Madala Kunene - "Khon' Othwele" (Joe Claussell edit) (13:11)
Amampondo - "Giya Kasiamore" (7:52)
Outernational Meltdown - "Hungry On Arrival" (7:38)
Review: This deep house release infuses African rhythms with soulful house music for a deeper house experience. On Side-1, Joe Claussell's edit of Madala Kunene's 'Khon' Othwele' brings a tribal, hypnotic groove, blending traditional elements with house beats. Side-2 opens with Amampondo's 'Giva Kasra More', a rich cultural fusion that combines African sounds with house music in a seamless, danceable flow. The track brings vibrant energy while maintaining deep-rooted cultural authenticity. The release closes with 'Hungry On Arrival' by Outernational Meltdown, offering a jazzy, laidback vibe that contrasts beautifully with the dancefloor-ready tracks, creating a perfect balance of rhythm and relaxation. This release is a dynamic celebration of African influence in house music, full of rich textures and grooves.
Review: Peggy O'Keefe's 1966 recording, made during her six-year residency at Glasgow's Chevalier Casino, captures the Australian-born pianist's true musical talent. Her rendition of 'Cubano Chant'ioriginally popularised by Art Blakeyiremains a stand-out, a highlight in jazz dance circles ever since. Praised by jazz legends such as Cleo Laine and Oscar Peterson, O'Keefe's piano playing is rich with skill and passion, demonstrated to full effect in these two tracks. Now rediscovered and presented on 7", this gem has been hidden away for nearly six decades but is now ready for a new audience.
Review: Tower Vinyl is very quickly becoming one of our favourite labels. its current run of releases is absolutely top notch and focuses on vintage soul sounds from across a wide spectrum. This latest 7" as part of the Free Soul series comes from Odessey whose 'Battened Ships' has big brass, funky drums and lots of killer guitar lines and rich bass, all topped with heartfelt vocals. The wonderful Terry Callier and is unique ones then bring jazz and soul stylings to the bouncy 'Ordinary Joe' on the flip.
Review: Omar Lyefook MBE celebrates his partnership with Impressive Collective and BBE Music through this exclusive 45 vinyl release, a testament to his iconic presence in UK soul. The A side delivers Omar's assured vocal prowess over a vibrant, groove-heavy rhythm crafted by The Scratch Professor, blending classic soul sensibilities with fresh appeal. On the flip, an instrumental piece unfolds, combining lush, cinematic strings with funk-laden arrangementsia track that seamlessly moves between film soundtrack ambiance and dancefloor magnetism. This limited release underscores Omar's enduring artistry, showcasing his unique fusion of heartfelt depth and energetic sophistication.
Review: In 2024, over 30 years after its release, Incognito's 1991 hit 'Crazy For You' has been reimagined by ONEGRAM with a stunning new arrangement. It brings out the soul with gorge vocals and lazy dub drums providing a perfect counterpoint. The B-side brings a vibrant twist featuring a groovier rhythm, ONEGRAM's signature horn section and lively steel pan melodies that blend Caribbean disco and reggae vibes. Adding to the fun, the ET Edit on the B-side is tailored for DJs and enhanced with tasteful effects for an energetic finish. This fresh take breathes new life into a beloved classic that showcases ONEGRAM's infectious sound.
Insanely funky business from Senegal's famous Orchestra Baobab (who are still touring and toiling 40 years later), "Kelen Ati Leen" is a really sweaty, heavy slab of funk that stares west for inspiration and a mild psychedelic Hendrixian sheen. "Souleymane", released three years after the A-side in 1978, takes more of a Latin influence as the horns get steamy over a rigid highlife spine to create a detailed and very physical groove.
Review: It's hard to fault the work of the Original Gravity crew and when the tasteful London label's All Stars assemble it's even more important to take note. It is they who kick off 2025 with a classic funky break that is topped with spoken word samples from an MC at a big fight event (though it's not Michael Buffer, the man behind these famous words, because he has a strict copyright on them). The beats are as fiery as a heavyweight showdown with plenty of punchy horn stabs. On the flip, 'Rumble In The Jungle' is a similar sound that makes just as much impact.
Review: Originally released in 1972, these are the only known recordings from Tulsa soul band Outback. The A-side is an eclectic, psychedelic funk ballad with lyrics drawn from religious scripture and drawing powerful parallels to Black slavery in the U.S. They lend a deeply spiritual and socially conscious edge to the track which is potent in groove as it is message. The B-side, 'Reggie's Thang,' takes a different turn and is a raw, psychedelic instrumental showcasing the band's musical range and experimental edge. Together, these are a time machine back to powerful moments in soul and funk history, now rediscovered and sure to be appreciated all over again.
Review: Groovadelica is a New Zealand-based record label that comes through now with its third offering in the form of this 7" from young and fast-rising new artist Soul Prophet. His 'Back To Dilla' features the buttery tones of UK soul sensation Omar and pays tribute to the great beat maker that was the late J Dilla. It's a jam full of dusty beats and jazzy key samples with a laid-back and late-night feel. The lush flute sounds come from Nathan Haines with extra tabla for even more musical richness. This one has already been getting plays from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge and Mr. Thing so expect to hear it plenty more this winter.
Review: This 7" is a reissue of one that first dropped back in July and soon sold out but with two extra cuts. It offered a rare chance to discover hidden gems from the Austrian Public Broadcasting Institution (ORF) vaults which were all vinyl debuts in summer. This gatefold double 7" kicks off with Stefanie & ORF Big Band's 'Compared to What,' a hard-hitting funk track featuring lo-fi vibes and powerful horns. The A-2 offers a subtly tweaked version, maintaining the same high energy. 'Feelin' It' then comes on the flipside with big brass leads, deep-cut drums and a stirring, emotive female vocal lead. A second alternative is also featured.
Review: Bill Henderson may not have been a widely known jazz singer, but his 1963 album proves he deserved more recognition. Backed by the exceptional Oscar Peterson Trioifeaturing Ed Thigpen on drums and Ray Brown on bassiHenderson more than holds his own. His rich, expressive voice brings new depth to classics like 'All or Nothing at All' and 'You Are My Sunshine' which font his unique style and vast emotional range. Rather than being overshadowed by his legendary accompanists, Henderson rises to the occasion which helps make this a standout gem in vocal jazz.
Review: Oaagaada is a mysterious quartet from Finland that has long been one of the scene's best-kept secrets. That will change now as they release their highly anticipated debut album on We Jazz Records. Their music is rooted in the spirit of acoustic free jazz pioneers and moves forward on its own unique path. Eschewing sterile hi-fi sounds without embracing a tired lo-fi aesthetic, Oaagaada's album captures the raw energy of their live performances and was recorded at Hameenlinna's Odd Funk studios. Highlights include the brief opener 'Oag-Ada Sweet' and the four-part 'Suite Tuli' while 'Seagull Shapes' evokes the meditative energy of Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders.
Review: London-based New Zealander Arjuna Oakes impresses hugely with this debut album, a contemporary soul and jazz fusion, global folk, electronica and post-rock motifs all woven in. Like any good LP, While I'm Distracted is a deeply personal journey exploring common themes of vulnerability, identity and hope in a world shaped by ever-more existential angst and social media stress. We're told that Arjuna approached this full-length album like a filmmaker crafting a feature and aiming to evoke emotion over concept. Performing vocals, piano, synths and arranging strings himself, he also leads a talented ensemble of collaborators who help him on this emotional odyssey.
Review: Yuji Ohno's live performance in Tokyo captures the essence of his musical legacy with fresh intensity. Leading a 54-piece ensemble, Ohno brings his iconic compositions to life, weaving jazz improvisations with cinematic flair. The orchestration adds a new dimension, turning familiar tracks into vibrant experiences. Each note feels purposeful, with emotional depth that engages both the mind and the heart. This performance is a compelling reminder of Ohno's enduring influence and his ability to breathe new life into his timeless music.
Review: Steve Okonski, known since 2022 under the shortening Okonski, is a scholar of the hard and soft knocks of American soul, having served so far as the in-house pianist for the brilliant hip-hop and soul quintet Durand Jones & The Indications. Three years on from his dazzling debut solo record Magnolia, this entrancing follow-up hears Okonski team up again with his fellow Durand Jones collaborators Aaron Frazer and Michael Isvara. This is a properly twilled, blissful, piano-led jazz opus, best defined in the auctorial fells of 'October', the seasonal builds of 'Summer Storm' and/or the yearning love objects 'Dahlia' and 'Penny'.
Review: After two years, Steve Okonski returns under his surnamed solo alias Okonski, providing a sequel to the debut record Magnolia (2023), with another rapt jazz album for splayed-fingered piano. Long known as a contributor to the hip-hop and soul group Durand Jones & The Indications, Okonski's solo works are only somewhat grazed by soul music by comparison; they prefer to bask in pleromae of muted sound, recalling the evangelic solo spirituals of Julius Eastman, except for the fact that they are set against boughing bass movements and room-reverb beats, whose rhythms are sporadically upset by the drummer. Described as "a little more nature-based" compared to Magnolia's streets-of-NY feel, this one has an unpredictable naturalism about it.
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