Review: After a ton of anticipation, Marc Mac's Visioneers project made a fine return late last year with a new album that delivered everything fans love and more. It was a mix of classic hip-hop reimagined, B-boy anthems and jazzy, funky lounge originals of the sort that are all staples of the Visioneers sound. The inclusion of guest musicians from around the globe added real richness to the compositions and now two of the standouts get cut to 45 rpm. 'Raid' is a nice laid-back funk roller with cute melodies over lazy drums that bring to mind a gentle afternoon in the park. Flip it over for 'Hurts So Bad' (instrumental) which is just as airy and organic.
Review: This 45rpm features alternate versions of tracks from Marc Mac's Visioneers project. As always with Visioneers, the album reimagined hip-hop's foundational sounds and often started from scratch and focused on a key sample from the original track. Whether recontextualising a classic or creating something entirely new, the hallmark of a Visioneers record is its live instrumentation, which belies Marc Mac's ability to manipulate hip-hop's signature swing with a new type of mastery. 'What It Mean' and 'Today' are both standout from the album.
Enjoy The Silence (Smoove Multitrack rework) (5:31)
Let's Stay Together (Smoove Multitrack rework) (6:20)
Blind Alley (Smoove Multitrack rework) (4:46)
Review: While the Reflex was the first to forge a career out of multi-track re-editing (which would have been called remixing back in the disco era, since you are rearranging using the original parts), plenty of producers have followed in his footsteps in recent times - not least popular disco and funk party-starter Smoove. Here he serves up a ninth instalment in his excellent 'Multitrack Reworks' series. On side A he does a stellar job in reinventing Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy The Silence' as a squelchy, synths-and-slap-bass sporting mid-tempo disco anthem, complete with spine-tingling vocal breakdowns. He opens side B with a stripped-back, dubbed-out take on Al Green classic 'Let's Stay Together', smartly emphasising the bittersweet beauty of the original version's orchestral accompaniment, before delivering a sweet, head-nodding take on the Emotions' 'Blind Alley'.
Review: Sometimes a record drops and you just know it's going to be hot. This is one of those records, an essential 7" from Bloom and Japanese talent DJ Koco aka Shimokita, who has been spinning 45s since 2011 and can juggle beats like Messi can juggle a ball. He is a favourite with the likes of Gilles Peterson and is likely to win many new fans with this one. 'World Famous (feat 45Trio)' is a gloriously jazzy, soulful sound with funk drum breaks and warm, organic percussive tumbling next to natty chords and a killer bassline. Add in the equally irresistible 'Re Create #01' on the flip and you have a sure-fire future classic, so do not sleep.
Review: New York producer P-Sol has hit on a super effective formula for starting the party, stitching together a selection of familiar samples and hooks, adding some beautifully dusty breaks and adding a final sheen of shiny production skills. Both sides of this 7" have a touch of raw 'two turntables' action about them, while remaining impeccably constructed and tight, with the A-side 'This Way' proving to be the slightly speedier and slightly more funk/r&b-flavoured, while 'Breathe & Stop (Abstract Blend)' is the one for the pure hip-hop heads. Both, however, are dynamite in the box, needless to say.
Review: Calling all locked-groove stickerers, needle twisters, and/or tonearm weight worriers, prepare your ears and needles for a wonderful trove of breakbeat bullion, ripe for the looping and the zealous hunching over. This modern rare groove emulation by Florence, 'Funky Song', lays down a phantasmically funky original breakbeat, fleshed out and swollen unto the most maximal of proportions. Then, don't forget, there's 'Let's Dance', which reworks Jimmy Bo Horne's 'Dance Across The Floor' for a rare and never-edited-before take on the perseverant, provocative hip roller of a track.
Review: To bear a name like Breakbeat Lou, you’d have to have earned it. And Louis Flores is indeed arch-digger numero uno: mainly having cut his teeth as a co-creator of the Ultimate Break And Beats compilations on New York’s Streetbeat Records, Lou was born anew as a DJ as way back as 1974 (!), amassing a boss pile of vinyl and thus music intel, largely as to where and how to source the best breakbeats out there. With elite producers like DJ Premier, Large Professor, The Bomb Squad, Pete Rock, Dr. Dre and Marley Marl all having sampled Lou’s wholesale procurements over the years, the man himself now steps back up to flaunt his very own pump-action breaks works. From KRS-One to Loose Ends, the samples on this are electric, and the original beats bombastic.
