Back catalogue: Broken Beat/Nu Jazz/Nu Soul

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: REPRESS ALERT!: New York producer P-Sol has hit on a super effective formula for starting the party, stitching together a selection of familiar samples and hooks, adding some beautifully dusty breaks and adding a final sheen of shiny production skills. Both sides of this 7" have a touch of raw 'two turntables' action about them, while remaining impeccably constructed and tight, with the A-side 'This Way' proving to be the slightly speedier and slightly more funk/r&b-flavoured, while 'Breathe & Stop (Abstract Blend)' is the one for the pure hip-hop heads. Both, however, are dynamite in the box, needless to say.

Review: The Paradise Projex was created by ex-music director Phil Edwards and is a showcase of his years of experience as a musician, songwriter and producer. Combining soulful sounds with creative innovation, the project embraces an inclusive approach that leans on music's ability to unite minds across continents, cultures and even generations. This month sees the release of their new album I Am You, which includes the single 'Here & Now' and is a former number one on the UK Soul Breakers chart. Next to that comes this special 7" including two vinyl exclusives - 'Magic Night' and 'Someone Like You' are fine soul, nu-jazz and broken beat twisters.

Review: Detroit innovator and singular soundsmith Theo Parrish returns with a new EP which we're told is his response to "stagnation and nonmovement" either physiologically, mentally or physically. 'Positive Mental Attitude Solves All' is up first and is a tribute to the late great funk-father Amp Fiddler. It's a typically deep cut with dusty drums and irregular, scruffy percussive lines layered in next to diffuse synth warmth and soulful melodies. 'Traffic Jams' plays with similar signature themes and is sure to loosen up mind, body and soul. Another standout bit of work from the venerable Motor City man.

Review: DJ Slow, JA-Jazz, and Jame Spectrum may not be household names across the world, but those who follow Pepe Deluxe seem willing to follow them to the ends of multiple sonic spectrums, and then push through into the Other Side together. The trio, better known as Finnish electronic music obscuros Pepe Deluxe, have been making beats and other pieces since around 1996, first garnering a name for themselves with an infectious combination of hip hop, breakbeat, downtempo and big beat.By 2007, when they released their third album, Spare Time Machine, the remit had changed, slightly, and was less interested in sampling, more concerned with revitalising old school music genres like psyche, baroque pop and surf rock. Freedom Flag brings us up to date, circa 2024, and it seems there's enough room for both approaches, with this two-tracker rooted in everything from trip hop to brass-topped indie.

Review: Renowned reeds player, composer, and producer Finn Peters unveils his latest offering Red, Green and Blue and it is a vibrant fusion of global influences condensed into three potent tracks of what Peters dubs 'ancient techno'. This solo endeavour continues Peters' sonic exploration and expands upon the palette he began with his Purple and Yellow EP nearly a decade ago. MPC3000 and SP12 percussion intertwines with cosmic flute choirs and transcendent saxophone, guided by analogue synths that bridge eras past and future. Inspired by dreams of the Miraculous Mandarin, an immortal mystic from the future, Peters crafts musical resonance here, awash with alchemy and timelessness.

Review: Now we're talking. At the time of writing - mid-spring 2025 - Britain has been basking in the warmest March and April since the first Covid-19 lockdown, but dark skies and a cold lack of humanity are prevailing emotions. Far right, fascism, the death of creativity and the onslaught of automation are enough to leave anyone feeling like they've been locked out of the sunshine and have to fend for themselves against a torrent of chilling realities. But not all heroes wear capes. Some are just called Charles Petersohn, and they make sun-soaked, soul-inspiring, warm jazz-inflected deep house that feels born in a more natural period of Earthly evolution. In fact, it was born after time spent in South Africa, one of the global epicentres of this genre, where the producer was involved in an NGO charity project. Immediately catchy, resolutely life-affirming, and probably the grooviest thing we've had all month.

Review: Proh Mic delivers his best work with this new single which sets the stage for an upcoming album that is sure to once more invite us deep into his unique disco-funk world. 'Special Request' is a dance floor anthem but also a tribute to the DJ that is sure to become a Modern funk classic. Produced by Liquid Pegasus, it's a party starter with funky-ass drums and big, irresistible claps under a retro-future vocal. The B-side, 'Free To Be', features Proh Mic singing and rapping about staying authentic in a world that tries to dull our shine. With soulful production by Vitamin D, the track blends fun with deep, life-affirming lyrics and has a truly timeless edge.

Review: A stunning showcase of Pu Poo Platter's ability to craft infectious, captivating grooves, Funk Night Records proves again here that is never disappoints in delivering top-tier funk from all eras. The A-side, 'Pbppbp,' features loose, live-sounding drum breaks paired with haunting chords creating an eerie, late-night vibe, complemented by soulful guitar lines. On the B-side, 'Pbpbppbb' slows things down with a laid-back groove, offering a relaxed, rolling rhythm enhanced by exquisite keys and smooth chords. This 7" is a perfect blend of energy and soul.

Review: You can never go wrong with the music put out by US label Funk Night. It covers all aspects of funk from across the ages and here we have some hot shit from Pu Poo Platter. First up on the highly effective 7" is 'Pbppbp' with its loose, rolling, live-sounding drum breaks and rather haunting chords which bring an eerie late night edge next to the soulful guitar lines which worm in and out. 'Pbpbppbb' then cuts back and chills you out with a more lazy rolling groove and some exquisite keys and chords.

Review: Resonance is the superb new album from Essa and Pitch 92. Essa is something of a veteran who back in the early part of this millennium was putting out tunes under the name Yungun. He is a Londoner and lawyer who played a key part in the UK's golden hip-hop era and picked up props for his work from dons like Nas while also working with De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, Guru, Slum Village and Pharoahe Monch. This record taps into that time with its soul-drenched, low-slung and late-night beats, specially and politically aware lyrics and gorgeous samples. A contemporary classic steeped in authenticity.

Review: L.A. songwriter, producer, and performer Jerry Paper, also known as Lucas Nathan, is back with a rather impressive tenth studio album, INBETWEEZER. This new and vital collection features a blend of crooning rockers and bubble-pop jams that do a good job of showcasing the artist's playful and experimental spirit. The album delves into complex emotions as he embarks on a journey of "radical growth" through therapy and ultimately discovers the path to becoming a therapist. Each track grapples with themes of change, unlearning past behaviours and the continuous cycle of personal development. As such this is more than just a good listen is a thought-provoking work that prompts lots of inward reflection as you experience the artist's introspective exploration and joyful creativity.

Review: Saxophonist Leon Phal is back with a first album for Heavenly Sweetness that bridges nightclub and jazz club culture. Following 2021's Dust to Stars, this LP showcases his unique style within the French new jazz scene and finds him joined by his quintet: Arthur Alard on drums, Remi Bouyssiere on double bass, Gauthier Toux on keyboards and Zacharie Ksyk on trumpet. Entirely crafted with traditional jazz instrumentation, Stress Killer blends jazz and electronic influences with tracks like 'Fuck Yeah' nodding to Detroit techno and Chicago house. Highlights include vocal features from K.O.G. and Lorine Chia, an inventive take on Coltrane's 'Naima', and reflective moments like 'Clarity'.

Review: Enji and Popp are Squama label regulars of and here they unite for their debut LP, Nant, under the Poeji alias. It finds them expanding beyond post-dub and downtempo and building on their 2022 EP, 031921 5.24 5.53, which was a limited run of dubplates, to showcase their innovation in the studio. The duo employs minimal initial ideas and relies on non-verbal cues to shape their sound in the studio and Enji's vocals, subtly integrated with reverb and guitar effects, complement Popp's intricate use of wooden and metal percussion perfectly. It's layered with tape echoes and analogue delays so Nant offers great moments of fleeting musical beauty.

Review: POSY's full-length debut The Garden is such a lush and organised soundscape that it really lives up to its tranquil title. Emerging from the Pacific Northwest, POSY is a multi-instrumentalist who crafted the album using analogue gear and traditional studio setups to create a warm, rich sound. The album's title is inspired by a real garden - a place of solace where the artist overcame writer's block by recording voice notes that they later refined in the studio. Influenced by artists like Yuseff Dayes and KIEFER, The Garden blends jazz, funk and downtempo with gems like 'All The Time' and collaborations with vocalists SAiGO and Jennyfire helping it to really stand out.

Review: Cult Vancouver duo Potatohead People, which is of course made up of Nick Wisdom and AstroLogical, finally make their return to Bastard Jazz with their much anticipated fourth album, Eat Your Heart Out. It is another great icing that builds on their renowned clean and musical production and finds the pair once again showing off their skills as vocalists, songwriters, and musicians. Over the last decade, they've been revered for their production sensibilities and that doesn't change as with each track they coop up intricate beats with jazzy melodies, summery vibes and plenty of hooky motifs that come with great guest spots from the likes of Shafiq Husayn & Ivan Ave, Kapok and many more.

Review: Bruno Pronsato has always operated at the fringes of the electronic world and draws as much from the inventiveness of jazz as anything else. Now he is back with a new album Rare Normal that is his most adventurous and ambitious yet, and it was made at a time that he was, we're told, "immersed in the work of Charles Ives" and that the eight tracks are a result of him experimenting with mixing dissonance and consonance, tone rows and twelve-tone theory. The result is deft and abstract minimalism with supple rhythms that rise and fall next to mending pads and deft sampled vocal whispers. Its intimate and late night and hella moving given how quiet and unassuming it is overall.