Review: Bolbec - Victime De l'aube (Batov Records)

Multi-instrumentalists Axel Concato and Barth Corbelet are Bolbec and as they've been friends from childhood, this album is crammed full of influences, a 'Victime De l'aube' youloung might say

This is an album that deep in the OST world of Piero Piccioni, Michel Legrand or Jonny Trunk's favourite, Basil Kirchin with a more than healthy dollop of library.

If you'd come across a track like 'Feuille D'orage' in a diggers vault you'd have to pay a hefty some to get your rare bossa flute gang banjo hands on it; worth the price of the album in itself.

Even then there's 'Vengeance Tropicale' for some Herb Alpert-ish jazz shuffle for a Sunday Afternoon or even they title tracks which is a strange blues walk al a Horace Silver meets Mark Murphy as an instrumental (wonder if someone will let it slip any of these in the Dingwalls 'tent' at WeHowHere Festival).

But there's 9 other tracks that are out there from the 70s synth pop-corn theme of 'Rue Nue',  the childrens TV theme of 'Funaise' or lost in a rain forest, 'En Bermuda'; it all sounds so familiar yet it's new!

The duo are supported by the rhythm section of Nostalgia 77 (still love 'The Lonliest Flower In The Village; see review HERE) but as always with such albums, great tracks like 'Nuitée' and 'À L'instar Du Flair', whilst beatifully formed, just seem a little short.

As you can tell, it's a lot to the leftfield of Batov Records 'traditional' Middle Eastern Sounds but If you know your Bruton from your KPM's, this is the must have album of the summer.

Artist: Bolbec

Title:  Victime De l'aube 

Release date: 9th August, 2024

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR101

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

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Review: Piero Scratch - Cumbia E.P. (Incl. Manu P & Andrea Rubolini + Marco Bartolucci & Mattia Minelli Remixes) (The Cage Music)

The Euro's may be over from some nations but we can still get down to some deep bouncy 'Cumbia' that's hot and firey in a couldron of electronic dance.

Here is DJ Manu P (head honcho of The Cage Music, Italy) that's got to grips with this track, 'Cumbia' by Piero Scratch that's full of Italian synth-boogie with a mesmerising vocal.

And there's two remixes! First up, the Manu P & Andrea Rubolini take the synths out for a Ferrari spin on Imola.  Then the Marco Bartolucci & Mattia Minelli just goes foot to the floor with the driving beat in top gear.

It's going to ingnite dancefloors as it's House with a bit of Italo-rap and Jack influences.

 

Artist: Piero Scratch

Title:  Cumbia E.P. (Incl. Manu P & Andrea Rubolini + Marco Bartolucci & Mattia Minelli Remixes) 

Release date: 9th August, 2024

Label : The Cage Music

Catalog Number : -

Format: 7" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Lucky Sun - Remember / Warm Breeze (Lucky Sun Recordings)

Lucky Sun Recordings are ready for the beach this August with a bikini of a release for some hot times.

Hard to believe it's been nearly six months since the summer started with Lucky Sun's last release on his own label, 'Falling Fool' featuring Jaidene Veda (see review
HERE) and you'll remember those remixes (see review HERE); Yse Saint Laur'Ant is still turning heads!

Up top, 'Remember' has lots of swirling synths with a deep, almost dub like bass that grooves gets all echoy around the shoreline caves which then 'explodes' with some 'soft' acid!

It's addictive and if you're used to warm-up sets or the main room it's one to have in your box.  And talking of warm, the bottom half of the release, so to speak, is a track called 'Warm Breeze' and it's heavy at the deep end with a jazz-lounge-italo-disc.o-synth fusion thing going on - more than a snappy tune I'd say.

Whether you have seaside memories with Lucky Sun (and Mr. Sumsuch - see review HERE), this is so good, I don't think a remix could improve it!

Artist: Lucky Sun 

Title: Remember / Warm Breeze

Release date: 2nd August, 2024

Label : Lucky Sun Recordings

Catalog Number : LSR037

Format: Digital  

Review: SOYUZ featuring Asha Puthli & Sven Wunder - 'Spring Has Sprung' (Mr Bongo)

You need this!

Of course we've been looking forward to Mr Bongo's Record Club Vol 7 ever since Vol. 6 came out (see reveiw HERE) but when you have a track that features Asha Puthli (Asian space disco queen) and king of a modern dancefloor, Stockholm's Sven Wunder on a track by fan of both SOYUZ, you know 'Spring Has Sprung'.

Lush spiritual disco Swedish OST and you've got the idea.

Asha has been giging all over Europe and you may have seen her at Glastonbury and there's We Out Here Festival to come soon (can't wait).  And not only that, Mr Bongo are re-issuing her 'The Devil Is Loose' LP on gold vinyl no less later in the year!

Full album release in October.

Artist: SOYUZ featuring Asha Puthli & Sven Wunder 

Title: Spring Has Sprung 

Release date: 2nd August, 2024 

Label : Mr Bongo 

Catalog Number : MRB304BTI19

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Jabzz Dimitri, Korie Minors, Tabia, Nokwazi – Makukhanye (incl. Aytiwan & Afro Brotherz Remixes) (Deep In Your Soul)

Deep In Your Soul have dug deep into the future of Afro-spirited house with three versions of 'Makukhanye'.

If your still on the Aytiwan & Kaudron & Nes Mburu collaboration on 'Es Vedra' (with the  Chaleee Remix - see review HERE), or anything to do with Aytiwan to be honest (also see HERE), you'll be excited to here that Deep In Your Soul have gone the extra mile after the original version with the atmospheric vocals of Tabia and Nokwazi with some mesmerizing beats and Serengeti synths.

There's two remixes, one from Belgian's Aytiwan (that get a European piano house tilt with some added percussion) and the duo known as the Afro Brotherz who take a 3step approach! (one for the adventurous will a cut-down shuffle).

If you're looking for some futuristic Afro-house designs, try today's 'Yeke, Yeke'.

Artist: Jabzz Dimitri, Korie Minors, Tabia, Nokwazi 

Title: Makukhanye (incl. Aytiwan & Afro Brotherz Remixes)  

Release date: 2nd August, 2024

Label : Deep In Your Soul

Catalog Number : DIYS044 

Format: Digital 

Review: Peter Gall - Love Avatar / Echoes Of A Dystopian World (Compost Records)

It's not love actually, it's better that that with 'Love Avatar' as Peter Gall does it in his own name.

Similar in format to Michael Reinboth's single 'Let The Spirit' / 'RS6 Avant' (see review HERE) but totally different in approach as drummer/composer Peter Gall gets ready for the album, 'Love Avcatar'.

The title track is a brilliant take on 60s Blue Note jazz/fusion for a nu-jazz/broken generation for fans of Herbie Hancock in the 70s. It's that whimiscal/clever.

'Echoes Of A Dystopian World' is just that as it's got the depth of a OST and a live jazz gig; i.e. it's special.

Peter's worked in the past with Max Herre (see review HERE), Roberto di Giola (see review HERE) and some pretty popular bands as one of the best drummers in Germany so there's a big buzz for the follow-up to his debut album, 'Paradox Dreambox'.

Put it in your diaries, the album ' Love Avatar' is out on 27th September

Artist: Peter Gall

Title: Love Avatar / Echoes Of A Dystopian World

Release date: 2nd August, 2024

Label: Compost Records

Cat. No: CPT 635-5

Format:Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Midnight Workouts - Losing Me (Be Adult Music)

Time to get fit with Be Adult Music's latest, Midnight Workouts as they are 'Losing Me'.

We've been sailing around this islands with Julian Marazuela's 'Seven Islands' (see review HERE) so it's now time to get excited with 4 different versions of this track that features the the vocals of Eva Essa.

The original is typically dreamy and you've got a choice of three variations with remixes by Nikos Diamantopoulos (another sailing style in the sun), Mauro B (it's a clever one this), and the ever reliably outstanding St Ego. 

Don't lose out and get deep with these four as none will disappoint and you don't want to lose out as we peak this summer.

Artist: Midnight Workouts

Title: Losing Me (Original with remixes Nikos Diamantopoulos, Mauro B,St.Ego)

Release date: 1st August, 2024

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM373

Format: Digital / Bandcamp.

Review: Yuu Udagawa - Ride It / Set Me Sneakers (Remixes by JKriv & Fred Everything) (Compost Records)

"Going the extra mile" is such an over used phrase these day, it often doesn't cover the first step; Compost Records ain't like that though as Yuu Udagawa's new single, 'Ride It' / 'The Peaceful Dawn' has a trio of remixes by three of our favourites on the knob twiddles: JKriv, Fred Everything, Manuel Tur.

You can tell from the cover that this is special as Yuu's jazzy keys feel like an update of Herbie Hancock and Bugge Wesseltoft combined for clubland cool on both tracks

The incredible 'Set Me Sneakers' (think that might be missing a 'free' at the end) as it grooves for nearly eight minutes and the lead track, 'Ride It' with the remixes by JKriv and Fred Everything (fresh from his Lazy Days release of 'Never' with Robert Owens and Osunlade and Waajeed remixes (see review HERE).

'Ride It' certainly has that West Coast freeway about it with sexy dawn whispers that's just disco enough for JKriv (who we know from Detroit's Rocksteady Disco label with main man Peter Croce; but he's just as likely to turn up on Razor 'n' Tape, BBE or Defected) to give it more depth to groove too.

The Fred Everything mix take on the whispers and makes it more mainroom.

So what's this about Manuel Tur? Well, that's part 2 of this set with a track called 'The Peaceful Dawn' as Fred Everything's mate Mr Tur providing 2 remix variations; 'Octamix' and 'Deep Dub' for some big house.  That's not out until the 6th September but 'Ride It' will more than keep you entertained in the meantime.

Highlight of the summer so far!.

Note: Check the JKriv & Manuel Tur remixes on Colour & Pitch Sessions August mix (see below)

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

Artist: Yuu Udagawa 

Title: Ride It inc remixes by JKriv & Fred Everything

Release date: 26th July, 2024

Label: Compost Records

Cat. No: CPT 640

Format:Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

 Artist: Yuu Udagawa 

Title: The Peaceful Dawn (inc Remix Manuel Tur)

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label: Compost Records

Cat. No: CPT 641

Format:Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Emanative - Abstract Intuition (Home Planet Recordings)

For those avid Emanative watchers/listeners, here's the latest on the long awaited next release, 'Abstact Intuition' is out digitally on 30th July and vinyl out first week in September!

After the interview fellow London lover DJ Kobayashi (co-founder of Batov Records) on the B-Side Sessions show (Soho Radio - 14:00 to 16:00, Wednesdays - Dom Servini was on there the other week too!).

Of course we've seen Batov and Nick together before on Sandman Projet's remix release (see review HERE) (with Jessica Lauren) and back in April with the Yellowtail/Mark Murphy remix of 'Seasons In My Mind' (see review HERE) so we kinda know what to expect?

Well, the first thing to expect is some of the best known names in 'modern electronic jazz' being long-time musical partners Jessica Lauren (not wife) and Ben Hadwen (tenor sax, bass clarinet, flute) with Twm Dylan (upright bass), Peter Zummo (trombone), Sarathy Korwar (Tabla - he also featured on the 'Ominous Shanti' release), Magnus Mehta (Congas/percussion), Raimund Wong (Yamaha MT400/electronics) and Nick himself on drums/percussion (of course), vibes and synth.

This might only be 4 tracks, 'Spice Routes' (deep bass driven space jazz with Ben leading(?) the way with sax and bass clarinet as metaphorical walking sticks), 'Messimalism (Above Thought)' is the space-jazz-dub that you've always craved, 'Paradox' (not the challenge that you might expect as all the musicians push themselves deeper within a soup of gong baths) and the magnificent 'Pathways to Presence' but fans like the influencial DJs Patrick Forge and Michael Ruetten are lost for words to describe how good this is.

So you can tell Emanative is as much a band (family) as an individual and if you know your Art Enemble of Chicago from your Kahil El Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble to Amirtha Kidabi's Elder Ones (see review HERE) alond with th Coltrane's spiritual legacy, you'll get this immediately; especially the 18 minute long 'Pathways To Presence' that's includes all of the above and even dips into early Cinematic Orchestra vibe; that said, this is a "proper jazz walk to the cosmos".

This is perfect for the We Out Festival (next year Gilles?) but what with Nick's connections with the Sun Ra Arkestra and Tribe jazz royalty alumni, Ahmed Abdullah and Phil Ranelin, we have our own Carlos Niño & Friends, or could we rename the Emanative family an Emanumni?

The only thing that's missing is Nick's "real" wife of 25 years, Liz Elensky; lets hope that's not caused an argument. 

Artist:  Emanative

Title: Abstract Intuition

Release date: 30th July, 2024

Label: Home Planet Recordings

Catalog Number:

Format: LP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

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