Review: Psyché - Psyché (Four Flies Records)

Sababa 5 might have the head start on middle eastern synth psyche funk so prepare yourselves for Southern Greek/Balkan/Balearic Surf rock/instrumental hip hop.Med-shoreline version out on Four Files Records by a band called Psyché; the 'Cumbia Mahàre'/'Ophis' sound is ready for you - are you ready for it?

It might be only eight tracks but that's a enough as one over the eight when they are as mesmeric as this.

If you crossed the compilation 'Middle Eastern Grooves' (Batov Records - see review HERE) with The Incredible Bongo Band's 'Bongo Rock' (Mr Bongo - see review HERE) as there's a high Hank twang factor - could Hank be the 'father' so to speak. (Ed. how did it happen that these three albums are all released on the same day on three different labels?)

There's a film/TV series that's bound to pick up on this vibe, especially 'Angizia' that's fit for a dectective show and 'Kelebek' for the love scenes on the beach (or elsewhere) whilst the title track is more out-there afrobeat-psych funk which is pretty much a constant throughout to be honest; 'Hakate' and ;Manea' are current favourites but they're all so good.

'Psyché' is Greek for "soul" or "mind" (as cleverly depicted in the artwork with the trio) and  you'll want these guys with you to get you in a happy place.

Artist: Psyché

Title: Psyché

Release date: 19th May, 2023

Label: Four Fllies Records 

Cat. No:  FLIES59

Format:  LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Middle Eastern Grooves (Batov Records)

Those that have recently picked up on Batov Records via the outstanding releases by the mighty Sababa 5 will be more than interested in this new compilation, 'Middle Eastern Grooves' celebrating Batov's history from 2015 - 2023 that's been selected by label co-founder DJ Kobayashi.

This 2xLP set will also appeal to a even wider audience as it features a mix of new and old plus some previously unreleased tracks; like a proper label compilation. 

It's great if you're into your World funk surf rock and it stretches further as there's lots of hip-hoppy/psych going on like the monsters 'Saved From The Jazz' by Eje Eje (can you be post-Bongo Rock? See review of latest re-issue of album that's now 50 years old, HERE) and Baharat's 'Parsley Disco' or the eastern edge, 'Nasnusa' by Sababa 5 featurig Yurika.

There's no Sandman Project (see review HERE) but you get previously released tracks from Kutiman, Sababa 5, Boom Pam (who have just released thier album 'Royal' just in time for Charlie III), Şatellites and the pop-cornesque 'Six' by Romano.

This is the kind of album that can change your summer holiday destination choice and puting your big toe into the sea/pool/waters of the Middle East (it's a big catchment area) or just catch DJ Kobayashi as he's regularly at trend hot beds like Brilliant Corners and Spiritland plus he's got a bi-weekly show on Soho Radio too!

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Middle Eastern Grooves

Release date: 19th May, 2023

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR

Format: 2xLP / Digital / Bandcamp

 

Review: Sphere - Inside Ourselves (BBE Music/180 Proof Records)

New release on BBE by a band you've never heard off; it must be new then?

Well sort of as in it was orginally from 1974 (almost making it into our new found "50 year old" set) and recorded in 1970, it is part of DJ Amir's dig into seminal Strata East's archives (more on this HERE).

And when I say "live", it is just that on seven original jazz/jazzy fusion tracks at the Detroit Institute of Arts wth John Dana (b), Jimmy Peluso (d), Keith Vreeland (electric piano), Eddie Nuccilli (tr, fh) and leader, Larry Nozero (ts,ss).

It sounds 'free' and very Miles influenced which would the thing at the time for any young self-respecting jazz head in the heart of Detroit; check out that cover photo!

And whilst some of these tracks are long/very long (there's 2 'unknown' bonus tracks, worth getting for the 12 minutes of mostly jazz-dance-speeding of  'Unknown Track 1'), hence the special remastered 2 LP format, there's no particular solo/noodles/puffery here, even with the slower tracks like 'Lonely Girl' and 'Where', there's a sense of energy/purpose. Note: excepting 'Spitfire' that's less than a minute.

Where are these guys now? Well the geeks ampngst us will want to know that Larry played the sax solo on Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' and that'd be enough for most of us but he did work much later with Sergio Mendez and Henri Mancini!

This series will never be able to top, the Mingus, 'Jazz In Detroit / Strat Concert Gallery / 46 Selden' release in 2018 (really, 5 years ago!) but this is definitely up there in obscure jazz finds that you wouldn't want to miss out on.

Also, if you like this, you'll also want to get the 'Live' album by Shamek Farrah & Norman Person that was released towards the end of last year (see Review HERE)

Artist: Sphere

Title: Inside Ourselves

Release date: 19th May, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE714 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Brandon Markell Holmes & Toribio - Go Ahead (Toucan Sounds)

I'm reliably informed that Brooklyn is the place to be, well "we all live in Brooklyn, baby" after all. And if you want so be super trendy, you'll want an address in Williamsburg; which is exactly where Toucan Sounds are and they're currently with Brandon Markell Holmes and producer Toribio to 'Go Ahead'.

Brandon has got a great Chicago soulful voice that's so suited to the deep house scene and he's worked with some big names in his 3 years with Toucan Sounds, like musclecars (as in the big Jazzanova remix from January this year, and recently repressed - see review HERE), Anthony Nicolson, Dee Diggs and most recently, 'legend' Derrick Carter and Rogue Vogue.

The rap on the track is by Fat Tony and it's not an average token 'rap for rap sake' as the label indicates, it has an old skool quality to it.  

The single comes with the original version as as slow grind upbeat soul jazzer; it grooves along for over 6 minutes and then they fade the keys solo: we need a proper full length of this one!

And one of our favourite producers/remixes that crosses the genre identities of deep house and beats, Byron The Aquarius who picks up on the "Back Hand" adds some ping-pong bounce and does a Theo Parrish; but a short version!

There's a bonus track, 'Losing Side' by Brandon and Pink Flamingo Rhythm Revue just to show how talented he is.  

There's definitely no losing sides to this game of 2 halves with radio and clean edits. 

Colour & Pitch would have loved to have had this one but it you want to be in the place to be, the release party is in Brooklyn on 25th May at the fabulous, The Sultan Rooms' rooftop with both Brandon and Byron doing live performances; now that's a party.

Artist: Brandon Markell Holmes & Toribio 

Title: Go Ahead with Byron The Aquarious Remix

Release date: 30th May, 2023

Label: Toucan Sounds

Cat. No: YTCW098

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Peter Kruder & Roberto Di Gioia - „————————„ (Peyo Records)

Peter Kruder will be known as half of Kruder and Dorfmeister or even a third of Voom:Voom but these are probably just the best known of many collaboration he's had.

Kruder's latest with Roberto Di Gioia came about as they have previously worked together before, most notably on DJ Hell's 'Teufelswerk' (more on the 'Day' side of things as opposed to 'Night') as they developed their own style of mininimal/ambient mode.

That was back in 2019 so this album has been a while in the making as jazz pianist/multi-instrumentalist Di Gioia is constantly busy as he can flit between record labels such as German institutions ACT and Compost plus the internationals Warner Music and Verve.

The first single, 'Clock Tick Tock' is classical minimalism Kruder-ed. and 'Bella Arp' would be a brilliant alt. version to the theme tune of Randall & Hopkirk (Dec'd)..."can you hear me Jeff?" 

This album does concentrate on the downtempo with tracks like 'Kusine Limusene', 'Rache' (with added sense of foreboding) and 'Sequenz' all have that OST theme of mysterious synth and footstep keys, comparisions have been drawn with the recently passed Ryuichi Sakamoto who excelled in this area.  But even he would have loved 'No Love On The Enterprise' (great title) and 'Meteoriten Schluckauf' for thier miniminal electronic romanticism. 

Kruder's own 'Chordal'/'Law Of Return' (2009) was an indication of where his dancefloor vs. Tchaikovshy would go but don't suppose he'd thought it could take us to „————————„, which kind of makes it even more special in a way.

If you enjoyed LILAMORS' 'Home' at the start of Sumsuch's May mix (see link below), you'll find „————————„ just as mesmorisingly cool; a must for the summer.

EG · EGLO.058 Peter Kruder

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

Artist: Peter Kruder & Roberto Di Gioia

Title: „————————„

Release date : 19th May, 2023

Label : Peyo Records

Catalog Number :  

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Incredible Bongo Band – Bongo Rock (50 Years of Hip Hop Edition) (Mr Bongo)

When folks talk about hip-hop and it's origins and it's roots whether it be Malcolm McClaren "finding" Afika Bambaataa in New York wearing a Sex Pistols t-shirt or DJ Kool Herc's parties in the Bronx, it should not be long before Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band's 'Bongo Rock' takes centre of attention.

This incredible album is now 50 years old and considering it was an offshoot project of Mr Viner with session musicians, it's a credit to all involved and bongo lovers everywhere and hip-hop breaks/samples that have keep the album going.

Covers of popular tracks like 'Apache' (yes, it really is The Shadows' track) and the seven tracks are done in an extraordinary Latin, funk, rock, soul psych, surf way as if Santana recorded at Stax with Joe's Meek and Bataan commissioned by Pearl & Dean plus, of course, Hank.

Then any tracklist that could follow 'Duelling Bongos' with 7 minutes of  'In-A-Gadda-D-Vida' (yes, originally from the 1968 album by Iron Butterfly, the album with the psychedelic cover) that puts the drums and bongos in another dimension has to be one of the most bonkers, of the many bonkers, aspects of hip-hop. 

Mr Bongo originally re-issued this in 2014 (I seem to have lost my cover) and whilst it controversially came out as a 7" box set in 2016, I don't think any record collector worth his bongos should not have a proper LP version.

I know some people would have you believe 50 year albums are the "next thing", like Hawkwinds 'Space Ritual' released in May 1973 or Barbara Sipple's 'Barbara Sings For Life' as recently picked by Re:Warm's Micky Brown (#onlylikemusicreleasedon50yearanniversary) but "Bongo Rock" will indeed go on forever in this, or the countless samples used by nearly everyone from the great (Nas, DJ Shadow, Beastie Boys) and the not so great.

Artist: Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band

Title: Bongo Rock

Release date : 19th May, 2023

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number: MRBLP11850

Format: LP / Bandcamp

Review: Bruno From Ibiza - Infinity "The Remixes" (Be Adult Weapons)

Whether you're Clive from Accounts or Ross from Friends or someone from something/somewhere, Bruno From Ibiza is the new name to drop as 'Infinity' gets remixed on Be Adult Music's "offshoot", Be Adult Weapons.  

Bruno's own ambient version is a great mix starter/warm-up weapon.

Friends of Be Adult Music know that Cedric Slander is hot from the track showcased on compilation Nassau Beach Club (Ibiza 2019), 'The Jazz' to the split release of 'Caelum Sidera EP' with Cielo. He's packed lots into his 'Infiinity' remix and I'd be amazed if it wasn't in Colour & Pitch's next mix; just want it to go on forever.

And then there's the Peter Mac remix, which groves with added guitar to get more of a Balearic vibe on the beach.

If you loved the original version these 3 addition weapons will fit really well in your arsenal for the summer.

Artist: Bruno From Ibiza 

Title: Infinity "The Remixes"

Release date: 19th May, 2023

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM066

Review: Lord Echo - Rarities 2010-2020: Japanese Tour Singles (Soundway)

Lord Echo has a worldwide cult following as he's a bit of a DJ Shadow-ish genre mixer where his album tracks can be inflenced by Latin, dub, afrobeat, neo-soul, downtempo, jazz-funk, hip-hop and "Mutant Disco"!

The eight tracks cover limited edition vinyl only releases from his Wonderful Noise Productions era so it's cool that now he's on Soundway that they can get these tracks a full release so it's not just a handfull of folks that can enjoy these early works.

You've got the Nyabinghi soul-jazz of 'Woah! There's No Limit' (featuring Mara TK on vocals) and 'In Your Life' featuring Lisa Tomlins that's which is a bit more housey.

Worth getting for the 'Nightclub Daydream' that'll will keep you dancing for 24 hours in it's spaced out Arthur Russell.

This has been packaged like some Record Store Day meets BBE's J-Jazz Series release with deluxe embossed sleeve with OBI strip and liner notes in both English and Japanese; collectors will be hungry for this but it's a great album - don't be slow!

Artist: Lord Echo

Title:  Rarities 2010-2020: Japanese Tour singles

Release date: 5th May, 2023

Label : Soundway Records

Catalog Number : 12" / Digital / Bandcamp [distributed in Japan via Wonderful Noise]

Review: Dele Sosimi - You No Fit Touch Am (Deluxe Edition) (Wah Wah 45s)

As you may have seen elsewhere, I have already pronounced this album is "BIG".

There's a number of reasons for this confident assertion as it was original a seven track album released by Dele Sosimi on Wah Wah 45s in 2015.  Back then it was a mere 7 tracks and featured the realitively unknown Tamar Osborn (and is now better known as leader of Tamar Colocutor and has appeared with world star plus jazzers like Emma-Jean Thackray, BunnDebrettQuintett, Emanative and Liz Elensky) and was produced/mixed by Ben Lamdin (aka Nostalgia 77).

As a former 'pupil' of Fela Kuti the album had many instant hits like 'E Go Betta', 'You No Fit Touch Am', 'Where We Want Be' and 'I Don't Care'.

Such was the attention, the Deluxe Edition re-issue features the original tracks together with previously unreleased and classic remixes, edits and dubs; including Dele's new best mate, Medler (the 'You No Fit Touch Am' remix got these two together and it's a match made at 'The Shrine' so to speak) together with the whole Prince Fatty vs. Nostalgia 77 dub album and old favourites like Modified Man, Paper Tiger and DJ Khalab.

Dele's just had a BIG 60th birthday bash at the Jazz Cafe and the album that came out last month as Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21, 'The Confluence' (see review HERE) so it's worth checking out what is now a 27 track option!

Now that is BIG! 

Artist: Dele Sosimi 

Release: You No Fit Touch Am (Deluxe Edition) 

Release Date: 12th May, 2023

Label: Wah Wah 45s

Catalog Number: Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: VA - Hidden Waters: Strange and Sublime Sounds of Rio de Janeiro (Mr Bongo)

If you're a fan of YATM, you're more than likely a fan of labels like Far Out Recordings, Soul Jazz Records and many others that have released compilations of music from Brasil.  

Top of your list might be Mr Bongo, so have they really been able to find 22 tracks that are "Strange and Sublime" and from Rio de Janeiro too?

In short, those sceptics out there are going to have to tip your hats off to the Mr Bongo's trawlings of the beaches of Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon in in the shadows of Mount Corcovado as they have found some magical tracks that match/surpass  MRB074 frm over ten years ago; that's 'Psychedelic Pernambuco' to you and me.

And it's not from 1960/70s either as this is the 'current' [re]evolution of modern sounds from Bazil have roots in despot Military dictatorship regimes to the current political madness that's re-ignited with the debarcle of the World Cup 2014 with disgraced FIFA president Sepp Blatter.   

The most incredible track, 'Lua Comanche' by Bala Desejo only came out last year! Bala Desejo's Dora Morelenbaum has a solo track on here too, 'Vento de Beirada' that's all baritone sax moody brilliant and the Joana Queiroz track 'Dois Litorais' has a similar Mai Todd Dia feel.

From the leftfield electronica, 'La Cacundê Iauê' sounds like it could have been sampled from traditional Mauri chanting a la DJ Shadow to grunge pysch-pop 'Lê Almeida to Brazil does Motown/Northern Soul madness 'Gigolô' by Jonas Sa and not forgetting the jazzdance, António Neves & Thiaguinho Silva 'Das Neves' and Ava Rocha's electronic opus 'Boca do Céu' (Mouth of Heaven').

And did somebody say, "Psychedelic" 'Moços' by Ovo Ou Bicho which is 60s mod-rock Byrds end of it and then Latin fuzzbox meets jazz flute gang of Marcelo Callado's 'Simbora' featuring Silvia Machete.  In fact, these two tracks could have made a 7" for Mike D's recent RSD, Brazil 45s Boxset (see Review HERE) they are that 'out there'.

We end with some electronic surf reggae from Os Ritmistas' 'Sambolero', could Torvill and Dean (ask your grand parents) have danced to this? I'm saying no but this compilation is so well conceived and executed, every track is your new favourite track. 

Brilliantly researched with essays by professor and music critic Bernardo Oliveira and music journalist Leonardo Lichote, plus extensive notes on each track by the artists themselves and that great artwork designed by Rio music’s leading album artwork designer, Caio Paiva.

It is odd that the exiled community in my area have such a love of British pop/rock and so little interest in new or old pop/MPB from the home country; having more interest in even Paul Di'anno's Battlezone (well, that's what Paul once told me anyway).  But with 'Strange and Sublime Sounds' would seem to me to be a way to re-kindle the love and let's hop this 'Rio de Janeiro' edition is just the start of a revolving series from different parts of Brasil.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Hidden Waters: Strange and Sublime Sounds of Rio de Janeiro

Release date : 12th May, 2023

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBLPCD271

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp