Review: The Mighty Mocambos - A Higher Frequency (Mocambos Records)

Party breaks and heavy funk is what The Mighty Mocambos are all about and they've turned up with a new album on, 'A Higher Frequency'! 

Your favourite funk band from Hamburg are literally 'Back And Better' with a new album that's was, wait for it audiophiles. recorded recorded live to tape at the legendary MPS Studio with a nine-piece band!

And the bizarre thing is, in my head I've associated this band as a 'raw' funk/and breaks combo except for the 2009 album, 'The Is Gizelle Smith & The Mighty Mocambos' with the said Gizelle Smith on vocals.  Perhaps it was too easy to make comparisions with Sharon Jones (RIP)/Daptone but whether it's the MPS Studio vibe (MPS label and Villingen studios in Germany: or even "W. Germany" at their 60/70s peak?), the studio's historic Bösendörfer grand piano and Hammond organ, or the Black Forest of a Funk gâteau (Ed. that's Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte to you).

It's pretty jazzy too with some excellent horns and flute plus the vocals of Carlton Jumel Smith on 'Can't Stop The Fire' and whilst there's a couple of questionable lyrics on 'Back and Better' but you can't fault the vocals of Nichola Richards so we can overlook that as this is a classy 10-track album.

Kicking off with what sounds like 70s TV themes 'Open The Gate' (San Francisco cop show?), 'Get Loose' (prisoner on the run?) and 'Spinnig' (psych-drug drop out?) with some great organ and flute before 'Sweet Company' goes a bit more 60s library.

If you think you know The Mighty Mocambos, believe the news that 'A Higher Frequency' is "Outernational funk, soulful jazz, cinematic textures and psych-flavored breaks and beats…" so much so, these guys have gone from raw to fully baked (Ed. shouldn't that be 'break-ed'?)

Artist: The Mighty Mocambos 

Title: A Higher Frequency 

Release date: 6th June, 2025

Label: Mocambos Records
Cat. No: TBC

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp

SASCHA WEISE drums
VICTOR KOHN bass
BJÖRN WAGNER guitar
GUILLAUME MÉTENIER grand piano, organ & clavinet
BERNHARD HUMMER baritone & tenor saxophones
BEN GREENSLADE-STANTON trombone
SEBASTIAN DRESCHER trumpet, flugelhorn & electric phin
NICHOLA RICHARDS percussion & vocals
DANIEL KIMAZ flutes

Review: Pippa Blundell - Common Thread (Bridge The Gap)

Glasgow has a rich history of musical sons and daughters, thinking of Alex Harvey to Rebecca Vasmant at two ends of the spectrum, so if you're a native and you get a "Hotly tipped" notification for a Sound of Young Scotland, Scottish Album of the Year Award, there's got to be a 'Common Thread' going on somewhere?

Heavy support from BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio Scotland (Ed. of all places?), you'll have come across the three singles, 'wasted', 'say' and 'crave' that all show Ms Blundell unique voice that mixes soft folk-pop to an, at times, a soulful Antony Hegarty.

Her songs are quite wordy as her lyrics explore themes of love, grief and womanhood and as you'd expect from a site like YATM, we'd be looking forward to some jazzy house remixes at least (Ed. anyone got the number for Shaka Loves You or Mungo's HiFi?) and let's face it, it didn't do Anohni/Antony & The Johnsons any harm.

What about giving Liam Shortall (corto.alto) a ring? He's based in Glasgow and Mahuki (he of 'Gratitude') is down the road in Edinburgh.

Artist:Pippa Blundell 

Title:  Common Thread

Release date: 6th June, 2025

Label : Bridge The Gap

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital  

Review: Various Artists - Apparel Music B-Day 15 (Apparel Music)

You don't normally have a huge birthday party at 15 but you can see why Apparel Music have decided to go large on this one to celebrate!

No room for Lukus' 'Love Andeavour' (see review HERE) as it's crammed with slippery customers like Osunlade, last seen with Fred Everything on his label with Robert Owens (see review HERE), LYMA (as on Marcel Vogel's label, see review HERE) and Inkswel (last seen on Compost, see review HERE with Andre Espeut).

