Review: Web Web - Plexus Plexus (Compost Records)

This is like a kick in the Solar Solar Plexus as the contemporary fusion jazz group based in Munich are back on Compost with a new album. 

The original band, now Max Herre(less) after the album, 'WEB MAX II' (see review HERE) came out a couple of years ago but we know the key members of the band have kept busy.

Roberto Di Gioia (keys, bass, drums, percussion) with Peter Kruder (see review HERE), Pete Gall (drums, keys) on the album 'Love Avatar' (see review HERE), Tony Lakatos (tenor sax, flute) and Christian Von Kaphengst (bass, keys) plus featured guest, JJ Whitefield on guitar (he of 'The Infinity Of Nothingness' - see review HERE) on Jazzman Records. 

And talking of Jazzman, this has an overall feel of their 'Spiritual Jazz' compilation series with nods to Lonnie Liston Smith jazz-funk period, the Mr Scruff popularisation of Moondog's 'Bird's Lament' (their cover version of the original is great), Mulatu with more than healthy dose of Sun Ra Arkestra's (in all forms) along with Jimi Tenor.

Put all that in a massive 14 track album and you're close to an 'Album Of The Year'!

BUY LINK: Plexus Plexus | Web Web

Artist: WEB WEB ft. JJ Whitefield

Title: Plexus Plexus

Release date: 25th April, 2023

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number :  CPT 653 

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Darren Morris - Union I (Ramrock Noir)

Did somebody say, "Ramrock Noir"?  Did somebody say, "Darren Morris"? Did somebody say, "Darren Morris (he of keyboards, mastering engineer, producer, North Street West, Black Science Orchestra, Steve Mason Band and loads more) releases an LP on the new label Ramrock Noir"?  Nawr, I don't believe it.

But it happens to be true, why noir?  Well, 'Union I' does not fit in with the rest of the Ramrock family of labels even if you took into account the latest Malik/Waheed 'L'Opera Noir' Mix variants (see review HERE).  'Union I' is something leftfield even for the ambient leftfield cinematic fans. 

Imagine if you will, Darren Morris at the Henry Willis Organ at the Union Chapel, Islington improvising in grand gothic tones on which he's added studio embellishments later.

'Union Space Gospel' and 'Acetone & Minitaur Pullstops', sounds more Minotaur with big bull like pipes and hip-hop beats. 'Ascension' is a bit more synth spiritual and 'Birds In The Chapel' really fits the surroundings with cold synth winds; it's like an organic (Ed. no pun etc) version of Tangerine Dream on a cathedral tour.

Apparently, Brian Eno's dad used to repair organs (his day job was a postman) and over the years he (the Dad) made a collection of the pipes and built himself a his own instrument out of these church cast-offs - if only there was an ambient ENO album of that, 'Music For Suffolk Postmen's Organs'?

Amazing to think that Darren recorded this in a few hours but the organ is the star here, if you've ever listened to Moz Walsh's All.FM show on a Sunday Morning that has strong classical / spiritual links, 'Union I' would form a 'Best Of' selection.

P.S. As an aside, I saw The Art Ensemble Of Chicago at the Union Chapel many years ago and apart from being very strange that such a well known group were playing in a relatively small former church in Islington, it was very odd as I remember this guy from the audience near the front standing up about 5 minutes in heckling rage.  Something like the band couldn't play jazz and then he charges out up the central aisle like a bride deciding not to go through with a marriage ceremony - most odd.

P.P.S. For full Jazz a la Cathedral, try Michael Garrick at Jazz Praises At St. Paul's, 1968, nods to Biggabush for pointing this one out.

Artist: Darren Morris
Title:  Union I

Release date: 25th April, 2025
Label: Ramrock Noir Records
Cat. No: RRNLP001
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Intr0beatz - Static Motions (Aterral)

So anyone that's been away on a Easter holiday break, don’t worry, we’re back and kicking into action with four slabs of the finest deep house money can buy straight from Iceland’s finest export Intr0beatz.

Padre & Bar.ba & Oe's 'Alterity EP' with the two monster tracks ('Holding Hands We're Feeling Power' ft. Oe and 'She Dances Like A Painting' (see review HERE) is now joined on the Aterral label by another release of the year by a new name to us, Icelandic producer Intr0beatz.

Well it's definitely time to catch up with Arsaell Thor Ingvason as he's released music on loads of labels (including SlothBoogie) and 'Static Motions' is drenched in spaced out deep house with jazzy-funk leanings on 'Stillness In Motions', 'Who Cares' and 'Think For Yourself'.

Does Carlos at Berlin HQ have a hot line to folks that think like Pete 'Pedre' Lazonby?

Perfect timing.

Artist:  Intr0beatz 

Title: Static Motions 

Release date: 25th April, 2025

Label: Aterral

Cat. No: ATRRL035

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Balaphonic - Resolution Revolutions (NuNorthern Soul)

Here is the Balaphonic album of the summer in the form of Afro Brazilian, Dub with leftfield acid on the beach: in other words, 'Resolution Revolutions'.

So this is very different to the last release on the label by Maarten Goetheer featuring Pong Nakornchai with the "tribute" 'Suite For Chick (see review HERE) but they are both high on our 'Must Have' lists as there might only be 6 tracks, but they really are so good the titles 'sell' themselves.

A 'Deep Summer's Mix' of 'Sunflowers In Dub' opens the set with a dubbed out summer rain forest with Augusto Pablo at the controls; for 8 minutes!  And if it's not enough to bask is the rays of the sunflowers, we're straight off to Brazil for 'Disorganics' with a 'All Strings Mix' for Latin guitarists on the Ipanema beach terrace (with some jazz bass joining in).  You might guess that 'Six Fingers' might go the same way; and it does but with a more percussive Hermon Pascal touch that's like rain drops in the jungle.

I don't know if you'd expect to find 'Udders' in the land of Balaphonic but it brings synths to the party before we move back to the beach with a track called 'Oxum' featuring vocals by Ocean Waves Brasil with some electro-acid synths adding to a laid-back groove. 

I never thought Northern Soul had to be "Nu" but you'll want this in you're 'Modern Room' everytime - 'Bloco Manco' indeed.

 

If you missed the Bandcamp Listening Party last night you'll know how good 'Resolution Revolutions' and how far it resonates, from Barli to Birmingham, from Gorton to Gamelan (Ed. that doesn't work) as the six tracks are heavy on the Balearics but equally enchanting at home. 

Not something you'd expect from a certain drummer Danny Ward with DJ/Producer credentials as Moodymanc (a play on the name of Detroit master, Moodymann): but more on that with the YATM interview! 

You And The Music Interview with Balaphonic HERE.

BUY LINK: https://www.juno.co.uk/products/balaphonic-resolution-revolutions-vinyl/

 

 

Artist: Balaphonic 
Title:   Resolution Revolutions
Release date: 25th April, 2025
Label : NuNorthernSoul
Catalog Number : NUNS068D,
Format:  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Romano - Güle Güle (Batov Records)

Romano's album 'Güle Güle' is the madest mix of Mulatu, Herbie Hancock and Joe Meek that you'll ever likely to hear on the Mediterrean camp site disco bar - in other word(s), brilliant!

The synth wizardry of Romano's debut LP ‘Güle Güle’ is more than unique as Lior Romano grew up in a Turkish-Egyptian heritage household, surrounded by music. Turkish and Egyptian, naturally, but also Greek, and the unique fusion of Greek and Arabic sounds common to the culturally diverse neighbourhood he grew up in.

All the tracks are synth funky and happy on any dancefloor along with other Batov favourites (many of which are featured on this site) or next to The Ventures to Sun Ra! 

This album is definitely a sideways look at the Batov's last album release, Şatellites' 'Aylar' (see review HERE) as the album showcases Romano’s rich musical heritage and cutting-edge creativity, building a unique sound worldwide from influences as vast as funk, disco, reggae, to Latin America, the Balkans and particularly the Middle East.

Artist: Romano

Title: Güle Güle 

Release date: 25th Apri, 2025

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR

Format: Limited LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ayane Shino - 'River せせらぎ The timbre of guitar #2 Rei Harakami' (MusicMine Records / Sublime Records)

Ayane Shino is a Japanese classical guartist who has re-imagined the works of the late electronic music producer Rei Harakami, and not only is it beautiful, it's uniquely chilled and festival approved.

If you're a fan of Paul Hillery and your looking to compile a Japanese inspired version of 'Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours' and you've already checked out the 'love letter to Japan' that is Mark de Clive-Lowe's 'past present (tone poems across time - see review HERE), 'River' is definitely the next point of call after Shino follows up her 2021 album, 'Sakura - The timber of guitar #1 Susumu Yokota'.

'River' is a typical homage to elements to traditional Japanese 'themes', 'sayonara', 'last night', 'red curb', 'the backstroke' (Ed. ?) and the title track itself, that reflect the hypnotic themes of Harakami in acoustic guitar form.  So impressive that the eight minute 'Theme Of Red Curb' becomes more Spanish in style.

Even for a tranquil album, 'last night' is busy and mesmorising and 'River' has a touch of The Third Man mixed with the 'On The Riverbank' theme. As Shino says herself, in Harakami's works, she discovered "a sense of simplicity, warmth, moisture and a  floating sensation.” “I was gripped by his songs, which had an array of sounds that gave me a sense of mystery but also coexisted with a sense of familiarity”.

This album is going to increase interest in Shino and Harakami, who, up until his untimely passing at the age of 40, he was seen as the 'next' Haruomi 'Harry' Hosono (who had a pre-YMO psych, jazz and folk-pop period himself) and Ryuichi Sakamoto (RIP, also see Nick Luscombe's tribute via 'CITY MUSIC TOKYO - see review HERE).

A very cool album from a highly sort after label - definitely ones to follow.

Artist: Ayane Shino

Title:  River せせらぎ The timbre of guitar #2 Rei Harakami

Release date: 25th April, 2025

Label : MusicMine Records / Sublime Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Franz Von - We Live feat. wolf peaches (Bridge The Gap)

Sheffield's hip-hop family probably didn't know what had hit when Jamaica born Franz Von turned up but it's good news as he's just announced his debut solo album is going to be release this year, 'Take What You Want' with the single, 'We Live' released today!

The single, 'We Live' features another Sheffield resident, singer/songwriter wolf peaches (yes, she of 'Rotten Fingers' with the Kerrier Collective - see review HERE) and combines elements of post-dancehall-dub-poetry jazz fusion (Von also MCs for TC & The Groove Family) and Afro-fusion K.O.G (see HERE).

As he's also collaborated with Onipa, corto.alto (so good at last year's We Out Here Festival), Wiyaala and Afro-beat legend Tony Allen so who knows what the album is going to be like?

Artist: Franz Von

Title: We Live feat. wolf peaches
Release date: 24th April, 2025
Label : Bridge The Gap
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Oliver Lutz - Calamari Fantasy (Klaeng Records)

For the follow up to albums Re:Calamari and Re:Calamari 2, Oliver Lutz takes the next step on the spirit of Jaco journey is in old skool snyths and jazz-funk sax whirls with the mountain tops under the light of the silvery moon.

There's been a couple of 'singles' 'Paffee Mountain' and 'Old & Wise' but it's not a singles type of album have been "recorded in an intense session at Fattoria Musica in Osnabrück" it's clear that these guys are big fans of Weather Report and their individual icons within the band particularly the mainstay leaders Zawinul and Shorter.   That's not to lesson Lutz and Gall section of the Calamari Fantasy: more 'Mysterious Traveller' than 'I Sing The Body Electric'.

There's certainly a deep connection within the group and the jazz-fusion of 'Paffee Mountain' and 'The Revenge Of Ronni Love' and the dream like 'Alfahri's Melancholia' are great examples of where the sum of the whole is greater than the parts.

RE:CALAMARI Band Credits:
Tineke Postma - Saxophone

Pablo Held - Synthesizer, Keyboards

Oliver Lutz - Electric Bass
and guitar
Peter Gall - Drums, Percussion

Artist: Oliver Lutz 

Title: Calamari Fantasy 
Release date: 25th April, 2025
Label :Klaeng Records
Catalog Number: Klaengrecords093
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Flying Mojito Bros. - Just Passing Through (Ubiquity Records)

I might have said this before but at one stage, Ubiquity Records were everywhere with thier distinctive 12" covers making them stand out from the crowd: and they are doing it again with the sounds of desert disco's finest, the Flying Mojito Bros. with their own album of a massive 11 tracks.

Ubiquity's sunny West Coast vibe couldn't be a better home to Balearic nu-disco is cowboy boots.  Up until now, FMB were best known for taking an edit from the leftfield US 'rock'y/funky road or putting a remix in the form of a refrito of something that the Flying Burritio Bros. or Gram Parsons in particular would be a fan of.  Like their remix of James Alexander Bright (see review HERE) or the "beach" series of Paul Hilary's 'Children Of The Sun' (see review HERE) or Lucky Sun (see review HERE) - you know the type of thing.

So be prepared for their own creations that supported by some proper musicians featuring Pearl Charles, Scott Hirsch, Will Worden, Robert Chaney and Hero Fisher on vocals, the mighty Shawn Lee (last seen on the drum stool behind at Asha Puthli at We Out Here last summer but also the Ping Pong Orchestra,Young Gun Silver Fox and our fabourite, the link up with Bei Bei), plus Joe Harvey-Whyte (a specialist in pedal steel, lap steel, dobro and guitar) and bass guitar by Joe Stoddart (a touring artist for ABBA).

If you think this is justs novelty project, the title track will prove you wrong and not long after that you'll be totally up for 'Glitter' with it's railroad harp vs.Róisín Murphy at the rodeo. 'Catch Me', 'Lost To The Desert' and the opener 'Area 54' (Ed. that's no studio) kind of sum the album up but are we quite ready of a version album? 'Slow Train To Fuego' shows us what's possible - or even up their cowboy shirts with the twangy geetarh of 'Thunder Exchange'.

With their DJ heads on, they've really managed to absorb MOR, Classic Rock, Country and funk-up the disco balls with tumble weed for a trendy Hank Wangford (a personal friend of Mr Parsons you know) meets a Luther Vandross and Diana Ross for the next generation that can handle J.J.Cale or disco Little Feat: whilst on the boarders of the Modern Room at NuNorthern Soul - amazing!

It's official then, San Francisco (and the rest of the world) is the new mid-west with 'Just Passing Through' as the sound of the spring, summer, autumn and winter: in the Desert, there's always a disco going on. What's the dress code?

BUY LINK: https://flyingmojitobros.bandcamp.com/album/just-passing-through-2

 

Artist: Flying Mojito Bros.

Title: Just Passing Through

Release date: 25th April, 2025

Label: Ubiquity Records

Cat. No: UR 438

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Wally Wonder - City Freaks (Rafael Marfil Remix) (Star Creature)

Star Creature's Mr. Zawada, know a sure fire funker when he hears one and here's a warped synth fuelled disco 7" to proove it.

Fresh from Plastic Bamboo's 'Cinerama EP' (see review HERE), Star Creature return with a couple of tracks The Egpytian Lover could have spawned, particularly the original version side of 'City Freaks'.

And then Rafael 'Electrify' Marfil is a great choice to move the electric boogie up a notch with the remix that's squares the pyramid of Brooklyn (Wonder), Chicago (Star Creature) and Mexico City (Marfil).

Similar in vibe to the forthcominng 80s inspired 'Monsro' 12" by Rob J Madin (see review HERE - coming soon), we have a vinyl groove for the dancefloor this summer.

BUY LINK:  https://starcreature.bandcamp.com/

Artist: Wally Wonder

Title:  City Freaks (Rafael Marfil Remix)

Release date: 25th April, 2025

Label : Star Creature

Catalog Number : SC7082

Format: Vinyl /  Digital / Bandcamp