Review: The Cuban Brothers - Shine (Edina) (Ramrock Red Records)

It's summer and it's all ready to 'Shine' for the Cuban Brothers as their latest single comes out on Ramrock Red Records.

The Cuban Brothers emerged as the Latin hard edge of Goldie Lookin' Chain at the disco with 'A Million Stories' on the much loved Rob da Bank's Sunday Best label and they quickly become festival favourites at Bestival and beyond.

Not in-your-face funny (apart from the cover artwork?) the lyrics/flow are understated humourous and you either get stereotype macho disco party fun; "Brum, Brum, Brum, time to motor" that'll prick up your ears. 

The dirty version comes with the comedic introduction, which won't make the commerical stations, but the clean edit clearly shows that Miguel and Archerio Matonvani Miguel together with Kengo San have made Los Hermanos Cubanos into a super slick operation with a penchant for some pretty exciting clothing too boot.

After Ramrock Red Records released their last single, Mr Malik's 'Trouble With A Capital T (see review HERE) here's some authentic gangland trouble that comes at you with tongue in cheek and a nod and a wink; could you say its, "Tongue with a Capital T?"

Artist: The Cuban Brothers

Title: Shine (Edina) 

Release date: 28th July, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR047

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon feat. Wiyaala - Kontonbili EP (WahWah45s)

Followers of  Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon will recall that they had a track on thier 'Small Small' album called 'Senye' that featured Wiyaala.

As it was so successful, it was only a matter of time before we had more.  And this EP is lots more.

The "Ghanaian songstress" is so expressive with her vocals, she is a perfect match for Isaac's xylophone and Sonny John's “Afrolktronica” (a healthy mix of folk, highlife and soul).  Whilst the single 'Hado Deeli' is now quite familiar as a hit on the radio, the rawness of 'Gargar' is brilliant as there's a great mix with the penny whistle and then, get ready, 'I Know' (with Sonny on lead vocals) sounds like the start of their "Arthur Russell" period; all we need now is a dub version and it's New York/North London trendy.

Wiyaala certainly has a great voice and sounds equally at home on the traditional 'Bawa', the minimal 'Yeri Villa' and 'Darpeny' as the Afro-funk-house 'Nimmbalia' (this really needs to be a longer track - where's the disco 12" version?)

This is project has always been exceptional but it's now on the next level as taste makers on Jazz FM, BBC 6 Music and your open minded DJs are getting excited about; let's make sure that they're at WOMAD next year. 

This is so different to the label's most recent release, another collaboration between UK/Africa, Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21 (see reveiw HERE) but that's what Dom Servini is so good at and has been now since I was a young lad (at least!) and it's always worth checking out his monthly Soho Radio show.

Artist: Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon feat. Wiyaal

Release: Kontonbili EP

Release Date: 28th July, 2023

Label: Wah Wah 45s

Catalog Number: Vinyl 10" / Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Various Artists - Mr Bongo Record Club Vol.6 (Mr Bongo)

Regulars of all things Mr Bongo will know exactly what to expect on the latest compilaton of their Mr Bongo Record Club series, Vol. 6.

That's not to say that this is even the slightest bit staid as all the track have a Mr Bongo dancefloor vibrancy to them that argueably exceeds Vol. 1 (from 2016) to 5.

Once more, selections of jazz, MPB, Afrobeat, soul, funk, disco that's just in time for festivals and all WOMAD fans from artists from all over the place like Sweden's Sven Wunder and his track of the sumer, 'Easy Going' to the high octaine Jackson 5 impersonators, the Ponderosa Twins Plus One 'Bound' (which is a real grower).

Of course there's quite a lot of Brazilian input (but you'll have to pick up Bala Desejo's essential 'SIM, SIM, SIM -see review HERE) but current favourites are the disco gospel of 'I'll Keep My Light In My Window' (New York Community Choir), two soul tracks called 'I Do Love You' (one by 'Unknown' and another by Ash Soul, Inc) and the monster J-Jazz Big Band Swing of Chiemi Eri's 'Okosa-Bushi' (watch out Higgins/Peden/BBE!)

And if you've still got a hankering for some offbeat Yes/prog, Shira Small's 'Eternal Life' will raise an eyebrow, there's some psych by Matty ('Blood') and some rare soul-jazz instrumental, The Faming Souls' 'Admission' - worth the admission in itself.

Afrobeat, you said? Herbie Hancock's lawyers have been on the headhunt since 1976 for the ever changing disguises of Philip Melala And The Movers; but what a great 12 minute high to end on!

Needless to say that sourcing these tracks individually would cost a fortune so it's brilliant that us Record Club member can just get this as a one stop shop and be totally smug.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Mr Bongo Record Club Vol.6

Release date: 28th July, 2023

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP270

Format :  2xLP Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: CJ Cooper - Live Love Give ft. Robert Owens (F*CLR Records)

I can't imagine how many records/tracks Robert Owens has appeared on but what you can be 100% sure about is that when you see his name, you're guaranteed that his performance is superb.

Not only that, because of his pre-eminence as 'the voice of house music', he's got a lot of reputation to uphold.  So when CJ Cooper, [deep breath] the Radio Show host - D3EP.com, producer, remixer and DJ at Festivals and clubs including LGBT+ favourite, The Eagle Taven, alongside Horse Meat Disco, presented Owens with the track 'Live Love Give' to consider, the pair of them knew that this is an anthem for the summer soul-house vibes all around the world; Inverness to Ibiza, 'Frisco to Disco, etc. And so did F*CLR for that matter.

'Live Love Give' is getting lots of radio airtime but you know that the YATM office likes a dub and there's an instrumental too! Big keys and space synths, it's like a modern day Lonnie Liston Smith ready to expand your mind and dancing feet.

Forever we love you Robert and I shudder to think how good a North Street West remix would be; but that's (possibly) for another day - in the meantime, Live, Love, Give.

Artist: CJ Cooper feat. Robert Owens

Title: Live Love Give

Release date: 28th July, 2023

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : FCLR025

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Black Eyes - Hydro-Trip Vol. 1 (inc. Rolando Remix) (Lost Control)

What is this all about as the 'Hydro-Trip' cascades deep house on ya Detroit techno dams with a four track EP.

As if Theo Parrish has gone on his summer vacation, here we dive straight in with some percussion wet suits for 'Understood Sea Being' and 'Let's Go Deeper' which warms us up for the other side.

'Scuba Lyfe' is a cool grower into your head and it gets a Rolando Remix that takes you up in the stratosphere; so much so, you'll definitely get the bends; should have been called 'the sic decompression' remix? This is the Rolando associated with UR, Los Hermanos and more recently, resident DJ at Berghain.

Black Eyes was half Planet People who released one of Jimpster's Xmas tipples last year on an EP 'Terra Firma' (check 'Reaktor Theory') but on his own, the deeper he goes into the jazzier side of a strange meridian line linking Berlin, Detroit and Liverpool (aka the BDL line).

This will sell out fast so get your orders in now on clone.nl

Lost Control 2097 · [LC2097-004] Black Eyes - Hydro-Trip Vol. 1 (inc. Rolando Remix) [CLIPS]

Title: Black Eyes 

Title: Hydro-Trip Vol. 1

Release date: 18th August, 2023

Label : Lost Control

Catalog Number :  LC2097-004 Digital / Bandcamp 

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