Review: GODTET - GODTET (La Sape Records)

GODTET are back with us in their original form and they are live too!

It's been a year since the release of GODTET's '+Strings' featuring Novak Manojlovic (see review HERE) but here's a chance to go back, way back.

In fact to the beginning as the debut album, 'GODTET' that came out on La Sape Records in October of 2017 as SAPE001.  Yes, the label's very first release is getting a re-press.

Since then, from their Melbourne base, they've introduced us to David Versace, JK Group, Ziggy Zeigeist (this weeks' favourite on Worldwide FM - listen back HERE).

Talking 'Worldwide', Gilles Peterson was on this when it first came out and whilst it's not as jazzy as some of the experimental We Jazz Records that have been released recently (proberly Lampen's 'Halogen' that was released last week is the closest in parts - see review HERE), the rest of the world has caught up with the prog-rock-ish, spiritual jazz dub electronic of these 12 live tracks, notably the title track.

And to coinside with the new release, GODTET are going on a Autumn tour in Europe so keep your eyes open for dates.

Andrew Bruce - Piano
Jan Bangma - Bass
Tully Ryan - Drums
Dominic Kirk - Percussion
Godriguez - Guitar

Artist: GODTET 

Title: GODTET

Release date: 27th September, 2024

Label La Sape Records

Cat. No. :  SAPE001

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: On-Ly - Wonderlust (La Sape Records)

Don't go anywhere this year until you've got 'Wunderlust' by On-Ly out on La Sape Records.

This is a magical mix of jazz-fusion spiritual boogie funk soul and jazz rock; Weather Report, Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, Jeff Beck (fusion period) spring to mind but Santana and other West Coasters, Mars Volta (at their less rocky and more proggy end) and Bob James (at his harder edge - bearing in mind, folks used to dance to Mr James' catchy tunes back in the day); let's throw in Jaco whilst we're at it.

It's only six track but they all pack a punch and for a debut album; On-Ly being the solo and collaborative name of pianist/producer Joshua Smeltik, this is easily going to be debut album of the year.

Not heard anything approaching the fusion brilliance of this for years and it's going to open up a few people eyes and wallets!  An essential purchase. 

Artist: On-Ly 

Title:  Wonderlust 

Release date: 22nd March, 2024

Label : La Sape Records

Catalog Number : SAPE029

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

All tracks composed and arranged by Joshua Smeltink.

On-Ly (Joshua Smeltink) - Fender Rhodes (track 6), Bechstein Model-A 1912, Keys, Synthesiser, Trumpet.
Daniel Waddingham - Electric Guitar.
Ash de Neef - Electric Bass.
Phil Stroud - Congas/Percussion.
Bryce Zelno - Drums.

Engineer: Joshua Smeltink.
Co-Engineer: Phil Stroud.
Produced by Joshua Smeltink.
Mixed by Joshua Smeltink.

Recorded at Casa Del Canning over two dates in April and November 2022 in Melbourne, Australia.
Cover Art: Adam Parata.
Album Design: Luke Ebert.

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Review: GODTET feat. Novak Manojlovic - +Strings (La Sape Records)

Fans of the experimental/electronic/ambient jazz of GODTET (and indeed La Sape Records) know that they are partial to a bit of a '+' experiment but this is the first time it's been recorded as a live album and with the addition of Australian pianist Noval Manojlovic and a string quartet.

It's was apparently Noval's idea of the 'classical' strings and it really work as an experimental (lets hope Godriguez/they are all best buds now as we definitely want more of this.  

Love the faint 'Love Supreme' vs shoegaze vs. heavy percussion of 'Lilt' and you can't blame 'em if sometimes it slips in the 70s prog sphere of say a Camel ('Nautical') but not a Gentle Giant.  Jazz funkers, it's  'Broadening'.

This is GODTET's fifth album and a couple of years ago I said, "Ambient jazz club types that fall in the Cinematic Orchestra/Portico Quartet envelope with be onto GODTET's trio of tracks, Meditation I, II & III as a beautiful landscape of outer spatial sounds".

'+Strings' was performed in a former women's prison at VIVID Festival in Sydney 2022 and this recording has certainly captured an 'atmospheric' that's mezmorising in just an audio format; check the appropriately named 'Texture'. 

You don't have to be Jez Nelson to love this and many thanks to the label for making this event more widely available.

Artist: GODTET feat. Novak Manojlovic 

Title: +Strings

Release date: 22nd September, 2023

Label La Sape Records

Cat. No. :  SAPE026

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: High Pass Filter - Nice Coordinated Outfit - Selected Recordings 1997-2005 (La Sape Records)

No wonder this was a cult band in Melbourne but as fans of Unsafe/Hard Return/Jack Chuter, 10 minutes of 'Extrapolate 01 (live)' is a gentle introduction to the work of High Pass Filter and La Sape Records retrospective compilation, 'Nice Coordinated Outfit - Selected Recordings 1997-2005'.  

Not all of the 17 tracks are that long; 'Extrapolate 02 (Live)' and 'Deepwater' are close but most of this avant-garde-dub-electronica avoids the excesses of shoegaze/minimal techno.  

Really like the trombone on both versions of 'Extrapolate', the 'out-there' hip-hop of 'Meep', the Japanese peace garden skratchin' of 'Horn Please' and 'E.S.N' particulary stands out as it sounds like a revival of Laswell/Shadow/Miles for jazzy, dub trip hop.

Somewhat strange that a group formed in Melbourne that was active from 1995–2006 with obvious Aphex Twin/Autechre/Sherwood leanings sounds so fresh and now; especially as it's a band we've not heard of in the UK. 

    

Totaly different to what we've heard from La Sape previously with 'Marseille Movement' by David Versace that came out in spring this year (see review HERE) so fair play to them as High Pass Filter is out on Double LP/Digital.

And even if your summer sport is dominated by Aussies and The Ashes, Matilda footie or even 'Bloody Damon Heta, there's definitely enough to get dressed with a 'Nice Coordinated Outfit' that's will make you forgive 'em.

Artist: High Pass Filter

Title: Nice Coordinated Outfit - Selected Recordings 1997-2005 

Release date: 21st July, 2023

Label La Sape Records

Format/Cat. No. : 2xLP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: David Versace - Marseille Movement (La Sape Records)

La Sape Records are based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia and is the home of jazz super group, JK Group fronted by award winning saxophonist Josh Kelly, Godtet and many more including keyboardist David Versace.

And like their other signings, Versace is pushing boundaries following his seven track album 'Okra' of last year.

'Marseille Movement' (actually recorded in London with mixed group of UK/Australian musicians) is 5 minutes of Latin jazz and no doubt earmarked by Patrick Forge/Colin Curits/Gilles Peterson/Kev Beadle for Dingwalls for sure this year at it's got that 'now' London jazz-funk sound of 80s David Benoit.

Forge was a big fan of  'Summer Party' and 'Saquaro' for their samba jazz dancing and it this keeps up, they'll be lots more applicants for 'Wanted Down Under'; g'Day David.

Artist: David Versace 

Title: Marseille Movement

Release date: 3rd March, 2023

Label La Sape Records

Format/Cat. No. : Digital / Bandcamp

Finn Rees (Piano), Jasper Gundersen (Drums), Josh Arcoleo (Sax), Cain Robertson (Guitar) Christopher Hargreaves (Bass), Tom Herbert (Double Bass), Elle Shimada (Violin), Luis Manuel (Congas), William Purton (Studio Engineer), Alex L’Estrange (Mastering Engineer) David Versace (Keyboards, Percussion & Production).