Review- Rise Ashen and Boddhi Satva - Universality (Balanced Records)

Like many people, I haven’t always understood House music. However, I do understand spiritual things and soul things. Not “understand” in the sense of intellectual knowledge, but in the sense of having experienced them, knowing how it feels when they happen.

Some of my earliest memories are of music in a spiritual context—people coming together in celebration of the universal, transcendent unknown. We only have metaphors to help us grapple with its vast, incomprehensible greatness. The dancing, clapping of hands, closed eyes and electric joy shared among the gathered as the outward expression of music taking us to another plane beyond everyday existence.

Boddhi Satva and Rise Ashen invoke this same space beyond any divisions we normally allow to separate us in “Universality.” That is, House music as “church” or “ritual.” Boddhi vocally encourages us to step beyond boundaries we think of as our identities, while his music with collaborator Rise Ashen slips past our conscious mind with its hypnotic rhythms plus warm, enveloping bass and coaxes us to sway, possibly put our hands together to keep time and even shut our eyes to “tune in.”

This is Spiritual House in its truest sense, music that connects one’s spirit to a ritual reminding us of the universality of our being as a species. Hopefully it could also help you understand House music—if you don’t already.



Artist: Rise Ashen and Boddhi Satva
Title: Universality
Release date: March 3, 2023
Label: Balanced Records
Catalog Number: BAL-58

Review: Ursula 1000 - The Glass Dragon (Insect Queen Music)

Remember when DnB was fun?

Ursula 1000 does and is bringing the vibe back! Mainly known for his loungy/future-retro vibes these days, he’s going back to his roots as an early 90s junglist. Breaks mixed in with the DnB stepper beat and a “Tough at the Top”-style double bass handle the aforementioned drum and bass parts. In addition he’s sprinkled in some ragga plus Kung-Fu elements to keep it fun--along with being groovy.

The single is the first release of 2023 on his Insect Queen imprint and has an instrumental included. Production is top-notch, the cover art is on-point, the only thing missing is an explanation of who or what the Glass Dragon is… But that’s for you to figure out. I can’t tell you—I don’t know! Another dance music mystery for us to puzzle over.

8DPromo · Ursula 1000 - The Glass Dragon (Insect Queen Music)

Artist: Ursula 1000
Title: The Glass Dragon
Release date: March 3, 2023
Label: Insect Queen Music
Catalog Number: IQ040


 

Review: David Walters - Soul Tropical (Heavenly Sweetness)

There's only on thing we love more than a David Walters release on Heavenly Sweetness and that's brand new 13 track album by David Walters on Heavenly Sweetness. 

This is so summer hot, like his other two albums on the label, we've got a few top name guests, Walters' style of Afro-Caribbean and Anglo-française vocals. 

The BIG track in the most Fela-like 'Jodia' that's got enough for the flute gang, a trumpet solo and a 'tribute' to 'Wade In The Water': did you hear me?  He slips into  'Wade In The Water'!

At the other extremes, the opener features label mate K.O.G. (see review of 'Zone 6' HERE) and I think they're going to pick this one as a single for it's summer love groove, there's the disco synth funk of ' No One' as a Captain Planet edit and Afro-spaceship poet Anthony Joseph and La Reyna get bass-deep on 'Toxic Tropic'.

The title track is clearly aimed at mass market french speaking radio and it's an easy cross-over to the dancefloor (think we'll be hearing this one regularly this summer) and 'Light' seems like his homage to Bob with some classic reggae 60s organ sounds and an I-Threes sounding backing.

The even higher highlights are the two tracks featuring Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Segal, 'An Lot Soley' (this is particularly beautiful) and 'Klè' with the house funker. 'Don't U' (watch the remixers band on the door to do this one - but for now, this is going on the dancefloor chart as it'll turn heads) and jazz-dancers at the ready, 'Night In Madinina'.

David is such a talent (Singer, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, remixer, composer and TV host!) there's no chance this isn't fantastic but we're talking ever track!; 'Soul Tropical' is Mr. Walters own WOMAD genre. 

Artist: David Walters

Title: Soul Tropical

Release Date : 3rd March, 2022

Catalog Number : -

Label : Heavenly Sweetness

Review: Si Tew - Quietude (Atjazz Record Company)

F

Fans of the earlier single have been looking foward to his album and 'Quietude' by Si Tew does not disappoint. 

Atjazz Record Company knew that they were on a winner after the reactions to the release of 'UIHIA (feat. Georgia Copeland)' and 'Logos' [see HERE].

And there's another track that's a potential single with 'Lean on My Frequency' that features the vocals of Sarai Jazz and pecussion of Greg Rawson and this could genuinely cross over to radio hit playlists. 

The rest of the album's ten tracks are largely instrumental in a cinematic trip hoppy beats way ('Dudz') which can flip into downtempo dance/dreamscape house ('Turbine', 'Bouricau' - is that a Glockenspiel/Bell Lyre from a marching band in there?)

Not surprisingly for an album on Atjazz Records, there's some deep/leftield house like 'Droplets', the already massive 'Logos' (summer party sessions ready this one) and whilst on the beach, there's the funky Balearic 'An Apology'.

If you think you can hear a touch of South America influences, most notably on 'Roshinaya', 'Droplets', 'Particle' and another big tune, 'Trurbine', you'd be right as Si composed most of the album whilst he was on "tabletop mountains, deep within [the] jungles" of Venezuela (great artwork too!).

Atjazz are on a bit of a roll at the moment after the release of South Beach Recycling's 'Obsessive Compulsive Disco' (review HERE) that are both essential for 2023.

Artist: Si Tew

Title: Quietude

Release date: 2nd March, 2023

Label : Atjazz Record Company

Catalog Number : ARC200AD Digital / Bandcamp

South Beach Recycling's ' Obsessive Compulsive Disco' (reveiw HERE) and is he calling for a "Doctor, Doctor" over that jazzy organ? I dunno, but it's got me the dancin' pain relief I need from wearing these shoes.

We were so excited to hear news of this EP by Wearing Shoes, I just had to play the title track 'Never Pretend' on the 'love' edition of Andy Garvey's Delectabeats radio show. 

Not only that, 'Never Pretend' is backed up with two more killer tracks,  'Over The World' is current favourite as it's odd as I'm hearing "Roy Ayers" but no vibes; is that possible?  And 'Daily Stuff' which has a little Theo Parrish (a bit like a smooth version of 

South Beach Recycling's ' Obsessive Compulsive Disco' (reveiw HERE) and is he calling for a "Doctor, Doctor" over that jazzy organ?  I dunno, but it's got me the dancin' pain relief I need from wearing these shoes.

You can tell that this guy loves the house of pioneers like Frankie Knuckles as he's also into it's the same soul-jazz-funk history, in additon to Roy Ayers, you've got Lonnie Liston Smith to TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia), .

When folks casually say, "walk a mile in my shoes", here's the place to start - and I for one say, lets have more from F*CLR [pronounced F.Star.Clear].

Artist: Wearing Shoes

Title: Never Pretend EP

Release date: 27th February, 2023

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number :FCLR019 / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: WAAN - Echo Echo (Sonar Kollectiv)

WAAN's debut album is out this month as Bart Wirtz (sax) and Emiel van Rijthoven (keys) realize their dream that's been 5 years in the making.

You'll recall 'KinK' and 'Open' from late last year, (see YATM review HERE) and now we've got the other eight tracks to make up the album 'Echo Echo' (so good, they named it twice - Ed. you can say that again).

Strongly recommend checking the bandcamp link below as there's also a video of 'Omi' recorded live in the Eminent Studios.

You may have heard this tracks as tastemakers like DJ Gilles Peterson, Mr. Scruff and our very own Will Sumsuch  have taken these guys to their hearts/DJ booths as it's very modern jazz-funk, like Floating Points, a mellow BadBadNotGood, or a slim Weather Report as yet can bet both Bart and Emiel are big fans of Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter; particularly on a track like 'Chivat' even with its a bit of bruk in it (a track that apparently evolved out of a band jam!) 

And the more you listen to this album, the more you hear (is that 'spray can' percussion on the alt. version of 'Chivat'?) and the better it gets.  Like the jazzy 'Lost', the "out-there" '1974' which they've made sound a bit big band electronic (ohhh, don't you just love the 70s - definitely could be TV theme music with that racing synth) and the funkier 'The Cricketer' that's more Death Wish Herbie in Swinton (where 'The Cricketer' Public House is!) with Jason Swinscoe serving pints.

Talking TV/FIlm themes, 'Frequence' is where they trail the suspect in the mean back streets, at night and it's raining whilst 'Hard Cane Bone' is like a confluence of all that's gone before.

Mixed by Oscar de Jong (he of Kraak & Smack) at Kraak & Smack's studios, its nothing like Kraak & Smaak as there are more likely to be comparisions with other recent albums like Urbs' 'Geheimland' or Conic Rose's 'Heller Tag' [Austria vs Holland vs Germany on three different German labels] but you'll want to get all.  

Sonar Kollectiv's founders, Jazzanova, have recently been on "holiday" with BBE's latest release, review HERE), WAAN, the Dutch for "delusion" fly the flag for modern nu-jazzness that is anything but delusional.

Live Dates:
23.02. – NL, Nijmegen, Brebl
24.02. – NL, Amsterdam, Bimhuis
10.04. – NL, Oosterhout, Theater De Bussel
27.05. – NL, s'Hertogenbosch, Jazz in Duketown 2023

Artist: WAAN

Title: Echo Echo

Release date: 24th February, 2023

Label : Sonar Kolletiv

Catalog Number : SK450D Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Antti Lötjönen's Quintet East - Circus​/​Citadel (We Jazz Records)

For some reason, the second Quintet East album on We Jazz Records sounds even more 60s New York than the elite of the jazz scene Don Cherry/Ornette Coleman/Albert Ayler et al.

Lead by bassist Antti Lötjönen with Verneri “'the Miles Davis of the north”  Pohjola (trumpet), Mikko Innanen and Jussi Kannaste (saxes) and Joonas Riippa (drums) we're talking the top ranked Helsinki jazzers.

The title track, 'Circus/Citadel' comes in three parts. Inspired by a poem by the Romanian-born German-language poet Paul Celan (1920–1970) this explores the idea of “circus” and “citadel” in this confused world we find ourselves in. 

Part II has a jocular circus element in it which is not always evident in the avant-garde jazz genre before Part III gets a bit more experimental without going the full clown; perhaps closer to the Art Ensemble of Chicago at their best.

These 'themes' continue in the other tracks where you can get part melody's from nursery rhythms to hard bop swing; particularly 'Defenestration' – pop goes the weasel as they say.

Alyer's military period gave him a feel of the marching bands which he like to use in the funeral march blues and these guys also dip their musical toes in this citadel on '(for) Better People' which could be a homage and 'It Goes On' that showcases Antti's bass playing.

That said, this is a proper Quintet set of tracks and very We Jazz.

And if you happen to be in Helsinki this summer don't forget the Odysseus Festival on 21-23 July that will include many of your We Jazz favourite acts including the Valtteri Laurell Nonet!

Antti Lötjönen Quintet East LIVE
27.4. April Jazz Festival, Espoo FI (album release gig)
21.7. Odysseus Festival, Helsinki FI
 

Artist: Antti Lötjönen's Quintet East 

Title: Circus/Citadel

Release date: 24^th February, 2023

Label : We Jazz Records

Catalog Number : WJLP44 / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Natalie Duncan - Silver Gun (w/ Lenzman Remix) (Fallen Tree 1Hundred)

If you've recently seen Natalie Duncan at any of her recent live gigs (and no doubt, gigs in the future) you'll recognise 'Silver Gun' as one of her stand out tracks that showcase her vocal talents; having been compared to Nina Simone and Alicia Keys in the past.  

In truth, on 'Silver Gun' she sounds more like Natalie Duncan with a production that's like a tight Cinematic Orchestra. And on that subject, many readers with a good memory will recall the name of drummer Richard Spaven who has worked with Incognito, Robert Mitchell 3iO, Tom Mason, Deborah Jordan, Phil France (Cinematic Orchestra) and loads more.  Apparently it was his drum styling that focused Natalie on her inner "Radiohead" to produce 'Silver Gun!  

And on the subject of drums, the single comes with the Lenzman d'n'b remix (vocal and instrumental versons); it is Goldie's label after all.  Based in the Netherlands, he's said to specializes in the soulful end of the D'n'B genre and Natalie's voice and piano remain prominent in the mix.  

Getting back to the original version, must also mention the rest of the band, being Alan Mian (bass), Laurence Jepson (synths/programming), Rashaan Brown (guitar) together with producer/engineer, Chris Hewitt.

Last year we had the single 'Found Myself' with a remix by Tru-Thoughts' WheelUP so this keeps up the momentum for a new album.

Artist: Natalie Duncan

Title: Silver Gun (w/ Lenzman Remix)  EP

Release date: 24th February, 2023

Label: Fallen Tree 1 Hundred

Cat. No: FT1H020

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Maxine Scott x Alf.E - Guard Down (Ramrock Blue Records)

Wow! Ramrock Blue Records are red hot with superstar Maxine Scott.  

Once more, the new release with beats maestro Alf.E is a perfect expression of modern love issues as 'Guard Down' follows the equally youthful, 'Ya Energy' and 'SXC' (all beloved of BBC 6 Music, FACE FM and other high quality radio stations worldwide).

'Guard Down' is arguably the most 'open' Ms. Scott has been lyrically on the three collaborations with Alf.E so far and therefore, most touching/emotional - get the cover artwork?

The only problem with these kids today (Ed. I feel a soapbox coming on) is why, oh why are these tracks so short?  I really don't get it!  If they can concentrate for 2 hours for "beats and instrumentals to help block out distraction" but over 3 minutes! (check out BBC Sounds' 'Focus Beats' which is apparently the in-thing at DJ school these days!)

Anyway, back to 'Guard Down', there are vocal and instrumental versions and watch out and in the future, there's more collaborations as she's a dance orientated session with producer  Andrew Sant, a solo track as part of the Black Science Orchestra's 30th Anniversary and a live gig at London's Jazz Cafe - life is moving fast for this young lady, let's hope she doesn't let her guard down.

Artist: Maxine Scott x Alf.E

Title: Guard Down

Release date: 24th February, 2023

Label: Ramrock Blue Records

Cat. No: RRB016

Format: Digital

Review: Gecko Turner - Somebody From Badajoz (Lovemonk)

What the hell! It's been over five years since Gecko Turner's 'That Place, By The Thing With The Cool Name' and over ten since 'Gone Down South'!

So it's about time the world had a new album by the multi-instrumentalist talent that is, 'Somebody From Badajoz'.

These 11 tracks are very him as 'Lovemonk' drenched soul Afro-Cuban Latin funk that touches the beach and dancefloor.  

At one extreme, he can play the radio pop-funk charts with 'Ain't No Fun Preachin' to the Choir' to the playa del Río, 'De balde'.

And if you've had a heavy Saturday, 'Little Dose' is a perfect Sunday morning pick me up, it's that good it's ideal for future Paul Hillery 'Children Of The Sun' compilation.

What's so great about Grecko is that he's just fantastic as whatever he puts his mind to, I can't believe he's sad, ('Am I Sad?) and what a happy clappy climax 'End Of The World (if Armageddon is coming, this is the one to go out on).

If you're into the Heavenly Sweetness / Pura Vida Sounds / Soundway Records, this is one for you; get it now before all his old remix mates start bangin' on his door.

Artist: Gecko Turner

Title: Somebody From Badajoz

Release date: 24th February, 2023

Label: Lovemonk Records 

Cat. No: LMNK74

Format:  LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

FlyGlobalMusic's Damian Raferty reviewed Gecko's second album, 'Chandalismo Ilustrado' back in 2006.