Review: Bad Colours - Promise (Bastard Jazz Recordings)

Much like the label itself, indeed the label's name, Bad Colours' 4th album is a further refining genre warping into 15 new tracks that fits the dancefloor and headphones; I promise!

Fans of Bad Colours won't be surprised to hear that his own fans are supporting this album as we've got Cor.Ece ('The Stranger'), Marcus Harmon ('Now Or Never' and 'Take My Lovin'), Julieanna Marie ('Kiss'), Ninjasonik ('Freaks'), Jarv Dee ('Nightcap'), Life On Planets ('We Never Choose'), KAS ('Speed') and Brandon Markell Holmes ('Moment Of Silence').

The appearance of Brandon Markell Holmes (as seen on Disko Cowboy - see review HERE) makes any record stand-out in our books and he does it again on 'Moment Of Silence'.  Which thankfully isn't silent at all and stands up to previous single, 'Speed' (but not a pacey), the flute-gang friendly as 'Now Or Never' or the ironically entitled, 'Static'.   

Just to emphasise, for the avoidance of doubt, 'Moment Of Silence' is special and is very Brandon Markell Holmes!  

And that's the first thing you notice on this album, the hip-hop/rap tracks, or tracks with rapping on, are not exactly hip-hop so much that they don't fit in with the rest of the album, so that 'Nightcap' includes some non-radio type lyrics and 'Freaks' with a strong adult theme; whilst 'Kiss' (with a very sharp edit) and 'Take My Lovin' falling between the two extremes .

Such that in very sharp contrast, the title track that features UK harpist Rachel Kitchlew (which echoes Alina Bzhezhinska's 'Fire' - see review HERE) and it's a shame it's not a longer track and her brief appearance at the end of the closing track, 'Take My Lovin' is a bit of tease.  But speed is a big element of these 15 tracks with only 2 tracks clocking in a just under 122bpm; 'We Never Choose' peaking at 127!  And you'd never think a Jill Scott 'tribute' like 'Home' would race along the railtracks like this one or the F1, 'Static'.

A 'deluxe edition' of the album would be cool with some instrumentals and a non-vocoder 'Safe & Sound' and 'Underwater' mix but if fast'n'chugging dance rap Brooklyn style is your thing, get under orders, the race is on!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://ffm.to/promiselp.HGW US + separate UK/EU/ROW distribution

Artist: Bad Colours

Title:Promise

Release date: 7th November, 2025

Label : Bastard Jazz Recordings

Catalog Number :  TBC

Format: Vinyl (pre-order) / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Pat Lok & Megan Vice - Spectrum (Toucan Sounds)

We love everything and everyone on toucan sounds (Brooklyn, NYC) including this new release that's 'Spectrum' positive that's not a waste of time.

Even so, this is not exactly like the last release we featured on YATM, Disko Cowboy (with Brandon Markell Holmes) on vocals - see review HERE - as Brooklyn, NYC hosts Vancouver’s Pat Lok and Berlin-based Megan Vice meet "at the crossroads of R&B, House, and electronic club culture"

And that's pumpin' grime/punk up ya volume expecially on the extended instrumental versions of both tracks, 'Spectrum' and 'Waste My Time'.

If you're lucky enough to be in Brooklyn on 5th December, there's a release party at 'Dead Letter No. 9', 63 Grand St, New York, NY 11249-4110.

Come celebrate this release with us in Brooklyn Dec 5 at Dead Letter No. 9 - get tickets here ***
BUY LINK (Tickets): https://posh.vip/e/class-9-cargo-series-pat-lok-kita-robert-pm-first-fridays-free-dead-letter-no9

BUY LINK (Download): https://music.toucansounds.com/spectrum

Artist: Pat Lok & Megan Vice
Title: Spectrum
Release date: 28th October, 2025
Label: Toucan Sounds
Cat. No: YTCW155DJ
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Let Me Down Easy: Echoes From Cheri Records (Miles Away Records)

Don't be surprised that you're thinking, who are/were Cheri Records as they were a subsidiary of Springboard in New Jersey focusing on soul and gospel in the 70s/80s: but what will surprise you is how good these 14 'unknown' tracks are that DJ Colin Curtis has dug up from his base 'Miles Away' in Northern Soul/Jazz-funk danceland.

From a limited catalogue of a mere 11 releases between 1975-82, you'd have thought you'd have to be let down easy in quality but when you've got a rosta including Julius Brockington (he of 'Sophisticated Funk' and 'The United Chair' - see review HERE), the surprisingly overlooked Roslyn & Charles, Rare Pleasure,The Family Tree and more.

After the first couple of track on this album, you'll say to yourself, this has peaked too early: but then they proove you so wrong.  If you're funk bones don't get movin' and groovin' to 'Boogie Man Pt.1' by Brooklyn People, there's no hope for ya bootie.  

There's lots to praise the lord about with this album, obviously 'God Is' and the totally amazing 'Brand New Day' by The Family Tree (being Brockington with an truly outstanding array of vocal talent; plus Ron Carter on bass!)   And they also do the most challenging version of Stevie Wonder's 'As': what would J. Rocc play? Or Dilla for that matter?

The album finishes with a 12" version of the label's best known/cross-over disco hit, Rare Pleasure's 'Let Me Down Easy' that came out in the 70s on DJM, the label best known for releasing Elton John records at he time.

It was around the mid-70s that 'down South', there was birth of Punk and "up North", Blackpool pioneers like Curtis were slowly introducing disco into the Northern Soul which you can no doubt read in the vinyl's gatefold sleeve liner notes that features interviews with Colin "From Northern Soul to Dancefloor Jazz, touching Street Soul, Boogie and Disco along the way"* Curtis and David Morales.  

And as Curtis was doing that, it marked the birth (or perhaps more acurately, the seed of) 'the Modern Room' as 'Don't Make Me Sorry (For Loving You)' by Sherman Nesbary (Ed. Who?) swings you around the dancefloor at slower pace.

I wonder if they'll say that Chicago is the birthplace of gospel (which I read recently whilst researching something else; remember kids, don't believe everything on the Internet) and whilst it would be even more of a push for any New Jersey claims, remember that it's said that DJ Tony Humphries was playing out the Joubert Singers' 'Stand On The Word' at 'Zanzibar' in New Jersey before Larry Levan go his hands on it: so who knows how far back this goes? 

 

This is going to save loads of time for diggers (well, perhaps not as that's what they like to do) and money to have such a great collection all together that's agelessly good; make yourself happy and get this as you didn't know how happy you could be.

We're promised more in format of influencial labels that have left their mark in an 'Echoes From' and no doubt they'll all be as good as this one.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:  VARIOUS - Let Me Down Easy: Echoes From Cheri Records CD at Juno Records.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Let Me Down Easy: Echoes From Cheri Records

Release date: 7th November, 2025

Label: Miles Away Records

Cat. No: MALP 002/MACD 002

Format: Limited Edition LP Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

*Dom Servini, WahWah45s

<a href="https://willbarnesmusic.bandcamp.com/album/outside-the-light">Outside the Light by Will Barnes Quartet</a>

As regular readers know, we love our jazz (in many forms) so when we get a quartet album led by a jazz guitarist that's celebrates the source of a river in Wales, let's dive in.

Just two years on from 'Source Of The Severn' (see review HERE), these guys are still obsessed with bodies of following water which really suits Barnes' fluid guitar playing style.

Along with Jack Gonsalez (piano), Aidan Thorne (bass) and drummer James Batten their aim is to "homage to jazz greats such as Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny and Oscar Petterson, while forging a distinct voice rooted in contemporary expression". 

There's definitely a Metheny/Montogomery this second album grows into "jazz improvisation and the evocative landscapes of Mid Wales and the Welsh Marches" so the eight tracks are very much modern and contemporary.

'Never Done' is a high speed take on what could have been West Coast jazzers and highlights along with the single 'Devil's Bridge' and 'Bloom'.  'Light Of The Beacons' (Ed. Brecon?) is the acoustic exception with Barnes starting and the band joining in mid-way through; very nice chill out mixtape/soundtrack potential; kind of fits the album artwork and is current favourite.  

The band have an extensive tour to support the album release (Ed. Crickhowell is a lovely town with a nice pub on the river) and I'd get your tickets soon: Oh! anything for the jazzdance back room?  Get ya spats on 'Otherworld'! 

BUY LINK: https://willbarnesquartet.lnk.to/outsidethelight

Upcoming dates:
07.11.25 - Oriel Davies, Newtown (LAUNCH EVENT)
12.11.25 - Aberystwyth Arts Centre
14.11.25 - SpArC, Bishop's Castle
15.11.25 - Llanbedr Village Hall, Crickhowell
05.12.25 - Upfront Arts Venue, Penrith
09.01.26 - Corn Exchange Jazz, Ross-On-Wye
10.01.26 - Jazz at St Giles, Oxford
23.01.26 - Barmouth Music​
24.01.26 - Hay Castle, Hay-On-Wye
25.01.26 - The Hub @ St Mary's, Litchfield
29.01.26 - Davenham Jazz
30.01.26 - Norwegian Church, Cardiff
07.02.26 - Isbourne Arts, Cheltenham
08.02.26 - The Stables, Milton Keynes (lunchtime show)
08.02.26 - Pizza Express, Soho (evening show)

PS. the great cover artwork is by landscape artist Erin Hughes. 

Artist: Will Barnes Quartet

Title: Outside the Light

Release date: 7th November, 2025

Label :Cambrian Records

Catalog Number : CAM033

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Outside the Light | Will Barnes Quartet

Review: Natasha Kitty Katt's - Synaptic Juice (F*CLR Music / Shadow Runner Recordings)

Followers of Franko-Dracula dungeon house have been waiting a year since the single 'Synaptic Juice' came out but Halloween is NKK's busy season so its time to feature Cat. No. 001 on F*CLR Music.

And not only sharing the release with her own Shadow Runner Recordings, you'll recall the title track features Suki Soul " drenched in disco/house/boogie" (see review HERE) that followed the first single, 'Batt Danse EP' featuring 'Lost Boy' Billy Wirth (see review HERE) and the other seasonal favourite, 'Intergalatic Vampire' (see review HERE).

And returning closer to home, Glasgow based vocalist 'His Bitter Truth' is cosmic with 'Galtactic Love' (see review HERE) and our much loved 'local lad', Joseph Malik turns up with 'Only Fans' as a Natasha Kitty Katt Rework that's meserising space ship soul.

Rounded off with another great dancefloor track 'Wrath Of Katt', the album as a whole lives up to its billing as the soundtrack to a warped Sci-Fi cartoon (Ed. that'll be intentional as ‘Synaptic Juice’ is taken from an episode of ‘Star Trek – Voyager').

If you'll lucky enough to catch her DJ sets, more likely to be dressed in a Wednesday Addams theme at the moment than the sultry Marlene Dietrich sex kitten on the cover (Ed. or is that a Honor Blackman/Diana Rigg combo?), Natasha has the synaptic juice you need. 

BUY LINK (Vinyl): Synaptic Juice Album | Natasha Kitty Katt | Shadowrunner Recordings

BANDCAMP (DIGITAL) FCLRLP001 - Natasha Kitty Katt - Synaptic Juice LP | Natasha Kitty Katt | F*CLR Music

Artist:Natasha Kitty Katt 

Title: Synaptic Juice  

Release date: 15th August, 2025

Label: F*CLR Music

Cat. No: FCLRLP001

Format: Vinyl / Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Periscopi Invertit - Amèlia (Crea Music)

Totally unique take on Catalan folk-jazz-funk, not at all as scary as it might sound!

London-based Catelan artist Mireia Carbonell composed, and produced Periscopi Invertit’s first album 'Amèlia', blending folk songs from the Països Catalans (Catalan-speaking regions) with funk, jazz, Latin arrangements, and Mediterranean sounds.

Mireia Carbonell directed, composed, and produced Periscopi Invertit’s album 'Amèlia'. Over ten years ago, she emigrated to Northern Europe (first to Amsterdam and later to London), where she consolidated her project Periscopi Invertit — blending folk songs from the Països Catalans (Catalan-speaking regions) with funk, jazz, Latin arrangements, and Mediterranean sounds.

Periscopi Invertit has performed at London venues including The Jago, Orleans Bar, The Old Hall at Lincoln’s Inn, Waterloo Creative Studios, The Mildmay Club, Upstairs at the Ritzy, Karamel, The Post Bar, Folklore (Hoxton), and Jam in a Jar.

During her final project at ESMUC (Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya) music university, Mireia researched the interaction between Catalan folk and Catalan modern music from the 1960s to the 1980s. She found that, in the 1970s, many bands of the 'Ona Laietana' music movement (Barcelona’s 70’ underground music) had already explored this field and created an extensive discography. At that time, Periscopi Invertit began by performing versions of songs from the 'Ona Laietana' period and from other international artists who had fused folk with modern music at some point in their careers, while also including a few original compositions.

After completing her music studies, Mireia moved from Barcelona to Amsterdam, where she decided to shift Periscopi Invertit’s focus towards creating new arrangements of folk songs from the Països Catalans (Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Valencia, amongst other neighboring regions where Catalan is spoken). Only after several years of living in London did she set the project in motion, recording the album and forming the London-based band Periscopi Invertit.

Also love the cover artwork.

BUY LINK: Amèlia | Persicopi Invertit | Periscopi Invertit

Artist: Periscopi Invertit

Title: Amèlia 

Release date: 31st October, 2025

Label: Crea Music

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Berwick - Powerflip EP (Cyphon Recordings)

Fans of Berwick's 'Mind of A Squid' would have instantly thought to themselves, "why haven't Cyphon signed him up for a his own 4-track EP of 'Powerflip' electronic dancefloor: another hit for the Jimpster label.

As the highlight of the 'NervouEs Lab 001' EP, Jimpster is one to not spot a winner such as the Infinity Plus One release, 'Reflexion' (see review HERE). 

DJ and producer Berwick has his own twist on electro rave warp wobble that may have been formed by having a Sheffield/Bristol background.

The opener 'Fall & Melt' reflects a duplicity of shuffle will melt dancefloors into submission and illuminates his talent for deep groove like hi-energy-post dubstep.

Can't get must better than this?  Well, the title track 'Powerflip' also enjoys "eyeball-rattling low-end" with some dub-infused vocal as the system is looking for more power surge than power point: set ya knobs to zero and twist.

Even a base dub diva like Biggabush (see his latest HERE, a split EP with James Hayford) would hav trouble remixing 'Powerflip' so step up Bristol's Sam Lester who, sensibly, has done a remix that's outta the dark gutter fear factor into a more bouncy tech-house with such a menacing wobble. 

So with each track scarier that the last, in a more fun way, 'Impossible' rounds the set off with some heritage Shefield drum machine and old skool computer game synths it shows how versatile this guy is.

Back in the day, .I spent a lot of time in Berwick Street as a central hot-pot of music, as an individual Berwick is setting out on his own pathway with a range of influences that's going to 'Powerflip' a nation: impossible? I don't think so!  

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER (Limited Edition Vinyl): Powerflip EP | Berwick

Artist: Berwick 

Title: Powerflip EP 

Release date: 31st October, 2025

Label: Cyphon Recordings

Catalog Number CYPHN17

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Jean-Jez - Hooked / Deep Trent (inc. Trinidadian Deep & Mikekon Remixes) (Trusted Rhythm Records)

More 'Afro-house, Not Afro-house' as Trusted Rhythm Records add three more ambassadores to the rosta!

Somewhat different to the last release on the label, Msizee Laroja's 'Musu'Kuyenza' featuriing Biikie (with Laroye Remixes) but what with Yuu's Beats Sculpture (with Coflo Remix) (see review HERE), Trusted Rhythm are on a roll at the moment and we're definitely 'Hooked' on this house work.

Trinidadian Deep is known for his love of dubs and Hooked' weaves in and out (for nearly 10 minutes) with catchy soulful vocals, piano and vibes: but hang on! This is the 'Hooked' orignal version.

Mikekon (the Austrailian) has a remix that goes wowie space synthy whilst keeping the vocals.

You have to wait until you get to the actual Trinidadian Deep remix of the 'Deep Trent' track.  I don't think this is a tribute to the River Trent, think more, "What would Ron do"?  As in Ron Trent (see review HERE).  Well it's spacey, percussive and synthy all with a sense of urgency - think of this as a Trent tributary; from the Andes when the pan pipes come in.

The Trinidadian Deep remix you've all been waiting for is typically Afro-housed with some choral/mod-jazz organ as it dubs in the mouth of the river.

BUY LINK: Traxsource

Artist: Jean-Jez

Title: Hooked (inc. Trinidadiandeep &  Mikekon Remixes) 

Release date: 31st October, 2025

Label: Trusted Rhythm Records

Cat. No: TRR030

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Mzala Wa Afrika - Descendants Of The Drum EP (Ostowana)

When it comes Ostowana, they know the drum and Mzala Wa Afrika have gone modern with 'Descendants Of The Drum' as a latest generation of Afro-House takes another step forward. 

After the stunning 'Matsena' album by Arrumar (see review HERE), Mzala Wa Afrika's got a different angle of/on Afro-House vs. electronic with a 5 track EP that focus' on the drum in a synthy dub style.

Particularly the lead track 'Ingonyama' as you get ready to JUMP but each track is said to be "a tribute to the universal language of rhythm" and by the time of 'Unyusawa' it sounds closer to Afro-kraut-synth club.

BUY LINK: Ostowana | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Artist: Mzala Wa Afrika

Title: Descendants Of The Drum EP 

Release date: 31st October, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST143

Format: Digital

Review: Kid Sublime - The Paradigm Shift (Natural Element)

Kid Sublime's new album, 'The Paradigm Shift' may not be totally all encompassing ground breaking musically but the musical evidence is that he's back as youthful and sublime on the dancefloor as he ever was/is: check out the title track for one!

Regular readers will recall in the review of the EP, 'You Got Me Runnin' (ft Bako - see review HERE) that I recalled many years ago that I was told by an industry big head, "if it's got a Kid Sublime remix on it, it'll sell alright"?   Well there was no "Paradigm Shift" where that track was concerned with remixes by Tru-Thoughts' WheelUp (see of the recent 'Inner Light' see review HERE) and Holland's Mo Wrights.

The original version is on the album has all of 'the Kids' adventurous approach that he's made his name on countless previous releases on high profile labels like Kindred Spirits (Amsterdam's hot bed of hip-hop to spiritual jazz), Japan's Jazzy Sport, London's BRUK birthplace Co-OP and Theo Parrish's Sound Signature to name just a few.

And talking of Co-Op, if you're missing some loose lips, 'Bring It Come' (featuring Oliver Night - he of recent 'Real Love' - see review HERE) is a return to those early days (Ed. or should that be 'dayz'?)  And talking of someone who never seems to grow old, like Kid himself, Colonel Red features on 'Kingz' as he "surfs the waves of our memories" and stretches out into a minimal broken beat with, is that snooker balls!

So having already declared the title track a nu-BITA/Kaidi Tatham influenced success, the other tracks on the album features some people that we know about, Hans Litz (50% of 'What I Love' - see review HERE) with the best jazz-funk-disco-flute ganger 'The Awakening': essential! And some other, we don't know like Sydney based vocalist Natalie Slade on 'Stay Over' (ohhh, very jazzy satin sheets) and the deeply soulful vAn on 'Heavens Glory'.

The label tell us, "The Paradigm Shift takes you on a deep sonic journey straight from the heart, celebrating love, connection, spirituality and human evolution." and you're not going to get a better eight track album this side of  the next earth moving paradigm sheet.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: The Paradigm Shift | Kid Sublime | Natural Element 

Artist: Kid Sublime 
Title: The Paradigm Shift 
Release date: 30th October, 2025
Label : Natural Element
Catalog Number  NE003
Format: 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp