Review: Ray & His Court's self titled album is a masterclass in Latin funk by Ray Fernandez, a key figure in Miami's Cuban music scene. Originally released in 1973 on Sound Triangle Records, the album blends salsa, funk, soul, calypso and Afro-Cuban rhythms and is a real family affair that features Ray's wife, sons and top musicians like Rickey Washington, who is the father of the revered jazz cat Kamasi Washington. Side A boasts irresistible Latin tracks like 'La SeNorita Lola' and 'Lo Sabia' while Side B heats up with Miami funk including the DJ favourite 'Cookie Crumbs' and the standout instrumental 'Soul Freedom' to make for a magnetic fusion of Afro-Cuban energy and Miami groove.
Review: Raz & Afla bring together the talents of producer Raz Olsher and Ghanaian percussionist Afla Sackey here in order to blend electronic beats with traditional African rhythms and create a bold new and innovative sound. Olsher's boundary-pushing electronic compositions and Sackey's rich African melodies and soulful vocals result in a unique fusion that started with their acclaimed debut The Cycle. Their follow-up album, Echoes of Resistance, continues to explore new sonic realms from politically charged tracks like 'What's Going On?' to dancefloor anthems like 'Mon Ni Fere' this is a record packed with big tunes but also some real meaning and emotion.
For All The Side Chicos & Chicas (feat Coco Maria) (3:44)
Maybe Man (feat Silvia Machete) (1:13)
Hay Esperanza (feat Coco Maria) (2:42)
She's In LA (feat Young Gun Silver Fox) (1:27)
Todo Chvere (feat Don Leisure & Coco Maria) (3:12)
Review: Rio 18's Radio Chevere is a vibrant, genre-defying musical experience that resists being neatly boxed in. Part mixtape, part radio show, it's a sprawling tribute to Tropical Music, bursting with energy, sincerity, and groove.
Guided by guest DJ Coco Maria, Radio Chevere embarks on a sonic journey across multiple continents. From the samba rhythms of Brazil to Venezuelan salsa and even Californian psychedelic disco, the album becomes a musical metaphor for migrationicelebrating the movement of people, sounds, and stories.Collaboration lies at the heart of this record. Brazilian legends the +2's appear on the soft samba ballad 'Oh Minha Querida', while transatlantic Yacht Rockers Young Gun Silver Fox bring laid-back charm to 'She's In LA'. Silvia Machete from Sao Paulo adds an infectious funk vibe to 'Maybe Man', and Venezuelan icon Luzmira Zerpa delivers rhythmic intensity on 'Padre Tiempo'. The album's linguistic variety is equally impressive, blending Spanish, Portuguese, Welsh, and English into one rich tapestry. Founder Carwyn Ellis, having explored Latin music since Rio 18's 2018 inception, takes a step back from singing on Radio Chevere, focusing instead on songwriting and production. With bold cover art by Colombian artist Yoda, Radio Chevere is a lively and heartfelt celebration of the diverse influences that make up its unique sound.
Review: Get ready for the release of Curyman II, Roge's eagerly awaited album, arriving via Diamond West Records. This record has collaborations with esteemed musicians, blending the essence of Brazilian music with innovative elements. It promises to be both a homage and an evolution of Roge's distinctive sound. As a Latin Grammy-nominated and Brazilian Music Awards-winning artist, Roge has become a key player in the revitalization of Musica Popular Brasileira (MPB). Over his two-decade career, he has released seven solo albums, establishing his presence in the contemporary Brazilian music landscape. His U.S. debut, CURYMAN, released in 2023, was produced by Thomas Brenneck of the Budos Band, known for his work with icons like Lady Gaga and Beyonce. This album celebrated samba while conveying themes of resilience and redemption. With Curyman II, Roge aims to build on the momentum of his previous success, delivering even more dynamic samba rhythms and insightful lyrics.
Review: Ronnie April's Positive Energy's 'Snowflake' is a legendary release that has achieved mythical status within the jazzdance scene. Originally pressed on Ronnie's own Jude imprint and distributed locally with limited success, this impossibly rare gem has become a coveted holy grail for collectors. The track's infectious groove and captivating melody have solidified its place as a timeless classic, even spawning bootleg copies due to its scarcity. Beyond its rarity, the music itself is truly exceptional, showcasing Ronnie April's immense talent as a composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist. With a career that boasts collaborations with jazz luminaries such as Tito Puente, Louis Armstrong, and Lionel Hampton, 'Snowflake' stands as a testament to April's enduring musical legacy. The album continues from there, highlights including the excellent upbeat gem 'Dancer's Theme' and the beautiful haunting 'A Ballad For Sir James' that really exemplify that variety of great Soul music here.
