska, rocksteady and reggae influences. Althea & Donna's stylish vocals are paired with expert production that is full of catchy hooks and neat riffs. The clever lyrics and upbeat rhythm mean it still sounds like a hit as it did back when it did well on the UK charts.
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - "Runnings Irie" (4:31)
Review: If you are reading this you will already likely know that Dennis Brown is a reggae don. Even amongst his rich and vital catalogue, 'Money In My Pocket' is a quintessential track produced by the legendary Joe Gibbs and backed by The Professionals. This one really captures Brown's smooth vocal delivery and signature soulful style over an effortlessly catchy, rhythmic groove that takes elements of roots reggae and infills with accessible, polished sound. The lyrics focus on struggles and aspirations so resonate on a deeper level and make this one a long-standing and beloved anthem.
Review: All Right Fresh serve speciality brews of West and East Coast nu-funk, soul and hip-hop. Here they welcome DJ Spinna and J Rocc for the very latest edition in their Wrecka Stow Edits series, which hears two further majestic remixes of classic r&b reelers. First up is Spinna's version of Prince's 'Starfish & Coffee' with the renamed 'Maple Syrup Jam', which strains and thins Prince's already prickly granules to provide that extra ophiuroid zing. Then J Rocc follows up with 'Re Purple Music', also a remix of a Prince cut, 'Purple Music', providing ever further filtrated disco-funk panache.
Review: Sao Paulo's Junior Dread brings his world reggae excellence to this latest gem from Red Peak Sound. The collaboration began when J.Brenner met Junior at Minneapolis' Word Sound Power Festival back in 2022 and soon after they began making music and it led to two powerful tracks act were finely crafted through extensive mixing and testing. On the A-side here is a slow, heavy stepper evoking a vision of resilience atop Babylon's heart, paired with a dubwise mix that strips the rhythm to its core. The B-side offers a meditative one-drop rhythm and uplifting lyrics and is also accompanied by a swirling dub version that transcends space and time.
Review: The latest release from Peckings Records features two classic tracks that exemplify the golden era of reggae. On the A-side, Alton Ellis and Phyllis Dillon deliver a heartfelt rendition of 'I'm Just A Guy,' showcasing their harmonious vocals and timeless appeal. The B-side presents Joya Landis's 'I Love You Baby,' a soulful tune that complements the A-side's emotive tone. This 7" single is a must-have for collectors and reggae enthusiasts, offering a nostalgic journey into the rich musical heritage of the genre.
Lost Girl (Marc Hype & Jim Dunloop Late Night rework) (3:32)
Special Technique Of Love (Jim Dunloop Shaolin Soul edit) (3:08)
Review: The mighty Dusty Donuts return to Queensbridge where they encounter a 'Lost Girl' featured on a legendary mixtape by one of QB's finest. This bouncy, choppy Marc Hype & Jim Dunloop Late Night Remix is sure to ignite any gathering. On the flipside, the vibes shift from Queensbridge to Staten Island and bring a special sound to work the crowd - this heavy soul classic arrives in true Shaolin style with choppy, dark soul chords and classic hip-hop beats. It's a track that commands attention with the drums but also locks in head and heart.
Roots Defender Riddim Section - "No Justice Dub" (4:18)
Kojo Neatness - "Bun Dem Down" (4:02)
Roots Defender Riddim Section - "Dub Dem Down" (4:19)
Review: Jah Mason and Kojo Neatness bring an authentic island flavour to this solid 4/4 roots rhythm that was crafted by the Roots Defender Riddim Section. The track features soulful horn arrangements as well as mesmerising guitars and keys by Black Steele and Maestro Inyaki. Originally recorded as a full band piece in Brixton over a decade ago, it underwent multiple stages to perfect its organic vibe for sound system heads. The multitrack was then taken to Ital Soup studio in South London where Petah Sunday served up a brilliant analogue mix while also adding some mind-blowing dubs all of which have already made their mark.
Review: A captivating blend of jazz-infused grooves, soulful melodies and laid-back vibes, delving into the heart of soul music with 'Lost' that sets the tone with its heartfelt vocals and melancholic melodies. On the flipside, 'Thank You' offers a message of gratitude and appreciation, its uplifting harmonies and soulful instrumentation leaving the listener with a sense of warmth and contentment. Expect a selection of tunes that evoke the golden era of soul, with warm instrumentation, rich harmonies, and heartfelt vocals. Whether you're a seasoned soul aficionado or simply looking for some feel-good music to soothe the soul, this compilation is sure to hit the spot.
Review: Originally released in 1985 on Jo & Neville Carnegie's Brixton-based Dove Records, the wonderful 'Flying' returns on 12" and has been cut from the original master tape so could not sound better. Jo wrote the track while imagining the world from above and in an attempt to escape the tensions of war and political unrest. Amid Britain's lovers rock explosion, the song offered a breath of fresh air and truth be told, with so much raw still raging across the world, it still does. "Back in the day, sound systems would string up giant speakers, and that's when the dances were the best," Jo once recalled. This tune revives the spirit of an era when music provided solace and freedom and will help you soar high above the negativity of the times.
Review: This Jonah Thompson single is a breathtaking deep gospel soul gem from New York City. With its ethereal sound and uplifting spirit, it has been championed for years by gospel expert Greg Belson on his Divine Chord Gospel Show as well as being a much sought after tune for deep diggers around the world. However, it is nearly impossible to find in its original form as only a handful of copies are known to exist. This wonderful label brings this rare treasure back to light and means we can all delight in its wonderful charms without having to shell out a fortune. A true transcendent beauty.
Review: A veteran dance music producer teams up with a talented singer to be featured over his classic take on disco. As a pioneer who shaped the UK's early house and acid scenes, Julian Jonah brings his expertise to this polished production. Side-1's 'Let's Not Say Goodnight' is a disco anthem in the making, with Robbie Love's commanding vocals delivering a message of endless celebration. On Side-2, 'Just Can't Wait' offers a smoother, feelgood vibe with tight instrumentation and another stellar vocal performance while the band's groove-rich foundation complements the track's uplifting energy. A release that highlights Jonah's ability to bridge eras, blending nostalgia with modern finesse.
Curtis Baker & The Bravehearts - "Wooly Bully" (2:26)
Review: Across four artists and four versions, Original Gravity present 'Woolly Bully', a woollen repackaging of the longtime Sam Sham & The Pharoahs classic. Laid down in 1964, this terpsichorean prancer kept to a 12-bar blues progression, and made for the first American record to sell a million copies during the storied British Invasion. Its mixture of skiffly British rock and Mexican-American conjunto was an intentional blend, and a succesful one at that. Its enduring impact is now felt in these rollicking cover versions from Junior Dell, Donnoya Drake, Luchito & Nestor Alvarez and Curtis Baker, all roomy, costume vintage retrofits of the original. Listen closely to the lyrics for strange talk of a mythical creature: the original song's lyrics were so strange that some radio stations banned it for fear of popular befuddlement.
Noriko Kose & Haruka Nakamura - "I Miss You" (3:31)
Joachim Kuhn - "Housewife's Song" (4:35)
Review: Insense Music Works finished off 2024 on a high by serving up this brilliant pair of wonky jazz sounds. Noriko Kose & Haruka Nakamura's 'I Miss You' pairs pensive piano playing with alluring vocal sounds and raw beats into something heady and beguiling that almost seems to shift space and time with its smeared designs. Joachim Kuhn's 'Housewife's Song' on the flip is a busier sound with mad jazz keys, cascading piano chords and a vibrant sense of energy that flourishes ever brighter as the track unfolds.
Review: This is one of a pair of new slabs of wax from Amsterdam's Sound System and label of the same name, King Shiloh. It features an array of modern dub and reggae talents and first up, Lavvosti & Black Omolo offer the modern sheen of 'Red Gold Green'. Kare's 'Better Days' rides the same rhythm but with more stylised and soulful vocal turns that empower with every bar. Jah Works dubs things out with a ton of effects and Tiger Simeon & Brada Jahziel layer in storytelling bars. Brasspect brings a fresh horn-led sound that is romantic and hypnotic and Roots Mechanic pairs things right back to an 80s sounding Jamaica dub vibe.
