Juno Recommends Brokenbeat / Nu Jazz: July 2024

Review: Colombian artist DFRA links with some of Argentina's finest musicians for a high-class mix of 90s and 00s deep house and a wide array of proper jazz stylings to this new EP on Deeppa, a well-formed young label that will soon hit release number 10. 'Sal Marina' kicks off with shuffling beats and nu-jazz chords that make you want to move, while both 'Green Line' and 'Manits' showcase some superb melodies over more percussive, busy beats that have a great sense of movement. 'Brown Sugar' then gets a little deeper with its withering cosmic lines and heartfelt vocals and the main man Atjazz works ii onto something even more potent before 'Sal Marina (Lay-Far remix)' closes down with a timeless soulful house vibe.

Review: Jazz N Palms' Soul 02 offers two tracks of infectious soul music. 'Away' on Side-1 is a smooth r&b track with a pop-friendly appeal and a soulful touch. The classy singing performance evokes vibes of northern soul and nu-soul, making it a great choice to end the night on a high note. On Side-2, 'Gro' delivers a classic 70s soulful guitar sound infused with blues elements. This instrumental track has a summery feel, perfect for the beach, and features a touch of Latin flavour that adds to its charm. Overall, Soul 02 is a well-crafted release that showcases Jazz N Palms' ability to create soulful and memorable music.

Review: It's not often that jazz guitarists and bandleaders double up as DJs and producers, but neither is Nicola Conte the kind of person one often encounters. Here the Italian multi-talent proffers a new version of his latest spiritual jazz-house opus, Umoja. This record first came to be as a full-length 4x4 dance LP of serene, danceable tropicalias and sports-whistly whorls. They now come reincarnated, karmically re-endowed with the thermal force of an eagle, by way of an album's worth of reworks by the veteran producer's vim of fellow spiritual house height-scaler and abseiler, Joaquin Claussell. Whether invoking the exquisite voices of Stefania Dipierro or channelling the patent inspirations of Lonnie Liston Smith of Gary Bartz, Conte Conte-nues to propose endless Conte-nuations of his sound; all it takes is a little help from one's friends to evoke a sacred dance, a sonic world-spirit.

Review: Jazzfloor Edits by Lego Edit and Scruscru is a classy 45 that packs a lounge jazz punch with creative editing and layering. Side-1 features 'Jazzy Touch' (Lego re-edit), a smooth jazz track transformed into a four-on-the-floor jam. The strong piano movement and perfect jazz drumming create an authentic jazz club atmosphere. Side-2, 'Slow Dat Tempo' by Scruscru featuring S Timoshenko, adds a touch of funk with a great guitar riff and expressive bass work. The flute elevates the track to another level, blending seamlessly with the jazz elements. This 7" should excite fans of jazz and funk, offering a sophisticated and groovy time.

Review: The Remedy marks I G Culture's latest album and it is a profound exploration linking the intricate world of fungi to London's underground dance music scene - a fine concept, we hear you say. This album is a culmination of Culture's musical evolution and it draws parallels between the hidden networks of fungi and the diverse subcultures thriving beneath London's surface. With tracks like 'Vanguard' and 'Medulla Oblongata' featuring collaborations with artists like Rara Zulu and Allysha Joy, The Remedy taps into themes of communal healing and musical diversity. Through signature innovative production and thematic depth, I G Culture celebrates the transformative power of dance music while also promoting unity and well-being within society.

Review: Plenty of class defines these cuts on Colin Curtis Presents. GEEW is the original artist behind tw of them: 'Bruk Free' is the first and arrives as a vibrant fusion of fleshy synth bass and broken beats with bright chords and florid sax notes. The other is 'Necesitas Esto' (instrumental) which is another sun-worshipping bit of freeform synth jazz-funk. The SLW Geemix is a little more club-ready with some classic Nina Simone vocals re-sung in soulful fashion. Last of all is 'Pachanga' (Be On Di Geemix) which has a cosmic feel in the inquisitive, pixel-thin synth leads.

Review: NYC singer-songwriter Kelli Sae has completed her fourth full-length studio album and it is due to come out sometime in the early part of next year. Before that, however, she teases it with this first new single from it. 'Good Feeling' is brilliantly light and airy jazz and broken beat fusion with sublime vocals and florid trumpets, samba summariness and masterful keys playing. An instrumental is also included and after hearing either of these you will be locked in and waiting for that full length to drop.

Review: Hiatus Kaiyote are amazing - plain and simple. The Melbourne-based group have risen to well-deserved stardom with their expertly crafted, multi-layered slow jams backing the sensational vocal stylings of lead singer Nai Palm. Since their 2013 debut 'Tawk Tomahawk', the group has been sampled by The Carters, Drake and Anderson .Paak, undoubtedly for their smooth genre-bending and soulful sound reminiscent of Erykah Badu - who has since become a big fan. The two singles, 'Make Friends' and 'Everything's Beautiful' are rich in depth and have some of Palm's best vocal performances to date - they belt out some crazy riffs on the latter track, a cut oozing in groove. Pressed on indie exclusive marbled disc, so support independent vinyl companies and get a beautiful pressing in return.

Review: A bold exploration of genre-blurring sounds with the eclectic influences and innovative approach of the London-based quartet. Comprised of c-se, Linus Barry, Nico Rocco, and Teigan Hastings, oreglo infuse their music with heavy rock riffs, drill-inspired percussion, breezy reggae vibes and more, creating a melting pot of diverse sounds that reflects their upbringing in London. The latest track from the EP, 'Peck,' is a sprawling seven-minute odyssey that captures the feeling of being pecked on the cheek by a crush, juxtaposing cool exterior with exploding inner emotions. Throughout the EP they explore themes of alienation, identity, and love, reflecting on their journey from adolescence to adulthood in the vibrant city of London. Featuring previously released singles like 'Levels' and "]'J.A.C.K.,' as well as four new tracks including 'Comet' featuring Bel Cobain, 'Not Real People' is a sonic tapestry that highlights oreglo's growth and diverse musical interests. Despite being together for just over a year, oreglo has already made waves in the music scene, winning the 2023 Lambeth Sounds Emerging Artists x Cross The Tracks competition and performing at prestigious events like the Steam Down-curated World Island event. With their debut EP, oreglo solidifies their status as one of London's most exciting emerging acts, offering a fresh and dynamic sound that defies categorization.

Review: Brownswood Recordings proudly present the first ever reissue of Toshio Matsuura's 2018 cult classic Loveplaydance, issued for the first time as a complete album on limited edition red and white double vinyl. The project focuses on covers, presenting classics & influential tracks in a contemporary context. For example, among the most immediately prominent is Toshio Matsuura Group's version of 'Black Gold Of The Sun' by Rotary Connection, though the new version lays down a patent Afro-Cuban tinge, enlisting the aid of singer Dayme Arocena and her prodigious Havana-based players. Such ingenious rerubs all came down to the bold movements of legendary DJ and producer Toshio Matsuura, whose selections and comings-together still cast a novel light on these early 90s jazz proceedings.

Review: Citrus Sun - the eight-piece soul-jazz outfit helmed up by guitarist, bandleader and all-round personality Jean-Paul Maunick aka. Bluey - deliver their fourth album for Dome, the delightfully named Anaconga: a thoroughgoing homage to jazz and soul greats from back in the day. Made up of both covers and originals, the album opens with the gorgeous Maynard Ferguson tune 'Mister Mellow', with backing vocals from Tony Momrelle and Deborah Bond. Bluey and Richard Bull share production duties throughout; there's also 'Down For The Third Time', a deliciously funky remake of a classic Bobby Caldwell groove from 1978, with Natalie Duncan on vocals and Dominic Glover and Charlie Allen tearing it up on trumpet and guitar respectively; and 'Mystic Brew', originally written and recorded by keyboard legend Ronnie Foster, the inclsuion of which is a "thank you for his massive contribution to the music we love and are inspired by".

Review: Arjuna Oakes' Abbreviations on 7" vinyl is a delightful journey through jazz and soul. Side-1 features 'The Love That I Feel,' a soulful track brimming with emotional depth and vibrant energy. Oakes' expressive vocals and the band's tight performance, especially with the legendary Nathan Haines, create an uplifting and captivating experience. On Side-2, 'Mallet Groove' offers a contrasting, yet equally engaging, experience. This downtempo track is soothing and gentle, with beautifully played keys that set a relaxing mood. The groove is soft and inviting, drawing listeners into its calming embrace. The emotional drive within the music is palpable, making it a deeply compelling piece that encourages introspection. Overall, Abbreviations shows Arjuna Oakes' ability to blend soulful performances with smooth, relaxing grooves, making it a standout release in contemporary jazz and soul.

Review: The Cromagnon Band introduces 'Bad Night' as the lead single from their upcoming album Mode, which marks their second LP and debut on BBE Music. The album blends cinematic, psychedelic dark funk with Nordic psych-jazz, classical, boom-bap hip-hop breaks, and riff-heavy rock. Accompanied by the exclusive track 'Quadrant,' not featured on the album, the vinyl 45 release adds a unique gem to collectors' shelves. Both tracks provide a glimpse into the band's forthcoming album, showcasing their eclectic musical influences and distinctive recording style-capturing live jam sessions that evolve from sampled breaks, riffs, and melodies into intricate instrumental compositions.

Review: Learning To Let Go offers a profound meditation on release, acceptance, grounding, and surrender, moving forward along life's current. Like previous albums, it is both inward and outward-facing, catering to individuals and groups alike. 'Becoming Present' is peaceful, with percussion and devotion encouraging listeners to embrace the present moment. 'Reactive State' contrasts sharply, featuring hard-hitting percussion and decimated drums, complemented by a serenading flute. The mood shifts with 'Attachments,' a tale of two halves that twists between hypnotic and swirling. This track requires time and patience, as listeners witness an enthralling interaction between drums and keys, eventually drifting into the soul-inflected 'Grounding.' The time you invest in this album is well worth it. 'Letting Be' unfolds naturally, with majestic string and harp arrangements complemented by rhythmic percussion, each musician finding equanimity and peace within the composition. 'Letting Go' speaks for itself, embodying the album's theme. The album concludes with 'Forward, Only,' showcasing a group of musicians comfortable in their stride and confident in their thinking, ready to move with whatever happens. Learning To Let Go is a beautifully crafted journey, emphasising the importance of release and acceptance.

Review: Slip into something more comfortable with the smooth and breezy sound of Kenichiro Nishihara, a veteran artist within Japan's ever-buoyant nu-jazz scene. 'My Leaving' is a bouncy number driven by the toe-tapping piano refrain, all providing the perfect bed for Mabanua to sing his sultry vocal turn over. On the B-side of this short and sweet 7" we're treated to an ESNO remix of the track which swaps swing for a straight-up disco strut laden with some rich, buzzing analogue synth action - perfect warm-up gear with a whiff of Balearic charm.

Review: Reggie Dokes, the legendary deep house and techno DJ/producer from Atlanta, Georgia, has finally released his highly expected Vault Volume 1. Originally released in 2005 as a CDR-only, this extended pressing allows fans to experience the magic of Dokes' music on a whole new level. With its captivating blend of jazz, techno, and house, the album takes listeners on a sonic journey through Dokes' unique musical landscape. 'My Peeps On 6' sets the tone with its smooth, deep house vibes, while 'Make Believe' transports listeners to a spacey, funk-infused post-apocalyptic realm. The beautiful 'Love Reigns' provides a moment of respite with its gentle bell chimes and bedtime melody, before 'D-Funk' drops a heavy bass kick and dystopian atmosphere. The album closes with the aptly named 'Freakazoid,' an explosive track that leaves listeners begging for more. Dokes' expertise in crafting atmospheric and emotive soundscapes is clear throughout the album. His ability to fuse elements of jazz, techno, and house creates a unique and immersive experience that will appeal to fans of all genres.

Review: Jerome Thomas teams up with producer Pitch 92 to deliver Submerge, a profoundly human journey through ethereal jazz, r&b and 70s soul. The album explores themes such as desire, identity, safety, and tender love, merging classic musical arrangements with modern, seductive lower-frequency production. Hailing from Hackney, in East London, Thomas is a powerhouse of talent and dedication, recognised for his soaring, seductive vocals and rich harmonies. His music tells deeply melodic stories of love, sorrow, joy, and frustration, while Submerge features contributions from loyal producers like Talos, FloFilz, Warren Xcellence, Mathsxjoy, Jarreau Vandal, Blue Lab Beats, Joe Armon Jones, Maxwell Owin and Bluestaeb. Thomas's remarkable vocal ability and soulful delivery have established him as a unique force in the music scene amf Submerge displays his talent and dedication, solidifying his place at the forefront of contemporary soul and jazz flavours.

