BBE Vinyl & CDs

Review: Rio de Janeiro's Grupo Ebano is an all-female gospel vocal collective that dropped their self-titled debut album back in 1997. It only came on CD and in limited runs but is one that has grown and grown in terms of allure for collectors so now BBE have pressed it up to wax. It blends the best of boss nova and MPB across a suite of all-original songs written by band leader Gil Miranda. They are all hugely melodic and stylish with hints of 60s and 70s Brazilian classics that deliver positive, uplifting and soulful messages in the lyrics. It's a sure-fire winner with both tastemakers and dancers alike.

Review: Masterful curator Paul Hillery returns with another essential instalment in this wonderful BBE series. Volume 3 continues his tradition of unearthing rare, high-quality tracks so it is a perfect companion to his Children of the Sun trilogy. This one spans funky folk, jazzy AOR, lo-fi dub and DIY folktronica and includes numerous gems like Sheila Chandra's ethereal vocals and Tim Green's euphoric grooves, a playful vibe from Gil De Ray on 'Something About Nothing' and plenty more besides. With extensive sleeve notes, this is a deep sonic journey that also cements the man behind it as an expert archivist.

Review: Jessica Lauren is a cornerstone of the UK jazz scene who has spent decades enhancing recordings and performances for legends like Jean Carne, Dexter Wansel and The Heliocentrics. As a core member of Emanative, her talents are well-known and her latest release, Film, affirms her status as a forward-thinking artist. Originally recorded in 1997 and released on CD in 1999, Film has been remastered and is now reissued on gatefold vinyl. The album's fusion of modal jazz, electronica, library music and field recordings feels remarkably current and blends acoustic and electric pianos, harpsichord and synths in a beguiling fashion. As such, Film cements Jessica's place as an innovative musical visionary.

Review: Following their acclaimed debut album Sugar Honey Iced Tea!, NYC duo Musclecars aka Craig Handfield and Brandon Weems are back with a double pack of alternate versions and remixes featuring house legends Louie Vega and Maurice Fulton. Vega reworks 'Tonight' with orchestral flair and festival-ready dub versions including the NV South Jersey Mix and his Bronx Dub. Maurice Fulton's remix of 'Hello?' blends his signature live bass and punchy percussion to add a whimsical touch to the introspective original. The pack also includes stripped-down versions of 'Ha Ya! (Eternal Life)' and 'Water' plus a full side of Musclecars' 'I Don't Remember The Last Time I Saw Stars.'

Review: If Music presents: You Need This! An Introduction to the Handson Family from the legends at BBE is a must-have double album that highlights the rich heritage of Black music, not that we really needed reminding of course. Compiled by London DJ duo the Handson Family, this collection features tracks from plenty of key artists such as Emanative, Ty, Cecilia Stalin, and Xantone Blacq and across all 14 songs, the diverse sounds and styles of recent Black music are laid bare and offer an educational experience in Black music genres while also capturing the essence of the duo's influential DJ sets and radio shows.

Review:  Waaju & Majid Bekkas's Alouane exemplifies the power of collaboration during challenging times. As bringing overseas artists to the UK grows increasingly difficult, this record bridges cultural and generational gaps while capturing the vibrant energy of live collaboration post-Covid-19. Conceived by Waaju bandleader Ben Brown, the album features his expansive arrangements of traditional Gnawa songs and blends Bekkas' musical prowess with Waaju's signature grooves and trippy delays. Bekkas, a key figure in Moroccan Gnawa music, had never collaborated with a UK band until this project. Alouane, meaning "colours" in Arabic, reflects the seven integral colours of Gnawa music, each invoking different spirits.

Review: Compared by some to the likes of Crosby, Stills and Nash or Richie Havens, brothers Will and James Ragar present rich, calming and subtly seductive folk-soul that could almost belong in a bygone era. If it didn't sound so utterly timeless - a great example of why unplugged sounds seem to have such a long half-life. As a record, this is a great accompaniment to Will & James Ragar's startling, stop-you-dead-with-serenity debut album, One, which first landed in 1980. But The Acoustic Album takes that tried and true blueprint and then delves deeper into the soothing-yet-aching, sublimely heartbreaking and life affirming formula. 16 tracks written between the late-1970s and early-1990s, recorded in 2016 in one seamless session, each sounds as beautiful, poignant and essential as the next.