Review: Earl "Damu the Fudgemunk" Davis returns with Peace of Action, the latest addition to Def Presse's KPM partnership series. Known for his standout Conversation Peace in 2021, Damu builds on the momentum, delivering nine fresh, fully instrumental tracksihis first purely instrumental project in over seven years. With no vocals and an absence of guests, Damu dives deep into KPM's archive, unearthing new sounds while breaking his own creative boundaries. Peace of Action blends jazz sensibilities with hip-hop techniques, crafting a dynamic, story-driven album where each track stands alone yet ties into a broader, transformative theme. From the meticulous crate digging to the rich textures, it's an intricate exploration of rhythm and sound, reflecting the accelerated changes of the past few years. A masterclass in storytelling without words, Damu reimagines jazz through a contemporary lens, rooted in the tradition of classic samples but with a fresh, forward-thinking approach.
Review: Dana & Alden are an acid jazz duo consisting of a TikTok comedian and an organic farmer, blends personal muses with musical innovation in this vibrant collection. Coyote You're My Star is their second release together. The album starts off with the title track, 'Coyote, You're My Star', which starts as a charming ode to love before evolving into a passionate anthem. This theme of celebration continues with 'You Can Do Anything', a motivating piece that exudes creativity and resolve. The track 'Ivan's Theme' offers a cinematic shift, reminiscent of classic soundtrack motifs. Mid-album, Dana & Alden deliver standout tracks like 'Garden Famil,' featuring Melanie Charles, which pays tribute to nature's healing role, and 'Bourdain,' a poignant homage to Anthony Bourdain. 'Maria' stands out with a great groove, while 'PB' acts as a transitional interlude. The final tracks, including 'Chocobanano' and 'Popular Front', present dynamic and thought-provoking fare. Closing with 'Return of the Coyote', the album revisits its central themes, expanding the emotional and sonic landscape. Coyote, You're My Star is a unique trip that masterfully intertwines the old and the new.
Review: A year on from his Robe Of Dreams album on the Neroli label, UK techno veteran and jazz lover Kirk Degiorgio is back with The Statement. This record sees him widen his musical scope at the same time as continuing the good work laid down by that last outing. It is a freeform and intriguing exploration of broken beats and meandering basslines, haunting trumpet leads and a cacophony of drums. Ambient pads, soaring vocals from Beauty Room vocalist Jinadu and elements of everyone from Sun Ra to Lonnie List Smith all colour these most magnificent sounds.
B-STOCK: Record sleeve damaged, product in working order
Superstructure
Urban Practise
Wolkenbugel
Perspective, Moscow
Habitation
Dirty Realism
Miniaturasition
Review: ***B-STOCK: Record sleeve damaged, product in working order***
Bringing together a joint history that could keep Simon Schama in brogues for the rest of his days, "Superstructure" marks the union of Christopher Dell - author, director of the Institute for Improvisation Technology Insel and, most importantly, World-renowned vibraphone player - and Roman Flugel (aka Alter Ego, Acid Jesus, Soylent Green etc.). The results are predictably awesome. Plundering styles like coked up Vikings, 'Superstructure' flickers into life through the opening title-track, wherein a Jelinek-esque cushion of wing-clipped syncopations and glitch-fed jazz rustle towards a muted conclusion. Preventing any kind of complacency, Dell & Flugel immediately swap scripts, inviting cascading xylophones and throaty breaks for the duration of "Urban Practise"; a sound which is abandoned wantonly for the scattered vibes-drum duet of "Miniaturisation" and the Hancock flirtations of "Wolkenbugel". Dabbling in blue-sky techno on "4 Door Body Cell", hypno-glitch for "Dirty Realism" and jazz-tickled drum & bass "Habitation", Dell & Flugel prove they're jack of all trades, master of, well, most...
Review: The third instalment in Quattro Bambole Music's Moderna Sonorizzazioni series is anotther doozy that explores instrumental hip-hop as a contemporary form of library music. Created by Roman producer Delphi, the album blends raw beats, nostalgic loops and samples to craft cinematic sketches. It captures moments tied to football and sports and evokes memories of family Sundays, street games and stadium atmospheres that you may not have actually experienced. With 12 introspective tracks, this record offers a more conceptual and emotional narrative than danceable rhythms which makes it all the more crucial.
Review: The Belgian modern classical folk band's 12th album is the soundtrack to a series of short, abstract animation films by Rudy Trouve, who also acted as a creative director during the recording process. These took place according to conceptual guide lines set by Trouve. Sometimes the starting point was a play on words or a random chord sequence, sometimes a specific atmosphere, but the playing field was always kept deliberately limited. Hence, the musicians were forced to build a musical structure with minimal means, with the pieces then cut up, sampled, drastically restructured and pasted together again, a method that had been applied earlier on the retrospective album Hineininterpretierung (2017). The result is a work of art that is both visually and musically stunning. The music is often sparse and atmospheric, with a strong emphasis on texture and space, it's hard to categorise but is definitely a unique and captivating album.
Review: Dizraeli's fallback bio is "multi-instrumentalist MC, singer, producer from Bristol, UK, distributing explosions that journalists find hard to describe." Well, we'll happily rise to the challenge, if not because it is our job. The Bristol-born artist has found a slow but sure footing in recent years on the UK jazz circuit, and now proffers his latest record Joy Machine to the collective ear. ecorded almost entirely in a single day at the legendary Total Refreshment Centre in London, the album brings together faces both new and old in London's new jazz pizzazz, from Alabaster DePlume to Jonathon Enser (Nubiyan Twist), from Ben Brown (Alfa Mist, Mulatu Astatke) to Daisy George and Joe Downard; the list goes on. A steamy and varied record following the tradition of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, Dizraeli's now patented new album/invention - bound, of course, to deliver on its promiseL: the soliciting of joy - does just that, albeit in a curveball manner. Rather than putting on a pure rictus smile, Dizraeli opts for a sultry sepia sound, one that hardly fails to find joy in the many mournful corners of life (he grieves his dog on 'Greek Summer', and pens a timeless letter to a long-lost friend on 'Abigail').
Review: Contemporary French touch legend DJ Cam occupies an impressive emulsion of styles on his latest picture disc LP for Diggers Factory, fusing soul, dub, trap, future garage, dancehall, easy listening, chopped n' screwed, and even "eccojams", in a refreshingly nonessential tour of just about every offshoot genre one could possibly think of having emerged from soundsystem culture, however tenuous each link. As Cam puts it, this record is "like my Blue Lines by Massive Attack' and the concomitant attention to detail is obvious. Coolest of the bunch are the sullenly dubious dancehaller 'Feels Like Love' and the 808-packed anode 'Without You', while the record is almost equally charmed by the sampled, presumably French lounge interludes heard throughout.
Review: DJ Harrison marks the ten year anniversary of Stashboxxx, his pivotal solo release which came first on Richmond, Virginia's Jellowstone Records. It's a killer record that features fan-favourite tracks like 'Erykah's Gun' and 'Dilla's Eclair' which are beat-driven and soul-drenched delights even a decade on. There are many other short but sweet sounds that cover a wide range of hip-hop styles. This new reissue will also include, on side four of the double album, a collection of unreleased Bonus Traxxx into the bargain which help to make this anniversary release a must-have for fans old and new.
Wie Schon Du Bist (feat Arnim Teutoburg-Weiss & The Dusseldorf Dusterboys) (3:46)
Tu Dime Cuando (feat Ada & Sofia Kourtesis) (3:38)
The Talented Mr Tripley (3:13)
What About Us (feat Markus Acher Of The Notwist) (4:46)
Unbelievable (feat Ada) (3:31)
A Donde Vas? (feat Soap&Skin) (1:29)
Vamos A La Playa (feat Soap&Skin) (4:35)
Die Gondel (feat Sophia Kennedy) (3:37)
Brushcutter (feat Marley Waters) (5:19)
Buschtaxi (album version) (7:20)
Aruna (3:48)
Umaoi (feat Marewrew) (3:43)
Pure Love Day (feat Damon Albarn) (4:30)
Pure Love Night (feat Damon Albarn) (5:00)
Review: DJ Koze's brings his signature blend of hypnotic rhythms and whimsical, melodic structures into full focus. The opener slowly unfurls, with a spacious, groove-driven beat that evolves into a richly textured arrangement. Tracks like take on a playful tone, using infectious percussion and subtle vocal samples to create a joyful, almost surreal atmosphere. Throughout the album, Koze's production is masterfulieach element serves a purpose, from the deep basslines to the delicate, almost orchestral flourishes. The record's unique mix of electronic dancefloor sounds and emotional depth ensures it resonates long after it ends.
Wie Schon Du Bist (feat Arnim Teutoburg-Weiss & The Dusseldorf Dusterboys)
Tu Dime Cuando (feat Ada & Sofia Kourtesis)
The Talented Mr Tripley
What About Us (feat Markus Acher Of The Notwist)
Unbelievable (feat Ada)
A Donde Vas? (feat Soap&Skin)
Vamos A La Playa (feat Soap&Skin)
Die Gondel (feat Sophia Kennedy)
Brushcutter (feat Marley Waters)
Buschtaxi (album version)
Aruna
Umaoi (feat Marewrew)
Review: The new album from the German producer offers a captivating auditory journey, blending unique and genre-defying styles that transcend trends. Described as a 64-minute return trip to space, the album mixes psychedelic, unconventional elements with a rich tapestry of sound, showcasing the artist's ability to create his own musical universe. The work draws on a deep synergy between the producer and collaborators, offering slow grooves, treated vocals and passionate declarations in tracks like the flamenco-esque 'Pure Love'. The artist's approach to production is a slow-cooked, evolving process, allowing the music to transform over time. Known for his career in hip-hop and his involvement in electronic pop, the producer's distinctive style continues to shine, offering a profound and cerebral dance experience. Following a successful collaboration with Roisin Murphy, this new album promises to be another standout project in the artist's esteemed catalogue, delivering music that is both deeply personal and universally appealing.
Review: DJ Motive hails from he charming city of Gifu, Japan, and has spent 20 years crafting a signature blend of Latin, jazz and hip-hop both solo and with DeadBundy. His latest release draws on all that experience to cook up a tasteful soundtrack that will transport you from dawn to dusk. Tracks like 'Sunrise' offer dreamy broken beats and nostalgic samples, while 'Chill On A Lotus' melts vocals and chords into an ambient haze. Jazz drums meet Balearic vibes in 'Howling 2 You' while 'Walker grooves with squelchy synths. This reflective, escapist trip rewards deep listening and is another high class album from sophisticated Italian label Hell Yeah.
Review: DJ Muggs brings his latest instrumental hip-hop tinkerings to Madlib and Egon's Invazion Music Library Series, which allows the two beatmaking legends' friends the opportunity to experiment with the form in whichever way they choose. Taking after the mood and feel of library music pieces, Silver Cloud adds to the many additions to the label to pay homage to the Piero Umilianis and Alan Hawkshaws of yore, albeit through a hip-hop lens. From 'No Time' to 'Calm Down' to 'Fast Arp', Muggs takes a functional approach to beatsmithing, crafting everything from tempo-synced, two-tone moody piano expositions to full-blown lo-fi whackers.
Review: TrioRox is a new project uniting three prominent Italian music figures namely pianist Giovanni Guidi, bassist Joe Rehmer, and electronic musician DJ Rocca aka Luca Roccatagliati. Guidi, a jazz piano prodigy, has recorded for ECM and collaborated with Enrico Rava and Ricardo Villalobos before now while Rehmer, an American bass player based in Italy, has worked with jazz greats like Bob Mintzer. Here they combine their skills with Rocca on a record that is a mix of electronic, dance, jazz and pop styles, all with some sleek underlying grooves and hints of electro, classical and minimalism that add up to a real melting pot.
Review: It's only by way of funk's feathers that it may possibly take flight. So too do we fly high on the avian nape of DJ Tron's new instrumental funk LP, which delivers a whopping 11 new feathery exclusives to the ears. This isn't your average cutup funk LP either. Every track here is a thoroughly polished exquisite and each takes its namesake from the taxonomic name of a bird that exists somewhere in the world. The joys of twitching are channelled into the satisfying shakedowns of funk, be they the ruffage of the 'Masked Water Tyrant', the buzzing big bea(k/t)s of a flock of 'Crimson Topaz' and/or the swift grind that is 'Invisible Rail', all fluttering by in quick succession.
Review: Cincinnati-based producer Doctor Bionic (Jason Grimez), known for his work with the 90s rap group MOOD, delivers a seamless fusion of jazz, hip hop, funk, soul and reggae in his latest project. As an executive producer and DJ, Grimez continues to tap into the sonic textures of the late 60s and early 70s, sampling and recording with analog gear to recreate the authentic sound he's always admired. Collaborating with local musicians like Jonathan Luck Spaulding and Josh "Mojo" Cole, Grimez brings his vision to life with a rich blend of instrumental layers that transport listeners to a different era. This release, part of a larger series, exemplifies Grimez's ability to curate smooth, captivating radio mixes that cater to fans of classic, groove-heavy sounds. As always, Doctor Bionic's releases come with a distinctive visual touch, this time working with Israeli artist Refael Idan Suissa to craft an eye-catching album cover. Perfect for setting the mood, this latest project promises to be another standout in his growing catalogue.
Review: We are thrilled to announce the European release of a record by one of our Brazilian musical heroes, a king of tropical groove across all eras. This highly limited edition comes in a unique sleeve, making it a killer record and absolutely essential. Great albums often lead to great shows, but with Donato Eletrico, the reverse is true. This album began to take shape after a 2014 performance at Sesc Pinheiros in Sao Paulo, Brazil. During this show, the artist finally presented the iconic album "Quem e Quem" live, more than 40 years after its initial release. For this significant event, Donato collaborated with young Sao Paulo musicians who had been working with him on a new project. Together, they recreated the original groove-laden atmosphere of Quem e Quem, centered around Joao's electric piano. The success of this performance made it clear that this collaboration had the potential for more. The result is Donato Eletrico, a vibrant collection of tracks that hark back to the distinctive sound Donato explored in the 70s.
Review: There are some names that genuinely fill you with excitement the moment you even catch wind they've been back in the studio. Dorian Concept is one of them. Revisiting his collaborative project with the Swiss Museum for Electronic Music Instruments for a second outing on the OUS label he runs, the rather logically-titled Music From A Room Full of Synths was inspired by a ten day period in which the artist basically immersed himself in different noise-making machines. Coming out the other end determined to continue down the unplanned, unrehearsed, loose and spontaneous path, his collection was made off-the cuff, as it were, completely live and without sequencing or programming. As you would hope, then it's almost like nothing you've really heard before - jazz, electronica, downtempo, brass-stabbed, freeform, strange and stunning.
Review: This new album is Dowdelin's therapeutic best and one that delves into themes of depression, life's highs and lows and resilience. Along the way, it blends Caribbean rhythms with jazz, electronic music and percussive soul to make for an ever evolving and intriguing trip through moments of struggle and hope that mirror those in everyday life. Sung in Creole, French and English, each track weaves rich melodies with deep emotion and makes for a powerful exploration of mental well-being. Dowdelin's take on well crafted funk is where tradition meets modernity and the result is a sound that is both healing and invigorating.
Review: This wonderful record marks Salvator Dragatto's debut full-length on Colemine Records and it was produced by Joey Reina with members of The Rugged Nuggets contributing to sounds which pay homage to Andre Kertesz, Robert Frank and Jean-Luc Godard. Inspired by parallels between film processing and music recording, Dragatto embraces imperfections like tape hiss and dusty EQ pots to create a rich, noir-inspired soundscape while blending drama, allure and sentimentality. Thoughts of You is a timeless reflection of love and obsession and will appeal to fans of the 60s and 70s French Noir scene, black-and-white photography and groups like Massive Attack.
Review: This wonderful record marks Salvator Dragatto's debut full-length on Colemine Records and it was produced by Joey Reina with members of The Rugged Nuggets contributing to sounds which pay homage to Andre Kertesz, Robert Frank and Jean-Luc Godard. Inspired by parallels between film processing and music recording, Dragatto embraces imperfections like tape hiss and dusty EQ pots to create a rich, noir-inspired soundscape while blending drama, allure and sentimentality. Thoughts of You is a timeless reflection of love and obsession and will appeal to fans of the 60s and 70s French Noir scene, black-and-white photography and groups like Massive Attack.
Explanation Of The Funk (feat Dre King & DJ Stylus) (4:08)
Three-Season Crank (feat Raja Kassis) (6:11)
Slip 'n Slide (5:22)
Alligator Confrontation (5:09)
Off The Rails (5:57)
Pull My String (4:50)
Bleeps, Sweeps, & Creeps (2:30)
What Happened To Yesterday? (5:07)
Black Bird Dub (4:47)
Review: Glenn Echo & Daniel Meinecke won plenty of acclaim with their last outing What Happened To Yesterday?! and now they quickly back it up with a third outing on MotorCity Wine Recordings What Happened To Yesterday? Vol 2 is another blend of heady, dubby sounds with cosmic dance vibes that span serval sub-genres with ease. 'World In My Head' kicks off with lo-fi and low-key depths, and further downtempo tracks like 'Explanation of The Funk' with Dre King's trumpet and DJ Stylus's cuts, and 'Three-Season Crank' with Raja Kassis's guitar further sink you into blissed-out beats. The flip side has dancefloor-friendly jam 'Off The Rails,' then moves into dubby, meditative territory and ends with the gorgeous 'Black Bird Dub' which allows Echo's eclectic production and Meinecke's keyboard mastery to shine.
Left & Right (feat Method Man & Redman - instrumental) (5:14)
Spanish Joint (instrumental) (3:35)
Sugah Momma (instrumental) (1:33)
Brown Sugar (instrumental) (3:08)
Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine (instrumental) (4:07)
Cold World (interlude instrumental) (2:27)
Be Here (feat Raphael Saadiq - instrumental) (4:03)
Review: To commemorate the 20th anniversary of D'Angelo's iconic album Voodoo, Amerigo Gazaway had crafted a masterful tribute that reinterprets several standout tracks from the original. Utilising live instruments like electric guitar, synth bass, clavinet, organ and Rhodes, Gazaway breathes fresh life into these classic cuts while maintaining the essence of their grooves. The result is a woozy, silky update that melds elements of hip-hop, gospel, neo-soul and r&b, creating a rich tapestry of sound that honors the source material. With fourteen tracks, including both vocal and instrumental versions, this project captures the spirit of Voodoo while infusing it with new energy. A highlight of this release is the bonus track featuring Raphael Saadiq alongside D'Angelo on 'Be Here', which further emphasises the collaborative spirit of the genre. Gazaway's reimagining not only celebrates the timeless quality of Voodoo but also showcases his talent for blending classic sounds with contemporary influences, making this tribute a worthy addition to any music lover's collection.
Review: Moar & DJ Vince aka The Beatmatics return with a new volume following their acclaimed tape-only debut. This limited double vinyl release showcases their spin on jazzy, deep beats, 90s remixes, sample tools and even a scratch tool for turntablists. Crafted with vintage samplers, their production radiates an authentic boom-bap vibe that takes you back to the genre's heyday but also blends meticulous sampling with a heady approach. Whether you're a DJ or a hip-hop enthusiast, putting this on the turntable is going to bring the joy with its raw lyrical swagger and irresistible golden-era energy.
Review: Under the open skies of Southern California, with the San Bernardino Mountains in sight, Sam Wilkes, Craig Weinrib, and Dylan Day came together to craft this album in one seamless evening session. Wilkes' bass, Weinrib's drums, and Day's electric guitar unite to form an organic and unhurried collaboration. The trio's sound feels effortless yet focused, driven by the natural chemistry between them rather than stylistic constraints. Each note speaks to a deep mutual understanding, allowing the music to evolve naturally, guided by the landscape and the moment.
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