Review: Warriors of the Dystotheque ft. Ashley Slater (Freak Power) - Be My Star / Beachside Drive (DSPPR)

Ashley Slater has a pretty impressive history in music (I think he's even been on Top Of The Pops in Freak Power!) and it's a pretty impressive link with his hit of 20 years ago it was all about 'Private Sunshine' with my old mate, Jazz Room legend Paul Murphy on the dub remix.

So I'm not at all surprised that we find that, after a chance meeting between Warriors Of The Dystotheque and Mr. Slater, they've produced a downtempo groover in 'Be My Star' that's be the star of any set warm-up/close out.The cool of this is still as hot as Café del Mar mocca as we then get into the 'instrumental' 'Beachside Drive' synth cruisin' in the Californian/Florida sunshine.

Totally beautiful and it's going to hit radio shows as hard as WotD's last big hit, 'Anthropause' so hat's off to DSPPR records label Boss Chris Coco (Ibiza, Blue Room etc) and watch out for a new album called, wait for it, 'It's A Beautiful Thing'.

Artist: Warriors of the Dystotheque ft. Ashley Slater (Freak Power) 

Title: Be My Star / Beachside Drive 

Release date: 18th July, 2023

Label : DSPPR .

Catalog Number : DSPPR069

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The Peter Franks Group - Days Ahead (Futuristica Music)

The Peter Franks Group's new album is one that we've been looking forward to at YATM HQ.  It's called 'Days Ahead' on Futuristica Music and it certainly shines unlike the uncertain horizon of the cover artwork.

Following on from the re-issue of Deborah Jordan's 'The Light' at the end of last year on the label, (see review HERE) , the label's founder Simon S has been making sure that he's been keeping in contact with all of Peter Franks' friends.

And they may be from slightly-to-very different backgrounds musically but they definitely form a whole of jazz infused hip-hop beats 'n' soul.

The said Nat Birchall dominates on 'From The Heart' with it's call to prayer church bells and Birchall in full spiritual form al a Sanders/Coltrane et al.  And talking of the spiritual family of jazz, Amanda Whiting (more on jazz harp hip-hop HERE), is featured on 'We're You Ever Here'.

Long time fans Gordon Wedderburn and piano virtuoso Robert Mitchell join forces on the 'dub' poem Creavity Pt.1 and on Pt. 2 is joined by Rachel Crennell (on flute) who appears on 3 other tracks on the album.

My favourite of these is 'Dream In Colour' that features another mainstay of the Futuristica Music family, Marc Rapson, but only because her flute on 'Not Forgotten' speaks so deeply on one's that are no longer with us; and for the present on 'Alone Together'.

Tom Mason has appearred in many jazz combinations and he joins Nat and Rachel on the title track the sails into the ether with Tom's bass keeping it grounded.  He also appear on the out and back ticket that is 'Train To Kyoto' with Julian Ferraretto (violin) and 'Return Train To Kyoto' that's post-Japan cherry blossom, it's that beautiful.  Love anything to do with trains and the violin/drums certain evokes a the speeding bullet train to Kyoto Grand Central Station - mind the gap for alt. jazz dance trips.

Talking of beautiful cover artwork, regular readers will know that my favourite album cover of all time is The Peter Franks Groups' debut, 'Days Past' (2018 - time flys doesn't it) and especially the tracks 'Sirens' (that comes with a Buscrates remix; who has his own new album out HERE) so it might come as no surprise that this album is very recommended and if it doesn't inspire other creatives, that's fine as this is created to enjoy for many 'Days Ahead'.

Artist: The Peter Franks Group

Title: Days Ahead

Release date: 14th July, 2023

Label : Futuristica Music

Catalog Number: FUTLP10

Format : 2 x LP

 

Review: Various - Glücklich VI compiled by Rainer Trüby (Compost Records)

If you're a proud owner of any of the Glücklich's compilations; vol. 1 was a plain old VW Beetle cover, MkII (Split screen VW Camper),  Glücklich III (another Beetle), IV was like a Deloren Beach buggy, V some sort of Porche soft top - it gives you an indication how these compilations into Rainer Trüby's 'Collection Of Brazilian Flavours From The Past And The Present' have become more sophisticated over the near 30 years it's taken to get to Vol. VI!

That said Vol. 5 came out in 2002 but it's clear to all that Rainer has lost none of his enthusiasm for music that has been touched by the Brazilian spirit; he's even dug out a track written by José Prates (he of 'Tam...Tam...' that I recently mentioned for Bala Desejo's new album, 'SIM, SIM, SIM' see review HERE) called 'Adericó' by The Matheus Combo and it's so good, it could be Bala Desejo!

The other eleven tracks range from Jon Lucien's 'Come With Me To Rio'  to 'Hallo Höppel (from Wütrio's rediscovered album - see review HERE) to Sweden's A Bossa Elétrica with their take on Roy Ayers' 'Sob A Luz Do Sol (Everybody Loves The Sunshine)' [not such about the vocoder bits] and check the vocals on 'The Mystery Of Man as a Trüby/Corrado Buccu remix!]

Trüby is such a digger that even when you think you know what's coming, he'll surprise you. Get the album and make yourself 'happy' and you can imagine all those old 'Glücklich' CD comps will be being even harder to find now. 

Of course, you'll want to know that VI's motor is; I'm told it's a VW Volkswagen SP2 manufactured in Brazil between 1972 and 1976.  Wasn't Vol. 2's camper made in Brazil then exported to Europe as you couldn't get them over here?

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Glücklich VI compiled by Rainer Trüby

Release date: 14th July, 2023

Label: Compost Records

Cat. No: CPT 617

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The 8 Beat Quartet - Nu Modern Sounds (Be Adult Music)

Love the jazz in the house sound of 'Twelve' but hang on, the title track 'Nu Modern Sounds' slips in some serious Latin shuffle with some horn that could have come from the nu-jazz hot bed of Finland.  Both tracks are silly short so great to see some remixes but before that, 'Time Out' (no, not that one) has a real Spiritual South groove to it and as his (Spiritual South's) remix of 'Jazz Room' launched a Latin nu-jazz scene, I'm expecting big things of this release.

No only that, Victor G's remixes of 'Twelve' and 'Nu Modern Sounds' are both dance floor scorchers. By the way, Victor G is The 8 Beat Quartet.

So that's enough to get you really excited, but you wnat a cherry on top?  It's here with Mauro B's remix of 'Time Out' as it's all of the above with NY House dubs; absolutely brilliant.

It's a bit different for Be Adult Music, even though the remixes get you in the Balearics, but if you've ever been half-way near a dancefloor with Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge, Paul Murphy, Colin Parnell, Colin Curtis, Kev Beadle, Mike Peden, Chris Bangs, Simon S, Bob HIll and even, Gerry Hectic, this is a must have for summer 2023; it's going to be all over We Out Here Festival next month.

Be Adult Music · The 8 Beat Quartet - Nu Modern Sounds (BAM320)

Artist: The 8 Beat Quartet 

Title: Nu Modern Sounds

Release date: 13th July 2023

Label; Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM320

Review: Rahaan Presents The Ones - We Are The Ones / Fire / Forever EP (BBE Music)

Chicago is special by more than location as DJ Rahaan prooves with this EP as he's got together some top musicians to they called themselves The Ones and you'll also be thinking that they are/we are The Ones.

If you can imagine a post-Prince/EWF/Gabriels (aren't they just everywhere after Glastonbury) in the form of Marcus J. Austin (lead vocals), Nancy Clayton (backing vocals), Carnell C. Newbill (aka Spike Rebel (keyboards and backing vocals) Todd Swope (guitar), and Lou Terry (bass).

The 'We Are The Ones' is so well put together as Rahaan's production skills we're aided by Kenny Anderson (Slave/Ohio Players) that makes it sounds Tower Of Power and a fast march to the dancefloor.

'Fire' going to get them cookin' as it's the Afro-funk of a Osibsa with Dele Sosimi keys from the Fela school.

The track 'Forever' is more JazzFM/Keni Burke/80s soulftime synth-funk-house as Carnell takes the lead vocals and it equally shows how talented these guys are; BBE clearly didn't need long to sign 'em up as their potential is obvious to all.

And if this EP doesn't spoil you enough there's and extended version of 'We Are The Ones' and the great extended instrumental so you really are spoilt for choice.

Artist: Rahaan Presents The Ones 

Title: We Are The Ones / Fire / Forever EP

Release date: 14th July, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE773 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: ReKaB - Random Signal EP (Discovery Records)

Anyone who knows their Big Chill history will know Global Communication's album '76:14' (30 year anniversary next year!) was a seminal starting point so it's more than appropriate as the Chilled Cider crew ventured into deepests, darkest Dorset this weekend, that we check out some 'Random Signal'; especially as there's a "Chill" sticker on the cover.

Clearly inspired by downtempo, ambient, space [couldn't spot and Number Stations - I'll save that one for the remix] it's post Eno/Tangerine Dream/Global Communicaton as the six tracks take us on a voyage of discovery from the intro to the synth-choral hip house beats of the killer title track.

One for the American's, 'Spring Break Great' (in two formats); the beatless synth swirl outro and the DâM FunK'd up version.  For proper space heads, 'For Reasons Why' warp-factors through the space winds and then, back down to earth, 'Waves In The Street' which has an air of 'waves' in both meanings.

The label says, "classic electro, techno and ambient record that will surely grow in popularity as more find it".  And if you've randomly found this review, time to find 'Random Signal'. 

So what's all this talk of "chill" you ask?  Well, ReKaB (aka James Baker - see what he did there?) is based in Bridport, Dorset (aka the home of PJ Harvey / short trip to Biggabush's studio) so it's possible the most unlikely place that you'd find a guy producing this 'out-there' electronica, or is it?

Artist: ReKaB 

Title:  Random Signal EP

Release date: 30th May, 2023 

Label: Discovery Records

Cat. No: DR0009

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Cee ElAssaad - Cosmic Fusion (Cacao Records)

Cacao Records are a label that like to pick the best of Afro House, Deep House, Electronica, Downtempo and anything else that hits the spot; and have they hit the bulls eye with this new single!

OK, what is going on?  This is a full-on jazz dance classic al a Azymuth.  "Can't be!" you say. I'm telling you it bloody well is. 

Cee ElAssaad is from Morroco and I don't know what he's got in his record collection but 'Cosmic Fusion' is like a rapid jazz dance synth soaked groove of Latin percussion proportions that will wreck the dancefloor as it's 'Cosmic' and it's 'Fusion'. 

And if you can't keep up with that pace, there's a ambient mix on the b-side that drops the percussion and dubsteps the synths to the darkside. 

It's not just me that's excited about this one as San Francisco based Coflo (you can see why after his remix of, Kerrier Collective's 'Life Wants To Live' - see review HERE), UK history man Bill Brewster, Germany's Âme, Japan's Dazzle Drums and Makossa (he of Austria's Makossa and Megablast) to name just a few of a worldwide and musically broadbased fans that are also supporting this special release.

Cacao Records · Cee ElAssaad - Cosmic Fusion

Artist: Cee ElAssaad

Title: Cosmic Fusion / Cosmic Fusion (Ambient Mix)

Release date: 7th July, 2023

Label: Cacao Records

Catalog Number: CAO65

Review: Brian Auger & Julie Tippetts – Encore (Esoteric Recordings)

If there was ever a couple to sum up London 60s cool it was Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll with 'Wheels On Fire' and all that; but there's far more to them as we find out with the re-issue of 'Encore'.

Originally released in 1978, it's a testament to the album (and indeed all of their respetive releases) that generally it's very rare to see in the second-hand market so it's a real bonus that Esoteric Records (part of Cherry Red) have re-master and re-issued this album after many years of being unavailable.

And it was very much an 'Encore' as Julie had left Auger's band in the late sixties, married jazz giant Keith Tippetts and grown her hair (so 70s) whilst Auger had got heavier (proggy) with his band Oblivion Express.

This re-union produced 7 tracks which are a mix of original versions and covers.  No Dylan as we've moved on in the 70s with two tracks from the then little known to the general public, Al Jarreau's 'Spirit' and 'Lock All The Gates' ('Moonlighting' didn't arrive until the mid-80s for Al), Jack Bruce/Pete Brown 'Rope Ladder To The Moon'), the Traffic hit, 'No Time To Live' and The Staple Singers' 'Freedom Highway'.

This album has a real crossover as the use of the soul/R&B backing vocals are very powerful and makes for more of a soul-rock sound, similar to Vinegar Joe (70s rock band fronted by Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer) particularly on 'Freedom Highway' and 'Future Pilot' (how annoying that Brian's Hammond fades out on this one and  'Rope Ladder To The Moon').

Brian's an expert on all keyboards of course, and at this day and age (being recorded in '77) he's got the B3, piano, synths/moog all to play; Julie is just fantastic and one of a handful of vocalists who could take on 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood' as made famous by Nina Simone.

Whilst the album is probably more soul-rock-blues based, 'Git Up' gets more jazz-funky, the final track, 'Lock All the Gates' gets Brian on piano and it's that bit more dramatic and the strangely Steely Dan jazz-pop of 'Nothing Will Be As It Was' (as track co-written by Milton Nascimento of all people) with Brian on lead vocals.

The cover is great as you can sense that they're deep in collaboration and it's certainly an album that stands the test of time. My slight gripe is that the tracks could have been longer; but looking back, perhaps the lack of prog/jazz noodling is the albums' strength as it's hard to stop listening to it; "Encore" you might say.

Being a generous soul, Brian is donating his royalties from the album to 'Operation Smile' who are a charity dedicated to improving the health and lives of children with cleft conditions. 

Artist: Brian Auger & Julie Tippetts

Release: Encore

Release Date: 26th May, 2023

Label: Esoteric Recordings

Catalog Number: ECLEC2832

Format: Vinyl / CD / Digital

Review: Gal Costa - India (50th Anniversary Edition) (Mr Bongo)

Gal Maria da Graça Penna Burgos Costa passed away at the end of last year so didn't have the chance to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of her classic album 'India'.

If you've got a first pressing, you might say, "The album is stunning and ambitious work of art that showcases the Brazilian singer's powerful vocals and her ability to seamlessly blend traditional Brazilian music with elements of psychedelic rock and pop.  The album's title track is a standout.  With its haunting melody and trippy instrumentation, while "Volta" is a moving ballad that highlights Costa's emotional range. The album also features collaborations with renowned musicians such as Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, further solidifying Costa's status as a musical icon".

And I don't think you, or for that matter Mr Bongo (who first re-issued the album in 2017), can say fairer than that but if you name drop arranger Arthur Verocai and Gilberto Gil on guitar.  Or, as my unreconstructed "pal" says, "I always like the cover"!  But then, as the "Tropicália" set that was as then, a political statement in Brazil and it got the cover banned (unsurprisingly for the time/location - or surprisingly, who knows?)

NOTE - This product is VINYL PURCHASE ONLY. Digital downloads and streaming of the product are not available.

Artist: Gal Costa

Title: India  (50th Anniversary Edition) 

Release date : 7th July, 2023

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBLP282

Format: LP / Order only Bandcamp

Review: Muzari & Gugupash – Ingwe (Foliage Records)

As we're all aware, there's no cover-up at Foliage and their latest release is a perfect raw and deep Afro-House track by South African pair, Muzari & Gugupash.

'Ingwe' comes as an vocal version, instrumental and a vocal mix edit.  

In truth, apart from a quiet section in the instrumental, it's a seems that it's quite different from the vocal version as Gugupash's performance has a gospel quality that's mesmerizing (and love that double-up echo).

Muzari (aka Doctor Tibane) is responsible for the instrumental and when it hits with its shuffle wobble, you know this is a big release.

If you're not up to date with the label, check out Technoir's 'Techtube' as remixed by Turbojazz & Sean McCabe (see review HERE) that came out last month, not as earthy as 'Ingwe' but it's getting more props as the summer takes off and would you dare to play these tracks back2back?

Artist: Muzari & Gugupash 

Title:  Ingwe

Release date: 7th July, 2023 

Label: Foliage Records

Cat. No: FN095

Format: Bandcamp / Digital