Review: Smoove & Turrell - The Light (feat. Ronnie Foster)/Joy! (Jalapeno Records)

When you think of Jalapeno Records, top of your list of soul/funk/hip-hop artists are Dr Rubberfunk, Kraak & Smaak, Soopasoul and one of many of Craig Charles favourites are Smoove & Turrell.

Smoove & Turrell are a funk, soul hip-hop, jazzBand from North East England who have been active since 2007.

On the new double A side single, 'The Light' definitely has that North East, The Animals soul-rock-mod heavy sound with the always fantastic vocals of John Turrell.  So, it also features label mate Izo FitzRoy on vocal "let love, shine in" introductions and Ronnie Foste! What! 'THE' Blue Note Ronnie Foser on organ!  Yeah, it's that funky one that had the massive albums 'Love Satellite', 'Live At Montreau' and 'On The Avenue' amongst many more.

There's a long and radio edit but where's the instrumetal/12" version? One for the label to work on as it would be for the equally positive and upbeat 'Joy!' that takes a more gospel-soul spirit. 

I remember Smoove in his pre-S&T days when he was more Northern acid jazz ('The Revolution Will Be Televised', 'Coming Back') but it's prooved to be the smart move to team up with John who's got an a great voice and this deserves to be a track that puts them even more in the spotlight. 

Artist: Smoove & Turrell

Title: The Light feat. Ronnie Foster / Joy! 

Release date: 18th August, 2023

Label: Jalapeno Records

Cat. No: JAL428

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Turbojazz & Sean McCabe feat. Monica Blaire – Don’t Look Down (Foliage)

It's fair to say that we're always impressed with tracks released on Foliage, but 'Don't Look Down' on this new release as it's going to be as big as a rollercoaster.

Monica Blaire has recently appeared on Foliage with Risk Assessment's 'It’s Not Right But It’s Okay' (see review HERE) and you don't have to have too much foresight to guess that the singer from Detroit will be asked by some cool kids to be on their next release; lets say, Turbojazz (aka Tommy Garofalo) and Sean McCabe who are definitely cool as they did the Technoir 'Techtube' Remixes (see review HERE).

'Don't Look Down' is very soul-jazz house with some deep keys and Monica on jazz skat duty.  It's one to keep you moving as a vocal, instrumental (love the bass on this one) and radio edit.

At this rate, the end of year charts at YATM will have a very high Foliage presence as inn additon to the previously mentioned tracks already, they've not long released Muzari & GugupashIngwe's 'Ingwe' (see review HERE) and the  brilliant Thakzin & Ray T track 'Don’t Let Me See' (see review HERE). I'm guessing this run of form is bound to continue.

Artist: Turbojazz & Sean McCabe 

Title:  Don't Look Down feat. Monica Blaire 

Release date: 18th August, 2023 

Label: Foliage Records

Cat. No: FN096

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Soulnaturals Ft. CeCi Munette - I Found Love In A Discotheque (inc. Hotmood Remix)(British Soul Standard)

A few years ago, it was 'I Never Knew A Hell Like You' by the Soulnaturals but this summer, it's a big change as 'I Found Love In A Discotheque' featuring CeCi Munette is rocking the house.

The DJs out there will probably prefer the sparcer Hotmood Remix whilst the original version is ready for radio plays as well as the dancefloor.

For a new track, it's impressive that it's so 70s (when did anyone last go to a Disco ever lone a Discoteque?) and it's clearly the Soulnaturals happy place as the forthcoming album is called, 'Parlo Discoteca?'

And whilst this is being released on the British Soul Standard label, Ms. Munette is a soul/gospel singer from San Diego which is a long way from The Royalty, Southgate which is where you'd have likely to have found "love" and some of Soulnaturals current fans like DJs Peter Young, Andy Peebles and Craig Charles.

But you don't hae to be old to love this and the nu-disco folks will be hammering the Hotmood remix.

Title: Soulnaturals Ft. CeCi Munette

Title: I Found Love In A Discotheque inc. Hotmood Remix

Release date: 18th August, 2023

Label : British Soul Standard

Catalog Number : BSS0022 Digital / Bandcamp 

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