Review: lovetempo - There Is A Light (Bastard Jazz)

The most anticipated album of the year is here and a perfect way for Bastard Jazz Recordings to celebrate their 25th anniversary with lovetempo and 'There Is A Light' - turn it on!

Nearly a year since the release of the 'But I Do' single/remixes (see review HERE) so it's been a while 'till we've got our hands on the album by lovetempo (aka Mattie Safer) who made his name in The Rapture and Poolside before going solo. 

The 'But I Do' single was one of Gilles Peterson's most favourite tracks of last year so I'm still hopefully that lovetempo will be on the bill at Peterson's 'We Out Here' Festival this year (especially as the US tour dates have been announced - see below).  

But this isn't just NY trendy soul/funk/disco dance hits as there's a downtempo space shuffle of 'Maybe In Another Life' and talking of trendy, Mattie duets with Kate Mattison (of 79.5) on the track 'I Wanna Be With You' (79.5 also having featured on Fouks' recent 'Sundays' EP - see review HERE) and it's strangely in a Sunday Nite radio funk groove that harks to Motown boy/girl love songs - even Rick James & Teena Marie (Ed. that's one for the teenagers).

And if that's reminds you of some steamy 'Portuguese Love' the album ends on a couple of  tracks, 'By Your Side' that has that Latin rolling percussion and hot lyrics that peaks with some out-there synth followed by a blues (of sort), 'A Miracle Or Two' with a bar room sax solo.

What this album highlights is how good this guy is in a variety of styles whether its the soulful 'Never The Same', the pacey Charles Stepney-ish 'Thinking About You', the 'disco' bell-ringer opener 'The Right Way' or the clappy gospel sing-a-long 'pop' of the title track, 'There Is A Light'

As an aside, I played the Rapture big hit at a vinyl only night recently, 'House Of Jealous Lovers' from 2002 on the super trendy (at the time) DFA and this guy got super excited telling me his brother, his trendy older one, played it repeatedly back in the day and it held really good memories for him - 'There Is A Light' will no doubt do the same for folks today - let it shine people!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://ffm.to/thereisalight_lp.HGW

US.upcoming live dates  

4/26 - Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right (Album Release Show)
5/6 - Los Angeles, CA @ Gold Diggers (Album Release Show)
5/12 - Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA*
5/13 - Kingston, NY @ Tubby’s*
5/17 - Providence, RI @ The Parlour*
5/23 - San Francisco, CA @ Madrone Art Bar (Hybrid DJ set)
6/10 - Mexico City, DF @ Tonál (Album Release Show)
7/31 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Airliner^
8/1 - San Diego, CA @ TBC^
8/2 - Phoenix, AZ @ TBC^
*with Meghan Dowlen
^with Social Lovers

Artist: lovetempo

Title:  There Is A Light

Release date: 17th April, 2026

Label: Bastard Jazz

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

P.S. Gilles Peterson's interview with lovetempo on Lot Radio (in association with Worldwide FM) from NYC for the Winter Jazz Festival starts 12:00 and the whole show is worth a listen 

Link: GILLES PETERSON LIVE FROM NYC at The Lot Radio | WorldwideFM

Review: Conic Rose - Wedding (Conic Rose)

The release of Conic Rose's new album is like wedding, a time of celebration and all are invited!

You'll recall that three years ago we had the first singles from their debut album 'Heller Tag' (see review HERE) and we've kept an eye open for them ever since.

The single 'loving parents' came out recently (see review HERE) and they are still covering the influences of the "Kruder & Dorfmeister and Cinematic Orchestra's lovechild, this collection of jazzy, ambient, hip-trippy electronica OST instrumental with more Bonobo and Nils-Petter Molvaer!" it's easy to see why the BBC 6 Music gang of Gilles Peterson, Lauren Laverne and Nemone are fans.

With the album, there unique take on jazz, infused with seemingly disparate influences like Radiohead and the local Berlin techno/electronic scenes, particularly 'too many flowers' and the title track, reaches out to folky broken beat, Herbert, ambient, alt.rock, dub, psych-types

I hope they get some live gigs in churches as well as normal venues when they go on tour to promote the album as it's said, "'Wedding 'describes a state of being".

The 12 tracks are equally to touchstone to Miles' 100 birthday celebrations as trumpeter (and flugelhorn) Konstantin Döben is clearly influenced and having Bertram Burkert on electric guitar gives us a Fripp-ness which suits their Berlin 'Station ot Station' base/surroundings or even Dave Okumu with The Invisible's debut which was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize way back in 2009.

Without a doubt, this is an exceptional album and for fans of jazzy electronica it's a must!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://conicrose.bandcamp.com/album/wedding-2 Vinyl arrives on April 17th, with a full digital release following in late summer.

Artist: Conic Rose 

Title: Wedding

Release date: 17th April, 2026 

Label: Conic Rose

Cat. No: CONICROSELP03

Format: Digital

Composed & Produced by: Johannes Arzberger, Bertram Burkert, Konstantin Döben

Trumpet: Konstantin Döben

Guitar: Bertram Burkert

Keys & Modular Synth: Johannes Arzberger

Bass: Bertram Burkert & Franzi Aller

Drums: Nicholas Stampf & Silvan Strauss

Review: Aline Rocha & Caio Cenci - Berimbau (Razor-N-Tape)

Of course, If you are based in Brooklyn, where do you go to find Brasilian based classic for the World Cup? London is where you'd find exciles Aline Rocha and Caio Cenci for 'Berimbau' and 'Miss The Water' of course: time to get ready for kick off!

After label boss JKriv recently released the 'Real Ones' EP with Jason Linder (see review HERE), you could almost see it coming that he'd flip the 180 for the next release on Razor-N-Tape.

But this isn't Astrud Gilberto / Dom Um Romao Latin jazz dancefloor 'Berimbau', this is instrumental space disco more in keeping with the Space/Atmosfear plus some very Latin percussion (as you'd expect).  What is surprising (to me anyway) is the magic of 'Miss The Water' is a peak time splash of big vocal house boogie; and I mean, really BIG!

If you know Aline Rocha from DJ events at/of Defected/Glitterbox or Cenci's previous releases on King St and Nervious this ain't a surprise at all, you'll recall Caio's remix on TDE's Dirty Supercar release (see review HERE) and 'Family Affair' Vol. 4 (see review HERE). 

This will be massive long after the World cup has been lifted this year - needs longer versions for a future 12" release?

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://razor-n-tape.bandcamp.com/album/aline-rocha-caio-cenci-berimbau-ep

Artist: Aline Rocha & Caio Cenci 

Title: Berimbau /  Miss The Water

Release date: 17th April, 2026

Label : Razor-N-Tape Records

Catalog Number : RNT

Format : Digital / Bandcamp

Review: FSQ, Moniquea, & XL Middleton - Feeling Wide (Prins Thomas Discomiks Versons) (Soul Clap Records)

It wasn't that long ago I was saying hat it's it hard to follow in the footsteps of Prins Thomas and if you're reading this you'll know exactly what I men as the Prince of Discomiks is back; and he's 'Feeling Wide'.

After the collab of FSQ, Moniquea & XL Middleton with the original 'Feeling Wide' (see review HERE), Prins Thomas turns his attention form having a sex disco with Trip Tease & Alain Vice's (see review HERE) and gets onto feeling long with his trademark 'Diskomiks' quality.

NYC centric FSQ (Funk, Style, Quality) your Norse disco-royality, Prins gets down for some cosmic, house, jazz, psychedlic rock, Italo, disco headspace to displace 80s punk-funk with dreamy "Balearic breeze" that sits on Latin percussion as:-

 Feeling Wide (Prins Thomas Discomiks) 9:42 

 Feeling Wide (Prins Thomas Discodub) 8:48 

 Feeling Wide (Prins Thomas Discomiks Instrumental) 9:42 

 Feeling Wide (Prins Thomas Discomiks Radio Edit) 3:42 

And once you hear the Diskodub, you'll want a diskodub of all your favourite tracks as its "layered with extra luminous, sugary chords over echo-drenched and dubby low ends"

Moniquea's vocals balances out the dub and instrumental version to what will be the sound of 2026!

BUY LINK /PRE-ORDER: Feeling Wide (Prins Thomas Diskomiks Versions) | FSQ, Moniquea, XL Middleton, Prins Thomas | FSQ

Artist: FSQ, Moniquea, & XL Middleton 

Title: Feeling Wide (Prins Thomas Discomiks Versons)

Release date: 17th April, 2026

Label: Soul Clap Records

Cat. No: -

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Old Sedan - With Love My Dear (Partyfine)

Yuksek's Partyfine label is known for seeking out party music but would you find that in an Old Sedan? YATM put the pedal to the metal to find out with this new release, 'With Love My Dear'!

You'll recall the compilation from Partyfine, 'Vol. VII Universalismo' (see review HERE) and I can safely say, any of the track on 'With Love My Dear', could happily be included.  

But this the first solo EP by Batien Francoulon (aka Old Sedan) and it was conceived/envisaged as "a journey through an urban landscape" with a 90/00s house synth-pop beat; i.e. very much up Yuksek's own downtown.  A track would definitely earmarked for 'Vol. VIII Universalismo' - but dearest, which do you love the most?

Well, you'd want to start by getting a space race 'Honda CR 500' into town as all the office workers are on their way home (Ed. bike fans, don't try this as the CR range is off-road, get the CB 500; four cylinders to the floor you might say).

'Phone Call' reminds me of something Talc could have slipped into in the past order perhaps a Daft Punk/Jean-Michel Jarre hybrid as we're in France whilst 'Move Your Feet Like This' is peak time electro-disco groove.

By the time you're on 'All Night Long', with synth-beat sunrise, it is already on its way with a late echo Berlin Bowie period before it all gets funky busy on 'Union County'. 

'Let's Call It A Wrap' closes the set but you'll be heading straight back into this as you'll definitely wanna 'Move Your Feet Like This'!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Old Sedan Music & Downloads on Beatport

Artist: Old Sedan

Title: With Love My Dear 

Release date: 17th April, 2026

Label: Partyfine

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Kiko Navarro feat. Dele Sosimi & Lizzy Dosunmu - Ijó Yá’ / Ijó Yá’ (Voilaaa Remix) (Lovemonk)

Regular readers will know we love Kiko, Dele and Violaaa so more than than happy to recommend this 7" that features Lizzy Dosunmu!

Sensational Afro-disco from Kiko Navarro, Dele Sosimi and Lizzy Dosunmu! Check the sun-soaked heat of ‘Ijó Yá’, with Voilaaa rounding things off with a wicked remix.

We know a Voilaaa remix, he being Bruno “Patchworks” Hovart (Voilaaa, Mr. President, João Selva, Uptown Funk Empire) and most recently seen on 'Dance Para Se Salvar' with Diogo Strausz (see review HERE).

Lizzy Dosunmu’s voice leads the song with a magnetic presence. Her vocal lines are beautifully supported by Dele Sosimi’s backing vocals, adding depth, warmth and a sense of communal strength. The lyrics resonate with the zeitgeist, with reflections on words, actions and their consequences woven into call-and-response chants and Yoruba phrases. In a time when language carries weight and actions echo loudly, the song taps into a broader collective awareness.

At the centre of it all is the exchange between Kiko Navarro and Dele Sosimi – a collaboration marked by intuition and flow, where ideas lock in quickly and move with confidence.

Dele Sosimi

A key figure in Afrobeat history, Dele Sosimi was a former member and musical director of Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80. Based in London, he remains one of the genre’s most vital and respected voices, bridging legacy and forward momentum.

https://www.instagram.com/delesosimi

Kiko Navarro

A Balearic house mainstay with over three decades behind the decks and in the studio, known for blending deep house with Afro, Latin and disco influences, always guided by groove, warmth and dancefloor intuition.

https://www.instagram.com/kikonavarrodj

Lizzy Dosunmu

A singer and performer with deep roots in the Afrobeat scene, Lizzy Dosunmu has worked extensively with artists such as Femi Kuti and Dele Sosimi. Her powerful, expressive voice brings both strength and soul to the music.

https://www.instagram.com/lizdos_omooba

Voilaaa

Led by French producer Bruno “Patchworks” Hovart, Voilaaa has carved a distinctive path reviving African-inspired rhythms through a disco and funk lens. His unmistakable style has made the project a staple on dancefloors worldwide.

Not as leftfield as you might think!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://kikonavarro.bandcamp.com/album/ij-y

Artist:  Kiko Navarro feat. Dele Sosimi & Lizzy Dosunmu 

Title:  Ijó Yá’ / Ijó Yá’ (Voilaaa Remix)

Release date: 10th April, 2026

Label : Lovemonk Records

Catalog Number : LMNKV122 / LMNKV122DG1 / LMNKV122DG2

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: L.D.F ft. Javonntte, Tilman Bohm, Gari Romalis - Tribute To The Latin Posse (Shadow Pressings)

We all like to know what's lurking in the shadows and Italy's L.D.F is a master of warehouse noir of the analog house; and what better than to put it to use of a 'Tribute To The Latin Posse' and on vinyl!

After the mysterious 'Trentsetter' EP (see review HERE), here's Javonntte, Tilman Bohm and Gari Romalis all falling for Chicago House Club Soul with a heavy drum machine/synth base.

Probably best represented here with 'The Freaks' (with Böhm).mixing raw club sounds with Euro-electronic influences that works out better on every listen.

L.D.F. (aka Lello Di Franco) simple, repetitive and effective rule book and elevated with the vocals of Javonntte on both 'Light Speed' and 'You & Me'.   In fact, with Tilmon helping out on 'You & Me' in a post-Peech B oys NYC with synth-wobble that puts it firmly in the main room with the soul boys. 

And if you like it more Detroit old skool, Gari Romailis helps out on 'In & Out' with voices from under the floorboards for your nightmare mixtape visions whilst 'Tribal.Dance' is 80/90s synth voodoo that's going to break new romantics hearts - think instrumental Yazoo gone rain forest.

Somewhat of a variation of 'Iremember' [Gastek & L.D.F. feat. Dmitri SFC with Gari Romalis / Javonntte] (see review HERE) and if you're expecting any Jazz Room dance crew biz based on the title, this ain' it - as they say, "The underground keeps its secrets - Shadow Pressings simply amplifies them"

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Tribute To The Latin Posse EP | L.D.F | Lello Di Franco aka L.D.F.

Artist:  L.D.F ft. Javonntte, Tilman Bohm, Gari Romalis
Title:  Tribute To The Latin Posse
Release date: 10th April, 2026
Label: Shadow Pressings
Catalog Number  SHDW08
Format: 12" VINYL / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Pete Bandit - Trying & Crying (Dirt Crew Recordings)

Happy to report that the new EP by Pete Bandit is neither 'Trying' or 'Crying' as he return to Dirty Crew Recordings with this four track ambush on the dancefloor! 

After Bandit's 2022 EP “Wild Feelings” and contributions to our 20th anniversary compilation and remixing 'Petals In Sound', here are four more deep house treats that are 'Dutch-Berlin' if there is such a thing; especially Dr. Sud's Broken Dreams remix of 'No Control', as are all the NYC/Detroit influences.

The EP is meant to be more club-oriented than his previous work as the cover artwork alludes to(?) 

The title track, 'Trying & Crying' is a deep excursion into solid deep New York style house from the mid 90s. As well as 'No Control (Let Loose)', where a haunting vocal sample and lush pads and keys really pull us back to that golden era of house music. 

'The Meat Computer' adds a more solid Bass Line and this “spiritual” touch with its great percussion parts, which are rougher and feature a more forward-pushing arrangement. Closing out we have a special guest appearance by Dr. Sud. known for his deep jazzy outings on labels such as 'Cognitiva Records' and 'Q1E2'. He elevates “No Control (Let Loose)” in a special break beat and percussion frenzy, going deep, very smooth and beautiful!

All tracks were mixed by Ariel Schlichter and mastered by Salz Mastering in Cologne.

BUY LINK: https://ffm.to/dirt158

Artist: Pete Bandit

Title:   Trying & Crying EP

Release date: 10th April, 2026

Label : Dirt Crew

Catalog Number: Dirt158

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Ben Hixon - Vision EP (NDATL Muzik)

You know NDATL is shorthand for  NYC/Detroit/Atlanta-based Kai Alcé so here's his latest vision, Ben Hixon...  and it's his best (ear test) yet!

For the past 5 years or so, Hixon has been making a name for himself on his hometown label Dolfin Records out of Dallas, Texas,  And of late there's been a collabs with JT Donaldson and Stefan Ringer so you know it's not going to be too long before the likes Wolf Music gives him a call but it happens that Kai Alcé got there first.

And it's luck he did as if anyone knows Theo Parrish/Moodyman DNA, it's Alcé and this is that as it's six classic(y) tracks that go from 'Disco to Disco' to minimal deep house finding his "perfect sweet spot between immersice atmosphers and late-night drive".

From the opener, 'Taping' it pumps a Parrish style keys chord that could go on forever and you'd always be happy.   This is in sharp contrast/complementry to the stuttery 'Area Code 336 Phone Rings' with the cut-up sample express train meets Augustus Pablo (there could be a full-on dub remix in there somewhere). Whilst 'December Blackout' is where jazz stars twinkle on piano with space synths.

So if you're looking for a "lead" track head for 'Its Like A Vision which captures all I've said above, but for me, 'Y Do U Get So Nervous' has got me heading for my Whirlpool Productions 'Disco To Diso' as its "nagging vocal hooks... and wet finger clicks" nearly take us all the way.

The EP ends on '0823' which takes us on a shorter trip but this journey could go on forever - this will be a much sort after release and Hixon will be a 2026 name as "Life is good after a session"!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://www.phonicarecords.com/product/ben-hixon-vision-ep-ndatl-muzik/210279

Artist:  Ben Hixon 

Title: Vision EP 
Release date: 10th April, 2026
Label: NDATL Muzik
Catalog Number  TBC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Lovebirds - They Call Me EP (Winding Road Records)

Lovebirds (aka Sebastian  Döring) has been doing his thing for many a year now but this "slinky 3 track 12" has been the first on Winding Road since the hit 'Want You In My Soul' in 2011.

You'll recall 'Want You In My Soul' featured the vocals of Stee Downs who first came to light on the release of 'Put A Little Love In My Soul' on Sonar Kollektiv (that was a big track for DJ Gilles Peterson back in the day; that's 2009).

There's a phased release before the 12":

• ‘They Call Me’ is a funk-fuelled Detroit style jam with bluesy vocals, solid beat, rasping horns, and live bass from Declan MacDermott who you'll recall from his 'Doin' It All 4 U' EP on Delusions of Grandeur (inc. Tom Trago and lovetempo remixes - see review HERE). (Digital release date: 20 February 2026)

• ‘Smooth & Fatfree’ is a silky downtempo groover with the fattest bass this side of Berlin, heavy 80s beats, and super smooth keys. (Digital release date: 13 March 2026)

• ‘Bali Birds’ is a slinky deep house groove, with a hypnotic bassline nestling between mellow chords, reminiscent of Super Discount vibes. (Digital release date: 3 April 2026)

‘Bali Birds’ is featured on Colour & Pitch sessions, March 2026 with Will Sumsuch (see below)..

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: They Call Me EP | Lovebirds | Winding Road Records

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - February 2026

Artist: Lovebirds

Title: They Call Me EP

Release date: 3rd April, 2026

Label: Winding Road Records

Catalog Number: ROAD033

Format: Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp