Review: Kiala & Afroblaster - Spiritual Power (Tangential Music)

Tangential Music has a long association with the power of Fela Kuti's musical legacy and here's some excellent 'Spiritual Power' that's TALKING LOUD!

With more than a nod to James Brown and the Gilles Peterson's 'Talkin' Loud' label, the Kiala & Afroblaster have been inspired by 'Talkin' Loud And Sayin' Somethin'", Afro-beat funky like label mates Lagos Thugs (see review HERE),original Fela MD/bandmate Dele Sosimi, the London Afrobeat Collective and the like to produce "a vibrant statement of Afrobeat, funk, hip hop, and soul-driven groove led by legendary guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Kiala Nzavotunga."

Kiala toured with Fela Kuti's Egypt 80 and he brings the same 'big band' sound of the ten-peice Afroblaster collective from Amsterdam and it's powerful like the previous singles 'Spiritual Power' (James Brown gets another name check), 'Motherland' (big rap on this one and perhaps a bit more Acid Jazz?) and the previously mentioned 'Talking Loud'.

You can imagine hearing this walking around the canals and streets of Amsterdam with a natural boost of spiritual power that you can almost aborbs through the other track titles themselves, 'What Is The Meaning', 'Medicine' and we're told, "every song carries Kiala's philosophy.

'Telephone' is my current favourite as it's just funky as but then as importantly, they're all big dancefloor movers.

BUY LINK: bfan.link/Spiritual-power-EP

Artist:  Kiala & Afroblaster

Title: Spirtual Power

Release date: 15th May, 2026

Label: Tangential Music

Catalog Number:TBC

Format: Digital

Review: Lagos Thugs feat. Youthie - Power Pt. 1 (Tangential Music)

Fela Kuti's legacy of influence is all about the power he, and now his family, gives us, the people, but I don't think that even he could foresee how powerful this combination of Afrobeat and dub by Lagos Thugs and Youthis is!

Whilst it may not sound like the off-spring of The Shrine, this track has a back-story of note as it was first recorded with Joe Armon-Jones and Femi Koleoso (keys and drummer/bandleader from multi-award winning London jazz group, Ezra Collective) during their visit to Lagos Thugs in Lagos for 'Felabration' back in 2024.

After an initial mix, the band revisited the track — this time with Mario Orsinet, drummer for Seun Kuti, bringing fresh energy to the recording. The vision expanded even further when Paris-based dub sensation Youthie joined the project — an artist Lagos Thugs had long admired. Kino Doscun later added guitars and delivered the final mix, sealing the track’s unique sound.

Youthie, the French multi-instrumentalist (trumpet, flute, accordion, etc), has made a name for herself on multiple dub-reggae fronted albums and on 'Power, Part 1' her jazz and dub fusion style puts Lagos Thugs’ Afrobeat roots into the spiritual dance(hall)

So exciting to think what 'Power, Part 2' will be so stay tuned!

BUY LINK: https://bfan.link/power-27

Artist: Lagos Thugs feat. Youthie 

Title: Power

Release date: 4th December, 2025

Label: Tangential Music

Catalog Number:TBC

Format: Digital

Bass, Keyboards : Lagos Thugs
Drums : Mario Orsinet
Trumpet & Flute : Youthie
Guitar & Mix : Kino Doscun

Review: Kʒːlu - Let It Not Pale feat Senita AppiaKorang (Wrongtom Remix) (Creeping Curtain Records)

It’s taken a long time for these two stellar talents to work together but it's definitely been worth the wait for Wrongtom meets the K3:lu feat Senita AppiaKorang on the beaches of dub!

You'll recall Fish Go Deep said that don't do many remixes but then felt that they had to when they were offered Kʒːlu (curlew)'s 'Standing Ovation' (see review HERE) and at the orther extreme, Wrongtom is known for his production skills, dubs and remixes and now podcasts.  

So it's 'Let It Not Pale' has to be good for him to find time to twiddle his knobs for a vocal and instrumental version of Cork-based musician Patrick Hatchett (aka Kʒːlu - sho is known for his 'Afro-inspired spaceship funk') but I suspect it was the mellow vocals of Senita AppiaKorang that caught his ear.

Kʒːlu (curlew) had an album out back in 2021 that featured Idris Rahman (Ill Considered, Soothsayers - new album out HERE - and brother of Zoe, etc) but expect any jazz breaks or the Wrongtom of previous rootsy releases, like Roots Manuva or Ragga Twins as this is totally ready for beaches and chill out zones for some lovers rockin'.

Artist: Kʒːlu 

Title:  Let It Not Pale feat Senita AppiaKorang (Wrongtom Remix)

Release date: 30th October, 2025

Label: Creeping Curtain Records / Tangential Music

Catalog Number:TBC

Format: Digital

Review: Kʒːlu – Standing Ovation (Fish Go Deep Remixes) (Creeping Curtain Records/Tangential Music)

Fish Go Deep say, "We don't do many remixes - only when a track really grabs us...[and] this one did!", prepare to get grabbed.

Sounds a little ironic as the YATM Office like a Fish Go Deep remix (see review HERE of La Deep's 'Risk It All' on Wooden Discos) as that grabbed us only last week.

Kʒːlu is the solo project of Cork-based musician Patrick Hatchett who is influenced by global beats, late-night moods and wild natural surroundings. 

'Standing Ovation' gets deep (no pun etc) with the remix with some squiggy synth boogie and echo units.  So, you think, this would be cool as a 'Standing Ovation dub mix'; and here it is and clocks in at 7:34 as a couple of minutes longer of bing-bong fun under the LSP influence.

Kʒːlu (curlew) had an album out back in 2021 that featured Idris Rahman (Ill Considered, Soothsayers etc and brother of Zoe) so lets keep our eyes open for a 'Standing Ovation' album version; but in the meantime, let yourself be grabbed by the dub.

BUY LINK: https://bfan.link/standing-ovation-2

Artist: Kʒːlu 

Title: Standing Ovation (Fish Go Deep Remixes)

Release date: 23rd July, 2025

Label: Creeping Curtain Records / Tangential Music

Catalog Number:TBC

Format: Digital

Review: Drama On The Corner - Orixa [Single & Radio Edit] (Tangential Music)

Don't worry if you missed Rio Carnival this year as this single by Drama On The Corner will more than make up for it, get 'Orixa'.

Billed as 'UK bruk dynamism with the hip-snapping jazz-funk spirit of Azymuth' you don't expect it to come from a Paris based duo but that's what it is with great vocals sung in Portuguese by Adrien de Araujo with Gérald Portocallis on drum patterns, percussion and synths.

The 70s Azymuth sound is so big, sorry, BIG - even the artwork is more than OPA!  

This single is so different from 'Leaf' by Robert Burbridge ft. Andre Espeut (see review HERE) but if you follow Lee 'Tangential' Bright, you know that's how he rolls.

BUY LINK: Drama On The Corner - Orixa

Artist: Drama On The Corner

Title: Orixa

Release date: 28th March, 2025

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number : TBC

Format :  Digital 

Review: Robert Burbridge ft. André Espeut - Leaf (Tangential Music)

We often think of turning over a new leaf every year in January and what better way to start with the single by Robert Burbridge ft. Andre Espeut called simply, 'Leaf'?

  

Well, it's a bit of a surpise actually as we know Mr Burbridge as he's mates with Richard E (now a LA resident and he's OK post fire) as he did a remix to Richard's 'Too The Moon' track (see review HERE).

And he's teamed up with the well known voice  of André Espeut, as in Inkswell (see review HERE), King Bee (see review HERE) - Ed. André Espeut is always in demand.

And there's definitely some synchronicity between the two of them as André's "lyrics and hook-laden vocals" top the string laden 'stadium' pop-rock sound of the track.  

It's a bit of a grower as it's like a Balearic friendly version on the Stones with touches of Mod, gospel and soul.

Quite a lot different to the last release from the label on YATM, Franck Biyong's 'Radio Masoda' that came out towards the end on last year (see review HERE) but equally as likely to get on the radio: perhaps this does mean everything.

BUY LINK: https://bfan.link/leaf

Artist: Robert Burbridge ft. Andre Espeut 

Title: Leaf

Release date: 16th January, 2024

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number : TBC

Format :  Digital 

Review: Franck Biyong - Radio Masoda Remixed (Tangential Music)

Tangential Music are celebrating Fela Kuti's birthday today with a 4-track EP from Franck Biyong's album 'Radio Masoda', its like icing on the cake.

As fans of the album 'Radio Masoda' that came out back in May, (see review HERE) is supplemented with 'Jela Kubwa' remixed by Aint4perfect (getting a bit of a groovy slo-jam vibes), 'Oladipo' featuring Chief Udoh Essiet and Fela's co-hort at the  formation of Afrobeat Tony Allen (RIP) with a Yann Jankielewicz remix, 'Mbopi Road' (Max Doblhoff Remix) and the 'original' Aint4perfect / Franck Biyong track, 'London to Nairobi'.

Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome Kuti was born this day in Abeokuta, Nigeria in 1938 and there's no better way to celebrate his birthday with remixed tracks of Cameroonian guitarist/singer/composer Biyong who spent 12 years working with Tony Allen with 'Oladipo' being a tribute track.

Aint4perfect (aka Woni Kimani) has really worked the 'Jela Kubwa' into a Afro-baleriacs funk that's a really is the groovy baby - a must have in a top quality release.

Artist: Franck Biyong 

Title: Radio Masoda 

Release date: 15th October, 2024

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number : TAN0038EPG1

Format :  Digital 

Review: DJ Oil - Rise Of A Cosmic Dancer (Tangential Music)

The oil industry may not be the shiny future it once was but DJ Oil is an altogether different matter as he charts the 'Rise Of A Cosmic Dancer' on his new album.

Couldn't have been better timed with all the current chatter of privately funded space walls by billionaires but equally, as it came out l week, this takes a little while to absorb how massive these 11 tracks are (similar to his 2015 BBE album 'The Phantom'; the one with the scary "death mask" cover image).

In fact, were told DJ Oil (aka Lionel Corsini) has been working on this collection between 2007-2013 and it's a proper smorgasbord of Franco-Afro-futuristica house jazz Detroit hypnotic boogie; like a Sun Ra inspired Theo Parrish World album.

 

Like I say, it's quite a lot to get your head around, from the near 12 minute awesomeness of 'Ithaka Dancer' and the also lenghty 'Ashes In Namibia', 'Kwani And Ashes', 'Yaka Di Bongo' and the 'Garifunas Ley Del Fuego' featuring Ji Dru.

There's cosmic links to Frank Biyog's 'Radio Masoda' (Ji Dru for one) that was released earlier this year (see review HERE) but in truth, 'Rise Of A Cosmic Dancer' is a one-off that's out of this earth.

Artist: DJ Oil

Title: Rise Of A Cosmic Dance

Release date: 5th September, 2024

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number :  

Format :  Digital 

Review: Franck Biyong – Radio Masoda (Tangential Music)

Do you have the post-WOMAD blues?  Well, they're not going to last long when you tune into 'Radio Masoda' with Franck Biyong!

The Cameroonian guitarist, composer and singer releases his 20th album and be prepared for "the creator of the Afrolectric" getting deep with the traditional sounds of makossa, Afrobeat, Highlife, Congolese rumba and all things West African with elements of jazz, funk and rock.

"Makossa, as in 'Soul Makossa'?". Yes, the great Manu Dibango was Frank's mentor and there's some other big names that Frank's called upon from his Paris base, Tony Allen (RIP), vocalist Sandre Nkaké and the horns of Pat Thomas' Kwashibu Area Band.

And talking of Paris (Olympic City and all that), there's a touch of French jazz histoire in this album too (which isn't a great surprise) but 'Jela Kubwa Na Viboko' is so gentle and cooling it's an instant classic for me (very 'Nostalgie Ya Mboka' to my Resonance ears) along with 'Liwa Ya Wech'.

But most of the album is upbeat and 'Diamane Abele' is another dancefloor killer and 'Elephant Rumble' is exactly what it says on the tin.

I like the cover image as it's DJ/Soundsytem but it's a bit diceptive as it's an album for DJs, Paris or not!

Franck Biyong · Radio Masoda

Artist: Franck Biyong 

Title: Radio Masoda 

Release date: 3rd May, 2024

Label : Tangential Music,

Catalog Number : TAN0038ADG1

Format :  Digital 

Review: Dj Toner Q4rtet - Camina feat. Erik Truffaz (Tangential Music)

Dj Toner and Erik Truffaz go way back to their days as the Domestic Jazz Collective and the 2021 Dj Toner Q4rtet album, 'Blessed Are The Weird People' so how weird is the new single, 'Camina'?

As it's Easter, they'll be lots of 'Camina' talk this time of year; especially, Camino de Santiago (other relegious prilgrims are available).  But that's not what we'll,be thinking about here.

For fans of Swiss born Truffaz's jazz horn, who is not shy of working with 'weird' people like Murcof and Syl Johnson,  That's in addition to releasing his own music, like the 2007 album 'Arkhangelsk' and last years 'Rollin'', both on on Blue Note.  So he's got form mixing the jazz with the hip-hop; albeit, I did see him live some years ago with, at the time teen icon, Ed Harcourt!

And Erik's cool Miles Davis tone al la "we got the jazz"/MC Solaar suits Dj Toner's beats (also check out 'Affective Computing','Natural Love' and the Grandmaster Jazz supergroup, 'Free-Remix').

There's a new album promised, 'OutSide' with a further nine tracks; seems ideal for fans of DJ Shadow (but not his 'The Outsider' period); 'Camina' has got a touch of the southern Cal. Latin scratchin' and a walkin' about it.  

As Dj Toner (aka Antonio Herrera) himself might say, Cadizfornia Dreamin'.

More Dj Toner Q4rtet please. 

Artist: Dj Toner Q4rtet

Title: Camina feat Erik Truffaz 

Release date: 28th March, 2024

Label: Tangential Music

Catalog Number: Digital  

Review: Maya Blandy - B.I.B (JMJ Recordings)

Judging a release by it's cover artwork is a risky buisness but it's clear to see that Maya Blandy's 'B.I.B' is it's very classy act indeed.

Working with 50% of The Herbaliser (that's the Jake Wherry half and not the Ollie Teeba), this 'B.I.B' is trade mark Herbaliser "jazzy hip-hop" that's gone big band with a capital 'B' with the addition of the sultry vocals of Maya  who's definitely a young star at the start of her career (abeit, this is already her third single). 

'B.I.B' is the 'clean' version as it stands for 'Bitch In Black' and has more of a Amy Winehouse vibe that the more poppy previous single 'Stardust' just to show-off how versatile she is.

I like a full blown jazz big band as much as Mr. Wherry by the sounds of these tracks and it's good to see the arrangements were by trombonist, Trevor Mires who's been part of some hugely influence jazz combos like Examples Of Twelves, The Heritage Ochestra, Ben Lamdin's Nostalgia 77 Octet, The Rhythmagic Orchestra and Incognitio to name just a few.

I'm sure there's potentially a re-visit to a 'Something Wicked' (an old Herbaliser track) haunted house dub (well, it is that time of year) but the original here is close to perfect as it - very recommended!  

P.S. 'Stardust' the album is due early in 2024.

Artist: Maya Blandy 

Title: B.I.B

Release date: 24th November, 2023

Label: JMJ Recordings

Cat. No: JMJ00004

Format: Digital / Bandcamp / Kudos