Wednesday, 22 April 2026

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , , ,

Web Web are making a habit of musically kicking you in the solar plexus as the Munich based fusion jazz group 'Kover Kover' scores even more than Bayern's Harry Kane! 



Exactly a year ago, Compost Records released Web Web's 'Plexus Plexus' featuring. JJ Whitefield (see review HERE) following 'WEB MAX II' (see review HERE) came out a couple of years earlier but this is their seventh album in total and arguably their best yet!

Why 'arguably'?  Well, they're taken the well-worn route of doing an album of cover version of popular tunes in thier own jazz style; most recently seen with Jazz Sabbath as they focus on Black Sabbath's back catalog as a quasi-tribute band.

Web Web, are not that insular, albeit they do cover Sabb's 'chill-out' classic 'Planet Caravan', with the core of Roberto Di Gioia (Fender Rhodes, Piano, Organ, Synthesizers, Percussion), Tony Lakaos(Flute, Altoflute, Soprano- and Tenorsaxofone), Christian Von Kaphengst (Upright Bass, Fender Jazzbass) and Pete Gall (drums, keys)

So can you imagine how good this sounds when they can sound like Weather Report doing a cover version of 'Slave To The Rhythm'! But they don't stop with just Grace Jones and Black Sabbath, they've dug deep into Nirvana ('Come As You Are') Klaus Doldinger, Jimi Hendrix ('Burning Of The Midnight Lamp'), Talking Heads ('Once In A Lifetime'), Grandbrothers, Dave Pike (Big Schlepp), Empire Of The Sun, Joe Jackson ('Steppin‘ Out'), Eurythmics ('Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)'), Kruder & Dorfmeister as their interpretations sound like Web Web originals; talk about making 'standards' their own, Web Web have truly eclipsed some of the originals.

It's a shame some of the tracks are so shtort but 'We Are The People', 'High Noon' and 'Slave To The Rhythm' make up for that but perhaps there's some plans for 12" longer versions? (Ed. wishfull thinking at the moment) but after 10 years on concentrating singularly on thier own compositions, this is a massive 14 track album that's full of twists ('Once In A Lifetime' is not the dancefloor monster you might have second guessed at) and turns ('Big Schepp' goes even more Cathedral-space-mod) so that by the end, all you slaves to the rhythm will be thinking, 'Album Of The Year'!

PS. If you're very quick there's a special offer on Bandcamp to purchase all of their 7 albums including 'Kover Kover'.



P.S. Cover artwork by Jan Steins.

Artist: WEB WEB 
Title: Kover Kover
Release date: 24th April, 2026
Label : Compost Records
Catalog Number :  CPT 677
Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp  


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Don't 'Mind The Gap' when you can bridge it - and that gap is Naná Rizinni's 'Epiblast' album with roots in São Paulo with a gap of Latin/Rock/Jazz/prog!



The last release on the label was by progressive and contemporary trio St. Barbe (see review HERE) and now London based, Naná Rizinni has picked up something of their Math rock jazz on this album, 'Epiblast'.

Having trained in Brazil with top drummers (including Lilian CarmonaVera Figueiredo, and Duda Neves) she's a much sort after musician in her own right having toured extensively and played in numerous groups.  Having moved to London in 2020, this ablum is written and co-produced with saxophonist Mark Cake over the past two years its a proper mix.

The singles have been well received by the disperate radio stations like Radio 3 at one end and Rinse FM at the other and championed by Somewhere Soul (he of 'Rituals' -see review HERE) and Tim Garcia.  'Familiar Stranger' was a eye-opener with it's whispy vocals, Jazz FM sax solos and Chinese cinematic strings; compare with 'The Right Side Of The Esalator' battle of Cake's sax and a cross of BRUK Tango, Miles' melody and synth wobble. 

