Batov Vinyl & CDs

Review: Tension sees Ethio-jazz innovator Mulatu Astatke join forces with Tel Aviv's Hoodna Orchestra, creating a vibrant fusion of Astatke's signature sound with the orchestra's Afro funk dynamism. This collaboration is a masterclass in blending classic Ethio-jazz with contemporary influences. The album kicks off with 'Tension,' a track that infuses Astatke's enchanting vibraphone with a powerful rhythm section, driven by Matan Assayag's energetic drumming and a compelling brass motif. 'Major' later introduces a joyous, swinging groove, showcasing the orchestra's chemistry and Drabkin's stellar organ solo. Tracks like 'Hatula' and 'Yashan' capture a blend of intricate melodies and traditional Ethio-jazz flavours, while 'Delilah' reverently nods to Mulatu's early Latin-jazz roots. The album concludes with 'Dung Gate', a slow, mesmerising piece featuring Birenbaum's layered percussion and the brass section's evocative presence. Tension stands out as both a tribute to Astatke's legacy and a groundbreaking exploration in Ethio-jazz, marking a high point in the Hoodna Orchestra's evolving sound.

Review: Mulatu Astatke's collaboration with Tel Aviv's Hoodna Orchestra marks a vibrant reimagining of Ethio-jazz. The album, produced by Dap-King Neal Sugarman, showcases a blend of Astatke's iconic vibraphone with the Hoodna Orchestra's Afro-funk prowess. Opening with 'Tension', the track propels Astatke's signature sound into intense new rhythmic realms, featuring dynamic contributions from drummer Matan Assayag and a powerful brass section. 'Major' follows with a joyful swing, while 'Hatula' and 'Yashan' present diverse moods, from sultry to brooding, with impressive solos by organist Eitan Drabkin and baritone saxophonist Elad Gellert. 'Delilah' echoes Mulatu's Latin-jazz roots, with standout flute and guitar solos, leading into the album's closing track, 'Dung Gate'. This piece features a majestic brass and percussion finale, evoking the spirit of Sun Ra. Tension is both a tribute to Astatke's legacy and a bold new chapter in his Ethio-jazz journey, highlighting the Hoodna Orchestra's most compelling work to date.

Review: Childhood friends and multi-instrumentalists Axel Concato and Barth Corbelet are the pair behind new duo Bolbec which debuts here with Victime De L'aube on Batov Records. Merging diverse musical influences-from spiritual jazz and folk to classical and electronic-they create an imaginary soundtrack akin to the works of Piero Piccioni and Michel Legrand. The album features the duo playing over a dozen instruments and all supported by the Nostalgia 77 rhythm section. The title, meaning "Victim of the Dawn," reflects the emotional journey from night to morning and the opening track 'Rue Nue' somas captures you. It hints at the album's mysterious tones, while 'Vengeance Tropicale' blends spirited jazz with joropo influences, 'Feuille D'orage' showcases bossa jazz, and "A L'instar Du Flair" offers a modal jazz journey reminiscent of Yusef Lateef.

Review: A fresh Brazilian voice has emerged in London's vibrant music scene under the name MOMO. His seventh album, Gira, out on Batov Records, marks a notable departure as he blends classic Brazilian influences with a contemporary twist. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of 1970s tropicalia, Os Mutantes, and Milton Nascimento, MOMO. presents an album that incorporates a modern edge to timeless sounds. Recorded at East London's Total Refreshment Center with an ensemble of local jazz talent and Brazilian collaborators, Gira features contributions from notable musicians like Alabaster DePlume on tenor sax, Jessica Lauren on keys, Tamar Osborn on baritone sax, and Nick 'Emanative' Woodmansey on drums. This project represents MOMO.'s first London-recorded album and is a shift in focus from guitar and voice to a groove-driven approach. From its start with a rhythm-centric feel, Gira exemplifies spontaneous improvisation and dynamic songwriting. MOMO.'s journey from his acclaimed 2006 debut, A Estetica do Rabisco, to this latest release highlights his evolution. With praise from notable figures such as Patti Smith and David Byrne, and a tribute to Caetano Veloso, Gira is a testament to MOMO.'s growing influence in the global music scene.

