Review: VA - Root Down 30: Compiled By Rainer Trüby (Daybreakers)

Rainer Trüby is a big name in house, soul and jazz as founder of the famous Root Down club and compiler of countless compilations - but can't miss out on a 30th anniversary with this monster!

Rainer Trüby, he of Compost Records' Glücklich VI (see review HERE) and many a compilation more, a huge record collection (particularly MPS label; stay tuned for news of a new album on that label by - Ed Motta!), founder of the Root Down club and member of both A Forest Mighty Black and the Trüby Trio, it's fair to say, Mr Trüby knows his 'Root Down' stuff!

Now, depending on your point of view, there may be an element for mates rates for the inclusion of Da Lata's cover version of the absolute classic 'Jungle Kitten' (and if you've read this far, you deserve to get yourself an earful of the Manfredo Fest original which may still be available as the Bluebird 12" of 1979) but that apart/included, what a great 10 tracks we have to celebrate 30 years of Root Down.

Folks and tracks we know, Jazzanova with 'No Use' (the Crackazat remix and featuring Clara Hill - see 'Inbetween - Remixes' review HERE) and Felipe Gordon (see HERE) with 'Let's Get, Get Together' and Trüby own project with Carrado Bucci, Trüccy (did you see what they did there! - 'Closer' was the Hectic track of choice at the time:) with Laroye's Afro Balearic mix of 'Kenyatta'.

And it's not only Laroye who knows a remix, there's a DeejayKul meets Soultechnic Rework, 

and one of the many highlights on the album, The Soul Session's cover of 'A Horse With No Name' as remixed by Trüby and Marlow plus an Osunlade remix of a Colfo collab (as Rawb Boss) and Jimpster (he of Freerange Records - see their 30 year birthday series HERE).

I think that's enough name drops for you to get the idea that this is quality and more than worth a 'Root Down' over the past 30 years.

P.S. Think I'll have to dig out the 12" white label of 'Root Down' by Peter Kruder (2000)

P.P.S. Wonder if DJs Miche and Chris Wheatley picked up anything from their recent visit to Rainer's massive 22k strong collection? 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER. Rainer TRUBY/VARIOUS - Root Down 30 Vinyl at Juno Records.

Artist : Various Artists

Title : Root Down 30: Compiled By Rainer Trüby

Release Date : 2nd October, 2026

Catalog Number : TBC

Label : Daybreakers

Format : 2xLP / CD / Digital

Review: Wütrio - Wütrio (BBE MUSIC)

When BBE have focusing on jazz from overseas (from the UK) of late, it's been from Japan and Norway for their internationslist musical forays, but what is/who are Wütrio?

Recorded in Hamburg 1987, here's more high quality 'modern' jazz that's aborbed the 60s Brit-Jazz spirit (think vocalist Beate Kynast as a Norma Winstone) and free-jazz-Latin dance.

The nine track album has been long overlooked except by Rainer Trüby, he of Compost Records, many a compilation and a huge record collection (particularly MPS label), founder of the Root Down club and member of both A Forest Mighty Black and the Trüby Trio.

Featuring Robert Schulte Hemming (Trumpet/flugehorn), Wolfgang Puschnig (sax/flute), Martin Kübert (piano/synthesizer), Rudi Engel (bass), Peter Wirth (drums/percussion), it's a post MPS German odyssey - a sort of European jazz-rock on the M-Base with a electro/hip-hop kinda in the queue along with the avante-garde - you get the idea why this was overlooked at the time of release?

Almost impossible to pick a favourite track but 'Lament' stands out as it features Beate and is a 'standard' laid-back style and the trumpet solo is so cool. In fact, any of the tracks which feature Beate singing or her wordless improvisations, like 'Scarcely Had We Left The House',  the out-there 'Rush Hour' and all the trumpet, sax and synth solos.

The diverse nature of this album is definitely a strength.  If this had come out of a New York loft, I'm sure we'd all have a copy but now's the time to redress the balance (especially as original copies are much sort after at silly high prices).  

And even better than that, much like the J-Jazz series curated by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden, this is the first in a series to redress the obscurity of Thein Records (Bremen) that Rainer Tüby is putting together - is this going to be B-Jazz or G-Jazz then?

P.S. Great cover artwork that's a bit Günther Uecker without the nails.

P.P.S. Wonder if DJs Miche and Chris Wheatley picked up anything from their recent visit to Rainer's massive 22k strong collection?  

P.P.S. Bob Hill (BBE, TWR, A.MA) was playing this out at WARM last weekend and it sounds great.

Artist : Wütrio

Title : Wütrio

Release Date : 11th November, 2022

Catalog Number : BBE717

Label : BBE Music

Format : LP / CD / Digital