Interview: Rami Imam - Safara EP (Part 1 of 2 - Side A) (Ponda Records)

Rami Imam's 'Safara EP' is due out in early February on Ponda Records, one of what seems to be endless supply of labels supporting musicians from the Melbourne conurbation.  YATM is rather excited by all this so we jumped at the chance to find out more about Rami and the tracks.

 

YATM: When you started Ponda Records back in 2020, "to develop cross-cultural sound explorations" your single on Street Tracks sounded miles away from the six tracks on 'Safara' so have you been working on these tracks since then as you've more than nailed the label brief? 

RAMI: I have always explored new sounds and styles in my productions, but this new direction has really taken shape over the past two years. I’d say it’s the path I want to follow with my music moving forward, and I’ll definitely be leaning into it even more.

YATM:  What's your musical background as we're told you were inspired by "Afro-Funk, West African Highlife, Arab Disco, Bollywood, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Libyan Reggae and Algerian Rai" Sounds like you might have worked in a World Music record shop/how did this come about?

RAMI: I went to Houghton Festival in the UK (Ed. founded by Craig Richards; he of Fabric etc) and experienced an incredible six-hour set by Hunee and Antal — two DJs I hadn’t really heard of before. That set was eye-opening. It showed me the power of older music and how it can blend with such a wide variety of genres from around the world. After that experience, I became obsessed with digging into older, more diverse music, and it completely reshaped how I approach my own productions. That moment was a real turning point, and I’m extremely grateful for it.

YATM:  This development in house/dance/club music seems more prevalent than ever at the moment [we've recently had the 'similar' Sun Sone album 'Patience' on Earthly Measures (see review HERE), is there anybody/artist/label that's influencing you as a musician. 

RAMI: I am constantly drawing inspiration from so many incredible artists across different genres, so it’s hard to pinpoint just one. Right now, I’m loving what Demi Riquísimo is putting out on his label Semi Delicious, (Ed. remember the Demi remix of 'Demba' by TSHA featuring Trio Da Kali - 2021) and Radio Slave with Rekids is always releasing heat.

YATM: And turning to the new Safara EP - can we talk through Side A, the amazing 'Yale Yade', 'Kidda' and 'Bombay Sundown' , this last one has a touch of Be Adult Music on an express train going to Bollywood!

RAMI: 'Yale Yade' I wanted to make as a modern Arabic disco groover that had a cosmic feel to it with the hypnotic synth that loops throughout the song. 

The sample in 'Bombay Sundown' came from an Indian Grooves record I picked up a few years ago. The moment I heard it, I fell in love and knew I had to do something with it. I haven’t actually watched or listened to heaps of Bollywood, but I do loSve the music off the 1986 Bollywood film ‘Shart’ – you should definitely check it out!

So there's our 'Side A' introduction Rami Imam and the LINK to 'Side B' will be out tomorrow,  and there's more for our favourite "truely awesome release" for far this year.

BUY LINK:  https://www.beatport.com/label/ponda/88735. 

Artist: Rami Imam

Title: Safara EP
Release date: 7th February, 2025
Label : Ponda Records.
Catalog Number : PONDA 001
Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Synaptic Voyager - Dawn Till Dusk EP (Cyphon Recordings)

This new EP, 'Dawn Till Dusk', is a beautiful  Synaptic Voyager that's take you all day to absorb; the latest release on Cyphon Recordings.

Following on from the recent 'Drop Out EP' by Loxodrome (see review HERE), Cyphon's expanding rosta, that already included some well known names in addition to Jimpster, like Yuu Udagawa ('Forever EP'), Kirk Degiogio (As One), DJ Rocca, Ben Sun (new album - review HERE) as they all continue to explore "wide-ranging sounds from emerging artists, touching on electro, abstract electronica and Detroit-inspired futurism": 'Dawn Till Dusk' in its mere 5 tracks do exactly that.

And by coincidence, I recently saw a clip of a Ritchie Hawtin interview where he was saying in the early days of Detroit Techno, there were doubters that this "electronic music would last" but that he and his early adopter mates were believers; 30 years on, Snaptic Voyager is further evidence of this belief, especially as he hails from a melting pot (Ed. should that be furness) of electronic dance/pop/sythns, Sheffield.

The Snaptic Voyager journey started when Matt White and Paul Baines met in the 90s but it's only recently that they sort to make intelligent synth dance (ISD) and you can't doubt these tracks.  'Stellar Engine' might be viewed a minimal compared to more obvious Kraftwerk-in-Peech Boy NYC-like title track or the synaptic-dreamy 'Lonely Promontory', but it's just as dancey.

And then you could argue, 'Once Exposed' is the engine driver of the spaceship (synaptic) voyager on a mission along with equally intelligent express train banger, 'Cognitive Network'.

The news that Jimpster edited down the original submitted versions is both good and potentially even better news (let's make this release a huge success so we could have a future release of 5X15 minute tracks/a continous mix for CD2?) so, I urge you to be an early adopter of Synaptic Voyager, I'm thinking in the way of Human League's 'Being Boiled' sense, get the 12" ordered sharpish - this is the future!

BUY LINK: https://synapticvoyager.bandcamp.com/album/dawn-til-dusk-ep

 

Artist: Synaptic Voyager
Title: Dawn Till Dusk EP 
Release date: 7th February, 2025
Label: Cyphon Recordings
Catalog Number CYPHN14 
Format: Limited heavyweight vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Mentourad - Stray Cat (Be Adult Music)

This is one 'Stray Cat' that you need to own as Be Adult Music release a new EP by Mentourad.

You might have guessed from the cover artwork that the lead track, 'Stray Cat In Mumbai' fuses the Sitar dreams of Lennon in the 60s with some deep house that's boarders on the Balearics.

 

Backed with two other fine tracks, 'King Dance' and 'Morchang Man' (as we flip from ice cream van to traditional Indo-jews harp) this is organically so good, I might turn vegan, or go to Goa, Naple, Ibiza.

Definitely one for fans on Indo-jazz-fusions, Sohail Rana's 'Soul Sitar', Lord Sitar and all raja's inbetween - this cat ain't stray, but needs a home on the dancefloor.

Artist: Mentourad

Title:  Stray Cat 

Release date: 3rd February, 2024

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM402

Format: Digital / Bandcamp.

Review: Livy Ekemezie – Friday Night (Odion Livingstone)

Odion Livingstone was set up to focus on reissuing rare forgotten gems out of Africa and they struck gold with their first release, Livy Ekemezie's 'Friday Night'.

Well, this was back in 2017, long after the world had lost touch with the original from 1982/3 so as we all need more kindness in our lives, they've decided to re-issue it again.

But unlike the BBE / Asona collaboration series that's from the same period, the most recent being Paa Jude's 'Seaman Jolly' (see review HERE), 'Friday Night' is exactly was it says on the tin, funky, disco, boogie outta Lagos that sounds more 70s due to the strength of the keyboards and clavinet; especially on 'Night Party' and 'Delectation'; Livy declares "Music is his delectation" at a time when was just out of school as a teenager!

And every track is a serious chunk of funky even with what might seem to our modern ears 'questionable' vocals, Livy is on vocals and bass, but I think that this makes it even more endearing and even more likely that Larry Levan would have been playing this all night long in Studio 54 if he could have had a copy of the LP. 

And talking of vinyl/LPs, the re-issue will be a Limited Edition vinyl release of this "holy grail record" so get ya orders in babs: not to be confused with 'I Wan' My Bab' Back'.

Artist:  Livy Ekemezie

Title: Friday Night

Release date: 9th January, 2025

Label : Odion Livingstone

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Limited LP vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Bakermat - Grace Note (Big Top Amsterdam)

The house tradition of gospel music is at the top of the glitter ball with Bakermat  and  'Grace Note,' out on Big Top Amsterdam; well it is Sunday!

You may recall that late last year, Bakermat (along with AMANZI, Ampersounds, Fred Falke, Zen Freeman) were saving their souls with a back to my Donna Summer disco roots track 'Save My Soul'.  And before the Dutch DJ/Producer released 'Praise Break' including our favourite horn and string drenched disco-umpah Soulchaser remix.

Well, after that success why wouldn't he return to the table for more gospel house inspriation for 'Grace Note'.  The lead track 'House Is The Religion', depending on your point of view, may have some blasphemy in the lyrics (Ed. check out today's BBC Radio 4 programme and you might think who can throw the first stone) compared to the worshipful 'Life' as remixed by Ron Carroll, "legend on the scene" - see interview with Tom Lilly HERE (and Best of 2024 Disco Express reviw HERE)

And talking about ireverant, 'Say You Wanna Be' is full on gospell choir and then we go a bit Hacienda-retro with FM sax solo, did someone say "Baker-Steet-mat?" ('Without Ya') but all is forgiven with 'Work It Out' - Sister Act in the gym!

There used to be a club called 'Halo' in a former church and 'Grace Note' gets that vibe spot on, like they say, the aim is for a "great night at a club, festival - or church, for that matter. Pure joy, unity, and transcendence." Nailed it.

Artist: Bakermat
Title: Grace Note
Release date: 31st January, 2025
Label : Big Top Amsterdam
Catalog Number :WP3053
Format:  Vinyl [Feb 07, 2025]/ Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Anna Ling - Butterfly (Lucky Sun Remixes) (Lucky Sun Recordings)

Too early to be thinking about Spring? Not for Lucky Sun as he remixes Anna Ling's dreamy Devon  orginal called 'Butterfly'.

Remembering the last Lucky Sun release, 'Remember' / 'Warm Breeze' (see review HERE), Anna's sun drenched folky 'Butterfly' is ideal for some Lucky Sun (aka Tom Lown)  metamorphosis.

Not his trademark soulful deep house that has dominated the first 10 years of Lucky Sun Recordings (see below) but firstly as a low-slung jazzy-beats remix (think Bristol influences) and then as a Midnight Dub that'll keep us groovin' on the beach in the early hours.

Released at the time of the year when we're more tuned into wintery showers (Northern Hemisphere) than sunshine but watch out for them waves on the dub ready in some 2025 beachwear.

Artist: Anna Ling

Title: Butterfly (Lucky Sun Remix /  Lucky Sun Midnight Dub)

Release date: 31st January, 2025

Label : Lucky Sun Recordings

Catalog Number : LSR039

Format: Digital / Bandcamp LINK Music | Lucky Sun

Review: Milos Colovic - To The Beat of My Footsteps (A.MA Records)

As long term fans of Eastern European jazz, we are happy to hear the Milos Colovic has moved 'To The Beat Of My Footsteps' - in the first person of course.

So more jazz from the Serbian edge from Milos Colovic following on from Katarina Kochetova (also on A.MA Records - see review HERE) but this time as a trio unit ('Losing Count', 'Shapeshifter' and 'Solitude') and sextet ('Cimmeria', 'Monsieur de Bordeaux', 'The Dreadful Moths' and the title track) and pulling out influences from 'traditonal' jazz man like Bobby Timmons and Horace Sliver together with rock/grunge like Queens Of The Stone Age (spot the t-shirt on the album cover) .

Nothing new in this type of cross-genre appreciation of course, especially in the trio format, like The Bad Plus, BadBadNotGood, Jazz Sabbaath, but not so much in a sextet format (unless it's big band covers of Nivirana or Red Hot Chillie Peppers and the llike) and perhaps it's because Milos is the bass player and leader that it works so well on the album.  

People that will have seen me of late won't realise how sharp I used to dress (think cover photos Kent's 'Mod Jazz' compilation series) and 'Monsieur de Bordeaux' fits right into that 'Take Five', 'Sidewinder' groove and is heavy on the 60s struttin' on the left bank of the River Garonne.

The title track is the QOTSA inspired track (combined with Paul Motion; any coincidence that Milos played in fellow Serbian Max Kochetov's band and Katarina's album is entitled 'Beyond Motion'?) and it starts Motion like and descends into a mass horn blowing. 

All tracks are written by Miloš Čolović, except Duke Ellington's 'Solitude', and whilst somewhat different to the last album on the label, Bosque Sound Community's '12 Angry Mushrooms (see review HERE) it'll be no less attractive to those DJ types like Peterson, Beadle, Parnell, Forge et al.will particularly enoy the 'Monsieur de Bordeaux' track for it's dancefloor swing dynamic.

Artist: Milos Colovic

Title: To The Beat of My Footsteps

Release date: 7th February, 2025

Label : A.MA Records

Catalog Number : AMCO4

Format: CD / Digital / Bandcamp (Pre-Order on Bandcamp Friday, 31st January)

PS. And recently released after 30 years Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock and Paul Motion 'Live' on ECM.

Review: No Era & Sorensen - Wind Shifter (Ostowana)

Ostowana have picked up on their usual hybrid North African trade winds with a banger of a 'Wind Shifter' from  No Era & Sorensen that's already timeless.

A more than solid January following on from LEONOIR's 'Chombona' earlier this month (see review HERE) whilst this could connect with some Indo-house; watch this space!

Artist: No Era & Sorensen 

Title: Wind Shifter

Release date: 31st January, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST089

Format: Digital

Review: Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange - Celebrate Some Time (Energy Exchange Records)

Wow! There are some fantastic musicians in the Naarm/Melbourne area and luckly for us northern hemisphere residents, Ziggy Zaeitgeist in based in Berlin and the single 'Celebrate Some Time' is out today.

The reason it's a good thing he's in Berlin is that this new track features Ghanaian Eric Owusu and putting his Ghanaian-German Afro-Rock group background with Ziggy's ZFFE (that we first came across on Secretsundaze 'Kreuzbery Kix' EPs a few years ago), this is perfect Cymande meets the polyversal sounds of Philophon (that are also Ghanian/Berlin based - what chance a Jimi Tenor remix?  One for another day).  And the track gets a bit spaceship synth dubby at the end!

This is modern "West African Disco" at its best and what's just as exciting is that there's an album coming out called 'Inspire // Radicalise' in April that features a cast of 1000s (well, quite a few in reality).

This is going to be a benchmark album for 2025 and the let's celebrate (some time) now!

Artist:  Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange

Title: Celebrate Some Time (Single)

Release date: 30th January, 2025

Label : Close Counters

Catalog Number : -

Format: Digital / Bandcamp (order LP - BUY LINK: INSPIRE // RADICALISE)

Review: Mirlaqi - Life As A Whole (Star Creature)

Chicago's Green Velvet was a big fan of the Star Creature x Mirlaqi EP, 'Système' that came out 5 years ago so it must be time for a view of life as a whole via four tracks from Geneva's finest.

With 'Origins' and 'Oceans' with respective remixes by Lay-far and Saine, this is a big hits as Timour Nigolian (aka  Mirlaqi) went to Chicago to hang out with Star Creature's Tim Zawada and was inspired to produce these tracks.

At YATM, we're long-time fans of Lay-Far (see review HERE from 2016) and as he never disappoints, his remix of 'Origins' is quite a bit pacey so I prefering the spaced out synth soulful end of the day BRUK boarders on the original.

Saine's 'Ocean' remix gets down on the beach walk and finds some low down synth action whist the original is dominated by clean sparkly jazz-funk keys that's and whispy vocals that's just right for the indoor mainroom.

This is already in demand by DJ ears as descerning and diverse as Pittsburg's Dubmission (Kerem Gokmen), Scotland's Simon Harrison (Basic Soul Show) and Ramgate's Jo Wallace (Ramrock Records).  And not only is Star Creature hot with this release, co-head honcho Tim Zawada's latest radio show on OpenLab, currently on #2, is also worth keeping up to date with; see links below. 