Review: Israeli funk quartet Sababa 5 and Japanese singer-cum-bellydancer Yurika Hanashima join forces again on 'Kokoro', a combination of two song suites: four brand new concoctions and four beloved older tracks. Sababa 5's unique combination of Middle Eastern funk and Mediterranean rhythm makes a surprisingly sensational combination with Japanese Jazz-fusion sensibilities. Opening track 'Empty Hands' is a string-led proposition by Yurika: When your hands are empty, you hold everything you need. The guitars are expressive without overpowering Yurika's gentle vocals - it's the perfect track for a sunny drive home. The real selling point here is the clutch of tracks from Sababa and Yurika's storied past, namely 'Tokyo Midnights, a jangly, groove-filled song describing a smoke-filled, drink-fueled night through the capital. This version is pressed on classic black vinyl, but has been in high demand on the artist's own store - so act fast.

Review: A collection of four old tracks and four brand new ones, 'Kokoro' is a cultural melting pot that sees Japanese belly dancer and singer Yurika Hanashima gently trilling over the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Afrobeat grooves of Israeli quartet Sababa 5. The fusion of East and West combines seamlessly, most notably on the title track 'Kokoro', filled with lyrical nods to the sky and the musical journey the two artists are embarking on together. The real highlight of this highly demanded release is the latter half, a collection of four tracks from Sababa 5 and Yurika's past - the standout being 'Nasnusa' from 'Tokyo Midnights', a popular track that has had recordings in Hebrew to fit demand. The strings feel perfectly calculated at every point, not even a slight misstep, whilst Yurika flawlessly serenades us, recounting memories of silhouettes against a sunset and sparkling tears gleaming by the coastline. This version is pressed on a sky blue transparent vinyl, reflecting the cerulean abstract window on the cover art.

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: Satellites' self-titled debut album, released on Batov Records, is a dynamic addition to the Anatolian Rock scene. This Haifa-based band, led by Itamar Kluger, deftly balances tradition and innovation. With their mastery of the saz and baglama, they infuse vibrant electric beats with swooning melodies, prog rock intricacies, and disco flair. The album's highlight, 'Seni Sen Oldugun Icin Sevdim,' is a tradeark example at Satellites' adventurous spirit, blending full-throttle jazz rock with psychedelic interludes. Their reinterpretation of the traditional 'Yagmur Yagar Tas Ustune' merges dark folk with alt-rock, featuring Yuli Shafriri's ethereal vocals. Satellites' enthusiastic approach breathes new life into classics like Zafer Dilek's 'Yekte' and Kamuran Akkor's 'Olurmu Desin.' The former revels in distortion with robust synths, while the latter's skanking guitar and harmonies add urgency to the ballad. Instrumentals like 'Big Baglama' set the tone with twanging saz and disco rhythms, while tracks like 'Yar Oi' and 'Disco Arabesque' offer buoyant, danceable beats. The closing song, 'Cecom,' is a gentle, soothing coda that hints at future explorations. With their inventive blend of genres, Satellites promise an intriguing musical journey ahead.

Review: Tel Aviv funk six piece Satellites are back in orbit, boldly moving the psychedelic folk-meets-groove sound they established on their eponymous debut forward on Lp number two. Drawing from the Turkish psychedelic wave of the 60s and 70s, their first record earned international acclaim, with support from BBC Radio 6 Music and FIP, as well as live sets on Gilles Peterson's Worldwide FM and KEXP. After two years of touring, the band entered the studio with a renewed sense of purpose and a tighter musical bond. The album opener, 'Tisladi Mehmet Emmi,' transforms a traditional Turkuler into a modern psychedelic funk masterpiece, blending saz, synths, basslines, and dramatic drumming, with Rotem's husky vocals narrating timeless themes of lament. 'Midnight Sweat' reveals a sultry side, with a late-night lullaby over a slinky disco-rock groove, while 'Hot Jazz' dives into cinematic territory, showcasing their jazz and funk chops. 'Gizli Ajan' and 'Yok Yok' surprise with genre-bending jams, while 'Ikmiz Bir Fideniz' becomes a cosmic folk-funk rendition. The album closes with a dynamic duo, from the cosmic disco-fuzz of 'Zuluf Dokulmus Yuze' to the dramatic finale of 'Zuluf B (Reprised).' Where their debut set the tone, this release marks their full transformation, confidently stepping out of the shadows of their Anatolian psych heroes to create a modern yet timeless record.