Review: Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers - Interstate 75 EP (No'West Remixes) (Ramrock Red Records)

This week it's all about the "douze points" for some folks whilst the rest of us only have one winner, the long awaited release of the No'West remix EP of Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers' Interstate 75 EP (see review of the original HERE).

They've roped in Craig Charles (he of Liverpool) on the Eurovision coverage, but Sir Craig's electoral fanbase is in soul 'n' funk and he's a fan of the original and the new remix having played it a couple of times on his influencial BBC 6 Music show already.

As the Beedle/Wallace/Morris team reorganise the original version, especially falling for those Stax horns, the big Hammond and the "northern" hand claps on the instrumental] as this will fill out the Baker's Lounge all-day long.

And don't forget that this is the team that brought you our current #1, 77:78's Love Said (Let's Go) (Wallace & Morris Rework) (see review HERE) and the outstanding Robb Scott & Leee John's 'Gotta Get Over You' (see review HERE) and the wheels keep on turning out these great hits.

“I’ve got a future Blues classic on my hands with an indefinable time scale – it could’ve been recorded in the mid 70’s and feels like an instant crate diggers delight!” – Jo Wallace (Ramrock Records)

Artist: Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers

Title: Interstate 75 (No'West Remixes) EP

Release date: 12th May, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR040

Review: Gavin Holligan - When Boys Become Men (inc. Richard Earnshaw mixes) (Groove Lab Music)

In footballing terms, Gavin Holligan is part of the South London 'caged' soul, funk, jazz massive that's constantly producing great talent and re-inventing itself as 'When Boys Become Men'.

And all this 'game of two halves' lyricism comes from the fact that Gavin was a former pro footballer himself and as a striker, he's knows a hit.

Jazz FM do too and the original is very much in their soul-jazz chart vibe so when it comes to moving divisions into the house/dance field, it's a good move to bring in verteran manager, Richard Earnshaw.  Earnshaw is more of a Potch than a Big Sam as he's worked with loads of people and you can feel that there's more than a touch of Reel People kit bag on his remix - Reel People themselves being on form at the moment with their latest album 'Love2' (see review HERE).

For an end of season bash or any big Saturday night, this is definitely going to hit the back of the net; GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!

Artist: Gavin Holligan

Title: When Boys Become Men (inc. Richard Earnshaw mixes)

Release date: 12th May, 2023

Label : Groove Lab Music

Catalog Number : Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Robb Scott and Leee John - Gotta Get Over You (Ramrock Blue Records)

"Two bs and another 'e'"; no it's not Ramrock version of Countdown, it's 'THE' Leee John and Robb Scott that've got together to 'Gotta Get Over You'.

This track has been an instant radio hit as it's proper booogie that's feel's like it's an imagination of 2013 from the 80s soul days Radio Invicta/Capital/Radio London/Solar and more.

You can't fail to recognise Leee's vocals and it's a big production by Robb (who you may recall from his Sunshine/Afro Odyssey period) with massive strings, thumping piano and a throbbing bass. 

And these guys are so good, they've included the instrumental version - do you like that bit of Lonnie Liston Smith homage too?

It's like the ulitimate Bank Holiday Soul All-dayer wrapped up in the one song, I'm going to have trouble getting over 'Gotta Get Over You'. 

Great to have them on a label that suits them so well as the rumour of North Street West Remixes are on the cards, could they possibly go the full 'Night Dubbing' route? Stay tunned.

Artist: Robb Scott and Leee John

Title: Gotta Get Over You 

Release date: 5th May, 2023

Label: Ramrock Blue Records

Cat. No: RRB019

Review: 77:78 - Love Said (Let's Go) (Wallace & Morris Rework) (Ramrock Red Records)

To say Ramrock HQ is on a roll at the moment would be somewhat of an understatement as we find that they've gone for a re-work of a favourite of the Balaeric white isle from 2018.

Did someone say, "white"? Well that's a bit of a misnomer as 77:78's origins are in The Bees from the Isle Of Wight!

Originally as side project The Bees members, Aaron Fletcher and Tim Parkin, 'Love Said (Let's Go)' was released on their album 'Jellies' on the Heavenly label and the remix was picked up by Ashley Beedle (who'd worked with Heavenly on many a remix including Edwyn Colins) and The Flying Mojito Bros got 'Chilli'; who themselves were an obvious choice with their love of 1960s country/psychedelic rock (and now they're heavily invovled wiht James Alexander Bright, see review HERE).

Anyway, back to the Wallace (Jo) and Morris (Darren) rework; prepare yourself, they've out remixed Beedle in this instance!  It's a shimmering version that touches the Zombies, "She's Not There', the keys are like the sunny side of The Doors, Hank's twanging guitar in the hillside with flirtations with Hong Kong Kung Fu OST all on a island beach.  

And these guys are so good, they've included the instrumental version.

It's No. 1 in my YATM Chart for May [on JUNODOWNLOAD] and I suspect it might be there for a while, unless Ramrock release anything else in the near future [Ed. Spoiler alert: yes they are!]

Artist: 77:78

Title: Love Said (Lets Go) (Wallace & Morris Rework) 

Release date: 8th May, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RBR037

Review: Batavia Collective - BTVC EP (R&S Records)

R&S Records are 'In Order To Dance' and they've been tracking down music that does that for forty years now.

So, if you see any vinyl with the black horse rampant on it, you can rest assure that your going to find something that'll move you body but you might not immediately think that's it's outside of an electronic, techno, house, breaks, drum 'n' bass style.  And this is more than true of the label's latest 'find', the Batavia Collective.

Based in Jakarta, the trio sound like they are trendy East London jazz nerds with some serious Herbie grooves that will get another Hoxton head throbbing for their 12".

Four tracks that are generally in a 'modern' Bob James meets jazzy hip-hop beats bruk kicks off with 'Senopati Shuffle' with those upfront jazzy keys is the opener.   'Interchanges' is named after their "jam" composition style, 'Riot On Friday' is the dubby one and 'Joni Indo' was the pre-release that got all the intitial attention.

All are ready for radio plays and this is a welcome signing for R&S as I'm guessing Batavia Collective could be the source of some very interesting remixes/re-inpretations - definitely ones to watch.

Artist: Batavia Collective 

Title: BTVC EP

Release date: 5th May, 2023

Label : R&S Records

Catalog Number : RS2301S1 

Format:  CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Eddie Logix - Flight Risk EP (Rocksteady Disco)

Fans of Detroit's Rocksteady Disco label have been looking forward to today to finally getting their hands on Eddie Logix's 4-track EP, 'Flight Risk'.

If you've ever been spanked on the dance floor by Jimmy "Bo" Horne or jazz carnivaled by Azymuth, 'Sky Dive' has some of the energy to keep you movin' all nite long. 

Label boss and bass player, Peter Croce, makes an appearance on 'Mount Juniper' and he's known for pleasing the "Flute Gang" (squad member No. 3 me, solid at the back end) and we get satifsfied with 'Home Suite' that's got a sexy sax solo to match the stuttering Latin beats - are those cop whistles at the end or is that East London in the house at the Lyceum?

If you've got the Sol Power All-stars tribute 12" to Cymande, 'Nyah-Rock' (also on Rocksteady Disco - see review HERE), you'll know that they know their Afrobeat and 'Missing Pixels' throws in some steel pans; could it be better than 'Sky Dive'?

I mentioned Mr PC adds bass to 'Mount Juniper' and there's some electric guitar from Tim Barrett so get ready for Balearic dub/bizzness on the shores of Lake Michigan with the "Flute Gang" getting on down.

On a cautionary note, real world sky diving is dangerous and should never be done to a soundtrack by Eddie Logix, but if you're out on the town and the DJ has this 12", you're going to be perfectly safe and not listed as a 'Flight Risk'.

Artist: Eddie Logix

Title: Flight Risk EP

Release date: 5th May, 2023

Label : Rocksteady Disco 

Catalog Number : Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Various Artists - The Jazz Room Vol. 2 compiled by Paul Murphy (BBE Music)

It seems more than apropriate that one of the most influence DJs in UK jazz history, that's Paul Murphy, picks a track by a band called Jazz Carnival (named after Azimuth's international hit) when news of the passing of Azimuth's drummer, Ivan "Mamão" Conti, reaches us as this compilation is released. 

And in keeping with influences, from Paul's own Jazz Room label, there's the brilliant Take Vibe 'take' of the Stranglers' 'Golden Brown' [and if you didn't know better, you'd swear it was Dave Brubeck: and worth tracking down the video which prooves it.  

Then there's Daniel Crawford's 'Water No Get Enemy' (the Fela Kuti 'standard') and the France's Florian Pellissier Quintet doing Harold McNair's classic 'The Hipster' [and they've done a cover of 'Jazz Carnival' in past!].  

But the intention of the compilation was that it was more of a DJ's musical support so it's packed with great tracks from old tracks like Clare Fischer's 'African Flutes' to The Stance Brothers or modern jazz dance ambassador, Chip Wickham.  

Paul can do no wrong in my book [so I'm biased], but there's absolutly nothing wrong with any of the tracks on this album so it's very recommended. 

Artist: Various Artists

Title: The Jazz Room Vol. 2 compiled by Paul Murphy

Release date: 5th May, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE678 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: LILAMORS - Slow Traveller / Home (Latenite Lounging)

LILAMORS is a trio consisting of German pianist Thilo Seevers, sound artist Jaka Arh and Slovenian vocalist Ana Čop.

The previous single 'Slow Traveller' I thought reflected an experimental, Norma Winstone, ECM vs. Jazzland Bugge Wesseltoft, Silje Nergaard as minimal Balearic electronica: which is definitely "Out there!" 

And releasing 'Home' is the counterbalance, as neo-classical piano minimalist.

The forthcoming album, 'When I Am Dead, My Dearest' (out 30th June), hints at a mix of the extremes with OST leanings. 

Last months' Colour & Pitch session mix started with their other single track 'Home' so great to see Sumsuch is up with this beautiful track.

Can't wait for the album to come out. 

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

Artist: LILAMORS

Title: When I Am Dead, My Dearest 

Release date: 28h April, 2023 

Label: Latenite Lounging

Cat. No: LNL012SDG2

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Enrico Le Noci - Electric Nuts (A. MA Records)

We're all a little bit nuts and this trio are electric!

A bit different for A. MA Records of late as it's an album by a jazz trio of Enrico Le Noci (guitar),  Matthijs Geerts (keybords/electric piano) and Egidio Gentile (drums)

The eight track album includes covers of classic 60s tunes 'Maiden Voyage' (Herbie Hancock) and 'Voodoo Child' (Jimi Hendrix Experience) with Freddie Hubbard's 'Sky Dive' (1972).

The original of 'Sky Dive' had an all-star CTI line up with George Benson on electric guitar before he achieved his international star status but it's easy to see where Enrico got some of his style from.

All the other tracks are Le Noci compositions with 'Eyes To See' (Geets being very Herbie) and the uptempo jazz dance shuffler, 'In The House' that's more Larry Coreyell fusion.

And in that classic US Pat Metheny downtempo groove, you'll find 'Nuts' (Ed. is that half a title track?) with guitar followed by synth noodling with modern "Hoxton" drumming and you're expecting/waiting for a Mahavisnu Orchestra explosion (which would have been a great Part 2) which doesn't arrive. But then it really works on 'Fantasia' in a growling Herbie-McLauglin way but why in two short parts and not too long tracks in their own rights?

With that said and you might says this is 'old school', they definitely find their own feet with 'CYSTE (Can You See The End)' (has someone been influenced by Thundercat?) and 'In The House', talking of feet, this one will move feet and turn heads.

The album ends with the three previously mentioned cover versions which are clearly much loved and revered by the band even though you've not heard any of these tracks like this before; 'Maiden Voyage' and 'Sky Dive' are going huge at the 'One O'clock Club' with the jazzheads.

Why Hendrix's track is 'Voodoo Chile' on all the label's is one for your own Google searches but getting back to 'Electric Nuts', that's an experience you won't want to miss.

Artist: Enrico Le Noci

Title: Electric Nuts

Release date: 28th April, 2023

Label : A.MA Reforged / A.MA Records

Catalog Number : CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Risk Assessment feat. Monica Blaire - It’s Not Right But It’s Okay (Foliage)

Many of you YATM fans will instantly recognise the title as being Whitney Houston's classic from 1999 that's been hit on by the UKG community ever since for it's 2-step swing vibe.

Well, you've got to be pretty brave to give it a cover version but Glyne Brathwaite aka Risk Assessment (from the UK) has produced a might fine version with the help of Monica Blaire (singer, songwriter and MC). 

And there's good reason Ms. Blaire was chosen for this track as she's worked with some of Detroit's best from Dwele, Vanessa Williams, Denaun Porter (D12), Waajeed (Platinum Pied Pipers) and Moodymann who produced her solo album, 'How To Dress Well In The Dark' that came out this month with contributions from Mike Patto and Toni Economides (as in Reel People's recent 'Love2' - see review HERE).

Foliage have a strong feeling for these things, remembering Thakzin & Ray T's 'Don’t Let Me See' (see review HERE) and you can expect this version of 'It’s Not Right But It’s Okay' in my set list for the next big gig on the south coast; flute gang be prepared as this is more than just, "Okay" with that fantastic marimba/African thumb piano sound that's a bit vibesy too along with these gospel vocals!

Artist: Risk Assessment feat. Monica Blaire 

Title: It’s Not Right But It’s Okay (Original/Radio/Instrumental)

Release date: 28h April, 2023 

Label: Foliage Records

Cat. No: FN087

Format: Bandcamp / Digital