Review: Kiko Navarro feat. Nuria Millán & Benji Habichuela - Nana Del Caballo Grande (Afroterraneo)

Made for customers on the largest of Balearic Islands, is it Balearic? If your idea of Balearic is a fusion of synthy bounce North Africa influences with soaring Spanish vocals and some added flamenco guitar and percussion in your house; this is it! 

After getting his son, Hugo Navarro to help out on last months' release, 'Una Matttina (A Morning)' (see review HERE) the ever busy Kiko has called up Nuria Millán (vocals) and Benji Habichuela (Spanish flamenco guitarist) to give us this totally different new release, 'Nana Del Caballo Grande' (Lullaby of the Big Horse).

Nothing to do with the Northern Soul classic by Cliff Noble & Co. (The Horse) but a new cover of the flamenco legend, Camaron De La Isla's hit as a commission for Majorca's dance and acrobatics company 'House of Son Amar'.

The dance troop are fans of Kiko's 'La Fatiga' (2020) and were looking for something similar for their productions so it made sense to call Benji for percussion as he worked on 'La Fatifa'.

And he is the one who suggested to add 'cantadora' (female singer) Nuria Millán who gives this proper flamenco cred in both the 'extended' and 'orginal' versions.

Flamenco is culturally important in these parts and you don't want to upset folks and Kiko et al certainly won't with this version that's back of your neck tingling whilst you're a dancin'.  Even the Exhibit remix is evenly split between a mostly acapella Pt 1 and a deep house bangin' Part 2.

So different to Una Matttina' but equally brilliant - time to give Kiko the freedom of the Islands (that's if he's not got it already) 

Artist: Kiko Navarro feat. Nuria Millán & Benji Habichuela
Title: Nana Del Caballo Grande
Release Date : 12th April, 2024
Catalog Number : AFTNE063
Label : Afroterraneo Music
Format: Digital

Review: Kiko Navarro & Hugo Navarro - Una Mattina (Afroterraneo)

When you think of family duo's you don't usually come across the younger partner being a 13 year old son! Well, Kiko and Hugo, have definitely pulled it off on the deep house 'Una Matttina' (A Morning).

Kiko, of course, has long been at the forefront (and indeed, foundations) of deep house, Balearics, dancefloor sounds - and here's his son, straight from his classical piano lessions - and has totally nailed it (as the yuts says these days).

If you've got a longing for the Robert Miles vibe of 'Children' with an echo of 'Fade To Grey' (are these two musically playing with us?) this is potentially, just as big as both these 'classic' tracks (as an aside, I don't remember walking through Brighton's 'The Lanes' one weekend and it was if all you could hear was 'Children' back in 1995/6).  

Hugo's piano element is a cover of Ludovico Einaudi, the famous Italian pianists and they'd have you believe 'I'm Not In Love' by 10cc was the inspiration for the electroic element; well you can certainly feel the 'oooooooohhhs' more on the instrumental.

There's a 'poem' version that's been generated by an AI app which is better than it sounds but I think I'll stick to the orignal non-poem version.

PS. Hugo, might be an idea to get your application in for the Verdi Conservatory in Milan and follow in the footsteps of Rahmin Bahram.

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - March 2024

Artist: Kiko Navarro & Hugo Navarro
Title: Una Matttina (A Morning)
Release Date : 22nd March, 2024
Catalog Number : AFTNE062
Label : Afroterraneo Music
Format: Digital

Review: Buika & Kiko Navarro - El Silencio (Afroterraneo)

Looks like 2023 just gets better for Afroterraneo with every release as we now get a rather loud 'El Silencio' from Buika and Kiko Navarro.

Following on from the Kiko Navarro/DJ Pippi/ Willie Graff EP, ;Tempistica Mistica' (see review HERE), 'El Silencio' is anything but in long and short versions with club and original edits.  More Latin/Flamenco-ish than Afro-House these guys know how to mix house and beach.

The Latin flava is of no surprise as Buika has won a Latin Grammy Award and has been described as having a "gritty" "voice of freedom" which suits the swirling synths on the club edit; the original version being more jazz-fun ky but just as club friendly.

Somewhat different to the other release this year, Beatkozina's 'Nusrat Passion' featuring Abirah Shah (with Kiko Navarro Afroterraneo Remix - see review HERE) but I'm guessing, like 'Nusrat Passon', 'El Silencio' will make the Sumsuch Colour & Pitch Session for this month and that recommendation is more than enough in my book!

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - October 2023

Artist: Buika & Kiko Navarro
Title: El Silencio 
Release Date : 20th October, 2023
Catalog Number : AFTNE058
Label : Afroterraneo Music
Format: Digital

Colour and Pitch founder Sumsuch with another live mix, stacked with gorgeous new soulful electronic sounds from across the planet and beyond...

Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts: geni.us/ColourAndPitch

Tracklist:
1. Late Man - No Alarm - Be Adult Music
2. Sound Quelle - Lastecostra - Monstercat Silk
3. At One & Atjazz - I Get Down - Atjazz Record Company
4. Electric Dada & Da Luka - Cadmium (Freedo Mosho & Marway Remix) - Electronic Groove
5. Sanoi - Zero Gravity - Loop
6. Sio X Atmos Blaq - Land Of The Dreamers - Stay True Sounds
7. Buika & Kiko Navarro - El Silencio (Club Version) - Afroterraneo
8. RCTL - The Condition - My Techno Weighs A Ton
9. Bensy - City Of Gold (Alex Twin Remix) - COYA MUSIC
10. Sumsuch & Will Brock - Free Born Man - Colour and Pitch
11. Sister Pearl - The Calling (Mannix House Remix) - Dafia Records

Review: Kiko Navarro, DJ Pippi, Willie Graff - Tempistica Mistica (Afroterraneo)

It's all about the drum and master of the Balearic house, Kiko Navarro, gets his mates DJ Pippi and Willie Graff to work their magic on this EP for guaranteed dancefloor madness.

Both 'N' Fumbei' and the even deeper Jungle synthed disco of 'Esanah' are Afro-Latin tracks that you can spin from beach to jazz house.

But the 'bonus' track is even cooler as it's the beat "dub" 'N'Funbeats' that should only be played in a darkened backroom disco with all the other illict grooves: so raw it'll make chafing a pleasure - for serious dancers only; and for you nerds, there's a slightest of references to Yello's 'The Race'.

If you're used to DJ Pippi and Willie Graff's more downtempo grooves you'll need to up the tempo to more like fans of Kiko Navarro's 'You Take Over' with the Osunlade remixes (see review HERE) and the incredible Beatkozina.Abirah Shah 'Nusrat Passion' (see review HERE) you'll going to love this too!

Artist: Kiko Navarro, DJ Pippi, Willie Graff 

Title: Tempistica Mistica 

Release Date : 26th May, 2023

Catalog Number : AFTNE055

Label : Afroterraneo

Format: 12" / Digital

Review: Beatkozina ft. Abirah Shah - Nusrat Passion (inc. Kiko Navarro Afroterraneo Remix) (Afroterraneo)

Fans of the last release on the Afroterraneo label, Kiko Navarro's 'You Take Over' featuring Nader Behravan that included an Osunlade remix (see review HERE) might think they'd know what they'd be getting with this latest release; but would they?

Well, they won't be surprised that this is an excellent couple of tracks that you'll want to hear again and again but whilst you may want to head for the Kiko remix to start with - hold on and get absorbed with the original version, not only because it's nearly 10 minutes long but it's got the "truly show-stopping performance" vocals of Abirah Shah.

This track is a glorious mix of Afro-Arabic-Indian subcontinent with deep house and as Kiko loves his spiritual Alice Coltrance/Tai Chi you can tell he's up for the remix.  If someone was to update ex-CAN member Holger Czukay's 1979 classic 'Persian Love', this would not be that far away.

Bearkozina formed out of Gregory Jouandon travelling from is London home to Marrakech where he met fellow multi-instrumentalist Marehdi Naami and this is there first release and is a tribute to internationally renowned performer of Qawwali (Sufis spiritual music), Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.  Not only is this a fitting tribute, both versions are totally dancefloor ready so be prepared to be surprised!

And featured on the latest Colour & Pitch Session with Sumsuch

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - March 2023

Artist: Beatkozina ft, Abirah Shah 

Title: Nusrat Passion (inc. Kiko Navarro Afroterraneo Remix) 

Release Date : 31st March, 2023

Catalog Number : AFTNE054 

Label : Afroterraneo

Format: 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

1. Nusrat Passion (9:16)

2. Nusrat Passion (inc. Kiko Navarro Afroterraneo Remix) (7:54)

Review: Kiko Navarro ft. Nader Behravan - You Take Over (inc. Osunlade Remix) (Afroterraneo)

This is absolute brilliant madness as the Baleraic beach is now an acid house vs. tai chi dancefloor.

Fans of Kiko Navarro will be aware of his 'Sounds Of My Breath' collaboration with Tai Gung/Qigong expert Nader Behravan (and Navaro fan) but the idea of Osunlade 'Yoruba Soul' remix has turned mantra of 'less is more' on its head(stand) pose.

There's seems to be a trend with acid at the moment with the new Hieroglyphic Being album 'There Is No Acid In This House (Soul Jazz Records) and, of course, our favourite 303 in you're disco with Daniel Wang's 'DSDN EP' (Paloma).  Any coinsidence, that Osunlade made his name at Soul-Jazz with his Yoruba Soul sound?

Nader is a perfect instructor but if you find his spoken word distracting there's an instrumental version.  Osunlade is not scared of it as he takes it fully on-board as he takes us on a smooth trans-euro 303-acid drop trip . 

Shame no Kiko Navarro Motor City Jazz Remix but perhaps it's in the pipeline.  Video's of Nader's breathing technique can be found on Kiko's web site for further enlightenment. 

P.S. Osunlade is also featured in the latest copy of FAITH, Winter 2022 vol. 3 #8

Artist: Kiko Navarro ft. Nader Behravan

Title: You Take Over (inc. Osunlade Remix)

Release Date : 25th November, 2022

Catalog Number : AFTNE052

Label : Afroterraneo

Format: 12" / Digital

1. You Take Over ft. Nader Behravan (8:31)

2. You Take Over ft. Nader Behravan (Osunlade Yoruba Soul Remix) (8:42)

3. You Take Over ft. Nader Behravan (Instrumental Version) (8:25)