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

Review: Lonely Deckchair - Lonely Deckchair (NuNorthern Soul)

Could there be anything sadder than a lonely deckchair, on a beach, a discarded member of the a family?  Well, trust NuNorthern Soul to pick this one up and make it part of the family group! 

Lonely Deckchair first washed up on these shores as one of the 'Summer Selection Six'  hits (see review HERE) along with B.J. Smith, Sasha Foam, Roots Artefact, Visions Of Light and Perth Lewis (don't forget his new 'Cherry Moon' EP, see review HERE).

So quite tricky for a sub-3 minute 'early evening transition' track to stand-out amongst that lot but 'Adaflo' clearly did and it now lines-up as one of the 10 tracks of the self-titled Lonely Deckchair album.  

Thankfully to other tracks are in the 5-6 minute bracket with 'Aguadulce' approaching 9 which makes sense as a lead track as Lonely Deckchair (aka Andrew Wright) is a solo music project he's created that's is shaped by his memory of childhood summers rooted in Aguadulce on Spain's southern coast; great use of Seagulls squaking and waves lapping on 'Aguadulce'.

And whilst there is ambience there's this childish (in a good way) innocence and excitement undercurrent to 'beach life'.  Like the opener, 'Rayman's Kingdom' with is Trans-Europe Express chilled to Augusto Pablo's melodica echoes and guitar twang.

And on the subject of dub, 'Carr’s Dub' bring together "Andalusian oud, aching orchestral swells, congas and distant rave piano, nodding gently towards Mediterranean club culture without losing the album’s emotional centre".  In truth, the keyboard and bongo arrangement reminds me of the glorious party sounds of Mr. John Shuttleworth which makes it even more of a seaside sensation in my books.

This album, is a mix of enough Balearic beach groove electronica and dancing percussion like 'Dripfed', Sunrun' and 'Warren's Apology' that's deep into his "faded photographs, silent Super 8 footage and half-remembered family holidays", kayaking and hill climbs in the Mediterranean; as opposed to Blackpool 'Kiss Me Quick' hats and coastal amusements and bingo.

'Alhambra Space Station' is one to save for you're Festive holiday time dub mixes whilst 'Caminante del Agua' (meaning “water walker”) would neatly follow Ellie Wilson's 'Listen To The River' (see review HERE) as it's spoken word points out that its difficult to listen to Mother Earth from a the 'seaside' past.  

I suppose, today there's the options of paddle board, jet skis, wind surfing and more  technical ways to relax on a beach, leaving the hallowed symbol of holiday enjoyment as an even more loney deckchair.   But wait, get this album and enjoy it on your own ...or in a group, sitting down... or dancing up!

PS. I was going to mention that its the type of album that Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s, Jazz FM, Soho Radio and more) would have in his bag at the legendary Pikes Bar that he's recently been playing at only to find there's a hour long 'Lonely Deckchair mix' by label boss Phat Phil for us to enjoy  - see below - Brilliant!

BUY LINK / PRE ORDER:  Lonely Deckchair | Lonely Deckchair

MIX RECORDED LIVE AT PIKES, IBIZA MAY 2026: 

Phat_Phil_Cooper · Lonely Deckchair Full Album Promo Mix Recorded at Pikes, Ibiza

Artist: Lonely Deckchair

Title: Lonely Deckchair

Release date: 24th July, 2026
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : NUNSLDLP001V / NUNSLDLP001D
Format: Limited Edition Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Perth Lewis - Cherry Moon EP (NuNorthern Soul)

It's been a cherry moondream on the south coast for a while but if you're in Australia, a Perth Lewis beach party owes more to German synth pioneers -  the new NuNorthern Southern Soul?

Perth Lewis has been a bit of a revelation of late with his albums 'Moments In Time' and 'Distance Between' (see review HERE) and the track 'Monolith' turning up on the latest 'Summer Selections' compilation (see review HERE).

In fact, 'Monolith' is featured on this EP along with 3 other tracks that owe a lot to Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Edgar Froese, Klaus Schultz, Ralf & Florian types; particularly the title track 'Cherry Moon'.

Recent sightings of an actual Blue Moon (as in "once in a blue moon", perhaps the title of a follow-up to this one?) that might show off the more dancefloor elements of his bedroom synth action like 'Basis Of Reality' that seems to owe more to Sheffield than Sydney Harbour. 

'Sunset Jam' makes up any shortfall in any steel works output as the Tangerine Dream fireflies weave magic in the sands.

So this ranges from "sun-baked Rhodes licks" to "head-nodding groove" to "punchy, electro-influenced beat" to "simmering synth-strings" and loads of points inbetween. - 'Cherry Moon' is arising and it sounds great!

BUY LINK / PRE ORDER:  Cherry Moon EP | Perth Lewis

Artist: Perth Lewis

Title: Cherry Moon EP

Release date: 5th June, 2026
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: VA – Summer Selections Six (NuNorthern Soul)

Being hit for six in the summer is a good thing when its NuNorthern Soul with the hits on this compilation by B.J. Smith, Sasha Foam, Roots Artefact, Visions Of Light, Lonely Deckchair and Perth Lewis: sounds like a beach 'n' party to me.

Billed as tracks "built for early evening transitions, late-night drift, and those moments where things just open up" and that's not the full story as the selections are more than an advert for what the label in planning as it's not a given that all these tracks will turn up as a vinyl release; i.e. get/pre-order now!

Especially ith you want to be one of the first to play B.J. Smith's cover version of Outkast's 'Prototype' as the Wrekin' Havoc 8 minute re-work.  Smith has a history of the 'out-there' cover (see review HERE) and lets hope there's more like this in 2026.

And not to be outdone on the cover front, after the amazing version of 'Blue Monday' by Visions Of Light (see review HERE), this time it's a '[Re]Born Slippy' that's a sitar'd the slow mo' vision (Ed. no pun etc]  of the mid-90s Underworld track that got pimped on the 'Trainspotting' OST. Brilliant!

Perth Lewis has been a bit of a revelation of late with his albums 'Moments In Time' and 'Distance Between' (see review HERE) and 'Monolith' is another rock sold synth-wave beach wear dreamboat.

Some folks we haven't heard before are Sasha Foam ('Curious' that's quite synth-poppy for an 'acid' instrumental), Lonely Deckchair ('Adaflo') that aint going to be lonely more much longer 

as it sits proudly on the beach looking out to sea.

Roots Artefact, who released 'Different Perspective' EP late last year (see review HERE) is here with 'Call To Wind' as space synth dub dream and that's coming with me to Chilled Cider Festival.

The 'Summer Selections' series carefully picks up future winners that co-incidently are tied to NuNorthern Soul radar and needless to say, these players have out done themselves on No. 6.

Did someone say, "Brilliant"?

BUY LINK / PRE ORDER:  https://mynunorthernsoul.bandcamp.com/album/summer-selections-six

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Summer Selections Six

Release date: 29th May, 2026
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : NUNSSS006 
Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Coyote - The Higher The Sky, The Deeper The Ocean EP (NuNorthern Soul)

"Balearic mainstays" Coyote return to a the endless inspiration of sky and sea with a new  EP coming out on the NuNorthern Soul label.

 

NuNorthern Soul's boss, Phat Phil Cooper, has got the band back together again with "a beautifully crafted six-track EP that expands on the atmospheric sound the duo explored on their acclaimed 2022 album 'Everything Moves, Nothing Rests'.  

Well, not exactly a band as it's long-time collaborators Richard “Ampo” Hampson and Timm Sure that are/is Coyote on the one hand and on the other, founders of their Is It Balearic? Recordings label.  So if anyone knows what Balearic is, these guys are there mixing the pot of beachscapes and dub, ambient and dancefloor, downtempo and upbeat, poetic and yogic etc.

And you'll get all of that on this releases where they give us 'Muted Beauty' (the opening track) and then go spacey-folk with 'Go All The Way' and take us with them.

For oceanic types, there's the dubby 'A Drop In The Ocean' (a la the recent album by Lottie P, Colin Riley, Nic Pendlebury, Steve Pretty featuring Helen Czerski & George Monbiot, 'Ocean Songs' (see review HERE).  And talking of deep thinkers, there's a sampled appearance by the psychedelic philosopher Terrance McKenna (1946-2000) sounding like Gerry Garia meets Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin promo video (Ed. and it really isthat weird now!) on a tabla / gong/ synth wobble of 'Dolce Far Niente' - U.F.Orb anyone?bb the record’s meditative and exploratory spirit" (currently available on Netflix, other global entertainment channels are available).