The last single 'Fifth Life', we're told is  Naná's favourite track on the album for it's Steve Reich soundscape that goes leftfield Latin flute gang to guitar/synth out-there (apparently influenced by David Fiuczynski, the founder and leader of Screaming Headless Torsos)

This album seems like a bridge between Café OTO and cinematic jazz beats and lots in-between, we're told that the title ‘Epiblast’ comes from "an early embryonic layer from which the entire organism develops. For me, it represents multiple births and rebirths — new roles, identities, and directions — capturing both fragility and infinite potential.”  Perfect!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Epiblast | Naná Rizinni


Artist: Naná Rizinni
Title: Epiblast
Release date: 24th April, 2026
Label : Bridge The Gap
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: 12" Vinyl / Dgital / Bandcamp  

Tuesday, 21 April 2026

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"Balearic mainstays" Coyote return to a the endless inspiration of sky and sea with a new  EP coming out on the NuNorthern Soul label.

 

NuNorthern Soul's boss, Phat Phil Cooper, has got the band back together again with "a beautifully crafted six-track EP that expands on the atmospheric sound the duo explored on their acclaimed 2022 album 'Everything Moves, Nothing Rests'.  

Well, not exactly a band as it's long-time collaborators Richard “Ampo” Hampson and Timm Sure that are/is Coyote on the one hand and on the other, founders of their Is It Balearic? Recordings label.  So if anyone knows what Balearic is, these guys are there mixing the pot of beachscapes and dub, ambient and dancefloor, downtempo and upbeat, poetic and yogic etc.

And you'll get all of that on this releases where they give us 'Muted Beauty' (the opening track) and then go spacey-folk with 'Go All The Way' and take us with them.

For oceanic types, there's the dubby 'A Drop In The Ocean' (a la the recent album by Lottie P, Colin Riley, Nic Pendlebury, Steve Pretty featuring Helen Czerski & George Monbiot, 'Ocean Songs' (see review HERE).  And talking of deep thinkers, there's a sampled appearance by the psychedelic philosopher Terrance McKenna (1946-2000) sounding like Gerry Garia meets Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin promo video (Ed. and it really isthat weird now!) on a tabla / gong/ synth wobble of 'Dolce Far Niente' - U.F.Orb anyone?bb the record’s meditative and exploratory spirit" (currently available on Netflix, other global entertainment channels are available).

So, where's the dancey stuff?  You'll be wanting 'Riviera Sound' that's synthy on the top and dub-heavy bassy on the bottom and between the extremes, there's the closing track which squeezes in "jazzy double bass, subtle acid lines and Latin-tinged percussion meet a street-soul-leaning groove" on 'No Coincidences'.

If you know Coyote from their 2024 'Double Drop' Edit of Jasper Van't Hof's Pili Pili (and see review HERE),there's every coincidence that this EP gets the thumbs up release on NuNorthern Soul and check out the listenig party on Bandcamp ahead of its release date.

Bandcamp listening Party 22.04.26 HERE



 
Artist: Coyote
Title: The Higher The Sky, The Deeper The Ocean EP
Release date: 24th April, 2026
Label : NuNorthernSoul
Catalog Number : NUNS076
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

I'd normally say, "In typical Delusions Of Grandeur style", but when it comes to the Jimpster team and Declan McDermott's, they excell themselves as not only do they believe in 'Why Don't You Believe Me?', they've gone and got a couple of remix big guns on the case, again! 


We know from Declan McDermott's Delusions Of Granduer debut EP, 'Doin' It All For U' (see review HERE) that not only is he a super talent in the deep house jazzy department that's got a thing for Ritchie Rome, but big names like Tom Trago and lovetempo are happy to step up to the plate on the remix.

The time you've got Versatile Records' veteran  I:Cube from France and NYC-based DJ Nature.  But once you'be heard 'Why Don't You Belive Me?' with some sexy Sparky/Rome interplay with female vocals in French and English on a Fender Rhodes bed - you may ask yourself, "Pourquoi?"

I:Cube speeds it up and has a choppy approach to the vocals and it kicks some with a tape loop switch!  

I've always liked what DJ Nature does, from his earliest Golf Channel days and Tim Sweeny Beats In Space appearances as he got the perfect blend of Theo Parrish meets jazz not jazz house.  And he hits that brief in buckets on this remix with mod/Blackpool organ undercurrents on the pourquoi to the why!  

Australian Declan McDermott is now based in Berlin but this four tracker ends on something 'global' as a tribute to his homeland.  ‘Yara-Kimba (Lindeman Island)’ is "named after Yara-Kimba, the Indigenous name for Lindeman Island in the Ngaro Nation/Whitsundays region of Australia, given by the Ngaro people, the traditional custodians of the land meaning ‘place of the snapper fish’."  As popular as snapper is down under, there's echoes of everyone's favourite Ron Trent’s spacious, spiritual deep house that permeates the arrangement, with gentle percussion, tropical tones, and a calm-breathing groove. As Declan says “This track is a tribute to Yara-Kimba, inspired by childhood memories, the island’s natural soundscape, and my vision of a distinctly Australian / Oceanic house sound.”
So if I said, this EP is essential and unbelievable, would Declan say, "Why Don't You Believe Me?"

Artists: Declan McDermott 
Release: Why Don't You Believe Me? EP (inc. I:Cube & DJ Nature Remixes
Release Date: 24th April, 2026
Label: Delusions Of Grandeur
Cat. No. DOC111
Format: Vinyl 12" (SOLD OUT) / Digital / Bandcamp

It's hard to tell if this taste is now or 1970s - I say, any excuse to have 'Another Taste II'! 



"Dutch funk collective Another Taste returns with their second full-length album ‘Another Taste II’ on Space Grapes Records, a lable run by a certain Danilo Plessow - better known as Motor City Drum ensemble!

In a digital age, the band doubles down on analog and here ‘Another Taste II’ delivers eight new cuts of boogie, funk and obscure disco recorded live to tape"

With a live set that's seen them pay London (Camden Town) venues KOKO and Jazz Café  and clubs Tresor Berlin, New Morning Paris, and festivals like Love Supreme (UK), Lost Village (UK), Nuits Sonores (FR), Hamburg Jazz (DE), Lowlands (NL), ADE Amsterdam they's taken their debut 2024 album sound to a full disco/radio/club show with ‘Another Taste II’, as "the full immersion".
The flit from disco 'Party Lights' to radio jazz-soul 'Waiting Game' and 'Never Down' back to party time 'Run Into Love' and 'Into The Night' gets various Chic/Shalamar/Rose Royce/etc boxes ticked without any hint of cliché or cheese.
And here's an anthem for the age as on 'Peace Call', they are joined by Arp Frique and the Perpetual Singers (they of Alpha & Omega' - see review HERE) and bolstered throughout by a dedicated brass section. 
But does anyone remember Blue Feather? The Dutch soul/funk band from 70s/80s and their big hit 'Let's Funk Tonight' you might think would be an inspiration?  Well, I'm guessing 'Blue Feather Movement' is Another Taste's tribute to them and it's all what you'd want in a Latin-jazz-disco killer track - lets hope there's an even longer 12" mix on the cards (Ed. on blue vinyl?)
The new album presents a whole new menu creation that’s both timeless and comforting in equal measures - it'll be even more of a monster at festivals/shows this year including the Brick Lane Festival..

Artist: Another Taste
Title: Another Taste II 
Release Date : 24th April, 2026
Catalog Number : SGP 016
Label : Space Grapes
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Monday, 20 April 2026

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It's hard to believe that Jimpster has been releasing music for 30 years (under this name and many others) but there's no stopping him as he's back on Freerange Records with a four track EP, 'Bassic Rollers'



Coming in at squad No. 11 in the recent Traxsource 'Top Artist Of The Year', Jimpster (aka Jamie Odell) as DJ/Producer/Label Owner is more than busy and this keeps him in the public eye and ear and 'Bassic Rollers' will keep him there.

Being the son of Shakatak's drummer guarantees that the groove is deep and the synths sexy with liberal sample use, like the "squeaky" track 'Heads Down' it supposed to have been inspired by late 90s club culture - the kind of grooves you might have heard on a Wednesday night at Kenny and Luke’s influential Space nights at /Bar Rhumba.  

Funnily enough, the first Jimpster album I got was the late 90s 'Messages From The Hub' which was much more Monday night at Bar Rhumba with Peterson's 'That's How It Is' which was broken/downtempo/future jazz with a version of Herbie Hancock's 'Maiden Voyage'.  Now you don't take that on lightly and that's what you'll be thinking about 'Crispy Pancakes' as it's ready to have you for breakfast.

Talking of "future jazz" (Ed. are we there yet?), the closing track 'Far Side' is hot downtempo disco that's so groovy on the keys and percussion with that touch of horn and hint of dub; it's the winner for me.

Having said all that, the lead track is the opener, 'Out And About' and that's what Jamie has been doing with all his different shades of Jimpster for decades and he won't let you down on the dancefloor: all great tracks.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Bassic Rollers EP | Jimpster


Artist:  Jimpster 
Title: Bassic Rollers EP
Release date: 24th April, 2024
Label : Freerange Records
Catalog Number : FRD302
Format: Digital  Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 
 
Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , , ,

In need of some some self help?  Let Jean Jacques Smoothie get you in the mood for success on the dancefloor with some disco/funk/boogie on the latest release on Colour & Pitch as it doesn't get much better than this!



You'll recall that six months ago, Jean Jacques Smoothie (aka Steve Robson) 'returned' with remixes of his 'One Hit', '2 People' that has clearly re-launched him into activity such that there's an album coming out in June, 'Sleeping In the Flowerbeds'.

But before that, here's a taster single, 'Success For Dummies' with five (Ed. count 'em) versions by PJ Principle.  The original is synth heavy bass funk which "doesn't get much better than this", so why all the alternatives?  Principle says, "When Steve sent me the demos for the album," says PJ (Peej) "I immediately picked out 'Success For Dummies' as a favourite; it's a catchy track with great musicianship and a cool "self help" voiceover that reminded me of Will Powers' "Adventures in Success". Working with such good elements made coming up with remix ideas a fairly simple task. I hope that the results have been a 'success'!"

'Disco Mix', 'Disco Edit', 'House Mix', 'House Instrumental' and 'Disco Instrumental' - now if that doesn't motivate you for extended DIE and HIE edits I don't know what is. Make plans but either one should get success on the dancefloor.

Spring into action and get it now and 100% be featured in this months' Colour & Pitch Mix!

PS. Great artwork too - oh yeah! 



Artist: Jean Jacques Smoothie
Title:Success For Dummies EP
Release date: 23rd April, 2026
Label:  Colour and Pitch
Catalog Number: CAP094SDG2
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Saturday, 18 April 2026

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under :

As an antidote to yesterday's Record Store Day madness, here's an opportunity to chill out to the Namas' 'Tonight' - the second album that is with us now and it's just as much a rich tapestry of modern jazz as their first!


This is a the Rennes trio of of Gaël Bourgeault (Grand piano, upright piano, Fender Rhodes, keyboards), Léo Debroise (Upright bass) and Victor Dubois (Drums) and 'Tonight' is perfect for a quiet, late or listening room one as they mellow out piano trio bad boys (like The Bad Pluse, BadBadNotGood etc) to a Dilla-esque cinematic orchestra. 

The cinematic ambience created mostly by the range of Bourgeault's keyboard choices with particalarly emphasis on the jazzy Fender Rhodes to the classical grand piano.

The album consists of 7 instrumentals and one with vocals by Keysuna, the fittingly entitled 'Don't Rush' and it's alreay had plays on Gilles Peterson' 'Worldwide FM' show, Tina Edwards' 'Bandcamp Selects' show and featured by Laurent Garnier, Somewhere Soul (he of 'Rituals' - see review HERE) and Music Is My Sanctuary.

So if you've had a busy day and you're looking for a Saturday 'Tonight' luxury, check out the comfortable warm sounds of the Namas.

BUY LINK: Tonight | Namas


Artist: Namas
Title:  Tonight
Release date: 27th March, 2026
Label : Demi Lune Records
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: Vinyl LP / Digital  / Bandcamp


Friday, 17 April 2026

The new album by Kiiōtō is definitely "spine-tingling" and unique as who'dthere have thought that there could be a jazz-noir folk Carole King, Khruangbin, Alice Coltrane influenced duo could be so good!



