Review: 77:78 - Love Said (Let's Go) (Wallace & Morris Rework) (Ramrock Red Records)

To say Ramrock HQ is on a roll at the moment would be somewhat of an understatement as we find that they've gone for a re-work of a favourite of the Balaeric white isle from 2018.

Did someone say, "white"? Well that's a bit of a misnomer as 77:78's origins are in The Bees from the Isle Of Wight!

Originally as side project The Bees members, Aaron Fletcher and Tim Parkin, 'Love Said (Let's Go)' was released on their album 'Jellies' on the Heavenly label and the remix was picked up by Ashley Beedle (who'd worked with Heavenly on many a remix including Edwyn Colins) and The Flying Mojito Bros got 'Chilli'; who themselves were an obvious choice with their love of 1960s country/psychedelic rock (and now they're heavily invovled wiht James Alexander Bright, see review HERE).

Anyway, back to the Wallace (Jo) and Morris (Darren) rework; prepare yourself, they've out remixed Beedle in this instance!  It's a shimmering version that touches the Zombies, "She's Not There', the keys are like the sunny side of The Doors, Hank's twanging guitar in the hillside with flirtations with Hong Kong Kung Fu OST all on a island beach.  

And these guys are so good, they've included the instrumental version.

It's No. 1 in my YATM Chart for May [on JUNODOWNLOAD] and I suspect it might be there for a while, unless Ramrock release anything else in the near future [Ed. Spoiler alert: yes they are!]

Artist: 77:78

Title: Love Said (Lets Go) (Wallace & Morris Rework) 

Release date: 8th May, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RBR037

Review: Batavia Collective - BTVC EP (R&S Records)

R&S Records are 'In Order To Dance' and they've been tracking down music that does that for forty years now.

So, if you see any vinyl with the black horse rampant on it, you can rest assure that your going to find something that'll move you body but you might not immediately think that's it's outside of an electronic, techno, house, breaks, drum 'n' bass style.  And this is more than true of the label's latest 'find', the Batavia Collective.

Based in Jakarta, the trio sound like they are trendy East London jazz nerds with some serious Herbie grooves that will get another Hoxton head throbbing for their 12".

Four tracks that are generally in a 'modern' Bob James meets jazzy hip-hop beats bruk kicks off with 'Senopati Shuffle' with those upfront jazzy keys is the opener.   'Interchanges' is named after their "jam" composition style, 'Riot On Friday' is the dubby one and 'Joni Indo' was the pre-release that got all the intitial attention.

All are ready for radio plays and this is a welcome signing for R&S as I'm guessing Batavia Collective could be the source of some very interesting remixes/re-inpretations - definitely ones to watch.

Artist: Batavia Collective 

Title: BTVC EP

Release date: 5th May, 2023

Label : R&S Records

Catalog Number : RS2301S1 

Format:  CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Eddie Logix - Flight Risk EP (Rocksteady Disco)

Fans of Detroit's Rocksteady Disco label have been looking forward to today to finally getting their hands on Eddie Logix's 4-track EP, 'Flight Risk'.

If you've ever been spanked on the dance floor by Jimmy "Bo" Horne or jazz carnivaled by Azymuth, 'Sky Dive' has some of the energy to keep you movin' all nite long. 

Label boss and bass player, Peter Croce, makes an appearance on 'Mount Juniper' and he's known for pleasing the "Flute Gang" (squad member No. 3 me, solid at the back end) and we get satifsfied with 'Home Suite' that's got a sexy sax solo to match the stuttering Latin beats - are those cop whistles at the end or is that East London in the house at the Lyceum?

If you've got the Sol Power All-stars tribute 12" to Cymande, 'Nyah-Rock' (also on Rocksteady Disco - see review HERE), you'll know that they know their Afrobeat and 'Missing Pixels' throws in some steel pans; could it be better than 'Sky Dive'?

I mentioned Mr PC adds bass to 'Mount Juniper' and there's some electric guitar from Tim Barrett so get ready for Balearic dub/bizzness on the shores of Lake Michigan with the "Flute Gang" getting on down.

On a cautionary note, real world sky diving is dangerous and should never be done to a soundtrack by Eddie Logix, but if you're out on the town and the DJ has this 12", you're going to be perfectly safe and not listed as a 'Flight Risk'.

Artist: Eddie Logix

Title: Flight Risk EP

Release date: 5th May, 2023

Label : Rocksteady Disco 

Catalog Number : Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Various Artists - The Jazz Room Vol. 2 compiled by Paul Murphy (BBE Music)

It seems more than apropriate that one of the most influence DJs in UK jazz history, that's Paul Murphy, picks a track by a band called Jazz Carnival (named after Azimuth's international hit) when news of the passing of Azimuth's drummer, Ivan "Mamão" Conti, reaches us as this compilation is released. 

And in keeping with influences, from Paul's own Jazz Room label, there's the brilliant Take Vibe 'take' of the Stranglers' 'Golden Brown' [and if you didn't know better, you'd swear it was Dave Brubeck: and worth tracking down the video which prooves it.  

Then there's Daniel Crawford's 'Water No Get Enemy' (the Fela Kuti 'standard') and the France's Florian Pellissier Quintet doing Harold McNair's classic 'The Hipster' [and they've done a cover of 'Jazz Carnival' in past!].  

But the intention of the compilation was that it was more of a DJ's musical support so it's packed with great tracks from old tracks like Clare Fischer's 'African Flutes' to The Stance Brothers or modern jazz dance ambassador, Chip Wickham.  

Paul can do no wrong in my book [so I'm biased], but there's absolutly nothing wrong with any of the tracks on this album so it's very recommended. 

Artist: Various Artists

Title: The Jazz Room Vol. 2 compiled by Paul Murphy

Release date: 5th May, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE678 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: LILAMORS - Slow Traveller / Home (Latenite Lounging)

LILAMORS is a trio consisting of German pianist Thilo Seevers, sound artist Jaka Arh and Slovenian vocalist Ana Čop.

The previous single 'Slow Traveller' I thought reflected an experimental, Norma Winstone, ECM vs. Jazzland Bugge Wesseltoft, Silje Nergaard as minimal Balearic electronica: which is definitely "Out there!" 

And releasing 'Home' is the counterbalance, as neo-classical piano minimalist.

The forthcoming album, 'When I Am Dead, My Dearest' (out 30th June), hints at a mix of the extremes with OST leanings. 

Last months' Colour & Pitch session mix started with their other single track 'Home' so great to see Sumsuch is up with this beautiful track.

Can't wait for the album to come out. 

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

Artist: LILAMORS

Title: When I Am Dead, My Dearest 

Release date: 28h April, 2023 

Label: Latenite Lounging

Cat. No: LNL012SDG2

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Enrico Le Noci - Electric Nuts (A. MA Records)

We're all a little bit nuts and this trio are electric!

A bit different for A. MA Records of late as it's an album by a jazz trio of Enrico Le Noci (guitar),  Matthijs Geerts (keybords/electric piano) and Egidio Gentile (drums)

The eight track album includes covers of classic 60s tunes 'Maiden Voyage' (Herbie Hancock) and 'Voodoo Child' (Jimi Hendrix Experience) with Freddie Hubbard's 'Sky Dive' (1972).

The original of 'Sky Dive' had an all-star CTI line up with George Benson on electric guitar before he achieved his international star status but it's easy to see where Enrico got some of his style from.

All the other tracks are Le Noci compositions with 'Eyes To See' (Geets being very Herbie) and the uptempo jazz dance shuffler, 'In The House' that's more Larry Coreyell fusion.

And in that classic US Pat Metheny downtempo groove, you'll find 'Nuts' (Ed. is that half a title track?) with guitar followed by synth noodling with modern "Hoxton" drumming and you're expecting/waiting for a Mahavisnu Orchestra explosion (which would have been a great Part 2) which doesn't arrive. But then it really works on 'Fantasia' in a growling Herbie-McLauglin way but why in two short parts and not too long tracks in their own rights?

With that said and you might says this is 'old school', they definitely find their own feet with 'CYSTE (Can You See The End)' (has someone been influenced by Thundercat?) and 'In The House', talking of feet, this one will move feet and turn heads.

The album ends with the three previously mentioned cover versions which are clearly much loved and revered by the band even though you've not heard any of these tracks like this before; 'Maiden Voyage' and 'Sky Dive' are going huge at the 'One O'clock Club' with the jazzheads.

Why Hendrix's track is 'Voodoo Chile' on all the label's is one for your own Google searches but getting back to 'Electric Nuts', that's an experience you won't want to miss.

Artist: Enrico Le Noci

Title: Electric Nuts

Release date: 28th April, 2023

Label : A.MA Reforged / A.MA Records

Catalog Number : CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Risk Assessment feat. Monica Blaire - It’s Not Right But It’s Okay (Foliage)

Many of you YATM fans will instantly recognise the title as being Whitney Houston's classic from 1999 that's been hit on by the UKG community ever since for it's 2-step swing vibe.

Well, you've got to be pretty brave to give it a cover version but Glyne Brathwaite aka Risk Assessment (from the UK) has produced a might fine version with the help of Monica Blaire (singer, songwriter and MC). 

And there's good reason Ms. Blaire was chosen for this track as she's worked with some of Detroit's best from Dwele, Vanessa Williams, Denaun Porter (D12), Waajeed (Platinum Pied Pipers) and Moodymann who produced her solo album, 'How To Dress Well In The Dark' that came out this month with contributions from Mike Patto and Toni Economides (as in Reel People's recent 'Love2' - see review HERE).

Foliage have a strong feeling for these things, remembering Thakzin & Ray T's 'Don’t Let Me See' (see review HERE) and you can expect this version of 'It’s Not Right But It’s Okay' in my set list for the next big gig on the south coast; flute gang be prepared as this is more than just, "Okay" with that fantastic marimba/African thumb piano sound that's a bit vibesy too along with these gospel vocals!

Artist: Risk Assessment feat. Monica Blaire 

Title: It’s Not Right But It’s Okay (Original/Radio/Instrumental)

Release date: 28h April, 2023 

Label: Foliage Records

Cat. No: FN087

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Felix Laband - The Soft White Hand Remix EP Part 1 (Compost Records)

So if you were more than happy to hear, 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 then two remixes, 'We Know Major Tom`s A Junkie (Frivolous Remix)' and '5 Seconds Ago (Coldcut Just Say No Remix)' (see review HERE) prepare yourself for the rest of Part 1!

I would not have thought 'They Call Me Shorty' would get such a couple of hypnotic dancers first by Acid Pauli and then DMX Krew; love 'em both.

Not to be outdone, Shahrokh Dini's 'Derek And Me' flips the "tail-cocking at convention genre" to a  deep house disco race [would also recommend Shahrokh Dini – Compost Black Label #149 – Remix EP]

On the digital bonus, there's an instrumental of '5 Seconds Ago (Coldcut Just Say No Remix)' which is a great addition for those knob fiddlers out there and DJs.

Hard to imagine where Part 2 will go but lets hope it's as good as Part 1 at least.

Artist: Felix Laband 

Title: The Soft White Hand Remix EP Part 1: 

Release date: 24th April, 2023

Label: Compost Records

Cat. No: CPT 614-1/-3

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Terry Callier – Hidden Conversations (RSD Edition) (Mr Bongo)

Never did I think that this years' Record Store Day would produce such a great re-release as Terry Callier's 'Hidden Conversations' album form 2009.

At the time, this was another "re-launch" of the master vocalist as it followed his appearance at the Massive Attack currated Meltdown Festival and the Bristol trip hop sound is all over these six tracks.

'Once I Dreamed Of Heaven' is Callier at this most Dwight Trible/Leon Thomas but the co-written with Robert Del Naja ‘Wings’ (sung rap?), ‘John Lee Hooker' (he doesn't sound like John Lee Hooker but it's as if he was there in the studio) and ‘Live With Me'.

This is a goosebumps album in a good way.  After his re-appearance from the 60s Prestige/Cadet/Elektra beginnings, working in a car factory was it, he had a whole new 90s generation of fans with five albums on Mr Bongo from 2001 until his untimely passing in 2012; 'Hidden Conversations' being his last album release.

Callier was regular at the Jazz Cafe and festivals and his easy, laid back style is more than here as he sounds 'live', like on the beginning of the title track.

Originally a CD only release it now comes out on black vinyl with new artwork and an OBI strip. Original hipster.

Artist: Terry Callier

Title: Hidden Conversations (RSD Edition)

Release date : 22nd April, 2023

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRB264

Format: LP / Bandcamp

Review: Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers - Interstate 75 (Ramrock Red Records)

If you've ever been motorvatin' on the U.S. Interstates, here's a musical postcard to bring

60s soul into today's electric car Detroit offramp.

You can reel off the influences here of Stax, Motown and Cadet along with pre-glam rock funk, R&B V1.0, James Brown (of course) and a touch of Prince, you'll be getting this from ya Bruick to ya Memphis horns.

And if you didn't think Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers could back-up the previous single, 'Can't Take The Fight' (see review HERE), well they are back in the ring ready to punch ya soul lights out; starting with the opener 'Ain't No Telling'.

In fact, all ten tracks are a funk 'n' soul battering (in a more than good way) as there's definitely the "protest" in here that was totally lost from "modern" music at one stage; "Fight the power" as they'd say.

But this isn't all retrospecitve 60s soul with Woodstock idealism, there's a sexy blue machine on the cover and it's leaving Detroit on the I75 (come on you TV exec producers, there's a soul-umentary here following the boys on tour down to Miami, Florida, Georgia and the rest) and don't forget there's a single version out there with an instrumental.

You don't have to be a fan of Downtown Soulville to love 'Good Lovin' (love the the big horns and "loud" electric guitar solo) or the ballad 'Hurt Walks Out Of The Door'; but if you are, you're going to be shocked that 'If You See My Baby' isn't a long lost 45 on ATCO/Sue or similar.

Whilst the revival of Northern Soul never ends, this is old soul/funk/rock and is now now; and we need more.  And, talking of Northern Soul, Marcus was once a member of Mitch Rider's band 'Detroit Wheels'(!) so even stranger that he and Dan Smith (one time of The Noisettes) met in a Croydon club (that's Croydon, S. London not Croydon, Penn State).

This album has come out just in time for some holiday get away soundtrack and once you've heard Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers, they ain't never going to leave you... well they might if that blue Bruick has half a tank of gas in it.

Artist: Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers

Title: Interstate 75 

Release date: 21st April, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRRLP008