Review: Various Artists - J Jazz Vol. 5: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan 1970-1988 (BBE MUSIC)

Tony Higgins and Mike Peden announce that pre-orders available now forJ Jazz volume 5: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan 1970-1988, BBE Music’s celebrated J-Jazz compilation series reaches its fifth and final volume in early 2026, culminating in a track list that maintains the exceptionally high standard first set with volume one back in 2018.

This final volume features a selection of tracks that is as diverse as it is deep, reflecting the rich and varied Japanese jazz scene that spanned from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, a golden era of innovation and creativity. J Jazz volume 5 sees compilers Tony Higgins and Mike Peden dig ever deeper into their respective record collections to reveal tracks that encompass myriad styles including white hot jazz funk fusion from Toshiyuki Honda ('Eastern Legacy') and Mikio Masuda ('Sonic Barrier'), super rare ethnic jazz crossover by Crystal Zone - their one-off 45 promo release from 1971, 'Rai Rai' (ライ・ライ), a deconstructed and abstract jazz classic by Yasuhiro Kohno with his solo piano rendition of 'My Favourite Things', and Mile and Half’s skin-tearing, shredding freak-out from their mega rare private press album. A track that is so relentless, it leaves the listener in need of oxygen and a Valium.

These hand-picked selections sit alongside other specially chosen numbers that embrace hard-driving samba (Seiichi Nakumura’s Judy’s Samba), epic head-nodding soul jazz (Masaru Imada’s World Line), psychedelic private press fusion (Aoyama Gakuin 101’s Fervor), angular post-bop tear-ups (Akia Miyazawa’s Nijimasu), intense and insistent fusion (Motohiko Hino’s Olive Step), serene cinematic pianism (Hideo Ichikawa’s On the Trade Wind) and tripped-out hallucinogenic tribal funky jazz (Garandoh) 

With almost 7000 words of extensive sleeve notes, J Jazz volume 5 comes in a triple 180g vinyl set  inside deluxe gatefold sleeve with obi strip, and comes with a 4- page insert, with photographs from the renowned Tokyo Jazz Joints project. Mastered with love @thecarverystudio

BUY LINK/PRE-ORDER (3LP and 2CD) bbemusic.bandcamp.com/album/j-jazz-volume-5-deep-modern-jazz-from-japan-1970-1988

Artist: Varous Artists

Title: J Jazz Vol. 5: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan 1970-1988

Release date: (Shipping 20 March 2026)

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :  BBE731

BBE 3xLP vinyl / 2xCD / Digital (bbemusic.com) & Bandcamp .

Review: VA - IF Music presents You Need This!: “World Jazz Grooves Volume 2” Compiled by Jean-Claude & Victor Kiswell (BBE Music)

The 'WOMAD' of obscure World Jazz Grooves as chosen by If... Music's very own Jean-Claude and Victor Kiswell - in case you didn't know 'You Need This!' 

Jean-Claude Thompson has given us the benefit of his decades of digging as last seen on YATM with 'You Need This! A Journey Into Deep Jazz Vol. 4 compiled by Jean​-​Claude (see review HERE) and a couple of years ago, Jean-Claude Thompson compiled 'You Need This: If Music Is 20' celebrating two decades of If Music (see review HERE).

Victor Kiswell is another DJ, collector, journo and record dealer so between the pair of them, they know where to find music that has been "painstakingly searched for in flea markets, second hand shops and private collections" that wouldn't otherwise be available to the general public and fans like you and me.

But that's not to say you won't recognise a couple of names at least, like Mary Lou Williams, Kahil El'Zabar (who I've mentioned before - see HERE - and was at this years' We Out Festival), John Tchicai (who previously appeared on the J.C/Adrian Magrys' 'If Music Presents You Need This: Eastern European Sounds' 2016 Record Store Day release) and Cedric 'IM' Brooks.

This takes around the world with stops in Denmark, France, Brazil, Canada, the USA and Jamaica as the compilation digs deep into the jazz vaults of the spiritual and dance; where else would you find a 16 minute track called 'Dakar' by Dadje? 

What is so cool about this collection, even if some of the artists have/did experiment with the avant-garde jazz  - and there's definitely more than a nod to it here - even so there's a strong cross-genre ethic going on.

I particular like the chaos of Tchica's mate Albert Mangelsdorff plus Colin Wilkie, Shirley Hart and Joki Freund on 'Ich armes Maidlein klag mich sehr' but I like all the 8 tracks on here.  Not only that, you're not going to hear them anywhere else so, at the risk of repetition 'You Need This!

BUY LINK/PRE ORDER: IF Music presents You Need This!: “World Jazz Grooves Volume 2” Compiled by Jean-Claude & Victor Kiswell | BBE

Artist: Various Artists
Title: IF Music presents You Need This!: “World Jazz Grooves Volume 2” Compiled by Jean-Claude & Victor Kiswell
Release date: 3rd October, 2025
Label : BBE Music
Catalog Number : BBE585
Format: 2xLP Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Boddhi Satva - Manifest Everything (BBE Music / Batakari)

Boddhi Satva is definitely his own man when it comes to producing music being the originator of 'Ancestral Soul' and at the same time, he likes  collaboration: so it's always a good time to 'Manifest Everything'.

We know from Boddhi's and Dino D'Santiago's 'Moda Boddhi' (see review HERE) that the Satva blend of Afro-house-soul in an 'Ancestral' way  is quite unique and this album confrims this.

In double gatefold format, there's 13 tracks that run from soul-pop to deep funky house ('In That Funk' stands out) together with collaborations with soul legend, Raheem DeVaughn plus Davi Lorenzo & Mr Luu, J'Something, Spilutu & Kaysha, Zaki Ibrahim, Jorge Bezerra and his mate from Pangea, Feddy da Stupid (see review HERE).

Sartva has been mates with long term fans of Masters At Work, Osunlade, Black Coffee

Louie Vega, Gilles Peterson’s BBC 6 Music and Worldwide crews. 

Artwork:  Jean-Michel Basquiat

Artist : Boddhi Satva  

Title : Manifest Everything

Release Date : 11th July, 2023

Catalog Number : BAT011ADG

Label : BBE Music 

Format: Vinyl / Digial / Bandcamp

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