Review: Sababa 5 - Sababa 5 (Batov Records)

Fans of Sababa 5 finally get a whole LP of thier take on global jazz-funk Afro-disco reggae beats mixed up with a whole lot of Middle-Eastern grooves.This approach gives them a wide appeal and what's really cool, is that they can do psych surf west coast as easily as Ethio-reggae. Tracks like the former single, 'Hadebil' has the funk and 'popcorn synths' in full effect that gives it a 70s disco ball feel while and as a mellowed out space psych groove;...

Review: Surya Botofasina - Everyone's Children (Spiritmuse Records)

If you're looking for an event in London next week, look no further (well, look below to be precise) as London Jazz Festival is hosting Surya Botofasina & Carlos Niño. If you know your Carlos Niño, you'll know that that's he's a deeply spiritual man that will love a student of the teachings of Alice Coltrane and her Ashram in California, which is by coincidence, where Surya Botofasina grew up.  So whilst they prepare...

Ghetto Priest x D​.​Foe - Who You Gonna Run To EP (Ramrock Records)

Don't be fooled by the cover as this isn't the 'blue' version of Ghetto Priest x D​.​Foe's recent Snapshot Of Reality EP but a brand new 4-track EP with original version vs. The North Street West team.There still the strings, the dubness, soul, jazzy-funk keys and a wicked trombone reminiscent of Rico in the echo chamber with an overiding funk groove so that there's some Herbie (lots of buzz about the 50th aniversary of 'Headhunters') and...

Review: Bahtiyar Taş - Acaip (Zel Zele Records)

Wha'ya'mean? you haven't got a favourite electronic DIY 80’s solo album by a Turkish bassist?  Well people, you have now! Zel Zele have found a corker by Bahtiyar Taş that stretches the boundaries of Turkish jazz-funk dub synth pop.  All eight tracks are different, probably because they were recorded over the period 81-88.  You can be in the disco market/souk ('Hayda Bre') one minute and an alt-world Midnight Express OST...

Review: Masaru Imada Trio + 1 - Planets (BBE MUSIC)

If you ever wondered what it's like to be trendier than Shuya Okino, Yoshihiro Okino or Gilles Peterson, well walk a mile in Tony Higgins and Mike Peden's shoes (perhaps that should be 1960's to 1980's sandals) as this pair are still prooving that there's no end of obscure/brilliant/privately pressed jazz albums that nobody else has heard off for decades. Of course, the key to the success of these two currating the BBE's J-Jazz series of re-issues...

Review: Stefano De Santis - Unreachable Galaxy EP (Ramrock Records)

It's been a while since we last caught up with Ramrock Records with thier 'Over Again' release by Mr Bird featuring Greg Blackman (see review HERE) but they have been on a roll ever since and their lastest, Unreachable Galaxy EP, is a monster of modern jazz-funk and more. Stefano De Santis is an Italian musician/composer/producer has a thing for all your favourite keyboards from Fender  Rhodes, piano, clavinet, Prophet 5, Moog,...

Review: Chad Will - Sky Be Blue EP (Colour and Pitch)

You might be forgiven for thinking the label Head Honcho at Colour & Pitch has been sent to Coventry for their latest release 'Sky Be Blue' but remarkably, Austin, Texas is nearer the mark!Chad Will first came to light by winning a remix competition for Danny Howells' 'Breath' and  since another life changing event, he's now putting his heart and soul (you could say, "literally") in his music production work. Strongly recommend...

Review: Degrees Of Freedom - Time Won't Save You (1HX)

If you mention 'stunning house anthem' and start thinking of a golden age of Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud, jazzy MAW and Pete Tong's Radio 1 show, Degrees Of Freedom's 'Time Won't Save You' will confirm that nothing changes when it comes to classic house stunners. The duo of Isha Campbell and Charlie Bierman have managed to a Dr. Who seemlessly spanning the past to the future with original extended, instrumental and radio edit versions - but...

Review: Per Husby Septett - Peacemaker (BBE MUSIC)

It's clear from the BBE J-Jazz series that Mike Peden does love a rare record but in addition to tracking down the best of the rare in the land of the rising sun, this time he's got a gem from the land of the midnight sun with a super rare LP (original only 500 so an instant collectors item) from the Per Husby Septett. With covers of tracks by the be-and-post-boppers Kenny Wheeler, Cedar Walton and Charlie Parker you'd thought that'd be enough...

Review: TALC - De Gui Ding (The Reflex Revisions) (Wah Wah 45s)

 I can remember Dom Servini being so excited about TALC when Wah Wah 45s first exposed the duo on the world.  It might have seemed like a lonely crusade at times but Dom’s quallity ears are the proof in the pudding as DJ cognoscenti such as Bill Brewster, Gilles Peterson, Ashley Beedle and Detroit legend Moodymann (‘Modern Sleepover Pt.2: Robot’s Return’ being on his “DJ Kicks” compilation) have all had their dancefloors covered in...