Review: JKriv & Jason Linder - Real Ones (Razor-N-Tape Records)

If you are based in Brooklyn, chances are that you'll be more than aware of the Razor 'n' Tape world of label and store along with the name of co-founder and 'leader', JKriv (aka Jason Kriveloff) but do you know the Brooklyn based, American jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer, producer Jason Linder?  Well, here's you first opportunity to get to know them as a duo and 'Real Ones'.

JKriv is no stranger to teaming up with like minded folks like the Rocksteady Disco crew (see 'Adaption' EP review HERE) or his most recent pairing with Peter Matson (see 'Facile' EP on Favorite Recordings - see review HERE), not to mention countless remixes in the last 20 plus years: but keyboardist Jason Lindner, who is 'arguable' best known as he chosen to been on David Bowie's last album 'BlackStar' (★) of ten years ago.

'BlackStar' was said to be "more explicity jazz-orientated than its predecessors" and I suspect Linder might have thoughts on that with his 30 year plus career in jazz, especially the most haunting title track on the album.  

In contrast, 'Real Ones' as a "clubby and synth driven" poject is fun and dancefloor focused.  The title track has echos of 80s jazz-funk stylings with a synthy '1000 Finger Man' thrust and echoes of 'Mission Impossible' in a Miami beach style, or perhaps Italian.  Sounds mad, but I don't think Tony Visconti could pull it off, or Luchino Visconti for that matter.

'Catch Feelings' is similar in feel but equally could have been spawned in the studios of Ken Patten in Sheffield or even Sun Palace's 'Raw Movements'.  So you get the idea how good this is and the third part of this trilogy, 'Regionale' which ties all these elements together and puts them on a Bullet train in Japan to touch base with the electronic pioneers of the Far East.

The EP is completed with a Retromigration Remix of 'Regionale' which give take in more house and given it a loopy vocal.

This is so different to the JKriv & Megatronic's EP 'The Truth In Gospel' (see review HERE) but this new collaboration is no 'one off' or new as Jkriv & Jason have been working together at Razor-N-Tape events for a number of year as A Joyful Noise.  This is great news as it's proof this is dancefloor tested and more in the locker to come out.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: JKriv, Jason Lindner - Real Ones

Artist: Jkriv & Jason Linder

Title: Real Ones EP

Release date: 27th March, 2026

Label : Razor-N-Tape Records

Catalog Number : RNTD132

Format : Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Yuu Udagawa - Urban Physicality EP (Razor-N-Tape Records)

After two Yuu Udagawa releases in one month and and a 'Beat Sculpture' with a Coflo remix back in May, no surprise Yuu Udagawa needed to take a breath before coming back with a 'Urban Physicality' that's full of Gold's Gym heavy Razor N Tape dancefloor muscle!

Following on from the 'Golden Glow' EP (see review HERE) and the impressive 'Beats Sculpture' EP with the Coflo remix (see review HERE) but this is the best yet!

A five track EP of 12" mixes of 'In Your Eyes', 'Recollection' and the title track plus not one, but two remixes of 'Urban Physicality' by Takuya Matsumoto; a 'special' remix and a piano mix.

What has been described as "moody deep house" sounds fun and jazzy to me - Carl Craig in San Francisco minimalism as in her 12" mix of Urban Physicality', brooding, yes, but "more alive" than she's ever been (perhaps). 

Which is then funny as Tokyo's Matsumoto gets as tough as Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens 80s style until he flips the vibe with the piano mix.

But I keep returning to 'In Your Eyes' with its loopy keys and cymbols of flutterng rain that make it have a beauty all of it's own.

BUY LINK: https://razor-n-tape.lnk.to/UrbanPhysicalityEP

Artist: Yuu Udagawa 

Title: Urban Physicality EP

Release date: 21st November, 2025

Label: Razor-N-Tape Records

Cat. No: RNTD128

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: MOTEL PHANTASMA - Claptrap EP (Razor-N-Tape Records)

Is it me or does the phrase 'Claptrap' seem out of place for trendy NYC label Razor-N-Tape? It's the type of word you'd hear t'up North or at least not south of Birmingham?  So how'd it get in the Fania dancefloors of New York? 

MOTEL PHANTASMA is actually a mystery duo (I wonder who that could be?) and they've got a double A-sided 7" that'll get you all the attention a DJ would need.

Side A is hot as 'Claptrap' warped Baile Funk with early Kraftwerk circa-pocket calculator; "that's Claptrap" I hear you say (and you'd be right) but try not to clap you're way onto the dancefloor in a perverted flamenco synth wave way.

 

But that's nothing compared to Afro-boogie Zamrock disco of 'Noude' featuring the vocals of Kaleta as 70s 'Shaft In Africa' cool hits NYC.

This is a heavyweight and totally different to label boss' JKriv recent collaboration with Megatronic and their 'Out Of Time' release (see review HERE) but both are equally necessary and fun. 

BUY LINK: MOTEL PHANTASMA, Kaleta - Noude

 

Artist: MOTEL PHANTASMA

Title: Out Of Time
Release date: 12th September, 2025
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : RNTD125
Format :  7" - 2 track vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Nomi Ruiz & Eli Escobar - Love Louder (Razor-N-Tape Records)

When you've already made a name for yourself as a vocalist with Hercules & Love Affair, Jessica 6 and countless collaborations, Nomi Ruiz teams up to 'Love Louder' together on Razor-N-Tape Records with a full album.  

Yes that's right!  Jessica 6, the Brooklyn-based Nu-disco/pop trio that were on Peacefrog who had that crossover connections with ANOHNI and hipsters Hercules & Love Affair.  All very NY trendy so add to that background DJ/Producer Eli Escobar's credentials, whowonder why these Nuyoricans haven't released a debut album until now after thier first collaboration in 2011.

One reason may well be that whether it's his own productions, edits or remixes, Escobar is prolific and he's perfect at getting that Disco/Latin/percussion/dancefloor combination perfect.  So it's cool that he's happy to play to the support to Nomi's singing talents on these eight tracks; that said, it works in a delicate synth-pop way like the title track and 'The Spell' that draw on that Love Affair tension/angst.  

'Heathens' and 'Full Fantasy' are upbeat enough for dancefloor plays but the album is indeed full of tension as in Nomi's own words, "We live in a world and a city where this sense of imminent loss surrounds us” and never a truer word said in the two weeks leading up to the release but they have both had mutual friends pass recently and 'Go Be Gone' catches the theme perfectly and at the same time, it's a love letter to the ever changing landscape of NYC itself (Ed. insert your local urban centre as it's a global issue).

Whilst we would all like to dance our summers away, this album is a reminder of other things; possibly the two themes come together with 'Blindside' (can we have an extended more dubby version?), 'Glitter & Gold' and the city sex theme of 'Juice'.

They've moved quite a long way from the DFA template (Ed. haven't we all?)   We've said it before, we're always impressed with a Razor-N-Tape project and 'Love Louder' is no exception.

 
BUY LINK: Nomi Ruiz & Eli Escobar - Love Louder

Artist: Nomi Ruiz & Eli Escobar 

Title: Love Louder 
Release date: 27th July, 2025
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : RNTR082
Format :  LP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp