Review: Various Artists - Our Music Our Culture Vol. 2 (BBE Music)

Back in the day when 'Our Music Our Culture Vol. 1' compilation was release, I don't suppose anyone in the influencial CO-OP crew could imagine that Vol. 2 would take a further 17 years! But here it is.

The CO-OP was largely know for it's club night for soulful, broken beat, house, dance music and in 2000 was the vision of DJ's Afronaut & Mark Force (they of Bugz In The Attic) and championed on the radio by Gilles Peterson with some 'Future Jazz' branding.

The Mitchy Bwoy graphics have been tweaked on the cover but it's the eight tracks that are the stars kicking off with the pairing of André Espeut who we have featured many times and Wipe The Needle (he of the remix on Searchlight's 'We Could Be More' - see review HERE) with 'Here We Go'!

You could say 'Solar Mode' (Mark Force & Davriel Gabrius) is 'trademark' BRUK-jazz with dominent keys and space touches as it splatters the dance floor and then, of course, there's the Rio influenced hybrid, Ben Hauke's 'Your Woke Moment' that'll kill those bassbins.

And I suppose that's the point in many ways as over the past 25 years, as Peterson has been searching for the perfect beat, this was (and still is) the focus of many peoples dance experience for Drum n Bass to Dubstep and Spiritual Jazz of Latin classics plus house.

Lady Alma (last scene with 'Joy' - see review HERE) is here with 'Work It Out' as a Blaktonez CoOp Rub is typical and with Bémbé Ségué, one of the main voices on the scene.   As Domu was one of the main producers outside of the BITA inner sanctum: is exclusive Domu mix of Sonar's Ghost's 'Purest Dope' just spectacular?  I'd say so!

Given half the chance I'll mention Best Seven (see review HERE for Daniel's lastest label) and it's was the Domu/Volcov 7" 'Souljah' that got me excited about the CO-OP and it's great that there's a new generation to take it on like, Don Kamares, Soulpalour and Tru-Thoughts' Bruk Rogers.

Best be quick to order the vinyl as it's a limited pressing so get ya Booty La La out and make our culture, your next cultural purchase.

Artist: Various Artists
Title: Our Music Our Culture Vol. 2 
Release date: 28th March, 2025
Label : BBE Music
Catalog Number : COOP2210DG
Format: Limted 2xLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp