Review: Ella Thompson - Dandelion (Mr Bongo)

More SOUL that's echoes Northern but it's from the deep south; yep Australia's Ella Thompson is at it again! 

After Ella's 'Ripple On The Wing' album (see review HERE) a while back and the surprise Mr Bongo 7" 'Promise to Keep / Change of Heart (see review HERE), here's another tease release from the Naarm/Melbourne-based vocalist, musician, and songwriter from the forthcoming album 'Triumph & Sadness' with a brand new single ‘Dandelion’. 

High in energy and attitude, it’s an irresistibly hooky psych funk nugget, doused in Ella’s silky, heartfelt vocals. Featuring a selection of artists from the city’s much-championed DIY independent scene, including members of Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo, there’s a beat-heavy, psychedelic feel to the track, infused with Ella’s sweet soul tones.

Co-written and co-produced by Liam McGorry from Temporary Blessings (College Of Knowledge), ‘Dandelion’ is a magnetic head nodder, driven by the slick drumming of Hudson Whitlock and Tom Pettit’s infectious bass grooves. Timpani fills and a punchy, instantly sampleable horn line add that cinematic Chef-styled touch to proceedings.

The song speaks of a search for truth in a relationship that has lost its way. Inspired by the contradiction between a dandelions bitter taste and beautiful flower, Ella asks do we fear what caring too much will do? “How much detachment is needed to ride the highs and lows without numbing the nerve? We want truth yet reach for illusion” she mentions.

Ella owns this track; there is power in the vocal delivery when needed, and restraint as required. It’s a song that is instantly memorable in its emotive anthemic power, further showcasing why Ella is rightly regarded as one of the leading lights in contemporary soul.

Cutting the track direct-to-tape is just one of the touches of class that firm local favourite Henry Jenkins brings to the recording and engineering of ‘Dandelion’. Henry also joins Ella and Liam as co-producer and Daptone / The Womack Sisters collaborator Wayne Gordon is drafted in to provide a brilliant mixdown. Together they authentically capture the live energy of some of the finest talent that Naarm/Melbourne has to offer, with Ella delivering a delectable and poignant taste of what’s to come on Triumph & Sadness.

Released in collaboration with College Of Knowledge, Australia.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://bfan.link/dandelion-13

Artist: Ella Thompson

Title: Dandelion 

Release Date : 7th July, 2026

Label : Mr Bongo Records

Catalog Number : MRB354BTI08

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Christian Prommer - Rhythmique Nocturne (Compost Records)

Christian Prommer recently posted, "a true from day‑one supporter of my music since the Fauna Flash, Trüby Trio and Drumlesson days. Handed him the very first vinyl test pressing of my upcoming double album 'Rhythmic Nocturne' (worldwide release: July 10th) - so was he talking about YATM?

Regular readers will know that the short answer is "No" as he was giving DJ Gilles Peterson a copy of said new album in Berlin (at the time of the Berlin Jazz Festival) but he could have been: particularly by the time of Drumlesson (saw him at Big Chill for a live set with with cover versions of Techno classics) and even the Christian Prommer remix of 'Winter Wonderland' by Shirley Horn - see review HERE).

So we've been looking forward to the album since the single, 'Trying Times' (featuring Justine Hoerwarth) came out.  That was a re-imagination of Roberta Flack's 1969 classic protest song and the rest of the album, 11 tracks in total, is full of his imaginative downtempo acoustic-electronic jazz and dance grooves.

Prime example of this is the vocal on 'I'm Falling (Falling Deep)' by Carl Justin that's blended into a loopy drum and piano jazz track with dubby undercurrents that crash onto the shoreline.

Apparently, Mr. Prommer looks for "texture" within his sound design portal and live musician background and it's very atmospheric at times; 'Dark Matter' (space ship on turbo bongos), 'Night Society' (big strings coming to a climax) and 'Spiral' (Industrial shed in the plant room).

Other tracks feature Kelvin Sholar ('Boss') where the America pianist gets in a synth phaser samba battle and Leona Berlin ('Struck') for the R&B/Soul beats.

In fact, the last track is called 'I Lost Myself In The Music' gives everyone a chance to cool down which is no bad thing as at the time of release, Europe is under a massive heat bubble, but make no mistake, this 'Rhythmique Nocturne' is a hot property and it's a good idea to get your hands on it as a double LP!.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://compostrecords.lnk.to/ChristianPrommer-RhythmiqueNocturne

Artist: Christian Prommer 

Title: Rhythmique Nocturne

Release date: 10th July, 2026

Label: Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT 670

Format: 2xLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ayce & Spirit Of House ft Lawrence Rowe & Phebe Edwards - Stronger (The Disco Express)

Mid-season half-prich gym membership, influencer videos, steroids? All options but if you really want to be 'Stronger', it's The Disco Express label you need to turn to with their latest release by Ayce & Spirit Of House featuring Lawrence Rowe & Phebe Edwards!

Just getting to terms with Various Artists (Hotmood, Empher, Tommy Glasses, Scruscru, Mr. Moudz, Boogietraxx) remixes Vol. 6 (see review HERE) here's some really powerfull TDE 4 timer in the form of original, extended and Ayce dub; plus a James Juke's remix!

Rooted in soul, producer, DJ and musician Ayce Oyerinde gets the strongest gospel-infused house you're likely to hear this side of Xmas; live vocals kick off big time and what with the "infectious grooves" this is massive.

Even the dub version can't get away from the vocal choir; Stephanie Sounds, Phebe Edwards, Louise LaBelle, Lawrence Rowe and Ebru Ellis- it's so good along with a cheeky horn feature.

And hold on, there's an extended James Juke remix you say? Jame Juke of very recent 'A Little Lost' (see review HERE) and his NY late night "extra punch" is a bit quirky but a great twist.

Once more, The Disco Express proves they are at the cutting edge of match Disco-House from 1970s to the present day under the watchful ear of Bustin' Loose (aka Tom Lilly) as leader; don't forget our interview with Tom of last year, see HERE.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Stronger | Ayce & Spirit of House, James Juke | The Disco Express

e & Felmann,Funky Love EPThe Disco Express,

Artist: Ayce & Spirit Of House ft Lawrence Rowe & Phebe Edwards 

Title: Stronger EP
Release date: 10th July, 2026
Label : The Disco Express
Catalog Number : XPRESS114
Format:  Digital / Streaming [https://fanlink.tv/ASOH-STRONGER] / Bandcamp

Review: Andre Espeut & Stefano de Santis - Wanna Know What’s On Your Mind (Ramrock Records)

Well it wasn't on our minds that Andre Espeut & Stefano de Santis would team up for a Lovers Rock summer, check out 'Wanna Know What’s On Your Mind' on Ramrock!

Regular readers may well be surprised to hear that Andre Espeut (last seen HERE teaming up with Inkswel as well Robert Burbridge - see HERE - and King Bee on Ramrock Red Records - see HERE) would get together with Stefano de Santis (a Ramrock regular - see HERE) at North Street West studio in Hastings via London and Rome, to produce 'Wanna Know What’s On Your Mind', original and dub, which are perfect lovers for a Sunday (and the rest of the week). 

Stefano says, "I met Andre in 2022 through some of his work. From the very first listen, I was struck by his tone and versatility, and I remember immediately thinking how great it would be to do something together.  Shortly after the release of my first EP, I received a message from him asking if I wanted to collaborate. “There you go, the law of attraction works perfectly!” I thought. We started working together, and a lot of great, diverse music has been coming out of it.   A common ground for our collaboration has been reggae. Both Andre and I grew up with this genre, and it was beautiful to reconnect with that vibe, since it’s not something we usually play and create, even though we both love it deeply".

 
Coming out just after Chilled Cider festival (which is just down the road from the much missed Wilkswood Reggae Festival and the news of the passing of Dubheart's Bongo Steve; RIP) this is the much needed boost to spiritual roots reggae and dub.

Let's hope by next years' Chilled Cider Festival I'll have a vinyl copy to play!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:  RR014 Andre Espeut & Stefano De Santis 'Wanna Know What's On Your Mind' EP | Andre Espeut, Stefano De Santis | Ramrock

Artist: Andre Espeut & Stefano de Santis

Title: Wanna Know What’s On Your Mind 

Release date: 10th July, 2026
Label: Ramrock Records
Cat. No: RR014
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: papaya noon - through the moods (First Word Records)

First Word Records are bringing together a double-bill showcasing two of their UK Soul talents, Georgie Sweet and papaya noon to We Out Here Festival along with the release of the Cardiff duo's debut, 'through the moods' EP.

We known Gerogie Sweet from the album 'I Swear You' (see review HERE) that followed the singles 'The Ones We Loved' / 'Bedsheets' (see review HERE) and 'Smaller' / 'All That We Were' (see review HERE) and it's little wonder that she's appearing with papaya noon as there's a synergy between them (being vocalist Annie Mirza and multi-instrumentalist Greg Marriott) and Ms. Sweet and producer Marc Rapson as they all fit in the Soul/R&B hip-hop golden era Jill Scott/Erykah Badu et al

Not only are they appearing at WOH Festival but also at The Old Queen's Head, London on 16th July (see below) along with a Bandcamp listening party on 14 July to support this 6-track EP.

All their music is written, performed & produced single-handedly by the duo themselves, who’ve managed to create a magically powerful potion from their plant-filled Cardiff studio space, and generated huge anticipation for their future output in-turn.

The duo explained that the EP navigates “neurodivergence, trauma & loss, with tenderness & honesty. Rather than presenting trauma as a spectacle, we’ve attempted to approach it with the softness and complexity that it merits”.

It certainly is soft and somewhat mesmerizing and fascinating to see them live.

BUY LINK: through the moods | papaya noon

Bandcamp - through the moods Listening Party July 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM GMT+1

Artist: papaya noon

Title: through the moods

Release date: 10th July, 2026

Label: First Word Records 

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

20th - 23rd August - We Out Here Festival, Wimborne St Giles

Review: Run Logan Run - An Ear In Place Of A Mouth (Ankh Sanctuary)

Run Logan Run complete th ‘Prey / LV /Ears’ trilogy with 'An Ear In Place Of A Mouth' as we investigate whether Andrew Neil Hayes manages to keep his solo jazz avant-experimental foot out of it!

Recorded at his own Ankh Sanctuary studio, Bristol's music scene is where Run Logan Run as Andrew Neil Hayes (saxophonist/bandleader),longtime collaborators BB.JAMES (vocals), join up with Mumble Tide's Gina Leonard and Mossfellow (aka Samuel Fox as multi-instrumentalist) for this 5-track EP. 

Sticking to their mix of 'straight' sax to weird electronica, 'An Ear In Place Of A Mouth' adds a  (an ironic?) strong 'indie-pop' vocals elements, as Gina on 'To A God (Compassion)' comes over quite Kate Bush (not that that's a bad thing) and BB.JAMES (Kermit, Liam Bailey) on 'You Don't Believe (I Couldn't Be)'.

To mis-quote a old rocker, "Shut up and play the sax" fans wouldn't be disappointed at 'Exsits (Better Not Bitter)' that gets jazz/dub/electronica/rock with the addition of Ryan Thrupp on drums and additional bass by Daniel Plimmer and the spacey, 'Praying Punch'.

Put this all together and there's the closing track a Run Logan Run remix of 'How Long Does This Last' with some great lap steel guitar from Fox.

You'll recall, from the 'LV/HRD (see review HERE) and that they can happily go post-dubstep like the spiritual winner 'Flower Without A Stem' - it's like a jazz dawn that warps into a Bristolian cityscape. 

Check the Bandcamp link below as there's the option of an EP version and if you get in quick, a limited-edition box set: 2 x vinyl, an art book with liner notes by DJ Tina Edwards and photography by Chris Lucas, and a hand-typed letter from Andrew. Exciting stuff!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: An Ear In Place Of A Mouth | Run Logan Run

Artist: Run Logan Run

Title: An Ear In Place Of A Mouth 

Release date: 3rd July, 2026

Label: Ankh Sanctuary

Catalog Number: TBC

Format: 2 x Vinyl Box Set / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Louis Baker - All We Need (Louis Baker Music)

Louis Baker is back with a message of hope - you could say it's 'All We Need'! 

Regular readers will know Mr. Baker from previous releases .from 'Keep On' (see review HERE) and 'The Remixes' (see review HERE) so it's great to hear 'All We Need', the first single from Louis Baker's forthcoming self-released album, 'Trouble'. 

We're told the song serves as an introduction to the record's broader themes of connection, reflection, community and human behaviour, while signalling a subtle evolution in Baker's sound. Written and produced by Baker, the track began with a drum groove before layers of guitar, bass and keys were added to build the arrangement.

Strongly influences by 'golden era' Motown, Daptone Records, Michael Kiwanuka, Aaron Frazer, Gil Scott-Heron and even Sonar Kollective, the song combines groove-driven soul with contemporary production and warm analogue textures.

Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Louis Baker (Ngāti Tu, Ngā Puhi) has won over listeners around the globe with his signature offering: slow-cooked modern soul for the people. A critically acclaimed stylist of richly emotive songcraft, he reinterprets longstanding American and British musical traditions through a laidback coastal lens. 

Since the early 2010s, he has established himself as a captivating guitarist and powerhouse vocalist with an ear for head-nod grooves from Wellington, the capital city of Aotearoa (New Zealand). Along the way, everyone from India.Arie (“Louis Baker, you sing my soul”) to BBC 6 Music, Rolling Stone, Clash Magazine, and Earmilk has shown love for who he is and has become.

He toured extensively through 2024 and early 2025, including runs across the UK, Europe, and Australia with Fat Freddy’s Drop, and featured on the title track of their acclaimed album 'Slo Mo'!

BUY LINK / Pre Order: https://gyro.to/AllWeNeed

Artist: Louis Baker

Title: All We Need 

Release date: 3rd July, 2026

Label : Louis Baker Music

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Session Victim - The Disconnect (Rhythm Section International)

Too much World Cup?  Don't be a Session Victim, get 'The Disconnect' to get connected! 

On the back of an epic 3-part triple release series 'Sidequests' (see review HERE & HERE), Session Victim keep the collaborators "in tow" with their new project, 'The Disconnect' EP, featuring the talents of Kenneth Scott, Rossano Snel and Quarion

You've got two with Mr. Scott, the openers 'Hey, Activate (Modern Mix)' and 'Dream Theory' and both have the under-lying funk groove with jazzy/reggae snippets in 'Hey, Activate' and racing dream keyboard twinkles and summer dubby sax on 'Dream Theory'.

On the B-side. it's a shame thier 'Loom' with Quarion dubby/jazz/beats on the stripped downtempo is a little short but the rest of the EP certainly makes up for that cos.... are you ready DJs Perry Louis, Colin Parnell, Paul Murphy?   "Indebted to old soul jams with bongos", 'Open Minds' with Rossano Snel (she of 'And I Miss You'/'Kena' - see review HERE and forthcoming 'The Fire In The Forest' EP) is for a upbeat jazzdance for a laid-back Balearic mind-set!  Parnell, definitely has an open jazz mind?

Even more beach vibes is the 'Flotsam' that comes surfin' in that's said to be a la Cassius and old Herbert.

Can you believe that this is Session Victims 40th EP?  Well, with the collaborations, Berlin-Hamburg duo Session Victim, Freer and Reiling prove once more their house music mastery and that RSI is a perfect for them; and if you're ever in Peckham, check out label boss Bradley Zero's Jumbi bar!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: The Disconnect | Session Victim

Artists: Session Victim

Release: The Disconnect

Release Date: 3rd July, 2026

Label: Rhythm Section International

Cat. No. TBC

Format: Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Rick Stereo - Happiness EP (Apparel Music)

Don't hesitate with Rick Stereo as he brings us 'Happiness' with his singularly focused EP on Apparel Music!

Four new tracks by Miami based Rick Stereo all ready for the World Cup party invasion as a city that has never needed much of an excuse to dance.

The 'Happiness' EP, his first release on the label and by the time you get to the title track after the speeding acid train dub of 'Gozalo' you'll be ready for move of Stereo's 'hynotic and body-led' grooves.

Indeed, we're told, "Happiness lets the groove speak, and leaves its mark by staying honest to the moment it was made in. Four tracks, all made for the body before the mind".

Can't argue with that; 'Party Bro' on!

BUY LINK: Happiness EP | Rick Stereo

Artist: Rick Stereo  

Title:  Happiness EP 

Release date: 3rd July, 2026

Label: Apparel Music

Catalog Number: APDEXTRA067

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The Secret Garden - Weekend Away (Dicky Continental Remix ft. Ioan Omar) (Ramrock Red Records)

Another 'Weekend Away' party experience arrives at the airport gate as Dicky Continental and Ioan Omar turn-up to get away to The Secret Garden without any passport issues!

As rumoured with The Secret Garden (aka Alex Vickers) original 'Weekend Away' (with a  Dadhaus Remix - see review HERE).

Passport control clearly didn't see that Dicky Continental is in fact Rich Thair who has added live drums and bass plus the tricky-Dicky "puts the keys hook through a Sherman Filter far too many times. Rich says, "Alex’s main keyboard line is so strong and hooky so it was always going to be fun working on this. So much soul and warmth." - it certainly gives a hazey beach Balearic vibe that's brought back to earth by the vocals, courtesy of Ioan Omar (check the lyrics below).

Omar, apparently will feature heavily on the forthcoming Dicky Continental album ‘Queer The Pitch’ (Ed. is this something to do with the World Cup) that's going to also come out on Ramrock Red Records this year!

P.S. we're also told that the DC album will feature 18 year old Sofia El Kamel on bass– the talent is stacking up!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:  RRR099 The Secret Garden - Weekend Away (Dicky Continental Remixes) | The Secret Garden, Dicky Continental | Ramrock

Artist: The Secret Garden

Title: Weekend Away (Dicky Continental Remix ft.Ioan Omar)

Release date: 3th July, 2026
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR099
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Lyrics:
Call the collective
Upgrade to the mindscape network
Inside me call that. One.
That’s us I call us love
Transcends the stars above
Like diamonds in the
I see you smiling
I see you shining