Bastard Jazz US Vinilo y CD

Review: Simon Mavin is known for his work as co-writer and co-producer with Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote. Now he steps out with his own solo debut on Bastard Jazz and shows off his multi-instrumental skills. 'Good Hair Day' kick off with lush synth heavy funk and expressive melodies that are soaked in sun and sprinkled with cosmic dust. 'Only You & Me' than rides on dusty broken beats that make you want to move while the keys glow up top. Remixes come from fellow Aussies Harvey Sutherland and Close Counters - the former brings some heavy percussive vibes and the latter slows things down to a steamy crawl.

Review: POSY's full-length debut The Garden is such a lush and organised soundscape that it really lives up to its tranquil title. Emerging from the Pacific Northwest, POSY is a multi-instrumentalist who crafted the album using analogue gear and traditional studio setups to create a warm, rich sound. The album's title is inspired by a real garden - a place of solace where the artist overcame writer's block by recording voice notes that they later refined in the studio. Influenced by artists like Yuseff Dayes and KIEFER, The Garden blends jazz, funk and downtempo with gems like 'All The Time' and collaborations with vocalists SAiGO and Jennyfire helping it to really stand out.

Review: Potatohead People have got many classic joints in their arsenal and have worked with legends like Illa J and Slum Village's T3. Their Nick & Astro's Guide To The Galaxy album is another seminal record from the Canadian duo which saw them work with Vancouver producers and multi-instrumentalists Nick Wisdom and Astrological. It comes on red and black splatter vinyl and features plenty of signature boom-bap produciton, future soul vibes and classic jazz references as well as deep house, boogie and funk overtones to make it rhythmically playful and stylishly diverse, but unified by the superb mic work.

Review: Cult Vancouver duo Potatohead People, which is of course made up of Nick Wisdom and AstroLogical, finally make their return to Bastard Jazz with their much anticipated fourth album, Eat Your Heart Out. It is another great icing that builds on their renowned clean and musical production and finds the pair once again showing off their skills as vocalists, songwriters, and musicians. Over the last decade, they've been revered for their production sensibilities and that doesn't change as with each track they coop up intricate beats with jazzy melodies, summery vibes and plenty of hooky motifs that come with great guest spots from the likes of Shafiq Husayn & Ivan Ave, Kapok and many more.

Review: Potatohead People's latest album, Eat Your Heart Out, marks a significant evolution for the Vancouver-based duo, Nick Wisdom and AstroLogical. Moving beyond their renowned production prowess, they step into the spotlight as vocalists, songwriters, and musicians, showcasing their versatility and talent. Thematically centered on love in its various forms and complexities, the album explores the multifaceted nature of this universal emotion. Each track delves into different aspects of love, from infatuation to heartache, featuring a diverse array of guest artists who enhance the album's sonic palette. From the classic hip-hop vibes of 'Last Nite' featuring Redman to the sultry digital funk of 'Paradise' with Diamond Cafe, the album traverses various genres with finesse. Notable collaborations with Shafiq Husayn, Ivan Ave, Abstract Rude, T3 and others further elevate the album's appeal.With its captivating melodies, infectious hooks, and stellar guest appearances, the album solidifies Potatohead People's position as a premier production duo in contemporary music.

Review: Potatohead People's classic tune 'What It Feels Like' featuring T3 (Slum Village), Kapok and Illa J, first released in 2020 alongside an unmatched live video, gets not only a reissue on vinyl here but a remix treatment from in-demand bass player Carrtoons. Switching up the order of the verses, dubbing out the horns and adding in his signature basswork, Carrtoons brings a fresh flavour to the track's already steaming, boom-bap verve. Fans of Anderson Paak, Smoove or anyone operating in the crossover of neo-soul, jazz and rap will be much pleased by this one.

Review: 'Thermae' feels like a track that's more about the spaces between the notes than the notes themselves. Featuring Andy Baxter on guitar, bass, and drums, along with Jim Piela on saxophone and Francesca Uberti on piano, it's a laid-back, almost meditative piece that brings to mind the warm, smooth vibes of Khruangbin and Glass Beams. The track is sparse, but not in a way that feels emptyithere's a certain tension in the way it unfolds, with each instrument carving out its own space. The saxophone, in particular, stands out with an FX-laden part that evokes the mood of Robohand's 'Palms' LP from 2023, adding a touch of depth and atmosphere that lingers in the background. There's a nice balance between the organic and the electronic here, which shows in how the track was recorded between London and New York. It's all mixed and mastered with care by Sean Woodlock and John Webber, ensuring that each element, no matter how subtle, shines through in its own time. It's a reflective piece that doesn't demand attention, but invites it when you're ready.