Review: Joseph Malik - Trouble With A Capital T (Shaka Love You Remix) (F*CLR Music)

"Here comes trouble" and it's original soul boy Joseph Malik's 'Trouble With A Capital 'T'''; and that's a really big 'T' !

The original version of 'Trouble with a Capital T' was taken from Joseph's 2023, 'Proxima Ebony' LP (see review HERE). Then, fellow Edinburgh resident and DJ/Producer, Natasha Kitty Katt, asked Joseph if she could remix with her F*CLR electronic dance take on 'T' (see review HERE).  And now, the triptych is complete with a sideways shift into Glasgow Disco with Shaka Loves You (aka Jamie and Marty) on the remix knobs..

As I've said before, this train is a 'soul train' so I'm not at all surprised that SLY (Shaka Loves You) have upped the strings and put it almost in the rarified 1st class disco ball carriage of Caroline Crawford's 'Coming On Strong'! 

So, that's a big "Yes" from us and if that doesn't convince you, check out Craig Charles' Funk & Soul Show (BBC 6 Music - Trunk Of Funk 10th May - The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show - Joseph Malik Trunk of Funk - BBC Sounds) which is available for 28 days (hopefully will be available elsewhere) with is a great summary update of Joseph's lastest album, 'Proxima Ebony Variant Issue (see review HERE).

Ramrock boss, Jo Wallace says, "It's one of the best remixes of Joseph's music I've ever heard" - you've been told.

Artist: Joseph Malik

Title: Trouble with a Capital 'T' (Shaka Love You Remix)

Release date: 2nd June, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR081

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: D.Foe feat. Claire Delliere - French Letter (Infected Senses & Looking Glass Alice Remixes) (Ramrock Red Records)

D.Foe teams up with Claire Deliere again with 3 different 'French Letter' versions: who is going to say it's a packet of 3?

Remembering D.Foe (aka Mark Daniels and he of 45 Dip, Marden Hill and Sugarman) and Rob Clydesdale (New King) who released 'The Fool' EP a couple of years ago (see review HERE) have called up Claire Delliere to provide the sexy française vocal to spaced out dub space jam with added rock-a-billy guitar.

I said of 'The Fool' EP that for the remix, "the studio knobs working over-time al la Mad Professor" so what of the Infected Senses and Looking Glass Alice remixes?  Well, we'll had to wait 'til next month for them (6th June).

And another reminder, this is nothing like D.Foe's collaborations with Ghetto Priest (see review HERE) but that guitar twang is worth the surf ride in itself; RIP Duane Eddy (April 26, 1938 – April 30, 2024).

Artist: D.Foe feat Claire Delliere

Title: French Letter (Original)

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR082 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Artist: D.Foe feat Claire Delliere

Title: French Letter (Infected Senses & Looking Glass Alice Remixes)

Release date: 6th June, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR083

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The Ercons - Planet Fantastique (Ramrock Red Record)

It must be true, The Ercons are coming to take over the world to make earth the Planet Fantastique - to be read in a introduction to the War Of The Worlds/Journey To The Centre Of The Earth/Orson Wells narrative voice.

Yes, people of the earth, the DJ Shadow meets Jimi Hendrix on a hip-hop beats jazz concept album is back courtesy of The Ercons.  Did it ever go away?

And exactly are The Ercon's I hear you ask?   Well, you'll recall from the single that dropped  featuring Laura Vane (see review HERE) that Jo Wallace (head honcho at Ramrock) that she was introduced to their stunning 2023 album 'Planet Fantastique' via Eamon Murtagh (aka Blackwax) which is a collaboration between producer and keyboard player Phillip Williams and Darren Banton (bass) "to explore space funk, hip-hop and soul" and includes great covers of jazz/funk classics 'Mystic Brew' and 'Maiden Voyage'.

And she's not kidding, when you're told 'Mystic Brew' (Ronnie Foster) is a hot cauldron of a cover version and then there's Herbie's 'Maiden Voyage' (he of Rob J. Madin's '4 track an album' fame, see review HERE; albeit 'Maiden Voyage' was in Hancock mid-60s Blue Note '5 track an album' period).

So you're not going to argue with Ms Wallace but if you get Madin, you'll absorb 'Massive Growing Mushrooms' like a fungi of 70s jazz-funk.

There's comparisions with the recent Lewis Daniel album 'Defective Disk' (see review HERE) on tracks like 'M.I.A' featuring Tendayi which reminded us of Soweto Kinch's 'A Life In The Day Of B19: Tales Of The Tower Block' (2006).

The publique annoucement service en francaise spoken word hides a Shakatak/Level 42 launch pad of the title track which is perfect for a dancefloor of today.  

So fantastique are The Ercons, there's  super limited 'Planet Fantastique' vinyl LP is on Bandcamp HERE and there's a Bandcamp Listening Party on the 27th May.

Artist: The Ercons

Title: Planet Fantastique

Release date: 30th May, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRRLP016

Format:  Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Joseph Malik with Kameelah Waheed - My Whole World (The Variant Issue Orchestra 'L'Opera Noir' Mixes) (Ramrock Red)

"I introduced Kameelah on Ramrock Red on 5th May, 2020 with 'Holding On' then 'America The Beautiful'...and then the rest is history! That's when Honey Dijon bagged her for her album, then Kenny Dope etc etc!!"

That's Jo Wallace (Ramrock Records) exclusively tell us how she found out about the talent of Kameelah Waheed.

And to believe it's been nearly two years since we were introduced to Kameelah Waheed on what is now the Will Brock/Sumsuch classic, 'Don't Know Where I'm Going' (see review HERE) but Variant Issue Orchestra have taken her to the church with "Rev" Joseph Malik on the vocals and instrumental mixes of 'My Whole World'.

Originally on Joseph's 'Proxima Ebony' album (see review HERE) along with Kameelah's other appearance on 'Be A Lion' (that also came out as single, see review HERE), the message of human failings in 'My Whole World (Is Fallin')' with hope of rising again (in a good way).

But hang on, does this sound suspiciously like last months' 'My Whole World (Variant Issue Orchestra Mixes)'?  Yes it does and all still apply but this time.... it's even more variant as the orchestra goes 'L'Opera Noir' giving the spoken "next level Gil Scot-Heron" what's been describel as 'sombre'.  It's certainly deep as centre stage performance and, as I said last time, "Prepare to be mesmerized"; be prepared to be more mesmerized as this is like the MacBeth version where 'ld Bill has gone on a charabanc from Sratford to Dudley.

Joseph Malik's 'Proxima Ebony Variant Issue' album lauch is on Saturday 15th March at Ebinburgh's Voodoo Rooms with an amazing DJ line-up in support - check it out HERE.

Artist: Joseph Malik with Kameelah Waheed 
Title:  My Whole World (The Variant Issue Orchestra 'L'Opera Noir' Mixes)
Release date: 7th March, 2025
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR075
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Joseph Malik with Kameelah Waheed - My Whole World (Variant Issue Orchestra Mixes)

"I introduced Kameelah on Ramrock Red on 5th May, 2020 with 'Holding On' then 'America The Beautiful'...and then the rest is history! That's when Honey Dijon bagged her for her album, then Kenny Dope etc etc!!"

That's Jo Wallace (Ramrock Records) exclusively tell us how she found out about the talent of Kameelah Waheed.

And to believe it's been nearly two years since we were introduced to Kameelah Waheed on what is now the Will Brock/Sumsuch classic, 'Don't Know Where I'm Going' (see review HERE) but Variant Issue Orchestra have taken her to the church with "Rev" Joseph Malik on the vocals and instrumental mixes of 'My Whole World'.

Originally on Joseph's 'Proxima Ebony' album (see review HERE) along with Kameelah's other appearance on 'Be A Lion' (that also came out as single, see review HERE), the message of human failings in 'My Whole World (Is Fallin')' with hope of rising again (in a good way).

This is true next level Gil Scot-Heron jazz-funk soul and what a taster for 'Proxima Ebony Variiant Issue'!  Blimey, going next level to Fred Everythings' 'Love, Care, Kindness & Dubs' as a Vol. 2. release, if the variants are all as good as this, we're in for a right blessing. 

Prepare to be mesmerized.

Joseph Malik's 'Proxima Ebony Variant Issue' album lauch is on Saturday 15th March at Ebinburgh's Voodoo Rooms with an amazing DJ line-up in support - check it out HERE.

Artist: Joseph Malik with Kameelah Waheed 
Title:  My Whole World (Variant Issue Orchestra Mixes)
Release date: 28th February, 2025
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR074
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: New King - Summer Sun EP (Original Vocal + D.Foe Remix) (Ramrock Red Records)

Any sun kings out there beware, there's a New King in town and about to be crowned!

Of course, a summer season can't pass without a summer sound coming out of Ramrock's HQ and 'Summer Sun' is it.

Dreamy and hot, the original is the one for the airwaves whilst the D.Foe takes it all the way to a Balearic dub pillow for some late nite swaying .

New King are Rob Clydesdale and Mark Daniels from D.Foe, featuring the "amazingly ethereal vocalist" Noah and guitarist Ruben Campos.

And this is just the start for New King as I'm told there's another two EPs to follow shortly.

Artist: New King

Title: Summer Sun EP  ( Original Vocal + D.Foe Remix ) 

Release date: 23rd August, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR065

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: King Brasstards x Greg Blackman - Wait Till The Morning (Ramrock Red Record)

Which ever way you look and listen at this one, it's a King Sized monster (in a good way). 

You've got yourself a heavyweight bass band that's playing some funky go-go drum'n'bass the size of Yorkshire that's bred outta Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Hot 8 Brass Band, Youngblood Brass Band, Hackney Colliery Band et al... and bright spark label boss, Jo Wallace, says unto the King of Brasstards, "What you need is an enormous vocal talent delivering colossal vocals on this’.  And what's more, "There’s only one voice for the job….the mighty Mr Greg Blackman’.
And low and behold, it happened!

To be honest, if you listen to the instrumental first, you're likely to think a vocal isn't necessary as it's so heavy but just wait a minute, Ms Wallace's golden ears got it spot on! Mr Blackman (last seen on this channel with his Mr. Bird collab, 'Over Again' - also on Ramrock, see review HERE) is 'the' voice for this and his performance at least matches the raw energy of the band.

Just imagine how good this would be live at a festival (come on 'WeOutHere') and as we said about 'Over Again', "great production / vocals ... Sounds like an absolute monster to me".  So, don't wait 'till the morning, as the Ramrock team have done it again!

Artist: King Brasstards ft. Greg Blackman
Title: Wait Till The Morning
Release date: 26^th April, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR060

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Leo Pesci & John Swana ft. Dario Scotti - Dario’s Pummarola EP ft. No’West Remixes (Ramrock Red Record) .

We were more than impressed with Leo Pesci's album last year but what could those inveterate remix meddlers, No'West do with one of the top tracks, 'Dario’s Pummarola'?

The meterphorical tin is full of plump and ripe Dwele/Hargrove/RH Factor/Thundercat/ Flying Lotus influences to the album 'Impolite' (see review HERE) and the single features Leo Pesci (vocals, keys), John Swana (E.V.I.), Dario Scotti (drums) and Vincenzo De Fraia (bass, synth, keys).

Jazz FM's latest DJ recruit Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s) is a big fan of the original and it's Yussef Kamaal inspiration (particularly 'Strings Of Life') and the Piero Piccioni Neapolitan vocals are a link to Pesci and Scotti's roots.

Thankfully, for those that rant that these great tracks need to be longer has been taken care of by the No'west team with the orignal being extended with more jazziness and there's a brilliant dubbed out 70s jazz-funked extension like Mark King tubling down Blackgang Chine and ending up in an endless cave.

Special mention to Mr Swana as you may know him as an "American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player" so an E.V.I? That's Electronic Valve Instrument to you and the battle with the drums and bass really stands out on the instrumental.

So it's not only Servini that will be playing this one out, all your Gilles Peterson Worldwide family Djs and fans will want to get their hands on this and indeed, they will!

Artist: Leo Pesci & John Swana ft. Dario Scotti

Title: Dario’s Pummarola EP ft. No’West Remixes

Release date: 22nd March, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR058

Review: Suddenly WOW! - Plastic Life EP (North Street West Remixes) (Ramrock Red Records)

Now, '43' might not have the numerical significance as a '42' but in the Ramrock Red Record's universe, Cat. No RRR043 can only mean one thing, Suddenly WOW!'s 'Plastic Life EP' - the North Street West Remixes!

Can you believe it's been a week since the original came out and was instantly the YATM  'Single Of The Week'?

Talk about a "modern discofied take on 80s pop sensations Haircut 100, Orange Juice, Au Pairs with Beggar & Co. horns and a bit of AWB with some 'Holiday', I'd have a meltdown on the beach".

For the NSW remix, we're told, "You've already had the first 'Plastic Life' EP barge its way into your ears last week. Not content with filling your life with molecules of joy, the North Street West Crew marinate 'Plastic Life' in classic New Jersey house vibes to make you want to dance like no-one is lookin"

Needless to say, this is what we're dancin' to this week.  And if you don't know Suddenly WOW!, time to check out their 'Little Things' (see review HERE).

Artist: Suddenly WOW!

Title: Plastic Life EP (North Street West Remixes) 

Release date: 19th June, 2023 - Original 12th June, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR042