VA – Our Music Our Culture Vol. 2 [CoOperation Records]
“Our Music Our Culture Vol. 2” celebrates the CoOp. The signature club was spearheaded by Bugz In The Attic members Afronaut and Mark Force, The late Phil Asher, Dego, Domu and IG Culture were early contributors as well. It was during this period that the seeds of Broken Beat were planted. It grew from a London Sunday night hangout into an international phenomenon. Evidence of that lies in the array of bangers compiled here. “Digital Soul” from SoulParlor receives a dynamic dub rework from Naul’s L8 Nite. It’s a certified floor filler. “Loose Legs” is another heater from London DJ/Producer Don Kamares. Other highlights includes “Your Woke Moment” and “Get Stronger” from Ben Hauke and Bruk Rogers respectively. They’re two of the new generation of Bruk beatmakers. As good a compilation as you’ll hear all year. All you need to do is press play and walk away.
Lance Ferguson – L’ocean de toi [Pacific Theatre]
Multi-instrumentalist and Bamboos bandleader Lance Ferguson returns with “L’ocean de toi”. This is a soundtrack to a long lost 1981 French film directed by Leroi Alarie. Alarie sought out Ferguson to compose an entire new soundtrack for the film’s re-release. The result is a recording filled with dreamy sun drenched soundscapes. The title track sets the tone with warm melodic synths riding a deep bass groove. The lanquid “Dream Diary” serenades you swaying wah wah guitar rhythms and warm chords. The atmospheric textures of the soundtrack evokes images of stolen moments by the beach with your partner. It’s fitting since the movie centers around a Summer romance. Whether you see the movie or not this soundtrack is certain to provide immediate satisfaction. Ferguson captures the essence of the early eighties film with another marvelous recording.
https://pacifictheatrerecords.bandcamp.com/track/loc-an-de-toi-1
21st April 2025
Gabriel Da Rosa – Pê Patu Pá [Stones Throw]
Resavoir & Matt Gold – Canopy [International Anthem]
Milton Nascimento – Os Povos [Odean]
Chico Bernardes – Ate Que Enfim [Mr Bongo]
Sambôa – Meu querer [Parsifal]
Lonnie Liston Smith – Magic Journey [CBS]
Patrice Rushen – It’s Just A Natural Thing [Elektra]
Bellcrash – White Jazz [Sunshine Enterprises]
Oliver Lutz – Calamari Fantasy [Klaeng Records]
The Vanishing System – Crab Nebula [Altered Vibes]
Tal M. Klein – Perforated [Aniligital Music]
Kuna Maze – Tangle [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Footshooter feat. Andre Espeut – Here To Learn [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Da Lata – Oba Lata (NameBrandSound Remix) [Da Lata Music]
Force Of Nature – A Dark Nebula (Moonstarr Remix) [Exceptional]
Brainwaltzera – Medal Headz [G.B.D.F] (Peshay Remix) [Film Recordings]
Pyxis – Lucky Charm [Fokuz Recordings]
Larigold – Steps Range [Celsius Recordings]
Jo Tongo – Stand Up Now [The Outer Edge]
Trulz & Robin – Beneath The Surface [Cymasonic]
Uschi Classen feat. Eska – Home (Where The House Is) [Earth Project]
Herbert & Momoko – Babystar [Strut Records]
Sub Ensemble – Faster Than The Sun (Domu Remix) [Especial Records]
14th April 2025
