Review: La Chooma - Local Spirits (Batov Records)

Psychedelic dub meets Afro-Latin grooves on La Chooma’s hypnotic debut for Batov Records - blending Moroccan Gnawa, Colombian cumbia, Afrobeat, Jamaican dub, and cosmic jazz into deep, dancefloor-rooted compositions.

The six-piece ensemble has grown from a local trio into a dynamic live force, known for energetic and authentic performances. Their sound fuses Afrobeat, dub, and global influences from North and West Africa to Colombia and Cuba, creating a rich, borderless vibe

With a spiritual core and expansive sound, La Chooma recalls the exploratory spirit of Count Ossie, Idris Ackamoor, and The Comet Is Coming, connecting global traditions through rhythm, soul, and psychedelia

Highlights include the Ethio-dub noir of 'High Grow', the cosmic synth-funk of 'Lonely', and 'Cozumel', where Afro-Latin rhythms and Egyptian flute melodies meet on a cinematic ascent.

All we need is a Mad Professor dub and it's totally out-there!

Artist: La Chooma 

Title:  Local Spirits

Release date: 5th September, 2025

Label : Batov Records

Catalog Number : BTR125

Format: LP Vinyl /  Digital / Bandcamp   

Alon Carmelly - Upright bass & Kawala Flute
Ella Greenbaum - Karkab & Percussion
Shimon Greenstein - Congas
Noam Cherchie - Drums
Yoav Dolev Hashiloni - Synths and Effects
Asaf Smilan - additional Drums on Huachuma and Percussion on Praise

Review: Temporary Blessings - Fata Morgana b/w Silence Leaves An Open Wound (College Of Knowledge Records)

College Of Knowledge Records get it totally right with the release of the new 7" by Temporary Blessings; suggest you purchase this and make it a permanent fixture.

College Of Knowledge Records followed-up Brenda's 'Where Did I Go Wrong' with the right-on album, 'Bath Time' (see review HERE) so this dig into Melbourne/Naarm cinematic soul movement jazzy-beats delve a la Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo and The Pro-Teens by Temporary Blessings is hopefully the forerunner of a new album.

Clearly fans of 60s OST themes by the likes of Morricone and Piero Piccioni with some Hancock funk, 'Fata Morgana' is high on the flute and vibes. 

The driving force for this project is trumpet player/composere Liam McGorry who is joined by 
Will Morrissey (tenor Saxophonfe, lute, farfisa organ), Lachlan Stuckey (guitar). Tom Pettit (bass) and Hudson 'Brenda' Whitlock (drums, vibraphone).

'Silence Leaves An Open Wound' is a chance for McGorry to feature his trumpet in a downtempo groove which makes this 7" very versatile.

BUY LINK: Fata Morgana b/w Silence Leaves An Open Wound | Temporary Blessings

Artist: Temporary Blessings 

Title: Fata Morgana b/w Silence Leaves An Open Wound

Release date: 5th September, 2025

Label: College Of Knowledge Records

Cat. No: COK45-002

Format: 7" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Groundhog - Tulips EP (Apparel Music)

This 'Tulip' is not a release by some Dutch blues rock revivalists as Groundhog, not the large rodent native to North Amerca of course, a duo are from New Zealand's Bay Of Plenty; nice that they're sharing it about.

This being the follow-up to the 'Be The One' EP of six months' ago, a lively summer sound that captured the jazzy Balearic dance feet on the dancefloor, particularly the stuttery title track and the tinkering 'Chandeliers', the shores of Te Moana-a-To continue to be jazzed up with the 3 tracker.

This EP has the same effortless groove as 'Bahama Soul' races to a freight train horn and piano high-speed track layout (with a bit of Carib rap) whilst 'Soulful' is just that, more soulful in transition with cheezy 'voice mail' message.  And then 'Tulips' blends of the previous tracks as a hybrid that's cooler in someways but disappointing that it's not longer.

We do like an Apparel: Lukus' 'Love Andeavour' EP (see review HERE) and their 15th Birthday Party compilation (see review HERE) so wehn it's on their 'EXTRA' imprint you can expect that extra mile.

BUY LINK: https://apparel-music.lnk.to/APDEXTRA056

Artist: Groundhog

Title: Tulips EP

Release date: 5th September, 2025

Label : Apparel Music

Catalog Number : APDEXTRA056

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: lynyn - Ixona (Sooper Records)

There's been a bit of an upsurge in tracks infused in DnB of late but lynyn's "difficult second album", 'Ixona' goes that little bit further with the new release out of Chicago's Sooper Records; time to get in on the loop!

Recent Tru-Thoughts releases by Oliver Night (see review HERE) and WheelUP's 'Inner Light' (see review HERE) and at the other end of the spectrum, we've had Raz & Alfa's cover of Aphex Twin's 'Windowlicker' (see review HERE) have got us all excited in the YATM office.  What's this got to do with lynyn's follow-up to his debut, 'Lexicon' (2022)?   Well, DJ Mag has called him “One of IDM's next visionaries” so how well has Chicago's producer Conor Mackey lived up to this?

Well, the short answer is, "Very well indeed".  By throwing in some sharply focused Four Tet influences (Ed, did I ever tell you that I once stood next to Kieran in a Soho basement?) and a bit of Floating Points funk; yes I saw Sam him at last years' We Out Festival on keyboards in the backing band of UK jazz legend Norma Winstone - sometimes, you really could'nt make this stuff up!

Anyway, back to the album that opens up with this musical diversity conundrum, 'Nobody Knows Me' which has the 'pained' refrain “Know Me” on repeat to a shuffle dubstep before flipping to dnb basement such that it's a bit OST like Amon Tobin.

'Roll 5231' and 'Light Morph' are more drum n bass core but at any moment he can go glitchy micro-beats to big Acid synth wobbles like on longest track, 'The Fold' and the first single, '4m Hiero' (see below video by lynyn's "visual collaborator, Owen Blodgett).

There even more with the darker 'Versiliture' and then there's other extremes like the quieter/gentle 'RESton', 'Iliamna' and the closing track, the CD/digital only, 'Pad C U' that features the trombone of Brendan Whalen that's more trip-hop cool jazz.

The darker elements of the album along with the track 'Night Shift' put me in mind of Leo Chadburn's industrial "poem", 'Sleep in the Shadow of the Alternator' (see review HERE) but I suppose, in all fairness, what are DJ Mag saying about the new album? "Mackey’s knowledge of music theory and modular sound design is ahead of the fray, often culminating in fast-moving, intensely futuristic symphonies that will send tired minds into a state of fine-tuned hyperdrive" - I think we could all see that coming as, in other words, he's a visionary!

BUY LINK: Ixona

Artist:  lynyn
Title: Ixona
Release date: 5th September, 2025
Label : Sooper Records
Catalog Number  TBC
Format: Limited Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

P.S. Don't forget BiggaBush's 'This River' (the Gerry Hectic Towpath Extension) on Tru-Thoughts for more varied dnb influences.

Review: Trip Tease & Alain Vice - Sex Having Disco (inc. Prins Thomas Remix) (Astrolead Recordings)

It wasn't that long ago I was saying hat it's it hard to follow in the footsteps of Prins Thomas and Trip Tease adn Alain Vice, must agree ad they got 'the Prins' himself to fluff up a remix on their new EP, 'Sex Having Disco'.

So Third Attempt reminded us of the power of 'Inspector Norse' (see review HERE) and  we've had lots of Neapolitan synth-funk recent (including Jiri Jiri - see reveiw HERE) is it time to prove we are all connected as Prins Thomas, gets down and dirty with his remix of Trip Tease & Alain Vice's phuture 'bouncy house' of a track called 'Millano 2098' which is his trademark 'Diskomiks' quality.

But if you're going to have a 'Sex Having Disco' you'll need some protection as nu-disco legend Ilya Santana's label based in the Canary Islands reach out to Mexico's Trip Tease and Alain Vice (aka Carlos Saleme).

So the title might be a bit risqué, you can ride 'Acapulco Wave', land on the 'Palcon Funch' (Ed. did you see what they did there?). 'The Finest' and the original mix of 'Milano 2098' are all clean dancefloor party melange of "Italo, disco, synth wave, cosmic diso and beach rock" - 'Palcon Funch' is especially hot as it harks to a period when Santana was making his name on the Bear Funk and Nang Records.

The vocals on 'The Finest' and 'Milano 2098' give the tracks more of an original 70s disco feel so this EP is a lot more than just Prins Thomas' remix!

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

Artist: Trip Tease & Alain Vice

Title: Sex Having Disco (inc Prins Thomas Remix) 

Release date: 5th September, 2025

Label: Astrolead Recordings

Cat. No: -

Format: digital / Bandcamp

Review: Will Druid - Flair EP (Soul Potential)

Soul Potential's debut release as SLPT001 is Will Druid's 'Flair' and this 4-track EP certainly does have a flair for the dancefloor.

It's a hectic time in Leeds these days, the footie club is back in the Premier Division, it's got a new record label based in the city and the first release is out by local legend Will Druid, founder of queer-centric club night Drip and Alto Radio host.

The A-side, 'Vicinity' and 'Flair' are billed as modern house with heavy basslines - tick, sparkling synths - tick and diva vocals - tick albeit a bit low in the mix.

I must admit I prefer the B-side tracks, 'Weewoo' and 'Amanita' that are definitely full of percussion, goove and fun; what was once trademark 'skippy speed garage, pumping house'.

Druid (aka Will Addison) was born in Middlebrough but has made a name for himself in Leeds (much like my distant connection with both cities who works at Nation of Shopkeepers, LS2 3AG) and if you are nearby, there's a launch party with Will, Ana Daya and James Frances at Holding Patterns and it's free!

LAUNCH PARTY: Soul Potential: Flair EP Launch with Will Druid, Ana Daya, James Frances at Holding Patterns, Leeds

BUY LINK: 12" Flair EP - elasticStage

Artist: Will Druid

Title:  Flair EP

Release date: 3rd September, 2025

Label: Soul Potential

Cat. No: SLPT001

Format: Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: JILO - Mirage's Colours (NuNorthern Soul)

NuNorthern Soul introduce us to JILO who, take a big breath,  is an engineer, artist, DJ, sometime festival curator and occasional academic with a PhD in computer music to his name - and he can see 'Mirage's Colours'!

NuNorthern Soul have been so hot on the releases recently with Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' remixed (see review HERE), Roots Artefact's 'Different Perspecitive' (see review HERE) and head honcho Phat Phil on a 10 hour (count em 'TEN' hour' DJ session at the World Famous Pikes Ibiza: no wonder there's mirage's in the air. 

First off, you got to say that these four tracks are perfectly crafted in all ways. The opener is 'Sunset Embrace' and from the cicadas to the gentle tinkles of the seashore (with basslines, percussion and keys to match).  From an evening stroll to a 'Shadow's Tango' we get our dancing sandals/flip-flops/other beach footwear is available on before totally letting go with tubular bells-funk off on 'Blue Velvet', without sight or sound of David Lynch or Lana Del Ray! 

'Aurora' synth chills us out to finish this EP and it'sjust what you need matter if you've got a ten hour DJ set to play at 'the' most iconic venue at Santa Eularia on the white isle (Ed. all your big DJ heads have played there like DJ Harvey, Weatherall, David Morales etc) or if you're just looking at the dreamy artwork of the cover!

BUY LINK: Mirage's Colours | Jilo + Listening Party - September 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM PDT

Artist: JILO

Title: Mirage's Colours

Release date: 5th September, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: George Koutalieris - Seasons (NuNorthern Soul)

NuNorthern Soul continue to find extraordinary artists  as they introduce us to George Koutalieris' 'Seasons' for Greek Gods...  and normal folks too!

Gentle Balearics that have been tempered by the Aegean seas as Mr Koutalieris looks down from the Acropolis; well somewhere in his home city of Athens anyway.

The four tracks are a mix of ambient synth Italo lounge groove that'll fit in to any elongated Pikes session that matches the titles, 'Wildflowers', 'Seasons', 'CLYC' and 'Pangaeon Gold'.

This has elements of a very chilled out Paul Hillery's 'Children Of The Sun' series of compilations (see review HERE), a warm glow of Sun Palace's 'Raw Movements' and some Holy Mountain roots (see HERE) without showing any of those roots: save for the guitarists' love of "electronic daydreams".

This is Koutalieris' debut EP release on the label after releasing an album, 'Stop, Look, Listen' back in 2020 and then popping up on some compilations.

This all fits in nicely in a busy tme for NuNorthern Soul as they've also released JILO's 'Mirage's Colours' (see review HERE) which also follows the equally essential Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' remixed (see review HERE) and Roots Artefact's 'Different Perspecitive' (see review HERE).

A man (and label) for all seasons you might say?

BUY LINK: Seasons | George Koutalieris / Stop, Look, Listen | George Koutalieris

Artist: George Koutalieris

Title: Seasons

Release date: 15th August, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:   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://www.juno.co.uk

Artist: Various Artists - compiled by Da Funkie Junkie & Cosmic Girl 

Title: Caviar Jazz - A Journey Into Jazz Inflected House Music 
Release date: 5th September, 2025

Label : Right Tempo 

Catalog Number : RT 1001 PRO

Format :Gatefold 2xLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Sim Fossil - Tidal Figures (Dream Chimney)

Sim Fossil's 'Tidal Figures is like the musical equivalent of Antony Gormley's series of beach figures going of a Balearic paddle.

More of a 'companion' set to Dream Chinmey's previous release, Sorcerer's 'Sunlight Hits' (see review HERE) as it grooves in downtempo synth funk and the moon's gavitational pull.

Sam Fossil in based in Paris and not of Dorest's Jurassic Coast as you might imagine as this is very Balearic beach vibe that'll equally West Coast San Francisco: this is especially true of the Max Essa (Is It Balearic? Recordings, Hell Yeah, Bear Funk and many more) on the remix of 'Echo Marina'. 

Project Sandro (a collaborative Rollmottle and Tony Watson) remix ‘Null Meridian’ into more of a space disco that's got the multi-genre beat vision of the trip-hop end of Chicago's lynyn (see review coming HERE soon).

The original tracks are lots more ambient/downtempo with a slow pace that you wouldn't necessarily expect from a left bank but definely live up to the 'Dream Chimney' name.  The:  label themselves say, "half-speed Harold Faltermeyer adrift in an underwater voyage", it'd say throw a bit of Steve Hillage/System 7 in there and you've got it; put 'Nyrosine' and 'Backcurrent' in ya ruck sacks.

BUY LINK: Music | Dream Chimney

Artist:  Sim Fossil 

Title:  Tidal Figures 

Release date: 5th September, 2025

Label : Dream Chimney 

Catalog Number :TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp