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.
Nathan Haines - "U See That" (feat Vanessa Freeman & Marcus Begg - Atjazz Love Soul mix) (5:12)
The Realm x Atjazz x Kelli Sae - "On The Road" (vocal mix) (7:58)
Review: Back ion 2021, the relaunched Foliage Records imprint offered up a killer mix from NYC house legends Mood II Swing, the must-check Deep Rooted. Soon, the revitalised label will release a sequel, with long-serving British deep house don Atjazz at the helm. This sampler EP boasts six of the highlights from that set - all remixed and reworked by Atjazz himself. There's much to enjoy throughout, from the tense, slowly building deep-tech shuffle of Halo''s 'Glorty (Atjazz Galaxy Art Remix)'and the sun-splashed 6am bounce of Atjazz's remix of Dominique Fils-Aime's gorgeous 'Sun Rise', to the dreamy dancefloor wooziness of Ralf GUM's 'AWA' (re-imagined by Atjazz as an Osunlade-esque spiritual house workout) and the jazzy, bass-guitar-propelled broken house excellence of 'On The Road (Vocal Mix)', a three-way collab between Atjazz, Kelli Sae and The Realm.
Dean Fraser & Robert "Dubwise" Browne - "Mister Magic" (4:28)
Review: Here's a proper genre fusion for the dancehall heads. On his latest reissue, Robert 'Dubwise' Browne testifies to over 20 years of hitmaking with a standalone 7" edition of his remix of Ramsey Lewis' 'Sun Goddess', first released on Vortex in 2023. Whereas Lewis' original 70s funk version is a sweet and sunkissed headboard-licker with a simple backbeat, Browne prefers to cant things dubwise, swapping the aforementioned out for a phat dotted stomp. Clock the new pairing with Browne's version of Grover Washington's jazz-funk classic 'Mister Magic'.
The Mechanical Man - "Uncle Swing" (feat Bob Vito) (4:31)
DJ Rocca - "The Box Above" (6:03)
Lex & Locke - "Soul Escape" (6:56)
Review: Musica Solida sampler 1 marks a thrilling celebration of 40 years of Flexi, the venerable record emporium that has stood the test of time in the ever-evolving music industry landscape. As the label weathered storms and celebrated triumphs, it has remained a beacon for vinyl enthusiasts, and this compilation embodies its enduring spirit. Curated by Flexi Cuts, Musica Solida promises a series of carefully selected singles spread across multiple 12-inch samplers, showcasing the talents of cherished Flexi-affiliated artists and producers. With a vision to cultivate a movement of sublime tunes, the compilation aims to uphold the commitment to quality that Flexi has exemplified within the Italian music scene and beyond. Musica Solida sampler one sets the stage with an eclectic lineup of artists, each bringing their unique flair to the table. DJ Rocca stands as a stalwart of the clubbing scene, while Club Soda delivers live electronic ensembles brimming with house-flavored jams. Lex & Locke bring a touch of Greek sophistication to the mix, showcasing their groovy sound destined for future acclaim. Hiroyuki Kato emerges as a Japan-based multi-instrumentalist with a punchy debut track, and The Mechanical Man (feat. Bob Vito) adds a raw, gritty energy to the compilation. For those that are adventurous in finding unique music, you will want to check out this great release.
Review: This latest is a reissue of a Congress Productions EP featuring their seminal 'Neptune'. The much-sampled early 80s jazz-funk classic comes in original form next to two unreleased cuts. The first is a rare boogie cut 'Live It Up' that has been extended for more dancefloor heft having first been dropped under the D'aile' alias as a B-side. Then comes 'Kevin's Funk' which is named in reference to Incognito trumpet player Kevin Robinson, who played as part of a Congress-associated line-up for this session.
Review: After his debut album E o que a casa oferece from 2023, Gabriel da Rosa is back with another silken bossa nova record, in homage to the musical style that raised him. 'Cafune' was first released digitally a follow-up single to the alnbum, one which rounded out the year that said debut was released, and which was written for the soundtrack to the film film All Happy Families (Haroula Rose). Now an authentic 12" version, the song is here backed by the B-side 'Sort Of', an impressive desert passage through refractive, rainbow dream pop.
