MOMO – Gira [Batov Records]
Brazilian native Marcelo Frota, aka Momo releases his seventh album “Gira” on the UK label Batov records. Frota’s debut album, “A Estetica do Rabisco” showcases his honey toned vocals alongside an array of folk tinged acoustic compositions. Several more recordings would follow and status building with each release. Frota now resides in London and collaborates with an eclectic band of musicians from the London jazz scene. “Para”, opens with haunting baritone sax phrasings from Tamar Osborn and hypnotics keys from Jessica Lauren. “Passo de Avarandar” is an engaging romp filled with infectious groove and lively percussion courtesy of Caetano Malta and Magnus Mehta respectively. “Summer Interlude” begins with a spirited jam session before easing into six plus minutes of mellow madness. Trombonist Rosie Turton seductive soloing layered on top of the languid grooves is a heavenly mix. Frota’s guitar rhythms alongside drummer Nick Woodmansey is a strong presence throughout. While Brazil is at the root of these compositions, Frota explores a myriad of genres that will have you yearning for more. Well done.
30th December 2024 – Best of 2024 Part 2
Scrimshire – Willow [Albert’s Favourites]
Resolution 88 – Final Approach [Synthethesia]
Finn Rees – Crossing [Mr Bongo Records]
Esteban Adame – Hi Tech Jazz [UTx]
Dina Ögon – Det läcker [Playground Music]
Cotonete feat. Sabrina Malheiros – Bebete Vaobora [Heavenly Sweetness]
Cyclonix – Like It’s Meant To Be [Ascii Trax]
Quiet Dawn feat. LyricL – Celebrate [First Word Records]
Divorce From New York feat. Quiet Dawn – Brick Lane [Tokonoma Records]
LCSM (Likwid Continual Space Motion) feat. Allysha Joy – Givin’ Up [Super Sonic Jazz]
Bruk Rogers – Get Low [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Mitch von Arx feat. Oliver Night – We Drop (Bruk Version) [CoOp Presents]
New Sector Movements – Bless (Trev Remix) [First Word/CoOp Presents]
Lehto – Sumi [Bathurst Music]
K15 – Measured Resistance [Esencia]
2fox feat. Laville – Elevation [Soul Clap Records]
Inkswel & Andre Espeut – Dangerous Times [Compost Records]
Quiet Village – Reunion [The Quiet Village]
DJ 3000 – Gëzuar [Motech Records]
Bread & Souls feat. Paul Randolph – I See You [Mashibeats]
Voilaaa feat. Olivya – Too Young To Die [Favorite Recordings]
Mörk – Sweet [Albert’s Favourites]
23rd December 2024 – Best of 2024 Part 1
Grupo Ébano – Pé No Chão [BBE Music]
Vinícius Mendes – Aldeia de Ogum [Notes On A Journey]
Catia de França – Quem Vai Quem Vem (Tahira Edit)
Opa – Brother Rada [Far Out Recordings]
Yasuaki Shimizu – Summer Time [Wewantsounds]
Ambient Jazz Ensemble – I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun [Here & Now Recordings]
Kat-Tet – Nikita [Symbole Records]
Lady Isa – Djambo [Strut Records]
Thandi Zulu & The Young Five – Love Games [Mr Bongo Records]
Erube Jambo – Bamsanda Le Maduba [Voom Voom Records]
Dave Plaehn – For You (I’d Undo Anything) [BBE Music]
Frederic Rabold Inspiration Orchestra – Berlin [Tramp Records]
Ariel – Black Wing [Jazz Room Records]
Rick Panzer – Floor Stretch Warm Up [BBE Music]
Ronnie April’s Positive Energy – Diamonds For Ida [Jazz Room Records]
Mustafa – Silent World [Eating Standing Publishing]
Rasa – Questions In My Mind [Backatcha Records]
Banda Black Rio – Miss Cheryl [Music On Vinyl]
Kim Yaffa – Once Bitten (Nick the Record & Dan Tyler Edit) [Pleasure Of Love]
Roy Ayers – What’s The T? (Delfonic Edit) [BBE Music]
Sherman Hunter – Dance To Freedom [Dealers Choice]
Rahaan Presents The Ones [BBE Music]
Chicago House and Disco DJ/Producer Rahaan has been DJ’ing since the eighties. He held down residencies at the Spot, the Buddha lounge and DJ sets around the globe. With “The Ones”, Rahaan has assembled an array of musicians and vocalists to make his compositions soar. “We Are The Ones” is infectious Disco funk that features vocalist Marcus J. Alston and Nancy Clayton. “What You Are To Me” is warm soulful House with a bubbling baseline. The warmth can be felt throughout the ten track lp. The live drums and gorgeous piano melody of “Forever” is evidence of that. “The Ones” is tailor made for party people and everyone else that simply loves dance tracks.
16th December
Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – Like A Lover [A&M Records]
Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – Norwegian Wood [A&M Records]
Roman Andrén – Captain’s Sword [Mr Bongo]
Catpack – The Top (Bruk Rogers Remix) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Salphunk – Live On (Paris Mix) [Universo Positivo]
Waaju – Bossoyo (Live) [BBE Music]
Paa Jude – Odo Refre Wo [BBE Music]
The Mighty Tiny & The Many Few – Be The Good People [Ånd&]
El Camino – Chest Wrestlers [Real Mad Man]
Black Star – Yonders [Rhymesayers]
DJ Marrrtin & Tino – Paris Fashion District [Stereophonk]
Nicola Conte feat. Heidi Vogel – Sandalia Dela [Schema Records]
Anthony Joseph – Tony [Heavenly Sweetness]
Tommy The Cat – New Window [Cat In The Bag Records]
LO! – Shine Bright [Rebel Music]
Etch – Untitled Hardcore #2 [Sneaker Social Club]
Lennie De Ice – We Are I.E. [I.E. Records]
Erik Rico & C. Boogie – Love Everlasting (Marc Mac Remix) [Cosmocities Records]
Recloose – Cardiology [Planet E]
Marcel Vogel & Tim Jules feat. Mey – Reset Your Heart [Blaq Numbers]
Radic The Myth feat. Jimpster – Summer Solstice [Freerange Records]
Alton Miller – Hang On [Mr Bear Records]
Jullian Gomes, Kuniyuki Takahashi & Sio – Let Me Go [World Without End]
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Tigar (OST) [Mashibeats]
Les Hommes – Si Cosi [Sudden Hunger Records]
London organ trio Les Hommes latest release “Si Cosi” is an atmospheric blend ranging from lounge to bossa with a touch of soulful jazz. Rory More’s cinematic organ compositions work well on the dance floor or in a lounge setting. He’s joined by Tarek on vibes and Vlad on drums. “Sonorissima Bay” a lanquid tune glides on the strength of the mellow thumping bass. More’s organ rhythms along with Tarek’s vibes make for an intoxicating listen. “Night Drives” is another mellow organ grinding burner highlighted by soothing flute melodies. More’s radiant hammond is a reminder that the organ trio is alive and well. This recording is a breath of fresh air. It picks up where their earlier recordings on the Italian label Schema records left off. An engaging record worthy of repeated listens.
9th December 2024
Inkswel feat. Tableek & Planetself – Smarter [Tokyo Dawn Records]
Kendrick Lamar – Man At The Garden [Polydor]
Madlib – JFK To LAX [Stones Throw Records]
Mad Skillz – The Jam [Big Beat]
Summer Pearl – The End Game [Kitto Records]
K15 – Stark! [Esencia]
Electric Conversation – Melodie [Futuristica Music]
Monika Linges Quartett – La Danse Du Coeur [Nabel]
Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet – Seven Wishes [WMQ Records/!K7]
Nyron Higor feat. Bruno Berle & Alici Sol – São Só Palavras [Far Out Recordings]
DJ Oil – Beetlejuice (Live from The HIFA Festival) [Tangential Music]
Jazzanova – Soon (Domu Vocal Mix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Afronaut – Gettin’ Hotter (Zed Bias Re-Edit) [CoOperation Records]
Slimy Ape X Subtala – Trentham
Mitch von Arx – Chroma Toes
Inkswel & Lyma feat. Taraach – Thankyou [Feedasoul Records]
Dusty – Nebula [Jazz & Milk]
Ilija Rudman – Discoteka Parmida [Razor-N-Tape]
Tom Noble – Moving Away [Razor-N-Tape]
Lawne – To Live Here [Wah Wah 45s]
David Morales – Boom Boom Boom [DIRIDIM]
Tenderlonious – Underworld [22a]
The Braxtons – The Boss (Kenlou Mix) [Atlantic]
Al Hudson And The Soul Partners – Spread Love [ABC Records]
Tom Noble Presents : House of Spirits [Razor-N-Tape]
Tom Noble, record collector and label head of Superior Elevation records delivers the long awaited lp “House of Spirits”. Noble started this project back in 2007 while living in Los Angeles. He found inspiration to finish the project while traveling through Oklahoma where he would hook up with musical director Darwin Jones. Jones arranged a number of vocalists for Noble to perform on the record. With the vocalists in place it was time to add words and melodies to the unfinished compositions. One of the first songs completed was “Holding On”, a funky boogie tune that captures the essence of eighties boogie grooves. “Love Trip” is heart pounding boogie with a splash of Disco that would fit firmly in a Salsoul records catalog. The eight track lp, releaseed on Razor N Tape records delivers with infectious boogie and Disco grooves sounding fresh and new. In the end it doesn’t matter how long it took, Noble’s full length release is definitely worth the wait.
https://razor-n-tape.bandcamp.com/album/tom-noble-presents-house-of-spirits
2nd December 2024
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Myōken [Mashibeats]
Ben Westbeech – So Good Today [Brownswood Recordings]
Richard Spaven – Sole Subject [Fine Line Records]
Kuna Maze – Bristol Changes [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Twintone – Never Have I Ever [Beatalistics]
Jake Amy – Graze [Wicked Wax]
Kat-Tet – Nikita [Symbole Records]
Sergio Mendez – O Mar É Meu Chão (The Sea Is My Soil) [Wea Records]
Trinka – Dois No Ilê [Agogo Records]
Rogê – 100% Samba [Diamond West]
Jeff Parker, ETA IVtet – Late Autumn [International Anthem/Nonesuch Records]
Diamond D – Codes [Dymond Mine]
MF Doom feat. Count Bass D – Potholderz [Rhymesayers]
Dusty X As Valet feat. La Note – Have You Heard [Oioji Records]
Reggie B & Inkswel – Promise [Wonderwax Records]
Yasmin – Real High [Razor-N-Tape]
Titeknots & Pollena – Bones [Something Play Something]
Freddy da Stupid – Back To Pangea Part II [BBE Music / Batakari]
Tom Noble – Moving Away [Razor-N-Tape]
Mark E – Transient Neighbour [Merc]
Radic The Myth feat. Jimpster – Summer Solstice [Freerange Records]
Alton Miller – Super Hero [Mr Bear Records]
Chantal Curtis – Get Another Love [Pye International/Strut Records]
John Briggs – Para Dice VII [Beretta Music]
Dave Guy – Ruby [Big Crown Records]
Born and raised in the East Village of NYC, trumpeter Dave Guy has been surrounded with various flavors of music. He formed his skills at LaGuardia Performing Arts High School where he would meet Leon Michaels, co-founder of Big Crown records. Guy would proceed to perform with a wide range musicians from the Dap Kings, Mark Ronson and The Roots among others. “Ruby”, Guy’s debut has a roster of impressive musicians bringing his compositions to life. Drummer Homer Steinweiss and bassist Nick Movshon are long time collaborators. They supply the heavy groove on tracks like “I’ll Follow You”. The heartfelt tune captures the essence of the disc with melancholy vibes layered on top of a soulful bottom. Guy’s swaying trumpet caresses the laidback groove on “Pinky Ring”. “Drony Boy” is a mellow cinematic tune with raw soul textures reminiscent of the Menahan Street Band, another band Guy has worked with. With “Ruby” Guy has manifested his New York state of mind into a marvelous soul jazz experience.