Review: Magic Number - Good Morning Sunshine ft. Sophia Marshall (Atjazz Record Company)

You may recall that quite a few years ago, Ross "Magic Number" Hillard was releasing his music on labels like the Derby based Mantis Recordings and Stereo Deluxe (the European home of our favourites like Glyn "Bigga" Bush and Sascha "Megablast" Weisz).

So you're thinking, Derby, that must mean Martin "Atjazz" Iveson and you'd be right as his label have got all their horns in a row for a a big summer hit that's full of uplifting 'new day' positive promise with 'Good Morning Sunshine' fronted with the vocals of Sophia Marshall 

So poppy and bouncey it could be a breakfast cereal anthem or the most commerical of morning radio/TV broadcasts.

Very different to the label's last release, Abel's 'Can't Let You Go' featuring Rona Ray (see review HERE) but this is going to be a huge in all over and you just know at some stage that they'll be an Atjazz remix.

Apparently there's a animated video to follow this and there's a Magic Number album coming soon; I'm ready for 'Day Of The Dead'/Mardi Gras now - GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!

Artist: Magic Number

Title: Good Morning Sunshine

Release date: 18th August, 2023

Label : Atjazz Record Company

Catalog Number : ARC240ADS1 Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The Jennifer Ewan Band - Something Ain’t Right EP (Ramrock Red Records)

The Dept. of Corrections Board on Lothian Road have been kept busy for a number of years by these two; Ewan, Jennifer (5'9") and Tebble, Kim (6'1") as they continue to convert innocent music fans to the sound of Cajun and Zydeco that's now the craze on the streets as "Celtic Cajun".

And it's very potent stuff as it's captured the hearts and minds of Ramrock Red Records way, way south of their Edinburgh base [in fact, Jo Wallace 'discovered' them]

This 3 track EP is somewhat of a taster as the band consist of singer/songwriter/guitarist Jennifer, Cajun vet Kim Tebble (accordion/flute), Jamie Hogg (bass) and Paul Dennington (percussion).

What gives these guys the edge is that there is a Scottish undertone to their sound, I wouldn't go as far as what loveable rogues Frankie Miller or Alex Harvey added to their rock sound but Jennifer knows what a single end and a wee heavy are as her unmisstakable vocals attest.

And is it a coincidence, many years ago, Mr Ramrock (Ashley Beedle) did a remix of Edwyn Collins' 'You'll Never Know (My Love)' so don't be surpised if 'Falling' is high on his target list.  But if you're into more traditional Scottish Folk dancing with the Cajuns, you'll be ready for 'Are You Ready For The Swamp'.  'The Swamp'! is it the new dance sensation in Louisianna?

For those that long for a revival of French creole punk swing jazz of Les Negresse Vert, you'll know that there's more than something right about 'Something Ain't Right'; lets get 'em at the playing live on tour very soon.

Really hope that they make it onto the bill for the Gloucester Cajun & Zydeco 30th Anniversary Festival (26-28 January) next year as the band will have 'em dancing in the swamp and could they add haggis and 80/- to the menu?  

Artist: The Jennifer Ewan Band 

Title: Something Ain’t Right EP

Release date: 18th August, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR049

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Mothers Favorite Child & Robin S - Tonight (Opolopo Remixes) (Reel People Music)

Reel People love Mothers Favorite Child and 'Tonight' is with 'the' Robin S and it's remixed by 'the' Opolopo: sounds like tonight's the night.

Robin S (aka Robin Stone) has been a vocalist on numerous hits since her debut back in 1992 and Opolopo who's been remixing and editing for over 20 years including last years' 'Sunshine' featuring Angela Johnson on the same label as this one (the Atjazz remix as featured on the compilation, Soulful, Deep & Dope Ibiza 2023 - see review HERE).

And whilst we love an instrumental at YATM, when you're instrument is as good as Ms. Stone's, we say, you should keep it in ('house', you could even add)

There no suprise that Opolopo prides himself with the quantity and quality of his productions and be prepared for his next album with is coming out as a joint project with the previouslly mentioned Angela Johnson.

P.S. by coincidence, Defective Records are showing the video of Robin S on Top Of The Pops "30 years ago... Unbelievable performance"; 'Show Me Now' [1973] 

Artist: Mothers Favorite Child & Robin S 

Title: Tonight (Opolopo Remixes)

Release date: 11th August, 2023

Label : Reel People Music

Catalog Number : RPM119 / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Eparapo - Take To The Streets (Wah Wah 45s)

Dele Sosimi's "eparapo” with Eparapo means you've got a direct link between the Afrobeat supergroup, Tony Allen and Fela Kuti which gives this album a big power when it comes to tracks (the titles almost speaking for themselves being) 'Follow The Money'. 'Who Invented Black & White', 'From London To Lagos' and 'Black Lives Matter' (which all feature Dele); so much so, it's the closest you'll get to The Shrine this side of Abuja .  

Not forgetting Afla Sackey on the more chilled, 'My Beautiful City' and the band's instrumental 'Take To The Streets', (Nearly 12 minutes of Afro-Centric Sons Of Kemet?) this is going to be so good on the limited vinyl release; if not, the digital release is equally essential. 

Artist: Eparapo feat. Dele Sosimi & Afla Sackey

Release: Take To The Streets

Release Date: 11th August, 2023

Label: Wah Wah 45s

Catalog Number: Vinyl / Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: The Thief Of Time - Pavement Soul feat. NIIX (Sprechen Music)

Talk about street level, 'Pavement Soul' is definitely something built from the ground up and in this case, from Mancunian musical roots.

Chris Massey's Thief Of Time project is a look back at some of his electronic inspirations with deeply spaced out beats and some synth-pop dub. 

The track 'Pavement Soul' is a strong mix of trip-hop and post-punk disco funk that benefits from A Certain Ratio's Donald Johnson on bass (ACR being hip again of late) along with another Manchester based artist, NIIX on ethereal vocals and gentle rap.

Those with long memories may recall Hybrid worked with Peter Hook (he of New Order, etc) [blimey, 'True To Form' was 2003] so who knows where this project will lead in terms of guests?  

But on a more immediate note, The Mayor’s Charity will benefit from a donation from initial sales (three versions as in original, instrumental and radio edit) so it's all in a good cause and one to support.

Artist: The Thief Of Time feat. NIIX

Release: Pavement Soul

Release Date: 10th August, 2023

Label: Sprechen Music

Catalog Number: Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Lucky Sun feat. Jaidene Veda - Falling Fool (Lucky Sun Recordings)

Lucky Sun (aka Tom Lown) is "best known for his super deep productions" and 'Falling Fool' is definitely "super" and "deep" for a lucky sun drenched summer sound.

As we know from the 'Balance Remixed' album that came out at the very end of last year (see review HERE), Tom's soulful house is a bit special and he's leden 'Falling Fool' with a Sade-eaque Jaidene that gets you looking up at the palm trees.

And, as if to hammer home the point, the original comes with a dubstrumental version and a 'Veda Naked Vocal' mix which is like a very stripped down rhodes/dub but not quite Jane Birkin (RIP).

Very sexy, very sunny and no foolin' that it's a summer hit.

Bound to be on Colour &  Pitch sessions this month?!?!

Artist: Lucky Sun

Title: Falling Fool ft. Jaidene Veda

Release date: 11th August, 2023

Label : Lucky Sun Recordings

Catalog Number : LSR034

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Jullian Gomes & Jordan Arts - Home (World Without End)

Regular readers will recognise the name Julian Gomes as the South African producer who has released tracks on Reel People Music, Foliage and Atjazz Records.

He's now found a home on World Without End and this new single with Jordan Arts on vocals has the beat of a train to get these guys home with whispy synth 'n'- go-faster stripes it's got pop and Baleraic running through it all at the same time.

I'm thinking day and nightime plays for this one and it gets the pulse racing for Gomes' forthcoming album 'Bruno & The Birds'.

Artist: Julian Gomes & Jordan Arts

Title: Home

Release date: 4th August, 2023

Label; World Without End

Catalog Number: WWE012-S1

Reveiw: Espen Horne - Bergen Sunrays feat. Selim Mutic (with Session Victim Remix) (Wah Wah 45s)

In typical eceletic Wah Wah 45s fashion, their connection with Norway is a bit of a strange northern hemisphere circle to square but it's easy to see why it exists as their latest release is Espen Horne's 'Bergen Sunrays' featuring Selim Mutic.

Clearly, Bergen's reputation of the Manchester of the North has been transposed into a slow burn soul-jazz Gil Scott-Heron weatherman vibe and that's got to be cool.

And it comes with a heavier-synth, Session Victim remix for a Bandcamp Friday Bonus!

This is apparently Espen's first solo project in his own name since 1999 so it seems appropriate his old mates at Wah Wah 45s will be releasing the album, 'Anatomy of Serene Eloquence' later this year.

Artist: Espen Horne feat. Selim Mutic

Release: Bergen Sunrays

Release Date: 4th August, 2023

Label: Wah Wah 45s

Catalog Number: Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Sababa 5 & Canay Doğan - Bigâne / Namdar (Batov Records)

Here's another in the limited edition 7" series on Batov Records and this time label favourites Sababa 5 are joined by Canay Doğan on the mesmerizing a-side, 'Bigâne'.  

'Bigâne' sounds like a Turish version of Sterolab on Top Of The Pops; somewhat usual you might think for Canay is a staff member at Istanbul University's Jazz Department. 

'Namdar' is slightly funkier than the a-side but both tracks are so good I, fully expect them to appear on the next edition of Middle Eastern Grooves (see review HERE of the latest verson also on Batov Records).

And if you can't get your hands on the vinyl, there's always the digital downloads as you don't want to miss out on either track.

Artist:  Sababa 5 & Canay Doğan

Title: Bigâne / Namdar

Release date: 4th August, 2023

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR080

Format: 7" / Digital / Bandcamp

 

Review: Luizga & Magupi - Arqueiro Voador (Da Lata Music)

Most people will associate Da Lata as the Brazilian-influenced British group formed in the early 1990s by Chris Franck and DJ Patrick Forge.

But there's also the label that has been releasing tracks by other artists for a while now and they certainly have some very hot contacts when it comes to Afro-Brazilian-Latin music.

And the latest single combines Brazilian singer-songwriter Luiz Gabriel Lopez (aka Luizga) and Portuguese multi-instrumentalist Magupi on this digital single.

'Arqueiro Voador' and 'O Tesão Tá Vivo Em Mim' have a proper mix of influences that part 60s pop, part Goa, part electronic, part UKG, part folk; sort of like a 'variety' of Bala Desejo (see review HERE).

Another post WOMAD(UK) project to keep an eye on and expect  'O Tesão Tá Vivo Em Mim' to be in the set-list at We Out Here Festival.

Artist: Luizga & Magupi 

Title: Arqueiro Voador 

Release date: 4th August, 2023

Label: Da Lata Music

Catalog Number: Digital