Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Although little known in the UK, Sicilian singer Mario Biondi has sold huge amounts of records in his native Italy. It's not surprising, really, given the quality of his Barry White-esque deep and soulful vocal style. Here he pops up on Schema, offering up the seductive, slow dance-friendly silkiness of "Never Stop Dreaming" and the warm and groovy Philly Soul revivalism "Stay With Me". That track is given the once over by fellow Italian LTJ Xperience. Interestingly, his full vocal remix is faster, warmer and looser than his normal metronomic productions, while retaining his usual DJ-friendly grooves. His soulful house style instrumental Dub is pretty darn tasty, too.

Review: Nicola Conte's 'Do You Feel Like I Feel' and 'Ghana' were initially part of his 2011 album, 'Love & Revolution,' a project that showcased a vibrant mix of Italian and international jazz talent. Produced during sessions at Tommy Cavalieri's studios, this album never saw a vinyl releaseiuntil now. Schema Records is rectifying this with a new 2-LP edition, set to include these standout tracks. The 45rpm single, featuring 'Do You Feel Like I Feel' and 'Ghana,' highlights the core of Conte's vision: the soulful resonance of the former and the Latin-jazz flair of the latter. Both tracks are enhanced by Magnus Lindgren's arrangements and feature Gregory Porter, whose vocals, though still emerging at the time, are already a testament to his rising status in the jazz world. With this vinyl release, Conte's modern jazz masterpiece receives the physical format it deserves, offering a fresh opportunity to appreciate its intricate compositions and collaborations.

Review: Nicola Conte and Gianluca Petrella follow up last year's beautiful "African Spirits / New World Shuffle" with two more lavish instrumentals. "Sun Song" lives up to its name with wave after wave of heated musicianship from the belting harmonies to the light-touch keys. "Nigeria" taps deep into the source too as it drives us through the heart of Lagos with full horns and sweeping keys. Spiritual, sun-splashed and vital.

Review: Nicola Conte is one of the central figures in the Schema story, and his nu jazz and broken beat partnership with Gianluca Petrella has yielded some golden music in recent years. Nigeria originally came out in 2018, and then last year popped up on the duo's People Need People LP, but now it's getting a proper remix treatment which sees Tall Black Guy twisting the track out as a heady disco house roller for sundown moments when you need a little jazzy flair in the proceedings. That version comes in vocal and instrumental versions, and then the mighty Andres steps up for one of his simmering groove escapades as he delivers an extended remix of 'African Spirits'.

Review: Gerardo Frisina, the Italian musician and producer renowned for his expertise in Latin jazz, delivers a captivating experience with Mystical Funk on Schema records. Side-1 presents 'Mystical Funk,' a mesmerizing blend of tribal drums, smooth funk grooves, and island vibes that transport listeners to exotic landscapes. On Side-2, 'Spaced Out' takes a more urban direction, featuring an infectious hip-hop/funk beat infused with sophisticated organ sounds and hints of jazz influences. Frisina's masterful production seamlessly merges diverse elements into cohesive compositions that exude elegance and groove.

Review: Those who've been following the nu-jazz scene since the sound's early 2000s hey-day should be familiar with Gerardo Frisina, a Schema regular whose Latin Jazz inspired releases are rarely less than superb. "Marombo" is another superb outing. The A-side original mix is as percussive as you'd expect, with tons of South American style drums and a head-cracking double bass line, but also doffs a cap to jazz-house and the echoing sounds of dub. We'd file it under "dubbed-out Latin jazz-house", which is a niche sub-genre worth embracing. Frisina layers up the percussion further on the equally trippy, club-ready flipside "Part 2" version, which gives greater prominence to the Latin vocal samples buried deep in the A-side mix.

Review: In this offering, the Italian project led by Stefano Trione, pairs the lush 80s-inspired groove of 'In The Sand' with the unreleased gem 'Tudo Pra Ela,' a sultry disco track that embodies the warmth and richness of Tirone's signature style. 'In The Sand' pays homage to the rare groove classic from iLevel, its tropical rhythm and sunny vibe transported through Julia St. Louis's breezy vocals and Marco Brioschi's trumpet melodies, creating an almost cinematic dancefloor experience. On the flip, 'Tudo Pra Ela' delves into a sophisticated disco sound, where Toco's delicate vocals intertwine with sensual backing from Priscila Ribas and a bassline from Edu Hebling that carries the track effortlessly into the early 80s. The perfect synthesis of Stefano's love for vintage sounds and contemporary finesse.