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Sugar Beats: Search for Peace [Calm Beast Records]
Back in 2004 Steve Williams from UKvibe gave me a copy of a four track cd from a new Birmingham band called the Sugar Beats. This featured a cracking version of Stevie Wonder’s “As”, a live version of the “Balcon Hotstep” and the excellent “French Girl from Luton”. I’ve been hooked ever since. The Sugar Beats were formed by Chris Mapp and Leo Altarelli, and then became a seven piece band for “Search for Peace”. The foundation here is jazz, which not only works on dancefloors but also when pottering around the house. Leo’s vocal works a treat whether scatting or in a full vocal workout. Top marks to these guys for persisting and getting their music out there, now all you’ve got to do is support!
Various Artists: The Kings of Techno [BBE Records]
BBE have found a new formula and after the two successful “Kings of Digging” compilations, it’s time to move into darker territory. Brought in are two of the biggest DJs: Laurent Garnier and Carl Craig, who certainly know a thing or two about the history of techno. This is more a lesson in influences rather than a collection of bangers. Garnier’s top choices include The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Jeff Mills, Dabrye and Funkadelic, whilst Craig goes for Yello, Alexander Robotick, Back Dog, Art of Noice and the stunning Choice. If you’ve never heard “Acid Eiffel” before well be prepared to be blown away. It was produced by Laurent Garnier, Ludovic Navarre aka St Germain and Shazz and even though it’s nearly thirteen years old, it still sounds as good as when I first picked up a copy. You need this for Choice alone.
Low Budget Soul: Strangers To The Ordinary [Futuristica Music]
Low Budget Soul first appeared on the excellent Abstract Soul records a few years ago and brought to my attention the wonderful vocals of Randolph Matthews and the productions skills of Tris “Ol’ English” Browne, who was and is influenced by the likes of J-Dilla and Madlib. Matthews is on lead vocals here and shines through on tracks like “Into You”, “No. 1”, “Waves” and “Mystery Rose”. Also featured are the singles “She Won’t Let The Summer In” and “Fills My Heart” with the amazing vocalist Nanar Vorperian, which will have you on your knees. This is UK soul at its best.
Alice Russell: Under The Munka Moon II [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Here’s one album that sneaked under the radar and one you may have missed. It’s not the second album from Russell but a collection of remixes, collaborations and a few live tracks thrown in for good measure. The thing that really surprised me was that Russell sang on Susumu Yokota’s anthem “Could Heaven Ever Be Like This”, proving I never read the information on my records, and it’s one I’ve dug out again. This album really goes to prove how much versatility Alice has. There’s the hiphop remix by DJ Vadim, drum and bass mixed by Nu:Tone and of course The White Stripes cover of “Seven Nation Army”. The live versions of “Mean to Me” and “To Know This” are beautiful and do check out the tracks with Unforscene, TM Juke and Bonobo. Class.
Mummer: SoulOrganismState [Klein Records]
Mummer is the new project from former Mum member Stefan Jungmair. Sterfan has wisely stayed with Klein Records who over the years have been diverse yet consistant. “SoulOrganismState” features vocals from Betty Semper who sang on Mum’s second album “The Szabotnik 15 Mission”, and shows maturity on these productions. Also featured is Berlin based blues crooner Wayne Martin and new jazz vocalist Angela Reisinger. Both sound ace and I will keep an eye out for Angela on future projects. Fans of Klein will not be dissappointed.
Cro-Magnon: Cro-Magnon [Jazzy Sport Records]
Jazzy Sport has been mostly associated with hiphop projects, and let thier producers dip their toes in other styles. Cro-Magnon stood out because they went for all things disco, perfectly suited to the dj sets of Greg Wilson, Maurice Fulton, DJ Harvey, Idjut Boys, to name a new. There is the style of disco you might expect but also thrown in there are influences of funk, reggae and soul. Excited? you should be.
Talc: Sit Down Think [Wah Wah 45s]
2006 has been an amazing year for music and there has been no let-up on weekly releases since January. Trying to listen to everything is difficult due to time and if you play across the board it’s hard to give each piece of music the attention it deserves. So after “Modern Sleepover”, “Please Please Please Me” from the Wah Wah 45s compilation a few months ago and recently “Garden of Dance”, I was ready for something special and believe me this is more than something special- it’s going to be a masterpiece, if you’ve got your head screwed on properly. The lyrics are clever and some of the funniest you’ll hear this year, certain to put a smile on your face, if not split your sides.. When was the last time you heard a band sing about being a carrot or a lobster and this is only the start. Todd Terje has been quoted saying “that he nearly wet his pants when he heard “Modern Sleepover”: you’ve been warned.
Paul Murphy: The Trip [Afro Art Records]
Paul Murphy has been on the scene since the beginning and it’s only in recent years, that outside of London he’s been recognised and received the press and attention that’s years overdue. Paul has been producing for a number of years and it’s so good to finally hear his debut. “The Trip” features the previous singles “Jazz Room”, “Seven Samurai”, “Budapest Chachacha”, “Soul Call” and some corking new tracks. The wonderful fitting tribute to Herbie Mann and the title track is certain to find a home with nu-jazz and house heads to become a late summer anthem. Ensure you seek out and support a true legend!
Clara Hill: All I Can Provide [Sonar Kollektiv]
Those of you who have been on the ball will have noticed that a number of tracks from “All I Can Provide” have been released on 12″ over the last few months. With productions from Vikter Duplaix and King Britt, those guys gave Clara the exposure she deserved but it’s the tracks with Slope, Atjazz, Sandboy and Meitz that really make this album worthwhile. These four producers cross broken, boogie and soul to make Clara’s voice sound her best yet. S.K continues their domination.
Various Artists: Shapes Compilation Part 2 [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
It was only a few months ago that part 1 was released and it goes to show how much excellent music Tru Thoughts have up their sleeve when they can release part 2 so soon. You may be thinking ‘not another compilation’, but wait- this has some wonderful gems. Nostalgia 77 is releasing albums almost as quick as Quantic and two of his tracks are here. Nativeland, which was recorded live at the jazz cafe is brilliant, and the track with Wah Wah 45s Capstone is beautiful. Also featured are the ace first instalment of the collaboration with Quantic and Spanky Wilson and ace remix of Alice Russell’s "Mirror Mirror on the Wolf" by Bonobo. Hip-hop is covered by Simpson, Dirty Diggers and Phi-Life Cypher, with some funk by The Broken Keys… Pheew.