Showing posts with label Jalapeno Records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jalapeno Records. Show all posts

Friday, 17 May 2024

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , , ,

I think it was Wah Wah 45s that first drew attention on Sam Redmore and it was certainly Wah Wah 45s that re-injuvinated the Afrobeat legend that's Dele Sosimi, so it seems appropriate that when they meet, it's on a track called 'Home'.


I say that with the added connection that Dele sings of his connection to 'home' (Lagos) as that's where his heart is, with years of being an important part of Fela Kuti, The Shrine and the roots of Afrobeat (you may recall the Dele link with Eparapo 
'From London To Lagos' with a Sam Redmore remix of their 'Black Lives Matter' - see review HERE).

Sam's home is in Birmingham (just so happens that's where I was born) but his musical home stretches far and wide from soul, funk, disco, house, Cumbia, Afrobeat, broken beat - like a Brummie Will 'Quantic' Holland meets DJ 'Pura Vida' Guts.

Dele's putting himself out a bit as this follows his collab with another Sam Duckworth (formerely known as Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly) on the album, 'The Estuary' (see review HERE) and I'd definitly call Mr. Redmore if I needed a remix of any of the tracks.



Artist:  Sam Redmore 
Title:  Home feat. Dele Sosimi
Release date: 17th May, 2024 
Label : Jalapeno Records
Catalog Number :  -
Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Thursday, 26 October 2023

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , , ,

Smoove & Turrell  and Jalapeno Records are on a winner with this new album; their seventh (wonder)!

You might recall our surprise/delight that Ronnie Foster (Blue Note legend) was on the single 'The Light' (see review HERE) and there was 'Violet Hour' / 'Echoes' (see review HERE) and your thinking, can they keep this up for a whole album? Well, they bloody well can.

'IGOTCHA' is in the 80s disco/funk/soul style that superfan Craig Charles loves so much and proves you can have a clever lyric in a dance tune.  And then they excel themselves with 'Mary's Song' and 'Empty Bottle Serenade'.

This 'deeper' element is no doubt due to inspiration for the title of the album; Northern eastern heritage of Labour politician Ellen 'Red' Wilkinson who was an important element of the Jarrow March and post-war 'new world' thinking - something we'll be needing again soon as current events we're not envisaged when the wrote the album and title track; as the old saying goes, the only thing we learn from history is .... nothing.

On a brighter note, the other thing that we know for sure is that "Music is the healing force of the Universe" and I'm up for their explosion of summer love in 'Joy!', 'Waiting For Your Call' and 'Geno's Discotheque'.  

It must be said the John Turrell's vocals are a focal point but this is very much a collaboration and the musicianship is superb.

Artist: Smoove & Turrell

Title: Red Ellen

Release date: 27th October, 2023

Label: Jalapeno Records

Cat. No: JAL431

Format: Bandcamp / Digital





Thursday, 12 October 2023

Jalapeno Records continue to support the North-East's favourite soul funk combo, with a majestic double A-single of 'Violet Hour' and 'Echoes'.

Still recovering from the fact that Ronnie Foster featured on their last single, 'The Light'/'Joy!' (see review HERE), heres the latest from the duo and whilst it smack of some dancefloor past, the vocals/lyrics/production speak very much of the now; like right now, Joseph's Malik's new album 'Proxima Ebony' (see review HERE) being a prime example.

I love this 'Echoes' great performances all round with a low slung groove "from the night" with a hint of DC go-go in there and it's chart bound.

'Violet Hour' would be considered a bit more radio friendly (perhaps?) as if anyone is getting excited of the news of a Level 42 tour, this is how jazz-funk-disco-soul is done in 2023.

And if your new to Jalapeno heat, they're on a bit of a roll at the moment as this follows the remix of Izo FitzRoy's 'God Gets A Little Busy Sometimes' by Cosmodelica for some serious gospel house and Birmingham's favourite son (post Ozzie), Sam Redmore's 'Jazzdance' to name just two!


Artist: Smoove & Turrell

Title: Violet Hour / Echoes  

Release date: 6th October, 2023

Label: Jalapeno Records

Cat. No: JAL432

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Friday, 18 August 2023

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , , ,

When you think of Jalapeno Records, top of your list of soul/funk/hip-hop artists are Dr Rubberfunk, Kraak & Smaak, Soopasoul and one of many of Craig Charles favourites are Smoove & Turrell.

Smoove & Turrell are a funk, soul hip-hop, jazzBand from North East England who have been active since 2007.

On the new double A side single, 'The Light' definitely has that North East, The Animals soul-rock-mod heavy sound with the always fantastic vocals of John Turrell.  So, it also features label mate Izo FitzRoy on vocal "let love, shine in" introductions and Ronnie Foste! What! 'THE' Blue Note Ronnie Foser on organ!  Yeah, it's that funky one that had the massive albums 'Love Satellite', 'Live At Montreau' and 'On The Avenue' amongst many more.

There's a long and radio edit but where's the instrumetal/12" version? One for the label to work on as it would be for the equally positive and upbeat 'Joy!' that takes a more gospel-soul spirit. 

I remember Smoove in his pre-S&T days when he was more Northern acid jazz ('The Revolution Will Be Televised', 'Coming Back') but it's prooved to be the smart move to team up with John who's got an a great voice and this deserves to be a track that puts them even more in the spotlight. 

Artist: Smoove & Turrell

Title: The Light feat. Ronnie Foster / Joy! 

Release date: 18th August, 2023

Label: Jalapeno Records

Cat. No: JAL428

Format: Bandcamp / Digital