Review: Lovebirds - Want You In My Soul Remixes (ft. Schmoov!, Knee Deep, Lovebirds & Atjazz) (Winding Road Records)

When you've got a remix project with vocals as good as Stee Downes on a track as glrious as Lovebirds' 'Want You In My Soul' you're winning before you start; times that by 4, Schmoov!, Knee Deep, Atjazz and Lovebirds themselves and you've got a quattro of lovebirds singing in your soul.

You'll recall 'Want You In My Soul' featured the vocals of Stee Downes who first came to light on the release of 'Put A Little Love In My Soul' on Sonar Kollektiv (that was a big track for DJ Gilles Peterson back in the day; that's 2009).  Finally, it's time for some long-awaited remixes of the Lovebirds classic deep house song 'Want You In My Soul' exploded again into a global phenomenon after its release on Winding Road Records in 2011. 

This is an epic, gentle beauty of a track, studded by fine vocals and soaring synths, this perfect song transcended deep house and became an instant classic, recently powering past 45 million streams on Spotify.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of ‘Want You In My Soul’, Winding Road has brought together a nice little group of deep house maestros to put their spins on the original.

• 'Want You In My Soul' (Schmoov! remix) is a feel-good 80s disco reimagination, a DJ-friendly dancefloor epic which steadily builds with uplifting synths and strings.

• 'Want You In My Soul' (Knee Deep Dub) is a punchy, undulating dub which moves into darker and tougher places while fragments of Stee’s vocals swirl around.

• 'Want You In My Soul' (Lovebirds Ocean Dub) captures beautiful underwater vibes of house meeting hip hop twenty leagues under the sea, with Mique’s backing vocals lurking in the background as a distant a siren.

• 'Want You In My Soul'(Atjazz Love Soul vocal remix) is a mellow and percussive beauty ,with sunshine baked into its very heart - all the quality you’d expect from the master.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://bfan.link/want-you-in-my-soul-remixes

Artist: Lovebirds

Title: Want You In My Soul Remixes (ft. Schmoov!, Knee Deep, Lovebirds & Atjazz)

Release date: 30th October, 2026

Label: Winding Road Records

Catalog Number: ROAD036

Format: Black Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: VA - Exit Music - Songs With Radio Heads (20th Anniversary Edition) (BBE Music)

It's hard to believe that it's 20 since this came out and many a track would be a staple of my Futuristica Music sets on a Wednesday night (especially in Freshers Week) but this is the only place where Radiohead tracks sit comfortably between warm, soulful cuts and hip-hop, house an leftfield electronica!

Back in 2006, Radiohead were the thinking man's pop/rock, I distinctly remember a barmaid singing along to 'Creep' on the pub jukebox at the time as though he was a doing a full on Oliva Newton-John on the karaoke; possibly why the executive producers didn't include thier big indie hit (Ed. Must ask Lee Bright).

Even now, Oxford's finest split oppinion.  I played the unplugged version of 'No Surprises' at a Vinyl club night very recently and overhead some say, "this is depressing" and someone else 

say at the end, "what a brilliant song that is".  Well, no surprise that Shawn Lee (he of many a project, see HERE) takes his version of 'No Surprises' to a wonderous Christmas card hip-hop funk.

And that, individualism is evident throughout this compilation, often where 'modern' artists team up in unusual combinatios, which results more than stands the test of time.  Perhaps at one end, Morning Bell by The Randy Watson Experience featuring Doon to Mark Ronson featuring Alex Greenwald ('Just') - (Ed. What happened to Mark Ronson?)

Talking about big names, Sa Ra Creative Partners ('In Limbo') were going to be the 'next' big thing at the time (very much one of Gilles Peterson's favourites) whilst almost unheard of Sia ('Paranoid Android') is very much well known now.

The other thing that is great album this album is that it goes from a dubbed out samba beat of  Osunlade featuring Erro with 'Everything In Its Right Place', Wajeed (from Platinum Pied Pipers) featuring Monica Blaire on the stunning 'Knives Out') to typically leftfield (near leftbank) of 'Nice Dream' by Matthew Herbert featuring Mara Carlyle.

Jazz heads are more than covered with Meshell N'Degeocello and Chris Dave been quite "free2 on 'The National Anthem' and why wouldn't you pick a jazz trio (The Bad Plus - at that time led by Ethan Iverson on piano for a 7 minute plus version of 'Karma Police'.

There's a 20th Anniversary bonus track by Vikter Duplaix, 'Treefingers' but one track, even amongst all these goodies stands out as an emotional mod-soul-jazz classic, 'High & Dry' by Pete Kuzma and Bilal; the 'kids' used to ask, "Who is this!".

As you might guess, I'm not the biggest fan of Radiohead, I did see Tom Yorke appearing solo at Big Chill Festival one year and that was enough - but in 2006 this was fantastic (and went on to other 'tributes' compilations on the label for David Bowie and Talking Heads on the label) and it's just as fantastic in 2026!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: ▶︎ Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads (20th Anniversary Edition) | BBE

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Exit Music - Songs With Radio Heads (20th Anniversary Edition)

Release date: 30th October, 2026

Label: BBE

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Vinyl Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Roberto Di Gioia & Tim Lefebvre - Glass Octopus / Mushroom Cathedral / Floating Through Indigo (into trembling silence)

Roberto Di Gioia does like a colaboration project, with seen before with Peter Kruder, Christian Prommer and Web Web and his latest is with bass player Tim Lefebvre for more modern jazzy fusion.

Presenting Glass Octopus, Mushroom Cathedral and Floating Through Indigo, the first three singles from 'Natural Environment', the forthcoming instrumental album from Roberto Di Gioia & Tim Lefebvre, issued on German label 'into trembling silence'.

Born from an unscripted studio session, this 13-track album is a quiet study of mood and intuition. Operating somewhere between spiritual Kraut-jazz, meditative chillwave, and wild avant-garde excursions, the record unfolds as a vibrant stream of consciousness.

Its foundation lies in the immense warmth of Tim Lefebvre’s electric basses and Roberto Di Gioia’s tactile Rhodes. Di Gioia’s additional analog Juno synthesizers weave a cinematic sci-fi atmosphere, evoking the lingering tension of a 1970s retro noir score, yet colored by an ethereal indie-hippie like sentiment. Drifting through these expansive ambient soundscapes are the haunting alto and transverse flute melodies of Tony Lakatos.

With Lefebvre between stadium shows in Italy, Di Gioia already closely connected to the label, and Lakatos living nearby, the residency became a rare moment outside the routines of touring, recording and session work. An unforced, deeply organic sonic journey. Released November 27th via into trembling silence.

Roberto Di Gioia’s path is marked by a broad stylistic fluidity. Over the years, his touch on the keys has been a constant in the European music landscape. He has shaped the sound of Klaus Doldinger's Passport, played alongside jazz figures like Art Farmer and Johnny Griffin, and crossed into pop and soul with artists like Joy Denalane, Udo Lindenberg and Max Herre.

Tim Lefebvre shares a similar boundary-defying background. His bass playing provides a grounding, adaptable pulse that has made him a trusted collaborator across genres, anchoring the rhythm sections for artists like David Bowie (Blackstar album), Elvis Costello, Sting....

When Di Gioia and Lefebvre meet, their interplay is entirely unscripted. A dialogue built on deep mutual listening. Joined by Tony Lakatos on transverse and alto flute, they form an organic trio, allowing their combined histories to speak through atmosphere and intuition.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:

Oct. 2.: Glass Octopus - https://orcd.co/glassoctopus
Oct. 16.: Mushroom Cathedral - https://orcd.co/mushroomcathedral
Oct. 30.: Floating Through Indigo - https://orcd.co/floatingthroughindigo
Nov. 27.: Album "Natural Environment" - https://orcd.co/naturalenvironment

Artist: Roberto Di Gioia & Tim Lefebvre 

Title: Glass Octopus / Mushroom Cathedral / Floating Through Indigo

Release date : 30th October, 2026

Label : into trembling silenc

Catalog Number :  ITS034

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Eric Hilton feat. Natalia Clavier - Promise Me / Alma Boa (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, 'The Easy Underground' - as he weaves his classic trip-hoppy moquette in sound!

You'll remeber the singles, 'Midnight Ragas' featuring Natalia Clavier and Puma Ptah, (see review HERE) before Eric's last album 'A Sky So Close' (see review HERE) and he's at it again, presenting 'Promise Me' (out now) and 'Alma Boa' (out October 30th), the first two singles to be taken from Eric Hilton's forthcoming album 'The Easy Underground', out November 20th.

"I'm intrigued by music that can exist both in the foreground and the background, you just put it on and let it vibe and seep in, in its own way. But if you listen very intently, off in your own little world - you'll get a lot out of it. And that’s a world I call The Easy Underground….” - Eric Hilton

The Easy Underground, Eric Hilton’s stunning new studio album, out November 20th on Monserrat House Records, spirits listeners away to a breezily romantic world of whispered promises and slow-burned deep kisses. Hilton has spent decades architecting these types of sounds as a co-founder of the legendary downtempo electronic combo Thievery Corporation, and across a growing catalog of solo artist releases with flavors of ambient, space groove, acid jazz, and of course trip-hop. But for 'The Easy Underground', Hilton is reconstituting a genre outside his usual orbit - easy listening.

"No one really thinks of easy listening music as “underground" but I do,” says the producer. "Throughout the years of collecting, DJ’ing and curating music for Eighteenth Street Lounge and other spots, I always found the oddball stuff like soundtrack and easy listening records had something interesting about it. It was hard to find, a lot in those genres could be schlocky or corny. Rarely, I’d dig and find a record that was exotic and otherworldly; special. And I made The Easy Underground with that idea, and that spirit,” said Hilton.

Joining Hilton for this project is longtime musical compadre Natalia Clavier, who sings on 9 of the album’s thirteen tracks, in multiple languages. Fans of Thievery Corporation’s 2013 album Saudade will find The Easy Underground tonally adjacent, with flavors of bossa nova, Brazilian rhythms and female vocals present on both. But while the two records share some common ingredients, Hilton's solo recipe has deeper grooves, more space, and isn’t following an established blueprint. He’s taking the easy listening thing and pulling it into the underground.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://store.erichilton.com/products/easy-underground-vinyl

Artist: Eric Hilton 

Title: Promise Me / Alma Boa

Release date: 30th October, 2026

Label : Montserrat House

Catalog Number : MH031

Format:   Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: The Morganites - The Morganites EP (Lovemonk Records)

Get in with the out crowd at Madrid based Lovemonk Records bring The Morganites to the race with 'Something Special' that touches Northern Soul, Soul-jazz and 60s swinging mod culture - this is going to be much sort after!

Featuring horns by the García Brothers and vocals by Rolita, The Morganites EP is the brainchild of Javier Adán and Santi Rapallo, issued on 7" vinyl.

How did this gem end up on the ever-excellent Lovemonk label from Madrid?  It all started with a conversation between Javier Adán and Santi Rapallo. During the recording of “El sonido bastardo”, the debut album by Danzón el Gato, the two musicians were having a laugh about their complete inability to dance. Let’s not forget that, while they may be two stalwarts of Madrid’s more adventurous jazz scene, nobody would mistake them for the Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly of Suanzes.

So, joking about making something they could actually dance to onstage, they started working on a few tunes. The decision to have everything revolve around soul came naturally. With the rock-solid horns of the García Brothers and Rolita’s sumptuous voice on board, they recorded these songs. A plan was hatched almost immediately: put together a band and play live soul music for dancing. Steer clear of revivalism and follow any road that might lead to dancefloor liberation. Music with soul to sweat to.

‘Something Special’ gets things going with a seriously tight sound: crisp drums, a greasy guitar and a voice, Rolita’s, that puts you on alert mode from the very first note. As soon as ‘Fight’ kicks in, the intensity goes up and you get the feeling that something is about to happen. Rolita roars into the mic and pushes the track into a place where you dance with rage. ‘Soula Queen’ heads somewhere different: an irresistible swing, a horn section that hits like a freight train and a melody that makes you want to dance with a grin on your face.

But, as Mike Tyson once said, everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face. The studio where Rapallo and Adán had set up their base of operations was sold, they had to move out, and everything ground to a halt. So, for now, we have these three absolute bangers and the promise of plenty of dancing. That’s no small thing. Keep the faith. 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://themorganites.bandcamp.com/album/ep

Artist: The Morganites

Title:   The Morganites EP
Release date: 30th October, 2026
Label : Lovemonk Records
Catalog Number : LMNKV121
Format:  7" vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Andre Espeut x Stefano De Santis - Step In The Righteous (Ramrock Records)

Andre Espeut & Stefano de Santis 'Step In The Righteous' groove with a great follow-up to 'Wanna Know What’s On Your Mind' , both on Ramrock Records!

You'll recall Stefano met Andre in 2022.  And Stefano says, "From the very first listen, I was struck by his tone and versatility, and I remember im mediately thinking how great it would be to do something together ... A common ground for our collaboration has been reggae. Both Andre and I grew up with this genre, and it was beautiful to reconnect with that vibe, since it’s not something we usually play and create, even though we both love it deeply": check out their earlier single, 'Wanna Know What's On Your Mind' (see review HERE).

