Review: Atelier - Friday (Lossless)

When you've got fans like Dixon and Âme (Innervisions), you know your on the right track; and here's one for every 'Friday' by Atelier.

It might be a surprise to find that Atelier is a due from South Africa, Alexander Inggs and Jaś Miszewski that now hang out in Berlin with a collection of analog synths, drum machines and electronics.

This starts like it's a hidden track on 'Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 2 Compiled by Fred und Luna' (see review HERE) and morphs into a vocal battle with some industrial alarm impersonators and at the same time sounding 80s pop.

The duo are signed to the Berlin based label run by Mathias Schober and Thomas Herb, Lossless and we're expecting great things from Atelier.

Artist: Atelier

Title: Friday

Release date: 5th April, 2024

Label: Lossless

Cat. No: LL12 32-

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: AfroNerd - uMsindo weNdlovu EP (Ostowana)

So this is a 3 track EP.  All tracks are roughly 6 minutes long. The problem? 

They all need to be longer as this Afronerd needs more AfroNerd Afro-house space lab boogie on the dancefloor. 

The title track is classic mix of synth disco-house that blend an 80s vibe of sorts with modern Afro-house.

If you thought the 'Amnay EP' by Enskyer featuring Salah Fafah was good (see review HERE), you're going to love the closing track, 'Moya Wami' featuring the vocals of Notha Shoto for a dreamier Afro-house.

Three tracks you said!  Remarkably, 'Sands Of Time' has a Indo-rain forest take from the South African DJ/Producer to show of his skills even more.

Prime Colour & Pitch Sessions material and very confident that you'll hear much more AfroNerd this summer. 

Artist: AfroNerd Feat. Notha Shoto

Title: uMsindo weNdlovu EP

Release date: 5th April, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST052

Format: Digital

Review: MISS C-LINE - Trust (C-Records)

MISS C-LINE has dispensed with the Radidz and formed C-Records for the lastest single from the singer, songwriter, rapper, multi-instrumentalist who delves into love's crucial issue with 'Trust'.

The album MISS C-LINE & The Rabidz (see review HERE) came out late last year and 'Trust' is just as a deep The Roots/Ms. Badu/Glasper-esque jazz/soul/hip-hop mix.

Unlikely to feature on Love Island/MAFS soundtracks (i.e. it's so much better than that) as this talented grad from Basel's jazz community is already a favourite of the Jazz FM, Mi Sou and FIP radio stations so it's a great idea to stay tuned.

Artist: MISS C-LINE 

Title: Trust

Release date: 5th April, 2024

Label : C-Records

Catalog Number : -

Format: Digital 

Review: Suddenly WOW! - Space Soul Mother EP (Ramrock Red Records)

We know your funk soul brother will want to know where your 'Space Soul Mother' is these days; Suddenly WOW! has found her.

Last summer we were introduced to Suddenly WOW!'s 'Plastic Life' other world but these space cowboys (aka Otti Albietz and Darren Morris) are now "out there" and this is their message from 2099.

In three parts, the main propulsion system being the 'Space Soul Mother' original version, the stripped back mix being the guidance system and the super dreamy instrumental which sounds to me like the structural element of the EP: all versions combine to deliver a mighty payload that emits space travel 60s optimism rather than private paid landings on the moon in 2023. 

Does this seem a lot different to 'Little Things' (see review HERE) and their big hit from last year, 'Plastic Life' (see review HERE)?  It's definitely less krautrock and more Hall & Oates mixed with a Balearic electric guitar with a touch of Bowie's space dub and some Love Unlimited Orchestra strings (and who wouldn't love that?).

Did I hear someone say, "Remix" - Naaaaaaaah, it's perfect as it is! And what would your (space soul) mother say? (Mrs Ramrock says....there could be a meteoric No'West remix in the asteroid belt).

Artist: Suddenly WOW!

Title: Space Soul Mother EP 

Release date: 29th March, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR059

Review: La Yegros - Haz (X-Ray Production)

I think we can see through X-Ray Production's plan for world domination with this new album by La Yegros, 'Haz'. 

We were suitably impressed with the single. 'Veo' featuring K.O.G (see review HERE) but we're even more so now we've got the other nine tracks on her album, 'Haz'.

The singer from Buenos Aires has largely kept her Argentine Latin folk roots (via the accordian) and has added various modern fusions to give the album even more appeal as 'Nu Cumbia'.

'Malicia' arguably does this the best with it's punky Les Négresses Vertes /Talking Head start and ending on a reggaefied NY disco with 60s mod organ and panpipes - brilliant!  Not content with that, 'Rehen' gets a bit reggae with some twangy guitar and post dubstep wobble. And for the punk flute gang in town, (when aren't they), 'Todo Yo' or the rockin' last track, 'Nada'.

Produced by Gay Kerpel (aka King Coya) with composer Daniel Martin, in addition to K. O.G, the guest appearance,  'Donde' features Colombian psychedelic/cumbia/experimental guitarist, multi instrumentist, singer and composer Eblis Alvarez!

This is going to be on all the usual suspect's playlists, from Jazz FM, BBC 6 Music radio to WOMAD, Songlines and all things worldwide and leftfield as La Yegros launch as Argentine's answer to Bala Desejo on the left bank Cafe culture in Paris (well, they are holding the Olympics this year) with a possible Gotan Project/Quantic & His Combo Barbaro revival? With panpipes!

Artist: La Yegros  

Title: Haz

Release Date : 29th March, 2024

Catalog Number : -

Label : X-Ray Production

Format:  LP / CD / Digital

Review: Desert Raven - Nkosi Ya Wolo EP (Ostowana)

There's no stopping the Ostowana team as Desert Raven's love of creating soundscapes with layers of emotion, depth and extened build-ups and climaxes is exposed on this brand new track, 'Nkosi Ya Wolo'.

So different the label's last release, Enskyver's 'Amnay EP' feat. Salah Fafah (see review HERE) but then again, not as the original is a proper fusion of Afro-house, WOMAD and spoken word/rap/poetry.

The Maris remix is a harder version of the original and Purple Tape's orgainic house is the straight from the rain forest to the dancefloor.

These guy's are speaking musically like 'men' (in a good way, like a insightful Bruce Lee) and DJs can't wait to play this out.

Artist: Desert Raven Feat. Seguya Sadam & Exit Onli 

Title: Nkosi Ya Wolo  EP (Original / Maris  & Purple Tape Remix)

Release date: 29th March, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST051

Format: Digital

Review: Bruno Montrone Trio - Unaware Beauty (A.MA Records)

A.MA Records search for 'Unaware Beauty' has paid off with the unveiling of the Bruno Montrone Trio's new album.

Not strictly a trio album as Bruno Montrone (Piano), Giulio Scianatico (Double Bass) and Joe Farnsworth (Drums) are joined by special guests Serena Grittani on vocals and the alto sax of Sarah Hanahan on 4 (two each) of the nine tracks.

You may recognise Farnsworth's name as the New Yorker has played with all the main jazz cats from Horace Silver, Lou Donaldson, McCoy Tyner and Pharaoh Sanders (including a 2003 recording session of the all-time classic, 'The Creator Has A Master Plan') and many more.  And that links in nicely with the opening track as 'Edward Lee' is a heavy swing bopper with Hanahan blowing for all her worth and Bruno's getting some McCoy Tyner style bang for his buck. In trait hie repeats on 'The Hodgepodge' (a word you don't hear that much these days and a great title) and Farnsworth showing off his 'live' skills (and obligatory solo on 'Bau Blues').

Variety you ask? Well, the downtempo soothing of the title track has the gentle breeze of Serena's whispy vocals to accompany the trio al la ECM before a climax ending with the other track, 'When Or Where' being the total contrast of a late nite standard.

Is this varied enough for a 'trio' jazz album?  No, what we need is th piano lounge cool bossa of 'Riflessiva' that's over 6 minutes long as al a Silver-esque does Charity Shop Classics (and that''s not a bad thing as an unaware beauty of jazz trio - keep you're eyes open for some Monty Alexandere Trio I say) and another fantastic ending. 

And you in the Backroom!  Hanahan can seriously blow as if the creator has a master plan and has gone out to lunch at the same time! Forge, Curtis, Peterson, Beadle and everyone else, you need to get  'Phrygian Sound Connotation' as the best 8 minutes you're likely to hear this year.

Parts of this album could happily sit next Jamie Cullum, spiritual jazz or A.MA Records' last release, Two Things Of Gold' (see review HERE) along with some straight edged jazz which all adds up to a great Good Friday freeling on this release day. 

Spring seems to have finally sprung with this release as 'Wide Awake' affirms. Thbese guys are bound to be at a jazz festival in the summer and you'd bonkers to miss 'em or not get this beauty of an album now you're fully aware of how good it is.

P.S. Many thanks to DJ Bob Hill again and hope he''s enjoying his sabbatical from Illicit Grooves radio show.

Artist: Bruno Montrone Trio

Title: Unaware Beauty

Release date: 29th March, 2024

Label : A.MA Reforged / A.MA Records

Catalog Number : CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review - The Elephant - In The Room (Original Cultures)

This is BIG! It's Elephant and their album, 'In The Room' - it is the album that's literally, the elephant in the room that everyone will be talking about.

The Elephant is a trio of Gabriele Mitelli (Trumpet), Pasquale Mirra (vibraphone) and Cristiano Calacnile (drums/percussion) who, individually, well known on the Italian jazz scene, but this is a new style of jazz trio.

Possibly thick skinnned as 'In The Room' is their own thing of out there electronic hip-hop world-folk downtempo jazz that sidesteps it's way to Sun Ra worshipers.  

So it's easy to see how they'd get Rob Mazurek to do Jack Kerouac jazz-poetry  on 'What? You Don't Like A Beauty?'  And then there's Rob's best bud, Damon Locks (he of Damon Locks' Black Monumet Ensemble, Exploding Star Orchestra and "Chicago visual artist, musican and sound artist", Damon Locks.ont the more experimental "Tom Waits" in a rain forest on 'The Elephant'.  

Talking of rain forests, 'Cherry In A Box' is a bit Don Cherry meets Miles and Bill Laswell re-working 'Panthalassa' and then on a Stereolab influence, "Hey Mary", Cristina Donà shines with her original maths a la One + One = Love.  Her fans include Robert Wyatt and Robert Elm who are as disperate couple of Bobs as you're likely to find.

You may recall Mitelli and Mazurek's cosmic jazz collab 'Star Splitter' (2019: Cleen Feed) but The Elephant is as big as an Italian jazz's Azymuth, if they where Miles, Gary Burton and Airto who touch ECM/nu-jazz and Carlos Niño at at the same time.  

Like I say, it's BIG and you won't ever forget it.

Artist: The Elephant

Title: In The Room

Release date: 29th March 2024

Label: Original Cultures

Catalog Number: OCLP006 Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: V/A - Mr Bongo Edits Volume 2 : Luke Una (Mr Bongo)

 "Like getting your money's worth?" you've heard on the adverts. Mr Bongo is thinking the same way in this days of austerity by getting Luke Una on the edit for 24 minutes of funky fun on the dancefloor. 

We know Luke from this legendary DJ status and his compilations, Luke Una Presents É Soul Cultura (see review HERE) and more recently, Transmission Towers (see review HERE) but this is a bit different as he's let us into his world of 'secret weapons' with a  longer and tweaked version of 'Love Games' (Thandi Zulu & The Young Five) and rare jazz dancer, 'Plum' by Lionel Pillay. 

The A-side is typical of Luke as it's an odd mix of 80s disco boogie (Pure Energy) done in heavy South African style whilst the B-side, South African again, that starts all heavy organ jazz-soul al a Lonnie Smith and then mutates into this piano house banger that's really hot jam - would love to have a Brian Auger mix. The orignal of 'Love Games' is only 40 years old and 'Plum' is even older which goes to testifies to Luke's knowledge/digging abilities. 

Both tracks are stunners and a fitting follow-up to Vol. 1 by Danny Krivit from a couple of years ago which is already a collector's item so don't hang around on Vol. 2 is our advice. 

Artist: Thandi Zulu & The Young Five / Lionel Pillay 

Title: Mr Bongo Edits Volume 2 : Luke Una 

Release date: 29th March, 2024 

Label : Mr Bongo 

Catalog Number : MRB12061 

Format : 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Klinkhamer Records Vol. 2 Compiled by Michel Veenstra (BBE Music)

Whilst Michel Veenstra might sound like that name of the next PDO Dutch Darts wunderkind, he is the ears behind the second compilation following the 'If... Music presents You Need This: An Introduction To Klinkhamer Records'.

Definitely for fans of Jazz, Jazz-Funk, Jazzdance, Spiritual Jazz, this is heavy as the prices that'll you'd have to pay for the original vinyl releases of these tracks; that's if you could find them of course - but if you've got a couple of bob, Michel and his brother Stephan run the shop in Groningen and/or the world famous biggest record fair in the world, known as the Utrecht Record Fair where they've had a stall since the 90s.

Starting with the Norwegian jazz singer Anne-Marie Giørtz, 'Philosohy' (taken from the 1983 album 'Breaking Out' before the emphasis of jazz takes over with Urban Hanson gives us all a lesson in what flute club fusion is all about on 'Sengakuji'.

And i've forgive the band called Afrodisax just because, in addition to thier track here called 'On a Winter's Day (A Love Song)' they did another track called 'The Silence Of A Candle In The Darkness Of An Attic' (any chance of that on Vol. 3?). And the equally awful cover of the 1980s Dave Plaehn's 'Smokin' album for the soft rock, flutely folk of 'For You (I'd Undo Anything)' that could equally fit Paul Hillery's compilations like 'Once Again, We Are The Children Of The Sun (see review HERE).

Roger Ekman's 'Du är frisk' is similar in it's ‘Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours’ nature.

Ending with possibly the most well known/prolific recording artist included in the album, the Jakarta born Dutch pianist/composer René Van Helsdingen (possibly because he was represented on Vol. 1 with the 'classical'-jazz track 'Offshore Sounds')

Whilst it's not quite the D-Jazz I was predicting at the beginning of last year, the album is just as cool and essential as Vol. 1 (and easy to see the If...Music connection with Jean-Claude (see review HERE) but this a a bit more European with vocal track in English, Swedish and French.

Artist: Various Artists 

Title:  Klinkhamer Records Vol. 2 Compiled by Michel Veenstra

Release date: 29th March, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE

Format: 2xLP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp