Review: Stix Records, a sub-label of Favorite Recordings, presents the second release from its new Mellow Reggae Series project. Launched earlier this year by Mato & Ethel Lindsey, with a stunning cover of the famous 'What You Won't Do For Love' by Bobby Caldwell, the series continues with the same duo, now taking over 'Baby Come Back', the underground AOR/Blue-Eyed-Soul classic from The Player. Like he always does, Mato delivers an outstanding version, delighting us with his matchless skills for dub production. Already matching on Bobby Caldwell's rendition, Ethel Lindsey ensures yet again the perfect vocals over Mato's production.
Review: Night Defined Recordings is an Austrian electronic music label based in Salzburg that has featured previous releases by Spanish veteran Eduardo de la Calle, Romanian upstart Serb and label chief Juergen Vonbank. It now presents the second edition in the NDVAX various artist series, featuring Finnish producer Mesak (Klakson/Cleaning Tapes) with the hard minimalism of 'Palek', as well as Erfurt, Germany's Mary Yalex with the unsettling ambient house of 'Running Out Of Time' and Workshop affiliated Even Tuell with the dusty twilight dub of 'In Circles' delivered in typically understated fashion.
Review: Limo Trax wind down the tinters and shoot us a knowing look through the Wayfarers, as their latest procurement in slick minimal house and techno blares out the limo stereo. This latest addition to their colours series comes in verdant green, and corrals the talents of Milion, Exonym, Dombee and Wodda, all of whom lay down a clacking sonic technic each. 'Tuin Van Bret' exposes the vibe with beeping chords and an injurious party-starting film dialogue sample, as swarthy, silly excitable funk ensues. 'Hagring' marks the A2 with a "gimme dem" sample and moody swells, while 'Brixton' pays homage to the legendary Lambeth area with a speed garage distributary, reminiscent of Serious Danger's earliest movements in the sound. 'Dark N Stormy' perfects this speedy trend, adding expulsive breaks and oozing licks between the four-by-fours.
3lias, Erick Navas, Clock Poets, Nagual - "Good Not So Bad" (10:06)
Triptease & Greg Paulus - "Dreg Gong" (7:25)
Fabrizio Siano - "Indahood" (5:49)
Review: Bulgarian crew We Or Us have assembled a fine various artists release here for their next 12". 'L'interpretazione Dei Sogni' features an opening cut from The Mole in the form of the loose -limbed 'Groovy Foodbag. 3lias, Erick Navas, Clock Poets & Nagual all combine for the brilliant 'Good Not So Bad' which is gritty minimal tech house, and Triptease & Greg Paulus offer the more organic depths of 'Dreg Gong' which is all busted bass and muffled vocal swirls. Fabrizio Siano's 'Indahoo' shuts down with some wonky rhythms invention, spooky spoken words and DIY percussive details.
Review: 'Born With It' by Mungo's Hi Fi, featuring Aziza Jaye, Gardna, and Eva Lazarus, is a high-energy anthem blending UK Garage and 90s rave vibes with a powerful dose of Drum n Bass. Aziza Jaye's searing vocals, Gardna's dynamic delivery, and Eva Lazarus's fierce dancehall attitude create an explosive party track. On Side-2 'Back in the Dayz', adds nostalgia with a deft rap over rave-infused breaks, sure to evoke memories of old-school rave scenes. This 2024 12" vinyl, eco-friendly and pressed in Scotland, includes unreleased instrumental versions and a dub mix of 'Back in the Dayz', making it essential for summer festivals, clubs and sound system parties.
Review: Man like Augustus Pablo is revered amongst true dub heads. His ability to lay down killer riddims was second to none back in the day and this one is a classic amongst many. 'Pablo In Red' rides on a tuff rhythm from the mid-seventies that was originally produced by Enos McLeod. It has some enriching harmonics and wobbly low ends. On the flip, McLeod's 'Well Red' is a dubbed-out version with extra sonic spice making it more late night and twisted.
Enos McLeod - "Version Aka Last Of Jestering" (2:27)
Review: Augustus Pablo and Enos McLeod were something of a dub dream team back in the heyday of the gene in Jamaica. They produced plenty of great jams together, a few of which are being reissued at the moment. This one is another heavy hitter from the pair. 'Pablo Nuh Jester' pens up with some traditional drum shuffle and natty guitar work. The kicks sit perfectly in the bass while the florid bursts of harmonica are pure vibes. On the B-side, Enos McLeod steps up to rework and further dub out his own rhythmic framework and calls it 'Last Of Jestering.'