Love Theme (Ilija Rudman Higher Ground mix part I) (3:20)
Love Theme (Ilija Rudman Higher Ground mix part II) (2:43)
Review: Ilija Rudman shows his class here with two edits for the always-on-point Brooklyn Highs label. He turns his hand to an original by Soul Men aka Black Moses and Part 1 will her you lost in a reverie. The meandering, stoned, slow-motion funk licks, gentle drums and wallowing chords all wash over you like a soothing breeze. The Higher Ground mix part II introduces buttery male vocals that drip with eroticism and soul. This one should come with a pregnancy warning.
Review: The MC was one of a kind. His legend lives on through his work which here gets served up on new label Doom in instrumental form. 'Saffron' (MF instrumental) is a silky late-night sound with warm melancholic chords and subtle boom-bap beats. On the flip, things get more jazzy with the expressive trumpets and more raw broken beat patterns of 'Arrow Root' (MF instrumental). It's a timeless and sophisticated sound that will woo any listener into a calming mood and comes on a limited 7".
Review: A captivating blend of jazz-infused grooves, soulful melodies and laid-back vibes, delving into the heart of soul music with 'Lost' that sets the tone with its heartfelt vocals and melancholic melodies. On the flipside, 'Thank You' offers a message of gratitude and appreciation, its uplifting harmonies and soulful instrumentation leaving the listener with a sense of warmth and contentment. Expect a selection of tunes that evoke the golden era of soul, with warm instrumentation, rich harmonies, and heartfelt vocals. Whether you're a seasoned soul aficionado or simply looking for some feel-good music to soothe the soul, this compilation is sure to hit the spot.
Smack Dab In The Middle (7-Inch edit By Mr K) (5:25)
Review: No one edits a classic like Mr. K, as he has proven time and time again. Now the legendary studio craftsman is back and revisiting Paradise Garage and some of the club's legendary sounds. First up is TW Funkmasters' 'Love Money,' which was conceived by UK radio reggae jock Tony Williams and fuses Dennis Brown's reggae hit 'Money In My Pocket' with early rap influences. The dub version was embraced by New York's dance scene and became iconic at the 'Garage, with many homages coming later such as Larry Levan's Man Friday remake, 'Love Honey, Love Heartache.' On the flip, Janice McClain's 1979 Philly disco classic 'Smack Dab In The Middle' shines as Larry Levan's mix is reworked by Mr. K who turns up the jazzy groove with fresh breaks.
Pain Au Chocalat (with Extra Butter bonus Beat) (3:43)
Review: Galaxy Sound Company has become one of those cop-on-sight labels thanks to is cultured 45rpm edit series. This time, label staple, bedroom B-boy beatmaker and Michigan native Strictlybutters drops a sweet duo of beatstrumentals that skate, stomp and groove with great style. Side A's 'Espresso Con Panna' flips Salt of the Earth's 1984 gospel-funk banger 'Love Light II' into a bass-thumping, sax-smooth hip-hop gem that will enliven any party. The second offer is just as sweet: 'Pain Au Chocolat' is a Detroit-inspired and buttery groove dripping in jazzy Axelrod-esque flair. Pure head-nod gold.
Review: Oooh! Angie Stone's "Wish I Didn't Miss You" definitely belongs in the canon of all time modern soul classics. Taken from her 2001 second album Mahogany Soul, the Swizz Beats produced track made optimum usage of an O' Jays sample and was instrumental in that LP going gold and propelling the former D'Angelo collaborator to stardom. It also inspired countless official and under the counter remixes with Blaze's perhaps the most recognisable. So yes this reissue on 7" from Outta Sight is worthy if you don't have the original in your collection and features a housed up remix from Hex Hector on the flip.
Haunted By Your Love (Call Sender dub version) (3:17)
Review: Get your lugs around this, the first single from Leo Vidal & The Rayvelles, and you will soon be keen to know more. 'Haunted By Your Love' is a modern take on the West Coast oldies sound from Leo Vidal, a 70s soul singer from rural Virginia who brings his East Coast harmonies to croon about lost love. The Rayvelles is the duo of Fergal McBride and Tuck Nelson and are the creative force behind Echo Ray Studios in London, a space that channels the soul of Motown into contemporary music. Backing vocals are provided by Cassandra Dali and Marietta Smith while the flip has a remix by Call Sender who layers in some inviting dub weight.
Review: Ukrainian jazz singer Mona returns with a powerful funk 45 following last year's breakout 'Moya Vode' (or 'Sweet Water'). Fusing ancient folk traditions with modern cypher culture, this one delivers a message of unity and resilience while rolling on tempting grooves. Jazzy breakbeats, soaring horns and relentless clavinet and guitar riffs create the dynamic foundation for Mona's radiant vocals while loose piano and sax add a fresh live-jam feel. The vinyl edition features an exclusive instrumental version, with a Moog stepping into the lead and adding a different vibe.
Review: Cleo Sol's arrival in the past few years has been one of the best things to happen to UK soul music in a long time, and she's gifted us two of her outstanding albums in the past 12 months. While ears are reeling from the wonder of Heaven, we're now treated to Gold and it's hard to fathom how so many incredible songs can spill out from one person. There's a dusky, understated quality to this album which makes it so easy to sink into and even in the most stripped down arrangements you can sense the guiding hand of dub giving the music a womb-like intimacy. The playing has a raw, in-the-room immediacy and it flows so naturally it wouldn't be a surprise to learn it was recorded in one take.
Review: The mysterious Sault troupe is back with a call to action and revolutionary soul soundtrack that really bangs the box. "Ain't nothing gunna keep us silent" the lead singer yelps on 'Stop Der', which is an immediate banger after the soothing ambience and closely mic-ed whispers of the opener, which muse on what it means to be black. The rest of the record is a hard hitting mix of crisp drums and empowering vocals, with elements of classic soul as well as contemporary jazz colouring the grooves. This is powerful music with an even more powerful message.
Review: Voodoocuts returns to Matasuna Records with another officially licensed 45, this time putting his expert touch on two disco gems by South African legends The Movers. Active from the late 1960s through the early 80s, The Movers were instrumental in shaping the country's vibrant music scene. Voodoocuts tackles 'Soweto Disco' and 'Shanana,' two tracks from their late-70s catalogue, and gives them his trademark treatment with pinpoint precision. The result is a fusion of South African rhythms with international influences like jazz, funk, and disco, transforming the originals into dynamite for any dancefloor. These reworks elevate the raw energy of the originals while remaining true to the spirit of the band. 'Soweto Disco' pulses with infectious grooves, while 'Shanana' offers a more laid-back vibe, but both are packed with the flair and soul that The Movers were known for. A perfect blend of local and global, these edits are a must-have for any record bag, seamlessly mixing South African funk with universal disco sensibilities.
Review: Dusty (Christoph Doepke) first released the 'Jazz&Milk' EP in 2005 through the esteemable German label, which would take its name from said touchstone electronic jazzdance record. Now the producer and not-incidental J&M label head returns with a freshened and slick record, themed after the titular and ancient antinomic saying. The EP marks a change since the producer's early days on the Munich freestyle DJ circuit: it's smoother and mellower than his establishing breaksy brand of funk-hop, and marks the 25th anniversary of Jazz & Milk as the label heads into sweeter territory. The highlight here has to be 'Ayalolo' with King Owusu, a rattlesnaking fusion of ambient builds and regional percussions, reflecting much of the decades-spanning globetrotting that has informed on the release.
