Review: The Cure - And Nothing Is Forever (Cosmodelica Electric Eden Remix)(Polydor)

How I would have loved to have been in the room when the big wigs were selecting the folks that were going to get their hand on one of the 16 tracks that make up, 'The Cure - Mixes Of The Lost World' but if you're on this site, you'll be most interested in Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy in her 'Cosmodelica' remix guise and the track 'And Nothing Is Forever'.

 

The Cosmodelica Electric Eden remix (being Cosmo, Joe Goddard and Al Doyle) predictably takes a Robert Smith/The Cure morose ballad into a dancefloor favourite that boarders on disco a la The Rapture in Ibiza.

Murphy being known as the bearing of torch of David Mancuso's Loft Party, host of the Balearic Breakfast radio show plus the 'Classic Album Sunday' show on Worldwide FM, DJing with Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s) in Ibiza a couple of weeks ago at the Cafe del Mar and having breakfast with Joe Goddard (Ed. What a life!)

Not only that, she was very charming when I met her in the Jazzdance tent at WOH Festival last year so I'm more than happy to fall in love with The Cure again, did I ever tell it was because of the The Cure I ended up living on the the same road as Small Wonder Records (the label for thier first single (Ed. Another day).

Out on a double album of 16 tracks, there's so much more to The Cure and their remixer fans to check out and we'll be hearing more from the Cosmodelica Electric Eden 'supergroup' with Joe Goddard and Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Al Doyle (LCD Soundsystem) and Lou Haytor 

BUY LINK: www.juno.co.uk

Artist: The Cure

Title: Mixes Of A Lost World

Release date: 12th June, 2025

Label: Polydor

Catalog: 758644 7

Format: 2 X LP Gatefold ; Digital

Review: Feiertag - Embers (Sonar Kollektiv)

This EP is hot, like 'Embers' of the fire - 4 tracks plus 'Lost Spirit' featuring Jono McCleery.

Last summer we had Feiertag's 'ON/OFF EP' that followed 'Roots' (see review HERE) and before that 'Feel Me' (featuring Nego True) / 'Law Of Attraction' (featuring OSHUN) (see review HERE) so we know even with burning embers, Joris Feiertag just can't stop.

'Somewhere Up There' keeps him in the high atmospheric bouncey opener that sounds strongly Dutch; possibly as it's central to 'Embers' as he reflects on loved ones that has passed.  Whilst the 'Wanderer' picks things up and bursts upon us like a sunrise.

I may not surprise anyone that the Jono McCleery guest on the track 'Lost Spirit' makes it the stand-out for radio play as with Jono's 'Reconcile' album from late last year (see review HERE).

Clearly there's some genre chemistry going on here from post-Dutch trance to Bruk to house and more which makes it ideal for summer 2025.

Title: Feiertag

Title: Embers

Release date: 20th June, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK522D 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Liz Vice - The Call (Liz Vice Music)

Introducing 'Woman' and 'Never Been The Same', the first two singles taken from forthcoming album, 'The Call', by singer songwriter Liz Vice.  

The independent project features the amazing Roberto Di Gioia (he of Web Web, see review of their latest album HERE) on keys, and was co-produced by Grammy Winner, bass player, producer extraordinaire, and former Bowie collaborator, Timothy Lefebvre.

As good as the introspective 'Woman' is, 'What Have We Done' is so soul-folk deep like a female Terry Callier with a Web Web/Jazzanova vibe.

Which is equalled by the tracks like 'Face Value', the title track, the previous single 'Woman', the southern R&B funk of 'Other Side' and what out for the ended on 'Missed You'..

This album is bound to be picked up by a major label soon so get in at the start, when you're getting compared to the likes of Aretha Franklin and Marvis Staples, you know you'll get the call soon!

Artist:  Liz Vice 

Title: The Call (album)
Release date: 20th June, 2025
Label: Independent
Catalog Number: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Skinny Hightower - Analog Theory (CastOver Records)

The new full-length album by Tyler Gauldin and Skinny Hightower is here with an 'Analog Theory'.

  

Skinny Hightower, multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer and Internationally recognised jazz artist is joined Tyler Gauldin on sax for a new EP, Analog Theory which, by its title, gives the clue that this is more than just jazz fusion.

Tyler says, “Rarely have I been able to express my musical ideas so freely... The way Skinny and I collaborate is seamless—one idea flowing into the next. These tracks are a perfect blend of our artistry.”

And they share 'Taxi' and 'The Real Calyso' (with Radio Edits) with a real jazz groove, 'Taxi' could be driving to any destination from the deep south to the mid-west; Skinny himself coming from Wichita, Kansas and having deep gospel roots.

Whilst we like the electronic side of things, there's definitely still more to investigate in the world of 'Analog Theory'.

Artist:  Skinny Hightower

Title: Analogue Theory EP
Release date: 20th June, 2025
Label: CastOver Records
Catalog Number: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Jackstraw (BE) - Amani (Ostowana)

Jackstraw (the Belgian DJ and producer) presents 'Amani' as a "powerful Afro House journey that radiates warmth, rhythm, and soul" in vocal, radio and instrumental versions. 

This is a light Afro percussion with emotive vocals and deep melodic textures, Amani (that translates as "peace") is on a mission to get/keep the dancefloor going and it's full of equinox sun: "Perfect for sunrise sets, sunset rituals, and deep dancefloor moments, Amani is a celebration of heritage, harmony, and house music with heart". 

Still groovin' to Souhail Artwork's 'AFROGORO EP' from last week (see review HERE), Ostowana have picked up another summer anthem.

Artist: Jackstraw (BE)

Title: Amani

Release date: 20th June, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST116

Format: Digital

Review: Djingo Typical Band - Vini Ouais (with Art Of Tones Remix) (Heavenly Sweetness)

Out today!

I love how label's like Heavenly Sweetness can swing from he brilliant Ludivine Issambourg (check her album, 'Above The Laws' - see review HERE) to this equally brilliant 12" from the Djingo Typical Band 'Vini Ouais'.

Originally released in as a 1983 7" single, 'Vini Ouais' is one of the many Latin, Afro-Cuban jazzdance diggers holy grails even it it's by the French Guianan François 'Djingo' Bonnaire who settled in the Toulouse region

who, along with local musicians, shared with them "the vibrant sounds of his homeland: Kaseko, Biguine, Zouk… powerful, festive rhythms deeply rooted in history and dance"

Heavely  Sweetness' GUTS included it on his 'Straight From The Decks, Vol 3' compilation a couple of years ago (Vol. 4 came out last year) but now it has a whole side of 12" to itself and a remix on the other by the always busy Art Of Tones (aka Ludovic Llorca but last seen on YATM on 'Best Of 2024 - see review HERE).

Bound to sell-out fast so get your pre-orders in now.

Artist: Djingo Typical Band

Title:  Vini Ouais

Release Date : Digital 19th June / 18th July, 2025 (Vinyl)

Catalog Number : TBC-

Label : Heavenly Sweetness

Format:  180g Black Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Max Sinàl & KingCrowney Feat. Liv East - Intentions (Frits Wentink, JT Donladson & Flying Moth Remixes)(Soul Quest Records)

More trumpet I hear you call!  We'll you certainly get a lot with the remixes of the last single release, ‘Intentions’, plus a "resonating" live version of the original cut! 

The original of ‘Intentions’ was a joint  adventure from label head Max Sinal, producer and long-time collaborator KingCrowney with vocalist Liv East. 

We know "producer extraordinaire" Frits Wintink from his work at Wolf Music (see review HERE) and he knows how much trumpet is needed to get the dancefloor moving; and in this case, with just the right about of wobble.

JT Donaldson seems like he must have been remixing since he come outta the dancefloor womb giving us a remix and dub version with some sparkling piano on the deep bassline; the remix itself goes straight for the trumpet/vocal jugular..

Flying Moth has had his own EP out earlier last month, Tide, with a remix by Toronto Hustle x Sean Roman (also seen on Wolf Music with their 'The Symington Avenue' EP - see review HERE) seems to have flown to the light and added it all in in a rapid synth-jazz Bruk; yes, you heard it here first!

And the best of the lot, even bettr than the original is the live version that has a vibe of the recent Jazzanova live re-work album (see review HERE).

Soul Quest have put together a great EP and worthy of a follow-up to the original and another release from earlier this year, 'Soul Notion EP' by Jean-Jez: did someone say, "more trumpet"?

Artist: Max Sinàl & KingCrowney Feat. Liv East

Title:  Intentions (Frits Wentink, JT Donladson & Flying Moth Remixes)

Release date: Digital - 20th June 2025 / Vinyl - 27th June 202

Label : Soul Quest Records
Catalog Number : SQR013
Format:  Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Alexander Flood - Vibração (Kaidi Tatham Remix)(Atjazz Record Company)

Absolute mad crazy bonkers Airto vs Billy Cobham Latin-fusion jazz dance monster - with a Kaidi Tatham remix!

What with the album,  Alexander Flood 

Title: Artifactual Rhythm' and the singles, 'Life Is A Rhythm' featuring Cazeaux O.S.L.O (the album opener - see review HERE) and 'Can’t Get Enough' (featuing Vivian Sessoms - see review HERE), I wasn't expecting another single so soon or indeed a Kaidi Tatham remix!

'Vibraçāo' was the most obvious pick for a single in it's "post-Lonnie Liston Smith" vibe and add to that a post-Bruk Tatham remix and you're on a dancefloor winner.

I said before, "if you were to push me, lets put 'Cinnamon & Clove' in the jazz-funk cake mix it's one for Gilles Peterson's Worldwide 2025 All Winners show and shall we add 'Vibraçāo' for it's Latin cultura: yes, lets".

BUY LINK: https://orcd.co/arc260advpre

Artist: Alexander Flood 

Title: Vibração (Kaidi Tatham Remix)
Release date: 20th June, 2025
Label: Atjazz Record Company
Catalog Number: ARC260ADS3

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Alexander Flood: Drums, production, programming, vocals
Erica Tucceri: Flute
Finn Rees: Piano, Rhodes, Moog
Dylan Paul: Bass
Fabian Hevia: Percussion
Kaidi Tatham: Remix and additional production (02. & 03.)
George Glass: Mixdown
Martin Iveson: Mastering
Gabriella Brown (Soft Edges): Artwork

Review: Various - Gabriele Poso presents Ritmo Italiano ‘Unspoken Sounds of Italian Tamburo' (Mr Bongo)

Mr Bongo hits the beach with Gabriele Poso and his  Ritmo Italiano ‘Unspoken Sounds of Italian Tamburo'; and I don't want to talk about it as it's so good.

Gabriele Poso is a renown digger for compilations as deep as 'The Languages Of Tambores (A Spiritual Journey Through The Cultural Heritage Of Drums)' to his own albums like 'Batik', you can guarantee that his mix of jazz, Latin, world, folk will be percussion heavy and dancefloor friendly.

Poso, the Sardinian multi-instrumentalist, percussionist and producer has dug deep into thost Italian Libraries and he goes in at top and as hard as you can get with a cover version of the classic jazz dance 'Caravan' by Puccio Roelens E La Sua Grande Orchestra TV: and in true 'unspoken' style, I'm not going to tell you how it goes but it's a surpise.

Equally, Gegè Munari Percussion Modern's 'Pollice Man' suits a TV theme with a rockin' guitar.  What's far more obvious is samba-infused ‘Napulitano D' 'O Brasil’ by Don Marino Barreto Jr. and the mambo of Vico Anthony's Percussion Paesanos' 'Mambo Ravioli'.

Tony Espositio's 'Pagaia' is very much in the Jonny Trunk 60s library sound whilst Rosario Jermano's 'Grand Oceano' slips into North Africa for some jazz refreshment in the souk; a little bit Weather Report. But hang-on, you need Agostino Marangolo's jazz-funk monster 'Certi giorni mi sento bene, certi giorni mi sento male' - why haven't people been talking about this?

Tony Cercola's 'Lumumba' appears in original and Clap!, Clap! versions which is all a bit of fun and Poso has his own track, 'Ritmo Italiano' which fits perfectly into a disco in Rimini

The 12 tracks are a fabulous selection from the leftfield and it's a happy sit next to some recent Italo, like 'Bruno Boogie' by Euro Nettuno & Bruno Belissimo (see review HERE), La Dune's 'Sugar' (see review HERE) and even Roy Inc & Darren Morris' 'Credit Me' (see review HERE).

As Ramrock's Jo Wallace told me, 'Italo new went away' - I think we can now safely say, 'Italo is definitely back' with Ritmo Italiano ‘Unspoken Sounds of Italian Tamburo': I can tell you!

BUY LINK: https://bfan.link/gabriele-poso-presents-ritmo-italiano-unspoken-sounds-of-italian-tamburo

Artist: Various

Title:  Gabriele Poso presents Ritmo Italiano ‘Unspoken Sounds of Italian Tamburo' 

Release date: 20th June, 2025

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP317

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Shiran & Bakal - Electro Baghdad - اليكترو بغداد (Batov Records)

Shiran & Bakal's blend of traditional Iraqi songs with analog synths, heavy basslines, and electronic grooves is the magic combination that you didn't know existed, buy your ticket to 'Electro Baghdad'.

Hot on the heels of Ouzo Bazooka's 'Kapaim' a "Middle Eastern surf rock psychedelia, Turkish-funk space-rock" (see review HERE), lets slip down the coast to Baghdad and in a bit (Ed. not exactly 'Google Maps' directions?) and plug-in for some 'Electro Baghdad'!

A project that fits the bill for fans of Acid Arab and Omar Souleyman (the 'part-time wedding singer, the Syrian 'William Onyeabor') and it's trad folk songs that fit a Lawrence Of Arabia soundtrack in the dance tent at Glasto wiht big synths and Shiran's vocals on top.

Singing in Yemenite Arabic, the ablum starts off with a slower love some, 'Sghayiroun' (Little One) but it t doesn't take long to get fully modern production party mode with tradition 'Ah Ya Layla Yumma' (Oh my night mother) becomes the tune 'Electro Hafla' (Arabic party) and 'Eshrab Kasak Wethanna' (Drink Your Glass and Be Happy).

In fact, you could say this is like being invited to the soundtrack of a wedding celebration that you didn't know existed - Songlines, World, WOMAD fans are going to love this; particularly like the space synths, Flute Gang elements and the echo/Pirate Radio/Calling to prayer, disco touches: perhaps their should be full dub album version?

PS. You'll have to be very quick to get your hands on the vinyl.

`    

Artist: Shiran & Bakal 

Title: Electro Baghdad - اليكترو بغداد

Release date: 20th June, 2025

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR

Format: Limited LP / Digital / Bandcamp