Review: Devra - On the Way EP (Root Records)

Whilst the name Devra might sound like a staid office of government, this Devra is anything but and he's definitely 'On The Way' with his second EP out this week.

I've said it before of The Offline that there's an added sense of Italian OST/Bob James cool a la Calibro 35/Malcolm Catto and a host of your favourites from the Melbourne area (Surpriseth Chef, Robohands, Karate Boogaloo etc) and Devra (aka Fabio De Angelis) has got this jazzed up on this new EP.

In fact, it's no coincidence that the "Hamburg-based cinematic hip-hop producer" known as The Offline springs to mind as he features on the single, 'RSB Variations' (Ed. that's not Reinforced Steel Beams' then?) and with Jackson Mathod (trumpet) featuring on 'Vondelpark Bop' (named after the famous park in Amsterdam) that is full of the spirit of Roy Hargrove/RH Factor/Robert Glasper this EP is going to be selling fast. 

'Mill Street Samba' features the keys of Paul Grant, known for his "brand of sun-soaked Californian beats" which chills with "Devra's Mediterranean jazz flair" which belongs in the summer.

We're told, 'Monday Tune' was "inspired by the spontaneous energy of jam sessions at Nublu in New York City. “I spent about a month in NYC in winter 2023, and heard a lot of great music, but those nights at Nublu really stuck with me — raw, honest, vibrant energy.” And just in case you don't know, check out these recent releases on Nublu and this months', JMMR album 'Resitance Is Fertile' - see review HERE). 

The title track slips in some ChatGPT with some meticulous drum beats which means this Italian drummer, producer and composer is going to be on a lot of guest lists this coming season as you know all the DJs will be playing this, like fans as varied as Craig Charles, Jamie Cullen and Huey Morgan on BBC Radio, Tom Ravenscroft and Tim Garcia on Rinse FM, John Osborne and Tony Minvielle on Jazz FM, and more.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: .On The Way EP | Devra

Artist: Devra
Title:  On The Way

Release date: 5th December, 2025

Label : DeepMatter Records

Catalog Number :tbc

Format: Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Pat Lok & Megan Vice - Spectrum Remixes w/ Sebb Junior & JIALING (toucan sounds)

We know that "Girls on the Spectrum just wanna dance" from a couple of months ago but this is the 'Spectrum' remixes which is all toucan sounds positive too!

Even so, this is not exactly like the last release we featured on YATM, Disko Cowboy (with Brandon Markell Holmes) on vocals - see review HERE - as Brooklyn, NYC hosts Vancouver’s Pat Lok and Berlin-based Megan Vice meet "at the crossroads of R&B, House, and electronic club culture" now with added jazz-funk!

We loved the single that came out with 'Waste My Time' and instrumental versions (see review HERE) but here's a couple of remixes that you're bound to hear at the release party this Friday, 5th December, at 'Dead Letter No. 9', 63 Grand St, New York, NY 11249-4110.

Seb 'Sound Of Life' Junior (see review HERE) pumps even more dance/life the first remix and then does some more clever stuff to the jazz with a dub element.

Brooklyn 'local' JIALING gets on the breaks focusing on the 'spectrum' and 90s keys to rave about with a speed percussion lesson - kicks in the nuts this one.

Talking of kicks and balls, it's a bit of a bummer if you've been on a press junkit to FIFA's World Cup draw yesterday and have had to come back to the office before Friday; but at least you can now get this on vinyl.

BUY LINK (Tickets): https://posh.vip/e/class-9-cargo-series-pat-lok-kita-robert-pm-first-fridays-free-dead-letter-no9

BUY LINK (Download) / PRE-ORDER (12" Vinyl): https://music.toucansounds.com/spectrum

Artist: Pat Lok & Megan Vice
Title:  Spectrum Remixes w/ Sebb Junior & JIALING
Release date: 5th December, 2025
Label: Toucan Sounds
Cat. No: YTCW155RMX
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Declan McDermott - Doin' It All 4 U (inc Tom Trago & Lovetempo Remixes) (Delusions Of Grandeur)

I'd normally say, "In typical Delusions Of Grandeur style", but the Jimpster et al team have excelled themselves with Declan McDermott's debut by getting a couple of remix big guns on the case, after all, they're 'Doin' It All 4 U'! 

It's strange to think that there's a couple of recent releases that got us thinking of about Gilles Peterson's "St. Germain" period and along comes Declan McDermott's track 'Dani' with some deep house jazz featuring Luxonous (aka Omri Abramov) on soprano sax and EWI (that's electronic wind instrumet to you) that does echo some français about it with its waterfall of the seine wading with the sax in the wind.

Now, you'd say that was enough to get you excited about one EP, but wait, what is this all about?  Whilst there's no obvious link to Peterson with 'Doin' It All 4 U', (apart from his Level 42 obsession) I bet you can guess that where lovetempo comes in (see review HERE) you immediately fall in love(tempo) with it as it's as if Jaco does a Ritchie Rome in the house.

Not only that, there's a remix by Holland's Tom Trago, the DJ/Producer (most associated with the Rush Hour label for the best part of 20 years) and our favourite bass player/singer/band member, lovetempo (with both vocal and instrumental versions); an amazing agile twist into electro/disco/boogie of New York origins both re-works stand out like a night at Studio 54! 

Australian Declan McDermott is now based in Berlin and his energence as a musician and producer, with this debut EP for Delusions Of Grandeur, is much like the impact of lovetempo and his emergence from The Rapture a couple of years ago.  What with other soul-funk-house-boogie monsters, this is the groove for party season 2025. .

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Doin' It All For You | Declan McDermott

Artists: Declan McDermott 

Release: Doin' It All 4 U 

Release Date: 5th December, 2025

Label: Delusions Of Grandeur

Cat. No. DOC105

Format: Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: MAde, Storken, KAPPEKOFF - Et Helvete's Rabalder (Paper Recordings)

Paper Recordings are cutting deep with this one as it just goes to show that if you're locked up in Norway fed on a diet of Todd Terje, Lindrøm and all things Prins Thomas and Full Plupp before the party season starts you get 4 tracks on an EP, 'Et Helvete's Rabalder; which roughly translates as, "Party On"!

Well, that's not strickly true as a translation but if you took a bit of Lakeshouse's disco, (check out their album that came out earlier this year, 'On Verda Mi' see review HERE) and put up some fuzzed out samples in an early Razor-N-Tape style, you've got some New Yor(kt)hern Light disco winner that Ian D would be proud of (Ed. the former pupil of the Essex School of Art, Walthamstow campus) with 'Tylen Fra Sande'.  

Not only that, there's a remix by Storken (Sweden) that's a bit more gitch/bass/percussion centric with less strings; but that's not to say it's 'raw' as there's the healthy 'keep warm' vocal to keep it as a dancefloor winner like the orginal.  And wait for them synths to wobble.

And that's not all, of the other track, MAde and Keppekoff have caught some more zeitgeist with Grace Jones being the office 'album of the week' a couple of weeks' back, Kruder & Dorfmeister's K & D Sessions being referenced more as influences and echoes of Erykah that's filtered into 'Spillopper I By'n'.  Whilst on the remix, Keppekoff fires up all the synths to fly out to the Norweigen space lab to have a disco in the stars.

 

I hope this is coming out on vinyl in time for the annual Essex exodus summer party that's held in Dorset but we'll have to enjoy the downloads for the time being - stay tuned, this is great!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:  Made, Storken, KAPPEKOFF - Et Helvete's Rabalder [Paper Recordings] | Music & Downloads on Beatport

BANDCAMP: Et Helvete's Rabalder | MAde | Paper Recordings

 

Artist:Made, Storken, KAPPEKOFF

Title: Et Helvete's Rabalder

Release date: 3rd December, 2025

Label : Paper Recordings
Catalog Number : PR375
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Wah Wah 45s Remixed 3 (Wah Wah 45s)

Wah Wah 45s see out 2025 with a whopping thirty track compilation, showcasing some of the finest remixes and reworks that have been released on the label in recent years, as well as a dozen brand new, never heard before cuts!

The new 'Wah Wah 45s Remixed 3' is the first remix compilation on the label in seven years and what an impressive choice 'leader' Dom Servini has made from the wealth of producers, DJs and musicians that have worked with over the years.

From the most recent Sunbörn Meets Clap! Clap! project (with 'Vuvuzela Dourada' on the Cengiz remix) to Jamie Finlay with the album opener, the Quiet Dawn remix of 'Family' (originally on the album 'Sun Dogs' - see review HERE).

Of course you can't miss out Dele Sosimi who seems busier than ever with gigs in Bristol and London's Fox & Firkin early in the new year.  The album 'The Confluence' (see review HERE) with The Estuary 21 didn't need any remix, but Dazzle Drums are more than up to the task on 'E Si Mè dò' (and if they're listening, Dom, Chris Long and me are still awaiting the FB3 Dazzle Drums Remix - please). And so influencial Dele is, you'll the project with Medlar (see review HERE) and there's the Dele Sosimi x Medlar 'Full Moon' Dam Swindle remix and then Medlar's own remix of their 'All About The Dance' and Daz-I-Kue on 'Gudu Gudu Kan'.

And there's a heavy Afrobeat heritage presence with Raz & Alfa Sackey, Isaac Birturo & The Rail Abandon, Eparapo (with a WheelUP remix - check out his new album, 'Inner Light, see review HERE) plus the Sam Remore remix of 'Black Lives Matter'; Brum's finest Redmore having had Dele Sosimi guesting on his track 'Home' (see review HERE).

The label, like Dom's DJ sets and radio shows, are always varied, fun and quality and that's what's the feature of this collection, especially as long term artists like the always impressive Soothsayers ('Natural Mustic' Sarathy Korwar remix), Bev Lee Harling (Aroop Roy remix HERE and Hardkandy HERE) to the 'historic' TALC, The Reflex Revision of 'De Gui Ding' (see review HERE) and you'll know Afrikanz On Marz as Ashley Beedle who we understand will be recuperating from home soon with his F*CLR/Ramrock musical family and another of Dom's old mates, Espen Horne's 'Bergen Sunray's being remixed by Session Victim (see review HERE).

Even then, names that perhaps are not so familiar stand out, like Land Of Echos', 'What We Want' (remixed by disco guru Delfonic - fresh from his Roy Ayers 12", see review HERE) as they've "got it".

With all these tracks and seven years of remixes to pick from this is a collection that you'll be more than happy to say that you've got it!

BUY LINK: Wah Wah 45s Remixed 3 | Wah Wah 45

Artist: Various Artists

Release: Wah Wah 45s Remixed 3
Release Date: 28th November, 2025
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Xan Tyler - You're My Muse (Oddball Creatives Remix EP) (Ramrock Red Records)

If you're still in a horror film hangover, trust the The Oddball Creatives take on Xan Tyler's 'You're My Muse' to sober you up double quick time!

As regular readers will know, Ramrock Records and their extended family like some 'horror' based creatives, particularly Edinburgh's Natasha Kitty Kat (and her Synaptic Juice - see review HERE) and, of course we know The Oddball Creatives from 'No Apologies (see review HERE) and most recently their remix EP of Joseph Malik's 'Adult Contemporary' (see review HERE).

But neither of their respective long-dated backgrounds, Mr. Malik with Daniel Walls or Ms. Tyler with Alan McGee’s Creation Records and Mad Professor, you'd imagine that they'd create this soundtrack from a Trainspotting Inspector Rebus big screen/scream (Scottish) Nordic noire.

There's two versions of the vocal and the eerie instrumental to contend with but don't imagine any Francis Bacon triptych Freud visions as that'd be too scary.

Xan appears on Ramrock's forthcoming ‘Last Night From Glasgow’ so look after yourself and admire the muse. 

P.S. Irvine Welsh (Edinburgh notable) likes it too!

BUY LINK: RRR093 - Xan Tyler 'You're my muse' (Oddball Creatives Remix EP) | Xan Tyler, Oddball Creatives | Ramrock

Artist: Xan Tyler 

Title: You're My Muse (Oddball Creatives Remix EP)
Release date: 28th November, 2025
Cat. No: RRR093

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Tambores En Benirras - Ondas Horizontales Remixes Three (NuNorthern Soul)

We've been following NuNorthern Soul's exploration of remixes of Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' and trois is a magic number and the final edition in the set. 

Back in August, we had the "daytime" remixes of Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' (see review HERE) and then came remixes 2 (see review HERE) which is where we find For Mankind and Leo Zero remixing 'Eastrelias En Mstella', Asto on the tiltle track, 'Ondas Horizontales', Jesbell's 'Alma Habiando' and 100 Poems remix of 'Generadora de Rayos'.

All are fitting tributes to Tambores En Benirras (aka Graham Newby) and his original album that came out in 2024 as “ambient soundtracks, cosmic journeys, Balearic rhythms and poolside sessions”.

To open the third and final EP in the series, Newby has turned to cross-generational Balearic dream team For Mankind and Leo Zero. One for dancefloor stamina as it's a near ten-minute revision of ‘Estrellas en Mastella’ that's got wobble synth-heavy, delay-laden beats said to be influenced by the Afro-jazz-funk futurism of Jasper Van’t Hof’s Pili Pili project (see review HERE of the recently released 'Selected Works' album).

Ready to calm things down, Astro takes a laid back dreamy groove to ‘Ondas Horizontales’ on "sun-bright Balearic" beaches

The London-based Balearic rework specialist Jezebell does a take on ‘Alma Hablando’ for the  head nodders on the back row with some James Mason 'I Want Your Love' styling and for more b-boy cool, 100 Poems get on "Guru’s Jazzamatazz style beats", dubbed out guitars, simmering strings and sparkling synths to ‘Generadora de Rayos’ for another great summer track.

This is more White-Isle Friday than Black but glad it's out now so we can revel in the warmth that these 4 tracks deliver.

BUY LINK: Ondas Horizontales Remixes Three | Tambores En Benirras

Artwork by Johnny Kavannagh

Artist: Tambores En Benirras

Title: Ondas Horizontales Remixes Three

Release date: 28th November, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : NUNSTEBR003
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Tru Thoughts 2025 (Tru Thoughts)

Reflecting the label’s eclectic and international roster the 22-track anthology spans Neo Soul, Jazz, Electronica, Grime, Broken Beat, Hip Hop, and beyond - it celebrates new signings, landmark collaborations, and fresh twists on catalogue favourites.

 At the one extreme, the bully boy 'BOSS' (from Oliver Night's album, 'Between The Lines - see review HERE) and at the other, the gentle 'Starling' in the middle (from Alina Bzhezhinnska & Tulshi's Whispers Of Rain - see review HERE),just the usual brilliant best of Tru Thoughts with another 'Love Letter' for a year of success. 

A massive 22 tracks that also features Lance Fergusson's cover of 'Could Heaven Be Like This' (from the album, Rare Groove Spectrum Vol. 3 - see review HERE), WheelUp's 'Flash' (review HERE), Footshooter, Benji Bower & The Terra Collective Orchestra present Terra Coda (see review HERE) and many more.

As they say, "‘Tru Thoughts 2025’ once again captures the label’s unique ethos: a commitment to nurturing new voices while celebrating heritage and collaboration. With music stretching from grime and broken beat to jazz-funk, harp-electronica, and brass-driven anthems, the compilation stands as a vibrant reflection of where Tru Thoughts has been this year and where it’s going next".

Once more, many thanks for 2025 (and since 1999!)

BUY LINK : Tru Thoughts 2025 | Tru Thoughts

Artist: Various Artists 

Title: Tru Thoughts 2025

Release date: 28th November, 2025

Label : Tru-Thoughts 

Catalog Number : TRUDD698

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Coco Chatru Quartet - Lost Christmas (Trygger Music)

Coco Chatru Quartet's 'Lost Christmas' is here to bring and cheers whilst raising your jazz spirits with not the obvious seasonal fayre!

If you could look into Coco Chatru Quartet's 'Future' (see review HERE) and the follow-up, 'Limbokolia' (see review HERE), I bet that nobody could have foreseen a "Christmas" album.  That said, this is a 'lost' christmas that's not full of cover versions and cliché.  No doubt, due to the a continued the inspiration of Coco Chatru (a legendary Swedish adventurer) who may (or not) journeyed to see Father Christmas.

This 'alternative' seasonal vibe is assisted by some traditional bell jangling and twinkling on a couple of intros like 'Gästerna kommer' (The Guests Are Coming) which has a sense of forebodding/jazz excitement: this is perfect a just when you think the band is going into a Wayne Shorter-est solo, there's this Gregorian Chant that would suit the Xmas Edition of 'Traitors'.

And talking of TV shows, the mournful waltz of 'Mys vid brasan' might sound like a outtake from 'Tales Of The Unexpected' but the warmth ot the baritone sax gives away the translated title of 'Cozy By The Fireplace'.   

'Pulka' is more 'sled' related buisness which again has an angular swing in the Christmas forests as Santa bring us gifts; which is cool, but why is the track so short!  I suppose it links in with the concept tied into the abstract storyline like 'På vinterpromenad' (On a Winter Walk) and 'Ringdans' (Ring Dance).  

Have you noticed the Swedish language seems to have more poetic expressions for winter events?  'En juldröm' is 'A Christmas Dream' and it sounds just like that whilst 'Tomtarnas midnatt' is a little horn battle of a jumpy affair (The Gnomes' Midnight) and 'Coco Raskar över isen' (Coco skates on the ice) is the quirky in the middel of the two.

The longest track on the album 'Prosten' ('the Dean') manages to combine all of the above with the jingles bells to start, leading up to a bit of a blow out as the party starts before they all get lost in a swinging 'Snöyra' (that 'blizzard' to you and me) with Linus showing us the way.

And this why Christmas is "lost" with the band being playful and serious and still proving that a jazz quartet does not necessarily need a piano, as in Linus Kåse (alto saxophone), Charlie Malmberg (baritone saxophone), Håkan Trygger (double bass) and Daniel Kåse (drums/vibraphone).  

And talking of vibes and playful, 'Julnocturne' is the name for a nightime sky in July (Christmas lost?) and 'Slädens framfart' (Ed. Stop sniggering at the back) is the rushing 'The Sled's Progress' as it's racing through the snow to your favourite Xmas jazzdance [Insert here - we're going for 21st December at Shiftless Shuffle Xmas Edition with DJs Perry Louis, Paul Murphy and Colin Parnell at Great Portland Street, London] along with a belting 'NEIPA': oh! yeah!

But before that, and If you're lucky enought to be in Stockholm this month, there's the gig/release party on 29th November at the Record Store Djungel & Jazz (located in the heart of Södermalm, Stockholm).  You'll recall that the previous albums were vinyl only so I'd encourage you to pre-order now (see links below).

Definitely going raise a glass to 'Lost Christmas' this Christmas and it might save yours (musically at least?)

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://tidal.com

Artist: Coco Chatru Quartet

Title: Lost Christmas

Release date: 29th November, 2025

Label: Trygger Music

Catalog Number : TM4

Format : Vinyl LP / Spotify / Tidal 

Review: ventoux^ · Loop Dreams (Flamme Rouge)

It's been a few months since le tour went up Mont Ventoux and now the weather's taken a turn for the colder, time to warm yourself up with some more rest day 'Loop Dreams' with ventoux^'s newly serviced album!

ventoux^ (aka James Risebero) has gained a '^' after his debut album in 2006 that was a heady mix of future jazz, dub, ambience that featured David Jean-Baptiste and included a version of on Mongo Santamaria's classic track as 'Afro Blue In Five'.

Such eclecticism caught the attention of Glyn 'Bigga' Bush (see review interview HERE) and whilst there's been a couple of collaborations, we've had to wait until now for the new album.

Ten tracks of nu-jazz, ambient Latin beats - a bit of a cross between Azymuth, Lonnie Liston Smith and Madlib's lounge: how good is that! 

Biggabush played 'Del Toro' on his  'Friends & Family' Big Dig 1BTN show but for some Latin French library, try 'Clouds' and 'This Side Of Sunshine' brings some synth-funk to the flute gang groove, the dreamy 'Free Fall' and the cosmic vibes of 'Les Balieues' and here's one for the Chilled Cider guys, 'Love Was All Around' featuring saturnVille on vocals with some understated 'Richie Rome' electronic jazz-dub leanings.

If you're struggling on the lower slopes like most mere mortals, here's an album that you can only dream of before you reach your own summit - grab your bidon and ride with this one.

BUY LINK:  Loop Dreams | ventoux^

Artist: ventoux^ 

Title: Loop Dreams

Release date: 16th November, 2025

Label : Flamme Rouge
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:  Digital