Review: Sara De Sanctis - Astray (inc. David Marston Remix) (Colour & Pitch)

Sara De Sanctis finds her fourth single on the Colour & Pitch label; does it raise the question, has she been led astray?

Well, the actual track is not your typical release on the label as it's well outside the "house" sound as it's a mournful song about feelings of "obession, loss and disorientation" which does sound a bit gloomy.  That said, it's so well produced (by Jacob Bright, mastered by Shawn Joseph) I can see a cross-over onto daytime radio; especially as it's got a touch of gospel choir/organ going on.

And with that intensity, David Marston's vocal and instrumental remixes have taken that original track to the dancefloor of the 2-step/UKG era with a bit of a modern update.  Very different to David's last release, 'Feeling You' on his own label, Kindness of Bearer recordings or his collaboration with Lady Alma and DJ Rob Paine on 'All The Way Far Away' that came out on BBE Music or his remix with Will Sumsuch of Tibor Dragan's 'Follow The Path' (also on Colour & Pitch).

The prolific Richard Earnshaw (last seen with a remix of Gavin Holligan's When Boys Become Men (stay tuned for more news on this one) got his hands on Sara's previous single, 'Fading' (also Colour & Pitch - see below) so this might not be the last remix you hear of an 'Astray' remix?

Colour and Pitch · Fading (Inner Spirit Remix) [Colour and Pitch]

Artist: Sara De Santis

Title: Astray (inc. David Marston Remix) 

Release date: 21st July, 2023

Label: Colour & Pitch

Cat. No: CAP091

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Abel - Can’t Let You Go featuring Rona Ray (Atjazz Record Company)

Atjazz knows a tune and he's found one hear with this collaboration between Abel and the vocal talents of Rona Ray, he just couldn't let it go.

With a cover that looks very Sun Ra and some deep Rhodes electric piano the instrumental version is as equally stunning as the vocal version. 

Abel's album is due out in October, called 'Cosmic Law' and if it's half as good as South Beach Recylcing album ('Obsessive Compulsive Disco) was/is (see review HERE) it's going to be a massive year for Atjazz Record Company when gong are handed out at the end of year awards season.

As an aside, I understand SBC will be at the We Out Here Festival in Dorset next month so keep ya ears open for 'Jonny's Hustle' and 'Can't Let You Go'.

Artist: Abel featuring Rona Ray

Title: Can't Let You Go

Release date: 21st  July, 2023

Label : Atjazz Record Company

Catalog Number : ARC250ADS1 Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Joseph Malik - Trouble With A Capital T (Ramrock Red Records)

"Here comes trouble" and it's original soul boy Joseph Malik's 'Trouble With A Capital 'T'''; and that's a really big 'T' in bright pink!

The every productive soul train that is Ramrock Red Records are ruling the streets and airways with yet another killer track following on from the 'Track of the Year', George T's 'Automatic Self On Hold' featuring Mr. Malik (see review HERE) and the Malik album last year, 'Diverse Pt 3 : Variant Issue'.

So, as I was playing out my vinyl-only set with the deck filled with Ramrockians; Ashley Beedle on 1 (Edwyn Collins' 'You'll Never Know (My Love)' and Malik on 2 (as 50% of Blackanized 360°, 'Vibe'brations' - Ed. Show off), news that this new track with an instrumental version hit the internet.

This type of trouble is the sort that everyone want. No "go-go" (as in Trouble Funk) but definitive soul-funk with a bit of raw Prince, loads of fun and as many feet as it needs to fill a dancefloor.

Talking of which, what a fabulous gin palace the Voodoo Rooms is in Edinburgh is!  Why mention this, this is where the new album, 'Proxima Ebony'  is going to have a launch night in September; after all those 'Festival' types have gone home (check the details HERE) along with the magnificent Jo Wallace (Ramrock in all forms), Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive) and Natasha Kitty Kat (F*CLR and haircut with a capital 'H').

Artist: Joseph Malik

Title: Trouble with a Capital T 

Release date: 21st July, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR045

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Soul Liberation - Who Are You (BBE Music)

It's self apparent to Soul Liberation's question posed by the title of their album, 'Who Are You'? as you don't have to be Richard Osman to know the answer.

It's soul, it's gospel, it's BeeGees choir, it's slow funk, it's Shalamar revival and it's all in praise of a higher spirit.  Apparently, this is the second album as they are dedicated to former gang leader/turner preacher Tom Skinner's Christian ministry and play over 250 gigs a year!

If I had the choice between this and, say, one of BBE's other recent releases like Rahaan Presents The Ones (see review HERE), I'd go for 'We Are The Ones' but then if you've grown up with this soul flavoured soundtrack, tracks like 'Father We Praise You' (the closing track) and you're looking for enlightenment, this album is probably what you're looking for.

And why does it sound so retro, it was originally recorded in 1982 but with the remastering, it sounds like brand new and if you get over the title of 'Touch Me Again', it's the stand-out track and it's the one for Sunday sessions the world over; especially as it's got the George Benson '82 riff. 

I prefer the more denominally neutral 'Heavenly Place' or the funked up 80s bassline of 'Send Me' than the all-in 'Blessed'.

This album was record pre-'the happy clappy god-squad' so it's definitely got deep soul and clearly these guys are dedicated and super skilled musicians so you can see why the original release (now very rare) is much sort after but this re-issue would be the one to get. 

Artist: Soul Liberation

Title: Who Are You

Release date: 21st July, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE294 Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: BROLORIZO - Agua Bendita (Toucan Sounds)

Who would have thought that two foundling members of a Mexican women's dance collective, would have the most talked about EP coming out on Brooklyn's Toucan Sounds label?

Well, that's what we have with Estefani Brolo and Ana Rizo, collectively known as BROLORIZO (did you see what they did there?) have done.

Fans like Sumsuch have already got very excited about the track 'Sirena' (quite rightly so) but could 'Agua Bendita' be a Latin-disco version of 'Ingwe' (Muzari & Gugupash - see review HERE) with it's jazz keys and slightly dubbed out electric guitar? Well, I'm saying so and i'm not going to be the only one.

Expect New Yorkers that love this sound like Mr Vega, Nickodemus, Eli Escobar et al will be playing this all summer.  But it'll be interesting to see if the uptempo and deeper 'Sirena' gets the attention with it's big Baleraic guitar solo.

With artwork that looks like one of those SM vids of paint on oil dips with the back end of a large fish (possibly carp), it all adds to the fusion.

Those who Insta can see more at @brolorizo and if you need check out more Toucan Sounds, there's no better place than their Brandon Markell Holmes & Toribio release, 'Go Ahead' (see review HERE)

Artist: BROLORIZO

Title: Agua Bendita feat. Lino Bastos

Release date: 21st July, 2023

Label: Toucan Sounds

Cat. No: YTCW106

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: High Pass Filter - Nice Coordinated Outfit - Selected Recordings 1997-2005 (La Sape Records)

No wonder this was a cult band in Melbourne but as fans of Unsafe/Hard Return/Jack Chuter, 10 minutes of 'Extrapolate 01 (live)' is a gentle introduction to the work of High Pass Filter and La Sape Records retrospective compilation, 'Nice Coordinated Outfit - Selected Recordings 1997-2005'.  

Not all of the 17 tracks are that long; 'Extrapolate 02 (Live)' and 'Deepwater' are close but most of this avant-garde-dub-electronica avoids the excesses of shoegaze/minimal techno.  

Really like the trombone on both versions of 'Extrapolate', the 'out-there' hip-hop of 'Meep', the Japanese peace garden skratchin' of 'Horn Please' and 'E.S.N' particulary stands out as it sounds like a revival of Laswell/Shadow/Miles for jazzy, dub trip hop.

Somewhat strange that a group formed in Melbourne that was active from 1995–2006 with obvious Aphex Twin/Autechre/Sherwood leanings sounds so fresh and now; especially as it's a band we've not heard of in the UK. 

    

Totaly different to what we've heard from La Sape previously with 'Marseille Movement' by David Versace that came out in spring this year (see review HERE) so fair play to them as High Pass Filter is out on Double LP/Digital.

And even if your summer sport is dominated by Aussies and The Ashes, Matilda footie or even 'Bloody Damon Heta, there's definitely enough to get dressed with a 'Nice Coordinated Outfit' that's will make you forgive 'em.

Artist: High Pass Filter

Title: Nice Coordinated Outfit - Selected Recordings 1997-2005 

Release date: 21st July, 2023

Label La Sape Records

Format/Cat. No. : 2xLP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Madrid De Los Austrias - Madrid De Los Austrias (Jepe, Ken Hayakawa & Enochson & Grieder Remixes) (Stripped Down)

The last time we ventured into the world of Stripped Down Records it was with Ken Hayakawa's latest release but this new remix territory here. 

A lot can change in 3 months from when Ken's 'Mute Air/'Unity' was released (see review HERE), we've had half of the Austrian K&D empire release an album ( Peter Kruder & Roberto Di Gioia „————————„ on Peyo Records - see review HERE) and now we've got some retro Viennese in the form of Madrid De Los Austrias and some modern day remixes. 

Twenty odd years ago, these guys were some of the founding father's of electronic deep house, future jazz that had a Latin twist as they were on the edge of the Dub Club so it's great to see the current generation doing their updates; who remembers 'Mas Amor' (see review HERE). 

Last first, is the mesmerizing '25' as remixed by Marcus Enochson and Stephan Grieder who are known as being "Swedish techno talent" but this is chill out droan shuffle that fans of Matthew Herbert might think that he's involved. 

Jepe has been known to flirt with jazz and he gets two goes with a remix of a track called 'Elele' (deep and throbbing with raspy Spanish vocals) and then does at ReRub Remix (being stripped down - appropriatly; before bringing the acid on); someone's going to have to put these two together. 

And it's Ken that kicks this EP off with his take of 'No Me' that meanders for a while before the jazzy trumpet hits. As exciting as this is, we're told these remixes are from the new Madrid De Los Austrias material with a planned release later this year. 

Artist: Madrid De Los Austrias 

Title: Jepe, Ken Hayakawa & Enochson & Grieder Remixes 

Release date: 21st July, 2023 

Label : Stripped Down Records 

Catalog Number : STRD028 Digital 

Review: Feiertag - Feel Me feat. Nego True / Law Of Attraction feat. OSHUN (Sonar Kolletiv)

Feiertag is Joris Feiertag who hails from Utrecht in the Netherlands and is the latest on Sonar Kolletiv with this 'must have' double A-side single (download).

The DJ/producer/live act is clearly as bit of a genre mergerer as the spoken word/raps by Nego True (on 'Feel Me') and OSHUN ('Law Of Attraction') both feel that they are part of the production and not some 'add-on' which can so often be the case.

Particularly like the keys on 'Law Of Attraction' as there's some kind of Steely Dan reference and the swirlly synths on 'Free Me' with it's BRUK vibe and sax; very CDr/Co-OP.

Feiertag's third album is being released in the autumn and we're told features more collaborations with up-and-coming artists in addition to Nego True (London) and OHUN (US) like Noah Slee (Berlin), Robin Kester (Rotterdam), Faile Nioke (Guinea) and Rhi (Tru-Thoughts) and if they all work as good as the single, it's going to be a global hit.

Title: Feiertag 

Title: Feel Me feat. Nego True / Law Of Attraction feat. OSHUN

Release date: 20th July, 2023

Label : Sonar Kolletiv

Catalog Number : SK459D Digital / Bandcamp 

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