Review: The combined talents of pianist-producer Alfa Mist and jazz drummer Richard Spaven have spelt the formation of a new hip-hop act, 44th Move, whose debut album for Black Acre debuts today. Centring on the notion of an "R&D mindstate", the pair bring a tonally lowered, electronicised sound to the table, teaming up with two further confidants - Bristol turntablist Awkward and Detroit rapper Quelle Chris - for an extended jaunt through techno, r&b and rap, arrayed in overarching drapes of moody jazz.
Review: For Record Store Day 2025, Bloom Japan presents a lovely 7" from the 45TRIO, who reimagine Minnie Riperton's classic 'Inside My Love.' This reinterpretation delivers a lush, jazz-infused instrumental take that honours the original's unique sensuality while introducing a fresh, soulful groove for modern 'floors. 45TRIO's tasteful blend of live instrumentation and vintage tones helps breathe new life into this timeless gem while the B-side offers a stripped-down version perfect for late-night spins or sample hunters. This is one to pick up and drop during those loved-up moments.
Review: On Club Tounsi, Tunisian producer Sofyann Ben Youssef, aka AMMAR 808, brings the raw rhythmic power of Mezoued-the folk music of Tunisia's working class-into a bold electronic future. Fusing pulsating synths, distorted textures and TR-808 beats with traditional instruments like goatskin bagpipes, hand drums, and the ney, he reimagines iconic Mezoued tunes for a new generation. Vocalists from classical, Sufi and Mezoued backgrounds also feature to add human soul and mean the album captures the genre's emotional depth while transforming it into something cinematic and club-ready. This LP is a bridge between past and future, tradition and innovation and one that makes you want to move.
Review: Just three months after its predecessor was released, the second and final part of Joe Armon-Jones' epic All The Quiet album series lands in stores. Entirely written, produced and mixed by the man himself - with a few friends and high-profile guests popping up to add instruments or take to the mic - the set offers atmospheric, immersive and perfectly-pitched musical fusions rooted in his various sonic influences (think jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop and dub). Highlights are plentiful, from the deep and dreamy jazz-soul shuffle of 'Another Place' (featuring significant contributions from vocalists Greentea Peng and Wu-Lu), to the warming, dubbed-out soul of top-tier Yazmin Lacey collaboration 'One Way Traffic'.
Review: Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers come together for this most personal gospel funk album which was inspired by the birth of Frique's daughter, Jesamy. It finds the Amsterdam-based multi-instrumentalist mixing up organic funk with obscure synths, bubbly basslines that are always on the move with swirling guitars that add the colour and all make for an unusual and interesting mix of P-funk and gospel-disco. There are plenty of universal messages throughout which all emphasise the need for unconditional love while legendary vocalists like Dennis Bovell, Muriel Blijd, Mariseya, Brandon Delagraentiss and Rocq-E Harrell contribute to the powerful sound. Delagraentiss's choir, The Gospel Experience, also do their bit by adding big, rich, heartfelt vocals. It's quite the listen.
Review: The legendary Roy Ayers has a wealth of great material to his name but Virgin Ubiquity: Unreleased Recordings 1976-1981 might just be the cream of the crop. It's packed with gold that fuses soul and funk, jazz and disco into a load of killer cuts that never got their own release. There are husky vocal tracks featuring Merry Clayton on "Oh What A Lonely Feeling," "I Really Love You" and "What's the T?", sensual soul stirrers from Carla Vaughn such as "Mystic Voyage" and "Together Forever" and of course liquid synths and rhythm sections underpinning each of the tracks.
Johnny Hammond - "Los Conquistadores Chocolates" (6:01)
Bill Summers - "Brazilian Skies" (4:30)
Roy Haynes - "Quiet Fire" (8:11)
Willis Jackson - "Nuther'n Like Thuther'n" (7:27)
Louie Bellson & Walfredo De Los Reyes - "Sentido En Seis (Six Feeling)" (7:33)
Flora Purim - "Vera Cruz (Empty Faces)" (4:12)
Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes - "Visions Of A New World (Phase II)" (3:41)
Pleasure - "No Matter What" (4:49)
Fatback Band - "Njia Walk" (4:07)
Johnny Lytle - "Gunky" (4:31)
Patrice Rushen - "Jubilation" (5:54)
Cal Tjader - "Mambo Mindoro" (3:46)
Tania Maria - "Yatra-Ta" (4:21)
Dom Um Romao - "Braun-Blek-Blu" (4:50)
Review: Chris Bangs' varied and eclectic musical journey is a key reason he was chosen to curate a compilation for Ace. With a background ranging from space rock with The Mighty Om to DJ residencies across London, Bangs' career spans numerous genres, from jazz, funk, to soul. Bangs' DJ sets and parties - in such time-honoured venues as Special Branch in Brentford, London - were seminal in the evolution of the acid jazz genre alongside Gilles Peterson, where "acid jazz was never meant to be more than a pisstake". His foray into production, such as the proto-acid jazz classic 'Psychedelic Jack' with Peterson on vocals, cemented his legacy, but it's curation highlights such as this that really get our gears going. Hold tight as we scour early acid jazz brilliants from Gunky to Vera Cruz to Brazilian Skies to Jubilation.
Os Alquimistas Estao Chegando Os Alquimistas (3:12)
O Homem Da Gravata Florida (3:08)
Errare Humanum Est (4:51)
Menina Mulher Da Pele Preta (2:57)
Eu Vou Torcer (3:14)
Magnolia (3:13)
Minha Teimosia, Uma Arma Pra Te Conquistar (2:42)
Zumbi (3:32)
Brother (2:54)
O Namorado Da Viuva (2:03)
Hermes Trismegisto E Sua Celeste Tabua De Esmeralda (5:28)
Cinco Minutos (5 Minutos) (2:56)
Review: Brazilian Jorge Ben, you could say, is a musical equivalent to football superstar Pele. He is known around the world, is hugely prolific and had a style all his own. A Tabua De Esmeralda is the 11th album the great singer-songwriter and guitarist recorded and it came back in 1974. It was soon lapped up by fans and critics alike for its timeless blending of samba rock with his unique alchemy and sonic satire and found Ben redefined the vocal style he has showcased on previous work Forca Bruta. This time his vocals occasionally go off-grid and sit behind the beats to make for an alluring effect, while the album was also the last to use guitar quite as extensively.
The Sparkle In Your Eyes (feat Thee Sacred Souls) (3:23)
Review: Here comes a truly show-stopping swooner on Penrose, the sublabel of the ever-trusty Daptone Records. This is the first solo outing for Jensine Benitez, who is usually found singing with Thee Sacred Souls, a hard-gigging outfit who always send the crowd home elated after Benitez takes centre stage. With her bandmates on hand to provide back-up duties, we get treated to a pair of dreamy soul songs that capture a little 50s swing which gels beautifully with Benitez's arresting voice. Both tracks are downtempo lullabies perfect for those intimate, wind-down moments with the one you love. Trust us, this is some seriously romantic stuff.
Review: Bruno Berle's No Reino Dos Afetos is a stunning example of modern Brazilian pop, blending heartfelt emotion with a wide range of musical influences. Hailing from Maceio, Berle brings the warmth and beauty of his coastal home into every corner of this album. Released in a vibrant blue vinyl repress in 2024, the album is a journey through soft, intimate compositions that explore love, tenderness, and beauty. Berle's smooth, golden voice is the heart of the record, effortlessly gliding over songs like 'Quero Dizer', where the mix of lo-fi production, kalimba, and guitar creates an irresistible, laid-back groove. His raw emotional power shines in tracks like 'O Nome Do Meu Amor', an acoustic tearjerker brimming with sincerity. Berle's versatility is clear, moving from indie rock on 'E Preciso Ter Amor' to the sun-soaked soul of Joao Menezes's 'Ate Meu Violao', which opens the album with a nostalgic touch of 70s MPB. His take on West African highlife in 'Som Nyame' adds even more richness to the mix. Every note feels personal, capturing both simplicity and depth. This album solidifies Berle as one of Brazil's most exciting young talents.
Review: Hamilton Bohannon's debut Stop & Go, first dropped back in 1973 and is a raw and essential slice of early 70s funk. Though maybe more known for his later disco hits, here Bohannon delivers something earthier-looser grooves, soulful vocals and inventive arrangements that simmer rather than explode. This album offers a deeper, more nuanced sound compared to his polished, high-energy disco work and highlights include the blissed-out 'Singing a Song for My Mother,' the deep funk of 'Happiness,' and the widely sampled 'Save Their Souls.' A crate-digger favourite and funk connoisseur's gem, Stop & Go is a percussive, spiritual, and downright nasty record that holds up start to finish.
Review: New York outfit The Budos Band return with their first full-length release on Diamond West, the new label founded by band members Tom Brenneck and Jared Tankel. VII was produced by Brenneck and engineered by Simon Guzman and has plenty of their signature taut, groove-driven tracks that blend Afro-soul, doom rock and 70s psychedelia. They were all recorded in California and feature the percussionist Rich Tarrana, who adds his own fresh texture without detracting from the raw, hypnotic MO of the band. As usual, this is music that is equal parts cinematic and visceral and is perfect for nocturnal drives and deep immersion. Now more than two decades in, The Budos Band are still able to surprise and compel.
Review: Donald Byrd's Kofi, part of the esteemed Tone Poet Vinyl Series, presents a compelling snapshot of the trumpeter's transition from hard bop to fusion. Recorded in December 1969 and December 1970 but only released in 1995, this LP captures Byrd at a pivotal moment in his career, straddling the line between traditional jazz and the emerging fusion genre. The 1969 session features Byrd's originals 'Kofi' and 'Fufu,' with Duke Pearson's electric piano adding a shimmering layer to the complex arrangements. The ensemble includes notable musicians such as Lew Tabackin on flute and tenor saxophone, Frank Foster on tenor saxophone, William Campbell on trombone, Ron Carter on acoustic bass among other strong musicians. The 1970 session continues this exploration with tracks like 'Perpetual Love' and 'Elmina,' featuring Wally Richardson on guitar and Mickey Roker on drums, along with Moreira and Dom Um Romao adding percussion. This reissue, curated by Joe Harley and mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog tapes, is pressed on 180g vinyl and housed in a deluxe tip-on jacket. The Tone Poet Series ensures exceptional quality in both sound and presentation, offering a definitive version of Byrd's adventurous work.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Down By The Cove (5:47)
Mountain Mover (feat Alex Cosmo Blake) (4:38)
Maintaining My Peace (feat Novelist & Stephanie Cooke) (2:59)
Tears (feat Saucy Lady) (2:55)
Brain Gymnasium (3:28)
Wanna Tell Somebody (feat Josh Milan) (5:53)
Otaki (feat Finn Rees) (5:26)
Love Language (feat Nathan Haines) (4:35)
A Deeper Life (feat Isaac Aesili) (8:00)
More Time (feat Lee Pearson Jr Collective) (3:56)
Tongariro Crossing (feat Nathan Haines) (5:17)
Barefoot On The Tarmac (4:11)
Marlboro Sounds (6:03)
The Eternal Checkout (feat Cenk Esen) (5:36)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
Given that even their most dancefloor-focused tunes are remarkably deep, immersive and sonically detailed, you'd think that Chaos In The CBD's music would suit the album format - it's just that until now, they've not recorded a full-length. A Deeper Life, then, marks a big step forward in the Helliker-Hales brothers' career. Predictably, it's borderline brilliant. Made with the assistance of a cast of collaborators and guest performers (flautist Nathan Haines, boogie revivalist Saucy Lady and original NJ garage-house hero Josh Milan included), it sees the Kiwi duo sashay their way through enveloping, musically expansive cuts - many downtempo and home-listening focused - that variously mix and match elements of deep house, nu-jazz, dub, 80s soul, hip-hop, trip-hop, Latin soul and much more besides. A genuine triumph, even by their high standards.
Review: Jazz fans take note: Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album more than lives up to its name. It features previously unreleased recordings by the late, great John Coltrane and his regular accompanying players (pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison and Drummer Elvin Jones). The reels of tape the tracks were salvaged from were dated 1963, around the time that the quartet laid down some of its most forward-thinking work for the legendary Impulse label. Much of the material consists of original Coltrane compilations, though there are a few notable covers (including a great version of jazz standard "Nature Boy") dotted throughout. As you'd expect, Coltrane's performance is incredible from start to finish.
Review: This second set of remixes from Paris-based eight-piece Cotonete's "Super-Vilains" album is another heavyweight selection with Alex Attias, DJ Deep and Romain Poncet and Aleq Notal all coming correct. For his part, Attias keeps the jazz-tinged Latin vibes front and centre with a sunny, sweaty jam laced with house goodness. DJ Deep & Romain Poncet dub things out for those more subtle moments in the night, when a slick rolling groove is enough to hypnotise a crowd, and then it's pure bumping and jazzy deep house from Aleq Notal. Elements of 90s deepness, lounge vibes and funk all colour in the airwaves as you bask in the goodness of his work.
Review: Following a brief hiatus to recharge his batteries following the release of the genuinely fantastic Evergreen album on Freerange last year, Ben J Worral brings his Crackazat project back to Heist Recordings. With six tracks on show, there's plenty to set the senses tingling, from the jazzy, dreamy and soulful downtempo beats of impeccable opener 'I Need To Know' and the joyous, piano-sporting sunshine house excellence of 'Do You Think About Me', to the rising, subtly jazz-flecked deep house perfection of 'Freddie's Groove' (a kind of Crackazat update of Pepe Bradock's 'Deep Burnt', with added horns) and the broken jazz-house-soul of Potash Twins collaboration 'Phantom'. Jazz-funk flavoured broken beat gem 'Endless Life' and the Guru's Jazzamatazz-esque 'When We Last Met' complete a fantastic EP.
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