Review: Harkit has put together this vital 7" reissue of a soulful treasure celebrating two standout acts from the golden era of rhythm & blues. Sam & Kitty and Johnny Sayles how up to deliver a stirring performance on 'I've Got Something Good' which is driven big, big raw horns and their heartfelt harmonies and rich vocal chemistry. They very much embody the passion of classic soul duos and on the flipside, 'I Can't Get Enough (Of Your Love)' exudes raw emotion and a sleazy, guttural vocal with a mix of orchestral horns and more intimate melodies over hard-edged and banging funk drums. Together, these tunes capture the essence of vintage soul and funk.
Judson Moore & The Al Tog Staff - "Everybody Push & Pull" (3:11)
Review: Soul Junction revisits the Scot-Tees Capri master tapes here to unveil two previously unreleased tracks. First is 'My Sweet Polly' by The Scott Brothers, a late 60s dance tune inspired by Howard Scott's former girlfriend. Coupled with this is a studio version of Judson Moore's "Everybody Push & Pull," a crossover hit influenced by Rufus Thomas. The Scott Brothers evolved from the 'Elpeccios' in 1958 to the Scott Brothers Band in 1963 and were instrumental in Chicago's music scene. Their label, Capri Records, produced hits like 'We Like Girls' and worked with legends like Garland Green. Judson Moore was a veteran singer who thrived under their mentorship and went on to leave a lasting legacy.
Review: King Shiloh is back with more heavy and modern dub sounds from a range of talents who all add their own spin to a couple of heavy rhythms. Tiger Simeon & Brada Jahziel's 'Rastaman Vibration' gets underway with some bold, brassy horns and natty pianos that make for a full fat sound. Jah Works gets to work on the mixing desk and dubs it out to perfection while Lavosti brings a more modern sounding digital synth sheen and rousing vocal top line to the delightful 'Real Reggae Warrior.' Again it is Jah Wrks who steps up to do his thing and strip it back to deep dub vibrations.
Southside Movement - "I'm So Glad That I've Got You" (3:28)
Review: In the early 80s, Chicago-based funk band Southside Movement teamed up with soul singer Jackie Ross who was already well known for her work with Chess and Brunswick. Though this collaboration produced incredible music, it was largely forgotten since only a few test pressings existed so it never spread too far. However, in 2023, P-VINE reissued their only full-length album on vinyl for the first time and now, the standout track from their partnership, 'You Are The One That I Need' comes on its own special 7" which is the first time it has been available in this format. It's a wonderful and previously long-lost collaboration that is well deserving of your attention.
Susobrino & Jatun Mama - "El Canto De Los Sapos" (3:27)
Susobrino & Lander Gyselinck - "Bolivia" (3:10)
Review: Belgian-Bolivian musician Susobrino delivers his debut EP 'NO', titling itself after a primal negation, and forged in the interplay of traditional South American percussion music with electronica. As if to curb his habit of collecting an (perhaps over-) abundance of percussion instruments, 'NO' hears Susobrino set a stark limit for both himself and the listener, bringing just three curt tracks to wax following a live-changing tour of his ancestral South America. Honorific of the traditions of SA percussive music, Susobrino nonetheless intones: "Mixing acoustic instruments and field recordings with electronics with the music software Ableton was my cocktail from the beginning". The result is a widescreen demo of ascendant percy jawns, equally suited for the curio club-goer as it is for the Bolivian folklorico fanatic.
David Sylvian & Hildur Gunadttir - "I Measure Every Grief I Meet"
Philip Jeck & Claire M Singer - "Sketch Two"
Jah Wobble & Deep Space - "Jeck Drums 2 Basses"
Drums Off Chaos - "Keep In Touch"
Gavin Bryars & Philip Jeck - "8 Piste"
Chandra Shukla - "The Ark Has Closed"
Jana Winderen & Philip Jeck - "Pilots"
Review: The late ambient turntablist Philip Jeck's life is triumphantly celebrated on this latest compilation from UK A/V label Touch. Rpm cycles through 16 unheard snapshots laid down over the course of Jeck's career, connecting the dots of his life through the works of both kindred spirits and Jeck originals. Whether it be a storied live performance with Faith Coloccia or the in memoriam live night recorded at Iklectik by fellow avant-gardist Chris Watson, this compilation refuses to think confinedly about whose work should be included; Jeck's touch left a lasting impression not just on his own music, but of those of his contemporaries and friends. Much of the new material on this record was made by Jeck while he was in a hospital bed, laptop used as the final means to edit and sequence these friend-sourced gems.
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