Review: Tema Due (Nicola Conte, Nico Lahs) - EP1 (Schema Records)

I said the other day that the spearhead trio of Schema Records Italian jazz scene was Gerardo Frisina, Gianluca Petrella and Nicola Conte and all of a sudden, we a new entry into the 'Champions League' positions, Tema Due!

If you're "a fan of the Schema 'school' of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Latin and all points south of the Italian base of the label for many years" as in that most recent Gerardo Frisina album referred to above, 'Insight' Vol. 2 (see review HERE), you'll wonder what's hit you with Tema Due is equal measure of Latin jazz dance perfection and modern Brazilian House.

'Macumba De Oxalà' is heavy on the percussion and jazz-vocal whilst 'La Danse de l'esprit' is 

the keyboard/flute gang fusion for the jazz dance de la Balearics.

Ask yourself, what would Airto and Flora Purim do if they had just arrived in Bari 30 years ago?

And that's what Nico Lahs brings to Conte's sharp jazz suits with house remix credits for Alton 

Miller and Detroit legend Amp Fiddler.  Obsessed with 60s jazz and modern dancefloor, this

 release is perfect. 

BUY LINK: Music | Schema Records - Rearward

Artist: Tema Due (Nicola Conte, Nico Lahs)

Title:  EP1

Release date: 30th May, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : SC547

Format: 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: IKE - On Higher Dreams (Wah Wah 45s)

Isaac de Martin (aka IKE) is 'On Higher Dreams' and we're up there in the clouds with him.

You'll recall the single, 'Sidda' as a melange of ambient proggy "Ethio-Egyptian influenced jazz" wrapped in a Italian OST heritage envelope plus some Swingle Singers-esque cherry on the cake.

'Rapids' featuring Danny Kuttner and 'Eventide' are previous singles that picked up radio plays by Gilles Peterson (Worldwide FM/BBC 6 Music), Enrique Domenich (CKUT FM) and, of course, label boss Dom Servini (Jazz FM/Soho Radio) as they have fallen for IKE's blends of jazz and electronica that's "warm, smooth and often cinematic". 

You can see why the Italian lifestyle of Treviso suits the music, especially if you've been watching the Giro d'Italia this month; I wonder where Mr. Servini family background is from?  [Ed. you can't guess Woolwich].   We're told, IKE's bandground is a bit of a "flip" as he was born in Italy to parents with a British background and that he trained in the UK in classical guitar and jazz.

That said, much of the influence for the album was Egypt/Ethiopia, for example, the introduction to 'Sidda' is inspired by 'Ashweyna' (translates from Hindi as 'Child Of The Star)' by Ethiopia's Mahmoud Ahmed whilst 'Siddha' in Sanskrit, means “one who is accomplished”, and refers to the masters who have achieved a high degree of intellectual perfection, as well as liberation or enlightenment: a state of being 'On Higher Dreams'.

With UK appearances with the album launch, with a full live show at A L P H A B E T (Brighton: with a DJ set by Dom Servini, 25th May), plus a listening party at the Total Refreshment Centre (North London, 30th May) and an in-store at Love Vinyl (Hoxton, Saturday, 31st May). 

BUY LINK: On Higher Dreams | IKE

P.S. Did you notice 'SIDDA' is Addis backwards (as in Addis Abeba), the capital of Ethiopia! 

Artist: IKE

Release:  On Higher Dreams
Release Date: 30th May, 2025
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Catalog Number: WAHLP
Format: Limited Vinyl (Black) / Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Shakti Soundsystem - Shakti Soundsystem (Anova Music)

Trippy space funk for kraut rockers warping in summer enlightenment; Namaste everyone!

Shakti Soundsystem is yoga without Shavasana, Here & Now without punk, Mad Professor vs. Massive Attack, System 7 with Ibiza and countless other spiritual nirvanas for body, ears and minds to dance to.

So it's no surprise to find out that Shakti Soundsystem is a six-piece 'commune' of supergroup of member of Garden City Movement (check out their album, 'Never On Time' - see review HERE), RAS and Alligator Ladies who live an improvised underground live session.

And this album is a bit in the spirit of a 'free' Don Cherry/Headhunters jam session, 'Dream' being the most jazz-funk in the widest sense of Gong goes 'Silver' with kraut-rock of CAN and Berlin squatters favourite band Amon Düül.   

raditionists might argue that there should be a 20 minute plus length opus for true "future-facing psych" but if you're got a Bulbul Tarang and an array of modular sythns,  I'd say you argument stops there: check out 'Ambi'!

Seven tracks for fans of Or Kantor vibes (see review HERE) who will love this and it's got a lot of elements to make it 'Album Of The Week' and a great way to make our way into June.

Did somebody mention Hawkwind vs. Klaus Schultz?

Artist:  Shakti Soundsystem

Title:  Shakti Soundsystem

Release date: 30th May, 2024 

Label : Anova Music

Catalog Number :  TBC

Format:  Digital + 7" single 

Review: Charles Webster X China Charmeleon feat. Girly - Many Blessings (Stay True Sounds)

To say Stay True Sounds stay true to thier sounds might be a truism, but when you've got the talents of Charles Webster on board, you don't really need much more of a recommendation!

Stay True Sounds amazed us with the Webster & Muzi track 'Bakulindele (see review HERE) and they're back with some heavily percussive 'Webster' action.

If you can remember back to the Doctor Rockit's 'Café De Flore' with the Charles Webster's 'Latin Lovers Mix' or my introduction to Kahil El'Zabar (Chicago legend of percussion) with the remix of 'Running In The Streets' (Mix One & Mix Two, 2004), you've been a fan of Charles Webster as ever since as he seems to know just the touch to make great tracks greater and he's definitely got the feel for the ever growing South African house scene with both 'Free' and 'Many Blessings'.

Girly is from Delft Western Cape and 'Many Blessings' celebrates the musical heritage of Jo'burg and Cape Town (Ed. watch out for them penguins) whilst Atmos Blaq, originally form Dobsonville in the Soweto area, is another talent that's evolving out of the 3-step movement.

Already picked up be Colour & Pitch Sessions (see below), this is blessed!

As featured:

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - May 2025

Artist: Charles Webster X China Charmeleon feat. Girly 

Title:  Many Blessings

Release date: 30th May, 2025

Label : Stay True Sounds

Catalog Number : STS

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Urbs & Cutex - Wherever You Are (feat. T.R.A.C.) + Bird Of Paradise / Memories (Compost / Beat Art Department)

Wherever you are this release is perfect for 'Wherever You Are' -  what'd mean they taken their time?

You'll remember Urbs from the album 'Im Geheimland' (see review HERE) and now he's re-acquainted Cutex, this instrumental hip-hop trip of Viennese Whirls is a perfect addition to the groove, so much so, Compost has set up the Beat Art Department to deal with it.

So summer park cool, even Central Park, 'Wherever You Are' with instrumental and rap of New York MC, T.R.A.C. (he of Visioneers) plus more sunshine with 'Bird Of Paradise'  and 'Memories' this is ya jazzy beats sorted in one EP.

It's been 22 years since Urbs & Cutex released their album 'Peace Talks!' so the new album, 'On Our Way' is eagerly awaited and due out next month so stay tuned.

Artist:  Urbs & Cutex 
Title: Wherever You Are (feat. T.R.A.C.) + Bird Of Paradise / Memories
Release date: 30th May, 2025
Label : Tru-Thoughts Recordings
Catalog Number  BAD 016-1 / -3,
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The Offline - The Offline in Session (DeepMatter Records)

This week we find Hamburg's The Offline totally online with a 'live' collection of six of the best.

The Offline (aka Felix Müller) brings us the follow-up to the Instrumental, Breaks, Soul-Jazz, Funk, Soundtrack, Jazz-Funk soaked album from a couple of years ago, 'La Couleur De La Mer' and we find him, his guitar, and the band.

As a live 'session' with tracks from  'La Couleur De La Mer' with EPs 'Les Cigales' and 'En clair-obscur' (what is it with these live sessions in Germany, also see Jazzanova's 'In Between Revisited' the live version - see review HERE). 

We were impressed with Matt Wilde's beats vs. jazz vs. soul as fans of golden era Dwele/Roy Hargrove (see review HERE) whilst The Offline can add a sense of Italian OST/Bob James cool a la Calibro 35/Malcolm Catto and a host of your favourites from the Melbourne area (Surprise Chef, Robohands, Karate Boogaloo etc).

Artist: The Offline
Title:  It's A Delight EP 

Release date: 27th May, 2024

Label : DeepMatter Records

Catalog Number :tbc

Format: Digital / Bandcamp  

Chris Hill - Drums [1-6],
Timor Litzenberger - Bass [1-6]
Felix Müller - Guitar [1-6],
Felix Behrendt - Rhodes, Mellotron [1-6]
Hans-Christian Stephan - Flugelhorn [1,3,5,6], Trumpet [2,4]
Kimo Eiserbeck - Flute [1-6], Saxophone [3,4]

Review: WheelUP - Inner Light (Tru-Thoughts Recordings)

Pretty sure I was hanging out with Robert Luis (head honcho of Tru-Thoughts) at WeOutHere when Danny Wheeler (aka WheelUP) was DJing and he said, "Wait 'til you hear the album!" - and now we can.

Nothing if not varied is a Tru-Thoughts relelase whether individual or as a label, the last album we saw was Hot 8 Brass Band's 'Big Tuba' mardi-gras (see review HERE).

We've previously heard the single 'Flash' featuring Abacus (aka Harry Bryson of Pola & Bryson) that echo's golden-era bruk of 4Hero etc when DNB could be infused with all manner of influences which was followed up with the busy stutter soul of 'Safe In Your Arms' featuring Liv East on vocals along with Abacus.

Talking of which the 'Inner Light' WheelUP (aka Danny Wheeler / Daniel Moyo) found this on a recent tour of China, the birth place of inner chi / life force / tai chi / Qi Gong etc. 

Funnily enough Gilles Peterson has said of WheelUP that, "He does it every time!" which is the same as label boss Rob Luis was telling me at last years' WeOutFestival.

P.S. Don't forget BiggaBush's 'This River' (the Gerry Hectic Towpath Extension) on Tru-Thoughts for more varied dnb influences.

30.05 WheelUP ''Inner Light'' Album Launch - Cafe 1001
14 June – Album Launch – Alphabet, Brighton

Artist:  WheelUP 
Title: Inner Light
Release date: 30th May, 2025
Label : Tru-Thoughts Recordings
Catalog Number  TRUDD644
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Nate Mercereau, Josh Johnson & Carlos Niño - Openness Trio (Blue Note Records)

If you know your Carlos Niño, you'll know that that's he's a deeply spiritual man that loves thoughtful ambient jazz, be open to the debut on Blue Note for the 'Openness Trio'.  

 

With a past that's gone from underground hip-hop, to The Life Force Trio (with Dwight Trible, who recently featured on the Colletiivo Immaginario album 'Oltreocenao', see review HERE) to the enormous Build An Ark project to the Surya Botofasina coupling 'Everyone's Childen (see review HERE) to last year's trio with Surya and Nate Mercereau 'Subtle Movements' (and there's loads more), he's constantly evolving.

This must be the most ambient spiritual jazz album Blue Note has ever released with sunshine and joy, love and peace from Nate (guitar/synths), Josh (sax) and Carlos (percussion).  Five tracks recorded in five different sessions in Ventura County and LA, expect gentle, reflective and meditative tracks like the lead track, 'Hawk Dreams' (see below).

Did I tell you that I once met Niño many years ago in London, in a cafe opposite Rough Trade East and he mostly talked about his love of swimming in the Pacific (he was living in San Diego at the time) and being close to nature and his time with his son, with whom his was DJing with on his radio show, as well as going through his "60's period" of rediscovering The Beatles.  Well he's done 'From Beatles To Beatniks' and more and I for one will be playing this out mindfully at a summer festival coming near you soon.

BUY LINK: Nate Mercereau, Josh Johnson, Carlos Niño "Openness Trio"

Artist: Nate Mercereau, Josh Johnson & Carlos Niño

Title: Openness Trio

Release date: 11h July, 2025

Label : Blue Note Records

Catalog Number: Vinyl / Digital

Review: Gene Siewing - I've Been Blessed EP feat. Ingrid Arthur (Intent Recordings)

Older folks may recall the 'Bless This House' TV show in the 70s but this is the so much better as Gene Siewing joins force with Ingrid Arthur to tell us 'I've Been Blessed', gospel-jazz-house at it's best!

Towards the end of last year, Gene released the 'You're The One' EP on Intent Recordings without and hint of intention that his next release in the one.  It might be my imagination that I've heard quite a few tracks like this but this one stands out. Miss Arthur tells us, "to have this treasure, in my heart, to share with people that I’ve never even met before" before we get the full Gospel choir joining in with "I’ve been blessed".

'

With two remixes, 'Luv 2 Do' is even more summery whilst the 'Saxy Dub' is what it says on th tine as it features more sax by Fuasi Adul-Khaliq and more a jazz-skat by Ingrid that's added with the choir in towards the end.

Gene is originally from St. Louis, Missouri and is currently in Berlin which seems to be the perfect combination for a mid-state house party; indeed we are blessed.

Artist: Gene Siewing 

Title: I've Been Blessed EP feat. Ingrid Arthur

Release date: 30th May, 2025 [Pre-Order 23.05.25]

Label : Intent Recordings

Catalog Number : 009 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Le Dune - Sugar Remixes (Quatro Bambole Records)

Just when you thought it was safe to immerse yourself in this years' Giro d'Italia and dig out your 'Oh!' so trendy Bianchi Pride short sleeve jersey (in green of course) only to find out your passione celeste is now italo-disco on the remix, with 'Sugar'!

This has come at us sideways with no less than four remixes: Fimiani Dolce & Salato, Sparkling Attitue Mar Adriatico, FrescoEdits Re-Drum, Costariva Balneare Mix: anyone of them sounds like that they could give Mapei-Quick Step, Team Jayco-Aluna, Lidl-Trek or Alpecin-Deceuninck a run for their money.

What's so fun about his set is that there's no drastic variation in the mixes, just a different emphasis on the core ingredients being: bass (Davide Codazzo), Congas (Roberto Chiga), 

Electric Guitar (Emanuele Pagliara), Keyboards/Synths (Andrea Rossetti) and Vocals (Vincenzo Destradis).

There's strong Chic disco to this but based in Rimini overlooked the sea and the Italo-Balearics communities.  It's recommended for anyone who loves Pino D’Angiò/McFadden & Whitehead/Raw Movements and Italian disco and don't forget the original that came out last summer.

BUY LINK: https://wordandsound.net/release/159315-QBM025-Le-Dune-Sugar-Remixes

Artist: Le Dune

Title: Sugar Remixes
Release date: 23rd May, 2025
Label :Quatro Bambole Records
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Peter & Kerry - You, Me and The Moon (Sonar Kollektiv)

We're a broad church at YATM and so are Sonar Kollektiv as they release Peter & Kerry's first album since 'La Trimouille' in 2012!

If you're a fan of the work of The Sound Lab radio show, you'll hear lots of indie-pop like Peter and Kerry but this has the added stamp of Sonar Kollektiv approval; note 'All I Got Of My Dreams' is not a radio edit.

So would it be coincidental that Kerry Leatham is from Essex, whilst Peter Lyons is from Southampton and their mutual interests when that met were The Simpsons and Fleetwood Mac.

There's defintely more than a touch of the 'classic' Fleetwood Mac songwriting and production here, whilst having got back together in 2016, there's now a touch of post Covid-19 darkness going on vis-a-visa 'I Hope We Never Fit In' (a title taken from some graffiti that Peter spotted on his way to his East London Studio).

Title: Peter & Kerry

Title: You, Me And The Moon

Release date: 27th May, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK513D 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Nightsteppaz - Want Me (with Franck Roger Remix) (Vibe Me To The Moon)

Can you believe Franck Roger is back with Vibe Me To The Moon with a remix of 'Want Me' by the Nightsteppaz? 

After Franck Roger's 'Can U Believe' EP (see review HERE) on his Vibe Me To The Moon debut so it's no huge surprise he's back with U.S. label that was started up in 2017 by DJ Nightsteppaz. 

The title track 'Want Me' does extactly what it says on the tin, with 'Lonnie Liston Smith' space synths vs. 80s deep space house with big vocals that resonate from New York, Chicago and San Francisco to the beaches of the Balearics.  

I know what your thinking - is there a dub version?  You're right, there's the Frank Roger remix version and the Franck Roger Dub!  And a remix in Mr. Rogers hands means 'Want Me' becomes and almost different animal, staying on the Med coast with Speedo shaped electric guitar for big hair funky-riffs.

All three versions are perfect for any club but if you need a winner for the weekend, this is it.

BUY LINK: Nightsteppaz - Want Me on Traxsource 

Artist: Nightsteppaz

Title:  Want Me (with Franck Roger Remix)

Release date: 30th May, 2025

Label : Vibe Me To The Moon Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  Digital  

Review: D.Foe feat. Claire Delliere - French Letter (Infected Senses & Looking Glass Alice Remixes) (Ramrock Red Records)

D.Foe teams up with Claire Deliere again with 3 different 'French Letter' versions: who is going to say it's a packet of 3?

Remembering D.Foe (aka Mark Daniels and he of 45 Dip, Marden Hill and Sugarman) and Rob Clydesdale (New King) who released 'The Fool' EP a couple of years ago (see review HERE) have called up Claire Delliere to provide the sexy française vocal to spaced out dub space jam with added rock-a-billy guitar.

I said of 'The Fool' EP that for the remix, "the studio knobs working over-time al la Mad Professor" so what of the Infected Senses and Looking Glass Alice remixes?  Well, we'll had to wait 'til next month for them (6th June).

And another reminder, this is nothing like D.Foe's collaborations with Ghetto Priest (see review HERE) but that guitar twang is worth the surf ride in itself; RIP Duane Eddy (April 26, 1938 – April 30, 2024).

Artist: D.Foe feat Claire Delliere

Title: French Letter (Original)

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR082 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Artist: D.Foe feat Claire Delliere

Title: French Letter (Infected Senses & Looking Glass Alice Remixes)

Release date: 6th June, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR083

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ron Trent - Lift Off (Rush Hour)

If you're a superstar DJ with a reputation the size of Ron Trent, you don't need me to recommend you get ready for his new album 'Lift Off', but I will anyway: be prepared for 'Lift Off'.

You know what they say about judging books by the cover, well, for this LP, you can as it's a perfect graphical interpretation of what on the inside and it's heritage.  From the 60s roots of Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) in Chicago to 70's Black Panther movement with EW&F funk / soul  pyramids (along with Sun Ra's Birthday this week) the digital automobile 'spaceships' of today with musical scrolling, Trent nails the lot into 10 outer world grooves that would grace any DJ set.

The track 'Jazz Funk' nails this from the start along with a 'monster' that is 'Woman Of Colour' which is particularly deep that holds your attention for the full 11 minutes.  'Sexstrology' squeezes in a bit of Balearic guitar with the jazzy funk keys (for very nearly 11 minutes) whilst 'Let Me See You Shining' up the tempo and brings in some gospel/house vocals.

Typically, long instrumentals with funky jazz percussion rich with strings/synths, it's surprising to be told that these tracks have been recorded over the past 10 years and much of the post-Lonnie Liston Space minimal house seems to be very now along with Trent's take on Chicago and New York House, Detroit tech and 90s ambient; 'Like And Fly Away' (11 minutes), 'Street Wave' (the longest track at 12 minutes and the epitome of 'Lift Off') and 'Her' (10 minutes of RT's take on Desert Disco, did some say, "Flying Mojito Bros' 'Just Passing Through'?)

And, of course, as soon as you think you've got it sussed, 'Just Another Love Song' has a New Order/80s pop elements to it (Ed. could even be a hit?) with some Kraut-Balearic canned into 'Juice' for some "sunset dance'. 

It's been a while since we were at Rush Hour with Planet People's 'Terra Firma' EP (see review HERE) but Mr Trent is high above that, so do yourself a favour and 'Lift Off' to another level.

Ron's will be extensively touring to promote this album so be sure to catch him in 2025.

Artist:  Ron Trent

Title: Lift Offf

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label : Rush Hour

Catalog Number : TBC 

Format: Vinyl / Digital /Bandcamp

Review: Lukus - Love Andeavour EP (Apparel Music)

Not the first to declare that 'If there's a hell below, we all goin' to go' but if true, let's take 'Love Andeavour' with us.

As one half of the SRWN (Chat Noir, Orion Arm), Lukus now takes a solo path with a project centered around sample-based, dynamic house music. 

With Love Andeavour EP, he serves up three super stylish and groovy cuts: 'Love Andeavour', 'I Am At O' and 'Bennet'. Typical of Apparel, more house music with deep soul and jazzy vibes.

The EP moves effortlessly between groove and texture, showing Lukus’ knack for sharp sampling and playful rhythms. His sound feels fresh and genuine, pushing things forward while staying rooted in the tradition of house.

Your not going to be disappointed with this one.

P.S. it is 'Andeavour' and not Endeavour.

BUY LINK: https://apparel-music.lnk.to/APDEXTRA055

Title: Lukus

Title: Love Andeavour EP

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label : Apparel Music

Catalog Number : APDEXTRA055APDEXTRA055

Format: Digital / Bandcamp