Review: The Secret Garden - Names In The Sky feat. Jo Wallace (Ramrock Red Records)

Whether it's the Garden of Eden, The Garden of Earthly Delights or indeed, The Secret Garden, here's the flowering of Mrs Ramrock on vocals for 'Names In The Sky'.

Jo Wallace, the boss at Ramrock HQ, has made an appearance previously on the label (see review HERE) was introduced by Dan The Drum (he of 'Jazzcazz - see review HERE) to Alex of The Secret Garden and the result is this great track, 'Names In The Sky'.

Whilst older readers may imagine a John Gordon Sinclair /  Clare Grogan moment on the "End Of Summer" headland/beach but this is always going to be "current" which is kind of ironic as Alex's inspiration and the title was inspired by a Nancy Wilson track from 1968.

But don't get the impression that this is all dreamy stuff as the track (with the instrumental) is serious disco-boogie-funk ready for the spaceship dancefloor (and possibly a dubby remix from the Morris & Wallace team?)

Another winner from Ramrock and perfect timing as ever. 

Artist: The Secret Garden

Title: Names In The Sky feat. Jo Wallace

Release date: 28th October, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR070

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Deep Excavation ft. Morris Revy - Feel The Flow EP (Ramock Records)

Deep Excavation is drilling down to 'Feel The Flow' with Morris Revy that fits in with the Ramrock red, green and gold mining for quality reggae and dubs.

In fact, it was a combination of Ashley Beedle (the other half to Ramock Records' prime instigator and all-seeing eye of musical goodness, Jo Wallace) that got hold of Deep Excavations (aka Alan Keane) in Ireland (Ed. any relation?) with a vocal by Nigerian Morris Revy.

Mr Revy has a really expressive vocal delivery that approaches dub poetry as this guy really does feel the riddim with a Ha Ya! eternal life (no, not this one - see review HERE).

The instrumental continues the groove as it's like a mesmeric train ride where you make a move like an express; with no stops, or buffet car!

And there's a dub which just perfect for the nyabinghi house trippers that's equally suitable for some balearic beach action.

No only that, there's a Balmr remix (aka Greg O'Connell) that sounds like the southbound tube line on dub race to Brixton with no time to read the poem of the day as you feel the flow.

Somewhat difffent to the last release from the Ramrock family,  Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers 'When Hurt Walks Out The Door' (see review HERE) but it's equally as great: as you'd expect from all Ramrock productions.

Artist: Deep Excavation ft. Morris Revy

Title: Feel The Flow EP

Release date: 8th March 2024

Label: Ramrock Red

Cat. No: RR012

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: King Bee - Good To Be Back ft. Andre Espeut (Ramrock Red Records)

Can you feel a new jazz dance Brit funk happening?  Well, it's on the cards as King Bee says it's 'Good To Be Back'.

Once more, Ramrock Red Records (and Mrs Ramrock, Jo Wallace in particular) have got their finger on the UK pulse and this time it's in Newcastle we find this powerhouse of a seven piece band that features the classic three horn front line with vibraphone!

Think Incognito mixed with the Chevalier Brothers doing jazz-funk like Morrissey Mullen/Beggar & Co. brought up to date like BunnDebrett Quintet, that's a bit of a challenge to get your jazzdance feet around but definitely worth it.

And on this mighty single, in addition to the instrumental version, there's two versions featuring the vocals of Andre Espeut who you may not recognise the name but his soulful vocals have quite rightly been sought after on countless releases.

Indeed, this is not King Bee's first recorded outing eithre as they released their first single in 2016 and found fans in Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music) and went onto be remixed by DJ Smoove (yes, another fellow of the North East and to be found on forthcoming Smoove & Turrell's single 'The Light', featuring Ronnie Foster on Jalapeno Records). [Note: that's Ronnie Foster of jazz label Blue Note!]

DJ Robbie Vincent and another serious soul-funk remixer, The Relex, are also counted King Bee fans and it's easy to see why as sounding like 'Good To Be Back', they must be brilliant live; particularly going on the reworked vocal version with extra basslines and acid-jazz organ, but it's all fantastic.

Artist: King Bee

Title: Good To Be Back ft. Andre Espeut 

Release date: 31st July, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR046

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Hollie Cook - Move My Way (Black Science Orchestra Remixes) (Merge Records)

Hollie Cook's new single, taken from her album 'Happy Hour' is all you'd expect from the 'Lil' Slit' with her reputation for bouncey lovers rock that here is produced with the help of Youth. 

It's backed by a track called 'Unkind Love' and if you are a fan of her 2011 debut album on Mr Bongo (produced by Dennis Bovel that got full  Prince Fatty dub overhaul) you'll won't be surprised by the quality of this new material.

What perhaps will surprise you (thanks to Mrs Ramrock, Jo Wallace for pointing this out) is that there's a Black Science Orchestra remix and dub versions.  We've not seen/heard these guys since Junior Boy's Own/Afro Art way back. 

The remix is very much in a disco-shuffle-jazz-funk groove and with a proper 'dub'; it's going to get you moving as the synths and percussion take on a very 80s go-go vibe with reggae island horns and organ; what more could you ask for? Kitchen sink? (only kidding).

Lets hope this is the start of Black Science Orchestra taking on more remixes like this.

P.S. There's an interview with Ashley Beedle in the new DISCO POGO magazine [#2] in which he covers his Black Science Orchestra days and much more.

Artist: Hollie Cook 

Title: Move My Way (Black Science Orchestra Remixes) 

Release Date : 14th September, 2022

Catalog Number : 

Label : Merge Records

Format: Digital