Juno Recommends Brokenbeat / Nu Jazz: November 2022

Review: Nicola Conte is one of the central figures in the Schema story, and his nu jazz and broken beat partnership with Gianluca Petrella has yielded some golden music in recent years. Nigeria originally came out in 2018, and then last year popped up on the duo's People Need People LP, but now it's getting a proper remix treatment which sees Tall Black Guy twisting the track out as a heady disco house roller for sundown moments when you need a little jazzy flair in the proceedings. That version comes in vocal and instrumental versions, and then the mighty Andres steps up for one of his simmering groove escapades as he delivers an extended remix of 'African Spirits'.

Review: 2017 was the year that electronic wonk-funk saw its heyday, and uncoincidentally, it was also the year that B. Bravo (Adam Mori) saw the release of his first album 'Paradise'. 2022 is the year the genre should make a comeback, after just five years. If such were to be the case, Bravo's second album 'Vizionz' would be the catalyst. Charting collaborations with rapper Def Sound and singer Sally Green, this one points towards only the best detuned sonics, synth bass licks and Miami heat-hazed vizionz.

Review: Eye Of The High make a welcome debut on the mighty First Word Records label here with some stellar Brit-funk goodness. This vinyl-only release from the collaborative project headed by DJ and producer and see time Talking Loud artists Femi Fem and Glen Scott opens with the glorious 'Seismic Shift.' The drums are tinged with an Afro skip, the vocals are reminiscent of a 90s heyday for this sound and the cosmic synths stretch out to the sun. 'Elevate' has more funk in its bones and steel drums laced into the skipping groove. Two fresh and feel-good gems for sure.

Review: Londoners TOMAGA compile their latest two EPs on the new Extended Play 1 & 2 double vinyl compilation on French label Hands in the Dark. All the tracks feature intuitive dialogs between Valentina Magaletti and Tom Relleen. The English bassist and electronics engineer and Italian drummer and percussionist Magaletti find plenty of intriguing common ground that leads to dark and subtle jazz sounds with minimal nuances and lush textures. After Tom's sad and sudden passing in 2020 this is great reminder of their skills.

Review: Hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, Contour brings a fresh flow to black soul music which finds a natural home on leading London label Touching Bass. Khari Lucas, to use his given name, uses the 12 tracks on Onwards! To reflect on the nature of black art past, present and future. His tools of expression are a mesmerising voice, smoky beat production and compelling lyricism, folded up into an album which ranks alongside some of the best of recent times. We're in a prime era for progressive soul, whether it's Liv.e or Sudan Archives we're tuning into and Contour is helping push things forwards in his own deeply felt way.

Review: London artist cktrl has been making moves since his 2017 mixtape turned plenty of heads. Last year there was his 'Robyn' EP and an appearance with a cameo in Beyonce's 'Black Is King' film and now comes his latest on Touching Bass. The producer and multi-instrumentalist shows off his knack for mixing contemporary-classical and electronic R&B here on an EP that has a fine collaboration with GRAMMY Award-nominated singer-songwriter Mereba on the title tune. This outing is an exploration of tender love with emotive sounds and inspiration taken from "past hurt."

Review: Wagram really loves a good compilation and this is a good compilation. It finds the French label focusing on well, lo-fi beats that are jazzy and nice. Across 19 often short but very sweet tunes a range of beat makers show off their skills and sink you into lounge vibes, late-night lovers' trysts, gentle grooves that seduce and soothe and plenty in between. Whether you need an easy listening companion for a late-night drive or something for a smoochy Sunday this is likely going to please. once again kudos to Wagram for putting this one together.