Review: The Funkin' Machine - Nun Trovo & Chiki Chicancan (Star Creature)

Naples in the summer is perfect for some Italo Disco on the dancefloor! 

After Mirlaqi's 'Life As A Whole' (see review HERE) and the remixes of 'Dances Of The Red Planet' (see review HERE), the Star Creature label hit us with some more leftfield 'Nu-Balearica meets Deep Space Jazz Disco' overlooking the bay on Naples.

The Funkin' Machine are a band that formed in 2020 with Andrees Balbucea (vocals/keys), Alessio Pignorio (guitars), Roberto Porzio (bass), Paolo Bianconcini (percussion) and Andrea de Fazio (drums) with their own back catalogues of credits on many a Italian hit including Mystic Jungle (see review HERE) and Pelligrino & Zodyaco (Ed. Sounds like some Italian Bayou drinks mix).

They've joined fellow Italians Giovanni Damico, Modula and Leones who have releases on the label and these two instrumentals, 'Nun Trovo' (got a touch of Shakatak goin' on with those keys) and 'Chiki Chicancan' are typical cheeky uptempo tracks that are hot, steamy and ready to explode from the slopes of Vesuvius.

And not only is Star Creature hot with this release, co-head honcho Tim Zawada's hot all summer long in Chicago as is his latest radio show on OpenLab, currently on #8.

OpenLab:  Star Creature Vibes Radio 08 – Tim Zawada HERE  

BUY LINK:  Nun Trovo Cchiù / Chiki Chicancan (Instrumental Mixes) | The Funkin' Machine | Star Creature Universal Vibrations

Artist: The Funkin' Machine

Title:  Nun Trovo & Chiki Chicancan

Release date: 1st August, 2025

Label : Star Creature

Catalog Number : SC7089

Format: 7" Vinyl  / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Raz & Afla - Remixes Of Resistance (Wah Wah 45s)

WAH WAH 45s could not resist themselves as Raz & Afla's 'Echoes Of Resistance' from last year becomes Raz & Afla's 'Remixes Of Resistance' this year - but your can't resist this.

We're long term fans of the label and the singles previously released, 'What's Going On', 'Ebo Be Me' and the awesome 'Shikor Shikor' that were just three of the highlights on the original album (see review HERE).

Of course, we were hopeful that the Hectic Extenson of 'What's Going On' would make the cut but you can't argue that Lumberjacks In Hell's Marcel Vogel (he of 'Real Love - see review HERE) and Seamont's remix is a great opener.

But they're not the only ones stepping up to remix tracks by Raz Olsher (electronics) and Afla Sackey (percussion and vocals) that Dom Servini, the label's head honcho, was/is enormously proud of.

I was kinda taken aback with the Jamz Supernova and Sam Interface remix of 'Shikor Shikor' as talk about bassbin wobble!  And add to that, JKriv's remix of 'Stefana' gets us moving like his other recent releases on his own Razor-N-Tape label a (see review HERE of his 'Intuition' EP and HERE, the JKriv & Megatronic 'Out Of Time' that's out this week too!)

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Even a track with a multiple repeated chant of 'On Da Fone', Davin Varda & Buscadora don't put the breaks on "the run-a-way double headed freight train" and DMX Krew gets busy on  'We Taya' (big tune) and the "haunting re-work" of 'Mo Ni Fere' by Maxxi Soundsystem (massive tune!).

We said last time that, "There are moments of pure euphoria and unadulterated joy too though, as tracks like 'Mon Ni Fere', 'Voodoo Zeezee' and 'Baby Moo' inspire elated, tribal dance floor pleasure" and whilst I still prefer the 'Voodoo Zeezee' original, Lawne (Joe Martin and Joe Nicklin) meld 'Ano Be Mumu' into some prog-OST! 

This is a fantastic album that's not as 'compilation' as many a remix album even with such a range of remixers on the case, including the warp of Motion Kin's 'Eno Be Me' doesn't seem out of place.

Artist: Raz & Afla

Release:  Remixes Of Resistance 
Release Date: 8th August, 2025
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Catalog Number: WAHDIG21
Format: Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Fortunato Durutti Marinetti - Bitter Sweet, Sweet Bitter (Quindi Records)

Fortunato Durutti Marinetti sounds like an Italian prog-rock supergroup from the 70s whilst in reality it's an album from the mind of Daniel Colussi, Turin-born and Toronto based which sits between soft-rock, leftfield jazz and art-pop!

If you're familiar with the work of Leo Chadburn (aka Simon Bookinsh) who has a new album coming out soon (see review HERE), he's got the experimental art-pop poetry whilst DB Cohen (new album out this week, see review HERE) being London born and Canadian based has some similar North Americana influences.

As you can image and 'Baroque Art Pop / Poetic Jazz Rock' album of 9-tracks is hard to pin down, save for the obvious jazz of 'Theme I (Alex's Theme)' and 'Theme II' but that's a t that of the joy of this set as it calls for repeated listens.

Opening with 'Full Of Fire', it sets the tone for a happy Leonard Cohen as a rural Jarvis Cocker mix with a rock band with strings and horn section giving a big sound that's proggy even if the core band in just six.  'Beware' is the oddest 70s funk (with clavinet) as a duet with Victoria Cheong and not funky and then there's another, non-house disco of 'A Perfect Pair' (with Maddee Ritter on vocals): there's a bit of Cockney Rebel / The Devine Comedy in here somewhere.

The centrepiece is the 7 minute opus 'A Rambling Prayer' where his Dylan-ist drawl is sharpened with a the lounge piano of Tom Waits and it's a cool, smooth and angular all at the same time.

The album title, is a twist on Anne Carson's book 'Eros: The Bittersweat' with a duality theme as referenced in the cover photo of a dog with two heads (Ed. Not the 70's Status Quo album) and the more you listen to it, it's hard to nail down Colussi's his own heroes like Robert Wyatt, Annette Peacock, Pierre Barouh and Brigitte Fontaine.

Buy the time of the closing track, 'My Funeral', he's nailed it.

BUY LINK: Vinyl buyers in North America please get it here: fortunatoduruttimarinetti.bandcamp.com/album/bitter-sweet-sweet-bitter

Artist: Fortunato Durutti Marinetti

Title: Viva La Felicità 

Release date: 25th July, 2025

Label: Quindi Records

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Recorded, produced and mixed at Dining Room Sound, Toronto

Louie Short -- Recording & Mixing (A Perfect Pair)

Jay Arner -- Mixing & Post-Production 

Heather Kirby at Dreamland -- Mastering

Daniel Colussi -- Vocals & Guitar
Victoria Cheong -- Vocals (Beware)

Brandon Gibson De Groote -- Violins, Viola & String Arrangements

Alex Fournier -- Bass

Alex Hamlyn -- Saxophone

Stefan Hegerat -- Drums

Blake Howard -- Percussion

John Jowett -- Euphonium & Trombone

Tara Kannangara -- Trumpet

Eliza Niemi -- Cello (Do You Ever Think?)

Luan Phung -- Lead Guitar

Chris Pruden -- Piano, Synth, Rhodes

Maddee Ritter -- Vocals (A Perfect Pair)
Jay Arner -- Clarinet (Beware)

Review: Louis Baker - Keep On (Best Works Remixes w/ Andre Lodemann, Philippa and Hollis P. Monroe) (Best Works)

If you're a fan of the label Best Works, you'll know that the partnership of DJ André Lodemann and A&R manager, promoter and radio host Daniel W. Best down is only interested in Best Works, especially when it comes to the remix.

Blimey, it's been 15 years since Berlin's Eva Be's 'New Crack' EP on Best Works and even longer since New Zealand's Fat Freddy's Drop/Joe Dukie and DJ Fitchie relased 'The Room' on the forerunner label, Best Seven (Ed. founder member of Fat Freddy's Drop, Chris 'Mu' Faiumu sadly passed away on 17th July this year, RIP). 

So no surprised that the Berlin based label has teamed up with another New Zealand export, Louis Baker and provided a deep remix team of Lodemann himself, Philippa (NZ and last seen on 15 Years Of SlothBoogie - see review HERE) and Hollis P. Monroe.

In fact, the Hollis P. Monroe remix has some resonance with Joe Dukie's soulful vocals that make the track dreamy that you'll want to 'Keep On' and on [NB.Mr. Best first heard Louis Baker, a New Zealand-based soul singer, perform "Keep On" as the opening act for Fat Freddy's Drop at the Tempodrom in Berlin in 2024]

Lodemann weighs in with 3 versions himself, a vocal mix, radio mix and dub.  Regular readers will know what's coming next - where's the combined 20 minute version?  Smooth soul with Lonnie Liston Smith jazz-funk dreams and spiritual bells: it's going to be in all the best (no pun etc) DJ Chart lists this year.

Not to be outdone, Phillipa's 'Don't Lose The Fire' mix that pumps like a train ready for the club with the vocals sounding even more Marvin Gaye with a bit of echo and some crazy synths.

Not only that, we're promised a Part 2 with Delfonic (watch out for 'Roy Ayers Delfonic Reworked #1' coming soon on BBE), Larse and Gush Collective: got to keep on and stay strong with this.

Artist: Louis Baker
Title: Keep On (Best Works Remixes w/ Andre Lodemann, Philippa and Hollis P. Monroe) 
Release date: 1st August, 2024
Label :Best Works
Catalog Number  BWR032
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Roots Artefact - Different Perspective EP (NuNorthern Soul)

Tallinn! Estonia! Not exactly the heart of reggae music you'd think?  Perhaps it's time for 'Different Perspective' from Roots Artefact on NuNorthern Soul?

 

Roots Artefact is Estonia's Saimon (best known for his reggae/dub exploits with Strictly Dub Records) matched up with Seafront International's Tallinn beach groove that was first heard on NuNorthern Soul's summer compilation with the track 'The Big Calm Dubwise' (along with Visions of Light's 'Stages' that you can now find on the album 'The Mandala Vortex' - see review HERE).

The 'Different Perspective' EP comes a bit too late for the Chilled Cider festival this year but is like a too slow for Rockers in a downtempo dub stylee (inna Rocker Hi-Fi influence - see review HERE).

All four tracks,  'The Big Calm Dubwise', 'Riding With Ease', 'In Circles' and the title track with flute and sax bursts are as just in The Rhythm Doctor's DJ set list as Balaphonic "21st century Balearica" (The Rhythm Doctor is on Tallinn's IDA radio station with his 'Waiting Room' show evey Monday morning that's a great way to start the week).  

I like how there's a little bit of a toe in the water paddle with some slow-mo Ital-piano to cool things down on 'In Circles' but all four tracks are fantastic. 

BUY LINK: Different Perspective EP | Roots Artefact

 

Artist: Roots Artefact 

Title: Different Perspective EP 

Release date: 1st August, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : NUNS070 
Format:  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Pink Butter - Can We Go Back (DeepMatter Records)

There's many reasons why groups have the most unusual names; some good, some not so good - when it comes to Pink Butter, they're something special as their EP, 'Can We Go Back' proves - and no, you can't go back!

A Swedish quartet of Oskar Bettinsoli (guitars), Björn Lehnert (keyboards), Malte Bergman (bass) and John Bjurström (drums) are able to blend jazz and hip-hop and have found a couple of like minded folks to collaborate with including T3 (RL Alttman III of Slum Village) and Jermaine Holmes (backing singer with D'Angelo).

Those with long memories will know the 'golden era' LSK who had Dwele and Slum Village on their debut (back in summer of 2000!) this is very much that sort of quality.  Indeed, 'Can We Go Back' featuring T3 feels retro for the now.  

In fact, the whole 6 track EP is very 'Futuristica Music' from back in the day, i.e. see the new release by Georgie Sweet 'I Swear To You' (see review HERE), as in 'Alright' featuring Joanné Nugas (and some great jazz guitar from Oskar) and 'Lost My Mind' featuring Elma.

On the mellow soul side Jermaine Holmes sings on 'Made For Me' which is perfect for the chill out zone whilst his contribution to 'U' with Venus Anon is close to spaced out soul as these guys get.  Being nearly six minutes long in a Part I & II style, it's my favourite of the set; equally, it's a shame it's not longer in more of a 12" mix (Ed. and work in 'Voice Memo'?)

We were impressed with Matt Wilde's beats vs. jazz vs. soul as fans of golden era Dwele/Roy Hargrove (see review HERE) and The Offline's Italian OST/Bob James cool a la Calibro 35/Malcolm Catto influenced 'In Session' (see review HERE) and this is a another hot release; keep it cool as we don't want it to melt as you can never go back.

Artist: Pink Butter 
Title:  Can We Go Back 

Release date: 1st August, 2025

Label : DeepMatter Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: 12" Vinyl - Smoked Pink / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Various Artists - Caviar Jazz - A Journey Into Jazz Inflected House Music compiled by Da Funkie Junkie & Cosmic Girl (Right Tempo)

You had me at Caviar Jazz - A Journey Into Jazz Inflected House Music! What's just as impressive is the line-up on these 10 tracks; can you believe I:Cube and I:Cube with a Daft Punk remix, the massive Masters At Work on a Flute rework (illiminating Janet Jackson, in name only), Frankie Knuckles and more!

Of course, I don't eat caviar but this album signifies everything that a jar of Beluga is: exclusive, smooth and expensive (in terms of quality): the Masters At Work flute rework will save the dancefloor time and time again as it's a monster track.

Never heard of Jo Boyer's 'Isabelle & The Rain'?  No worries, here's the Da Funkie & Cosmic Girl Caviar Jazz Edit!  Sounding very cultured Latin influenced Italo-jazz with massive Fender Rhodes keys all over it.

And whilst you're being thankful for what you've got, this compilation gives more like Josma's 'Voices In Los Angeles (Disco '70)' and more jazz keys of Cricco Castelli, 'Life Is Changin' Again' as a club mix and original.

We know Right Tempo from their recent 12"s, Attilio Zanchi's 'Mingus Portrait (DJ Farrapo Remixes) (see review HERE) and the Yellowtail/Mark Murphy 'Seasons In My Mind' Remixes (see review HERE) but this is next level for the clubs.

Even looking backwards to look forward, a Clepto mix of Frankie Knuckles' 'Bac N Day'; you can't afford to miss this one.

BUY LINK: https://righttempo.bandcamp.com/album/caviar-jazz-a-journey-into-jazz-inflected-house-music

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Caviar Jazz - A Journey Into Jazz Inflected House Music compiled by Da Funkie Junkie & Cosmic Girl 
Release date: 10th July, 2024 

Label : Right Tempo 

Catalog Number : TBC

Format :Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: JKriv & Megatronic - Out Of Time (Razor-N-Tape)

The ever busy JKriv has joined up again with Megatronic on a 7" as he release the 'Out Of Time' that's a space disco rocket as we all feel we're running 'Out Of Time'.

Taking the next step on from the EP release 'Intuition' (see review HERE), the title track  featured Megatronic (who also turned up on 'City To City: Lisbon' at the same time - see review HERE), they're back with an apocolyptic (running) 'Out Of Time' which works really well on the 7" as the one vocal version that's not got the 'Sparky's Magic Piano' efx of 'Intuition' but retains the Grace Jones like spoken word urgency before the climax.

And then the instrumental captures all the city energy of a hot night of NYPD sirens and some deep acid synths.

Jkriv and his label Razo-N-Tape have proved time and time again that they can do no wrong (also check the recent Nomi Ruiz & Eli Escobar album, 'Love Louder' - see review HERE) so don't let the grass grow and run out of time, get it as soon as as an anthem for summer 2025 with impending doom at a disco sauna.

BUY LINK: https://razor-n-tape.lnk.to/OutofTime

 

Artist: JKriv & Megatronic 

Title: Out Of Time
Release date: 1st August, 2025
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : RNTD125
Format :  7" - 2 track vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The Phenomenal Handclap Band - We Are Worlds Away (Nublu Records)

"The uplifting and anthemic title track from their upcoming EP on New York’s legendary Nublu Records".

The Phenomenal Handclap Band is Daniel Collás, Juliet Swango, and Monika Heidemann. Since 2017, the Brooklyn based trio has released numerous critically acclaimed singles on labels such as Daptone, Toy Tonics, and Glitterbox that have garnered attention and praise from such luminaries as Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Gilles Peterson, Elton John, Don Letts, and Simon LeBon and more.

In 2023 the band released the 'Burning Bridges' EP on New York dance label Razor-N-Tape (they of 'Family Affair' etc) followed by the vinyl only 12” Like a Constellation on Lone Limited at the end of 2024 before popping up on Peter Matson's 'Hotel PM' album on Bastard Jazz (see review HERE).

‘We Are Worlds Away’, was written and recorded in Stockholm, Sweden’s Pansarmarängen Studio with the help of longtime collaborators Fredrik Swahn (Dungen, Melody’s Echo Chamber) and Morgan Phalen (Justice, Drakkar Nowhere).

Miles away from Zé Nigro's 'Silêncio' (see review HERE) but the YATM office thinks that's a good thing for a label as it shows that they are going places, even worlds away?

BUY LINK: https://ffm.to/worldsawaysingle

Artist: The Phenomenal Handclap Band 
Title:   We Are Worlds Away
Release date: 29th July, 2025
Label : Nublu Records
Catalog Number : SI-NUB-069
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Art Of Tones - Gold EP (PALP)

Palp returns with Art Of Tones as they win 'Gold' with their new EP: expecting the first two positions in the Tour de France disco.

We know Art Of Tones (aka Ludovic Llorca) has many fans on the remix scene (like the guys at Disco Express, see HERE) and he started their own label Palp in the early 00s releasing a couple of EPs.

Now, for the third time he's reached to top of hte podium with a very 'Art Of Tones' release of disco meets house with big strings and soulful vocals.  It's a bit cheeky, to call the instrumenal of 'Gold', 'Silver' but it'll keep the dancefloor bouncing just as much as it reaches the crescendo: it's like taking Sébastien Tellier's 'La Ritournelle' to the hot end of the disco and you can't get much better than that! 

BUY LINK: Art of Tones - Gold on Traxsource

Artist: Art Of Tones

Title: Gold EP 

Release date: 1st August, 2025

Label: PALP

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp