Review: Rick Clarke - Guess Who (Freestyle Records)

Well, we all love a rare, private press, white label but even by normal standards of exteme crate digging, this is a super find.

If you can remember 1992, in the UK, Charts included The Brand New Heavies, Tina Turner, Diana Ross but not much in way of male vocals; Simply Red!  So when Rick Clarke decided to made a nine track album with some ladies mostly and drum machines (in their infancy at the time) he clearly had no idea that 30 years on his album of raw street funk/hip hop/go-go house sounds pretty unique!  
Apparently this was never released as he was in-deep contractually with Soul II Soul whose influence is most upfront on 'Gonna Make You Happy' featuring Jill Francis and 'Love Don't Strike Twice' featuring Easton.

Of course, London centric soul at the time was still heavily US influenced and it's heavy on influences like Luther Vandross, Shalamar, Sharon Redd and Street Sounds club culture. 
Must have been very frustrating for all involved that these performances hadn't been heard by a wider audience until now, especially on tracks like 'Fantasy' featuring Gina Foster (who went onto we a busy backing singer with Swing Out Sister) and 'Without You In My Life' featuring Delores (who we know nothing about).

'Show Me the Way' (featuring Mark Antonio) and 'Do What We Gotta Do' (featuring Delroy Dyer & Gina Foster) both could have been big singles even as they are now with the endearing lo-fi production; what would they have been like with the big Soul II Soul production?

It's now difficult to believe how big Soul II Soul were at one stage, even opening their own fashion shop outlet in Camden High Street at one stage (it didn't last long) but certainly indicating how much Jazzy B believed in his project; if not Clarke's. 

But at least when we now 'Guess Who' we know it's Rick Clarke and fair play to Freestyle Records for giving it a proper release and not trying to re-record it as it'll always sound unique.

Artist: Rick Clarke

Title: Guess Who

Catalog Number : FSRLP 142

Label : Freestyle Records

Format: LP / Digital

Release Date : 7th April, 2023

Review: Felix Laband - We Know Major Tom`s A Junkie (Frivolous Remix) / 5 Seconds Ago (Coldcut Just Say No Remix) (Compost Records)

So we know how good Felix Laband's album is that came out at the end of last year on Compost Records; 'The Soft White Hand' (see review HERE) and I speculated then that the remixed versions were likely to be very special; but I didn't expect Coldcut (yes, the Ninja Tune founders founders Matt Black and Jonathan More) have excelled themsleves.

Not to be outdone, Berlin based Canadian 

Daniel Gardner (aka Frivolous) has warped the already odd Bowie 'tribute track', 'We Know Major Tom`s A Junkie' into a rolling electronic OST/theme dancer; if there was going to be a remake of 'Funeral In Berlin', this one would meet the MI5 brief.

More are promised from the likes of Acid Pauli, DMX Krew and Shahrokh Dini on a "full release" on 28th April.

Artist: Felix Laband 

Title: The Soft White Hand Remix EP Part 1: We Know Major Tom`s A Junkie (Frivolous Remix) / 5 Seconds Ago (Coldcut Just Say No Remix)

Release date: 24th March, 2023

Label: Compost Records

Cat. No: CPT 614

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: MRSFLV - Beautiful Others (Be Adult Music)

No information on MRSFLV (Mrs FLV perhaps?) but what she's done for Be Adult Music is a couple of dreamy house tracks that needs your attention.

'Beautful Others' reflects the brilliant cover artwork as it incorporates some very hypnotic harp/guzheng (a kind of Chinese zither) vibe going on together with hints of Robert Miles/Eurythmics I suspect this could be a big summer hit (Ed. you heard it here first).

It would be nice to have instrumentals/dub but in absence of, 'Give Me' is another atmospheric house track that'll see in the sunset/sunrise on ya beach parties this year. 

Again, 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.

Be Adult Music · MRSFLV - Beautiful Others (Original Mix)

Artist: MRSFLV  

Title: Beautiful Others / Give Me

Release date: 3rd April, 2023

Label; Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM304

Review: David Kitt - Idiot Check (RE:WARM)

Don't be put off by the title as there's no idiots on this new album by David Kitt.

The Irish singer/songwriter (so perhaps that's pronouced 'Eejit Check') is currectly in the UK on his tour to promote the album.

You may already have heard the first single, 'Wishing Well' (that's the one with the grungy pedal sound on it) but is not typical of the album's other nine tracks.

Lucky to see him yesterday at the Bournemouth Re:Warm launch (video might be on the cards) and as he's recently converted as a fan of Neil Diamond (as much as a surprise to him as us), the excellence of his lyrics match his electric guitar, pedal effects and drum machine skills.

Listen out for 'Wexford Strawberries', 'Balances' and 'Waves Of Peace' and expect to see them on BBC 6 Music, folk-rock-chill-festivals (he's already on 'The Great Escape' - see listing below) playlist the whole album is great as it is his ninth album after all so he's no novice (people in the audience were already singing along!)

The vinyl (either silver or black versions), CDs or cassettes(!) will be available at the gigs (and bandcamp) and what with RE:WARMS' 'dance' connections, I'm guessing we'll be getting some remix versions later this year; the book is already showing James Alexander Bright/Bright & Findlay and Flying Mojito Brothers as favourites, but don't be surprised if Prosumer comes in as a long priced outsider!

UK Tour

31.03.31 Cardiff

01.04.23 Bournemouth, Bad Hand Coffee

02.04.23 Birmingham, Hare & Hounds

03.04.23 Manchester, YES

04.04.23 Leeds, Headrow House

05.04.23 Newcastle Upon Tyne, The Cluny

06.04.23 Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete's

07.04.23 Glasgow, Nice N Sleazy

10-13.05.23 The Great Escape Festival

14.05.23 Sheffield, Yellow Arch Studios

17.05.23 London, The Jazz Cafe with Jono McClee

Aritst: David Kitt

Title: Idiot Check

Release date: 31st March, 2023

Label: RE:WARM 

Cat. No: RE:WARM 014

Format: LP / CD / Cassette / Digital

Review: Kerrier Collective - Life Wants To Live (Colour & Pitch)

Colour & Pitch have had some stunning releases recently and if you think you know what you're going to expect, be in for a surprise as 'Life Wants To Live' by Kerrier Collective that you can be on the edge without falling over.

Kerrier Collective are a duo (Ben Tidy and Alfie Gidley) based in Cornwall and this instrumental featuring live horns from Polly Meyrick (it must be 'a thing' - also see George T's 'Automatic Self On Hold' featuring Joseph Malik) and it's got that post-"Kruder & Dorfmeister and Cinematic Orchestra's lovechild" trip-hop of Conic Rose that works so well.

And for the club, there's a remix from CoFlo (from the San Francisco Bay area, not Porthtowan) who mixes in a deep house tribal synth dubness to this in a flutey forest that's reminiscent of Osunlade/Yoruba.

How did they get together with Coflo? It was through their love of CoFlo's track 'Lux' (with a Kaidi Tatham remix) on Local Talk so hoping we're going to hear must more of these guys. 

Artist: Kerrier Collective

Title: Life Wants To Live EP

Release date: 31st March, 2023

Label:  Colour and Pitch

Catalog Number: CAP088

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Reveiw: Alina Bzhezhinska & HipHarpCollective - Fire (We Are The Horsemen Remix) (BBE Music)

If you were slightly perplexed by Alina's social media post this week, be perplexed no more as her fantastic cover version of 'Fire' (Alice Coltrane & Joe Henderson) gets a remix by DJ Harv (aka Harvinder Singh) and Sub One as 'We Are The Horsemen'.

It's going to be the jazzdance track of the year as it's got all things Dingwalls 'cosmic' about it as along with Alina on Harp, it features UK Jazzers of note Tony Kofi (sax) and Jay Phelps (Trumpet).

Taken from her second album 'Reflections' from last year, the whole was inspired by the jazz harpist elite of Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby with the spiritual wisdom of John Coltrane and the karma of the rescently departed Pharoah Sanders [RIP], the addition of the HipHarpCollective  provides for an album just as deep and varied that's more accessible too with a couple of well known jazz covers.

'Fire', 'Soul Vibrations' and a storming version of 'Afro Blue' counter the deepness of 'Alabama' and beauty of Ellington’s 'African Flower' form the rock of this album as this is very much a 'collective' band production. The strings are so atmospheric throughout and tracks like the funk/fusion influences on 'Sans End', 'Action Line' and there's two versions of 'Paris Sur le Toit'; an instrumental and vocal/rap Lady Sanity and Tom TheyThem that are beats perfect hip hop.

What with Amanda Whiting (Wales) and Alina (Ukraine-born, Warsaw Conservatoire-trained, London-based) both releasing jazz harp lead albums, this seems like a golden period for the instrument and the ladies in the footsteps of Dorothy and Alice; a land of make believe you might say - something to meditate about. 

Artist: Alina Bzhezhinska

Title: Fire (We Are The Horsemen Remix) 

Release date: 31st March, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : 

BBE716SDG3 / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review - Rosanna & Zélia – Baiao Da Luna (We Jazz Records)

You got me at "Brazilian reggae from rural Finland". What! 

This is such a fantastic find by We Jazz records as we've got a 7" with the Gilberto Gil's 'Extra (Brazilian Reggae)', the chill out tent/quiet lounge folk of 'Tonto Luar' and the 'traditional', 'Baiao Da Luna'.  

All far too short but if you are after so very rare Musica Popular Brasileira/Bossa a la Joyce/Nina Miranda/Gal Costa/Nara Leão,
Rosanna & Zelia is for you.

And, just too much to think these two were Finish  as they are, of course, from Brazil.

Playlisting and perfect to add to Mr Bongo's recent Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção release,  'Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei' (see review HERE)

 

Artist: Rosanna & Zélia

Title: Baiao Da Luna

Release date: 21st April, 2023

Label : We Jazz Records

Catalog Number : WJLP53 / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Bright & Findlay - NY Disco (Smile) (Athens Of The North)

This will bring a big smile to every face - especially those folks that can't get enough vintage synth disco funk that's on a yacht.  

Yeah, Bright & Findlay are at it again with a brand new single, 'NY Disco (Smile)' that's stripped to its machine drum Peechy-ness and just rocks.  

What about the b-side you say... will their be a 12"  mix? Will there be a Flying Mojito Bros Refrito?  Will there be a Hectic Extension?  Who knows, but for now, revel to this one and smile.  

If you need some background reading on James Alexander Bright, check out 'Tigers Roar (Flying Mojito Bros Refrito)' (review HERE) the orginal version of which Tom (he of Groove Armada) heard on the radio and which then brought the pair of them together to work on new material as Bright & Findlay.

Artist: Bright & Findlay

Title: NY Disco (Smile) 

Release date: 31st March, 2023

Label: Athens Of The North

Cat. No: 

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Beatkozina ft. Abirah Shah - Nusrat Passion (inc. Kiko Navarro Afroterraneo Remix) (Afroterraneo)

Fans of the last release on the Afroterraneo label, Kiko Navarro's 'You Take Over' featuring Nader Behravan that included an Osunlade remix (see review HERE) might think they'd know what they'd be getting with this latest release; but would they?

Well, they won't be surprised that this is an excellent couple of tracks that you'll want to hear again and again but whilst you may want to head for the Kiko remix to start with - hold on and get absorbed with the original version, not only because it's nearly 10 minutes long but it's got the "truly show-stopping performance" vocals of Abirah Shah.

This track is a glorious mix of Afro-Arabic-Indian subcontinent with deep house and as Kiko loves his spiritual Alice Coltrance/Tai Chi you can tell he's up for the remix.  If someone was to update ex-CAN member Holger Czukay's 1979 classic 'Persian Love', this would not be that far away.

Bearkozina formed out of Gregory Jouandon travelling from is London home to Marrakech where he met fellow multi-instrumentalist Marehdi Naami and this is there first release and is a tribute to internationally renowned performer of Qawwali (Sufis spiritual music), Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.  Not only is this a fitting tribute, both versions are totally dancefloor ready so be prepared to be surprised!

And featured on the latest Colour & Pitch Session with Sumsuch

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - March 2023

Artist: Beatkozina ft, Abirah Shah 

Title: Nusrat Passion (inc. Kiko Navarro Afroterraneo Remix) 

Release Date : 31st March, 2023

Catalog Number : AFTNE054 

Label : Afroterraneo

Format: 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

1. Nusrat Passion (9:16)

2. Nusrat Passion (inc. Kiko Navarro Afroterraneo Remix) (7:54)

Review: Twelve Caesars - California Sleaze EP (F*CLR Music)

We've got the follow-up to Wearing Shoes' EP, 'Never Pretend' on F*CLR [pronounced F.Star.Clear] and it's shows that as a label have got their finger on more than one pulse with Twelves Caesars' 'California Sleaze'.

It's odd that we've just had the Flying Mojito Bros "Refrito" version of 'Tigers Roar' by James Alexander Bright (review HERE)  and other West Coast soft rock "finds" (with BBE's compilation by Paul Hillery,'Once Again, We Are The Children Of The Sun') (review HERE) which is where 'California Slease' sits in vocal and instrumental versions.

Hardly surprising as the duo that is Twelve Caesars (aka Andrew Pipe and Stephen Ennever) cruise along Pacific Coast highway taking inspiration from Mahalia Jackson’s ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’ and Blind Willie Johnson ‘Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed’ plus a bit of Robert F Kennedy.

Well, there's a bit of a Weatherallisation to this as add to a sunny CS&N just a bit of dobro (I think it's a dobro - with slide?), added organ which just falls short of Ms Smith's, "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine" ('Glora'). 

Great artwork (as was their last release, 'Swan Fendered Mercury') but this time we've got to wait for the North Street West remix versions (really looking forward to see if they can match the 'Swan Fendered Mercury' dub with 'California Sleaze' with that organ and some added horns; it'll be brilliant).  Even now, if Charlie Gillett/John Peel were around today this would be high in their charts so I say it should be on yours too!

In the review of 'Never Pretend' I said, "lets have more from F*CLR" and they haven't let us down as this follows George T's 'Automatic Self On Hold' featuring Joseph Malik (review HERE).

Artist: Twelve Caesars 

Title: California Sleaze EP

Release date: 31st March, 2023

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : Digital / Bandcamp