Andre and Stefano have teamed up again to bring you more sensational reggae. In an era marked by social division, uncertainty, and rapid cultural change, Andre and Stefano believe conscious reggae deserves continued recognition as an important cultural and artistic movement. Its heartbeat is not simply the rhythm - it is the message, the spirit, and the call for positive transformation. “Step In The Righteous” is music with purpose. With Andre on lead and backing vocals, Stefano on clavinet with Mu Tron Bi-Phase, Organ, Upright Piano, Moog and Gene Altimari on guitar, this is another 21^st century, stone cold, solid reggae classic.
 
Stefano says, "André and I are huge fans of 1970s roots reggae, and the beauty of its vocal harmonies and the depth of its messages were a fundamental source of inspiration in the writing and recording of “Step In The Righteous. With this second track, we wanted to go deeper into what sits at the heart of roots reggae - the fundamentals of who we are as human beings, the messages we need to move ourselves forward, and the positive affirmations that remind us of our own strength and purpose. The track carries the conscious side of reggae. It speaks of hidden wisdom that has sometimes been buried, overlooked, or taken from those whose voices were already too often unheard, and the importance of reconnecting with those deeper truths. It’s a call to rediscover what has been forgotten, break free from silence, and walk a path of strength, renewal, and self-belief.”
 
Andre says, “This song is an exploration of our need and willingness to understand the past, find our voice and come together. Reflecting on overlooked stories and knowledge, looking beyond division and towards connection and a real shared purpose. A call to learn, to heal and move forward together, recognising that while our past shapes our steps, we all help create the future.”

 
PS. for help with the correct pronunciation of Andre’s surname, it’s "S-PORR".

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:  https://ramrock.bandcamp.com/album/rr016-andre-espeut-x-stefano-de-santis-step-in-the-righteous

Artist: Andre Espeut & Stefano de Santis

Title: Step In The Righteous

Release date: 26th October, 2026
Label: Ramrock Records
Cat. No: RR016
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: VA - House Of Angels Vol. 1 (Secret Angels)

Seven Davis Jr. has gathered some secret angels for a compilation for a house party of big tunes on his own Secret Angels label - it's like he's watching over us!

Seven Davis Jr. (or 'Samuel' to his mum) returns after 'Samuel' (see review HERE) on his label with a whole album of trip-hoppy, electro-neo sould with a compilation 'House Of Angels, Vol. 1').

This collection brings together a powerhouse lineup of international visionaries, veterans, and emerging tastemakers. Navigating the deep space between raw dancefloor kinetics and soulful, avant-garde experimentation. The compilation features contributions from Mara TK (New Zealand), The IZM. (New Jersey), ORFEO (Los Angeles), Maytra (Berlin), Lacey IQ (Los Angeles), Ryan Sadorus (Detroit), Cave Circles (New Zealand), and debuting new artists Boyett (Spain). With an introduction from Paris based creative and house dancer Kari Ko. Also includes a bonus track from Isaac Aesili (New Zealand), only available on the Bandcamp version..

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://secretangels.bandcamp.com/album/house-of-angels-vol-1 

Artist: Various Artists

Title: House Of Angels Vol. 1
Release date: 30th Ocotber, 2026
Label : Secret Angels
Catalog Number : SAR14
Format:  Digital / Streaming  

Review: Kristo - So Many Doors / Affinity / Christus Funk (Kristo Music)

If anyone is as desparate as I for a contestant of Alexander Armstrong's 'Pointless' show to pick the jackpot category "Belgium Jazz & Pop", we've got even more of a reason now at Kritso is not only Belgian, he's pop, funk and a tinge of jazz - can anyone else hear echoes of  Prince?

Ahead of his forthcoming self-released debut album 'Eternal Love', Belgian artist Kristo continues to expand his sonic world with new singles 'So Many Doors' (out now), 'Affinity' (out October 29th) and 'Christus Funk' (out with the album on December 1st).

'So Many Doors' is built on a loose, laid-back neo- soul groove, blending D’Angelo-inspired drums and vocal layering with the soulfulness of Jordan Rakei and the intimacy of Dijon. Its instantly engaging chorus contrasts with lyrics about escapism, indecision and finding direction in an uncertain world, while buttery-smooth layered backing vocals soften the edges.

'Affinity' finds Kristo balancing his pop instincts with deep-pocket funk. Built around an infectious vocal hook and an outrageously tight bass-and- drum groove, it leaves very little room to stand still. The track nods to the polished grooves of Parcels and The Whitest Boy Alive while remaining looser and rougher around the edges. Perfect for late night dancing in sweaty clubs under dim lights.

'Christus Funk' sends Kristo headfirst into P-Funk territory: a short, snappy burst of elastic grooves, playful swagger and unfiltered energy. The track reconnects him with his earliest funk education, playing guitar in his father’s funk big band, OTO Machine. Less a stylistic detour than a full-circle moment, it captures Kristo at his most spontaneous, mischievous and unapologetically funky.

“So Many Doors” will be available on all streaming platforms on 1 October, followed by “Affinity” on 29 October. Kristo’s debut album 'Eternal Love' (and “Christus Funk”) will be out 1 December.

Shaped by a deeply musical upbringing—his father a tenor saxophonist and his mother a marimba teacher— his artistry is grounded in a lifelong dedication to music. Influenced by artists such as Prince, David Bowie, and D’Angelo, Kristo has developed a distinct voice and sound of his own. This has already translated into notable live experience, including performances at Gent Jazz Festival and North Sea Jazz (Talent Stage), as well as support slots for artists such as Macy Gray and Theo Croker.

With the release of his debut album on the horizon, Kristo continues to build momentum as a rising artist in today’s contemporary Soul, Funk and R&B landscape, with a clear crossover appeal and growing international potential.

Kristo’s live reputation continues to grow, supported by an amazing, supertight and dynamic backing band that brings his recordings to life; transforming his songs into a powerful and engaging live experience. Wout Helsen on drums (Mavee, Sevens), Erik Rademakers on bass (Selah Sue, Pommelien Thijs) and Daan Demeyer on keys.

Highlights include: Gent Jazz, North Sea Jazz (Talent Stage), Hnita Jazz, support for Macy Gray and Theo Croker, and an award for “remarkable musician” at the International Jazz in the Park Competition in Cluj, Romania. Succesful collaborations with key figures such as Nicolas Fiszman and Manu Katché further demonstrate this.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kristo7/so-many-doors-radio-edit and https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kristo7/affinity-2

Artist: Kristo

Title: So Many Doors / Affinity / Christus Funk

Release date: 29th October, 2026

Label : Kristo Music

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Sam Pounds & Family Company - Pieces Of Us (Deluxe Edition) (Death Row Records / Vokall Records)

What started as Sam Pounds adding vocals to a song or two became eleven songs of lyrics and melodies has now become a 15 track deluxe edition that has echoes of Muscle Shoals, Stax and Motown - but even better and picked up by Death Row Records!

Sam Pounds & Family Company announce Pieces Of Us (Deluxe), issued October 23rd on Death Row Records / Vokall Records. Live-to-tape late ’60s and early ’70s soul from Sam Pounds and the Los Angeles collective Family Company, expanded with four more tracks including the focus single “Right Time”.

Sam Pounds & Family Company release 'Pieces Of Us' (Deluxe) on Friday, October 23, 2026, via Death Row Records / Vokall Records. The Deluxe edition expands the eleven-song Pieces Of Us with four more tracks – 'Queen', 'I Got A Feeling', 'One In A Million' and the new focus single “Right Time”, recorded with Shea Givens and guitarist Eric Wall.

Sam Pounds is a Rock N’ Soul singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer partnering with both Death Row Records and Vokall Records. Originally from Bahama, North Carolina and now based in Los Angeles, he is a sought-after songwriter and producer, collaborating with Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Killer Mike, the late Liam Payne, Jimmie Allen and Diane Warren. He received Grammy recognition for contributions to Killer Mike’s MICHAEL. In 2026 he played New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Suwannee Amp Jam, High Sierra and Pickathon.

'Pieces Of Us' is a full-length collaboration with LA soul-funk collective Family Company, steeped in the late ’60s and early ’70s: drums, bass, guitar, keys and horns tracked live to tape in Los Angeles, with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson’s string arrangements and old-school group background vocals from India Carney, Astyn Turr and Anilee List, recorded around a single mic! 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://deathrow-vokall.lnk.to/PiecesOfUsDeluxe

e & Felmann,Funky Love EPThe Disco Express,

Artist: Sam Pounds

Title: Pieces Of Us (Deluxe Edition) 

Release date: 23th October, 2025
Label : Death Row Records / Vokall Records
Catalog Number : VOK367
Format:  Digital / Streaming / Bandcamp

Review: Kiko Navarro feat. Dele Sosimi & Lizzy Dosunmu - Ire Gbo Gbo (Lovemonk Records)

Keeping up to date with Kiko Navarro is nearly a full-time job in itself but you drop everything when the next installment of the collaboration with Dele Sosimi and Lizzy Dosunmu drops - here's 'Ire Gbo Gbo'!

It's been six months since we heard the sensational Afro-disco proect from Kiko Navarro, Dele Sosimi and Lizzy Dosunmu with the "sun-soaked heat" of ‘Ijó Yá’, with Voilaaa rounding things off with a wicked remix (see review HERE). 

Well, here's the second single with more highlife and soca where Kiko makes an uplifting track that reflects what Afro house means to him today.

The title Ire Gbo Gbo is a Yoruba expression meaning “All Blessings”, “All Good Fortune” or “All Good Things”, depending on the context. Dele and Lizzy felt Kiko’s music was the right vehicle for lyrics celebrating the blessings we have, experience, yearn for or pray for in our lives. At its heart, the song encourages us to recognise and appreciate those blessings, even when faced with challenging circumstances. It is both an invocation of good fortune yet to come and a celebration of what is already present in our daily lives, our homes, our communities and the world around us — a survival tool rooted in Yoruba culture.

The original mix comes backed by two alternate versions, each taking a different angle on the groove, plus remixes from JKriv (the man is even busier than Kiko, check him out HERE) and El Dragón Criollo that push the track in other dancefloor directions.

A new mix of "Ijó Yá", their previous collaboration, closes the release.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://kikonavarro.bandcamp.com/album/ij-y

Artist:  Kiko Navarro feat. Dele Sosimi & Lizzy Dosunmu 

Title:  Ire Gbo Gbo

Release date: 23rd October, 2026

Label : Lovemonk Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: 12" EPDigital / Bandcamp 

Review: Sandman Project - Hearts Forever (Batov Records)

An amazing album on Batov Records where the Sandman Project gets on their Arabian surf  board and rides the wave of Mulatu Astatke's Ethio-Jazz, mixes up West African psychedelic rock and 180's into a 360 of funk.

Nearly 4 years on from 'Hamsa Remixes EP' (see review HERE) and following the international praise for their 2024 debut album 'Where Did You Go?', the Sandman Project return with , the first album entirely composed, arranged and produced by guitarist, composer and bandleader Tal Sandman. 

Deeply rooted in psychedelic groove, Middle Eastern musicality, funk, jazz and desert rock, it is a record driven above all by a wider spiritual belief in music as a force for connection.

If 'Where Did You Go?' introduced Sandman Project as a borderless, brass-heavy outfit with a cinematic sound, 'Hearts Forever' takes that vision somewhere more intimate and self-assured. Written following Tal's move from Jaffa to Leipzig, the album reflects a period of personal and creative transformation.

Arriving in Germany without knowing whether she would find the right collaborators, she gradually assembled a new band through recommendations from fellow musicians, discovering a group capable of bringing her musical vision to life.

For Tal, the music is not about drawing neat lines between styles or traditions. It is about taking inspiration from wherever it appears and reshaping it into something honest and alive. "If music touches my heart, it inspires me", she says. "So much music already exists, but what we are doing is creating something new out of inspiration. You take the ingredients and make a new thing".

That philosophy runs through 'Hearts Forever'. The album travels effortlessly between Middle Eastern melody, desert rock, Ethiopian modes, Afrobeat, funk, soul, jazz and psychedelia, never treating influences as destinations but as starting points for something entirely its own. Instead, the songs emerge as emotional landscapes, each growing from a melodic idea. "A melody comes into my heart or mind and I try to dig deeper into it", Tal explains. "I give attention to the ideas that come".

That growing confidence also shaped the making of the album itself. After years of doubting whether she was ready to take full creative control, 'Hearts Forever' became the first Sandman Project record entirely composed, arranged and produced by Tal herself, with long-time collaborator Tomer Baruch returning as mixing engineer.

A mere 7 tracks but we're so lucky to have such a 7 - each track sounding better than the last. And wait 'til you hear the jazz-funk fusion of 'Kishuf' - this album will stay in your heart forever!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Hearts Forever | Sandman Project

Artist: Sandman Project

Title: Hearts Forever

Release date: 23rd October, 2026

Label: Batov Records

Catalog Number: TBC

Format: LP / Digital

Review: Sarah Tandy - Delicious Capricious

Freewheeling jazz, psychedelic funk, deep grooves and London swagger and lots of guests artists to add to the party!

Sarah Tandy's is a unique voice within London’s thriving jazz community. She has gained a reputation as a formidable and dynamic performer, with three sold out shows at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club as well as shows at the Jazz Cafe and Love Supreme Festival and SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Her talents have seen her in much in demand and she has worked with acts as diverse as Nubya Garcia, Yazmin Lacey, Yussef Dayes, Binker Golding, Jazz Jamaica, Mansur Brown, Camilla George, Basement Jaxx, Mabel, Poppy Ajudha and Akua Naru.

Her debut long player 'Delicious Capricious' will be self-released on October 23rd 2026. The album draws together a number of different music threads and features guest performances from K.O.G (he of 'Odo Sronko ' - see review HERE), Kyra, Tee Peters and Akin Soul… A freewheeling ride incorporating elements of psychedelic funk, hiphop, grime, trip hop and soul, the album is bound together with a palpable love for the wildness and exuberance of jazz.

"A string of fearless, fizzing, rhythmically adventurous improvisations. She is one of the brightest sparks on the increasingly lively UK Jazz scene", The Guardian and it doesn't take long to get into 'Keep Dreaming' to know this is off ya Herbie jazz-funk Hancock or the wild swing of 'Unleash The Beast'.

Born and raised in West London, Sarah Tandy had a rigorous classical music training and studied at the Royal Academy of Music. Despite this however, she had always had an obsession with the visceral excitement of jazz performance and began to find herself increasingly drawn to the creative freedoms and adventures of the city’s live music scene.

She began performing in London back in 2014, gradually forming the musical connections that would become pivotal to her creative journey. During this period she engaged with the many different musical strains that were fermenting in London at the time, honing her craft and finding her way towards a distinctive sound which is both original and rooted in the jazz tradition.

In 2019 she released her debut EP with the pioneering jazz re:freshed label. The record received widespread praise, and support from Jazz FM and BBC Radio DJs Gilles Peterson and Jamie Cullum. She was also nominated for a Jazz FM award for Breakthrough Act of the Year. In 2020 she was awarded the Parliamentary Jazz award for Best Instrumentalist. She was also invited to compose a piece for the 2019 New Music Biennial on behalf of J Night Jazz in Hull, which was later performed at the South Bank Centre.

During the touring hiatus that occurred in 2020, Sarah sought to further develop her skill set, studying electronic music production in depth and also focusing on writing, arrangement and composition. This has led to writing and production credits on Yazmin Lacey’s recent album Voice Notes, and she continues to collaborate in the studio with a number of artists.

And there's quite a bit of her West London/BRUK influences as you'd expect and then, at the same time on 'Aftermath' there's a mix of Corea and Ryuichi Sakamoto going on!

Sarah is clearly a massive talen and whilst she's finding her musical feet, very definitely deliciously capricious.

Album Personnel:
Sarah Tandy - piano/ keyboards/ synths/ programming/ production/ vocals
Binker Golding - sax
Sheila Maurice Grey - trumpet
Jamie Murray - drums
Jihad Darwish - bass

Guest Artists:
Akin Soul (My Motion)
Tee Peters (You Need to Heal)
K.O.G. (Pressure)
Kyra (Imagine)

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://sarahtandy.ffm.to/delicious

Artist: Sarah Tandy

Title:   Delicious Capricious
Release date: 23rd October, 2026
Label : 
Catalog Number : 
Format: 12" Mint Green Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Beth Prior Collective - R-I-S-I-N-G (House on the Hill Records)

If you say "Bristol", there's a fair chance you'll be thinking Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size and the Beth Prior Collective are here to re-root the Bristol sound!

Beth Prior Collective (BPC) is a Welsh borders based band, led by singer, songwriter and guitarist Beth Prior, alongside long-time collaborator Will Barnes. Rooted in reggae, dub and soul, the band blends live instrumentation with electronic production, drawing on guitars, bass, keys, drums and vocals to create their self-described ‘Liquid Dub’ sound.

Emerging from the grassroots music and sound-system culture of the Welsh Borders, the collective has developed a sound that moves freely between dub, soul, hip-hop, R&B and electronica while retaining a distinctly live, organic core.

The BPC is a fluid, evolving collective, bringing together exceptional players as and when the music calls for them. Alongside long-time collaborator Will Barnes, the collective has included multi-instrumentalist Tia Kalmaru on keys and backing vocals, Josh Davies on drums, Len Carter on sax, and DJ Edmund on bass and guest vocals, each contributing to different incarnations of the BPC sound.

BPC’s fiercely loyal following has its roots in the UK’s independent lesbian and LGBTQ+ music scene, where Prior built an early audience that has remained remarkably engaged with the project over the years. That loyalty became particularly evident through the band’s successful crowdfunding campaigns, which drew support from both that longstanding core audience and a wider community that had grown around the band.

Ahead of the band's long-awaited return in 2027 with album 'Higher System', they ' re opening the vault with a series of previously unheard recordings spanning different chapters of their  creative journey.

The first single, "R-I-S-I-N-G, " captures a more experimental moment that sits outside the sound of the forthcoming album, but offers an intriguing glimpse into the band' s evolution. More reminiscent of rolling hills, coastlines and wheels on tarmac, "R-I-S-I-N-G" still features Beth' s unmistakable vocal delivery—one that BPC listeners have come to describe as their north star. The single will be followed closely by a rousing Drum and Bass remix from labelmate JOSHEEBA, which is to be released on November 13th.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://orcd.co/r-i-s-i-n-g https://orcd.co/r-i-s-i-n-g-remix

Artist: Beth Prior Collective 

Title: R-I-S-I-N-G3
Release date: 23drd October, 2026
Label :House on the Hill Records
Catalog Number:  HOTH002
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: VA - Thirty Years Of Freerange Vol.5 (Freerange Records)

What a series to celebrate 30 years of Freerange Records and here's the 5th EP to climax 30 tracks from 30 artists - Ladies and Gentlemen: VOLUME FIVE!

To recap, 30 Years Of Freerange brings together 30 exclusive tracks from 30 artists, released across five EPs before culminating in a beautifully curated box set; also check out Vol. 4 HERE Vol. 3 HERE, Vol. 2 HERE and Vol. 1 HERE. 

Volume 5 being the final chapter brings together six brand new and exclusive tracks from across the Freerange family and beyond. As with the previous four volumes, it’s a snapshot of the label’s enduring musical DNA — deep, soulful, underground and resolutely dancefloor-focussed.

Kicking off the release Jimpster slips back into early-00s rolling house mode with 'What U R', a deep, groovy and effortlessly bouncy workout that hits all the familiar sweet spots. Warm bass, tight drums and a seriously infectious groove - Jimpster doing what he does best.

Freerange has long admired the work of Last Nubian (he of 'Ship Of Fools - see review HERE) so it feels particularly good to finally welcome some of his music to the label in the form of a killer track titled 'Magic'. Teaming up with Tommy Rawson and featuring Redbird on vocals, they deliver a serious slice of London-style soulful house - deep, musical and a rich melting pot of elements giving the track a distinctly UK flavour.

Crackazat's album 'SUN' fom earlier this year (see revieew HERE) adapts his jazz leanings and goes full lo-slung boogie mode on 'Groove Again', bringing the funk with his trademark hooky synth stabs, Moog bassline and irresistibly crunchy drum groove. A feel-good jam complete with Crackazat’s own vocals, making for a track with bags of character and just the right amount of grit.

Flipping over, Toronto-based producer Reagan Grey (she of 'Kenetic' on Wolf Music - see review HERE) makes her Freerange debut with 'Sidewalks', delivering a solid slice of deep house designed squarely for the dancefloor. Hypnotic, stripped-back and subtly driving, it’s a track that gets under your skin without ever needing to shout about it.

Next we have one-time Gilles Peterson's best bud Simbad who brings his own inimitable style to 'This Joint', a mid-tempo deep house groove with plenty of space, soul and swing. Adding another layer of Detroit magic, legendary producer Andrés (of New 4 U / KDJ / Mahogany Music / Moods n Grooves fame) contributes percussion and vocals, making for a beautiful meeting of Cape Town and Motor City sensibilities - this would fit in any set perfectly.

And Canadian duo Toronto Hustle & Sean Roman (also of Wolf Music - see review HERE) are not that far from Detroit and you can hear the influences.   Having already delivered the excellent 'Detoronto' EP for Freerange, round things off in fine style with 'Unconscious Therapy (The Dancer)'. A rolling, deep and hypnotic groove that gradually pulls you in, locking into that sweet spot between heads-down house music and late-night dancefloor ecstasy.

With Volume 5, the 30 Years Of Freerange series reaches its final destination - six more exclusive cuts completing a collection that spans five EPs and 30 tracks. The full story comes together in November with the 30 Years Of Freerange Boxset, bringing the entire series together as one celebration of three decades of Freerange.

Here's to the next 30 years - hoping we're all here to enjoy!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Music | Freerange Records

Artist: Various Artists

Release: Thirty Years Of Freerange Vol.5
Release Date: 16th October, 2026
Label: Freerange Records
Catalog Number: FR320

Format:   Vinyl / Digital / BANDCAMP