So, where's the dancey stuff?  You'll be wanting 'Riviera Sound' that's synthy on the top and dub-heavy bassy on the bottom and between the extremes, there's the closing track which squeezes in "jazzy double bass, subtle acid lines and Latin-tinged percussion meet a street-soul-leaning groove" on 'No Coincidences'.

If you know Coyote from their 2024 'Double Drop' Edit of Jasper Van't Hof's Pili Pili (and see review HERE),there's every coincidence that this EP gets the thumbs up release on NuNorthern Soul and check out the listenig party on Bandcamp ahead of its release date.

Bandcamp listening Party 22.04.26 HERE

BUY LINK / PRE- ORDER: https://coyoteiib.bandcamp.com/album/the-higher-the-sky-the-deeper-the-ocean

 

Artist: Coyote

Title: The Higher The Sky, The Deeper The Ocean EP

Release date: 24th April, 2026
Label : NuNorthernSoul
Catalog Number : NUNS076
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Perth Lewis - Distance Between (NuNorthern Soul)

Perth Lewis has perfectly measured the 'Distance Between' these new nine tracks on his album coming out on the NuNorthern Soul label.

 

NuNorthern Soul's boss, Phat Phil Cooper, loves to start the new year down under and has found the 'Distance Between' with Perth Lewis (aka Luke Fugar), he of 'Moments In Time' that came out last year, (see review HERE).

Like his last album, these new nine tracks have already found fans with varied taste makers such as Richard Dorfmeister (he of  Kruder & Dorfmeister), Nick Warren and Chris Coco.

We're told, "Written and recorded with the same DIY heart, the album leans into longer forms, deeper textures, and a stronger sense of melodic drift" and that's without doubt this albums' strength: perversely being mellow, reflective (like sun on the sea: check 'Float Away') and contemplative.

The Perth Lewis guitar style has been stretched into gentle breezes and jangley electric piano gives the downtempo jazzy moods without being jazz.  I feel Pat Methany's spirit is in here somewhere along with hip-hop roots that have been jetisoned into the midsts of time to be replaced with found sounds of the sea harbours and birdsong (see 'Broken Headlight' and 'Across The Broadwater').

The title track perfectly encapsulate the album as 'Distance Between' is almost like a stripped 'Albatross' (as in Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac) at the pace of a circuling albatross with more grace.  Perhaps catching a 'Slipstream' and ending, with the track, 'A Strange Feeling' which gives you the strange feeling that you need to listen to the whole album again - did I miss something?  Did I need this insight into his emotions?  After the last track, 'Rest Assured', is it that we've just esperienced the equivalent of a beach yoga session?  I think it is.

If you don't live near the sea or harbour, I believe Perth is based in Sydney, this album will give you a virtual boost of sea air and if you do live by the coast, it'll do exactly the same.  .

BUY LINK / PRE- ORDER:  https://perthlewis.bandcamp.com/album/distance-between

 

 

Artist: Perth Lewis

Title: Distance Between

Release date: 6th February, 2026
Label : NuNorthernSoul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Visions of Light - Blue Monday (Lunes Azul) (NuNorthern Soul)

For all of New Order's achievements, bearing in mind that lead singer / guitarist Bernard Sumner has just turned 70, (born January 4th, 1956, Crumpsall, North Manchester), their legacy for most folks will be their 'throw away' 80s dance track, 'Blue Monday' so is their a place for this new version?

 

You bet there is as NuNorthern Soul's boss Phil Cooper starts the new year with this enlightened cover version by Visions Of Light, they, you'll recall being the trio of Simon Sheldon, Muzka and Dan Dub Lounge that brought us the album 'The Mandala Vortex' last year to soundtrack the summer (see review HERE).

'Blue Monday (Lunes Azul)' is a mesmeric instrumental stroll in the sand that's going to turn heads at any time of the year; even if you're over/under 70 years old.

As its such a classic track, I can remember first hearing at a beach party in Brighton and it just stopped the beach, and this Azul version will do the same; lets start the year as we mean to go on!

BUY LINK: Blue Monday (Lunes Azul) | Visions-of-Light

 

 

Artist: Visions of Light

Title: Blue Monday (Lunes Azul) 

Release date: 19th January, 2026
Label : NuNorthernSoul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Tambores En Benirras - Ondas Horizontales Remixes Three (NuNorthern Soul)

We've been following NuNorthern Soul's exploration of remixes of Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' and trois is a magic number and the final edition in the set. 

Back in August, we had the "daytime" remixes of Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' (see review HERE) and then came remixes 2 (see review HERE) which is where we find For Mankind and Leo Zero remixing 'Eastrelias En Mstella', Asto on the tiltle track, 'Ondas Horizontales', Jesbell's 'Alma Habiando' and 100 Poems remix of 'Generadora de Rayos'.

All are fitting tributes to Tambores En Benirras (aka Graham Newby) and his original album that came out in 2024 as “ambient soundtracks, cosmic journeys, Balearic rhythms and poolside sessions”.

To open the third and final EP in the series, Newby has turned to cross-generational Balearic dream team For Mankind and Leo Zero. One for dancefloor stamina as it's a near ten-minute revision of ‘Estrellas en Mastella’ that's got wobble synth-heavy, delay-laden beats said to be influenced by the Afro-jazz-funk futurism of Jasper Van’t Hof’s Pili Pili project (see review HERE of the recently released 'Selected Works' album).

Ready to calm things down, Astro takes a laid back dreamy groove to ‘Ondas Horizontales’ on "sun-bright Balearic" beaches

The London-based Balearic rework specialist Jezebell does a take on ‘Alma Hablando’ for the  head nodders on the back row with some James Mason 'I Want Your Love' styling and for more b-boy cool, 100 Poems get on "Guru’s Jazzamatazz style beats", dubbed out guitars, simmering strings and sparkling synths to ‘Generadora de Rayos’ for another great summer track.

This is more White-Isle Friday than Black but glad it's out now so we can revel in the warmth that these 4 tracks deliver.

BUY LINK: Ondas Horizontales Remixes Three | Tambores En Benirras

Artwork by Johnny Kavannagh

Artist: Tambores En Benirras

Title: Ondas Horizontales Remixes Three

Release date: 28th November, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : NUNSTEBR003
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Jasper Van't Hof's Pili Pili - Selected Works 1984 - 2002 (NuNorthern Soul)

NuNorthern Soul are off the beach with an incredible retrospective of Jasper Van't Hof's Pili Pili!

We've had some great releases from NuNorthern Soul of late, like two remix EPs of Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' (see review HERE and HERE) plus the stunning B.J. Smith 'Dedications To The Greats Vol. 4: Don't Be Cruel' featuring Joe Harvey-Whyte & Tamar Osborn (see review HERE) so when I say, in this office at least, the excitement of the news of a 'Selected Works' covering a near 20 year period of Jasper Van't Hof's Pili Pili as founded by the Dutch jazz keyboardist and bandleader.

Van't Hof has a big jazz heritage with albums alongside both US an European 'big heads' like Archie Schepp, Jean-Luc Ponty, Lol Coxhill, Philip Catherine, Larry Coryell, Joachim Kühn, Michael and Urszula Dudziak and many more so the formation of Pili Pili as an electro-acoustic Afro-fusion collective was a bit of a surprise, especially in 1984.

That said, don't be put off that it's only six tracks out of 11 albums on this 12".  Starting with 'Ile' from their debut album with is a bit like a Afro version of Chick Corea's Electric Band or the more World end of Weather Report the tracks are anything but 'standard'.

By 1987, 'Jakko Jakko' is more Afro synth pop vs. Yello and you can imagine this one being on any Sven Väth 'What I Used to Play' compilation or 'Life Size' (same year) that's basic percussion with Afro-football chant with the Nyabinghi; the band includes pecussionist from Benin and Mali (and at one stage, vocalist Angelique Kidjo).

'Hippo Hips' sounds like it should be the Afro-funker but no, that goes to 'My Gongoma' from 1985 that's heavy on the disco cowbell with echose of Manu Dibango the Cameroon/Paris fusion pioneer 20 years prior to the start of Pili Pili. 

The set ends with 2002's 'Soubatcha' on synth/kalimba/chant as Philophon goes Steve Reich which is another one set to dominate dancefloors as a early warm-up to the return of WOMAD next year (Ed. don't forget Hectic's Radio WOMAD overhight mix - HERE).

If you've already got the Ryo Kawasaki and Joan Bibiloni retrospectives on the label, this is a third must have to put next to their 12" of 'Pili-Pili' as 'Balearic' Coyote Double Drop edit from last year. 

Liner Notes music historian Matt Anniss. Artwork by Chris Maude.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Selected Works 1984 to 2002 | Jasper Van’t Hof’s Pili Pili | NuNorthern Soul

Earlier Volumes: 

https://ryokawasaki.bandcamp.com/album/selected-works-1979-to-1983

https://ryokawasaki.bandcamp.com/album/selected-works-part-2-1976-to-1980

https://joanbibiloni.bandcamp.com/album/selected-works-1982-to-1989

Jazz Cafe (London) Sunday 23rd November 2025: 6.30pm– (£150 – £195):  Angélique Kidjo and Alexandre Tharaud - Grammy-winning Angélique Kidjo and acclaimed French pianist Alexandre Tharaud unite to celebrate the French songbook. Together, they reinterpret classics by Édith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, Joséphine Baker, and other French gems in a unique live performance blending Kidjo’s dynamic voice with Tharaud’s masterful piano.

Artist: Jasper Van't Hof's Pili Pili 

Title: Selected Works 1984 - 2002

Release date: 21st November, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : NUNSSW004V for vinyl and NUNSSW004D for digital
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Perth Lewis - Moments In Time (NuNorthern Soul)

NuNorthern Soul are on the beach yet again.... or are they?

Back in August, we had the "daytime" remixes of Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' (see review HERE) and then a further four remixes that had something about the night about them (see review HERE) but now the NuNorthern Soul-ers find themselves in Autumn it's time to seek out ten tracks that are pure 'Moments In Time'.

And this time it's from a Sydney-based DJ/producer Luke Fugar (aka Perth Lewis) who loves dreamy drum machines and the electric guitar with various efx that sounds a little Japanese, like 'Reverie' but especially 'Two People' (Ed. no relation to '2 People Remixes'; see review HERE), a little 80's ambient and a little field recording.   

Described as "a beautifully understated record that captures the same warm, introspective feel that ....[we] felt it deserved a proper release and a wider audience" that is clearly different from his own previous releases - the twangy guitars of 'Below The Surface' hitting that Balearic beach in waves.

'To Want, Not Have' and 'Drawing The Shades' stand out but equally, the whole album could be a mixtape as it moves towards a climax of 'A Change In Seasons', 'A New Day' and 'The Perils Of Indifference'.

As we edge towards/find ourselves in  that seasonal period, this is the anti-dote to 24hr Party People over indulgence whilst having a reduced side-way's 'Snow Goose' vibe at the same time purposely tuned to re-set yourself.

A very welcome addition to the NuNorthern Soul sound machine.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Moments In Time | Perth Lewis

Artist: Perth Lewis

Title: Moments In Time

Release date: 14th November, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: B.J. Smith - Dedications To The Greats Vol. 4: Don't Be Cruel ft. Joe Harvey-Whyte & Tamar Osborn (NuNorthern Soul)

Friend of NuNorthern Soul, B.J. Smith returns with the Balearic release of the year with the help on Joe Harvey-Whyte on steel guitar and jazz star Tamar Osborn on flute: 'Don't Be Cruel' as you've never heard it before and the only version you'll want to hear in the future!

As regular readers will know, NuNorthern Soul have been so hot this year with two remix versions of Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' remixed (see review HERE and remix 2 from the beginning of the month HERE), Roots Artefact's 'Different Perspecitive' (see review HERE) and George Koutalieris' 'Seasons' inbetween (see review HERE). 

But what label head honcho Phat Phil didn't tell us was what he was playing in addition to all this during his 10 hour DJ set at the World Famous Pikes Ibiza!  Could it have been a version of 'Don't Be Cruel'; the international hit made famous by Elvis (Presley; kids, ask your grand parents) and covered by the lesser well known country star, Billy Swan who had a few international hits himself?

So, on this long running/intermittent series 'Dedications To The Greats' that's included notably Mos Def and The Pharcyde (see Phil's blog post HERE for futher info) what has Smith, Harvey-Whyte and Osborn done to such a standard track that's ingrained into the mindset of millions to make it sound incredible!

Well, first off, that mammoth near 14 minute 'Mother Earth Version' is dreamy in the excess with the slide guitar leading from start to finish where the white isle meets the desert disco: well desert chill-out zone at least.  What's really impressive, there's hardly any vocal and no chorus line to speak of.  As they say, "familiar yet transformed, timeless yet utterly his own".

You do get more of a vocal on the 'Earth Hear Version' that features award winning Tamar Osborn (aka Tamar Collocutor, also see HERE) on flute.  But even then you don't get your first "Don't be cruel, to a heart that's true" vocal until nearly the middle of the 12 minute track! 

And talking of taking your breath away, why would they stop there as there's also an instrumental as a 'Root Heart Version' with Joe and Tamar dueling in a caress type way: bet it would also be fantastic as a rockin' battle!

If you're familiar with the Flying Mojito Bros. (see HERE), their 'cousins', the Flying Burrito Bros or Hank Wangford's steel guitar side-kick, BJ Cole (Ed. what is it with all these BJs?) you'll know how haunting an instrument the pedal steel/side guitar can be and in a seemingly increasing cruel world, it's great to hear something as beatiful as this.

Did someone say, "Brilliant"?

BUY LINK / PRE ORDER: Dedications to the Greats Four 'Don't Be Cruel' featuring Joe Harvey-Whyte | B.J. Smith

Artist: B.J. Smith - Dedications To The Greats Vol. 4

Title: Don't Be Cruel ft. Joe Harvey-Whyte & Tamar Osborn

Release date: 31st October, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : NUNSDTTG004V
Format: Limited Edition 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: JILO - Mirage's Colours (NuNorthern Soul)

NuNorthern Soul introduce us to JILO who, take a big breath,  is an engineer, artist, DJ, sometime festival curator and occasional academic with a PhD in computer music to his name - and he can see 'Mirage's Colours'!

NuNorthern Soul have been so hot on the releases recently with Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' remixed (see review HERE), Roots Artefact's 'Different Perspecitive' (see review HERE) and head honcho Phat Phil on a 10 hour (count em 'TEN' hour' DJ session at the World Famous Pikes Ibiza: no wonder there's mirage's in the air. 

First off, you got to say that these four tracks are perfectly crafted in all ways. The opener is 'Sunset Embrace' and from the cicadas to the gentle tinkles of the seashore (with basslines, percussion and keys to match).  From an evening stroll to a 'Shadow's Tango' we get our dancing sandals/flip-flops/other beach footwear is available on before totally letting go with tubular bells-funk off on 'Blue Velvet', without sight or sound of David Lynch or Lana Del Ray! 

'Aurora' synth chills us out to finish this EP and it'sjust what you need matter if you've got a ten hour DJ set to play at 'the' most iconic venue at Santa Eularia on the white isle (Ed. all your big DJ heads have played there like DJ Harvey, Weatherall, David Morales etc) or if you're just looking at the dreamy artwork of the cover!

BUY LINK: Mirage's Colours | Jilo + Listening Party - September 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM PDT

Artist: JILO

Title: Mirage's Colours

Release date: 5th September, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: George Koutalieris - Seasons (NuNorthern Soul)

NuNorthern Soul continue to find extraordinary artists  as they introduce us to George Koutalieris' 'Seasons' for Greek Gods...  and normal folks too!

Gentle Balearics that have been tempered by the Aegean seas as Mr Koutalieris looks down from the Acropolis; well somewhere in his home city of Athens anyway.

The four tracks are a mix of ambient synth Italo lounge groove that'll fit in to any elongated Pikes session that matches the titles, 'Wildflowers', 'Seasons', 'CLYC' and 'Pangaeon Gold'.

This has elements of a very chilled out Paul Hillery's 'Children Of The Sun' series of compilations (see review HERE), a warm glow of Sun Palace's 'Raw Movements' and some Holy Mountain roots (see HERE) without showing any of those roots: save for the guitarists' love of "electronic daydreams".

This is Koutalieris' debut EP release on the label after releasing an album, 'Stop, Look, Listen' back in 2020 and then popping up on some compilations.

This all fits in nicely in a busy tme for NuNorthern Soul as they've also released JILO's 'Mirage's Colours' (see review HERE) which also follows the equally essential Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' remixed (see review HERE) and Roots Artefact's 'Different Perspecitive' (see review HERE).

A man (and label) for all seasons you might say?

BUY LINK: Seasons | George Koutalieris / Stop, Look, Listen | George Koutalieris

Artist: George Koutalieris

Title: Seasons

Release date: 15th August, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp