Review: Various Artists - 10 Years Of Rocksteady Disco Vol. 1 (Rocksteady Disco)

Rocksteady Disco is 10!  Mr PC and a huge support cast has been keeping Detroit dancing for 10 whole years and there's no better way to celebrate than a 4-track 12" with some of their most consistant artists - not one to miss.

We last saw Sol Power All-Stars with their heavily influenced 'Nyah​-​Rock' (see review HERE) and they've done it again with 'Solsibisa' with more than a nod to the Afro-rock-soul-pop pioneers Osibisa (the ones with the prog-rock covers and 'Sunshine Day' outlook - opportune as there's going to be a new re-issue on Cherry Red next month).

We've also seen Eddie Logix in the past (in the form of 'Flight Risk EP' - see review HERE) and here he's latched onto the "It's Not Over" hook that's clearly tuned for the dancefloor before the EP is dubbed out with the sophisticated 'Gratiot Dub' by Topher Horn.

Which leaves the magnificent 'Whispers Of You' clocking in at over 11 minutes from Blair French who had Rocksteady Disco's first double vinyl LP release, 'The Art Of Us' back in 2020 which is a magic combination of Afro-house jazz disco from the leftfield.  'Whispers Of You' is inspired by the Ron Trent's of the world and is Claussellian in groove, which is so "now" with Joe C's recent mixes for Nicola Conte, BBE's Brian Jackson and Audrey Powne).

Don't know how many volumes there are going to be in the 10 year party but you can be sure that Vol. 1 will be a favourite for at least the next decade anniversary.

Artist: Various Artists (Sol Power All-Stars, Eddie Logix, Blair French, Topher Horn)

Title: 10 Years Of Rocksteady Disco Vol. 1

Release date: 8th October, 2024

Label : Rocksteady Disco

Catalog Number : 12" LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Mr Bongo Record Club Vol.7 (Mr Bongo)

How do Mr Bongo keep releasing such fantastic tracks?  We don't know but it's a good job their Record Club releases the annual compilation (now on Vol. 7) so we've got all the top tracks all in one place.

We've already had a sneak peek at this with SOYUZ featuring Asha Puthli & Sven Wunder and 'Spring Has Sprung' (see review HERE) so now Autumn has arrived you even more summery Latin love from Mr Bongo and from further a-field on this 21 track compilation.

Not only is there chilled out Latin jazzdance classics, some stormin' U.S. disco funk (particularly The Duncan's 'Too Damn Hot' and 'Love Games' by Thandi Zulu & The Young Five) and the best disco track you've always wanted to get your hands on, 'Come Inside' by The Shades Of Love.

I like this Latin/disco-funk 2-genre theme that's a little reflective of other recent Mr Bongo comps like the John G​ó​mez and Nick The Record Present TANGENT (see review HERE - these two DJs were really good a the recent WOH Festival even though the clouds were gathering at the time) and the 'With Love' series by Miche (see review HERE - who was at many stages at WOH but I saw him mostly at the Near Mint record fair). 

Not so keen on the 'Between The Sheets' cover version but as to endorse and merge the themes, the closing track is a rare one, classic and BIG all at the same time- a Studio Rio version of 'Lovely Day' with Bill Withers himself!  You'll all have a lovely day listening to this from beginning to end and back again - highly recommended.

PS. also worth revisiting, Mr Bongo Record Club Vol 6. (see review HERE).

Artist: Various Artists 

Title: Mr Bongo Record Club Vol.7

Release date: 4th October, 2024

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP304

Format :  2xLP Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Sean McCabe & Jill Rock Jones - Only You (Foliage Records)

There must be quite a few tracks called 'Only You' but this year, the only one you need is this one by Sean McCabe & Jill Rock Jones out on the ever reliable Foliage Records.

As you'll know from their previous 'arms length' outing on MrMilkDee's '2 Positions' remix package (see review HERE) these two are ideal for each other in the Foliage extended family sense as most recently seen with Halo and (see review HERE) but there's lots of others we've featured.

Whilst the vocal mix is great, the edit seems more intense to me, there's a cracking 'Sean's Day & Night Dub' that's clearly meant to go on for 24 hours and as an added bonus, a Dubstrumental version.

McCabe has released nearly as many tracks/remixes as Foliage has and he's going to be in demand as much as ever with this one.

Artist: Sean McCabe & Jill Rock Jones 

Title:  Only You

Release date: 4th October, 2024

Label: Foliage Records

Cat. No: FN101

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Full Flava feat. Angela Johnson - I Wanna Be Loved By You (Micky More & Andy Tee Remix) (Dome)

YATM wanna be loved by you but when you've got Angela Johnson singing that, it's guaranteed.

Last October it was all about Angela Johnson on Reel People's 'Can’t Stop (Michael Gray Remixes)' (see review HERE) but she's got to be one of the most active vocalists on the house seen (for years, even with Dome it's been 20 years!).   

And if she was a good choice for the vocals of 'I Wanna Be Loved By You', Italians Micky More and Andy Tee have added the feel of Italo-keys and som big strings to make this the uplifting joy in youi heart that we all need at the moment.

And it's almost blashemy to mention it, the instrumental version is almost as good.

There's also the Full Flava original verson which itself is a cover of the anthem 'I Wanna Be Loved By You' by Family Of Eve back in the 80s.

Artist:Full Flava feat. Angela Johnson 

Title: - I Wanna Be Loved By You (Micky More & Andy Tee Remix)

Release date: 4th October, 2024

Label : Dome

Catalog Number : Dome 621D

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Plantfood - Carnivores (Bridge The Gap)

Plantfood's 'Carnivores' is for meat and fish eaters and is Vegetarian/Vegan friendly, that's if you're into full on jazz-fusion meals that's for heavyweigths - the music is as vibrant as the cover artwork!

This debut album of 6 tracks has developed over the past three years with live gigs over the country and at Glastonbury.

If your into Erza Collective, corto.alto et al and at the same time can slip in some prog/OST/Latin themes at the same time with a bit of hip-hop (prepare yourself for 100mph 'Y.U.S' featuring Yung Yusuf), Plantfood is your new favourite band.

With Joe van der Meulen (saxes), Wolley (baritone sax, bass clarinet, flute), Ruben Maric (piano, keys, synths), Woody Hayden (bass and more synths), Finn Hamilton (drums) and Jaya Jack Petrie (Congo and additional percussion) they can easily switch for the growling of 'Y.U.S'/'Monstera' (with Mr. Yusuf coming back to tell us all about plant life) to the (surprisingly) gentle 'Carnivores' and the almost Latin-Sons Of Kemet-esque 'Executive Decision'.

Perhaps it's this versatality that has found fans in BBC 6 Music's Jamz Supernova, Craig Charlies and a soon to be recorded sesson for BBC Introducing.   What is clear is this debut dozen is mostly jazzdance friendly and it they must be great live!  Monsteras all.

Artist: Plantfood
Title: Carnivores 
Release date: 4th October, 2024
Label : Bridge The Gap
Catalog Number : -
Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: L'Orage - Water Tower (L'Orage Records)

L'Orage's third album 'Water Tower' has got to be their best yet as the Swiss "jazz groove pholyryghmix beat" exponents have refined and redefined themselves.

The seven tracks blend Alpine beach Balearic jazz dub and ballads into a OST to nature and all surrounds us in the water tower of life. 

A quartet led by saxophonist Ganesh Geymeier and Robin Girod (guitar) with Nelson Schaer (drums) and Fabien Iannone (bass) have sparingly used synths/electronics and other percussion to that gives the album a bigger sound whilst a track like 'Mohan' goes all world/minimal and 'Mountain Light' gets the twang sorted.

Very much in Swizz jazz heritage of Lukas Traxel's 'One-Eyed Daruma (see review HERE) and J&F Quintet's 'Contrast' (see review HERE) and it would be great to see the band live.

Live Dates

September 28  : Le Singe, Bienne 

October 09: Café de la Plage, Geneva

October 10 : Waxy Bar, Zurich

October 11 : Werft Proberaume, Lucerne

October 12: La Spirale, Fribourg

October 13: Le Bout du Monde, Vevey

November 02: L’Ecurie, Genève

January 16 : Winter Jazz Festival, Bern 

March 22 : KVO, Neuchâtel

April 09 : Bird’s Eye, Basel

Mai 03: Stanser Musictage, Stans TBC

Artist: L'Orage

Title: Water Tower

Release date: 4th October, 2024

Label : L'Orage Records

Catalog Number :-

Format: Limited LP, Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: DJ Andy Smith presents Reach Up – Disco Wonderland Vol. 3 (BBE Music)

If by some freak of nature you're new to the works of DJ Andy Smith, don't worry as his 'Reach Up - Disco Wonderland Vol. 3' is a great place to start.

As the selector of choice for Potishead in the 1990s and curator of countless perfect compilations from 'The Document' in 1998, Northern Soul, Greensleeve reggae/dancehall, rare funk and the Disco Wonderland series.

The first two volumes had quite a diggers approach with most artists you'll have been unlikely to have heard of.  This edition follows the formula but has more 'Reach Up' edits, some tracks the BBE Afro should have released, like Orlando Julius' killer 'Disco Hi-Life' which is exactly what it says on the tin, some Risk Assessment (see review HERE) and the leftfield disco-funk of Buscrates' 'Five Days' (taken from his album released before 'Control Center' - see review HERE).

It's been nearly 20 years since I first say Mr. Smith play in Portsmouth for the first John Peel Day and this album shows he's lost none of his love of great tunes that make people dance which couldn't be better timed with party season on our horizon.

Apparently DJ Chris Wheatley (a regular on the south coast) had a influence via his Twitch gigs here so credit where credit is due.

Artist: DJ Andy Smith presents Reach Up 

Title: Disco Wonderland Vol. 3

Release date: 4th October, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :BBE712CCD

Format: 3 x LP, 2CD,  Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Illa J & Ash Walker - Off Days in London (BBE Music)

Here's a interesting combo of Detroit x London when Illa J and Ash Walker have some 'Off Days In London'.

Four tracks, 'Peace', 'True', What?!', 'Vibe' and the instrumentals on this classy EP from Dilla's younger brother and Late Night Tales' Ash Walker (who has also remix WahWah45s premier Afro-beat band, The Resonators).

Expecting that mix of hip-hop to jazz, you've got it where the two shared production and Illa provides the vocals/rap; 'True' is particularly soulful even with the potty mouth rap - repeated on 'What?!'.  

Illa J and  Ash Walker will be having an Off Days in London Launch Party is on 2nd October at the BBE Store in East London with limited amount of signed copies being available.

Artist: Illa J, Ash Walker 

Title: Off Days In London

Release date : 11th October, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE783

Format: LP / Digital

Review: Ishmael Ensemble - Butterflies (Severn Songs)

Fresh from taking over the airwaves of Worldwide FM, the new sound of Bristol that Ishmael Ensemble is a prime mover release another single from their album 'Rituals', its enough to give you 'Butterflies'.

For all fans of pollinators everywhere, this follows the release of singles 'Madrid' / 'Dust' (see review HERE), 'Ezekiel' / 'Fever Dream' (see review HERE) and the album (see review HERE) and comes with an equally impressive instrumental.

I did say that there's going to be lots of focus on 'Butterflies' that features the vocals of Holysseus Fly - see of 'Out Of The World' (see review HERE) and it's caught the ear of BBC 6 Music friendly with fans including the main DJs Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Tom Ravenscroft, Mary Ann Hobbs amongst many more.

In supports their tour dates, it's a gig not to be missed.

UK/IE Tour Dates

02/10 - Concorde 2, Brighton
03/10 - Village Underground, London
04/10 - NAC, Norwich
05/10 - Goods Shed, Stroud
10/10 - Ulster Social Club, Belfast
11/10 - The Grand Social, Dublin
16/10 - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
17/10 - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
18/10 - Rum Shack, Glasgow
19/10 - Gorilla, Manchester
24/10 - SWX, Bristol
07/11 - Botanique, Brussels
09/11 - Bird, Rotterdam
14/11 - Hydrozagadka, Warsaw
15/11 - Jazzclub Tonne, Dresden
16/11 - Badehaus, Berlin
17/11 - Sala Villanos, Madrid

Artist: Ishmael Ensemble

Title: Butterflies

Release date: 1st October, 2024

Label: Severn Songs

Catalog Number: SEVS30

Format: Digital / Bandcamp