Review: José Barranquero - Exosfera (José Barranquero Music)

For far too long we've waited for the next thing in jazz guitar, and here he is, José Barranquero with ' Exosfera'.

Rock/Blues guitarists are ten a penny but in José we've got a cross between a fan of jazz guitar and Carlos Santana, a Spanish Steve Hillage (in his ambient/Balearic/dance period) and traditional falmenco of a Paco de Lucía; check 'Opmeit Le' ('el tiempo', or 'the time' written backwards) on which he is joined by a renowned Flamenco vocalist, Ismael Tamayo.

Pretty varied as the lead track is a jazz dancer 'Totoro'  featuring horns from Melisa Bertossi and soaring and powerful guitar and sax solos from Barranquero and Bertossi.  'El Maestro y Serenísima' (The Master most serene) is actually a little on the edge of Carlos Santana before we get some sunny drenched 70s synths whilst 'Un Murciégalo' raises the tempo once again for "an irresistible jazzy groove, perfectly built to house more of Barranquero's hooky and muscular soloing".

Inma Gomes features on the tile track and the whole album is produced by  DJ GarcyNoise (Rubén García Zarranz with strong Spanish influences on jazz-funk, rock, Balearic fused tracks; 'Skylanders' being typical of an acoustic guitar 'Spanish' track.  And then, 'Micoco' is the opposite on electric guitar; with a solo-mo beat and dreamy'n'dirty synth backing.    

Get ya funky yachts out for 'Totoro', as played on Jazz FM and BBC Radio 3, that features Melisa Bertossi and prepare yourself for the brilliant 12 minutes of 'Opmeit Le'; the one with   'Mediterranean' chant/poetry/vocals of Ismael Tamayo.

José was spotted as a talent in his 20s having been in masterclasses with the likes of Pat Metheny, Gary Willis and John Scofield! That's pretty cool in itself before moving to Barcelona and then into teaching.  He certainly can spot musicians that would be a great band as these tracks encapsulate the music rather than the players, even if there's some peacockery at times.  And why not?

BUY LINK: https://www.diggersfactory.com/vinyl/324607/jose-barranquero-exosfera

Artist: José Barranquero 

Title: Exosfera

Release date: 1st May, 2025

Label : José Barranquero Music

Catalog Number : BARRANQUERO01

Format:  LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Staraya derevnya - Garden Window Escape

If you are aware of Staraya derevnya's previous releases, you'll know that these guys do not fit into a typical genre-mould even for leftfield, world, ambient, drone: and that doesn't cover most of it!

For a  psychedelic/kraut-folk collective based in London, Tel Aviv and Ciudad Juarez that recorded these tracks in London in 2022 and added further recordings during 2023-4 in Isael, Mexico, Bulgaria and the UK, the seven track 'concept' of 'Garden Window Escape' is akin to a escape from a dark space as seen by, say, Pere Ubu's 'Bring Me The Head Of Ubu Roi', Ivor Cutler, Can, Café Oto on a wet and rainy Tuesday night and lets throw in Gong for good measure.

And if that doesn't tweak your interest, check the line up: Gosha Hniu (cries and whispers, wheel lyre, marching band kazoo, percussion and objects), Maya Pik (synthesizer, flute, drum machine), Ran Nahmias (silent cello, santur, oud) Grundik Kasyansky (feedback synthesizer

Miguel Pérez (guitars), Yoni Silver (bass clarinet) and Andrea Serafino on drums.

When I say dark, 'Half-deceased uncle' is not an easy listen, you might even say disturbed it's depiction of a swarm of flies increasingly gowing mad is one of the highlights of the album for it's 12 minutes of backroom (very backroom) unsafe avant-garde trance.

I'm no linguist so I can't tell you what language the spoken style vocal is in, is it a homage to Magma?  'Onwards, through the garden window' and 'What I keep in my closet' are a mixture of poem with jazzy-dreamscape.  And for fans of more 'traditonal' prog-psych, 'Tight-lipped thief' (the most Ubu of the seven tracks), 'Virtue of standing still' (is that a old bicycle horn?) and 'Cork flight operation' are in similar plane crash style anarchy. 

These guys must be great live.  I'd love to hear a full on jazz blow up of 'Virtue of standing still' for a starter.  So, not everyone's cup of tea but for future building blocks for the like of Ben Sun (see review HERE), Sun Sone (see interview HERE) or could we even say, Marshall Allen (see HERE), this is a band that need to be heard.

Artist: Staraya derevnya 

Title: Garden Window Escape
Release date: 2nd May, 2025
Label : -
Catalog Number : TBC
Format :  Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Cantrips - From A Darebin Cave (Dune Castle Records)

You begin to wonder if there is anyone in the Naarm / Melbourne community that isn't a muscian as here's another one that's got a new album, Cantrips' 'From A Darebin Cave' and he's got some well known local residents to help out too!

Such as, Mr Bongo's new signing, Don Glori (see review HERE) and members of stalwarts Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo so together the sound like a folk-beat Nick Drake (Ed. prety good move) that really boarders further on the edge of Brazilian tropicalia and an Aussie Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst; especially the tracks that strongly feature the pedal steel, or even an acoustic Neil Young on a 'Coastal Soundtrack'.

That's quite a rich palette to play with on the eight tracks that, at times trips, out to the psychedelic in a chilled desert way.  

The highlight for me is the twang n' synth of 'See You Soon' but altogether this is a perfect 'summer sun' chill out material for meditation, a picnic or as a warm up for those Flying Mojito Bros. (see review HERE).

Artist: Cantips

Title:  From A Darebin Cave

Release date: 2nd May, 2025

Label : Dune Castle Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Gilles Torrent - Buleria (Jazzman Records)

Swiss saxophonist Gilles Torrent presents 'Buleria', a powerful modal jazz album that channels the spirit of John Coltrane while forging a deeply personal path through harmonic complexity and raw improvisation.

Combining original compositions with Coltrane standards, the album features standout moments like the flamenco-infused title track and the contemplative opener 'Danse Tropical', showcasing Torrent’s expressive range and spiritual depth

Backed by a responsive, organic quartet, 'Buleria' is both a tribute to classic modal jazz and a fresh exploration of emotional and musical boundaries; not only that, it's got a cover version of 'Naima' on it too!

For more Jazzman classics, check out Lamdin/Nostalgia 77's 'The Loneliest Flower In The Village' (see review HERE) and the off-beat JJ Whitefield & Forced Meditation, 'The Infinity Of Nothingness' (see review HERE).

Artist: Gilles Torrent

Title: Buleria

Release date: 2nd May, 2025
Label : Jazzman Records

Catalog Number : JMAN 148

Format:  180g LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Brenda - Where Did I Go Wrong (College Of Knowledge Records)

Brenda is not your usual Sheila as he asks, 'Where Did I Go Wrong'?

College Of Knowledge Records welcomes Brenda – the solo project of prolific ARIA-nominated drummer Hudson Whitlock

Known for his work with Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo, and The Pro-Teens, Whitlock steps forward as singer, composer, and arranger, blending introspective lyricism with delicate falsetto and cinematic soul

Drawing from 1960s sweet soul and the Melbourne cinematic soul movement, Brenda’s music evokes The Delfonics, Jean-Claude Vannier, and Serge Gainsbourg

This marks a shift from Whitlock’s underground solo releases—now joined by key collaborators from Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo—with more Brenda music coming in 2025

A great follow-up to The Pro-Teens' 'MF TEEN: Your Concurrence In The Above Is Assumed' (see review HERE).

Artist: Brenda

Title:Where Did I Go Wrong

Release date: 2nd May, 2025

Label: College Of Knowledge Records

Cat. No: TBC

Format: 7" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Frequencies Of Love - Frequencies Of Love EP (Not An Animal Records)

It's time celebrate Not An Animal's 21st with some 'Frequencies Of Love' on a 4-track EP that features a remix by Fantastic Man. 

Frequencies Of Love (aka Tom Rankin) and he's celebrating like it's a house/acid/rave on tracks 'Tucan' and the mad 'Bysyde'.

A Fantastic Man remix is always fun and he takes the original of 'Pegasus' (which is quite dreamy and synth-pop spoken word Patti Smith) and puts Icarus on the flying horse with predict-able wax melting potential.

This is Tom's first release and it's one of those productions that's full of ideas piano house vs. apocalyptic 'Echoes from the Holy Mountain' (see review HERE) vs. Sun Shone (see review HERE).

And as fantastic as Fantastic Man's remix is, think a really hard Blancmange whilst living on a ceiling; without a spoon, it's going to break some dancefloors - some might say, "it's essential".

BUY LINK: FREQUENCIES OF LOVE - Frequencies Of Love EP Vinyl at Juno Records.

Artist: Frequencies Of Love

Title: Frequencies Of Love EP

Release date: 2nd May, 2025
Label : Not An Animal Records
Catalog Number : NAAR021 
Format:  12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Mirlaqi - Dances Of The Red Planet (A Vision Of Panorama Remixes & More) (Star Creature)

When you know Chicago's Green Velvet is playing your track, label boss Tim Zawada just couldn't resist getting the team together to remix Geneva's finest, Mirlaqi's 'Dances Of The Red Planet' on this 12 track release! 

Well, take a big breath, as we start with A Vision Of Panorama Club Mix followed by Club In The Radio Edit, Orbit Dub, Mercury Club Mix, Mad Terra Mix, Jupiter Dub, Acapella, A Vision Of Panorama Instrumental Mix and there's even a French space programme variation a la Danses de la Planète Rouge (TZ Extended 12in Edit).

And to keep us on our francaise toes, the 3 'bonus' tracks, 'Neptune 82', 'Suvenire de Saturne' and 'Un Vélo Pour Venus' (Ed. as a warm up for the Tour de France).

You'll recall A Vision Of Panorama did a remix for Igor Jadranin (see review HERE) on Star Creature and the label's head man Tim Zawada gut feelings on 'Dances Of The Red Planet' were spot on with the original release (see review HERE) and he's at it again on the remix 'Nu-Balearica meets Deep Space Jazz Disco' package.

This is already in demand by DJ ears as descerning and diverse as Pittsburg's Dubmission (Kerem Gokmen), Scotland's Simon Harrison (Basic Soul Show) and Ramgate's Jo Wallace (Ramrock Records).  And not only is Star Creature hot with this release, co-head honcho Tim Zawada's latest radio show on OpenLab, currently on #2, is also worth keeping up to date with; see links below. 

OpenLab:  Star Creature Vibes Radio 05 – Tim Zawada HERE

BUY LINK:   https://www.traxsource.com/artist/568939/mirlaqi

Artist: Mirlaqi 

Title:  Dances Of The Red Planet (A Vision Of Panorama Remixes & More) 

Release date: 2nd May, 2025

Label : Star Creature

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Salty Miller – Album #1 (Miles Away Records)

Nelson “Salty” Miller's debut solo album had 12 tracks that the world had to hear, hence, 'Album #1'.

Not the most promising of titles or indeed album artwork, which is further compelled that's its released on a the Beach Music Records Of The Carolinas label in 1980 by the leader/founder of The Monzas, a Beach Music band from the 1960s coming outta the University of North Carolina!

But this is a back story to one of the must holy grails of leftfied Beach Rock that's forgot to buy a yacht: even Madlib, DJ Shadow, Mr Scruff or even a more ardent crate digger would give this one a wide bearth - "Salty Miller"!

So what is 'Beach Music'?  Well, this version is yacht, mixed with R&B pop-disco MOR on 70 miles of golden sand coastline where 'Music Makes Me High'.  Like a cheezy Little Feat mixed with Sutherland Bros. & Quiver on the East Coast thinking about a Floridian Balaerics.

Typically radio play length, the tracks are about girls/love/happiness/drinks and the like - it's horny rock for the sunshine radio gang.  'The Fox', 'She My Girl' are typical and hits the beach bar playlist.

Apparently, there was a beach music dance, 'The Shag'!  Careful if you're going search engine that one but Myrtle Beach seems like a hot spot for this kinda thing and there seems to be some simularities with the Belgium Popcorn scene in that 60s originals, a slowish groove and a dance with no particular dance code.

Are the Flying Mojito Bros the country end of Beach?  I could see them playing 'Drink'n Wine & Feel'n Fine', 'You're So Tough' (with very squeeky keyboard does it sound like a squeeze box), 'Happy Is The Word' and the rockin', 'Reach Out And Make Somebody Happy' with it's nod to the 80s with a jazz-funk bassline.

Even with the benefit of 'modern' technology, 'The Good Time Song' (featuring added bar room sound EFX), 'One More Time' (with seagulls sound EFX) it's hard to believe this wan't picked up by a major label for a release, there must have been a Radio WFMBM for 'Lik'n Leads To Lovin' and 'Jenny Sue' but perhaps 'Music Make Me High' was too short; I definitely prefer the longer Miles Away edit that's now available for advanced shag dancin' routines.

PS. well played for sticking with the original artwork.

BUY LINK:  Salty Miller Vinyl & CDs for sale - Juno Records

Artist:  Salty Miller

Title:Album #1

Release date: 2nd May, 2025

Label: Miles Away Records

Cat. No: -

Format: LP Vinyl / digital / Bandcamp

Review: Commonsur - Commonsur EP (Lovemonk)

Lovemonk latest single on 7" and digital EP harks back to a 'golden age' of hip-hop, R&B soul-jazz, you'll want to fall in love with Commonsur! 

 

Just perfect modern contemporary soul out of Geneva/Madrid based production team that's on the beat and, to mis-quote, the 'sample not sample' with their tracks.

Rolita provides the vocals from her Spanish base and there's some 'real' vocals on the lead track 'Let's Make It Happen'.

These guys can walk 'The Walk', which harks back to some funky breaks and, as common with these things, is far too short.   But not to worry, Rolita makes up for it on the off-psych 'All Is Love' and 'Better Place'.

This is quite a bit different.to the last couple of Lovemonk releases,  Keita Sano & Sauce81 with the 7" 'Feeling Alright' (see review HERE) and Soulnaturals' 'Give Me The Strenght To Be Me' (see review HERE), but no less welcome.

BUY LINK: https://onerpm.link/113115501518

Artist: Commonsur

Title: Commonsur EP

Release date: 2nd May, 2025

Label: Lovemonk Records 

Cat. No: LMNK85

Format:  7" Vinyl / Digital EP / Bandcamp

Review: Ryan Sadorus - Hot In The D ft Simon Black (Beretta Music)

Chances are that you'll know Beretta Music from releases by John "Zoetic" Briggs, Dez Andrés or Nic Joseph if you're into your Detroit underground but if you're really 'Hot In The D', check out label boss Ryan Sadorus'  EP with a Delano Smith remix.

This is very Detroit heavy as these lions (and tigers) of house, or should that be hot house, bounce their way with this 4-tracker: 'Hot In The D' original and Delano Smith remix, 'Nobody's Fool' and 'See The Light' that all feature Simon Black on vocals.

Both 'Hot In The D' versions have that, WTF is this about them, as much for that hook as anything but these guys have clearly seen the light.  In fact, you need to 'See The Light' as these guys do with a full pallet as deep as the artwork: they are what's right!

You don't have to be as Detroit as Jeffrey Sebelia (PR) or Barry Sanders (RB) to get how 'Hot In The D' is hot - just get it!   

Baretta Music was founded by Ryan and Brian Kage (they also record together as 

Airport Society) and have been releasing music that's especially for fans of Laurent Garnier, Seth Troxler, Soul Clap, Fred Everything, Lars Benrenroth and the like (Ed. none of which have ever been a Running Back, nor on the label Running Back).

BUY LINK: Hot in the D EP (w Delano Smith Remix) | Ryan Sadorus feat. Simon Black | Beretta Music

Artist: Ryan Sadorus 

Title: Hot In The D ft Simon Black (with Delano Smith Remix)

Release date: 2nd May, 2025

Label : Baretta Music

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: 12" vinyl   / Digital / Bandcamp