Review: Connoisseurs of the European underground will be well-tuned to the sounds of quality operator Nico Lahs. And as for house operations over in the States, they don't come much finer than Kai Alce's NDATL Muzik, which means this a superb coming together. And so it proves with 'Over Me', offering slouchy, low-slung deep house beats with nice aloof, soulful samples. 'Searching' has a zoned-out late-night feel with swirling pads and a super smooth groove, then 'Overcome' brings a little more percussion and jazzy key work which Alce flips into one of signature and smoky shufflers.
Review: Popularly known to fans as "Ice" - a rare case of hypocorism in colloquial fan band nicknaming - Strut Recordings document a rare record from the vaults of the luminary Lafayette Afro-Rock Band, one that is arguably the closest in their catalogue to the signature sound defining their earlier work. Marked by an especially complex funk rhythmology, this record was pressed contemporaneously with the infamous Soul Makossa and Malik sessions; but compared to their earlier works, Afro Agban pushes deeper into jazz-rock territory. 'Ozan Koukle' has espceially become a known but coveted missing link for turntable taxonomists, who'll thank their lucky stars for the fact that it is now available in full.
El Paso Del Gigante/La Dana De Los Mirlos/Cumbia Sampuesana (4:17)
Lucia (4:27)
Angel’s Point (3:17)
San Fernando Rose (3:21)
Juana La Cubana (3:52)
Llorar (3:41)
Ooo Baby (4:00)
Cascabel (4:07)
Review: LA Lom's March 2024 show at Chicago's Thalia Hall debuts on vinyl for Record Store Day 2025 a year or so after the band's defining live moment. Just months after packing the Empty Bottle, the band returned to an even larger crowd, which served as proof of their ever-growing Chicago fanbase. Determined to keep the raw energy of their LA roots alive, they built a bright red round stage in the centre of the hall and were surrounded by fans dancing and singing from every side. The night was captured on film and tape by longtime collaborator Jacob Butler and now, the much talked about performance featuring original tracks, classic cumbia covers and a Smokey Robinson ballad finally makes its way to wax.
Review: Lagartijeando is a key figure in the alt-Latin electronic scene alongside the likes of Nicola Cruz and Chancha Via Circuito. He makes an essential return here with 7 Caminos, a fourth career long player with Wonderwheel. Recorded between Cholula, Mexico and Tarapoto in Peru, it transports you in double quick time to the South American jungle and Mexican Altiplano volcanoes. Sunny melodies take flight over shuffling rhythms, dubby basslines unfurl like flowers at dawn and intimate vocal whispers bring a human touch to the rhythms. A gorgeous soundtrack to a perfect afternoon of escapism.
Santa Maria (feat Khalil Mounji & Nabila Dali) (3:15)
Cholula (feat Markio & Mariri) (4:32)
7 Caminos (4:09)
Que Lindo Sale La Luna (feat David Yturbe) (4:25)
4 Elementos (feat Brenda McMorrow) (4:29)
Review: Mati Zundel aka. Lagartijeando has been releasing cumbia-esque, Andean influenced dance music since 2010, though it's only in more recent years that the artist has rerouted his craft to LPs, of which this latest record is the fourth. With "camino" translating from Spanish to mean "path" or "way" - the word often carries a spiritual meaning - Zundel here aims to emphasise the many sprouting, vicissitudinous paths down which life may thrust us, despite the ever-present illusion of choice. After moving to Chula, Mexico, the artist drew inspiration from the landscapes and cultures of the northern tip of Latin America, reflecting local intrigues and mountainous mysteries. Armed with regional instruments, such as Andean winds and charango, Lagartijeando produces such danceable dazzlements as 'Cholula' and 'Que Lindo Sale La Luna', which stand out as the most heated songs here, their stylistic range offering a sense of the many choices that remain open to us.
Review: The music of this unique quartet explores the roots of African music while embracing its newest possibilities. Featuring Malian singer Rokia Traore and griot Mamah Diabate, alongside Stefano Pilia (Afterhours, Massimo Volume), their collaboration merges with Gambian griot Jabel Kanuteh, a kora virtuoso, and percussionist Marco Zanotti. The fusion of Malian and Gambian rhythms with Italian influences creates a fresh new sound that blends the ancient and the modern. The music weaves jazz, rock and folk with a number of experimental digressions but never at the expense of an underlying groove and high-fidelity sense of musicianship that connects diverse cultural identities.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.