Thursday, 8 May 2025

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British jazz has open boarders to the Third Island Land as Daylight Robbery has joined forces with Nick Marks on potentialy the highlight of spiritual jazz fusion with hip-hop for 2025



We know the power of Nick Marks, he of 'Cinematic Chromatics' (see review HERE) and there's more than a hint of McCoy Tyner on 'Invitation Unknown' along with a Nostalgia 77 quality - it's a link jazz-fusion link with the spiritual jazz of Nādt Orchestra (the album 'Dualism' is out this week too (see review HERE).

We've had the single 'Inivitation Unknown' on the YATM hi-fi now for some weeks so it's glad to finally get the album, as it touches a bit of 'prog' wit 'Tonight's Entertainment', a bit of coral/ dnb and Nick's beautiful jazz keys (throughout but highlighted on 'Satyr Ceremony') is the connection throughout.

No idea who Daylight Robbery is (described as "British jazz producer" but there's a synergy here with Mr. Marks that's got some early Ninja Tune/Cinematic Orchestra tinkerings about it. 

Perfect jazz to add to Melting Pot's mix along with FloFilz (see review HERE) with more classy artwork too!

Artwork by Cologne artist Jens Roth.

 
Artist: Daylight Robbery with Nick Marks
Title:  Third Island Suite
Release date: 9th May, 2025
Label : Melting Pot Music
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: LP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 
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Nādt Orchestra are based in Bologna and take put the BadBadNotGood into the Cinematic Orchestra to get any driver of a locomotiv full steam ahead!



As all fans of jazz-yoga spiritualism know, 'Nādt' is from the Sanskrit denoting subtle channels through which prāṇa flows; similar to life-force in Tai Chi/Qigong and the like.  Which reminds me of Surya Botofasina & Carlos Niño 'Everyone's Children' (see review HERE); particularly on 'Koko' and 'Abatur' but these eight youngsters have nailed this thoughout.

We love 'Koko' as it features "the best 'bone in the bizz", Gianluca Petrella (who was on 'What Is Wrong With Your Mind' - see review HERE) and it's hard to believe that the band are led by a guitarist, Domenico Romano, as, mostly there's a relaxed hard bop horn section leading the way: difficult to describe and unusual in a good way.

To mis-quote someone, world without global, jazz without jazz, locomotiv's without loco with I suppose is 'Dualism' but, in this case, seriously good.


Domenico Romano - guitar
Vincenzo Bosco - piano
Lorenzo Napoletani - bass
Yado Uzun - percussion
Francesco Guerra - drums
Federico Privitera - trumpet
Lorenzo Righetti - trumpet
Riccardo Dalle Vedove - trombone
Marco Porcelluzzi - alto/tenor saxophone

Artist: Nādt Orchestra
Title: Dualism
Release date: 9th May, 2025
Label: Locomotiv Records
Cat. No: TBC
Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp

You won't be surprised to find out the Toronto Hustle (aka Mark Kufner) and Sean Roman are Canadians and after thinking about visiting Detroit soon?



You've got to be good to follow thier last release, The Symington Avenue EP (see review HERE) that included a remix by Atlanta-based Kai Alcé, they're done a quick switch from the Wolf label to Ascension On Wax with this 4-track EP that brings them together with vocal house royalty Javontte; and most recently seen on Delusions Of Grandeur's Soul Of Hex 'Constellation' EP (see review HERE).

And no surprise they'd give Javontte a ring as they've previous teamed up on 'The Detroronto' EP (Ed. did you see what they did there?) which also had a Late Night Dub on it as they have with 'Deep In This' with the equally deep, 'When You Look At Me'

And last time we asked, what's 'An Abacus Re-Edit' like? We'll as Abacus is a Canadian producer, it's like an upbeat disco dub a la Kai Alcé! 

Clearly, if you were into 'The Symington Avenue EP', fans of the ATL Sh*t won't miss Kai Alcé (in a good way) as all eyes will be on them; plus the bonus of 'Run The Numbers'.


Buy / Pre Order: 26th April 2025


Artist: Toronto Hustle x Sean Roman ft. Javontte
Title: The Unity EP
Release date: 9th May, 2025
Label : Ascension on Wax
Catalog Number:  AOW003
Format: 12" vinyl Pre-Order / Digital / Bandcamp
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Laurent Garnier is a fan and here's four tracks that show us why!



