Review: Religion, and specifically gospel music, always played a key part in shaping the sounds and emotions of easy house music. It is clearly going to have just as much impact on this new label God Iz Enough which debuts with an EP of the same name from Tomi Ahmedeus. His style on the opener is to lay down raw and dusty beats with an early Windy City feel and infuse them with evocative, guttural gospel vocals that really bring them to life and make them inescapably emotive. 'The Rise Of The Guttersnipe' strips things back a little and brings a shuffling tech vibe with some glistening melodies while 'Ms Ludus' is a gorgeous ambient closer.
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.
Review: This is a full artwork version of the same release that dropped recently as a pre-release white label, so will look as good on the shelves as it sounds on the decks. DJ Dez Andres has been particularly productive of late after releasing a series of" records that showcase his signature edits. The collection includes 'Boogie,' a broken beat banger featuring a catchy whistle, followed by 'Maxin',' a sensuous, downtempo track with smooth pads and laid-back beats. The final track, 'Talking,' wraps things up with soulful vocals and a romantic, late-night vibe.
Review: Originally released on the cult V4 Visions label in 1991 & 1994, Ashaye's 'Dreaming' and 'What's This World Coming To' epitomised the essence of street soul, a genre blending soul, r&b, and hip-hop that resonated across London's pirate radio stations in the 1990s. With the surge in UK soul's popularity in recent years, DJs and tastemakers have championed these tracks which has in turn elevated their demand and value. 'Dreaming' has become nearly unattainable on the second-hand market, while 'What's This World Coming To' commands prices upwards of L50. Snap up this fully licensed RSD release however and you will have both tracks for an affordable price.
Review: Well Curated is a series of releases and parties that - in its own words - "reflects the ethnomusicology of the last 50 years of music" - and aims to reach into all genres, merging classic styles and breaking down barriers. Steve Spacek occupies the A-side with the breezy broken beat and soul-in-space of 'Alone In Da Sun', while Lukid's 'Hair Of The Dog' is a more intense counterpart, with wobbling sub-bass and swirling, surging atmospherics hovering above.
Review: Those two little letters GU are always enough to get us excited. They are of course an alias of Glenn Underground, the masterful Chicago house producer, musician and DJ who still has a much lower profile than his talents deserve. Here he adds a Mix Mashup to Bobpstar's 'Mayday/Captured Restless Soul Mixes' and the result is a bubbly, mellifluous deep house cut with warm and liquid synths, chopped-up vocal fragments and a gooey sense of romance. It is another crucial offering from the Windy City mainstay, even if it is a one-sided 12".
Review: Over the past decade, Cory Champion has navigated multiple musical dimensions. As a composer, drummer, and bandleader, he has led the Clear Path Ensemble through two albums of celestial, dance-infused jazz under Cosmic Compositions and Soundway Records. Simultaneously, as Borrowed CS, he has crafted dubby techno, minimal electro, and soulful jazzy house. His second Borrowed CS release, Rise n Shine via Planet Trip Records, expands on his "Mystic Shuffle" sound and is a brilliant new blend of futurist machine funk, post-disco, and future soul with some fine features from the one and only Steve Spacek and smooth crooner Mara TK who help deliver grooves that shimmer and snap with rhythmic precision.
Review: IRMA has assembled a trio of top remixers here to add their own spin to some fine originals from Bright Magnus. Up first is the LTJ Xperience remix of 'Jungle Corner' and it is a low slung and steamy funk number with loose shakes of a tambourine and languid bass riffs drawing you in. 'Selim/Miles' (DJ Rocca 606 remix) is a blend of smeared synths and woozy guitar riffs over more lush downtempo beats that make it perfect for the midnight hours. Last but not least is 'A Way' (DJ Rocca Black Satin remix) which is a more psychedelic sound thanks to the drawn-out synth percolations that stretch through the mix.
Review: Broken Keys is a multi-talented musician and producer based in Los Angeles. His cut 'Assorted Colors' has become a real underground house classic that now lands on wax for the first time as a special extended 12" remix that really locks you into the languid grooves. The legendary Galcher Lustwerk steps up to add his own distinctive take on the original and infuses it with a techy yet atmospheric groove. Broken Keys explores a different facet of his sound with three distinct cuts on the flip that range from blunted beats and sun-kissed Balearic to chilled-out future soul. They make for a diverse package perfect for the after-club or Sunday morning listening.
Review: Byron The Aquarius has the sort of mad skills on a keyboard that evade all too many house producers. He has also spent years making beats for hip-hop artists so has plenty in his arsenal. His fantastic EP 'Gone Today Here Tomorrow' is a still standout collection of cuts on Kyle Hall's Wild Oats label that now gets reissued on limited orange vinyl 12". It is a superb showcase of his skills that traverse lithe deep house, cosmic grooves, plenty of mellifluous melodies and seductive late-night sounds. 'Moments In Life' is a particular favourite here.
Let's Invade The Amazon (Yoruba Soul remix) (6:19)
Let's Invade The Amazon (JKriv remix) (6:33)
Review: Legend of the Madrid scene Casbah 73 is back with a new one for Kraak & Smaak's Boogie Angst here, featuring four new sweltering tracks. The message of environmental politics on 'Let's Invade The Amazon' sung by Hawaii by-way-of Texas' Tonya Wilcox is backed by a low slung disco arrangement, followed by the late night boogie-down instrumental 'Pale Splash Of Blue'. Over on the flip, remixes come from some right legends of the scene; Yoruba Soul takes the track deeper as expected, while Razor N Tape main man JKriv goes for a tropical vibe.
Sono Come Sono (Whodamanny instrumental remix) (4:29)
Sono Come Sono (Whodamanny remix) (4:00)
Sono Come Sono (Whodamanny extended instrumental remix) (6:26)
Review: Internationally acclaimed Italian singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Chiara Civello unveils a new single, 'Sono Come Sono', blending a mixture of Neapolitan funk and club-infused rawness into four mixes. With the title roughly translating to 'it is what it is', the tune is a true, happy reflection on all things being immutable, and struggle being ultimately futile. Party on!
Nigeria (Tall Black Guy Boogie Love remix - feat Broken Keys) (4:05)
Nigeria (Tall Black Guy Boogie Love remix - instrumental version) (4:05)
African Spirits (Andres extended remix) (5:33)
Review: Nicola Conte is one of the central figures in the Schema story, and his nu jazz and broken beat partnership with Gianluca Petrella has yielded some golden music in recent years. Nigeria originally came out in 2018, and then last year popped up on the duo's People Need People LP, but now it's getting a proper remix treatment which sees Tall Black Guy twisting the track out as a heady disco house roller for sundown moments when you need a little jazzy flair in the proceedings. That version comes in vocal and instrumental versions, and then the mighty Andres steps up for one of his simmering groove escapades as he delivers an extended remix of 'African Spirits'.
Review: Nutria Sounds is a new sub-label of Kai Alce's rightly revered deep house stable, NDATL Muzik, and it's back with 002 here with an EP by rising Toronto producer Marcelo Cruz, who delivers spiritually rich, dancefloor-ready grooves. 'Mi Espiritu (feat Jaidene Veda)' opens with haunting vocals layered over emotive percussion and bubbly drums, then 'Ceremonia' follows with Carlito Brigante's expressive piano dancing atop hypnotic rhythms that bring to mind sacred rituals. Closing track 'Deeper Dreams' dives into raw, underground territory with cuddly bass and stripped-back drums. It's a tasteful one from Nutria Sounds, which seems set to become a crucial new outlet for organic, soulful dance gems.
Review: Bradley Zero's ever hard to pin down but always excellent Rhythm Section International comes through with some deep house excellence here. Far from standard sounds, though, these tunes are infused with all manner of mystic referees. 'Individuality Riddim' is tinny and percussive, empty yet compelling. 'Subtropique' pairs aquatic sound design with shimmering rhythms that seem to owe a debt to djembe rhythms while 'What Now' is astral house with cosmic vibes to spare. There are also two darker, more percussive tunes to close out this fantastically expressive and adventurous EP.
Review: Toy Tonic always deliver interesting, functional, emotional house music and here comes another such serving from the so-far so-excellent Cody Currie. The opener is as deep and jazzy as they come, with rich chords and twinkling pads all floating way above a nice warm bassline. 'LS Anthem' plays with broken beats and warped chords that are woozy and rich as a spoken word sample brings a sense of cool. 'When The Time Is Right' then keeps up the magical Rhodes work and a soulful, shuffling groove before 'M9' picks up the pace a little without loosing any of the heart and version of 'Moves' closes in steamy fashion.
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.
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: Forget the World is a psychedelic instrumental trio led by bassist-composer Marc Decho, who is based in Toronto, Canada, and known for his work with Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Miguel de Armas. Decho brings a fresh, genre-blending sound to the scene and this group blends a real gamut of vibes - 70s soul-jazz, alternative hip-hop, cinematic textures, dreamy LA pop, UK Bruk, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, classical and experimental electronica. Joined by James Hill on Fender Rhodes and synths and Marito Marques on drums, percussion and electric kalimba, their music is immersive and imaginative. It's mixed and mastered by Grammy-winner Helik Hadar and offers a great escape into a new world of awareness.
Review: After a quiet return via Neroli, Domu comes full circle to 2000black with a final statement after 25 years of sonic highs, lows and plenty of reinvention. Haunted by the echoes of jungle's past, Domu steps away for good, he says, with this final outing, which leaves behind three deeply personal tracks. 'A Madness' brims with urgent, sample-heavy energy and signature keys. 'Not Him Again' is a jam with longtime collaborator Robert Marin that plays with tempo and hip-hop norms. 'Them Things' then seeks to capture an elusive feeling and closes an EP that is Domu at his most reflective and raw. The end of an era. Don't let it pass you by.
Review: Berlin's master beat specialist, electronic dub pioneer, African music enthusiast, Basic Channel and Rhythm & Sound member, and Hardwax co-founder, Mark Ernestus, is back with a new Ndagga bullet - and yes, that list was exhaustive on purpose. The myth of a man has turned his attentions from techno to African beat music over the last few years, and the releases have been amongst our favourites within the 'outernational' scene. "Lamb Ji" is as electric and magnetic as you'd expect, full of life and mystique thanks to its complex percussive patterns, hazy production, and lamenting tribal vocals - a super charger on the system. "Lamb Rhythm" is basically a version of the original; more dubby, more stripped-back and with no vocals. Powerful stuff, as always.
Review: London-raised, Lisbon-based songwriter, producer, and DJ William Florelle has been making waves at R2 Records with his soulful electronic groove for a while now. His work has always seemed a natural fit and that tradition continues with 'Red Velvet' which is a sultry track that blends Will Flo's jazz, r&b, and club influences while capturing his uniquely organic yet electronic sound. Also on the 12", Kaidi Tatham delivers a stunning remix with his signature broken-jazz style, while Karizma brings a beat-down dub perfect for late-night sets. Ato Ayerra rounds it out with the Beringei '2am Snack' remix which confirms this is a crucial pick-up.
Review: The ever-diverse Wolf Music Recordings crew looks to Footshooter for a dazzling trip through synth-laced broken-beat joy here. It is an EP that showcases the artist's signature sound across six sizzlers. 'Welcome In' is slow and pensive while 'Turning' ups thence with bristling beats and busy chord work. 'Archetype 7' is a mix of loose percussion and retro chords that never lets up. 'Dojo' brings some cosmic and squelchy synth-funk to the table with ninja precision then 'Angel(s)' encourages you to slow down and take a pause amidst the twinkling keys. 'Hold On' has your sights set firmly on the cosmos as you ride the rueful grooves.
Review: The Treasure team keeps up the momentum of its early release with another fruitful dive into the annals of house history. This time, they have dug up more nuggets from FR and have refined them for contemporary floors. 'ET Is Coming Home' (vocal) is a slow and dubby cut with percolating live bass and muted horns next to some Ubiquity style vocal soul. The instrumental allows the superbly loose-limbed and live drums room to really shine, and then comes an epic, 10-minute-plus jazz-drenched house odyssey that's alive with swirling cosmic radiance and busy chords and synths. A real trip for proper music heads.
Review: Massimo Napoli is Galathea and he is still riding high off the success of his second album Sacred Love. Now he backs up the quality of that one with this new EP on Space Echo which features four unreleased tracks. 'Ancestral' and 'Karimabao' on the A-side feature hypnotic atmospheres and blend African rhythms with tribal percussion and sleek pads to make for a rather addictive fusion for sophisticated dancefloors. 'Africa Carnival' then offers an Afrobeat groove infused with Brazilian spirit and plenty of jazz, and funk all added to by Mario Pappalardo's masterful keyboard work. The EP closes with 'Sacred Club,' a track which mixes up African mysticism with a danceable, clap-driven rhythm that is perfect for a more subdued yet entrancing dancefloor experience.
Review: Plenty of class defines these cuts on Colin Curtis Presents. GEEW is the original artist behind tw of them: 'Bruk Free' is the first and arrives as a vibrant fusion of fleshy synth bass and broken beats with bright chords and florid sax notes. The other is 'Necesitas Esto' (instrumental) which is another sun-worshipping bit of freeform synth jazz-funk. The SLW Geemix is a little more club-ready with some classic Nina Simone vocals re-sung in soulful fashion. Last of all is 'Pachanga' (Be On Di Geemix) which has a cosmic feel in the inquisitive, pixel-thin synth leads.
Review: We're not sure who GeeW is but since 2021 they have served up three super fusion EPs, one on Ten Lovers Music and two on Colin Curtis Presents, which is where they return now for the third time. Their Deeper Than Black EP is a magic one that draws on all forms of jazz, soul, Latin, bossa, funk and house to cook up broken beat explorations doused in sunshine and with one eye on the stars. The title cut is a lively and vibrant jam with layers of percussion and mad Rhodes jams, 'Alzira Vida' is a little more chill but no less expertly arranged and 'Ocean Drive' then gets more dance with its prickly broken beats and lush horns. 'Difi The Hifi' is high-paced fusion brilliance.
Review: 'Suite For Chick' is a heartfelt tribute to the late jazz legend Chick Corea. This 12" was assembled to reimagine classics like 'City Gate, Rumble,' 'Time Track,' 'Hymn of the Heart' and Return to Forever's 'Romantic Warrior.' It finds Bangkok-based Maarten Goetheer collaborating with Thailand's jazz virtuoso Pong Nakornchai and blending Wurlitzer chords, Moog basslines, ARP leads and Rhodes phasings. Inspired by his jazz-pianist father, Maarten fuses classic jazz with modern genres like techno, cosmic disco and ambient for a fresh take on jazz fusion. These electrifying interpretations honour Corea's pioneering legacy in jazz and fusion from his groundbreaking work with Miles Davis to founding Return to Forever.
Review: This naive street soul gem is so rare, that - prior to its repress here by Heels & Souls - it was barely accessible anywhere save for a potential L500 re-flogging on eBay. Luckily, those with their best interests at heart do the glorious work of repressing the tracks 'Over You' and 'Shining Through' - as well as their slightly different dance mixes - to EP-length wax. You're lucky to be in the presence of some quintessential street soul here, featuring detuned vocals, crude plodding drums and digital strings that evoke shafts of evening light on city concrete. And if you're ever suffering a bad breakup, 'Over You' is the harsh remedy.
Review: Matthew Halsall's Gondwana label is seeing a busy August what with the imprint flooding our jazz charts with reissues and, of course, new releases such as this wonderful collaborative effort from The Gondwana Orchestra and Dwight Trible. Trible's voice is like silk, running up and down the delicate waves of melodies from the collective, with "Colors" and "The Creator Has A Master Plan" both capable of making the toughest of audiences feel utterly uplifted. On the flip, "Love Is Everywhere" shines bright amid a flurry of flutes and intricate drum percussions, while "You've Got To Have Freedom" rides off a much smoother, deeper sort of vibe that's got a little funk at its core. Wicked.
Sundays With U (feat Ambra - Neapolitan mix) (6:11)
Sundays With U (GT remix) (7:16)
Review: Gratts returns with a release that perfectly balances club-ready energy and laid-back vibes. The opening track, 'Sunsets (FBI Mix)', pays tribute to Sydney's DJ Simon Caldwell, blending dubby West Coast deep house influences with smooth, atmospheric vocals from Lesley Williams. On 'Sundays With U (Neapolitan Mix)', Gratts delves into jazzy, bruk-inspired sounds with a standout soprano sax performance by Andreas Poppelbaum and lyrics in the Neapolitan dialect from Ambra. The 'GT Remix' of 'Sundays With U' shifts gears, enhancing the original with a deep, dancefloor-focused rhythm. Gratts and his collaborators create a textured release that's as suited for radio as it is for late-night sets.
Review: The DFA debut of longstanding member Jayson Green also signals the revival of the classic DFA twelve-inch format, so you might playfully suggest it stands for Dying Formats Always. Jay has lent his vocals to various bands such as Panthers, Violent Bullshit, Cheeseburger, and the renowned hardcore group Orchid, always showcasing his wit and humor without veering into cynicism. Assuming a bandleader role, he presents a classic A-side here with the low slung funk of 'Local Jerk,' which was recorded during a lively party. It has tight disco drums, resounding claps and a groove-inducing bassline with big horns. On the B-side, 'I Need Love' unfolds as a darkly humorous nightlife satire.
Review: Groove Chronicles are as legendary as it comes when you're talking about garage acts. They have such a rich legacy and it dates as far back as 1997. The dup known as Noodles & Dubchild are now back with another 12" that is going to fly off the shelves and offer up their much sought-after Brokenstep edits. These have been getting big time plays from influencers like Gilles Peterson and Bradley Zero and take in sax-led good time grooves, bustling broken beats and blissed-out instrumentals.
Review: Healing Force Project is prolific Italian artist Antonio Marini. Over the last decade he has dropped plenty of heat on the likes of Firecracker, Berceuse Heroique, 2 Headed Deer, Random Numbers and more. Drifted Entities Vol 1 is his latest offering and is an experimental take on dub, cosmic funk, jazz and drum & bass with the HFP signature unifying it all. 'Tiny Germs' opens up on dark, sparse drums that are kinda haunting then 'Upbeat Damage' is a deconctructed jungle jazz cut with squealing synths that bring the horror. The flip side continues in that eerie manner with fresh musicality and loose arrangements drawing you in.
Review: Detroit native Jason Hogans will not be a familiar name to many, despite the fact he has been putting out music - albeit sporadically - for 20 odd years. A release on Theo Parrish's hero-worshipped Sound Signature will always put you in the spotlight, though, especially when it's as good as this. The artist explores deep Motor City house, percussive broken beats and that shamanistic, off-grid sound that label head Theo Parrish is such a master of. Standouts include the airy, spacious beat work of 'Favorite Coffee Mug' and steamy post-jungle concoction that is 'For My Solids.'
Review: Ltd B's good recent run of form continues with another dive into lush deep house realms courtesy of ICTV. First off the mark is 'Hit The Floor' with its US garage-inspired drums and some old school hip-house vocals. 'Orange Mood' is a steamy one with romantic melodies soothing the soul and some smart vocals adding a tough of firey soul. 'Adrift' then picks up the pace with some high-speed jungle breakbeats and 'Dazzling' sinks back into loved-up late-night sounds with expressive vocal yelps. Last of all, 'Sunset Recall' takes things down into blissed out realms with dusty drums and wispy pads.
Review: Pete Cunningham's hybrid electronic/acoustic jazz collective Ishmael Ensemble has been right at the forefront of innovation when it comes to those sounds. For his latest project he links up with lyricist and MC Rider Shafique. They first met some six years ago when Cunningham was struck by "his powerful way with words." As such they got in the studio, Cunningham embraced a more bass heavy sound to his style and drew on his love of the likes of dub kings King Tubby and Adrian Sherwood. Coupled with Rider's voice and you have a superb new record.
Little Orphan Boy (Two Soul Fusion Downtempo remix) (10:25)
Little Orphan Boy (Two Soul Fusion instrumental) (14:00)
Review: Josh Milan and Louie Vega are real heavyweights and as Soul Fusion they step up here to remix the legendary 'Little Orphan Boy' which is the second single taken from album 'This Is Brian Jackson', the veteran artist's first true solo LP in over 20 years. They do so across four different versions and give it a vintage treatment. The extended 'Two Soul Fusion' mix brings back golden era of Masters at Work with a Latin-infused percussion groove while the 'Downtempo' remix lets Brian Jackson's vocals ride over a stripped back but just as soulful arrangement.
Review: Funk, soul and house music courses through the veins of Jamie 3:26 and he always manages to convey that into his irresistible grooves. The best of them come on his own label 326 which is where he arrives now with this new 12" Dancefloor Damage Vol 1. It's a tight affair with just one cut on each side of the wax, starting with 'Maqnifique' which is a steamy, intense disco house stomper with wiry lines and unrelenting grooves. On the flip is a very different vibe - a sunny, flute-led led and jazzy soulful house number with heart-melting chords.
Review: We've recently waxed lyrical about Jazz N Palms' fantastic re-edit EPs, which see the London collective offer-up tidy revisions of all manner of jazz and jazz-funk obscurities. Predictably, their latest clutch of cut-jobs is well worth picking up, too. They begin in gloriously summery fashion via the glistening jazz guitars, hazy horns and two-step jazz-funk beats of 'Passion', before rearranging a soft-focus flamenco-jazz gem ('Van Van'). They fast forward to the electrofunk era on luscious B-side opener 'Night Rider' - all electronic beats, elongated electric guitar solos and fretless bass - while 'Bueonos Dias' is laidback, lovely, rich in classy horn sounds and blessed with some suitably languid solos.
Face At My Window (Kyoto Jazz Massive remix) (5:25)
Face At My Window (Yoshi edit) (3:04)
Face At My Window (feat Sean Haefeli) (3:30)
Beyond The Dream (Musclecars Reimagination) (10:26)
Beyond The Dream (feat Sean Haefeli) (3:35)
Review: Next up for BBE is a package of remixes that invites several key artists to add their own spin to Jazzanova's superb reimagining of Sam Sanders's iconic 'Face at my Window'. Kyoto Jazz Massive are first to tackle the single which first appeared on 'Strata Records - The Sound of Detroit - Reimagined by Jazzanova' and bring some intimate jazz clubs vibes. After a Yoshi edit and version with vocalists Sean Haefli, musclecars bring a touch of New York and Chicago house classicism to their version. Both remixers bring new perspective to this timeless classic.
Review: Jazzanova remains one of the most musically astute and adventurous acts in the electric scene. Their sounds never seem to age and fuse everything from jazz to funk to soul. That makes them perfect for remixing by more dance floor-orientated producers and that is what we get here. Alongside an original tune 'Creative Musicians' Detroit talent Waajeed brings his warm machine soul and deep grooves, Henrick Schwarz's signature melodic majesty and serene sounds are on display and further dubs and instrumentals are also included. This one really packs a punch for fans of broken beat.
Review: Jeroboam serves up the tongue-in-cheek title 'Brexit Funk' on Chuwanaga and is sure to get you moving as a result. There is some serious sunshine and Brit-funk loveliness to the title track. It is lit up with vibes keys and irresistible funk basslines that all brim with good-time fun. 'Peckham Night' is a more sultry and steamy sound for when the sun is setting thanks to its lazy drums and splashy cymbals all topped with some smoky trumpet soul. A dub mix rounds out with even deeper-cut grooves and romantic melodies. Three grown-up delights for sure.
Review: K15 has never let us down ever since he emerged with a brilliant double pack on Kyle Hall's Wild Oats several years ago. The thoughtful London-based beat smith turns up here on 200 Lack, the acclaimed also London-based outlet for broken beats. 'Resonance' is a gorgeously shimmering and summery opener with pensive chords and lush drumming, while 'Within Reach" then brings some playful funkiness with the majestic squelchy bass work and free-spirited melodies that dart about up top. 'Resistance' closes down this superb EP with more thrilling drum patterns and lithe synths.
Review: Kokoroko very quickly broke through with the last EP on Brownswood. The talented musical collective stuff their tunes with elements of afro, funk, soul and jazz and each one makes an indelible mark. This new EP offers two more such gems: first up, 'Baba Ayoola' has silky drumming that would make Tony Allen proud. The lead trumpets and mellifluous chords all make for a rich sonic tapestry that is ripe for dancing. On the flip is 'Carry Me Home' with more big horns and complex drum patterns, as well as some soulful vocal coos to finish it in style.
Review: Takuya Kuroda is a highly respected trumpeter and arranger from Kobe, Japan but now based in New York City. Midnight Crisp was his seventh studio album and now First World has had a selection of cuts from it remixed. 'Choy Soda' gets superb treatment in the form of Waajeed's Hi-Tech Jazz remix which jumbles the trumpet motifs with shuffling drums and future soul. On the flip, 'Dead End Dance' gets a signature Kaidi Tatham remix that brings the broken beats and sunny sounds to the fore with more languid jazz notes adding sultriness.
Review: The artwork for this new 12" from the System 108 label is eccentric enough to make you want to check out the music even if you don't know the artists. It's the sort of cover that suggests the music will be left of centre and quirky and that it is. 'Sao Januario' is a deep and lazy groove with sunny chords and jazzy keys that take you to the global south. 'Sunny Villa On A Distant Planet' is a twisted disco cut with house leaning drums and big cowbells under intergalactic synth lines. 'Rolando Nascer Do Sol' then rides a crisp electro breakout to keep you on your toes and 'OWL WCS' slows down for a cuddly back-to-mine style closer.
Review: Theo Parrish has green-lit a couple of back catalogue reissues from his Sound Signature label this month and this one originally came back in 2010 and found him on production duties and Bilal Love on the vocals. The Melloghettomental EP is an archetype Parrish offering - dusty, lo-fi beatdown and house fusions with muted but meaningful chords and aching vocal hooks. You get all that on blissed-out opener 'Can't Keep Running Away', superbly soulful live bass work on 'U Bring Me Up' and heavier, more griding grooves but still sublime vocals on 'Why Wait'. The title cut is an off-grid mix of sci-fi melodies and diffuse chords, shimmering drums and low slub bass. Sublime.
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