Broken Beat/Nu Jazz/Nu Soul charts

Review: Jimi Tenor's latest single, ahead of his upcoming album, presents two contrasting moods that evoke his inimitable style with striking clarity. 'Summer of Synesthesia' conjures the feeling of long summer days, where sound melts into colour and colour into flavour. The track flows with a dreamy synth progression, subtly assembled over Cold Diamond & Mink's rhythm section, while Tenor's soft vocal adds a final touch of elegance. It's a sweet escape, a piece that envelops you from start to finish. On the flip, 'Tsicroxe' is a stark departure, opening with a menacing organ riff straight out of a horror film. The funk underneath from Cold Diamond & Mink grounds it, but Tenor's eerie flute solo keeps the tension high. It's a dark, ritualistic journey and the cryptic vocal snippets at the end are an invitation to rewind and discover something hidden.

Review: The brilliant Jimi Tenor is adored in the scene by those how know his music. For over 30 years now, his discography shows his work for him to be labeled a genius. 'My Mind' was a track that was included on his 1999 album Organism. This new version is more akin to his recent live performances of it across the world in recent tours. This version is a bit rawer but doesn't lose the smoothness of the original. A classic of his discography and a signature song of his concerts, you get a glimpse into what makes Jimi Tenor once of the most beloved personalities in electronic music history.

Review: In recent years we've become accustomed to Jimi Tenor flitting between off-kilter jazz, Afro-soul and - most recently via a Freestyleman collaboration - oddball house. 'Mysteria', his latest single, recalls the easy-going vocal numbers that marked out his years on Warp Records in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Not quite lounge, synth-pop, deep boogie or jazz-funk but rather something in between, the song features a typical lead vocal from Finland's greatest export bar Teemu Pukki, some seriously squelchy bass, and plenty of retro-futurist charm. Arguably even better is 'Vocalize My Love', a kind of jumpy Afro-dancehall number featuring analogue bass, hot-stepping drums and superb vocals courtesy of Florence Addoni and Lizzy Amaliyenga.

Review: Those who've discovered Jimi Tenor in the last two decades would be well advised to check out this fine early retrospective from the eccentric Finnish musician. It focuses on the early years of his career (1994-2001), when he was known for serving up a bizarre but brilliant take on jazz, easy listening and lounge music - sometimes mixed with contemporary electronic sounds - for both Sahko and Warp Records. The collection contains a number of skewed, must-have late '90s underground hits (see "Outta Space", "Year Of The Apocalypse", "Sugardaddy" and the wonderfully sleazy "Take Me Baby") but also some lesser-known gems, experimental outings and even a track made with the Riga Symphony Orchestra.

Review: A fresh record from interstellar voyager of cosmic soul Jimi Tenor, who finally lands his spaceship with perfectly balanced descent onto Timmion Records' landing pad. The first in an apparent series, the Finnish saxophonist and other-instrumentalist here delivers Is There Love In Outer Space?, a spaced-out album session recorded in collaboration with fellow virtuosi Cold Diamond and Mink. At once cosmically expansive and lounge-ifically chilled - a hard balance to strike - the album hears Tenor transcend the patent Sun Ra inspiration for something beyond. Whether by way of its wowwing surfy licks on both parts of 'Gaia Sunset', or the orbital funk of 'Orbital Telesto', we're sure Tenor's latest will both simultaneously uproot and relax even the most fierily grounded of souls.

Review: On paper, this may seem an unlikely collaboration - Japanese ambient and deep acid stalwart meets eccentric Finnish lounge, jazz and exotica veteran - but it's a genuinely brilliant EP. 'Big City Takes' genuinely makes the best of both Calm and Jimi Tenor's talents, with the latter's eyes-closed vocals, evocative flutes and shuffling exotica rhythms fitting perfectly with the former's stirring strings and immersive ambient electronics. Tapes remixes, first delivering a jazzy hip-hop informed head-nodder before serving up some ambient dub/digi-dub fusion, before Calm delivers his version of a second Tenor collaboration, 'Time and Space' - an ambient jazz masterpiece. Vendetta Suite's warming, subtly tropical Balearic rework of that track is also brilliant. Tip!

Review: Jimi Tenor's collaboration with Cold Diamond and Mink on Is There Love In Outer Space produced an exceptional album of jazz, soul and broken beat that served as a portal to another universe. It landed earlier in the year and now two standout tracks from it are featured on a special limited edition yellow 7". The title track enchants with its cosmic balladry, while 'Orbiting Telesto' offers a delightful cosmic voyage with celestial keys and soulful vocal touches. This music transports listeners beyond the confines of Earth and up amongst the stars with its escapist melodies and smooth grooves.

Review: Jimi Tenor's collaboration with Cold Diamond and Mink on Is There Love In Outer Space made for a superb album that plays out like a transcendental trip. Now come two of the best tunes from it on this special limited edition yellow 7". The title track captivates with its galactic balladry, while 'Orbiting Telesto' is a super sweet cosmic voyage with celestial keys and warming vocal coos that add extra soul. This is music that takes you off the blue planet and up amongst interstellar bodies for a smooth and seductive excursion.

Review: Jimi Tenor's upcoming album July Blue Skies on Timmion Records is previewed with this single which offers two contrasting moods. 'Summer of Synesthesia' captures dreamy summer vibes and sounds that transform into rich colours and flavours. The track features building synths over Cold Diamond & Mink's rhythm with Tenor's soft vocals adding beauty. On the flip side, 'Tsicroxe' begins with a haunting organ arpeggio evoking a Dario Argento-inspired atmosphere. Cold Diamond & Mink's funk provides relief, but Tenor's eerie flute solo intensifies the ritualistic vibe.

Review: Jimi Tenor's first single from his upcoming new Timmion album Is There Love In Outer Space? evokes the 1980s cosmic sound of Nigerian keyboardist Mamman Sani. The psychedelic desert blues guitar solo transports listeners to a cold Sahara dune where you witness a magical sunrise on Earth. It encourages you to close your eyes and let the music paint vivid colourscapes in your mind as the minimal vocals feel like a welcoming chant for the rising sun. This collaboration between Tenor and Cold Diamond & Mink is another delight that melds cosmic and raw soul music and very much gets us excited for the full length to come.

Review: Jimi Tenor's collaboration with Cold Diamond and Mink on Is There Love In Outer Space is a transcendental trip through musical dimensions. From the ethereal synth-laden tracks to the funky grooves reminiscent of Sun Ra, each song explores a different sonic universe. The album's title track captivates with its galactic balladry, while 'What Are You Doing?' ignites a dancefloor frenzy. This collaboration revitalizes Tenor and CD&M's established styles, blending cosmic and raw soul seamlessly. Together, they invite listeners to embark on a celestial voyage, where music transcends earthly boundaries. So, buckle up and let this musical spaceship soar.