Review: This superb remix of Yuji Ohno's soulful gem 'Fairy Night' feat. Sonia Rosa, which is the ending theme for the anime Lupin the Third Part III from 1984, is now released as a 7" single to mark the 40th anniversary of its original release. The 45 rpm features two tracks: Side A showcases DJ Taro's fresh city funk remix, while Side B presents the classic 1984 version by Yuji Ohno. This limited release offers a rare opportunity to enjoy Sonia Rosa's sweet, evocative vocals through both the original and contemporary renditions which are subtly different but both equally excellent.
Review: Tel Aviv based four-piece and well regarded super group Sababa 5 joins forces with vocal revelation Shiran Tzfira who makes an appearance on vinyl for the very first time here. The resulting sounds are psyched-out Middle Eastern grooves that are hugely infectious. The tracks reinterpret the traditional Yemenite songs of Shiran's childhood and the results are modern mixes of disco, funk, boogie, pop, and rock. This is EP is a collision of cultures and musical styles that is sure to win all involved legions of new fans all over the world.
Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Jade Versiom) (3:13)
Life Is Cool (2:49)
Review: Sweetbox's 'Everything's Gonna Be Alright' ingeniously intertwines classical motifs with contemporary pop, creating a distinctive sonic experience. The title track stands out, seamlessly blending Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Air on the G String' with modern beats, resulting in a harmonious fusion that feels both timeless and fresh. Tina Harris's soulful vocals add depth, delivering uplifting lyrics that resonate with optimism. This innovative approach not only pays homage to classical compositions but also reimagines them within a pop context, offering listeners a refreshing take on familiar melodies.
Seahawks - "No More Raindrops" (Steel Pan dub) (2:16)
Review: This 7-inch single, plucked from the 'Seaside Chillout Breeze' compilation, offers a taste of summery bliss. Side A features TAMTAM's delightful cover of Mad Professor's dub masterpiece 'Sweet Cherry'. The Tokyo-based band infuses the track with their signature colourful grooves, adding steel pans for an extra touch of seaside charm. Flip the record over for Seahawks' 'No More Raindrops (Steel Pan Dub)', a slice of Balearic bliss that evokes a carefree summer vibe. Together, these two tracks capture the essence of the compilation, offering a perfect soundtrack for seaside relaxation.
Review: Melike Sahin's latest release is a compelling fusion of traditional Anatolian pop and contemporary production. Recorded live in London with producer Martin Terefe, the album features a diverse ensemble, including guitarists Dave Okumu and violinist Raven Bush. Tracks like 'Sag Salim' and 'Ortak' showcase Sahin's powerful vocals and poignant lyrics, resonating with themes of survival and empowerment. The album's orchestral grandeur and dramatic flair reflect Sahin's deep connection to her cultural roots, while the modern production injects urgency and relevance. This release reaffirms Sahin's status as a leading voice in contemporary Turkish music.
Review: Wewantsounds continues to respond to that request with another benchmark reissue following Egyptian musician and composer Ammar El Sherei's Oriental Music. This time taking one of the definitive releases in Ryuichi Sakamoto's extensive oeuvre and making it shiny and new. Or at least giving it a dusting down, not that the contents were ever going to sound anything other than fresh.
Hidari... was such a groundbreaking album at the time because of the pop sensibilities Sakamoto actively looked to root the album in by way of enlisting British producer Robin Scott and American guitarist Adrian Belew in addition to members of his Yellow Magic Orchestra. The result sounds like intoxicating downtempo electronica, jerky elec-house, 1980s fantasy movie soundtracks and Far Eastern percussive exoticism. So apparently a marriage of styles and places that we consider striking today does sound even better 39 years later.
Review: Having previously worked with SBTRKT, Kanye West, Drake, Jesse Ware and Frank Ocean, amongst others, Sampha is no newcomer. This, though, is the British singer, songwriter and producer's debut album, and it's something of an understated gem. One particularly enthusiastic reviewer called it "an R&B album for the ages"; while that may be pushing it a bit, there's no denying that Process is an impressive collection of tracks. The beats are inventive, the electronics crisp, the samples carefully chosen, and the musical touches pitched just right. At the centre of it all stands Sampha, delivering thoughtful, heartfelt and sometimes poignant lyrics in his wonderfully evocative voice.
Review: It may be true that not many UK music fans are aware of Savage Garden, but that truth says nothing about the undeniable quality of their uniquely trip-hoppy dream-pop-rock sound. Their 1997 self-titled debut album gave rise to the sung-rap songs 'Truly Madly Deeply' and 'I Want You', which have since become exemplary slices of the '90s sonic cake. Lead singer Darren Hayes' soaring vocals are backed by lush, cinematic production, resulting in an album that is both bombastic and intimate. The pair's sultry leather-jacketed image has aged just as well.
Review: Rina Sawayama follows up her whirlwind debut album 'Sawayama' with a new one for Dirty Hit, leaning further into gargantuan weirdo pop music for a more up-to-date take on the sound she established several years ago. Featuring collaborations with producers Clarence Clarity, Stuart Price and Lauren Aquilina, 'Hold The Girl' hears Sawayama reckon with her own past so as to move forward, in what might be best described as maximalist pop therapy.
Review: Testament to Rina Sawayama's showstopping success in the alternative pop market over the past few years, her most recent album Hold The Girl has already seen a reissue via its original label Dirty Hit, just one year after its release in 2022. While Sawayama's earliest releases channelled a more elusive pop sound, Hold The Girl opted for a much less abashed genre tour, working in every influennce from Kelly Clarkson to Clarence Clarity, amounting to an ultimately hugely-maximal pop record which veritably penetrated the dance-pop landscape, despite the absurd and senseless fan backlash about its original album cover. This new reissue follows up not one, but two concert tours in promotion of the album, evidencing its universal acclaim in the mainstream critical sphere.
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