Review: WAAN - We Want WAAN (Sonar Kollektiv)

'We Want WAAN' is the  return of WAAN that we want, a new album out on Sonar Kollektiv that's different in so many ways!

You'll recall WAAN returned at the end of last year with 'Talking Trees' / 'Lodge Texas' (see review HERE) over two years since the album 'Echo Echo' (see review HERE) and we said then, "so good, they named it twice" (Ed. always worth repeating).

So this Dutch 'Monkey 'n' Tortoise' duo clearly work at different speeds (Ed. hence the album cover?) but what is clear is the "We Want WAAN";  being Bart Wirtz (sax) and Emiel van Rijthoven (keys) tucked away house in the middle of the peaceful Dutch island of Texel working on the dozen tracks that make up this sophomore album.

And I happy to report it's full of "out-there as Portishead/Massive Attack/Weekend a 'La Varieté' melt into a Sonar Kollektiv party" from the title track, the gentle/twisted 'Trees', with contributions from Marta Arpini (vocals), René van Munster (cello), Matteo Mazzù (bass) and Mark Schilders (drums), to the bonkers 'Mirrors' which "explores a new sonic territory with harmonizer-processed sax and frenetic bass & drum workouts, its live energy boosted by the sound of a real audience vibing along — recorded at Leiden’s legendary jazz bar De Twee Spieghels, where Ben Webster once played his final concert".

I love the two extremes of 'Talking Trees' and 'Mirrors' which seem to have more in common on repeated listens that you first think.   You don't have to know where Ben Webster stands in tenor sax history (Ed. he played with every jazz great from the 50s to 70s) to know theven he would acknowledge the progression to jazz-house post-punk avant-garde of 'Why You Didn't Get Me' that boarders on James Chance's no-wave or the distorted funk-jazz-house of 'Lodge Texas'.

And it'd be hard to say 'Cecilyum' is the middle ground as it starts as a slow church organ durge before "rising from the crypt" with Bart's sax - could you imagine Simian Mobile Disco and Jan Garbarek going to a Sunday service - me neither.  But if you know this is co-produced with WAAN and Oscar de Jong (of Kraak & Smaak) trust me to dispell any preconcieved notioned of K&S, as 'We Want WAAN' is nothing like them (in a good way - not that they are bad).

So what is BAD (the good one) is the contribution of Philly based rapper/singer Ivy Sole of original and clean versions of the track 'Baby Blue' with poetic hip hop jazz focusing on Sole's non-binary activism.

Whilst all this is going on there's a number of short interludes, the quirky 'Moto No Oto' and the title track which kind of set out their stall as hard to nail down / typical Sonar Kollektiv 'Berlin' to Gilles Peterson; wonder if they could do it live at We Out Here Festival?  Either way, these guys are ahead of the game in 2026 and we'd recommend the vinyl.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://sonarkollektiv.lnk.to/WeWantWAAN

Artist: WAAN

Title: We Want WAAN

Release date: 23rd January, 2026

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK549LP

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Alexander IV - Touch of Gold / All I Have to Say (Sonar Kollektiv)

Alexander IV returns!  No, not that one, the pseudonym of eclectic Dutch producer, multi-instrumentalist, and beat-maker Joris Feiertag. 

Those with long memories will recall Mr. Scruff 'discovering' Moondog's song 'Lament I, 'Bird's Lament' and re-branded it as 'Get A Move On' [1999].  Feiertag's 'All I Have To Say' gives in another dusting down as "a smoky, late-night instrumental that fuses dusty jazz textures with Dilla-inspired swing. Sitting somewhere between Roy Hargrove and J Dilla in a seedy Soho basement, it’s a raw, reflective track that continues the album’s jazz and hip-hop conversation". 

Those for a taste of this sort of thing; old Scruff, Kruder & Dorfmeister, SAULT and perhaps to a lesser degree, upstarts leike Emile & The Education - Lamad (see review HERE) or indeed as Joris' other alter-ego Feiertag (Ed. isn't that just himself? - See reviw HERE) you can see why the new album is called 'Alchemist' (out early 2026).

The album includes the soulful debut single, 'This Won’t Do' featuring Cézanne and the track 'Touch of Gold' that sets the tone for the album.  With it's "cinematic jazz sample, a head-fake of an intro, and a signature beat flip that balances elegance with grit" Joris says, “I absolutely loved making this track and it came together quickly and naturally”,

So expect lots more alchemy with the album as this is going to be so "Hoxton to Berlin to We Jazz" as more Mr.Scruff, more Gilles Peterson, more Will Sumsuch and even more Gerry Hectic!