Jazzanova feat. Wayne Snow – That Night (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Rosettes – The Call [Timmion Records]
Ria Moran – No Reason (Ode to You) [DeepMatter Records]
Emanative – When On Earth [Futuristica Music]
Collettivo Immaginario feat. Dwight Trible and Isaiah Collier – Vento Eterno [Domanda Music]
Drama On The Corner – Dzatsu (Live Version) [Tangential Music]
Wood Shaw With Tone Jansa Quartet – May [Timeless Records]
Mark Millington – Overdrive [Albert’s Favourites]
Carlos Nilmmns – Moon Dance [COD3 QR]
Cocktail Party Effect – Shattered Retina [Tectonic Recordings]
Beatrice M. – Magic (Slimy Ape Remix)
Nubiyan Twist feat. Horseman – Battle Isn’t Over (D’n’B Version) [Strut Records]
Ostr-size – Vibrations (Jam) [Influenza Media]
James D. Hall – I Wanna Get Into You [Favorite Recordings]
Hyldon – Vem Dançar O Samba [Jazzybelle Records]
Idjut Boys – One For Kenny [Smalltown Supersound]
Herbert & Momoko – Babystar [Strut Records]
Sue Wright – I Believe In You [Canopy Records]
Phreek Plus One – Astro Boogie [Compost Records]
Cee ElAssaad & Sabrina Chyld – The Time Is Now [Makin’ Moves]
Alton Miller feat. Maurissa Rose – Bring Me Down (Coflo Remix) [Cataleya Music]
Black Loops feat. Byron The Aquarius – Detroit Love Letter [Freerange Records]
La BOA + Tony Allen – La BOA meets Tony Allen [Comet Records]
“LOA BOA Meets Tony Allen” is the brainchild of producer Daniel Michel. Michel and his band La BOA – La Bogota Orquesta Afrobeat blends Afrobeat with the rhythms of Colombia. Michel has been fusing the rhythms of the afro-colombian underground with Afrobeat for over a decade. This began as a tribute to the late great drummer Tony Allen. Inspired by a recording by Allen in 2011 for the Parisian label Comet records. Along the way, Michel’s compositions have evolved into a passing of the torch. The opening track “Ale” is a burning mid-tempo banger. The Orquesta’s horn section sparkles while Michel shines on bass and synths. “La Maquina de Tony” kicks off with hypnotic percussion. The horn section adds a wealth of warm melodies layered over a simmering beat. The time Michel spent on this recording has been time well spent. The Orquesta band is filled with superb musicians and the performances are top notch. For fans of Afrobeat you need this in your collection.
https://tonyallen.bandcamp.com/album/la-boa-meets-tony-allen
Nick Marks – Cinematic Chromatics Vol.III [Marks Brothers]
New York based artist Nick Marks returns with Volume 3 of the Cinematic Chromatics series. Born and raised in Melbourne Australia, Marks grew up in a fertile music scene. Since moving to New York in 2016, Marks has established himself as a sought after producer, composer and musical director, Volume One leans into his deep passion of film scores. The result was an impressive blend of strings and electronics. Volume two pivoted towards jazz fusion and hip hop. Volume three brings it all together. “Alpha Bete” packs a lot of funk along with soothing synths and strings. “Into The Void” is a breezy mid tempo burner featuring wordless phrasings from Arta Jekabsone. The jazz funk fusion genre is a crowded market but Marks has the chops to stand out. The six track release is one satisfying release after another.
https://nickmarks.bandcamp.com/album/cinematic-chromatics-vol-iii
7th April 2025
Kaidi Tatham – Silkie Bantam [First Word Records]
Diesler feat. Stee Downes – Change/Trust [Social Beats/Unique]
RAH & The Ruffcats – Rodeo (Kid Fonque Refix) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Calibre & Cimone – Time To Breathe [Signature Recordings]
Feeble – Less Words More Action [Rebel Music]
Roni Size – Snapshot [Full Cycle]
Moxu – Bright Horizons [Celsius Recordings]
Mark Millington – Matilda’s Dance [Albert’s Favourites]
Edison Machado – A Chegada [Far Out Recordings]
Web Web – Morning Ritual [Compost Records]
44th Move – Anthem [Black Acre]
Kuniyuki Takahashi – Moonlight-Kuni [Mule Musiq]
Yuu Udagawa – We Become [Cosmocities Records]
Tea White – 4’lternvte [Stay True Sounds]
Alexander Flood feat. feat. Erica Tucceri – Sidestep [Atjazz Record Company]
John Beltran presents Sol Set – Love Revolution (John Beltran Soul Disco Mix) [All Good Music]
Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange – Sylvester [Energy Exchange Records]
Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti – Suspira [Mr Bongo]
Steven Bamidele – The Fool feat. Sly5thAve [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
FloFilz & Kofi Stone – Doves [Melting Pot Music]
Zola Marcelle – Saturn Drive [Jazz Re:freshed]
Trinka – Navega [Agogo Records]
Aldorande – Arcane 17 [Favorite Recordings]
Nyron Higor – Nyron Higor [Far Out Recordings]
Nyron Higor returns with his sophomore release to 2022’s “Fio de Lamina”. The sublime recording is rooted in the foundation of Northeastern Brazilian rhythms. “Louro Cantador” is a subtle bossa nova tune that will transport you to the beaches of Brazil. Higor plays drums, bass and synths on this track among others. “Sao So Palavras” is another mellow tune that features vocals from Higor along with Alici Sol and Bruno Berle. Another vocalist, Johanna, brings warmth to “Estou Pensando Em Voce”. Rubens Adati’s guitar and piano arrangements raise the track to another level. Higor along with many of his contemporaries have composed a marvellous recording that captures the essence of Brazil. In addition Higor is an emerging talent to keep on your musical radar.
31st March 2025
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Acceptance [Impressive Collective + BBE Music]
Lance Ferguson – Moonface [Pacific Theatre]
Anan feat. The Invisible Session – Eden [Space Echo Records]
Nādt Orchestra – Elephant [Locomotiv Records]
Rodina – Trust In This Life [Rodina Music]
Baobab – Just Now [Tramp Records]
Tribe – Vibes From The Tribe [Planet E]
FloFilz & Raelle – Peace of Mind [Melting Pot Music]
Sidsel Endresen & Bugge Wesseltoft – Try (Chilluminati Remix) [Jazzland Recordings]
Mo’ Horizons – Havana B-Boys (Freedust Remix) [Agogo Records]
Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek – Ceylan [Big Crown Records]
Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos – Como el Sol [Olindo Records]
Synod – I Want To Go Home [Tramp Records]
Drelio – 2C-B [Rebel Music]
Surplus – Whisper [Fokuz Recordings]
Anushka – Overwhelmed (DJ Die Remix) [BBE Music]
Peter Matson feat. Kendra Morris – White Noise [Bastard Jazz Recordings]
Orlando Voorn – Deeper [Ensouled]
Matron 3000 – Matron 3000 [Pleasure]
Max Sinàl & KingCrowney feat. Liv East – Intentions [Soul Quest Records]
Zero dB – Party Girl (Marc Mac Bruk Remix) [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Kerrier Collective & Wolf Peaches – Fake Silence [Colour and Pitch]
Jazzanova – Days to Come (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Kaidi Tatham – Miles Away [First Word Records]
Anthony Joseph – Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back (Vol. 1) [Heavenly Sweetness]
Poet Anthony Joseph has invited a few old friends for his latest release “Rowing Up The River To Get Our Names Back”. Producer David Okumu is on board for this set and sound is notable from the start. “Satellite” has a hypnotic funky groove aided by Okumu’s spacey synths along with vocals from Eska. “Tony”, an ode to the late drummer supreme Tony Allen is a spirited Afrobeat gem. The horn section adds a touch of spice lead by trumpeter Byron Wallen. “A Juba For Janet” continues the journey across the African diaspora in the form of infectious roots reggae dub plate. Joseph pulls us into a day in the life of the Afro Caribbean experience. The listener feels like an invited guest and no doubt having a grand old time. Okumu’s sonic production puts us in the right frame of mind. This release sits firmly alongside Joseph’s previous stellar recordings.
https://anthonyjosephofficial.bandcamp.com/album/rowing-up-river-to-get-our-names-back