Review: La Yegros - Veo feat. K.O.G (X-Ray Production)

As a small cog in the international music appreciation world, it's always encouraging that favourites like K.O.G gets to excel with other new musicians.

You'll recall Kweku Sackey (aka K.O.G) as rising star with his own releases and through his collaborations with Nubiyan Twist, Scrimshire and ONIPA and his connections with Heavenly Sweetness.

So it's no real surprise tha La Yegros wanted to add his Anglo-Ghanian rap-stylee to her South American Afrobeat for a track that's full of multiculturalism.

Another breath of fresh air taken from her forthcoming album 'Haz' (out on the 29th March)

Artist: La Yegros feat. K.O.G

Title: Veo

Release Date : 8th March, 2024

Catalog Number : -

Label : X-Ray Production

Format:  Digital

Review: Jonah Parzen-Johnson - You're Never Really Alone (We Jazz Records)

It's not often that there's a soloist that releases an eight track album for saxophone (baritone no less) and flute, Jonah Parzen-Johnson has the breath to pull it off.

Jonah really sets his stall out on the opener 'When I Feel Like Myself' where the sounds of baritone vibrate like an inner wind (in a good way) for the mediative yoga/tai chi crew. 

Couldn't have been timed better to coincide with the reissue of Yusef Lateef's 'Eastern Sounds (always loved 'Purple Flower' and is equally at home for fans of James Newton and the 'inner flame' that is Carlos Niño - last seen on YATM on 

'Everyone's Children' (see review HERE); definitely recommend the lingering zen of 'There's So Much I Regret'.

Jonah's use of circular breathing techniques (as popularised by flute / sax virtuosos like James Galway and John Coltrane to name just two) are more than evident of both of his chosen instruments (particularly on 'Not Writing About This' and 'There's So Much To Be Afraid Of') is just mind blowing (no pun etc..) and at times the baritone sounds like a didgeridoo.

'What They Love' is closer to Albert Ayler's heritage (in a dark flight of the bumble bee on baritone sax?) but it all sounds superb andf so deep at  times it could be 3D.  Purists don't worry, the electronics are kept a minimum so the track 'Everyone Is Somewhere' is like a very raw love song whilst equally fitting in with the sounds from across the bass spectrum.

The last We Jazz Records release, Otis Sandsjö 'Y-Otis Tre' is nothing like this (see review HERE) which is one of the reasons we love this label as the standards are so high.  Well worth checking out Parzen-Johnson's 'Imagine Giving Up' (2020) and Colin Stone's re-imagined 'compilation' of We Jazz releases WJLP11-20: 'We Jazz Reworks Vol. 2

I'd love to (Not Be Writing About This) at his live dates in the US this month to coincide with the album's release - see below - how avant-garde trendy would that make we jazz be?

 

Live Dates 7 March - Nublu - New York NY 10 March 8 East (Workshop) - Vancouver BC 11 March - Tyrant Studios (The Infidels Jazz Presents) - Vancouver BC 12 March - The Chapel  (Wayward Music Series) - Seattle WA 15 March (Afternoon) - Oregon State University - Corvallis OR 15 March (Night) - Megalith - Portland OR 19 March - The Bop Stop - Cleveland OH 20 March - a Trinosophes - Detroit MI 21 March - Communication - Madison WI 22 March - Constellation - Chicago IL 23 March - The Jazz Gallery - Milwaukee WI 24 March - Paradigm Coffee & Music - Sheboygan WI

Artist: Jonah Parzen-Johnson 
Title: You're Never Really Alone
Release date: 8th March, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP64
Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: African Brothers International Band - Locomotive Train (Keteke) - Meko Tarkwa! Meko Tarkwa!! Meko Tarkwa!!! (BBE Music)

Check out the cover of this new album from the  African Brothers International Band, 'Locomotive Train (Keteke) - Meko Tarkwa! Meko Tarkwa!! Meko Tarkwa!!!'  It's a trainspotter's Afrobeat dream.

Unlike the guy on the cover, this is not the time to leap off the beating engine of this train.  In fact, it's quite the opposite as 'Keteke' is a monster 2-10-4 Ghanan steam powerhouse.

The near 10 minutes of the self-explanatory 'Locomotive Train' is worth the ticket prices in itself.  But you won't be disappointed by the other tracks 'Yengye Yeani', 'Yen Ba Pa Kwadwo' and 'Hold Your Lover Tight' as this this prolific band who started in the 60s will keep you on the right track with their heady mix of Highlife, Afrobeat, calypso, rumba infused dance - and it's totally fun.

If you're got any doubts though, it's time to go First Class straight to the ultra-funky 'Nguyegye No So' featuring Ancient Awuah's mighty organ that's prominent throughout.

You may recall that the African Brother's were featured on Soundway's first release, Ghana Sounds: Afro-Beat, Funk & fusion in 70s Ghana.  That was back in 2002 so it's about time that this classic has been fully remastered and timetabled to be released to coincide with Ghana's Independence Day.

Artist: African Brothers International Band 

Title:  Locomotive Train (Keteke) - Meko Tarkwa! Meko Tarkwa!! Meko Tarkwa!!!

Release date: 6th March, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE758

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

 

Review: Various - Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 2 Compiled by Fred und Luna (Compost Records)

As long time fans of Kraut Music, we've been shocked by the passing of former Can front man Damo Suzuki on the 9th February only to subsequently hear that Fred Und Luna (aka Rainer Buchmüller) passed away the day before.

This is such sad news as Fred/Luna/Rainer had found his groove with the release of Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 1 (see review HERE) last year.  It was clear early on that his knowledge and expertise were fundamental to the success of that first compilation and more were due to follow including this one.

And if Vol. 1 was great, this is even better as the Kraftwerk, Can, Neu!, Harmonia, Klaus Schulze fatherhood that inspired these tracks (17 in total and 9 of them exclusive to this release) including Fred und Luna's intro, outro (that sound like they were made for an electronic cathedral) and 'Monotonikum' from 2016 that's a heady mix of 'We Are The Robots', 'Autobhan' and '(The Theme From) Shaft'.

The selections are all in the "Krautified" (thank you Compost for that one) synth-rock/pop/wave folder including another one from I-Cube (represented here with the heady 'Basso'), Sanki Otten ('Angekommen In Der Letzten Reihe') and the fantastic 'Rules' by Roman Flügel.

This double LP release is a limited (so act fast if you want the vinyl) and the album is full of new names to me like the Can fans that 'Minami Deutsch' clearly are and the Tangerine Dreamers, Gilgamesh Mata Hari Duo; but it's all great - particularly Lucas Coon's 'Krautwickel' (and you don't get to say that everyday!)

As ever, the label have excelled themselves with the artwork which is a collage made by Norika Nienstedt (Düsseldorf) and hopefully they will dig deep into the vaults of Fred und Luna back catalog (like 'Im Fünfmibutentak' - see review HERE)  I think we ould repeat Compost Record's press statement:

"We are deeply saddened that we lost a very close friend, a true creative musician, artist , poet, soulmate and beloved human being with a great sense of humour. Rainer Buchmüller aka Fred und Luna died after a long carcinosis. Our thoughts and prayers in these days of mourning are with his wife and family. Rainer Buchmüller aka Fred und Luna has made several albums, first one on Frank Wiedemann’s Bigamo label, then three albums plus several Maxi - Singles and 7 inches on Compost Records and Elaste Records. Rainer had several alter egos, too. Under his Fred und Luna moniker he recently compiled the highly acclaimed “Future Sounds Of Kraut” compilation series for Compost. Rainer also wrote circa 120 poems in the vein of Ernst Jandl, Dada, Kurt Schwitters. Rainer, we love you! R.I.P."

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 2 compiled by Fred und Luna

Release date: 1st March, 2024

Label: Compost Records

Cat. No: CPT 625

Format: 2xLP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Sumsuch & Will Brock - Free Born Man (with Vincenzo Remix) (Colour & Pitch)

Seems like we've been waiting a long time for the next installment of the Sumsuch & Will Brock musical adventure but fear not, 'Free Born Man' (on Colour and Pitch) will be with us soon.

And if Sumsuch's love of "fascinating blends of deep floating house music" isn't enough, he's gone and got one of the current experts in the field, Vencenzo on the remix.

The original track is very much in their own classic style of 'There Comes A Time' as that one also has a dramatic floaty free that is the perfect vehicle for Mr. Brock's vocals and great use of uplifting bouncey synths. 

Equally essential is the reduced beach bar - piano lounge chillout house of Vincenzo's remix that fits in and at the same time, is a bit of a contrast to other recent releases like the influencial single last year on Be Adult Music, 'Extrasolar'/''The Witching Hour' - which came out at about the time of Sumsuch & Will Brock's last release, 'Don't Know Where I'm Going' (with Gavin Boyce Remix - see review HERE) that featured Kameelah Waheed who continues to keep cropping up and most surpristingly of Joseph Malik's new album on Ramrock Records (see review HERE).

Will Brock's fantastic vocals lift the soul of the track in both forms but just as mesmerising is the there's the two instrumental versions as a bonus.

This is a fantastic start to 2024 that also happens to be the 10th anniversary year of Colour & Pitch and long term readers of YATM will recall the Sumsuch/Brock opened the Colour & Pitch label's account back in 2015 with the now classic, Simpathico (see review HERE) and they've followed this up the equally essential 'All Along', 'Shine' and 'Humanity' plus remixes; perhaps there's a compilation album due?

Don't forget this months' Colour & Pitch Sessions mix that starts with the Vincenzo remix (see below) and the Sumsuch/Matty Eeles release 'Find Home' on Be Adult Music with remixes by Vincenzo  - see review HERE)

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - February 2024

Artist: Sumsuch & Will Brock 
Title: Free Born Man (inc. Vincenzo Remix) 
Release date: 1st March 2024
Label: Colour & Pitch
Cat. No: CAP092
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

As we reach the end of February, the 1st of March finds a real contender for remix EP of the yeat as the Lucky Sun track 'Falling Fool' (featuring Jaidene Veda) gets deep remix by YSE Saint Laur'Ant, Formanteau, Kanedo and Joe Morris.

You may recall the original "Very sexy, very sunny and no foolin' that it's a summer hit" (see full review HERE) and here's a further 7 versions to immerse you in sexy, sun and falling fools.

We know Kanedo from the 'Deep Patterns' release on Be Adult Music with Lucky Sun and Sumsuch (see review HERE) and the remix really brings out the  "a modern day Tracey Thorn" in Jaidene Veda voice (and as featured on this months' Colour & Pitch Sessions mix).

Regular readers will know I like a dub version and the Joe Morris Sunrise mix is a set-up for the Joe Morris Sunset Dub and you'll be hearing this on a beach/bar/dancefloor/Café Del Mar all year long.

The two that are probably going to get the most attention are the YSE Saint Laur'Ant and Formanteau (both come with the instrumental versions).  Yse Saint Laur'Ant can dress me anytime with his glitchy slo-mo synth-disco (careful how you say 'Falling') and he's found the perfect C3po/Róisín Murphy/Herbert vibe.

YSE alt.ego Formanteau goes for the more obvious uptempo disco dancer that's got a false ending so prepare yourself.  

Spoilt for choice for the Colour &  Pitch sessions this month?!?!.

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - February 2024

Artist: Lucky Sun feat. Jaidene Veda

Title: Falling Fool (Remixes)

Release date: 1st March, 2024

Label : Lucky Sun Recordings

Catalog Number : LSR036

Format: Digital  

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