Review: Jimi Tenor's collaboration with Cold Diamond and Mink on Is There Love In Outer Space made for a superb album that plays out like a transcendental trip. Now come two of the best tunes from it on this special limited edition yellow 7". The title track captivates with its galactic balladry, while 'Orbiting Telesto' is a super sweet cosmic voyage with celestial keys and warming vocal coos that add extra soul. This is music that takes you off the blue planet and up amongst interstellar bodies for a smooth and seductive excursion.

Review: SML is the quintet of bassist Anna Butterss, synthesist Jeremiah Chiu, saxophonist Josh Johnson, percussionist Booker Stardrum, and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann. Together they present their debut album Small Medium Large, a collection of long-form improvisations recorded during two separate two-night stands at the beloved Los Angeles venue ETA. Forming the perfect locale in which to boost their initial rise, ETA is perhaps no longer a fitting name - with SML, we're no longer pondering this band's estimated time of arrival. Small Medium Large is a sublime assemblage of circulatory grooves and textural anomalies, at different moments recalling the synth-laced improvisations of Herbie Hancock's Sextant, the jagged dance punk of Essential Logic, the rhythmic revelry of Fela Kuti, the low-end elasticity of Parliament/Funkadelic, or the glitchy dub techno of Pole.

Review: Melbourne-based band Hiatus Kaiyote share their latest album Love Heart Cheat Code via Brainfeeder. Hot on the heels of run-up singles 'Make Friends', the album continues Kaiyote's virtuosic phatjazz meanderings, and thematically revolves around ideas of true friendship and breezy love relationships, with the aforementioned lead single following lead singer Nai Palm hearing the following statement: "you don't make friends, you recognise them". Turning the feeling of love into a resounding simile - the giddy feeling of entering a cheat code into the game of life - the album goes on to deploy its clear-eyed soul and jazz for a fierce statement into such hot topics as gender neutrality and commodification.

Review: Isaiah Collier, a Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and composer, channels ancestral spirits on the transcendent Parallel Universe. Known for pushing jazz boundaries, Collier's saxophone mastery and compositional depth redefine the genre here as Parallel Universe marks a pivotal moment in his career as he embraces the live recording's risk and vulnerability. Reflecting on the improvisational essence of classic jazz, Collier honours musical predecessors in style here. The album features gospel soul singer Jimetta Rose, AACM's Corey Wilkes, blues-rooted guitarist Michael Damani, and collaborators Julian Davis Reid, James Russell Sims, and Micah Collier. Across eight tracks, a great understanding between them all really shines through.

Review: Originally released on December 21, 2012, Kenichiro Nishihara's third full-length album Illuminus finally arrives on vinyl. Fans have been waiting more than a decade for this magical fusion album to be pressed up to wax and if you don't know why you will understand as soon as you tune it. It's a brilliant mix of the urbanity of jazz and the streetwise nature of hip-hop. Along with some brilliant electors, those foundational sounds combine into a still futuristic-sounding work that does alive with great guest spots from the likes of Daichi Diez, Gregg Green and Tamala & Takurah amongst many more.

Review: Hatti Vatti's new album, Zeit, brings a diverse blend of organic electronic music. Drawing on a wide range of influences, it channels the essence of festival bands like the Ullulators and evokes the mellow, cosmic vibes of Hawkwind during Harvey Bainbridge's era. This Polish experimentalist, aka Piotr Kalinski, combines electronics, guitar and production to create an album for those who enjoy their dreams in tangerine hues. Zeit marks Hatti Vatti's first LP since 2017's Szum. For this album, Kalinski collaborated with notable Polish jazz musicians, inviting them to improvise with his compositions. Rafal Dutkiewicz (drums), Pawel Stachowiak (bass), and Piotr Checki (saxophone) contribute their talents, having worked with renowned acts like EABS, Skalpel, and Slawek Jaskulke. The resulting album is an eclectic mix that transcends genre boundaries, echoing Japanese ambient, krautrock, jazz, and dubby UK bass. Zeit stands out as a distinctive, dubby electronic space rock album, adding a unique flavour to the label's impressive catalogue.

Review: The Bloto quartet recently marked their return with 'Szlam' and 'Scieki,' their first singles in over two years, released on a limited 7" vinyl via Astigmatic Records. These tracks sold out instantly, leaving fans eager for more. The band now continues their musical assault with another 7" release, featuring a remix by modern funk maestro DaM-FunK from Pasadena, California. This release serves as a prelude to their upcoming LP Grzybnia, set for an autumn 2024 release. Bloto's latest single, 'Bakteria,' draws heavily from classic acid house, offering a sinister and primitive sound that's reminiscent of the harsh resilience of bacteria. Recorded during an improvisation session at Studio Pasterka, the band has abandoned acoustic instruments in favour of synthesisers and drums, creating a raw, infectious track. DaM-FunK's remix, 'Bakteria Re-Freak,' transforms the original's dark atmosphere into a vibrant G-Funk track, filled with sunny synths and a drum machine beat. It evokes a biopharmaceutical bacterium leisurely moving through the streets of Los Angeles, blending warmth with a hint of danger. This release not only boasts Bloto's innovative spirit but also highlights DaM-FunK's ability to reimagine and elevate the original material.

Review: Since her 2019 joint LP These Days with Daniel Casimir on jazz re:freshed, Tess Hirst has been crafting her debut solo album which now finally sees the light of day. It features Richard Spaven on drums, Sarah Tandy on piano, and Tomorrow's Warriors StringTing, all under the production and arrangement of Casimir, who also plays various basses. Magic celebrates inspiring women and pays tribute to Hirst's West London roots with a lead single that embodies resilience, while 'A Seed' transforms challenges into beauty, 'Reckoning' is smoky downtempo bliss with Hirst's ethereal voice always the main attraction.

Review: Sandman Project's Royal Family EP blends West African rock psychedelia with Ethiopian jazz and is defined by its impressive improvisational vigour. Led by guitarist Tal Sandman from Tel Aviv's Jaffa, the instrumental group draws inspiration from Ethiopian jazz pioneers which is evident in tracks like 'Hamsa' with its evocative trumpet and moody Tezeta scale. Lead single 'Circles' exudes punk-like rawness with its gritty bass and driving rhythm. 'Savannah Trip' conjures Sun Ra in the Malian desert, offering atmospheric guitar explorations. Throughout all the cuts, Sandman Project's cinematic style invites listeners into a realm of playful melodies and mountainous textures.

Review: Dizraeli's fallback bio is "multi-instrumentalist MC, singer, producer from Bristol, UK, distributing explosions that journalists find hard to describe." Well, we'll happily rise to the challenge, if not because it is our job. The Bristol-born artist has found a slow but sure footing in recent years on the UK jazz circuit, and now proffers his latest record Joy Machine to the collective ear. ecorded almost entirely in a single day at the legendary Total Refreshment Centre in London, the album brings together faces both new and old in London's new jazz pizzazz, from Alabaster DePlume to Jonathon Enser (Nubiyan Twist), from Ben Brown (Alfa Mist, Mulatu Astatke) to Daisy George and Joe Downard; the list goes on. A steamy and varied record following the tradition of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, Dizraeli's now patented new album/invention - bound, of course, to deliver on its promiseL: the soliciting of joy - does just that, albeit in a curveball manner. Rather than putting on a pure rictus smile, Dizraeli opts for a sultry sepia sound, one that hardly fails to find joy in the many mournful corners of life (he grieves his dog on 'Greek Summer', and pens a timeless letter to a long-lost friend on 'Abigail').

Review: Australian collective Hiatus Kaiyote's trademark sound has long been rotted in jazz-funk, but as fourth album Love Heart Cheat Code proves, there's always been much more to it than that. Produced by Brazilian maestro Mario Caldato Jr - best known for his work with the Beastie Boys, Seu Jorge and Jack Johnson - the album delivers a forward-thinking and undeniably attractive take on future soul variously informed by jazz-funk, broken beat, modern r&b, neo-soul and sun-soaked downtempo grooves. The results are uniformly impressive, with our picks of a very strong bunch including the sparkling and up-lifting 'Everything's Beautiful', the spaced-out Fugees flex of 'Love Heart Cheat Code' and the squally guitars and blue-eyed soul insanity of 'Cinnamon Temple'.