Review: Eje Eje - Five Seasons (Batov Records)

Batov Records continue to make a huge contribution to world music with their latest release, the debut album by Eje Eje (aka Itamar Kluger).

The album, 'Five Seasons' is spread over 12 tracks; two each for winter, spring, summer and autumn with another two for late summer, plus a couple of bonus tracks.

Fans of the single, 'That Rainy Dawn' / 'Coral Sex' (see review HERE) plus one of the highlights the compilation on Middle Eastern Grooves (see review HERE - all on Batov Records) will have a very good idea of what to expect.

They've seemed to have squeezed in some Desert Blues into their psych rock funk with some Turkish trad folk, Levantine dabke and Persian bandari. This might seem a bit of a stretch but from 'New Roots' to 'Mountain Disco' (featuring Yuli Shafriri) it's an real joy; current favourite is 'Black Sea Majic' with it's mixed in dub, spiritual jazz acid excesses.  But 'current favourite' has possibly been one or more of all the tracks on repeated listens including 'That Rainy Dawn (Autumn)', 'Saved From The Jazz (Spring)' and 'Mountain Disco (Bonus)'.

Perhaps a bit of a stretch to translate into the tracks to the five seasons of traditional Chinese medicine but it's a special album that will raise your spirits.

As good as the line-up is for WOMAD this year, let's start the campaign for a whole Batov Records Stage for next year; wouldn't that be great!

Artist: Eje Eje

Title: Five Seasons

Release date: 28th July, 2023

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR073

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Sebb Junior – Sound Of Life (Papa Records)

If you're not sure what a records on Papa Records sounds like, just check out Sebb Junior's new track, 'Sound Of Life' and it's classic uptempo deep house with bouncey soul and a bit of Northern vibes to keep that sprung floor moving all night long.

You've got a original vocal mix, an instrumental and a radio edit for all occasions.

French DJ/producer Sebb is apparently now living in Grenada, Spain and if you were aroud at the start of last year, you'll remembeer the hit, Reel People x Sebb Junior featuring Smith, 'Holla If You See Me'.

And can it be coincidence that being released on the same day is the compilation 'Soulful, Deep & Dope Ibiza 2023 on Reel People Music (see review HERE) so put the two together, it makes for a stunning time with the sound of life itself.

Artist:Sebb Junior

Title: Sound OF Life

Release date: 28th July, 2023

Label : Papa Records

Catalog Number : PAPA153 /   Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Various - Soulful Deep & Dope Ibiza 2023 (Reel People Music)

If you're going to, are at or coming back from Soulful Deep & Dope Ibiza this summer, here's the compilation soundtrack with 20 big tunes of Soulful Deep & Dope Ibiza 2023! 

This is such a good of a tracklisting, it's like Reel People have been reading YATM!  We've got Risk Assssment featuring Monica Blaire with the vocal mix of 'It's Not right But It's OK' (see review HERE), Technoir's 'Techtube' (Turbojazz & Sean McCabe Remixes) (see review HERE), Thakzin & Ray T's 'Don't Let Me See' (Jimpster Remix) (see review HERE), the 'tribute' to Prince, the Opolopo remix of 'Purple Funk' by Mothers' Favourite Child and Saeeda Wright and Reel People themselves (see review HERE) with their favourite guests including Angela Johnson, Muhsinah and Vanessa Freeman.

As a collection of originals and remixes (check these guys, Sir LSG & The Bless, Tony Momrelle Louie Vega, Dennis Ferrer plus Soulful Deep & Dope regulars DJ Spinna, Scott Diaz, Osunade, Atjazz, Emmaculate and many more) you're going to be hard pressed to find a better or deeper collection to sort out your summer party celebrations (from white isle to Inverness).

It's so packed with quality it's very hard to pick out some favourites, but here's trio that haven't been mentiond above: The Layabout's remix of 'Free' by legendary Stephanie Mills (blimey, apparently she was Dorothy in the original "The Whiz"), the 'Beautiful' by Mood II Swing featuring Lea-Lorien and 'Packing For Chicago' by Zo! featuring Muhsinah [again] with the Terrt Hunter Remix.

So whilst you're packing for Ibiza, make for you pack this and have a great time.

Artist:Various Artists

Title: Soulful Deep & Dope Ibiza 2023 (Reel People Music)

Release date: 28th July, 2023

Label : Reel People Music

Catalog Number : RPMDC020 / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

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