Review: A Joyful Noise – Live From Public Records (Razor-N-Tape Records)

Brooklyn's Razor-N-Tape have always been at the cutting edge so no surprise when they started 'A Joyful Noise' at Public Records as a quarterly gig - and now you can enjoy 8 tracks of 'A Joyful Noise' yourselves!

The 'A Joyful Noise' banner has been raised by many a disperate team from Sun Ra to Galliano to Gossip to countless more but this ione is a quarterly event in the Sound Room at Public Records (hence the 'on the tin' title) that was conceived as a revival of early 2000s NYC nightlife innovation of DJs and live music: similar in many ways to Sunday Afternoons At Dingwalls, Co-Op/CDr, Re-Jazz Re:Freshed and similar.

What makes this 'A Joyful Noise' stand out is the the Musical Director, bassist and head honcho at Razor-N-Tape JKriv has the draw power of NYC talent that attracts the likes of Brandon Markell Holmes (see HERE), Peter Matson (he of 'Hotel PM' - see HERE), Domenica (flutist/singer), percussionist Olatunji Ohore (Underground System), trumpeter Carter Yasutake (Midnight Magic), keyboardist Jason Lindner (Now Vs. Now/David Bowie), and saxophonist Stuart Bogie (Antibalas/Arcade Fire). 

With this 'supergroup' theres a merging club sensibilities with jazz, funk and Afrobeat pedigree that can interpret JKriv's music and remixes in a live setting with additional imput from Adi Oasis, Mr Daylight himself Toribio and Cor.ece.

'When I'm Alone' (originally as Adeline, now Adi Oasis, RNT026 with Dirty Channels, JKriv & Matson remix from 2019) gets this re-work off to a lively start whilst other guest appearance, Cor.ece gets a chance to up the pace on JKriv produced 'Nothing But Me' original version he as on; a live and pumpin' update.

'Ello Koko' (as a JKriv Remix of a Tigerbalm release, 2020 - that also had a Flamingo Pier remix, check their new album HERE!) gets an Afro-funk-jazz upgrade to a near 11 minute instrumental opus - worth the price of the ticket alone this one.

On 'It Should Have Been Me', Toribio and crew get pretty Rick James funky which is never too late to keep the party going and taking of which, where's did New Order go on their holidays? 'Lunes Azul' featuring Underground System will get you back on the disco beach before Monday daybreak; it's full of live energy - better than the original?  You decide.

You'll remember 'Love Trip' from Tom Noble's album 'House Of Spirits' as Gilles Peterson's favourite track (see review HERE) and he'd definitely love this as would Detroit's flute gang pose.

If you recall, one of the first JKriv edits was of 'Bukom Mashie' by Oscar Sulley (previously 'touched' by Will Quantic) and this project has the same 'live' trust of that Ghana sounds track with all the varitions that JKriv bring, 'A Joyful Noise' is stunning throughout as you might expect and it leaves you somewhat exhausted and wanting more - what a fantastic project that Razor-N-Tape can now share with the rest of the world and not just the lucky folks in NYC!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: A Joyful Noise - Live From Public Records | A Joyful Noise | Razor-N-Tape

Artist: A Joyful Noise

Title: Live From Public Records
Release date: 6th November, 2026
Label: Razor-N-Tape
Cat. No: RNTR 092

Format: Gatefold 12" vinyl / Bandcamp / Digital