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Wheel Up – We Are The Magic [Tru Thoughts Recordings]

July 9, 2023

Danny Wheeler aka Wheel Up returns with his sophomore lp “We Are The Magic”. The West London based producer is one of the new torch bearers of the broken beat sound. This album however, is much more than that. The opening track “Infinity” will win you over with warm ethereal vibes. It’s co-produced by Harry Bryson aka Abacus, who brings a touch of drum n bass flavor that he’s known for. The tempo is scaled back a bit but the strings and the wicked bass will take you back to the early days of 4hero. Wheeler has also enlisted an array of superb vocalists that give the tunes wings. On “More Life” Wheeler creates an intimate mood tailor made for the angelic vocals of Victoria Port to draw you into her world of song. Port, one half of the duo Anushka also shines on the title track as well. “Singularity” featuring Steelo will certainly fill a dance floor. It has all the ingredients, a strong groove, infectious drumming, electronics and tasty vocals. Whether he’s dj’ing or producing, Wheeler has his finger on the pulse of club culture. This is another superb release that packs plenty of heat.

https://djwheelup.bandcamp.com/album/we-are-the-magic

Jsphynx – Reflex [Sekito Records]

April 16, 2023

Johnny Woodham, aka Jsphynx is a talented trumpeter and composer. He’s cut his teeth playing alongside premiere musicians such as Ashley Henry, Jordan Rakei, Barney Artist among others. During lockdown Woodham started laying down the ground work for this album and also looped in some of his friends. Bassist Rudi Creswick and dynamic drummer Richard Spaven are at the center of London’s vibrant jazz scene. Released on Sekito, the label started by Pianist/producer Alfa Mist “Reflex” blends a touch of jazz and broken beats resulting in an engaging session highlighted by superb performances. The title tracks gets the disc to a rousing start. Spaven’s pulsating drumming sets the tone for Woodham’s melodic flourishes. “King Cobra” is another burner ignited by Alfa Mist on keys and hard driving frenetic pace courtesy of Spaven. The palette of Woodham along with trombonist Liam Shorthall and Michael Underwood on sax merge and create a variety of harmonic ecstasy. “Reflex” showcases an array of London’s up and coming musicians. Based on this release it would be wise to keep an eye out for upcoming releases from t
his label.

https://jsphynx.bandcamp.com/album/reflex

Kai Meara – Statik [XVI Records]

April 15, 2023

London based beatmaker Kai Meara’s latest project “Statik” hits you like a warm Summer breeze. The twelve track disc starts and ends with warm and mellow beats and hypnotic chords. Like all good beat tapes it instantly puts you constant head nod mode and you willingly go along for the ride. The disc begins with “Self is Gone”, a hazy jazz infused mellow soul burner. “Madbass” seduces you with sizzling fender rhodes and wicked basslines. Maxing out at around twenty minutes, each track hits the mark and sets the mood while quickly moving onto the next track. Meara’s previous releases all have mellow textures but “Statik” packs more soulful grooves. All of them are a pleasant listen and this one is no exception.

https://kaimeara.bandcamp.com/album/statik

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

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

Cody Currie – Lucas [Toy Tonics]

December 8, 2022

East London born multi-instrumentalist Cody Currie makes a splash with his full length debut “Lucas”. Now based in Berlin, Currie’s debut is coming out on Toy Tonics. The Berlin based label is well known for infectious House grooves. “Lucas” delivers instant party vibes while blending a touch of house, funk and Disco grooves. In addition, Currie has some very talented friends on board here starting with vocalist Jitwam on the infectious boogie tune “Red Hot”. Ziggy from the Austrailian band Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange injects their brand of jazz infused funk grooves to the track and also on “Deja Vu”. Other highlights include “Night Sky”, another percolating dance track featuring vocalist Eliza Rose. A number of burning house flavored tracks round out the disc. Currie eschews sampling and adds live instrumentation that adds warmth. You’re certain to have happy feet with this impressive release.

https://codycurrie.bandcamp.com/album/lucas

Isatta Sheriff & Koralle – Eat The Kiwi Skin [Melting Pot Music]

December 4, 2022

Isatta Sheriff & Koralle – Eat The Kiwi Skin [Melting Pot Music]
London born MC Isatta Sheriff teams up with Italian beat maker Koralle. “Eat The Kiwi Skin” is filled with laidback soulful beats reminiscent of their acclaimed 2021 release, “Laid Back”. On “Window Thoughts”, fellow South Londoner MC Lex Amor jumps on board. Amor’s slow emotive tone is an ideal complement to Sheriff’s rapid fire delivery. “For Those Who Love” serenades you with swaying piano melodies and the soothing vocals from Merci. “What You Tellin Me” is classic drum snare boom bap that provides the canvas for Isatta to showcase her unlimited lyrical skills. Koralle’s laid back jazz infused beats have made him a go to producer for a number of hip hop artists. Evidence lies in the number of tasty edits on board here. Meanwhile Isatta has worked with premier talent such as Flying Lotus and Oddisee. If you dig laid back soulful hip hop then this is the lp for you. The arrow is trending upwards for these two.

https://isattasheriff.bandcamp.com/album/eat-the-kiwi-skin

Daniel Maulnick – Persistence [Far Out Recordings]

May 5, 2022

Multi-instrumentalist Daniel Maulnick, son of the infamous Jean “Bluey” Maulnick has certainly blazed his own trail these days. In a short time he’s become a prolific producer for Far Out Recordings and has delivered a number of essential remixes and numerous guest appearances. Maunick’s latest release “Persistance” pulls from influences ranging from drum n bass to Detroit house and garage. The opener “Arraia” exudes infectious deep house rhythms that soothes you even in it’s intense moments. “The Love has Gone” provides blistering drum n bass grooves. “Just Deserts” channels the spirits of Theo Parrish and other Detroit house pioneers. Like many tracks here it has a meditative quality that lingers long after the song is over. “Persistance” is all about pushing through the tough times of lockdown and coming through on the other side. It’s not easy for everyone to quaratine and emerge with essential recordings but Maulnick certainly does and hits the mark.

https://faroutrecordings.bandcamp.com/

Aurora Dee Raynes – Invisible Things [Tru Thoughts Recordings]

March 30, 2022

“Invisible Things” is the debut from the North London band known as Aurora Dee Raynes. The band started as a duo between Stephen Raynes and Danielle Kranedonk before morphing into a live band. The ten track lp blurres the lines between live instrumentation and electronica while topping things off with soothing vocals from the aforementioned Kranendonk. Standout tracks include “Crazy That You Love”, a bubbling tune with dynamic drums, vibes and strings. “Drawn to Sciences” is another simmering track with tasty drumming and soaring vocals from Kranendonk. The downbeat percussion rhythms of “Shout Shout” is augmented by warm chords and a touch of reverb certain to transport you a place of paradise. There’s enough promise here to hope there’s more to come from this talented group. Just another strong release from the dependable Tru thoughts label.

https://auroradeeraynes.bandcamp.com/album/invisible-things

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