Review: The Modfather Paul Weller has gone back to his Northern Soul roots for "Are You Trying To Be Lonely?", recorded with artist Andy Lewis and released on the Acid Jazz label. Lewis, considered an arbiter of the nu-soul sound popularised by contemporaries such as Amy Winehouse and Candie Payne, made his name in the nineties as the original DJ at the legendary Blow Up club in Wardour Street.
Review: 4hero's Mark Mac and Dego have been making maverick music since the early nineties. Sometimes in too many other guises to understand their totality. It is the 4hero guise though that is considered the pinnacle of all their glorious achievements within the underground scene. The 4hero sound is deep and textured and is always exploratory and full of discoveries for the listener. The very best of nu jazz and soul, the very best of bringing and harmonising new and old elements from their upbringing and learning. Minnie's 'Les Fleur' is unbelievably convincing in 4hero form, and you can feel Ms Riperton's glow as she knows she has touched some souls. Mark Murphy and Terry Callier come through with deep and meaningful compositions as ever, as do the new school with Jill Scott and Ursula Rucker. Creating Patterns does hit the heights of the brilliant and monumental Two Pages album, and is a success story even if the label Talkin Loud decided to drop the act. Creating Patterns should be an everyday experience. Essential and brilliant.
Review: The ever awesome Honest Jon's decision to reissue its back catalogue in digital format gives you a chance to delve back into the amazing album of Chaabi music from the Abdel Hadi Halo & The El Gusto Orchestra of Algiers. The Damon Albarn fronted excursion by Team Honest Jons into Algiers in 2007 has been compared to a film of certain famous Cuban musicians several times over, but the focus should certainly be on the music. Comprised of six lengthy tracks of gripping rhythmic music that sways effortlessly between classical and popular styles, the 19 minutes that make up "Mal Djifni" prove a real highlight, sounding like it could go on forever. This has to be heard to be believed.
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