Review: David Lyn – The World I Hear (Essence of Life) (MWL Productions)

Music Without Labels are on the edge with David Lyn's new album, 'The World I Hear (Essence of Life)' and it won't take long to go over and fall in love with this album.

For a start off, you may not know the name David Lyn but he's attracted a wide range of people that you will know like Elbert Philips (a Frankie Knuckles protoge and he of A.MA records remixes - see review HERE), Andy Compton (amazingly prolific deep house/Balearic with The Rurals), Arema Arega (Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura), Born74 (who with Arema have been on Ramrock Red - loads of reviews on YATM) and even DJ legend Dr. Bob Jones has contributed!

So with this talent together with Lyn's own contribution on flute, clarinet, saxophone and piano we've got an album to champion.

With the title that sounds like it's deeply mediative, wellness focused like the amazing openers with vocals by Vuyelwa Mgatyelwa who sings on 'Bayede (Hail The King)' which connects effortlesly with 'Hamba Manzi (Water Flows)' and the last track, 'Let It Flow' (this last one is a monster that's already featured on the Illicit Grooves Radio show with DJ Bob Hill).

There's a rumour that Gilles Peterson is going to feature one of these tracks on his BBC 6 Music show but it's equally as likely he (and anyone else for that matter) will pick the Afro-house inspired 'Connections', the Latin-jazz dance focused 'Maria Juana' (the one that features Arema Arega and Born74) or 'Drum Connection' (the one with the Elbert Phillps remix) are all set for future dancefloors and festivals this year?

And here's a new name to us, King Stuff on 'I Need A Melody' which morphs into 'Ingoma Yakudala (An Old Song)' which sounds a bit like TY(RIP) in South Africa which would be/and is great.  There's also more than a leaning into gospel/soul/house 'You Told Me This' and 'Hey Lord'; if there's going to be a remix album, it's going to be a stunner, calling all Osunlades and Joe Clausells out there!

Prepare to hear this throughout the summer; and did someone say, "Sète" (Gilles Peterson's festival in the South of France in July), Dingwalls Reunions (check out Mark Murphy's "latest" single - see review HERE) or even Dorset's "We Out Here Festival" in August?

There's a bonus with the digital release of continuous 45 minute mix and it's hard to believe this is a debut album as it's so complete and polished but it's no surprised that more are planned: but for now, don't stop dancing to 'Maria Juana' and  'Drum Connection'.

Artist: David Lyn 

Title: The World I Hear (Essence of Life)

Release date: 1st June, 2024

Label: MWL Productions

Catalog Number: MWL LPDD124

Format: Vinyl / digital / Bandcamp

Review: Omary, Saint Evo Feat. Meryame - El Amal (Ostowana)

North African house from Moroccan DJ/Producer Omary meets Keyan DJ/Producer Saint Evo that features to vocals of Morrocan singer Meryame, finds up absorbed on the dancefloor with 'El Amal'.

You'll remember the last release on the label, SMALL F and Thabiso Vocalist's 'Remember Me' (see review HERE) or last year's collaboration between Omary and kawtar Sadik on 'Maktoub' with Amine'O on the remix which kind of links all the Mediterean/North African house with the (ethnic) flute gang.

There seems a renewed interest in Morrocan influences from DJ Bob Hill (Illicit Groves half-term break session) to Shay Hazan's 'Wusul) (see review HERE).

Artist: Omary, Saint Evo

Title: El Amal feat. Meryame

Release date: 12th February, 2024

Label : Ostowana

Catalog Number : OST047

Format: Digital

Reveiw: PA NGU feat. Lhue Ntuza – Kalanga EP (Deep In Your Soul)

If you're thinking what's the equivalent of Belgium's Remco Evenepoel when it comes to Afro House record label's (Ed. and who hasn't), we know know it's Deep In Your Soul as they release this stunner from PA NGU featuring the incredible vocals of Lhue Ntuza. 

The original mix of 'Ndiyahamba' is so good you might be tempted not to bother with the remixes, but dispell that thought immediately as Da Lee LS (from Lesotho) spins out a mostly instrumental post-JMJ version that keeps the tension rolling.

And there's more as Nruza's Xhosa vocals are as equal prominent on the other track 'Luthando' with a busy remix by Aytiwan (Bel) which is likely to appear in playlists like Blackcoffee and closer to home DJs Bob Hill, Andy Garvey and our own, Sumsuch..

PS. Don't be put off by the artwork; apparently it's a wily creature called a  Capybara (Kalanga)

Artist: PA NGU feat. Lhue Ntuza

Title: Kalanga EP 

Release date: 13th October, 2023

Label : Deep In Your Soul

Catalog Number : DIYS012 Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Enrico Bracco - Flying In A Box (A.MA Records)

Italian jazz has a huge history with labels as Black Saint and Soul Note to Schema Records and A.MA Records.

A.MA Records/Edizioni you say? Yeah, not so well known but that's changing as DJ Bob Hill (BBE, TWR, ReddSugarBlack Creative) as he is championing their releases with a compilation series and there's some remixes by Elbert Phillips.

 

Their latest album release by electric guitar maestro, Enrico Bracco is just out.  

'Flying In A Box' is his fifth album an very much modern jazz from the opening track 'Flow', with it's gentle stream like quality into the more angular 'Unresolved'.

'Urge' finds the band - personnel: Daniele Tittarelli (as), Pietro Lussu (p), Giuseppe Romagnoli (db), Enrico Morello (d): Drums - in more of a swing mode before the reflective gentleness of 'Cold' (in fact, I think 'Cold' is my favourite track of the eight on the album). 

There certainly is a sense of drama throughout the tracks that the band interpret prefectly as with the title track, 'Proved Honestly' and the more upbeat, 'The Same Way'.  

Bracco is certain not at all flashy and whilst jazz guitarist come in many forms these days, from the ever active/popular Bill Fisell to Lionel Loueke (who's recently announced a Herbie Hancock tribute album with Gilles Peterson!).  But if you're a fan of Kenny Burrel and Barney Kessel or even Stanley Jordan and Bireli Lagrene, this album is for you.

Artist: Enrico Bracco 

Title: Flying In A Box 

Release date: 11th November, 2022

Label : A.MA Records / A.MA Edizioni

Catalog Number : LP / Digital / Bandcamp