Citi Beat is very Chicago House old skool with 'Move 4 Me', 'The Heat', This Is Citi Beat' and 'Life'; the titles almost write the tracks themselves but what you do get is Chi-house goodness for today's dancefloor.

It might be a UK Juan Atkins - Derrick May - Kevin Saunderson or on the Trax label, but don't miss out as 'This Is Citi Beat'!

But is he a Cubs or White Sox fan?



Artist: Citi Beat
Title: This Is Citi Beat 
Release date: 8th May, 2025
Label :Morris Audio 
Catalog Number: MA132
Format: Digital
 / Bandcamp


Wednesday, 7 May 2025

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You may recall that we considered Third Attempt's remix of FSQ's 'Freak Out For Fitness' to be the grooviest of them all and on his new EP, 'We're All Connected' he's lost none of his groove from his base in Norway, so it's a good time to catch up with Torje Fagertun Spilde for a bit of a Q&A. 


YATM: How do you know FSQ/Soul Clap (see review of 'Freak Out For Fitness HERE), did you meet in a gym? 
TA: Haha you’d think? Actually I first met with Charlie (Chuck Da Fonk) in Amsterdam late 23. Being a part of FSQ he recognized me out of the blue at a Boogie Angst label event. We got chatting amongst other artists, and we eventually ended up at a Glitterbox party together. After I returned to Oslo, things just snowballed from there. Glad to hear you’re enjoying the remix. Probably won’t be the last time we work together.

YATMYou've had 4 albums out on Beatservice prior to this EP and last year had a collaboration with Steve Cobby with 'Offshore Sunsets'. With Mr Cobby being 50% of Fila Brazilla - as mentioned in our recent interview with Balaphonic (see Interview HERE) how did you link up with Steve, one of Hull's favourite sons? 
TA: That’s right. 5 if you count my first album 'Dreams In Common', released independently in 2017. Besides playing gigs over in England late ‘22, I had the absolute pleasure to meet and connect with Steve, which is someone I've listened to since my early teenage years. I reached out via messenger to ask if I could come visit. Initially he turned my request down, but after a heartfelt follow-up message, we suddenly found ourselves in his studio together.

During my short two-day visit in Hull, not only got to know each other, but crafted a solid amount of musical material for this collaborative EP. Sessions that flowed immensely well, especially since we'd never met before. Grateful as this was a big moment for me, something I will never forget.

YATMIf you're into the Balearics and are new to Fila Brazilia (I recommend RE:Warm's compilation 'Fila Brazillia – Retrospective Redux 90- 22'), MadeNorth did the artwork for that. Your artwork is quite similar. Is that the same people?  [Ed. I have suggested this before, but both would make great t-shirts] 
TA: Good question actually! Ours was done in-house at Paper Recordings.

YATMWe love the intro to 'Language Of The Heart' tell us a little about that track.
TA: In person, I’m a bit of a closet romantic. Channelling feelings, many times through music and storytelling is my go-to method of expressing this side of myself.

YATM: Which brings me to 'Blessed' that's groovy, jazzy and funky all at the same time? That's your thing right?
TA: Big fan of crossing genres that inspire me.

YATM: 'People Are Beautiful' is even better with its low-slung synth end and poppy Chic-esque groove and vocal. What was the influence behind this track?
TA: [I] Wanted to play something that really kicks in the club but carries other listenable qualities as well. I like music that is not constrained to a specific time and space. 70s disco is among the right references.

YATM: That then flips into acid rave land. The crowd reaction to this must be bonkers?
TA: I’ve gotten milage out of this acid sound. Have had great fun playing this out.

YATM: The only trouble with the EP is that the next track you hear instantly becomes your favourite. 'Tears On My Mixer’ that's more soul-disco with the quirky ending. Was that based on a real experience?
TA:I appreciate that! I guess this excerpt of dialogue was something I really could relate to. It ties together a touch of awkwardness with something so heartfelt at the same time. That’s life!

YATM: The title track is closer to the FSQ remix for me but with more of a 'community' ethos with acid + scratchin'. I really like this non-genre style. Is that what you're aiming for?
TAI’m happy with this direction and message. Hard to say what I will make next. But I hope it’s something that stand and speak for itself.

YATM: Have you got a launch party for the EP/gigs/festivals lined up?
TANot directly a launch party, but playing a gig in Oslo this Friday, and in England this June!

YATM: 20 years ago, all I knew about the Norway scene outside of Jazz was Espen Horne's  Moosejuus night in Norway (see review of Espen's album from last year HERE) which got overshadowed when the Prins Thomas/Todd Terje explosion happened. Apart from yourself, what/who should we know about in Norway at the moment?
TALove Espen Horne! You should check out Dublon and Henrik Villard to name a few within the warmer shades of the house scene.

YATM: Is there anything else we should know about you? 
TAStarted playing with my band last year! Guitar, drums and electronics. Working on getting that properly established.
.
I wonder if that's Torje Fagertun Splide's Third Attempt(?) 'We Are All Connected' EP is out on Friday so get connected.

PS.  Many thanks to Torje and Sharonn at Shrine for arranging the interview.


Artist: Third Attempt
Title: We Are All Connected EP
Release date: 9th May, 2025
Label: Beatservice
Cat. No: -
Format: digital / Bandcamp
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"Sexy" and Brazilian, Mr Bongo has got the love tent out of Julia Mastre and the album, 'Maravilhosamente Bem'.


Don Glori is on the edge of Brazilian soul-jazz and the 'next' Seu Jorge (see review HERE) so what's the thinking at Mr Bongo signing Julia Mastre?  Well, as you can see from the album cover, she's ready for a full summer of camping but she's not going to be in the shade as we've got 11 tracks of Brazilian  Sade/dreamy pop that'll swifly take over the radio airways.

Not only that, we know that she's not just hype having made a global impression as part of the Bala Desejo 'SIM, SIM, SIM' phenomenon (see review HERE) that spawned Dora Morelenbaum ('Vento De Beirada' - see review HERE) plus the 'Electric Fish' of Ana Frango Elétrico (see review HERE).

There's a high level of dreamy soul bossa pop ('Pra Lua', 'Sau Fera' and 'Canto da Sareia') and don't be put off by the title 'Vampira' as it's got nothing on Mary Shelley's scibblings; more of a summer bandstand party in Shelley Park with strings whilst 'Sentimento Blues' takes it even further on a sentimental journey peaking with 'Seu Romance' on the slo-mo bossa yacht.

Your dance DJ is going to rush to 'Veneno da Serpente' for some groove on the beach along with 'Marinou, Limou' featuring Marina Lima.

This is a sunny 2025 to lift spirits, hopes and dreams of 'Hidden Waters' with more strange and sublime sounds of Rio de Janeiro (see HERE).


Artist: Julia Mestre 
Title: Maravilhosamente Bem 
Release date: 8th May, 2025
Label : Mr Bongo
Catalog Number : MRB316
Format:  LP release 23rd May 2025 / Digital / Bandcamp 

Tuesday, 6 May 2025

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We know Clive From Accounts.  We know Byron the Aquarius.  But who is the big-head, Bob The Egoist?  He's definitely not the same person but who are these people and why can't I stop dancing?



Well, it's on Felipe Gordon's label, Wide Awake Records so that's a big tick even if it's just WA-003!  And Bob The Egoist is Daniel Pardo who is 'the same person' as the  Colombian/American flutist "An award winning musician for his arrangement of world music with jazzy harmonies".

But these 3-tracks are very Felipe Gordon,Motorcity Wine, Razor N-Tape, house groove but particularly watch out for 'Fever' that's got all the energy you need for a space ship sourced from Colombia’s capital, Bogotá.

'New Beginings' is un-chilled Poolside with jazzy-dub and talking jazz, is this Gilles Peterson's bestest dream world?  Earl Zinger's 'Escape From Ibiza' crossed Mark Murphy's 'Dingwalls' and 'Rose Rouge' for a 'Ride Club' (Bob's Monochromatic Version)!  What's a fullychromatic version going to be like?  

The new EP has taken the Gordon/Egoist Toy Tonic 'Please Don't Go' and last years' 'The Punk Automata' EP (on G.A.M.M) to another level; a even higher level!  As a first solo release its a bit early to crown the new 'Filipe' but i'll ride again even if he's still the same person.

Did I say how good a jazz dancer 'Ride Club' is?  Let's say it again, 'Ride Club' is the jazz dance 2025!


Artist:  Bob The Egoist 
Title:   I'm Still The Same Person EP 
Release date: 9th May, 2025
Label : Wide Awake Records
Catalog Number :WA-003
Format:  Vinyl / Digital

Monday, 5 May 2025

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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
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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! 



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 

Friday, 2 May 2025

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.