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
24th March 2025
Milton Nascimento – O Trem Azul [Odean]
John Lamkin – Flower Power [Jazz Room Records]
Cinema Royal – Her, I [Rhythm Section International]
Nadav Schneerson – Sheva [Kavana Records]
Web Web – Apotheosis [Compost Records]
Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 – Impossible [Legere Recordings]
MF Doom feat. Count Bass D – Potholders [Rhymesayers]
Omar – Brighter The Days [BBE Music / Impressive Collective]
Georgie Sweet – Smaller [First Word Records]
Cyclonix – In My Mind [ASCII Trax]
Colonel Red – This Life [Inner Tribe Records]
Kuna Maze – Hazy Day [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Sonar’s Ghost – Purest Dope (Domu’s exclusive mix) [BBE Music]
Mitch von Arx – Pin Pon
Oversight – Where The Heart Is [Jazzsticks Recordings]
Submorphics feat. Aya Dis – Another Level Of Love [Rosebay Music]
Joakuim – Tequila Sunset [Fokuz Recordings]
Submotive – Snowed In [Sofa Sound]
Azymuth – Wait For My Turn (Yam Who? Re edit) [Far Out Recordings]
Annie & The Caldwells – I Made It [Luaka Bop]
Igor Jadranin – Heavy In Stereo [Star Creature Universal Vibrations]
Alexander Flood feat. Cazeaux O.S.L.O – Life Is A Rhythm [Atjazz Record Company]
Marcel Vogel & Tim Jules feat. Javonntte – Just Because (LYMA Remix) [Lumberjacks In Hell]
BoomClap feat. Sabrina Chyld – Come Here [Atjazz Record Company]
Mood II Swing – Move Me [Music For Your Ears]
Ronald Snijders – Penta [Night Dreamer]
Dutch-Surinamese multi-instrumentalist Ronald Snijders latest release “Penta” is his debut for Night Dreamer records. The label known for it’s direct to disc recordings. Snijders released four albums between 1977-1983. Over four decades he has over fifty releases. Snijders supporting cast are premier musicians in their own right. Drummer Yoran Vroom, bassist Jeroen Vierdag and Mike Del Ferro on keys. Together they create a thumping groove for Snijders melodic flurries to soar. The opening track “Kaseko Sisters” kicks hard with a heavy bass groove and heavenly flute harmonies. “Ode To Wayne Shorter” is a mediative tribute where Snijders is joined by Efraim Trujillo on soprano sax. Snijders is widely recognised in the Netherlands, having received the Boy Edgar prize in 2022. However his recordings have been largely obscure outside the Netherlands. Night Dreamer has reissued his earlier work. It’s worth the effort to give those recordings a proper listen. This recording is certainly worth supporting as well.
17th March 2025
Roy Ayers – Brand New Feeling [BBE Music]
Roy Ayers – Hummin [Polydor]
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – People And The World [Polydor]
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – 2000 Black [Polydor]
Eighties Ladies – Tell Him [Universal Sound]
Roy Ayers – Sweet Tears [Polydor]
Roy Ayers – Slip ‘N’ Slide [CBS]
Erykah Badu – Cleva [Motown]
Guru – Take A Look (At Yourself) [Chrysalis]
Summer Pearl – The Interlude [Kitto Records]
Kalaido feat. Sam Miles – Midnight Curry Diner
Edison Machado – Serena [Far Out Recordings]
Kometa – Haze [Kos.Mos.Music]
Bonobo – Nightlite (Zero dB Reconstruction) [Ninja Tune]
Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra – Black Sun (Joe Claussell Remix) [Far Out Recordings]
Josh One – Contemplation (King Britt Funke Mix) [Electromatrix]
Lafayette – Sol De Verão [Mr Bongo]
Kerrier Collective & Wolf Peaches – Fake Silence [Colour and Pitch]
Oliver Lutz – Paffee Mountain
Kuna Maze – Layers [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Electric Machine – It’s Worth Its Weigh In Gold [Erezioni]
Roy Ayers – Liquid Love [BBE Music]
10th March 2025
Angie Stone – Bring Your Heart [MCA Records]
Omar feat. Angie Stone – Stylin’ [Ether Records]
Reel People feat. Angie Stone – Don’t Stop The Music [Reel People Music]
Rayko – Eye To Eye (Rayko Dragon Soul Edit) [Retrospective]
Natalie Slade – Unquenchable Craving [BBE Music]
Collettivo Immaginario – Tempo al Tempo [Domanda Music]
Ronald-Snijders – Ode To Wayne Shorter [Night Dreamer]
TC.KYLIE x The Hourglass – Merry-Go-Round Of Life
Jazzanova – Another New Day (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Florence Adooni – Uh-Ah Song [Philophon]
WheelUP feat. Allysha Joy – Folding [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Virtual Suspects feat. Gwen McCrae – Gotta Have Your Love [JML Records]
Changer – Porgy [Fokuz Recordings]
Bruk Rogers – Get Stronger [BBE Music]
WheelUP feat. Abacus – Flash [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
TshegoTMM and Pat Lezizmo – Life Is Too Short [Atjazz Record Company]
Charles Webster & Muzi – Bakulindele [Stay True Sounds]
Sai Galaxy feat. Millicent – You Are Not Alone [Inner Tribe Records]
Last Nubian & Dougan feat. Erik Rico – Paradise [Flat White Records]
Yam Who? feat. Noel McKoy – Summertime [Papa Records]
Raphael Saadiq – Sky’s The Limit (Yam Who’s Spiritual Rework) [Yam Who]
Alison Crockett – UR (Yam Who Remix) [Wah Wah 45s]
Hipnotic – Lonely (Yam Who? Re-Edit)
Yam Who? – The Star Of A Story [Ubiquity Records]
Lawne – Attic [Wah Wah 45s]
Joe Nicklin and Joe Martin are the duo known as Lawne. Their debut LP “Attic” is a mashup of Afrobeat Dub and psychedelic rhythms. The title is inspired by their attic that was transformed into a makeshift studio. The opening track “Mamasong” is an uptempo burst of wah wah guitar rhythms, thumping bass and tasty synths.”Beta Pan” starts out with psychedelic dub rhythms before shifting the tempo up a notch. At this point the tune becomes a high energy bass heavy banger. “Ame Tova” is a sublime tune that follows the same formula. There are vocal harmonies sprinkled throughout but this is mainly an instrumental vehicle. Nicklin and Martin have created a vibe here in the form of a melodic soundtrack. A marvelous debut worthy of repeated listens.
3rd March 2025
Roberta Flack – Bridge Over Troubled Water [Atlantic]
Roberta Flack – Tryin’ Times [Atlantic]
Roberta Flack – River [Atlantic]
Roberta Flack feat. Donny Hathaway – Back Together Again [Atlantic]
FloFilz & Kofi Stone – Doves [Melting Pot Music]
O.Boogie feat. Tableek – Paperchaser [Rush Hour]
ecad – Opposites
Joy Spheres Rees – Trust The Feeling [BBE Music]
S-Tone Inc. & Toco – Longe De Voce [Schema Records]
Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos – Como el Sol [Olindo Records]
Manu Dibango – Waka Juju Part 3 [Wewantsounds]
Close Counters – Close To Me [Northside]
Guti pres. Modal Tune – Armenian Like [El Nuevo Sonido Latino]
Starsky – Erebus [Cat In The Bag Records]
Unreal & Kelle – Slaughterhouse [Kos.Mos.Music]
Unknown Artist – Check The Rhyme [Fokuz Recordings]
Mark Millington – Overdrive [Albert’s Favourites]
Don Glori – Power [Mr Bongo Records]
ANAN – Back [Space Echo Records]
Plastic Bamboo – Touki Bouki [Star Creature]
Tom Noble – Love Trip [Razor-N-Tape]
John Beltran – O Pátio [MotorCity Wine]
Coflo feat. Nimiwari – Visions (Backside Dub) [Cataleya Music]
Close Counters – Lovers Dance Academy [Northside]
Melbourne natives Finn Rees and Allan McConnell are the duo better known as Close Counters. In a short time they have built a reputation for crafting infectious groove inspired soulful recordings in the shape of house and broken beat. “Lovers Dance Academy” their latest release is filled with high energy compositions. In addition, some of their Melbourne friends are on board to lift these tracks to another level. “Constant Love” is infectious up-tempo boogie funk with fellow Melbourne native Jace XL on vocals. “Waiting All Night” is another sonic banger with warm synths that features Allysha Joy. “Freedom We’re Needing” takes the party to a fever pitch. Led by Shiv on vocals, the high energy tune is laced with warm percussion and gorgeous piano melodies. These guys are rapidly building a catalogue of tunes that are well worth checking out. This new release brings a lot of heat. A clever title with recordings that certainly deliver.
https://closecounters.bandcamp.com/album/lovers-dance-academy
24th February 2025
Edison Machado & Boa Nova – Janeiro [Far Out Recordings]
Bill Laurance – Neverending City [GroundUP Music]
Zola Marcelle – Names [Jazz Re:freshed]
Mu Quintet – Enos [Jazzaggression Records]
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Heart [BBE Music]
Antonio Adolfo – Vê [Artezanal]
Kaidi Tatham – So Happy [First Word Records]
Ellis Aaron – Stay Close (Sentinel 793 Remix)
Mitch von Arx – Babble Bass
Jazzanova – Allee Der Kosmonauten [Jazzanova Compost Records]
WheelUP feat. Allysha Joy – Folding [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Con-Figure – Butterflies Of The Night [Celsius Recordings]
Leniz – Forgotten Glory [Fokuz Recordings]
Anushka – Overwhelmed (DJ Die Remix) [BBE Music]
Fred Everything feat. Robert Owens – Never (Alternate Version) [Lazy Days Recordings]
Charles Petersohn – Children Of Zu Zu [Compost Records]
Max Sinàl & KingCrowney feat. Liv East – Intentions [Soul Quest Records]
Orlando Voorn & Han Litz – Composers [Universo Positivo]
Inkswel feat. Colonel Red – Astro Soul (Best In Me) [Playground Records]
Emanative & Liz Elensky – Eye Dive (Energy)
Wipe The Needle & Venuz Beats x Shezar – We Shall Overcome (Frankie Feliciano Remix) [Makin’ Moves]
Causa – Crosswinds [Glenview]
Peven Everett & Inkswel – Stronger (Inkswel’s Boogie Mix) [Cosmocities]
Inkswel & Andre Espeut – Synchronicities [Compost Records]
If there’s a category for hardest working DJ/Producer then Inkswel would certainly be a finalist for the title. “Synchronicities”, his latest project is a collaboration with UK singer songwriter Andre Espeut. Inkswel dishes up a collection of funk n soul gems for Espeut’s soulful vocals to shine. “Play With Fire” is a gritty tune fueled by organ and guitar grooves. “Downtown” is a trip to funky town that features Los Angeles rapper Abstract Rude. “Callin 4 U” is a taste of synth powered broken beat goodness featuring Amsterdam flautist Han Litz. Inkswel’s compositions have no shortage of infectious funk and soul grooves. This release is no exception.