OpenLab:  Star Creature Vibes Radio 02 – Tim Zawada HERE

BUY LINK:   https://www.traxsource.com/artist/568939/mirlaqi

Artist: Mirlaqi 

Title:  Life As A Whole

Release date: 31st January, 2025

Label : Star Creature

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Robert Burbridge ft. André Espeut - Leaf (Tangential Music)

We often think of turning over a new leaf every year in January and what better way to start with the single by Robert Burbridge ft. Andre Espeut called simply, 'Leaf'?

  

Well, it's a bit of a surpise actually as we know Mr Burbridge as he's mates with Richard E (now a LA resident and he's OK post fire) as he did a remix to Richard's 'Too The Moon' track (see review HERE).

And he's teamed up with the well known voice  of André Espeut, as in Inkswell (see review HERE), King Bee (see review HERE) - Ed. André Espeut is always in demand.

And there's definitely some synchronicity between the two of them as André's "lyrics and hook-laden vocals" top the string laden 'stadium' pop-rock sound of the track.  

It's a bit of a grower as it's like a Balearic friendly version on the Stones with touches of Mod, gospel and soul.

Quite a lot different to the last release from the label on YATM, Franck Biyong's 'Radio Masoda' that came out towards the end on last year (see review HERE) but equally as likely to get on the radio: perhaps this does mean everything.

BUY LINK: https://bfan.link/leaf

Artist: Robert Burbridge ft. Andre Espeut 

Title: Leaf

Release date: 16th January, 2024

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number : TBC

Format :  Digital 

Review: Igor Jadranin - Contemporary Outdoors (A Vision Of Panorama & Byron The Aquarius Remixes) (Star Creature)

The landscapers out there will be familiar with the modern concept of bringing the outdoors in, Igor Jadranin's 'Contemporary Outdoors' is all about... dancefloor & party!

The Star Creature label has made a name for itself with sourcing the best in underground electro boogie, disco, soul and funk like Raf Reza's 'Why You Gotta?' (see review HERE), Stimulator Jones' 'Stimulator Tracks' (see review HERE) and now, outta Belgrade, Igor Jadranin!

You wouldn't think the guys at Chicago HQ would have to go so far a-field, but Igor's six tracks are from the 'Heavy In Stereo' leftfield and synth ready for the dancefloor along with 'Massive' and 'Anemoia'.  It's strange that Igor has managed to obtain a raw / vintage sound that's smooth to glide to all at the same time.. 

So who thought it's be a good idea to have remixes by Byron The Aquarius (there's a 'Contemporary Outdoors' Instru mix plus a bonus, 'Midnight') with a 'Contemporary Outdoors' A Vision Of Panorama remix.   

As you might have guessed, A Vision Of Panorama (Ed. Bar?), is synthned out Balearic vibe house fusion but let's go straight to Byron The Aquarius  as this is MASSIVE in the same area as his 'Go Ahead' remix on Brandon Markell Holmes & Toribio hit on Toucan Sounds (see review HERE).  It may be too late for Midnight new year timings but 2025 is going to be fine with this release as this is well up to the standards of Igor's Latin jazz-funk synth monster 'Anemoia' or the Ashley Beedle North Street mix of 'Middle Proves' (love out to Ashley, Jo and all North Street/Ramrock people - see HERE).

You could say, "Another adventurous 12” for Tim Zawada’s Star Creature that blurs the lines between sounds and styles, keeping the Windy City label at the high risk high reward side of your DJ crate" - and you'd be right.

Artist: Igor Jadranin 

Title:  Contemporary Outdoors (A Vision Of Panorama and Byron The Aquarius Remixes) 

Release date: 31st January, 2025

Label : Star Creature

Catalog Number : SC7067

Format: 12" / Digital / Bandcamp BUY LINK 

The Contemporary Outdoors EP | Igor Jadranin | Star Creature Universal Vibrations

Review: MATTERS UNKNOWN - Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal (Bridge The Gap)

It was only this week that Gilles Peterson mentioned worldwide jazz amassadors Ezra Collective and Nubya Garcia in the same breath, so it won't be long before he's championing MATTERS UNKNOWN and new release, 'Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal'.

You'll recall that MATTERS UNKNOWN (the project of Jonathan Enser), has already had rave reviews of the single 'I Am The Birds' (see HERE), featured on 'Transmissions From' (a compilation on Blue Note) and part of the Total Refeshment Centre community, the trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and member of Nubyian Twist continues his own exploration of inspirations of London's new jazz scene that was once known as the 'We Out Here' generation at one point ('We Out Here' being the compilation album on Gilles' Brownswod label back in 2018). 

'Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal' is a 5 track EP that is clearly evolved from a love of Fela, Dilla, Cedric Brooks, King Tubby as well as Donald Byrd, Matthew Halsall, Christian Scott, Roy Hargrove and all points in-between; even Coltrane/Ashby Afro-harping on 'I Am The Birds' that features the group Onipa.

'Race Against The Sun' comes in two versions, the original that eminates from 'The Shine' via Cuba and a Wonky Logic remix which warps more towards a jazzy-broken beat 

One that's closer to the Black Country features singer/MC/producer NEONE The Wonderer from Wolverhamption.  You may recall he also featured on last years' Nubyian Twist album track 'Pray For Me Part 1' (and K.O.G featured on Part 2) and here he stars on 'What Are You About'.  'Permission To Malfunction' is the "jazz" track which is an instrumental mixture of all before but shamefully to short; could even have gone dubby at the end.

In addition to Gilles Peterson, you'll likely to here MATTERS UNKNOWN on BBC 6 Music on Huey Morgan and Deb Grant whilst Jazz FM's Tony Minvielle, Dom Servini and China Moses are already fans.

Artist: Matters Unknown

Title: Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal
Release date: 24th January, 2024
Label : Bridge The Gap
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Brian Auger's Oblivion Express – Closer To It (Soul Bank Music)

Whether you were around at the time of the original release or not, this "jazz / funk / fusion masterpiece" never gets old and is as sort after now as it was in 1973!

The re-issue of the 'Closer To It' couldn't be better timed as Gilles Peterson has 're-visited' his jazzdance roots on his BBC 6 Music radio show and in New York this January! Gilles' mate and 'Crock Happy' partner Chris Bangs is estatic about the history and the remastered 6 tracks themselves and even birthday boy Sir Rod Stewart has acquired a replica of the Oblivion Express for his 00 gauge model railway!

Well, not sure about Sir Rod (Auger's mate in the 60s with Steampacket) which was follwed as leader with Trinty featuring Julie Discoll (the Auger/Discoll album 'Encore' was re-issued a couple of years ago - see review HERE).the Oblivion Express was where Auger's prowess as bandleader/composer/keyboardist/singer and more in the jazz rock soul fusion innovation with the monster Hammond B3.

Not convinced? Well how good have you got to be to take on a cover version of Marvin Gaye's 'Inner City Blues' and win? Well this band did perfected by Auger and Lennox Langton on congas/percussion. It's a shame it's not as long as the other cover, Eugene McDaniel's clasic 'Compared To What'.

Back to the dancefloor 'Whenever You're Ready' that features the rest of the band in addition to Auger and Langton, Barry Dean (bass), Godfrey MacLean (drums) and Jack Mills (lead guitar) and whilst Brian's vocals may not be of the stature of Discol/Tippetts it sounds a bit West Coast soul/yacht especially on 'Happiness Is Just Around The Bend' (better known by The Main Ingredient's cover version), 'Voices Of Other Times' and the big one down the Electric Ballroom, the instrumental 'Light On The Path'.

When you think that this album was released in the same year as Emerson, Lake & Palmer's 'Brain Salad Surgery' extravaganza, a trio fronted by Keith Emerson's 'classical prog rock opera' organ, 'Closer To It' definitely is closer to it, hence the longevity and all this new excitement for the best best train ever, the Oblivion Express.

NOTEL Vinyl LP ONLY 2025 // Digital 2023 Release

Artist: Brian Auger's Oblivion Express

Title: Closer To It

Release date: 24th January, 2025

Label: Soul Bank Music/K7

Cat. No: SBM019 

Format: Vinyl LP ONLY 

Review: Will & James Ragar - The Acoustic Album (BBE Music)

This album by Will & James Ragar is no pretender, it's the real deal of beautiful folky rock and you'll be so glad to be able to say, you are mine.

After their 'debut' on BBE with 'Forever/Bayou Paradis' (see review HERE) and 'The Baton Rouge EP' (see review HERE), who would have thought that there would be a 16 track double album to follow?

Will and James Ragar were born in Texas and Arkansas respectively and their 'Will and James Ragar One' album, recorded in 1980, was championed by Paul Hillery (he of Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours fame and note,  Volume 3 is coming out soon).

And this 'acoustic' album of songs from the late 70s to mid-90s is very much in Hillery's ball park as not only are they folky, funky and trippy - until now, almost unheard of.

Think of various incarnations/eras of Terry Callier, Crosby, Stills and Nash and Richie Havens that are craving to be The Allman Brothers as if they were a duo like Bert Jansch and John Renbourn.

And talking of guitar greats, we're told the recording was done with a Rainsong (Will) and a hand made S. Yairi (James) which apparently means the they could record both guitars and their vocals into layered harmonics; it certainly sounds that that the brothers have managed to capture their brotherly love and more as a musical duo; mention of Bourbon St. on the track 'Let's Pretend' having special resonance after recent events in New Orleans.

The album lets you drift away in purpose of relaxed excitement in an imagined lost past that's availabe today that BBE are to be congratulated for bringing this music to the masses and ifat Mr. Young does or doesn't end up going to Glastonbury this year, this is a more important release.

P.S. Whilst noting, this album is worlds apart from BBE's other album release this month, 'The Best Of Acona Records' (see review HERE soon) that's hailing from a similar period and is equally great.

Artist: Will & James Ragar 

Title: The Acoustic Album

Release date: 24th January, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE730

Format: 2XLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Frits Wentink - Heartbeat FM EP (Wolf Music)

Here's the new Heartbeat FM, not a radio station but a  four track release to tune-into when you're on the dancefloor.

Following on from Frits' own 'Together EP' (see review HERE) and this previous EP, 'Remember That Feeling', this new 12", 'Heartbeat FM' is not so much a move from the dancefloor as a move back to the dancefloor with more soulful paise.

The lead track 'Rhythm And Blaze' is Mr Wentink's exclusive 'Birthday Present' for the label for it's 15th year so justifiably it's in turn with hands in the air gospel deep house funk.

But the dancefloor doesn't get any less busy with 'Lost In The Moment' which has similar vibe but more 80s in the synths and vocals to fuel your inner Millie Jackson, 'Turbo Passion' ups the bounce of sweat soul aerobics; "ohhh yeah .... like you used to do.

So this is a more than good EP but those of you that enjoy a bit of the dark side in something of the night in your house,  'Nocturnal' is gloriously down low in the organ department and Mama ain't going to help you out.

What with the recent release of 'The Symington Avenue EP' from Toronto Hustle x Sean Roman (see review HERE), this is a busy time for Wolf fans but how do we love it.

BUY LINK https://www.phonicarecords.com/product/frits-wentink-heartbeat-fm-wolf-music/200705

Artist: Frits Wentink 
Title: Heartbeat FM 
Release date: 24th January, 2025
Label :Wolf Music Recordings
Catalog Number  WOLFEP078
Format: 12" VINYL / Digital / Bandcamp