Review: Ella Thompson - Ripple On The Wing (Hopestreet Recordings)

Fans of Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo, Ziggy Zeitgeist, Godtet, JK Group and no doubt many more, will know that there's lots of interesting sounds coming out of Australia from a hip-hop, jazzy, soul, funk, beats base.  And here's another as Ella Thompson's new album, 'Ripple On The Wing' comes out this today.

The Hopestreet Studios are definitely busy as this is Ella's second album on the Hopestreet label and whilst the cover looks like some lost 70s folk album, she's definitely not a lost offspring of Richard and Linda.

In fact this his more of a soul-pop 60s beats vibe a la to Amy Winehouse (Ed. Did I ever tell you the story of having a chat with Amy in Camden High Street outside the Cobden pub - now closed!) with US sixities soul entrenched nodding to The Shangri-Las and Daptone channelled into a while back Sharon Jones/Charles Bradley and Timmion Records are still doing to this day.

These are heady comparisons but the house band has all the Memphis soul you could wish for and she's a star ready to happen outside of the recent singles ‘Let There Be Nothing’ and 'Omen' (both outstanding) that BBC 6 Music have supported with DJ(and more) legend, Craig Charles.  Particularly, 'Don't Be A Taurus' that wraps everything together with a warm glow.

Totally different from another favourite from down under, Audrey Powne or even Ella in The Bamboos (can 'Medicine Man' really be 2012?) but we do live in blessed times and , I urge you all to take this out for a spin, it's another stunner! (or should that be ripper?)

P.S. just spotted, the backing band on the album is the Surprise Chefs, a Hiatus Kaiyote and co-produced with a Karate Boogaloo! get 'em on Celebrity Master Chef Australia - they need a new soundtrack and get Mel back.

PPS. A bit different to Hannah Macklin's 'Mu' (see review HERE) also from Hopestreet Recordings.

Artist: Ella Thompson

Title:  Ripple On The Wing

Release date: 15th November, 2024

Label : Hopestreet Recordings

Catalog Number :  HS047

Format:  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Oaagaada - Music Of (We Jazz Records)

Oaagaada's 'Music Of' album is as free as (We) Jazz (Records) by a "mysterious quartet from rural southern Finland".

Well, I don't know what's in the waters of rural southern Finland but where these guys are concern, it sould like the spirits of Coltrane, Ayler, Coleman et al. particularly Albert Ayler on 'Serriterri' with his military background.

'Seagull Shapes' sounds like Ivor Cutler is about to add his whimsicle poetry at any moment whilst the seagulls oversea from the rooftops with their muted squarks in reverence.

The opus on the album is four part 'Suite Tuli' in which all four members of the quartet 'let go' and are as free as the cloudless skies of their homeland; particularly like the restrained Part II and the 'lets make some noise' Part I, Part III sounds a bit electronic at times and Part VI, at nearly 11 minutes long, "perfectly reflects [thier] organic musical ethos" and let's you  absorb the Oaagaada performance.

And you'd never guess all this from the afro-jazz inspired opener, 'Oag -Ada Sweet' (Ed. wasn't she in Coronation St. in the 60s?) and some (jazz) distance from Berke Can Özcan and Jonah Parzen Johnson 'Folk Memory' that came out at the start of the month (see review HERE) but this is the 'Music Of' Oaagaada - who are these guys?

P.S. The band celebrates the album's release with a performance at Helsinki's We Jazz Festival on 29th November at Kahvila Sävy.

Sami Pekkola, sax & shruti box
Tuure Tammi, trumpet
Tero Kemppainen, bass
Simo Laihonen, drums & log drum

Artist: Oaagaada 
Title:  Music Of
Release date: 15th Novhember, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP62

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Agile Experiments - Loukoumades (None More Records)

None More Records may be a "DIY completely Independent record company" but that doesn't mean they can't release an album that is totally cool and out there at the same time - this is Agile Experiments' 'Loukoumades'.

On the old, "don't judge a book" rule, Agile Experiment is the master chef in the kitchen when it come to these 15 track.

We've just had SHOLTO new album, 'Letting Go Of Forever (see review HERE) with his live performance on Gilles Peterson's Worldwide FM yesterday in an ambient/OST/library style and 'Loukoumades' is like the hip-hop brother that's gone to Madlib via Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Produced from improvisation by Dave de Rose (drums), Gustac Penka (guitar) and Marius Mathiszik (sound artist), this is the album Jah Wobble/Bill Laswell/DJ Shadow should have produced with ENO in a krautrock/dub/hip-hop style.

Pure co-incidence that both SHOLTO's and this album should be released on the same day but each are brilliant (save for my usual gripe with these type of albums, the tracks are too short!) But hey, if Peterson is a fan of Agile Experiments (as is his fellow BBC 6 Music DJ Don Letts and DJ legend, Bill Brewster), I think we should be too!

P.S. 'Loukoumades' is the Greek word for doughnut with J. Dilla's 'Donuts' album for inspiration.

Artist: Agile Experiments 

Title: Loukoumades

Release date: 15th November, 2024
Label : None More Records
Catalog Number : NMR016 
Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: SHOLTO - Letting Go Of Forever (Root Records)

Is it any wonder that Oscar 'SHOLTO' Robertson is one of directors of "resurgenct cinematic psychedelia and library music"?  This guy will be at the awards in the future.

On the back of last years' 'The Changin Tides Of Dreams' album, as supported by Jazz Fm and BBC 6 Music, 'Letting Go Of Forever' is a massive double LP of a massive 26 tracks that is heavily Italian OST a la Piero Umiliant. Alessandro Alessandroni etc with West Coast mastery of a David Axelrod with jazz-funky leanings and where there's vocals in French (Elle Músa), Stereolab isn't far from your mind.
 

Amazing to think this was produced in a studio in Hackney as we've got big strings (arranged by Clementine Brown), wandering flutes (Arthur Sajas), twinkling vibes (James Larter) and Rachel Horton Kitchlew on harp, some dreamy synths with SOLTO on drums that does give us the impression of a Cinematic Orchestra session.

Whilst Lalo, Herbie and Quincy's 60/70s soundtracks have been an influence, there's that DJ Shadow sample culture and more recently, the Australian revisonists (Surprise Chef, The Pro-teens, Karate Boogaloo etc), this is a relaxed set; remembering it's time to let go of forever.

And if you can check Worldwide FM today for Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Basement featuring "live session with Sholto, featuring performances from his latest album", check it out HERE.  

P.S. here's one for future Jonny Trunk and Mike Wallace's of the world, get the vinyl now.

Artist: SHOLTO

Title: Letting Go Of Forever

Release date: 15th November, 2023

Label :  Root Records

Catalog Number :TBC

Format: 2 x LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Rita Satch - Breathe (Silk Throne Records)

There is a tendency in the music biz that you have to be in [insert you're own prefered location whether it be capital city, West/East Coast or some iconic recording location] and whilst this can't be denied, there is another thought that it's just as important to make your own -  as Rita Satch might say, "Don't forget to breathe" as she takes us on a joyride of R&B soul-pop.

Rita might have been born in Uzbekistan but  having been brought up in Melbourne/Naarm she and her 5-piece band fits into the music culture that keeps on giving from 

Surprise Chef to Lance Ferguson to Tamil Rogeon to Allysha Joy and most recently, Ella Thompson (see review HERE).

In fact, Rita and Allysha both worked with Tamil on his 'Son Of NYX' album (the one before, last months' 'Wave Theory' on BBE - see review HERE) so she know her soul and funk as do her collaborators on 'Breathe' being fellow Melbourne/Naarm big 'eds, Paul Bender (Hiatus Kaiyote), Daniel Mougerman (The Bamboos), Ash Griffin (The Vaudeville Smash) and Javier Fredes. 

No surprise to us Yogi/QiGung/Tai Chi experts that the inspiration for 'Breathe' was the result of some meditative exercise and it's on that salutary note, there's a lesson for us all here.

Artist: Rita Satch

Title:  Breathe / Joyride

Release date: 13th November, 2024

Label: Silk Throne Records

Catalog Number: TBC 

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Soul Of Hex - Constellation EP (Delusions Of Grandeur)

Who doesn't have the occasional delusion of grandeur these days?  Well, Jamie Odell (aka Jimpster) has more than reasons than most as his label, Delusions Of Grandeur repeatedly find the best in house music for the dancefloor big heads - this time with Mexican duo, Soul Of Hex.

Formed in 2014 in Tijuana, Soul Of Hex are now on their fourth release on Delusions Of Grandeur (although you would have found them on loads of trendy charts over the past 10 years including Tim 'Beats In Space' Swteeney) and have managed their contacts lists to get top guest for this 4-track EP.

Fans of Javonntte (aka Brian Garrett) will have lost count of how many house tracks he's graced and with Mariana Phelts they've gone old skool heavy piano on the lead track, 'Constellation' with the bonus of a bit of space dub too!

Soul Of Hex contributed to a 12" a couple of years ago sharing with Motion Parallax who returns the favour and features on a track called 'Face Down' that again borrows a heavy bassline and repeated vocal, similar to the big keys on 'All Night' and spoken rant that always works well in the clubs.

As you're no doubt aware, Odell's Dad was in the drummer in original 70s jazz-funkers Shakatak and that heritage no doubt helped him fall for More Lotion's guitar action with the funky keyboards on 'Dimension' - currently my favourite as it's another that reminds me of a juiced-up Sun Palace's classic 'Rude Movements' that had been obscure 70s Brit-funk before David Mancuso 'found it' for his New York Loft Parties.

Can't think anything other than all four tracks will be big (in the constellations) this year as we dance 'All Night' our way into 2025.

PS. If you're on Apple, try "Freerange Records In The Mix 026, Soul Of Hex" DJ Mix HERE!

BUY LINK: https://soulofhex.bandcamp.com/album/constellation-ep

Artist: Soul Of Hex
Title: Constellation EP
Release date: 15th November, 2024
Label :Delusions Of Grandeur
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Arpy Brown (FKA Athlete Whippet) - But I Miss You Everyday (Future Disco)

I used to love the Future Disco compilations back in the day introducing us to loads of new names that promised to be our soundtrack to the dancefloor for years to come - and they are at it again, here's London/Berlin based Robin Paul Braum (aka Arpy Brown and formerly know as half a Athlete Whippet).

Your not likely to forget a name like Athlete Whippet, especially as his two-centre lifestyle has got him releases on labels as inspirational as Toy Tonics, Aus Music, Rhythm Section International (recommend label boss Bradley Zero's appearance on BBC 6 Music's 'tour' of John Peel's collection - see HERE) and "new talent" finders Tartelet Records (having a track on the 'Medusozoa Vol. II comp as couple of years ago - see review HERE).

'But I Miss You Everyday' is a five track EP that's his 'ode' to longer distance relationships being the title track plus a dub version, 'Thought You Would Never' (plus a dub version) with 'Close Enough' that's a collaboration with Aphty Khéa.

All tracks are synth driven (Ed. Arp?) disco hotties and 'Close Enough' has got that classic vocal and lyricism to make it stand out ("reach out to you") in club and radio.

PS. fans of Bradley should know Rhythm Section INTL are having a 10 year Anniversary Show at EARTH on Friday 13th December, be there or... 

 

Artist: Arpy Brown (FKA Athlete Whippet) ft. Aphty Khéa
Title:  But I Miss You Everyday EP  

Release date: 15th November, 2024

Label: Future Disco

Catalog Number: tbc

Format: Digital  But I Miss You Everyday EP / Bandcamp  

Review: Mulatu Astatke and Hoodna Orchestra - Tension (Batov Records)

The only tension in the air here is the wait it's been since this brilliant collaboration between Mulatu Astatke and Hoodna Orchestra have this album come out, 'Tension' is released today!

This is easily one of the top ten album's of the year and if you don't know the work of Mulatu, just be aware that he is the founder of Ethio-jazz being the mix of Latin jazz and traditonal Ethiopian music, that has crossed the genre boundaries of jazz, psych, funk, hip-hop, spiritual jazz and more.

Strut, Soundway, Mochilla have all released Mulatu's music as he became more recognised for the originator/founder he is since 1972's 'Mulatu Of Ethiopia' album (sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines if I remember right and ironically recorded in New York) which gained popularity on the back of the soundtrack to Jim Jarmush's 'Broken Flowers' film and latterly, the 'Ethiopiques' compilation series.

So what's six tracks on 'Tension' like?  Well, Batov's got their finest in psych/soul/funk in the Hoodna Orchestra with the additional bonus of Neal Sugarman (Dap-King) who also produced the album.

'Tension' is a huge misnomer as all the trademark vibes by Mulatu are of effortless cool: even on a thrusting funk of the title track - could be a OST track itself.

'Dung Gate' and 'Major' have been previous singles that have been favoured by obvious publications (Songlines, Uncut, The Guardian, etc) and BBC 6 Music's great and good, Cerys Matthews, Huey Morgan, Gilles Peterson and GP old producer, Benji B on BBC Radio 1.

'Major' is so good, like a 60s Cowboy film  with a North African feel of Morricone on a Farfisa organ and 'Hulata' which follows is like slo-mo funk version (featuring Mulatu on piano - this guy is in his 80s!) with a sound of a Sun Ra Arkestra; shame the climax doesn't break down into a Sun Ra and His Astro-Intergalactic-Infinity Arkestra meets Salah Ragab plus The Cario Jazz Band in Egypt free jazz explosion (perhaps being saved for a 12", we live in hope) 

'Yashan' returns to the cloppity clop of a jazz night club where James Bond would hold court and 'Deliah' (not the "Why, Why" Tom Jones tune) the one for the Flute Gang and some nice twangy guitar.  

And in mentioning, Bond and Jones, the whole album is drenched in 60s Mod-jazz cool of New York - Addis - London, but produced today - it's nearly perfect (the only downside, is it me but does the artwork look like the guy that impersonates Albert Einstein of the energy advert?) 

Artist: Mulatu Astatke and Hoodna Or8chestra

Title:  Tension

Release date: 8th November, 2024

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR103

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Scorpio Leisure - No Apologies (The Oddball Creatives VHS Remixes) (Ramrock Red Records)

If you know your VHS from your Betamax, you're half way to loving this one already as The Oddball Creatives return to Scorpio Leisure's 'No Apologies' for a remix treat.

Fans of twangy guitars a la a slo-mo dub of Chris Isaak's 'Blue Hotel' (I know that there's loads of you out there who are) with an eerie post Halloween presence of 'Bela Lugosi's Dead' (Bauhaus, 1979) but with vocals by Hettie Noir in a 80s disco (and now there's even more fans out there into this), will love what The Oddball Creatives (aka Joseph Malik and Daniel Walls) have done on the remix of 'No Apologies' as it's got them instant access, past the Bouncers (Security), straight into the best of basement clubs with this one (plus the instrumental version).

This is so on-trend these dayz (Ed. ohhh, very VHS!) with post-punk disco re-emerging with 'Two Synths, A Guitar (and) a Drum Machine' (Soul Jazz) , 80s revival of Skeet (Almost Unknown/Efficient Space) and a look back to Edinburgh's Fast Product label.

You'll recall the Malik/Walls partnership we're responsible for the totally synth-funky 'Only Fans' from last years' 'Album Of The Year' (see review HERE) and but most recently the X-Press 2 remixes, see review HERE). 

The 'No Apologies' remix fits nicely in the ball park of F*CLR's Natashia Kitty Kat (also Edinburgh based) after her recent release, 'Intergalatic Vampire' (see review HERE) and don't forget Scorpio Leisure's 'Give Us Some Space' (see review HERE) that's equally great.

Now, where can I get one of those Poker/Golf/Tennis visors?

Artist: Scorpio Leisure
Title: No Apologies (The Oddball Creatives VHS Remixes) 
Release date: 8th November, 2024
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR071
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Loxodrome - Drop Out EP (Cyphon Recordings)

Well, you might not recognise the name Loxodrome, (possibly for good reason) but you'll know Jamie Odell (aka Loxodrome, Jimpster and many more) who released the original 'The Loxodrome EP' in 1994! Here's the follow up!

You'd have thought Jimpster would have enough work on his keyboards with running labels Freerange and Delusions Of Grandeur along with DJing and seemingly endless quality remixes to have the time to slip back 30 years to check out some acid droppin' tech house?  Well he has and it's as hot now as it was with the emergence of 303 emulators. 

The title track is quite jumpy and eye-2-eye contact dancefloor warped and mixed with some Star Trek-ed flight command star date time to "tune in and drop out" in a club way, not a Timothy Leary's '66 revival way. 

The last track, 'Fornax A' sneaks onto a Balearic Peech Bros, NYC seashore which you might have to save for next summer but the meat (vegan options are available) of the EP is 'Emberfall' and 'Emberfall (Dub)' which has elements of 'Drop Out' and 'Fornax A' that creates something bigger than the knob twiddling parts.

Cyphon Recordings have also released artists like Kirk Degiorgio (As One), DJ Rocca, Yuu Udagawa (she of the recent Compost remix releases 'Ride it'/'Set Me Sneakers' - see review HERE) and the Odell/Loxodrome is definitely going to give them an even higher profile.

Artist: Loxodrome 
Title: Drop Out EP 
Release date: 8th November, 2024
Label: Cyphon
Catalog Number  -
Format: Digital / Bandcamp