Review: Making your debut release at 100 years old must be a feat that no-one's ever achieved before. This isn't just a novelty act. Marshall Allen remains a force of nature, and 'New Dawn' proves it. The lead single and title of his debut solo album is a subdued yet powerful statement, showing a different side to the legendary saxophonist who has shaped the Sun Ra Arkestra for over 70 years. Featuring Neneh Cherry, 'New Dawn' unfolds as a contemporary jazz odyssey, balancing Allen's signature cosmic energy with a deep, introspective warmth. His alto sax glides gently over the composition, offering space for Cherry's ethereal presence and the bright young talents surrounding him. On the flip, the instrumental edit allows Allen's playing to shine even more, revealing his intricate phrasing and the emotional depth behind every note. It's not the explosive free-jazz chaos of Sun Ra's wildest moments but a thoughtful meditation on time, legacy and reinvention. For a musician who has always looked to the future, Allen's 'New Dawn' is both a bold continuation and a fresh beginning. A special release for a special artist.
Review: New-gen rare groove band Nautilus, operating out of Japan, deliver their latest 7" record, 'Life'. Just two crisp, piquant, fresh, and bubbly uncorkings in sound - 'Life', featuring vocalist Emi Tawata, and the instrumental 'Master Blaster'- are here heard sprayed like buckshot across the stereo system. The former is a candid admission by Tawata of her fear of the dark and ghosts, one which compels the listener to ponder the song's spiritual metaphor - "I'd rather have a piece of toast, watch the evening news" being the lyric of note - while the latter is a comparatively muted four-to-the-floor funk inflammation, held together by a phat but tricksy drum line and overgirding Rhodes.
Review: With an irresistible blend of broken beat and nu-jazz grooves, 'Chameleon' is a enjoyable smooth jazz gem driven by funky basslines, strings, lively percussive and catchy keys. The arrangement flows effortlessly, creating a sound both sophisticated and danceableia perfect balance of complexity and accessibility. Flipping to the B-side, 'Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong' takes a more laid-back approach. Led by a warm, soulful organ, the track exudes chill vibes with its subtle funk underpinnings and jazzy finesse. The addition of a vocoder adds a playful, retro-futuristic charm, rounding out a composition that's as soothing as it is engaging.
Review: Hey everybody, here's... Nautilus! This prolific contemporary jazz trio are at the top of their game. Regular contributors to their patrons Urban Discos and Oonops Drops, their repertoire extends to everything from full-length EPs' and albums' worths of original material to one-off guilty pleasure covers. This new rendition of Oasis' 'Wonderwall' definitely falls into the latter category. This slick new version abounds in gut-grasping major chords and spine-tingling drum brush caresses, and features passionately candid yet no less elegant vocals by Ray Yamaoda. On the B comes the comparatively funky knockout and jazz original, 'Through The Night'.
What You Won't Do For Love (feat Ryuto Kasahara - Muro re-edit) (4:44)
Love Theme From Sparticus (Kenichiro Nishihara remix) (3:07)
Review: Japanese jazz, funk and rare groove sensations Nautilus share their latest cover version, this time of Bobby Caldwell's 'What You Won't Do For Love'. This version stars Toshiyuki Saki on guest drums and vocalist Ruto Kasahara on vocals, bringing a digressional arc to Nautilus' usual sound. On the flip comes another rerub, this time of Nautilus' own 'Love Theme From Spartacus', from their latest album, remixed by producer Kenichiro Nishihara, which incorporates a light-hearted and feathery jazz-hop verve.
Review: The double-sider 'Black Mother Goose' with 'Chase Those Clouds Away' is a substantial release from the early 70s soul scene, making waves at the Twisted Wheel and Blackpool Mecca. On Side-1, 'Black Mother Goose' offers a rare gem of early soul, highlighted by its brilliant horn section that gives the track a rich, dynamic sound. Side-2's 'Chase Those Clouds Away' channels a feel-good vibe reminiscent of Percy Sledge or Otis Redding, delivering a soulful anthem perfect for summer. This track radiates peace and love, embodying the spirit of the era with its uplifting melody and heartfelt performance. Both sides showcase a blend of classic soul influences and are essential listens for soul fans.
Review: Ramrock Retro strikes gold again with Aaron Neville's soulful classic 'Hercules.' This track instantly stirs real emotions with Neville's effortless, heartfelt vocals, deep-swinging drums and classy horns. A falsetto at the breakdown elevates the song before the rhythm powers on. On the flip side, Al Jarreau's 'Use Me' delivers familiar yet timeless vibes. Whether you prefer this version or others, the result is always the same: deep, slow-motion funk with a sensual, groovy edge that you will not want to end.
Dance Your Blues Away (The Mighty Zaf edit) (4:32)
Review: Originally released in 1979 as a B-side to The Neville Brother's "Sweet Honey Dipper", "Dance Your Blues Away" saw Ivan go solo for the first time on this sultry modern soul jam. Laced with a plucky bass and just the right smattering of sleaze, it set the foundations for Ivan's extensive solo career. It also provides the perfect groove tools for The Mighty Zaf to work his editor craft and beef up the vibe with subtlety. Keep on dancing!
Review: Presenting a standout 45 from Jalen Ngonda and his bandia release that's already making waves. With 'Illusions' gracing the BBC Radio 2 A-List and 'Rapture' lighting up BBC Radio 6, these tracks deserved a spin on vinyl. Packed with sophisticated arrangements and grooves so smooth they practically glide, Jalen's voice holds it all together with a richness only seasoned live performance brings. Both sides are primed to ignite dancefloors, adding class to soul nights around the world.
Review: Jalen Ngonda's latest single, That's All I Wanted From You, features his exceptional talent for soul music. Released on Daptone Records, the track features beautifully orchestrated melodies under Ngonda's stirring vocals. With a perfect blend of raw edge and melody, the song includes female backing vocals that evoke a soothing nostalgia. The tight rhythm section propels the track into a rousing bridge, making it a standout piece. Ngonda, originally from Washington, DC, and now based in London, has excited audiences with his vintage soul appeal and unique personality. Having played major festivals and sold-out shows in Europe, his signing with Daptone has generated significant buzz. 'That's All I Wanted From You' is available on 7", and it cements Ngonda's status as a modern soul artist with an old soul charm.
Review: Night Owls return with a second wave of 7"s, delivering a fresh take on two classics by Aaron Neville under the featherlight sway of infamous record producer Allen Touissant. Reimagining 'Hercules' alongside 'Tell It Like It Is', the duo once again poke at the seams of the cine-funk sound, enlisting powerhouse collaborators - Alex Desert & The Lions, and vocalist Asdru Sierra - on both sides of this blistering 45. The B especially brims with a busty bonhomie on 'Tell It Like It Is', rewiring the OG song's current flows to a throughput of smooth reggae and cumbia.
Review: Night Owls are back with a fresh take on Lee Moses' 1970s cut Got That Will, transforming the soul classic into a dancehall-inspired banger. Dan Ubick leads the production, bringing in powerhouse vocalist Gina Murrell and the tight rhythm section of Wilder, Colie, and Rivas to infuse the track with new life. As if that wasn't enough, Kingston's Ranking Joe adds his signature toasting, giving the track an extra layer of authenticity and drive. The B-side, Got That Dub, takes things deeper with Roger Rivas on the mix, dialing up the echo and delay to create a spaced-out, dubbed-up version. With steady radio play on BBC Radio 6 and KCRW, this release is already making waves. DJs and collectors will want to act fastithis record is primed for late-night sound system sets and is sure to fly off the shelves.
Review: Tony B Nimble's NeighbourSoul Edits Vol.4 is a journey through soulful rhythms and energetic grooves. Opening with 'Jesus,' Nimble sets the tone with gospel-infused house beats and a captivating bassline. 'Your Love exudes soulfulness with a great vocal, while 'Afrodemo' delivers an invigorating blend of funk and tribal beats, enhanced by captivating guitar riffs. Each track showcases Nimble's focus as a producer and we find the topic unique and refreshing in the world of house music.
It's You I Love (So In Love) (long version) (5:42)
It's You I Love (So In Love) (short version) (2:17)
It's You I Love (So In Love) (instrumental) (2:08)
Review: This glorious reissue takes it all the way back to 1983 when Pamela Nivens dropped what has since become a stone-cold and highly sought-after soul and disco classic. If you can find an original copy, you will have to shell out a fair few quid for it so don't sleep on this. It's the only tune attributed to Nivens, but sure is a good one: the production is cutting-edge for the time with smart synth layers into the seductive drums, while the gorgeous vocal is the icing on the cake. You get, long, short and instrumental versions here.
Review: Athens Of The North latest release features includes the rare gem 'It's Bad' on the A-side, a brilliant mid-tempo soul chugger that sits perfectly between the styles of Syl Johnson and James Brown. Its failure to achieve fame during its time remains a mystery. On the flip side, 'Best of Luck to You' delves into deep soul territory, offering a rendition that surpasses both Sam Baker's and Earl Gaines' versions. This 45, with the original style silver ink overprinted labels, not only captures the essence of vintage soul but also present an invaluable addition to any collector's repertoire, showcasing Ike Noble & The Uptights at their finest.
Review: Ike Noble & The Uptights deliver pure soul magic with their latest release. 'Good Thing' is a mid-tempo soul gem that oozes with irresistible charm, drawing comparisons to the likes of Syl Johnson and James Brown. It's a track that demands attention and leaves listeners craving more. On the flip side, 'Look a Little Higher' is a deep soul anthem of epic proportions. Despite its rarity, it's a track that resonates deeply with its emotive vocals and soul-stirring melodies. Together, these two songs showcase Ike Noble's talent and the timeless appeal of his music. With beautifully pressed 45s and original style silver ink overprinted labels, this release is a must-have for soul aficionados everywhere. Ike Noble & The Uptights prove once again that their music is solid gold.
Review: As they often tend to do, a whole bunch of Anthems of the North 7"s have landed hit smooth and as ever they are all gold. This one is an Ike Noble 45s that comes pressed up with original-style silver ink overprinted labels. Kicking this one off is a previously unreleased cover of James Brown's classic 'Money Won't Change You'. It has some raw-as-hell horns and driving funk breaks that will light up any club and might even be better than the original. The B-side is a sweet as you like ballad that pairs off male and female vocals and deep soul, expressive horns and bittersweet grooves.
Review: The 7" single 'Peixeira Amolada e Quebra Queixo' b/w Mariposa Tigre offers a unique blend of Brazilian musical influences. "Peixeira Amolada e Quebra Queixo" draws on two cultural symbols: the sharp knife and a traditional Angolan candy, symbolising both struggle and direct action. For the first time, the band uses guitar, weaving it into a groove full of counter-melodies, representing daily battles for survival in Brazil. 'Mariposa Tigre' blends funk, ethno-groove, and jazzy brass with a reggae-infused twist, creating an irresistible rhythm. Both tracks showcase inventive musical structures with a surprising flair, leaving the listener eager for more.
Review: On the centenary of the birth of Luigi Nono, the Maurice Quartet - Georgia Privitera (violin), Laura Bertolino (violin), Francesco Vernero (viola) and Aline Privitera (cello) - reinterprets the composition for string quartet by the Venetian composer on the occasion of the 30th Beethovenfest in Bonn, in 1980. This limited edition (300) record hammers home the pensive, minimalistic innovations of Nono, considered a radical innovator in the classical music of his time.
Review: This 7" vinyl marks the inauguration of the new Konbini Klassics label and it features expertly curated city pop and funk gems from Japan's golden era. The A-side offers 1983's 'Do What You Do' which is a relaxed synth-driven track with irresistibly catchy vocals. On the B-side you can enjoy the sounds of Cosmos, the all-female supergroup who deliver their slap-funk classic 'Midnight Shuffle' with its big horns, funky bass and twinkling synth melodies. A perfect 45 rpm gem, this release brings Japan's iconic sounds back to life and then some.
Hakuchu No Shugeki - Theme (feat Terumasa Hino Quintet) (5:10)
Review: The Norio Maeda Trio's 'Alpha Ray' and Terumasa Hino Quintet's 'Hakuchu No Shugeki - Theme' have been unearthed gems from Japan's musical past, revived for contemporary audiences by Jazz Room Records. 'Alpha Ray' exudes hot Latin vibes from the Swinging Sixties, earning its place in Shibuya Jazz Dance Folklore during the Acid Jazz Boom. Meanwhile, 'Hakuchu No Shugeki - Theme' transports listeners to the stylish world of 1970s Japansploitation cinema with its soulful jazz groove reminiscent of Blue Note's golden era. Both tracks, now available on 45 RPM vinyl, promise to ignite the dance floor with their infectious rhythms and timeless charm. Jazz enthusiasts won't want to miss this double dose of vintage Japanese jazz excellence.
Review: Described by Numero as a viral smash hit, whose pathogenic preponderance warranted use of the term "viral" even before the advent of the internet, The Notations' 1973 steamer 'I'm Still Here' documents the peak of the Chicago vocal soul trio's salad days as band. This was the second 45 to come out after the TAD Records debut from 1969, 'Trying My Best To Find Her', and is a telling triplet waltz, scolding the feminine listener-subject for her many ignominious refusals of love. Revisiting the single for a new music video in 2024, The Notations are indeed still here, repeating an unlearned lesson; and clearly, they have no more to say, with the brightly-lit chorale 'What More Can I Say' backing up the B-side.
Review: US soul group and Chicago's Southside favourites The Notations endured many musical evolutions in their time. The group released on both major labels and minor ones and had the likes of Sly Johnson and Curtis Mayfield taking care of their production. Numero Group has put together a first overview of their indie-label golden age on the album Still Here 1967-1973 which is full of lush r&b ballads as well as socially-conscious soul. Two of their best now also get pressed up to this 7" with heart-rending A-side and the swooning 'What More Can I Say' both immediately drawing you in. These have been sampled by Anderson.Paak, redveil and so may well sound familiar.
Review: Norwegian pianist and composer Eyolf Dale's The Space Between Two Notes is his seventh album on Edition Records. This album reimagines selections from his trio albums Being and The Wayfarers with some rich orchestral arrangements by the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, all conducted by Miho Hazama. Blending jazz and classical music in unique ways, Dale focuses on the nuanced spaces between notes and so creates a horizontal, interval-based musical exploration. His trio, including Audun Kleive on drums and Per Zanussi on bass, achieves a delicate balance while integrating with the orchestra to deliver a seamless, expressive sound that makes for a genre-blurring musical vision.
Exorcism: Clearing The Electromagnetic Field (20:29)
Heru: The Oaisis (8:03)
Black Stones Of Sirius (6:16)
Prayer (5:30)
Burial: String Quartet In E-Minor By David Ornette Cherry (6:50)
Chariots Of Expanision (People Could Fly) (7:24)
Review: Spiritmuse Records presents Journey to Nabta Playa, the dialogic result of Angel Bat Dawid and multidisciplinary artist Naima Nefertari, as they team up to honour the ancient Nubian astrological site of the same name. An ancient Neolithic site in Egypt's Nubian Desert predating Stonehenge, Nabta Playa incorporates a stone circle whose lithic configuration aligns with celestial events. Fittingly, then, this clash-of-titans record astrologises celestial electronics and divines ancestral predestinations, sewing a starry sonic tapestry - in Bat Dawid's terms "this is not just an album, it's a constellation". Picking up where Don and David Ornette Cherry left off with 'Bishmillah', and carrying out such further original, summative sonic burial and resurrection rites such as 'Black Stones Of Sirius' and 'Procession Of The Equinox', we hear a dance of featuring flute, clarinet, and vibraphone, and enraptured voice.
Mending Space Entering Streams Of Mist For Visible Becomes The Rays Of Light, Time Touches (4:42)
The Equilibrium In Transition (6:01)
Echoes Of Ephemeral Breathing To The Floating Forest (2:34)
Folding Futures Present Wake The Dust In Obscurity (7:43)
The Sea Brings, Waves Of Casted Silver Softly Crawls, Into Moss We Sink (4:06)
Shallow Winds In Atoms Kissing, Harvest Nights Forgotten Lights Strain The End Of New Beginnings (4:43)
Review: Ben Kaczor and Niculin Barandun's debut album, Pointed Frequencies come on the tasteful German outlet Dial Records and explores the healing potential of sound through six immersive tracks. Their collaboration began in 2022 for an audiovisual show at Digital Art Festival Zurich and has developed masterfully since and as Kaczor studied sound therapy, Barandun became intrigued by its possibilities, and it is that which has inspired the album's direction. It incorporates therapeutic elements like binaural beats and solfeggio frequencies into a seamless blend of ambient and experimental music. Through free improvisation, the pair have cooked up some brilliantly contemplative pieces here.
Review: Meiko Nakahara, a celebrated figure in the city pop revival, returns with a reissue of her eighth studio album, originally released in 1988. This captivating collection showcases Nakahara's signature blend of sophisticated pop, jazz influences, and smooth grooves, capturing the essence of the late 80s Japanese music scene. The album features the title track, 'Kagami no Nakano Actress', which served as the opening theme for the popular anime series 'Kimagure Orange Road', as well as the ending theme, 'Dance in the memories'. With its blend of catchy melodies, lush arrangements and Nakahara's expressive vocals make this a real, rediscovered classic.
Review: This 1973 jazz funk release shines with Steve Grossman at the helm, surrounded by a stellar lineup that's bound to excite both jazz aficionados and the Rare Groove and DJ communities. The original album, a gem from the iconic TBM (Three Blind Mice) label, has earned its place in jazz history, bridging the gap between traditional jazz and more contemporary sounds. Now, after years of anticipation, this reissue brings the record back to vinyl, expertly remastered by Bernie Grundman. The package includes the original liner notes, offering a richer experience for those revisiting this classic and new listeners alike.
Review: This 1965 collaborative album brings together some of the international music world's finest talents. Featuring Nara Leao's soothing vocals, Edu Lobo's striking guitar and Tamba Trio's vibrant harmonies, 5 Na Bossa captures the essence of Brazilian bossa nova and jazz with a warm and sunny inflexion. With iconic tracks like 'Reza' and 'Zambi' bringing Latin jazz flair, and Edu Lobo's 'Estatuinha' offering more ruminative folk sounds, this is a brilliant album for those who like South American sounds in all their many guises. The album was recorded live at the Paramount Theater in Sao Paulo and is truly essential listening.
Wings For The Thought Bird (feat Elena Pinderhughes & Orquestra Ouro Preto) (3:09)
The Way You Are (4:06)
Earth Song (feat Dianne Reeves) (3:22)
Morro Velho (feat Orquestra Ouro Preto) (2:46)
Saudade Dos Avioes Da Panair (Conversando No Bar) (feat Lianne La Havas, Maria Gadu, Tim Bernardes & Lula Galvao) (5:06)
Um Vento Passour (feat Paul Simon) (2:51)
Get It By Now (2:16)
Outro Planeta (1:48)
When You Dream (feat Carolina shorter) (8:10)
Review: Legendary Brazilian musician Milton Nascimento is often hailed as one of Brazil's greatest ever musical exports and for this album, he collaborated with NPR's "21st Century's jazz genius," Esperanza Spalding. Milton + Esperanza is an album produced by Spalding and one that blends urgent and timeless sounds together into something interesting and new. The album features guest appearances by Dianne Reeves, Paul Simon, Lianne La Havas, and others while fusing Nascimento's enduring musical vision and Latin spirit with Spalding's innovative approach to jazz.
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