Review: Bosque Sound Community – 12 Angry Mushrooms (A.MA Edizioni, A.MA Records)

Definitely time for some jazz fusion from Italy and the combo calling themselves the Bosque Sound Community ride the Serbian wave on the SI-Jazz mushroom hunt.

The band/group/community were formed in Belgrade in 2015 and it's definitely different to the label's last release,  Fabio Tullio's 'Entanglements' (see review HERE) judging by the first track 'San Franciso Waltz' as not only is it not an angry mushroom, it's 15 minutes of solid jazz fusion that owes much to the greats like Chick Corea, Jaco Pistorious and Wayne Shorter in a post Weather Report vane, it's got great solos, particularly the keys, soprano sax and the flute.

For '12 Angry Mushroom' it's but one of 5 tracks, 'Twelve Angry Mushrooms' Parts 1 & 2 (that's got the added bonus of some deep strings, 'Please One For Goodbye' (the calming/mournful one) and 'Arsen D' (the heavily percussive one with snake charmer appeal for those that like to express themselves on the jazz-fusion dancefloor; did someone say, "Jaco / Weather Report"?).

All tracks are composed by founder/leader/bassist Milos Bosnic with Stevan Milijanovic (piano/keys), Aleksa Milijanovic (drums), Aleksander Radulovic (percussion), Aleksandar Petkovic (soprano sax) and flautist Milena Jancuric (flute).

It's a great album and those DJ types like Peterson, Beadle, Parnell will be on this and I think Patrick Forge will particularly enoy the title track for it's intensity.

Good to see that the home of Red Star are getting support from Italy

Artist: Bosque Sound Community 

Title: 12 Angry Mushrooms 

Release date: 20th December, 2024 (Pre-Order on Bandcamp Friday, 13th December)

Label : A.MA Records

Catalog Number : CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Küf Knotz & Christine Elise - Somewhere / Patience (Independent)

Küf Knotz & Christine Elise take us 'Somewhere' into the future and have shown us 'Patience' as there new album is due out soon.

On the last Küf Knotz & Christine Elise single we were singing the praises of Christine's harp playing (see review HERE) and still do.  This latest single features her vocals on two tracks, 'Somewhere' and 'Patience'.

Both tracks are draw on R&B,conscious hip-hop, funk and soul and whilst it's Xmas time, it's a shame there not instrumental versions, particularly as there's an angelic harp solo on 'Patience'; perhaps, we'll have to wait until the new year. 

And, indeed, there is their fourth album called 'Grow' which is due out next Spring and with the backing of these two tracks in particular as they are very radio friendly. 

Artist: Küf Knotz & Christine Elise

Title: Somewhere / Patience

Release date: 20th December, 2024

Label: Independent

Catalog Number: TBC

Format: Digital

Review: Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21 - The Confluence LP (Wah Wah 45s)

 

Regular readers of YATM will know that we go a long way back with Wah Wah 45s and Mr. Dom Servini so for the 25th Birthday Party compilation that came out last week, here's a bit of a selective retrospective!

Especially as there's a massive 32 tracks to celebrate 25 years (Ed. Wonder who thought of that equation?) and as Dele Sosimi has had such a fantastic year here's a chance to check the track 'Mo Se B'ólá Tán'? (Track 31. on the compilation - see below and original album review in earlier this year).

Review: Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21 - The Confluence LP (Wah Wah 45s)

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : Dele Sosimi, The Confluence LP, The Estuary 21, Wah Wah 45s

This confluence is the meeting of the musical minds of the Thames Estuary and the "Afrobeat Ambassador" from The Shrine, Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 and cofounder with Femi Kuti of the Positive Force. 

That's a pretty big body of water (no get enemy) as once aain, Dele Sosimi (formerly keyboardist and other musical duties with aforementioned Afrobeat legends) who is now based in the UK joins Sam Duckworth (formerly known as Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly).  "Hang on", you may be thinking to yourself, "Didn't this come out this time last year and still sounds brilliant?" We'll you'd be right on both counts except that this is the new LP verson and it's bigger and therefore even more brilliant!

As this album is firmly rooted in Afrobeat, the obvious tracks that will engage are the previous singles, 'Ride Out The Storm' / 'Mo Ṣe B’ọ́lá Tán' (see review HERE) and 'You Don't Have To' (see reveiw HERE) and, again, 'Ori Mi' and 'Òt​í​tó Ti J​áde' (albeit my calls for longer versions has been unheeded) along with 'Open Up' which also features UK jazz legend and Essex resident, Snowboy (aka Mark Cotgrove).

Other top musicans featured include Alfa Sackey (percussion), Callum Green (drums), Philip Van Den Brandeler (bass), Pete Fraser (sax), Sam Eagle (voice/guitar) and Lizzy Dosunmu (vocals) along with multi-instrumentalist Duckworth.

'Stories' is at the carib-pop-end of this meeting of minds but the new 'BIG' tracks are 'Alagbara Ma Me Ro' that's a time-after-time winner plus the Essex Go-Go of 'For The Love Of It' and at 60s jazz club towpath shuffle of 'The Ramblings'.

This is no Sosimi-lite (or Mr Get Cape etc 'heavy' for that matter) as this is all giving it their all and finding something special.  Who'd have thought that chance radio interview Dom Servini (now Jazz FM DJ you know) did with Dele did all those years ago would find us at 'The Confluence' (LP version). Who indeed.

P.S, get lively as the vinyl is likely to sell out quick.

 

Artist: Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21
Release: The Confluence LP
Release Date: 5th April, 2024
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Catalog Number: WAHLP025 
Format: Vinyl 12 - Limited Edition / Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Various Artists - We Wah 25 (Part 11/32 - Part-Time Heroes - 'Realise' feat. Jono McCleery) (Wah Wah 45s)

Regular readers of YATM will know that we go a long way back with Wah Wah 45s and Mr. Dom Servini so for the 25th Birthday Party compilation that came out last week, here's a bit of a selective retrospective!

Especially as there's a massive 32 tracks to celebrate 25 years (Ed. Wonder who thought of that equation?) and as Jono McCleery is riding high on his album on Sonar Kollectiv, 'Reconcile' (see review HERE), has anyone mentioned that he featured on Part-Time Heroes track 'Realise'? (Track 11. on the compilation - see below and original album review in October, 2008).

Part-Time Heroes - Meanwhile... After Gilles Peterson’s recent trip to Japan where he met up with Part-Time Heroes promoting the new album, Meanwhile…, don’t be surprised to see these guys back in the Worldwide awards at the end of the year.
Just to reiterate, Part-time Heroes are from Southampton (not Bournemouth, Gilles how could you make such a basic error as that?) and their classic track ‘Realise’ was voted 26th in the Best Track category of Gilles Peterson’s 2006 Worldwide awards. Not bad for a couple of part-timers but since then, the duo of Ross Wakefield and Toby Vane are now very much full-time with this project and this is the debut album. Their mix of thoughtful soul-jazz and dancefloor knowledge has helped them work with some excellent vocalist that really suit their style. ‘Realise’ will always be a standout track in any set (see the single review HERE) but Jono McCleery also sings on a downtempo flute strings number called ‘Angels Fly’ which is just awesome. And whilst we’re getting reflective, ‘Stop, Fade, Blur’ (with highly acclaimed jazz vocalist Laura Vane; any relation?) is as good as it gets! These two tracks together, ‘Stop, Fade, Blur’ and Angels Fly’, get me every time but Ms. Vane, like most of the vocal guests, gets two tracks and her other track ‘In My Soul’ ends the CD up the up. These guys certainly have an ear/eye for a femaile vocalist as Bridgitte Amofah has appeared on The Nextmen’s album This Was Supposed To Be The Future and Dr. Rubberfunk’s My Life At 33. Here she gets the optimistic ‘Sun Will Shine’ and sentimental on ‘Method’. Liane Carroll featured on ‘Shadowlands’ on the ‘Realise EP’ and she continues to be a regular on the Hospital label. Her other track is ‘What It Could Be’ that’s linked with the instrumental ‘What’s The Noise? (Part II)’. What with the other instrumental, ‘Distance’, Part-Time Heroes take on the Koop’s, Zero 7s and Portishead’s of the world and come out points winners. The single from the album is more of a dancefloor sound, ‘Ready For Change’ featuring Pete (Elektrons, Domu Presents Pete Simpson, Joey Negro & The Sunshine Band) Simpson although the idea is to keep their PTH Projects guise for the club scene. The album launch was at Cargo in September and more llive band gigs are promiesed for next year but when they are not live, they are just as happy with their PTH Soundsystem so keep an eye open and don’t miss at any opportunity to see and hear them. Mr. Servini sir, you’ve done it again - Wah Wah 45s forever! Hectic Mix nominations: ‘Realise’, ‘Shadowlands’ [modern classics], ‘Stop, Fade, Blur’, ‘Angels Fly’, ‘Distance’. Reviewed: Part-time Heroes - Meanwhile… (Wah Wah 45s) Cat. No. WAHCD009 Release date: September 2008 Tracklisting: 1 Intro (0:39) 2 Ready For Change (4:20) feat. Pete Simpson 3 Shadowlands (5:07) feat. Liane Carroll 4 Realise (7:15) feat. Jono McCleery 5 Stop, Fade, Blur (4:56) feat. Laura Vane 6 Angels Fly (5:25) feat. Jono McCleery 7 Sun Will Shine (5:38) feat. Bridgette Amofah 8 What’s The Noise? (Part II) / What It Could Be (6:32) feat. Laura Vane 9 Method (Don’t Say Goodbye) (4:36) feat. Bridgette Amofah 10 Distance (5:36) 11 In My Soul (5:57) feat. Laura Vane + Hidden Track Links www.parttimeheroes.co.uk www.myspace.com/theparttimeheroes www.wahwah45s.com www.myspace.com/Misslauravane www.lianecarroll.co.uk www.mumsthewordmusic.com Gilles Peterson :: 2nd October 2008 :: Gilles Peterson’s Nu Japanese Mix Dee Dee Bridgewater - ‘Tokyo Blues’ (Verve) Hajime Yoshizawa - ‘Open Door’ (Village Again) Tokyo Zawinul Bach - ‘Mint Palladium’ (Body Electric) Cro-Magnon - ‘Morning Haze’ (Jazzy Sport) Audace - ‘Track 7’ (White) Forty Five - ‘Wa’ (Origami Productions) Sleep Walker - ‘Brotherhood’ (Mark Mac Remix) (Jazzamar) Kingdom Afrocks - ‘The Sunshine Has Gone’ (P-Vine) Nation Of Multiverse - ‘Unknown’ (Pravda Test) Quasimode Ft. Carmen Lundy - ‘Sounds of Peace’ (Geneon) United Legends - Thank You (Danny Krivit Re-edit) (Geneon) —Gerry Hectic Sunday 19 October 2008

Review: Various Artists - We Wah 25 (Part 10/32 - Jamie Finlay - 'Daylight' feat. Ellen Beth Abdi) (Wah Wah 45s)

Regular readers of YATM will know that we go a long way back with Wah Wah 45s and Mr. Dom Servini so for the 25th Birthday Party compilation that came out last week, here's a bit of a selective retrospective!

Especially as there's a massive 32 tracks to celebrate 25 years (Ed. Wonder who thought of that equation?) and part of the celebrations was Wah Wah 45s stage on the Friday at WeOutHere Festival with Jamie Finlay and band that travelled all the way from Manchester to Dorset, starting out in 'Daylight' and ended as one of the gig's of the day in the Tomorrow's Warriors Big Tent (Track 10. on the compilation - see below as he was due to be the star turn at the London Jazz Festival launch  back in November, 2008).

Somebody called 'Speedy S' gave us an update; Speedy S eh!

Europe: City Guides/Events						FLY HOME NEWS AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST ASIA/PACIFIC CARIBBEAN EUROPE -Features -Reviews -City Guides/Events LATIN AMERICA US/CANADA - - - - - - FLY VIDEO FLYkr GALLERIES FLY CD SHOP (UK) FLY CD STORE (US) www.flickr.com what is this?
Wah Wah!! London Jazz Festival Launch (Cargo, 14.11.08) The best ever London Jazz Festival has the best ever launcher, its Dom Servini and a bunch of his favourite Wah Wah 45 folks.
It’s not that long since the brilliant Meanwhile… from the Wah Wah 45’s Part-Time Hereos but Mr. Servini and the boys now bring us the official London Jazz Festival launch and the Jaime Finlay album launch all rolled into one! You’ll recall Jamie Finlay (composer, producer, musician, DJ from Manchester) released the ‘Little Trumpet’/’Temperature’ 12” three years ago so the debut album Pocket Science is definitely long awaited especially as he’s been picked as ‘one to watch’ for sometime; comparisons with Prince, Plantlife, George Clinton and, legendary producers, the Mizell Brothers no less. In support are the London based funk band, The Filthy Six (sort of half of a Dirty Dozen?) that find their influences in the golden age of late 60’s Blue Note artists such as Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, Jimmy McGriff, Donald Byrd and other Droppin’ Science types. Currently hosting a monthly night at the world famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London and other gigs across town, they now get a chance to burn up the Cargo dancefloor with their mix of original material and classics. They’ve got their own debut album Knockout ready to drop soon so it’ll be a double launch nigt. On the DJ front, Pete Isaac makes the long trip up from the West Country from the home of Jelly Jazz for a rare London appearance (so get there early) and your usual Wah Wah 45’s residents will also be on hand to entertain you. Looks like Wah Wah’s out to make the rest of the LJF an anti-climax! Links www.myspace.com/jamefinlay www.wahwah45s.com LIVE: JAMIE FINLAY & HIS ORCHESTRA + THE FILTHY SIX DJS: PETE ISAAC + WAH WAH RESIDENTS (DOM SERVINI, SIMON GOSS & CAPSTONE) 8-3am £10 adv, £6 before 9, £12 on the door www.cargo-london.com 83 Rivington Street, EC2 www.myspace.com/thefilthysix www.jellyjazz.com London Jazz Festival - Fri 14th - Sunday 23 November 2008 londonjazzfestival.org.uk www.bbc.co.uk/radio3 —Gerry Hectic Friday 7 November 2008

Review: Various Artists - We Wah 25 (Part 1/32 - Sesong - 'Love Untold') (Wah Wah 45s)

Regular readers of YATM will know that we go a long way back with Wah Wah 45s and Mr. Dom Servini so for the 25th Birthday Party compilation that came out last week, here's a bit of a selective retrospective!

Especially as there's a massive 32 tracks to celebrate 25 years (Ed. Wonder who thought of that equation?) and as the sharp of ear and eye sighted will have spotted, Sesong's 'Love Untold is track one on this new 25 year anniversary compilation as it was on Wah Wah 45s - Underground Hits and Exclusive Bits 2, - see below and original album review in May, 2007) so it just goes to show, there's even more to investigate.

Wah Wah 45s - Underground Hits and Exclusive Bits 2 Wow! The Wah Wah 45s’ hit machine continues at a pace as Volume 2 is packed with the usual high standard tunes and some tasty special bits
It kicks off with some cool Scandinavian soul-jazz-swing from Sesong that came out last year on a 12”. A summer hit if there ever was one and a timely reminder of how good it is. It made the playlist of Radio Oxigenio in Portugal but really we should be hearing this on the mainstream BBC Radio stations and theJazz DAB (now there’s an opening for a Speedy type DJ?) Similarly, Rosie Brown’s bushel should be removed. The track here is equally as good as the two tracks on Vol.1 of Underground Hits and Exclusive Bits. You could easily skip ‘Bend’ by Speeka (also see Gum Drop) as an imitation of Radiohead’s madness but I’d urge you to stick with it. Staying with problems medical, ‘Melancoholic’ (Your Love Blinds Me)’ keeps the Norwegian leftfield moose jazz connection and has Landside fell out of his hospital bed? With some help from Ernesto they’re in ‘Solitary’. Don’t leave them on their own as it’s another soul-drenched grower with dubstep leanings and some big brass. Now what is going to get conscious hip hop jazzy folks excited is the partnership of Jamie Finlay and Dwayne Morgan on ‘Any Given Sunday’. Not as raw as the Spasm Band of Anthony Joseph’s , Leggo De Lion but what a session that would be at Favorite Things if they all turned up for some freestyle! And if the aim of Mr. Servini and Mr. Simon Goss is to tease our excitement buds with these exclusive bits, they are doing a great job as Scrimshire’s ‘Warm Sounds’ is the folky-soulful-jazziness that we more often associate with other labels than Wah Wah 45s. Scrimshire provides the ideal backing to Inga Lill Aker’s lovely ‘Warm Sound’ vocals. Talc continue to put their tongues firmly in their bowler hats as ‘Wonder Bar’ is inspired by some Wham meets Hall & Oats strangeness. I couldn’t believe it! (Ed. OK, Victor) as there’s an indie band on MTV who claim the four of them met as the raced onto the dancefloor when the DJ played Hall & Oats’ “Maneater’! Perhaps Talc will be equally as influedential one day when the DJ drops ‘Wonder Bar’ at the students union disco. Also included is ‘It’s Only Perfect’ (originally on the 12”, ‘Garden Of Dance’) and PTH Projects ‘What The Sun Brings’ (on the reverse of the new Pretend Paradise remix 12”). Both have big dollops of 70s influences and are sounding especially good at the moment; probably as Mr. Hancock’s fusion buddy Eddie Henderson is in town (see HERE). While on the subject of trumpet players, Andrew Coleman’s first connection with Wah Wah 45’s was on the 12”, ‘Little Trumpet’. Since then,’El Niño’ slipped out by on a 7” and the brilliant ‘Big Band Version’ is included here. The Latin dance theme continues with a Spritual South remix of Srimshire’s ‘You Will Save Me’ with typical manic beats and big spacey synths and jazzy keys. It’s Wah Wah 12013 for the vinyl and it’s great to hear Jessica Lauren again. With an “every one’s a winner!” mentality, this compilation rarely fails and if you don’t believe me, as Sesong would say, “you’re in for a surprise”. The launch party is at London’s Cargo next Friday. Live on stage will be Scrimshire, Umlaut and Stitch with Jamie ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ Woon, The Rosie Brown Band, Ryan Hunn and Wah Wah 45s legendary DJ team of Dom Servini, Simon Goss and Chris Goss. Free before 9pm but £10.00 after. Sounds nearly as good as the CD. Reviewed: Various — Underground Hits And Exclusive Bits: TWO (Wah Wah 45s) Cat. No. WAHCD004 Release date: 14th May 2007. Credits: Compiled By — Dom Servin / Simon Goss Notes: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Previously Unreleased — all tracks on CD for the first time. Tracklisting: 1 Sesong — Love Untold (5:43) 2 Rosie Brown — Blow The Man Down (4:31) 3 Speeka featuring Ben Parker — Bend (3:02) 4 Luna & Bazis — Melancoholic (Your Love Blinds Me) (3:16) 5 Jamie Finlay featuring Dwayne Morgan — Any Given Sunday (4:50) 6 Scrimshire featuring Inga Lill Aker — Warm Sound (6:25) 7 Landslide featuring Ernesto — Solitary (5:26) 8 Talc — Wonder Bar (5:31) 9 Man/Boy Featuring Girl — It’s Only Perfect (4:19) 10 PTH Projects — What The Sun Brings (6:31) 11 Colman Brothers — El Niño (Big Band Version) (5:00) 12 Scrimshire — You Will Save Me (Spiritual South Remix) (8:04) Links: www.wahwah45s.com Soon come on Wah Wah 45s : Talc ‘Bobby Fame’ b/w ‘Modern Sleepover Part 2’ 7” / Landslide feat. Ernesto ‘Solitary’ (Remix) 12” and much more!! If Music. www.cargo-london.com 83 Rivington Street, EC2 www.myspace.com/sesong www.rosiebrown.com www.myspace.com/lunabzis www.myspace.com/jamiefinlay www.myspace.com/scrimshire www.myspace.com/lunabzis www.myspace.com/scrimshire www.myspace.com/timlandslide www.hospitalrecords.com www.soulblender.co.uk www.thejazz.com www.myspace.com/colmanbrothers Gilles Peterson :: Thursday 01 February :: tracklisting 3. Herbie Hancock — ‘Just Around The Corner’ (Columbia) 4. Colman Brothers — ‘El Nino’ (Big Band 7 edit) (Wah Wah 45s) —Gerry Hectic Saturday 5 May 2007

Review: Hot Slot Machine - Hot Slot Machine (Heels & Souls Recordings)

If you fancy a flutter on the slots, here's one to make the party a jackpot as we return to the 'Hot Slot Machine'.

This was a re-issue from 1992 from the almost unknown Hot Slot Machine.  Unknown, that is,  outside of South Africa where this "new" sound was big as the then sixteen year olds T. McCool and King Rap as they went on to make this, their third album as Hot Slot Machine' with writer/producer Joe Nina (aka Makhosini Henry Xaba).

Pretty impressive at the time and even more so now as the Makosini sound of mixed up House, R&B, soul, hip-hop reggae (later to be called 'Kwaito') is very dancefloor friendly now.

From the start of the gospel soul/go-go 'I'll Be Ready', the hip-house of 'Unchain My Heart' to the soul-pop-rap 'Shake Ya Down', all of the six tracks are worth a spin at the disco this festive season; especially 'Rhythm' for a bit ot Ten City fandom.

This is Heels & Souls' tenth release and they've already got Mr. Scruff as a fan (yes, he of 'Ninja Tuna' - see review HERE) as they continue to dig deep for "cherished records" from around the world to licence, remaster and reissue.

This ain't just a token, 'Hot Slot Machine' is for DJ coinage on the one armed bandits for 3 cherries in a row; make that a 'Big 6'.

Artist: Hot Slot Machine 

Title: Hot Slot Machine 

Release date: 22nd November, 2024 

Label : Heels & Souls Recordings

Catalog Number : HSREC010

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Mr. Scruff - Ninja Tuna (Vinyl Debut Edition) (Ninja Tune)

It's that time of year to look back and we've definitey seen 'Ninja Tuna' before, whether it was when it came out in 2008 as a trendy gatefold CD cover or Memory Stick to this years' repackaged triple LP edition that came out in March!

That was never going to hang about for long as a special 3 x LP edition as Mr Scruff has been as busy as ever as a DJ, especially with his big festival and back-to-back appearances with Aroop Roy (last seen on YATM on remix duties for Beb Lee Harding - see review HERE).  

Anyway, here's a quick look back to 2008 when I was scribbling away for www.flyglobalmusic.com in pre-bandcamp days.

Download the expanded edition and for a bit more Ninja Tune retro, don't forget The Cinematic Orchestra's 'Every Day' that come out last year, see review HERE.

WeOutHere Festival 2024 - Listen Back: Mr Scruff, Charlie Dark, MC Kwasi & Vanessa Freeman at Love Dancin’ HERE

Artist: Mr Scruff

Title: Ninja Tuna (Vinyl Debut Edition)

Release date : 29th March, 2023

Label : Ninja Tune

Catalog Number : ZEN143XX

Format: 3 x LP [Sold Out] / Digital

It was only the other week that Gilles Peterson was interviewing Mr. Scruff (aka Andy Carthy) and he definitely said there was no forthcoming album, well he was wrong because here is the first plate of hot Ninja Tuna
That’s no typo, Scruff is now on his new label Ninja Tuna (as you know, when he’s not drinking tea, he’s drawing pies and fish) so after the release of some single “bait”, here’s the full album catch. It’s nearly ten years since Keep It Unreal that first got Mr. Scruff into the hearts of the nation, six years since Trouser Jazz (as an aside, I was in France when this came out and they couldn’t get enough of it) and since then we’ve had the re-issue of his debut Mr. Scruff on Ninja and various compilations (Mr. Scruff’s Big Chill Classics) so it’s about time you’re thinking. And I must admit, I’ve missed the cheeky Mr Scruff jazz wobbly funk. And it looks like his music bizz mates have too as they’ve all turned up to help out. Roots Again & Again Manuva, Tru-thoughts finest Quantic and Alice ‘Lemon’ Russell, the girl of the moment Andreya Triana, that man Pete Simpson [see more of him HERE), soul legend Phillip Mitchell and loads more. The brand new video for “Music Takes Me Up” featuring Alice Russell can be watched right here. The first track is like his mission statement ‘Test The Sound’, “Who wanna mess around?, Scruff rockin’ the drums” as the whole album is his usual mix of jazz-soul-funk dance floor fish and chip supper boogie; everyone loves Mr Scruff. If you get Scruff and Will ‘Quantic’ Holland together on a Latin trip wobble, that’s a ‘Donkey Ride’ on a dancefloor tune (fans will also enjoy the curry mile of Brazil for the ‘Stockport Carnival’). Ms. Triana has just appeared on TM Juke & The Jack Baker Trio album (check out HERE and her other appearances on FLY) and ‘Hold On’ adds to her every growing reputation as a sweat soul singer. Talking of soul, Mr. Simpson is on his usual immaculate form and funkers can just ‘Get On Down’! That one hurts so much - Scruff and Prince Phillp Mitchell we salute you. Really this is so good you’ll want to ‘Bang The Floor’ with delight (classic Scruff bass line) and ‘Whiplash’ gets silly as a hairy bumpercress jazz sandwich. Mr Manuva is as reliable as always and joins in the fun ‘Nice Up The Function’. Nowhere near as prolific as Shawn Lee, Mr. Carthy has got the same Miles Of Styles mentality. And it’s all dancefloor tested and approved as when he’s not making his own music, he’s out DJing improbably long sets sustained by pots of ninja tea and a giant pickle or two. Ninja Tuna is now on tour and loads from the album and the usual mix of jazz, funk, soul, northern soul, disco, house, hip hop and the occasional Scruffy “odd-ball” leftfielder. All very recommended. Forthcoming Dates: November 2008 1/11/08 - Manchester - Music Box 6/11/08 - Swansea - Sin City 7/11/08 - London - ALBUM LAUNCH @ Matter, 02 Main Room Mr. Scruff all nite Room 2. Jazzanova (Sonarkollektiv) DJ set & Kelvin Brown (Eyes Down/Electric Chair, Manchester). Tickets £15 advance from matterlondon.com, ticketweb, ticket-text.com. Tube: North Greenwich River: Thames Clipper from central London to Queen Elizabeth II pier. 8/11/08 - Bristol - Academy 13/11/09 - Leamington - The Assembly 14/11/09 - Sheffield - University 15/11/08 - Cambridge - The Junction 20/11/09 - Edinburgh - Liquid Rooms 21/11/08 - Glasgow - The Arches 22/11/08 - Dundee - Okupa December 2008 5/12/08 - Brighton - Concorde 2 11/12/08 - Cardiff - Solus 12/12/08 - Nottingham - Stealth 16/12/08 - Val D’isere - Dicks T Bar Reviewed: Mr. Scruff - Ninja Tuna (Ninja Tuna) Cat. No: ZENCD143 Release date: 6th October 2008 Tracklisting: 1 Test The Sound (1:41) 2 Music Takes Me Up feat. Alice Russell (5:28) 3 Donkey Ride feat. Quantic (5:14) 4 Hairy Bumpercress (6:31) 5 Whiplash (6:01) 6 Nice Up The Function feat. Roots Manuva (3:56) 7 Bang The Floor (3:43) 8 Get On Down feat. Prince Phillp Mitchell (5:54) 9 Hold On feat. Andreya Triana (5:04) 10 Give Up To Get (6:45) 11 Kalimba (5:21) 12 This Way feat. Pete Simpson (5:32) 13 Stockport Carnival (5:30) Links www.mrscruff.com www.myspace.com/mrscruffofficial www.ninjatuna.com www.ninjatune.net Dolphin-friendly tuna? Don’t believe it - Independent Thursday, 12 October 2006 Gilles Peterson :: 31.07.08 :: Mr Scruff In The Studio Mr Scruff feat Kaidi Tatham - Give Up To Get - Ninja Tunes (60:00) Mr Scruff feat Alice Russell - Music Takes Me Up - Ninja Tunes —Gerry Hectic Tuesday 4 November 2008

 

Review: Leon Raum - Basement Meditation EP (Sonar Kollektiv)

Leon Raum is a producer, drummer and multi-instrumentalist who has managed to interupt his busy schedule to produce this 4-track 'Basement Meditation EP'.

As ever, Sonar Kollektiv are first to get in the basement with Mr. Raum as he gets into his musical savasana with 'Cascade', 'For QnD', 'Champloo' and 'All Night'.

Very different to other recent releases on the label like Mieke Miami's 'Birdland' (see review HERE) or Jono McCleery (see review HERE) but then there's clear links to hip-hop beats via Madlib/Dilla so in some ways, you can see the lineage; especially from a drummers perspective.

So the constant gripe is these tracks are too short, especially 'Champloo' and 'All Night' - the latter destined to be a house hit with a bit of an extension edit a la Theo Parrish.

It's impressive to find out this whole project is just Leon Raum sorting out his beats and loops in the basement and we're always keen to hear jazzy beats and he's definitely found a groove that's got more movement to it than pure meditation.

P.S. Artwork by Penelope (Leon's sister)

Artist: Leon Raum 

Title: Basement Meditation EP 

Release date: 13th December, 2024

Label: Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number: SK508

Format: Digital / Bandcamp