Review: Various Artists - Batov Artists 3 (Batov Records)

So another stunning release from Batov Records and better than that, it's a nine track compilation of some of their biggest stars... but there's some even better news!

We've love a the sounds from Batov this year; from Eje Eje's 'Five Seasons' (see review HERE) who are represent on this album with 'Black Sea Majic (Autumn)' to some lounge samba for ya Jonny Trunk types with Moriah Plaza's 'Samba Moosh' (see review HERE).

The great news is that the Sandman Project (the Emanative / Jessica Lauren project) is here in the form of  Hamsa Remixes EP (see review HERE) and more proof that there's more to just 'middle eastern' grooves, Muito Kaballa's 'Luna' is 60s jazz proggy and middle eastern. 

Of course, the hous band/flag wavers of the label, Sababa 5 are represented with the new track, 'Aeolus' from the album Aspan' (see review HERE) but the album is all gems like this.

Oh! And the "even better news", this compilation by label co-founder DJ Kobayashi is on Bandcamp as a digital release as a "Thank you" for a mere £1.00 if you get in quick; indeed "Thank you" Batov Records and all the artists and fans alike.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Batov Artists 3

Release date: 15th December, 2023

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR090

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various - Lost Control presents 'Devotion 2 The Ocean' (Lost Control)

Lost Control presents 'Devotion 2 The Ocean', their first compilation and appropriately gives some of the proceeds to Marine Conservation Institute.

Lost Control have more than impressed us this year with Black Eyes's 'Hydro-Trip Vol. 1' (see review HERE) as they maintain that they are "the best hydrotrip for the 7th dimension".

I don't think anyone is in a place to argue with that statement however bold it is from label founder,Balamii & NTS Radio residen and compilation selector, Black Eyes.

There's ten deep house tracks from all over the planet.  'Underwater Highway' (Walt J) and 'Under The Sea' (Mad World Music) perhaps should have kicked off the album but it's deep (no pun, etc) and dancefloor ready throughout; Lazercat's 'Cruise Over Nemo' being particularly good on a scuba synth dive trip - erm, hydro-trip.

Full on Berlin at it's best and another that I expect to feature in this months' 'Best Of' Colour & Pitch Sessions mix.

Title: Various Artists

Title: Lost Control presents 'Devotion 2 The Ocean'

Release date: 1st December, 2023

Label : Lost Control

Catalog Number :  LC2097- D002 

Digital / Bandcamp / marine-conservation-institute.networkforgood.com/projects/70404-support-us

Review: Various - Glücklich VI compiled by Rainer Trüby (Compost Records)

If you're a proud owner of any of the Glücklich's compilations; vol. 1 was a plain old VW Beetle cover, MkII (Split screen VW Camper),  Glücklich III (another Beetle), IV was like a Deloren Beach buggy, V some sort of Porche soft top - it gives you an indication how these compilations into Rainer Trüby's 'Collection Of Brazilian Flavours From The Past And The Present' have become more sophisticated over the near 30 years it's taken to get to Vol. VI!

That said Vol. 5 came out in 2002 but it's clear to all that Rainer has lost none of his enthusiasm for music that has been touched by the Brazilian spirit; he's even dug out a track written by José Prates (he of 'Tam...Tam...' that I recently mentioned for Bala Desejo's new album, 'SIM, SIM, SIM' see review HERE) called 'Adericó' by The Matheus Combo and it's so good, it could be Bala Desejo!

The other eleven tracks range from Jon Lucien's 'Come With Me To Rio'  to 'Hallo Höppel (from Wütrio's rediscovered album - see review HERE) to Sweden's A Bossa Elétrica with their take on Roy Ayers' 'Sob A Luz Do Sol (Everybody Loves The Sunshine)' [not such about the vocoder bits] and check the vocals on 'The Mystery Of Man as a Trüby/Corrado Buccu remix!]

Trüby is such a digger that even when you think you know what's coming, he'll surprise you. Get the album and make yourself 'happy' and you can imagine all those old 'Glücklich' CD comps will be being even harder to find now. 

Of course, you'll want to know that VI's motor is; I'm told it's a VW Volkswagen SP2 manufactured in Brazil between 1972 and 1976.  Wasn't Vol. 2's camper made in Brazil then exported to Europe as you couldn't get them over here?

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Glücklich VI compiled by Rainer Trüby

Release date: 14th July, 2023

Label: Compost Records

Cat. No: CPT 617

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Medusozoa Vol II (Tartelet Records)

Those of you that wanted more after Tartelet Records released their 'six of the best' series will be estatic that we've now got 'Medusozoa Vol II' coming out.

For a label reknown for finding new talent, this compilation 20 tracks is packed with a mix of old and new material from Glenn Astro, Henry Wu & Tito Wun, Jitwam, , Max Graef & Wayne Snow, Space Ghost and Uffe, and unreleased material by Nelson of the East and new to the label ABUNAI and Armin Tamzarian.

Mostly a "collection of introspective, downtempo and ambient leaning tracks for quiet moments" it ranges from the Glenn  Astro/Ajnascent Thundercat feel of 'Homespun' (you'll want this on repeat) to the nu-Nyabinghi of Uffe's 'Sunrise, Coffee and Cigarettes' and the low-slung funk of Modula's 'Cala Olivera'.

Founded in Copenhagen in 2007, Tartelet Records is run by Emil Margetli Nyholm and Frederik Bille Brahe and they've clearly got an ear for the leftfield which is easily hip and dancefloor influenced.  

In fact, the more you listen to the diverse comp, each track becomes your new favourite; who could resist Nelson Of The East's 'Tribe 92' or the oldest track on the album, 'Andre The Giant vs. Bob Sapp' by Henry Wu & Tito Wun of the 2006 EP, '27 Karat Years'.

Medusozoa Vol I was a mere 13 tracks so these guys have upped their game over the year and I suspect we'll here much more of them in 2023.  

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Medusozoa Vol II 

Release date: 30th November, 2022

Label : Tartelet Records

Catalog Number : Ultra Limited 12" Sampler / Digital / Bandcamp

Preview: The Boogie Volume 4 (Tokyo Dawn Records)

Tokyo Dawn's incredible compilation series 'The Boogie' shows no signs of running out of steam with this, its 4th installment.

Somehow treading the fine line between nostalgic and futuristic, this lovingly chosen selection of tracks hangs together beautifully as an album. Highlights include an incredible opener featuring Omar and deftly remixed by in-demand producer Opolopo, as well as a truly modern soul ballad from Chacho Brodas.

"Connecting the dots between early electro, hip hop and house, this compilation redefines boogie based on neon synths, soul chords and a decent portion of robot funk."

 The LP is out on February 23rd on CD as well as digital. Until then, you can grab a preview right here:

The Boogie Volume 4 by Tokyo Dawn Records