Review: Home Hitters churn out edition 15 of their eponymous series, recollecting two noughties mainstays to a fresh white label A-and-B-sider. On the A we've 'Temperature', an experimental Sean Paul dancehall cut from the 2005 album The Trinity, although this is a faster take on dancehall than most would've heard it; the song's melody is infectious enough too, being one of those songs everyone knows as having wafted from car stereos or down-the-block house parties, and on which Paul waxes poetic about keeping the object of his affections warm. Enur's 'Calabria 2007' offered similar vibes, with its whimsical horn lead and carefree lyrical invitations.
Kikko Esse & Emanuele Del Carmine - "Funky Tranky" (7:06)
Vagabundo Club Social - "Calabao" (6:00)
Review: The Tropical Disco crew continue to show an utter disregard for the season by serving up more of their seamy and summer grooves. The super strong Various Artists collection kicks off with the funky bass riffs of 'In Motion' from Phazed Groove, who ride the riffs and fluttering flute lines to the cosmos and back again. Ziggy Phunk gets more raw and punchy with a freewheeling disco house cut that will shake your booty loose and on the backside are two more timeless tracks: 'Funky Tranky' has lush trumpets reaching for the skies and 'Calabao' brings a real Latin vibe and flailing percussive energy.
Review: Established by the late DJ Ajax, Australian label Sweat It Out is back with a new release this week by label staple Tino Piontek aka Purple Disco Machine. Originally releasing under the aliases Stereofreak and Stereofunk, Piontek debuted on the Sydney-based label with his acclaimed Soulmatic LP back in 2017. The Dresden-based producer serves up some typically neon-lit night moves on the scorching disco inferno of 'Dopamine' that's sure to set the dancefloor alight on the A side. Over on the flip, Piontek streamlines the groove into a more functional and bass-driven affair for DJ use on the handy club dub.
Lou Rawls - "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" (Kenny Summit, Frankie Knuckles & Eric Kupper's Brawls Deep unreleased remix)
Kenny Summit, Frankie Knuckles & Eric Kupper - "Loving You" (feat Yasmeen)
Review: This special 12" sampler, part of the forthcoming compilation, taps into the timeless spirit of the Paradise Garage with two unreleased collaborations that showcase the late Frankie Knuckles' legacy. On the A-side, the final production from Knuckles, alongside Kenny Summit and Eric Kupper, delivers a soulful, uplifting remix of Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine." It's pure house brilliance that captures the essence of the Garage sound. On the flip, the trio reunites for "Loving You," a Motown-inspired anthem featuring Yasmeen's powerful vocals. These tracks, which have been staple spins for DJs like Cajmere and Sonny Fodera, form part of a larger collection that celebrates house music's rich history, with remixes of iconic tracks. The cover art, designed by Alexander Juhasz, adds an extra layer of cultural significance to this must-have release.
The Ray & John - "Day By Day" (instrumental) (6:08)
Angel'o - "Angelo" (5:19)
All Trouvee - "Darling" (3:50)
Angel - "Tomorrow Night" (3:53)
Eggs Time - "Feeling Action" (4:12)
Review: Leng Records' 59th release is something a little different: a very personal collection of largely obscure and hard-to-find gems, mostly created by European pop producers in the late '70s and early '80s, from artist and record collector Paul Beckett. Firmly Balearic and sun-soaked in tone, there's plenty to set the pulse racing throughout. For proof, first check Ray & John's 'Day By Day (Instrumental), which sounds like Please-era Pet Shop Boys reclining at a pool party in Rimini, before admiring the space rock/synth-pop fusion of 'Angelo' by Angel'o. Over on the flip, Beckett offers up three more slices of glassy-eyed goodness, with the loved-up deep synth pop of Angel and the fretless bass-sporting wooziness of Eggs Time standing out.
Review: Detroit legend Patrice Scott joins forces with EDB and Gary Superfly, delivering a two track tidbit of digestible house curios. Scott's A-sider 'Mood Swings' sonically charts the feeling of melancholic ups and downs via minimal house, nailing the dubiousness of the mood with careful portamentos between strung notes, and blue-noted piano to garnish the ivorian cupcake. 'The Fifth Floor', meanwhile, upends things into a much wider, galactic spacefaring affair, as broken beat drums and acid squelch ground pie-in-the-sky flareups of synth.
Review: Silent Force Records unleash a brand new series SFR Titans and its down to the mighty giant Sicknote to launch it. Naturally he tears the series a new one before it's even started. 'Craw' takes the lead as Sicky links with old mate and long-time collaborator Escher for some tense, emotional volatility. For 'Lates' on the B-side old Notey chops goes solo and takes us proper darkside. Think 'Angel Fell'-era Dilli with a slice of old Digital and you're in the right armshouse. Titanic.
Sina XX & Dance Divine - "Dancefloor Is Hot" (6:10)
Sina XX & Metaraph - "Color Of People" (6:57)
Sina XX & Lacchesi - "Goth It" (5:43)
Enham, Lessss & Sina XX - "Le Demon" (5:10)
Review: Get your marching boots on and strap in for a white knuckle ride from fledgling label Body to Body. This second release from the French crew is another thrilling take on hard techno and gabba as Sina XX links up with different artists across four cuts. First, it is with Dance Divine for the flat-footed menace and lashing synths of 'Dancefloor Is Hot' then Metaraph joins for 'Color Of People,' a cut that burrows deep on an oversized bassline and edgy string stabs unsettle the mood. Sina XX & Lacchesi's 'Goth It' is a minimal excursion on tightly wrapped drums and bass that are full of pent-up tension then last of all is the most brain-frying and textural rave of the lot as Enahm and Lessss join in for 'Le Demon.'
Review: The 12th release on Mr. Bongo's signature 45s series saw a reissue of two foundational releases in Brazil's modern popular music category; now the record hears a second round, fresh again off the master metal lacquer. On the A, we hear Brazilian samba luminary Elza Soares covering Jorge Ben's classic 'Mas Que Nada' - albeit with a hoarser vocal tone, such was Soares' signature voice, one which only led to a whopping 34-album career. B-sider Elizabeth, by contrast, upholds a mystery; the artist was nicknamed "Gatinha do Mato" ("jungle cat"), and recorded 'Vou Falar-Lhe Francamente' at some indeterminate point in 1960s Sao Paolo, when and where Brazilian local styles blended with funk and rock.
Eddie Logix - "2nd Choice (It's Still Not Over)" (6:13)
Blair French - "Whispers Of You" (11:40)
Topher Horn - "Gratiot" (dub) (5:46)
Review: Many happy returns to Detroit's Rocksteady Disco, an undeniably consistent label that has reached the ripe old age of ten years old. To celebrate, they're releasing a series of anniversary EPs containing fresh jams from the label's roster of artists. Mainstays Sol Power All Stars get things going with off-kilter Afro-house scorcher 'Solsibisa' - all heavy horns, hot-stepping drum machine beats, squelchy synth-bass and heady vocal snippets - before Eddie Logix combines lightly pitched-down First Choice vocal samples with Balearic guitar bursts and plenty of deep house nous on '2nd Choice (It's Still Not Over)'. Over on the reverse, Blair French gets summery on the Latin-tinged deep house joy of 'Whispers of You', while Topher Horn reaches for dense drums (acoustic and electronic), sparse melodic motifs and heavy bass on 'Gratiot Dub'.
Review: Colemine Records has devoted itself to releasing top notch soul music for close to 20 years now. Those who follow the label closely trust the purveyor of the label (Terry Cole) enough to blindly pick up each and almost every release. The label's knack for finding and sharing some of the best versions of soul music is clearly evident from the latest by a group called The Splendids. Originally recorded in 1961, these two songs were destined to launch this talented ensemble. Two things' happened in 1962 though. Beatles music made Doo-Wop almost irrelevant overnight. In addition, members of the group got called into Vietnam. 63 years later after originally forming, the surviving three of the five members recording once again. The result is phenomenal and makes us feel like we are back in the 1950s. Only 500 copies in total have been pressed.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
sshadess - "Discoteka" (6:28)
The Coomers - "Miso Soup" (7:20)
Girlcop - "Carbonara" (5:54)
Emsho Shoshe & Mat Fink - "Give Up" (5:09)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
'Lords Of Miami' is a fantastic name for this new one from Domesticated, a label run by one of Berlin's best electro aficionados, Robyrt Hecht. Sshadess, The Coomers, Girlcop and Emscho Shoshe each contribute original cuts ranging from the janky to the smooth, with choice bits like 'Carbonara' remaining unpretentious and not-too-produced, yet also peppery on the glitches. Shoshe's 'Give Up' lends an experiment to vocal booty house too, adding an extra creep factor to the genre with freq-scooping phasers on the sample.
Review: 'Lords Of Miami' is a fantastic name for this new one from Domesticated, a label run by one of Berlin's best electro aficionados, Robyrt Hecht. Sshadess, The Coomers, Girlcop and Emscho Shoshe each contribute original cuts ranging from the janky to the smooth, with choice bits like 'Carbonara' remaining unpretentious and not-too-produced, yet also peppery on the glitches. Shoshe's 'Give Up' lends an experiment to vocal booty house too, adding an extra creep factor to the genre with freq-scooping phasers on the sample.
Review: Pro Latin percussionist come dance music producer Susobrino has set about releasing his forthcoming record BRI in three parts, the third and final of which you hear here. This fulfilment of a triptych delivers three collaborations with three fellow amazing artists - Silvio Astier, Entranas and DJ Fucci - all of whom knock out each rhythm, bending it to a taut, convected degree we didn't know was possible. So to all the chin-strokers out there: if you think dance music isn't dance music unless it stays rooted to the ones and threes, you're wrong! Building on Tumacoan, Ecuadorian and Bolivian rhythms, Susobrino commandeers three further, most masterfully freehanded rhythmic frolics, the best of which has to be the bird-call imitating, gourd-slapping 'Esquites'.
Review: Eindhoven underground acidcore distributor and label Flatlife generate yet another mind-melter for the nitty masses, supercolliding tracks by four of the foremost DJs come sound-summoners on the subterranean scene. Flatlife have dispatched rapid-response rave Apaches since 2009, and A-siders 'Septic' and 'Lord Of Darkness' bring a fittingly mid-noughts feel to things, during which time the roughage of hard dance fused with the encroaching gloss and finesse that came with digital sound tech that defined the decade. The mood is horrific, with 'Saure' climaxing to apocalyptic, territorial levels through waspish yamps and kick crushings, while the aggro is not lost on the ensuing 'Out Of Order', somehow the most relaxed of the four.
Bibleway Church Of God In Christ - "Since Jesus Came Into My Life" (3:09)
Eliezer Mass Choir - "Where He Leads Me" (3:01)
Review: If you're looking for an introduction into the world of original 1970s and '80s gospel funk and gospel soul, you can't do better than Tone B Nimble's ongoing Soul is My Salvation series of double A-side "45s". This is the eighth edition in the series and contains two more thoroughly obscure workouts. On the A-side you'll find Bibleway Church of God in Christ's 'Since Jesus Came Into My Life', a fizzing gospel-soul stomper that was first featured on the organisation's 1980 private press LP What Do You Say About Jesus. Over on the flip there's a chance to savour Eliezer Mass Choir's 'Where He Leads Me', a more disco-tinged number that reminded us a little of the Joubert Singers' much-loved 'Stand on the Word'.
Review: The relaunch of the BRZ45s series brings back some of the most coveted Brazilian 45s, this time with a vibrant new design. This release features two standout tracks sure to captivate collectors and DJs alike. On Side-1, Trio Ternura's 'Vou Morar No Teu Sorriso' delivers an energetic blend of funk and soul, with powerful drums, dynamic breaks, and rich horns that drive the track forward. Originally from their 1971 self-titled LP, it's a perennial favorite in DJ sets, known for its infectious rhythm and big, soulful vocals. On Side-2, Eliana Pittman's 'Quem Vai Querer', a samba-funk gem from 1977. This track rolls out with a groovy samba beat, layered percussion and Eliana's captivating lead vocal, building beautifully into a catchy chorus, with the intensity of the drums amplifying as it progresses. Both tracks are perfect for the dancefloor, offering a taste of Brazil's rich musical heritage with a fresh, modern twist.
Review: This release features four club tracks from the recent Cold Blow fifth anniversary CD compilation. It includes contributions from Matti Turunen of the renowned electro group Morphology who does a good job of serving up his signature while the EP also highlights a funky electro collaboration between Qwerty and Ed DMX. Additionally, there's a true minimal techno banger from the legendary Mono Junk and last but not least is the introduction of an enigmatic new producer named Sleep Mathew. He adds an intriguing touch to this diverse collection that marks five years of Cold Blow in style.
Ella Andall - "My Spirit Is Music" (Luke Una Machine Soul Tops Off edit) (7:16)
Slick Mission - "Time's Up" (Luke Una 5am Shabeen Proto House edit) (7:13)
Manu Dibango - "Jingo" (feat King Sunny Ade - Luke Una Dancing In Outer Space edit) (5:51)
Review: While he's not put out many re-edits of late, Luke Una has serious scalpel-job pedigree. Back in the 2000s, he and then DJ partner Justin Crawford released a series of largely disco-focused edit EPs on the hush-hush Electrik Souls series. Here he returns to the format with the first in a series of reworks focused on his popular, dusty-fingered E Soul Cultura project. He begins by teasing out and lightly toughening up a killer Caribbean cut from the 1990s, Ella Andall's 'My Spirit Is Music' - an insanely rare and hard to find number that the Sheffield-born DJ has naturally tweaked sensitively. Elsewhere, he emphasises the 'proto-house dub' feel of Slick Mission's early UK house number 'Time's Up', before going even dubbed-out and more percussive on Manu Dibango's lesser-known cover of Latin disco classic 'Jingo'.
The Masters At Work (Keep It Comin' Now) (One take Tito mix) (5:08)
The Masters At Work (Keep It Comin' Now) (Masters At Work dub) (4:59)
The Masters At Work (Keep It Comin' Now) (bonus beats) (3:35)
The Masters At Work (Keep It Comin' Now) (The Kenlou mix) (5:38)
The Masters At Work (Keep It Comin' Now) (Eddie Mood dub) (6:33)
The Masters At Work (Keep It Comin' Now) (LP version) (4:21)
Review: Rather significant as old-school house releases go, the chain of influences behind Masters At Work’s ’The Masters At Work (Keep It Comin’ Now)’ is an elusive one. In 1991, Louie Vega and Marc Antony remixed new jack swing titan Keith Sweat’s own ‘Keep It Comin’, a timeless B3 side to round out Sweat’s original Elektra Records release. The track was a snowballer indeed, as it evolved into a standalone B-side in its own right, complementing the garage house classic release ‘Ride On The Rhythm’ on Atlantic Records. Now promoted once again to an A-side, we hear three new and exclusive mixes of thee original dub as well as two variations: Latinesque backing fills and programmable melodics twaddle away in the background of One Take Tito’s mix, while Kenlou and Eddie Mood bring twin yogic, myofibril relaxations to an already contracted sound.
Jay Sound - "Reflections Of Love" (feat Josefine) (6:33)
Review: Fusion Sequence is a new offshoot from the Mellophonia label that kicks off with a heavyweight release both literally - its 180g vinyl - and metaphorically. It features seven different artists offering up one track each on what is a widescreen exploration of fresh deep house. They are A Vision of Panorama, Eternal Love, Pool Boy, Wolfey, Laseech, Larry Quest and Jay Sound and between them everything from cuddly depths to more moody late-night deepness is covered on an EP that brings plenty of new perspectives. A fine inaugural 12", then.
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op 34 (17:12)
Review: This recording of the Philadelphia Orchestra performing Sergei Prokofiev's 1936 story and orchestral score Peter and the Wolf was recorded in 1977 and was originally released in 1978. The role of the narrator on the recording was initially offered to both Peter Ustinov and Alec Guinness who both turned it down, before David Bowie agreed to take on the role, supposedly as a Christmas present to his son. On the B-side is another equally as charming piece of recent classical history, Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra as narrated by Hugh Downs.
Review: Renowned bassist Ron Carter's inaugural album, 'Where?' introduced a stellar lineup of talent alongside the main man including Eric Dolphy on clarinet, saxophone, and flute, and pianist Mal Waldron. Originally recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studios in New Jersey in 1961, the record showcases the early brilliance of Carter's musical vision. Now reissued as part of the Original Jazz Classics Series, this edition is pressed on high-quality 180-gram vinyl by RTI. Mastered with meticulous care by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, using analogue techniques from the original tapes, this release offers a pristine listening experience and is a great chance to rediscover the timeless allure of Carter's debut masterpiece.
Review: In August 1961, John Coltrane and his legendary Quintet, joined by visionary multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy, played the revered Village Gate in Greenwich Village, New York, not, at that time, as established as it would soon become. This special new double album features over an hour and a half of music that has never before been heard, including well-known Coltrane classics such as 'My Favorite Things' and 'Greensleeves' as well as the only known non-studio recording of Coltrane's 'Africa' from his Africa/Bass album. The record then marks a historic moment in Coltrane's career.
Review: This all new EABS meets Jaubi In Search of a Better Tomorrow long player is the result of musical bridges having been formed between Jaubi and the releases on Astigmatic Records and collaborations between musicians from Europe and Asia and EABS members' trips to Pakistan and Poland. It is a world sound with Moogs, bass guitars, grand pianos, Fender Rhodes, clarinets, saxophones and vocals all colliding tradition with new school thinking. Hip-hop elements, improvisation and spiritual jazz and Hindustani ragas all feature in this most cultural and musical melting pots.
Review: Once known as the technical wunderkind of alt hip-hop collective Odd Future, the ascension of Earl Sweatshirt to incomparable outlier status as a wordsmith very much in his own lane, has been a muted spectacle to behold. Celebrating the tenth birthday of Doris (his acclaimed major label debut released in 2013) earlier this year in front of a sold out KOKO just a stone's throw (no pun intended) from our offices, the anniversary show was immediately followed by a mass exodus down to Camden's Jazz Cafe where a limited club experience teased material from the much-pondered collaborative project with legendary producer and long-time Earl affiliate The Alchemist. Currently available to stream while vinyl continues to be pressed, Voir Dire exudes a lackadaisical, dare we say positive demeanour across its brief half-hour runtime, with Earl unpacking his fading twenties, preparing for his encroaching thirties and delving into the shift in perspective that comes with fatherhood. Brimming with both artist's trademark flourishes of drugged out, apathetic delivery and chopped, screwed and warped jazz and soul samples, the subtle coalescing of styles results in a work that's equal parts enlightening yet understated, while long-time collaborators/friends Vince Staples and MIKE both offer standout appearances.
Review: Elusive former Odd Future wordsmith Earl Sweatshirt celebrated the ten year anniversary of his seminal 2013 major label debut Doris back in August to a sold out crowd down the road from our offices in KOKO. Directly after the show had finished, the mass would march down to the Jazz Cafe for an exclusive club night where teasers were unveiled of the long-gestating collaborative album with esteemed, multi-generational hip-hop producer The Alchemist. Already streaming while vinyl currently sits on the presses, Voir Dire offers a reliably hazy, laid back yet subtly esoteric collection of forward thinking, muted bangers; breathing with the same sonic ambivalence of a project such as Madvillainy, while the mainstay features from Sweatshirt alumni MIKE and Vince Staples aid in grounding the work within the ever-expanding tapestry of Earl's output.
Review: Crooked Man aka the legendary DJ Parrot is also Earth Angel and here he is back with a second project on Foundation Music following the release of two singles with the renowned new jazz singer Lady Blackbird. Here he goes back to his roots in Sheffield in the 1980s when Black music forms were fast emerging on the scene and having a huge influence on the fledgling electronic movement. The music in this record taps into that with sounds that mix up street soul, boogie, heavy bass and some great songwriting from Crooked Man with originals, versions and expansive dubs all featuring.
Review: Appearing on labels as varied as Phonica, Shall Not Fade and Growing Bin, Bartosz Kruczynski has certainly carved his own path as Earth Trax. Now he arrives on Lapsus, the Spanish label which tends towards more introspective electronica and ambient. From the tender folk of 'Closer Now' to the straining neo pop of 'Understand' it's clear we're in for an experience very different to the upfront club bangers we might have enjoyed in the past. Proving himself to be a bold and fearless creator capable of many different sounds, with Closer Now Kruczynski is taking Earth Trax well and truly interstellar.
Review: You should never assume too much when it comes to Eartheater. Powders on Mad Decent and finds the maverick modernist at her most vulnerable and exposed. Where she's so often warped and manipulated her voice as part of her hyper pop experimentation, here she comes through in strikingly direct terms whether soaring over elegant threads of synthesis (on gorgeous opener 'Sugarcane Switch') or covering System of a Down's 'Chop Suey' in fragile, acoustic fashion. Even after so many albums, it feels like we're still in the process of understanding the many dimensions of the Eartheater creative universe, and here is but one new galaxy to explore.
Review: Jacob Long's fourth full-length LP for Kranky hears the artist otherwise known as Earthen Sea expand his repertoire to an almost full reimagining, taking to the now longstanding Earthen Sea moniker from the fresh incarnation as a "piano trio", rather than a solo production effort. Though we gather this might not genuinely be the case, all it took was a simple shift in self-imagining to fashion a completely different take on a still so far meditative sound. Here elements were chopped and resampled, then layered with bass, drums, percussion and additional keys; the result is a fusion of live band acoustics and downtempo loops, sculpted into nine smoke-and-mirror dubs of fractured jazz, soft-focus noir and trip hop dust.
La Mujer Serpiente (with Lido Pimienta & Oliwa - album version) (3:55)
Quiero Que Mami (with Verito Asprilla) (4:25)
Limones (with Oliwa, Numu & Semblanzas Del Rio Guapi) (5:46)
Dei Dream II (3:43)
Selam (with Etsegenet Mekonnen - dub) (3:17)
Salta La Cuerda (with Huaira) (4:18)
Song Of The Wind (2:07)
Selam (with Etsegenet Mekonnen) (4:02)
Waves (2:27)
Review: Earthtones land on Wonderwheel here with their first full-length album. The title encapsulates a message of unity and hope for humanity and aims to emphasise our interconnectedness and the universal bond of love. Rooted in Folkloric Futurism, Earthtones merges global folk traditions with modern technology inspired by pioneers like Mr. Fingers and Kevin Saunderson. Analog synthesisers, vintage drum machines, and folk vocals create a truly unique sound that celebrates the past and the future, spirituality, feminism, and peace. Highlights include '??sanyin' featuring Maikel Alberto Salazar and 'La Mujer Serpiente' with Lido Pimienta.
Review: One of the joys of Athens of the North's East Coast Love Affair project - an in-house band with a twist - is its' joyous musical eclecticism. Previously, they've delivered boogie, house, street soul, funk and disco. On this debut album, the collective spent some time in the studio with friend-of-the-family and Pikes Ibiza resident For Mankind (real name Russ Forman), and as a result the set has a dreamy, colourful and picturesque Balearic vibe. Of course, the influences are a bit wider than that - think dub, proto-house, ambient, Larry Hard-style deep house, Sun Ra and Brazilian music for starters - but that descriptor does neatly sum up what's on offer. Deep, evocative, pretty and impeccably produced, it's the most well-rounded and musically expansive East Coast Love Affair release to date.
Review: Rhino have embarked on a grand reissue mission and plan to put out all of the Echo & The Bunnymen's first four albums. Here we have a remastered version of Ocean Rain on 180-gram black vinyl. It was the fourth of the band's albums and was related back in 1984. It reached number four on the UK Albums Chart thanks to singles like 'Silver', 'Seven Seas' and personal favourite 'The Killing Moon.' The album got the band back to the top of their game after the rather less than warm reception to previous album Porcupine the year before thanks to its new found romantic sweetness and the band's bittersweet melodies.
Explanation Of The Funk (feat Dre King & DJ Stylus) (4:08)
Three-Season Crank (feat Raja Kassis) (6:11)
Slip 'n Slide (5:22)
Alligator Confrontation (5:09)
Off The Rails (5:57)
Pull My String (4:50)
Bleeps, Sweeps, & Creeps (2:30)
What Happened To Yesterday? (5:07)
Black Bird Dub (4:47)
Review: Glenn Echo & Daniel Meinecke won plenty of acclaim with their last outing What Happened To Yesterday?! and now they quickly back it up with a third outing on MotorCity Wine Recordings What Happened To Yesterday? Vol 2 is another blend of heady, dubby sounds with cosmic dance vibes that span serval sub-genres with ease. 'World In My Head' kicks off with lo-fi and low-key depths, and further downtempo tracks like 'Explanation of The Funk' with Dre King's trumpet and DJ Stylus's cuts, and 'Three-Season Crank' with Raja Kassis's guitar further sink you into blissed-out beats. The flip side has dancefloor-friendly jam 'Off The Rails,' then moves into dubby, meditative territory and ends with the gorgeous 'Black Bird Dub' which allows Echo's eclectic production and Meinecke's keyboard mastery to shine.
Review: Glenn Echo and Daniel Meineck are back on Detroit label MotorCity Wine with their first new music in two years following their well-received Partly Cloudy album. What Happened to Yesterday? is, we are told, the first of two albums from the pair that will arrive several months apart. It finds the pair get super hazy and dubby, with psychedelic charm swirling around their absorbing grooves next to subtle cues taken from the diverse likes of DJ Premier and King Jammy. There is a superb Moog-based cover of De La Soul's 'I Am I Be', Afro-Carribean disco in 'Dancehall of Grandeur' and epic jazz-rock on Volcano Sound' so dig in and prepare to be wowed.
(Baby Can We) Lift This Up? (feat Hemi Moore) (3:57)
Table For Two (feat Tilly Valentine & Bran Mazz) (3:12)
The Way Things Were (feat Isaac Waddington) (3:38)
Breakfast In Bed (feat Joe Bae) (2:27)
Review: edbl is a dynamic producer based in South London who is synonymous with a mellow, soulful sound and collaborations with over 60 different artists. His acclaimed work South London Sounds played a pivotal role in establishing his popularity in Japan and Asia not least his signature track 'The Way Things Were' featuring Isaac Waddington. This all new long player compiles carefully selected songs that take in some superbly smooth and soulful tracks. Highlights include the jazzy flute-infused 'I'll Wait' and the beautifully vocal-driven 'Table For Two,' which sure do solidify edbl's status at the forefront of the global music scene.
Review: Cameroonian legend Victor Edimo's rare and collectable Decca Nigeria album Thank U Mamma enjoys its first reissue since being released in 1981. Five tracks tight but crammed full of vibes, this is one of the funkiest, sunniest and most vibrant albums to come out of Lagos in the early 80s. From the blissed, bless 'thank you' vocal loop of the title track to the blazing feels of "Marina Drive" to Victor's signature freak bass licks on "You", this is such a beautiful album from start to finish.
Review: Scottish producer Tony Scott graces Prologue for the first time with a debut album under the Edit Select guise - now as established a name as his old Percy X work was. The Munich label is cultivating quite the reputation for techno album projects, with excellent longplayers from Mike Parker, Echologist, Dino Sabatini and of course Voices From The Lake in recent times and we can add Phlox to that pile. The Scotsman's collection of mesmerising and sometimes big-room techno productions is a perfect match for the Prologue aesthetic, pitched perfectly between moments of emotional ambience and "hypnotic monsters for the dance floor". Look out for a new rendition of "Bauer", which appeared on the Berghain 03 Mix CD and the Dino Sabatini collaboration "Survivors Of The Pulse".
Theme For A Pretty Girl That Makes You Believe God Exists (1:27)
Checkout Blues (3:12)
Blinking Lights (For Me) (1:56)
Dust Of Ages (2:20)
Old Shit/New Shit (3:09)
Bride Of Theme From Blinking Lights (1:50)
Hey Man (Now You're Really Living) (3:01)
I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break Your Heart (3:42)
To Lick Your Boots (3:26)
If You See Natalie (3:38)
Sweet Li'l Thing (3:21)
Dusk: A Peach In The Orchard (1:11)
Whatever Happened To Soy Bomb (2:27)
Ugly Love (2:54)
God's Silence (1:19)
Losing Streak (3:04)
Last Days Of My Bitter Heart (4:52)
The Stars Shine In The Sky Tonight (2:14)
Things The Grandchildren Should Know (3:16)
Review: Talk about taking your sweet time. Anyone want to hazard a guess at how long Blinking Lights & Other Revelations took to finish? Thought not. In truth, Eels started work on it in 1998, but it wouldn't see the light of day until 2005. Marking the start of a new era for the band, contractually at least - their deal with David Geffen and Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Records having dissolved the previous year - the album was high concept, too.
As per frontman E, writing on the band's official website at the time of Blinking Lights' release, the record is about "God and all the questions relating to the subject of God." Suddenly the extended production period makes sense. Then you see it has 33 tracks listed on the sleeve and it all becomes clear. A classic piece of alternative rock with big, bold ideas, it should always be remembered as one of the first landmarks to come from America this millennium.
Review: Egyptian Lover has been kicking out the jams now for a full four decades. His famously hardware-driven sound is pure bay-popping perfection and has seen him define and redefine electro many times over. Staying true to his signature 80s west-coast electro sound, his new album 1987 echos classics of his like 'Egypt, Egypt' and Thebes of them all, 'I Need a Freak', by blending signature Roland 808 beats with Kraftwerk and hip-hop influences. He's a veteran at this stage, but he still moves a floor like few others can.
Review: Back in 1980, Roy Ayers assembled the Eighties Ladies - a soulful vocal quintet whose members included sometime Aquarian Dream vocalist Sylvia Striplin. Sadly the group didn't last long, but their vibrant "Ladies Of The Eighties" single - a fine disco-tinged slab of boogie/jazz-funk fusion - became a big club hit. Their debut album, which is here reissued for the first time, is equally as impressive, with highlights including the rushing, part-rapped, attitude-laden "Tell Him" - later covered in the bruk era by West London outfit BB Boogie - cheery "I Knew That Love" and the liquid slap bass-propelled intergalactic space funk jam "It's Easy To Move" standing out. Throughout, Roy Ayers' production and arrangements are as tidy as you'd expect.
Review: A veritable French fusion institution; classically trained Cameroon musician Eko Roosevelt Louis was responsible for a catalogue of exciting jazz funk, disco and afrofunk records throughout the 70s and remained active touring Europe until the 90s when he returned to Cameroon to inherit the role as tribal chieftain from his grandfather. Released in 1979, Funky Disco Music was his third album and packs some of his most powerful compositions. The triumphant title track says it all; laidback, charming and full of positivity it sets the scene for the whole trip. Highlights include the rock-tinged soul chugger "Une Chanson Sans Paroles", the highlife uplift of "Doi Da Manga" and the smouldering showstopper finale "Emen Ango". Dig deep and enjoy... Africa Seven promise more Eko reissues in the near future.
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