Review: In late 2023, Tokyo-based musician Daigo Sakuragi moved to London where he revisited recordings made with fellow Japanese artists. Inspired by the city's energy and atmosphere, he crafted Togenkyo, a 28-minute fusion of early 2000s folktronica and contemporary ambient music that now comes as two long continuous pieces on one slab of vinyl. Layering immersive synth textures with spatial production, he grounds the piece in organic drum and bass grooves while a saxophone elegantly weaves through the soundscape. Togenkyo reflects an inner utopia that is attainable yet imperfect and is a comforting, meditative work.
Review: The Brazil 45s / Mr Bongo outlet is back with its classic moves, coming through with some truly special soul blends out of the Brazilian golden era. Dalila and Neyde Alexandre feature in this latest 7", the former with 1968's "Canto Chorado", a slow-burning bubble of funky exotica - surely impossible to find in its original shade - and the latter with a funky little bomb from 1971 by the name of "Perplexidade" - surely the smoothest, sexiest soul number out this week! Lovely stuff.
Chez Damier - "Speechless" (Chez Damier Panorama Bar remix) (5:04)
Makez - "Rocket Music" (5:15)
Alkalino - "Rio" (Alkalino rework) (5:30)
Gledd - "Sere Yo" (5:31)
Review: Adeen Records returns with a superb EP that blends a classic with three new and fresh unreleased tracks. Deep house don Chez Damier's Panorama Bar Remix kicks off and is a a 2021 standout with a killer baseline and Spanish guitar that brings some sunny soul and makes for some top level house grooves. Makez then shines with 'Rocket Music' which has a chunky low end and glistening, golden piano chords making it a late night favourite. On the B-side, Adeen regular Alkalino delivers a tropical-infused edit for the peak time and Gledd closes with a classy cut 'Sere Yo' that is all about the drums. Lovely stuff.
Catch Me When I'm Falling (feat La Donna Wells) (4:04)
In My Mind (3:05)
Review: Derwin Daniels, an accomplished soprano saxophonist and composer, crafted this smooth r&b 45 back in 1989. Featuring the powerhouse vocals of the late La Donna Wells, who delivers a performance on par with Mary J Blige, this gem pre-dates "What's The 411" by three years. The track oozes slick, deep r&b vibes that are soulful enough to fit seamlessly into modern soul and disco sets. On the flip side, Daniels treats listeners to some jazzy brilliance, showcasing his versatility as a musician. An essential find.
Didn't I (feat Cerebral Vortex - 1773 remix) (4:05)
Review: The exact backstory of this one is hard to pin down but suffice it to say if you haven't heard Darondo's 'Didn't I' before then as soon as you do you will fall in love. It has previously been released on a 7" entitled 'Edits' by Stefan Trischler aka Trishes back in 2010 but with a different B-side. Here it comes on TLM with a 1773 remix on the flip. The original is a hard-ass funk cut with raw and tough drums and splintered hi-hats all topped off with the aching and soulful vocal sample and some distant lavish strings. The flip side version features Cerebral Vortex and has extra bars that add a hip-hop touch.
Review: Mr Bongo restock a brilliant 7" in their signature Brazil 45s series. The nineteenth to grace it, this blue-starred slice of small wax shone a light on Wilson das Neves' brilliant cover of Average White Band's 'Pick Up The Pieces' on the A, as well as a Mr Bongo fave on the B, Som Tres' potent samba-funk overflow 'Tanga'. The former flexes the historic muscles of a mythic Brazilian percussionist and vibesman, lending fidgety soft feels to AWB's already lull-lifting concoction; then 'Tanga' contrasts to this sense of measuredness with pure animal verve, as Tres' calls out to his bandmates commandingly amid whirlwinds of piano and drums.
Take Five (feat Carmen McRae - vocal version) (2:21)
Review: .with a feelgood charm that has resonated not only with jazz heads, but also the youngest generation thanks to its inclusion in the soundtrack to the magnificent Sing animation. It is one of those that will always get a good reaction and is always worth having in the collection. Here it's served up on a 180 gram vinyl 12" with the more noodling 'Blue Rondo A La Turk' and a vocal version of 'Take Five' with Carmen McRae bringing the soul.
Review: Twilight is the latest piece by long time DJ, producer and remixer, Dominic Dawson. The Japanese label Flower, has released this single to 7" complete with a remix for the second side. The title track is a catchy and funky house track that while the remix is a bit more Balearic and beachy. Both versions have their place in any house setlist and will set the tone for any eclectic DJ set. With the DJing background Dominic has, he is a great guide to setting the mood with music. Like the title artwork suggests, this is perfect music to watch the sun go down to.
Review: This project stems from the mutual admiration between Daru Jones and Devonne "DJ" Harrison who, upon discovering their collaborations with Jack White, had the idea of blending rock with jazz. DJ Harrison's vintage keyboard skills and Daru's versatility made them perfect for such a rock-influenced project. Legendary guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, a longtime friend of Mr. Mandel, was ideal for the guitar role and after several years they finally got together to record this album in 2022. The result is a first 12" single, mastered at 45 rpm for exceptional sound. Here's hoping there will be more to come.
Review: Colin Curtis Presents another superb EP here which has been put together "to enlighten the listener to the two very different sides of this project." On the A-side, Stefano De Santis showcases a vintage spiritual jazz side with Afrobeats and plenty of funk in the drums. On the flip is a more broken boogie vibe with big disco strings courtesy of The Sunlight Orchestra. It's a life-affirming sound that fills you with sunshine and then last of all comes an Eastern Bloc Extension of 'Barra Nova' that rides on lush broken-beats all lit up by lush chords.
Review: Rome's contemporary jazz maestro Stefano De Santis is back with his 'New Beginning' EP on the esteemed Quattro Bambole Music. Across four stunning tracks, Stefano's musicianship shines as he explores jazz-infused broken beat, boogie, deep house and lo-fi hip-hop. Highlights come thick and fast and include the mellow jazz landscapes of 'Roy,' the lush blend of slow-motion house and broken beats on 'Lie#3', the emotive, piano-driven 'Paths' and the 80s boogie vibe of 'Tokyo 80.' UK producer Sean McCabe mastered the EP but also delivers a deep house dub of 'Lie#3.'
Review: Stefano De Santis echoes purple dubstep on this live-feeled new electronic jazz dazzler, all improvised synth fusion that works well both as a danceable cut and a timeout moment. Just two tunes, 'Santos 79' and 'Moon Over Rio' come across like the morning and evening sides of De Santis' lifeworld; the former is a warm, glitzing sonic waxing, full of tweezy approach notes and Simmons drum 'pows'; the latter is a crepuscular waning, contrasting to the other by way of twinkly chime cascades and deeper chromatic blues.
Review: Stefano De Santis kicks off Ten Lovers' new 'Best Of Various' release with 'Murk'; as the name suggests, this is indeed a dark workout from Rome's finest. The tone is set thereout for a thoroughly varied V/A, blending every curious hallmark from jazzdance, G-funk, Chicago house and progressive. The opener is a muted but no less expansive start, establishing the broken, one-beat-eliding, live-drummy mood that is then heard throughout. Batavia Collective's 'Rearview' thematically harks after an unconscious joy, considering what can only be implied, not stated, by way of a gorgeous, what sounds to be largely live, modal synth squeezer on which the slowdown is the real highlight. Future Jazz Ensemble's 'Over The Rainbow' is by far the most challenging, blurring any woulda-been established lines popularly splitting 'live' and 'electronic' with a reverb-drenched generative fill workout, while closer 'Outer Heaven' from Takahiro Fuchigami, hailing from Fukuoka, rounds things off on a note of Hancockian jive.
Review: Lisa Decker makes a return with two new singles here that are taken from her upcoming album which is due in May of this year. It comes two years after her debut with the Japanese jazz trio Nautilus and marks something of a conceptual shift in her sound. 'Love & Hope' finds her turn in a stylish jazz vocal with funky bass loops and organic drums and percussion that straddle many different genres. 'Summer Child' then sinks into a nice smooth jazz-funk vibe with soft focus chords bringing a touch of class to her breezy vocals.
