Review: The Polyversal Souls - Sad Nile / Mam Pe'ela Su'ure (Philophon)

There are lots of Afro-infused releases for the dancefloor at the moment but one label that's a must to keep up to date with is the Berlin/Ghana based Philophon run by Max Weissenfeldt.

With their work at the "Joy Sound Studios" they've released some fantastic music over that past 10 years, mostly as 45 singles.

And this latest single is a dip into the past with The Polyversal Souls' 'Sad Nile' (taken from their 2015 debut album, 'Invisible Joy') that's been remastered and had some ethio-jazz tones added; Woody Herman meets Mulatu Astatke and who wouldn't want to hear that?

It definitely sounds more beefy than the original and on the b-side, in the same ball park, there's a instrumental version of Florence Adooni's 'Mam Pe'ela Su'ure' featuring the flute of Jimi Tenor who had been the musical figurehead of the label's jazzier side.  Watch out for those space synths too!

It's another 'must have' from this must have label but if you were going to push me to recommend other Philophon highlights (given that anything by Jimi Tenor is brilliant), anything by The Band Of Enlightenment, anything by Alogte Oho & His Sounds Of Joy and Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids (in addition to their more widely known releases on the Strut label) but you really can't go wrong.

Artist: The Polyversal Souls 

Title: Sad Nile / Mam Pe'ela Su'ure

Release date: 17th March, 2023

Label Philophon

Cat. No. : CPH45030

Review: Neenoo x Kaehla - Feel The Love (Adesso Music)

DJ/producer Neenoo has his first release on Adesso Music and it's got a massive middle eastern vibe on it plus the cool vocals of Kaehla.

Neenoo began his career in Lebanon at Beirut’s top clubs whilst Keahla is based in Dubai.

It would have been interesting to have had a taste of a remix but this is a big tune so we're definitely feeling the love for this one.

There's lots of this middle eastern / kasbah influence around at the moment so "stay tuned" and I'll update so we can get a whole set together.

Artist: Neenoo x Kaehla

Title: Feel The Love

Release date: 17th March, 2023

Label : Adesso Music

Catalog Number : AM27/WP1467 / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Kerkko Koskinen, Linda Fredriksson & UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra - Agatha 2 (Ricky-Tick/We Jazz Records)

Regular readers will know of our love of all things Finnish Jazz from the 60s to the present and particularly the Ricky-Tick 'golden era'. So how excited were we to hear the We Jazz has done the incredible and got a "modern" big band in the studio to do a new version of Kerkko Koskinen's 2007 album 'Agatha'; now updated to 'Agatha 2'. 

And whilst it heavily features Linda Fredriksson on sax, the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra is a really big 'Big Band'. Now, don't be put off by that title as 'Big Band' is associated with Chazza Shop cheapos [as ever though, look hard enough and you'll find retro revivals of jazz swing: are you ready for a Big Band Bash with the Brighton Jazz Mafia Big Band, The Boogie Bumpers, The Swing Ninjas, Big R Big Band, The Devil's Cut Combo, Miss Annie & The Midnight Shift - I digress but you get the idea].

That said, you'll not find much of a dance as this is more Lalo Schfrin, Gil Evans big band like the prancing 'Piana' or the piano led, 'Mare' or the climax of 'Quiberon'. As you can tell from the cover, there's a hint of “horse” about this (like the saxophone “neighing” on 'Anime') and it's that type of OST soundtrack to a horse Olympics/dressage/show jumping but with jazz and a big bit of nostalgia for the old times. It's a bit of a stretch on first listen and strangely the first 'Agatha' (featuring the 'Miles of the North, Verneri Pohjola) from 2007 didn't feature images of horses on the cover at all!

And in view of the variety of jazz that came out on Ricky-Tick and that this is the first release for over 10 years, it's a big hug and a "welcome back" from all jazz fans.

It would be a bit far to say that this is like a big version of Antti Lötjönen's Quintet East (album out last month on We Jazz, 'Circus/Citadel' review HERE) but perhaps bigger is better?

