Review: Malik Hendricks - Stretching EP (Flat White Recordings)

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If you're not totally on top of Malik Hendricks, you might this he's gone off-track of late but this new EP, 'Stretching' finds the DJ/Producer is quite the opposite - let him see you streching into those sun salutations to NYC House!

So you know your NYC names, Hendricks has been DJing for over 10 years and his 'Praise' EP including a remix by Eli Escobar which was a classic mix of Gospel/Detroit/Soul House (Off-track Recordings, 2023) but there's also been remixes by Byron The Aquarius, James Bangura and Roy Vision whilst he's also done remixes himself like on Razor-N-Tape's 79.5 'Feel Like Dancin'' (more of 79.5 coming next week!)

Being able to to strech out through the title track into the post-industrial deep house express of '物の哀れ (Mono No Aware)', this EP is going to be you next favourite as the third original track 'After The Rain' promises the rain will stop with major thunderclaps for the dancefloor along with the disco space ships.

The hi-emphasis on percussion is perfect for London-based, Spanish-born producer Beringei to put his stamp on a 'Stretching' that loses some BRUK stylings with the magic of steel pans in the rain forest of a remix.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Stretching EP | Malik Hendricks

Artist: Malik Hendricks
Title:  Stretching EP
Release date: 20th March, 2026
Label : Flat White Records
Cat. No. FW015

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Conic Rose - loving parents (Conic Rose)

Conic Rose is like a wedding of musicians and like any wedding, it needs 'loving parents' for the next "immaculate" album!

It was the back end of 2022 that we got our first hint of Conic Rose with 'Gleisdreieck', 'Goodbye' and the magnificent 'Learn To Be Cool' [Miles Davis meets 'Teardrops' via 'Baba O'Riley' (see review HERE) that was follow by the album 'Heller Tag' (see review HERE).

So here's the new single ahead of the forthcoming album 'wedding' and in one track, you've still got the "Kruder & Dorfmeister and Cinematic Orchestra's lovechild, this collection of jazzy, ambient, hip-trippy electronica OST instrumental" with more Bonobo and Nils-Petter Molvaer!

Heavily influenced by their Berlin studio bass, the new album will excite their first that included folks as diverse as DJ Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music, Worldwide FM, Brownswood etc), Mojo and Jazzwise magazine and more.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://conicrose.bandcamp.com/album/wedding-2

Artist: Conic Rose 

Title: loving parents

Release date: 20th March, 2026

Label: Conic Rose

Cat. No: CONICROSELP03_S2

Format: Digital

Review: Calid - NOWROZ 1405 (Kabul Fire Records)

Afghan singer and guitarist Calid presents 'NOWROZ 1405', an EP standing at the intersection of memory, exile, and rediscovery, released on Kabul Fire to mark Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

This EP is a collection of reinterpretations of songs that emerged from one of the most culturally rich periods in Afghan history, before decades of war fractured its artistic continuity. These songs were never just entertainment; they were emotional documents of their time. Through stripped-down arrangements and an intimate vocal approach, Khalid reconstructs these works not as replicas, but as living memories. Each song carries themes of love shaped by impermanence, love interrupted by migration, war, distance, and time. This EP is not nostalgic. It is an act of presence.

1. Deeshab (Originally performed by Ustad Sarban) “Deeshab ba khuda khumar bodam” — Last night, by God, I was intoxicated. This song exists in the fragile space between reality and imagination. The intoxication Sarban speaks of is not from wine, but from love itself, an altered state where the beloved becomes both real and unreachable. Sarban, one of the most profound voices of Afghan classical music, lived his final years in obscurity and poverty, a fate tragically common for artists whose work once defined an era. His voice carried a depth that could not be replicated, only remembered. In this reinterpretation, Khalid approaches the song as a quiet confession rather than a declaration. The intoxication becomes internal, almost whispered, a private surrender to longing, where the beloved exists not in front of him, but within him. Love here is not possession. It is dissolution.

2. Pekhwanai Mina (Originally performed by Naghma & Mangal) “Pekhwanai Mina” speaks from the ruins of a love that still breathes. Naghma and Mangal, one of Afghanistan’s most iconic musical duos, embodied the emotional chemistry their songs described. Their voices did not simply sing to each other, they belonged to each other. This song reflects on a love that exists only in memory. It is not dramatic or tragic. It is quiet. Mature. Inevitable. Khalid’s interpretation removes the ornamental layers and leaves only the emotional skeleton. What remains is not heartbreak, but recognition, that love does not disappear. It transforms into something invisible but permanent. A presence that no longer speaks, but never leaves.

3. Baran (Originally performed by Ustad Biltoon) “Baran” was born during a time of war, when love had to survive alongside uncertainty. The rain in this song is both literal and symbolic. Outside, the world is unstable. Inside, the singer prepares a space, the dalaan, the heart of the home. In rural Afghan life, the dalaan was not just a dining room, but a place of gathering, protection, and intimacy. By inviting his beloved inside, he is offering more than shelter from rain. He is offering refuge from the world itself. Khalid’s interpretation emphasizes this fragility. The dalaan becomes a metaphor for emotional safety, a space built not with walls, but with devotion. Outside, everything collapses. Inside, love persists.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://calid.bandcamp.com/album/nowroz-1405

Artists: Calid

Release: NOWROZ 1405

Release Date: 20th March, 2026

Label: Kabul Fire Records)

Cat. No. TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: VA - Luke Una Presents É Soul Cultura Vol.3 (Mr Bongo)

Luke Una is back with another 'Presents É Soul Cultura' compilation with Volume 3 and your still getting your money's worth outta Mr Bongo with 15 tracks of fun on the dancefloor. 

I can't believe it's been nearly two years since Vol. 2 of this series landed (see reviw HERE) whilst the first Luke Una Presents É Soul Cultura came out in 2022!  We know that he's still busy as a DJ with his never ending quest to fill his record bag with special records including the likes of his Mr Bongo Edits (see review HERE).

Even then, perpare yourself for the awesome and ever relevant 'Spread Love' by Harris & Orr; originally released in the mid-70s, the message of peace and love could have been as big as any Gil Scott-Heron/Brian Jackson jazz-funk-disco mega-hit.  Even then, it's been re-issued and included on some serious labels in Europe and Japan over the passed 30 years, but it's time is now!

And talking of serious and Japan, if your Higgins/Peden types (see HERE), Toshiyki Honda rides the fusion of fire on 'Burnin' Waves' after some soulful disco string orchestral synth on 'Trying To Get By'.   And that's one of 3 'physical only' tracks - that's vinyl to you and me - as Terry And Deep South are joined by a 'Super Club Remix' of Janette Renee's 'What's On Your Mind' and 'Dancin' People' by Stars(!)

And perhaps these three tracks (but not exclusively) do indicate an 'É Soul Cultura' mindset of over-looked gems (hence OG silly expensive) that are celebral dancefloor. As taken from the press release, Luke says, "For me, the dancefloor was never about a one-dimensional, thudding, 130 BPM beat only. It's a much more dynamic, broader vision than that. I cut my teeth in an era where a 100 BPM record had as much impact, excitement, and energy as a 134 BPM dancefloor jazz funk or techno record”, Luke mentions. É Soul Cultura Volume 3 is the perfect embodiment of that notion"

Well, apart from Luke's recommendation he's also prepared to share with us some of his big  favourites and one take is going to get lots of attention: like a 8-minute DJ Harvey psych-out remix of a DJ Food track, 'Peace' - it's not ya standard "peace man", more Prince/Carlos Santana and Herbie go on a trip and forget the drummer! 

Luke made his name at Manchester's Electic Chair and has gone on to DJ his eclectic sets around the world and is at least as well known as DJs Harvey, Peterson, Scruff and the much missed Weatherall.

And talking eclectic, this album lives up to this with one of our favourites from last year, Vital Disorders' post-punk 'Zombie' (previously on Wah Wah 45s backed by a version by youngsters' Kotoa - see review HERE: NB. this year Fela Kuti has become the first African artist to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award) and then from 1987 some off kilter electro, 'Flight 505' by Alphonsus Idigo (handy for any Egyptian Lover business on the mix) and some "post-minimalist" jazz-funk fusion from mid-80s, Man Jumping's 'In The Jungle' (originally on Bill Nelson's label!)

And we know that Luke likes to trip into all the continents so he'll be able to find tracks like 

Grupo Serenata's 'Sodade, Tem Pena D'Mim' from Cape Verde (Ed. and if you're planning a trip and there's mention of 'Shigella', it's not a new dance; it's very bad stuff).

If you come to this compilation thinking you know what Una is all about and you've heard it all before, I bet even you will find something on here to amuse and delight you plus, I think it's fair to say that the same is about all 3 volumes of 'Luke Una Presents É Soul Cultura' - you don't need any more of a recommendation so buy it on sight / site - or pre-order as say these days. 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://bfan.link/luke-una-presents-e-soul-cultura-vol-3

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Luke Una Presents É Soul Cultura Vol.3

Release date: 20th March, 2026 

Label : Mr Bongo 

Catalog Number : MRB328

Format : 2 x LP (black and yellow in gatefold sleeve and OBI strip) / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Hollie Cook - Rockaway Dub / Dub Me In Your Arms (Mr Bongo)

Hollie Cook's 'Shy Girl' gets out and about in dub with some help from producer and desk master Ben McKone! 

Hollie Cook my be a 'Shy Girl' (see review HERE of her last album) which happens to be her 5th, album producer Ben McKone gets his 'Made For Record Store Day' 2026 analogue mixing desk out for some 'old fashioned' Lovers Rock dubs.

Taking on 'Rockaway' and 'Take Me In Your Arms' to the delays, echoes and reverb roots of King Tubby (as recently recommended by Bass, Mids, Tops' Joe Muggs) which work so well alongside the original versions or one their own; 'Dub Me In Your Arms' is particularly spacey even if it uses more of Cook's vocals.

A full 'Shy Girl in Dub' album is promised so again, "shy girl no more me thinks".

NOTE: The green vinyl version with added A4 sticker sheet is dropping as part of @recordstoreday on April 18th..

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://holliecook.bandcamp.com/album/shy-girl-in-dub

Artist: Hollie Cook

Title: Rockaway Dub / Dub Me In Your Arms

Release Date : 19th March, 2026

Label : Mr Bongo Records

Catalog Number : MRB341

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Lottie P, Colin Riley, Nic Pendlebury, Steve Pretty ft. Helen Czerski & George Monbiot - Ocean Songs (Squeaky Kate Music)

In an increasingly mixed up world where there is so much confusion and entrenched position on any subject you'd care to mention, even post 'Blue Planet'/David Attenborough, there still needs an agit-project-band to raise awarness with the help of eco-educators Helen Czerski and George Monbiot.

This unusual new collaborative album has a cross-genre collection of composer Colin Riley, Lottie P (post-punksters, Goat Girl), Steve Pretty (Inner-City punk-brass, Hackney Colliery Band) and Nic Pendlebury (founder/electric violist, The Smith Quartet) and they have a message of the "village" ethos as we're all connected by water and here are ten songs to celebrate the Ocean.

Commissioned for the First Light Festival in 2025, held in Greenwich at the Royal Museums, as a "docu-pop" project with as an contemporary classical, ambient, jazz, rock experiment to connect with "our ocean" with ten songs exploring "whales, waves, myths and climate, with spoken-word contributions from oceanographer Helen Czerski and broadcaster, George Monbiot".

You want be able to pin it down as it can harmoniously flit from spoken word observations of Czerski* (British physicist, oceanographer, writer, broadcaster and television presenter) and OG "eco -warrior" Monbiot.

For those with long memories, nealy 20 years ago, may recall one of the most unusual collaborations, The Imagined Village as a folk/pop/punk band meets Transglobal Underground (in both name and group!).  Well, this album is much more focused as a sort of Stereolab goes to the Science museum with track titles, 'Ebbt & Flow', 'Plastic', 'Blue Machine', 'Passengers', 'Sirens', 'Sunrise', 'Sing The Whale', 'Every Wave', 'Flotsam & Jetsam' and 'We Are Ocean' are touchstone to the Panthalassa/Pangea theme.

'Sing The Whale' featuring Monbiot, like a Benjamn Zephaniah/Billy Bragg to Imagined Village, with Lottie P and the Whale starring (is the whale Steve P and Nic P a musical kiss?)

Of course, there's a sense of profound underlying sadness to the message (as it's man's fault) but that shouldn't put you off as there is hope in the music, like 'Every Wave' and 'Flotsam & Jetsam'.

Hopefully they'll be more live performances, in 2025 Melanie Pappheim guested in Lowestoft (with local community singers which is a great idea).  It'd would be great to see this performed at festivals too but for now, there's a CD and digital release with a London launch party at Theatreship, Canary Wharf on 24th March.

Don't forget, 'We Are Ocean'!

*Helen Czerski reads excerpts from her award-winning oceanography book ‘Blue Machine: How the Ocean Shapes our World’ (Penguin Books).

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Music | Squeaky Kate Music

Artist:  Lottie P, Colin Riley, Nic Pendlebury, Steve Pretty ft. Helen Czerski & George Monbiot

Title: Ocean Songs

Release date: 24th March, 2026

Label :  Squeaky Kate Music

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Anoesis - Idios Kosmos EP (Cyphon Recordings)

A couple of years ago we had the 'Metacognition' EP that contained the hit 'Voxelle', so it's been a wait for the new Anoesis release on Cyphon Recordings, 'Idios Kosmos' EP.

One thing we know about Cyphon, is that they don't just release any old "abstract electronica and Detroit-inspired futurism" within their electro, techno and deep house remit, and this new EP is no exception as the London based Anoesis gets this 5-tracker ready for any dark rave warehouse party.

And there's no bigger track than 'Big Noodle' that messes with breaks and chopped up 90s rave; intelligent but what about a Ragga Twins remix?

Most folks would be happy with a 'Big Noodle' but 'Feeling Go' could equally be viewed as next level sub-Oizo with "looped-up vocal sample with driving, housey grreoove" in a trippy basement plumbing underworld.

Not only that, the title track nails rave DNA with it's early 90s breakbeat foundations. Having said all that, 'Lovely' is the 'now' softer edge that can be slipped in anywhere whilst 'Reptile Skin' is the kraut-rough edged opposite!

 

There will always be a revivals of classic dance floor eras and 'Idios Kosmos', as an EP, is more than even DJ Billy Bunter can handle.  

"Shut up and dance", I hear you say - and I will. 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Idios Kosmos | Anoesis

 

Artist: Anoesis 
Title: Idios Kosmos EP
Release date: 20th March, 2025
Label: Cyphon Recordings
Catalog Number TBC 
Format: Limited heavyweight vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Modha - At Your Pace (Sonar Kollektiv)

Sonar Kollektiv is a seal of approval in itself but their sophomore album, 'At Your Pace' is a love letter in istelf to giving yourself some time to breath, "step outside the noise, breathe deeper, and reconnect with the unpolished beauty of musical collaboration".

Modha (aka Dhanya Langer and Max Scholl) have not been in a big rush to follow up their debut release 'Getting By' (Prinewax, 2020) but they know plenty of folks who want to work with them.

No doubt it helps being based in Berlin but these two couldn't be more laid back judging by these eight tracks - and if you can't find your inner peace with the outstanding, 'Find Me (Underneathe The Sun) featuring to soothing vocals of okcandice, the rest of the album will be a loss on you.

And whilst the instrumental opener 'Move At Your Own Pace' sets the tone for gentle trumpet  meditations as the track weaves into a semi-breathless jazz shamen dub.  And there's more good news as Allysha Joy features on 'Good News' (such a rare thing these days) 

The 'River' featuring Àbáse (who you'll recall from 'Awakening' - see review HERE) and the fantastic flute of Fanni Zahár in the semi-spiritual jazz is a little more pacey than you might expect; upstream Carlos Niño you might say.  And early Niño-esque, Baton Rouge rapper Wakai adds verses to the beatsy 'Bullet'.

James Chatburn featured on their first album on a track called 'Freckless' and he's still thinking about it here (perhaps) with 'The Bee By The Pool' that's shamelessly cut short as it's like a slo-mo Thundercat/lovetempo. Conic Rose have a track coming out next week ('loving parents' - see review HERE) and they turn up on this album too on 'Breeze'. 

The fact that it's not just the duo themselves and a load of other musicians might make you think this is sounding like an indulgent supergroup but nothing could be further from the truth. And in, 'Find Me (Underneath The Sun)', I predict, it's going to be one of those unexpected Summer Festival hits so get on it now, before it's too late, but no rush.. take your time.. chill out. 'Move At Your Own Pace' you could say

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://modhask.bandcamp.com/album/at-your-pace

Artist: Modha 

Title:  At Your Pace 

Release date: 13th March, 2026

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK535LP

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Tryangle Man - Tooka Martini (Tryangle Man Records)

Tryangle Man returns and he's gone straight to the cocktail bar for the new single, 'Tooka Martini' - we'll drink to that! 

It's been a couple of years since Tryangle Man's 'Discovery Of Pangea' (see review HERE) and the 'Voyages' trip on Atjazz Records (see review HERE) but our favourit 'superhero' [Ed. that's Tryangle Man] has gone his jazz lounge spats on and got his order in at the Cotton Club bar as a 2026 refurbishment.

It's enought to make anyone smile and dance as it's got similarities with Mr. Scruff re-work of Moondog's song 'Lament I, 'Bird's Lament'; re-branded it as 'Get A Move On' [1999] and Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra's 'Minnie The Moocher' (without the reggae and more jazz house. 

 

More subtle than Zbeeez and the recent 'Oh Yes!' (see review HERE) but that what happens when you 'Tooka Martini'.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://snd.click/tooka-martini

Artist: Tryangle Man

Title: Tooka Martini

Release date: 12th March, 2026

Label : Tryangle Man Records

Catalog Number : TMR010S3

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: MF Robots - "lll” Part One (Good People Records)

Great to have MF Robots back with a new album that takes Acid Jazz roots to the the power of 3, not exactly cubed but more duo'd with Jan Kincaid and Dawn Joseph on their best form yet!  

After the single 'Children Of The World' (see review HERE) that followed upon the success of first single ‘Hello Sunshine’ on their own imprint Good People Records (a joint venture with Republic Of Music), we finally get the album, 'III (three) - Part One'.

You'll recall it was the founder of The Brand New Heavies in 2013, drummer Jan Kincaid and vocalist Dawn Joseph discovered their "musical chemistry and began writing songs together right away" and the leaving left the band to concentrate on their own work, starting MF Robots (Music For Robots).

If you're an original fan of BNH, you'll have matured to love this soulful-funk of MFR as the eight track and nu-Acid Jazz (Ed. no you can't say that!)

Don't believe me? Go straight to the gorgious flute gang su"Imer anthem (already), 'Hello Sunshine' and 'It'll a shine on your face" as if it's Tony Monson on Solar Radio (Ed. still going from 1984!).  But it's not just this track that emits the positive energy of the sun as it's like it's own soulful power station, burning it's way 'Through The Pain', 'Glide' to the Latin space beach as a paired down Earth, Wind & Fire and the groove is down on 'The Pressure' as a new moon rises. 

The opener 'Thats The Way' is going to get some instant attention as it's a fast paced 80s sound with Dawn out front diva with the backing singers on some 'doo, bee do ehhs".  And that doesn't stop them switching musical lanes as 'Lay It Back' slo-funks its way to the dancefloor a la Prince; this would be great as a 12" disco dub as it's far to short here.

Talking of length, the album closes with the longest track, 7 minutes, 'Show Us The Way' that mixes the sounds of Lonnie Liston Smith and George Duke as they go Brazilian Rain Forest in a Mother Nature message - fantastic!

Not at all Chinese Kung Fu cyborgs that have recently been released on the world with their flash mob dance revival routines, so these guys prove that it's possible for robots to have 'soul' and these two MF Robots  have found theirs as "a new sonic and song benchmark... reflecting the project coalescing and maturing while fine-tuning their material, both on the road and in the studio": in short, this is a great album.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://lnk.to/bcKVah

Artist: MF Robots

Title:  "lll” Part One

Release Date: 13th March, 2026

Label:Good People Records

Catalog Number: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp