Review: D.Foe feat. Claire Delliere - French Letter (Infected Senses & Looking Glass Alice Remixes) (Ramrock Red Records)

D.Foe teams up with Claire Deliere again with 3 different 'French Letter' versions: who is going to say it's a packet of 3?

Remembering D.Foe (aka Mark Daniels and he of 45 Dip, Marden Hill and Sugarman) and Rob Clydesdale (New King) who released 'The Fool' EP a couple of years ago (see review HERE) have called up Claire Delliere to provide the sexy française vocal to spaced out dub space jam with added rock-a-billy guitar.

I said of 'The Fool' EP that for the remix, "the studio knobs working over-time al la Mad Professor" so what of the Infected Senses and Looking Glass Alice remixes?  Well, we'll had to wait 'til next month for them (6th June).

And another reminder, this is nothing like D.Foe's collaborations with Ghetto Priest (see review HERE) but that guitar twang is worth the surf ride in itself; RIP Duane Eddy (April 26, 1938 – April 30, 2024).

Artist: D.Foe feat Claire Delliere

Title: French Letter (Original)

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR082 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Artist: D.Foe feat Claire Delliere

Title: French Letter (Infected Senses & Looking Glass Alice Remixes)

Release date: 6th June, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR083

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ron Trent - Lift Off (Rush Hour)

If you're a superstar DJ with a reputation the size of Ron Trent, you don't need me to recommend you get ready for his new album 'Lift Off', but I will anyway: be prepared for 'Lift Off'.

You know what they say about judging books by the cover, well, for this LP, you can as it's a perfect graphical interpretation of what on the inside and it's heritage.  From the 60s roots of Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) in Chicago to 70's Black Panther movement with EW&F funk / soul  pyramids (along with Sun Ra's Birthday this week) the digital automobile 'spaceships' of today with musical scrolling, Trent nails the lot into 10 outer world grooves that would grace any DJ set.

The track 'Jazz Funk' nails this from the start along with a 'monster' that is 'Woman Of Colour' which is particularly deep that holds your attention for the full 11 minutes.  'Sexstrology' squeezes in a bit of Balearic guitar with the jazzy funk keys (for very nearly 11 minutes) whilst 'Let Me See You Shining' up the tempo and brings in some gospel/house vocals.

Typically, long instrumentals with funky jazz percussion rich with strings/synths, it's surprising to be told that these tracks have been recorded over the past 10 years and much of the post-Lonnie Liston Space minimal house seems to be very now along with Trent's take on Chicago and New York House, Detroit tech and 90s ambient; 'Like And Fly Away' (11 minutes), 'Street Wave' (the longest track at 12 minutes and the epitome of 'Lift Off') and 'Her' (10 minutes of RT's take on Desert Disco, did some say, "Flying Mojito Bros' 'Just Passing Through'?)

And, of course, as soon as you think you've got it sussed, 'Just Another Love Song' has a New Order/80s pop elements to it (Ed. could even be a hit?) with some Kraut-Balearic canned into 'Juice' for some "sunset dance'. 

It's been a while since we were at Rush Hour with Planet People's 'Terra Firma' EP (see review HERE) but Mr Trent is high above that, so do yourself a favour and 'Lift Off' to another level.

Ron's will be extensively touring to promote this album so be sure to catch him in 2025.

Artist:  Ron Trent

Title: Lift Offf

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label : Rush Hour

Catalog Number : TBC 

Format: Vinyl / Digital /Bandcamp

Review: Lukus - Love Andeavour EP (Apparel Music)

Not the first to declare that 'If there's a hell below, we all goin' to go' but if true, let's take 'Love Andeavour' with us.

As one half of the SRWN (Chat Noir, Orion Arm), Lukus now takes a solo path with a project centered around sample-based, dynamic house music. 

With Love Andeavour EP, he serves up three super stylish and groovy cuts: 'Love Andeavour', 'I Am At O' and 'Bennet'. Typical of Apparel, more house music with deep soul and jazzy vibes.

The EP moves effortlessly between groove and texture, showing Lukus’ knack for sharp sampling and playful rhythms. His sound feels fresh and genuine, pushing things forward while staying rooted in the tradition of house.

Your not going to be disappointed with this one.

P.S. it is 'Andeavour' and not Endeavour.

BUY LINK: https://apparel-music.lnk.to/APDEXTRA055

Artist: Lukus

Title: Love Andeavour EP

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label : Apparel Music

Catalog Number : APDEXTRA055 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Omary, Amal Ben - Mekkaoui (Ostowana)

Old cricket fans will recall that Umpire David Shepherd had a ritual of jumping up nad down when the score of the batting side reached 111, known as a 'Nelson' - now Ostowana celebrate their release OST111, they've made sure you'll be jumping up and down to 'Mekkau'.  

DJ & Producer Omary has teamed up with singer Amal Ben for a mesmerizing combination of  Gnawa heritage songs with modern electronic and Afro House influences, it's got something of the raw Malian blues of Tinariwen mixed with 'best of' compilation, Ostowana Of Afro House Vol. 1 (see review HERE) at the same time as being a bit funky too!

Sticking with their strategy of releasing African and Middle Eastern culture at its best, 'Mekkaoui' "is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the fusion of traditional sound and modern vibes".

Artist: Omary, Amal Ben

Title: Mekkaoui

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST100

Format: Digital

Review: Cee ElAssaad & Le Croque feat. Aquarius Heaven - THE JAM (MIDH)

When it's as hot and sticky as this, 'THE JAM' needs to be in capital letters.

Last year, the original version of 'Ore Yeye O' (see review HERE) was fast on the heels of  Cee's 'TRIBE' featuring Masaki Morii (see review HERE) so giving us two monster tunes for the summer: and there's the soon to be released Doug Gomez remix of 'Ore Yeye O' (stay tuned) 

So 'THE JAM' takes us on a Acid space ship ride into to future Afro-house in extended and instrumental forms.

Boil it up, put it in jars,put it on ya sandwiches and lap it up!

Buy / Pre Order: https://li.sten.to/midhthejam

Artist: Cee ElAssaad  & Le Croque feat. Aquarius Heaven 

Title: THE JAM  
Release date: 23rd May, 2025
Label : MIDH

Catalog Number : MIDH091

Format: Digital  

Review: Gerardo Frisina - Insight Vol. 2 (Schema Records)

I didn't see this coming, Gerardo Frisina's new album 'Insight' is now on Vol. 2 already - get into jazz spectrophotometry now!

Following on 'Insight ' that came out in April, as big fans of the Schema 'school' of Afro-cuban, Brazilian, Latin and all points south of the Italian base of the label for many years we knew Vol. 1 was going to be great and it's now Vol. 2's time to shine.

So what's a Volume 2 got?  Four brand new tracks that are cutting edge, particularly the opener 'Uzuri', an alterative arrangement of 'Mindoro' and a killer Indo-dub version of 'Tarab' plus an extended version of 'Mystical Funk'.

Hard to believe Frisina's debut on Schema Records since the debut album 'Ad Lib' in 2001 co-leading Italian jazz dance, fusion, Latin funk and soul with Nicola Conte with both benefiting from the new wave of Italian jazz including Gianluca Petrella.

So, it's still been a couple of years since his last album, 'Joyful Sound' (see review HERE) and we got excited about the collaboration of Frisina & Toco featuring Luzia Dvorek 'Deixa Passar' (see review HERE) but it's even better that we've got Vols. 1 and 2: Vol 3 anyone?

BUY LINK: Gerardo Frisina IN SIGHT Vol. 2 [23.05.2025] – Ishtar

Artist: Gerardo Frisina 

Title:  Insight Vol. 2

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: LP vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Artist: Gerardo Frisina 

Title:  Insight Vol. 1

Release date: 4th April, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : SC550

Format: LP vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Astels - The Meeting (Astels)

"Quirky", I hear you say?  Yes, that's the Astels (no relation of the legend Jeff) as this is the French spelling as they deliver their debut album, 'The Meeting' that's packed with Soul, RnB, pop-house as the explore a wide range of genres.

Théo (multi-instrumentalist and producer) and Camille (singer) have only been the Astels for a couple of years which makes this 13 track album more than impressive together with festival appearances at Le Weekend des Curiosités and La Crème Festival.

'Lonely' and 'Give Up On You' have the surprise appearance of the vocoder but we've got great vocals and production throughout and is it me, has this got a touch of Daði og Gagnamagnið vs. Amy Winehouse vs. Jill Scott vs. Sade about this?

Definitely hard to pin-down which makes it that much more interesting and it makes it a grower even if the album picks up a pace with 'Promised Land', ' Appetizers' (it's a bit cheeky this one) and the more obvious 'All Nite Long'.

These guys might not be musical hustlers (Ed. I wouldn't play pool with 'em) but your going to meet the Astels this year for sure.

Artist: Astels
Title: The Meeting

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label: Astels

Cat. No: ASTELS004

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The Ercons - Planet Fantastique (Ramrock Red Record)

It must be true, The Ercons are coming to take over the world to make earth the Planet Fantastique - to be read in a introduction to the War Of The Worlds/Journey To The Centre Of The Earth/Orson Wells narrative voice.

Yes, people of the earth, the DJ Shadow meets Jimi Hendrix on a hip-hop beats jazz concept album is back courtesy of The Ercons.  Did it ever go away?

And exactly are The Ercon's I hear you ask?   Well, you'll recall from the single that dropped  featuring Laura Vane (see review HERE) that Jo Wallace (head honcho at Ramrock) 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'.

And she's not kidding, when you're told 'Mystic Brew' (Ronnie Foster) is a hot cauldron of a cover version and then there's Herbie's 'Maiden Voyage' (he of Rob J. Madin's '4 track an album' fame, see review HERE; albeit 'Maiden Voyage' was in Hancock mid-60s Blue Note '5 track an album' period).

So you're not going to argue with Ms Wallace but if you get Madin, you'll absorb 'Massive Growing Mushrooms' like a fungi of 70s jazz-funk.

There's comparisions with the recent Lewis Daniel album 'Defective Disk' (see review HERE) on tracks like 'M.I.A' featuring Tendayi which reminded us of Soweto Kinch's 'A Life In The Day Of B19: Tales Of The Tower Block' (2006).

The publique annoucement service en francaise spoken word hides a Shakatak/Level 42 launch pad of the title track which is perfect for a dancefloor of today.  

So fantastique are The Ercons, there's  super limited 'Planet Fantastique' vinyl LP is on Bandcamp HERE and there's a Bandcamp Listening Party on the 27th May.

Artist: The Ercons

Title: Planet Fantastique

Release date: 30th May, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRRLP016

Format:  Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Yuu Udagawa - Beats Sculpture (with Coflo Remix) (Trusted Rhythm Records)

Not one but two Yuu Udagawa releases in one month and 'Beat Sculpture comes with a Coflo remix!

Following on from the 'Golden Glow' EP (see review HERE), I know you'll be impressed with the lead track 'Beats Sculpture' but wait 'till you here the Coflo remix - you'll recall his Kerrier Collective 'Life Wants To Live' remix, see review HERE - but what's going on in San Francisco?  The original isn't exactly industrial but it seems to have hit some Carl Craig Detroit machine workx!

Both tracks are great and expect all the big head DJs to have it in their set lists for the summer.

BUY LINK: Yuu Udagawa - Beats Sculpture (Coflo Remix) [Trusted Rhythm Records] | Music & Downloads on Beatport

Artist: Yuu Udagawa 

Title: Beats Sculpture (with Coflo Remix) 

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label: Trusted Rhythm Records

Cat. No: TRR027

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Euro Nettuno & Bruno Belissimo - Bruno Boogie (Polyamore)

This is almost as mad as the artwork as a 'tribute' to Bruno and his boogie.

Le Dune's 'Sugar Remixes' (see review  HERE) - Italian! Dan The Drum x Stuart Patterson's 'UK House Sermon' via the No'West remixes (see review HERE) - sounds Italo, then 'Italo-electro-disco', very Italo: even Bristol's Northern Soul Club have been to Italy this year! 

Do you get the feeling, Italy is the place to be; even the Pope left Chicago to get to Rome.  All we need now is Internationale to we the European Champions League and it's game over.

So what's all this got to do with Euro Nettuno and Bruno Belissimo's 'Bruno Boogie'.  Well if the artwork reminds you of something a bit Batov, the 'temple' (sorry disco) looks a bit like an Indian Restaurant in Southampton, throw that in with a disco ball, big strings and Bruno himself and you've got a dance floor hit of 'Disco Jazz' proportions (and on that subject, don't forget Rob J. Madin's 'Monstro' - see review HERE).

The Daniel Monaco Latina Wannabe Remix is pretty Latin but loses non of the madness and I can't make up my mind which I prefer; both are brilliant.

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

Artist: Euro Nettuno & Bruno Belissimo 

Title:  Bruno Boogie

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label : Polyamore Records

Catalog Number : PA020

Format: Vinyl /  Digital / Bandcamp