Review: Bei Bei - Two Moons (Bei Bei Time Productions)

Internationally acclaimed artist Bei Bei teams up with London-based composer and producer Paul Elliot to set their musical telescope for 'Two Moons' to find light in the dark skys above!

Always on the look out for what Bei Bei is up to after her link-up with Shawn Lee with he 'Beauty & The Beats' 10" release on Ubiquity which led to a couple of albums that followed in 2010 and 2017.

However, there's no surprise that Chinese Guzheng player/composer/teacher has also worked on Disney’s hit film 'Mulan' and Dreamwork’s 'Kung Fu Panda' as well collaborating with A-lister Cristina Aguilera, appeared in a Super Bowl commercial with Will Smith and performed as a soloist with the Pacific Symphony orchestra!

All that being in sharp contrast to this seven track "lo-fi and analog-leaning electronic" album as it's yet another yin-yang soundscape "that bridges tradition and futurism" with cinematic leanings as Bei Bei's mastery of the this ancient chinese harp/zither can at times sound like themes from 'Get Carter' or 'The Third Man'.

As the album develops from the 'Two Moons' introduction, 'Gaoshan Electronica' (featuring Shu Zhiming) and 'Shanghai Dreams (featuring Rob Korb) get confrontational with the traditional which you can easily envisage on a soundtrack; shame 'Cruising In Snow' (featuring Yang Liu) missed out on the Winter Olympics - perhaps when they next turn up in Beijing?

Liu's bass make it the funkiest track on the album (Ed. Jah Wobble would have loved this gig) but the tracks without guests are just as cool, especially 'Silk Soiree' where it goes all a bit John Williams 'Hong Kong' Library rock which reminds me of the 'Hendrix' element of Manu Delago and Max ZT collaboration album 'Deuce' (incredibly released on the same day - see review HERE).

'Walk The Fame' seems to capture all the elements of this album and it's a shame it's not longer; along with the closing track 'Midnight Bizarre' as Bei Bei and Elliot take us into space.

These two moons are safe on earth and it's more global ambient fusion that's going to be big this year.

BUY LINK:  Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, QQ Music & many more digital platforms.  

Artist: Bei Bei

Title: Two Moons

Release date: 20th February, 2026

Label: Bei Bei Time Productions

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital (Spotify / Apple etc)

Review: Kyla Kilzer & Max Noir - Stay Calm/Frustration (Tru Thoughts)

Yet another discovery on Tru Thoughts that's not quite what you'd expect as they discover new talent with Kyla and Max as these two tracks immediately show us how to 'Stay Calm' and embrace 'Frustration'.

For Brighton-based 23-year-old singer-songwriter Kyla Kilzer and Jersey-born producer Max Noir, this dboule A single is a warm-up for the release of EP, 'Sip & Wonder' and thier Main Bar take-over at London's Brick Lane Jazz Festival on Saturday, 26th April (they'll be other Tru Thoughts artists there that day so keep an eye open).

Opening the double single, “Stay Calm” unfolds like a deep breath, a tender, minimalist moment drifting between lo-fi soul and meditative alt-R&B. Written as a mantra to ease anxiety, the track finds Kyla grounding herself through sound. “This song is about our lovely friend Anxiety,” Kyla shares. “It was something I had to overcome most days, and I could never have done it without music. While writing, I imagined what words would comfort someone listening. In the chorus, I talk about using your five senses to stay calm, exactly how my mum taught me.”

Then comes “Frustration,” its shadow twin. Built on dusty percussion and a hip-hop swing laced with Spanish-tinged rhythm, the track channels restlessness into rhythm. Kyla’s vocals shift from silk to steel as she turns anger into motion, while Max’s production keeps the pulse steady and hypnotic. “I was angry with myself,” Kyla admits, “but we just poured it all into the music and came out with this lovely piece.” Max adds, “I love how the breathy vocal layers in the chorus reflect the feeling of frustration, building up in intensity as the track progresses.”

And we're told, "Tru Thoughts heard about this music through BandLab Technologies (BandLab/ReverbNation) through an artist submission campaign via Opportunities, and BandLab/ReverbNation are supporting this release".

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Sip & Wonder | Kyla Kilzer 

Artist: Kyla Kilzer & Max Noir 

Title: Stay Calm/Frustration

Release date: 19th February, 2026

Label : Tru-Thoughts 

Catalog Number : TRUDD700

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: St. Barbe - Shoal EP (Bridge The Gap)

Math Rock/Jazz, progressive and contemporary as a trio! St. Barbe, manage to mix it up and come out the other side as a shoal sticks together; as on this new EP release, 'Shoal'.

The mixed genre world of jazz and rock, particulary math rock evolved from old jazzers in prog-rock bands, King Crimson, Colosseum etc so by the time you've got the extremes of The Mars Volta and Kneebody, who knows what Math Rock is?    Luckily,  guitarist James Maltby, and synth programming by him and drummer Floyer Sydenham, this EP the music moves from the raw and unfiltered hues of Julian Lage and Bill Frisell-inspired ballad ‘Dorothy’ (a track that's previously been 'Track of the Week' on Jazz FM), through to the ferocious, riff-led floor fillers ‘Pinch’ and ‘Shoal’.

'Pinch' features corto.alto (Mercury Prize nominees who were at the We Out There Festival a couple of years ago) sound more 'Freak Zone' and the closest thing to 'rock' is the opener 'Tierra'.  

All the usual suspects will be supporting this one like Jazz on 3, BBC Radio 6's Deb Grant, Stuart Macione and Gilles Peterson (Note: at the time of writting, 2 out of 3 as it's only a matter of time in GPs case), Jazz FM and more plus the adventurous DJ jazz dance types; like fans of the Kneebody/Daedelus project, 'Kneedelus': now, that'd be a remix!

Don't forget this is a shoal the sticks together and sounds together.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Shoal | St. Barbe

Artist: St. Barbe 

Title: Shoal EP

Release date: 18th February, 2026

Label : Bridge The Gap

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Dgital / Bandcamp 

Review: Sababa 5 - Ça Va Ça Va (Batov Records)

Sababa 5 are back with a new album 'Çeva Va Ça Va' and it's exactly what you want to hear from them; Middle Eastern global funk! 

The nine tracks on the album are mostly celebrations you'd hear and a wedding for total get up and dance events all but two written by the band: the two key exceptions being 'Ypárcho' (I Exist), "a beautiful instrumental journey inspired by a classic Greek song traditionally performed by Stelios Kazantzidis" and 'Asunsan' "an instrumental flip of the much-loved Sababa 5 collaboration 'Nasnusa' with Yurika Hanashima" (that we first heard on 'Kokoro' - see review HERE). 

Fans of twangy surf guitars and mod organs will be super excited to have the band back to the bands' "a melting pot of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean sounds, layered with psych-soaked guitars, cosmic synths and heavy, driving grooves. A pure dose of party energy and nostalgia". 

There's a Bandcamp listening party tomorrow night, 18th February, 8.00 GMT or the full release on Friday.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:Ça va Ça va | Sababa 5

Artist: Sababa 5 

Title: Ça Va Ça Va

Release date: 20th February, 2026

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: TBC

Format: LP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Guitar - Ilan Smilan
Bass - Amir Sadot
Keys - Eitan Drabkin
Drums - Itamar Weinstein

Review: Manu Delago & Max ZT - Deuce (Session Work Records)

Not one but 'Deuce' as Manu Delago and Max ZT explore the handpan and the hammered dulcimer on this new 9-track album that's aimed at finding inner peace and beauty - and they're on a UK spring tour soon!

It doesn't take long before you're engrossed with the peaceful beauty of these Grammy-nominated innovators, Manu Delago (handpan) and Max ZT (hammered dulcimer) in this new partnership of sound.  

