Review: Pigeon - Backslider EP (Soundway Records)

There's many types of Pigeon; Wood, Stool, Spatchcock, English, Racing, etc...but the best is signed to Soundway Records and the new EP is called, 'Backslider'.

The band is lead by Guinean singer Falle Nioke with Graham Godfrey (d), Steve Pringle (keyboards), Tom Dream (gtr) and Josh Ludlow (b).

Following on from the success of the previous EP 'Yagana' that came out last year and their mix of Afro-disco, no wave, grunge, jazz got them fans like BBC 6 Music's Tom Ravenscroft, Huey Morgan and Gilles Peterson.

This year they added some more space funk into the mix and the title track, 'Bacslider' is an instant hit with Mutant Disco-fication that it could have been an Ze out-take with Cymande vs Material: this is track of the month [is the that Pigeon entering the loft at the end?]

But don't over look 'Mama Yo Mama Yo', 'Ikanabore', 'Trust' and the three versions of 'Infinity' (Extended, Radio Edit, Josh's Extended Disco Mix).  They're all brilliant but for my festival gigs this year it will be Josh's never ending 'Infinity' for me as it's  got a the energy of early Bloc Party with a psych/rave/dance mindset - this extended version is nearly 12 minutes long: Josh Ludlow, the new Prins Thomas?

And talking of festivals/dance tents, Pigeon's festive appearances this year include Glastonbury, Latitude and The Great Escape so if you're lucky enough to be at any of these events, make Pigeon your 'must see' experience.

.Artist: Pigeon

Title:  Backslider EP

Release date: 16th June, 2023

Label : Soundway Records

Catalog Number : 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Lord Echo - Rarities 2010-2020: Japanese Tour Singles (Soundway)

Lord Echo has a worldwide cult following as he's a bit of a DJ Shadow-ish genre mixer where his album tracks can be inflenced by Latin, dub, afrobeat, neo-soul, downtempo, jazz-funk, hip-hop and "Mutant Disco"!

The eight tracks cover limited edition vinyl only releases from his Wonderful Noise Productions era so it's cool that now he's on Soundway that they can get these tracks a full release so it's not just a handfull of folks that can enjoy these early works.

You've got the Nyabinghi soul-jazz of 'Woah! There's No Limit' (featuring Mara TK on vocals) and 'In Your Life' featuring Lisa Tomlins that's which is a bit more housey.

Worth getting for the 'Nightclub Daydream' that'll will keep you dancing for 24 hours in it's spaced out Arthur Russell.

This has been packaged like some Record Store Day meets BBE's J-Jazz Series release with deluxe embossed sleeve with OBI strip and liner notes in both English and Japanese; collectors will be hungry for this but it's a great album - don't be slow!

Artist: Lord Echo

Title:  Rarities 2010-2020: Japanese Tour singles

Release date: 5th May, 2023

Label : Soundway Records

Catalog Number : 12" / Digital / Bandcamp [distributed in Japan via Wonderful Noise]

Review: Pedro Ricardo - Soprem Bons Ventos (Soundway Records)

At YATM, we love a debut album and it looks like our regular readers do also as the single, 'Déhéba (see review HERE) was one of the most popular last month. 

The follow-up single, 'A Marcha Que O Monte Parou' wsa equally emerced in the mix of Brazil / Spain / Portugal / Cape Verde (as reflected in the fantastic artwork by Gosia Machon) along with some Cinematic Orchestra vibe; such a shame its got such a sharp ending.

Both tracks are included on the debut album by the multi-instrumentalist as he gives us his take of a modern dance of Hermeto Pascoal flamenco jazz-folk-house.

The other 7 seven are equally as intriguing as the title track goes a bit spacey, a bit like a theme to a kids TV show that then comes back to some trip-hoppy DJ Shadow influence (drums provided by Luis Neto who is also on 'Ode ao Gato - a tribute to jazz legend, Gato 'The Cat' Barbieri).

'Entre O Vale E O Eco' sounds a little like a leftfield Azymuth track (real shame that this isn't full jazzdance length - perhaps on a future 12"?) and then we go to the foothills of  the Andes with 'Cantar Das Kandakinhas' and 'Tema 3' is more OST.

Pedro is definitely a 'fusionist', (like DJ Shadow was when he emerged from the ...) and this album is 'out there' in a similar way to Insólito UniVerso - Ese Puerto Existe (review HERE) or even Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção's 'Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei' (review HERE)  [what are the chances of two albums and Ricardo's all being released in the same month?]

So, this album falls between popular genre definitions but Soundway is a name you can trust when it comes to quality, and this is definitely that; quality!

Artist: Pedro Ricardo

Title: Soprem Bons Ventos

Release date: 17th February, 2023

Label : Soundway Records

Catalog Number : SNDWLP159

Format:  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Pedro Ricardo - Déhéba (Soundway Records)

I can guess you're first thought, is Pedro Ricardo's single 'Déhéba' as stunning as the image artwork?

Well, my answer is yes as the ever dependable Soundway Records continue to dig and delve to find us the best music from around the world.

DJ and producer Pedro Ricardo is from Portugal and 'Déhéba' drops ahead of his debut album on Soundway Records, 'Soprem Bons Ventos’ that is due out mid-February.

This is classic bassy Brazilian folk flamenco electronica!  This guy's music seems as eclectic as his DJ sets and radio shows on Balamii and NTS. 

Pedro Ricardo · Déhéba

Artist: Pedro Ricardo
Title: Déhéba
Release date: 13th January, 2023
Label : Soundway Records
Catalog Number : Digital / Bandcamp