Review: Crackazat - SUN (Freerange Records)

If you see Crackazat (aka Ben Worrall) on the remix, you know it's a good un but it might be a surprise to hear 'SUN' is his forth album, but it's his most enlightened todate - indeed, the one he always wanted to make.

 

Hot summer sunshine is the order of this album 'menu' that's got 13 tracks that takes his formal jazz training and his 10 years living in Sweden to the next 'Mad Mats' level as the blender of house, hip-hop,soul, jazz n' funk on the dancefloor. 

If the idea of 'SUN' was to draw "on the idea of the sun as life’s foundation - our shared source of warmth, light, and energy. Crackazat channels that universal force into music designed to uplift, connect, and radiate timeless positivity" it's certainly grounded in legends like Thundercat, Roy Hargrove, Roy Ayers, lovetempo and lost more as Worrall says, "the jazz funk album Crackazat always wanted to make" [nice to seem him use 'Crackazat' as a third person].

As you don't get more of a seal of approval in this regard as Gilles Peterson 'spoken word' (on the opening track 'Promised Right', talking about the Brit-funk explosion) and then going into a particularly Level 42 track 'Grey'.  We know how much Peterson loves Level 42 (Ed. does he? - see HERE).

The lyrics are particularly good and even this far in you'll be thinking, is this really Crackazat? Well, one of the reasons its an upgrade on his excellent remix projects, whether it's previous works on Stay True Records, Freerange (with Jimpster) and Local Talk (where he was embedded in Sweden), this album is his first fully collaborative release including vocal performances from Eva Lazarus (best known for her Mungo's Hi-Fi collabs), Lyric Jones, Cap1tala and Olivier St. Louis plus many musicians spanning the Stockholm/New York axis including Tamez Dolev (live drums/percussion), Andreas Gidlund and Karl Olandersson (horns).

In fact, 'Crouching Tiger' (the one featuring Lyric Jones, last seen on Close Counters' 'Lovers Dance Academy - see review HERE) and 'Set My Sun' (with Bristol based Lazarus) will imediately recognise 'Worldwide' Peterson golden era elements and Bristol ties; whilst at the same time, it could be Jazzanova Berlin, Star Creature Chicago, Razor'n'Tape New York or any number of cool soul-jazz-funk locals; hopefully near a beach/poolside - particualarly 'Pick Me Up' where the horns come over classy Baggar & Co.

'Shine' is another sunny stand-out track (and one to keep the Rocksteady Disco Flute Gang happy in Detroit) happy and there has to be a funky 70s keyboard track set in the rainforest (a la Lonnie Liston Smith/Stevie Wonder/George Duke) meets sax player (say, Grover Washington, Jr.) on 'Who's Boss' - well at Freerange Records it's Jamie Odell, son of Shakatak's drummer Roger (do you get it now as this is not the most obvious Freerange Records sound).

Getting into some Sunday night lovin' is Olivier St. Louis in the best R&B style ('Nothing But Love') and the album ends on a couple of chilled tracks, 'Night Child' and the instrumental, 'Waiting' that's particular cool as a jazz-indo-dub-version.

In fact, this album covers quite a lot of bases and there's not a duff track so I'm happy to report it's the album we wanted Crackazat to make and I promise you, you'll be hearing this everywhere this ; summer 'cos the 'SUN' is out, it's shinning and it's the way that we go - ask Gilles or Jimpster; could have been the Shakatak jazz-funk album Odell's Dad wish he'd made?

BUY LINK/PRE-ORDER: SUN | Crackazat

Artist: Crackazat

Title: SUN

Release date: 15th May, 2026

Label : Freerange Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: 12" vinyl   / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: lovetempo - But I Do (Extended 12", Crackazat, Daisybelle, From House To Disco Remixes) (Razor-N-Tape)

You just might recall a time before there was 'Live Or Die By Love' by lovetempo.  A time when there was the single, 'But I Do' that was championed by Gilles Peterson.  Well, there's only one thing that could be better and that's an extended 12" version and here it is!

Gilles Peterson's over excited interviews with lovetempo in New York as he got obsessed with Level 42 "boyhood fan" slobbering comparisons was a bit OTT?  I don't think so as when his last single came out, I must admit I was a little hyped myself as lovetempo is Mattie Safer, who used to be in The Rapture and Poolside (see review HERE) but now Razor-N-Tape has got the cash out in the transfer window to go next level: 12" Extended version and remixes including a Crackazat remix.

At the time of writing Crackazat is riding high in the Traxsource Hype Chart and you'll recall he did a remix of 'Daylight' by Toribio featuring sister Sharin - see review HERE), so no surprise that he's got his various keyboards out to give the track a jazzy edge which has got the YATM office burstin' with excitement.

Not only that, London's Daisybelle proves she's more than just ordinary as she ups the tempo (an ups the love) to give the track more of a Thundercat vibe and then Brazilian duo, 'From House To Disco' (FHTD) finish off the set with a dubbed-up daydream spin.

This is a fantastic follow-up to the label's last EP release, Jkriv's return with a 4-tracker 'Intuition' (see review HERE) and I think it's safe to say, lovetempo's summer hit of last year is odds-on to be an even bigger summer hit of this year now!  

P.S. Gilles Peterson's interview with lovetempo on Lot Radio (in association with Worldwide FM) from NYC for the Winter Jazz Festival starts 12:00 and the whole show is worth a listen 

Link: GILLES PETERSON LIVE FROM NYC at The Lot Radio | WorldwideFM

BUY LINK: But I Do (Extended) | lovetempo

As featured: 

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - May 2025

Artist: lovetempo

Title:  But I Do (Extended 12", Crackazat, Daisybelle, From House To Disco Remixes) 
Release date: 25th April, 2025
Label: Razor-N-Tape
Cat. No: RNT080 
Format: 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp