Review: Franck Biyong - Radio Masoda Remixed (Tangential Music)

Tangential Music are celebrating Fela Kuti's birthday today with a 4-track EP from Franck Biyong's album 'Radio Masoda', its like icing on the cake.

As fans of the album 'Radio Masoda' that came out back in May, (see review HERE) is supplemented with 'Jela Kubwa' remixed by Aint4perfect (getting a bit of a groovy slo-jam vibes), 'Oladipo' featuring Chief Udoh Essiet and Fela's co-hort at the  formation of Afrobeat Tony Allen (RIP) with a Yann Jankielewicz remix, 'Mbopi Road' (Max Doblhoff Remix) and the 'original' Aint4perfect / Franck Biyong track, 'London to Nairobi'.

Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome Kuti was born this day in Abeokuta, Nigeria in 1938 and there's no better way to celebrate his birthday with remixed tracks of Cameroonian guitarist/singer/composer Biyong who spent 12 years working with Tony Allen with 'Oladipo' being a tribute track.

Aint4perfect (aka Woni Kimani) has really worked the 'Jela Kubwa' into a Afro-baleriacs funk that's a really is the groovy baby - a must have in a top quality release.

Artist: Franck Biyong 

Title: Radio Masoda 

Release date: 15th October, 2024

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number : TAN0038EPG1

Format :  Digital 

Review: Phil Dawson ٤-tet - Shifting Sands (Mainline) ft. Khadijatou Doyneh (Funkiwala)

The second single from the forthcoming album is just as impressive as the first, Phil Dawson ٤-tet is on solid ground with  Shifting Sands (Mainline) featuring Khadijatou Doyneh.

It's fairly amazing how we get links from Phil Dawson to Medlar, in this case via the previous single, 'Ilé (Iyesa)' that featured Rowland Sutherland plus Dele Sosimi and Biola Dosunmu (Dele having worked with Medlar on Wah Wah 45s - see review HERE) and, unsurprisingly, what a great combiation of vocal and Afro-jazz for flute gang fans.

The second single to be taken from Phil Dawson's forthcoming new album ‘Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time’, 'Shifting Sands (Mainline)' centres itself around a poem by spoken word artist Khadijatou, philosophising from her immediate surroundings (kinda reminds me of Kameelah Waheed - see reviews HERE & HERE) with a warped Ghanaian-style highlife guitar, 70s jazz-funk-inspired Fender Rhodes, with more flute futurism from Sutherland sounding more Jimi Tenor than Jimi himself (see review HERE).

Like Mr. Tenor (in his Philophon role), UK guitarist, composer and bandleader Phil is embeded in Hi-Life, Afrobeat, South African music having worked with a who's who including Hugh Masekela, Tony Allen, Mulatu Astatke, Osibisa (don't forget Sol Power All-Stars' 'tribute' that's just come out - see review HERE) as well as London based Lokkhi Terra and Soothsayers.

The band will be performing at Pizza Express Dean Street in London on October 22nd https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/phil-dawson-quintet-feat-khadijatou-doyneh
to promote the album, 'Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time' will be released on November 29th

Artist: Phil Dawson ٤-tet
Title:  Shifting Sands (Mainline) ft. Khadijatou Doyneh
Release date: 25th October, 2024
Label : Funkiwala
Catalog Number : -
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Benji Bower & The Terra Collective Orchestra present Terra Coda (Tru Thoughts Recordings)

A truely ambitious project for Tru-Thoughts as only a 25 year old could imagine: ladies and gentlemen, Benji Bower & The Terra Collective Orchestra present Terra Coda!

After celebrating Tru Thought's 25th anniversary compilation 'Shapes 25' (see review HERE) we know the label is diverse to say the least, but then there's 'out-there' and  Benji Bower & The Terra Collective Orchestra present 'Terra Coda' is definitely out-there.

Benji Bower (aka Unforscene) has left behind his nu-jazz, boken, boogie past for the time being, organised a 60-piece orchestra of Bristol's finest and put on his composer, pianist, producer, musical director hat to combine and record a modern classical/part operatic, part OST "ode to Earth'.

This has the professionalism of BBC at the Proms but with solemness of a cathedral service for the long lost.  It's superb and it comes across like a soundtrack to a horror movie at times (like 'Descent') but it does leave you somewhat drained; but in a good way. 'Love Letter' features Kathleen Frances, a track Benji descibes as "beautiful yet crushing" (it''s a bit Anohni & The Johnsons with big strings) and that probably descibes most if not all the tracks here. 'Kalaallit Nunaat' featuring James Gow seems really sad as does 'Whale Lament' (as you'd expect from its title) whilst on the upside, there's 'Leviathan' that features the vibes of Harriet Riley) (what's with Bristol and leviathans? Check Ishmael Ensemble's review HERE) 

Many of the musicians here have played with The Heritage Orchestra, Portishead, Massive Attack, The Cinematic Orchestra (and many more) and it certainly comes across.

This is a magnificent work that's Benji has based on Taoist theory of 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) and even a QiGong practictioner would be left breathless after hearing this - at least check out the beauty in 'Perpetuus' to get a feel for this.

Artist: Benji Bower & The Terra Collective Orchestra
Title: Terra Coda 
Release date: 11th Octomber, 2024
Label : Tru-Thoughts Recordings
Catalog Number  TRU460D
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Matt Wilde - It's A Delight EP (DeepMatter Records)

This is Mancunian jazz in the footsteps of Dilla/Glasper where his debut album 'Hello World' caught the ear of BBC 6 Music friendly with fans including the main DJs Gilles Peterson, Deb Grant/Tom Ravenscroft, Huey Morgan amongst many more.

Wilde has already been involved in Peterson's Brownswood Basement 'academy' and it shows in this new 6 track EP as it also feautres other Mancunian alt-soul artist [ K S R ] (who you'll recall from the Searchlight track 'We Could Be More' (see review HERE) and trumpet player Aaron Wood (who stands out on 'Good Things Happen').

The instrumentals are as stand out as the vocal tracks and he's definitely more of a Robert Glasper pianist than say, a Jamie Cullen; there's even some Robert Mitchell classiness too on the title track and 'Timekeepers'.

On the heals of Myele Manzanza's 'Homesick' - the Marble SunTh Remix (see review HERE), Matt Wilde is another name to watch out for in the beats vs. jazz vs. soul as fans of golden era Dwele/Roy Hargrove and lots more folks are going to love this.

Artist: Matt Wilde
Title:  It's A Delight EP 

Release date: 11th October, 2024

Label : DeepMatter Records

Catalog Number :tbc

Format: Digital / Bandcamp  

Peter Gall's 'Love Avatar' (see review HERE) to randomly pick on two out of our current top ten, you'll be wondering wanting to here lots more of this.

We love spiritual jazz at YATM and this new LP by the Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet that's led by the Polish bassist is a true celebration of 'Beautiful People'.

About 10 years ago, I was very keen to get my hands on Lion Vibrations & Friends album (one of the Friends being Mr. Mazolewski on bass) as a cover version project in a jazz-reggae stylee (principally for the version of 'Killer Joe') which I'm afraid escaped me.

Ever since  Wojtek Mazolewski has been a name to look out for [especially the quintet's 'When Angel's Fall' album] and in 2024 we find him with a quintet that's promoting the release of 'Beautiful People' with a Polish and International tour (check out those tour dates as you don't want to miss this).

All tracks are great.  Grounded is this deep double bass growl that almost makes the spiritual jazz of it all sing and dance; in fact, the horn section at time (in solo and together) kind of ballet their way along.

Mazolewski says, “This album is an expression of gratitude that we can be with you and share our music.”  Well, I think we can safely say it's the other way around in that the listeners are expressing thier gratitude.

Fans of Gilles Peterson's jazz vibrazone sessions of old will love this along with any We Jazz 'explorers'.  And new if you're catching the jazz nu-wave of Ezra Collective or other recent releases like Mieke Miami's 'Birdland' (see review HERE) or 

Peter Gall's 'Love Avatar' (see review HERE) to randomly pick on two out of our current top ten, you'll be wondering wanting to here lots more of this.

Artist: Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet 
Title:  Beeautiful People
Release date: 11th October, 2024
Label : WMQ Records / !K7
Catalog Number : -
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

 

Review: David Manso - Like An Oven (+ Kanedo & Deephope Remix) (Be Adult Music)

Sexual healing is on the cards like a overheated oven on some jazzy deep house as David Manso echoes the classic track on 'Like An Oven'.

So I was talking to Robert Luis (Tru-Thoughts Recordings - see review HERE) and he happened to mention that one of their most popular tracks in the cover version of 'Sexual Healing' and they've been releasing quality music for 25 years!

This isn't a cover version as such but there's some deep soul going on here and the remix by Kanedo and Deephope work it out with a groove in on the floodplains that stretches to the wilderness.

Guaranteed to be featured on the Colour & Pitch sessions you'd have thought as this is big in the YATM office.

Artist: David Manso

Title: Like An Oven (+ Kanedo & Deephope Remix)

Release date: 10th October, 2024

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM383

Format: Digital / Bandcamp.

Review: Soledrifter feat. Alexandra Morrison – Too Loud (Tedd Patterson Remixes)(Papa Records)

When can "too loud" be too loud? Tedd Patterson has a idea on the remix of Soledrifter's original track.

Towards the end of May we had the original single out on Papa Records (see review HERE) but now the Canadian's Soledrifter and Alexandra Morrison, have had a 'Funknasty' rework a quatre (remix, edit, dub and beats).

I feared for Ms. Morrison's physical safety on the original but Tedd's funk has a dark underbelly that suits the Carrie sub-plot OST on the dancefloor - a true funky David Byrne inspired thriller.

Just in time for that end of year party season, this is "TOO LOUD" - clear your throat now; be prepared for a reflux extension - even a Acid Reflux Extension!

Artist: Soledrifter feat. Alexandra Morrison 

Title: Too Loud (Tedd Patterson Remixes)

Release date: 11th October, 2024

Label : Papa Records

Catalog Number : PAPA155 

Format : 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

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Review: Various Artists - 10 Years Of Rocksteady Disco Vol. 1 (Rocksteady Disco)

Rocksteady Disco is 10!  Mr PC and a huge support cast has been keeping Detroit dancing for 10 whole years and there's no better way to celebrate than a 4-track 12" with some of their most consistant artists - not one to miss.

We last saw Sol Power All-Stars with their heavily influenced 'Nyah​-​Rock' (see review HERE) and they've done it again with 'Solsibisa' with more than a nod to the Afro-rock-soul-pop pioneers Osibisa (the ones with the prog-rock covers and 'Sunshine Day' outlook - opportune as there's going to be a new re-issue on Cherry Red next month).

We've also seen Eddie Logix in the past (in the form of 'Flight Risk EP' - see review HERE) and here he's latched onto the "It's Not Over" hook that's clearly tuned for the dancefloor before the EP is dubbed out with the sophisticated 'Gratiot Dub' by Topher Horn.

Which leaves the magnificent 'Whispers Of You' clocking in at over 11 minutes from Blair French who had Rocksteady Disco's first double vinyl LP release, 'The Art Of Us' back in 2020 which is a magic combination of Afro-house jazz disco from the leftfield.  'Whispers Of You' is inspired by the Ron Trent's of the world and is Claussellian in groove, which is so "now" with Joe C's recent mixes for Nicola Conte, BBE's Brian Jackson and Audrey Powne).

Don't know how many volumes there are going to be in the 10 year party but you can be sure that Vol. 1 will be a favourite for at least the next decade anniversary.

Artist: Various Artists (Sol Power All-Stars, Eddie Logix, Blair French, Topher Horn)

Title: 10 Years Of Rocksteady Disco Vol. 1

Release date: 8th October, 2024

Label : Rocksteady Disco

Catalog Number : 12" LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Mr Bongo Record Club Vol.7 (Mr Bongo)

How do Mr Bongo keep releasing such fantastic tracks?  We don't know but it's a good job their Record Club releases the annual compilation (now on Vol. 7) so we've got all the top tracks all in one place.

We've already had a sneak peek at this with SOYUZ featuring Asha Puthli & Sven Wunder and 'Spring Has Sprung' (see review HERE) so now Autumn has arrived you even more summery Latin love from Mr Bongo and from further a-field on this 21 track compilation.

Not only is there chilled out Latin jazzdance classics, some stormin' U.S. disco funk (particularly The Duncan's 'Too Damn Hot' and 'Love Games' by Thandi Zulu & The Young Five) and the best disco track you've always wanted to get your hands on, 'Come Inside' by The Shades Of Love.

I like this Latin/disco-funk 2-genre theme that's a little reflective of other recent Mr Bongo comps like the John G​ó​mez and Nick The Record Present TANGENT (see review HERE - these two DJs were really good a the recent WOH Festival even though the clouds were gathering at the time) and the 'With Love' series by Miche (see review HERE - who was at many stages at WOH but I saw him mostly at the Near Mint record fair). 

Not so keen on the 'Between The Sheets' cover version but as to endorse and merge the themes, the closing track is a rare one, classic and BIG all at the same time- a Studio Rio version of 'Lovely Day' with Bill Withers himself!  You'll all have a lovely day listening to this from beginning to end and back again - highly recommended.

PS. also worth revisiting, Mr Bongo Record Club Vol 6. (see review HERE).

Artist: Various Artists 

Title: Mr Bongo Record Club Vol.7

Release date: 4th October, 2024

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP304

Format :  2xLP Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Sean McCabe & Jill Rock Jones - Only You (Foliage Records)

There must be quite a few tracks called 'Only You' but this year, the only one you need is this one by Sean McCabe & Jill Rock Jones out on the ever reliable Foliage Records.

As you'll know from their previous 'arms length' outing on MrMilkDee's '2 Positions' remix package (see review HERE) these two are ideal for each other in the Foliage extended family sense as most recently seen with Halo and (see review HERE) but there's lots of others we've featured.

Whilst the vocal mix is great, the edit seems more intense to me, there's a cracking 'Sean's Day & Night Dub' that's clearly meant to go on for 24 hours and as an added bonus, a Dubstrumental version.

McCabe has released nearly as many tracks/remixes as Foliage has and he's going to be in demand as much as ever with this one.

Artist: Sean McCabe & Jill Rock Jones 

Title:  Only You

Release date: 4th October, 2024

Label: Foliage Records

Cat. No: FN101

Format: Bandcamp / Digital