Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Wewantsounds press ahead with their hotly-awaited reissue of Japanese piano jazz master Fumio Itabashi's acclaimed album from 1981, Watarase. A seminal document of the history of jazz recorded at the rough moment that the pianist reached his career apogee - the eighties saw him perform several international tours - Watarase is exemplary of Itabashi's unorthodox piano playing for the time. Virtuosic, yet not indulgent of sustained notes or boilerplate consonance, Watarase is keen to wring out the purity of each composition, seeming less interested in style or ornamentation over pure composition. The result is an album which we're not surprised was raised to the heights of jazz standard exalt, with the title track being of most note in this regard; although the less obvious cuts here are also particularly enchanting, such as the rollicking two-chord improvs of 'Miss Cann'.

Review: Ysla, the latest album by Swiss-Polish-Japanese singer, composer and improviser Yumi Ito, is a breathtaking journey into the depths of personal storytelling and expansive, genre-blending soundscapes. Moving between art-pop, jazz and neoclassical, the album dives into themes of solitude, renewal and the end of worlds, beautifully woven with nature, psychology and societal reflections. For the first time, Ito recorded all piano parts herself, layering her vocals with remarkable grace over intricate compositions. In these seven original pieces, Ito has refined her vocal improvisation into a universal language that resonates effortlessly, transcending linguistic borders. Her voice glides seamlessly through varying rhythms and keys. Supporting her are Kuba Dworak on double bass and Iago Fernandez on drums, creating a fluid, versatile rhythm section that explores vast musical terrains. With contributions from guests like Chris Hyson on synths and Szymon Mika on guitar, Ysla feels both intimate and grand. Recorded with Daniel Dettwiler at Studio Idee und Klang on the legendary mixing console used by Queen and Supertramp, the album is a resonant island of artistryiundaunted, timeless and surrounded by vast oceans of sound. Ysla is Ito's boldest, most profound work yet.

Review: Oli Heffernan's ever-evolving project, Ivan The Tolerable, joins Riot Season for two captivating albums that explore the beauty of entropic drift. Recorded swiftly as a quintet, Heffernan enlisted Christian Alderson on drums, John Pope on double bass, Kevin Nickles on flute and saxophone and Ben Hopkinson on electric piano. The first album was Vertigo, a dense and disorienting work reminiscent of Sun Ra meets Exploding Star Orchestra. In contrast, Water Music evokes serene landscapes with sounds of waves, creaking hulls, and gentle winds, blending influences from Laraaji and Natural Information Society. Bob Fischer of Electronic Sound Magazine describes Water Music as a "beautifully soothing psychedelic jazz album" perfect for a summer daydream.

Review: Ixtahuele's new album is a thrilling journey into the world of exotica, blending traditional sounds with modern flair. From the fearsome 'Jungle Chase' to the mysterious 'Moonflower' and the relaxing 'Hookah Parlor,' the album offers a diverse range of experiences. The band's sound and songwriting continue to evolve, pushing the boundaries of classic exotica while staying true to its essence. Each track invites you to embark to a world of noble savages and urban primitives, making it perfect for a rum-fueled adventure or a relaxing evening. Whether you're a fan of the genre or new to its charms, Ixtahuele's latest offering is a stunning audio fantasy that will leave you wanting more.

Review: Nigerian-American recording artist, poet, and TED Fellow Iyeoka hails from Boston and captivates audiences with powerful vocals that melt like butter over an eclectic blend of afrobeat, pop, jazz, dance, and rock. Her unique sound and dynamic performances have earned her a great following and her album Say Yes Evolved back in 2014 showcased her ability to seamlessly fuse diverse genres while delivering emotionally charged and impactful music. She has revisited it here for a new vinyl issue on limited gatefold vinyl that reminds once again of her unique charms.

Review: Pianist-composer Vijay Iyer follows his 2021 ECM disc Uneasy - the first to showcase his trio featuring bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Tyshawn Sorey - with Compassion, another album in league with these two gifted partners. Compassion, Iyer's eighth release as a leader for ECM, continues his drive to explore fresh territory while also referencing his forebears along the way, two of them long associated with the label. The album includes a powerful interpretation of Stevie Wonder's 'Overjoyed', which Iyer selected as an indirect homage to the late Chick Corea. Another tip of the hat comes with 'Nonaah', a whirlwind of a piece by avant-garde sage Roscoe Mitchell, a key mentor for the pianist. Then there are Iyer's own melodically alluring, rhythmically invigorating compositions, ranging from the pensive title track to the hook-laced highlights 'Tempest' and 'Ghostrumental'.

Review: The second album from Vijay Iyer and Wadada Leo Smith on ECM is a meditation on resilience, sorrow and the human condition. Across four expansive tracks on Defiant Life, Iyer's piano and Fender Rhodes intertwine with Smith's haunting trumpet to create a soundscape that's both urgent and serene. From the solemn depth of 'Sumud' to the shimmering melancholy of 'Floating River Requiem' and the radiant close of 'Procession: Defiant Life' notions of suffering, resistance and hope are explored. The record was recorded in Lugano and produced by Manfred Eicher. It's a deeply reflective work of emotional and spiritual resonance.

Review: Jeremie Moussaid Kerouanton, simply known as iZem around our circles, is a new face on the downtempo scene, and one which we'd very much like to see more of. Luckily, he's returned with his debut album, and it's on the incorrigible Soundway label; we probably mention it often, but it is one of our meccas when it comes to the leftfield end of the spectrum. This is a proper album and, by that, we don't mean that it sounds good and that every track is amazing; we mean that it works as one single body of music, a real 360 degree view of iZem's point of view. The tracks are as varied as the sounds in them, and from Eastern vocals to improvisational tribalism and subtle waves of deep house, we feel that this is the sort of LP that'll appeal to many different sorts of collectors. The house-heads will like it for its sensibility to other genres of music, the balearic fiends will find it naturally welcoming, and the folk fans will find plenty of inspiration. Don't miss out on this, it's a keeper.

Review: In 2019, Resistencia Sonora was born as a collaborative project uniting urban and rural ethnic-peasant resistances in Montes de Maria, Colombia's western Caribbean. Rooted in a musical epicentre renowned for gaita, cumbia, bullerengue, son palenque, son de negro and accordion styles like porros and pajaritos, the initiative celebrates and preserves the region's rich folkloric life. This album documents festive gatherings, knowledge exchange and co-creation inspired by composer Andres Narvaez, a social leader and land-rights activist. His vision brought musicians together to uphold traditions and honour regional elders and this limited edition vinyl includes a 12-page bilingual booklet with extra background.

Review: Broc Recordz's Cosmos Giants album is a celestial creation that stems from a monumental collaboration between Janko Nilovic, JJ Whitefield from Poets of Rhythm, and Igor Zhukovsky of the Soul Surfers. Together, they've sculpted a sonic world where genres meld seamlessly and offer a transformative auditory experience where funk, psyche, and soul all inform a jazz underbelly. The ensuing musical odyssey rather defies easy categorisation that is all about immersion in meticulously crafted tracks. From the laidback vibes of 'Inner Space' to the eerie and celestial melodies of '(Wind From) Mount Everest' this is a high-class record.

Review: This release feels like a collision of worlds, where abstract textures and rhythmic intricacies are forced into a dialogue with more accessible forms of electronic music. The opening track sets a tone of strange, mysterious propulsion, yet never fully gives in to any familiar conventions. Instead, it hints at a narrative unfoldingia journey, almost, where sound and intention coalesce but never fully resolve. It's a slow burn that rewards those who stick around, offering complex layers that reveal themselves gradually. Far from merely experimental, it finds a rare balance between artifice and soul, making each sonic twist feel purposeful and immersive.

Review: A Day of the Sun is a spiritual jazz masterpiece full of poetry by two geniuses of the Japanese musical scene. Masahiko Togashi and Isao Suzuki: pivotal figures in jazz, with a unique talent and sensitivity that transcends conventional jazz forms and styles. In addition to being skilled performers they demonstrate extraordinary compositional talent that transcends their sensibilities and wisdom of more conventional jazz. A Day Of The Sun is based on Togashi's drums and percussion and Suzuki's bass, with occasional changes to cello and piano/synths, and is skillfully performed by just the two of them, creating a unique worldview; a performance that far exceeds expectations. The mystical melodies of the East, earthy percussion and the sensibilities of the two intertwine to create a unique groove, resulting in a universal masterpiece that will never fade away and connects with today's sound makers and DJs. Top sound quality from original master tapes. Includes four-sided insert with a very interesting interview at the time with the two musicians regarding the record.

Review: A record unlike any other, 'Is That What You Want' is a fascinating slice of what some might call 'outsider soul', but even that label can't do full justice to the music here. Part of a wholly unrecognised community of DIY musicians living in East Philadelphia in the 1980s, Lee Tracy and Isaac Manning were a vocal, instrumental and production duo whose efforts flew sorely under the radar at the time that they laid these slick slices of experimental joy to tape. Bleeding a shocking transfusion of gospel, electro, lo-fi, funk and soul, this is a worthy slice of Afrofuturism existing outside the jazz connotation. "We never went to no studio," retorts Manning, showing off the pair's homespun ingenuity. Bolstered by a slew of DIY videos shot in Lee's front garden, this has everything from black Southern IDM to machine-glitched proto-raps. It deserves all the recognition it can get.