BUY LINK: https://sonarkollektiv.lnk.to/Alchemist

Artist: Alexander IV

Title: Touch of Gold / All I Have to Say 

Release date: 15th January, 2026

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK452/3 D

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Jazzanova - In Between (Deluxe Edition) (Sonar Kollektiv)

To conclude their year-long celebration of In Between, Jazzanova and Sonar Kollektiv proudly present the ultimate tribute to their landmark debut album: 'In Between (Deluxe Edition)'. This expansive collection captures the full legacy, creative impact, and ongoing evolution of a record that helped shape the sound of nu-jazz, broken beat, and future soul.

Originally released in 2002, 'In Between' redefined the possibilities of electronic jazz, blending intricate sampling with live instrumentation and featuring vocalists such as Clara Hill, Vikter Duplaix, Capitol A, and Ursula Rucker. Two decades later, its influence still resonates. The Deluxe Edition offers the most comprehensive exploration of this pivotal era in Jazzanova’s history—spanning nearly 70 tracks across five chapters...

1. In Between (Original Album)
The timeless 2002 debut that started it all—featuring iconic songs like No Use, Another New Day, Keep Falling, and Soon. A landmark blend of jazz, broken beat, soul, and electronic innovation. Described by PopMatters as “the essence and inexorable rise of the European nu-jazz sound” and hailed by AllMusic as “a work of real beauty” that elevated club culture with intricate musicality, In Between helped usher underground sounds into new spaces, far beyond smoky basements and coffee shops.

2. In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live - see the YATM review HERE
Recorded live at Little Big Beat Studios in 2024, this session features the Jazzanova Live Band alongside guests Wayne Snow, Clara Hill, and HEEN. Together, they reimagine the album’s sample-heavy origins with full-band energy and deep musicianship, offering a vibrant new perspective on the original material.

3. In Between (Remixes) - see the YATM review HERE
The 2025 remix compilation brings together producers from around the globe to reinterpret In Between through fresh, forward-looking lenses. Featuring standout remixes by Jacana People, Eric Hilton, Crackazat, Satin Jackets, Kid Fonque, Groove Chronicles, The KBCS, DJ Slowz, Nautilus, Magro, and Paskal & Urban Absolutes, this chapter bridges generations and genres— from deep house and nu-disco to future jazz and Afro-tinged electronica.

4. Singles & Rarities Collection (Pre-In Between)
A curated selection of Jazzanova’s formative works leading up to In Between —including sought-after tracks like Fedime’s Flight, Atabaque, Bohemian Sunset, Caravelle, Coffee Talk, Le Jardin Secret, and That Night (Original Single Version). These early gems showcase the group’s deep roots in jazz, house, and Afro-Latin rhythms.

5. Remixed (2003 Album)
The legendary 2003 remix album returns, gathering celebrated reworks from that era by artists such as Madlib, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Bugz in the Attic, King Britt, Vikter Duplaix, DJ DSL, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Domu, Moonstarr, Stereolab, and more. A defining snapshot of early 2000s nu-jazz and broken beat culture.

In Between (Deluxe Edition) is more than a retrospective—it’s a deep-dive anthology celebrating Jazzanova’s expansive sonic universe, their constant reinvention, and their enduring impact on global club and jazz culture. This is In Between—past, present, and future—assembled for the first time in its entirety.

The intro to 'That Night' really sums up the evolution of the whole project from the original release to the 4 additional formations: you can recreate the excitement of the times and the 12" remixes that litterally lit up Soho (and the rest of the known) Record Shop world. Vikter Duplaix, Stereolad or Madlib - this is generational!

Not cheap, but it'd make someone a very nice seasonal present.

BUY LINK: In Between (Deluxe Edition) | Jazzanova

Artist: Jazzanova

Title: In Between (Deluxe Edition)

Release date: 21st November, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Reiew: Jazzanova - In Between (Remixes) (Sonar Kollektiv)

On the release earlier this year of the live studio version of 'In Between' we were on the boarders of saying, "better than the original" and now we've got the remixes of the original album.

Not that long ago we had Jazzanova's birthday party of 'In Between Revisited - Little Big Beat Studio Live Session - see review HERE) as a celebration of 20 years since Jazzanova released 'In Between' with it's then unique mix of what were labelled as acid jazz broken beat, downtempo, nu-jazz, future jazz, hip-hop and house.

So it was groundbreaking, influencial and it was their debut album! Having themselves made a big name for themselves with the compilation of 'Jazzanova Remixes' back in 2000 it might seem odd that we're waited so long for a new 'In Between' remix but one of the consequences is that they were able to pick on all the hot names on the scene today who have grown up with the tracks.

Such as Crackazat (he of Lovetempo/Toribio - see HERE) with an electromagnetic take on 'No Use' (featuring Clara HIll), Eric Hilton (he of Thievery Corporation and 'Midnight Ragas' - see review HERE) also taking on 'No Use' to a dreamscape and Kid Fonque (he of Stay True Sounds) on 'Another New Day' as it races across the Senegeti.

And talking of which, the 11 remixed tracks album kicks off with a Afro-house inspired 'Another New Day' (Ed. of course it would) by Jacana People that sets the tone 'The One-Tet' still features Capitol A as a "Worldwide" rap on a fun The KBCS remix or the Groove Chronicles broken step refix of the same track perfectly hip-hop warped: It's the nu-style break dance - not for ameteurs. 

And talking of rap, Ursula Rucker words are true today as they were then with 'Keep Falling' with the Magro remix - the power of the MC can nunhuck the media?

But are you the sort of person that'd rush to the modern classic?  'Mwela, Mela (Here I Am'), the Nautilus rework (you won't be disappointed jazzy/broken beat/Rotary Corporation fans) and 'L.O.V.E. and You & I' by DJ Slowz or 'That Night (featuring the fantastic vocals of Vikter Duplaix as a Paskal & Urban Absolutes Remix.

Absolutely stunning whether you know the orginals or not as the album ends on yet another remix of 'No Use', by the Satin Jackets which would fit nicely on the 'Jazzanova Remixed' of 2003 - what happened to that?  Yep, you've guessed it, that's getting ready for a re-issue too!

BUY LINK: In Between (Remixes) | Jazzanova

Artist: Jazzanova

Title: In Between Remixes

Release date: 17th October, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK500

Format: 2xLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Don Philippe - velvet breaks (Sonar Kollektiv)

Lo-fi vet, Don Philippe takes a smooth look at beast with a full album on Sonar Kollektiv as 'velvet breaks'.

All as you'd imagine, analog beats defined by multi-instrumentalist/producer and hip-hop pioneer in Germany, Don Phillippe (aka Philippe A. Kayser) and as a mate of Max Herre (as in Web Web x Max Herre - see review HERE) there's a big touch of jazz with cinematic soul, boom-bap and OST all weaved in tie the Rhodes keys and drum loops.

This is for the serious diggers and if you're a fan of the Blackpool Wurlitzer Organ sound, go straight to 'torn' and jazzy bass, 'exposed'.   

But all the 16 tracks on this album are fantastic 'postcards' of sound that would challenge Dilla, Madlib et al. 

BUY LINK: https://sonarkollektiv.lnk.to/velvet-breaks

Artist: Don Philippe

Title: velvet breaks

Release date: 10th October, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK540LP

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: WAAN - Talking Trees / Lodge Texas (Sonar Kollektiv)

WAAN return!

You'll recall WAAN's 'Echo Echo' from a couple of years ago (see review HERE) and we said then, "so good, they named it twice" (Ed. always worth repeating).

It took the Dutch duo 5 years to make the debut album that Bart Wirtz (sax) and Emiel van Rijthoven (keys) recorded live in the Eminent Studios, Leiden.

.

They returned to the studios to record 'Talking Trees' with contributions from Marta Arpini (vocals), René van Munster (cello), Matteo Mazzù (bass), and Mark Schilders (drums) as his single "sets the tone for an album that is rawer, freer, and brimming with curiosity".  It's a bit out there as Portishead/Massive Attack/Weekend a 'La Varieté' melt into a Sonar Kollektiv party.

And, 'Lodge Texas' is even more jazz-house avant-garde so with a distorted sax that doesn't sound out of place!

This is going to be so Hoxton to Berlin to We Jazz: less Jamie Cullum, more Gilles Peterson, Will Sumsuch, Gerry Hectic!

Artist: WAAN

Title: Talking Trees / Lodge Texas

Release date: 26th September, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK450D 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Peter and Kerry - You, Me and The Moon (Sonar Kollektiv)

Peter & Kerry's first album since 'La Trimouille' in 2012 is coming out on Sonar Kollektiv this week!

When i heard the 'All I Got Of My Dreams' as a single, (see review HERE), I thought this had some of indie pop/rock/The Sound Lab' about it; and it does, but there's also something folkie going on and a brilliant combination of two talented musicians.

Kerry Leatham is from Essex and Peter Lyons is from Southampton and the opening track 'I Can Only Swim In Memories' is a proper sea shore duet; I wonder if he can remember the old swimming pool in Southampton before they built the Quays? 

'Heartbeat' is their Fleetwood Mac classics period with some fine guitar and vocal work whilst 'All I've Got Are My Dreams' mixes some 80s pop and Balearic synths but the best tracks are when they sound like them, 'In The Morning', 'By The Sea One Day', 'It's Best This Way' as a summery pop-folk indie duo that's listened to lots of 60s influences; particulary the title track.

We're told, "Their sound blends high-end digital production with vintage reel-to-reel machines, 1960s BBC ribbon microphones, phone voice memos, and toy cassette recorders—a nod to Peter’s early fascination with DIY recording techniques".

"You, Me and The Moon'" was some graffiti that Peter spotted on his way to his East London Studio and these 12 tracks are that mix of urban (as in city) vs. countryside (as in folk) with current pop with some goth/indie and jazz sentiments - a bit like a modern Tunng as a duo on Jazz FM/BBC 6 Music.  

I'm guessing Sonar Kollektiv, with extensive range of contacts will be thinking of remix versions (which I could imagine an 'Anything But The Girl' angel) but like one of their track titles, 'I Hope That We Never Fit In' and I hope they don't too, that's in 'a good way' of course.

BUY LINK: https://sonarkollektiv.lnk.to/YouMeandtheMoon

Title: Peter & Kerry

Title: You, Me And The Moon

Release date: 27th June, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK515 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Feiertag - Embers (Sonar Kollektiv)

This EP is hot, like 'Embers' of the fire - 4 tracks plus 'Lost Spirit' featuring Jono McCleery.

Last summer we had Feiertag's 'ON/OFF EP' that followed 'Roots' (see review HERE) and before that 'Feel Me' (featuring Nego True) / 'Law Of Attraction' (featuring OSHUN) (see review HERE) so we know even with burning embers, Joris Feiertag just can't stop.

'Somewhere Up There' keeps him in the high atmospheric bouncey opener that sounds strongly Dutch; possibly as it's central to 'Embers' as he reflects on loved ones that has passed.  Whilst the 'Wanderer' picks things up and bursts upon us like a sunrise.

I may not surprise anyone that the Jono McCleery guest on the track 'Lost Spirit' makes it the stand-out for radio play as with Jono's 'Reconcile' album from late last year (see review HERE).

Clearly there's some genre chemistry going on here from post-Dutch trance to Bruk to house and more which makes it ideal for summer 2025.

Title: Feiertag

Title: Embers

Release date: 20th June, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK522D 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Jono McCleery - Reconcile Remixes (Sonar Kollektiv)

Another chance to to reconcile that Jono McCleery's debut album on Sonar Kollektiv is his best todate, this time under the auspices of six remixes, reel 'em off Beau Diako, Joseph Ashworth, Royce Wood Junior, Philippa and Fybe:One.

Check out the album, 'Reconcile' (see review HERE) and you'll recall Greg Haynes (aka Fybe:One, he of 'Don't Let Go'/'You Go Down Smooth' - see review HERE) was one of the co-producers so he gets first dibs on the title track which must be quite tricky to throw new light on a familiar track; in fact, apart from Mr. McCleery's superb vocals, it's very different with it's 'electronic' refresh.

You'll also recall that there were some tracks with a bit of Radiohead/Thom Yorke-ism to them like 'Like I Do' and London based musician/songwriter/producer, Royce Wood Junior gets a bit messy with electronic/R&B/soul!

Totally unmessy is the Joseph Ashworth remix of 'Only You' which is smooth beach house and the opener, Beau Diako's remix of 'I'll Try To Remember' which you'll meet under a very large sun shade overlooking the Balearics (or similar).

I was going to say, Philippa's Rework of 'To See You Again' is not like her Freerange work with Jimpster until I was reminded of her 'jazzy' 'Blue Skies' on Fred Everything's Lazy Days Recordings.  The New Zealander (now living in Berlin), had a track on Razor-N-Tape's compilation, 'Family Affair' Vol. 2 and she's really got a quirky angle on what moves a dancefloor: "uplifting standout" much like RNT themselves. 

Definitely a different approach to the original tracks and ones to keep coming back to.

Artist: Jono McCleery 

Title: Reconcile Remixes

Release date: 6th June, 2025

Label: Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number: SK530

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Jazzanova - In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live (Sonar Kollektiv)

I think were on the boarders of saying, "better than the original", can we say that?  Well, that's what we were thinking when the second single, the anthemic 'Worldwide' hit 'Another New Day' from the Little Big Beat Studio live session came out, so what's the betting on the rest of the album?

What better way to celebrate 20 years since Jazzanova released 'In Between' with it's then unique mix of what were labelled as acid jazz broken beat, downtempo, nu-jazz, future jazz, hip-hop and house; no wonder it was not only groundbreaking but also so influencial and it was their debut album to boot!

Their last album was a joint venture into 'Strata Records - The Sound Of Detroit Reimagined by Jazzanova (see review HERE) which clearly gave them the confidence to take on a live version of their own masterpiece recorded in Leichtenstein at the Little Big Beat Studios as a live band.

'That Night', 'No Use' (featuring Clara HIll), 'Days To Come' and the modern classic 'Mwela, Mela' all sound new and particularly fresh whilst old fans will recall how important the remix 12s were back in the dayDays To Come (Ayro Remix and Ian O'Brien Remix) 'That Night' (Wah-Chu-Ku Perspective and the Vikter Duplaix remix

Absolutely stunning whether you know the orginals or not - has the feeling of a organic jazz rebirth from the seed to the full developed beast.  Jazzanova forever! 

BUY LINK: https://sonarkollektiv.lnk.to/InBetweenRevisited-JazzanovaLive

Artist: Jazzanova

Title: In Between Revisited (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

Release date: 9th May, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK520

Format: 2xLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: RAH & The Ruffcats - Wake Up (Yoruba Soul Mixes) (Sonar Kollektiv)

Back with our sun god RAH & The Ruffcats, the  party goes from 'Orile To Berlin' to Africa as always superb Osunlade gives us four Yoruba Soul mixes that'll bring heat way beyond this summer.

You'll recall Sonar Kollekitv released the album, 'Orile To Berlin' last year (see review HERE) as RAH is originally from Orile, Lagos who had joined up with supergroup backing band, The Ruffcats (from Berlin).

More recently there was the Kid Fonque 'Refix' remix of the track 'Rodeo' (as selected for last months' Colour & Pitch Session mix - see below) but the label has gone the extra mile, something Osunlade has done regularly throughout his career) with 'Wake Up' in instrumental and vocals versons of 'Wake Up (They Are The People Of The Myths)' featuring the Afro-space futurism poety King Khan as Yoruba Soul and Club Mixes.

If you know King Khan, "Berlin's garage rock legend", don't worry as we are firmly in the Afrobeat world of dancefloor funk with the warning to 'Wake Up' and if I was pushed, I think I prefer the pecussive heavy mellowed out ruff(cat)ness, if that's not a contradiction, of the Yoruba Soul Instrumental but all three tracks are powerful.

So different to the label's Jono McCleery album 'Reconcile' (see review HERE) or Leon Raum's album (see review HERE) but that's why we love 'em as you never know what they are going to do next.

P.S. A little birdy tells me 'next' will be something very special from Jazzanova - Can't wait! 

 

Title: RAH & The Ruffcats 

Title: Wake Up (Yoruba Soul Mixes)

Release date: 27th February, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK510D

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Leon Raum - Basement Meditation EP (Sonar Kollektiv)

Leon Raum is a producer, drummer and multi-instrumentalist who has managed to interupt his busy schedule to produce this 4-track 'Basement Meditation EP'.

As ever, Sonar Kollektiv are first to get in the basement with Mr. Raum as he gets into his musical savasana with 'Cascade', 'For QnD', 'Champloo' and 'All Night'.

Very different to other recent releases on the label like Mieke Miami's 'Birdland' (see review HERE) or Jono McCleery (see review HERE) but then there's clear links to hip-hop beats via Madlib/Dilla so in some ways, you can see the lineage; especially from a drummers perspective.

So the constant gripe is these tracks are too short, especially 'Champloo' and 'All Night' - the latter destined to be a house hit with a bit of an extension edit a la Theo Parrish.

