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Marcos Valle – Túnel Acústico [Far Out Recordings]
“Tunel Acustico” is the twenty third album by renowned Brazilian vocalist Marcos Valle. Valle’s latest release captures the highlights of his sixty year career. Valle has spent much of his time living between Los Angeles and Rio and the music is a reflection of the musical soundscapes of both regions. The opening track “Todo Dia Santo” is a simmering tune that features Alex Malheiros on bass and Renato Massa on drums from the legendary group Asymuth. “Life Is What It is” was originally wriiren in the late seventies by Valle and Laudir De Oliveira from the band Chicago. The breezy remastered tune features a sterling guitar solo from Paulinho Guitarra. “Feels So Good” is another composition that has been sitting on the shelf for decades. Originally recorded with the late Leon Ware, it has received AI sampling courtesy of Far Out recordings in-house producer Daniel Maunick. Ware’s falsetto is a perfect blend to Valle’s vocals. The rest of the recording is filled with an array of sublime compositions you’ve come to expect from Valle. A marvelous release from Valle who shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
MOMO – Gira [Batov Records]
Brazilian native Marcelo Frota, aka Momo releases his seventh album “Gira” on the UK label Batov records. Frota’s debut album, “A Estetica do Rabisco” showcases his honey toned vocals alongside an array of folk tinged acoustic compositions. Several more recordings would follow and status building with each release. Frota now resides in London and collaborates with an eclectic band of musicians from the London jazz scene. “Para”, opens with haunting baritone sax phrasings from Tamar Osborn and hypnotics keys from Jessica Lauren. “Passo de Avarandar” is an engaging romp filled with infectious groove and lively percussion courtesy of Caetano Malta and Magnus Mehta respectively. “Summer Interlude” begins with a spirited jam session before easing into six plus minutes of mellow madness. Trombonist Rosie Turton seductive soloing layered on top of the languid grooves is a heavenly mix. Frota’s guitar rhythms alongside drummer Nick Woodmansey is a strong presence throughout. While Brazil is at the root of these compositions, Frota explores a myriad of genres that will have you yearning for more. Well done.
Rahaan Presents The Ones [BBE Music]
Chicago House and Disco DJ/Producer Rahaan has been DJ’ing since the eighties. He held down residencies at the Spot, the Buddha lounge and DJ sets around the globe. With “The Ones”, Rahaan has assembled an array of musicians and vocalists to make his compositions soar. “We Are The Ones” is infectious Disco funk that features vocalist Marcus J. Alston and Nancy Clayton. “What You Are To Me” is warm soulful House with a bubbling baseline. The warmth can be felt throughout the ten track lp. The live drums and gorgeous piano melody of “Forever” is evidence of that. “The Ones” is tailor made for party people and everyone else that simply loves dance tracks.
Les Hommes – Si Cosi [Sudden Hunger Records]
London organ trio Les Hommes latest release “Si Cosi” is an atmospheric blend ranging from lounge to bossa with a touch of soulful jazz. Rory More’s cinematic organ compositions work well on the dance floor or in a lounge setting. He’s joined by Tarek on vibes and Vlad on drums. “Sonorissima Bay” a lanquid tune glides on the strength of the mellow thumping bass. More’s organ rhythms along with Tarek’s vibes make for an intoxicating listen. “Night Drives” is another mellow organ grinding burner highlighted by soothing flute melodies. More’s radiant hammond is a reminder that the organ trio is alive and well. This recording is a breath of fresh air. It picks up where their earlier recordings on the Italian label Schema records left off. An engaging record worthy of repeated listens.
Tom Noble Presents : House of Spirits [Razor-N-Tape]
Tom Noble, record collector and label head of Superior Elevation records delivers the long awaited lp “House of Spirits”. Noble started this project back in 2007 while living in Los Angeles. He found inspiration to finish the project while traveling through Oklahoma where he would hook up with musical director Darwin Jones. Jones arranged a number of vocalists for Noble to perform on the record. With the vocalists in place it was time to add words and melodies to the unfinished compositions. One of the first songs completed was “Holding On”, a funky boogie tune that captures the essence of eighties boogie grooves. “Love Trip” is heart pounding boogie with a splash of Disco that would fit firmly in a Salsoul records catalog. The eight track lp, releaseed on Razor N Tape records delivers with infectious boogie and Disco grooves sounding fresh and new. In the end it doesn’t matter how long it took, Noble’s full length release is definitely worth the wait.
https://razor-n-tape.bandcamp.com/album/tom-noble-presents-house-of-spirits
Dave Guy – Ruby [Big Crown Records]
Born and raised in the East Village of NYC, trumpeter Dave Guy has been surrounded with various flavors of music. He formed his skills at LaGuardia Performing Arts High School where he would meet Leon Michaels, co-founder of Big Crown records. Guy would proceed to perform with a wide range musicians from the Dap Kings, Mark Ronson and The Roots among others. “Ruby”, Guy’s debut has a roster of impressive musicians bringing his compositions to life. Drummer Homer Steinweiss and bassist Nick Movshon are long time collaborators. They supply the heavy groove on tracks like “I’ll Follow You”. The heartfelt tune captures the essence of the disc with melancholy vibes layered on top of a soulful bottom. Guy’s swaying trumpet caresses the laidback groove on “Pinky Ring”. “Drony Boy” is a mellow cinematic tune with raw soul textures reminiscent of the Menahan Street Band, another band Guy has worked with. With “Ruby” Guy has manifested his New York state of mind into a marvelous soul jazz experience.
Mieke Miami – Birdland [Sonar Kollektiv]
“Birdland” the latest release from Berlin based Mieke Miami is an unapologetic blending of folk, psychadelia with jazz sensibiliies. Miami’s first two releases centered around evocative folk tunes tailored made for her soft vocals. With “Birdland” she taps into her love for jazz. As a result the album has a suite like structure that allows the songs themes and imagery to flow seamlessly. The opener “Whispering Pine” has a hypnotic breezy groove punctuated by her tender vocals and flute melodies. “Same River” is a free flowing composition filled wordless phrasing and burning fender rhodes. “Mahady O’Mahony” combines a touch of psychadelia with haunting sax rhythms. With the exception of the Dusty Springfield classic “Son of A Preacher Man”, Miami wrote and produced the entire project. Sonar Kollektiv’s roster is filled with an array of talented artists and Miami is no exception. Miami is indeed making a name for herself with this engaging release.
Esteban Adame – Bittersweet [UTx]
Los Angeles based pianist Esteban Adame’s debut album “Bittersweet” glides from bebbop to techno and fusion. Adame’s career spans more than twenty years, He spent several years in Detroit working with legendary producer MAd Mike Banks of Underground Resistance. Through that relationship he would contribute to the electronic jazz band Galaxy to Galaxy. In 2022 Adames formed a quartet to showcase his love for improvisation. Those members of the quartet are on board for this release. Tenor sax man Frank Fontaine’s glorious flurries are sprinkled htroughout the hard swinging title track. Joey De Leon’s congas light a fire on the afro cuban flavored “Bottom Up”. Adame’s Detroit influence is prominent on “Hi Tech Jazz”, a soulful fusion burner. The “Bottom Up” remix is a mash up of Detroit dub and straight ahead jazz. It displays the beauty of two worlds colliding seamlessly. Adames may not be a household name but make no mistake, he’s a talented pianist and composer. A marvelous record worthy of repeated listens.
Jazzbois – Still Blunted
Budapest resident trio Jazzbois specializes in hip-hop inspired jazz fusion. “Still Blunted”, their latest release is filled with a plethora of funky beats and sun drenched synth arrangements. “Chrome”, a bumpin’ mid-tempo tune is ignited by the thumping bass of Viktor Sagi. Dom Beats adds funky sax flurries on top of the groove. Bencze Molnar’s smoothing keys are the final touch. “Darker Than Disco” is high octane fusion with funky synths and infectious beats. “TooHi” is a funk jazz infused rework to the Stevie Wonder classic. If you enjoy jazz inspired beat makers like Kiefer you’ll no doubt enjoy this one. Their instrumentation combined with hip-hop sensibilities add up to definite satisfaction.
Allysha Joy – The Making of Silk [First Word Records]
With “The Making of Silk” singer/songwriter/keyboardist Allysha Joy is in the mood for love. The eleven track release is a marvelous collection of dreamy emotive compositions as only Allysha can interpet them. The opener “Nothing To Prove” is a sublime recording where Joy confesses her unabashed pure love for someone. Finn Rees chips in with warm synth and rhodes arrangements. “Hold On” is augmented by Oscar Jerome’s hypnotic guitar. Joy states that her love is strong enough to allow someone the freedom to be the best version of themselves. The recordings are lifted by some of her long time friends from Melbourne who also happen to be superb musicians. Drummer Ziggy Zeitgeist appears on several tracks. Jace Xl provides backing vocals throughout the album. The result is engaging live instrumentation and string arrangements that linger in your soul. Add Joy’s blissful vocals and songwriting and you have a recording that will stir your heartstrings.