Review: Various Artists - The Best of Asona Records (Asona / BBE Music)

After releasing 15 albums from the Asona catologe, BBE have decided to release a compilation of the 'Best Of', 'Classic 90's Burger Highlife From Ghana'.

A mere 14 tracks as there's no Paa Jude from the recently released 'Seaman Jolly' (see review HERE - and obviously slated for Vol. 2 of Best Of), it's not an easy job to compile this one.

The story of Asona,  founded in the mid-80s in Peckham, South East London and the 'finding' of the lost tapes in the garden shed has been detailed in reviews of previous releases on YATM. 

Indeed, many of your favourites are featured on the album that's crammed with the sunshine sounds of 'Burger' like Thomas Frempong, Eric Aguemand and his Kokoroko Band, Sam Yeboah, A.K. Yeboah & K.K's No. 2 Band (with the best of the best, 'Make Me Know My Position'), Kantata and more.

This is the ideal pick me up for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) sufferers craving sounds of West African dancefloor footwork.  And as a 'Best Of', it's definitely a 100% accurate title and perfect in so many way for 2025; and this is my position!

Artist: Various Artists

Title: The Best of Asona Records

Release date: 7th March, 2025

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE791

Format:  LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Omar - Can We Go Out (Lyric Video) (IMPRESS!VE Collective - an imprint of BBE Music)

DIgital/Video singles are not our usual thing but when it comes to UK legend, Omar, we are prepared to make that exception as his voice is just a brilliant way to start the week.

'Can We Come Out Again' may sound like a post-pandemic throw-a-way or a LGBTQ+ call to arms; either way, it's a great start to the week. 

Not only that, it's the first full single from Omar's forthcoming 9th studio album called 'Bright The Days'.

You may recall that last year, we started off with the single 'Lovey Dovey' so if you were wondering what to do for the forthcoming Valentines Day.

NO DIGITAL : BANDCAMP LINK Lovey Dovey / This Thing Called Life (Instrumental) | Omar 

Artist: Omar

Title: Can We Go Out (Lyric Vi5deo)

Release date: 7th February, 2024

Label :  IMPRESS!VE Collective (an imprint of BBE Music)

Catalog Number:BBE801SDG1

Format: Bandcamp  

Review: Various Artists - Paul Hillery presents Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours Volume 3 (BBE Music)

This is Paul Hillery's third 'Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours ' inspired compilation and arguably the best as fans and diggers alike will be thinking, where does he find these tracks?

Much like his "Sun Children" (as last seen as Part 3, Paul Hillery presents We Are The Children Of The Setting Sun (see review HERE), he finds them all over the globe but all having the same 'root' of folk, funk and trippy troubadours

If you can't imagine what that is Tim Green's 'Got More Love' and Stephen Whynott's 'What Have You Seen' are typical of Hillery's USP in the "unknown" world of 60s Greenwich Village/Haight-Ashbury that didn't make major label signings much like his Will & James Ragar "find" (see review HERE) and Forest (see review HERE).

That said, any 22 track compilation there's going to be a couple of odd-balls like the extremely beautiful 'Night Blooming Thing' (Robin Frederick) or the soothing slo-mo of 'Give Me Time' (Bobbi Keith).  Talking of which, Kirk Edwards' 'Provincetown' is sublime whilst if you crave a long lost Joni Mitchell (that never was 'cos it was by Dave Smith and Judy Dinning), 'Sail Far' is the track for you.

And more Canadian influence, Glastonbury denier Neil Young to be precise, can be heard on Dwight Druick (great name) with 'Joshua' or the soft-rockin' instrumental 'Going All The Way' (Robert Carlton) which was amazingly the b-side to a track called 'Punk'!

Going all the way is the skill of Paul as a curator, he was once the DJ for the 'out-there' Polyphonic Spree, and you can find Vol. 1 & 2 of  'Folk, Funk & Trippy Troubadours' on RE:WARM that's another mix of blue-eyed soul, jazz, folk, soft rock, AOR fusion that somehow sounds really cool.

Whilst the sun might of set on his other compilation series, this is evidence that there's many more trippy troubadours out there to be found and Mr. Hillery is the best placed to find 'em.

Artist: Various Artists

Title:  Paul Hillery presents Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours Volume 3 

Release date: 7th February, 2025

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE793 

Format: 3xLP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

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: Paa Jude - Seaman Jolly (Asona / BBE Music)

All aboard 'Seaman Jolly' the album by Paa Jude that sounds more like a title of episode of this much chuckled at 'Captain Pugwash'. 

It may only be four tracks, along with the title track, 'Mente Gyae', 'Odo Refre Wo' and 'Ofie Nipa', BBE have gone back to the treasure trove of Asona Records for the best of Ghana's Burger Highlife. 

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You'll recall Burger revival of Kantata, A.K. Yeboah, Sam Yeboah's Hi-Life Sensation and Eric Agyemand & his Kokroko Band and Paa Jude is another influencial player that we'd have never have heard of if it hadn't been for DJ Jerry Frempong's wife sorting out the garden shed where Jerry's dad had left his Asona records master tapes.  After bringing in BBE's Pete Adarkwah, it was time to re-issue this history.

A for a minimal 101 on Burger, back in the 60s, the sounds of US soul, funk and pop (with associated electric instruments and production started to influence traditional Ghanan Highlife bands.  By the time Anthony Frempong was recording 'Seaman Jolly' in South London, there were other influences in the air like a dancehall dub of 'Mente Gyae' that seems short even at 10 minutes long.

'Odo Refre Wo' sounds like it's been influenced by hit by Lionel Richie at his 80s peak but it's more to do with the feel of the track than the sound whilst the percussion of Papa Cudjoe keeps it bouncing along like we're riding a pony; another one at 9 minutes that ends as if they were ready for some King Tubby 12" extended dubs. 

The title track sounds very traditional at a high paced with beautiful batimcking vocals and a tweaked keyboard solo; no English lyrics so I couldn't tell you if this is a fond quayside farewell but to say it's 'Jolly' would be an understatement.

By the time of 'Ofie Nipa', they have nailed the 'Seaman Jolly' reggae-higlife sound and it's joyous

Of course this type of muscial cross-fertilization is nothing new when it come to "royalty", such as the visits of James Brown and Sun Ra to Africa whilst Fela Kuti was big mates with Ginger Baker (Cream) and Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull).   And whilst, Paa Jude's 'Seaman Jolly' may not rank with such big names, this is a BIG album and you're not going to find an original copy so many thanks to the Frempongs and BBE for making this re-issue happen.

Artist: Paa Jude

Title: Seaman Jolly 

Release date: 10th January, 2025

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE763

Format:  LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Audrey Powne - Souled Out (remixed by Joe Claussell) / Feed the Fire Remixes (remixed by Atjazz & musclecars) (BBE Music)

Just a quick reminder that Audrey Powne not only had one of the debut albums of the year but also some heavyweight remix 12s, out on BBE.

This is a good time of the year to catch up with top albums of 2024 like Ms. Powne's 'From The Fire' (see review HERE).along with the Atjazz and Musclecars remix 12" (see review HERE).

Not only that, there's a three tracker of 'Souled Out' by legend Joe Claussell as a Cosmic Arts Interpretation mix, Joaquin's Sacred Rhythm version and a deep version.  Claussell has been the top man for all spiritually deep dubbiness and this is him at his best.

Apparently, the album is being touted as 'Jazz Album Of The Year', definely debut or even drop the 'jazz' - BBE is due a gong too!

Artist: Audrey Powne

Title:  Souled Out (remixed by Joe Claussell) / Feed The Fire (Atjazz & Musclecars Remixes)

Release date: 4th October / February, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE753SDG / BBE753ELP

Format: 12" x 2 / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Freddy da Stupid - Back To Pangea Part II (BBE Music / Batakari)

Going back to Pangea - the original one - would take quite some time but as far as Freddy da Stupid is concerned, 'Part II' is with us now.

There's fantastic artwork to go with this return to nature with a 3-track "journey to the primordial supercontinent, symbolizing the union of cultures and the primordial essence of African sounds" in the context of original, Jazzapella (very orgnically glocky this one) and dub versions.  

The combination of Afro house and 3-step puts us in a Afro-Latin dancefloor soup of synth and percussion that's fantastically hypnotic and Balearic at the same time. The dub brilliantly incorporates the sounds of the forests that matches that intense artwork.

Freddy's debut album, 'Bantu Origins' (Ed. can a sense a theme going on here?) came out last year but this is his debut on BBE Music / Batakari so reaching a wider audience, I wonder if a forthcoming album is going to be 'Back To Pangea Part I' or 'Back To Pangea Part III in a what came first senario, chicken or pterodactylus egg?

Artist: Freddy da Stupid

Title: Back to Pangea Part II

Release date: 15th November, 2024

Label : BBE Music / Batakari

Catalog Number : BAT010SDG

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: musclecars - Double Honey Pack (Louie Vega & Maurice Fulton) (BBE Music)

After rockin' the WeOutHere Festival this year (and no doubt everywhere else musclecars have performed), BBE release the 'Double Honey Pack' knock-out version of this years' album where Craig Handfield and Brandon Weems (the duo known as musclecars) go head-to-head with alternate versions and remixes with music legends Louie Vega (also at WeOutHere Festival with The Elements Of Life) and Maurice Fulton.

You'll recall we were very excited about musclecars being represented on the Audrey Powne single, 'Feed The Fire'(see review HERE) and then we got 'Ha Ya (Eternal Life)' (see review HERE) followed by the album 'Sugar Honey Iceed Tea!'.

Well, it's a good job we're still on this as the 'Double Honey Pack' even supasses them all as the 'Ha Ya! (Enternal Life) (Planetarium Mix)' is the spiritual flute gang jazz-house classic of the year and 'I Don't Remember The Last Time I Saw The Stars' is 11 minutes of pure Latin-jazz-house perfection.

It's a bit pricey for the double vinyl verson (worth it for 'Water (Spiritual Mix)' on its own) but with all the dancefloor remix version, to mis-quote this weeks' budget statement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, "think of it as an investment in the future".

Get It tonight!

1. Tonight 05:55

2. Tonight (Louie Vega Bronx Dub) 05:50

3. Tonight (Louie Vega Remix) 08:22

4. Hello? (Maurice Fulton Remix) 06:44

5.  'Ha Ya! (Enternal Life) (Planetarium Mix) 07:35

6. I Don't Remember The Last Time I Saw The Stars 11:10

7. Water (Spiritual Mix) 08:30

8. Tonight (Louie Vega Bassin Dub) 05:38

9. Tonight (NV South Jersey Dub) 03:48

10. Tonight (Louie Vega Remix Brooklyn Solo Dub) 08:22

11. Tonight (Clean Version) 05:55

12. Tonight (Louie Vega Remix) (Clean Version) 08:22

Artist: musclecars 

Title: Double Honey Pack 

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE763

Format: 2 x LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Will & James Ragar - The Baton Rouge EP (BBE Music)

If you can remember back to the start of 2023, BBE introduced us to the brothers Will and James Ragar with their Southern Louisiana folk/jazz/blue eyed soul that was totally ignored in 1981 when orginally released: well they're back! 

Well, sort of, because if their 'Forever' / 'Bayou Paradise' (see review HERE) these earlier tracks were even more ignored.  Which was a shame for them but great for us now after nearly 50 years since they were written/produced.

You'll recall these sessions were recorded in Baton Rouge with an engineer who had worked with in the Allman Brothers, these tracks are like a 'deep' southern folky Supertramp/Little Feat' particularly 'Spill The Beans'.

Definitley one for fans of Paul Hillery's 'Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours' and 'Children Of The Setting Sun' series (see review HERE).  

Artist: Will & James Ragar 

Title: The Baton Rouge EP

Release date: 1st November, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE730EDG / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: The Cromagnon Band - Mode (BBE Music)

BBE Music's had to wait a while to get The Cromagnon Band's second album, 'Mode' on the shelves but this is going to be a surprise hit as its such a classy release - and apparently they do live gigs too!

You couldn't get further away from BBEs last release, the brilliant album from Waaju, 'Alouane' featuring Majid Bekkas (see review HERE) but then there is a trippy, psych rock, jazz funk underbelly to both so perhaps they aren't that far away!

That said, I don't think Mr. Bekkas will be joining them any time soon as the trio, Bert Page (keys, sax, clarinet), Lenny Walker (bass) and Tom Watt (drums) are more in a jazzy-OST-library groove.

It's pretty dramatic at times ('Bad Night') and I like that they can 'slip into psuedo prog-rock a la Deep Purple meets Black Sabbath at the gates of DJ Shadow's film noir soundtrack collection 'Contrary  Motion' and 'Phrygia') and there's even some Ethio-synth Kasbah flute gang wierdness to 'Crooked Usage'.

Any fans of 70s Hancock/Schifrin/Barry soundtracks and instrumental hip-hop will love this especially when it really comes together on the last 3 tracks; 'Hadley's Hope', 'Not Nothing' and the monster prog-ish 'Mandelbrot'

Their debut album clearly caught the attention of BBE and if you're after some obscure Jonny Trunk style release, save your dosh instead and get 'Mode', the not so difficult second album by The Cromagnon Band - you'll be so much better off in all sorts of ways.

Artist: The Cromagnon Band

Title: Mode

Release date: 25th October, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number:BBE787

Format: LP, Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Waaju featuring Majid Bekkas - Alouane (BBE Music)

This is a bit of a surprise as Morocco's Majid Bekkas joins forces with Waaju to produce the most 'WOMAD' of albums that surpasses the live album experience with 'Alouane'.

Majid is in his 60s now and acknowledged as one of the top performers of Moroccan Gnawa music that has attracted collaborations in the past with top jazz artists as varied as Pharoah Sanders, Peter Brötzmann, Archie Shepp, Nguyên Lê and many more. 

So who better to ask to join Waaju for a live recording of 'Alouane' (translates as 'Colours' in Arabic) which was Bekkas first visit to the UK at the time of recording. The inspiration for a 9 track album came from Waaju's drummer Ben Brown and it's his arrangements of traditional Gnawa songs give the feel on Mali desert blues meets a jazz-rock fusion trip.

Heavily percussive and supplemented by some busy guitar and sax, Majid's vocal performance easily enhances the album and it's the likes of existing fans Gilles Peterson, Jorda Rakei, Jazz FM et al will be on top of this one.

Artist: Waaju featuring Majid Bekkas 

Title:  Alouane

Release date: 11th October, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :BBE608

Format: 2 x LP, Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Rick Panzer – Music For The Complete Jazz Dance Class With Lea Darwin (BBE Music)

BBE Music have tracked down a 1979 lost classic of music composed by Rick Panzer and produced by choreograher Lea Darwin as fans of dance instructor Gus Giordano who was known for his modern jazz dance innovations and instruction books.

Originally released as a 11 track double album, BBE have replicated the original with the two killer dancefloor tracks, 'Pre-stretch Warm Up' (16 mins) and 'Floor-stretch Warm Up' (15 mins).  Don't be put off by these functional titles, or the rest of tracks, as this is as much innovated jazz-funk as inspired jazz dance.  

Clearly from the amount of 'new' instruments available to Mr. Panzer in the late 70s including Mini-Moog, Arp Odyssey, Yamaha CS60 Polyphonic Synthesizer, Freeman String Symphonizer, Arp String Ensemble, Fender Rhodes (as well as being the producer, composer, arranger, orchestrater and playing the grand piano and percussion) this guy knew his fusion and jazz-funk and rock and whatever 'Plies' is - so groovy man, for 9 minutes!

So who knew about this one?  Michel Veenstra is the digger responsible (he of Klinkhamer Records - see review HERE) and we are so lucky that this album is re-released in all it's glory.

You'd buy this album on the strength of the cover alone?  

Artist: Rick Panzer  

Title: Music For The Complete Jazz Dance Class With Lea Darwin 

Release date: 27th September, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :BBE777

Format: 2 x LP, Digital / Bandcamp  

VA - If Music presents: You Need This! An Introduction to the Handson Family (BBE Music)

This compilation is very hectic heavy as If Music... has an introduction to a couple of Brixton's finest Cyndi & Christian, aka the Handson Family.

After 'If... Music presents You Need This' (see review HERE) and the extension to 'An Introduction To Klinkhamer Records' (see review HERE), the series goes local to the eclectic taste of these two stalwarts of Brixton Market and supports of many of YATM's friends and family and if there is a focus to the 14 tracks, it's a Golden Era of artists emerging into Worldwide (Gilles Peterson)  acknowledgement with a Futuristica Music - South London axis.

Starting with Emanative's 'We Travel The Spacebeats' (Futuristica Music, 2009), Brixton's favourite and much missed TY (RIP) 'Dreams' setting the scene for two summer big 'uns; P'taah's 'Staring At The Sun' (2002/3) and Xantoné Blacq's 'Search For The Sun (Platinum Remix)' (2003); also included is MckNasty's 'Sundown'

And around this time, the voice of Koop's hit, 'Waltz For Koop', Cecilia Stalin was very busy on the broken beat scene and 'CPW' is a prefect example of the mix of West London and jazz skat.  And talking of West London(?), New Zealand's jazz-NSM-esque 'Hangers On' by The Nabatean needs a higher profile thanks to its inclusion here.

And talking of which, Ian O'Brien's 'Love Beams' certain owes some debt to Lonnie Liston Smith's chill out and then Outside's 'Moodswing' was originally released in the mid-1990s; perhaps overlooked at the time by Galliano but as they've reformed, perhaps Outside should consider? 

Shur-I-Kan has released many a great track either on his own or in collaborations but 'Bedtime Stories' is another 'lost' track that you need in your box.

Cyndi and Christian are clearly deep diggers that are happy to share their music love and knowledge. I remember when the Handson's guested at the Jazz Chronicles session back in the day and Cyndi was championing a compilation that had just come out at the time; it's now our time to spread the word about this expertly selected double LP - as they say, "You Need This!"

Artist: Various Artists 

Title:  If Music presents: You Need This! An Introduction to the Handson Family

Release date: 27th September, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE

Format: 2xLP / Digital / Bandcamp 

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Review: Jessica Lauren - Alefela / Shibuya (BBE Music)

Jessica Lauren's fans are many and it's no surprise at all that BBE have acknowledged her excellence with this brand new single. 

As part of the new IMPRESS!VE Collective roster is keyboard player, composer and producer Jessica Lauren debuts with a single release, 'Alefela' / 'Shibuya'

Known to us as the Mrs Emanative in Nick 'Emanative' Woodmansey's group (as recently showcased on the album 'Abstract Intuition' (see review HERE) but she's also been part of bands with Jean Carne, Tom Browne, Dexter Wansel, James Mason, UFO, The Heliocentrics and (really!) Demis Roussos (this was around the time Emanative performed at Favela Chic; but that's a different story).

However, that was around the time her 'Film' album was being touted for a re-issue so with these two tracks from that original 1997 recording that was originally released a couple of years later on MELT2000 as a CD only release.

After last months' 'Ascend It' by Tamil Rogeon (see review HERE) with its 70s Miles/Herbie fusion and if you're into the 100mph jazzdance; this is definitely boiling up to it.  This is so "Gilles Peterson / Patrick Forge Dingwalls" I fully expect both Lauren and Tamil at next years' We Out Here Festival).  

That said, you don't need the gift of the gab of a DJs to be talking about this one, "our Jessica" time is now and no doubt it'll be recorded on film too.

Artist: Jessica Lauren

Title: Alefela / Shibuya 

Release date: 20th September, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :BBE643SDG

Format: Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Rahaan Presents The Ones - The Ones (BBE Music)

You'll be a hard soul not to be moved by the disco funk of 'We Are The Ones' as it's a stonking loco of a track - and it's not the only one!

We remember the 3 track EP from last year, 'We Are The Ones', 'Fire' and 'Forever' (see review HERE) and new there's a further 7 funky drenched soul on the double LP release. 

As regular readers know with like a bit North African influence, fusion and jazzy vibes so  the melange of 'City Rain Supreme' takes the Michael White 'The X Factor' gold medal for this year.

Other tracks are more a mix of soul n' house like the Balearic  'What You Are To Me' and the inner city 'Toy Boy' before reaching 'The Promised Land'.  And then off to the beach with the sixties surf-twang of 'Star Seed' before getting Stevie Clavinet funky with 'Manifest Into Movement'

This is a fantastic album mix of Rahaan's Chicago house roots to his residency at Buddha Lounge along with musicians Todd Swope (electric guitar), Carnell Newbill (bass) and Kenny Anderson, ex-Ohio Players horn section.

This is The Ones you need.

Artist: Rahaan Presents The Ones 

Release date: 20th September, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE733 2xLP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Tamil Rogeon - Wave Theory (BBE Music)

Yet another super talent from down under, Tamil Rogeon is the only 'Wave Theory' you need this year - BBE are on the crest of the wave!

We were very impressed with the taster single 'Gift Of The Gab'/'Ascend It' (see review HERE) and that's no surprise after having the the seal of approval from Greg Boraman for his 2021 album, 'Son Of Nyx'.

It's not going to be often that you can find a guy and jazzy and funky as a Herbie that's playing a violin/viola!  Not even Jean-luc-Ponty!   And when he's mates with the incredible Audry Powne (vocals/trumpet) as in, 'From The Fire' (see review HERE) we are all in for a proper treat with the six tracks on the album that are all proper 'jazz' length.

The launch party is on 3rd October at BBE HQ (see HERE) so get your tickets now 'cos this really is the hottest ticket in town.

  

Artist: Tamil Rogeon 

Title: Wave Theory 

Release date: 4th October, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :
BBE642 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Masahiko Satoh, Takeo Moriyama, Leon Brichard and ldris Rahman - Live At Café OTO (BBE Music)

The 'Live' jazz album has had quite a few detractors in the past, but 'Live At Café OTO' is the exception - no rules to prove for this quartet as it's an exceptional performance.

Not everyone is lucky enought to have a niche leftfield jazz cafe on their doorstep so for those that missed the quartet of Masahiko Satoh (pianist/composer), Takeo Moriyama (drums), Leon Brichard (bass) and Idris Rahman (sax) in trendy East London, this is 'THE' must have album this year.

You'll have spotted that the line-up included J-Jazz heavyweights Satoh and Moriyama; yes it's Moriyama - he of 'Live At Lovely's (see review HERE that's well include in the 'live' jazz album exception).

And when I say heavyweigh, we're talking Olympic standard as you'll need to roll with the punches of the first 10 minutes of 'Morning Snow' (these guys can certainly do it live with one take) which leads into a gentle as a snowflake second half: and this is just the first track!

'Ringo Oiwake' is not such an onslaught be Satoh and Moriyama work incredible well (or should that be 'free' in tandem.  Hardly surprising as they first performed free/modern jazz in Japan in the 60s.

'East Plants' features Idris who has been a leading light in the UK for decades himself from Ill Considered (with Brichard), The Soothsayers (and the Youthsayers pre-shoot) and (with his pianist sister Zoe) Jerry Dammers' Spatial A.K.A. Orchestra to name just three.

They all come together for a special version of Fumio Itabashi's 'Watarase' (with drum solo of course) and you can almost feel the atmosphere in the room on 'Other Worlds' (Rahman is magnificent).

The set ends as it sort of began with a group structured 'free' noise, 'Chiasma' that is reminiscent of the much missed Unsafe Festival of Improvised and Experimetal Music currated by Steve Harris (RIP) in Poole that was unfortuneately never recorded.

Café OTO is a frequent hang out of the best in the current UK jazz scene mix, such as another drummer Emanative (check out his latest album HERE) but at least this new album, Live At Café OTO, has captured such a truly magnificent gig for eternity. 

A must purchase and big thanks to Tony Higgins and Mike Peden who have championed the J-Jazz scene and don't forget their mush have book about all things J-Jazz (see review HERE) and don't forget there's another live album that's J-Jazz/Berlin, Aki Takase Trio's 'Song For Hope' (see review HERE) that was recorded in early 80s, where the renown pianist was joined by, you've guessed it, our man Takeo on drums.

Artist: Masahiko Satoh, Takeo Moriyama ft. Leon Brichard and ldris Rahman

Title:  Live At Café OTO

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE737

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp