Review: Sol Set is a Detroit-based collective, an amalgamation of composers, musicians, artists and vocalists brought together by producer John Beltran, whose new label All Good Music chooses its debut album for its inaugural release. John Beltran and Shane Donnelly preside over seven sumptuous and confident slices of modern, sub-kissed soul and Latin sure to put a smile on anyone's face, even those of us faced with an altogether more British summer. Influences range from the Steve Wonder-style double vocals of 'Bliss Mode' to the South American 'Rhythm of the Sun', which echoes the beach bum haziness of Jorge Ben, but the vibe remains joyful and skillfully yet effortlessly executed throughout. Gorgeous.
Review: An attention-evader even for the most ardent dub reggae fan, Black Jade's Contempo remains a mystery decades after its release. In the act of reissuing the LP, Solid Roots still only partly lift the veil: first set to tape between 1975 and 1976, the album was recorded by a still shadowy cadre of Notting Hill residents, who are said to have freely distributed it during Carnival. Their continued anonymity may form part of a decided effort to mythologise, though it almost certainly also reflects a niche facet of deeper-shades dub. Authenticity abounds: we hear preemptions of the hiss-floored undulations of Chain Reaction in this record as much as we do the busy instrumental imbroglios of Horace Andy, with the manly bass-charges of 'Virulence' polarising the sensitive subby coos of 'Love, Love, Love'.
Review: Widely regarded as Boards of Canada's finest hour, Music Has The Right To Children finds itself the subject of a well-deserved 2LP gatefold reissue from Warp Records. One of the most defining records of what was known for better or worse as IDM still sounds as timeless as it did in 1998, as the library tones of "Wildlife Analysis", thick downtempo rhythms of "Roygbiv" and out of focus melodies of "Olson" prove. Essential!
Review: This deliberately mysterious outfit hailed from Italy, and this, the first of two previously ultra-rare and highly collectible LPs, is no less than a psychedelic classic, chock full of wild keyboards, fuzz guitar rampage, blissed-out trance states and fearful avant-garde trickery. It's been ascertained that Braen's Machine was the work of heralded soundtrack composer Perio Ulimani, as well as Morricone collaborator Allesandro Allesandroni, and this would make perfect sense, as "Underground" is very much in the metier of Italian soundtrack legends Goblin, and bound to appeal to fans of the widescreen psych sweep of Aphrodite's Child. Bellisima.
Review: Since debuting on the label 18 years ago, Danny Byrd has become one of Hospital Records most reliable and prolific artists. Even so, Atomic Funk - his fourth album - marks his first full-length outing for five years. It goes without saying that he's in fine form, gleefully flitting between heavyweight 21st century jungle revivalism ("Salute", 'Starting It Over", the piano-laden badness of "Roll The Drums"), sunshine ready disco drum and bass ("IDragon", Patrice Rushen-sampling "Holy Star"), shimmering electro-fuelled rollers ("Supreme", "Atomic Funk") and the kind of soulful, radio-friendly fare that's become a hallmark of Hospital releases in recent years ("Hold Up The Crown", "Money Calling Me").
Review: Caixa Cubo's latest release highlights the trio's effortless blend of samba-jazz, funk and MPB. Rooted in Brazilian traditions, the tracks carry grooves reminiscent of 1970s legends, yet feel distinctly modern. With rich keyboard harmonies, vibrant percussion, and basslines that lock into irresistible rhythms, the group bridges nostalgic warmth with contemporary flair. Each composition reflects a deep understanding of their heritage, drawing from carnaval marches and baiao while infusing experimental touches that keep things fresh.
Review: Lucinda Chua is currently based in South London and is a singer, songwriter, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. She crafts elegant and emotive music mainly using her voice and cello, plenty of effects units and draws on ambient for her inspiration. What results is atmospheric and intimate music that is utterly enchaining as this album on 4AD proves across ten tracks that come after she spent an intensive period studying Chinese dance forms. Lead single 'Echo' is a pop song about ancestral trauma that walks a thin line between respect for the past and the hope and freedom of a new future. It's captivating indeed.
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.
Black Classical Music (feat Venna & Charlie Stacey) (5:18)
Afro Cubanism (2:41)
Raisins Under The Sun (feat Shabaka Hutchings) (4:32)
Rust (feat Tom Misch) (3:59)
Turquoise Galaxy (3:13)
The Light (feat Bahia Dayes) (5:38)
Pon Di Plaza (feat Chronixx) (3:47)
Magnolia Symphony (1:37)
Early Dayes (4:46)
Chasing The Drum (1:24)
Birds Of Paradise (4:08)
Gelato (4:47)
Marching Band (feat Masego) (4:41)
Crystal Palace Park (feat Elijah Fox) (1:53)
Presidential (feat Jahaan Sweet) (3:22)
Jukebox (2:28)
Woman's Touch (feat Jamilah Barry) (3:29)
Tioga Pass (feat Rocco Palladino) (7:49)
Cowrie Charms (feat Leon Thomas & Barbara Hicks) (3:44)
Review: This is a special white vinyl version of the new album from Yussef Dayes. His Black Classical is another superbly classy work from an artist who rarely misses. The 19 track opus finds him heading deep into his own past and present while also covering themes of home and the family. It is inspired by his own heroes Miles Davis and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and takes cues from his worldly travels while on tour, which he says - and clearly have - helped to deepen his understanding of rhythm. The likes of Chronixx, Tom Misch, Shabaka Hutchings, Nathaniel Cross, Theon Cross and the Chineke! Orchestra, amongst many others all feature to add further quality to this essential record.
Review: First Word Records present a new album from Don Leisure with Amanda Whiting. Beyond The Midnight Sun expands upon ground first explored on Don Leisure's track 'All Praises Due', which also featured harpist Amanda (with Angel Bat Dawid), and featured on his previous album 'Shaboo Strikes Back'. This is a full-length project on which these two formidable Welsh artists have collaborated together. "The project is a journey down the road that was revealed to me on 'All Praises Due' on 'Shaboo Strikes Back'. I wanted to move in a different direction from the beat tape format on my previous releases while still maintaining the core Don Leisure sound, fused with live instrumentation and vocals etc". A seven-track affair comprised of delectable spiritual jazz fused with hip hop beats, psychedelic electronics and a touch of soul.
Review: Leftfield heroes Don't DJ and NWAQ (aka Newworldaquarium) nudge their own sonic boundaries on Fashion, a fantastic mini album for on Meakusma. The tracks were recorded live at Meakusma Festival 2019 and at a residency preceding the Belgian event and fuse weird percussive techniques, glassy synths and airy light house with abstracted techno sound. It's a collage of sonic experiments that burrows deep into your brain one moment ('Central Bern/No Burn') and then sooth you the next ('Vanessa'). It's is the collision of two distinctive styles and thrilling new ground that is found as a result that makes this such a compelling record.
Review: New Zealand-born Lance Ferguson has been the beating heart of Melbourne's modern funk and soul scene for the best part of two decades. It's this that allowed him to gather many of the city's best musicians together to record "Rare Groove Spectrum", an album of fresh covers of rare and classic funk, soul and Latin jams. There are some killer versions to be found amongst the 11 tracks on offer. We're particularly enjoying the collective's riotous instrumental revision of Pleasure classic "Joyous", the strutting deep funk heaviness of "Egg Roll" (a similarly restless cover of a mysterious but much-played cut that should be familiar to dusty-fingered diggers and knowledgeable dancers) and the sumptuous summer breeze that is the combo's meandering take on Earth, Wind and Fire staple "Brazilian Rhyme". It is, though, all superb.
Review: One of Norway's finest jazz artists, Alex Figueira, shares a surprise mini-album via Jazzaggression, whose solar-punky, psychedelic description of the record is as gleeful as the implied beam of light which emanates from behind the artist's front-cover printed visage, and on which the warped art nouveau typography detailing its title wafts: "a vibrant fusion of tropical rhythms layered with a dazzling array of synth-driven psychedelia." Said to have played every instrument on the LP himself, Figueira's ends are irreverent and sun-soaking; his ultra-obscure Norweigan tropical music scene is married well to the all-improv, time-pressed nature of the recordings going in, all of which were immured and hothoused behind the walls of Utrecht's Studio Pelto.
Review: Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C. last appeared don our radar when the Baron of Techno MR Dave Clarke was busy remixing them. Now comes this deluxe and 180g gatefold album Skint Fa with an alternate cover and 20 page lyric book. This is the band's third album in as many years after 2020's A Hero's Death saw them hit the number two spot in the album charts and pick up nominations at the GRAMMYs, BRITs and Ivor Novello Awards. After a sell out tour at Alexandra Palace that now serve up more darkly political ones, thrashing riffs and hard edged drums.
Review: The masterful Light in The Attic have been deep int he archives again and this time serve up a remastered version of rap dons Freestyle Fellowship's To Whom It May Concern album. This one has been mixed from the original 4-track tapes by Cut Chemist and is a first ever double vinyl pressing. What's more, it has the full cover art for the first time with some fine liner notes to add context while you listen. This record is said to have set off the indie hip hop movement and remains way ahead of its time with made mic creativity next to killer beats.
Review: If it feels like we've been waiting a minute for some fresh material from the ever-excellent Roger Geressen, then the wait has been worth it as he gifts us this exemplary extended EP which borders on mini-album territory. The Dutch producer has evolved his sound in subtle ways over the years, but his affinity for mellow atmospheres abounds on this drop for Chapelle XIV, leading in with the relaxed broken beat machine soul of 'Other Dimensions' before switching into the more heads-down roll of 'Oceans Of Ganymede' and 'Solar Flare's winsome synth lines and snappy electro rhythm section. 'Future Visions' continues the exploration of broad melodic vistas and 'Moons Of Mercury' goes in hard on the delays for shimmering results. 'User Interface' completes the picture with a perfect sign off on this refined and immersive six-tracker from an artist you know you can trust.
Review: Berlin-based producer JakoJako aka Sibel Kocer's debut album for Mute - after appearances on a stream of leading German labels including Tresor - is described as a distillation of ideas that she's been exploring for many years. In reality, that means working on a minimal set up, away from the computer while restricting herself to just a Eurorack and a Waldorf Iridium Core, in the search for spontaneity. She found it, for sure, as the results - recorded in Vietnam during the Tet Lunar New Year celebrations - are a feast of glistening arpeggios and lush modular textures, stripped back but full of expression and personality. 'Ghi-ta' will appeal to fans of vintage perky ambient productions the Pete Namlook/Mixmaster Morris collaboration Dreamfish, while 'Gio' has a touch of Tangerine Dream's classic widescreen sensibilities. Bold tones, bold debut.
How Do I Let A Good Man Down? (instrumental) (2:57)
Natural Born Lover (instrumental) (3:03)
Stranded In Your Love (feat Lee Fields - instrumental) (6:05)
My Man Is A Mean Man (instrumental) (3:19)
You're Gonna Get It (instrumental) (4:53)
How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? (instrumental) (2:57)
This Land Is Your Land (instrumental) (4:35)
Your Thing Is A Drag (instrumental) (3:35)
Fish In The Dish (instrumental) (3:15)
All Over Again (instrumental) (4:41)
Review: Brooklyn's Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings were already underground legends by 2005, but this was the release that blew the doors wide open. Reissued here in a 20th anniversary remaster with full instrumental versions, it captures the group in peak form: tight, defiant and dripping with groove. From the snarling funk of 'My Man is a Mean Man' to the gospel-inflected ache of 'Stranded' and the rolling swagger of 'You're Gonna Get It', every track is a showcase for Jones' irrepressible power. 'How Long Do I Have to Wait For You?' and 'This Land is Your Land' still hit like soul standards, while 'Fish in My Dish' and 'Your Thing is a Drag' lean into grit and grind. The instrumentals only deepen the appreciation: pure rhythm section muscle. Recorded in Bushwick's now-legendary House of Soul, it's the record that built the Daptone soundiand lit the fuse for a soul revival that still resonates today.
Review: Helsinki funk legends Kuja Orchestra return with a fresh lineup and a brilliant blend of Latin, soul, blues, disco-funk, African, and Oriental influences. Their new album Seasons in Rhythm, part of Jazzaggression's library series, was recorded over two years at Studio Pelto and showcases core members guitarist Timo Hatva and bassist Aku Helin alongside new recruits keyboardist Miska Puusa and drummer Tony Pelkonen. Session musicians include Joose Kyyro on sax and flute, Heikki Tuhkanen on trombone, and Toimi Tytti on vocals. This eclectic mix of funky Latin, Afrobeat and cosmic grooves comes on nice heavy 180g vinyl.
Review: By now, we should all know what to expect from Lack of Afro, AKA veteran funk, soul and hip-hop producer Adam Gibbons. This fourth studio album for regular home Freestyle Records is being pitched as his most eclectic yet. Certainly, there's plenty of variety in the textures, styles and tempos, from the disco-funk stomp of Herbal T hook-up "Brown Sugar" and sweet Northern Soul blast of "The Contender" (all fuzzy guitars and pleasing horns), to the soft soul shuffle of "Making It Right" and Breakestra-ish hip-hop funk of "Here We Go Again". Despite the variety, Gibbons is still at his best when really cutting loose, as the superb opener "Freedom" adeptly demonstrates.
Review: A serious showcase for Muslimgauze's mastery of hypnotic, Eastern-inspired soundscapes. Clocking in at over 75 minutes, the five tracks delve into a world of intricate rhythms, droning keyboards, and ethereal atmospheres. 'Sadhu' sets the tone with its hypnotic percussion and swirling melodies, while 'Shaheed' and 'Mosaic Palestine' build upon this foundation, their extended lengths allowing for deep immersion and sonic exploration. 'Ayodhya Skin & Stone', the album's centerpiece, is a sprawling epic that seamlessly blends traditional instrumentation with electronic textures, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of sound. 'Iraqi Opal' provides a contemplative conclusion, its delicate melodies and atmospheric textures leaving a lingering sense of wonder. A testament to Bryn Jones' ability to create immersive and transportive sonic experiences.
Review: The long-lost gem YU Disko Expres, by Igor Savin and Orkestar Stanka Selaka - both Croatian / Yugoslavian studio dons, the latter at one point serving as visiting tutor at Berklee College Of Music, and an electronic music studio founder at the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall - returns with its first official reissue, fully restituted from the original reels. Its 1979 first editors, Jugoton, couldn’t have foreseen its later status as a “highly sought-after” album, one which perhaps resultantly remained nearly impossible to find in good condition since. With an all-star lineup of Yugoslavian musicians, including trumpeter Stanko Selak and bassist Miljenko Prohaska, Yu Disko Expres remains a coal-fired viaduct scaler of impossible speed and panache. Essential for fans of jazz-disco, rare grooves, and, on the off chance, Yugoslavian music history.
Review: With 2019's Grandeza, Sao Paulo's Sessa made a modest impact thanks to his captivating, intimate sound. Calling to mind the likes of Leonard Cohen, Caetano Veloso and Tom Jobim, his songs speak of the deep roots of South American folk, but also dance with a light touch which is unique to this bright new talent. Now Sessa is back with a new album on Mexican Summer entitled Estrela Acesa, and his sound has gently grown outwards to take in ornate orchestral accompaniments. Crucially though, his tender approach remains as endearing as ever, resulting in another album of dreamy reveries for sweet moments of calm.
Review: Seattle label Light In The Attic Records is proud to present a reissue of material from Nancy Sinatra's most prolific period between 1965-1976, with 23 tracks including her revered collaborations with Lee Hazlewood. Sinatra's performance of 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'' became her signature tune. The pair began a three year run of successful recordings, with 'Sugar Town,' 'Some Velvet Morning,', 'Summer Wine' as well as the James Bond theme 'You Only Live Twice' being just a few. She also worked with songwriter Mac Davis, producer Lenny Waronker and arranger/producer Billy Strange on the album.
Review: Having made their names respectively as a modern-day psych-pop connoisseur somewhere between Prince and Syd Barrett (Connan Mockasin) and the man behind one of the most underrated debuts of the last decade (LA Priest, AKA Late Of The Pier's Sam Dust), these two charismatic square-pegs have joined forces, and the result is as strange and beguiling as one might hope for. Mixing luminous pop hooks with experimental flourishes, and sexed-up atmospherics with cockeyed '80s sonics, 'Soft Hair' is a skewed and seductive mission statement from an odd couple hopefully built to last.
Review: Stray Voltage is not for the faint of ear. This is triple-A rated Sun Ra at their best, namely audacious, aggressive and adventurous. Forget melodies or sing-along hooks-this collection dives deep into Sun Ra's unissued electronic explorations from the 70s and 80s when, using synths and keyboards as his tools, the one and only 'Ra didn't just play, he assaulted, provoked, and moulded raw sound into wild and unimaginable sonic landscapes. These are not songs in the traditional sense, but abstract journeys full of texture and tension that make for a thrilling glimpse into Ra's boundary-pushing experiments where structure gives way to sensation and the sheer power of cosmic expression.
Review: For the first time, David Sylvian's 29-track career retrospective, Everything & Nothing, comes to vinyl format. Spanning the incipience of Sylvian's craft with key cuts from his Japan and Rain Tree Crow days, through to his solo years with Virgin Records, this is a right summative beauty. We're surprised by its oversight on the part of record companies until now, with the album having initially only made it to a short CD and Minidisc run. Sylvian's sonic and lyrical Romanticism shines as brightly as ever here, with the pith at the wilful core of the record cogent in the pre-chorus line of 'The Scent Of Magnolia': "none of the history books describe what I've seen." Here we're also met with new remixes of 'Ghosts' and 'Bamboo Houses', as well as new session versions of tracks from the standout albums Secrets Of The Beehive and Dead Bees On A Cake.
Review: After a two-decade interlude, Jim O'Rourke's Moikai returns with Spectral Evolution, a major new work by Rafael Toral. Making his name in the mid-1990s with influential guitar drone platters like Sound Mind Sound Body and Wave Field (both reissued by Drag City in recent years), Toral has never been one to rest on his laurels repeating past glories. In the early years of the 21st century, Toral began his "Space Program", a 13 year investigation of the performance possibilities of an ever-expanding set of custom electronic instruments, played with a fluid phrasing and rhythmic flexibility inspired by jazz. Dedicated to honing his skills on these idiosyncratic instruments, Toral founded his Space Quartet, where his mini-amplifier feedback integrates seamlessly into the frontline of a classic post-free jazz quartet rounded out with saxophone, double bass, and drums. Since 2017, Toral's work has been entering a new phase, often still centred around the arsenal of self-built instruments developed in the Space Program, but with a renewed interest in the long tones and almost static textures of his earlier work; he has also, after more than a decade, returned to the electric guitar. Spectral Evolution is undoubtedly Toral's most sophisticated work to date, bringing together seemingly incompatible threads from his entire career into a powerful new synthesis, both wildly experimental and emotionally affecting.
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