Review: Israeli funk quartet Sababa 5 and Japanese singer-cum-bellydancer Yurika Hanashima join forces again on 'Kokoro', a combination of two song suites: four brand new concoctions and four beloved older tracks. Sababa 5's unique combination of Middle Eastern funk and Mediterranean rhythm makes a surprisingly sensational combination with Japanese Jazz-fusion sensibilities. Opening track 'Empty Hands' is a string-led proposition by Yurika: When your hands are empty, you hold everything you need. The guitars are expressive without overpowering Yurika's gentle vocals - it's the perfect track for a sunny drive home. The real selling point here is the clutch of tracks from Sababa and Yurika's storied past, namely 'Tokyo Midnights, a jangly, groove-filled song describing a smoke-filled, drink-fueled night through the capital. This version is pressed on classic black vinyl, but has been in high demand on the artist's own store - so act fast.
Review: Emilio Santiago's debut from 1975, the self-titled LP that officially marked the dawn of a new era, is still a classic to this day, and the sort of album that is the reference point to Brazil's long dynasty of rhythmic funk music. Joe Davis' Far Out label is responsible for this timely reissue, coming through with a new photo on the cover artwork - Santiago looking fly, as he always was. In so many words, this album is for anyone looking for either an affordable copy of this classic album, or a Brazilian funk album that brings you the heart and soul of Rio De Janeiro's rich musical heritage. Unmissable.
Review: In spring 2002, this collection of compositions by the renowned Alfonso Santisteban debuted on CD and soon became a staple on dance floors at exclusive clubs and events like that year's Fashion Week and the grand reopening of the iconic Cafe Oliver. It was also embraced by Berlin's lounge, easy listening and Brazilian-inspired groove scene so found plenty of homes on various compilations of the era. Tracks like the funk-fueled 'Persecucion,' the Brazilian-tinged 'Brincadeira' and the kitschy delight 'Strawberry Flavor' cemented its status as an artistic gem. This is the sort of diverse and tasteful record that will come in handy in myriad different settings and seasons.
Review: Tel Aviv funk six piece Satellites are back in orbit, boldly moving the psychedelic folk-meets-groove sound they established on their eponymous debut forward on Lp number two. Drawing from the Turkish psychedelic wave of the 60s and 70s, their first record earned international acclaim, with support from BBC Radio 6 Music and FIP, as well as live sets on Gilles Peterson's Worldwide FM and KEXP. After two years of touring, the band entered the studio with a renewed sense of purpose and a tighter musical bond. The album opener, 'Tisladi Mehmet Emmi,' transforms a traditional Turkuler into a modern psychedelic funk masterpiece, blending saz, synths, basslines, and dramatic drumming, with Rotem's husky vocals narrating timeless themes of lament. 'Midnight Sweat' reveals a sultry side, with a late-night lullaby over a slinky disco-rock groove, while 'Hot Jazz' dives into cinematic territory, showcasing their jazz and funk chops. 'Gizli Ajan' and 'Yok Yok' surprise with genre-bending jams, while 'Ikmiz Bir Fideniz' becomes a cosmic folk-funk rendition. The album closes with a dynamic duo, from the cosmic disco-fuzz of 'Zuluf Dokulmus Yuze' to the dramatic finale of 'Zuluf B (Reprised).' Where their debut set the tone, this release marks their full transformation, confidently stepping out of the shadows of their Anatolian psych heroes to create a modern yet timeless record.
Review: This audiophile reissue brings Tony Scott's iconic album back to life, offering a vibrant and immersive listening experience. Originally released in 1973, the album captures Scott's mastery of jazz, showcasing his versatility and inventiveness on the clarinet, baritone and even through his distinctive scat vocals. From the exhilarating energy of the title track to the reflective beauty of 'Round Midnight' and the soulful balladry of 'Lover Man', 'Manteca' is a testament to Scott's enduring artistry. Backed by an all-star lineup, including bassist Sture Nordin, drummer Ed Thigpen and percussionist Sabu Martinez, the album seamlessly blends vibrant uptempo tracks with introspective ballads. This meticulously remastered reissue is a must-have for any jazz enthusiast, offering a chance to rediscover a true landmark in jazz history.
