Review: MELONYX - Soul Glow Remixes (No'West, Ten Thousand Nights, Tyler Daley, Dub-Liner & Riffz Remixes) (Tru-Thoughts Recordings)

Nottingham is the home of the pairing of Georgia Copeland and Nadia Latoya (aka MELONYX) and their 'Slow Glow' remixed project is out today featuring the No'West team, Ten Thousand Nights, Tyler Daley, Dub-Liner & Riffz.

Originally on the Joe Buhdha produced album 'Slow Glow' from 2023, it's a good time to release as 4 different remixers/7 tracks with vocal and instrumental versions plus two dub versions; how does that work out?

Taking pride of place is our favourite No'Westers (aka Ashley Beedle, Darren Morris and Jo Wallace) with their own pack of 3 as vocal, instrumental and dub.  Fresh from their 'Black Market' remixes of Dan The Drum & Stuart Patterson's anthem, 'UK House Sermon' (featuring Carmy Love - see review HERE), their 'Soul Glow' is very different as they stick with a R&B, Hip-hop, lovers rock slow jazz groove - perfect summer love.

At the other extreme, there's the Tyler Daley (Children Of Zeus) UKG-bass wobble whilst Ten Thousand Nights heads to the skies with "Butterflies" that's nicely dancefloor out-there with some Theo Parrish influence.

What you don't really expect is full on DnB as a vocal and extended dub from Dub-Liner & Riffz.  And even if I say so myself, as it follows the style of BiggaBush's 'This River' (the Gerry Hectic Towpath Extension that is also on Tru-Thoughts) it makes these two remixes particular favourites.

MELONYX have acquired to all your usual DJ fanbase, on BBC 6 Music alone, they include Craig Charles, Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Jamz Supernova and then there's also some guy called Elton John!  Elton currently fighting the Government about artist royalty issues, he's cool be to love and be loved by once again.

P.S.  And Children of Zeus have worked with Georgie Sweet who has her Jazz Cafe gig next month (see review HERE).

Artist:  MELONYX
Title:  Soul Glow Remixes
Release date: 20th May, 2025
Label : Tru-Thoughts Recordings
Catalog Number  TRUDD582
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Thierry Tomas - Why Why EP featuring Fred Everything Remix (Deepa Records)

Thierry Tomas is a name that you'd expect to see at the Highbury Museum but he's flying down the win with some jazzy deep house.

If you go and pre-order this (and 'Why Why' wouldn't you) it says, "recommended for those who like Franck Roger": and if this is AI in action, check the 'Can U Believe' EP by Mr. Roger (see review HERE), but there's the link, Fred 'Love, Care, Kindness & Dubs' Everything;

Both the original and the remix is heavy on the jazzy horn and it's definitely one/two that stands out in the set - not only that, the vocal sounds so familiar.

And on the flip, 'Life's Great' gets us in UK shuffle mode with 'jazz club' trumpet soloing, 'Blue Bird Fly' (cool piano jazz with a touch of dub) and 'Dad's Vinyl' gets the jazz-funk sampler warmed up for some more echo chamber (watch out for the 'European' singing - Ursula Dudziak next time?)

So remember, 'Life's Great' with the 'Why Why' EP 

BUY LINK: www.juno.co.uk

Deeppa Records · Thierry Tomas - Why Why EP (feat. Fred Everything remix) [DEEPPA11] preview

Artist: Thierry Tomas 

Title:  Why Why EP featuring Fred Everything Remix

Release date: 19th May, 2025

Label : Deepa Records

Catalog Number : DEEPA11

Format: Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: John Beltran presents Sol Set - Love Revolution EP (All Good Music)

John Beltran's production history has always been quality and basking in sunshine and love - so what could be better than to present Sol Set's 'Love Revolution' on All Good Music?

We still love the 'Love Revolution' set that includes a 'John Beltran Soul Disco Mix' (see review HERE) but as I thought, the original version (now availble) is even better for your sun-soaked summer sun anthme.

And the heat is definitely on with the EP, as the Beltran magic weaves the sunlight beam of soul-jazz-Balearic-Brazilian from the dreamy, 'Through Fire' to the Sade on the sun terrace of 'War Of The Hearts' with some proper sax on the beach along with some Sérgio Mendes 'ba-ba' of 'Maragogi'. 

Again, every track a winner. 

BUY LINK: https://www.juno.co.uk/products/john-beltran-presents-sol-set-love-revolution-ep-vinyl/1087440-01/

Artist: John Beltran presents Sol Set

Title: Love Revolution EP

Release date: 19th May, 2025

Label : All Good Music

Catalog Number :  AGM005

Format: Vinyl (due late May) / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Milton Jackson & Brian Kage - Fire Emoji EP (Freerange Records)

This could have been Milton Jackson goes to Detroit as he teams up with Brian Kage.

