Review: Le Dune - Sugar Remixes (Quatro Bambole Records)

Just when you thought it was safe to immerse yourself in this years' Giro d'Italia and dig out your 'Oh!' so trendy Bianchi Pride short sleeve jersey (in green of course) only to find out your passione celeste is now italo-disco on the remix, with 'Sugar'!

This has come at us sideways with no less than four remixes: Fimiani Dolce & Salato, Sparkling Attitue Mar Adriatico, FrescoEdits Re-Drum, Costariva Balneare Mix: anyone of them sounds like that they could give Mapei-Quick Step, Team Jayco-Aluna, Lidl-Trek or Alpecin-Deceuninck a run for their money.

What's so fun about his set is that there's no drastic variation in the mixes, just a different emphasis on the core ingredients being: bass (Davide Codazzo), Congas (Roberto Chiga), 

Electric Guitar (Emanuele Pagliara), Keyboards/Synths (Andrea Rossetti) and Vocals (Vincenzo Destradis).

There's strong Chic disco to this but based in Rimini overlooked the sea and the Italo-Balearics communities.  It's recommended for anyone who loves Pino D’Angiò/McFadden & Whitehead/Raw Movements and Italian disco and don't forget the original that came out last summer.

BUY LINK: https://wordandsound.net/release/159315-QBM025-Le-Dune-Sugar-Remixes

Artist: Le Dune

Title: Sugar Remixes
Release date: 23rd May, 2025
Label :Quatro Bambole Records
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Peter & Kerry - You, Me and The Moon (Sonar Kollektiv)

We're a broad church at YATM and so are Sonar Kollektiv as they release Peter & Kerry's first album since 'La Trimouille' in 2012!

If you're a fan of the work of The Sound Lab radio show, you'll hear lots of indie-pop like Peter and Kerry but this has the added stamp of Sonar Kollektiv approval; note 'All I Got Of My Dreams' is not a radio edit.

So would it be coincidental that Kerry Leatham is from Essex, whilst Peter Lyons is from Southampton and their mutual interests when that met were The Simpsons and Fleetwood Mac.

There's defintely more than a touch of the 'classic' Fleetwood Mac songwriting and production here, whilst having got back together in 2016, there's now a touch of post Covid-19 darkness going on vis-a-visa 'I Hope We Never Fit In' (a title taken from some graffiti that Peter spotted on his way to his East London Studio).

Title: Peter & Kerry

Title: You, Me And The Moon

Release date: 27th May, 2025

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK513D 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Nightsteppaz - Want Me (with Franck Roger Remix) (Vibe Me To The Moon)

Can you believe Franck Roger is back with Vibe Me To The Moon with a remix of 'Want Me' by the Nightsteppaz? 

After Franck Roger's 'Can U Believe' EP (see review HERE) on his Vibe Me To The Moon debut so it's no huge surprise he's back with U.S. label that was started up in 2017 by DJ Nightsteppaz. 

The title track 'Want Me' does extactly what it says on the tin, with 'Lonnie Liston Smith' space synths vs. 80s deep space house with big vocals that resonate from New York, Chicago and San Francisco to the beaches of the Balearics.  

I know what your thinking - is there a dub version?  You're right, there's the Frank Roger remix version and the Franck Roger Dub!  And a remix in Mr. Rogers hands means 'Want Me' becomes and almost different animal, staying on the Med coast with Speedo shaped electric guitar for big hair funky-riffs.

All three versions are perfect for any club but if you need a winner for the weekend, this is it.

BUY LINK: Nightsteppaz - Want Me on Traxsource 

Artist: Nightsteppaz

Title:  Want Me (with Franck Roger Remix)

Release date: 30th May, 2025

Label : Vibe Me To The Moon Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  Digital  

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