Review: Kit Sebastian's upcoming album, New Internationale, set for release via Brainfeeder, marks a major step forward for the duo of Kit Martin and Merve Erdem. The lead single, 'Metropolis', blends Azerbaijani musical influences with Western funk grooves, using vintage synths and intricate choral textures. The track's samba-driven finale, complete with dual drum kits and processed horns and strings, creates a layered, cinematic soundscape. Lyrically, "Metropolis" explores the immigrant experience, delving into themes of identity, belonging, and artistic compromise in an unfamiliar world. Written while on tour, New Internationale features a rich tapestry of global instrumentsifrom Turkish clarinet to zither and harpsichordiwoven into a seamless mix of Anatolian psych, French pop, and Tropicalia. The album reflects Merve's personal journey navigating her Turkish heritage and Kit's eclectic musical influences, culminating in their most orchestrated work yet. It's a vivid exploration of multicultural identity, using lush, borderless soundscapes that bridge genres and histories, while pushing the boundaries of modern psychedelia and global fusion.
Serpente - "Perda Outra" (feat Kelly Jayne Jones) (7:41)
Serpente - "Em Vida Traz" (feat Maxwell Sterling) (5:45)
Serpente - "Sombra De Ra" (4:30)
CZN - "Fork In The Path" (3:44)
CZN - "Redline Gossip" (2:36)
CZN - "It's Always Aperitivo Time Hour Somewhere" (2:48)
Review: We guarantee you won't have heard percussion like Serpente for some time. Offering three tracks of disorientating, complex beats, from 'Perda Outra' to 'Dobra De Ra', the triptych is rhythmically challenging but absolutely captivating, and certainly the kind of thing that's going to prove demanding for anyone obsessed with smooth, clean transitions in a mix. Flip this wild six pack and CZN's trio of tunes are similarly beguiling. Space age desert folk drums, suppressed ritualistic thrumming, and top-heavy pulsating arrangements that seem poised to generate high energy while never managing to release the tension. Quality bits we don't really know what else to say about - genre obsessives need not apply, this is no place for you or your structures and rules. But trust us, letting go of such ideals and diving in here will be one of the best things you do this week.
Review: Sessa's Grandeza, his debut album, marks a fresh, minimalist approach to modern Brazilian music. Released in 2019, the album blends the rich textures of Brazil's musical heritage with a stripped-back aesthetic. Sessa's songs, sung in Portuguese, evoke the sensual lyricism of Caetano Veloso and the melodic grace of Tom Jobim and Arthur Verocai. Yet, the music's sparse arrangement draws comparisons to Leonard Cohen's bareness, enriched by hints of tropicalia, psychedelia, and the spiritual jazz of Moondog and Pharoah Sanders. Grandeza is an intimate exploration of love, the human body, and the vibrant hues of Brazilian music. Recorded between Sao Paulo and New York City, the album's delicate production emphasises Sessa's deep connection to Brazil's musical tradition while pushing into new, understated territory. Sessa is an amazing songwriter, known for his enigmatic and sensuous style. With Grandeza, Sessa solidifies his place as one of Brazil's most promising voices, weaving together a timeless yet refreshingly modern sound.
Review: Paris band Setenta prepare for liftoff, anticipating the upcoming 20th anniversary as a band with a new, sixth album, themed and performed with solar flair. An odyssey of Latin funk and psychedelic boogaloo, the septet provide us ample opportunity to stargaze here, merging chanting songs and tripletting wonderments with kazooing, percussive, guitar-led asteroid belt explorations. A celebration of twenty years' worth of craft-honing, the metal percussive builds of 'Tambu' and 'Sa Ki Taw' certainly demonstrate this band's rather chill skill.
Review: This timely reissue features a curated selection of standout tracks from Seu Jorge's acclaimed 2002 debut album Carolina (which was originally titled Samba Esporte Fino). The release marked the beginning of Jorge's international fame and was quickly followed by acting roles in City of God and Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic where his Portuguese covers of the late great David Bowie became iconic. The record was co-produced by Mario Caldato of the Beastie Boys association and mixes up samba, funk and jazz into a timeless sound full of colour and soul for the warmer months of the year. Tracks like the anthemic title song, the funk-tinged 'Mangueira' and the infectious 'Tu Queria' remain essential showcases Seu Jorge's effortless musical charisma.
Review: El Palmas Music is behind this welcome revival of Sexteto Fantasia's album, led by Venezuelan pianist Virgilio Armas, and originally from in 1968. His illustrious career includes collaborations with Tito Puente, Paulinho da Costa, and Stan Getz, among other greats, and Estamos en Algo delights with its diverse rhythms. They are drawn from local Latin American sounds like guaracha, pachanga, mambo, boogaloo, cha cha cha, and bolero. Described as a dynamic sextet aiming to innovate within the competitive salsa scene, their music also embraces Latin jazz and bossa nova influences as Virgilio Armas directs a talented lineup featuring Domingo Moret, Rodolfo BuenaNo, Guillermo Taribe, Hugo Liendo and Gabriel Ruiz.
Review: The candidly titled Ananda Shankar And His Music hears its first official reissue via Mr Bongo. Released on His Master's Voice in 1976, the album is a sublime collage of sitar-funk, traditional Indian classical music and psychedelic grooves, from the Indian sitarist, composer and musician. Nephew to India's legendary sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, Ananda's musical family and upbringing led to a deep respect and love of the wealth of music that emanated from his birthplace of Almora, North India. However, touring America in his 20s revealed a latent love for psychedelic rock, and this debut LP captures that obsession to a T. The fusion of cyclic, North Indian tala with Americana music is best heard on the likes of 'The Lonely Rider', which envisages the a sonorous Sonoran Desert set against an action-sequenced sitar and guitar strumming. 'Back Home' achieves similar results, with a Western, soul balladic walking bass mixing effortlessly with the sitar's distinctive, tweeting "bendre" - an exotic but compelling combo.
Review: In a limited edition closing statement, sitarist and musician Anoushka Shankar (daughter of Ravi Shankar) marks the culmination of an ambitious trilogy of mini-albums. This final chapter follows Chapter I: Forever, For Now (2023) and the Grammy-nominated Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn (2024). While the previous installments drew inspiration from Berlin and California, respectively, Chapter III is deeply influenced by Shankar's Indian heritage, reflecting a return to her roots; it hears collaborations with London multi-instrumentalist Sarathy Korwar as well as San Francisco-based sarod player Alam Khan, blending traditional Indian sounds with contemporary sound design and productive elements. Star cuts such as 'Hiraeth' intertwine the soulful resonances of sitar and sarod with dynamic percussion, titularly borrowing from the Welsh language term for a deep longing or homesickness. The record coincides with a global tour set afoot by the musician in March 2025, starting in North America and concluding in India later in the year.
Review: Anoushka Shankar, the renowned British-Indian-American sitar player, producer, and composer, shares her first live album since 2001's Live At Carnegie Hall. Between Us... marks her debut with the German label Leiter, featuring material from four solo albums and one previously unreleased track. This album has Shankar's collaborative spirit in full glory, beginning from her early performances alongside her father, Ravi Shankar. Between Us... features Shankar's regular collaborator, Manu Delago, a master of the Hang (hand pan), and Holland's Metropole Orkest, directed by the esteemed conductor and arranger Jules Buckley. Recorded in 2018 during a short series of shows in the Netherlands, the album captures the vibrant energy and synergy of these performances. Shankar fondly recalls the concerts, highlighting the unique experience of performing with an orchestra where the audience's energy was palpable. This dynamic interaction brought a fresh and fun element to the orchestral setting. The album offers listeners a glimpse into a harmonious and exhilarating musical world.
Review: With their fourth album, the celebrated rock group from northern Mali, take a bold step forward, evolving their signature "desert blues" style into a more acoustic, introspective sound. Recorded in Bamako with producer Paul Chandler, the album blends the band's gritty, electrifying energy with traditional Malian influences, incorporating instruments and melodies from various ethnic traditions. The result is a vibrant, collaborative work that features contributions from renowned artists like Afel Bocoum, Rokia Kone and Neba Solo. Tracks like 'Issa', which translates to 'river', demonstrate the group's deeper exploration of acoustic textures and storytelling, drawing on the power of nature and migration. The song's early delta blues-inspired guitar riffs complement the band's passionate vocals. The band's ability to honour their cultural roots while embracing new musical horizons really shows well here. The album is both a celebration of their heritage and a bold look towards the future, marking another remarkable chapter in Songhoy Blues' already impressive catalogue.
Review: Released on VOD streaming services in spring 2024, and now available on physical formats too, Soren Sorensen's acclaimed documentary, Omar Sosa's 88 Well Tuned Drums is about as good as you could hope for from a film about a composer who has been described as 'chameleon-like' by several critics, historians, and musicologists. The kind of life's work that you can barely fit in a lifetime of video, let alone a single feature-length piece. Nevertheless, the movie stands up, exploring the Cuban-born, US-based artist and his various sonic identities. The breadth of his output is celebrated on screen, but also now on this soundtrack record, which flits between neo- and minimalist-classical, jazz, and so much more, but never veers away from that unmistakable Sosa style. An education on wax, and also a pure delight from start to finish.
Review: Space Drum Meditation is back with a reissue of Four Tusks, a 12-track odyssey of dreaded sonics and trepidatious treks through augmented wildernesses. Their debut album and seventh reissue on the eponymous label, the duo of Eddie Ness and Liem were once fixtures of the house musical landscape at large, yet only with SDM did they turn their hands to demurer experimental soundscapes, informed by the "tribal" gloom and etherics of an electro-auxed rainforest. Throughout Four Tusks, we hear the sleeker, pantherine side of their catalogue, with ritualistic drumming heard well-melded into many a grim, cowled and rattling texture, all glued by the faint but here still oppressive sound of rain, not to mention vapour steaming off the megaphylls.
The Cliffs - "Revelation" (feat Mankunku Ngozi) (6:41)
The Four Sounds - "Seven Steps Lament" (6:39)
The Jazz Ministers - "Zandile" (11:10)
The Tailfeathers - "Tail Feathers" (4:33)
Cassidy Clarke Band - "Doctor L" (6:39)
Zim Ngqawana - "Kubi" (7:28)
Johnny Dyani - "Magwaza" (13:02)
Review: Fred Spider Presents Chakalaka Jazz: A Selection of South African Gems celebrates South Africa's unique and ever-moving jazz landscape. It is a scene that has always blended traditional niches with global influences and styles like marabi, goema and mbaqanga capture the essence of this as Fred "Voom Voom" Spider dives into those and many other rich, eclectic depths. Spider's term "Chakalaka Jazz" reflects the spicy blend of influences and is named after the local relish made from tomatoes, onions and chilli. This collection, spanning 1969 to 2003, is a mix of local talent, exiles and expats that honours the golden era of the 1970s.
Review: Sreya & Cilon's gorgeous debut album Atencao com Coracao blends bossa nova melodies with themes of self-realisation and mindfulness. The lyrics, which are both simple and profound, convey direct messages inspired by everyday life and encourage listeners to realise their potential. The album explores nature as a nurturing force and honours the sea goddess Yemanja, which is rooted in Brazilian and African traditions. With soft tones and soothing rhythms, it creates a sensory experience that mixes traditional Brazilian sounds with more modern ideas so is an ideal soundtrack for summer.
Put Coffee In The Glass/Sare, The Night, You Go? (2:14)
Do Not Bow (5:06)
I Adore These Eyes (3:35)
Waster Years (3:56)
Laylim Ley (3:07)
Review: This Kurdish/Syrian singer and bouzouki player began his music career in 1980 while studying nursing. After earning his degree in 1983, he moved to Raqqa, Syria, and formed The Al-Rabie Band, with whom he performed Kurdish, Arabic, Turkish and Western songs. In 2011, the Syrian war forced his family to flee after his son was killed by ISIS so he resettled in Ireland, where he used music to connect with the local community, performing at various events and collaborating with Irish artists. His album I Am Kurdish blends Middle Eastern and North African music and he says is a way of spreading joy, love and happiness.
Review: Dudu Tassa is one of Israel's top rock stars and here he honours his heritage as the grandson of the great Daoud Al Kuwaiti, half of the legendary Al Kuwaiti Brothers, who were icons of Arabic music from the 1930s to 1950s. He does so by modernising their classic recordings and creating a new, unique fusion of sound that has led to him performing at Coachella and supporting Radiohead on a U.S. tour. This new album edition includes a bonus track, 'Ala Shawati Dijlah Mur,' featuring Iraqi singer-composer Karrar Alsaadi. This is worldly, transportive music that travels through time and cultures with an inescapable underlying groove.
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