Kage is a veteran of DJ/Producer outta Michigan and label owner with releases on the We Play House Recordings, Planet E and loads more plus numerous remixes including Dez Andres, Oliver $ (on REKIDS) and Ryan Sadorus (as in, Ryan Sadorus' 'Hot In The D ft Simon Black on Beretta Music - see review HERE).

So there couldn't be a better match for Scotland's Milton Jackson (who 20 years ago was pioneering deep house with Shur-i-kan on Freerange with 'Special Powers'; a favourite of Gilles Peterson at the time) on this 4-track EP.

'Fire Emoji' is trippy Parrish whilst 'The Sunsetters' is ready for the beach and the sunscreen with a big synth from HazMat and golden strings.

Talking of summer, don't forget 'Summer Heatwave' by The Disco Express guys and there's more UKG influences in 'Wanna C U' and the jazzy favourite via Jon Dixion's piano work.

If you know your Detroit with Amp Fiddler from your Dwele, Jeff Mills form your Carl Craig or your Moodyman from Theo Parrish

BUY LINK:  Fire Emoji EP | Milton Jackson & Brian Kage | Milton Jackson

As featured:

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - May 2025

Artist: Milton Jackson & Brian Kage

Title:  Fire Emoji

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label : Freerange Records

Catalog Number : FR306

Format: Vinyl /  Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Yesterday's Princess - Not Today (Maybe Tomorrow)(Root Records)

I hope we've all forgotten Eurovision from yesterday as 3 blokes from Finland represented Sweden, in a Sauna and they were pre-show favourites!  So let's get back to 'real' Swedish music as Yesterday's Princess release 'Not Today (Maybe Tomorrow)'.

The 2nd single from their forthcoming debut EP, ‘Not Today (Maybe Tomorrow)’ continues to showcase Yesterday's Princess' take on the soulful & hip-hop leaning library and instrumental revival, with a trance-inducing bass line paired with silky backbeats and glistening Rhodes melodies. The pair draw influence from the ground-breaking library music style pioneered by the KPM and Music de Wolfe music libraries, whilst also pulling in psychedelia, modal jazz and melancholic flavours from Swedish folk and prog music. 

The full EP is out on Friday, 25th July 

Artist: Yesterday's Princess 
Release: Not Today (Maybe Tomorrow)
Release Date: 21st May, 2025
Label: Root Records
Catalog Number: TBC
Format:  Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Don Glori - Paper Can't Wrap Fire (Mr Bongo)

Mr Bongo hits the beach with Ausssie beach culture as they check the waves that Don Glori's new album 'Paper Can't Wrap Fire' is going to cause in summer heat.

We know Don Glori from the glorious single 'Brown Eyes' for it's Naarm/Melbourne/Brazilian soul-jazz.   And we know he's well in with the local big heads Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo and has even helped out with Catrips' album 'From A Darbin Cave' (see review HERE).

This is full of summer soul with other stand out tracks like 'Flicker' which features Bianca Kyriacou and 'Janet'; both featuring ML Hall as does 'Brown Eyes'.

So it is a bit of a surprise that half dozen tracks are more of a collage of what the label calls "genre-surfing" nu-jazzy, bruk, soul, funky beats that clearly fit in with the scene down under like his other mates from the hood like, Ziggy Zeitgeist (see review HERE), Allysha Joy (as in 30/70 - see review HERE), Close Counters (see review HERE) and with Finn Rees (see review HERE) to name just a few.

'Song For Ants' and 'Power' are possibly the best tracks that ride the wave whilst the longer jazzy 'Precious' showcases multi-instrumentalist Don (aka Gordon Li) and the band.  You won't be surprised if 'Ron Song' was recorded on the Sugar Loaf mountain and the set ends on 'Saturn's Return' (a nod to Sun Ra?) but there's not a XXXX bad track on here.

But this guy should be on the main stage at WeOutHere and numerous other festivals in the near future along and in case you were wondering, the title is an old Chinese proverb (Ed. we love a Chinese proverb, especially an old one) that translates as 'you can't deny the truth'.  And this truth is no one can deny this is a truely great album; the eye of the tiger is watching you!.

Artist: Don Glori

Title: Paper Can't Wrap Fire 

Release date: 16th May, 2025

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRB322

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Georgie Sweet - The Ones We Loved / Bedsheets (First Word Records)

Georgie Sweet's follow-up to here debut on First Word Records is out now as 'The Ones We Loved' / 'Bedsheets' and there's even more good news.

Yes, the single 'Smaller' / 'All That We Were' (see review HERE) and together with 'The Ones We Loved' and 'Bedsheets' are taken from Georgie’s forthcoming sophomore album 'I Swear To You' (out June 20th, vinyl & digital).

Not only that, Georgie will be live in session with her long time musical cohort, Marc Rapson on WorldwideFM for Gilles Peterson next Thursday [22nd May] and she will be live in London at The Jazz Cafe, Soho, London on June 12th for Mahalia Presents...

Whilst you're waiting, don't forget the debut album, 'Misunderstood', which also features Marc 'Heat' Rapson that was released on Futuristica Music along with DJ Simon S, Deborah Jordan and K15!

BUY LINK: lnk.to/onesweloved

BUY LINK: https://lnk.to/fw330 [Smaller / All That We Were]

Artist: Georgie Sweet

Title: The Ones We Loved / Bedsheets

Release date: 15th May, 2025

Label: First Word Records 

Cat. No: TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Collettivo Immaginario - Oltreoceano (Domanda Music)

If you've heard 'Vento Eterno' featuring the great Dwight Trible, you know you want the album 'Oltreoceano'.

You'll know Mr. Trible from his time at Ninja Tune and his connections with Carlos Niño, he of 'Everyone's Children' (see review HERE), you'll there's no better interpretive spiritual jazz skat-free vocal and he's brilliant on 'Vento Eterno'.  In fact, he's a true successor to Andy Bey (who has recently passed RIP) who'd worked with, amongst many more, Lonnie Liston Smith and the instrumental tracks on this album are heavily influenced by that 'Expansions'/'Space Princess' jazz-funk/jazz dance period.

Sticking with vocals, Dwight's reputation made inroads into the LA/West Coast scene where Canadian Maylee Todd has also had a release on the Stones Throw/Ninja Tune labels and features on the track 'Alberoni'.

I wonder if they'll be any remixes?  I'd be thinking Medlar (with his 'Island' album - see review HERE), he'd be good in the 'Oltreoceano'.

Just to be clear, this is great jazz-funk music and they must be fantastic live - see flyer of the Summer Tour 2025 line up.

Artist: Collettivo Immaginario 

Title: Oltreoceano
Release date: 16th May, 2025
Label :Domanda Music
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Summer Heatwave (The Disco Express)

It's time to buy your tickets to board the The Disco Express 'Summer Heatwave' Best Of 2025 compilation that features the best in hot orange house 'n' disco.

And when you say "best", getting seven tracks on a 12" takes us from the club of 'Best Of 2024' (see review HERE) to the beach

You get the idea from the track titles with 'Hot' (La Felix), 'Mundial' (although its got a lot of Carnival in it and it's just as big of Maryag's 'Poison For Us' (Moodena Remix) on the 'Best Of') and Borka & The Gang's 'Tem Que Sonhar' (BOSQ remix) that's all the hot disco you could hope for.

A Dr. Packer remix is always fun and the hands go up for 'Can You Feel The Love' (Rayowa) at any time in the set whilst, 'Jacuzzi Sunset' (Magnolia) is not what it says on the tin as it's a synth'n' funk express back from the tub into town and jazz club - it could have been 'Jazzcuzzi' (Ed. stop it).

The Bustin Loose track, 'Pharoah's Lean Time' is even more jazz in the disco before the vocals take it to the Soul Train replacement service; not sure why it's on a lean time as it's a full track for me. 

The compilaton ends with Third Attempt's 'See You', later on for sure you might say (especially as his own 'We Are All Connected EP' has just been released - see review HERE) and you'll see, it's another big tune on The Disco Express teams' 90th release. 

For more on the label, check out our recent interview with Tom Lilly (aka Bustin Loose) & Tatiana (see interview HERE).

BUY LINK: https://www.juno.co.uk/products/summer-heatwave-vinyl/1082721-01/

Artist: Various Artists

Title:   Summer Heatwave 
Release date: 16th May, 2025
Label : The Disco Express
Catalog Number : XPRESS90
Format:  12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: The Jade - Change! / Si no me quieres esperar (Lovemonk Records)

If you can remember the group Change, 'Change!' by The Jade is in that disco/jazz ball park and is perfect for you.

Introducing ‘Change!’ (out today) is the first single from The Jade's debut album, a brand new live and studio project from Casbah 73.

Out early next month is the follow up, a Latin/jazz/samba/fusion ‘Si no me quieres esperar’ with vocals by Cuban singer Ale Gutiérrez (of Habana Abierta and El Combo Batanga)

The album, 'Love Harder' drops in the summer and is bound to be in numerous DJ's summer sounds charts. 

BUY LINK: https://onerpm.link/101104305573

Artist: The Jade 

Title: Change! / Si no me quieres esperar 

Release date: 4th June, 2025

Label: Lovemonk Records 

Cat. No: LMNK86DG2 / LMNK86DG3

Format:   Digital / Bandcamp