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Pedro Ricardo & Damián Botigué – Un Nuevo Amanecer [Canela En Surco]
“Un Nuevo Amanecer” is the debut of Pedro Ricardo and Damian Botigue (aka Karmasound). The title speaks to the journey between two worlds. Ricardo is from Portugal while Botigue is from Argentina. Out on the Barcelona label Canela En Succo, the seven track lp is striped down Latin jazz aligned with fusion and folk harmonies. The title track is a simmering blend of warm guitar rhythms and vocal harmonies layered over wobbly electric piano riffs. “Atlantico” heats up the mood with sunny chords and percolating percussion. “Mar de Fora” brims with a bossa nova groove along with subtle guitar licks from Luis Tanez. Label boss Breixo MArtinez add soft vocal harmonies alluding to the Galician beach of Mar de Fora. You don’t have to be near the Galician beach to enjoy this record. Just find yourself a quiet place and let this lp sink into your body. You won’t regret it.
https://canelaensurco.bandcamp.com/album/pedro-ricardo-dami-n-botigu-un-nuevo-amanecer-lp-cnl-003
VA – Reference Point [BBE Music]
Mark GV Taylor and George Arthur are the curators for Reference Point. Since 201
2 Reference Point has hosted events that have attracted listeners and musicians
world wide. The twelve track lp features a global menu of glorious music old and new. “Palavras” erupts with warm Samba vibes courtesy of Caixa Cubo. “We Don’t Have To Talk About It” is classic rock with a touch of mellow jazz from the NYC based band Bell Helium. “A Place In Space” is a laid back seventies boogie tune from Joe Thomas. “Factory Rhythms” is sublime modal jazz from the JR Quintet. Once again BBE delivers with another marvelous compilation certainly worth checking. A great combination of reuniting with familiar tunes as well as an introduction to something new.
Illa J – No Traffic [BBE Music]
Rapper Illa J has consistently built his reputation as one of Detroit’s premiere MCs with a number of projects over the years. The former member of Slum Village and younger brother of the late great J Dilla has cemented his own place in hip-hop. “No Traffic” is his first release for BBE. The nineteen track lp is well represented by some of Detroit’s veteran MCs along with a number of MCs on the rise. Along the highlights are the cosmic funk of “Off The Tap”. The banger includes fellow lyricists Zay Bcuz and Nicx Rhett. Detroit native Amp Fiddler applies his signature brand of funk and vocals on “Get Down”. UK vocalist Harleighblu adds her distinctive vocals to “Not Ever”. Illa J serves up a heavy dose of mid-west boom bap while showcasing a plethora of talent. As evidence here, real hip-hop runs deep in the Motor City.
VA – Glucklich Vol VI [Compost Records]
DJ/Producer Rainer Truby presents “Glucklich Vol VI”, a collection of rare Brazilian grooves worthy of a wider audience. Jon Lucien’s “Come With Me To Rio” sets the disc on an arc of engaging blissful compositions. This track was only available as a limited edition seven inch in Brazil. “Midnight Gigolos” from Brother Samba is a dreamy instrumental that will create visions of paradise. “Sonzeira” is a tune originally released by Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label with Nina Miranda on vocals. Truby and frequent partner Corrado Bucci (Truccy) transform the track from sublime to infectious hip shaking samba layered with hipnotic percussion. It has taken twenty years for Truby to deliver a follow up to Vol 5. The wait has been long but the selections here are quite impressive. Another winner from the Munich based Compost Record label.
https://compostrecords.bandcamp.com/album/gl-cklich-vi-compiled-by-rainer-tr-by
Vince Watson – Another Moment In Time [Everysoul]
It has taken nearly twenty years but finally we’ve been treated to a new full length release from DJ/Producer Vince Watson. “Another moment in time” glides with rich heavenly chords and sublime house rhythms. “Rendezous” is a ten minute cascade of ambient melodies and seductivee rhythms. The track first appeared on Carl Craig’s Planet E label in 2006. “Piece of Mind” is another floor burner aided by the sweet piano rhythms from Detroit’s own Jon dixon. With Dixon’s gentle touch and the unrelenting house rhythm, you’ll no doubt get swept away. “Lost in the Deep” is exactly what title implies. It’s seven minutes of gorgeous synths and atmospheric chords certained to transport you to another moment in time. Watson’s marvelous release takes you on a cosmic journey. The grooves are infectious and the chords will warm your soul. All along the way your feet will never stop moving.
https://vincewatson.bandcamp.com/album/another-moment-in-time-lp
Minus & MRDolly – Giant Stops [Jazzego]
“Giants Steps”, the new release from Hugo Oliveira aka Minus & MRDolly is an ode to the iconic Coltane classic. Oliveira doesn’t pay tribute in the form of bebop, instead he blurs the lines of jazz, hip hop and electronics. “Chronography” kicks things off with bubbling chords and a funky bass groove. “A Queda” is an ambient trance of warm chords and simmering cymbals, topped off by the soothing vocals from Luca Angel. “Entretanto” follows the same pattern, this time aided by the seductive vocals of Meta. Oliveira’s evolution as musician is on display here. The compositions are warm and robust and makes for a satisfying listen.
Menagerie – The Shores Of Infinity [Freestyle Records]
The fourth installment from Menagerie and the third lp released on Freestyle records. The group led by Lance Ferguson expands beyond the spiritual jazz recordings of the previous releases. “The Shores Of Infinity” features more groove oriented compositions yet they contain plenty of potency to keep you locked in for the ride. Evidence of that lies in the title track, a breezy funk number that’s airy, free and laced with warm electric piano chords. “Kingdom” is a fusion banger filled with bubbling percussion and vocal harmonies. Top that off with engaging soloing from trumpeter Ross Irwin. “Danieda’s Dance” is reminiscent of the deeper compostions the band has become known for. The nine minute track is punctuated by flurries of tenor riffs from Phil Noy and majestic piano flurries. This is another marvelous recording from Ferguson that you shouldn’t miss.
https://freestylerecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-shores-of-infinity
Scrimshire – Paroxysm [Albert’s Favourites]
“Paroxysm”, the latest from Adam Scrimshire was inspired mainly by the inhumane treatment of refugees and migrants by the government. There are a couple of tunes related to the pandemic but the mistreatment of migrants was too much to ignore. Fortunately Scrimshire’s emotive compositions provide a voice for all of us who are outraged while serving as a welcoming tonic. The haunting soundscapes of “Eyes Wide Shut” provide plenty of space for Faye Houston’s soothing vocals to glide over Scrimshire’s piano rhythms. “Your Invitation is A Lie” erupts with Idris Rahman’s powerful flurries on tenor topped off by spirited drumming. “Flames” is another highlight. Tamar Osborn’s clarinet provides warmth and the arrangement is elegant and luminous. “Paroxysm” is a splendid representation of the moods we’re experiencing right now. Whether it’s joy, pain or indifference you can be certain that Scrimshire can channel it into something beautiful. This album is evidence of that.
Bright & Findley – Everything Is Slow [Athens Of The North]
In 2019 James Alexander Bright & Tom Findley made their presence felt with the single “Tigers Roar”. The single garnered critical acclaim and filled us with hope there was more to come. The wish has been granted. “Everything is Slow” is the debut from Bright & Findley. The eleven track disc is filled with laidback synth funk compositions tailored made for lazy Summer afternoons. Findley’s arrangements combined with Bright’s vocals are a potent mix. Among the highlights are the languid “When I look into the World” The swaying string arrangements and ambient soundscapes will warm your heart. “It’s Only Rain” is another downtempo delight. “NY Disco” is a nod to the Brooklyn Disco scene that also leans into eighties boogie. Warm and melodic, this is an electro soul gem that you shouldn’t miss.
https://brightandfindlay.bandcamp.com/album/everything-is-slow
Lorenzo Morresi & Le Isole – Pop Flop [Space Echo Records]
Italian DJ/Producer Lorenzo Morresi and Le Isole pay tribute to “library music” on his latest release “Pop Flop”. Library Music are obscure vinyl recordings written strictly for radio and television. These string laden jazz funk recordings were written by an array classically trained composers. Producer Luciano Cantone, who co-produced some of the recordings owns a large collection of rare library gems. Together they breathe new life into these recordings and lay down the groundwork for this impressive album. The disc kicks off with “Shalom”, a cosmic jazz funk heater. “Savana Urbana” is a mellow experimental number with a haunting groove. The ten track disc is filled with other cinematic compositions worth digging into. With Cantone’s vast collection I would expect to hear recordings like this from Morresi. This record deserves an encore.