Divorce From New York – Brick Lane [Tokonoma Records]
Alvaro Granda, aka Divorce From New York follows up his 2023 release “Sausalito” with another banger. “Brick Lane” was inspired by his recent visit to West London and it’s bubbling ecosystem of club culture. Indeed the title track sets the tone with funky synths courtesy of Parisian group Quiet Dawn. The tempo downshifts from upbeat to laidback broken beat bliss. “What is Jazz” is another head nod tune filled with warped synths and electro funk grooves. “Copeland Park” navigates between broken beat and house. Drummer Fernando Damon creates an atmosphere of infectious rhythms that will inspire you to dance. Divorce from New York is a producer on the rise. This record further cements that.
24th June 2024
Angela Bofill – Under The Moon And Over The Sky [Arista Records]
Angela Bofill – Baby, I Need Your Love [Arista Records]
Angela Bofill – Tropical Love [Arista]
Resolution 88 – Love Will Come Around (Instrumental) [Synthethesia Records]
Radiohop – June Hill [Wicked Wax]
Greg Foat & Gigi Masin – Jubilation [Strut Records]
Grupo Ébano – Cristalina [BBE Music]
Toco – Alma De Turista [Schema Records]
Dogon Teleskope – Rapa Nui [The Dogon Space Observatory]
The Cromagnon Band – Quadrant [BBE Music]
Glenn Echo & Daniel Meinecke – World In My Head [MotorCity Wine Recordings]
New Regency Orchestra – Para Los Papines [Mr Bongo Records]
Erube Jambo – Bamsanda Le Maduba [Voom Voom Records]
Mustafa – Silent World [Eating Standing Publishing]
Batavia Collective – Kenny’s Groove [LaMunai Records]
United Disco Organisation feat. K.O.G – Feel It For Yourself (Smoove Rework) [ATA Records]
Billy Ocean – Night, Feel Like Getting Down [CBS]
Jamie Finlay – Rain Will Come [Wah Wah 45s]
Ilija Rudman – Dreams (Part I) [Isle Of Jura Records]
Jorge Bezerra – Rio Nilo (DJ Brahms Remix) [Atjazz Record Company]
DJ 3000 – Part Time Prophet [Motech Records]
Skygaze – Minor Mood (Sofatalk & Footnote Remix) [Flumo Recordings]
Feiertag – Persistence [R&S Records]
Cyclonix – Like It’s Meant To Be [Ascii Trax]
The Brkn Record – The Architecture of Oppression Part 2 [BBE Music]
Jake Ferguson, one half of the Heliocentrics returns with volume 2 of his solo project, The Brkn Record. While the theme of vol 1 centered on braking down oppressive institutions, vol 2 takes an extra step in calling out the injustices within the system. Ferguson certainly has enlisted an array of socially conscious artists to push this message forward. The mighty Anthony Joseph appears on three tracks here. “Skull Tax” comes in with a roar. A thumping bass groove and infectious electric guitar provides the canvas for Joseph’s thought provoking lyrics. “We Need Freedom” is a spirtual gem that kicks off with simmering percussion followed by searing Tenor sax and flute rhythms. UK vocalist Jermain Jackman’s falsetto moves the track to another level. “Prison of Skin” is another spiritual jazz keeper that speaks to the socio-economics prison that has held back countless communities. Ugochi Nwaogwugwu, a Nigerian singer/poet adds her heavenly vocals to the tune. A strong recording that entertains and enlightens you simultaneously.
https://thebrknrecord.bandcamp.com/album/the-architecture-of-oppression-part-2
17th June 2024
Black Diamond – Say To Yourself [We Jazz Records]
Sun Ra – Stardust From Tomorrow [Strut Records]
Ronnie April’s Positive Energy – Dancers Theme [Jazz Room Records]
Aderemi Kabaka – Funky Lagos [BBE Music]
Rasa – The Dream Is Over [Gopal]
Tom Noble feat. Alice Russel – Moon & Stars [Laws Of Motion]
Jamie Finlay feat. Ellen Beth Abdi – Daylight [Wah Wah 45s]
Steve Cobby – It’s Raining Diamonds On Neptune [Déclassé]
Inkswel & Tableek – Smarter feat. Colonel Red (Drum Machine Version) [Tokyo Dawn Records]
Danny Kuttner & Roy Reemy – Getaway [Siyal Music]
Banda Black Rio – Melissa [Music On Vinyl]
Lagos Thugs feat. Kiala & Ruth Tafébé – Radio Talk [Tangential Music]
RAH & The Ruffcats – Rodeo [Sonar Kollektiv]
Arthur Melo – Saídas [Wonderfulsound]
Culross Close – Reactive State [Esencia]
beatsbyhand – SARS [Stay True Sounds]
Kid Fonque X Jonny Miller feat. Zaki Ibrahim – Migration [Stay True Sounds]
Yuu Udagawa – Spectral (Dub) [Trusted Rhythm Records]
Mike Steva feat. Stevo Atambire – Destiny Song (Henrik Schwarz Remix) [Sondela Recordings]
Quiet Village – Reunion [The Quiet Village]
Tom Noble – Atlast [Laws Of Motion]
OG Wang – Ebony [Boogie Cafe]
Nicola Kramer – Best In Me (Best In Me (Dego And Kaidi 2000 Black Refake) [TrebleO]
Arthur Melo – Mirantes Emocionais [Wonderfulsound]
Arthur Melo, a Brazilian composer, guitarist and singer returns after a three year hiatus. Backed by his band O Ministerio da Consciencia, the new album “Mirantes Emocionais” pays homage to Melo’s heroes of the 70 & 80s, specifically Milton Nascimento. In addition, the album has plenty of film refernces as he’s studied film and is a fan of the great Director Brian De Palma. Melo’s feathery vocals float over the percussive electric guitar driven “Dama da Noite”. The psychedelic “Principios Organizadores” simmers with electric and acoustic guitar rhythms. Dante Batista Ribeiro’s playing on the sitar adds another layer of flavor to the recording. “Saidas” is a blissful acoustic tune enhanced by the gentle brushes from drummer Theodora Viana. Produced by Kassim, “Mirantes Emocionais” is a superb recording that recalls the past while applying new ideas from the present.
https://wonderfulsound.bandcamp.com/album/mirantes-emocionais
10th June 2024
Allysha Joy – Raise Up [First Word Records]
Crackin’ – You’re Winning [Warner Bros. Records]
Insxght – Uptown (Live) [Jazz Re:freshed]
WAAN – Chivat (Live) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Keith Jarrett – IIa [ECM]
Mad SKillz – The Nod Factor [Big Beat]
Jalen Santoy & KAMAE – Lip Service [PLYGRND Music]
Clyde Beats feat. Amalia – Rising Up [Atjazz Record Company]
Arjuna Oakes – Motel [Albert’s Favourites]
Culross Close – Becoming Present [Esencia]
Dr. Sud – Desert Wind [Cognitiva Records]
Quiet Dawn feat. LyricL – Celebrate [First Word Records]
Quiet Dawn feat. Oliver Night – Lost From Life [First Word Records]
Bosq & Kaleta – Mifon [Bacalao]
Àbáse – Menidaso (My Hope) [Bridge The Gap]
Hypaphonik feat. Luthando Mzi – Amandla [Stay True Sounds]
Sonic Juncture – Can’t I Just Be? (Alton Miller Remix) [Dealt With Records]
Scrappy – Don’t Give Up On Love (Long Version) [Still Music]
DFRA – Brown Sugar (Atjazz Remix) [Deeppa Records]
Zero T – Jazz Type Thing [V Recordings]
Unknown – Fight Them (Peshay Mix) [Scam Recordings]
FD – Deep Fake [The North Quarter]
Musclecars – Sugar Honey Iced Tea! [BBE Music]
Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield are Musclecars. Over the last few years they’ve been making a name for themselves for their lush house remixes for a number of artists. “Sugar Honey Ice Tea”, their debut album captures the essence of New York City club culture made famous by some of the legendary local DJs. DJs like the late Larry Levan and Louie Vega, just to name a few are known for injceting a myriad of musical styles seamlessly into their live sets and kept the party rocking. This lp follows the same formula. “Ha Ya” is a deep percussive afro house with a hypnotic chorus. “Tonight” is infectious soulful house with warm vocals. “Circles 11” is the kind of track that would’ve filled the floor at the Paradise Garage back in the day. The duo flex their remixing skills to extend the groove. The end result is a seven minute funk deluxe banger with a pulsating groove and ear popping percussion. Get to know this duo. Based on this impressive release they should be around for a long time.
Another Taste – Another Taste [Space Grapes Records]
Another Taste are a four piece band with a handful of special guests from the Netherlands. The self titled debut specializes in 70s styled boogie tunes. The live instrumentation lends to the authenticity of their sound. Bob Roche on bass and rhythm guitar is a constant presence throughout the disc. Barend Lippens synth arrangements as well as his lead vocals also hit the mark. The opener “Turn Up” is infectious boogie funk. “Anything You Want” is soulful boogie meets Disco with dazzling synths. Vocalist Sarina Voorn gliding over the thumping bass groove.s the icing on the cake. The finale “Perfect Night” is laidback synth laden boogie funk. This is a band that knows how to lay down the funk. Polish your dancing shoes, you’re gonna have a funky good time.
3rd June 2024
Bruk Rogers feat. Onj & Roberta Silva – 2 Deusa [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Omar – It’s So [Omar Music]
Bread & Souls feat. Paul Randolph – I See You [Mashibeats]
Hatti Vatti – Zwierciadło [R&S Records]
2fox feat. Laville – Elevation [Soul Clap Records]
Shaka – Magic Plan [Mate]
Mark E – Sleeping Giant [Merc]
St. Germain – Thank U, Mum (Everything You Did) [F. Communications]
Ambient Jazz Ensemble – I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun [Here & Now Recordings]
Nicola Conte – Wanin Moon [Schema Records]
Vinícius Mendes – Variações [Notes On A Journey]
Sean Khan Presents The Modern Folk & Jazz Ensemble – Solid Air [Acid Jazz]
Greg Foat & Gigi Masin – Viento Calido [Strut Records]
Photek – Can’t Come Down [Science]
Perikás – Laberinto [Mr Bongo]
RAH & The Ruffcats – Sorry [Sonar Kollektiv]
K.O.G feat. Pat Thomas – Odo Sronko [Pura Vida Sounds/Heavenly Sweetness]
Machinedrum feat. Mick Jenkins & Jesse Boykins III – Weary [Ninja Tune]
Farma G & Wish Master feat. Sonnyjim – Creme De La Creme [False Idols]
Common & Pete Rock – Wise Up
Potatohead People – Follow Your Heart [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
People – Upside Down [Tramp Records]
Amanda Whiting – The Liminality of Her [First Word Records]
In a short period, Amanda Whiting has made her presence felt on the UK jazz scene as an accomplished harpist and composer. Strong recordings on Jazzman records and Albert’s Favorite’s are evidence of that. “The Liminality of Her” is her first release on First Word records. The ten track release explores a new direction as the title suggests. Liminality is the in-between moments of what was and what is. “Liminal” is a blissful mid-tempo tune where Whiting manipulates the harp into sounding more like an acoustic guitar. “Waiting To Go” is another highlight where Chip Wickham’s flute phrasings complement the vibrations of the harp. “Rite of Passage is a gentle tune that features vocalist Peach. Whiting is venturing into new territory here. “The Liminality of Her” will be a gratifying listen for those who choose to travel along with her.
https://amandawhiting.bandcamp.com/album/the-liminality-of-her