Review: Lenz – Still I Rise EP (Colour and Pitch)

The duo of DJ Joma and German vocalist Moon Aton, collectively known as, Lenz are joined, at least in words, by the multi-award winning poet and activist, Maya Angelou for the latest release on Colour & Pitch.

It seems fitting that the last release of the year by the label should be on a high (no pun, etc) as the original version was first heard on November's Colour & Pitch Sessions 

with founder, Sumsuch (available on Mixcloud) .

And yes, those are the lyrics!

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

The instrumental is not so strong but it's proper dreamy on the beach with those baleraic synth waves rolling gently on the shore.

And the mix that brings is all together in a dark basement is the Hamburg mix. Can't say I'm up to date with the Hamburg scene but this has moved from the gentle shoreline to the where the dockyards meets the red lights.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

Not sure what the cover is representing (being trapped/restricted buy a hooped fishing net thing?) but as a highlight of 2022, they will rise. 

Links: Still I Rise by Maya Angelou | Poetry Foundation

Artist: Lenz

Title: Still I Rise EP

Release date: 30^th December, 2022 [Alll Platforms] (Beatport & Spotify): 16th December 2022

Label Colour and Pitch

Catalog Number CAP088

Reveiw: Conic Rose - Gleisdreieck (Conic Rose)

It's always great to hear great music from new bands/groups/co-operatives but it's even better when it comes from an unexpected location.

When it comes to jazz, outside of the US, you'd probably think of the 'hot spots' post covid are London, Helsinki (WeJazz) and Melbourne.  Aiming to put Berlin back on the list is Conic Rose as they launch a 3-track single ahead of next years' album,  'Heller Tag'.

If you check out the band's collective palmarès of who they have played with, it's a proper collection of who's who like Michael Wollny, NDR Bigband, Nils Landgren (you'll find these on the national institution that is the ACT label) and at the other extreme is Udo Lindenberg, Samy Deluxe and the Stegreif.Orchester.

And together they are like a mix (or should that be a match) between The Cinematic Orchestra (Ninja Tune) and Matthew Herbert (BBC electronics, Accidental, !K7 Records) that should be signed up to Compost or Matthew Halsall's Gondwana Records; some have even mentioned Radiohead - but that'd be the good bits when Thom isn't singing.

'Gleisdreieck' is a glichy bruk dreamscape that mixes the trumpet and flugelhorn with electric guitars and electronics in an expanded Portico Quartet.  

Two more singles are to follow, 'Chopin Rosé' follows in similar vein and it clearly re-imagined and a bit more OST and the set is finished off by the best of the lot, the romantic 'Honeylake' with Döben doing his best Miles.

The debut LP which will be released on vinyl, CD, cassette and digital formats in February 2023.

Line-up: Konstantin Döben (tr, fgh) • Johannes Arzberger (p, electronics) • Franziska Aller (b) • Bertram Burkert (git) • Silvan Strauß (dr) 

Artist: Conic Rose 

Title: Gleisdreieck / Chopin Rosé / Honeylake

Release date: 12 December, 2022

Label: Conic Rose

Cat. No: ConicRoseS03

Format: Digital

Eldeanyo – Colombia (Oliver Knight Remixes) (Adesso Music)

There's lots of different types of Acid about at the moment and here's some more as Oliver Knight remixes Eldeanyo's 'Colombia'.

The 'Acid Reflex' remix sounds like it should be at a World Cup (with proper fans) and it's bouncey and has with squelchy Bailie Funk meets acid house party revival feel.

The original is even more Carnival with a hard Latin edge to it.

Knight seems to be increasingly in demand of late since his recent colabs with Johan S (Toolroom) and Italy's M.F.S Observatory (303Lovers) and since there's early support for this one from MK (AREA10), Claptone, Joris Voorn, Robert Owens and many more, his Bump N Hustle and Back To Ours residencies might be at risk of being too small for him in the future?

Artist: Eldeanyo

Title: Colombia (Oliver Knight Remixes)

Release date: 16th December, 2022

Label : Adesso Music

Catalog Number : WP1278 / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Lucky Sun - Balance Remixed (Lucky Sun Recordings)

The original album 'Balance' by Lucky Sun was mostly set on the Baleraic beach house under the palm trees.  A year on, what have the remixing experts given us as a transformation?

Well, it's very hard to make anything that features the vocals of Alison David into anything that isn't brilliant. So when you've got three tracks on the original album, there's more than a fair chance one them is the one going to be picked. 

So 'Rain And Sunshine' getting two versions as a Sumsuch 2022 vs. Tim Haze's remixes. 

I'm going for the one with more horn (that's Sumsuch to you and me) but I like the idea of even more horn and dub.  Whilst Tim's has super warm keys as if he's on the beach with Alison's groove - where's the instrumental version? [Ed. you're so greedy Hectic!]

And then Al Bradbury provides two different remixes of 'Calling You In'; Broken Acid vs 3am Deep House. The acid style remind me of the sophisticated BiggaBush acid wobble (also on the beach) whilst this lady is wide awake at 3am. And then there's 'Sunrise' (Jero Nogues Vocal Remix) and 'Deep Love' (Alvaro Hylander Remix) are both main room with Alison's pillow talk and Frank H Carter III's soulful sun worship. 

Totally 'Balance' (Ezra Collins Remix) takes the pace up but our man Sumach teams up with Kanedo for a Spanish 'Sunset' bounce with those night time horns. 

Balearic beats in a chill mid-winter, this will keep you warm until the Lucky Sun returns.  And if there's a new trend for 8 track remix EPs, (did you miss 'A Different Style' EP?), if they're all as good as this one, long may it continue.

Balance Remixed (2022)

Balance (2021 Original)

Artist: Lucky Sun

Title: Balance Remixed

Release date: 14th December, 2022

Label : Lucky Sun Recordings

Catalog Number : LSR032

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Planet People - Terra Firma EP (Planet People/Rush Hour)

It's always exciting to find a new 12" with Amsterdam's Rush Hour's seal of approval on it and Planet People's 'Terra Firma' is no exception.

If you're a DJ on NTS Radio and claim your label (Lost Control Records) showcases, "the best hydrotrip for the 7th dimension", you can imagine when owner, Black Eyes got together with Reedale Rise to form Planet People, the results on the Liverpool-Berlin expressway where only going to be a blend of Detroit techno dub distilled from Chicago & New York House & 90s UK ambient.

The result is instant classic with 'Hyper Glidin' and 'Portal Funk' leading the way closely followed by 'Reaktor Theory' (this one having a touch of synthed up 'Thousand Fingered Man' to my ears).

 'Subsurface Nature' slips into the basement for some bin biz space synths.

The vinyl is super limited so get your feet off the ground and onto your likely suspect record shops quick before they run out.

Artist:  Planet People

Title: Terra Firma EP

Release date: 16th December, 2022

Label : Planet People / Rush Hour

Catalog Number : PP-001 [12” - Limited Edition of 300 ]

Review: K.O.G - Zone 6 Remixed EP (Heavenly Sweetness)

If you recall 'Zone 6, Agege' from earlier this year, you'll know K.O.G is a now a rising star with his own releases and through his collaborations with Nubiyan Twist, Scrimshire and ONIPA.

Heavenly Sweetness released the 15 track album which so suited their Afro/Jazz/Carib/Disco/Funky groove and this stands out as an Anglo Ghanian Fela stylee.

Kweku Sackey (aka K.O.G) has a gorgeous vocal that moves effortlessly between English, Pidfin, Ga and rap, poetry, soul and gospel.

So just to remind compilers of 'Album Of The Year' lists, here's a remix EP from the global dancefloor. 

I predicted back in the spring to mark your card for 'Ebenezer' as we're now in festive season and Aroop Roy takes a Fela to a disco party so we can get thiall the Scrooges outta town.

The Canadian Ghislain Poirier is as well travelled as Aroop and has just as many remix credits (most recently Gut's 'Kenke Corner') so no surprise that he was a top choice for 'No Way' which is just as fast as the original but heavier on the percussion making it another choice play for the dancefloor.

I said at the time that it would be a tough to decide on a single but I had no idea what Village Cuts (UK duo) could add to 'No Way' but we're Carib-bass heavy-Highlife and it's great or that Captain Planet (Bastard Jazz) who tweaks 'Shidaa' in a more jazzy hip-house with classy sax, organ and guitar arrangements.

The set is completed with the album vesions of 'Shidaa' and 'No Way' which makes this EP, a six of the best. In fact, don't wait to hear, “Hey! You boy”, get your 'Zone 6 Remixed' EP now! 

Artist: K.O.G

Title: Zone 6 Remixed EP

Release Date : 9th December, 2022

Catalog Number : -

Label : Pura Vida Sounds / Heavenly Sweetness

Format: 12" EP / Digital

Review: Urbs – Levitation (Compost Records)

Urbs' 'Levitation' does just that, it take you higher as if you're floating on air.

Beautifully laid back and ready for your summer holidays - couldn't be better timed.

Not a great fan of the artwork - is the archipelago going to erupt?  

What can be said, this trip hop vs dope beat electronica hybrid is ready to blow up as Compost have got themselves another winner with this one.

Artist: Urbs

Title: Levitation

Release date: 9^th December, 2022

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT603-5 Digital / Bandcamp 

New Regency Orchestra – Mambo Rama (Total Refreshment Records)

It's that time of year to get out 'Christmas Jollies' by the Sasoul Orchestra and this year, it'll be joined by this special release.

New Regency Orchestra! Check 'em out with two versions of Tito Puente's classic 'Mambo Rama' that was originally recorded in the home of Salsoul, New York City in 1952.

The thing is, this doesn't sound at all dated.   It's as vibrant as the cover artwork is 'now' in terms of the dance.

Eliane Correa has a wealth of Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz expertise  (remember WARA?) and she put together eight-piece rhythm section and a storming twelve-piece horn section including Rosie Turton, Tamar Osborn (Collocutor) & Nick Walters (Ruby Rushton, Riot Jazz) alongside Ernesto Marichales (Waaju, Jordan Rakei), Flavio Correa, and Jimmy Martinez.

Then, instead of a remix, there's an alternate version by Lex Blondin that features Momoko Watanabe Gill (Tirzah, Coby Sey, An Alien Called Harmony) and Alex Burke (Forest Law, Esa, Haha Sounds) with contributions from Capitol K and Kissu.

New Regency Orchestra has definitely got the new swing and we need more of this in 2023.

Artist: New Regency Orchestra 

Title: Mambo Rama 

Release date: 9th December, 2022

Label : Total Refreshment Records

Catalog Number : LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Si Tew - An Apology (Atjazz Record Company)

Si Tew's debut album was called, 'When The Clouds Ran Away' so perhaps 'An Apology' is over due as why has Atjazz Record Company had to wait so long for the follow-up?

Well, it would appear that Si 'ran away' to Caracas in Venezuela to get the new album, 'Quietude' into shape.

There's certainly no hard feelings as here's a single (with 'Roshinaya' on bandcamp - link below) and here's video.


Artist: Si Tew
Title: An Apology (Radio Edit) / Roshinaya
Release date: 8th December, 2022
Label : Atjazz Record Company
Catalog Number : ARC200ADS1 Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Biggabush - A Different Style EP (Tru Thoughts Recordings)

After our recent interview with Glyn 'Biggabush' Bush - he of Rocker's Hi-fi, Studio Don, Lightning Head, MDO, the black Albumen and half of The Dandelion Set - here's the long awaited follow-up EP to last year's fantastic 'BiggaBush Freevisited' - 'A Different Style'.

Now, you might be thinking that that is odd that there needs a 'different style' for a Biggabush as he's a master of so many styles but as he says, "The thing I love about a good remix is that it references the original track but adds the remixers stamp and style in a respectful way that enhances the song and takes it off in new directions that I would never have thought of".

And we certainly love these styles as it's introduced us to four new 'followers' of the Biggabush set.

Sentinel 793 certainly has a lot of dub/reggae/afrobeat in his bruk and it's quite stripped back but not at all naked.  At the other extreme Robot Riddims has put 'Black Swan Revival' through his 8-bit noise conveyer belt system and it's all pretty minimal .

Then James Hayford makes an appearance as with his 'Shoes' monika for the appropriately entitled 'Sole Sister' track. 

Bigga has been such a Studio Don and Lighting Head of dub for so long, rising to the dub on 'Real & Regal' with his mate Farda P who sounds so deep and resonant; it must be weird having such a great voice as Farda P when he's doing everyday conversations.

And at the furtherest extreme of all, I'd never thought I'd be lucky enough to re-edit the most euphoric track from the album, 'This River' (now with vocals by the incredible Jackie 'sounds like Ella' Walters) as Glyn and I walk along the River Stour's towpath in both our adopted county of Dorset, hand-in-hand (metaphorically of course).

We might think of Glyn as the Dr. Who of dub, instrumental hip-hop, ambient dub, electro, deep house, prog rock as he free-from-ed 'Free' into 'Freevisited' (so clever eh!) and now with another different style, who knows, with all the references to 'God' on the 'This River' track, there's a remote chance that it might be No. 1 at Christmas! 

See full YATM interview HERE.

Artist: Biggabush

Title: A Different Style EP

Release date: 6th December, 2022

Label : Tru-Thoughts

Catalog Number : Digital / JunoDownload / Traxsource / Bandcamp

1		The River (Sentinel 679 Runs Deep Version)                                                      7:02    Featuring - Jackie Walters
2		Black Swan Revival (Robot Riddims Hurting A Different Style Remix)                4:56 Featuring - Farda P, Jackie Walters
3		Illegal Rising Dub (Biggabush Remix)                                                                 7:08 Featuring - Farda P
4		Sole Sister (James Hayford Shoes Remix)                                                         7:01
5		This River (Gerry Hectic’s River Stour Towpath Extension)                              13:56 Featuring - Jackie Walters
6		The River (Sentinel 679 Remix Instrumental)                                                     7:02
7		Black Swan Revival (Robot Riddims Hurting A Different Style Instrumental)      4:55
8		Illegal Rising Dub (Instrumental) (Biggabush Remix)                                          7:08