Review: Sol Power All-Stars - Nyah​-​Rock (Rocksteady Disco)

There's a lot of interest in the band Cyamande at the moment with the release of their biop film (see details below) but some folks have loved this band for many years and here's something that really prooves it that's coming out on Rocksteady Disco.

Now you don't have to subscripe to Wax Poetics to know of Cymande, even if you don't recognise the name you'll have heard their music on the dancefloor from top DJs like DJ Shadow, Mr Scruff, Gilles Peterson to Bob Hill (BBE, TWR. A.MA and collector of Polish issued Cymande LPs), DJ Chris Wheatley (60MPC, Camden and new friend of Rainer Trüby - more of whom very soon) and Peter Croce!

Who's Peter Croce you might ask?  Well he's the head honcho of Rocksteady Disco and post-covid, he's now re-establishing himself as a go-to DJ for all the best parties over the US (recently having played at Razor 'n' Tape's big 10 year birthday bash in NYC).

So it's his label that's releasing thier own tribute to Cymande with 'Nyah-Rock' by Sol Power All-Stars; a mini-supergroup in their own right that features keyboard wiz Daniel Meinecke.  I've been after this release for what seems like 6 months ever since Peter teased us with a preview of 'Genevieve' on one of his radio shows.

The actual release comes as a 5 track special with 'Genevieve' as two magnificent versions; a vocal version featuring Zeek Burse with the Ibibio Horn Section and an organ dub mix.  Whilst I'm saying this is cover version of the year, let's not overlook the rest of the tracks as there's two version's of 'Anthracite' (the dub is like FK NYC 'white label' special) plus the funk-rock-groover, 'Getting It Back' featuring Jean-Francis Varre who really gives it some.

No news as yet of a cover version of 'BRA' but you can hear 'Genevieve' on Pete's recent posting Sol Power Meets Rocksteady Disco At MotorCity Wine 2022/08/07 but then, I think you'll agree, "girl" needs the vinyl version with the brillaint artwork!

Hoping to get a little closer to Peter regarding the label in the near future so stay tuned (so to speak).

Artist: Sol Power All-Stars 

Title: Nyah​-​Rock

Release date: 28th November, 2022

Label : Rocksteady Disco

Catalog Number : 12" LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Links:

https://www.docnrollfestival.com/

 

Review: Suddenly WOW! - Little Things (Ramrock Records)

More from Ramrock you say, yes it is and all of a sudden, it's Suddeny WOW!   

And this is a perfect little thing in original vocal and instrumental versions as Darren Morris and Otti Albietz (together as a duo, aka Suddeny WOW) get lost in a Joy Div/David Byrne/Franz Ferdinand meets Can/Neu/Krautrock at a 90s synth pop fish-eyed disco.

So whilst my description might not get the pulse racing, you'll soon find that it's gets that ear worm familiarity to it that makes it a Ramrock Red winner.

Already getting lots of plays on forward looking radio stations of BBC 6 Music, TWR, Soho Radio, 1BTN etc.

The question some may ask is where's the  North Street West remix attention that a Ramrock release is reknown for? I'd say, it's perfect as it is!

Artist: Suddenly WOW!

Title: Little Things

Release date: 11th November, 2022

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR035

Format: Digital

Review: 30/70 - All 4 U (Energy Exchange Records)

If you're unfamiliar with 30/70, it's a great time to support Bandcamp Friday today.

30/70 are a collective (some might say "Supergroup") that include Allysha Joy, Ziggy Zeitgeist, Josh Kelly, Finn Rees and Matthew Hayes who are all solo artists and band leaders in their own right that are full of soul, jazz and beats so that thier fans are as varied as Gilles Peterson (via his Brownswood label) and Peckham's finest Bradley Zero (Rhythm Section International).

This single, 'All 4 U' is their neo-soul broken beat that puts "70s Herbie and Fela in the darkroom of a Berlin club" - doesn't that sound fun?

So, big from South London to South Melbourne; your new favourite supergroup. 

Artist : 30/70 

Title : All 4 U

Release date : 4th November, 2022

Label : Energy Exchange Records

Catalog Number : EXRECLP001S2

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; could these guys get any better?  

Yes, they can with 'Lizarb' (“Brazil” backwards - I'd never have figured) with it's Latin guitar twang and that mid-eastern synth that could be in a prog rock album from the 70s or a funky-disco. 

And what happens when they go to the movies, 'Yurika Walks' is ready for an OST.  And when Joe Meek goes beats crazy(!), they go 'Showroom 180' that puts me in a total 360. 

In fact, talking of doubling up, it's all fantastic and would it be even cooler if the tracks were longer?  (Like the magnificent 'Kumkum 3').

This album isn't a million miles from Will Quantic's latest Favourite People project as it also owes much to the spirit of Daptone, Calibro 35 and/or El Michels Affair. 

Every review I seen about this Sababa 5 says "Brilliant", "Essential" and "can't wait for the album" - well thier self titled forthcoming debut LP is now with us and it doesn't disappoint.

Artist: Sababa 5 

Title: Sababa 5 

Release date: 4th November, 2022

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: -

Format: LP / Digital

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 for the upcoming live gigs, the album 'Everyone's Children ' is being released by Spiritmuse Records.

This is the definitive ambient spiritual jazz album as the nine tracks are soaked in sunsine and joy, love and peace eminating from keyboards of Surya and, at times, all the delicate percussion by Carlos.

All the tracks titles allude to the gentle, reflective and meditative strength within the music and  'Beloved California Temple' has the addition of Dwight Trible sailing throught the gulf streams and swimming with the dolphins and whales.  It's all just a beatiful sound to give you new breath and rejuvinate. The other track to feature vocals is the title track which see Mia Doi Todd (who we last saw/heard 'Walking With Trees' with Bobby Lee) and she sounds great here too!

I met Niño many years ago in London opposite Rough Trade East and he mostly talked about his love of swimming in the Pacific (he was living in San Diego at the time) and being close to nature and his time with his son, with whom his was DJing with on his radio show, as he was going through his "60's period" of rediscovering The Beatles.

This would have been around 2011 at same the time of Niño's Build An Ark project was in full flow with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson when Niño first suggested Surya lead his own project.  I think we could safely say that 'Everyone's Children' is a long awaited album and it's definitely something all concerned should be very proud of as it's even "bigger than The Beatles!"

Artist: Surya Botofasina 

Title: Everyone's Children

Release date: 4th November, 2022

Label : Spiritmuse Records

Catalog Number : 2xLP vinyl Gatefold w/ obi / CD / Cassette / Digital

Tour Dates

Nov. 10th: London / Brilliant Corners listening event of the new album by Surya Botofasina, 'Everyone's Children'. 

Nov. 11th: London / UK - London Jazz Fest - Surya Botofasina & Carlos Niño

Nov. 12th: Utrecht / NL - Le Guess Who? - Surya Botofasina, Nate Mercereau, Carlos Niño with Special Guests 

Dec. 9th: Brooklyn, New York - Public Records with Carlos Niño, Surya Botofasina, Laraaji, Photay, William Alexander Logan

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 Cymande (lots of buzz about the Sol Power All-Stars 'Nyah-Rock' being Cymande cover versions and the Cymande film that's recently been released).

I think it's fair to say that the The North Street West's approach to a remix trio is pretty hard to the dancefloor.  You get 'Who You Gonna Run To (North Street West Vocal Remix), 'Who You Gonna Run To (North Street West Vocal Dub Remix)' which sees more of that echo chamber for fun disco-dub and 'Who You Gonna Run To (North Street West Instumental)' which is so good, I'd put it in any OST set is the funky 70s or Daniel Wang's DJ box. 

This is yet more fantastic goodness from Ramrock Records and we're so lucky to have them in these (mostly) dark times. 

P.S. Just to let you know, the cover artwork is from fellow Ramrock artist, Greg Blackman (yes, he of Mr Bird ft Greg Blackman - Over Again (Ramrock Records)

Artist: Ghetto Priest x D​.​Foe 

Title: Who You Gonna Run To EP

Release date: 4th November, 2022

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR033

Format: Digital

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 vs Kraftwerk/Yello the next (most noticeable on 'Ich Bin Ein Auslander' and 'Otoban') but all tracks are great.  

Possibly, as we're told, Taş made these recordings in his bedroom (hard to believe as the quality/multi-instrumentation is fantastsic) with no anticipation of a commercial release of any sort- another reason why 'Acaip' is so cross genre?

This must be unequalled but I bet by the end of the session, you'll love it too! 

PS. Props to Grup Ses for his dedication restoring this work from cassette tapes. 

 

Artist: Bahtiyar Taş 

Title: Acaip

Release date: 4th November, 2022

Label: Zel Zele Records

Cat. No: 

Format: LP / Digital

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 is that they are "brilliant" as rarity itself is no silver bullet for success. 

It also helps in the case of the latest in the series is that this 1977 recording of the Masaru Imada trio (Masaru leading on piano which 'Blueroad' is worth buying the album for alone) with Tetsujiro Obara (d) and Kunimitsu Inaba (b) together with the '+1' of Yuji Imamura on percussion. It's these four that perform the tour de fab with the extended version, being nearly 17 minutes long, of 'Sea's Pasture' which is as spiritual Japanese modal peace garden in a storm as you can get. Destinations of timeless calm it is not but there's a 'radio edit' as a bonus track that's equally perfect and a great accompliment to the mellower and beautiful title track, 'Planets'. 

So much more than a one track album, and get those jazz shuffle sandals out as I'll take the blueroad.

Artist: Masaru Imada Trio + 1 

Title: Planets

Release Date : 28th October, 2022

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE664

Format : LP/CD/Digital

 

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, Solina String Ensemble, Juno 6 (so you know this is going to sound incredible already) and he does all the drum programming too!

He's definitely got his fingers on the keys when it comes to jazzy bruk dancefloor Lonnie/Herbie/Deodato inspired space funk; what more could anybody need? A four tracker that touches the jazz-funk dancer in all of us.   Particularly 'Cosmic Days' (with a nod to Azimuth 'disco') and 'Unreachable Galaxy' are a diggers dream (Ramrock Red Records having done the hard work for us in this case) and then merge all this (if you can imagine) and bring in the fashionable BRUK underground for 'Nova Laze' and 'Sick With Rhyme'.  

Totally Worldwide FM with usual suspect fans already like Gilles Peterson, Colin Curtis, Ashley Beedle, Kev Beadle etc. so expect to hear much more of these tracks soon.

Ramrock/ Ramrock Blue/ Ramrock Red · 01. Stefano De Santis - Unreachable Galaxy

Artist: Stefano De Santis

Title: Unreachable Galaxy EP

Release date: 28th October, 2022

Label: Ramrock Red Records Soundcloud.com/ramrockrecords

Cat. No: RRR034

Format: Digital

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 checking out the links below to hear 3 great versions - or this months' Colour & Pitch Radio show with Will Sumsuch that went live this week. 

Each mix is great and can easily fit the main room or the backroom,  Does the orignal mix have a bit of 80s ESG vibe?  Either way, it just has the right level of good time blue sky dreaming moody cloud-synths.

Finest Wear (Nite Grooves, Nordic Trax) goes even deeper into the synth dream whilst New York's Sleepy & Boo get really bouncy synth for a loft / appartment / underground party in any direction heading out of Williamsburg (that's the Brooklyn one of course). 

Expect much more from Chad in the new year as this Austinite has a desire to get it out there.

li.sten.to/skybeblue

colourandpitch.bandcamp.com

www.colourandpitch.com

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - October 2022

Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch October 2022

Artist: Chad Will 

Title: Sky Be Blue inc remixes by Finest Wear and Sleepy & Boo.

Single Release Date: 28/10/2022

Label:  Colur and Pitch

Format: DIGITAL