Fans of the single(s) 'Warpaint' and 'Little Axe' (see review HERE) will know what to expect on the 10 track album, 'Black Salt': or do they?

Mercury Music Prize nominated singer/songwriter Lou Rhodes, former lead vocalist and co-founder of Lamb, joined forces with award-winning songwriter and pianist Rohan Heath to form Kiiōtō after both had seemingly stepped away from making music. Kiiōtō’s second album, 'Black Salt', casts the net wide and deep in the stories it tells. Throughout, the arrangements remain spare and bold, leaning into jazz, broken beat and soul textures, with references as diverse as Carole King, Khruangbin and Alice Coltrane.

Written primarily in Kiiōtō’s home studio in North London, Black Salt features guest appearances from a melting pot of musicians, notably guitarist Hawi Gondwe (Amy Winehouse), double-bassist Andy Hamill (4 Hero, Carleen Anderson), drummer Mykey Wilson (Corrine Bailey Rae), and even some impromptu guitar by the one and only David Arnold.

Debut single Butterfly is a dark and brooding critique of a narcissist, its prowling bass, angular chords and bell motif creating a claustrophobic chill. In contrast, Zero Gravity - inspired by Samantha Harvey’s Booker Prize winning novel “Orbital”- zooms out into space, reflecting upon the transformational experience of orbiting Earth, its heartbeat intro giving way to brush drums and stacked vocal refrain. Little Axe tells of the challenges of raising young men amidst the threat of violence in urban life, set to soulful guitar and congas, while White Noise highlights the hold of social media on the modern mind, in staccato rhythm and abstract piano. Lost Map reflects on the results of DNA tests the duo took in search of a deeper understanding of their disparate heritages, against a backdrop of spacious piano and muted trumpet. Closing track Five Eight, conveys the aching loss of Heath’s mother, Rhodes’ vocal stripped bare over shimmering Wurlitzer. Throughout, the arrangements remain spare and bold, leaning into jazz, broken beat and soul textures, with references as diverse as Carole King, Khruangbin and Alice Coltrane. The resulting album is impossible to define by genre, but is fused by the unique interplay of Heath’s melodic sensibilities and Rhodes inimitable voice.

Of the making of the album, Heath says: "The creation of Black Salt wasn’t an easy one. Yet it was precisely out of conflict, tension and introspection that it was born. Sometimes it felt like two planets colliding; a new star forged of chaos and heat, brighter than the sum of those destroyed." “Black Salt was a rite of passage,” adds Rhodes, “one that often took us to places way beyond our comfort zones. The result though, is an album we couldn’t be prouder of.”

It certainly is a special album that needs more than a couple of listen's to fall in love with it, but once you're there, you definitely wll.

PS. Special Album Launch Show at the perfect venue in London, Kings Place on May 1st, 2026.

Further UK & Europe dates TBC.

Album pre-order and gig tickets here: https://linktr.ee/kiioto

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Black Salt | Kiiōtō


Artist: Kiiōtō
Title: Black Salt
Release date: 17th April, 2025
Label: Kiioto Records
Catalog Number: KIIOTOLP01NC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp
Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , , ,

It's that time of year when we get totally overwhelmed with Record Store Day so lets look back 20 years for a significant 'Ninja Tune' release that's due another look/listen as 'Everything Is Under Control'?


The original album came out on 2xLP in 2006 when CD's were all the rage.   So, with a cast of 1000s (well quite a few) including some who continue to challenge us like Roots Manuva (as recently seen with Oliver Night on 'Boss' - see review HERE), Soweto Kinch (see HERE) and Phil France (see HERE).

The RSD reissue comes as a 'eco-mix marbled 2LP with a mirror board printed sleeve' but hee's a chance to look back when I was scribbling away for www.flyglobalmusic.com in pre-bandcamp days.


Artist: Coldcut
Title: Sound Mirrors (Record Store Day 2006 Re-issue) 
Release date : 18th April, 2026
Label : Ninja Tune
Catalog Number :TBC
Format: LP Vinyl 

Coldcut are Jon More and Matt Black and they have received as much promotion for their long-awaited album as any band could expect of their label. It’s a good job then that they are also the boss men at Ninja Tune.

Coldcut - Sound Mirrors

With the release of Sound Mirrors, even if they weren’t the top dogs, no one could criticize them on the grounds of quality.

True, some of the early reviews were a little less than ecstatic, but this is a great album and one that’s going to stand up long after Classic Gold radio stations stop playing their earlier chart hits. Having said that, this is no elitist album either.

Of course, we’ve had a head start with the singles including the opener ‘Everything is Under Control’ (Jon ‘Blues Explosion’ Spencer and rapper Mike Ladd), ‘Man In A Garage’ [folky John Matthias] and ‘Mr. Nichols’ (Saul Williams).

Not only do these tracks sound better on the album, they bind the album together along with some particularly catchy tunes. Such as the Indo-pop-dancehall rap with Roots Manuva, which is getting crossover support from the likes of Bobby Friction & Nihal. Roots is fresh from his own Awfully Deep success of last year on Ninja Tunes, the hip hop offshoot, Big Dada.

The mixing on ‘Walk A Mile’ is great and it features the vocal house favourite Robert Owens. Based on the (worn-out) theme of walking in other’s shoes (Depeche Mode, Alwyn Evans, etc) it builds from a blues to a chill-out feel.

The first half of the album is completed by the instrumental title track, ‘Sound Mirrors’ — no doubt inspired from somewhere within a Japanese Zen Monastery.

The next trio of tunes goes to the other extreme and are firmly in the Club. ‘Boogieman’ is a techno-afro-funk version of ‘True Skool’ with another poetic contribution, this time by Amiri Baraka. ‘This Island Earth’ shows off Mpho Skeef’s soulful side and mixes up the afro/broken/house influences. And how many Club-Rave tunes have lyrics by a leftfield jazz stalwart? Try ‘Just For The Kick’ via past ECM artist Annette Peacock.

Saxophonist, Mercury-nominee, Jazz Jamaica member and ex-Jazz Warrior, Soweto Kinch serves up a rap-rant on “Aid Dealer”. Former Ninja Tune Andrew Broder (aka Fog) joins in on downtempo ‘Whistle And A Prayer’ which is a bit strange in the saw-violin way and leads us into 60s Byrdslike tripness of ‘Colours The Soul’.

So forget all that Yazz and Lisa Stansfield Coldcut history or the cutting edge stuff like computer programmes, VJing, art exhibitions, collaborations with minimalist composers and the like, just put on Sound Mirrors and enjoy an album. The best thing they’ve ever done.

Reviewed: Coldcut - Sound Mirrors (Ninja Tune) Cat. No. ZENCD 115

Tracklisting:
1. Man In A Garage - Vocals - John Matthias
2. True Skool - Vocals - Roots Manuva
3. Just For The Kick - Vocals - Annette Peacock
4. Walk A Mile In My Shoes - Vocals - Robert Owens
5. Mr. Nichols - Vocals - Saul Williams
6. A Whistle And A Prayer - Vocals - Fog
7. Everything Is Under Control - Vocals - Mike Ladd , Jon Spencer
8. Boogie Man - Vocals - Amiri Baraka
9. Aid Dealer - Vocals - Soweto Kinch
10. This Island Earth - Vocals - Mpho Skeef
11. Colours The Soul - Vocals - Dom Spitzer
12. Sound Mirrors

Press Quotes:
“Has the cutting edge that modern day contemporaries couldn’t create if they had full instructions. Sound Mirrors is remarkable… truly a master-class in beat science from start to finish.” NME 8/10

“Still passionately engaged with future music… a feast for the ears” Mixmag

“Never sounded so good. Sound Mirrors is mightily impressive; the production flawless and the songwriting exhilarating.” Blues & Soul

“Coldcut are the influencers not the influenced… classy” Time Out

“Coldcut come again - full blooded and schizoid… Still as fresh and relevant as ever.” Straight No Chaser

Links:
Coldcut www.ninjatune.net/coldcut
Ninja Tune www.ninjatune.net
Annette Peacock
Bobby Friction & Nihal Tracklistings 01/02/2006 1. Coldcut feat. Roots Manuva - ‘True Skool’ (Ninja Tune)