Review: El Combo Batanga - Spanish Dogs (Ubiquity Records)

Ubiquity Records take on Fania a la Cuba with El Combo Batanga and a hoard of 'Spanish Dogs' ready to go to dancefloor war - get ready for 'Cocacho Mambo'!

You might have seen the other day someone on SM asking if anyone knows the licencing contact at Ubiquity Records - I can understand that as they've got an incredible back catolog and you can add this new album 'Spanish Dogs' to that as you enjoy the digital version over Christmas before the vinyl comes out in January 2026 - your first album of the year candidate.

I was concerned that there was going to be a Cuban Brothers vibe to this (Ed. nothing wrong with that - see review HERE) but it doesn't take long to get deep into Latin/soul deep with influences from James ('Darling') Brown to the the three-piece horn section having years of experience that included backing legend Joe Bataan on tour (Ed. did I ever tell you of the time I met Mr. Bataan and his wife? Another day I think).

Not only that, the core rhythm section (ex-Los Chocolatiers) have been together for 20 odd years and with this expanded lineup headed by vocalist Ale Gutiérrez, this is an album of 10 tracks that you can't fall as we get some modern room Latin Northern, 'You Better Watch Out' and some great West Coast 'Fania' funk, 'La Cuota', the brilliant 'Coacho Mambo' and some boogaloo revival plus some great horn and trombone expertise.

These 'Spanish Dogs' are, surprisingly, Madrid based but believe me, they're the 'Real' deal and worthy of any comparisons with Ray Barretto, Willie Colón, Hector Lavoe:  Watch Out!

BUY LINK: https://elcombobatanga.bandcamp.com/album/spanish-dogs

 

Artist: El Combo Batanga

Title: Spanish Dogs 
Release date: 12th December, 2025 - vinyl 23rd January, 2026
Label : Ubiquity Records
Catalog Number : TBC
Format :  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Various Artists - Sweet 16 Mixtape x Stuckey & Sensible J (Hopestreet Recordings)

Fans of Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo, Ziggy Zeitgeist, Godtet, JK Group and the rest of Melbourne hip-hop / jazz / soul /funk massive that'll looking for a present that'll survive the Xmas hols, look no further than this 16th Birthday mixtape compilation .

The Hopestreet Studios are 16 and to celebrate, here's a special mixtape: one side featuring brand-new MPC edits and remixes by producer Sensible J and the other side being a seamless all-vinyl DJ mix by Lachlan Stuckey (Surprise Chef / College of Knowledge Records).

Since 2009, the artist based co-operative have released 50 records and fostering a community spanning soul, R&B, funk, Latin, Bollywood psychedelia and more.  And who doesn't love a mixtape?  

Diggin' deep into the Hopestreet vaults as far back as Zillanova, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, Zretro and The Putbacks, while Stuckey’s side curates long-loved 7” staples from The Cactus Channel, Danielle Ponder, Karate Boogaloo and beyond.

 

If you mix the spirit of West Coast / Stones Throw or catch their current day south coast Aussie neighbours with this party tape.

BUY LNK /PRE-ORDER: Sweet 16 Mixtape | Hopestreet Recordings

Artist: Various Artists

Title:  Sweet 16 Mixtape 

Release date: 12th December, 2025

Label : Hopestreet Recordings

Catalog Number :  HS

Format:  Cassette Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Frits Wentink - Remixed (Wolf Music Recordings)

This 12" is all about you and the dancefloor: and whilst I say it's about you, there's 3 of you in this relationship; with remixes by Ian Pooley, Prince Palmer and Dominic Oswald.

This new Remixed EP leads with the track 'About You' that was previously featured on Frits' own 'Together EP' (see review HERE).

Having a "bonfide legend" with over 1,000 credits on albums/singles/EPs that is, Mr. Ian Pooley on the remix (noting that, at the time of writting, Mr. Pooley is outside Tower Records in Tokyo!) with a DJ friendly beats and the full remix, itself, WOLF music knows it's on a winner.

On the B-side, there's more 'Intentions' than Frits' remix of Max Sinàl & KingCrowney track (see review HERE) as the original version of this 'Intentions', that appeared on 'Remember That Feeling' (WOLFEP70), gets a main room remix by Prince Palmer - thus returning the favour of Frits remixing Palmer's track 'Airlift' that came out in the summer (Ed. sounds like a lot of back scratchin' goin' on here).  

Rounding the set off, another Frits favourite, 'Club Land' (original on the Club Land Special - WOLFEP73); so now you have to take your pick from the original, alternative mixes and now the Dominic Oswald remix.  The alternative mix is a bit faster and a little quirky so Oswald has kinda split the difference with jazzier keys added and I can see why this is added to the set.

This is the fourth in recent FRITS X WOLF series of 12” showcasing Frits, the label and, in this case, the remixers - Note: some recent releases from this guys are all fetching big bucks on the resale site so get in quick. 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER  Remixed | Frits Wentink

Artist: Frits Wentink 
Title: Remixed
Release date: 12th December, 2025
Label :Wolf Music Recordings
Catalog Number  WOLFEP082
Format: 12" VINYL / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Nightsteppaz - Getting Into The Groove (Inc. Bushwacka! Remix) (Vibe Me To The Moon)

Can you believe Nightsteppaz has not only got into the groove, he's got Bushwacka! on the remix - that's worth another '!' 

After Franck Roger's 'Can U Believe' EP (see review HERE) turned up on Nightsteppaz' own 'Want Me' with a remix (see review HERE), speculation was rife as to who would be next on the label's hit list.

Well, I didn't think it would be the Bushwacka! half of the famed Layo & Bushwacka combo that ruled the decks at the (in)famous London club, The End that started in the mid 90s in central London and as a duo had countless inclusions on compilations both as artists and DJs.  

The original version is very late-night groove only for Bushwacka! to take us back to the dayz of the air-raid siren as "the drums and bass are more bubbly and bouncy to get the floor popping" - it really feels like it's primordial acid rave house.  It might be underground but it's great.

I remember when The End ended as I used to pass through the Midtown area London at that time.  It was an interesting time for London clubland as the 'CBD' of of night time clubbing moved from the bright lights to the grubby other side of the Euston Road in the planning  blighted area that became home of the new hot clubs The Cross, Bagleys and Egg. 

Thankfully, there's other places now that you can be 'Getting Into The Groove' and Vibe Me To The Moon is your place to start.

BUY LINK:  https://www.traxsource.com/title/2661622/getting-into-the-groove

Artist: Nightsteppaz

Title:  Getting Into The Groove (Inc. Bushwacka! Remix) 

Release date: 12th December, 2025

Label : Vibe Me To The Moon Records

Catalog Number : VIBE034

Format:  Digital  

Review: Emile & The Education - Lamad (Distro via Fresh Selects)

There seems to be a fair amount of next generation Roy Hargrove love at the moment and Emile Martinez is one of the LA 'comtemporary jazz' leaders and 'Lamad' is his debut as a bandleader - be prepared to be educated.

Emile is a graduate of Berklee College and has worked with some of the biggest names like Anderson .Paak, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and long-time member of The RH Factor, jazz keyboardist/pianist/musical director, Brian Hargrove.  He also worked on the album 'Katalyst' as part of the Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Katalyst Jazz Is Dead 13 project.

'Lamad' is a continuation of that training of jazzy hip-hop soul as fused inbetween modern electronics at one end and "swirling spirtuality" at the othere with Martinez's "warm trumpet tones" in the middle.

The album's titlee comes from his late-friend Damal's name backwards as a dedication to him so tracks like 'Orison To Damal's Light', 'Lamad's Orison' (which features Carlos Niño) and 'Elegy For Lamad (Tears of Ms. Dobbs)' are obviously thoughtful and sensitive.

Equally, we are told that the album is "for my friends, my family, the students I mentor, and anyone who believes in love, vulnerability, and truth through music.”  And talking of teachers, we learn his first trumpet teacher Clay Jenkins, was the inspiration for the opening track. 'Made Of Clay' (Ed. did you see etc).

And whilst there's some lovely Hargrove trumpet at times, this is no 'tribute' album and whilst there's the mirrors to current new jazzer (Yussef Dayes, Theo Croker et al), particulary on the drums there's some fantastic keys 'n' synths and on longest track (10 mins), 'Willis & Annie' there's a electric guitar solo that hasn't been heard since the likes of McLauglin in Mahavishnu Orchestra (Ed. wonder if it was one of those 70s twin necks?)

Who knows what Miles would be doing in 2025 but I'd like to think the spirit of 'Osad's House' (with a bigger band sound), the 'free'-ish 'Patience & Release' and where the harmonising vocals of Gaby Duran are added (this could be the jazz version of the recently released SHOLTO's cinematic 'The Sirens' - see review HERE), 'Lamad' is not far from Jazz Not Jazz

As most of the tracks are quite long, it's likely that the usual suspects will be supporting this one like late night Jazz on 3 (Ed. used to love 'The Late Junction'), BBC Radio 6's Gilles Peterson, Jazz FM and the more the leftflied elements on WYEP, KEXP, Rinse FM, Totally Wired Radio and other 'ambient atmospheric electronic' jazz: either way, this album is going to make waves, air and otherwise: Damal (RIP).

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: LAMAD | Emile and The Education

Artist: Emile & The Education

Title: Lamad

Release date: 5th December, 2025

Label :  Distro via Fresh Selects

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Credits All tracks composed and produced by Emile Martinez. All tracks recorded by Tom Khare, apart from Track 10 (Tom Khare & Garfield Adams) All tracks mixed by Garfield Adams. All tracks mastered by Jaclyn Sanchez and Garfield Adams. All Artwork (singles, album) - Camille Stemmons, Brooklyn Stemmons Project Manager(s) - Hossien Kaviani, Delia Tesileanu 

1. Hands Made of Clay Emile Martinez - Trumpet Aaron Shaw - Tenor Sax Brian Hargrove - Keys Siya Makuzeni - Vocals Allakoi Peete - Percussion Brandon Cordoba - Keys Camille Ramirez - Flute David Otis - Alto Sax Jonah Levine - Trombone Jonathan Pinson - Drums Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Viola/Violin Owen Clapp - Bass 

2. A Finch’s Walk (Gaby’s Song) Emile Martinez - Trumpet Gaby Duran - Vocals Neon Phoenix - Bass Roger Bendford aka Joose - Drums Brandon Cordoba - Keys Eddie Cole - Vocals 

3. Orison to Damal’s Delight 
 Emile Martinez - Trumpet Jimetta Rose - Trumpet Jonathan Hoard - Trumpet Carlos Nino - Percussion Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Viola/Violin Brandon Cordoba - Keys Corbin Jones - Bass Gregory Webster - Drums Alakoi Peete - Percussion 

4. The Path Emile Martinez - Trumpet Brandon Cordoba - Keys Jonathan Pinson - Drums Allakoi Peete - Percussion Aaron Shaw - Tenor Sax David Otis - Alto Sax Camille Ramirez - Flute Corbin Jones - Bass Jonah Levine - Trombone Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Viola/Violin 

5. Lamad’s Orison Emile Martinez - Trumpet Brandon Cordoba - Keys Jonathan Pinson - Drums Jonathan Hoard - Vocals
Alakoi Pete aka Mic Holden Percussion, Aaron Shaw - Tenor Sax Camille Ramirez - Flute Corbin Jones - Bass David Otis - Alto Sax Gregory Webster - Drums Jamal Moore - Bass Clarinet Jonah Levine - Trombone, Carlos Ninos - Percussion 

6. Elegy for Lamad (Tears of Ms. Dobbs) Nanna B - Vocals Gaby Duran - Vocals Roger Bendford aka Joose - Drums Brandon Cordoba - Keys Neon Phoenix - Bass 

7. Willis and Annie Emile Martinez - Trumpet Brandon Cordoba - Keys Aaron Shaw - Tenor Sax Jonathan Pinson - Drums Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Viola/Violin Allakoi Peete - Percussion Camille Ramirez - Flute Corbin Jones - Bass David Otis - Alto Sax Jonah Levine - Trombone 

8. OTWT (The Path) Brandon Cordoba - Keys Alakoi Pete aka Mic Holden Jonathan Pinson – Drums Corbin Jones - Bass 

9. Osad’s House Emile Martinez - Trumpet Sam Reid - Keys Allakoi Peete - Percussion Brandon Cordoba - Keys Corbin Jones - Bass Eddie Cole - Vocals Gregory Webster - Drums Jonah Levine - Trombone Jimetta Rose - Vocals 

10. Patience and Release Emile Martinez - Trumpet Sam Reid - Keys Aaron Shaw - Tenor Sax Jody Giachello - Drums Gaby Duran - Vocals Heather Gray - Modular Synthesizer Programming Neon Phoenix - Bass 

Review: Mulukèn Mellèssè - Mulukèn Mellèssè with The Dahlak Band (Heavenly Sweetness)

Bandcamp Friday and out today! Mulukèn Mellèssè with The Dahlak Band is a big surprise!

I love how label's like Heavenly Sweetness can swing from he brilliant Ludivine Issambourg (check her album, 'Above The Laws' - see review HERE) to a 12" from the Djingo Typical Band 'Vini Ouais (see reviw HERE) to this gem of a LP by Mulukèn Mellèssè. 

Mulukèn Mellèssè! Who? Indeed, you could say that as this is the "lost masterpiece of the Swinging Addis era".   Originally released in 1976, it's said to be one of the final Ethiopian LPs before the Derg regime halted independent musical life and reshaped the country’s cultural landscape.

So it's a bit of a surprise that it sounds in the Mulatu Astatke ball park as it showcases the extraordinary voice of Mulukèn Mellèssè, a prodigy whose emotional depth, lyrical sensitivity, and early recordings made him one of the most singular figures in modern Ethiopian music

Backed by the visionary Dahlak Band, featuring major arrangers and instrumentalists of the time; the album reflects a rare level of musical refinement, blending ethio-groove, soul, jazz-inflected horns, and hypnotic rhythms

A vital historical restoration, revealing the creative peak of Ethiopia’s modern music scene just before its abrupt suppression - now reissued to reclaim its place as a cornerstone of the Ethiopian groove canon

Bound to sell-out fast so get your pre-orders in now.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Muluken Mellesse With The Dahlak Band | Muluken Mellesse | ETHIOPIQUES SERIES

Artist: Mulukèn Mellèssè  

Title:  Mulukèn Mellèssè with The Dahlak Band

Release Date : 5th December

Catalog Number : TBC-

Label : Heavenly Sweetness

Format:  Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Belleruche - Tape Mask / Stand to Refuse / Without You (Hippoflex Recording Industries)

The return of Turntable Soul Music with Kathrin deBoer, Ricky Fabulous and DJ Modest trio better known as Belleruche.

Since their launch in 2005 on Tru-Thoughts, Belleruche have always impressed with their four albums before they disbanded.

Fronted by the vocals of Kathrin DeBoer they always were in the Neo Soul, Funky, Hip-hop beats that touched on (then 'new thing') BRUK.

Well, BRUK's back (although not here) and Belleruche are back too with 3 new tracks recorded in Scotland.  Not that you'd know as the vibe is still urban as they say:

Tape Mask: Swung blues vocals over a growling analogue synth, pulsing soul stabs and overdriven guitar. Stripped back electronic soul music heard through a vintage speaker, staring at the stars thinking about days to come and those that have gone.

Stand To Refuse: South west sub-bass meets sixties eastern mystical chords and both are pushed roughly along by lead booted drums. Kathrin's vocals channel spoken word protest poetry and call for joining in unity against modern systems that seek to divide and reduce us.

Without You: Sinister low end synths back up a bass guitar propelled by nervous energy. Double and ghosted vocals battle the pulse of the clipped percussion like a ECG readout. A guitar solo chopped and screwed that seems to be in exile from a yacht rock b-side. Whatever it is Belleruche make, this is an emotional example of it.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: bit.ly/3IXVt0s

Artist: Belleruche 

Title: Tape Mask / Stand to Refuse / Without You

Release date: 5th December, 2025

Label :Hippoflex Recording Industries

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Lagos Thugs feat. Youthie - Power Pt. 1 (Tangential Music)

Fela Kuti's legacy of influence is all about the power he, and now his family, gives us, the people, but I don't think that even he could foresee how powerful this combination of Afrobeat and dub by Lagos Thugs and Youthis is!

Whilst it may not sound like the off-spring of The Shrine, this track has a back-story of note as it was first recorded with Joe Armon-Jones and Femi Koleoso (keys and drummer/bandleader from multi-award winning London jazz group, Ezra Collective) during their visit to Lagos Thugs in Lagos for 'Felabration' back in 2024.

After an initial mix, the band revisited the track — this time with Mario Orsinet, drummer for Seun Kuti, bringing fresh energy to the recording. The vision expanded even further when Paris-based dub sensation Youthie joined the project — an artist Lagos Thugs had long admired. Kino Doscun later added guitars and delivered the final mix, sealing the track’s unique sound.

Youthie, the French multi-instrumentalist (trumpet, flute, accordion, etc), has made a name for herself on multiple dub-reggae fronted albums and on 'Power, Part 1' her jazz and dub fusion style puts Lagos Thugs’ Afrobeat roots into the spiritual dance(hall)

So exciting to think what 'Power, Part 2' will be so stay tuned!

BUY LINK: https://bfan.link/power-27

Artist: Lagos Thugs feat. Youthie 

Title: Power

Release date: 4th December, 2025

Label: Tangential Music

Catalog Number:TBC

Format: Digital

Bass, Keyboards : Lagos Thugs
Drums : Mario Orsinet
Trumpet & Flute : Youthie
Guitar & Mix : Kino Doscun

Review: Temporary Blessings - Sumbisori (College Of Knowledge Records)

If you're keeping up to date with the graduates from the College Of Knowledge, Temporary Blessings have earnt a permanent gold star for this debut album, 'Sumbisori'.

So this is the 'big screen' version of the  Melbourne/Naarm cinematic soul movement that takes  jazzy-beats of 'student's like Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo and The Pro-Teens' and move the centre of groove ot 60s OST themes by the likes of Morricone and Piero Piccioni et al.

You'll recall the single, 'Fata Morgana' is high on the flute and vibes but these ten tracks have it all, 'Michelin Star' over looks the Bay of Naples all the way to Death In Venice and 'Silence Leaves an Open Wound'.

Led by Liam McGorry (trumpet player/piano/organ/composer) who is joined by Will Morrissey (tenor saxophonfe), Lachlan Stuckey (guitar). Tom Petitt (bass), Katarzyna Wiktorski (piano) and Hudson 'Brenda' Whitlock (drums, vibraphone - see 'Bath Time' review HERE).

The album ends on the 'drama' of 'Delon' and 'Carlton Streets' and whilst there's no 'Get Carter' theme, it's definitely in the Roy Budd envelope - order the vinyl before it sells of of the limited edition.

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BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER (VINYL): Sumbisori | Temporary Blessings

Artist: Temporary Blessings 

Title: Sumbisori 

Release date: 5th December, 2025

Label: College Of Knowledge Records

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Shay Hazan - When It Rains It Pours (Batov Records)

Bassist, composer and producer Shay Hazan returns with his third solo album, ‘When It Rains It Pours’ on Batov Records where we find a shift away from previous global, jazz, funk and spiritual sounds to different global, jazz, funk and spiritual sounds!

If you can image Shay Hazan's last album 'Wusul' (Arabic for 'arrival' - see review HERE) being remixed and re-produced by Carlos Niño, Flying Lotus, Tinariwen all at the same time as this multi-instrumentalist works his magical synths and percussion into 11 new tracks. 

With the key players of the last album Eyal Netzer (tenor sax) on three tracks and Shahar Haziza (drums) on 'Embrace', Ziv Taubenfeld (bass clarinet) on another three tracks plus Roy Zuzovsky (trumpet) and Abate Berihum (vocals) both on the opener 'Kolot' the sound is similar whilst There seems to have been a move away from the Mulatu afro-jazz groove and less show-off twangy guitar ('Move On') but there's more than one stand-out track here as '4-8' lights up the jazz-dance and the global-hip-hop-rock of 'It Pours' and 'Haziza Has Got The Juice'.

It'll be a harsh critic to say the move from double bass to electric bass and no guimbri due Shay's developing joint issues has been a happy accident and you'll remember that the last album drew comparisions with Rejoicer and Nitai Hershkovits' 'Cinema Royal' (see review HERE) and you know what they say, "When It Rains It Pours" and in terms of this album, it sounds like its all for the good rather than bad.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: (very limited vinyl release of 500): When It Rains It Pours | Shay Hazan.

Artist: Shay Hazan 

Title: When It Rains It Pours

Release date: 5th December, 2025

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR130

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp