Review: Emily Saunders - Sideways (The Max Sounds)

Emily Saunders  brought us 'All As One' and now "the Queen of jazz-fusion" gone all 'Sideways' on us.

The singer/songwriter/producer has gone even more Norma Winston/Janet Lawson et al on us with 'Sideways' as a modern jazz-dance on the Balearic beaches of Caister, Southport, Sete and any other other place where there's a jazz-soul festival (future or past).

Whilst BBC Radio 2's, Jamie Cullum is a big fan, there's definitely a non-traditional edge to Ms. Saunders.  At one extreme, sometimes it's 'pop', at other times, more June Tyson: perhaps more so on the space-trip of the instrumental version with out-there post Bruk synths.

The bass is busy and can easily suit the dancefloor so don't be surprised that DJ's of this genre like Peterson's, Parnell's and Perry's (OK, I know I cheated a bit with the '3PS') whowho have all done a bit of a shiftless shufflle in the past (Ed. that's Gilles, Colin and Louis to you and me) who will be catching on to 'Sideway' as will the latest (and well deserved) recruit to Jazz FM, Dom Servini.

And if you're looking to brighten up your day, sunny lyrics too!  What more do you want?  Possibly a 12" jazz-dance mix?

Artist:Emily Saunders 

Title:  Sideways

Release date: 1st March, 2024

Label : The Max Sounds

Catalog Number : MIXS2401

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Shay Hazan - Wusul وصول (Batov Records)

When it comes to global, jazz, funk and spiritual sounds, Shay Hazan's album 'Wusul' is going to be hard to beat in 2024, if not impossible!

'Wusul' (Arabic for 'arrival' - Shay became a Dad 3 months ago) certainly marks a musical turn up for the books, like a 12 track mainline terminal station with hot sand falling from ya sandals; or more accurately Shay's synths, guimbri, guitar and percussion . 

This sounds another but a one man band, the killer track 'Sunflowers' featuring the keys of Nitai Hershkovits which fades just as they get into a Mulatu afro-jazz groove; WHY? Even so, it's definitely "uplifting and danceable masterpiece". But don't worry as there's more guest and diversions on tracks to follow.

The core band joining Shay, Tal Avraham (trumpet), Eyal Netzer (tenor sax) and Shahar Haziza (drums) must have had a great time recording all this original Hazan compositions (the quieter/reflective/traditional 'Yarabi' being the one exception).

The guimbri is a traditional instrument of Morroco (lots of Morroco around at the moment like DJ/producers Omary and DJ Medi - perhaps they'd be up for a housey remix?) but in the hand of Shay it's hard to tells as his productions sound as much mod-twangy guitar and wild 70s synth.

There's a listening party on bandcamp today at 7pm (28th February - so tune in) and you'll hear the album open with 'Dew' which is like a jazz morning but it really gets cooking with 'Oladipo' that's like a desert blues mixed with Sun Ra (when he was hanging out with Astatke) with Fela hanging around.  'A Bite Of Sand', with it's Tinariwen twang at the wadi is hypnotic as the guimbri sounds like a harp at times. 'A Walk In Dir El-Assad' and 'Yooltz' are more on the danceable side with slips into Afro-jazz-2step-Joe Meek whilst and 'Shimo Kitazawa' is like a Japanese inspired 'Wusul' dub.

If there's one track that encapsulates the album it's probably 'Vide Jadid' but I wish that all the tracks were as long as the 5 minute 'Street Souls'; which links in nicely with the closing track 'Riff Raff' which is dedicated to the guys that live in the street outside of his studio and represents the 'thin walls' that separate us (all for that matter).  

People will want to experience this album livee/on tour (are there plans? I'll keep you posted) but if you can't make it to a gig, this album and his 2021 debut 'Reclusive Rituals' (both on Batov) are highly recommended.

Artist: Shay Hazan 

Title: Wusul وصول 

Release date: 1st March, 2024

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR088

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Omary, Saint Evo Feat. Meryame - El Amal (Ostowana)

North African house from Moroccan DJ/Producer Omary meets Keyan DJ/Producer Saint Evo that features to vocals of Morrocan singer Meryame, finds up absorbed on the dancefloor with 'El Amal'.

You'll remember the last release on the label, SMALL F and Thabiso Vocalist's 'Remember Me' (see review HERE) or last year's collaboration between Omary and kawtar Sadik on 'Maktoub' with Amine'O on the remix which kind of links all the Mediterean/North African house with the (ethnic) flute gang.

There seems a renewed interest in Morrocan influences from DJ Bob Hill (Illicit Groves half-term break session) to Shay Hazan's 'Wusul) (see review HERE).

Artist: Omary, Saint Evo

Title: El Amal feat. Meryame

Release date: 12th February, 2024

Label : Ostowana

Catalog Number : OST047

Format: Digital

Review: Marley Marl - Joy (Hallelujah) (Feat. Lady Alma and Kenny Bobien) (BBE Music)

BBE have done it again as the lady of house, Lady Alma, is joined by Kenny Bobien on Marley Marl's gospel classic, 'Joy (Hallelujah)'.

Can you call a tune that's just come out 'classic'? Well, when it's full of classic elements like this one - big vocals, silky backing vocals, pounding beats, lucious strings and a organ on the edge - that's all wrapped up in a hands in the air way; I'd say it was justified.

Come in extended orginal and radio edits with instrumentals, this fits in so well with the recent muscelcars releases on the same label (see review HERE) and Soul Liberation (see review HERE) to pick on just two.

This is pure JOY! for the ears, everday - let me hear "Hallelujah"!

Artist: Marley Marl feat. Lady Alma and Kenny Bobien

Title: Joy (Hallelujah) 

Release date: 23rd February, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE762SDG

Format: 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Casa Bonita - Casa Bonita (Aquário Records)

If you're in Portugal this spring and after some jazzy funk groove, look out for the Casa Bonita as they tour their album, 'Casa Bonita'.

Very much is a 70s disco jazz-funk groove, this intrumental 10 track album will bring back memories for some and a renewed thirst for crate-digging synthy grooves.

That said, if's got the fresh modern production values that Azymuth's Far Out Recordings have along with influences of Herbie Hancock and old skool London groove (Surface Noise, Level 42 etc) and current trendy, Andre 3000.

Very much ready for sun, beach and pool parties as the tracks have a Latin-jazz DJ feel to them; "What's this track mate?" I can hear you say - it's off the new Casa Bonita album!  Especially, the spicey 'Sambal' and 'Vongole' but if you're after some laid back rain forest action, 'Vian' is cool and a bit dubby balearic.

Great find this much cheaper than some long lost Brazilian jazz fusion LP on Camden Market that's probably only got one good track on it; Casa Boita is a big 10 out of 10.

Live dates
Sala Lisa, Lisbon Portugal - Feb 2
Madalena, Faro Portugal - Mar 1
Collect, Lisbon Portugal - Apr 16 (live session)
TBA, Portugal - Apr 19
TBA, Portugal - Apr 20 

Artist: Casa Bonita

Title: Casa Bonita

Release date: Vinyl Spring 2024 - Digital 26th January 2024

Label: Aquário Records
Cat. No: -
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: SMALL F Feat. Thabiso Vocalist - Remember Me (Ostowana)

Ostowana is a record label that focuses on African and Middle Eastern culture and artists who promise to provide a wide variety of artists and an array of music; and you definitely get that from Small F and Thabiso Vocalist on 'Remember Me'. 

Following on from the previous Small F release from the end of last year, 'Kayhal EP' (definitely check out 'Clouds') this London-based Morocan DJ has teamed up with South African, Mr. Vocalist for a more African house vibe to remember them by.

As Ostowana approach their 50 release, we're definitely looking forward to that and checking out more of their back catalogue.

Artist: SMALL F Feat. Thabiso Vocalist 

Title: Remember Me 

Release date: 16th February, 2024

Label : Ostowana

Catalog Number : OST045

Format: Digital

Review: Marc-Antoine Perrio - Escapist: Heal, 'till You Live Forever (Noble)

Marc-Antoine Perrio's name might sound like he should be in a list of Michelin star chefs or the Italian mid-field, but this musician is looking at escapism in a musical form on his new album.

Multi-instrumentalist/composer Marc-Antoine Perrio 14 track album covers a fusion of R&B, jazz, ambient, cinematic, classical and, at times, dreamy rock guitar.

Sometimes these influences merge, like the track 'Veneza' (featuring Claude Violante) and at others, they absorb like the beautiful 'Mon Coeur' (feat Elise Preys) which is a cinematic meeting of a sleepy Tundercat and early Cinematic Orchestra ('Overnight II' is the one to pick-up for this end of the spectrum).

Sometimes it can get a bit proggy ('Peace Over') or R&B/Pop francaise ('Flash the other track that features Elise Preys) and at the other extreme, classically inspired OST ('Fenêtre ( No3)' being the most obvious example).  And then there's the radio friendly 'TTOO' (featuring ABS) and the krautrock inspired 'Cyclp Musiq' which could have been longer to get the full effect.

So it's kinda disjointed whilst at the same time being fluid and I love that there's an 'answer' track on the same album in 'Post Mon Coeur' (featuring Adrien Soleiman; another multi-instrumentalist) and interludes to keep with the OST/library theme; watch out for 'IE Prologue (When Dust Storm Becomes Mountain)' to shatter the mood as it's in total contrast to 'Ripere'.

If you're into the ENO ambience there's a "hidden track" but there's not much more you can cram into this release but is that what his escapism is all about? If music is the healing force of the universe, here's a little help to heal, 'till you live forever. 

 

Artist: Marc-Antoine Perrio 
Title: Escapist: Heal, 'till You Live Forever
Release date: 29th February, 2024
Label : Noble

Catalog Number : LP / Digital  

Mon Coeur (Feat Elise Preys):

Marc-Antoine Perrio: Electric Guitar, Piano, Voices, Percussions, Synths Elise Preys: Voices

Jennifer Hutt: Violins

Florent Nisse: Double Bass

Adrien Soleiman: Tenor Sax

Mix & Mastering: Nicolas Charlier

Review: re:ni – BeautySick (Timedance)

When you think of acorn falling and trees of a musical kind, you've got your multiple Wainwright family, Steve and Hollie Cook and now, re:ni (aka Lauren Bush) and her drum/percussion obsessed Dad, Glyn 'Bigga' Bush.

I mention the Bush history with drums (whether it be Magic Drum Orchestra, the reggae/dub of Ligntning Head,the house side of Rocker's HiFi, the prog The black Albumen or even the variety on his 1BTN show, Bigga's Big Dig), as the Timedance varient is very much darker coming out of the shadows of post-dubstep dark electronic d'n'b.

The four tracks kick off with 'BURSTTRAP' that's possibley trap on a dancehall dub trip which kinda sound Krautrock?

There's definitely some techno/trans europe express/warehouse to 'Below Sanpaku' and definitely some heavy industry assult on 'BeautySick' (that's Dad's favourite) whilst 'Blame is the Name of the Game' is more a mix of all the above with a gamelan-electronic tendancies.

re:ni was mentioned in our big interview/catch up with BiggaBush (see HERE) and she does a monthly radio show, 'RE:LAX' with Laska on NTS (next 3rd March - see HERE) for more "Forward-thinking sounds from across the bass spectrum".

Artist: re:ni 
Title: BeautySick
Release Date : 23rd February, 2023
Catalog Number : Timedance 032
Label :Timedance
Format: 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

 

Review: musclecars - Ha Ya! (Eternal Life) feat. Natalie Greffel (BBE Music)

New York flute gang gets 'Ha Ya!' with the musclecars for the first in the 'Best Of' 2024 folder!

You'll recall we were very excited about musclecars being represented on the Audrey Powne single, 'Feed The Fire'(see review HERE)

There's a deep spiritual feel to this and their other productions (what's the odd on them getting together with Alina Bzhezhinska & Tony Kofi on BBE with the 'Anima' project? - see reveiw HERE) and then there's others who just want to paaarrrrrrtteeeeeeee with the Shannon Harris' A Love 4 Joy Journey Mix.

And these guys do like the perfect lenght of 7-9 minutes per track and will be featuring in our charts for ever more: but where's the Audrey Powne remix? (don't forget last week's 'Single of the Week', 'From The Fire'. see review HERE)

.   

Artist: musclecars feat. Natalie Greffel

Title: Ha Ya! (Eternal Life) original / instrumental / Shannon Harris' A Love 4 Joy Journey Mix.   

Release date: 23rd February, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE763SDG2

Format: Digital  

Review: Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers - When Hurt Walks Out The Door (Ramrock Red Records)

Craig Charles' Funk & Soul show loves these guys and so will you when hurt walks out the door with their new single on Ramrock Records.

If you like that mix of US soul via Stax, Stateside, Motown (Marcus was a member of Detroit's very own Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels) and that UK style of  R&B (at random, say, Van Morrison, Frankie Miller, Jess Roden, Graham Parker), 'Hurt Walks Out The Door' is right up your street with it's immaculate horn arrangements and solid guitar solo (that really stands out on the instrumental version).

Kinda of reminds me of James Carr's classic, 'Dark End Of The Street' and don't forget the album 'Interstate 75' (see review HERE) for even more great tracks.

Even so, you gotta get the instrumental of 'When Hurt Walks Out The Door' as the organ will make the hairs on the back of your neck and the guitar solo will make you cry and reach for the Wah Wah pedal at the same time.

Artist: Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers

Title: When Hurt Walks Out The Door

Release date: 23rd February, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red

Cat. No: RRR057

Format: Bandcamp / Digital