It's impressive to find out this whole project is just Leon Raum sorting out his beats and loops in the basement and we're always keen to hear jazzy beats and he's definitely found a groove that's got more movement to it than pure meditation.

P.S. Artwork by Penelope (Leon's sister)

Artist: Leon Raum 

Title: Basement Meditation EP 

Release date: 13th December, 2024

Label: Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number: SK508

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Jono McCleery - Reconcile (Sonar Kollektiv)

Will we ever be able to reconcile that Jono McCleery's debut album on Sonar Kollektiv is his best todate? 

I say that as Mr. McCleery has been lucky enough after his debut in 2008 to worked with lots of folks that we love to follow like his work on Ninja Tune (with Fink and Portico Quartet), 'Realise' with Part-Time Hereos (which was included on Wah Wah 45's 15th Birthday release, and now they are 25!) and also with lots of 'dance' artists, like the diverse range of  Maceo Plex, Catz N' Dogz, Karol XVII & MB Valence and Laura Vane!

This might sound a bit odd for the "Nick Drake" we've been waiting for but 'Reconcile' is a distinct change of direction as it was mostly recorded as an instrumental, in a log cabin of all places.  That might sound a bit dull and flat to most of our readers but the production kind of creeps up on your here with added strings/keys/electronics that's makes in far from a campfire recording.

The singles, 'To See You Again' and 'So Messed Up' (see review HERE) are indicative of a more laid-back approach and you can easily see why Sonar Kollektiv were impressed with a downtempo soul chill sound.  And you can tell form the titles that there's a bit theme of introspection ('The One', 'Only You'. 'Like I Do', 'I Try To Remember' etc) and there's a bit of Thom Yorke-ism to this (we're told Radiohead's Phil Selway is a fan of Jono) and Jamie Woon (Ed. I met him once at Cargo years ago).

The title track is particulary stripped back and you can feel some real blues porch heritage to McCleery's vocals and acoustic guitar style and then, at the other extreme, is the 'Let's Get Back To It' that's the most elegantly produced track.

With the help of co-producers Matt Kelly, Greg Haynes (aka Fybe One) and Jesse Koolhaas this album (eight tracks) has a beautiful longevity to it and you never know, if Florence and The Machine can have it at the Proms, the full Jules Buckley experience at the Royal Albert Hall - now wouldn't that be something of a reconcilation?

Artist: Jono McCleery 

Title: Reconcile

Release date: 29th November, 2024

Label: Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number: SK499

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Magro - Tokyo Tree EP (Sonar Kollektiv)

It's fair to say that Magro grew up emersed in music and after a move from Stugartt to Berlin nearly 10 years ago, he got his hip-hop 'Golden Era' beats tuned-in and 'Tokyo Tree EP' is a 8 track that's for today. 

Sonar Kollektiv are as equally emersed as Magro as the mulit-aspect hip hop and the EP is improved with the soulful vocals of Jess Reis ('Pursuit') and other tracks with vocals/rap; 'Beauty' featuring Oswin Benjamin 'Grief' featuring Moses Yoofee and 'Need A Friend' with Rapturous.

All three are highlights of the EP whilst the rest will more than satisfy fans of old skool Dublab/Flying Lotus jazz fusion beats especially the title track.

Artist: Magro

Title: Tokyo Tree EP

Release date: 8th November, 2024

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK497D 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Jono McCleery - To See You Again / So Messed Up (Sonar Kollektiv)

You get the feeling that it was only a matter of time for Jono McCleery to make his name and now he's on Sonar Kollektiv, it's great 'To See You Again'.

Jono McCleery is British singer/songwriter, musician and artist based in London.  In the past he's based in London, he has supported Fink (Ninja Tune) on tour, and collaborated with loads more since

However, this first single from the forthcoming album is best we've heard Jono since his collaborations with Part-Time Hereos in 2019 on Wah Wah 45's - the "Nick Drake" we've been waiting for as the source of 'To See You Again' comes from the passing of his brother.

It's the opening track featured on Colour & Pitch sessions, October 2024 with Will Sumsuch (see below).

And having made a star of Stee Downes, Sonar Kollektiv have filled the space in between with their next star, Jono McCleery is so [un]messed up.

The album 'Reconcile' will be released on November 29th.

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - October 2024

Artist: Jono McCleery 

Title: To See You Again / So Messed Up

Release date: 24th October, 2024

Label: Sonar Kollektiv)

Catalog Number: SK504D,SK505D

Format: Digital / Bandcamp