Review: Raffy Bushman - New Life (Bridge The Gap)

Raffy Bushman breeds 'New Life' into trio jazz with his latest album called, you've guessed it, 'New Life'.

Our introduction to Raffy Bushman was his 2024 album 'Here Today, Gone Tomorrow' (see review HERE) that was a "modern fusion of post-bop, trap and hip-hop".  In comparision, 'New Life' has dropped he horns so there's a focus on the trio of Bushman (piano), Alec Hewes (bass) and Matt Davies (drums). 

Which make the slimmed down version of Bushman, bearing in mind his work with his string quintet NuShape Orchestra and Unit 31, strangley more inclusive of his classical and jazz background.

The seven tracks have a big jaunty 'New Life' joy as they evolved/written as the time following the news of him and his partner's first child which leads to the chirpy 'Dream State' as where the piano (and band) interact as if he's walking on air with anticipation.

And like much of the album, there's this Dilla as Thelonious Monk ('Pathos') thinking along with the OST-loopy 'The Leopard' that's just as much post-bop: Blue Note Silver/Hancock period.  Whilst 'Renaissance' manages to take this upbeat to a climax that includes a solo piano build-up before the trio climax!

 

The title track has that classical Debussy 'love theme' and is the only piano piece on the album with "serene refelection" like the title track itself and 'Time For Us', did someone say Bill Evans?  Which brings us back to the opening track, 'Two People' - again setting the tone or even the quite before the storm?

All 3 musicians are on top form and the album has the quality of other modern piano led 'jazz' trio of the calibre of Robert Glasper trio, Robert Mitchell 3io, The Bad Plus (Ethan Iverson period) or even Jarrett / Peacock / DeJohnette so no suprise Bushman's fans include Gilles Peterson, Jamz Supernova, Mary Anne Hobbs and Deb Grant (6 Music), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2) and usual suspects on Worldwide FM and Jazz FM.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: New Life | Raffy Bushman

Artist: Raffy Bushman

Title: New Life

Release date: 5th June, 2026

Label: Bridge The Gap

Catalog Number: TBC 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ubaruh - Hey Ubaruh! (Partyfine)

 

We know Yuksek's Partyfine label is known for seeking out party music and they've done it again as Birds of Paradise are singing, 'Hey Ubaruh!

Not even a hint that Ubaruh on the label's , 'Vol. VII Universalismo' (see review HERE) compilation but equally, there's links to their other release this year, Old Sedan's 'With Love My Dear' (see review HERE) as oddball-dance-post- synth-pop Talc in a peak time electro-disco groove; 'It's A Dream 4 So Long'.

But hang-on, this is the Brazilian end of the "boundary pushing" dancefloor as the duo partnership between São Paulo producer Phillipi Alves (Fatnotronic / DEEWEE) and multi instrumentalist Emmo Martins (Monterno / Bamba Music) annouce themselves as Ubaruh (Note; apparently 'O Barulho' means the Noise - did you see what they did there?)

Ad "the Noise" in this case is 11 tracks of 'Hey Ubaruh!' that synths and guitars weaves a psych-fusion of Balearic yatch rock-pop disco; even Barry White/Demis Roussos vocals of, " Love You" (on 'Vem Com Ubaruh' - which is exacly what we were saying the other day of having more fun in dance music).

Definitely "unafraid to experiment". Is it too cheeky to name a track of their's 'Marvin Gaye'?  Apparenlty, not.   In fact, if you don't get the closing track, 'Ubaruh Theme' with all it's micro references from The Doors, Afrobeat, Can, King Tubby and more, you're not going to get the rest of the preceeding album.

So whilst I dream of a full 12" disco-mix of the title track, can I hear Yello/Cuban Brothers in 'Pinche Funky Music'? 

Remember Partyfine's aim, "just good music for a better world" - 'Hey Ubaruh!' is just that.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://partyfine-ubaruh.bfan.link/hey-ubaruh

Artist: Ubaruh

Title: Hey Ubaruh! 

Release date: 5th June, 2026

Label: Partyfine

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Perth Lewis - Cherry Moon EP (NuNorthern Soul)

It's been a cherry moondream on the south coast for a while but if you're in Australia, a Perth Lewis beach party owes more to German synth pioneers -  the new NuNorthern Southern Soul?

Perth Lewis has been a bit of a revelation of late with his albums 'Moments In Time' and 'Distance Between' (see review HERE) and the track 'Monolith' turning up on the latest 'Summer Selections' compilation (see review HERE).

In fact, 'Monolith' is featured on this EP along with 3 other tracks that owe a lot to Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Edgar Froese, Klaus Schultz, Ralf & Florian types; particularly the title track 'Cherry Moon'.

Recent sightings of an actual Blue Moon (as in "once in a blue moon", perhaps the title of a follow-up to this one?) that might show off the more dancefloor elements of his bedroom synth action like 'Basis Of Reality' that seems to owe more to Sheffield than Sydney Harbour. 

'Sunset Jam' makes up any shortfall in any steel works output as the Tangerine Dream fireflies weave magic in the sands.

So this ranges from "sun-baked Rhodes licks" to "head-nodding groove" to "punchy, electro-influenced beat" to "simmering synth-strings" and loads of points inbetween. - 'Cherry Moon' is arising and it sounds great!

BUY LINK / PRE ORDER:  Cherry Moon EP | Perth Lewis

Artist: Perth Lewis

Title: Cherry Moon EP

Release date: 5th June, 2026
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Gledd - My House Is Your Church (Delusions Of Grandeur)

If I said, "In typical Delusions Of Grandeur style", regular readers will know that the only style they have is dancefloor winners with the twist, no two releases are the same as this time, we're at the alter of house (again)! 

All the Delusions Of Granduer releases of last year were exceptional, especially the Declan McDermott debut EP, 'Doin' It All For U' (see review HERE) and the recent 'Why Don't You Believe Me' remixes (see review HERE), so can they top it? Well, they've certaintly equalled it with Gledd's 'spiritual' Gospel influenced house 4-tracker EP ' My House Is Your Church'!

Kicking off with 'On His Way' with a lengthy Afro-Latin percussion intro before the exclamation wail of 'He's On His Way' that could have come from the deep south that gets backed up by the xylophone and shakers - it's only 5 minutes long but it's a call to arms and highly addictive.

But it's taken Italian Gledd (aka Edoardo Barbi) over ten years of DJing and producing to arrived at his house to worship gospel, afrobeat, disco to find how to praise the house.  And he knows 'It Not That Easy' (track 2) to get the mix of influences spot on.  But the B-side is even better as it opens with the track 'Habibi Gospel' - getting all Batov/Habibi Funk percussive influenced with an undercurrent of 70s OST/TV theme with mod-Farfisa organ: could it be Lalo Schifrin's 'Mission Impossible'?  This is going to move WOMAD back towards Salisbury Cathedral. 

'Can You Hear My Noise?' sticks to the percussion and weaves in the gospel blues vocals before breaking out into pan left/right/repeat synth pop - again, influenced by Moby (at the time of 'Memory Gospel')/(Early)New Order/Fela?  

I can safely say, I can hear Gledd's noise and his house is my church!

P.S. Keep an eye on Greg Belson and his Divine Chord Gospel Show, Divine Disco, 45 Live & House of Gospel Vinyl for more in this field of dreams.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: My House Is Your Church EP | Gledd

Artists: Gledd

Release: My House Is Your Church

Release Date: 5th June, 2026

Label: Delusions Of Grandeur

Cat. No. DOC113

Format: Limited Edtiton Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: VA - Thirty Years Of Freerange Vol. 1 (Freerange Records)

30 years is a long-time and in Freerange Records timezone they're celebrating with 30 tracks from 30 artists on 5 EPs - and VOLUME ONE is here!

There's certainly no shortage of folks that are more than happy to be involved with Jimpster's label, don't forget, they've just released Crackazat's incredible "jazz-funk" album 'SUN' (see review HERE) so this is the first set of "a handpicked cross-section of the Freerange continuum from artists who’ve shaped the sound alongside up and coming voices pushing it somewhere new. Different shades, different voices, same ethos: independence, longevity, and an unwavering commitment to the dancefloor and beyond".

And when I say they kick-off strong with Ralph Session featuring the incredible Brandon Markell Holmes, with 'Everything' - I mean deep.  But it gets better, our favourite Berlin based New Zealand excile, Philippa slips in some 'Mixed Messages' which is on the trans-europe express main-line high speed dancefloor; even the vocoder vocals fits this track perfectly.

With Palm Skin Productions there's always something to be aware of and here its in the ACID warp factor - one for late nights.

And talking of dancefloor royalty, Philadephia legend Josh Wink confides with 'NGF' which gets very busy towards the end.  Apparently, Spain's Nacho Marco was last on the label 20 years ago so 'The Flying Fox' is a we'll return.

All that said, we've always loved Lovebirds (aka Sebastian Döring) and he ends this set with a track called 'Janet Nice' and I'm sure she is but this 7 mins of slo-mo shuffle is even better.

When you think that there's going to be another 4 Volumes - this is a series you want to invest in this summer - don't miss out.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: 30 Years Of Freerange - Volume One | Freerange Records

Artist: Various Artists

Release: Thirty Years Of Freerange Vol. 1
Release Date: 29th May, 2025
Label: Freerange Records
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: LP Vinyl / Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Emanuele Cisi - Pharoah's Message (Joaquin Joe Claussell Sacred Remixes) (Right Tempo)

We know that Right Tempo as a label are up there when it comes to spiritual jazz and jazz dance so it might not take them too long think Joaquin Joe Claussell would be perfect to remix the core track of  Emanuele Cisi's album 'Rushin''- thankfully they didn't rush it, got the very selective Claussell on board and they can now unveil 3 scared remixes to match the greats!

Like the DJ Farrapo remixes of Attilio Zanchi 'Mingus Portrait' (see review HERE and HERE) and the instant classic first release, RT 0001 PRO, 'Seasons In My Mind (Remixes)' by Yellowtail featuring Mark Murphy (see review HERE); these guys know their spiritual jazz, jazz house and Jazz Room monster fusion.

With Claussell extending the track to 16 minutes long, ‘Joaquin Joe Claussell’s Sacred Rhythm Epic Journey’ is certainly that. And the beauty of this version is the whilst icons John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders are respectfully pedestalled, your Lonnie Liston Smith 70s jazz-funk spiritual is incorporated with a love supreme.

The 'Sacred Art's Drummers Cosmic Dub' version has a 3 minute percussive heavy 'intro' alone! Mix that one DJ suspects: Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge, Kevin Beedle, Ashley Beadle, Colin Curtis, Colin Parnell, Paul Murphy et al.  

Joaquin Joe Claussell as DJ/producer/remixer has a 30+ year history of getting this right (tempo) for jazzy/Afro/Cuban/dub dancefloor so don't you just love it when a master plan comes together!  

Did someone say EPIC!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://righttempo.bandcamp.com/album/pharoahs-message-joaquin-joe-claussell-sacred-mixes

Artist: Emanuele Cisi 
Title: Pharoah's Message (Joaquin Joe Claussell Sacred Remixes)
Release date: 5th June, 2024 

Label : Right Tempo 

Catalog Number : RT004 PRO

Format :Vinyl 12"/ Digital / Bandcamp

Emanuele Cisi Quartet: Emanuele Cisi: tenor sax; Dado Moroni: grand piano; Nicolas Thys: double bass; Jorge Rossy: drums

Additional musicians: Daniel Moreno: african drums and percussion; Kofi Ko: percussion; Fran Cathcart: electric guitar; Bennett Paster: grand piano and synthesizers: Joaquin Joe Claussell: drum programming and percussion.

Review: Eric Demuro - Simulacra (Bastard Jazz Recordings)

Bastard Jazz, the label itself, has always been know as eclectic / underground in the electronic, funk, soul, hip-hop, reggae since its inception so here's an album that more than fits in with it's 'Simularca' - Eric Demuro is going to stand out this year!

We had a taster of this album with the single 'Ara Macao' / 'Freedom Layers (Pilchard Rounds)' (see review HERE) but this six track version by Eric Demuro is a great way to celebrate the label's 25th year.

The Venice based bass player who focuses on "groove, experimental and electronic music" is more evidence of their open-minded approach that's very much jazz-funk (and more) as the Italian OST jazz-library gets a injection of "elastic bass lines, warm Rhodes textures, and loose, patient percussion" on 'Freedom Layers (Pilchard Rounds)' and the dream state of 'Dreamstream'. 

And 'Railroad Ties' (Ed. we love anything that is trains based at YATM) keeps us on the edge of dreams and transport systems as the longest track on the album excels with flute, vibes, keys, percussuion and low-slung space funk from rain forest regions.  This Latin flute gang vibe gets further amplified on 'Backlash Off The Grid' and the opener 'Ara Macao', featuring Fanni Zahár (flute) as a percussive Steve Reich vs. Lonnie Liston Smith with marimba that's as much jazz-dance as headphone.

We're told, the album was "Developed between New York and Berlin, Demuro’s approach draws from formal study in New York, time spent working with Swiss pianist Nik Bärtsch, and years immersed in Berlin’s Gifted Culture collective, where his studio practice took shape. Recent collaborations, including experimental electronic work alongside James K and projects connected to Ed Longo’s productions, reflect a background shaped through releases with labels such as SUED, Cosmic Romance Records, and others. The result is an intimate and cinematic debut anchored by bass as its guiding voice".

The closing track, 'Hau' is like a Bill Laswell twist to what's gone on before - possibly in the NY subway but apart from that (or possibly in addition), you can also add Bob James and Lalo Schrifin into the mix, it's that good!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:  https://ffm.to/eric_demuro_simulacra.HGW

Artist: Eric Demuro

Title:Simulacra

Release date: 5th June, 2025

Label : Bastard Jazz Recordings

Catalog Number :  BJLP54

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

Review: Zed Bias x MJK - Keep On Livin' + Late To Camberwell (É Soul Cultura & Mr Bongo)

Luke Una and Mr Bongo join forces to get Zed Bias and MJK to join forces on this "dancefloor- focused" floorboard banger in the house and UK garage!

If you're ready to remove your ears from the 24 hour new cycle to emerge into "deeper, more expansive territories" than even Luke Una Presents É Soul Cultura (Vol. 2, see review HERE and this years' Vol. 3 - see review HERE) or Bias' tubular bells (really, see HERE).

Bias was a regular on Tru-thoughts (see HERE) before setting up his own Sidestepper Recordings label as a home to experimental dub/dubstep/house/garage and together with the underground talents of MJK, this is the next generation of hypnotic futuristic techno and house.

Thier combination clearly works on the track, 'Keep On Livin' as it's range goes from Movement in Detroit to Mike Pickering in Manchester; "A track built for dancefloors big or small".

And some as a DJ known for his three-deck mixing style, individually MJK 'Late To Camberwell' is a swirl of a Night bus ride in South London clubland.

This is very Luke Una (as in É Soul Cultura & Mr Bongo) as it's has multi-layers on the dancefloor so demand will be high: get you pre-orders in. 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Keep On Livin' / Late To Camberwell | Zed Bias x MJK | MR BONGO

LISTEN: youtu.be/XV57jbaBr94 youtu.be/RlphCtEHstY

Artist: Zed Bias x MJK

Title:  Keep On Livin' + Late To Cambe rwell

Release date: 5th June, 2026 

Label : Mr Bongo 

Catalog Number : MRB- TBC

Format : Vinyl /Digital / Bandcamp

Review: VA - J Jazz Vol. 5: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan 1970-1988 (Compiled by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden) (BBE Music)

Tony Higgins and Mike Peden announce that pre-orders available now for J Jazz volume 5: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan 1970-1988, BBE Music’s celebrated J-Jazz compilation series reaches its fifth and final volume in early 2026, culminating in a track list that maintains the exceptionally high standard first set with volume one back in 2018.

This final volume features a selection of tracks that is as diverse as it is deep, reflecting the rich and varied Japanese jazz scene that spanned from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, a golden era of innovation and creativity. J Jazz volume 5 sees compilers Tony Higgins and Mike Peden dig ever deeper into their respective record collections to reveal tracks that encompass myriad styles including white hot jazz funk fusion from Toshiyuki Honda ('Eastern Legacy') and Mikio Masuda ('Sonic Barrier'), super rare ethnic jazz crossover by Crystal Zone - their one-off 45 promo release from 1971, 'Rai Rai' (ライ・ライ), a deconstructed and abstract jazz classic by Yasuhiro Kohno with his solo piano rendition of 'My Favourite Things', and Mile and Half’s skin-tearing, shredding freak-out from their mega rare private press album. A track that is so relentless, it leaves the listener in need of oxygen and a Valium.

These hand-picked selections sit alongside other specially chosen numbers that embrace hard-driving samba (Seiichi Nakumura’s Judy’s Samba), epic head-nodding soul jazz (Masaru Imada’s World Line), psychedelic private press fusion (Aoyama Gakuin 101’s Fervor), angular post-bop tear-ups (Akia Miyazawa’s Nijimasu), intense and insistent fusion (Motohiko Hino’s Olive Step), serene cinematic pianism (Hideo Ichikawa’s On the Trade Wind) and tripped-out hallucinogenic tribal funky jazz (Garandoh) 

With almost 7000 words of extensive sleeve notes, J Jazz volume 5 comes in a triple 180g vinyl set  inside deluxe gatefold sleeve with obi strip, and comes with a 4- page insert, with photographs from the renowned Tokyo Jazz Joints project. Mastered with love @thecarverystudio

BUY LINK/PRE-ORDER (3LP and 2CD) bbemusic.bandcamp.com/album/j-jazz-volume-5-deep-modern-jazz-from-japan-1970-1988

Artist: Varous Artists

Title: J Jazz Vol. 5: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan 1970-1988

Release date: 5th June, 2026 

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :  BBE794

BBE 3xLP vinyl / 2xCD / Digital (bbemusic.com) & Bandcamp . 

Review: Jean Jacques Smoothie - Sleeping In The Flowerbeds (Colour and Pitch)

The growing season is upon us but don't let Jean Jacques Smoothie catch you 'Sleeping In The Flowerbeds' whilst his new album is out on Colour & Pitch as their first album release!

You know that we've had the return of Jean Jacques Smoothie with '2 People' re-launch (Richard Earnshaw & The NRG remixes - see review HERE) along with 'Success For Dummies' (PJ Principle remixes - see review HERE) and finally, the album is with us that's been 25 years in the making, 'Sleeping In the Flowerbeds'!

It turns out the Monsiur Smoothie is plain old Steve Robson in real life and based in Cardiff and if it wasn't for the COVID lockdown the album may never have been completed after the 2001 massive '2People' hit based on the Minnie Ripperton sample. 

So the album must start with that track and it's the Rochenko Dubwise mix featuring Tara Busch that's manages to 're-create' Minnie in a too-slow-to-disco Augusto Pablo meets Scientist groove.  And whilst the nine track album closes on the original version of, 'Success For Dummies', Steve proves that he's no dummy: success! 

Blue guitarist/singer Rohan Tarry features on a couple of the tracks, 'Heavy Lifting' and 'Cowgirl'; the pair being a bit on the edge of The Swamp Fox (Tony Joe White vs. Flying Mojito Bros. - see review HERE) and just what you need for "psychedelic electronic Country"!

And then Tara returns on a track 'Over The Edge' with a jazzy-house piano lead and dubby vibe; note this is the 'Album Version' so lets hope we can have a remix like PJ Priinciple's Disco Mix of 'Alpin Morning'.

So that's dancefloor, house, disco, trendy and fun covered before you get to the club instrumentals 'Deep Down', 'Night Jet' and the soft-acid title track, 'Sleeping In The Flowerbeds'.

As regular readers with know, we're keen on the musings of 'Weeds Up Me Knees' (with One Deck Pete) but even he won't be 'Sleeping In The Flowerbeds' -100% Colour & Pitch cool!

PS. Great artwork too - oh yeah!

ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY: Sun Jun 07 2026 at 03:00 pm to 07:00 pm, Pop'n'Hops, Cardiff, Wales 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://go.protonradio.com/r/rlekfQNU676Pg

Artist: Jean Jacques Smoothie

Title:  Sleeping In The Flowerbeds 

Release date: 5th June, 2026

Label:  Colour and Pitch

Catalog Number: CAP094

Format: Digital / Bandcamp