And probably best describe by the label themselves, "From the USA with Osunlade to Australia with Erin Buku & Inkswel; from Denmark with Ghosten (featuring Francesca Touré and IZZY NU) to Italy with 2KS and Kisk; Argentina and Brazil with Eduardo and HNQO (with Collateral Lab), Spain with Tuccillo, Germany and The Netherlands with Marcel Vogel & LYMA. It's about exploring genres, diving into far-off worlds, being curious about other places, other people and figuring out how to make them all feel comfy under the same roof, chilling in the same room. A room we've been furnishing for a while with our little treasures, some fancy furniture, some not-so-fancy, but always with passion. There’s more music to make, more stories to discover, more people to meet. Apparel Music is not just a label anymore, it’s a big, instinctive, unplanned love letter to everyone who’s been and who’ll be a part of it". 

As you can tell, founder Kisk's 'worldwide' vision of Apparel from Milano is a big mix start with his own track, 'I Wanna Dance With You' and it's non-strop until the last track 'SayNoMore' (Ed. did you see what they did there?) by 2KS .

Ten years ago they released a 20 track compilation, 'Jazzy Soup' and we're still licking out lips for more Apparel Music - Happy 15th B-day!.

BUY LINK/PRE-ORDER: https://apparel-music.lnk.to/BDAY15

Illustrated by Tu

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Apparel Music B-Day 15

Release date: 6th June, 2025 (Vinyl)

Label : Apparel Music

Catalog Number : APPPAREL007 APL007W APL007APDIllustrated by TuEXTRA055

Format:    Vinyl White (150 copies) / Vinyl Black (150 copies) 

                Digital / Bandcamp (Release date: 15-08-25)

Buy / Pre Order: https://apparel-music.lnk.to/BDAY15

Review: Bastian Menz Trio - Everything In Between (A.MA Records)

Bastian Menz Trio are live for 'Everything In Between' to transport you to the Jazzhall courtesy of A.MA Records!

Following on from the 60s Mod-Jazz/Hard Bop with the Hammond organ Serbian Wave of,  The DIL Organ trio (see review HERE) this is a first for A.MA Records and for the first time in eleven years they've recorded Bastian Menz Trio's Hamburg concert from last year with a remit of imrpovisational jazz.

So not only have you the trio of musicians, Berlin based drummer Bastian Menz joined by Reuben Rogers (bass) and Konstantin Herleinsberger (sax), there's the atmosphere in the Jazzhall (22.03.24) and the audience too. 

Indeed, there's a special quality to this live 'session', especially on the track 'Late Night Drive' with shimmering cymbols and bass strings sounding so close you could pluck 'em yourself.  And you can tell how good a gig it was by the audience reaction at the end of the track, 'Taking A Trip'. 

This live quality is another in our new found 'Made in Germany' series this year as also see Jazzanova's 'In Between Revisited' the live version - see review HERE), The Offline In Session (see review HERE) and The Mighty Mocambos' 'A Higher Frequency' recorded at MPS Studios! (see review HERE).

Hamburg, Eschen, Munich everyone's talking about live music .

Artist: Bastian Menz Trio 

Title: Everything In Between

Release date: 20th June, 2025

Label : A.MA Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: CD / Digital / Bandcamp (Pre-Order on Bandcamp, Friday, 6th June)

Review: Madlib - WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip (BBE Music)

When Madlib, The Beat Konducta released 'WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip' in 2008, I remember seeing the vinyl version in the Berwick Street Market area and thinking, I'll get the CD! 

What a mistake that was a it was part of the highly thought of Beat Generation series that featured the disc spinning and beat making talents of Pete Rock, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinna, Mr Thing, Jay Dee/Dilla, Will.I.Am(!) and more.

But the Madlib edition is now back on vinyl after many years that features not only Madlib but many of his friends like Guilty Simpson, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Defari, MED, J Rocc (Ed. I best DJ I've ever seen at the time). Prince Po, Karriem Riggins, Talib Kweli and more.

This Madlib's Radio station style as 'WLIB AM' on the dial and I wonder if it's survived the test of time?  If you were into hip-hop/beats/skate as a young dude in early 2000s this was mind blowing and it's great to hear it again.  And whilst it's no 'Madvillainy' (the seminal album he did as Madvillain with Doom) and whilst it was the last of 'Beat Generation' series, it's before the frenzy of the 13 album 'Madlib Medicine Show' mixture of hip-hop, jazz, remix and multi-genre DJ  mixtapes. 

The gatefold sleeve features some previously unseen photos by Brian 'B+' Cross (Ed. did I ever tell you about the time I met him?  Unfortuneately there's no photographic evidence of this) and Madlib's beat making and sample fusing abilities are there for all to hear. 

If I could speak to a younger me, I'd say, "buy the vinyl".

Artist: Madlib  

Title: WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip

Release date: 5th June, 2025

Label :  BBE Music

Catalog Number: BBE540

Format: 2xLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Jono McCleery - Reconcile Remixes (Sonar Kollektiv)

Another chance to to reconcile that Jono McCleery's debut album on Sonar Kollektiv is his best todate, this time under the auspices of six remixes, reel 'em off Beau Diako, Joseph Ashworth, Royce Wood Junior, Philippa and Fybe:One.

Check out the album, 'Reconcile' (see review HERE) and you'll recall Greg Haynes (aka Fybe:One, he of 'Don't Let Go'/'You Go Down Smooth' - see review HERE) was one of the co-producers so he gets first dibs on the title track which must be quite tricky to throw new light on a familiar track; in fact, apart from Mr. McCleery's superb vocals, it's very different with it's 'electronic' refresh.

You'll also recall that there were some tracks with a bit of Radiohead/Thom Yorke-ism to them like 'Like I Do' and London based musician/songwriter/producer, Royce Wood Junior gets a bit messy with electronic/R&B/soul!

Totally unmessy is the Joseph Ashworth remix of 'Only You' which is smooth beach house and the opener, Beau Diako's remix of 'I'll Try To Remember' which you'll meet under a very large sun shade overlooking the Balearics (or similar).

I was going to say, Philippa's Rework of 'To See You Again' is not like her Freerange work with Jimpster until I was reminded of her 'jazzy' 'Blue Skies' on Fred Everything's Lazy Days Recordings.  The New Zealander (now living in Berlin), had a track on Razor-N-Tape's compilation, 'Family Affair' Vol. 2 and she's really got a quirky angle on what moves a dancefloor: "uplifting standout" much like RNT themselves. 

Definitely a different approach to the original tracks and ones to keep coming back to.

Artist: Jono McCleery 

Title: Reconcile Remixes

Release date: 6th June, 2025

Label: Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number: SK530

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Cee ElAssaad feat. QVLN - Ore Yeye O (Doug Gomez Remix) (Ensouled)

Ensouled, the label run by Cee ELAssaad, had themselves a worldwide hit with 'Ore Yeyo O' and just to over prove the point, this summer we have a Doug Gomez vocal and instrumental remix.

Last year, the original version of 'Ore Yeye O' (see review HERE) was fast on the heels of  Cee's 'TRIBE' featuring Masaki Morii (see review HERE) so giving us two monster tunes for the summer.

We know the Cee is albout Afro-House Yoruba style but what do you expect from a "genre-defying" QLVN?  Well, the vocals have the peace and love of a Bob Marley, a world/Mali/rock guitar solo, massive jazz organ, prog. electric violin/synth and more.

Doug Gomez and Cee did a collaboration on 'You & I' a while back and this remix is again full of percussion with a full-on jazz sax solo.

This years' WOMAD set already guaranteed.

Buy / Pre Order: https://ensouled.lsnto.me/oreyeyeodouggomez

Artist: Cee ElAssaad ft. QVLM

Title: Ore Yeye O (Doug Gomez Remix) 
Release date: 6th June, 2025
Label : Ensouled

Catalog Number : ENSLD017

Format: Digital  

Review: Amanda Whiting - Can You See Me Now? (First Word Records)

If you know Amanda Whiting from her social media postings, you'll know that this harpist from Wales, loves a 'Jazz Face'.  With her latest album, 'Can You See Me Now?', if we didn't know before, she's more than just a jazzy face. 

With the help of Alice Russell (the voice of Nostalgia 77's 'Seven Nation Army') on 'What Is It We Need', this a truly beautiful spiritual jazz celebration that starts off on 'Contented' with choral voices that really sets the tone.

I'm surprised that she hasn't been picked up by Carlos Niño (he of 'Openness Trio') to give that 'Coltrane' connection as she can play hip-hop/trippy-hop/underground instrumental beats/vibes, like 'Intent' and 'Could It Be'.

And she's caught the attention of Somewhere Soul as the track 'The Other Side' has been included on the compilation, 'Rituals Volume 1' on Re:Warm (due out July).

The 'other' female jazz harpist, Alina Bzhezhinska (Ukraine-born, Warsaw Conservatoire-trained, London-based) being Amanda's Dorothy to her Alice (or visa versa) has her new album coming out (Friday, 11th July), with Ibiza-based producer Tulshi on Tru-Thoughts - what price  a jazz harp battle at a summer festival?

Artist: Amanda Whiting 

Title: Can You See Me Now? 

Release date: 6th June, 2025

Label : First Word Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Raz Olsher - Craters Of The Lost Souls (Fossil Sounds)

As Raz Olsher walks off into the setting sun, the 'Craters Of The Lost Souls' arise whist the ghosts of Mary Anning and the Man With No Name!

You may recall Raz Olsher's classical background got 'warped' as a "Dilla meets Harry Potter on the way to the dripping underworld" on his album 'Rubato' (see review HERE). 

'Craters Of The Lost Souls' is far more "discovered" and we're in a DJ Shadow-eque Ennio Morricone that's got reflections of Dick Hyman.

Not that surprising when you consider his 'day job', Raz & Alfa, have recently released the 'Windowlicker/Going Back To My Roots' (see review HERE).

Described as the soundtrack to a "retro-futuristic score to an imaginary Spaghetti Western movie".  The 12 tracks start with 'Opening Titles Theme' and ends with 'End Titles Theme' with a middle of 'Over The Hill', 'Pacific Dreaming' 'Armagedon', 'Godmother' (very dramatic this one), 'Strings Attached' buidling ups to 'The Dual'. 

Raz plays nearly all the instruments, think 'Musician for hire in Mare Street' instead of gunman for hire and there's some great cameo's of flute, guitar, trumpet, jews harp and vocals!  There's a special vinyl option if you're that way inclined but there's a ready made OST if you're up for making the film.

BUY LINK: Craters of the Lost Souls | Raz Olsher

Artist: Raz Olsher

Title: Craters Of The Lost Souls
Release date: 30th May, 2023
Label: Fossil Sounds
Cat. No: TBC
Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Credits:

Music Written by Raz Olsher
Performed by Raz Olsher: Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer, Electric Keyboard, Piano, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Percussion, Vocals.
Filippo Galli: Drums
Clive Bell: Flute
Rory O’Connor: Tenor Vocals
Sylvia Hallett: Jaw harp, Hurdy Gurdy, Saw, Accordion, Violin
Sefi Zisling: Trumpet
Layla Moallem: Vocals
Francesco Pedrinoni: Vocals, Guitar
Produced and mixed by Raz Olsher
Assistant Engineer Francesco Pedrinoni
Recorded at Fossil Studios, London
Mastered by Peter Fletcher
Visuals by Raz Olsher

Review: Joseph Malik - Trouble With A Capital T (Shaka Love You Remix) (F*CLR Music)

"Here comes trouble" and it's original soul boy Joseph Malik's 'Trouble With A Capital 'T'''; and that's a really big 'T' !

The original version of 'Trouble with a Capital T' was taken from Joseph's 2023, 'Proxima Ebony' LP (see review HERE). Then, fellow Edinburgh resident and DJ/Producer, Natasha Kitty Katt, asked Joseph if she could remix with her F*CLR electronic dance take on 'T' (see review HERE).  And now, the triptych is complete with a sideways shift into Glasgow Disco with Shaka Loves You (aka Jamie and Marty) on the remix knobs..

As I've said before, this train is a 'soul train' so I'm not at all surprised that SLY (Shaka Loves You) have upped the strings and put it almost in the rarified 1st class disco ball carriage of Caroline Crawford's 'Coming On Strong'! 

So, that's a big "Yes" from us and if that doesn't convince you, check out Craig Charles' Funk & Soul Show (BBC 6 Music - Trunk Of Funk 10th May - The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show - Joseph Malik Trunk of Funk - BBC Sounds) which is available for 28 days (hopefully will be available elsewhere) with is a great summary update of Joseph's lastest album, 'Proxima Ebony Variant Issue (see review HERE).

Ramrock boss, Jo Wallace says, "It's one of the best remixes of Joseph's music I've ever heard" - you've been told.

Artist: Joseph Malik

Title: Trouble with a Capital 'T' (Shaka Love You Remix)

Release date: 2nd June, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR081

Format: Bandcamp / Digital