Review: Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers - African Party (Deluxe Edition) (Impressive Collective / BBE Music)

Back in 2015, Freestyle Records reissued a remastered version of this 1967 classic ten track album by Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers but this is the 12 track Deluxe Edition as the first on the BBE / Greg Boramans' Impressive Collective partnership.

You may know Mr. Boraman from his connections with Brian Auger (see review HERE) so it's no surprise that he loves this seminal album from that late sixties when Ginger Johnson was not only opening the London/UK ears to Afro-jazz percussion, he was also a mentor to then London resident, Fela Kuti as well having work with British jazz greats as Ronnie Scott, drummers Phil Seaman, pianist Victor Feldman, Kenny Graham (in his Afro-Cubists band) as well as percussionist in Edmundo Ros' popular dance band in the 50s (always check the credits his album).

This album is full of Yoruba vocals/chants, heavy percussion and Brit-jazz horns and flute; 'Hi-Life' being particularly good but it's all excellent and often mentioned as the start of Afrobeat. 

Johnson's band also went on to include future members of Cymande and Osibissa and you can hear elements of calypso/Carribean on 'African Party' and even Zamrock meets jazz ('Witch Doctor' (Afro Rock)'.

A truley amazing album and especially in this expanded form (the extra two tracks having been taken from a long lost 45 that's been a 'Repair Shop' restoration so as to match the rest of the album).

When Tony Allen (RIP - albeit mentioned this week - see review HERE) said, Ginger "was a pioneer, the trailblazer for all of us", he really should be better known and this 'African Party' will definitely make that happen.

Artist: Ginger Johnson And His African Messenger

Title: African Party

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number:BBE771

Format: Vinyl 2xLP (early 2025), Digital / Bandcamp  

Review - Dora Morelenbaum - Pique (Mr Bongo)

Dora Morelenbaum is the superstar from Brazil with a debut album on Mr Bongo - you must here it.

How do we know she's a superstar? Well, she part of Bala Desejo (see review HERE) along with her bestie, Ana Frango Elétrico who had her album out last year (se review HERE) we've been getting itchy for more Dora Morelenbaum since the 'Vento De Beirada EP' last year as her debut album has 11 new tracks.

And who can not love the sunny feel-good of this album, especially 'Venha Comigo', the jazz-funky 'Sim, Não' and the odd-ball kooky extremees  of 'Caco' and 'VW Blue'.

But not only that, there's a string drenched ballad 'Essa Confusão' that'll knock you out with its understated jazz ballady along with the jazz pop of 'Petricor' and the thrilling 'Nem te procurar' that ties all these various strings together that makes this album so good?  

Dora has said, “'Pique' was an album made in motion and ended up being about just that. From the beginning, it was an album that sought to build new textures that are part of the sound landscape I envision ahead. And from these colours and textures, it builds bridges between a more traditional universe, sonically and poetically speaking, and a new perspective on songs.”

And you can't argue with that.  Any fans of Brazillian culture and its musical heritage from MPB, bossa nova, samba to tropicália will love this.

Artist: Dora Morelenbaum
Title: Pique 
Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP275,

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ernesto & The Basement Gospel - Is It True? (Atjazz Record Company)

Is it true? Original mix plus eight others! You bet it is and Ernesto gets into the basement for this soul-gospel-house future classic.

The original is outstanding as Atjazz Record Company gets even deeper than their last release (Magic Number's 'All I Ever Wanted' with remixes (see review HERE) so on this one there's a Dirtytwo remix, a Peacey remix, a Atjazz remix, a radio mix, a Peacey radio mix,  a Peacey instrumental radio mix a Peacey instrumental remix, a Atjazz instrumental remix - not much time go to church after all that lot.

You may recognise Ernesto from the 90s as 50% of Swell Seesion (with Andreas Saag), as Pinku Vääty or as Jonathan Bäckelie, Swedish soul singer/musician/producer and mover/shaker in the Gothenburg Jazz Hipsters.   With so many credits on club friendly releases, is it any wonder Peacey is abel to jazz-house up 'Is It True?' and it's the one I'd put money on for radio/dancefloor action.

Atjazzy and Ernesto go back many years (Exceptional Records days I guess) and Dirtytwo are fellow Swedes, production duo from Norrköping who have caught the ears of Peking House, Razor 'n' Tape, Local Talk, JKriv, Homero Espinosa and many more; i.e. proper incrowd as opposed to SHM.

Seems like a good time to make Sweden trendy again - it must be true!

Artist: Ernesto & the Basement Gospel

Title: Is It True?

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label: Atjazz Record Company

Catalog Number: ARC248SD

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Inkswel & Andre Espeut - Dangerous Times (Compost Records)

Inkswel & Andre Espeut have brought us some renewed hope of soul and love with thier track, 'Dangerous Times'.

Long term fans will recall that nearly ten years ago Inkswel was making his name on BBE with his 'Super Foods' series (see review HERE - side note, always worth checking of a Kid Sublime remix; one of Paul 'Jazz Room' Murphy's favourites don't you know?)

And then, last year he re-imerged on Compost Records as Inkswel & Colonel Red with the 'Holders Of The Sun Remix EP' (see review HERE) and his latest single, 'Dangerous Times' is a fore taste of a new album with London based Andre Espeut who is well known in deep soul circles and has collaborated with many a YATM favourite from Elbert Phillips to King Bee (see review HERE) and Situation to name just three.

This pair are perfect partners to sooth us with this modern soul room and the album, 'Synchronicites', indicates how well these two pair up.

Artist: Inkswel & Andre Espeut

Title: Dangerous Times

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT6044 / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos - Overjoyed Through The Noise (Mello Music Group)

When your influences are as diverse/equal as Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Madlib, Q-Tip and more, this is an area where a new generation is taking us even further out and Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos don't need a Musk$ spaceship to get us 'Overjoyed Through The Noise'.

Blvck Spade has been making hip-hop beat in St. Louis and with a group of free-jazz thinkers, The Cosmos, they are going cosmic.   It's a full live band of Joey Ferber (guitars), Precious Brown (vocals), Kudda (keys), Dhoruba Shakur and Dorian Simms (both drums), Hodge (perucssion), Vintvage Vibes (saxes), Joshiah Burton (trumpet) and Antionio Brown (keys/arrangers).

Mr. Spvde has said that this group is akin to "bring[ing] the feel of my Dad back in the Room" and as it's record live, I get it as I recall seeing Gil Scott-Heron at Dingwalls many moons ago and this club recording has the same vibe to it (plus the jazz-funk heritage of a Brian Jackson; who is still bringing it live as recently as WeOutHere Festival this year and on BBE).

Two drummers and a percussionist certainly helps with the 70s vibe, especially on the title track, 'Never Be Another' and there's a poetic lilt on 'What You Won't Do' and a great horn section. 

So somewhere between a less-political Gil Scott-Heron band and a small Sun Ra Arkestra - and who wouldn't want some of that?

Artist: Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos

Title:   Overjoyed Through The Noise

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label : Mello Music Group

Catalog Number : -

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: D.B Cohen - Manchild (Ramrock Red Records)

Troubadour D.B Cohen has a new album coming out and if it's all as good as 'Manchild', Ramrock fans (and everbody else) have got something great to look forward to.

DB Cohen's been drinking at the corner of 'Scratchcards & Wine' (see album review HERE) but on this new single, 'Manchild' he's channeling his inner Muddy 'Mannish Boy' Waters with a bit of Captain Beefheart.

And if you're recording in the hear of the Essex delta, you've just gotta call Mark 'Snowboy' Cotgrove - Latin jazz dance legend last seen on YATM supporting Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21 album on Wah Wah 45s, 'The Confluence' (see review HERE).

The 'difficult' (not in Dan's case') second album, 'On Target' is due out in November and  Snowboy production so more excitement next month.

Artist: DB Cohen 
Title: Manchild
Release date: 18th October, 2024
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR067
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Mackwood - Master Changes (5dB Records)

London-based drummer, producer, songwriter and bandleader Mackwood release a debut album that is diverse and talented as he is.

We've been following Mackwood this year with 'Habits' featuring anaiis and Quinn Oulton (see review HERE) and 'Yella!' featuring Charlie Stacey (see review HERE) but the album is fantastic!

Another track similar to 'Habits' is 'Thunder' that features Eert Evil and Klanja (it's BRUK, soulful, proggy and great all at the same time), 'Talk' and the rest of the album is instrumental modern nu-jazz funk electronica at its best; particularly 'Master Changes' (Parts i and ii), 'Dog' (brilliant post Roy Hargrove 'Golden Era')  and 'Flush Draw'.

'Master Changes' has got it all as you'd expect from an album inspired by artists as varied as Curtis Mayfield to Nubya Garcia to Holst to Four Tet (I'll tell you the story of me one and only meeting with Kieran Hebden one day; that's enough about me).

There's an album launch party at Peckham Audio next Tuesday (22nd October) so it would be a good idea to catch this before Mackwood gets to be massive 

 

Artist: Mackwood 

Title: Master Changes

Release date: 17^th October, 2024

Label: 5dB Records
Cat. No: 5DB24004

Format: Digital

 

Review: Frits Wentink - Together EP (Wolf Music)

If you're a fan of the label Wolf Music, you know that they are more than together when it comes to the best in disco / boogie / house and so when, Frits Wentink comes on strong, "It's all about you" and getting down.

When you hear 'About You', you'll know exactly why Stu Clark and Matt Neale (they being Wolf Music) were spot on going back to the Frits for their next big release as it's been a while since Wentink went all glitchy with 'Frogs, Toads & Newts'.

Fair to say, that raised eyebrows in 2019 (having been originally produced in 2014!) but you'll find tracks on the 'Together' EP more mainstream, even if 'Idle Dancer' is anything but idle; more of a heavy percussive manic race whilst 'Ambassador' take a more soulful dubby space synth vibe. 

Talking of which, any label that starts with remixes of Atmosfear's classic, 'Dancing In Outer Space' (The Revenge and Greymatter reworks) know their history and dancefloor.  And whilst they been equally adventurous with the Medlar 'Cub Dubs' release (yeah, the Medlar that works with Wah Wah 45s' Dele Sosimi - see review HERE), the simple "steal" of a 80s classic bassline with some soulful vocals and a repetitive "we do", "ha" and "together" with a bit of a sax break has got Frits top of the pile on 'I Want It All'.

If you were lucky enough to hear Frits plays these track at the Paorama Bar in April, you won't be able to contain youself six months on to get this, put your orders in now.

 

Artist: Frits Wentink 
Title: Together EP 
Release date: 17th Octomber, 2024
Label :Wolf Music Recordings
Catalog Number  WOLFEP076
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Zé Nigro - Silêncio (NuBlu)

Still totally overwhelmed by the recent single by  

Zé Nigro?  Well wait 'til you here the full album 'Silêncio' as it will open your eyes to the fantastic soundscape that you can't hear as loud as you can.

Opening up with this years' classic, 'Gorjeios' that features the Don, Arthur​ ​Verocai, (as released with 'Trincheira' featuring Saulo Duarte - see review HERE) this might only be a 9 track album but each one is superb as it's modern-Música popular brasileira with yacht rock, cool reggae/dub (a la Fat Freddy's Drop) and jazz-funk electronica.

The cover of Bob Marley's 'Reaction' fits in with the album vibe with many collaborations; Fernanda Broggi 'Calor', 'Nem um Pio vs. Silêncio' (featuring Russo Passapusso, the singer/composer from Bahia) and I think this beats the title track in its dreamy version.

For the dancefloor 'Andarilha das Galáxias' with Souto MC which brings the Latin rap to soul-funk-rock and some dubby-out electro-funk 'Jararaca Snake (Remix)'.

If there is a gripe, could these tracks have been longer - it's so varied, perhaps Crooked Man could do a job on this (the full Crooked Man version of Transmission Towers is on its way - check the single review HERE).

Back in Brazil, this is a great companion to the work Mr Bongo is doing with fellow Brazilians like Dora Morelenbaum, ('Pique' is out tomorrow, see review HERE) so expect to here more from Zé Nigro as 'Silêncio' is a must have this year.

Artist: Zé Nigro 
Title:  Silêncio 
Release date: 17th October, 2024
Label : NuBlu
Catalog Number : -
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Waaju featuring Majid Bekkas - Alouane (BBE Music)

This is a bit of a surprise as Morocco's Majid Bekkas joins forces with Waaju to produce the most 'WOMAD' of albums that surpasses the live album experience with 'Alouane'.

Majid is in his 60s now and acknowledged as one of the top performers of Moroccan Gnawa music that has attracted collaborations in the past with top jazz artists as varied as Pharoah Sanders, Peter Brötzmann, Archie Shepp, Nguyên Lê and many more. 

So who better to ask to join Waaju for a live recording of 'Alouane' (translates as 'Colours' in Arabic) which was Bekkas first visit to the UK at the time of recording. The inspiration for a 9 track album came from Waaju's drummer Ben Brown and it's his arrangements of traditional Gnawa songs give the feel on Mali desert blues meets a jazz-rock fusion trip.

Heavily percussive and supplemented by some busy guitar and sax, Majid's vocal performance easily enhances the album and it's the likes of existing fans Gilles Peterson, Jorda Rakei, Jazz FM et al will be on top of this one.

Artist: Waaju featuring Majid Bekkas 

Title:  Alouane

Release date: 11th October, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :BBE608

Format: 2 x LP, Digital / Bandcamp