Review: Mzala Wa Afrika - Descendants Of The Drum EP (Ostowana)

When it comes Ostowana, they know the drum and Mzala Wa Afrika have gone modern with 'Descendants Of The Drum' as a latest generation of Afro-House takes another step forward. 

After the stunning 'Matsena' album by Arrumar (see review HERE), Mzala Wa Afrika's got a different angle of/on Afro-House vs. electronic with a 5 track EP that focus' on the drum in a synthy dub style.

Particularly the lead track 'Ingonyama' as you get ready to JUMP but each track is said to be "a tribute to the universal language of rhythm" and by the time of 'Unyusawa' it sounds closer to Afro-kraut-synth club.

BUY LINK: Ostowana | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Artist: Mzala Wa Afrika

Title: Descendants Of The Drum EP 

Release date: 31st October, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST143

Format: Digital

Review: Kid Sublime - The Paradigm Shift (Natural Element)

Kid Sublime's new album, 'The Paradigm Shift' may not be totally all encompassing ground breaking musically but the musical evidence is that he's back as youthful and sublime on the dancefloor as he ever was/is: check out the title track for one!

Regular readers will recall in the review of the EP, 'You Got Me Runnin' (ft Bako - see review HERE) that I recalled many years ago that I was told by an industry big head, "if it's got a Kid Sublime remix on it, it'll sell alright"?   Well there was no "Paradigm Shift" where that track was concerned with remixes by Tru-Thoughts' WheelUp (see of the recent 'Inner Light' see review HERE) and Holland's Mo Wrights.

The original version is on the album has all of 'the Kids' adventurous approach that he's made his name on countless previous releases on high profile labels like Kindred Spirits (Amsterdam's hot bed of hip-hop to spiritual jazz), Japan's Jazzy Sport, London's BRUK birthplace Co-OP and Theo Parrish's Sound Signature to name just a few.

And talking of Co-Op, if you're missing some loose lips, 'Bring It Come' (featuring Oliver Night - he of recent 'Real Love' - see review HERE) is a return to those early days (Ed. or should that be 'dayz'?)  And talking of someone who never seems to grow old, like Kid himself, Colonel Red features on 'Kingz' as he "surfs the waves of our memories" and stretches out into a minimal broken beat with, is that snooker balls!

So having already declared the title track a nu-BITA/Kaidi Tatham influenced success, the other tracks on the album features some people that we know about, Hans Litz (50% of 'What I Love' - see review HERE) with the best jazz-funk-disco-flute ganger 'The Awakening': essential! And some other, we don't know like Sydney based vocalist Natalie Slade on 'Stay Over' (ohhh, very jazzy satin sheets) and the deeply soulful vAn on 'Heavens Glory'.

The label tell us, "The Paradigm Shift takes you on a deep sonic journey straight from the heart, celebrating love, connection, spirituality and human evolution." and you're not going to get a better eight track album this side of  the next earth moving paradigm sheet.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: The Paradigm Shift | Kid Sublime | Natural Element 

Artist: Kid Sublime 
Title: The Paradigm Shift 
Release date: 30th October, 2025
Label : Natural Element
Catalog Number  NE003
Format: 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Kʒːlu - Let It Not Pale feat Senita AppiaKorang (Wrongtom Remix) (Creeping Curtain Records)

It’s taken a long time for these two stellar talents to work together but it's definitely been worth the wait for Wrongtom meets the K3:lu feat Senita AppiaKorang on the beaches of dub!

You'll recall Fish Go Deep said that don't do many remixes but then felt that they had to when they were offered Kʒːlu (curlew)'s 'Standing Ovation' (see review HERE) and at the orther extreme, Wrongtom is known for his production skills, dubs and remixes and now podcasts.  

So it's 'Let It Not Pale' has to be good for him to find time to twiddle his knobs for a vocal and instrumental version of Cork-based musician Patrick Hatchett (aka Kʒːlu - sho is known for his 'Afro-inspired spaceship funk') but I suspect it was the mellow vocals of Senita AppiaKorang that caught his ear.

Kʒːlu (curlew) had an album out back in 2021 that featured Idris Rahman (Ill Considered, Soothsayers - new album out HERE - and brother of Zoe, etc) but expect any jazz breaks or the Wrongtom of previous rootsy releases, like Roots Manuva or Ragga Twins as this is totally ready for beaches and chill out zones for some lovers rockin'.

Artist: Kʒːlu 

Title:  Let It Not Pale feat Senita AppiaKorang (Wrongtom Remix)

Release date: 30th October, 2025

Label: Creeping Curtain Records / Tangential Music

Catalog Number:TBC

Format: Digital

Review: Various Artists - The Chicago Boogie Vol. 4: Comin' At Ya’ (Star Creature & The Boogie Munsters)

Can you think of something less Halloween than a 4 track EP on Star Creature? I can't either when it's Vol. 4 of 'The Chicago Boogie' series, no scary 'star' creatures here!

Well its taken 3 years since Chicago's Boogie Munster Crew teamed up with Tim Zawada (head honcho of the Star Creature label out of Chicago) for the Chicago Boogie re-issue series.

The likelihood is that only these mega deep diggers will know these tracks so to have them remastered, given a "beefed up" TZ Extended edit and available is reason alone to get out up to date with the windy city's finest.

And it won't take you long to 'Fallen Into Love' by Motherfox and you won't know Tiger Jack's 'Let's Bounce', originally on the Ajana label (Ed. Who?), that only ever had 2 releases.  'Let's Bounce' might not have the most cerebal depth of lyrics but it moves feet which is the main thing.  

And talking of cerebal lyrics, if you think AI is the future via ChatGPT (al a Hawksby & Jacobs' "cheap" version), 2025 chat bot vocals were all the 'future' rage back in 1983 as Pyramid Plus get vocoded up with 'Comin' At Ya' to the "spaced-out boogie".

Getting back to Side A, the set is completed by the 'rare as hens teeth', at the time of writing, "never sold on Discogs", gold that was passed onto the label by the Numero Group (more Chicago based brotherly love) that is, Soul Invaders' 'Give Me You': what a mouthful!

Any of my avid followers will know, I've never been to Chicago (see The Tonerarm, 02.10.25 with the interview of Lynyn HERE and his album review HERE) but this is encouragment in itself to cross the pond and get this package on vinyl.

BUY LINK:  The Chicago Boogie Volume 4: Comin' At Ya' | Star Creature Universal Vibrations

 

Artist: Various Artists

Title: The Chicago Boogie Vol. 4 

Release date: 31st October, 2025

Label: Star Creature

Cat. No: TBC

Format:  Limited 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Cookin' On 3 Burners - Cookin’ The Books (Soul Messin')

Excited to hear their first studio album in 6 years?  You bet you are as this trio is 'the' Australian soul and funk outfit that introduced us to Melbourne nearly 20 years ago!

When Adrian Gibson got CO3B signed to  Freestyle Records and released the band's second album, 'Baked, Broiled & Fried', I think it's fair to say it was a bit of a suprise hit as it kicked off with 'Keb's Bucket' and this was the deep funk sounds that we thought could only be found by big diggers in the U.S. (like Keb Darge) which would then brought back to UK/Europe for the dance floor and soul/funk/mod clubs.

Well, not only that, the album also 'discoverd' the vocals of Kylie Auldist (on the track, 'Settle The Score) and that team went onto have a worldwide hit with the 'This Girl' in 2016.

So, it's good to have the group with a new album of 14 tracks that keeps funkin' from the very start with a signature organ, drums and guitar ('Cookin' The Books') and a menu of guest vocalists: Stella Angelico ('I'm Comin' Home To You', 'Brighter', 'Give A Bit More' and 'So Much More To Lose'), Natalie Slade ('Only Words'), Wilson Blackley ('Away From My Heart'), 

'I'm Comin' Home To You' has elements of Northern soul-pop stomper but Ms. Angelico more than excels on the other three tracks; particularly on the uplifting 'Brighter' and 'So Much More To Lose': sounding a bit like 'I'd Rather Go Blind'!

Taking a downturn, 'The World Is Cold' sees Mantra and Jane Tyrell mixing up hip-hop and soul backed up with "gritty funk".   And whilst in that ball park, one of the many stand out tracks is their instrumental versio of Mos Def's 'Ms. Fat Booty', that itself has roots in Aretha Franklin's 'One Step Ahead'.

'Give A Bit More' finds the group mixing up the deep south with those soul-grits in the guitar licks kitchen with that head chef Stella on the pass controlling what goes out.

If I said, there's not a bad track on this album (and there isn't), I have to mention the 'hair in the soup', only CO3B could make 'Livin' On A Prayer' (Yes, the Bon Jovi hit) sound like it was written for a Hammond organ/guitar led funk trio so fair play to them (Ed. and it'll be going on my Xmas mixtape!) 

But that's a minor is as 'Phoenix' is another 'best track' on the album as it channels 60s soul classic as a 'What's Goin' On' as a "meditation on resilience, rebirth, and the healing fire of funk". 

I'm not surprised this album has taken so long to get out as it's going to be on the Specials Board for some time, if the world is cold, this will get us all cookin'.. get ya orders in now.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER (Vinyl - T-Shirts): Cookin' The Books | Cookin' On 3 Burners

Artist: Cookin' On 3 Burners 

Title: Cookin’ The Books 

Release date: 31st October, 2025

Label : Soul Messin'

Catalog Number : SMRLP0125

Format: Vinyl 12" LP (Limited) / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: B.J. Smith - Dedications To The Greats Vol. 4: Don't Be Cruel ft. Joe Harvey-Whyte & Tamar Osborn (NuNorthern Soul)

Friend of NuNorthern Soul, B.J. Smith returns with the Balearic release of the year with the help on Joe Harvey-Whyte on steel guitar and jazz star Tamar Osborn on flute: 'Don't Be Cruel' as you've never heard it before and the only version you'll want to hear in the future!

As regular readers will know, NuNorthern Soul have been so hot this year with two remix versions of Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' remixed (see review HERE and remix 2 from the beginning of the month HERE), Roots Artefact's 'Different Perspecitive' (see review HERE) and George Koutalieris' 'Seasons' inbetween (see review HERE). 

But what label head honcho Phat Phil didn't tell us was what he was playing in addition to all this during his 10 hour DJ set at the World Famous Pikes Ibiza!  Could it have been a version of 'Don't Be Cruel'; the international hit made famous by Elvis (Presley; kids, ask your grand parents) and covered by the lesser well known country star, Billy Swan who had a few international hits himself?

So, on this long running/intermittent series 'Dedications To The Greats' that's included notably Mos Def and The Pharcyde (see Phil's blog post HERE for futher info) what has Smith, Harvey-Whyte and Osborn done to such a standard track that's ingrained into the mindset of millions to make it sound incredible!

Well, first off, that mammoth near 14 minute 'Mother Earth Version' is dreamy in the excess with the slide guitar leading from start to finish where the white isle meets the desert disco: well desert chill-out zone at least.  What's really impressive, there's hardly any vocal and no chorus line to speak of.  As they say, "familiar yet transformed, timeless yet utterly his own".

You do get more of a vocal on the 'Earth Hear Version' that features award winning Tamar Osborn (aka Tamar Collocutor, also see HERE) on flute.  But even then you don't get your first "Don't be cruel, to a heart that's true" vocal until nearly the middle of the 12 minute track! 

And talking of taking your breath away, why would they stop there as there's also an instrumental as a 'Root Heart Version' with Joe and Tamar dueling in a caress type way: bet it would also be fantastic as a rockin' battle!

If you're familiar with the Flying Mojito Bros. (see HERE), their 'cousins', the Flying Burrito Bros or Hank Wangford's steel guitar side-kick, BJ Cole (Ed. what is it with all these BJs?) you'll know how haunting an instrument the pedal steel/side guitar can be and in a seemingly increasing cruel world, it's great to hear something as beatiful as this.

Did someone say, "Brilliant"?

BUY LINK / PRE ORDER: Dedications to the Greats Four 'Don't Be Cruel' featuring Joe Harvey-Whyte | B.J. Smith

Artist: B.J. Smith - Dedications To The Greats Vol. 4

Title: Don't Be Cruel ft. Joe Harvey-Whyte & Tamar Osborn

Release date: 31st October, 2025
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : NUNSDTTG004V
Format: Limited Edition 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Lakeshouse - On Verda Mi (Paper Recordings)

We are told, "Lakeshouse are the new school Norwegian collective who distil a rich heritage of Scandinavian disco and electronica into 12 dazzling cuts" - prepare to be dazzled!  And confused?

The 'Inspector Norse' phenomenon that gave us Todd Terje, Lindrøm and all things Prins Thomas and Full Plupp et al that moved the centre of dance music quite a few degrees north towards Oslo after Bugge Wesseltoft and Jazzland did the same a decade or so before them.  And whilst all this has been going on, Paper Recordings have been keeping their eyes close to the Olso tundra and found Lakeshouse back in 2019 ffor their debut EP.

Lakehouse is a trio collective of Djs and jazz musicians who have space in their house from disco to OST beng leftfield and all they touch, which is the essence of 'On Verda Mi'. And with that knowledge, the album doesn't sound as angular as on first listen: you could say it playfulaly messes with you senses into post-Norse world starting with 'Ubergrensa Harmoni'.

I hope 'Evig Kjærleik' gets loads of radio plays for the non-nordic pronunciation of the title and the slighty warped intro of 'Tales Of The Unexpected' before it goes all vocoder space-funk house thru' "80s Nintendo" vision: see what I mean, sounds an odd combo except as underground Daft Punk rocker.

Chances are you'll be singing along to 'Eg Står opp i Dag' this party season as it's the most Daft-Punked whilst 'La Playa' is at the Lakeshouse Italo-White isle crazy folk fiddle in the jazz bop da, da, da dah. "Disco"!  I thought that would be ideal for a longer edit/remix if you want to go down that road, don't forget our Lakeshoue 'introducion' with the single, 'Renate's Dans' (with Hot Toddy & Gouldian Finch Remixes - see review HERE) where the original is that mix of Synth does Classics vs. 70s TV theme as Stars On 45: don't be scared it's fully in tune with the rest of the album.

The most immediate track is the pumpin' 'Nitti' (Ed. no gritti then?) and if you have "Weeds Up To Me Knees". you'll go for the slow samba beats of 'Secret Plants' which is even a bit leftfield for these guys with a little bit of harp-hip-hop, but who knows what they're growing in their back garden.

If you want a football analogy, this is like a mid-week European-away trip where the club has just relaid a 4G pitch without telling anyone in the middle of the night and then go on to win the game and the cup.  Not the best I've come up with but, as they say, "Watch this space because Lakeshouse are coming!"

N.B. For more Norwegian extremes, we're interviewed Third Attempt on YATM (see interview HERE) to the other extreme, for some real obscure Norwegain, keep an eye on the Norske Albumkassikere label that crowd funds re-issues, although no idea wthy there was a renewed interest last year to revive Vömmöl Spellmannslag's 'Vømmøl Kommune' apart from all them 'o's?

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:  Om Verda Mi by Lakeshouse

Artist: Lakehouse 

Title: On Verda Mi

Release date: 29th October, 2025

Label : Paper Recordings
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:   Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - TDE100 (The Disco Express)

"All change, all change", The Disco Express has arrived! TDE100 is "packed with fresh originals and hand-picked gems, the compilation blends funk, soul, nu-disco, house, and electronica. Crafted to move seamlessly from peak-time dance floors to laid-back Sunday listening, it's both timeless and forward-thinking".

From the 'Top Of The World' (Ayce & Spirit of House featuring Stephanie Sounds) opening track this 15 track compilation that celebrates the 100th release on the label and their massive party at ADE (23rd October on a train of course!) does not let anyone down the wrong track.

Whether it's Milfredo and Derrick Carter's soulful Chicago house re-rub remix of 'Didn't I' or The Wild Violtets 'Sweet Redemption' we've got a joy and disco-house to the botton of your souls.

As silly as it is to name a favourite, 'My Name Is Love' (Golden Gate & Inaya Day) is high up there along with 'I Believe It' that we know the Bayside & Felmann EP,  'Funky Love' (see review HERE) and YATM interviewee Third Attempt (see HERE) who goes 'A Little Deeper'.

And whilst we love a train, buses are cool too.  Some years ago, I didn't need to get the bus to get to a Fatback gig as I could walk to it and they were amazing: Are you Ready? All aboard for Bustin' Looose's Disco Express Remix of 'Do The Bus Stop' and he's breaking the speed limit on the X2 service!

This really fits the modern disco of The Disco Express ethos as it's amazingly 70s and 2025 all at the same time with we know Bustin' Loose (aka Tom Lilly) is a leader (and train driver); don't forget our interview with Tom of last year, see HERE,.

BUY LINK / Vinyl Pre-Order: TDE100: 100th Release Special | The Disco Express

e & Felmann,Funky Love EPThe Disco Express,

Artist: Various Artists 

Title: TDE100

Release date: 24th October, 2025
Label : The Disco Express
Catalog Number : XPRESS100
Format:  Digital / Streaming / Bandcamp

Review: Mike Nasty - Sketches In Deep (Nasty Tracks)

'Oh!, UH!, Oh! OHHHHH'.... let's sing the praises of Mike Nasty's new album, 'Sketches In The Deep' that's out today.

If you've not fallen in love with the soul/gospel/jazzy house single 'Sing Your Praise' that came out a couple of weeks ago, you'll not want to miss out this deep album that is just as good as the great artwork of the cover with tracks like 'Jungle', 'Copper Tones' (great trumpet on this one) and the nasty (in a good way) 'Nocturne'.

Out on his own Nastry tracks label, Mike Nasty's 'Sketches in Deep’ is "a musical experience that beams with joy and delivers endless listening pleasure…" that uses his DJ ears to blend house and jazz for dancefloor action.

Whilst ‘Sing Your Praise’ (and the instrumental dub) will get you on your feet to praise your lord (whoever that is) and put joy in your heart (with some great angst synths to go with the choir) it's not a one/two track album. 

The already mentioned ‘Jungle’ shifts focus with a house energy "with a vibrant rhythmic undercurrent providing the basis for groovy piano and keys playing up top" whilst 'Copper Tones’  slips into BRUK areas with the trumpet solo and then a proper funked up ‘Nocturne’ that Herbie would enjoy.

The previous single, 'Jazz Flower' opens the album but it doesn't really set the tone for the monster that is, 'Sing Your Praise' - remember me bangin' on about the Jobert Singers' for Megatronic's 'There's Truth In Gospel' (see review HERE): revival anyone?

BUY LINK: Mike Nasty - Sketches in Deep on Traxsource

Artist:  Mike Nasty

Title: Sketches In Deep 

Release date: 24th October, 2025

Label : Nasty Tracks Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

https://djmikenasty.com/  https://www.instagram.com/djmikenasty

Review: Radic The Myth - Fantasia EP (Vibe Me To The Moon Records)

Radic The Myth has been called up from 'Back To You' to Vibe Me To The Moon Records as 'Fantasia' as he continues his love of promoting South African based deep house.

Radic The Myth's EP 'Back To You' on Freerange has caught the ear of DJ Nightseppaz (he of 'Want Me' - see review HERE) and I bet he couldn't wait to get him, Njabulo Ndhlovu, signed up.

The lead track, 'Fantasia' has a percussion that could have been produced in an South African township with local electric guitar jazz motos that float on Balearic Island breezes (Ed. talk about "crossing continents") along with dusty maiden vocals. 

Don't this 'She Super Glued My Lips' is a NYC/PC title but it's got a steam train coming out of a tunnel into the light vibe to it (the sort of opposite of Berwick's 'Powerlift' - review coming HERE soon) and for that reason, it's fantastic as a semi-instrumental as the synths sound like voices themselves. 

Best descibed as a mix of what's typically 'Stay True Sounds' and 'Freerange', both labels he's released tracks on; the myth that is a legend is definitely radical.  Backing this one to be on the next Colour & Pitch Monthly mixtape. 

BUY LINK: https://www.traxsource.com/title/2626510/fantasia-ep 

Artist:  Radic The Myth

Title: Fantasia EP

Release date: 24th October, 2025

Label : Vibe Me To The Moon Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp