Brokenbeat / Nu Jazz Recommendations May 2011

Review: Music For Dreams present a collectors item edition of "The Sound Of Swing" by The Kenneth Bager Experience. The Aloe Blacc voiced funk number gets the remix treatment from both Onur Engin and Tucillo - with the hugely popular Turkish edit don opting to embellish the diwali-esque rhythms with some delightful orchestral flourishes. The resultant sound is something similar to a next decade update on that Red Astaire version of D'Angelo. Ibiza dwelling Tucillo takes it to the club with a unique swing meets acid house take! What's really special however is the full fat white vinyl pressing and the accompanying free slipmat with some distinctive artwork.

Review: Berlin's resident hard edged popstrel Emika returns to Ninja Tune for a third time - with "Count Backwards" echoing her previous output in confounding expectations. Adventurous in its rhythmic leanings and cloaked in a smoky and sinister backdrop, "Count Backwards" has us wondering what Emika could achieve over the length of an album. This is complemented on the A Side by a suitably beefed up take from Kryptic Minds which really pushes some thick subs into the echoed out spaces. On the flip Berghain don Marcel Dettmann delivers two takes on the original, with the opening and quite scary vocal edit dying to be utilised by the more adventurous producers out there - a sampled chunk of the track at 33rm is all the backing you need for a witch house track. Dettmann's remix is more familiar fare for the Berlin brigade, repositioning the percussive shuffle to a dubby industrial rattle filled with exquisite metallic textures.

Review: Here we are treated to the third vinyl 45 release on German label Sundae Soul from Swedish producer Peo. ''Good Love'' kicks off with 20 year old Sofie Bjelk on vocal duties for a mid tempo modern day boogie/soul release - very nice indeed. On the flipside the tempo drops for an R&B tinged, heartfelt vocal romp once again featuring Sofie.

Review: Heavenly Sweetness present this limited 7" from French producer Blundetto featuring two tracks lifted from the Bad Bad versions full length long player. Hindi Zahra guests vocals on the updated version of "Voices" with a new version by General Elektrik replacing the previous reggaefied tip with more of a more blues tinged soul centric stumble. The flipside has a Roti Remix of "Sunset Stroll" supplying a lo fi bass rumbling skanker!