Review: VA - DJ Perry Louis (JazzCotech) presents Shiftless Shuffle (IMPRESS!VE Collective : BBE Music)

A compilaton that sheds light on what's happening today as IMPRESS!VE Collective have organised DJ, Dancer, Compiler, jazz aficionado Perry Louis to put together 12 tracks to celebrate 25 years of his jazz-dance teachings and club events that have marked the evolution of 'Dancefloor Jazz' and more!

Of course, if you've been to one of Perry's Shiftless Shuffle sessions, read no more - go straight to the Buy Link below and get your orders in as you'll need the 10 minutes of 'El Mondongo' salsa (by Los Corraleros de Majaual) which is a 'Vinyl Only' track.

And that's where this Shiftless Shuffle experience is at it's best - hot, sweatly, Latin, percussion heavy, cuíca, cowbell, jazz dance and it's Worldwide!   Not surprising 'Shiftless Shuffle' guest DJs have included Gilles 'Worldwide & Dingwalls' Peterson, Paul 'Jazz Room' Murphy, Colin 'The Original' Parnell on numerous occassions and the recent London Party gig had Nicola Conte (most recently seen as 'Tempa Duo - see review HERE) sharing DJ duties with DJ Lorne 'Not For The Faint Hearted' Daley!

"Not for the faint hearted" is what this release and ethos is all about, taking it's name from Herbie Hancock track (from the album 'Mr Hands') these jazz heads gig deeper funkier, groovier, jazz that loves a drum solo (Pierre-Louis Garcia's 'Tipazz') and is manic 100 mph - like British saxophonist Dave O'Higgins and his 'Samba Express'.  That's over 20 years old and whilst he might have slowed down a bit since, he's been in Darius Brubeck Quartet for many a year (as recently played on Gerry Hectic's recent ALL.FM show - see HERE) and loads of other bands, get anything with his name on it.

So how do you get into this 'jazzdance'?  Well 'samba' is grounding and the album kicks off with an exclusive by Kyoto Jazz Massive, 'Get It Together' (Samba Fusion Mix) and there's a stong Japanese connection to the scene via the likes of Tony Higgins/Mike Peden (BBE J-Jazz Series - see review HERE) at one extreme and Nik 'Mukatsuku' Weston at another.

And taking all things Jazz-dance, Mr Parnell played the KJM track on his most recent and most excellent Stomp Radio show and he also let lose the Bunny Brunel's version of Chick Corea's composition, 'Fickle Funk' which is a monster and appears on vinyl for the first time (after being original released in CD only times). If you know Corea's verion on the 'Secret Agent' album, Brunel was on bass and this version is longer and better than the original. Little wonder Parnell says that IMPRESS!VE Collective/BBE pre-orders are flying out the door!

Back in 2022, DJ Bob Hill introduced us to Italy's A.MA Editions label via Enrico Bracco 

'Flying In A Box' (see review HERE) album but a year before that, Uglijesa Novakovic released 'Don't Slam the F... Door' (from the album 'Reflections' on CD/Digital on A.MA) so this is probably another first time on vinyl track.  A little slower and more Latin is Jen Kearney's 'Warm Bath Eyes' - that's a bit Snowboy styled, but what a great title.

That Snowboy (aka Mark Cotgrove - last seen HERE with Dele Sosimi) is another Shifless Shufffle regular and you might be surprised to see Colonel Red on the tracklist (as in 'Holders Of The Sun' - see review HERE) and you'd be very hard pressed to find the Japanese release of Nation Of Multivere (there had to be more than one )track that came of the J-Jazzland of the rising sun! 

Did someone say, "Where's Flora Purim?", well we know she's on Balaphoni's new album 'Organic Matters' (see review HERE) but here's Chick Corea's 'Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly' that you might know as a Purim track but this time it's Eileen Howard's version.  And don't forget the be-bop/skat vocals! Norbert Gottschalk & Matthias Broede ('Samba Picante') is just mad and breathless jazz and like 99% of this compilation, you'd have no clue about if you're just digging in your non-specialit record shop. 

The album ends on another 100mph track as Pierre-Louis Garcia gives us some sax gymnnastics on 'Tipaza' (from 1984 album, 'Die Grupen') with cool drum solo whilst Tom Grant's version of 'Caribbean Fire Dance' is perhaps the essence of what the compilation is all about?

All tracks are very 'Perry' and this release follows the recent re-issued Soul-Jazz compilation 'London Jazz Classics' that they waited 30 years to do.  So expect jazz-dance to be the thing this year and it won't be a surprise that 'Shiftless Shuffle' sells out fast so don't hang about as you don't wan't to miss out and then have to wait 30 years for a re-press!

PS. All that remains of 2005 - Flyglobal Music Posting: 

Shiftless Shuffle - London, 18 December 05

Featuring a rare meeting of the UK’s biggest jazz DJs including Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 1, Worldwide)
Paul Murphy (Electric Ballroom / Afro Art Records) + resident DJ Perry Louis (Jazzcotech/Messin Around)

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: DJ Perry Louis (JazzCotech) presents Shiftless Shuffle | BBE

Artist: Various Artists

Title: DJ Perry Louis (JazzCotech) presents Shiftless Shuffle

Release date: 14th August, 2026

Label : IMPRESS!VE Collective / BBE Music

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: 2 x LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Olsvangèr - Honey Tangerine (Oathcreations)

This is so timely as Olsvangèr's six fantastic tracks that move from dance to jazz to dub on the beaches of Ibiza to the the Festival fields of WOMAD via the teachings of 'The Brahman of Bromley' and loads inbetween - be brave and tune-in!

It was only last week we were lougin' and groovin' in ‘A Garden Between Us’ alongside "a stellar cast of remixers who add even further delight between the grooves" to find ourselves with Olsvangèr's 'Honey Tangerine' is a unexpected earthly pleasure as this is the newest mini-album with its "signature blend of hyper-kinetic, ever-shifting dance music".

Olsvangèr’s sound and musical journey are forever rooted in the liminal spaces that make up the broad-reaching and ever-shifting electronic music landscape, with his records consistently channeling that in-betweenness that imprints lasting impressions. A classically trained musician with a profound passion for house and techno, Olsvangèr’s sonic palette is one of both broad and delicate brush strokes, applying an array of compelling motifs within amorphous arrangements that blend and blur perspectives. His records seek out the faraway fringes as much as focusing on the intensity found in the detail, creating cavernous soundscapes that are impeccably tuned and effortlessly free-flowing. Seemingly genreless, his records are anchored in all that is known and loved, yet due to the music’s perspective situated at the intersectionality of electronica, a beautiful anticipation resides within every stanza of his tracks at what may come next. His musical language has found him releasing on the likes of Kalahari Oyster Cult, Hooj Choons and Craigie Knowes, and follows through within his imprint Tofistock, which has been pushing some of the most forward-thinking dance music of recent times.

‘Honey Tangerine’ touches upon the classic motifs of Olsvangèr’s sound, and as always, the room for growth within the record’s parameters remains truly endless. Over six tracks, Olsvangèr lays bare the directions of travel, with paths unravelling that feel well trodden yet with some that branch out towards new horizons. ‘Source of Thought’ opens up proceedings with a captivating ambience, where twinkling hues and lively tones paint the parameters of sound. The chuggy breaks that land deep within the mix drop in and out of view, allowing a deft balance between pure ambiance and rhythm to exchange dialogue betweenr one another. ‘In a Nutshell’ shifts gears in atmosphere and energy, with all eyes placed upon the club. The shifting rhythm section lifts the acidic melodic features up above, with driving bass notes and a euphoric vocal like lead linking the depths to the heavens. ‘Tulpa Nine’ swings into heads-down territory, where the drums swing slow and the throbbing bass hits heavy. The auto-tune vocal line up above creates an atmosphere of hazy, smoke-filled rooms, where the party yearns for downtime in anticipation of the next shift in energy.

‘Sunrise on the Lips’ gives over further chill out room vibrations, where the lights remain low, and smiles reside all around. The enriching drums provide the basis for sitars and glossy keys to glide across the top ends, with the mind invited to dip deep within this enthralling ensemble. ‘Zoom It Out’ provides the release into the room, with the ante upped. A breaky house leaning number, this cut grooves through its chiming melodic section and groove-laden bass line, with the polyrhythmic drumming pattern doing much to keep the energy residing very high indeed. The record is wrapped up with ‘Some Air’, which gives over one final jaunt through the airy, slowed-down slipstreams. A wondrous beat is complemented by melodic elements that chime, absorb and quiver, glowing through the night with such charm and feel. An engrossing composition that demonstrates what Olsvangèr is all about - a crafter of sound, where adventure is sought and found, never wavering but curating new connections, feelings, and tones, with an eye on what might come next.

Whether softly undulating or boundlessly expressive, Olsvangèr’s music remains a beautiful enigma that serves up both the glorious knowns and the captivating unknowns - ‘Honey Tangerine’ is yet another chapter in his glorious discography.

Alan Watts, take a bow too!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://oathcreations.bandcamp.com/

Artist: Olsvangèr 

Title:  Honey Tangerine

Release date: 14th August, 2026

Label : Oathcreations

Catalog Number : OATH030

Format: Vinyl /  Digital / Bandcamp   

Review: ROY INC x Darren Morris - You’ll Never See My Tears (No'West Remix EP) (Ramrock Blue Records)

Roy Inc. teams up with Darren Morris and this time, the "song is an anthem for inner strength, endurance and self-awareness, and having faith in love, a love that comes with respect, trust and true honesty from that one person!! A mantra to all the haters and abusers - 'You'll Never See My Tears'...

As with the release of 'Rivers Of Blood' last year (see review HERE) there was speculation that the No'West-ers Wallace (Jo) and Morris (Darren) would be putting their collective knowledge of 60s organ mod-funk to get down on the remix; and indeed they did - see review HERE).

Well, following on from the original EP featuring singer/songwriter, ROY INC. and Darren Morris, this time the No'West production team take the track and given it a 90s UK Garage makeover. ROY INC's vocals float effortlessly over Darren Morris's stunning instrumentations. Get ready to get your swerve on.

Both vocal and instrumental versions are as equally as stunning a the artwork and the message is as strong as you'd expect from Roy.

It's been a couple of years since the ROY INC & Darren Morris EP, 'Credit Me' (see review HERE) and this new EP is going get even more critical acclaim for this deeply emotional project.

BUY LINK / PREORDER: RRB028 ROY INC x Darren Morris - You'll never see my tears (No'West Remix EP) | ROY INC, Darren Morris | Ramrock

Roy Anthony Brown: Lead vocals/ backing vocals, lyricist
Darren Morris: all other instruments

Remixers: Ashley Beedle, Darren Morris, Jo Wallace

Artist: ROY INC. & Darren Morris 

Title: You’ll Never See My Tears EP 

Release date: 10th August 2026

Label: Ramrock Blue Records
Cat. No: RRB028

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Melchoir Sultana - Rhodes In The Middle (Original + Gerd Janson Remix) (Ravanelli Disco Club)

So you follow Le Tour in the South of France, you're thinking of a diversion to Marseille, the home of the Ravanelli Disco Club - you look out the sea, and there's 'Rhodes In The Middle' - not the island but the new track by Melchoir Sultana with a Gerd Janson Remix!

It's that time of year when we're on our hols and if not lucky enough to be following the greatest sporting event outside of the World Cup.  And much like the best team, they've attracted some of the best players in the "forward-thinkning" dance musch like Jimpster, Ron Basejam, Prins Thomas, Pete Herbert plus their last release by Did Virgo ft. Mickey D'Lange's 'Dream Alone' witn Black Spuma, JKriv & Marc Brauner Remixes (see review HERE).

Whilst their International team is drawn from folks far and wide, they haven't got to look too far  into the Med for DJ and multi-instrumentalisst Melchior Sultana as he's from Malta.  And this 'Popeye' of powerful jazz, electronic, classical and deep house has been based around the Rhodes [keyboard] in the middle that's great as the original track, but Gerd Janson's remix takes it on the Inter-City railcard express that's peak-time mainline!

Ravanelli Disco Club have great plans for further releases but grab this as the instrumental anthem of the summer.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: www.phonicarecords.com/product/melch…o-club/212171

Maslow Unknown · PREMIERE: Melchior Sultana - Rhodes In The Middle

Title: Melchoir Sultana 

Title: Rhodes In The Middle (Original + Gerd Janson Remix) 

Release date: 7th August, 2026

Label : Ravanelli Disco Club

Catalog Number: RDC020

Format: 12" vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Gerry Hectic's 'Lovely Wife' Mixtape - Competition Now Closed (LEFTFOOT)

Doesn't seem 4 years ago that Leftfoot, that highspot of Brummie musical eclecticism, were after a new resident DJ.  Never slow to get his leftfeet in the door, Gerry Hectic submitted his 'Lovely Wife' mixtape is an effort to get himself and his lovely wife back to the place of his birth.

At the time, the Leftfoot family wanted a DJ with his own identity to complement the wide range of music at their shows - with guests such as Hunee, Jayda G, Bicep, Moodymann, Henry Wu, Children Of Zeus, Horse Meat Disco, Ezra Collective, Peggy Gou, Bonobo, Caribou & Awesome Tapes From Africa -they were after (but not limited to) the following styles / genres: Afrobeat, Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk, House, Soul, Disco and Techno.

Well here's the Hectic's choice of then recent released tracks that he thought would foot the bill of uniqueness, creative flair and "relevance to the brand".  Enjoy!

Tracklisting 02.08.2022 - Duration 60 mins
Pama International ft. Rico - Nasty Dub 00:00
Mali-I ft. Ms Ray - Heaven Sent (Gerry Hectic's Lovers Extension) 03:37
Pinky Perzelle ft. Eda Eren - No Games (Radio Edit) 10:04
Sababa 5 ft. Shiran Tzfira - Ya Hizali - يا هزلي 14:17
Crazy P ft. Dele Sosimi - The Witness (Medlar Remix) 18:21
Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon - Fún Tony (feat. Dele Sosimi) 23:30
Dr. Robert Blackman - San Francisco Dance (Emanative Remix - Hectic Ext) 28:48
Milton Wright - Brothers & Sisters (Mr. PC 12" Edit) 38:14
Sumsuch & Will Brock - Humanity (Paul Losev Remix and Dub - Hectic Jnt) 43:11
Hermanos Gutiérrez - Esperanza 52:08
Soothsayers Meets Victor Rice and Friends - Last Days [Hectic IDI Edit] 55:16

https://twitter.com/GerryHectic

Review: milan93 & 9ICK & Mauricesax - A Garden Between Us (LYAM (by Oathcreations))

Here's your invite to a secret garden party, or is it 'A Garden Between Us'; envisaged by the jazztronic funk minds of milan93 & 9ICK & Mauricesax, this is where you don't put ya feet up!

Definitely aimed at the dancefloor, Last Night At Marienbad’s latest, the imprint brings together three of the brightest souls found within the realms of Jazz, namely Mauricesax, 9ick and Milan93, with their collective talents synergising effortlessly on ‘A Garden between Us’, alongside a stellar cast of remixers who add even further delight between the grooves.

As a genre, Jazz has perhaps lent itself the most to other musical universes, in that its curious heart, endlessly experimental nature, and parameter-defying spirit have wrapped itself deep within the core of countless albums, scenes, and music makers. It’s a genre that welcomes reinvention, consistently defying its contents and always reaching out to find new methods of expressionism. Electronic music, in its many forms, has truly embraced Jazz perhaps like no other movement of music has, with a truly astonishing array of records surfacing in the past 40 years which have blended Jazz’s unique motifs with grooves, chords, and emotive excellence. From 90s Jazz house and UR Techno, through to Future Jazz, downtempo, and Hip Hop, and around many other suns, there remains such an intrinsic and symbiotic relationship between the two musical realms that caters to those who wish to live music both within and out with themselves.

As practitioners of blending electronica and Jazz, few do it like the trio of Mauricesax, 9ick, and Milan93. All three are known for their distinctive soundscapes, yet share commonalities in terms of musical language, feel, and sense of progression. Bringing them together allows for overlaps in their sounds to emerge, and just like Jazz itself, this is where the intrinsicness of sound begins to blossom. 9ick brings his softly evolving vibe to the table, one which was so prevalent and celebrated on his 2025 album ‘SMIL’; Milan93 draws from his focal point of exploring fill-laden grooves and a myriad of emotive sensibilities; and Mauricesax draws up his extensive musicality that exists at the corner of jazz, electronic, and experimental music, along with running musical workshops all over the globe.

‘A Garden between Us’ represents the trio’s core tenets, with this immediately obvious from the record's opener, ‘Rhodora’. A gentle solo piano quickly evolves into a series of powerful rhythmic pulses, with brass lines bringing vitality and feel to proceedings. The track shifts gears with purpose, transitioning between musical vignettes of the highest order, with the synth work doing much to bind the transitions together. ‘Tulip’ emerges slightly differently, with glossy Rhodes tones and an unravelling rhythmic undercurrent setting an enthralling stage. The track flourishes amongst sweeping textures, coming up for air amongst a deeply hypnotic rhythmic section that holds on and never lets up. ‘Honeysuckle’ lands next, which sees the trio emerge with a boundless, dynamic soundscape. The drums shift within the undertones, as keys, chords, horns and hip-hop vocal samples dance around the pulse, capturing the imagination with their narrative-like placement. Wrapping up the A side comes ‘Camellia’. A dazzling array of harmonic sounds converges around the transfixing rhythm section, which emerges from deep below to lavishly roll out over the midsection, with the delicateness of the instrumentation a real highlight here.

The B side features two exquisite remixes, with Pacific Coliseum's version of ‘Tulips’ landing first. Beginning with a signature four to the floor to get things going, his careful handling of the source material is seen in the tactful introduction of the blissful elements that made the original cut so impactful, with great focus placed on emotive fidelity. The result is a summer-bound house number that reimagines the original in all the right ways, flipping it into a euphoria-driven jazz-laden pacer that reaches for the heavens as much as it drives right into the heart. Teuteu then showcases their take on 'Honeysuckle', and at 9 minutes long, represents the longest cut on the record - and the experience is all the richer for it. Leaning heavily into dance music flavours, Teuteu shifts perspective totally into the realm of the club, with the walls beating hard to the kicks. The sax lines that drift ethereally up top keep eyes closed and souls full, as the dance shifts into the next phase.

An experience that drifts from the daydreaming, to soul-warming through to the club shaking - what else is left to experience, except for ‘A Garden between Us’ and how it will brighten up life itself.

Pimms anyone?

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://oathcreations.bandcamp.com/

Artist:  milan93 & 9ICK & Mauricesax

Title:  A Garden Between Us 

Release date: 7th August, 2026

Label :LYAM dist. !K7

Catalog Number : LYAM013

Format: Vinyl /  Digital / Bandcamp   

Review: ROY INC x Darren Morris - You’ll Never See My Tears EP (Ramrock Red Records)

Roy Inc. teams up with Darren Morris and this time, the "song is an anthem for inner strength, endurance and self-awareness, and having faith in love, a love that comes with respect, trust and true honesty from that one person!! A mantra to all the haters and abusers - 'You'll Never See My Tears'...

.

As with the release of 'Rivers Of Blood' last year (see review HERE) and before that the ROY INC & Darren Morris EP, 'Credit Me' (see review HERE), this third single is another that you from their "comprehensively powerful and brilliantly crafted project".

In addition to Darren Morris’s swirling string arrangements (a la Charles Stepney) along with 2-step style funk-disco is his "signature production sound of exquisite instrumentation", ROY INC.’s distinctive vocal delivery just adds to the emotional angst of the subject matter. 

Roy reveals the inspiration behind ‘My Tears’: “You’ll Never See My Tears is a poetic love letter to anyone who’s experienced trauma, emotional suffering, mental distress, physical pain by someone you trusted, loved or cared deeply about when they showed their true hand". 

Both vocal and instrumental versions are as equally as stunning as the artwork and don't be surprised to find a No'West remix coming your way soon.

P.S. there's a beautiful piano led 'addendum' to the track of mournful proportions  where metaphorically, 'You’ll Never See My Tears' and don't forget Darren's other recent collaboration with Lee Ross, 'Kingdom Of Rain' (see review HERE).

BUY LINK / PREORDER:RRR103 - ROY INC x Darren Morris 'You'll never see my tears' EP | ROY INC, Darren Morris | Ramrock

Roy Anthony Brown: Lead vocals/ backing vocals, lyricist
Darren Morris: all other instruments

Artist: ROY INC. & Darren Morris 

Title: You’ll Never See My Tears EP 

Release date: 3rd August 2026

Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR103Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Lee Ross - Kingdom Of Rain (Ramrock Red Records)

Can you imagine Jeb Loy Nichols a la Twelve Caesars?  Watch those clouds as the 'Kingdom Of Rain' is about to fall with Lee Ross!

With Ramrock Red reaching '100' with Andrew Pipe and Stephen Ennever (aka Twelve Caesars) and their 'Mission Creep' (see review HERE), production supremo Darren Morris gets classic poolside soulful on 'Kingdom Of Rain'.

We're told, Lee first met Darren Morris, North Street West studio owner and 1/3rd of No’West Productions, at a party in Hastings and after teaming up, they serenaded the guests at the piano. After their duetting, Lee told Darren that he was a singer/songwriter, whereupon Darren invited Lee to send him some demos. Lee duly sent Darren the rough demo of ‘Kingdom of Rain’ which was played to Jo Wallace at Ramrock Red Records who said, ‘this is rather fabulous – yes please’.

‘Kingdom of Rain’ draws upon the golden era of 70s West Coast blue eyed soul/drive time AOR, showcasing the magnificent production techniques of Darren Morris, with the collaboration nodding towards those supreme musical craftsmen, Ned Doheny, Kenny Loggins, Bill LaBounty and Rupert Holmes. With Lee’s vocal delivery and Darren’s production, there is a timeless quality to ‘Kingdom of Rain’ giving it the vibe that it could’ve been conceived at Warner Bros studios or Sunset Sound, LA. Lee has been a prolific songwriter and considers it his true passion, fronting bands from his teens through his twenties culminating in an offer of a five album deal with Eddie 'I'm a fan of Small Wonder Records' Piller at Acid Jazz with his band PROPAGANJA. 

Unfortunately, the band split before they were signed but Lee continued to write. Delivering music for dance companies and, with Boo Hewerdine, producing an EP of his original material, Lee also wrote the wedding song for the marriage of his actor friend Andy Serkis to Lorraine Ashbourne. Alongside his musical career, Lee is an award winning actor who holds an honorary doctorate for his outstanding contribution to the acting profession. A mainstay on our stages, televisions and cinemas for over forty years, he is best known for the hit children’s TV show ‘Pressgang’, the Catherine Tate Show, Eastenders and more recently ‘White Gold’ and ‘Andor’. Lee has also appeared in over twenty feature films including the iconic character ‘Gumbo’, the cult classic ‘ID’, ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’, the Oscar winning ‘The English Patient’ and Palme D’or winner ‘Secrets and Lies’, directed by Mike Leigh. Currently, Lee is in a leading role in the MGM/BBC thriller ‘Legacy of Spies’ starring Mathew McFadyen. 

Lee has a huge portfolio of new material which he and Darren are currently wtaorking on together - watch this space…

P.S. the instrumental is fantastic too!

P.P.S. Jeb Loy Nichol's latest album, 'This House Is Empty Without You' on Timmion Records - see review HERE

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: RRR102 - Lee Ross 'Kingdom of Rain' EP | Lee Ross | Ramrock

Artist: Lee Ross

Title: Mission Creep

Release date: 31st July, 2026

Label : Ramrock Red Records

Catalog Number : RRR103

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

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Review: Pahua y Willy Soul - NY/CDMX (TheJazzDiaries)

NY Post-punk Funk with percussion madness! And flute gang friendly  Can you believe it's been 20 years since Louie Vega Presents Luisito Quintero – Percussion Maddness on Rapster/BBE? Jitwam on it - put a note in ya Jazz Diary. 

The power of funk bridges Mexico City and New York as CDMX singer, songwriter, and producer Pahua joins forces with Brooklyn DJ, producer, and MC, Willy Soul to deliver a fresh take on dance music inspired by two cities built on hustle, creativity, and soul. Led by the duo and featuring a cast of legendary musicians, NY/CDMX blends their distinct musical identities and hometown influences into a vibrant cross-cultural statement. The EP marks the 23rd release on TheJazzDiaries record label.

The project is introduced through two original singles, with alternate versions, remixes, and interludes to be announced shortly after:

Tenemos El Funk (Out July 9) — A mid-tempo, upbeat drum-machine funk track fueled by lively Latin percussion, punk-funk basslines, and Pahua’s signature blend of singing and rap, balancing attitude with effortless flow.

Nueva York (Out July 31) — A soulful house groove shaped by the Latin diaspora, featuring Spanglish lyrics from Pahua, spoken word from Willy Soul, infectious percussion, driving basslines, and four-on-the-floor energy. The song serves as the emotional and lyrical centerpiece of the EP, drawing parallels between the relentless rhythms of NYC and CDMX.

Pahua brings her unmistakable modern Mexican perspective through layered harmonies, vivid storytelling, and a dynamic vocal presence. Willy Soul shapes the sonic direction as the EP’s producer, merging New York's underground dance-floor sensibility with Pahua’s electro-tropical roots. Anchored by Roland TR-808 and TR-707 drum machines and bass-driven arrangements reminiscent of Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, the production strikes a balance between funk, dance music, and live-band energy.

The EP reflects the shared experiences of two artists navigating independent music careers and life in 2026. While Willy has spent years building community and culture through New York's nightlife scene, Pahua has established herself both as the frontwoman of acclaimed Mexican group Sotomayor and through a thriving solo career. Having collaborated in studios and on stages across both cities, the pair channel their personal connection into a body of work that celebrates the creative exchange between New York and Mexico City.

To deepen the musical palette, Pahua and Willy invited a collection of friends and award winning icons to contribute. Through an introduction from Louie Vega, multi-Grammy Award-winning percussionist Luisito Quintero joined both singles, bringing his unmistakable rhythmic touch via timbales, congas, bongos and a range of hand instruments. His extensive list of collaborators includes Tito Puente, Carlos Santana, Willie Colón, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Masters at Work, among many others.

NYC heavyweight producer and keys player Morgan Wiley—former frontman of Midnight Magic, collaborator of LCD Soundsystem, and co-producer of key releases by indie soul queen, Adi Oasis —adds Wurlitzer to Nueva York while also handling mixing and engineering duties across both tracks. Latin Grammy Award-winning producer Ze Nigro, known for his work with João Donato, reimagines Willy Soul’s original bassline composition on Nueva York, infusing it with rich Brazilian and Latin influences. Latin Grammy Award-winning flautist Domenica, known for her work with Flor de Toloache and NYC afro-disco-rock outfit Underground System, also lends her distinctive touch to Tenemos El Funk. The EP was mastered by Brooklyn studio veteran Abe Seiferth, founder of Transmitter Park Studios and former DFA engineer, whose credits include work with Yeasayer, Nation of Language, Sinkane, Guerilla Toss, and a wide range of acclaimed independent artists.

NY/CDMX will be released via TheJazzDiaries, the label founded by Jitwam in 2013 and known for blending jazz, world music, funk, and underground dance sounds from New York, Detroit, and beyond. Highlights from the catalog include Jitwam’s debut release, later featured on Moodymann’s DJ-Kicks compilation, as well as the recent single PEOPLE by Natasha Diggs and Megatronic.

Remixes, extended versions, and dub mixes will be announced soon ahead of a forthcoming vinyl release. 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://jazzdiaries.lnk.to/TenemosElFunk

Artist: Pahua y Willy Soul

Title: NY/CDMX

Release date: Tenemos El Funk - 9 July 2026

Nueva York - 31 July 2026

Label : TheJazzDiaries (The label is distributed by !K7)

Catalog Number : TJD-023

Format: Streaming/Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Star Creature & Twilite Tone present - The Twilite Tone Bundle (3 x 7") (Star Creature)

Talk about packet of 3 - Star Creatures collab with the Twilite Tone makes us happy, jacks and brings love - and that's only the half of this bundle of joy!

Here's a trio for DJs, collectors  and diggers, a Promo Only 7" Series!  Not only that, it's a. interpretation of original house influences by an original from the late 80s/early 90s, Tone (aka Dem Dare and with No ID/Dion who released much sort after tracks as 3.2.6 / 3 2 6 on Chicago's Muzique label). 

So Tone offers a unique and insider's perspective that Star Creature's Tim Zawada didn't know until te early 2010s but it wasn't until 2019 that he first heard the "genius flip on a classic - absolute perfection in a style that I don’t think anyone else can do" of 'Your Love' (amazing that we've got not one, but two incredible versions of the 1986 classic 'Your Love' - check Mamacita ft Persona RS - Tu Amor - see review HERE).

And it's 6 minutes long!

As intimated, from 'Love' we go to 'Jack' as a Twilite downtempo groove which you can see why Tim was saying, after 'Love', "I begged him for years for more of the same. I wanted to hear Chicago House filtered through The Twilite Tone - freed from the confines of tempo, club appeal. Well here we are 6 years later with 6 tracks ready to share…”  

And you can almost feel his excitement when you hear 'Feel It' is like a defective 'Rockit' and the 'Christmas Box' of electro wobble of 'Joy'. 

At the other extreme, 'Work's' industrial boogie that's got a distorted lyric that's a bit 'potty' is a long way from 'Love' and 'Happiness' (another mutant Al Green 'Can you feel it' synth-warp).

As a mash-up that isn't this is not as leftfield as you might think and it'll be worth its weight in years to come!

OpenLab:  Star Creature Vibes Radio - Tim Zawada HERE

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Love / Jack | The Twilite Tone

Artist: Star Creature & Twilite Tone present  

Title:  The Twilite Tone Bundle (3 x 7") 

Release date: 1st August, 2026

Label :  Star Creature

Catalog Number : SC7093 / SC7094 / SC7095

Format: 7" Vinyl  / Digital / Bandcamp