Artist: Kerkko Koskinen, Linda Fredriksson & UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra

Title: Agatha 2

Release date: 17th March, 2023

Label : We Jazz Records

Catalog Number : WJLP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Pippo D'Ambrosio - Beyond The Sky (A.MA Records)

I'm told 2023 has lots of significant astronomical events for us, including solar eclipses, meteor showers, a bright comet passing the Earth and many more but here at YATM, we're looking at 'Beyond The Sky' by Italian drummer/percussionist, Pippo D'Ambrosio.

Pippo has appeared on many albums but this is his follow up to his 'A Peaceful Place' (2020) album and it's also based on a concept, this time inspired by man's relationship with the greater Universe.

But don't exect any Sun Ra 'out there' jazz, although ('Andromeda' does go a bit synthy spacey) as this is a generally laid back jazz album with strong modern influences with elements of fusion and broken beat.

Whilst D'Ambrosio is the leader, this is not all drums to the fore (but watch out for 'Halle Bop' that has a brilliant intro) as he's joined in the band by Eugenio Macchia (Piano / Electric Piano / Synthesizer), Gaetano Partipilo (Alto Saxophone) and Giorgio Vendola (Double Bass).  In fact, the opening track 'Milky Way' sets the tone in a gentle magnetude that defines space.  

Tracks like 'Milky Way' and 'Sirio' stand out where Macchia and Gaetano make the set sound like a simple Weather Report (Ed. I see what I did there?) but where it works best is tracks like 'Aquarius' and 'Hydra' where everyone contributes to make the total more than the sum of the parts. 

That said, 'Cassiopea' (nothing to do with the 70s jazz funk band 'Casiopea' from Japan) and 'Alioth' are the two longest tracks and both 'explore' the jazzways in a deep way; in fact, 'Cassiopea' has got at touch of the We Jazz vs. Herbie Hancock vs. reggae going on and with that bassline/synths and soul organ, I wonder if the Elber Phillips is thinking of a remix at the reforge?

There's no obvious 'big bang' track here (apart from the brilliant 'Cassipea') so it's a bit different from other releases on the label from last year, like Enrico Bracco's 'Flying In A Box' (review HERE), Davide Peluso Quartet's 'The Blue Zone' (review HERE) and Antonio Trinchera's 'The Tractor And The Child' (review HERE) but it certainly gives more on repeated listens.

Artist: Pippo D'Ambrosio  

Title: Beyond The Sky

Release date: 15th March, 2023

Label : A.MA Reforged / A.MA Records

Catalog Number : CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

 

Review: Vincenzo - Extrasolar / The Witching Hour (Be Adult Music)

If you like it deep, you've probably called the toll free number 1-800-Vincenzo and now he's back. 

All grown up on Be Adult with this release as it's not just solar, it's 'Extrasolar'.

This is where there's synth based space travel to the beach is ready for the Ibiza sun whilst on the 'b-side',  'The Witching Hour' is like a race to a deeper Detroit with big synth bounce.

Following on from the recent compilation '7 Anniversary' (see review HERE), this release shows no sign of any itching problem areas in their relationships with the deep house music producer community so expect another big year for Be Adult.

Artist:  Vincenzo 

Title: Extrasolar  

Release date: 13th March, 2023

Label; Be Adult Music 

Catalog Number: BAM301

Review: The Descendants ft. Mazen Bedwei - Telling Lies (F*CLR Records)

The Descendants 'Telling Lies' featuring the vocals of Mazen Bedwei on F*CLR Records is so good! And I'm not lying.

When I said, "lets have more from F*CLR [pronounced F.Star.Clear]" when reviewing Wearing Shoes' EP, 'Never Pretend' (review HERE), I didn't think we'd hear so quickly or with such a different sound!

'Telling Lies' is full-on with big strings (as if we're going to go disco), post Italo-piano, a little bit of dubby echo and massive soulful vocals that's as good as any UK club scene from Acid Jazz onwards. 

In fact, this is so good the instrumental version will kill you with the strings alone; if you're lying by a pool at sunset, you'll get ya boogie bathers on when the DJ plays this one for some deep end action.

The name, The Decendants, comes from the fact that this a a family affair with Johnny 'Primed' Cooper, his son Matt & Jeff Cooper.  All have been involved with music for a long time; from Incognito to Outside (D'n'B) to Mazen being on tour with Leroy Hudson.

You might think that this would tend to be derivative but F*CLR those thoughts and get busy with this.  

And rumour has it that some monster remixes are on there way so prepare yourself with these original versions.

Artist: The Descendants ft. Mazen Bedwei 

Title: Telling Lies EP

Release date: 10th March, 2023

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : FCLR017 Digital / Bandcamp

Review: EMAMKAY – Love Is Energy (STY TRU BTS)

Hot on the heels of the compilation by Kid Fonque released last week, 'Stay True Sounds Vol.5' (review HERE) we get the long awaited album by EMAMKAY on the sub-label, STY TRU BTS.

We've already had two great singles with 'When The Sun Rises' (review HERE) and 'Sense' (review HERE) but all the ten tracks are fantastic.

EMAMKAY (MC/piano/keyboards) is part of the Sounds Like U Quintet with Jeffery Mahachi (d), Michael Nkuna (trumpet) with Bokang Ramatlapeng on vocals

We know the band touch our inner D'Angelo/Dilla/Flying Lotus or even a little Sa-Ra Creative Partners or even Carlos Niño & Friends/Georgia Anne Muldrow. 

In fact, this album seems like a small scale Build An Ark as he says his project tells "a story about how this energy fuels us to go the extra mile. The great lengths we go to because of love..."  What with the array of contact's Kid Fonque has, perhaps Southern Africa will be a revival of Sounds Of L.A./Dublab from the early 00s.

Well, we love the tracks 'Love Is Movement', 'Love Is', 'Love Is Energy' and 'Kuumba A Creator's Spirit' (as supported by DJs Bob Hill, Andy Garvey and more) as the 'live' jazz gig makes this collection special.

With the recent tragic loss of one of the founders of conscious hip-hop, De La Soul's David Jolicoeur (aka Plug 2/Trugoy The Dove) it's more than timely that there's a new guard ready to keep jazz-rap mellow and full of love.

Artist: EMAMKAY

Title: Love Is Energy

Release date: 31st March, 2023

Label : STY TRU BTS (Stay True Sounds)

Catalog Number : STB022 Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Bantu Spaceship - Bantu Spaceship (Nyami Nyami Records)

You can forget those commerical space flighs and spy balloons, here's the Bantu Spaceship that's ready to take off on Nyami Nyami Records.

This has a swing of David Waters Afro-Carib-soul whilst not travelling too far from Zimbabwe's original  sounds only to bounce to the New Order/"Donna" summer disco synth of 'Bantu Cakes'.

Really like the humour 'Mqibelo (A Prayer For The Weekend) featurig the rap of Kwela Sekele and the great artwork as it reflects the sometime ancient roots to the music.
When there's a mix of old and new (most notably on the dubby Misava (The Arrival) and 'Journey to Misava' featurig Thandi Ntuli, you can hear the link tot he spiritual Sun Ra/Coltranes/Sanders etc. 
And you can see why veteran of the South Africa scene, Kid Fonque (who we've most recently seen finding new African music on EMAMKAY 'When The Sun Rises (review HERE) would want to get his hands on a house remix and you get three versions, the remix, club remix and radio edit so that you get your monies worth. 

Expect to hear this on Colour & Pitch's February radio show with Will Sumsuch and Andy Garvey's future shows (which we discussed on the review of another "discovey", Thakzin & Ray T's 'Don't Let Me See' on Foliage (review HERE).

We featured the single, 'Bantu Electro Sungura' back in January but we didn't expect such a varied album as this.  Especially as the 'Bantu Spaceship' has already been dubbed, "New Jit Wave", YATM is saying this Afro-futursm has no boundaries. 

P.S. Great artwork. 

Artist: Bantu Spaceship 

Title: Bantu Spaceship 

Release date: 10th March, 2023

Label : Nyami Nyami Records

Catalog Number : NNR014 / Bandcamp

Review: Isao Suzuki, Masahiko Togashi, Hideo Ichikawa, Akira Shiomoto – Approach (BBE Music)

After the mighty Digger's Dozen compilation by DJ Muro, BBE return to the apparently never ending treasure trove of the Tony Higgins / Mike Pedon finds for re-issue on the highly-acclaimed J-Jazz Masterclass Series.

This time we've gone all the way back to 1986 for the album called 'Approach'.  Mostly as a trio, as indicated by the cover artwork, Hideo Ichikawa (piano), Isao Suzuki (b) and Masahiko Togashi (percussion/drums) are joined on two tracks by Akira Shiomoto on guitar. 

Such a shame Suzuki passed away last year aged 89 so as not to see the re-issue  but can he feel the vibrations of his bass wherever he may be?  This guy spent many years in the U.S. playing with the likes of Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, and many more.

You can hear such influences in the Bob James like 'Otari' which Suzuki dominates with Ichikawa in an 80s 'SOAP' theme style.  This is in total contrast to their 'free' jazz of 'Tornado' as a duo of Ichikawa and Togashi.

At the other extreme, before Afro-minimal jazz house was thought off, the 11 minutes of 'East Words' is not long enough and frustratingly gets a faded out at the end.  'Long Straight Road' is similar but with Ichikawa and Suzuki duelling ontop of Togashi; again another track faded out short.

The opener 'Make Trip' is more 'traditonal' J-Jazz jazzdance with Akira doing his "Larry Coryell"  after a gentle introduction so it doesn't really prepare you for the variety of the album; 'Mysterious' is just that, the bass is bowed and sounds like there's an A. Christie/P.G. Wodehouse 30s dectective going on with Akira on gentle bossa groove duty - odd and mesmerising at the same time. 

For those that follow Mike 'bacoso' Pedon, you'll know that he recently appeared at the launch of 'Come Sunday' at the Café Artum, Hockley, Birmingham with a vinyl only jazz session (I hope he played 'East Words') so it's really good that this music is reaching ears outside of the usual 'jazzdance' enclaves. 

For an album with only 6 tracks, this sure packs a punch and you'll find that your favourite track changes on every listen; it's just fantastic and so hard to believe it was recorded in 1986 as its timeless.

Artist: Isao Suzuki, Masahiko Togashi, Hideo Ichikawa, Akira Shiomoto

Title: Approach

Release date: 10th March, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE710 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Lukas Traxel - One-Eyed Daruma (We Jazz Records)

On first hearing you're thinkging that there's lots in common with Antti Lötjönen's Quintet East 'Circus​/​Citadel' with its avant garde atmosphere.  But hang on, this is only a trio! 

If you're into We Jazz' Y-OTIS and Koma Saxo as on sax there's tenor saxophonist Otis Sandsjö who joins Traxel (bass) and drummer Moritz Baumgärtner (of Melt Trio). 

From the gentleness of 'Transience' to the manic brilliance of 'Origami', one fold short of a traditional paper crane, this is a deep album that revels in its own somber/sober mélancolie (Lukas is Swiss if it helps).

It's incredible that there are still tapes of Albert Ayler in a trio still being released and if you're a fan, get this debut album as it will not disappoint.

And if you happen to be in Helsinki this summer don't forget the Odysseus Festival on 21-23 July that will include many of your We Jazz favourite acts.

Artist: Lukas Traxel 

Title: One-Eyed Daruma

Release date: 10^th March, 2023

Label : We Jazz Records

Catalog Number : WJLP45/ CD / Digital / Bandcamp