Review: Jonson, Jonson & Jonson - Keep Falling For It (Ramrock Blue Records)

It's like waiting for a Jonson, like a London bus phenomenon, three come along all at once - and boy/girl, will you keep falling for this one!
 

It's rare for a Ramrock Blue release these days, you have to go back to last April for The Descendants featuring Mazen Bedwei 'Telling Lies EP' (see review HERE) and Eeskra's 'Belong EP' (see review HERE) but as soon as you here the start of both/either/and/or of the vocal and instrumental versions of 'Keep Falling For It', you'll know that it's been worth the wait.

The 'Blue' imprint of Ramrock is for their soul releases but this is deeper than blue, more Marvin than Marvin; like Marvin, Marvin & Marvin you might (but won't) say!  

I'm not sure if it's disappointing to find out the vocals are by Joe Cang and not Joe Jonson (not the snooker player) but it's hard to reconsile that this track wasn't recorded in some Motown studio in the 70s as, apart from Joe on vocals and bass, it's just Danny Schogger (piano) and Phill Thornalley (drums) because this is so soulfully lush.

Get it on people as this is going on repeat, repeat and repeat so expect to see the group picking up industry awards for this one with thier proud mother, Mrs Ramrock (Jo Wallace) next to them.

Artist: Jonson, Jonson & Jonson 

Title:  Keep Falling For It 

Release date: 9th September, 2024

Label: Ramrock Blue Records

Cat. No: RBR023

Review: New King - Summer Sun (Mr Bassio Vocal + Vocal Lite Remixes + TOSS Remix) (Ramrock Red Records)

If there ares any sun kings out there, beware, there's a New King in town and about to be crowned!

Regular readers will know that we've been closely following the progress of the New King's 'Summer Sun' releases (see review HERE for the Original with a D.Foe remix and HERE for the Stefano De Santos Remix).  Now the Bank Holiday has passed and the kids are back at skool, is this the best of the triptych?

Well, trippy this triptych is and I've been saying, "New King are Rob Clydesdale and Mark Daniels from D.Foe, featuring the amazingly ethereal vocalist, Noah and Ruben Campos" and these vocals and Ruben's flamenco guitar expertise comes to the fore on Mr. Basso two vocal versions as it's out-there to D.Foe's "Balearic dub".

T.O.S.S does take them all into a main room beach environment where the summer sunburns are re-heated.

Some think that the Ramrock family should do a 3-part release for all thier works (but not Joe Probert's 'Hold Up' that came out recently - see review HERE) and I'd say all three of these releases are proof of that.

PS. Many will have seen the support Ramrock's "Daddy" Ashley Beedle has received this week and the GOFUNDME campaign; equally, if you feel like X-Press 2 to support by choosing 'music', this is another way, especially on a Bandcamp Friday.

ASHLEY BEEDLE’S FUNDRAISER FOR URGENT HELP AND ONGOING CARE HERE

Artist: New King

Title: Summer Sun EP (Mr Bassio Vocal + Vocal Lite Remixes + TOSS Remix) 

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR069

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Masahiko Satoh, Takeo Moriyama, Leon Brichard and ldris Rahman - Live At Café OTO (BBE Music)

The 'Live' jazz album has had quite a few detractors in the past, but 'Live At Café OTO' is the exception - no rules to prove for this quartet as it's an exceptional performance.

Not everyone is lucky enought to have a niche leftfield jazz cafe on their doorstep so for those that missed the quartet of Masahiko Satoh (pianist/composer), Takeo Moriyama (drums), Leon Brichard (bass) and Idris Rahman (sax) in trendy East London, this is 'THE' must have album this year.

You'll have spotted that the line-up included J-Jazz heavyweights Satoh and Moriyama; yes it's Moriyama - he of 'Live At Lovely's (see review HERE that's well include in the 'live' jazz album exception).

And when I say heavyweigh, we're talking Olympic standard as you'll need to roll with the punches of the first 10 minutes of 'Morning Snow' (these guys can certainly do it live with one take) which leads into a gentle as a snowflake second half: and this is just the first track!

'Ringo Oiwake' is not such an onslaught be Satoh and Moriyama work incredible well (or should that be 'free' in tandem.  Hardly surprising as they first performed free/modern jazz in Japan in the 60s.

'East Plants' features Idris who has been a leading light in the UK for decades himself from Ill Considered (with Brichard), The Soothsayers (and the Youthsayers pre-shoot) and (with his pianist sister Zoe) Jerry Dammers' Spatial A.K.A. Orchestra to name just three.

They all come together for a special version of Fumio Itabashi's 'Watarase' (with drum solo of course) and you can almost feel the atmosphere in the room on 'Other Worlds' (Rahman is magnificent).

The set ends as it sort of began with a group structured 'free' noise, 'Chiasma' that is reminiscent of the much missed Unsafe Festival of Improvised and Experimetal Music currated by Steve Harris (RIP) in Poole that was unfortuneately never recorded.

Café OTO is a frequent hang out of the best in the current UK jazz scene mix, such as another drummer Emanative (check out his latest album HERE) but at least this new album, Live At Café OTO, has captured such a truly magnificent gig for eternity. 

A must purchase and big thanks to Tony Higgins and Mike Peden who have championed the J-Jazz scene and don't forget their mush have book about all things J-Jazz (see review HERE) and don't forget there's another live album that's J-Jazz/Berlin, Aki Takase Trio's 'Song For Hope' (see review HERE) that was recorded in early 80s, where the renown pianist was joined by, you've guessed it, our man Takeo on drums.

Artist: Masahiko Satoh, Takeo Moriyama ft. Leon Brichard and ldris Rahman

Title:  Live At Café OTO

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE737

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Ishmael Ensemble - Rituals (Severn Songs)

The new sound of Bristol is with us with a Ishmael Ensemble's 'Ritual' which brings us a future dozen anthems.

Following the release of singles 'Madrid' / 'Dust' (see review HERE) and 'Ezekiel' / 'Fever Dream' (see review HERE) the album is finally with us with eight new tracks.

In truth, not sure why a number of the other tracks were chosen as singles like 'Blinded', 'Leviathan' and 'Grounded' at least; and I'm guessing that there's going to be lots of focus on 'Butterflies' that features the vocals of Holysseus Fly - see of 'Out Of The World' (see review HERE).

Expertly weaving indie, soul, jazz, psych, trip-hop, electronica, gospel and hints of dubstep/d'n'b (well it's Bristol after all), it's very BBC 6 Music friendly with fans including the main DJs Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Tom Ravenscroft, Mary Ann Hobbs being fans of their early work.

Founded by saxophonist/proudcer Pete Cunningham, 'Rituals' is a big jump up from the debut album 'A State Of Flow' which the Guardian hailed as an 'Album Of The Month' so expect even more praise for this one as UK/EU tours follow in October/November.

Artist: Ishmael Ensemble

Title: Rituals

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label: Severn Songs

Catalog Number: SEVS

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Miserez - Angelito EP (Ostowana)

Don't think this EP is as yogic as the cover but Ostowana have an eye for the sunrise/sunset tracks and here's two from Mizerez.

Sylvia, Sue and Laura (my favourite yoga teachers) are not fans of house, organic or otherwise, but the percussion and mantra on 'Aaya' is definitely more there sort of thing.

Hardly a downward dog more from last months' 'Handwork EP' by Arrumar but just as hypnotic.

Artist:  Miserez  

Title: Angelito EP , 

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST070

Format: Digital

Review: Mahuki - Gratitude (Independent)

Show some gratitude for the new album by Mahuki and certainly don't judge the record by the cover, this is not flat, grey or gloomy - quite the opposite!

So you know Edinburgh is known as the Granite city but soon it'll be also known as the home of the Scottish answer to the Ezra Collective vs. Soothsayers (or even Youthsayers, who were fantastic at WeOutHere Festival) and throw in a bit of Kneebody (remember their remix/cover of Daedelus' 'Platforming'?) all with a string section to your Afro-funkin' reggae-dub AWB jazz-rock!

'Obsolute Absolute Pt. 2' is an obvious starter to get you excited, back that up with 'Warrior Path' (no wonder Jazz FM's Dom Servini was a fan of this one when it came out as a single0 and the 70s TV Themesque 'Opening Credits': these guys are clearly immersed in many different genres and equally adept at arranging into their own sound.

The band are led by Honza Kourimsky and includes members on Nimbus Sextext (as in 'Impulsive' - see review HERE) and on the downtempo 'Presence' they are joined by the trumpet of James Brady. 

The centrepiece of the album is the fantastic 3-part title track and as good as corto.alto were at WeOutHere (saw them at the very packed Bawnswood stage), how good it would be if Mahuki were there next year with them?

There's a Bandcamp listening party on 5th September so that's the place to be (at 7PM GMT).

Artist: Mahuki
Title:  Gratitude
Release date: 6th September, 2024
Label :
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

 

Review: Joe Probert - Hold Up (Ramrock Red Records)

Ramrock's Jo Wallace knows you know after nailing down Bristolian Joe, now living in New Zealand, you can be sure this guy will hold up as a super talent.

Almost exactly a year since 'The Nose EP' (see review HERE) we thought that this guy was as funky as a mosquitos you know whats it but clearly he's also absorbed some of Joe Dukie's soul as he adopts more of that classic Motown soul soaked strings on 'Hold Up' (thats as equally impressive as vocals and instrumental versions)

Note, the label are adamant that there's no remixes or edits of these two tracks and you've got to admit, it's a perfect as it is.

This track has that type of impact of 'Sixteen With A Bullet' (Pete Wingfield) or 'I Can't Stand The Rain' (Ann Peebles) [kids, ask your grandparents] that shouts "MAGIC" at you!

Clearly the Ramrock team have done it again, amazing consistency release after release - we love 'em and Joe's album is going to have a huge impact.

Artist: Joe Probert

Title: Hold Up EP

Release date: 2nd September, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR066

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: New King - Summer Sun EP (Stefano De Santis Remix) (Ramrock Red Records)

Sun King's beware, there's a New King in town and about to be crowned!

Of course, a week is a long time in the reign of a New King because, just last week we were introduced to New King and their Summer Sun EP (Original Vocal + D.Foe Remix - see review HERE) and then we've got a Stefano De Santis take as vocal and instrumental versions.

You'll recall fellow "Ramrocker" Stefano from his 'Stick With Rhyme' and 'Unreachable Galaxy' releases (see review HERE) and he adds a layer of low down Latin jazz-funk shuffle and you get a vocal and instrumental version that's ready for a dancefloor warm-up.  

DJ Colin Curtis is a big fan of Stefano and he's worked with WheelUp too - Curtis and WheelUp where Djing in spiting distance of each other the other week at WeOutHere Festival so all of tthem know what get gets us on our feet.  

As you'll know, New King are Rob Clydesdale and Mark Daniels from D.Foe, featuring the amazingly ethereal vocalist, Noah and Ruben Campos.

So this is the 'middle' release of this 'Summer Sun' triptych so equally excited to hear the final installment..

Artist: New King

Title: Summer Sun EP (Stefano De Santis Remix) 

Release date: 30th August, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR068

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Natasha Kitty Katt - Synaptic Juice ft. Suki Soul (F*CLR Music)

Followers of Franko-Dracula dungeon house will have Natasha Kitty Katt's 'Synaptic Juice' on 24-hour syringe pumps from today as 'Synaptic Juice' featuring Suki Soul is released on F*CLR Music.

With both NKK and Suki drenched in disco/house/boogie, that juice is more than synapated on the dancefloor on both vocal and instrumental versions.

This week, "the Intergalactic Disco Vampire", herself was the featured Guestmix (#438) on SlothBoogie (see below) and this first since the 'Batt Danse EP' come out with Billy Wirth (see review HERE).

Natasha is more and more demand as a DJ too so expect more than just "beam me up, Scotty" reference when you see her out at Glitterbox, Ibiza etc [NB.‘Synaptic Juice’ is taken from an episode of ‘Star Trek – Voyager'] 

SlothBoogie · SlothBoogie Guestmix #438 - Natasha Kitty Katt

Artist:Natasha Kitty Katt ft. Suki Soul

Title: Synaptic Juice  

Release date: 30th August, 2024

Label: F*CLR Music

Cat. No: FCLR034

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: South London Samba - Tempo! (Biodiversity)

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South London Samba's five track EP, 'Tempo!' has all the umph of MDO in a super samba school south of the river.

There used to be a local samba band that used to play pre-match at Dean Court many years ago and at local events and they were always perfect to raise the sunshine spirits at the start and end of the season.   And as this new footie season starts, here's a project that'll get your feet a-movin'.

Some folks might think that there should be more cuíca in the band (apparently, it's harder to play than it looks) but this is south bank samba that's as much African influences and Brazilian.

They has been doing the festivals and led by Adam Ouissellat, they celebrate over 10 years since they formed.

This is hard school drumming; shame we can't organise a South London Samba vs. Magic Drum Orchestra drum off!  Or can we?

Artist: South London Samba  

Title:  Tempo! 
Release date: 30th August, 2024
Label : Biodiversity
Catalog Number : -

Format: Digital / Bandcamp