Review: For those in the know, this new collab between veteran Portuguese DJ and producer Dedy Dread and fast-rising Hawaiian singing star Olivia Ruff has been a long time coming. But it was worth the wait. The opener 'Cover Me' features Ruff's, well, slightly rough - or at least gravelly - vocals over a rhythm and bass instrumental. It's accented with wispy chords, neat little guitar riffs and crunchy claps. Flip it over and you'll find a remix by label founder The Rebel and Roman pianist and producer Shiny D. Their version is a modern update with brilliant reggaeton rhythms.
Review: UK legend Dego and killer keys-man Kaidi Tatham have been in a rich vein of form of late, dropping brilliant EPs on Eglo, Sound Signature and Rush Hour (the latter under their 2000Black alias). Here, they return to Eglo with four more slices of warm, rich, soul-flecked fluidity. As with previous outings, much of the material has a laidback jazz-funk feel, particularly "Orbiting Uhara" and the delicious "The Vault Descends" (think bustling bruk rhythms and darting boogie synths). They also offer up some tougher, synth-laden bruk-funk in the shape of "Man Made", while "Black Is Key" sees them unfurl a head-nodding vocal roller.
Review: Spanish label NeighbourSoul bring a heraldic design sensibility to wildout disco edits on 12", with this latest record taking on a leonine art direction on the inner label and sleeve. A top-up to their enduring vinyl-only series, this one hears a resident editor arride four more most-pleasing disco loops, believably emulating a bygone time in which DJs would sticker and knife their records to create workable tools, in the absence of software.
Review: JAKe Detonator is a renowned graphic artist who shows another side to his skills here as he drops a slick 7" featuring two instrumental hip-hop tracks dedicated to the legendary MF DOOM. Both tracks, 'Requiem for Doom' and 'Stoneferry Morning,' were crafted during lockdown like so much good music of recent years. They are killer joints with woozy synths worming their way in and out of tough, classic boom-bap betas as dark vocal musings add extra weight. Naturally, this double A-side comes complete with full-colour artwork by JAKe himself and marks his first 45 release.
Review: Motor City mainstay and former Slum Village associate DJ Dez Andres has many skills up his sleeve from mad scratching to vibrant Latin flavour mixes that draw on his Cuban heritage via dusty house rollers and deep hip-hop gems. Here he mixes all that up on a new EP for Beretta Music that is now available on purple vinyl. His sunny and delightful melodies are present and correct in each cut, as are his signature slouchy and hip-hop-inspired drums. All four of the tunes hit the sweet spot but the funky boucle of 'Back To Nature' is one that really stands out here.
Review: Michael Diamond is the Indian-born UK artist who is co-founder of the Vasuki Sound label and club night. He is known for his 'jazzed electronic' sound in which he blends academic insights with musical creativity. His background in music perception and cognition, which he studied at Oxford while pursuing Medicine, shapes his unique approach. On his new EP 'Placid Wakefulness', Diamond collaborates with renowned musicologist Professor Eric Clarke to explore how music impacts sleep and wakefulness. The tracks blend ambient calm with energetic rhythms and are a fine example of Diamond's distinctive sound and deep understanding of neuroscience and music.
Chez Madame La Baronne (Idjut Boys Fazz Junk version)
Review: Earlier this year, French disco and jazz-funk combo Chatobaron joined forces with fellow Parisian Dimitri From Paris for the rather good 'I Like (The Music That You Play)'. While that was a wholehearted disco workout, this speedy sequel sees the band (and their high-profile collaborator) explore their West Coast jazz-funk influences via an inspired workout full to bursting with killer instrumental solos, dusty grooves, memorable motifs and a genuinely killer, cowbell-sporting percussion brerak. This time round, there are no Dimitri From Paris remixes; instead, dubbed-out disco favourites the Idjut Boys are on hand to smother the track in tape echo and dub delay. The result is a typically spaced-out, low-slung affair that naturally makes the most of the band's killer bassline and layered percussion sounds.
Review: DJ Bacon is probably the singular most eminent edits master to stock his serial releases on our digi-shelves; this credo alone is more than enough to turn heads for his latest limited 7”, ‘Bad / Theme From SWAT’. Here the auspicious Aussie reworks the ineluctable opening theme music from S.W.A.T., the ‘70s police procedural that more or less inaugurated the genre, but not before he detourns any actual swattage with a reworked version of LL Cool J’s breakout hit on the A.
Review: DJ DSK has released some heavyweight seven-inch singles over the years, with his 2016 45 "Laminate" - an original slab of funk made in cahoots with the previously unheralded "Lost Soul Collective". Here he gathers together the band once more for a follow-up four years in the making. "Lost Soul" is a two-part affair in keeping with the funk tradition. The A-side is an infectious vocal number that sits somewhere between Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and the more psychedelic flavour associated with turn-of-the-70s San Francisco soul. As you'd expect, the flipside "Part 2" version strips out most of the vocals to allow the band's warm and heady instrumentation room to breathe.
Make My 45 The P Funk (feat Abstract Rude - cuts By Deejay Toby Gee) (3:56)
Jazz Crimes (Deejay Katch 7" edit) (3:00)
Review: DJ Katch is a core part of the Resin Dogs and a mainstay of Australia's hip-hop scene. He pops up here to mint the new Members Only label with Abstract Rude. A-side jam 'Make My 45 The P Funk' is classic old school boom-bap with tight bars and cuts By Deejay Toby Gee. It's playful and booty-shaking and sure to get any floor full. On the flip, Katch gets deep on a more jazzy and late night number as he edits The Resin Dogs's 'Jazz Crimes', especially for this 7".
Review: Japanese talent DJ Koco aka Shimokita is a hardcore 45rpm devotee. They are his chosen tools as a beat-juggling DJ who can do logic-defying things with his grooves. He is a regal on Bloom and already dropped serious heat in January with 'World Famous'. This time he is back with a fresh take on 'Made In New York' which is a 1985 classic by renowned Brazilian funk and jazz pianist Tania Maria. He brings his signature hip-hop flair and creativity with his trusted crew, 45trio, and enlists the dynamic saxophonist King TJ (DA-Dee-MiX) to elevate things further.
Review: It may have been seven years since DJ Koze last delivered an artist album, but in defence the popular Hamburg producer had his hands full working with other artists (most notably Roisin Murphy). He has managed to put out the odd single, though, to which you can add this typically interesting and off-kilter two-tracker. A-side 'Buschtaxi' is deep house with a subtle Latin tinge - rhythmically at least - and layered with dreamy chords, African vocal samples, twittering melodies and attractive, sun-soaked synthesiser sounds. The long-serving producer flips the script on side B, reaching for crunchy, house-tempo breakbeats, moody bass, rising chords, what sound like mangled electric guitar motifs and effects-laden vocals courtesy of Marley Waters. More, please!
Review: UK-Irish label Battle Weapons do exactly what their name suggests, releasing slab after slab of proverbial sonic weaponry for use on the dancefloor come warground. Here the outfit welcome two seasoned names, DJ LBR and DC's Finest, for 'Let Me Clear My Funk' and 'Can I Have It Like Wack'. The first is a hilariously hung slab of cutup goodness, mashing up a live recording of DJ Kool, Biz Markie and Doug E. Fresh's 'Let Me Clear My Throat' with the central lick-groove of Cheryl Lynn's 'Got To Be Real', among other crowd-jeering follow-ons. Then the B moves bustlier and heavier on the ride cymbal sizzle, with vocal sampleage from Pharrell Williams' 'Can I Have It Like That' together with some super-real big band bravado.
Review: A record that crafts a smooth, jazz-infused deep house journey, blending classic influences with a refined musical touch. Side-1 opens with 'Waves', where warm piano chords and a laid-back groove create an effortlessly rich atmosphere. 'Let's Love' brings in house legend Robert Owens, elevating the track with soulful vocals, shimmering keys and uplifting energyiclassic house music with a deep jazz undercurrent. On the flip, 'Move Me' delivers a dynamic blend of funky basslines, crisp percussion and spacious keyboards, keeping the groove fluid and expressive. 'Wistful Melody' rounds out the EP with a driving four-on-the-floor rhythm, yet retains a melodic softness, balancing energy with deep, emotive textures. A beautifully crafted collection that pays homage to house music's roots while pushing toward a more intricate, jazz-leaning sound.
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