Review: Ralf GUM feat. Monica Blaire – AWA (Atjazz Remixes) (Foliage)

Definitely only one label for Ral Gum's tropical garden-house track 'AWA' (with the wonderful vocals of Monica Blaire) and that's Foliage.

The original that came out at the begining of the the year was supported by all the DJs (including Bob Hill and Andy Garvey) and was earmarked as a big release.   No surprise there as Ralf had been a busy boy with another collaboration with the vocalist Clara Hill on 'Don't Talk'.

So when it comes to a remix, who is the best pair of hands/knobs to turn to?  Atjazz of course!

With the instrumental, you can really tell to depth he goes to whilst creating this jazz bruky space dub wondering; but you can't beat the remix with some great lyrics from U.S.[Detroit] based vocalist Monica (also featured on 'Don't Look Down', see review HERE and the fantastic version of 'It's Not Right, But It's OK', see review HERE)

Foliage are ending the year strong as this remix package follows the Sean McCabe & Jill Rock Jones release 'Only You (see review HERE) but they're not going to be able to beat this remix of 'AWA' - or are they?

PS. Have you noticed how the artwork background colour changes from white to black with original and remix; effective stuff.

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - November 2024

Artist: Ralf GUM feat. Monica Blaire

Title:  AWA (Atjazz Remixes)

Release date: 6th December, 2024

Label: Foliage Records

Cat. No: FN106

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Turbojazz & Sean McCabe feat. Monica Blaire – Don’t Look Down (Foliage)

It's fair to say that we're always impressed with tracks released on Foliage, but 'Don't Look Down' on this new release as it's going to be as big as a rollercoaster.

Monica Blaire has recently appeared on Foliage with Risk Assessment's 'It’s Not Right But It’s Okay' (see review HERE) and you don't have to have too much foresight to guess that the singer from Detroit will be asked by some cool kids to be on their next release; lets say, Turbojazz (aka Tommy Garofalo) and Sean McCabe who are definitely cool as they did the Technoir 'Techtube' Remixes (see review HERE).

'Don't Look Down' is very soul-jazz house with some deep keys and Monica on jazz skat duty.  It's one to keep you moving as a vocal, instrumental (love the bass on this one) and radio edit.

At this rate, the end of year charts at YATM will have a very high Foliage presence as inn additon to the previously mentioned tracks already, they've not long released Muzari & GugupashIngwe's 'Ingwe' (see review HERE) and the  brilliant Thakzin & Ray T track 'Don’t Let Me See' (see review HERE). I'm guessing this run of form is bound to continue.

Artist: Turbojazz & Sean McCabe 

Title:  Don't Look Down feat. Monica Blaire 

Release date: 18th August, 2023 

Label: Foliage Records

Cat. No: FN096

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Risk Assessment feat. Monica Blaire - It’s Not Right But It’s Okay (Foliage)

Many of you YATM fans will instantly recognise the title as being Whitney Houston's classic from 1999 that's been hit on by the UKG community ever since for it's 2-step swing vibe.

Well, you've got to be pretty brave to give it a cover version but Glyne Brathwaite aka Risk Assessment (from the UK) has produced a might fine version with the help of Monica Blaire (singer, songwriter and MC). 

And there's good reason Ms. Blaire was chosen for this track as she's worked with some of Detroit's best from Dwele, Vanessa Williams, Denaun Porter (D12), Waajeed (Platinum Pied Pipers) and Moodymann who produced her solo album, 'How To Dress Well In The Dark' that came out this month with contributions from Mike Patto and Toni Economides (as in Reel People's recent 'Love2' - see review HERE).

Foliage have a strong feeling for these things, remembering Thakzin & Ray T's 'Don’t Let Me See' (see review HERE) and you can expect this version of 'It’s Not Right But It’s Okay' in my set list for the next big gig on the south coast; flute gang be prepared as this is more than just, "Okay" with that fantastic marimba/African thumb piano sound that's a bit vibesy too along with these gospel vocals!

Artist: Risk Assessment feat. Monica Blaire 

Title: It’s Not Right But It’s Okay (Original/Radio/Instrumental)

Release date: 28h April, 2023 

Label: Foliage Records

Cat. No: FN087

Format: Bandcamp / Digital