SLOWLY Vinilo y CD

Review: Since emerging in the late noughties, Masato Komatsu's Slowly project has amassed an impressive catalogue that blends dub, lovers rock and roots reggae grooves with nods to soul, boogie and electrofunk. The Japanese producer continues to impress on his latest single, 'I Get High (On Your Memory)', a killer cover of Freda Payne's 1970s soul song of the same name - a track that has famously proved popular with sample-loving hip-hop beat-makers. As you'd expect given Komatsu's track record, it's a superbly sun-splashed cover, with Jasmine Kara's gorgeous lead vocals seemingly floating above bubbly boogie synth sounds and a languid, mid-80s UK lovers rock groove. The producer's sparkling instrumental version, situated on side B, completes a strong package.

Review: First released back in 2019, Slowly's 'I Like It' has long been one of the Japanese crew's most sought-after singles, in part because it offers a near perfect blend of colourful synth-boogie and sumptuous lovers rock. Helpfully, Flower Records has decided to reissue it, once again presenting it on a lovely pink vinyl 45. The A-side vocal version, featuring the sweet, late '70s Michael Jackson style vocals of Jasmine Kara, is simply terrific: soulful, jaunty, toe-tapping, vibrant and underpinned by a punchy, weighty digital-reggae 'riddim'. Turn to the flip for the killer 'Dub' mix, a more skeletal, sub-heavy affair that adds echoing vocal snippets and delay-laden instrumental elements to a toughened-up rhythm track. In a word: essential.

Review: New cover versions of the Curtis Mayfield classic in funky soul and reggaefied versions

Review: For their latest trick, Flower Records fusionists Masato Komatsu and Ryo Kawahara AKA Slowly have decided to cover The Willow Band's cult 1976 tropical-tinged disco number 'Willow Man'. In keeping with their trademark style, the Japanese pair has given their interpretation a decidedly disco-reggae feel, with the original's famous vocals (here provided by SA Martinez from Los Stellarians) and guitar riffs being joined by spacey synths and a sun-kissed, reggae-influenced groove. It's a fine cover version that takes the track in a new direction whilst also staying fairly faithful to the Willow Band's original version. It comes accompanied by Komatsu and Kawahara's glistening, sensationally summery instrumental version.

Review: Flower Records fusion masters Masato Komatsu and Ryo Kawahara are Slowly and are adept at everything from dub to disco, soul to post-rock. They have been turning it out at a steady rate recently on labels like Oscarson but mostly Flower. Following a couple of standout 7"s in 'Tripping Out' and 'Let Some Love In' already this year comes 'Time Trip.' It is a lush bit of slow motion big beat and dub, with heavily treated Japanese language vocals over a fat, churning rhythm. An instrumental is also included on this crucial 7".