Review: Oscilloscope - There Is Always Darkness, There Is Always Light (Independent)

Once more we return to the dichotom of yin and yang, darkness and light, peace and war etc - but this time as an 11 track study of electronic sounds that's been produced by the Oscilloscope!

Released on Bandcamp Friday, the Oscilloscope (aka Jason Cooke - he of Comedy Balloon and Charity Shop Classics on All FM) recorded these tracks in the January 2026, mostly "in one take, although some had additional pads and solos added in post production" and you'd never know as there's hardly any element of time contraint; mostly gentle soundscapes that'll any electronic influences of the likes of Ravi Shankar, Alice and John Coltrane from the spiritually enlightened 60s/70s.

Perhaps 'Back To Work' is more 'industrial' (with a small 'I') getting into Tangerine Dream more than Kraftwerk; bearing in mind it was recorded at the Institute Of Psychedelectronics, Manchester and mixed Rhosneigr Beach, Anglesey.Of Psyche (Ed. note his connection with 'Comedy Balloon')

Of course, there's the obligatory space themes (more of the Star Trek than modern today Musk) with 'Return To The Space' and 'Full Of Stars' but this is no vanity project as it's complimentry to Manu Delago & Max ZT forthcoming duet, 'Deuce'  and duo of Ben Seretan and Jake Thayer and their formcoming album, 'Sunbean Of No Illusion'.

I must admit, I prefer the longer, more Edgar Froese / Klaus Schulze Kraut-synth tracks 'Prologue - The Action Is The Decision' and 'Erebus Rising' but as in the Light vs. Darkness envelope, tracks like 'Proton' and 'Stylo' are the other side of the coin toss mind of the ever changing Oscilloscope.

"Great stuff" as a wise man once said - recommended.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: There Is Always Darkness, There Is Always Light | Oscilloscope

Artist: Oscilloscope 

Title: There Is Always Darkness, There Is Always Light
Release date: 6th February, 2026
Label : Independent
Catalog Number  TBC
Format:  Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 - Haf (Bubblewrap Collective)

Keep on smiling with Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18's new 10 track album 'Haf' because, when it comes to poppy "samba, salsa, Andean balladry, Latin soul, tropical funk and sun-soaked grooves, sung in Welsh, English, and Spanish" no body does it better! 

Yes, that's right, 2026 might have its most uplifting album already with 'Haf' as this magical combination Hall & Oates meets Brazilian folk and Latin jazz  to the track with the extremes of 'Gwenyn y Gwanwyn' to the "Salsoul" 'Como Te Amo' to 'Shades Of Red' sung in English by Anglo-Brazilian Nina Miranda (previously 50% of Zeep with past releases on Compost, Far Out Recordigns, etc).

This is the third album by Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 in little over a year as is earmarked as a "break through" which is not to say, third time lucky.  This is perfectly crafteed even though Carwyn was also envolved with Edwyn Collins and the North Mississippi Allstars at the time!

Even track is like a little 'Bubblewarp' of odd-pop sunshine with 'Whistling Sands' (about a beach in North Wales) and the instant 'Keep On Smiling' as standouts.

And if you're wondering about the track 'Haf' and album title, it's dedicated to Carwyn's late music teacher Haf Morris who, he says, “her focus, guidance and patience shaped me like no other. I hope she’s enjoyed my musical journey, from wherever she’s watching. Diolch, Haf”.

The album is on the Cardiff based label and is on black vinyl or double CD (as it includes the immediate. previous album 'Fontana Rosa').

P.S. Today marks 43 years of the release of the single 'Rip It Up' by Orange Juice (fronted by Edwyn Collins).

 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 - Haf | Bubblewrap Collective

Haf | Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 | Bubblewrap Collective

Artist: Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18

Title: Haf

Release date: 6th February, 2026

Label: Bubblewrap Collective

Catalog Number: BWR084

Format: Vinyl LP / 2 x CD (inc. previous album 'Fontana Rosa') / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Owelu Dreamhouse - Owelu Dreamhouse (Hopestreet Recordings)

Drawing from West African records, Latin influences, and 90s R&B, the duo that is  Owelu Dreamhouse with co-producer Henry Jenkins have got  and Melbourne's top session players to create tracks that'll make 'Owelu Dreamhouse' a must have album. 

The compilation to celebrate Hopestreet  Studios 16th Birthday (see review HERE) did not give us any warning about Owelu Dreamhouse debut, 'Owelu Dreamhouse'.

The artist based co-operative who have released 50 records whilst "fostering a community spanning soul, R&B, funk, Latin, Bollywood psychedelia and more" have excelled themselves on Owelu Dreamhouse as their Charles Stepney meets Motown opus as Nkechi Anele (vocals with Saskwatch) and multi-instrumentalist Nic Ryan-Glenie with a blend of Afrobeat, soul, psych, jazz in an cinematic setting a la prime Curtis Mayfield / Isaac Hayes.

'Struggle For Kasawa' hints at 70s Blaxploitation with a 60s Bassey/Winehouse element, throw in some beats with 'Okra 4 Bilalli' and gentle jazz ('Yellow Trumpet'), the album explores "being a third-culture kid, with the band's name playing on Nkechi's grandmother's village Owaelu in Nigeria - single 'Tourist' captures the complexity of returning home while simultaneously feeling out of place" whilst the heavy percussion and horns keep it Afrobeat centric, like the stand-out 'Oluwatsam' and the Manu Dibango-influenced 'Stutter' (Ed. the Cameroonian saxophonist who had world wide hits with 'Soul Makossa', 'Big Blow' and many more).

Touched by the poetry of 'Daughters Always Listening' that flows into the the soul-pop of 'Niger River' the Hopestreet 17th Birthday party is going to be special as the the spirit of West Coast Africa links up with south coast Aussie.

"Trust me when I say that this is seriously good." Josh 'Somewhere Soul' Mason-Quinn (8 Essential New Albums From Around The World)

BUY LNK / PRE-ORDER: Owelu Dreamhouse | Owelu Dreamhouse

Artist: Owelu Dreamhouse

Title:  Owelu Dreamhouse

Release date: 6th February, 2026

Label : Hopestreet Recordings

Catalog Number :  HS

Format:  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Dina Ögon - Människobarn (Playground Music)

The Dina Ögon are a now on their fourth album and this time they've nailed their identity as the premier Swedish post-folk popsters with the 13 track baby 'Människobarn'!

We've been tracking the four-piece Dina Ögon since their track 'Bakom glaset' made it onto Vol. 6 of the Mr Bongo Record Club compilaiton (see review HERE) which got a litttle overlooked sitting next to Sweden's Sven Wunder and being a bit poppy!

However, we are now fully onboard with the summery jingley/jangley sixties pop sensibilites last year with thier single, 'Orion' (see review HERE), the double A sider 'Dålig teve' ('Bad TV') and 'Margaretas sång' ('Margareta's Song') (see review HERE) that are both on the album.

Of course these two tracks stand out now on the album as they're both embedded in a consciousness, along with 'Orden brann' (that you might find in Stockholm's 'Peace' Culture Project in the near future) but it'd be easy to pick 'singles' as it so good throughout; possible due to being sung in Swedish by Anna Ahnlund's voice.

Not that I can understand any Swedish, 'Människobarn' does come over as "bittersweet", like early Bowie/Spiders verses the 5th Dimension and Joni Mitchell with a a gentle Pixies!

The electric guitar of Daniel Ögren (he of Fastingen 92 on Mr Bongo - see HERE) is as high profile as Anna's vocals and whilst it can sound Fleetwood Mac at times, tracks like 'Du ska va kvar', 'Verdandi', 'Hack i häl' and the closing track 'Hélena', melt in their summer sound.

In fact, whilst I can only think of Tunng as a experiment folk-pop comparision you'd have to transpose them to 60s California which is a pretty good recommendation in anyone's book. 

The tracks are mostly in the constaint of the pop/radio 3-4 mins and it'd be cool if the tracks had a "jazz" version with solos and Anna doing a full Norma Winstone - but that's just me as this 'Människobarn' is perfect just as it came out.  .  

BUY LINK:  https://dina-ogon.ffm.to/manniskobarn-album

Artist: Dina Ögon

Title:  Människobarn 

Release date: 6th February, 2026

Label : Playground Music

Catalog Number : -

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Perth Lewis - Distance Between (NuNorthern Soul)

Perth Lewis has perfectly measured the 'Distance Between' these new nine tracks on his album coming out on the NuNorthern Soul label.

 

NuNorthern Soul's boss, Phat Phil Cooper, loves to start the new year down under and has found the 'Distance Between' with Perth Lewis (aka Luke Fugar), he of 'Moments In Time' that came out last year, (see review HERE).

Like his last album, these new nine tracks have already found fans with varied taste makers such as Richard Dorfmeister (he of  Kruder & Dorfmeister), Nick Warren and Chris Coco.

We're told, "Written and recorded with the same DIY heart, the album leans into longer forms, deeper textures, and a stronger sense of melodic drift" and that's without doubt this albums' strength: perversely being mellow, reflective (like sun on the sea: check 'Float Away') and contemplative.

The Perth Lewis guitar style has been stretched into gentle breezes and jangley electric piano gives the downtempo jazzy moods without being jazz.  I feel Pat Methany's spirit is in here somewhere along with hip-hop roots that have been jetisoned into the midsts of time to be replaced with found sounds of the sea harbours and birdsong (see 'Broken Headlight' and 'Across The Broadwater').

The title track perfectly encapsulate the album as 'Distance Between' is almost like a stripped 'Albatross' (as in Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac) at the pace of a circuling albatross with more grace.  Perhaps catching a 'Slipstream' and ending, with the track, 'A Strange Feeling' which gives you the strange feeling that you need to listen to the whole album again - did I miss something?  Did I need this insight into his emotions?  After the last track, 'Rest Assured', is it that we've just esperienced the equivalent of a beach yoga session?  I think it is.

If you don't live near the sea or harbour, I believe Perth is based in Sydney, this album will give you a virtual boost of sea air and if you do live by the coast, it'll do exactly the same.  .

BUY LINK / PRE- ORDER:  https://perthlewis.bandcamp.com/album/distance-between

 

 

Artist: Perth Lewis

Title: Distance Between

Release date: 6th February, 2026
Label : NuNorthernSoul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers - Alpha & Omega (Colorful World Records / Rush Hour)

It's always exciting to find a new 12" with Amsterdam's Rush Hour's seal of approval on it and can you imagine Prince, Isley Bros. and George Clinton going to the church of funk with some great gospel singers? 

And we're not talking any old singer, when you've got, "Texas born gospel singer Brandon Delagraentiss, longtime collaborator Marissa Nyamekye aka Mariseya and the legendary LA-born vocalist Rocq-E Harrell who - in her career spanning decades - has sung with Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, Earth Wind & Fire, and toured with Diana Ross and the legendary Barry White"; aka The Perpetual Singers.

Like Arpy Brown, Arp Frique's love of the Arp Instruments vintage analog synths, matched with Chic's 'Le Freak' plus The Perpetual Singers have producer an EP with 4 tracks on it that follows the album, 'The Gospel Of Jesamy' but more intensely like the 'Hold The Line' rework.

I can't say I've read the bible for a while so i'm not up with the meaning of 'Alpha & Omega' but 'For Your Love' (not the 60s hit) is one to join in with the girls, raise your arms and "Praise him and sing Hallelujah"

'Help Me Jesus' is the surprise in the packag as its the most Isley Bros.in their 70s period on the fast-track railroad as they catch the tain to check out Pastor T. L. Barrett as the ship is about to sail: gospel rock house?  And the title track is in even more overdrive than this one!

'Live Together Live' is in the same ball park but with George Clinton leading the funky congregation in the church of a atomic dog house; with cautionary lyrics about the love of money, bettter mend your ways people.

These track moves the project along that already has loads of 'big head' fans like Gilles Peterson, Louie Vega, Moodymann which has led to appearances at festivals like We Out Here, North Sea Jazz and all the best ones in Europe; expect to hear more from these guys.

It's Bootsy baby, but not as we know it.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: ▶︎ The Gospel Of Jesamy | Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers | Arp Frique

Artist: Arp Frique &The Perpetual Singers

Title: Alpha & Omega

Release date: 6th February, 2026

Label: Colorful World Records / Rush Hour

Cat. No: TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp.

Review: Tom Esselle - WOLFEP083 EP (Wolf Music)

I hear you say, 'Praise Bes', from 2022?  So it's a welcome return to Wolf Music for Tom Esselle and more dancefloor modern disco.

After Frits Wentink's 'Remixed' EP' (see review HERE), the guys at WOLF Music have decided to go all in with Tom Esselle and this four track EP. 

Coming off the back of Peckham's favourite label, Rhythm Section International and the 'Evolutions & Revolutions' 12", we've got more adventurous takes on what 2026 has instore, if not speed garage, some variable revolution update.  That's particularly the opening track 'Livewire' and the deeper Detroit 'vocal sampled' heavy 'Small Talk' and the dreamy Parrish-esque 'Spaced Out'. 

All 3 will lead to heavy rotation but you're not going to get much better than the track 'Don't Have To' which the label say, "is a strong contender for standout moment, pairing luscious keys with a sweet vocal for peak-time soulful impact".  Got to say, you'll find us in total agreement even thought the glitchy-treky 'Livewire' is our current office favourite.

Whilst we must thank Bradley Zero / Rhythm Section International for re-igniting Tom's productions last year, Wolf Music is clearly a happy home; praise be(s) you might say.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: TOM ESSELLE/WOLFEP083/WOLF MUSIC - Vinyl Records Specialists, London Soho Vinyl Music Records - Phonica Records - Latest Releases, Pre-Orders and Merchandise

WOLF Music · Tom Esselle - WOLFEP083 (WOLFEP083) (Snippets)

Artist: Tom Esselle

Title: EP
Release date: 6th February, 2026
Label :Wolf Music Recordings
Catalog Number  WOLFEP083
Format: 12" VINYL / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Gerardo Frisina & Luzia Dvorek - Meu Canto feat. Toco (Schema Records)

Out today (February 2nd) to compliment the Festa de Iemanjá in Salvador; Bahia's annual celebration honoring the Afro-Brazilian deity of the sea: 'Meu Canto'!

A year after "Deixa Passar / Ilê" (see review HERE) Gerardo Frisina reunites with Luzia Dvorek and Toco, this time placing Luzia's voice front and center. Frisina composed and produced the track, while Luzia wrote the melody and lyrics, with Toco on backing vocals and Alfonso Deidda adding flute throughout.

'Meu Canto' draws from Luzia's family history in northeastern Brazil, particularly Bahia, exploring themes of roots, memory, and music as both inheritance and refuge. The song connects deeply to Bahian spirituality and cultural identity.

It will be released later as a 7" paired with Frisina's arrangement of Dorival Caymmi's "A Lenda do Abaeté".

Artist: Gerardo Frisina & Luzia Dvorek 

Title:  Meu Canto feat. Toco

Release date: 2nd February, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Black Eyes - Mystic Aquazone EP (Ascension on Wax)

Regular readers will know we like a great 12" from the Ascension on Wax label and they've had a bit of a coup with a Nico Lahs remix too so lets get into the 'Mystic Aquazone'!

You'll recall it wasn't that long ago we we're eager to check out the "Bari Boys", Nicola Conte and Nico Lahs combination (as Tema Due) and their EPs 1 & 2 (see review HERE) and then we spot Lahs is on this EP, 'Mystic Aquazone' EP by Black Eyes (aka Matthew Jesus).

Following on from the 'Unity EP' by Toronto Hustle x Sean Roman featuring Javontte (see review HERE), Black Eyes' three tracks 'Fish Lyfe', 'Submarine Tuff Guys' and 'Vibin' Times In The Hydrocity' sound like they've been hauled out of the fish tank but they've been billed as "subtle somky house grooves" which indeed, they are as they follow releases on his own label, Upstairs Asylum Recordings (Ed. no truth in rumours of the inspiration that 'Gerry The Fish Whisperer' came from the YATM offices).

These tracks are deep in the Detroit house foundations so what of the Lahs' remix of 'Fish Lyfe'?  Expecting an "Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Latin" element? Well, don't as it's more rain forest dreamy house synthed up with jazz-funk undertones that's more groovy than the bangin' original version.

Ascension on Wax is a "Berlin-based house music label focused on collaboration with visual artists and dance music producer" so their limited edition 12s in individual sleeves, don't hang around and pre-order as soon as!

BUY LINK: https://aow-music.bandcamp.com/music

Artist: Black Eyes 

Title:  Mystic Aquazone EP

Release date: OUT ON DIGITAL 30 January 2026 / OUT ON VINYL 20 February 2026

Label : Ascension on Wax

Catalog Number : AOW004

Format: Limited Edition 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Brooklyn Funk Essentials - Bust The Bus Stop / Never Give Up (Dorado Records)

How great to see Dorado Records back in the game along with two big 'uns from the Brooklyn Funk Essentials; absolutely the prescription as to why you should 'Never Give Up' and 'Bust The Bus Stop' all at the same time! 

Regualar readers will know that we love a bus/train/tram and other assorted transport sytsems so when Brooklyn Funk Essentials gets ready to 'Bust The Bus Stop', we're right behind 'em in the queue to route out the funk.

This follows the band's recent hit ‘Never Give Up’, which has been supported by Craig Charles at 6 Music, Spoony and Trevor Nelson at Radio 2 as well as many stations across Europe and the Americas. Both tracks will be included on their new album ‘Black Butterfly’ (April 24th).

Originally founded by Lati Kronlund and hip-hop legend Arthur Baker, Brooklyn Funk Essentials have, over 30+ years and seven albums, built a devoted international following and notched up over 60 million streams. Fusing Soul, Hip Hop, Spoken Word, Jazz, Latin, and, of course, Funk, the band’s journey began when Kronlund and Baker experimented with drum machines and loops in Baker’s Shakedown Sound Studio in Jersey City—hunting for that perfect beat. Early recordings featured greats such as Maceo Parker, Lenny Pickett, Tower of Power Horns, Michigan & Smiley, and Dizzy Gillespie, leading to the acclaimed debut ‘Cool & Steady & Easy’ (1994). Fast-forward to April 2024, when Kronlund reunited with Baker in Miami, rediscovering recordings featuring percussion prodigy Bashiri Johnson, which inspired new creative sparks for the next chapter of Brooklyn Funk Essentials.

The band’s acclaimed catalogue also includes ‘In The Buzzbag’ (1998), ‘Make Them Like It’ (2000), ‘Watcha Playin’ (2008), ‘Funk Ain’t Ova’ (2015), ‘Stay Good’ (2019) and ‘Intuition’ (2023). Alison Limerick has featured as lead singer and co-writer since 2018. The 2023 album ‘Intuition’ contained the hit singles ‘Scream’, ‘AA Side Single’ and ‘How Happy’. Kronlund and Limerick have been enjoying the recent renewed interest in ‘Where Love Lives’. Kronlund wrote and produced it for Limerick in 1990, it was remixed by Frankie Knuckles and David Morales and became a club classic and was featured in this year’s John Lewis Christmas TV Ad. It was when Arthur Baker heard the original in a club in 1991 that he contacted Kronlund about working together and they then formed Brooklyn Funk Essentials. “In the summer of ’97, I bought a beat-up old Fender Rhodes Mark I electric piano from a guy in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It was held together with gaffer tape, but it sounded really good, so I figured it was worth the $500 he was asking for it. As soon as I got it into my studio, I started jamming on it and that’s how I came up with the groove for ‘Bust The Bus Stop’. I recorded a first version of it with BFE members Yancy Drew (drums), Paul Shapiro (sax & flute) and Bob Brockmann (trumpet) which was released on a funk compilation, but I didn’t bring the song to BFE at that time. Fast forward to last summer when I came across that old recording and thought that it would be a perfect song to pick up for the current version of the band and turn it into a party jam. When we recorded the new version, Ebba Åsman - our trombone player, came up with an additional horn line which worked really well with the groove. I also added the lyrics for the vocal chant sung by Alison Limerick, Desmond Foster and Ebba.” - Lati Kronlund

The Bus Stop is a disco line dance from the mid-seventies which requires a mid-tempo (110 bpm) groove with a good swinging shuffle. Typical original Bus Stop jams are ‘Do It Any Way You Wanna’ by People’s Choice, ‘We Got The Funk’ by Positive Force and, of course ‘(Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop’ by Fatback Band - All are huge influences to Brooklyn Funk Essentials.

‘Never Give Up’ is already picking up radio play from BBC Radio 2’s DJ Spoony, as well as BBC Radio 6 Music and Jazz FM. With its irresistible groove and uplifting lyrics—sung by Alison Limerick together with Desmond Foster (guitar/vocals) and Ebba Åsman (trombone)—the track shares a powerful message: even when times are hard, we must never give up trust in ourselves or the fight for what is good. Both ‘Where Love Lives’ and ‘Never Give Up’ share uplifting themes of love, hope, and resilience — values that resonate strongly during the holidays. The connection between the two songs reinforces Lati’s artistry and songwriting consistency across time.

The new album will be released on Dorado Records, a pioneering London-based independent label covering Soul, Jazz, Trip Hop, Drum & Bass, and UK Garage. Founded in 1992 by Ollie Buckwell and Charlie Lexton, the label is home to Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Jhelisa, Ebba Åsman, Sunship, D*Note, Natalie Walker, and Outside, among others..

BUY LINK / Pre Order: https://lnk.to/busthebusstop

Artist: Brooklyn Funk Essentials

Title: Bust The Bus Stop / Never Give Up

Release date: 28th January, 2026

Label : Dorado Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp