Back catalogue: Broken Beat/Nu Jazz/Nu Soul

Review: Bjorn Wagner's Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band have put out several fresh albums and many great 7"s on Big Crown and 'Hotline Bling' is another one. The mysterious Hamburg outfit brings their famous steel pan sound and reaches new heights here as they again cover songs that span genres and range from mega-hits to album cuts. Their own unique approach is to mix up the traditional sounds of Trinidad and Tobago with the original source material to leave you ready to dance all night long.

Review: The Beat Broker's debut 45, El Barrio Strut, is the Latin-infused heat your sets have been craving. Side A brings the fire with its uptempo 60s-style boogaloo banger, blending punchy horns and lively keys into a dancefloor-ready groove. On the flip, you'll find Bass By Dope Demand, a beat-tape gem that nods to King Bee's classic hip-hop before diving into heavy psych-funk territory. Then there's Steppa's Delight, a deeper, looser groove featuring Latin funk percussion, squelchy blaxploitation guitars and horns. Both tracks are short but impactful, leaving you wishing for extended versions.

Review: Much loved Michigan techno and ambient virtuoso John Beltran wraps up the so far so excellent Back to Bahia 7 series with the a final volume that proves to be the most dancefloor focussed offering yet. Leading with 'O Patio,' Beltran shows his class with a blend of jazz-funk and MPB that comes with a rather sunny Ibiza-inspired twist while echoing the vibes of Latin greats like Robson Jorge and Lincoln Olivetti. On the flip side, 'Belle Isle' is a perfect party anthem for those outdoor sessions - think beach gatherings or cookouts and you won't go wrong. This has been a brilliant series and while it's a shame it's over, this is a fitting way to end it.

Review: Detroit's John Beltran can do no wrong if you ask us, and what he does do is always famously varied, from sound design for TV to melodic techno excellence via ambient beauty. Here for MotorCity Wine he revisits his Back To Bahia series with a third volume that finds him flexing his Afro-Brazilian deep house chops. The 7" opens up with the jazzy boogie of Lsaura' which is steeped in Minneapolis funk and will get cultured dancefloors in a spin. 'As The Sunsets' that appears on the flip and is a superbly emotive sound with wispy late night melodies and glowing harmonies and shuffling Latin grooves. Essential.

Review: Celebrated composer, producer, techno talent and ambient craftsman John Beltran is a real Detroit don and now he is back on one of the city's own labels, Motor City Wine, with Volume 4 of Back To Bahia on 7". This one finds him going even deeper than before, starting with 'Laguna', which will soon uplift you with its Afro-Brazilian drums and live bass from James Simonson next to lush keys. 'Just Beyond The Sun' then gets fully Balearic with its mix of sultry trumpet, shuffling and Latin-tinged rhythms and wispy cosmic chords. A real delight.

Review: Kay-Dee Records comes at us with a 45 double-hitter, presenting Bert Hector's 'The Phoenix' and 'The Kraken' with Kenny Dope on remix duties. On the first record, we're treated to 'The Phoenix', a sure-fire funk gem with a super-warm sound - beat is as cool as it gets, with a laid-back and funky attitude sitting beneath a joyous intermingling of sitar, flute, brass and guitar, all performed at expert levels. 'The Kraken', meanwhile, channels a killer groove, strutting at 85 bpm and incorporating a huge brass section which pumps loud, while flute solos and funky Wah-guitar chops take things up a notch.

Review: Several new 7" cuts by our good friends over at Bou Ga Louw have landed in our grasp, the Argentinian label pushing brand new South American funk and soul heaters. Big Jim Hangers' 'Jungle Fever' is a high-octane instrumental ballad clearly dedicated to the dirtiest of acts out there, sex. Moans, groans, organs and drums complete the recipe, and this is an attitude mirrored on the B-side with The Moon People's 'Hippy Skippy Moon Strut'. This is a riotous mix of Afrobeat, funk, and jazz, and a mise-en-scene for free love.

Review: The Bloto quartet recently marked their return with 'Szlam' and 'Scieki,' their first singles in over two years, released on a limited 7" vinyl via Astigmatic Records. These tracks sold out instantly, leaving fans eager for more. The band now continues their musical assault with another 7" release, featuring a remix by modern funk maestro DaM-FunK from Pasadena, California. This release serves as a prelude to their upcoming LP Grzybnia, set for an autumn 2024 release. Bloto's latest single, 'Bakteria,' draws heavily from classic acid house, offering a sinister and primitive sound that's reminiscent of the harsh resilience of bacteria. Recorded during an improvisation session at Studio Pasterka, the band has abandoned acoustic instruments in favour of synthesisers and drums, creating a raw, infectious track. DaM-FunK's remix, 'Bakteria Re-Freak,' transforms the original's dark atmosphere into a vibrant G-Funk track, filled with sunny synths and a drum machine beat. It evokes a biopharmaceutical bacterium leisurely moving through the streets of Los Angeles, blending warmth with a hint of danger. This release not only boasts Bloto's innovative spirit but also highlights DaM-FunK's ability to reimagine and elevate the original material.

Review: If you've not found yourself enthralled by Bluey, the Australian animated kids series about the anthropomorphic six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy, Bluey, her family, curiosity, energy and imagination, then where have you been for the last seven years? Praised for its razor sharp depiction of modern family life in the Western world, it deftly straddles the line between children's TV and adult comedy, hitting both nails squarely on the head. In Rug Isand, Bluey and Bingo discover that a pack of felt tips can be anything - like a snake, or a campfire, or a banana. A perfect example of the creative minds of youth and heir ability to believe in things that grown ups might struggle with, the fact that Dad needs to engage his inner child and suspend disbelief before the episode ends speaks volumes. In musical terms, think fantastical, dreamy and typically witty instrumentation and spoken word, on record.

Review: This release sees BOO showcasing their versatility, seamlessly blending elements of soul, jazz and electronica into a captivating sonic tapestry. 'Smile In Your Face' is a testament to the artist's ability to craft intricate soundscapes and infectious melodies, creating a listening experience that's both soothing and invigorating. The A-side features a collaboration with Muro, adding a touch of hip-hop flavour to the mix. On the flip, 'Smile In Your Face -Sunaga't Experience Remix-' takes the track into deeper, more atmospheric territory, courtesy of Sunaga t Experience. The production throughout is top-notch, with lush instrumentation and subtle electronic textures, all complementing BOO's soulful vocals.

Review: This split release offers two laid-back tracks from the depths of Brazil. On the A-side, Brenda Boykin (a jazz vocalist with a rich, creative voice which was nominated for a BAMMY Award in 1997 for Best Vocalist) delivers a soulful cover of Louis Armstrong's seminal 'We Have All The Time in the World,' the theme for George Lazenby's one-time portrayal of James Bond as well as a real karaoke favourite. The B-side features Step Three's 'A Dream,' a funky instrumental track with B. More which became a dance floor favourite following its 1993 release. Pressed on red 7" wax, this one beautifully captures some timeless Brazilian rhythms.

Review: We have always got time for new heat from Big Crown and that's just what we have here from Brainstory. This trio of artists take cues from the label's co-owner Leon Michels and his work interpreting the Wu-Tang but with this own energy. They dropped a first EP back in 2014 and since then have looked to jazz, hip-hop old and new, soul and cinematic opulence for their inspiration. This new 7" comes as the outfit is finishing off its second full length and is a fine taster of what to expect with a show stopping two-sider that will soon find its way into you heart.

Review: The legendary UK acid-jazz innovators Brand New Heavies dropped many a classic sounds and none more so than their iconic album 'Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1. More than three decades after first release it remains an influential work that blends UK club jazz with US hip-hop. Featuring collaborations with artists like Main Source, The Pharcyde, Gang Starr, and Black Sheep, the album marked a groundbreaking fusion of genres back in its heyday and now two standout tracks from the album, 'Soul Flower' featuring The Pharcyde and 'It's Gettin' Hectic' featuring Gang Starr make their way to 7" for the first time and sounds as good as ever.

Review: Brand New Heavies have long had their legacy assured. They played a vital role in establishing the Brit-funk sounds of the 80s and 90s and are one of the most enduring acts on Acid Jazz. Now, their standout album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1 has two of its finest cuts singled out and pressed up to this Bonafied Funk reissue on P-Vine Japan. The tunes are a blend of their signature sounds with some top-level featured guests including hip hop royalty Main Source and the one and only Grand Puba. Timeless dance floor delights, for sure.

Review: Bread & Souls is an ensemble of musicians, singers, DJs, producers and, most of all, long term friends: a globally-spread family re-gathered by Franco Fusari - entrepreneur, music lover and dreamer. 'Find The Beauty' is the project's 7" preview track (preceding the full project), featuring Detroit-based Paul Randolph on vocals, Tommaso Cappellato on drums, Marcus Machado on guitar and Taku Hirano on percussion, all directed by eclectic project leader and producer Mark de Clive-Lowe, the pianist and true electronic-jazz pioneer. A remarkably well-rounded disco-jazzdance sprawler full of glitzing swing and synthetic ornaments, there's something in 'Find The Beauty' for all the family.

Review: Multi-talented artist James Alexander Bright unveils soulful anthem 'Fall For You' and funky track 'Viper Flames' in the superb Athens of the North, all as a tease his forthcoming third solo album on the label in mid-2024. Reflecting on love's power in 'Fall For You', Bright's upcoming release follows his acclaimed debut album 'Headroom' and contributions to Groove Armada's 'Edge Of The Horizon'. His second album, 'Float', garnered praise for its eclectic blend of styles. These new tuns show what he is all about - sunny soul with standout keys and dreamy vocals that melt even the stoniest of hearts.

Review: Street Corner's FliP Sessions is a great source of beats for hip-hop heads and this eighth volume is no different. It's limited to just 200 copies and features five more exquisite little sketches that are loveably rough around the edges and full of laidback and dusty soul. After the busted breaks of GREENMINDZ, Toby Glider zones you out with lo-fi loops and Beaulemaire brings heavier beats. Side 2 has a more jazz cut from Elusive and star gazing cosmic melody from Shri!. All five of these are delightful little pieces.

Review: Connie Price & The Keystones team up with one of New York's finest, Apani B. Fly MC (collabs w/ Black Star, MF Doom, DJ Spinna) & Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. (The Wild Magnolias). 'Uptown Rulers' is the perfect blend of Mardi Gras Indian funk from New Orleans and the flows and cadence from Hollis, Queens. Apani B. gives you a lesson in the blood, sweat, and tears that go into the masking culture, while Bo Dollis Jr. carries on his father's legacy with chants to the ancestors. For the B-side, Professor Shorthair leans further into the origins of hip-hop with a boom-bap backbone and scratches that give a nod to the OG Big Chief, Bo Dollis. Extended intro and outro for all you DJs out there!