Review: Ben Seretan & John Thayer - Sunbeam of No Illusion (AKP Recordings)

Ambient from the peatside fire place to the open fields of New York state, be under no illusion, this album is a beautiful sunbeam on your soul with Ben Seretan & John Thayer's debut album!

This album has been on our radar since the Oscilloscope album 'There Is Always Darkness, There Is Always Light' came out (see review HERE) and then the "complimentry", Manu Delago & Max ZT whilst this duo has a plethora of instrutments compared to the previously mentioned: Ben Seretan (Fender Rhodes Piano, Moog Matriarch, Juno 106, Supro Lap Steel, Lowrey Organ, Teenage Engineering KOII, Electric Guitar, Guitar Pedals (Assorted)) and Jake Thayer (Lexicon Prime Time, Delta Labs Effectron II, Crystal Rattles, Temple Block, Brushes, Grass Shakers, Field Recordings, Digitakt, Modular Synthesizer, Tape Echo, Tascam Porta Studi)

There might be some found sound in there too as this album draws on the natural beauty of upstate New Yourk where they live and  is said to be "postmodern pastoral" influenced by poet Richard Bautigan to Harold Budd.  This is Thayer and Seretan's first official collaboration on record; even though they've performed together many thimes since 2023.   

All of the tracks have this loopy reflective ellegance that's drawn from the early Kraut-synth evolution of Edgar Froses / Klause Schulze / Tangerine Dream as formatted as 'ambient' by ENO.  Here they've tinkered with jazzy Rhodes lounge, like the single 'Watermelon Well' and 'Peat Fire' (that's more 'smouldering' than 'fire') but you know they've come from the Brian Eno, Terry Riley (who influenced the intros to both 'Tubular Bells' by Mike Oldfield and The Who's 'Baba O'Rilley': now there's a claim to fame) and Hiroshi Yoshimura 'school'.

It's a shame some of the shorty tracks aren't longer, like 'Stradella Bass System' but that's me just being gready.  

So, to mis-quote someone, this is gentle on your mind, particularly 'Memory Garden' with moving from yoga bowl sound meditation to space whispering synths and lap steel countryside (as in fields, not C&W), as its intriguing and relaxing at the same time.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Sunbeam of No Illusion | Ben Seretan & John Thayer

Artist:  Ben Seretan & John Thayer 

Title: Sunbeam of No Illusion
Release date: 27th March, 2026
Label : AKP Recordings
Catalog Number  AKP044
Format:  Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Lukus - Disco Speech EP (Apparel Music)

Time to learn the Disco Speech with Lukus on Apparel Music!

Lukus returns after is Love Andeavour EP (see review HERE) for more "sample-based, dynamic house music" as he's now learned to speak disco!  In 3 variations, 'Disco Speech' itself, 'Gino's Dance' and the 'Hender Loop' dialect.

BUY LINK: Disco Speech EP | Lukus

Artist: Lukus

Title:  Disco Speech EP

Release date: 27th March, 2026

Label : Apparel Music

Catalog Number : APDEXTRA064

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Giovanni Damico - The Payback EP (Star Creature)

Southern Italy is the new Chicago Funk warehouse? Well, here's 'Payback' with Giovanni Damico doing some serious dancefloor damage that you'll not want to miss!

If you know of Damico's previous on Star Creature, you'll know loud and clear that his Southern Italian disco-funk is a world away from the label's latest, Saucy Lady's cover verson of 'Why' (see review HERE) as it's much more Lumberjacks In Hell than Nile and Bernard's Chic.

The five tracker, it is said, "swerves through bright moments of epic gospel house, thumpy afro-boogie, boisterous punk funk and serious slap bass motions, each track bringing a fresh new flair to the multi-instrumental finesse on which it rests".  So one minute you're thinking this is ready to go Egyptian Lover and the next, a European 'Ring My Bell' - all via a Ital-Chicagoan "disco handshake".  And who wouldn't want one of them?

The 'gospel house' track is 'Riding The Storm' which is a touch Byrne/Eno/Talking Heads, 'My Life Is The Bush Of Gods'/'Life During Wartime' andthis EP is never far from the deep funk disco but really hits a peak(s) with the super groovy, 'LAX5' and 'Like A Boss'.

And if you want to keep tabs on where the label boss is going to get you on the dancefloor next, there might be some clues on co-head honcho Tim Zawada's latest radio show on OpenLab; but then again, maybe not!

But "Hey mista, you wanta listen to my funky sound?",  Alright - the 'The Payback' EP and shake it, shake it!

OpenLab:  Star Creature Vibes Radio - Tim Zawada HERE

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://giovannidamico-via-starcreature.bandcamp.com/album/the-payback-ep

Artist: Giovanni Damico

Title:  The Payback EP

Release date: 27th March, 2026

Label : Star Creature

Catalog Number : SC1256

Format: 12" Vinyl  / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Sean Green - The Green Room (Soul Quest Records)

Soul Quest Records released some big tunes last year and they're started this year with another bursting out of 'The Green Room' with the label's 20th release, it's Sean Green!

"Who?" did you ask - well, me neither and the label ain't telling us!  You might think it's because so big names want's to sneak out an EP 'under the radar' or, I hope, it's because the want the word to spread organically that this is a big deal!

Leading out with 'Really Love' featuring Will Heard it hits you as a classic sound of Peven Everett vs. Viktor Duplaix meets lovetempo vs. Thundercat with some deep organ to funk with the bassline and backing vocals - yes, it's that good!

Following Berkey Hunt's 'A Ghostly Tryst' (see review HERE) and the label head Max Sinal's collaboration with KingCrowney on 'Intentions' (see review HERE with vocalist Liv East), this label knows a leftfield synth-jazz Bruk dancefloor hit - and more!  

And just to prove it, 'Green Alot' gets synth up cosmic funky,  'I'd Rather Be With You' gets soulfully female vocals on the desk a la King Tubby and hold on, what's 'Hold On'?  It's a move into "darker broken beat territory… tense, driving, and hypnotic, rounding off the release with purpose and depth."

By the time I get the call up for We Out Here Festival this year, this EP will have torn up the dancefloor all over so you don't want to be green with envy, order your copy now so you don't miss out - especially if we know who Sean Green is by then!

BUY LINK: https://www.juno.co.uk/products/sean-green-the-green-room-vinyl/1138799-01/ Exclusive with traxscource until 13th March 2026

Artist: Sean Green

Title: The Green Room

Release date: 27th March, 2026

Label : Soul Quest Records
Catalog Number : SQR020
Format:  12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Zachary Berns - canvas / rendezvous (zalenci)

New York based composer/producer/drummer Zachary Berns declares the new 2-track EP is "jazz house from the NYC cats, pushing it foward" and who are we to disagree?  'canvas' and 'rendezvous' is where jazz n' house meet!

These tracks lean heavily on the late night trumpet a la Roy Hargrove to Herb Alpert in a swingin' hipster East Side Story way - finger poppin' jazz daddy-o; as you'll recall in our review of Mr. Berns last release, on Apparel Music, 'Oh Yes' (see review HERE) there were hints of  the setting for the famous black-and-white photograph of 57 jazz musicians, 'A Great Day In Harlem' (Art Kane for Esquire magazine in 1958).

Well, they all know there jazz heritage here and Jesse Klirsfeld (trumpet) and Luke McCrosson (bass) are an essential part of the mix as even the the jazzier 'rendezvous' has a heavy bass beat like a train that'll work in a jazzdance/club environment (Ed. if you check his insta, he does line a train scene background to his videos).

This is a big week for big tunes but this is not one to be missed.

BUY LINK: canvas / rendezvous | zachary berns

Artist: Zachary Berns (Zbeeez)

Title: canvas/rendezvous EP

Release date: 26th March, 2026

Label : zalenci

Catalog Number :TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Vince Watson - Eminesence [2026 ReWork] / Reach For The Sun [Floor Mix] (Everysoul Audio)

Vince Watson has too many aliases to list as  DJ/Producer but one of his biggest tracks, 'Eminesence' is also one of his "rarest vinyl records" so good news that it's finally coming out on as a vinyl re-issue along with another killer track, 'Reach For The Sun'!

2026 has been packed with new varients of classic tracks already, most notable Razor-N-Tape's re-invention of Alistair Colling vs. Tortured Soul ft. Sabina ,'When You Find Your Love... Hold On' (see review HERE - with new DJ Spinna and Musclecars Remixes) and Fish Go Deep's 'Love's Cloth' (see review HERE), so news that a big tune that was picked up for complilation releases on Defected, is due out on vinyl for the again, remastered and mixed, is something to get excited about.

Originally released on Osunlade's label in 2015, it has that Yoruba Soul groove sound along with some Italo-balearic piano house to wave along to as the sun sets/rises/dances on the beach and elsewhere for a fraction short of 8 minutes.

Total synthy goodness that goes so well with 'Reach For The Sun' (Ed. is there a theme going on here?) as its jazzy piano vibe goes for a sun salutation on the self-scanner a la Jimpster and his take on jazz-funk.  

We're told, "Vince Watson brings delicious piano squencies, light chords and majestic vibes that effortlessly scale towering heights" and you can't argue with that.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:  VINCE WATSON/Eminesence/EVERYSOUL AUDIO - Vinyl Records Specialists, London Soho Vinyl Music Records - Phonica Records - Latest Releases, Pre-Orders and Merchandise

Artist: Vince Watson
Title:  Eminesence [2026 ReWork] / Reach For The Sun [Floor Mix]
Release date: 26th March, 2026
Label : Everysoul Audio
Cat. No. FW015

Format: Vinyl / Digital 

Review: Fouk - Sundays EP (Boogie Angst)

Fouk are anything but lonely on their new EP, 'Sundays' as Daniel Leseman and Hans Peeman are joined by The Phenomenal Handclap Band, 79.5 and Archil & Leon for a a proper service of a 4-tracker!

Fouk found 'Love At First Sight' with Debórah Bond (see review HERE) and now it's more like an orgy as mates The Phenomenal Handclap Band (of We Are Worlds Away - see review HERE) and fellow New York City / Razor 'N' Tape disco fans, 79.5.

But before that starts, the title track is fronted by Parisian duo Archil & Leon, is perfect carib/reggae soft disco that'll find it's way into many an ear-worm of a Sunday set.  Apparently recorded in studios "brimming with self-built instruments and mechanical curiosities, they manipulate springs, water acoustics, and motor-driven devices, and these tactile gestures infuse the track with an organic unpredictability"!   Well, that might be so, but if you're looking for a chilled Sébastien Tellier 'La Ritournelle' with Pete, Bjorn & John 'Young Folks' (Ed. and who isn't?), this is pretty close to it.

This is not typical of the EP as 'Reverie', the one created with 79.5 is very much in the 79.5. album mode with great vocals and a bouncy disco synths that's equally happy in a house crossover a la Razor 'N' Tape.

And not content with that, 'Tune It Out' is fully 70s NYC disco influenced with the experts that are The Phenomenal Handclap Band on board (you'll recall their contribution to Linda Mirada's album 'Qué largo es el verano' (see review HERE) that builds so that the vocals get all space/chant with sythns and heavy bass that'll get any diso ball spinning.

So varied is this EP, you'd get the idea that it's a compilation set but each track is brilliant and recommended to get your orders in ASAP before it gets picked up by one of the big boys.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:.Sundays EP

Artist: Fouk feat. Archil & Leon, The Phenomenal Handclap Band & 79.5

Title: Sundays EP 

Release date: 27th March, 2026

Label : Boogie Angst

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Various Artists - XPRESS Singles Vol. 1 (The Disco Express)

After the excitment of The Disco Express - TDE100 - we're still on a Special Service as the XPRESS Singles Vol. 1 service is "packed with fresh originals and hand-picked gems, the compilation blends funk, soul, nu-disco, house, and electronica".

If you missed The Disco Express 100 (see HERE), the exhibition (see HERE) and our interview with Bustin' Loose Tom of last year (see HERE), you'll want to catch up with the timetable for post-100 TDE starting with this Singles Vol. 1 release.

Bustin' Loose kicks off from the South London terminal with 'Soulbound' which also gets a Dam Swindle remix - stunning stuff that's not going to stop at the end of the line.  These guys have totally refurbished the engine of 70s disco into an modern rapid transit.

Backed by the equally impressive 'Abracadabra' by Magnolia & Sam Karlson featuring Relaye as an original version plus a 'stripped back' Phil Weeks Ghetto Mix and a housey La Felix remix.

All seal TDE as a must have fun party release; need I say more?

BUY LINK / Vinyl Pre-Order: Soulbound: https://go.protonrad.io/rlF3tLpn4furY

                                                Abracadabra  https://go.protonrad.io/rlkj2h-kyjdFU

e & Felmann,Funky Love EPThe Disco Express,7

Artist: Various Artists (Bustin’ Loose, Magnolia, Sam Karlson, Dam Swindle, Phil Weeks, Relaye, La Felix)

Title: XPRESS Singles Vol. 1

Release date: 27th March, 2026
Label : The Disco Express
Catalog Number : XPRESS107
Format:  Vinyl / Digital / Streaming / Bandcamp

Review: JKriv & Jason Linder - Real Ones (Razor-N-Tape Records)

If you are based in Brooklyn, chances are that you'll be more than aware of the Razor 'n' Tape world of label and store along with the name of co-founder and 'leader', JKriv (aka Jason Kriveloff) but do you know the Brooklyn based, American jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer, producer Jason Linder?  Well, here's you first opportunity to get to know them as a duo and 'Real Ones'.

JKriv is no stranger to teaming up with like minded folks like the Rocksteady Disco crew (see 'Adaption' EP review HERE) or his most recent pairing with Peter Matson (see 'Facile' EP on Favorite Recordings - see review HERE), not to mention countless remixes in the last 20 plus years: but keyboardist Jason Lindner, who is 'arguable' best known as he chosen to been on David Bowie's last album 'BlackStar' (★) of ten years ago.

'BlackStar' was said to be "more explicity jazz-orientated than its predecessors" and I suspect Linder might have thoughts on that with his 30 year plus career in jazz, especially the most haunting title track on the album.  

In contrast, 'Real Ones' as a "clubby and synth driven" poject is fun and dancefloor focused.  The title track has echos of 80s jazz-funk stylings with a synthy '1000 Finger Man' thrust and echoes of 'Mission Impossible' in a Miami beach style, or perhaps Italian.  Sounds mad, but I don't think Tony Visconti could pull it off, or Luchino Visconti for that matter.

'Catch Feelings' is similar in feel but equally could have been spawned in the studios of Ken Patten in Sheffield or even Sun Palace's 'Raw Movements'.  So you get the idea how good this is and the third part of this trilogy, 'Regionale' which ties all these elements together and puts them on a Bullet train in Japan to touch base with the electronic pioneers of the Far East.

The EP is completed with a Retromigration Remix of 'Regionale' which give take in more house and given it a loopy vocal.

This is so different to the JKriv & Megatronic's EP 'The Truth In Gospel' (see review HERE) but this new collaboration is no 'one off' or new as Jkriv & Jason have been working together at Razor-N-Tape events for a number of year as A Joyful Noise.  This is great news as it's proof this is dancefloor tested and more in the locker to come out.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: JKriv, Jason Lindner - Real Ones

Artist: Jkriv & Jason Linder

Title: Real Ones EP

Release date: 27th March, 2026

Label : Razor-N-Tape Records

Catalog Number : RNTD132

Format : Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Salt Queen - Are U OK (inc. Freak Nasty Remix) (Samples From Mars)

This is a warning for amazing trippy acid as an example of a Sample From Mars as Salt Queen asks empathetic questions from the dance floor - with harsh reality statements; I'm sweating already! 

The is a kinda anti-drug message as visual artist and musician Salt Queen (Magali van Caloen) teams up with Samples From Mars founder, Teddy Stuart and acts out her Acid nurse of the dancefloor spoken word deadpan vocal which doesn't quite make humorous or humorousless but we've all seen such dancefloor behaviour.

The bonus is that the Acid is a hard as anything you've ever had and the even better news tis the the Freak Nasty remix turns it up to 11 and edits the vocals: a full instrumental would be fun too!

.

Whatever you do, however you're feeling, drink lots of water and don't put your back out is the best advice.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Salt Queen

Artist:  Salt Queen

Title: Are U OK (inc. Freak Nasty Remix)

Release date: 27th March, 2026

Label: Samples From Mars

Catalog Number: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp