Review: Balaphonic - Organic Matters (NuNorthern Soul)

Trust NuNorthern Soul to get down to a Balearic summer with Danny Ward and numerous special guests including Flora Purim; yes that Flora Purim! 

So, at one end of the NuNorthern beach is Lonely Deckchair's debut album (see review HERE) and at the other, the latest arrival is Danny Ward's Balaphonic project, 'Organic Matters'.

And this really is the good stuff that's matter in-fertile land into an oasis of Afro-Cuban, Balearic, dub, deep house to follow the acclaimed 'Resolution Revolutios' (he's pretty good at coming up with album titles, see our Interview HERE from last year).

That said, if the name Flora Purim doesn't catch you're eye, you're not up with legendary Brazilian jazz vocalist.  Purim may not be on the new Perry Louis presents Shiftless Shuffle compilation (see review HERE) but she set the bar for Latin-jazzdance with her percussionist husband Airto Moreira back in the day.  Don't know how Ward got her to appear on this updated 2005 composition 'Switch' along with daughter, Diana Moreira-Booker but going to be a tune for the summer as her distinctive vocalese meets a gentle Balaphonic zephyr "shuffling piece in 7/4 time, paying heartfelt tribute to the Brazilian records that first made Purim’s name".  It's subtle but if you know your jazzdance, it'll remind you to get out the classic 'Tombo In 7/4' by Airto with Flora: did somebody say Dingwalls?

And as it's NuNorthern soul, all of the tracks reflect a Worldwide gentle shuffle whether it's spiritually jazzy Alice Coltrane influenced (as in the samba breeze of 'Dew Drops' featuring Robin Dewhurst) or a Spanish beach wear; like 'Balaventurers' where Ward joins up with another North-Western musician Joe Botham (aka Baleardelica) with "flamenco-inspired acoustic guitar lines" providing "the spark for a vivid, colourful journey of layered vocals, shimmering keys and perfectly arranged percussion".

The final guest on the list is Amsterdam-based violinist/composer Katya Gabeli on 'Life Of Strings' (Ed. you said he was good at titles) and its a complimentary combination of gamelan, cinematic strings and a touch of folk; danceflor to OST it's a winner.

The album finishes on Afro-Cuban, gong bowl, boom box, sultry night 'Boxfresh' (it's a great track) and the dreamscape of 'Home'; the calm vistas of Manchester in Danny's case.

Another essential NuNorthern Soul album and we'll see if he's up for another interview this year.

BUY LINK / PRE ORDER:  Organic Matters | Balaphonic

Artist: Balaphonic

Title: Organic Matters

Release date: 14th August, 2026
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: Limited Edition Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp