Review: Pink Siifu and Ahwlee are the rap, neo-soul and r&b duo B. Cool-AID and this is their new album on Lex. Leather Blvd is a woozy and lo-fi late-night trip through a range of narcotic atmospheres. The raps range from slurred and drenched in reverb to more crisp and well-defined as tracks range from short and sweet to epic and sprawling. There is a real intimacy to this record as well as a borrowing from jazz as these tracks unfurl and slowly make their way into your affections. It is another great coming together of this contemporary pair.
Review: BaBa ZuLa, Istanbul's most experimental band, continues to push the boundaries of Turkish psych-rock. Known for their hypnotic blend of Turkish percussion, electric saz, and electronic elements, they've gained a cult following across the globe. With influences from legends like Einsturzende Neubauten and Can, their latest album Istanbul Sokaklari is a sonic and political statement. Combining deep rhythms, glitchy electronics and dual male-female vocals, BaBa ZuLa's music transports listeners into a world where tradition meets modernity, offering a glimpse into both the future and the heart of Istanbul's streets.
Circus II (feat Yusuke Sase & Weedie Braimah) (4:41)
88 (feat Bigyuki) (1:23)
Reprise (feat JK Kim) (1:09)
Review: Electric Rider marks a major release from saxophonist Tomoaki Baba, celebrated for his role in the Blue Giant soundtrack. A Berklee alum who's performed with Takuya Kuroda and 'J-Squad,' Baba teams up with co-producer BIGYUKI, blending saxophone, keyboards and drums in a tight trio format. The album's original compositions showcase Baba's skill and chemistry with BIGYUKI, featuring a vibrant fusion of jazz and contemporary influences. Involving guests like JK Kim on drums and ermhoi, Electric Rider is a powerful statement from one of Japan's most notable jazz talents.
Review: Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Bay Rose says she makes music for those that are "aimless and heartbroken". Her magnificently rich voice conveys the pain and lament everyone has felt at some point in their life of this new sophomore album Through & Through. There is an honesty to it that has defined all her work to date and a determination to really say something with her music. Unrestricted by genre though couched in hip hop and r&b, lead singles like 'Dance With Me' marry lo-fi beat work with her smoky, raw soul vocals to make for something truly impactful. There is no wonder this one has already had plenty of press praise on both sides of the Atlantic.
Review: Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, the enigmatic steel pan group from Hamburg, made waves in 2024 when their cover of 50 Cent's 'PIMP' was featured in the Oscar-winner film Anatomy Of A Fall. The track played a key role in the movie's success and led to the first-ever steel pans in the orchestra pit at the Academy Awards, further boosting the band's saliency. And yet despite global recognition, 'PIMP' is just a glimpse of their catalogue, which is already rather extensive. Since signing with Big Crown in 2014, Bacao've released four albums and numerous singles, and Big Crown Vaults Vol. 4 flaunts many of these dishings-out, with covers of Bob James' 'Nautilus', Khruangbin's 'Maria Tambien', and the uptempo original 'Kaiso Noir'. It serves as a tantalizing bud-whetter, too, before their oncoming fifth studio album.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Tough Victory (3:11)
Space (2:32)
Raise It Up (2:37)
My Jamaican Dub (2:40)
I Need Somebody To Love Tonight (4:01)
Dirt Off Your Shoulder (2:53)
Getting Nasty (3:04)
Blow Your Cover (2:34)
Represent (3:23)
The Healer (2:50)
Les Fleur (3:20)
Squaring The Circles (3:29)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
The latest must-cop record from the good people at Big Crown is a real summer special. Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band serve up some seriously soul-enriching grooves, with the impossibly warm and good time vibes that come from steel drums on each and every one. The beats are rooted in funk, with fat bass and expressive horn work bring each one to life. There are sojourns into dub, disco and jazz, and the whole thing bris with so much character and personality that it cannot but put a smile on your face.
Review: Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, the mysterious steel pan outfit from Hamburg, have amassed a cult following around the globe. With a slew of classic 7"s and three critically acclaimed full length albums, they set a high bar for themselves, one which they clearly intend on pushing to even higher heights with this new offering. On their fourth album BRSB, Bacao return with more of the same, but more of the same with them is of course inherently different. Covering songs that span genres, and range from mega-hits to underground album cuts, they make them their own with their unique approach to the traditional steel pans of Trinidad and Tobago. While part of the allure of a new Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band album is finding out what covers they choose, it is equally intriguing to see what original tunes they've cooked up alongside these, and this record is foul of standout originals. from 'In The Crosshairs' to 'Grilled' to 'Treasure Quest'.
Review: Complex Emotions, the 16th album from The Bad Plus, confirms the band's endless creative energy and evolution. Featuring the talents of guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Chris Speed, the album is a bold leap forward, beginning with Reid Anderson's 'Grid/Ocean'ia shape-shifting opener that morphs between turbulence and calm. The track clears the way for the exhilarating 'French Horns', where Monder's structured yet frenzied solo captures the band's fearless spirit. With standout contributions like Speed's vibrant 'Cupcakes One' and Anderson's blistering 'Deep Water Sharks', the album straddles the boundaries of jazz and rock, tapping into an electrifying synergy reminiscent of guitar icons like Jeff Beck. Quiet moments like 'Carrier', 'Casa Ben' and 'Tyrone's Flamingos' offer dreamy, introspective counterpoints, showing King's percussion and Speed's airy lyricism. The Bad Plus, with Monder and Speed joining founding members Anderson and King, continue to defy genre labels, blending rock, jazz and ambient textures. From blistering intensity to melodic subtlety, Complex Emotions encapsulates the band's drive to innovate and redefine.
Beside April (feat Karriem Riggins & Arthur Verocai) (7:02)
Love Proceeding (feat Arthur Verocai) (7:11)
Open Channels (5:52)
Timid, Intimidating (7:08)
Beside April (feat Arthur Verocai - reprise) (3:42)
Talk Meaning (feat Arthur Verocai, Terrace Martin & Brandee Younger) (8:17)
Review: Canadian trio Badbadnotgood have made us wait for Talk Memory, their fifth album. Arriving a decade after their first full-length, and some five years since the release of their acclaimed fourth LP, it's a much more expansive and cinematic affair than its predecessors - both in scope (it includes more nods towards post-rock and jazz-rock, for example) and sound (a number of tracks feature string arrangements by Brazilian arranger Arthur Verocai). It's a dazzling affair all told, with the band's choice of improvisational composition techniques and an impressive guest list (Laraaju, Karriem Roggins, Terrace Martin and Brandee Younder all appear) resulting in a string of epic, life-affirming compositions. Picking highlights is tough, but we'd suggest checking slow-burn, constantly building epic 'Signal to the Noise' and the buzzing, psychedelic jazz-rock of 'Beside April'.
Whats Yo Phone Number/Telephone (Ghost Of Screw mix)
Dial’Afreaq
I'll Call U Bac
Hello
Review: Erykah Badu tops up her patented purple vinyl reissue series, which she's slowly been building up over the last few years. Taking influence from hip-hop, jazz, R&B and art rock, the album 'But You Caint Use My Phone', originally released in 2015, dealt with the challenges of dealing with quiet-storm emotion in an isolated digital age. Prescient for the post-COVID era, this remaster and reissue is just as well-received for missed Zoom calls as it is for missed Nokia bells.
Review: Erykah Badu remains an absolute badass but the fact she doesn't release much music anymore is very frustrating. She single-handedly defied the neo-soul sounds of the 90s with a superb run of albums as good as any artist in any genre. This one, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh), was her fifth way back in 2010 and as always it has soul to spare and a loose structure that placed you right at the centre. 'Window Seat' is one of the standout singles of many that were produced by various top talents including J Dilla, Madlib, Questlove and more.
Review: Erykah Badu remains one of our favourite all-time artists and one of the greatest voices in neo-soul even though these days she never actually releases much music. Along the way from the 90s onwards though she dropped a superb run of albums including the still astonishing debut Baduism and New Amerykah series. This part, part one, subtitled Fourth World War, gets the reissue treatment courtesy of Motown and features plenty of Erykah's dark and trippy vocals, smoky soul sounds, candle-lit atmospheres and thought-provoking lyrics.
Review: Together under the starry skies of the 70s, Arnaud Rodrigues and Chico Anysio made some of the most incredible music of that decade, under the name of Baiano & Os Novos Caetanos. Their legendary debut LP from 1974, under their own name, has become a Brazilian funk addict's must-have, not to mention a Holy Grail for contemporary sampling. Until now, it's been difficult to get a hold of it on viny format, so we're super psyched that the irresistibly reliable Far Out label has decided to reissue it. With 11 tracks to marvel at, there is a slice of funk for all walks of life and, of course, there is so much grooving to done! Quite simply, this is feel-good music for feel-good people, and this duo's vibes are just about the best thing we could ask on this June morning. Cop it before it's too late - we wouldn't want you to suffer at the hands of the online sharks, now!
Review: Frozen Reeds continues to be a fascinating label providing rare insight into hidden corner of experimental music, here documenting two rare performances from improv legends Derek Bailey and Paul Motian. The pair may have hailed from distinct career paths, but they came together in superlative fashion for two concerts between 1990 and 1991. The first, recorded in Groningen, is captured on this album following a discovery of the tapes in a forgotten archive, and it finds the momentary duo in particularly focused form. Their disruptive musical tendencies are tempered to allow musical themes to emerge and settle before plunging into the next wave of unexpected expression and experimentation. The second performance, recorded the following year in New York, is included as an additional download.
Review: Derek Bailey and Simon H. Fell recorded At Sound 323, well, live at the Sound 323 gallery in London. It is a mesmerising improvisational journey that defies conventions and expectations as it captures the essence of spontaneous musical exploration. Bailey's intricate guitar work dances effortlessly alongside Fell's dynamic double bass to create a dialogue that is both intimate and intense. Each track unfolds organically, with the duo seamlessly navigating through a myriad of textures and tones and seemingly making sound out of anything to hand, such is the DIY feel of each piece. From the delicate and intricate to the more haphazard and ramshackle, every moment is a testament to the duo's unique chemistry and improvisational prowess.
Review: Big Crown Records is proud to present Zero Grace, Liam Bailey's sophomore album on the label. Following the success of 2020's Ekundayo album, the tried and true chemistry of Bailey and producer Leon Michels (El Michels Affair) is on full display again as they take the sound they established and push it further. On Zero Grace they lean more into the bleeding heart singer-songwriter side of Liam. The album is full of freedom and love; working with Leon Michels and Big Crown Records has encouraged Liam to be himself. On opener 'Holding On', Bailey speaks to his observations & fears when looking out at the world in front of him and also to the dedication it has taken to get on the other side of his personal trials & tribulations. 'Dance With Me', meanwhile, is an instantly infectious two-stepper that nods to those incredible soul records that were coming out of Jamaica during the early reggae days. Bailey addresses the racial tensions that plague humanity and encourages everyone to step up and do their part to help foster equality. What starts out as a declaration of injustice turns into a call for action and an inspiration for hope.
Review: UK soul and funk band The Baker Brothers have been delivering their signature grooves since bursting out of Bournemouth in 2000. Formed by Chris Pedley and brothers Dan and Richard Baker, their love for funk and soul has led to a dynamic career spanning 13 albums, including their latest, The Next Last Party. This new collection marks a return to their roots with tough, bass-heavy tracks like 'Sunrise' (featuring Hannah Williams), 'Heartbreaker,' and 'You Are The One'. Balancing fiery funk with soulful respite, further standout moments include 'Western Morning' (with Frankie Connolly) and the mellow closer 'All The Time'. This is another superb album full of timeless funk and soul fusion for many different moods.
Review: The great jazz trumpeter Chet Baker recorded Broken Wing in Paris in December 1978 and despite what he was going through personally at the time, it remains a showcase of his undiminished talent. The album highlights exceptional chemistry between the main man and his ensemble which featured pianist Phil Markowitz, bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-Clark, and drummer Jeff Brillinger. They deliver remarkable renditions of Richie Beirach's title track, Wayne Shorter's 'Black Eyes,' and Baker's own 'Blue Gilles.' Baker shines on the trumpet and delivers a graceful vocal performance on 'Oh You Crazy Moon' making this rare but now reissued LP an essential addition to your collection.
Review: Baker's Holiday is a 1965 album that sees trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker paying homage to the legendary Billie Holiday. Released now on Verve, the album features Baker's signature mellow trumpet solos complemented by his occasional vocals. He is supported by a full saxophone section and a four-piece rhythm group, including renowned pianist Hank Jones, while colorful arrangements by Jimmy Mundy enrich the listening experience. The album consists of ten songs associated with Lady Day, many of which Baker had not recorded before. This classic album is now part of Verve's Acoustic Sounds vinyl reissue series, which aims to deliver audiophile-grade versions of historic jazz records. Each title in the series is mastered from original analogue tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl, and packaged in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets. Baker's Holiday exemplifies Baker's talent and serves as a beautiful tribute to one of jazz's most influential figures.
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