Review: Anushka - My Mother's Mother (BBE Music)

African inspired love song for grand mother's everywhere taken from the forthcoming album 'Ancestry' (did you see what they did there?) along with a remix from South African/Mozambiquan wunderkind, Thakzin.

This is somewhat different to their earlier single, 'Really (Nothig Is Cool)' with the Max Wheeler dub (see review HERE) and we know Thakzin from various appearance on Foliage (see review HERE) and as a DJ, he has been laured by this likes of BBC 6 Music DJs like Jamz Supernova and Benji B and played out by Osunlade, Atjazz, Louie Vega, Laurent Garnier and many more.

Now, put that together with Gambian Kora player Jally Kebba Susso and you've got a might Grand MF remix from a Thakzin Perspective and a Perespective Dub.

BBE are on a roll at the moment with a re-press of Madlib's 'WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip' album (see review HERE) and Anushka's forthcoming album, it's hard to keep up; but don't mis out on this remix!

Artist: Anushka 

Title: My Mother's Mother (with Thakzin remix)

Release date: 13th June, 2025

Label :  BBE Music

Catalog Number: BBE776SDG3

Format: Digital / Bandcamp   

Reviw: Joy Spheres Rees - Solina (BBE Music)

With some of the best in the Naarm / Melbourne community, Allysha Joy, Hidden Spheres (AKA Tom Harris) and Finn Rees have got together for futher explorations in soulful/Balearic bounce-hop for 'Trust The Feeling' by Joy Sphere Rees - did you see what they did there?

Yet another BBE find as who wouldn't want the trident of Joy (as in 30/70 - see review HERE) along with Close Counters (see review HERE) and with Finn Rees (see review HERE) plus the meat in the sandwich so to speak, Tom 'Hidden Spheres' Harris.

This album couldn't have been timed better with the soltice as 'Solina' is a hot ray of sunshine in more than worrying times.  With Joy's vocals and some beachside beats  like 'Caves Sands' (sultry flute) , 'Trust The Feeling' and 'Caught In The Wind' all seems to have a grounding in nature and a love of the elements.

Perhaps 'Surrender Love' best reflects the ablum as the leading "Balearic House to Street Soul, Alternative RnB and Jazz" with a touch of elementry instrumental hip-hop ('Always Leaving').

The previous singles, 'Trust The Feeling' and 'Promise Me Love' give you the two extremes of the set, the sexy 'Sade' end and the up[per] beat DJ end.

It's a shame the jazz end of 'Delta Spirit' isn't longer but this is definitely an album that'll grow in stature and if you don't get the LP now you'll be kicking yourself later.

BUY LINK: SOLINA | Joy Spheres Rees

Artist: Joy Spheres Rees 

Title: Solina

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number: BBE805

Format:  Vinyl LP - Gatefold (Limited) / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Madlib - WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip (BBE Music)

When Madlib, The Beat Konducta released 'WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip' in 2008, I remember seeing the vinyl version in the Berwick Street Market area and thinking, I'll get the CD! 

What a mistake that was a it was part of the highly thought of Beat Generation series that featured the disc spinning and beat making talents of Pete Rock, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinna, Mr Thing, Jay Dee/Dilla, Will.I.Am(!) and more.

But the Madlib edition is now back on vinyl after many years that features not only Madlib but many of his friends like Guilty Simpson, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Defari, MED, J Rocc (Ed. I best DJ I've ever seen at the time). Prince Po, Karriem Riggins, Talib Kweli and more.

This Madlib's Radio station style as 'WLIB AM' on the dial and I wonder if it's survived the test of time?  If you were into hip-hop/beats/skate as a young dude in early 2000s this was mind blowing and it's great to hear it again.  And whilst it's no 'Madvillainy' (the seminal album he did as Madvillain with Doom) and whilst it was the last of 'Beat Generation' series, it's before the frenzy of the 13 album 'Madlib Medicine Show' mixture of hip-hop, jazz, remix and multi-genre DJ  mixtapes. 

The gatefold sleeve features some previously unseen photos by Brian 'B+' Cross (Ed. did I ever tell you about the time I met him?  Unfortuneately there's no photographic evidence of this) and Madlib's beat making and sample fusing abilities are there for all to hear. 

If I could speak to a younger me, I'd say, "buy the vinyl".

Artist: Madlib  

Title: WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip

Release date: 5th June, 2025

Label :  BBE Music

Catalog Number: BBE540

Format: 2xLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Orquesta Del Sol - Rainbow Love (BBE Music)

This is different to say the least, I had no idea that there's J-Salsa that can be traced back to the 1970s with a tour by the Fania All-Stars and even further back with Latin music pioneers such as Tadaaki Misago's Tokyo Cuban Boys, who played mambo and rumba post-World War II. 

We've seen lots of Japan of late, from Mark de Clive-Love's 'love letter to Japan', the album 'past present (tone poems across time - see review HERE), Yasushi Ide's compilation 'The Journey' (see review HERE), Ayane Shino's 'River せせらぎ The timbre of guitar #2 Rei Harakami' (see review HERE), Nick Luscombe's tribute via 'CITY MUSIC TOKYO - see review HERE) and even all the J-Jazz albums compiled by Higgins and Peden that's been championed by BBE; but I didn't think we'd here of a J-Salsa album!

But that is what we've got in Orquesta Del Sol's 'Rainbow Love' that was initiated by Masahito 'Pecker' Hashida who was inspired to go to New York City in 1977 to experience Fania himself (as an aside, his reggae/dub album  'Pecker Power' from 1980 was re-issued last year just to show how influencial he was). 

'Rainbow Love' was the debut album and co-produced by Peck and Japanese drummer/band member Shuichi 'Ponta' Murakami sung in Japanese, Spanish and English. The original 8 track album has it's first worldwide release on vinyl and digital formats with 7 bonus tracks.

Obviously, i'm drawn to the tracks sung in Japanese, like the title track, as I've never heard anything like it but i'm equally blown away by the English of tracks like 'Night Ripple', in Spanish ('Mondo Cruel' - check the Cuíca action), the disco-action of 'Get-A-Odyssey' and the overproofed percussion on 'Rumbambola', the only cover version (Noro Morale) on the original album.

The noted Japanese Latin music expert Masashi Takahashi provides new liner notes but this is so 'authentic' it could easily be lined up next to original Fania (founded in 1963) and the All-Stars as we all 'Like It Like That' (see review HERE).

Artwork: Japanese painter Yosuke Kamamura.

Artist: Orquesta Del Sol 

Title: Rainbow Love

Release date: 16th May, 2025

Label :  BBE Music

Catalog Number: BBE795

Format: Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Anushka - Really (Nothing is Cool) (inc. Max Wheeler dub) (BBE Music)

With previous album releases on Brownswood and Tru-thoughts it was only a matter of time that Anushka have an album on BBE, that's coming soon and hear's a taster - and it's great!

Victoria Port’s vocals and matched by Max Wheeler production skills (particulary on the dub edit) to give post-Chic-soul boogie-Detroit.

This is one of 3 pre-album singles but if you've not heard 'Overwhelmed' that came out last month with a DJ Die DnB mix but it's clear this is going to be a big album even if "Nothing Is Cool".

The album 'Ancestry' is coming out later this spring.

Artist: Anushka 

Title: Really (Nothing is Cool)

Release date: 18th April, 2025

Label :  BBE Music

Catalog Number: BBE776SDG2

Format: Bandcamp  

Review: Mark de Clive-Lowe - past present (tone poems across time) (IMPRESS!VE Collective / BBE Music)

Mark de Clive-Lowe has always impressed so when it comes to an album with the Impressive Collective, it's going to be.... impressive! 

Over twenty years ago, as one of the first names outside of the UK that found broken beat, future jazz, hip hop and house combinations that constantly made records, particularly 12s with Lady Alma and Abdul Shyllon, the New Zealand wonder kid Mark de Clive-Lowe was the name eveyone wanted to drop.

At that time we'd have been unware of his Japanese connections and that he'd released solo albums in New Zealand before the move to London and then onto USA to study at Berklee College and then live in LA before moving to Japan.  His undertakings are relentless and even includes spell running night clubs.  So it may be a surprise that 'past present (tone poems across time)' as 11 tracks is more of an electronic ambient ENO style homage to Japan's spiritual reflectiveness; like water gardens on 'gratitiude' or 'reflection'; note: the cover is a photograph taken in 1953 of his dad, Robin de Clive-Lowe at Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima, Japan.

It's probably worth pointing out this wasn't that long after the end of WW2 and whilst MDCL recorded the album in LA with a cast of a 1000 keyboards and synths it also includes his own filed recordings from various locations iin Japan.  

There's nothing to dance to here as the tracks have a certain brooding about them even with titles like 'acceptance', 'forgiveness', 'compassion' and 'peace' I was hoping the title track would prove to be a revelation (a title of a track also) but it adds to the cinematic OST theme.  Don't get me wrong, this is a highly enjoyable album and its very Ryuichi Sakamoto but still a long way from the first album on the IMPRESS!VE Collective, Jessica Lauren's 'Film' (see review HERE).

There's extension liner notes by Mark himself and I did notice that he says the album was due in large part to the encouragment given to him by his friend Carlos Niño (he of 'Everyone's Children', AmmonContact, Build An Ark, Hu Vibrational, The Life Force Trio; you get the idea).  And having met Carlos some years ago and spoken to him for a mere half an hour, I can tell you he'd be the most positive and encourging friend that Mark could have hoped for (along with label boss Greg Boraman).

Not everyone's cup of tea (drinking ceremony) but it is music for zen and now in a tone poem time capsule.

Artist: Mark de Clive-Lowe

Title: past present (tone poems across time) 

Release date: 18th April, 2025

Label :  IMPRESS!VE Collective (an imprint of BBE Music)

Catalog Number:BBE803

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Various Artists - Our Music Our Culture Vol. 2 (BBE Music)

Back in the day when 'Our Music Our Culture Vol. 1' compilation was release, I don't suppose anyone in the influencial CO-OP crew could imagine that Vol. 2 would take a further 17 years! But here it is.

The CO-OP was largely know for it's club night for soulful, broken beat, house, dance music and in 2000 was the vision of DJ's Afronaut & Mark Force (they of Bugz In The Attic) and championed on the radio by Gilles Peterson with some 'Future Jazz' branding.

The Mitchy Bwoy graphics have been tweaked on the cover but it's the eight tracks that are the stars kicking off with the pairing of André Espeut who we have featured many times and Wipe The Needle (he of the remix on Searchlight's 'We Could Be More' - see review HERE) with 'Here We Go'!

You could say 'Solar Mode' (Mark Force & Davriel Gabrius) is 'trademark' BRUK-jazz with dominent keys and space touches as it splatters the dance floor and then, of course, there's the Rio influenced hybrid, Ben Hauke's 'Your Woke Moment' that'll kill those bassbins.

And I suppose that's the point in many ways as over the past 25 years, as Peterson has been searching for the perfect beat, this was (and still is) the focus of many peoples dance experience for Drum n Bass to Dubstep and Spiritual Jazz of Latin classics plus house.

Lady Alma (last scene with 'Joy' - see review HERE) is here with 'Work It Out' as a Blaktonez CoOp Rub is typical and with Bémbé Ségué, one of the main voices on the scene.   As Domu was one of the main producers outside of the BITA inner sanctum: is exclusive Domu mix of Sonar's Ghost's 'Purest Dope' just spectacular?  I'd say so!

Given half the chance I'll mention Best Seven (see review HERE for Daniel's lastest label) and it's was the Domu/Volcov 7" 'Souljah' that got me excited about the CO-OP and it's great that there's a new generation to take it on like, Don Kamares, Soulpalour and Tru-Thoughts' Bruk Rogers.

Best be quick to order the vinyl as it's a limited pressing so get ya Booty La La out and make our culture, your next cultural purchase.

Artist: Various Artists
Title: Our Music Our Culture Vol. 2 
Release date: 28th March, 2025
Label : BBE Music
Catalog Number : COOP2210DG
Format: Limted 2xLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Joy Spheres Rees - Trust The Feeling (BBE Music)

With some of the best in the Naarm / Melbourne community, Allysha Joy, Hidden Spheres (AKA Tom Harris) and Finn Rees have got together for futher explorations in soulful/Balearic bounce-hop for 'Trust The Feeling' by Joy Sphere Rees - did you see what they did there?

Yet another BBE find as who wouldn't want the trident of Joy (as in 30/70 - see review HERE) along with Close Counters (see review HERE) and with Finn Rees (see review HERE) plus the meat in the sandwich so to speak, Tom 'Hidden Spheres' Harris.

This is the first digital single from a forthcoming album called 'Solina' that'll be a vinyl and digital release.

BUY LINK: Trust The Feeling | Joy Spheres Rees

Artist: Joy Spheres Rees 

Title: Trust The Feeling 

Release date: 14th March, 2025

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE805SDG

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Various Artists - The Best of Asona Records (Asona / BBE Music)

After releasing 15 albums from the Asona catologe, BBE have decided to release a compilation of the 'Best Of', 'Classic 90's Burger Highlife From Ghana'.

A mere 14 tracks as there's no Paa Jude from the recently released 'Seaman Jolly' (see review HERE - and obviously slated for Vol. 2 of Best Of), it's not an easy job to compile this one.

The story of Asona,  founded in the mid-80s in Peckham, South East London and the 'finding' of the lost tapes in the garden shed has been detailed in reviews of previous releases on YATM. 

Indeed, many of your favourites are featured on the album that's crammed with the sunshine sounds of 'Burger' like Thomas Frempong, Eric Aguemand and his Kokoroko Band, Sam Yeboah, A.K. Yeboah & K.K's No. 2 Band (with the best of the best, 'Make Me Know My Position'), Kantata and more.

This is the ideal pick me up for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) sufferers craving sounds of West African dancefloor footwork.  And as a 'Best Of', it's definitely a 100% accurate title and perfect in so many way for 2025; and this is my position!

Artist: Various Artists

Title: The Best of Asona Records

Release date: 7th March, 2025

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE791

Format:  LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Omar - Can We Go Out (Lyric Video) (IMPRESS!VE Collective - an imprint of BBE Music)

DIgital/Video singles are not our usual thing but when it comes to UK legend, Omar, we are prepared to make that exception as his voice is just a brilliant way to start the week.

'Can We Go(Come) Out Again' may sound like a post-pandemic throw-a-way or a LGBTQ+ call to arms; either way, it's a great start to the week. 

Not only that, it's the first full single from Omar's forthcoming 9th studio album called 'Bright The Days'.

You may recall that last year, we started off with the single 'Lovey Dovey' so if you were wondering what to do for the forthcoming Valentines Day.

NO DIGITAL : BANDCAMP LINK Lovey Dovey / This Thing Called Life (Instrumental) | Omar 

Artist: Omar

Title: Can We Go Out (Lyric Video)

Release date: 7th February, 2024

Label :  IMPRESS!VE Collective (an imprint of BBE Music)

Catalog Number:BBE801SDG1

Format: Bandcamp  

Review: Various Artists - Paul Hillery presents Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours Volume 3 (BBE Music)

This is Paul Hillery's third 'Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours ' inspired compilation and arguably the best as fans and diggers alike will be thinking, where does he find these tracks?

Much like his "Sun Children" (as last seen as Part 3, Paul Hillery presents We Are The Children Of The Setting Sun (see review HERE), he finds them all over the globe but all having the same 'root' of folk, funk and trippy troubadours

If you can't imagine what that is Tim Green's 'Got More Love' and Stephen Whynott's 'What Have You Seen' are typical of Hillery's USP in the "unknown" world of 60s Greenwich Village/Haight-Ashbury that didn't make major label signings much like his Will & James Ragar "find" (see review HERE) and Forest (see review HERE).

That said, any 22 track compilation there's going to be a couple of odd-balls like the extremely beautiful 'Night Blooming Thing' (Robin Frederick) or the soothing slo-mo of 'Give Me Time' (Bobbi Keith).  Talking of which, Kirk Edwards' 'Provincetown' is sublime whilst if you crave a long lost Joni Mitchell (that never was 'cos it was by Dave Smith and Judy Dinning), 'Sail Far' is the track for you.

And more Canadian influence, Glastonbury denier Neil Young to be precise, can be heard on Dwight Druick (great name) with 'Joshua' or the soft-rockin' instrumental 'Going All The Way' (Robert Carlton) which was amazingly the b-side to a track called 'Punk'!

Going all the way is the skill of Paul as a curator, he was once the DJ for the 'out-there' Polyphonic Spree, and you can find Vol. 1 & 2 of  'Folk, Funk & Trippy Troubadours' on RE:WARM that's another mix of blue-eyed soul, jazz, folk, soft rock, AOR fusion that somehow sounds really cool.

Whilst the sun might of set on his other compilation series, this is evidence that there's many more trippy troubadours out there to be found and Mr. Hillery is the best placed to find 'em.

Artist: Various Artists

Title:  Paul Hillery presents Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours Volume 3 

Release date: 7th February, 2025

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE793 

Format: 3xLP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Will & James Ragar - The Acoustic Album (BBE Music)

This album by Will & James Ragar is no pretender, it's the real deal of beautiful folky rock and you'll be so glad to be able to say, you are mine.

After their 'debut' on BBE with 'Forever/Bayou Paradis' (see review HERE) and 'The Baton Rouge EP' (see review HERE), who would have thought that there would be a 16 track double album to follow?

Will and James Ragar were born in Texas and Arkansas respectively and their 'Will and James Ragar One' album, recorded in 1980, was championed by Paul Hillery (he of Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours fame and note,  Volume 3 is coming out soon).

And this 'acoustic' album of songs from the late 70s to mid-90s is very much in Hillery's ball park as not only are they folky, funky and trippy - until now, almost unheard of.

Think of various incarnations/eras of Terry Callier, Crosby, Stills and Nash and Richie Havens that are craving to be The Allman Brothers as if they were a duo like Bert Jansch and John Renbourn.

And talking of guitar greats, we're told the recording was done with a Rainsong (Will) and a hand made S. Yairi (James) which apparently means the they could record both guitars and their vocals into layered harmonics; it certainly sounds that that the brothers have managed to capture their brotherly love and more as a musical duo; mention of Bourbon St. on the track 'Let's Pretend' having special resonance after recent events in New Orleans.

The album lets you drift away in purpose of relaxed excitement in an imagined lost past that's availabe today that BBE are to be congratulated for bringing this music to the masses and ifat Mr. Young does or doesn't end up going to Glastonbury this year, this is a more important release.

P.S. Whilst noting, this album is worlds apart from BBE's other album release this month, 'The Best Of Acona Records' (see review HERE soon) that's hailing from a similar period and is equally great.

Artist: Will & James Ragar 

Title: The Acoustic Album

Release date: 24th January, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE730

Format: 2XLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Paa Jude - Seaman Jolly (Asona / BBE Music)

All aboard 'Seaman Jolly' the album by Paa Jude that sounds more like a title of episode of this much chuckled at 'Captain Pugwash'. 

It may only be four tracks, along with the title track, 'Mente Gyae', 'Odo Refre Wo' and 'Ofie Nipa', BBE have gone back to the treasure trove of Asona Records for the best of Ghana's Burger Highlife. 

.

You'll recall Burger revival of Kantata, A.K. Yeboah, Sam Yeboah's Hi-Life Sensation and Eric Agyemand & his Kokroko Band and Paa Jude is another influencial player that we'd have never have heard of if it hadn't been for DJ Jerry Frempong's wife sorting out the garden shed where Jerry's dad had left his Asona records master tapes.  After bringing in BBE's Pete Adarkwah, it was time to re-issue this history.

A for a minimal 101 on Burger, back in the 60s, the sounds of US soul, funk and pop (with associated electric instruments and production started to influence traditional Ghanan Highlife bands.  By the time Anthony Frempong was recording 'Seaman Jolly' in South London, there were other influences in the air like a dancehall dub of 'Mente Gyae' that seems short even at 10 minutes long.

'Odo Refre Wo' sounds like it's been influenced by hit by Lionel Richie at his 80s peak but it's more to do with the feel of the track than the sound whilst the percussion of Papa Cudjoe keeps it bouncing along like we're riding a pony; another one at 9 minutes that ends as if they were ready for some King Tubby 12" extended dubs. 

The title track sounds very traditional at a high paced with beautiful batimcking vocals and a tweaked keyboard solo; no English lyrics so I couldn't tell you if this is a fond quayside farewell but to say it's 'Jolly' would be an understatement.

By the time of 'Ofie Nipa', they have nailed the 'Seaman Jolly' reggae-higlife sound and it's joyous

Of course this type of muscial cross-fertilization is nothing new when it come to "royalty", such as the visits of James Brown and Sun Ra to Africa whilst Fela Kuti was big mates with Ginger Baker (Cream) and Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull).   And whilst, Paa Jude's 'Seaman Jolly' may not rank with such big names, this is a BIG album and you're not going to find an original copy so many thanks to the Frempongs and BBE for making this re-issue happen.

Artist: Paa Jude

Title: Seaman Jolly 

Release date: 10th January, 2025

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE763

Format:  LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Audrey Powne - Souled Out (remixed by Joe Claussell) / Feed the Fire Remixes (remixed by Atjazz & musclecars) (BBE Music)

Just a quick reminder that Audrey Powne not only had one of the debut albums of the year but also some heavyweight remix 12s, out on BBE.

This is a good time of the year to catch up with top albums of 2024 like Ms. Powne's 'From The Fire' (see review HERE).along with the Atjazz and Musclecars remix 12" (see review HERE).

Not only that, there's a three tracker of 'Souled Out' by legend Joe Claussell as a Cosmic Arts Interpretation mix, Joaquin's Sacred Rhythm version and a deep version.  Claussell has been the top man for all spiritually deep dubbiness and this is him at his best.

Apparently, the album is being touted as 'Jazz Album Of The Year', definely debut or even drop the 'jazz' - BBE is due a gong too!

Artist: Audrey Powne

Title:  Souled Out (remixed by Joe Claussell) / Feed The Fire (Atjazz & Musclecars Remixes)

Release date: 4th October / February, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE753SDG / BBE753ELP

Format: 12" x 2 / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Freddy da Stupid - Back To Pangea Part II (BBE Music / Batakari)

Going back to Pangea - the original one - would take quite some time but as far as Freddy da Stupid is concerned, 'Part II' is with us now.

There's fantastic artwork to go with this return to nature with a 3-track "journey to the primordial supercontinent, symbolizing the union of cultures and the primordial essence of African sounds" in the context of original, Jazzapella (very orgnically glocky this one) and dub versions.  

The combination of Afro house and 3-step puts us in a Afro-Latin dancefloor soup of synth and percussion that's fantastically hypnotic and Balearic at the same time. The dub brilliantly incorporates the sounds of the forests that matches that intense artwork.

Freddy's debut album, 'Bantu Origins' (Ed. can a sense a theme going on here?) came out last year but this is his debut on BBE Music / Batakari so reaching a wider audience, I wonder if a forthcoming album is going to be 'Back To Pangea Part I' or 'Back To Pangea Part III in a what came first senario, chicken or pterodactylus egg?

Artist: Freddy da Stupid

Title: Back to Pangea Part II

Release date: 15th November, 2024

Label : BBE Music / Batakari

Catalog Number : BAT010SDG

Format: Digital / Bandcamp