Review: Audrey Powne - From The Fire (BBE Music)

We've had the single of 'From The Fire' by Audrey Powne and now the long awaited album is out and it's red hot!

The title track sounds even more impressive than before (if that's possible, see review HERE) with deeper strings that gives it a be cinematic vibe and 'Feed The Fire' remixes (see HERE).

And this talent who sings (prepare yourselves for the track 'Sleep') and wrote the lyrics also plays the piano, Rhodes and organ on the album.

So why do fans like Gilles Peterson reference 'golden era' Dwele/Roy Hargrove/Alicia Keys - and lets add Alice Coltrane.  Well, not only can she sing with soul ('Souled Out' is amazing), she can play the trumpet too!  'Feed The Fire', 'From The Fire' and 'Interlude 1'; 'Interlude 2' is her piano 'scratch pad'.

Her talents have been previously used on sessions/backing band but this album is going to put her front of stage; and literally as there's a launch concert at London's Jazz Cafe (07.04.24) and if you've got the chance to see her live, do it - I don't think she'll be at such small venues in Camden Town for very long.

I'd heard people say, "wait 'till you hear the album", and now I have, I urge you all to hear it too - it's in excess of stunning!

Artist:  Audrey Powne 

Title: From The Fire 

Release date: 26th April, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE753

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: King Brasstards x Greg Blackman - Wait Till The Morning (Ramrock Red Record)

Which ever way you look and listen at this one, it's a King Sized monster (in a good way). 

You've got yourself a heavyweight bass band that's playing some funky go-go drum'n'bass the size of Yorkshire that's bred outta Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Hot 8 Brass Band, Youngblood Brass Band, Hackney Colliery Band et al... and bright spark label boss, Jo Wallace, says unto the King of Brasstards, "What you need is an enormous vocal talent delivering colossal vocals on this’.  And what's more, "There’s only one voice for the job….the mighty Mr Greg Blackman’.
And low and behold, it happened!

To be honest, if you listen to the instrumental first, you're likely to think a vocal isn't necessary as it's so heavy but just wait a minute, Ms Wallace's golden ears got it spot on! Mr Blackman (last seen on this channel with his Mr. Bird collab, 'Over Again' - also on Ramrock, see review HERE) is 'the' voice for this and his performance at least matches the raw energy of the band.

Just imagine how good this would be live at a festival (come on 'WeOutHere') and as we said about 'Over Again', "great production / vocals ... Sounds like an absolute monster to me".  So, don't wait 'till the morning, as the Ramrock team have done it again!

Artist: King Brasstards ft. Greg Blackman
Title: Wait Till The Morning
Release date: 26^th April, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR060

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Mackwood and Charlie Stacey - Yella! (5dB Records)

If you love "cultural cross-pollination" in a musical way, 'Yella!' is not misappropiation of a Coldplay track you may have heard.

Mackwood, real name Harry Ling, has been at the post CDr, dubstep, jazzstep, West London BRUK as drumming/producer with the likes of Col3trane, Nilufer Yanya, Jordan Rakei, Eliza, Blue Lab Beats, Kokoroko, Levitation Orchestra and more has teamed up with another jazzer on keys, Charlie Stacey.

Apparently 'Yella' is a component of gunpowder and this explosive as these two fuse  intergaltic Sun Ra sounds with some of the creatives that Stacey have worked with at the cutting edge of LDN jazz hipsters Yussef Dayes, Moses Boyd, Ezra Collective et al.

Dancefloor of jazz club - this is a BIG Bang!

Artist: Mackwood and Charlie Stacey

Title: Yella!

Release date: 26^th April, 2024

Label: 5dB Records
Cat. No: 5DB24001

Format: Digital 

Review: Jenia Vice - Skyfall (Inc. Kanedo Remix) (Be Adult Music)

Be Adult Music welcomes Jenia Vice's first single, the atmospheric 'Skyfall'.

On the back of the recent Total Eclipse, we can still look to the heavens and be impressed with the typically Baleraic groove of 'Skyfall' - nothing to do with 007. 

And not only that, we're lucky enough to have Kanedo remix.  You'll recall that the last time we saw him was on the 'combined' Kanedo, Sumsuch, Lucky Sun 'Deep Patterns' releasd (see review HERE) and Lucky Sun featuring Jaidene Veda with 'Falling Fool' (see review HERE) on Be Adult Music and Lucky Sun Recordings respectively.

Timed perfectly to be including in the Colour & Pitch Sessions for the April edition and the only question is, which one of the two versions will be included?

Artist: Jenia Vice 

Title: Skyfall (Inc. Kanedo Remix) 

Release date: 25th April, 2024

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM359

Review: Various Artists - CITY MUSIC TOKYO Liner Notes by Nick Luscombe (Gearbox Records)

In a post Record Store Day week of re-issue frenzy (for some), here's a chance to catch up with something retro but brand new to most of us, apart from eminent musicologist Nick Lusombe with CITY MUSIC TOKYO. 

I best declare an interest (albeit some years ago) I first met Nick after winning a Bestival Competition on his XFM radio show 'Flo-motion' when he'd be playing all the best in the underground scene of Jimpster (still going, see review HERE), Solar Apple Quarktette (sort of still going, see review HERE), One Deck &  Popular (half is still going, see review HERE) and Break Reform (now more of a record shop in Launceston as Crates Is High!)

From these beginnings, Nick  moved up in the world having been very active as a producer/presenter on BBC Radio 3 & 4 with jazz and other things leftfield before move to Japan working with field sound recordings and more - most recently the excellent tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto (see link below: Sony Award material)  So, you'd think, why is this compilation, CITY MUSIC TOKYO, focus on J-pop; or as Nick would call it, City Pop.

Mostly sung in Japanese, this compilation has tracks dating back to the late 70s but to the non-expert ear it kind of sound generically 80s pop-soul with elements of soft rock, jazz-funk, easy listening (some great strings on here), synth-pop/new wave, R&B/hip-hop and anything else that was going at the time.

And for that reason, this is a great album as you never know quite what's coming next from Jodoes' 'Stardust Night' (sounds a bit Kid Creole/Dr Buzzard), 'Futari Bun No Atsui Yume' (Yasushi Nakanish) has a cracking Stevie Wonder type harp solo or the Deodato-ish jazz-funk of Escalators 'Fly High' and the post-Spandau Ballet cool of 'Samugari' (Tomoki Kikuchi). 

Don't get me wrong, this is far from a mish-mash, it's all got the Japanese electronic precision that you'd expect from the archives of Nippon Columbia and a culture that produced the top high end Hi-Fi, the Jazz Kissa and Karaoke!  And, in truth, there's a touch of the 'Baker Street'/'Moonlighting' with the Crescent Moon track and smooth jazz Nanako Sato's track is super dreamy with full on strings.

Clearly, this isn't in competition with the BBE J-Jazz Series, the latest release in the Masterclass series by the ski Takase Trio, 'A Song For Hope' (see review HERE with 'the' book, 'J-Jazz - Free and Modern Jazz Albums from Japan 1954-1988' with a forward by Terumasa Hino coming soon) but if you thought that the home grown market was not worth investigating beyond YMO, Sadistic Mika Band, Koyto Jazz Massive, Soil'n'Pimp "Sessions" and United Future Organization - think again.

BBC Radio 3 - Nick Luscombe presents "Sakamoto - Art Is Long, Life Is Short"

Artist: Various Artists 

Title:  CITY MUSIC TOKYO [Curated by Cunimondo Takiguchi]

Release date: 4th April, 2024

Label : Gearbox Records

Catalog Number : GB1593

Format: 2xLP with OBI strip / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

In case you didn't know, Chris Bangs is the 'Cock Happy' meat in the Gilles Peterson, Eddie Piller jazz sandwich.

Of course, 'Cock Happy' being an early jazz night with Peterson and one of his many projects that are based on jazz-funk/Latin/club dance floors that's kept his ear to the groove for decades.

Thankfully, he still remembers the good old days of Special Branch and summer jazz nights at Bournemouth's #1 spot at the Exeter Bowl (that was also attended by none other than Mike Peden, he of 50% of the J-Jazz Series on BBE, see review of the latest release HERE, Aki Takase Trio, 'Song For Hope', the title track was recently played on IDA Monday morning show outta Talin!)

So yes, one of the highlights of any jazz night would be Flora Purim's 'Empty Faces' but there are now many a versions. This one by on the double A face is fast 'n' furious with twangy Latin guitar with classic vocals al la a pure Sade (in top gear) by Deniese from Brazil.

And I haven't even mentioned the A-side yet!  If you can get a cover version of José Feliciano's 'Affirmation' on a dancefloor, Bangs is the man to do it; José most famously known for his cover of The Doors' 'Light My Fire' of course.

Both tracks are have been on all the big heads playlists around the world (Gilles Peterson, Colin Curtis, Jazzcat , Kev Beadle, Snowboy, Perry Louis, Bob Hill etc) so be sure to get a copy of the 7" or the full album, 'Ritmo Da Vida' from which these special edits have been taken - the perfect antidote for Record Store Day.

P.S. For those still waiting for the J-Jazz Masterclass book by Higgins/Peden I'm told it's on it's way, literally on a boat, and look out for a contribution from Mr. Bangs.   

Artist:   Nova Vida (produced by/arranged by Chris Bangs)

Title: Affirmation / Empty Faces ft. Deniese

Release date: 8th April, 2024

Label : CBi Recordings

Catalog Number : CBXV1005

Format: 7" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: GarcyNoise & Luca Mauro - Housematic (Move On Up Records)

Lovers of a Bob James sample may recognise a theme on this track before, 'Housematic' gets computerised - chek out the artwork!

Jazzy funk house is just what we like on a Bandcamp Friday and 'Oh Crazy Baby' is followed up with a Chicago funk al la Roy Ayers synth that's got a European boogie twinge in 'Music Love Dance' featuring the vocals of Okuali.

That would be a strong first release for any label but Move On Up Records were not content with that and they literally moved up with a remix of 'Oh Crazy Baby' by LTJ X-Perience!

Also known as Luca Trevisi, he's has been DJ/producing and remixing of decades and updating 70s jazz and Latin dancefloor favourites, most notably Joe Bataan's 'Ordinary Guy' and this caught the attention of Gilles Peterson and the rest is history.  Just to name drop, I met Joe and Mrs Bataan once in London and a really nice chap his is too.

It's a beautiful groovin' remix that's worthy of 7 minutes on a 12".  And getting back to that artwork, for now, this release is on 12" only so you'll be able to admire it full size so to speak as well as the music.

P.S. If you're going to Barcelona, this is where these guys are based and it'd be more than worthwhile checking them out.

Subwax Distribution · GarcyNoise & Luca Mauro - Housematic (Incl. LTJ Xperience Remix) (MOUR001)

Artist: GarcyNoise & Luca Mauro

Title: Housematic EP

Release date: 22nd April, 2024

Label: Move On Up Records

Cat. No: MOUR001

Format: 12” Vinyl / Digital Bandcamp

Review: Olli Ahvenlahti - Mirror Mirror (We Jazz Records)

Back in the day and in the back end of North London, you'd have to hunt high and low for Olli Ahvenlahti's 'Grandma's Rocking Chair' as made trendy by those evil twins of jazzdance Kenny Dope & Peterson, and now look, there's a whole brand new album by Mr. Ahvenlahti so let's look into the 'Mirror Mirror'.

Finnish jazz legend, pianist-composer Olli Ahvenlahti surprised us all when there was news of a 8-track album when 'Paint It Blue' was released as a single.  But, that's not the half of it as each track seems to get better than the last; particularly watch out for 'Paint It Blue'.

We Jazz Records of late have a distinct 'experimental' edge to them, like Amirtha Kidambi's Elder Ones's 'New Monuments' that came out last month (see review HERE) but this is more reflective big band jazz cool - like the West Coast meet Jimi Tenor at Jim Rockford's gaff; that's where 'A House In Montagnola' should be anyway

And you know Olli and We Jazz wouldn't scrimp on the band.  In addition to Olli on Fender Rhodes and other keys, we've got 5 corners royalty Jukka Eskola (trumpet and fluegelhorn), Joonatan Rauto (tenor sax), Ville Herrala (electric bass) and Jaska Lukkarinen (drums and percussion).

There may not be a 'Grandma's Rocking Chair' - original released in 1976 and re-issued in 2001 - but he's lost nothing of his jazz-fusion elegance and this is a must this year; and definitely a must on the day before Record Store Day.

Artist: Olli Ahvenlahti
Title: New Monuments
Release date: 19th April, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP75
Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Arnau Obiols & KAYYAK - Faith / San Diago EP (Compost Records)

What! Compost have got Wah Wah 45's super duo Medlar & Dele Sosimi, Boiler Room/BBE's current favourite mainline Chicago master Rahaan and long time disco kid Prins Thomas all on the remix - why? 

The simple answer is in the facts that the original tracks 'Faith' and 'San Diago' are such brilliant Afrohouse/disco/boogie dancefloor tracks you'd need "masterminds" or their quality and experience to even contemplate a remix.

I'd be happy with a 12" of the originals but this is just an awesome bonus that the like of Colour and Pitch founder Will Sumsuch will not be missing off his April mix sessions (links to follow).

Artist: Arnau Obiols & KAYYAK

Title: Faith / San Diago EP 

Release date: 12th April, 2024

Label: Compost Records

Cat. No: CPT 630

Format:Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Kiko Navarro feat. Nuria Millán & Benji Habichuela - Nana Del Caballo Grande (Afroterraneo)

Made for customers on the largest of Balearic Islands, is it Balearic? If your idea of Balearic is a fusion of synthy bounce North Africa influences with soaring Spanish vocals and some added flamenco guitar and percussion in your house; this is it! 

After getting his son, Hugo Navarro to help out on last months' release, 'Una Matttina (A Morning)' (see review HERE) the ever busy Kiko has called up Nuria Millán (vocals) and Benji Habichuela (Spanish flamenco guitarist) to give us this totally different new release, 'Nana Del Caballo Grande' (Lullaby of the Big Horse).

Nothing to do with the Northern Soul classic by Cliff Noble & Co. (The Horse) but a new cover of the flamenco legend, Camaron De La Isla's hit as a commission for Majorca's dance and acrobatics company 'House of Son Amar'.

The dance troop are fans of Kiko's 'La Fatiga' (2020) and were looking for something similar for their productions so it made sense to call Benji for percussion as he worked on 'La Fatifa'.

And he is the one who suggested to add 'cantadora' (female singer) Nuria Millán who gives this proper flamenco cred in both the 'extended' and 'orginal' versions.

Flamenco is culturally important in these parts and you don't want to upset folks and Kiko et al certainly won't with this version that's back of your neck tingling whilst you're a dancin'.  Even the Exhibit remix is evenly split between a mostly acapella Pt 1 and a deep house bangin' Part 2.

So different to Una Matttina' but equally brilliant - time to give Kiko the freedom of the Islands (that's if he's not got it already) 

Artist: Kiko Navarro feat. Nuria Millán & Benji Habichuela
Title: Nana Del Caballo Grande
Release Date : 12th April, 2024
Catalog Number : AFTNE063
Label : Afroterraneo Music
Format: Digital