Review: Thundercat - Apocalypse (Ten Year Anniversary Edition) (Brainfeeder)

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It's hard to imagine how exciting it was 10 years ago with the release of Thundercat's debut album 'Apocalypse' so could the ten year anniversary edition match up to the original?

To briefly recap, Brainfeeder was Flying Lotus' label that was effectively the Ninja Tune sub-label for outside of the US and it was a match made-in as FlyLo was still flying high on the back of the sucess of his 'Los Angeles' and they'd already has success with the underground emergence of The Gaslamp Killer, Lapalux, Ras G, Teebs, Daedelus and many more.

The FL produced 12 tracks showcased the jazz-funk hip hop soul of Thundercat's reinvention of Level 42 (guess why Gilles Peterson was  so impressed).  The obvious hits of 'Oh Sheit It's X' [not that one], 'Lotus And The Jond' and the tribute track followig the death of keyboardist, FlyLo bandmate and friend, Austin Peralta, 'A Message For Austin / Praise The Lord / Enter The Void'.  It all still sounds full of funk and as wobbly as ever and just as exciting as I remember it.

The last time we had a 10 year Anniversary look back with for Every Day by The Cinematic Orchestra (Ninja Tune - see review HERE) and as they went onto bigger and better, so did Thundercat with the monster album, 'Dunk'.

If you haven't got your ticket for the Spring Tour you might have missed your chance as all venues are selling out fast.

SPRING 2024 EUROPEAN TOUR 23 March - Salle Pleyel - Paris - FR - SOLD OUT 25 March - O2 Academy - Glasgow - UK 26 March - Vicar Street - Dublin - IE - SOLD OUT 28 March - Victoria Warehouse - Manchester - UK 29 March - City Hall - Newcastle - UK 30 March - Bristol Beacon - Bristol - UK - SOLD OUT 31 March - Civic Hall - Wolverhampton - UK 03 April - KOKO - London - UK - SOLD OUT 04 April - KOKO - London - UK - SOLD OUT 05 April - KOKO - London - UK - SOLD OUT 06 April - KOKO - London - UK - SOLD OUT 09 April - Ancienne Belgique - Brussels - BE - SOLD OUT 10 April - TivoliVredenburg - Utrecht - NL - SOLD OUT 11 April - Paradiso - Amsterdam - NL - SOLD OUT 12 April - Melkweg - Amsterdam - NL - SOLD OUT 14 April - OM Concerts - Seraing - BE 16 April - Vicar Street - Dublin - IE

 

Artist: Thundercat 

Title: Apocalypse (Ten Year Anniversary Edition) 

Release date : 15th March, 2024

Label : Brainfeeder

Catalog Number : BFDNL040,

Format: LP / CD / Digital

P.S. every wondered what the PR was at the time: "Forever a wildcat and wild card, Los Angeles’ bassist/songwriter/vocalist Stephen Bruner, aka Thundercat, is impossible to tame artistically. A true master of his craft, he can be found playing bass with Flying Lotus, Erykah Badu and Suicidal Tendencies, in the same breath as performing live with the likes of Stanley Clarke, Snoop Dogg or the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His 2011 solo debut (‘The Golden Age of Apocalypse,’ co-produced by Flying Lotus) created an equally genre-blurring enigma of indie rock and jazz, with a touch of electronica.

On his second album, ‘Apocalypse,’ Thundercat pairs up with executive producer Flying Lotus to pull the veil back and reveal the simple truths of the cycle of life, for all its beauty and destruction. An album about loss and rebuilding, trying to gain something back, and capturing that moment of clarity where one finally finds feet back on the ground again. Bringing a fusion of pop, soul, electronica, prog rock and funk into an unexplored dimension, the album slowly descends and tunnels to the core of what it takes to grasp peace, at a time that it seems most far.

From the deep, rumbling entrance of ‘Tenfold,’ each of the 12 tracks coalesce with Thundercat’s signature bass, his riffs and basslines gliding skyhigh to meet Fly Lo’s astral touch. Bruner's vocals and harmonies also soar with open honesty, rising above heartbreak with uplifting odes to love and companionship (‘Tron Song’) and wise mantras to live by (‘Special Stage’). The album plays as a comedy and tragedy at the same time, delicately addressing tracks like ‘We’ll Die’ while bringing the all-out cosmic funk of the anthemic ‘Oh Sheit, it’s X.‘

As heavy as the lyrical weight may be, the divine musicality of Flying Lotus, and Thundercat’s instrumental collaborations, brings light. Navigating dense rhythms and intense harmonic progressions, the LP pushes through the hypnotic strands of ‘The Life Aquatic,’ the analogue explorations of ‘Lotus & The Jondy’ (recorded in Adrian Younge’s studio with drummer Thomas Pridgen), and Thundercat and Lotus’ prog rock jam ‘Seven,’ a spontaneous improv recording that organically materialized in less than an hour. It’s no wonder the kindred pair often refer to their freeform sessions as “going to space.” Continually pushing tracks to their furthest point, they take the listener to another place completely - somewhere beyond time, a place that transcends this realm. As the aformentioned track ‘Seven’ (named for its challenging time signature) asks, “Can you hear the sounds of infinity?”

Thundercat explains ‘Apocalypse’:

“I feel like the album’s a story, more than anything. The music’s almost like a photobook for me. It takes me back to certain things I’ll never forget. I love working with Lotus because he was able to give it a different perspective and mold, to where people can actually see it for what it is.”"

Review: Cee ElAssaad ft. Jaidene Veda - CLEVER (Ensouled)

A familiar name to house music fans, Jaidene Veda, joins Cee ElAssaad and that's a really clever move as their single, 'CLEVER' clearly demonstates.

Like a mix of Jazzanova/Sonar Kollektiv and Reel People on rolling desert dunes this is addictive house music with the added bonus that it sounds like sexy-trains a-coming on those warm synth tracks.

You'll recall Cee's 'Cosmic Fusion' (see review HERE) that came with a more than impressive Ambient Mix, so 'CLEVER' comes with a Dub version that to my mind is equally as good as the full vocal.

Cee is from Morocco which is quite the place to seek inspiration (although this is not as overtly North Africa as Omary at Ostowana, see reveiw HERE) whilst Ms. Veda is as busy as ever coming so soon after Jaidene Veda & George Livanos release 'How Cliché and Lucky Sun's 'Falling Fool' (see review HERE) and we loved the Naked Mix and the remixed version (see review HERE).

You'll want to get deep down with this one and I full expect to hear it in the Colour & Pitch sessions mix this month [see below].

Very impressive first release for this new label.

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

Artist: Cee ElAssaad ft. Jaidene Veda
Title: CLEVER
Release date: 15th March, 2024
Label : Ensouled

Catalog Number : ENSLD001 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Janek van Laak – Circle Of Madness (Sonar Kollektiv)

One of the many sayings usually attributed to Einstein, is that the definiton of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result; Janek van Laak's 'Circle Of Madness' is a musical merry-go-round that is so packed with ideas, it'll seem like a diffent result on every listen.

Sonar Kollektiv have always had more than a eye on the future and Janek van Laak's background of "punk loving father and cabaret/comedy performing mother" is a perfect grounding for this Berlin based drummer. composer and producer.

Having been a member of Liquid Brain Orchestra and 50% of Tutu Amuse (with Rosa Landers), 'Circle Of Madness' is the debut album that the single, 'The Killa Gorilla' (see review HERE) promised: like an unleashed cage fighter in a circus; and more!

There's diffinitely a lot of theatre here, even in the spacey funk of 'Left 4 Dead' there's a jazz big/marching band to be found.  Perhaps it's the German element where the legacy of Berlin Cabaret has dropped in on the fusion of Gong/Magma/Peter Brotzmann.  And then goes surfing? I think he recognises this throughout the 11 tracks with 'The Last Stylebender' (Ed. I wonder what that is in German), a sideways look at Can on 'Daiamondo' featuring Shiomi Kawaguchi on vocals (RIP Damo Suzuki) and an odd Avante-Afro-dub 'Sloppy Dreams' that's almost ideal for late-night radio (as played by Dom Servini on his new Jazz FM show).

I suspect 'Above Your Head' will get picked up for some TV crime soundtrack/bed for the vocal "Strange" in itself.  There's also a guest  vocals appearance by Australian Madeleine Rose on the jazz-creepy twang of 'Here To Slay' but the rest is instrumental and for there's the proper beach-jazzy 10 minute opus of 'OCTAPUSSY', the 70s Miles-esque 'Saints Blow' and the leftfield-fusion of 'Garlic Brown Junior' (Ed. don't tell me he's UFC too!).

I'm some folks would have prefered a whole album in one style of 'madness' but the mix of styles makes the squaring of the circle makig this is a great album with a great line-up of Janek (drums), Richard Maegraith (alto sax, flutes, bass clarinet), Gabriel Garcia (trumpet and flügelhorn), Isabel Rößler (bass) and Tim Foley on percussion.

So whilst this isn't totally mad, to mis-quote a well known space traveller, "It's Kraut Jim; but not as we know it" - one for the now and the future.

Artist: Janek van Laak
Title: Circle Of Madness
Release date: 15th March, 2024
Label : Sonar Kolletiv

Catalog Number : SK480 LP (Limited Edition Kistal-Violett splatter vinyl) / Digital / Bandcamp 

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Review: Amirtha Kidambi's Elder Ones - New Monuments (We Jazz Records)

Listen up everyone, the Elder Ones are here to release 'New Monuments' in jazz with their leader, Amirtha Kidambi.

So we were just musing on all things NYC jazzy (see Nick Mark's new single HERE) and along comes this post Coltranes/Kahil El Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble higher consciousness in the form of Indo-Hindustani free improvation avant-garde jazz.

A mere week after the Jonah Parzen-Johnson, singularly brilliant 'You're Never Really Alone' (see review HERE) this is like a mass meeting of Sun Ra and the spiritual and natural leanings of electric zither/benju player of the month, Ustad Noor Bakhash (and you dont get to say that often!).

Amirtha ia a New York-based musiciane, educator and activist with her Elder Ones; being Matt Nelson (saxophone), Lester St. Louis (cellist), Eva Lawitts (bass) and one of the busiest drummers in jazz, Jason Nazary.  Kidambi's contribution extends beyone compositions and vocals as she also plays synths, electronics and harmonium.  It's like a kraut rock Norma Winstone vs. Henry Cow with the depth of the Joe Harriott double Quintet's Indo-Jazz Suite.

Picking up from the 2016 album, 'Holy Science' this new 4 track album is just as heavy, the opposite of R.D.Burman and but equally compelling.

They are going on a European Tour soon (see below) and are a 'must see' if you're anywhere near one of the venues. And you gotta get this album - lets get them to WOMAD.

Amirtha Kidambi's Elder Ones - EU dates

5/4 and 6/4 - Rewire, Den Haag, NL
10/4 - workshop, Den Haag, NL
11/4 - Bimhuis, Amsterdam, NL
13/4 - Jazzexzess, Berlin, DE
16/5 - Jazzclub Tonne, Dresden, DE 
17/5 - 20/5 - Moers Festival, DE
23/5 - Nona, Mechelen, BE
24/5 - KAAP, Bruges, BE
25/5 - Musik Kultur St. Johann in Tirol, AU
12/10 - Jazz Goes To Town, Hradec Kralove, CZ  

Artist: Amirtha Kidambi's Elder Ones
Title: New Monuments
Release date: 15th March, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP65
Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Alessia Piermarini - Fool

Alessia Piermarini is nobody's fool as her romantic single 'Fool' is out now.

The London/Rome based singer/song writer/pianist's the vision of 'Fool' was born in "a quiet countryside morning"; it's certainly got touches of a formal Italian garden more than Primrose Hill and she feels the love/loss/hope triangle - like a beautiful marriage at first sight caputured in 4 minutes.

There's no blame to say that this is very cross-over from BBC Radio 2, 6 Music and Jazz FM to the cool of easy going types like 1BTN, Re:Warm.  And when I say, nobody's fool, she's previously worked with Ursula Rucker, Frank McComb, and Jaguar Wright (who featured on her second solo album 'Synth o matic' on which you'll find a cover version of Madonna's 'Into The Groove'!)

A little bit different to the clap-along last singe on A.MA Records/A.MA Edizioni, 'Walk With Me' - what happened to the Elbert Phillips "Tryppy Tribute Remix" for that one? Sounds ideal to me; I'll have to have a word with that influencial DJ Bob Hill

15th March on Spotify

Artist: Alessia Piermarini 
Title: Fool 
Release date: 15th March 2024
Label: Self Released
Cat. No: -
Format: Digital / Spotify / Bandcamp

Credits:

Written by Alessia Piermarini, Piergiorgio Curzi, Edoardo Ravaglia

Arrangement: Edoardo Ravaglia

Vocals; Alessia Piermarini

Guitar: Jorma Gasperi

Piano: Edoardo Ravaglia

Production: Alessia Piermarini, Edoardo Ravaglia, Jorma Gasperi

Mix & Mastering: Filippo Passamonti (VDSS Studio)

Label: Beyourself Recording

Review: Nick Marks - Dedication (For Gabi) (Independent)

I don't know who Gabi is but wouldn't it be great if Nick Marks dedicated a piece of music as beatiful as this to you?

It's fair to say that we've been more than impressed with Nick's previous releases, 

'Cinematic Chromatics Vol.1' (see review HERE) and 'Asymptomatrix' featuring Sam Dillon (see review HERE) so 'Dedication (For Gabi) is a trio of winners with some serious strings and soundtrack leanings.

We're told that the track is dedicated to his cousin who was lost a seven year battle with cancer at the young age of 31.

This is a fitting tribute and features, not only the Budapest Art Orchestra's string section but also the vocals of NYC-based Lativan jazz singer, Arta Jēkabsone.  Marks' also lives in New York (having grown up and been active in the Melbourne soul-jazz, hip-hop,R&B scene) and 'Dedication' is the jazz opposite of anothr New York based exile, Kenneth Jimenez (see review HERE of his 'Sonnet To Silence' album on We Jazz) but should they ever meet up for a chat and a drink, they'll raise a glass for Gabi (RIP).

Artist: Nick Marks

Title: Dedication (For Gabi)

Release date: 15th March, 2023

Label: Independent

Cat. No: -

Format: Digital

Review: Deep Excavation ft. Morris Revy - Feel The Flow EP (Ramock Records)

Deep Excavation is drilling down to 'Feel The Flow' with Morris Revy that fits in with the Ramrock red, green and gold mining for quality reggae and dubs.

In fact, it was a combination of Ashley Beedle (the other half to Ramock Records' prime instigator and all-seeing eye of musical goodness, Jo Wallace) that got hold of Deep Excavations (aka Alan Keane) in Ireland (Ed. any relation?) with a vocal by Nigerian Morris Revy.

Mr Revy has a really expressive vocal delivery that approaches dub poetry as this guy really does feel the riddim with a Ha Ya! eternal life (no, not this one - see review HERE).

The instrumental continues the groove as it's like a mesmeric train ride where you make a move like an express; with no stops, or buffet car!

And there's a dub which just perfect for the nyabinghi house trippers that's equally suitable for some balearic beach action.

No only that, there's a Balmr remix (aka Greg O'Connell) that sounds like the southbound tube line on dub race to Brixton with no time to read the poem of the day as you feel the flow.

Somewhat difffent to the last release from the Ramrock family,  Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers 'When Hurt Walks Out The Door' (see review HERE) but it's equally as great: as you'd expect from all Ramrock productions.

Artist: Deep Excavation ft. Morris Revy

Title: Feel The Flow EP

Release date: 8th March 2024

Label: Ramrock Red

Cat. No: RR012

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Jimi Tenor - My Mind (Philophon)

To my mind, absolutely no introduction required for Jimi Tenor as he releases another single on Philophon label called, 'My Mind'.

Recorded at Philophon's Joy Sound Studios in Kumasi, Ghana (happy Ghana Independence day this week) Jimi (not known for his vocal strength) is joined by the 10 man strong Rubato Chorus.

You may recall 'My Mind' on Jimi's break-through album on Warp 'Organism' (1999) but smouldering nu-jazz futurism is replace by manic Highlife jazzdance with Tenor on blistering sax form (extended version recommended with the beautiful harp ending).

Backed with the an Afro-centric cosmic 60s library Ra-ist vibe of 'Love The The Language'; Jimi being fluent in this language.

It's a busy time for Tenor fans as Compost recently released 'Where The Wild Roam as a collab with Tomasz Guiddo (see review HERE and the Ale Castro Remix featuring on this months' Colour & Pitch Sessions mix - see below).

You'll have to be quick to catch the 7" as it's going to sell out fast as fans old and new will want to have this little piece of vinyl history.

Artist: Jimi Tenor 

Title:  My Mind

Release date: 8th March, 2024

Label : Philophon Records

Catalog Number : PH45033

Format: 7" / Digital / Bandcamp 

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

Review: F.I.D.E.L. – Out Of Sight (Bastard Jazz Recordings)

F.I.D.E.L.'s new ablum 'Out Of Sight' is so typical of a Bastard Jazz Recordings' release - Jazz Not Jazz, Bastard Not Bastard or, in other words, just what you need.

It's been a little while since Buscrates' 'Control Centre' (see reveiw HERE) and Simon Mavin's 'Good Hair Day / Only You & Me' (see review HERE) but this is the disco to your Casa Bonita (see review HERE) the funk to your boogie as 'Odd Things (Parts 1 & 2)' is current post-Azymuth track of the year so far; especially as it's over eight minutes long. 

Is it any wonder when we find out the F.I.D.E.L is a collaboration of 'leader' Dilouya, UK legend, John Turrell (50% of Smoove & Turrell; who's album last year 'Red Ellen' featured a track with Ronnie Foster on it!- see review HERE) and Hip-Hop/Soul major force, Sly Johnson (BBE, Heavenly Sweetness, Blue Note and also a member of the French hip-hop group, Saïan Supa Crew).

But this is no 'one-track' album as the spirit of Prince runs through this album, particulary on 'Star 51', brackets "we love America".and a slimmed down version of The Pointer Sisters.  Then, at times, such as the title track, there seems like an odd hybrid a of Sa-Ra Creative Partners with Sly & The Family Stone/Bootsy/Isley Brothers in a 80s night club in Newcastle Market Street (aka Tuxedo Junction).

This all sounds good to me and it'd be easy to keep 'Star 51' and 'Odd Things (Parts 1 & 2)' on repeat but you gotta smile at 'All Of This Is Fake' and '(I Don't Give At Sh*t about) Summertime'.

There are other guests like Noraa ('Out Of Sight, 'Heartbeat') and DKO Records' front man Larry Houl on 'Odd Things' (and as good as the combined Parts 1 & 2 are, where's the dub Part3?) whilst I do hope that there's a live performance/summer festival band to support this release. 

P.S. It's flute gang friendly too!

Artist: F.I.D.E.L. 

Title: Out Of Sight

Release date: 8th March, 2024

Label : Bastard Jazz Recordings

Catalog Number :  TBC

Format: Vinyl (pre-order) / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Sepalot & Temple Haze - colder (Eskapaden Musik)

It's about time we had a theme from the Black Forest sound and Eskapaden Musik may well have found it.

The trip-hop vibe seems to be very popular at the moment and this 'Colder' is well hot with the soul-jazz elements; sounds like Mr Scruff meets MPS via Screamin' Jay Hawkins' 'I Put A Spell On You' with the vocals being closer to some big time indie/rock band

Sepalot is the producer from Munich and Temple Haze is the Berlin-based vocalist/sound designer and between them, 'colder'.

If you ever hear someone say that there's no good underground hip-hop/chill hop/downtempo/souful beats anymore, this is the answer to freeze such comments out; it's 'colder' baby!

Artists: Sepalot featuring Temple Haze

Title: colder

Release date: 8th March, 2024

Label : Eskapaden Musick

Catalog Number : ESK170

Format: Digital