Review: EMAMKAY – Love Is Energy (STY TRU BTS)

Hot on the heels of the compilation by Kid Fonque released last week, 'Stay True Sounds Vol.5' (review HERE) we get the long awaited album by EMAMKAY on the sub-label, STY TRU BTS.

We've already had two great singles with 'When The Sun Rises' (review HERE) and 'Sense' (review HERE) but all the ten tracks are fantastic.

EMAMKAY (MC/piano/keyboards) is part of the Sounds Like U Quintet with Jeffery Mahachi (d), Michael Nkuna (trumpet) with Bokang Ramatlapeng on vocals

We know the band touch our inner D'Angelo/Dilla/Flying Lotus or even a little Sa-Ra Creative Partners or even Carlos Niño & Friends/Georgia Anne Muldrow. 

In fact, this album seems like a small scale Build An Ark as he says his project tells "a story about how this energy fuels us to go the extra mile. The great lengths we go to because of love..."  What with the array of contact's Kid Fonque has, perhaps Southern Africa will be a revival of Sounds Of L.A./Dublab from the early 00s.

Well, we love the tracks 'Love Is Movement', 'Love Is', 'Love Is Energy' and 'Kuumba A Creator's Spirit' (as supported by DJs Bob Hill, Andy Garvey and more) as the 'live' jazz gig makes this collection special.

With the recent tragic loss of one of the founders of conscious hip-hop, De La Soul's David Jolicoeur (aka Plug 2/Trugoy The Dove) it's more than timely that there's a new guard ready to keep jazz-rap mellow and full of love.

Artist: EMAMKAY

Title: Love Is Energy

Release date: 31st March, 2023

Label : STY TRU BTS (Stay True Sounds)

Catalog Number : STB022 Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Bantu Spaceship - Bantu Spaceship (Nyami Nyami Records)

You can forget those commerical space flighs and spy balloons, here's the Bantu Spaceship that's ready to take off on Nyami Nyami Records.

This has a swing of David Waters Afro-Carib-soul whilst not travelling too far from Zimbabwe's original  sounds only to bounce to the New Order/"Donna" summer disco synth of 'Bantu Cakes'.

Really like the humour 'Mqibelo (A Prayer For The Weekend) featurig the rap of Kwela Sekele and the great artwork as it reflects the sometime ancient roots to the music.
When there's a mix of old and new (most notably on the dubby Misava (The Arrival) and 'Journey to Misava' featurig Thandi Ntuli, you can hear the link tot he spiritual Sun Ra/Coltranes/Sanders etc. 
And you can see why veteran of the South Africa scene, Kid Fonque (who we've most recently seen finding new African music on EMAMKAY 'When The Sun Rises (review HERE) would want to get his hands on a house remix and you get three versions, the remix, club remix and radio edit so that you get your monies worth. 

Expect to hear this on Colour & Pitch's February radio show with Will Sumsuch and Andy Garvey's future shows (which we discussed on the review of another "discovey", Thakzin & Ray T's 'Don't Let Me See' on Foliage (review HERE).

We featured the single, 'Bantu Electro Sungura' back in January but we didn't expect such a varied album as this.  Especially as the 'Bantu Spaceship' has already been dubbed, "New Jit Wave", YATM is saying this Afro-futursm has no boundaries. 

P.S. Great artwork. 

Artist: Bantu Spaceship 

Title: Bantu Spaceship 

Release date: 10th March, 2023

Label : Nyami Nyami Records

Catalog Number : NNR014 / Bandcamp

Review: Isao Suzuki, Masahiko Togashi, Hideo Ichikawa, Akira Shiomoto – Approach (BBE Music)

After the mighty Digger's Dozen compilation by DJ Muro, BBE return to the apparently never ending treasure trove of the Tony Higgins / Mike Pedon finds for re-issue on the highly-acclaimed J-Jazz Masterclass Series.

This time we've gone all the way back to 1986 for the album called 'Approach'.  Mostly as a trio, as indicated by the cover artwork, Hideo Ichikawa (piano), Isao Suzuki (b) and Masahiko Togashi (percussion/drums) are joined on two tracks by Akira Shiomoto on guitar. 

Such a shame Suzuki passed away last year aged 89 so as not to see the re-issue  but can he feel the vibrations of his bass wherever he may be?  This guy spent many years in the U.S. playing with the likes of Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, and many more.

You can hear such influences in the Bob James like 'Otari' which Suzuki dominates with Ichikawa in an 80s 'SOAP' theme style.  This is in total contrast to their 'free' jazz of 'Tornado' as a duo of Ichikawa and Togashi.

At the other extreme, before Afro-minimal jazz house was thought off, the 11 minutes of 'East Words' is not long enough and frustratingly gets a faded out at the end.  'Long Straight Road' is similar but with Ichikawa and Suzuki duelling ontop of Togashi; again another track faded out short.

The opener 'Make Trip' is more 'traditonal' J-Jazz jazzdance with Akira doing his "Larry Coryell"  after a gentle introduction so it doesn't really prepare you for the variety of the album; 'Mysterious' is just that, the bass is bowed and sounds like there's an A. Christie/P.G. Wodehouse 30s dectective going on with Akira on gentle bossa groove duty - odd and mesmerising at the same time. 

For those that follow Mike 'bacoso' Pedon, you'll know that he recently appeared at the launch of 'Come Sunday' at the Café Artum, Hockley, Birmingham with a vinyl only jazz session (I hope he played 'East Words') so it's really good that this music is reaching ears outside of the usual 'jazzdance' enclaves. 

For an album with only 6 tracks, this sure packs a punch and you'll find that your favourite track changes on every listen; it's just fantastic and so hard to believe it was recorded in 1986 as its timeless.

Artist: Isao Suzuki, Masahiko Togashi, Hideo Ichikawa, Akira Shiomoto

Title: Approach

Release date: 10th March, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE710 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Lukas Traxel - One-Eyed Daruma (We Jazz Records)

On first hearing you're thinkging that there's lots in common with Antti Lötjönen's Quintet East 'Circus​/​Citadel' with its avant garde atmosphere.  But hang on, this is only a trio! 

If you're into We Jazz' Y-OTIS and Koma Saxo as on sax there's tenor saxophonist Otis Sandsjö who joins Traxel (bass) and drummer Moritz Baumgärtner (of Melt Trio). 

From the gentleness of 'Transience' to the manic brilliance of 'Origami', one fold short of a traditional paper crane, this is a deep album that revels in its own somber/sober mélancolie (Lukas is Swiss if it helps).

It's incredible that there are still tapes of Albert Ayler in a trio still being released and if you're a fan, get this debut album as it will not disappoint.

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.

Artist: Lukas Traxel 

Title: One-Eyed Daruma

Release date: 10^th March, 2023

Label : We Jazz Records

Catalog Number : WJLP45/ CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers - Can't Take The Fight (RamRock Red)

If you remember T.O.E's 'Say It Loud EP' you'll know the voice of Marcus Malone as it was he that was saying it loud and it was picked up on all by all the best radio stations, notably, the flag waving BBC 6 Music's Craig Charles' Funk & Soul Show.

At first listen my mind went to Prince / Sly Stone / Jess Roden and then it's a bit more go-go and then horneyTower Of Power and perhaps even Joe Walsh or Robert Palmer.

Whatever it's got, it's got the "Fight" for some serious funk and soul struttin'. 

So it's perhaps surprising that the guitar side of things in Dan Smith (formerly of the Noisettes; remember their 2009 album 'Wid Young Hearts' that was everywhere on the indie pages at the time) who has got together as a "Motor City Hustler" with Mr. Malone for a forthcoming LP of 60s R&B, Soul and "back to the future funk" called 'Interstate 75'.

These guys will be great live and at any summer festival and you can trust that the single and album is going to be heavily played this year.

Artist: Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers

Title: Can't Take The Fight 

Release date: 10th March, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR

Format: Digital

Review: Various Artists - 7 Anniversary (Be Adult Music)

If you're new to the label, Be Adult Music, it's a good time as they 7 years of being grown up with a ten track compilation.

You can tell straight away from the opener, Cielo's 'Nectarine' that these guys live the deep Ibizan beach dream as they party swoon in the westernmost parts of the Balearic Islands:

'Death on the Balcony' isn't a cheery title but we're in synthy Detroit area code and 'Imagination' is a fast dub (Ed: is that possible?) going on that's got something of Rise Ashen about it.

There's inevitably some dreamy white isle downtempo with views of the solar system (as per the cover artwork); don't be misled by the title of 'Back To My Roots' as its no 'Going Back To My Roots' disco homage. But it just goes to show the various styles and quality that been gathered here; need to check more from Greg Ochman on the strength of 'Caramel' alone or 'Broken Pieces Of You' by Paul Losev. 

Talking about the label, a fan said, that they've "been on fire lately- a string of incredible releases!" and we're not going to disagree on this showing.

And if that wasn't enough, Sumsuch played a couple of their tracks on his most recent Colour and Pitch podcast; Cedric Salander' 'Essence' and 'A Soul' by Paul Losev to enjoy.

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - February 2023

Artist: Various Artists

Title: 7 Anniversary

Release date: 6th March, 2023

Label; Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM300

Tracklist

1	Cielo–	Nectarine	7:51
2	Death On The Balcony–	Force Of Habit	8:43
3	DSF	Impression	7:24
4	Erdi Irmak–	Easy Now	7:03
5	Evren Furtuna–	Back To My Roots	7:07
6	Greg Ochman–	Caramel	8:00
7	Ilias Katelanos, Plecta–	Sirenes	7:06
8	Missfeat, Jun–	Don't Fool Yourself	7:20
9	Paul Losev–	Broken Pieces Of You	5:43
10	Moo Ve–	Always With You	6:34

Review: David Versace - Marseille Movement (La Sape Records)

La Sape Records are based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia and is the home of jazz super group, JK Group fronted by award winning saxophonist Josh Kelly, Godtet and many more including keyboardist David Versace.

And like their other signings, Versace is pushing boundaries following his seven track album 'Okra' of last year.

'Marseille Movement' (actually recorded in London with mixed group of UK/Australian musicians) is 5 minutes of Latin jazz and no doubt earmarked by Patrick Forge/Colin Curits/Gilles Peterson/Kev Beadle for Dingwalls for sure this year at it's got that 'now' London jazz-funk sound of 80s David Benoit.

Forge was a big fan of  'Summer Party' and 'Saquaro' for their samba jazz dancing and it this keeps up, they'll be lots more applicants for 'Wanted Down Under'; g'Day David.

Artist: David Versace 

Title: Marseille Movement

Release date: 3rd March, 2023

Label La Sape Records

Format/Cat. No. : Digital / Bandcamp

Finn Rees (Piano), Jasper Gundersen (Drums), Josh Arcoleo (Sax), Cain Robertson (Guitar) Christopher Hargreaves (Bass), Tom Herbert (Double Bass), Elle Shimada (Violin), Luis Manuel (Congas), William Purton (Studio Engineer), Alex L’Estrange (Mastering Engineer) David Versace (Keyboards, Percussion & Production).

Review: Urbs - Geheimland (Compost Records)

You'll recall from the earlier single and EP releases that we're big fans of Urbs and his 'Geheimland' project that's now being released as an album.

The opening track, ''Levitation' gives you an idea why this guy has been so in demand with film, TV/documentaries and commercial industries. And then the other ten tracks are so definitive of his  is soulfully deep beats of lush nu-jazz instrumentals.

Tracks tracks like, 'Mighty Amethyst' gets his Miles dub up, 'Mandarine Sparrow Song' is Acker Bilk vs. Toots Thielemans (ask your grandparents) and 'Im Geheimland' start the journey in secret land far, far away where OST meets hip-hop beats and synths.

At the other extreme, 'Thasos' is lining up for the Balearic beach party remix with it's 'waves on the beach' sound efx, whispy vocals and flutes in the breeze and is cleverly followed by a even more mellow track, 'She Of Tranquility' (did you see what he did there?) with synths on the shoreline in space and 'Woodwind' brings us back to he flutes vs. twangy guitar PI detective theme' and then 'Cryosol' (the only vocal track) gets even closer to nordic/film noir with the big strings that's close to Cinematic Orchestra.

'The Lizbeth Phraze' slips in some Indo-jazz whilst 'Ever Golden' is another jazzy theme that very TV with beautiful bass a la Ron Carter.

The album ends on a high as 'Light Comes On' manages to capture all of what's gone on before as if, the lights have come on.

If you take out the heavy jazz from Cinephonic's 'Visions' (review HERE) and mixed it up with the beats of Si Tew's 'Quietude (review HERE) and Conic Rose's 'Heller Tag' (review HERE) you can see why this album is getting the response from all you're usual DJ suspects from Gilles, Peterson to Rainer Trüby to Jonny Trunk  

 

Compost Records are on a winner with this one as 2023 upddate on the Kruder & Dorfmeiser style! 

P.S. Isn't the artwork stunning

Artist: Urbs

Title: Geheimland

Release date: 3rd March, 2023

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT603 / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Kris Tidjan - Lords Of War (BBE Music)

If you know Kris Tidjan from his 2015 EP, 'Floating Therapy' you must have been thinking, come on Kris, where's the new material! If you've never heard of Kris Tidjan at all, and you hear the near 9 minutes of this new single on BBE Music 'Lords Of War', you'll be thinking why haven't I heard of the guy - it's brilliant! 

When I say "new", the origins of this track go back to 2005 as his response to a speech by U.S. President Geoge Bush’s speech from 1990. There's a soul-jazz-funk-beat to Kris' lyrics/vocals that's reminiscent of Gil Scott-Heron (don't forget, Gil's co-hort Brian Jackson is also on BBE right now) together with a nod to Bob Marley as lots of references to "small axe ready to cut them down".

And the musical break brings some dreamy dreamy jazz flute and sax before it picks up again: There's a shorter radio edit a mid-length version too but I'm hoping that at some stage we'll get a dubby/house version. 

But for now, this is taken from his debut album, 'Small Axes', coming out later this year when this guy is ready to slay the lords of war that's out there today. 

Artist: Kris Tidjan

Album: Lords Of War

Release Date: 3rd March, 2023

Label: BBE Music

Catalog Number BBE726SDG / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Palm Skin Productions - Trickle Up EP (Tru-Thoughts Recordings)

Wow! Hard to believe that we've had two tracks of the year in March already, and this EP has at least one of them!

And if Bill Brewster (Last Night A DJ Saved My Life, Grimsby Town FC) says, 'Trickle Up' is a "monster tune", we're not going to argue with him or this mate, Harry the Haddock (who's been big in the news this week).

The title being the antidote to bull shit A-level economic theory that it comes from is brilliant from the stuttery intro to the acid soaked shuffle right up to the end (check the cover artwork for the heritage to this track).  The press quote that comes with this release is, “Trickle Up' is a celebration, a paying forward, a reminder that we can help each other elevate. The trickle of small actions by everyday people, building to a torrent of change.”

Not content with that, the EP comes with another homage with 'Back To Detroit' with the deep throb house and spoken word style that we know and lov.e

If it wasn't for those two tracks I'm sure I'd be raving away (no pun, etc) about the dreamy 'Stealing The Sunset' with a 'rockstar' bassline and/or 'Du(m)b Witness' which is so good you might think Adrian Sherwood had his fingers on the knobs with Biggabush orchestrating the proceedings; du(m)b it is not!

If you remember Palm Skin Productions (aka Simo Richmond) from his Mo'Wax days or even The Bays (I saw them once with Roots Manuva!), these are four big tunes on a big EP and it's ready to take on the 2023 dancefloors.

Artist: Palm Skin Productions

Title: Trickle Up EP

Release date: 2nd March, 2023

Label : Tru-Thoughts

Catalog Number : TRUDD509 Digital / Bandcamp