Drawing on "a lifetime of lifetime of globl collaboration, deep improvisation, and refined compositional craft, the two virtuosos create immersive, meditativee soundscapes that unfold with both delicacy and drive".

Taking inspiration from the likes of Ravi Shankar, Alice Coltrane from the 60s/70s to the 1994 Grammy Award winner, Best World Music Album, for the improvisied, collaborative album 'A Meeting By The River' by Ry Cooder (bottleneck guitar) and V.M. Bhatt (Mohan Vina).

So there's form for this duo meeting of the minds, like a musical yin and yang as the full and empty stretch mediative sounds from nature to almost Greek/Mediteranian themes; '40/40'.  This reminded me of when I first heard the pandrum in the early 20-10s (?) in a more contemporary/electronic jazz context of Mathew Halsall's Gondwana Records and Asaf Sirkis (Gilad Atzmon & The Orient House Ensemble, John Law, Tim Garland, Gwilym Simcock and many more) and it can, at times, sound ambient electronic and here, mixed with the dulimer, eastern yogic. Other times, just great, like running through a field of corn in the countryside in the summer, 'Inhale'.

That said, it's unfair to focus on any single track as the album is more of an 'immersive' whole; albeit, 'Sweetspot', 'Pace' and 'Exhale' are a pretty good trio-run to the end.

The project seems totally natural and immediate, so its a little surprising to be told that. the duo met almost 10 years ago when Manu Delago was touring in the US. “Originally we started with improvisation, but over the years we developed various compositions. Last year we finally found the perfect time and space to record the music, in an amazing 18th-century space in an even older monastery in the Alps. A duo facing each other where both members had just turned 40? We had to call the album Deuce” remembers Manu Delago".

Both players are not only in tune with one another, Manu has played drums/handpans with diverse artists as Björk, Anoushka Shankar, The Cinematic Orchestra and performed as soloist with the Metropole Orkest, London Symphony Orchestra as well as award winning album and film scores plus green credentials; in 2021, he, his band and crew cycled 1500 kilometers across Europe as part of his Re:cycled tour..

Max ZT, has been called, “The Jimi Hendrix of the Hammered Dulcimer” with a "lifetime of global study and innovation"  having being an apprentice with Senegal’s revered Cissoko Griot family and studying under the legendary Pandit Shivkumar Sharma in India. Also having collaborated with a load of diverse musicians, releasing lots of albums including his most recent, 'On Becoming' being nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards.

Hardly surprising then that when these two guys got together to produce 'Deuce' it has been said, that this album feels both ancient and new at the same time.  Yet another duplciity, but there's no deciet here, just beautiful sounds on a beautiful album.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://linktr.ee/manudelagomaxzt

Tour dates: 

29 March - Milton Court, London
31 March - Band on the Wall, Manchester
1 April - Old Woolen, Leeds
2 April - St George’s, Bristol
3 April - Brewery Arts, Kendal
4 April - St John’s, Cardiff
5 April - Lansdown Hall, Stroud

Artist: Manu Delago & Max ZT

Title: Deuce 
Release date: 20th February, 2026
Label : Session Work Records
Catalog Number  TBC
Format:  Digital 

Review: Eric Hilton - A Sky So Close (Montserrat House)

Eric Hilton has 30-plus years as a producer, co-founder of Theivery Corporation and all that experience has been channelled into his new album, 'A Sky So Close' that's as reflective as the title!

We've been waiting for this album since last summer when the single, 'Midnight Ragas' featuring Natalia Clavier and Puma Ptah, (see review HERE) as it promised the groove for the other 11 tracks on the album to follow. 

And indeed, it does as "reluctant" bass player Hilton, gets all his downtempo trip-hop jazz lined up for "a journey to a place of sensual attainment"; much like the vocalist on 'Midnight Ragas' and particularly his long-time associate Clavier on equally beautiful 'Lalitā' with it's "concoction of sitar and HIndi chanting" and 'The Dharma Lovers'.

Far more 90s Asian Underground than, say, Shakti Soundsystem (see review HERE) with tracks like 'Pondering Soul' and the Italo-crime cinematic downtempo 'Get Carter' theme of the title track.

If you think he's lost the cool of the TC fanbase, 'Ghatam' and 'Kali' tie it all together along with the closing track, 'The Lotus Game'.  

In addition to the new album, super fans might know that he's also been working on a collaboration with Berlin-based company RESØR, who has put together Hilton's personally spec of hand-crafted rotary mixers as a limited edition of 50.   A little out of the YATM office price range but this album will sound just as good on a soundsystem of your choosing

A perfect start to the resolution filled start of the New Year to give your inner soul some priority - did I mention the "desi-meets-drum and bass" of 'The Emeral Door'?

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://lnk.to/bcKVah

Artist: Eric Hilton  

Title: A Sky So Close 

Release date: 20th Februry, 2026

Label : Montserrat House

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  LP Sky Blue Vinly / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Jake Mason Trio - The Modern Ark (Soul Messin' Records)

Love is in the air as the Jake Mason Trio encapsulate that late 60s/early 70s Mod/Soul/Jazz spirit that can extends Blue Note sleaze funk to lounge jazz - and who does love that? They've even got US jazz singer heart-throb, Kurt Elling to sing on the title track!

Whether it be Blue Note's organ star turns Jimmy Smith, Brother Jack McDuff, Larry Young (and we'll throw in Grant Green for good measure) to organ led prog-rockers ELP, there is something special with Hammond B3 led trios; and Jake Mason and his two mates,  are indeed perfect companions as the long awaited follow up to their debut album, 'The Stranger In The Mirror'.

And in addition to Danny Fischer (drums) and James Sherlock (guitar) they've managed to get international jazz singing star Kurt Elling to sing on the title track, 'The Modern Ark' is a nu-Mod classic.   Back in the day, used to play-out track from Kurt's 2011 album, 'The Gate' so this guy knows how to swing.

The other guest vocal is on 'Stop Searching For Love' featuring Kate Ceberano as a downtempo ballad and there's one or two slower tracks on the ten track album which is in keeping with the Jimmy Smith 'school'.

Equally "in keeping" is the fast pace opener 'The Last Piece', the dancey 'Boogaloo Popcorn' and 'Green Pick' (Ed. wonder who inspired that one?)

But hang on, even though this is so much more than a one trrack album, you need this for the killer final track 'Here's Your Change' - It's a shame that it's not longer but is that Aussie humour in the title?

Pretty much a perfect follow up to 'Cookin' The Books' by Cookin' On 3 Burners (see review HERE) for the Soul Messin' label; and why did it take so long to be released? Don't know but we're told it was recorded 'live' like they did at Blue Note and it's got that Van Gelder Studio sound - no wonder it's so good!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: The Modern Ark | Jake Mason Trio

Artist: Jake Mason Trio

Title: The Modern Ark

Release date: 13th February, 2026

Label : Soul Messin' Records

Catalog Number : SMRLP0225 / SMRCD-0225

Format: Vinyl 12" LP (Limited) / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Zachary Berns (Zbeeez) - Oh Yes! EP (Apparel Music)

New York based composer / producer / drummer Zachary Berns declares 'Oh Yes!' from the jazz n' choir meets house that sits between gospel at one extreme and classical at another!

The title track 'Oh Yes' reminds me of a church choir in amongst the setting for the famous black-and-white photograph of 57 jazz musicians, 'A Great Day In Harlem' (Art Kane for Esquire magazine in 1958) as a modern studio production.  A track counter balanced by a jazzy classical cut up called 'Living Room' and the opener 'Shadows' with the trust of the live drumming and a service call bell for supper's ready.

This EP has the genre skipping cool that's over K&D/Ninja Tune/house edits to jazzdance clubs.

Any of these tracks would fit musically on the album, 'Apparel Music: B-Day 15' (see review HERE: if not on the time-line) and this will equally cross-over with any jazz-fused crowd so it's big in our world.

P.S. Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s, Jazz FM, Gooner and more) is a fan - see below.

BUY LINK: https://apparel-music.lnk.to/APDEXTRA062

Artist: Zachary Berns (Zbeeez)

Title: Oh Yes! EP

Release date: 6th February, 2026

Label : Apparel Music

Catalog Number : APDEXTRA062

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Shaka - About Love & Pain EP (MATE)

How you doin' MATE? 

Our last feature on MATE was Bress Underground's 'Take Me Higher' EP (see review HERE) and as excellent as that is, you're not going find any bigger flute gang monster than 'Love & Pain' gives us for some Latin inspired house shuffle.

Brilliant stuff and it's backed up with some 'Sonic Of Joy' with vocals from Eve that's "jazzy synth work and swaying, vibey grooves that show off some serious piano chops" and a big saxy solo.

Anything else is a bonus, 'Inner Balance' is more than that too as there's echoes of jazz-funk dance with big organ and a heavy Jonnny Hammond touch (with acid!)

Spain is full of deep house experts but as this is only the 22nd release on the label, definitely ones to get up to date with and follow.

BUY LINK / Pre Order: bit.ly/3IXVt0s

Artist: Shaka

Title: About Love & Pain EP

Release date: 3rd February, 2026

Label : MATE 

Catalog Number : MATE 022

Format: 12" / Bandcamp 

Review: Eshach - Ada EP (Karakol)

Mornin' as Eshach opens his 'Ada' EP from the beautiful soundscape of a garden in Porto, awaiting the school bell to stop and let the birds sing!

That's how the debut release from producer and composer Eshach starts this EP (with 'Intro (Bingin') as the other three tracks mark "a refined and confident entry into the electronic music landscape. Melodic, cinematic, and soulful to the core, Ada is a carefully curated introduction to Eshach’s world… one where emotion, groove, and storytelling coexist across four distinct yet cohesive tracks".

The title track, 'Ada'  continues the link to the outdoors with more twittering birds in the background but the location moves to more of a workshop environment with factory banging sheet metal/bottle shop that turns echoy dub but without getting industrial; quite the opposite, as it rolls on a funky baseline.

Wasn't expect an Afro-house switch with 'Am I Here' but you can't go wrong with a bit of flamingo jazz flute gang business and then to finish off, 'Piantito' that's arguably more mainrom as it references some of the the elements in the other three track with a melodic theme that weaves pictures around your head.

We're told this EP "represents the beginning of Eshach’s solo journey… an assured debut that balances club functionality with musical storytelling" and YATM are happy to agree. 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Eshach.o | Instagram | Linktree

Artist: Eshach
Title: Ada EP 
Release date: 6th February, 2026
Label: Karakol
Catalog Number: KR001
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Alistair Colling vs. Tortured Soul ft. Sabina - When You Find Your Love... Hold On (DJ Spinna & Musclecars Remixes) (Razor-N-Tape)

25th Anniversary Mixes!  No way - some of us weren't even born in 2000 when the original track came out on Central Park Recordings, Bowery, New York; how has that resurfaced with remixes in 2026? 

It's hard to remember a time when there were masses of records store in towns and cities everywhere and in particular, New York was the home of loads with a need to serve DJs and clubs.  At that time Satellite Records was connected the the Satellite Records store and one of the sub-labels fell on a deep house hit by Alistair Colling that needed a vocal and were lucky enough to gett Tortured Soul's frontman and songwriter John-Christian Urich to write it.

Not only that, 'I love you' and 'la la lahs' were elevated to a feel good classic level with Sabina Sciubba (then of Brazillian Girls) to record the vocals plus remixes by another Brooklyn stalwart Jon Culter (a regular name on the wall of London record shop racks and opened 60 Million Postcards at about this time!) 

No only is it a classic that's stood the test of time, the re-issue is connected with today's Razor N Tape is the co-founder JKriv (who was Tortured Soul's bassist and collaborator of 10 years) so who better to revive this one and with his networking abilities he's got the strong-arms of New York house 'names/, Musclecars (as in 'Dubble Honey Pack' - see review HERE) and another remix legend, DJ Spinna (as in Galatic Soul and 'The Sound Beyond Stars: The Essential Remixes - see review HERE).

In terms of the vinyl that's available on pre-order, there's the Galatic Soul Remix and what sounds like a heavy-weigh musclecars remix on the A-side.  Along with the original mix, along with some franciase, there's Jon Cutler's Distant music mix on the flip.

If quantity is you thing, the digital also includes instrumentals of DJ Spinna and musclecars plus the original Jon Cutler mixes giving you 9 versions including the original and the little known Alistair Colling Breakbeat Mix.

Superb way to start the new year and one that'll will last another 25 years in clubs and at home.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER Vinyl: Tortured Soul, Alistair Colling - When You Find Your Love…Hold on (25th Anniversary Mixes) [feat. Sabina Sciubba]

Artist: Alistair Colling vs. Tortured Soul ft. Sabina

Title: When You Find Your Love... Hold On - DJ SPINNA & MUSCLECARS REMIXES 

Release date: 13th February, 2026

Label : Razor N Tape

Catalog Number : RNTD131 / RNTR086

Format: 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Oscilloscope - There Is Always Darkness, There Is Always Light (Independent)

Once more we return to the dichotom of yin and yang, darkness and light, peace and war etc - but this time as an 11 track study of electronic sounds that's been produced by the Oscilloscope!

Released on Bandcamp Friday, the Oscilloscope (aka Jason Cooke - he of Comedy Balloon and Charity Shop Classics on All FM) recorded these tracks in the January 2026, mostly "in one take, although some had additional pads and solos added in post production" and you'd never know as there's hardly any element of time contraint; mostly gentle soundscapes that'll any electronic influences of the likes of Ravi Shankar, Alice and John Coltrane from the spiritually enlightened 60s/70s.

Perhaps 'Back To Work' is more 'industrial' (with a small 'I') getting into Tangerine Dream more than Kraftwerk; bearing in mind it was recorded at the Institute Of Psychedelectronics, Manchester and mixed Rhosneigr Beach, Anglesey.Of Psyche (Ed. note his connection with 'Comedy Balloon')

Of course, there's the obligatory space themes (more of the Star Trek than modern today Musk) with 'Return To The Space' and 'Full Of Stars' but this is no vanity project as it's complimentry to Manu Delago & Max ZT forthcoming duet, 'Deuce'  and duo of Ben Seretan and Jake Thayer and their formcoming album, 'Sunbean Of No Illusion'.

I must admit, I prefer the longer, more Edgar Froese / Klaus Schulze Kraut-synth tracks 'Prologue - The Action Is The Decision' and 'Erebus Rising' but as in the Light vs. Darkness envelope, tracks like 'Proton' and 'Stylo' are the other side of the coin toss mind of the ever changing Oscilloscope.

"Great stuff" as a wise man once said - recommended.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: There Is Always Darkness, There Is Always Light | Oscilloscope

Artist: Oscilloscope 

Title: There Is Always Darkness, There Is Always Light
Release date: 6th February, 2026
Label : Independent
Catalog Number  TBC
Format:  Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 - Haf (Bubblewrap Collective)

Keep on smiling with Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18's new 10 track album 'Haf' because, when it comes to poppy "samba, salsa, Andean balladry, Latin soul, tropical funk and sun-soaked grooves, sung in Welsh, English, and Spanish" no body does it better! 

Yes, that's right, 2026 might have its most uplifting album already with 'Haf' as this magical combination Hall & Oates meets Brazilian folk and Latin jazz  to the track with the extremes of 'Gwenyn y Gwanwyn' to the "Salsoul" 'Como Te Amo' to 'Shades Of Red' sung in English by Anglo-Brazilian Nina Miranda (previously 50% of Zeep with past releases on Compost, Far Out Recordigns, etc).

This is the third album by Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 in little over a year as is earmarked as a "break through" which is not to say, third time lucky.  This is perfectly crafteed even though Carwyn was also envolved with Edwyn Collins and the North Mississippi Allstars at the time!

Even track is like a little 'Bubblewarp' of odd-pop sunshine with 'Whistling Sands' (about a beach in North Wales) and the instant 'Keep On Smiling' as standouts.

And if you're wondering about the track 'Haf' and album title, it's dedicated to Carwyn's late music teacher Haf Morris who, he says, “her focus, guidance and patience shaped me like no other. I hope she’s enjoyed my musical journey, from wherever she’s watching. Diolch, Haf”.

The album is on the Cardiff based label and is on black vinyl or double CD (as it includes the immediate. previous album 'Fontana Rosa').

P.S. Today marks 43 years of the release of the single 'Rip It Up' by Orange Juice (fronted by Edwyn Collins).

 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 - Haf | Bubblewrap Collective

Haf | Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 | Bubblewrap Collective

Artist: Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18

Title: Haf

Release date: 6th February, 2026

Label: Bubblewrap Collective

Catalog Number: BWR084

Format: Vinyl LP / 2 x CD (inc. previous album 'Fontana Rosa') / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Owelu Dreamhouse - Owelu Dreamhouse (Hopestreet Recordings)

Drawing from West African records, Latin influences, and 90s R&B, the duo that is  Owelu Dreamhouse with co-producer Henry Jenkins have got  and Melbourne's top session players to create tracks that'll make 'Owelu Dreamhouse' a must have album. 

The compilation to celebrate Hopestreet  Studios 16th Birthday (see review HERE) did not give us any warning about Owelu Dreamhouse debut, 'Owelu Dreamhouse'.

The artist based co-operative who have released 50 records whilst "fostering a community spanning soul, R&B, funk, Latin, Bollywood psychedelia and more" have excelled themselves on Owelu Dreamhouse as their Charles Stepney meets Motown opus as Nkechi Anele (vocals with Saskwatch) and multi-instrumentalist Nic Ryan-Glenie with a blend of Afrobeat, soul, psych, jazz in an cinematic setting a la prime Curtis Mayfield / Isaac Hayes.

'Struggle For Kasawa' hints at 70s Blaxploitation with a 60s Bassey/Winehouse element, throw in some beats with 'Okra 4 Bilalli' and gentle jazz ('Yellow Trumpet'), the album explores "being a third-culture kid, with the band's name playing on Nkechi's grandmother's village Owaelu in Nigeria - single 'Tourist' captures the complexity of returning home while simultaneously feeling out of place" whilst the heavy percussion and horns keep it Afrobeat centric, like the stand-out 'Oluwatsam' and the Manu Dibango-influenced 'Stutter' (Ed. the Cameroonian saxophonist who had world wide hits with 'Soul Makossa', 'Big Blow' and many more).

Touched by the poetry of 'Daughters Always Listening' that flows into the the soul-pop of 'Niger River' the Hopestreet 17th Birthday party is going to be special as the the spirit of West Coast Africa links up with south coast Aussie.

"Trust me when I say that this is seriously good." Josh 'Somewhere Soul' Mason-Quinn (8 Essential New Albums From Around The World)

BUY LNK / PRE-ORDER: Owelu Dreamhouse | Owelu Dreamhouse

Artist: Owelu Dreamhouse

Title:  Owelu Dreamhouse

Release date: 6th February, 2026

Label : Hopestreet Recordings

Catalog Number :  HS

Format:  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp