Review: The Ercons - Energy ft. Laura Vane (Ramrock Blue Records)

Perhaps there's been a lot of Flying Mojito Bros. going on but who'd have thought the R&B/Soul of The Ercons 'Energy' (featuring Laura Vane) would have such a rockin' guitar solo!

The last Ramrock Blue label release was Maxine Scott's 'New To This' EP (see review HERE) and Ms Vane (who we know as far back as 2008 with her association with Part-time Heroes on Wah Wah 45s - see review HERE) up to the Random Soul 'Sway Me' that she featured on at the end of last year) is just as soulful on this track 'Energy'.

And it's quite as dramatic as the cover photo with the R&B half followed by a jazz flutey bit as 'Lateef' guides us through the gentle forest breeze and the awesome rockin' guitar solo.  Not only that, it comes in an instrument version too!

Who are The Ercon's I hear you ask?  Well, head honcho at Ramrock, Jo Wallace, tells us that she was introduced to their stunning 2023 album 'Planet Fantastique' via Eamon Murtagh (aka Blackwax) which is a collaboration between producer and keyboard player Phillip Williams and Darren Banton (bass) "to explore space funk, hip-hop and soul" and includes great covers of jazz/funk classics 'Mystic Brew' and 'Maiden Voyage'. Jo immediately got in touch with the band to secure digital rights to the release - The Ercons super limited 'Planet Fantastique' vinyl LP is on Bandcamp HERE.

Getting back to 'Energy', Ms. Wallace describes it best as, "Energy’ with its powerhouse soul vocals, slungback beats and blistering Isley Brother’ish guitar solo".

Artist:The Ercons ft. Laura Vane
Title:  - Energy
Release date: 5th May, 2025
Label: Ramrock Blue Records
Cat. No: RRB024
Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Jazzanova - In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live (Sonar Kollektiv)

I think were on the boarders of saying, "better than the original", can we say that?  Well, that's what we were thinking when the second single, the anthemic 'Worldwide' hit 'Another New Day' from the Little Big Beat Studio live session came out, so what's the betting on the rest of the album?

What better way to celebrate 20 years since Jazzanova released 'In Between' with it's then unique mix of what were labelled as acid jazz broken beat, downtempo, nu-jazz, future jazz, hip-hop and house; no wonder it was not only groundbreaking but also so influencial and it was their debut album to boot!

Their last album was a joint venture into 'Strata Records - The Sound Of Detroit Reimagined by Jazzanova (see review HERE) which clearly gave them the confidence to take on a live version of their own masterpiece recorded in Leichtenstein at the Little Big Beat Studios as a live band.

'That Night', 'No Use' (featuring Clara HIll), 'Days To Come' and the modern classic 'Mwela, Mela' all sound new and particularly fresh whilst old fans will recall how important the remix 12s were back in the dayDays To Come (Ayro Remix and Ian O'Brien Remix) 'That Night' (Wah-Chu-Ku Perspective and the Vikter Duplaix remix

Absolutely stunning whether you know the orginals or not - has the feeling of a organic jazz rebirth from the seed to the full developed beast.  Jazzanova forever! 

BUY LINK: https://sonarkollektiv.lnk.to/InBetweenRevisited-JazzanovaLive

Artist: Jazzanova

Title: In Between Revisited (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

Release date: 9th May, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK520

Format: 2xLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Dan The Drum & Stuart Patterson - UK House Sermon ft. Carmy Love (X-Press 2 Remixes)(F*CLR Records)

Already on the playlists of all the big DJ boys/girls, we now get the X-Press 2 Remixes that give it even more longevity on the dancefloor.

We told you that there would be remixes of the original (see review HERE) but don't think that because to cover has been stripped to a mostly blue palette that this is now the spiritual party to celebrate UK House culture, the stripped 'Wild Pitch' remix but still a sermon; albeit with limited vocals.

You won't need any introduction to X-Press 2 (unless you're really lazy [Ed. see what I did there] so go and check out their remix on F*CLR HERE for Joseph Malik, who's 'variant' album version was recently released - see review HERE) but their 'UK House Sermon (X-Press 2 Give Thanks Remix)' is even more captivating for listens 'again and again'.

Check out the Bandcamp page for vinyl version of the original HERE and the X-Press 2 Remixes (HERE).

Artist: Dan The Drum & Stuart Patterson
Title:  UK House Sermon ft. Carmy Love (X-Press 2 Remixes)
Release date: 2nd May, 2025
Label: F*CLR Records
Cat. No: FCLR038
Format:  Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Credits: Dan The Drum: Production, arrangement, composition, percussion.

Stuart Patterson: Lead vocals, lyricist
Carmy Love: Lead vocals
Darren Morris: Production, arrangement, composition, keyboards, Synth Bass, percussion.
X-Press 2: Remixers, drum programming, synths
Mastered by Darren Morris at North Street West studios.

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