Review: The Eight Minutes - An American Family (BBE Music)

Another fantastic re-issue by BBE from the vaults of Perception Records but who are The Eight Minutes and why haven't we heard of the album, 'An American Family' before now as it was originally released in 1972!Well, I don't know all the answers but the cover would suggest we're looking at some type of type of Jackson 5 on an expansion programme to 8; as in The Eight Minutes.And would you believe the music is very 'Jackson 8' with the addition...

Review: Lenz – Still I Rise EP (Colour and Pitch)

The duo of DJ Joma and German vocalist Moon Aton, collectively known as, Lenz are joined, at least in words, by the multi-award winning poet and activist, Maya Angelou for the latest release on Colour & Pitch.It seems fitting that the last release of the year by the label should be on a high (no pun, etc) as the original version was first heard on November's Colour & Pitch Sessions with founder, Sumsuch (available on Mixcloud) .And...

Reveiw: Conic Rose - Gleisdreieck (Conic Rose)

It's always great to hear great music from new bands/groups/co-operatives but it's even better when it comes from an unexpected location.When it comes to jazz, outside of the US, you'd probably think of the 'hot spots' post covid are London, Helsinki (WeJazz) and Melbourne.  Aiming to put Berlin back on the list is Conic Rose as they launch a 3-track single ahead of next years' album,  'Heller Tag'.If you check out the band's collective palmarès...

Eldeanyo – Colombia (Oliver Knight Remixes) (Adesso Music)

There's lots of different types of Acid about at the moment and here's some more as Oliver Knight remixes Eldeanyo's 'Colombia'.The 'Acid Reflex' remix sounds like it should be at a World Cup (with proper fans) and it's bouncey and has with squelchy Bailie Funk meets acid house party revival feel.The original is even more Carnival with a hard Latin edge to it.Knight seems to be increasingly in demand of late since his recent colabs with Johan S (Toolroom)...

Review: Lucky Sun - Balance Remixed (Lucky Sun Recordings)

The original album 'Balance' by Lucky Sun was mostly set on the Baleraic beach house under the palm trees.  A year on, what have the remixing experts given us as a transformation? Well, it's very hard to make anything that features the vocals of Alison David into anything that isn't brilliant. So when you've got three tracks on the original album, there's more than a fair chance one them is the one going to be picked. So 'Rain And...

Review: Planet People - Terra Firma EP (Planet People/Rush Hour)

It's always exciting to find a new 12" with Amsterdam's Rush Hour's seal of approval on it and Planet People's 'Terra Firma' is no exception.If you're a DJ on NTS Radio and claim your label (Lost Control Records) showcases, "the best hydrotrip for the 7th dimension", you can imagine when owner, Black Eyes got together with Reedale Rise to form Planet People, the results on the Liverpool-Berlin expressway where only going to be a blend of Detroit...

Review: K.O.G - Zone 6 Remixed EP (Heavenly Sweetness)

If you recall 'Zone 6, Agege' from earlier this year, you'll know K.O.G is a now a rising star with his own releases and through his collaborations with Nubiyan Twist, Scrimshire and ONIPA.Heavenly Sweetness released the 15 track album which so suited their Afro/Jazz/Carib/Disco/Funky groove and this stands out as an Anglo Ghanian Fela stylee.Kweku Sackey (aka K.O.G) has a gorgeous vocal that moves effortlessly between English, Pidfin, Ga and rap,...

Review: Urbs – Levitation (Compost Records)

Urbs' 'Levitation' does just that, it take you higher as if you're floating on air.Beautifully laid back and ready for your summer holidays - couldn't be better timed.Not a great fan of the artwork - is the archipelago going to erupt?  What can be said, this trip hop vs dope beat electronica hybrid is ready to blow up as Compost have got themselves another winner with this one.Levitation by URBS Artist: UrbsTitle: LevitationRelease date:...

New Regency Orchestra – Mambo Rama (Total Refreshment Records)

It's that time of year to get out 'Christmas Jollies' by the Sasoul Orchestra and this year, it'll be joined by this special release.New Regency Orchestra! Check 'em out with two versions of Tito Puente's classic 'Mambo Rama' that was originally recorded in the home of Salsoul, New York City in 1952.The thing is, this doesn't sound at all dated.   It's as vibrant as the cover artwork is 'now' in terms of the dance.Eliane Correa has a wealth...

Review: Si Tew - An Apology (Atjazz Record Company)

Si Tew's debut album was called, 'When The Clouds Ran Away' so perhaps 'An Apology' is over due as why has Atjazz Record Company had to wait so long for the follow-up?Well, it would appear that Si 'ran away' to Caracas in Venezuela to get the new album, 'Quietude' into shape.There's certainly no hard feelings as here's a single (with 'Roshinaya' on bandcamp - link below) and here's video.Artist: Si TewTitle: An Apology (Radio Edit) /...

Review: Biggabush - A Different Style EP (Tru Thoughts Recordings)

After our recent interview with Glyn 'Biggabush' Bush - he of Rocker's Hi-fi, Studio Don, Lightning Head, MDO, the black Albumen and half of The Dandelion Set - here's the long awaited follow-up EP to last year's fantastic 'BiggaBush Freevisited' - 'A Different Style'.Now, you might be thinking that that is odd that there needs a 'different style' for a Biggabush as he's a master of so many styles but as he says, "The thing I love...

Antonio Trinchera – The Tractor And The Child (Elbert Phillips Remix) (A.MA Reforged)

There's many things we've learnt this year but one of the best is that there's a vibrant new jazz scene in Italy that's represented by A.MA Records (see Ennrico Bracco's 'Flying In A Box' album and 'The Blue Zone' by the Davide Peluso Quartet). And here's another one as guitarist Antonio Trinchera musically explores his love of Fauvism art movement on an album called 'Fauves' with a band of Camillo Pace (double bass), Alessio Santoro and Leo...

Interview: Glyn 'BiggaBush' Bush (Rockers Hi-Fi, Lightning Head, The black Albumen)

If you don't immediately recognise the name of Biggabush, usually, if you say, "Rockers Hi-Fi", there's a musical reflex response of, "Push-Push!"  Nearly 3 decades on from that international hit, he still keeps the multi-genre dance floor busy as BiggaBush, Lightning Head, Magic Drum Orchestra and in groups The Dandelion Set (as recently featured on Imaginary Radio) and The black Albumen (who also released an album this year). It was not long...

The Soul Motivators feat. Shahi - It Is What It Is (Do Right! Music)

Having a deep love of all things Canadian and Do Right! Music in particular, how great it is to see a new 7" with a red and white label that's full of funk and soul.As Shahi says, "It is what it is"!It Is What It is - Single by The Soul Motivators Artist: The Soul Motivators feat. Shahi Title: It Is What It Is Release date: 2nd December, 2022 Label : Do Right! Music Catalog Number : 7" / Digi...

Sandman Project - Hamsa Remixes (Batov Records)

Lots of fantastic remix projects about at the moment and here's one not to be overlooked.Batov Records have organised four different versions of 'Hamsa' by experts in their own fields as they take on the original track that's Mulatu Astatke of Ethiopia with a West African psychedelic rock vibe.No. 1 for us is absolutely brilliant. This is usually the case with anything to do with Jessica Lauren and Emanative - typically in the Sun...

Review: WAAN - KinK / Open (Sonar Kollektiv)

As jazz becomes more and more influenced with electronic instrumentals, there is an industry search for a new catchy post nu-jazz named genre.Well, whatever the boffin's come up with, WAAN can safely be in it as Dutch duo Bart Wirtz (sax) and Emiel van Rijthoven (keyboard/electronics) meet up on this new release on the ever future forward German label, Sonar Kollektiv. The single is the start of the build up to the release of...