Review: Astral Quartet was a group that changed their name and evolved into Centre El Muusa. They never played live nut managed to record just two tunes back in 2018. Now, five years later, they finally get to see the light of day. They could be 50 years old such is the quality of the musicianship - fusions of jazz and funk that brim with character. The band is made up of Monika Erdman, Rauno Vaher, Volodja Brodsky and Misha Panfilov who mix up cosmic Wurlitzer sounds, languorous synths and fresh drums, turning it into something laidback and psyched on the b-side and more funky and up-beat on the a-side.
Brian Bennett & Alan Hawkshaw - "Name Of The Game" (4:25)
Dave Richmond - "Confunktion" (4:38)
Review: Measured Mile is a new 7" label run by regular Ace consultant and confidante Bob Stanley. The plan is to release DJ-friendly 45s that are either very rare or previously unavailable on seven-inch. On this new one come two pieces from esteemed library musicians - the well known pairing of Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett, and Dave Richmond. 'Name Of The Game' is a slow instrumental blues piece with beats ready to be plundered for hip-hop beats that once soundtracked a 1970s aftershave ad, while Richmond's 'Confunktion' is a motivational builder-upper with drums and organs aplenty.
Review: The Milanese outfit dive headlong into cinematic Afro-disco on this limited 7", reworking two cult dancefloor staples with characteristic flair. On the A-side, their version of Piero Umiliani's 'Discomania' hits with tightened syncopation and swirling synth arrangements, turning the cosmic Italo-disco cut into a hypnotic afrobeat strut. Flip it over for a rich reimagining of Azymuth's 'Jazz Carnival'iCalibro 35 boost the groove with deep-bottomed funk and crisp horns, pushing the original's samba swing into widescreen. Known for their work at the intersection of funk, soundtrack and psych, the band bring sharp musicianship and warm analogue heat to both sides of this essential 45.
Review: Grover Washington Jr's Hydra makes its debut on 45, showcasing the jazz legend's saxophone brilliance over an irresistible groove, arranged by Bob James. Originally released in 1975, its iconic drums have been sampled over 100 times, including by ATCQ and Biggie, with Black Moon's How Many MC's featuring the famous bass hook. On the flip, Seals & Crofts' Sweet Green Fields also appears for the first time on 45. The duo's Californian soft rock sound is underpinned by a catchy bassline sampled by Busta Rhymes for his 1997 hit Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See.
Review: Haze, an Exeter band that in 1981 endlessly toured the South West of England and released the album "SILVERTOPS REFLECTS HAZE" upon which many contemporary tracks were given the Haze treatment from Barry Manilow's 'I Can't Smile Without You' to Johnny Cash's 'Ghost Riders in the Sky'. In the mix Azymuth's Latin funk anthem 'Jazz Carnival' and Space's legendary electronic 'Magic Fly' surfaced, the latter two of which make up this exceptional 7" release by Panorama records, this relatively new label that celebrates idiosyncratic rarities. Haze seem to like breaking down the original and making space between the beats and yet on this A side an already pumping track pumps faster with an extra electronic edge on the Moog-ish organ, whilst paradoxically Haze's lead guitarist takes on Jose Roberto Bertrami's originally syncopated keys in a more regulated way - not a bad thing if not a jazz dancer but someone who just loves to dance! Intelligently, Panorama have coupled this with Haze's percussion heavy version of 'Magic Fly' on the B side, that even if it remains more so electronic, even poppy, it nicely compliments the Brazilian homage of side A. If you love a rare version, 7" 45s and early 80s jazz funk with a synthesised edge you'll love this.
Review: A bold exploration of genre-blurring sounds with the eclectic influences and innovative approach of the London-based quartet. Comprised of c-se, Linus Barry, Nico Rocco, and Teigan Hastings, oreglo infuse their music with heavy rock riffs, drill-inspired percussion, breezy reggae vibes and more, creating a melting pot of diverse sounds that reflects their upbringing in London. The latest track from the EP, 'Peck,' is a sprawling seven-minute odyssey that captures the feeling of being pecked on the cheek by a crush, juxtaposing cool exterior with exploding inner emotions. Throughout the EP they explore themes of alienation, identity, and love, reflecting on their journey from adolescence to adulthood in the vibrant city of London. Featuring previously released singles like 'Levels' and "]'J.A.C.K.,' as well as four new tracks including 'Comet' featuring Bel Cobain, 'Not Real People' is a sonic tapestry that highlights oreglo's growth and diverse musical interests. Despite being together for just over a year, oreglo has already made waves in the music scene, winning the 2023 Lambeth Sounds Emerging Artists x Cross The Tracks competition and performing at prestigious events like the Steam Down-curated World Island event. With their debut EP, oreglo solidifies their status as one of London's most exciting emerging acts, offering a fresh and dynamic sound that defies categorization.
Review: Fresh from delivering killer dancefloor jazz covers of classics cuts by Galaxy 2 Galaxy and Avicii (really), Japanese trio Polyplus deliver a fine sequel to last year's Good Luck Sound Tracks EP. They go for the dancefloor jugular from the off, wrapping snaking sax solos, fuzzy guitar licks and elongated solos around a breathlessly rapid punk-funk groove on 'Massive', before fusing Brit-Funk and sweat-soaked jazz-rock on 'Speedy Gold'. This hybrid jazz-funk/rock sound continues on 'Ranki 2025' (whose heavy beats and memorable piano riffs nods to classic house). Elsewhere, 'Ocean Breeze' re-frames wide-eyed city-pop as jaunty jazz-funk and 'Natural Born' is a drum solo-sporting slab of jazz-rock/jazz-fusion insanity straight from the top drawer.
Review: Fabled jazz-rock group Soft Machine present this heartfelt tribute to one of the greats of British jazz - trumpeter Harry Beckett - covering his stunning 'The Dew At Dawn' on this limited edition 7" vinyl, with a cover of a classic Softs tune on the B-side. This is the second 7" in My Only Desire Records' Brit Jazz 45s series, which sees some of their favourite contemporary jazz acts each making brand new studio recordings of two classic compositions from the golden era of 60s and 70s British jazz.
Review: TC.KYLIE x The Hourglass deliver a dynamic jazz fusion outing here that mixes up Hong Kong, Japanese, and British cultures in a top debut album. Jazz fusion pianist Kylie leads her band with great energy while playing keyboard and synth keytar that is a little reminiscent of Japanese jazz rock. Based in Hong Kong and London, she's inspired by Shaun Martin, Robert Glasper and Japanese acid jazz groups like Fox Capture Plan and Jabberloop and that shows in these sounds. They are bright, happy and uplifting with the majestic flute leads of 'Merry-go-round Of Life ' impossible not to fill you with excitement and joy.
Review: When keyboardist Thomas Jonsson, guitarist and bassist oMar Gudjonsson, saxophonist oSkar Gudjonsson and drummer Magnus Trygvason Eliassen take the stage, they channel the raw resilience of Northern Europe's islanders who have endured long, icy winters for centuries. Their energy transcends genres and has proven to captivate jazz enthusiasts, rock fans and ravers alike. This primal, non-verbal expression predates language yet remains deeply contemporary by blending cosmic vastness with free imagination and profound mysticism. Their music is a convergence of timeless human impulses and fresh creativity. It's challenging but hugely rewarding.
Review: Stones Throw has tapped up the brilliant psychedelic jazz group Apifera for a second album to follow on from the greatness of their debut. That once came back in 2021 in the form of Overstand, which was a widescreen and cultural mix of all manner of weird and wonderful sounds. Now, Keep Teh Outside Open builds on that and finds keyboardist Yuval Havkin and Nitai Hershkovits, drummer Amir Bresler and bassist Yonatan Albalak all colliding Israeli folk, Afrobeat, post-rock and jazz into richly colourful and absorbing sound worlds full of lush broken beat grooves.
Review: Born in Kent and central to the UK's 70s jazz modernism, Neil Ardley composed with the precision of a scientist and the vision of a cosmic philosopher. This long-overdue reissue from Analogue October captures a project that translates planetary orbits into a nine-note harmonic systemitoo vast for acoustic instruments, brought to life instead through early synthesisers. 'Arcturus' and 'Spiral Nebula' interlace fluid sax work from Barbara Thompson with John Martyn's signature reverb-drenched guitar, while Geoff Castle's synths evoke deep-space drift. 'Rainbow Four' channels modal funk, and 'Neptune' floats into ambient abstraction. Produced at Morgan Studios with a full ensemble of jazz heavyweightsiTony Coe, Ian Carr, Billy Kristian, Richard Burgess, and Trevor Tomkinsithis is a record that swings between science fiction and symphonic elegance. For all its high concept, it remains rooted in groove and human touch. A meticulous AAA cut from the Decca master tapes seals the experience: a bold and beautiful reminder of how far British jazz once dared to travel.
Review: BaBa ZuLa, Istanbul's most experimental band, continues to push the boundaries of Turkish psych-rock. Known for their hypnotic blend of Turkish percussion, electric saz, and electronic elements, they've gained a cult following across the globe. With influences from legends like Einsturzende Neubauten and Can, their latest album Istanbul Sokaklari is a sonic and political statement. Combining deep rhythms, glitchy electronics and dual male-female vocals, BaBa ZuLa's music transports listeners into a world where tradition meets modernity, offering a glimpse into both the future and the heart of Istanbul's streets.
Review: Complex Emotions, the 16th album from The Bad Plus, confirms the band's endless creative energy and evolution. Featuring the talents of guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Chris Speed, the album is a bold leap forward, beginning with Reid Anderson's 'Grid/Ocean'ia shape-shifting opener that morphs between turbulence and calm. The track clears the way for the exhilarating 'French Horns', where Monder's structured yet frenzied solo captures the band's fearless spirit. With standout contributions like Speed's vibrant 'Cupcakes One' and Anderson's blistering 'Deep Water Sharks', the album straddles the boundaries of jazz and rock, tapping into an electrifying synergy reminiscent of guitar icons like Jeff Beck. Quiet moments like 'Carrier', 'Casa Ben' and 'Tyrone's Flamingos' offer dreamy, introspective counterpoints, showing King's percussion and Speed's airy lyricism. The Bad Plus, with Monder and Speed joining founding members Anderson and King, continue to defy genre labels, blending rock, jazz and ambient textures. From blistering intensity to melodic subtlety, Complex Emotions encapsulates the band's drive to innovate and redefine.
Review: Nature documentary series The Living Planet very much captured the imagination of Raoul Bjorkenheim back in 1986. It featured erupting volcanoes and plumes of molten lava and some of that drama and energy is captured in this fine jazz album which now gets a new extended reissue. Bjorkenheim studied at the Helsinki Conservatory for a year and the Berklee College of Music in Boston for three years and worked with composer and drummer Edward 'Eetu' Vesala. For this album, he played with reed virtuosos Jorma Tapio and Tapani Rinne, bassist Sampo Lassila and drummers Michel Lambert and Heikki 'Lefty' Lehto. It is a hot and raw record that contains an album's worth of previously unheard material.
Review: Jack Bruce's classic album Songs For A Tailor receives a new official gatefold LP vinyl release, offering fans a chance to experience this seminal work in its full glory. Remastered from the original master tapes and cut at Abbey Road Studios, the album showcases Bruce's distinctively diverse style, drawing on influences from jazz, folk, classical, and rock. Produced by Felix Pappalardi, the recording sessions at London's Morgan Studios brought together some of Britain's finest musicians, including Chris Spedding, Jon Hiseman and Dick Heckstall-Smith, among others. Notably, George Harrison also made an appearance during one session. Originally released as Jack Bruce's first solo project after the demise of Cream in 1968, Songs For A Tailor achieved chart success in both the UK and the USA. Now considered a masterpiece, this LP edition faithfully restores the original artwork, offering fans a chance to revisit and rediscover one of Jack Bruce's most seminal works.
Review: Sandro Brugnolini's Overground stands as a rare gem in library music and is also generally regarded as some of this artist's best work alongside his formidable Underground from 1970. Originally released on Sincro Edizioni Musicali, it served as the soundtrack to Enrico Moscatelli and Mario Rigoni's documentary Persuasione having been commissioned by Ente Provinciale Per Il Turismo Di Trento. Featuring top Italian musicians like Angelo Baroncini, Silvano Chimento, Giorgio Carnini, Enzo Restuccia, and Giovanni Tommaso, the album traverses from underground psychedelic prog rock with swirling organs and fuzzy guitars to sophisticated lounge grooves with avant-garde orchestrations. Now remastered from the original tapes, it is one to add to the racks tout suite.
Review: Some tempos are pivotal to certain genres and 140 is one of those when it comes to dubstep. For that reason it is the title of this fine on going All Stars series from DUPLOC. Volume four is another masterful one with all niches explored starting with the low-end wobble of Mob Killa's 'Hattori' which is a brilliantly moody and late night saunter through a desolate urban landscape. Oudjat's 'Losing Control' is just as menacing and dark, and Ego Death pairs to back further to lush echoing hits and warped synths that hang in the air on 'Run It.' The flip side offers three more sparse but impactful cuts of hefty 140 bass brilliance.
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