Review: Sababa 5 - Funk #1 / Funk #2 (Batov Records)

Been diggin' for some long lost funk on 45?  Dig not more and bring your own dust if you must as you won't find anything as good as this; and it's brand new!

The biggest psychedelic funk band in Tel Aviv, if not the world, are back with two slices of out-there middle-eastern funk on 7" vinyl.

Limited to 500 copies so be quick as this synth funk style doesn't hang around for long.

So much fun(k) and more than enough to get you into their previous release like last years' self-title album (review HERE) and thier other previous singles.

And this is one of a series of 7"s and whilst you want to get 'em all, check 'The Egyptian'/'On The Way To The Wedding' by Baharat. Not for MAFFSA - Bonkers!

Artist: Sababa 5 

Title: Funk #1 ' Funk #2

Release date: 24th March, 2023

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR076

Format: 7" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The Soul Motivators feat. Shahi - Do It Together (Do Right! Music)

The cover might look like The Soul Motivators got lost on their way sarf of the river but don't let that put you off them or their vocal funk and soul 'tress, Shahi.

The 7", 'It Is What It Is' indidcated what was to come with the LP but in all honesty, it so(u)l(e)d the other seven tracks a little short. 

Shahi vocals have a blended range  somewhere between Chaka and Janis Joplin which is pretty special in our books.

If you like a long 'bone in ya funk, the title track and opener, 'Raise A Glass' will keep you more than happy. 

There's a big 60s influence like 'Power!' as an apocalyptic warning with a massive drum break at the end, then a flip to 70s space funk disco instrumental of 'Jim Nasty' and the fantastic, funk-psych/almost dub of 'One For The Heads' [Ed. I can see why it's called that]

This is the band's fouth album (the first was mixed by Pierre Chrétien who was recentlly seen HERE with his 'Visions' project) and Shahi Teruko's second with them.  It seems that she's taking more of a role with each album and you'll see why immediately when you hear 'Try (Just A Little Bit More)'.

Not so sure about the '"crowd pleaser", 'Everything's Going To Be Alright' but I'd bet these guys are great live and if you're missing the best of Daptone, this are the band for you.

Artist: The Soul Motivators feat. Shahi

Title: Do It Together 

Release date: 23rd March, 2023

Label : Do Right! Music

Catalog Number : LP / CD / Digital

Review: BCUC - The Woods / Pieces Of Ish (On The Corner Records)

As a warm-up for their forthcoming LP, 'Millions Of Us', On The Corner Records squeak out a digital single from the South African band BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness).

We've featured a variety of South Africa musicians of late like Felix Laband's album on Compost Records (see review HERE), the re-issue of Small's 'Don't Leave Me In The Rain' (see review HERE) and many more from EMAMKAY 'When The Sun Rises (review HERE) and deep house like one of the tracks of the year so far, Thakzin & Ray T's 'Don’t Let Me See' on Foliage (review HERE)

But this is closer to Bantu Spaceship (review HERE) but 'The Woods' is really rural gospel meets dancehall/hip hop with some great bass, vocals and rap in English and local dialect.

Then on 'Pieces Of Ish' has their tongue firmly in their cheeks as they take the ish out of us/themselves in a space chant that could be Art Ensemble Of Chicago inspired; taking it back to the motherland so to speak.

London's On The Corner Records have released material by Emanative, Colloutor, Penya in the past and in BCUC they have found a leftfield world jazz trance cross-over similar to Siti Muharam's 'Romance Revolution' but much harder so I expect this to be out of the woods this year.

Artist: BCUC

Title: The Woods / Pieces Of Ish

Release Date : 23rd March, 2023

Catalog Number : -

Label : On The Corner Records

Format: Digital

Review: Kataya & Sonixfear - Scrambled (Karol XVII & MB Valence Remixes) (Be Adult Music)

Be Adult Music may have just had their 7th anniversay, but there's nothing junior about this new release as two tracks by Kataya & Sonixfear get a make over by Karol XVII & MB Valence.

The original tracks came out in 2017 and I can see why they would be favourites of Karol XVII & MB Valence.

'Two Scrambled Eggs' get reheated in two different versions, a 'dreamix' and a 'remix'.  The dream mix is fantastically deep Italo-Balearic as you might guess from the title.  There's a bit of vocal vocoder efx which I'm usually not keen on but this is the exception.

The 'remix' version is less dreamy (Ed. you don't say) and more main room with the synths joining the vocoder vocals in a complimentary way.

For 'Mentions' they've done another 'Dreamix', reduced the fake crowd efx so it's less 'Benny And The Jets' (which is a good thing) and added more production to give it a more rounded sound from the mindscape; but "more cowbells" I hear you chant.

I know what you're thinking:

1. Where's the remix of 'Bankoland' that came out on the original EP?  Perhaps they're saving that one for the follow-up to the label's recent '7 Anniversay' compilation (see review HERE soon)

2. What track is Sumsuch going to include on this months' Colour and Pitch Sessions? We'll find out the answer to that one very soon.

This is a great release to follow Vincenzo's double header 'Extrasolar' / 'The Witching Hour' (see review HERE) and if you need more, there's pleanty from the back catalog of Karol XVII & MB Valence 'Remixography 2002-2022' on Loco Records.

Artist: Kataya & Sonixfear 

Title: Scrambled [Mentions / Two Scrambled Eggs]

Release date: 20th March, 2023

Label; Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM302

 

Review: The Polyversal Souls - Sad Nile / Mam Pe'ela Su'ure (Philophon)

There are lots of Afro-infused releases for the dancefloor at the moment but one label that's a must to keep up to date with is the Berlin/Ghana based Philophon run by Max Weissenfeldt.

With their work at the "Joy Sound Studios" they've released some fantastic music over that past 10 years, mostly as 45 singles.

And this latest single is a dip into the past with The Polyversal Souls' 'Sad Nile' (taken from their 2015 debut album, 'Invisible Joy') that's been remastered and had some ethio-jazz tones added; Woody Herman meets Mulatu Astatke and who wouldn't want to hear that?

It definitely sounds more beefy than the original and on the b-side, in the same ball park, there's a instrumental version of Florence Adooni's 'Mam Pe'ela Su'ure' featuring the flute of Jimi Tenor who had been the musical figurehead of the label's jazzier side.  Watch out for those space synths too!

It's another 'must have' from this must have label but if you were going to push me to recommend other Philophon highlights (given that anything by Jimi Tenor is brilliant), anything by The Band Of Enlightenment, anything by Alogte Oho & His Sounds Of Joy and Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids (in addition to their more widely known releases on the Strut label) but you really can't go wrong.

Artist: The Polyversal Souls 

Title: Sad Nile / Mam Pe'ela Su'ure

Release date: 17th March, 2023

Label Philophon

Cat. No. : CPH45030

Review: Neenoo x Kaehla - Feel The Love (Adesso Music)

DJ/producer Neenoo has his first release on Adesso Music and it's got a massive middle eastern vibe on it plus the cool vocals of Kaehla.

Neenoo began his career in Lebanon at Beirut’s top clubs whilst Keahla is based in Dubai.

It would have been interesting to have had a taste of a remix but this is a big tune so we're definitely feeling the love for this one.

There's lots of this middle eastern / kasbah influence around at the moment so "stay tuned" and I'll update so we can get a whole set together.

Artist: Neenoo x Kaehla

Title: Feel The Love

Release date: 17th March, 2023

Label : Adesso Music

Catalog Number : AM27/WP1467 / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Kerkko Koskinen, Linda Fredriksson & UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra - Agatha 2 (Ricky-Tick/We Jazz Records)

Regular readers will know of our love of all things Finnish Jazz from the 60s to the present and particularly the Ricky-Tick 'golden era'. So how excited were we to hear the We Jazz has done the incredible and got a "modern" big band in the studio to do a new version of Kerkko Koskinen's 2007 album 'Agatha'; now updated to 'Agatha 2'. 

And whilst it heavily features Linda Fredriksson on sax, the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra is a really big 'Big Band'. Now, don't be put off by that title as 'Big Band' is associated with Chazza Shop cheapos [as ever though, look hard enough and you'll find retro revivals of jazz swing: are you ready for a Big Band Bash with the Brighton Jazz Mafia Big Band, The Boogie Bumpers, The Swing Ninjas, Big R Big Band, The Devil's Cut Combo, Miss Annie & The Midnight Shift - I digress but you get the idea].

That said, you'll not find much of a dance as this is more Lalo Schfrin, Gil Evans big band like the prancing 'Piana' or the piano led, 'Mare' or the climax of 'Quiberon'. As you can tell from the cover, there's a hint of “horse” about this (like the saxophone “neighing” on 'Anime') and it's that type of OST soundtrack to a horse Olympics/dressage/show jumping but with jazz and a big bit of nostalgia for the old times. It's a bit of a stretch on first listen and strangely the first 'Agatha' (featuring the 'Miles of the North, Verneri Pohjola) from 2007 didn't feature images of horses on the cover at all!

And in view of the variety of jazz that came out on Ricky-Tick and that this is the first release for over 10 years, it's a big hug and a "welcome back" from all jazz fans.

It would be a bit far to say that this is like a big version of Antti Lötjönen's Quintet East (album out last month on We Jazz, 'Circus/Citadel' review HERE) but perhaps bigger is better?

Artist: Kerkko Koskinen, Linda Fredriksson & UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra

Title: Agatha 2

Release date: 17th March, 2023

Label : We Jazz Records

Catalog Number : WJLP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Pippo D'Ambrosio - Beyond The Sky (A.MA Records)

I'm told 2023 has lots of significant astronomical events for us, including solar eclipses, meteor showers, a bright comet passing the Earth and many more but here at YATM, we're looking at 'Beyond The Sky' by Italian drummer/percussionist, Pippo D'Ambrosio.

Pippo has appeared on many albums but this is his follow up to his 'A Peaceful Place' (2020) album and it's also based on a concept, this time inspired by man's relationship with the greater Universe.

But don't exect any Sun Ra 'out there' jazz, although ('Andromeda' does go a bit synthy spacey) as this is a generally laid back jazz album with strong modern influences with elements of fusion and broken beat.

Whilst D'Ambrosio is the leader, this is not all drums to the fore (but watch out for 'Halle Bop' that has a brilliant intro) as he's joined in the band by Eugenio Macchia (Piano / Electric Piano / Synthesizer), Gaetano Partipilo (Alto Saxophone) and Giorgio Vendola (Double Bass).  In fact, the opening track 'Milky Way' sets the tone in a gentle magnetude that defines space.  

Tracks like 'Milky Way' and 'Sirio' stand out where Macchia and Gaetano make the set sound like a simple Weather Report (Ed. I see what I did there?) but where it works best is tracks like 'Aquarius' and 'Hydra' where everyone contributes to make the total more than the sum of the parts. 

That said, 'Cassiopea' (nothing to do with the 70s jazz funk band 'Casiopea' from Japan) and 'Alioth' are the two longest tracks and both 'explore' the jazzways in a deep way; in fact, 'Cassiopea' has got at touch of the We Jazz vs. Herbie Hancock vs. reggae going on and with that bassline/synths and soul organ, I wonder if the Elber Phillips is thinking of a remix at the reforge?

There's no obvious 'big bang' track here (apart from the brilliant 'Cassipea') so it's a bit different from other releases on the label from last year, like Enrico Bracco's 'Flying In A Box' (review HERE), Davide Peluso Quartet's 'The Blue Zone' (review HERE) and Antonio Trinchera's 'The Tractor And The Child' (review HERE) but it certainly gives more on repeated listens.

Artist: Pippo D'Ambrosio  

Title: Beyond The Sky

Release date: 15th March, 2023

Label : A.MA Reforged / A.MA Records

Catalog Number : CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

 

Review: Vincenzo - Extrasolar / The Witching Hour (Be Adult Music)

If you like it deep, you've probably called the toll free number 1-800-Vincenzo and now he's back. 

All grown up on Be Adult with this release as it's not just solar, it's 'Extrasolar'.

This is where there's synth based space travel to the beach is ready for the Ibiza sun whilst on the 'b-side',  'The Witching Hour' is like a race to a deeper Detroit with big synth bounce.

Following on from the recent compilation '7 Anniversary' (see review HERE), this release shows no sign of any itching problem areas in their relationships with the deep house music producer community so expect another big year for Be Adult.

Artist:  Vincenzo 

Title: Extrasolar  

Release date: 13th March, 2023

Label; Be Adult Music 

Catalog Number: BAM301

Review: The Descendants ft. Mazen Bedwei - Telling Lies (F*CLR Records)

The Descendants 'Telling Lies' featuring the vocals of Mazen Bedwei on F*CLR Records is so good! And I'm not lying.

When I said, "lets have more from F*CLR [pronounced F.Star.Clear]" when reviewing Wearing Shoes' EP, 'Never Pretend' (review HERE), I didn't think we'd hear so quickly or with such a different sound!

'Telling Lies' is full-on with big strings (as if we're going to go disco), post Italo-piano, a little bit of dubby echo and massive soulful vocals that's as good as any UK club scene from Acid Jazz onwards. 

In fact, this is so good the instrumental version will kill you with the strings alone; if you're lying by a pool at sunset, you'll get ya boogie bathers on when the DJ plays this one for some deep end action.

The name, The Decendants, comes from the fact that this a a family affair with Johnny 'Primed' Cooper, his son Matt & Jeff Cooper.  All have been involved with music for a long time; from Incognito to Outside (D'n'B) to Mazen being on tour with Leroy Hudson.

You might think that this would tend to be derivative but F*CLR those thoughts and get busy with this.  

And rumour has it that some monster remixes are on there way so prepare yourself with these original versions.

Artist: The Descendants ft. Mazen Bedwei 

Title: Telling Lies EP

Release date: 10th March, 2023

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : FCLR017 Digital / Bandcamp