Review: Tigerbalm - Bubblegum Discos (Ubiquity Records)

Ubiquity Records' gets all fruity with Tigerbalm's second solo album at the 'Bubblegum Discos'!

You'll recall Tigerbalm's 'Nayar' (with Giorgio Lopez) from last year (see review HERE) but we are now four years on from the release of her acclaimed, outward-looking debut solo album, 'International Love Affair' so it's about time we had studio album number two, the thrillingly impressive and kaleidoscopic 'Bubblegum Discos'.

Prepare yourself for "Tigerbalm’s interpretations of two of her most cherished musical inspirations – Brazilian musical culture, and vintage dancefloor workouts from the African continent – infused with nods to Italo-disco, proto-house, soca and the fusion work of Jasper Van’t Hof" - he of 'Pili Pili - Selected Works 1984-2002 (See review HERE).

And whilst we're very much in that nu-disco fusion, the album can be split into South America and African continental groove. 

And 'Diga Me'! If 'Diga Me', featuring regular vocalist Joy Tyson / co-produced by Michele Charivarini, doesn't get the dancefloor moving in a disco rush for the dancefloor, there's no hope - it's a carnival dream with Flora Purim-esque cat suite and whistles.

And talking Airto/Purim et al - get Cuíca's out for the "samba-disco colour of ‘Vera En Paraty’, a brilliantly breezy and life-affirming affair fronted by vocalist Melodie Correira" whilst Tigerbalm (aka Rose Robinson) takes to the vocals on the proper Italo-synth'd up Bubblegum of 'Coco Makako' which is a bit of an ear worm grower.

'Pura Vida' picks up on the  Pura Vida sound of GUTS (see HERE) and who could resist Afriquoi performer Andre Espeut vocals in Lingala (the creole-like language of the Democratic Republic of Congo) and returning for percussion-rich album closer ‘Conga’, a thrillingly heavyweight fusion of Afro-centric disco rhythms, weighty dub disco bass and far-sighted flashes of synthesised colour.

'Do Da Soca' and 'Afro-Diso' complete this album and whilst it's miles away from some of the early releases on Ubiquity (and indeed The Flying Mojito Bros. - see review HERE) what they all have an upbeat and dancefloor craving attitude; and we can all do with some of that to chew on!

BUY LINK /PRE-ORDER: Bubblegum Discos | Tigerbalm

 

Artist: Tigerbalm

Title: Bubblegum Discos 
Release date: 19th June, 2026
Label : Ubiquity Records
Catalog Number : TBC
Format :  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Christian Prommer - Tryin’ Times feat. Justine Hoerwarth (Compost Records)

Christian Prommer recently posted, "a true from day‑one supporter of my music since the Fauna Flash, Trüby Trio and Drumlesson days. Handed him the very first vinyl test pressing of my upcoming double album 'Rhythmic Nocturne' (worldwide release: July 10th) - so was he talking about YATM?

The short answer was no as he was giving M.Gilles Peterson a copy of said new album in Berlin (at the time of the Berlin Jazz Festival) but he could have been: particularly by the time of Drumlesson (saw him at Big Chill for a live set with with cover versions of Techno classics) and even the Christian Prommer remix of 'Winter Wonderland' by Shirley Horn - see review HERE).

In fact, there's a bit of a connection with that 'The First Ladies' (of Jazz) collection (Ella, Zena, Billie, Sarah et al) as the single, 'Tryin' Times' has taken a decade to re-imagin Roberta Flack's 1969 classic protest song and WOW! it's been worth it as 1. it's a powerful reminder of what the music industry is capable of 2.  It's brilliant as Ms. Hoerwarth is the perfect voice for this track in its new guise "a modern jazz-rave invocation [with]. Prommer loops, fragments and deconstructs elements of the original recording, amplifying its message as a deep, dark yet urgent call for unity in a fractured world".

The album is going to be a must for fans of all Prommer's previous projects and "St. Germain, Floating Points and refined grooves at all speeds" in-between: put it on repeat.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://christian-prommer.bandcamp.com/album/rhythmique-nocturne-2

Artist: Christian Prommer 

Title: Tryin’ Times feat. Justine Hoerwarth 

Release date: 19th June, 2026

Label: Compost Records,

Catalog Number : CPT 670-6

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Candomblé: Sacred Rhythms in Brazil (FLEE)

In all honesty, I don't know what to make of this except that it's hypnotic and exceptional - transidental rhythms and song from Brazil: perfect for the World Cup.

Regular readers will know if i've got half a chance I'll refer to the FEEE compilation, 'Athos: Echoes from the Holy Mountain' (as "the Greek equilavent to Tai Chi Mountain in China" (see review HERE).

A massive 20 tracks as a double LP that extremes at trance and dub, the compilation sets exclusive field recordings made in 1985 and 1988 at Ilê Axé Opô Aganjú, a terreiro near Salvador, alongside newly commissioned pieces from contemporary artists including DJ Anderson do Paraíso, XEXA and Felinto, who revisit and reinterpret those sonic legacies. 

The accompanying bilingual (English–Portuguese) book documents' the Afro-Brazilian religion that enslaved West Africans rebuilt on Brazilian soil five centuries ago, tracing both its history and its ongoing transformations.  With essays, artistic commissions and rare archival photographs by the late Pierre Verger, it tells the story of Candomblé through the voices of initiated practitioners and ceremonial musicians while drawing on researchers and anthropologists to address how the religion now circulates, and is contested, well beyond Brazil. 

Not exactly mainstream, not exactly out there either but definitely mesmerising!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: CANDOMBLE: SACRED RHYTHMS IN BRAZIL | FLEE 

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Candomblé: Sacred Rhythms in Brazil 

Release date: 12th June, 2026

Label: FLEE

Cat. No. :  TBC

Format: 2xLP + Artbook / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Ori Kaplan & Lihu Melamed - Reverie (Batov Records)

This is not 'A Forest' but a deep delve into a jazz/OST 'Reverie' by new best friends Ori Kaplan an Lihu Melamed on Batov Records!

 

A neat follow up to Batov Records' last two released albums; Bolbec's' 'Foutu Félin' (see review HERE), Kronstad 23's 'Dødehavet' (see review HERE), here's another in the leftfield jazzy, cinematic, libarary, glboal, folky psych!

Not surprising really as Ori Kaplan (a founding member of Balkan Beat Box and collaborator of Gogol Bordello) joins forces with engineer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Lihu Melamed for the debut album, 'Reverie'.

The cinematic elements come from "unhurried grooves" and "modal strings" whilst the jazz is where the tracks are lead by  baritone sax and flutey winds that can get you into late-night clubs, folky weddings and more that's been said to range form "Morricone desert soundtracks and Nino Rota's Rome to Mingus, Yusef Lateef, Klezmer modes, Middle Eastern textures and the psychedelic sweep of King Crimson and The Doors".    

'Amber' (featuring Itamar Zieger)' and 'Obelisk' are perhaps typical as it taps on many of the above but it turns out this combo came out of sessions for Balkan Beat Box's sixth album and includes drummer Tamir Muskat and contributions from Kaplan's own children and partner.

I wonder if there's any plans for a project with Kronstad 23 for a full Scandiavian forest whcih might be too much; but check out the cover image - shades of Edward Woodward/Britt Ekland in the original version of 'The Wicker Man'?  

Don't be scared off by the cover, this is a beautiful 11 track experience for any lost souls looking to be found (the track 'Lost Soul' features Yaron Ouzana on trombone).

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Reverie | Ori Kaplan & Lihu Melamed

Artist: Ori Kaplan & Lihu Melamed

Title:  Reverie

Release date: 12th June, 2026

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR134

Format:  LP vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: James Juke ft. Gabalicious, Cakes Da Killa - A Little Lost (Kitty Ca$h, Supertaste and Wuhryn Dumas Remixes) (Deluxxe/Toucan Sounds)

You might be 'A Little Lost' with all of James Juke's mates pilling in on this new EP of 10 tracks but if you don't know, he's a bit of a 'Blue Sky' DJ, curator, house-music tastemaker in that there Brooklyn; even if he was born in San Francisco!

Bright and bouncey as the tracks are, there's a underground vibe to this that totally matches the toucan sounds playsheet as disco, soul, jazz unpin the classic house underbelly which you can find at his quarterly party, 'The Jukeboxx' (Ed. did you see what he did there?) which echoes NY Loft culture.

And we love this flip with tracks 'Haters & Congratulators', 'Need A Beat' feat. Cakes da Killa, Theo's 9 To 3' and 'Lovetrains' interlude (one for fellow NYC houser and train lover Zackery Berns - see review HERE).

Even more fun is that this new package gives us the originals, the extended version and 3 NEW remixes.   Perhaps with a little sense of irony, Kitty Ca$h takes 'Need A Beat' right up the M1, speeding past cop-cars and straight into the main room.

Love Language feels like it should go all Charles Stepney/Deodato strings but, again, to get you out of comfort groove there's a Cakes da Killa raps that brings on some touchy feely love with hint of disco-Dilla-dub; it's a 'Theo's 9 To 3' update that reads between the lines.

If you can put all his into one 'night out' non-clean version, it's the acid-discofied Supertaste remix of 'Haters & Congratulators'.

All together, its a bit of a club night in itself as an EP, the extended versions are great but you must try the remixes.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://music.toucansounds.com/alittlelostremixes

Artist: James Jukes

Title: A Little Lost EP (Kitty Ca$h, Supertaste and Wuhryn Dumas Remixes)

Release date: 12th June, 2026

Label: Toucan Sounds

Cat. No: YTCW156DLX

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Barrio B - Nsa Yuka (No Worries) (ft. Ameh Fashi & Basil Isaac) (Rhythm People Recordings)

As a follow-up to the single, 'Boomah', Barrio B returns with an equally blow-up new single, the big WOMAD ready 'Nsa Yuka' featuring Ameh Fashi & Basil Isaac.

'Boomah' was featured on the Traxsource Essential Afro House Charts with support from Mr. Scruff, DJ Vadim, Aroop Roy, Kiko Navarro and BBC 6 Music and now Barrio B is joined by Nigerian vocal artist Ameh Fashi and percussionist Basil Isaac there's even more an Afro-beat house fusion with strong Fela inspiration.

Dublin-born, London-based DJ/Producer Barry O’Brien (aka Barrio B) blends Afro Latin house with soul, live instrumentation and stripped-back club energy. The project is quickly gaining attention for a sound that prioritises musicianship, rhythm and feeling over formula. Rooted in percussion, groove and atmosphere, Barrio B delivers warm, modern dance music with a distinctly human pulse.

 

This is "a track that feels both classic and forward‑thinking — a soulful house record with emotional weight, dancefloor energy, and the unmistakable stamp of two artists operating at their highest level".

Dancefllor and WOMAD friendly, expect to hear this on the June Colour & Pitch Monthly mixtape. 

BUY LINK / RE-ORDER: https://kud.li/rpr0002

Artist: Barrio B 

Title: Nsa Yuka (ft. Ameh Fashi & Basil Isaac)

Release date: 12th June, 2026

Label : Rhythm People Recordings

Catalog Number : RPR002

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: VA - Maintain Altitude 2 (Soul Quest Records)

Still flying high is Soul Quest Records as they maintain altitiude with their second compilation that's such a showcase for the 'London Underground' and all it's connections!

Following Max Sinàls 'Healling' EP with KingCrowney (see review HERE) and 'Intentions' (see review HERE with vocalist Liv East)  here's some more "leftfield synth-jazz Bruk house dancefloor" focus on the reewarwst of the  Soul Quest label.

Whilst it's a compilation, Max & KingCrowney team up on the jazz-house-Bruk that they call 'A Bit Mad' and it's KingCrowney's trumpet that keeps the UK arm of Zachary Berns' NYC style jazz house (see review HERE).  And talking of New York, someone else has noticed as Misto Kay's 'Bruklynn' (Ed. did you see what they did there) is also on the money.

Whilst at the leftfield edge, Berkeley Hunt (he of 'A Ghostly Tryst' -- see review HERE) gets on the 'Speed Jazz' flight to the outta edges.

There's two tracks featuring vocals, the opens, Sixm Sol's 'Lead The Way featruing Legzdina and the closing track, Streeton's 'Ride' featuring Faro; on an Indo-jazz razor sharp space ship.  Both fit in with the Soul Quest indentity whilst the returning Reel Love Seeker's 'Mood Swings' is a return to 90s house that's links these tracks together. 

So wherever you're flying to this year, this is ready for your inflight club/radio luggage compartment.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDR: https://www.juno.co.uk/products/slxm-sol-max-soul-quest-maintain-altitude-2-vinyl/1152516-01/

Artist: Various Artist

Title: Healing EP

Release date: 12th June, 2026

Label : Soul Quest Records

Catalog Number : SQR022

Format:  Vinyl / Digital/Streaming / Bandcamp 

Review: Oliver Night - Between The Lines (Remixes), Vol. 2 (Tru-Thoughts)

London-based producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist, Oliver Night gets a double helping of remixes for the 'Between The Lines' project on Tru-Thoughts - and he certainly knows all the right people!

 

Taking more tracks from last year's album 'Between The Lines' (see review HERE) to the next remix level with IG Culture ('Friends' feat. KAYA FYAH), Matica (the mighty 'Boss' feat. Roots Manuva - see single review HERE), the totally consistent and ever evolving Inkswel ('Undefeated' feat. Goldbar) and the best of the lot, 'We Are Love' featuring the amazing Megatronic (see review HERE) as remixed by the equally marvellous, Marcel Vogel (as they return the remix favours from Jerkboy/Vogel/Million Miles 'Real Love' remix by Mr. Night - see HERE).

Not only that, there's the instrumenal versions where the BRUK of I.G. Culture goes back-to-back with with the flute gang and Roots proves he's still the Boss.

London's Oliver Night, having made a name for himself in the post-Co-Op has incorporated a modern soul-jazz-house-broken beat that keeps his identity and cross-over appeal all at the same time that's now even more so with the remix treatment..

'Between The Lines' is out now and best go and get it.

BUY LINK: Between The Lines | Oliver Night & 

Artist: Oliver Night 

Title:  Between The Lines - Remixes Vol. 2

Release date: 9th June, 2026  

Label : Tru-Thoughts Recordings

Catalog Number : TRUDD716

Format : Digital  / Bandcamp 

Review: Soul Sugar meets Dub Shepherds - Super Freak featuring Jolly Joseph (Gee Recordings)

Rick James' 'Super Freak' gets a real sexy going over a la Paris reggae super stars Soul Sugar meets Dub Shepherds featuring Jolly Joseph!

We had good warning that the collaboration of Soul Sugar (aka Guillaume Méténier) and Dub Shepherds (aka Jolly Joseph, Doctor Chaty and Jahno) with the incredible singles, 'Give Me Your Love (Love Song)' (see review HERE) and 'Disco Jack' (see review HERE) and following the success of their 'Blue House Rockin' album (see review HERE) they are back again with a cover of the Rick James classic dirty funk, 'Super Freak' backed with a dub version.

No surprise that Jolly Joseph’s "signature falsetto rides a heavyweight drum & bass section, with sharp layers of organ, piano, guitar, and Mini Moog — all tracked live on vintage gear".

It's this time of year that the Hectic dig hunts out the James/Teena Marie for their 'Portuguese Love' but now we can add this single to the pile too!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Super freak | Soul Sugar meets Dub Shepherds | Gee Recordings

Artist:  Soul Sugar meets Dub Shepherds
Title: Super Freak featuring Jolly Joseph 
Release date: 5th June, 2025
Label: Gee Recordings
Catalog Number:  GEE005
Format: Vinly 7" 45  / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: VA - Inner Circle Vol. 1 (Chuwanaga)

Paris based Chuwanaga bring us a limited edition vinyl release that's drawn from their inner circle; 4 house tracks for Vol. 1 that'll warm your soul!

There's only going to be 300 vinyl copies so get busy on the pre-order as all four tracks makes the dancefloor move.   The office is particularly excited about 'Sunny California' by French producer Kaffe Crème (Floors Records) as fans of a Joe Claussell/Ron Trent spiritual style sun salutations "with deep, jazz-inflected harmonies before returning with an electrifying melody carried by layered percussion, leading to an emotional climax".

Not only that, the EP ends on a joint production by Saint-James (Chuwanaga) & KX9000 (Pont-Neuf Records) on 'The Gatekeeper' that's got that West London BRUK boogie that Co-Op, Dego and Kaidi Tatham developed back in the day and seems even more popular now.

Completing the set is another French duo, Milk & Honey, with a Chi-loop inspired 'It’s A Feeling (House Music)” - it's a thing! - and the opener, 'We All Got To Feel' by Argentine producer J. Koen that warms up with some synth bounce and space lazers that prooves that they've got a feeling.

This 4-track EP is a proper compilation that gives you a full range of house at its best. .

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/inner-circle-vol-1

Artist: Various Artists - J. Koen, Kaffe Crème, Milk & Honey, Saint-James & KX9000 

Title:  Inner Circle Vol. 1
Release date: 12th June, 2026
Label : Chuwanga
Catalog Number: CHUWANAGA018
Format: Limited Edition 12" vinyl (ONLY 300) / Digital / Bandcamp