Review: Berlin's Moses Yoofee Trio return with their first new material since 2023's Ocean. Recorded over ten days at Glaswald Studios in April 2024, with two additional tracks finished at Leiter's Funkhaus studio in Berlin, the album is available on vinyl. Produced with long-time collaborator oh.no.ty, the standout track 'WHIP.wav' showcases their sophisticated jazz, driven by Moses' fluid piano lines, Noah Furbringer's deft drumming, and Roman Klobe-Baranga's understated bass. The trio's minimalist approach distills their sound to its essence, letting their prodigious talents shine, focusing on "emotions, moments, and bangers."
Review: Delivering a refined journey through deep house, jazzy textures and global influences, this Chicago veteran shows off his seasoned craftsmanship of cultural influenced house music. The title track opens with jazzy deep house elements driven by tribal rhythms, a groovy organ and a slick guitar riff that adds a touch of funk to the mix. 'Abstract Union' follows with a smoother, more understated vibe, featuring soft keyboard melodies and a gentle yet buoyant tempo that feels effortlessly uplifting. Side-2 introduces 'El Negro Bossa', a delightful shift into bossa nova territory, where Latin-inspired rhythms, island vibes and lush strings create a chilled-out atmosphere perfect for sunset moments. The EP concludes with 'Tomass', a more introspective piece that leans into a serious groove, with stunning piano melodies and a deep, resonant beauty that lingers. Brimming with the producer's versatility and enduring creativity.
Review: Paul Sitter and Tony Lavrutz's collaboration on Eu e Meu Amor plays like a breezy stroll through sun-drenched sounds and smooth rhythms. Their work here pulls effortlessly from bossa nova and tropicalia, but without leaning too heavily on nostalgia. The production is tight and warm, with layered guitars and whispered vocals that could easily soundtrack a lazy afternoon. It's not overly flashy, but it doesn't need to be; the charm is in the simplicity, the way the melodies unfold and gently stick with you long after the record ends.
Review: Dean Josiah Cover AKA Info's Sault collective has been one of the success stories of the last few years - a hard-to-pigeonhole outfit that manages to knock out inspired albums at a rate of knots. Their latest full-length, '11', is another brilliant and must-check excursion. Largely lo-fi, languid and laidback, it delivers a particularly loose and lo-fi take on soul - blessed with their usual nods to Afrobeat and soundsystem culture - whose instrumentation is deliberately sparse and laidback (think bass guitar, drums and guitar). The results are rarely less than impeccable, with the collective's vocals (both female and male singers feature) rising above vintage-sounding grooves and arrangements that variously doff a cap to Sly Stone, Cymande and - on the drowsy, warming and synth-sporting 'Higher' - the more tactile end of British 80s soul.
Review: Following the success of their acclaimed debut album, Mama Terra returns with a vivid tribute to one of their major influences, Herbie Hancock, where the group have reimagined his groundbreaking 1973 masterpiece, 'Head Hunters', in a live setting. Recorded at the Glasgow Jazz Festival 2024, the album captures the band's energetic performance and their deep respect for Hancock's music. Mama Terra stays true to the spirit of the original while adding their own unique flavour, replacing the synth parts with a captivating blend of vocals, saxophone, and effects-laden bass. The album also incorporates elements from other Hancock classics like 'Cantaloupe Island' and 'Butterfly', creating a dynamic and imaginative tribute to a true jazz legend.
Review: Melbourne's The Pro-Teens, led by Hudson Whitlock, pay tribute to the legendary MF Doom with MF TEEN: Your Concurrence In The Above Is Assumed. The album dives into Doom's extensive discography, reimagining iconic tracks like 'Doomsday' and 'Curls,' while also exploring rarities like 'The Gas Face.' With a blend of cinematic soul, boom-bap funk, and left-field textures, The Pro-Teens offer a fresh take on Doom's sound. The orange vinyl edition adds a visual pop to the already nostalgic and immersive listening experience. Limited and exclusive, it's a must-have for collectors and Doom fans alike, keeping the spirit of the Illest Villain alive with each spin.
Review: Latest in our cornucopian supply of Afro-funk and dance crossover music comes Italian supergroup Addict Ameba with a new, sophomore single version of the 2024 LP Caosmosi, which followed on from 2020's Panamor, and demonstrated an impressive ear for stylistic continuity. Led up by the Josh Idehen-featuring single 'Look At Us', this polydirectional power mover crossed between desert blues, Afrobeat, Latin rock and Ethio-jazz, all while offering a slickly maximised sound - careful not too sacrifice all the headroom, though it occupied more than enough space to cross into the periodic threshold of weird. This 7" study of the record, focusing on tracks 'Caosmosi' and 'Por Nostalgia', suggest two of the album's best selective choices for the roving DJ.
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: Mahal by Glass Beams melds a diverse array of influences into a unique and enchanting soundscape. The Melbourne-based trio, shrouded in mystery with their mask-wearing anonymity, lets their music speak volumes. Built around founding member Ranjan Silva, their sound draws from the rich heritage of Ravi Shankar, Bollywood, Electric Light Orchestra, and traditional blues.Inspired by repeated viewings of 'The Concert For George', Silva's vision for Glass Beams seems to echo the fusion George Harrison envisioned when introducing classical Indian music to Western pop. The EP opens with 'Horizon,' setting a serene tone before leading into the title track 'Mahal,' an instrumental piece that envelops the listener in its mystical charm. 'Orb' follows with a riveting bass riff, while 'Snake Oil' delves deeper into Indian classical territory, showcasing evocative vocals. The EP concludes with 'Black Sand,' a dramatic and beautiful track featuring interwoven vocals and guitar. As their second EP, following Mirage, Mahal solidifies Glass Beams' distinct place in music, defying categorisation and quietly demanding attention with its almost otherworldly quality.
Review: Eddie Chacon returns with Lay Low, following his critically acclaimed 2023 album Sundown, which solidified his status as a "low-key r&b legend." Best known for his chart-topping success as part of Charles and Eddie in the 90s, Chacon has reemerged with an album of hazy, seductive tracks produced by Nick Hakim. Lay Low showcases Chacon's signature soulful sound, with its atmospheric production and warm, understated delivery. This album reaffirms Eddie Chacon's place as a master of subtle, emotive r&b, bringing a timeless yet fresh feel to the genre.
Review: The sound of Medline exploring the deeper edges of electronic music, crafting a sonic landscape that's both hypnotic and evocative. 'The Edge' is a journey through atmospheric textures, pulsating rhythms and subtle melodies, creating a mesmerising soundscape that's perfect for late-night listening or introspective moments. The production is pristine, with each sound carefully crafted to create a sense of depth and immersion.
Review: Grammy award-winner Tyla broke the internet with her viral track 'Water', becoming the first South African artist in over 55 years to enter the Billboard Hot 100 - as well as the youngest South African of all time ever to do so. The 'Water' challenge swept the internet, earning her top ten placements in multiple countries and nominations for various awards - rightly so, her voice is sultry, the beat is smooth and the hook is infectious. On the other side of the 7" coin is Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Rema with his career-defining breakout hit 'Calm Down', his vocal talent shining through the minimal instrumentation. It's easy to see why the world was entranced, bolstered massively by a remix featuring Selena Gomez that has since led the track to be nominated for several Billboard and MTV awards, as well as holding a long list of world records: Most streamed Afrobeat song on Spotify, Longest charting African song on Billboard, most watched Nigerian music video... we could go on.
Review: Sable Blanc crafts a rich, soulful sound here that blends jazz-infused grooves with the uplifting energy of house. New Places is a deeply personal record inspired by fresh surroundings in the South of France and the joy of fatherhood. Each track is a mix of warmth and introspection, from the sunrise-soaked melodies of 'Banana Candy' to the deep, rhythmic elegance of 'Remember the Feeling (of Love).' Collaborating with Wes Maples on 'Canvas,' Blanc layers saxophone and lush textures to stunning effect. This album is a testament to his evolving artistry and is an immersive soundtrack for life's most cherished moments.
Review: Following the success of Joaquin Joe Claussell's sold-out edits of Crowns of Glory's 'Lord Look at Your People' from his Praise - Gospel Music According to Joaquin Joe Claussell series comes another 12" release featuring two more of his masterful edits. Side A offers 'Jerusalem,' a rework of a gospel soul rarity by Bishop Jeff Banks and The Revival Temple from Master of The Mind. The original version is also included while over on the flip, we finally get the much-anticipated vinyl version of Claussell's edits of The Gospelaires' 'God Helps Those Who Help Themselves,' which is yet another gem in his long line of innovative gospel edits. Hallelujah.
Review: In October 2024 Lady Blackbird, producer and guitarist Chris Seefried, Foundation Music label head and A&R Ross Allen and Blackbird's travelling band of Kenneth Crouch (keys), Tamar Barzilay (drums) and Johnny Flaughers (bass) took a break from extensively touring her prior album, Black Acid Soul, to lay down several tracks in Los Angeles. Decamping for a week-long recording session in the legendary recording studio complex East West, the fable goes that an uninterrupted spate of session magic ensued, out from which five acid jazz and soul bursters sprang forth. A curt selection of just five tracks, of which there were many more recorded during the LA session, the likes of 'Purify', 'It Must Be Love' and 'When The Game Is Played On You' span the whole gamut of modern soul, from the bright to the bare-bones but beguiling.
Review: Very little is known about the collective of musicians behind the SAULT project, but their music in many ways speaks for itself. Earlier in the year they delivered Untitled (Black Is), a heartfelt, angry and righteous set of soul, funk, drill and spoken word tracks that provided a brilliant commentary on what it means to be black in 2020. It's a contender for album of the year, for sure, and the good news is that this speedy follow-up is every bit as essential. It's undoubtedly more celebratory than its predecessor, but every bit as musically detailed, combining cutting-edge electronics and all manner of infectious rhythms with enlightening vocals and all manner of live jazz, soul, punk-funk and jazz-funk instrumentation (as well as some seriously evocative orchestration).
Review: Given their shared musical heritage - both are members of the extended Firecracker Recordings crew - it's perhaps something of a surprise to find that Face The Facts marks the first serious collaboration between Linkwood and Gav 'Fudge Fingaz' Sutherland AKA Other Lands. It's less surprising that the album is really, really good. Touching on warming synth-boogie, head-nodding downtempo jams, mutant beatdown, Balearic beats, sunset-ready soundscapes and warming analogue deep house, the 13-track set is notable for the pair's extensive use of dusty old drum machines, tactile instrumentation (think smooth Rhodes solos, languid guitar solos and blissed-out synths) and Sutherland's hazy, sometimes seductive singing voice.
Review: This one flew off the shelves so quickly, it's back in stock for a reissue in the very same year in which it was first released. Hot Plate Records owner and former Jurassic 5 DJ, Nu Mark, is no less prolific when it comes to his solo material, exercising his ability to draw in impromptu supergroups for mesmerising funk one-offs. For 'Pass The Courvoisier', Nu Mark enlisted a boorish band of fellow musicians, including Full Crate and Hassan Miniawa, to take the reigns on a strange selection of international instruments - from oud, to flugelhorn, to straws and nay - for an odd yet no less beguiling Pharrell Williams cover. On this reissue, though, it's revealed another cover was born of the same session: a X interpretation of Dead Prez' 'It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop'.
Review: This album is one of the greatest r&b records ever. That's just a fact. Jill Scott herself has never even managed to surpass what she lay down on this stone-cold classic all the way back in 2002. The production is stylish and warm, seductive and sensual throughout, with jazz, neo soul, funk, r&b and hip hop all carefully infusing each track. The lyrics are empowering as they celebrate blackness and female strength, but also at times witty and playful. It's a go-to date night album for people all over the world and how it missed out on a Grammy for Best Album or Best Vocal Performance when it was first nominated we will never know.
Black Classical Music (feat Venna & Charlie Stacey) (5:18)
Afro Cubanism (2:41)
Raisins Under The Sun (feat Shabaka Hutchings) (4:32)
Rust (feat Tom Misch) (3:59)
Turquoise Galaxy (3:13)
The Light (feat Bahia Dayes) (5:38)
Pon Di Plaza (feat Chronixx) (3:47)
Magnolia Symphony (1:37)
Early Dayes (4:46)
Chasing The Drum (1:24)
Birds Of Paradise (4:08)
Gelato (4:47)
Marching Band (feat Masego) (4:41)
Crystal Palace Park (feat Elijah Fox) (1:53)
Presidential (feat Jahaan Sweet) (3:22)
Jukebox (2:28)
Woman's Touch (feat Jamilah Barry) (3:29)
Tioga Pass (feat Rocco Palladino) (7:49)
Cowrie Charms (feat Leon Thomas & Barbara Hicks) (3:44)
Review: This is a special white vinyl version of the new album from Yussef Dayes. His Black Classical is another superbly classy work from an artist who rarely misses. The 19 track opus finds him heading deep into his own past and present while also covering themes of home and the family. It is inspired by his own heroes Miles Davis and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and takes cues from his worldly travels while on tour, which he says - and clearly have - helped to deepen his understanding of rhythm. The likes of Chronixx, Tom Misch, Shabaka Hutchings, Nathaniel Cross, Theon Cross and the Chineke! Orchestra, amongst many others all feature to add further quality to this essential record.
Review: Madlib's back catalogue is one of the most revered in hip-hop and it would be quite interesting to hear a load of jazz cats rework it in their own style. But this essential album from Blue Note is sort of the opposite - the legendary US producer gets access to the vast Blue Note vaults and from that culls his own library and sound and samples and cooks up fresh takes on plenty of classics. As such you will recognise his beats under melodies from the likes of Donald Byrd and Bobbi Humphrey, Ronnie Foster and Bobby Hutcherson. The whole thing has been remastered as part of the Classic Vinyl Edition series so has never sounded better.
Review: Kamaal Williams has described The Return, his debut solo album, as "a natural evolution from the Yussef Kamaal project". Yet while that was made in collaboration with drummer Yussef Kamaal and played around with jazz in its myriad forms, The Return sees the man sometimes known as Henry Wu stamp his own mark on proceedings. So while "visionary jazz" (as the press release puts it) is his aim, this manifests itself in a range of ways. Contrast, for example, the leisurely jazz-funk flex and stoned feel of opener "Salaam" with the more groove-driven, dancefloor vibes of "High Roller", where sinewy strings tumble down over hip-hop influenced live house beats, meandering Herbie Hancock style synths and a superb bassline.
From P60 - "Sun-Kissed Shores" (feat MnemonicKiss) (5:48)
Forteba - "End Of The Day" (6:18)
Review: Zoltan Nagy AKA P60 has spent the last four years slowly building up his Midnight Fashion label and its dedicated downtempo offshoot, Midnight Fashion Chill. Following a handful of solo EPs on the latter imprint, Nagy has now decided to offer up a first imprint compilation - one that not only showcases his work, but also that of Marcel (AKA sometime Cookin' Records artist Marcell Dudas) and Plastic City regular Forteba (AKA Hungarian stalwart Krisztian Dobrocsi). Musically, the set lives up to its' title, offering an enticing and undeniably blazed mix of DJ Calm style trip-hop, warming 1990s style downtempo grooves, slow-burn Baleric soundscapes, Onra-esque neo-boogie beats and warm, deep and languid, jazz-flecked mid-tempo house.
Review: This debut release marks a reflective and deeply personal chapter for a 22-year-old Los Angeles artist. Drawing from her diverse musical upbringingiranging from The Doors and 2Pac to Salsa and Sambaishe brings a unique blend of influences into her sound. Growing up in Highland Park, her mixed heritage plays a key role in her music, infusing each track with a sense of place and memory. The EP delves into themes of love, loss and growth, capturing the complexity of emotions with both vulnerability and strength. Written in collaboration with her brother, the six songs explore the artist's journey, offering a comforting space to process experiences and emotions. The project's title, meaning "to rest" in Spanish, reflects the artist's belief in the necessity of reflection for personal growth. The albums introspective lyrics and soulful melodies offer a soothing balance of vulnerability and resilience, making it a poignant exploration of love in its many forms, while providing comfort to both the artist and her listeners.
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