Reviews – Page 11 – Basic Soul

Tea White – Between Planets [Stay True Sounds]

March 5, 2023

South African label Stay True Sounds continues to launch an array of talented artists from South Africa. The latest is electronic Producer Tea White. With “Between Planets” White demonstrates a flair for atmospheric house tracks filled with sonic arrangements. The opener, “Anemoiapolis” is a moody mediatative tune that transports you into White’s planetary vision. “Astro Retro” veers towards traditional house with a deliberate hypnotic rhythm and pulsating beats. A promising release from a up and coming producer who has caught the attention of premier DJs worldwide.

https://staytruesounds.bandcamp.com/album/between-planets

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Kevin Reynolds – A Certain Circumstance [Yoruba Records]

February 25, 2023

Kevin Reynolds had the fortune of growing up in the musical oasis of Detroit where he absorbed a variety of sounds. As a kid he loved hip-hop but the trajectory of his life was changed when he attended his first underground electronic party. From there he has ascended to becoming a premiere producer of soulful elctronic music. Reynolds full length debut, “A Certain Circumstance” is evidence of that. Released on Yoruba records, the thirteen track lp is awash with deep house grooves and atmospheric mid tempo gems. The opener, “Abandoned” emobodies the yoruba sound with infectious percussion rhythms and warm keys. “Para Ti” is another floor burner that features fellow Detoit native Paul Randolph. Yoruba records has been delivering potent recordings for some time now. Reynolds release is no exception.

https://www.facebook.com/kevinreynoldsdetroitmusic/

Reg Dancy

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Malcolm Strachan – Point Of No Return [Haggis Records]

February 17, 2023

Scottish trumpeter Malcolm Strachan follows up his impressive debut with another engaging record. Where “About Time” showcased a straight ahead sound “Point Of No Return” taps into the CTI sound with warm melodic compositions. “Nossa Danca” is a bubbly tune with a Latin groove layered with Strachan’s warm harmonic tone . “The Wanderer” is a mid tempo tune that instantly melts into your soul. It’s layered with notable contributions from pianist George Cooper. In addition, UK vocalist Jo Harrop adds heavenly wordless phrasings and Atroll Ransome on flute takes the tune to another level. Strachan’s working band is a cohesive unit that is on top of their game. Strachan captures the spirit of the CTI sound with an impressive collection of soul jazz grooves with some bossa rhythms for good measure.

https://malcolmstrachan.bandcamp.com/album/point-of-no-return

Reg Dancy

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VA – 13 Years Later Part 1 [Local Talk Records]

February 9, 2023

Ever since they premiered in 2010, Local Talk records has become one of the premiere labels in essential house music. The Stockholm based label, started by Mad Mats and Tooli consistently delivers the kind of house that resonates with you years after it’s release. Some of your favorite DJ/Producers have dropped a track or two from Opolopo and Kyodai to Soulphiction among others. “Local Talk – 13 Years later” demonstrates why they’re held in high regard with nine potent tracks certain to grip your hips and move. “Come Back To Me” is a soulful house number from veteran DJ/Producer Alex Attias. “Open Destiny” is hypnotic deep house from Dan Tenor City and Tom Funk. “Where You Come From” is a soulful lounge number from Rawson And Jackson. This compilation just scratches the surface of the Local Talk vault but it’s still a great place to start. After you finish enjoying this release you should head over to their bandcamp page as well. Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy hours of essential house music.

https://localtalk.bandcamp.com/

Reg Dancy

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Turbojazz – Whateverism [Last Forever Records]

February 2, 2023

Italian DJ/Producer Tommaso Garofalo aka Turbojazz celebrates twenty years of infectious house compositions with “Whateverism”. As one third of the group Jaxx Madicine he has demonstrated a flair for creating deep and soulful house aligned with melodic keys and synths. He continues the trend on his new label Last Forever Records. The ten track lp is a musical journey of nujazz, broken beat and house compositions. The disc kicks off with “The Standard”, a warm instrumental track with sublime keyboard arrangements. “You Are Worth It” is a down-tempo soul burner highlighted by the sultry vocals of Sara Vanderwet. “In Love Again” is soulful house at it’s best and also features premiere DJ Sean McCabe along with Nikki O on vocals. “Live At Apollo” has elements of Jazz and broken beat woven into a spirited finale. A marvelous release that should propel Turbojazz to a wider audience.

https://lastforeverrecords.bandcamp.com/album/whateverism-2

Reg Dancy

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VA – They’re Energized [CoOp Presents]

January 19, 2023

Co-op Presents is the home of Bruk and broken beat and seemingly the ideal place to showcase the rediculous wealth of talent from Austrailia. “They’re Energized” is a fourteen track compilation that frankly is too hot handle. With Allysha Joy spearheading this project you already know it’s in the right hands. Joy’s catalog continues to grow with an array of superb recordings, including her recent solo project which she also produced. In addition she’s part of a communinity of musicians ready to blow up on the big stage. Among the highlights are “Fly” a thounderous track from premier bassist/composer Horatio Luna. “Prophecy” by vocalist, DJ/Producer Squidgenini simmers with a gorgeous melody that serves as the perfect appetizer to the other high energy compositions on tap here. “Walk Away” features brooding beats and a hypnotic groove from SilentJay and heavenly vocals from Lori. Joy, of appears on several tracks here in different collaborations. “Rewind” finds Joy alongside multi-instrumentalist and New Zealand native Lance Ferguson aka Lanu. “Listen” is burning broken beat body shaking music. There’s enough infectious gems here to fill two lps. Simply put you’ll be hard pressed to find a better compilation this year.

https://coop.bandcamp.com/album/theyre-energised

Reg Dancy

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Cosmic Renaissance – Universal Language [Schema Records]

January 10, 2023

Cosmic Renaissance is a collective led by Italian Trombonist Gianluca Petrella. Patrella is one of the premier musicians of a vibrant Jazz community in Italy. Joining him here are frequent collaborators Mirco Rubegni on trumpet, bassist Riccardo Di Vinci, drummer Federico Scettri and percussionist Simone Padovani. This is a reduced lineup from Petrella’s Cosmic orchestra band and each member rises to the occassion. This ten track release features a landscape of strong rhythmnic vitality that blends the acoustic arrangements with electronics with impressive results. The title track “Universal Language” packs a punch with a hypnotic groove driven by Scettri. On top of that London Tenor Titan Soweto Kinch appears with rapid fire lyrics. “Wonder” is a mellow burner where Anna Bassy’s sultry vocals are layered with Petrella and Rubegni’s melodic phrasings. Kinch brings more lyrical fire on “Education”. The track builds to a fever pitch before leveling off into euphoric soundscapes. Gianluca’s imaginative arrangements are riped with spirited performances. The use of electronics are well placed and lifts these recordings to another level. Simply marvelous.

https://gianlucapetrella.bandcamp.com/album/cosmic-renaissance-universal-language

Reg Dancy

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Dego – Love Was Never Your Goal [2000 Black]

January 4, 2023

Dego has become one of the most prolific prodcuers of the last twenty years. With his 2000black imprint he has consistently delivered a number of broken beat, soul and funk gems. Fresh off his 2021 release “The Negative Positive” he shows no sign of complacency with his latest, “Love Was Never Your Goal”. The nine track release features familiar contributors Kaidi Tathum, Matt Lord and Mr Mensah. In addition, fellow labelmate Samii adds warm and sultry vocals. “Start Again” features dazzling synths and Tathum on keys. Samii’s vocals are featured here also and throughout the disc. “Catch The Sun” is another highlight aligned with a laid back groove There’s four instrumental tracks here but “Warp 7” is the one for me. It features tasty guitar licks and keys from Matt Lord that elevates the funky groove. All in all it’s another strong release from Dego that you shouldn’t miss.

https://dego.bandcamp.com/album/love-was-never-your-goal

Reg Dancy

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Work Money Death – Thought, Action, Reaction, Interaction [ATA Records]

December 29, 2022

Fresh off their 2021 release, Work Money Death returns with another superb recording. “Thought, Action, Reaction, Interaction” takes the baton and delvers a four track lp filled with Spiritual Jazz treasures. ATA records founder and bassist Neil Innes and Tenor Saxophonist Tony Burkill are joined by an array of musicians poised to breathe life into these impressive compositions. “Freedom As A Heartfelt Song” takes on an orchestral vibe with a number of trumpeters joining Burkill creating joyful rhythms alongside the choir known as The Band and Jasmine Kennedy Shaneen Mooney. Guitarist Chris Dawkins lays down sublime rhythms to set the track in motion. “Same As Before” brings more of the same with the addition of K.O.G (Kweku Of Ghana) with spoken word phrasings. Gareth Wilkinss harmonic layers on harp is pure bliss. The first lp was a nice surprise. Two wonderful recordings mark a trend. Innes and Burkill are putting ATA on the map as the home for high quality recordings you shouldn’t miss.

https://workmoneydeath.bandcamp.com/album/thought-action-reaction-interaction

Reg Dancy

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