Lovemonk Spain Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Lovemonk is a small but very sunny and eclectic label from Spain. Everything fits under the motto "Discos Buenos." Their latest offering comes from label chief Casbah 73 and is titled 'In The Dark', yet another low slung yet uplifting disco affair from the Madrid scene hero dealing with touch, human contact and yearning. The original version is backed by the impactful Horns Mix, while on the flip you have got the full dancefloor dynamics of the Turn Off The Lights Mix - all centered around Angela Gooden's amazing vocals.

Review: Back in November 2018, Oli Stewart AKA Casbah 73 delivered his most wholehearted tribute to the disco era yet, the brilliant "Love Saves The Day". On "To Be Free", he continues in a similar vein, doffing a cap to the pioneers of the Philly Soul sound via cut-glass strings, crunchy Clavinet lines, tasty electric piano solos, walking bass and a lead vocal from Angela (Angie) Gooden that stirs memories of disco divas of old. Stewart and his cohort of musicians go a little wild on the mostly instrumental disco-funk flipside, an exercise in dueling solos, lusty Latin horns, flanged guitars and heavy percussion that will get you hot under the collar for nine, all-action minutes. Brilliant stuff from start to finish from the experienced producer: don't sleep on this one.

Review: Monsieur Dimitri from Paris works his magic on Casbah 73's organic disco grooves with a remix treatment that surpasses all expectations. Casbah's original track may sound like a band-recorded take with added production sheen, but it's actually a deceptively well-made track recorded by a talented solo artist. Dimitri brings added wompy disco-house heat to the track in two parts, with the first part focusing on the more bangerific elements of the original, and the B (part two) stripping things back to focus on the more minimal, solo dubby parts.

Review: Madrid via Cuba musical gang El Combo Batanga have finally dropped this new double-sider 7". It was teased by the early reals sou the a-side which brings plenty of dance floor filing heat with 'El Que La Rompe La Paga'. It's packed with samba shuffle, expressive horn work and results, and relentless keys work designed to get the ass moving. On the flip is 'Toca La Campana' which is a little less dense but not less rhythmic in the way it sways to and fro with fiery Spanish vocals and funk riffs.

Review: Chip Wickham, who usually goes by the first name of Roger, returns to Madrid's excellent Lovemonk label with a mini LP to inaugurare the start of summer, which means a start to some pretty killer shades of balearica! In fairness, however, this album and the man's sound are much more in line with the jazzy end of the spectrum, breaking beats and forming new, forward-thinking arrangements. For instance, the opening "Shamal Wind" is a wonderful excursion into dreamier realms of the flute, while "Snake Eyes" picks up the tempo and makes way for an album thy can be plaid on your headphones, out on the car speakers, and most certainly in the dance! A wonderfully composed piece of music from a rising talent of true broken beat.

Review: There's always been a spiritual bent to some of flautist and saxophonist Chip Wickham's music, but rarely has it been so explicit as it is on "Blue To Red", his third full-length excursion. Surrounded by becalmed harps, spacey electric piano keys, languid double-bass, ear-catching cello and bustling drums, Wickham's breezy flute solos sound like a cosmic call to arms for all those who love the more spiritual side of jazz. It's a smart blueprint that Wickham and his cohorts happily apply to both up-tempo and downbeat moments, in the process delivering a set of inspired instrumentals that remain accessible entertaining and pleasingly alluring.

Review: Last spotted cavorting with his Nirvana-covering side project Blue Mode and previous operating as Kid Costa, killer flautist and composer Chip Wickham (real name Roger) delivers his debut LP on Lovemonk. Ranging from gentle wave lapping spiritualism of tracks such as "Tokyo Slow Mo" and the cinematic "Pushed Too Far" to much more frenetic, energetic cuts like "Le Leyenda Del Tiempo" by way of funkier, lolloping grooves like "The Detour", it's a beautiful, vibrant snapshot of Wickham's skills that will grow as the months get warmer. Stunning.