Review: Mike Casey - Calle Pizarro (Independent)

Mike Casey's 'Calle Pizarro' release is where you'll find all sorts of influences from the acclaimed saxophonist, composer & producer.

Mike is based in LA and this four track EP sounds like the West Coast jazz satxophonists answer to Nick Marks' East Coast 'Cinematic  Chromatics' (see review HERE) but in a flip of the usual geographic dynamics, this quintet is harder; particularly 'Ghazal' 

In addition to Mike's sax, 'Calle Pizarro' features some heavy piano and some almost prog/fusion/Balearic guitar (like a subduded Steve Hillage/Gary Boyle) - couldn't have timed 'The Beauty Of Everyday Life' better for the Chilled Cider weekend.

Even if there are lots of influences, it really keeps you on your toes and the forthcoming album is eagerly anticipated.  Due to be released in September and in keeping with the Spanish theme it's called 'Valencia' (Mike is a former masters student at Berklee's campus in the Spanish city): so get prepared for some jazz heat.

Title: Mike Casey 

Title: Calle Pizarro

Release date: 24th June, 2024

Label : Independent

Catalog Number : -

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Feiertag - ON/OFF EP (Sonar Kollektiv)

This EP ain't binary, it's totally ON.

We know from the release of 'Roots' (see review HERE) late last year and 'Feel Me' (featuring Nego True) / 'Law Of Attraction' (featuring OSHUN) (see review HERE) that Feiertag is nothing but prolific, diverse and quality. 

And he's at it again with this 4 track EP, 'ON/OFF' that ranges from the atmospheric opener 'CJ1108' to the bouncey electronic 'Colourball' which will liven up any dancefloor.

'DEKY' harks back to a music box vs. UKG shuffle which features the vocals of Rei Brown in a repetitive "Don't even know ya" phrase: familiar and new all at the same time. And then the best of the lot, the synthed out warp speed title track.

Did someone say prolific?  As well as releasing this EP on Sonar Kollektiv, there's also releases due on the equally iconic and foward thinking R&S Records and Anjunadeep so there's no escaping Feiertag this summer

Title: Feiertag

Title: ON/OFF EP

Release date: 21st June, 2024

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK489D 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Emily Saunders - Blue Skies Forever (Mix Sounds)

Emily Saunders' new single promises 'Blue Skies Forever' and I think she's onto something.

There's a lot going on here with a track that sounds like a long-lost DJ Paul Murphy 'Electric Ballroom', Dingwalls/Camden Town jazzdance favourite to a Latin-BRUK folk-prog: so that's right up my street.

In four different version; original, instrumental, radio edit, instrumental with backing vocals (I wish more folks would consider this imaginative release), all are for the new found summer party fever.

She sounds like she should of been part of the nu-jazz-future jazz explosion at Sonar Kollektiv (Germany, Five Corners (Finland), Jazzland (Norway) or Do Right! in Canada but she's actually from London and raised in Brixton; either way, she's definitely here and now.

Don't forget the earlier single 'Sideways' (see review HERE) and live at the Jazz Cafe, Camden, London on Monday (24th June).

Artist: Emily Saunders 

Title: Blue Skies Forever

Release date: 21st June, 2024 

Label : Mix Sounds

Catalog Number : MIXS2402

Format :Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Katarina Kochetova - Beyond Motion (A.MA Records)

Katarina Kochetov is part of the Serbian jazz wave that A.MA Records have picked up on and 'Beyond Motion' is her debut album release.

A.MA Edizioni (out of Italy you know) follow up their last release Shijuka Quintet's 'Octave Up' (see review HERE; more Serbian connections) with a line-up that includes Hugo Lof (Sweden) on double bass and Matheus Jardim (Brazil) on drums.

Four of the ten tracks are as a quartet with Jonander Cruz (Brazil) on alto sax ('UntiEled#4' and the title track) and Jure Pukl (Slovinia) also on sax ('Hemma' and 'Eternal Goodbyes') but the star of the show is Katarina as a 23 year old composer, pianist, bandleader this is a more than impressive debut.

Her style is a combination of classical training together with flavas of Monk, Tyner, Ethan Iverson (The Bad Plus) and it has caught the ear of Jazz FM's Ruth Fisher (Full Circle) as she's had the first play of 'Directions (In Time)'.  I'd have gone for the obvious 'NTYTATATST (Things We Say) or even 'Holmstock'.

The album really has a lovely feel of effortless flow; like water - or you could say it's 'Beyond Motion' but it's definetly full of (emotion) jazz

P.S. Great cover artwork to go with this one and it's also by Ms. Kochetova!

Artist: Katarina Kochetova 

Title: Beyond Motion

Release date: 21st June, 2024 

Label : A.MA Edizioni / A.MA Records

Format : LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Katarina Kochetova - Piano 

Hugo Lof – Double Bass 

Matheus Jardim - Drums 

Joander Cruz - Alto Saxophone (Tracks 3,8) 

Jure Pukl – Alto Saxophone (Track 4,9)

All music by Katarina Kochetova ©&℗ A.MA Edizioni

Review: Mackwood - Habits (5dB Records)

Here's a good 'Habit' to get into courtesy of Mackwood and DdB Records.

The follow-up to the Mackwood and Charlie Stacey release 'Yella!' (see review HERE) drummer/producer/songwriter Mackwood brings together just some of the influences after working with the likes of scene artists, including Col3trane, Nilufer Yanya, Jordan Rakei, Eliza and Blue Lab Beats.

In fact, if you can imagine Blue Lab Beats album, 'Blue Eclipse' in a more proggy synth bruk jazz fusion form, that's the type of habit Mackwood is wearing here with the help of  anaiis (France/Senegal) and Quinn Oulton (S.London).

Coming out of the Tomorrow's Warriors school, expect to see this guy at future WeOutHere Festivals and similar.

Artist: Mackwood ft. anaiis and Quinn Oulton

Title: Habits

Release date: 20^th June, 2024

Label: 5dB Records
Cat. No: 5DB24002

Format: Digital

 

Producer: Harry Ling
Producer: Javier Weyler
Composer: Harry Ling
Lyricist: anaiis
Lyricist: Quinn Oulton

Review: Jamie Finlay - Sun Dogs (Wah Wah 45s)

Wah Wah 45s have just release Jamie Finlay's debut album, 'Sun Dogs' that a blend of soul-jazz that's fit for any mad Englishmen at mid-day (men acting foolish from other nations are also available).

If you know Jamie's work from his previous  releases, you've eagerly awaited the debut album for a a long time; if not, you're in for a real treat with 'Sun Dogs'.

All eight tracks are a delightful hybrid of 4-Hero, Heliocentrics, Jimi Tenor (don't forget his latest, 'Is There Love In Outer Space?' - see review HERE) or if you want to go old school, Lonnie Liston Smith, Rotary Connection and Herbie's Headhunters.  And to make sure it's that good, he's got together a 'super group' to support him including some great singers, Bryan 'Corbenova' Corbett and Chris 'Time Capsule' Bowden.

It's all great but check out 'Staring At The Sun', 'Family' and 'Parhelion' in particular.

If you're in the area of the Chilled Cider Fesiival at the end of the month (vinyl only DJ set) I'll be bringing a couple of Jamie's previous 12"ers to play but far better to catch the Jamie Finlay Band's full live show, Grow in Hackney Wick (15th June), The Deaf Institute, Manchester on July 27th, or the big one, We Out Here Festival on August 16th.

Artist: Jamie Finlay 
Release: Sun Dogs
Release Date: 14th June, 2024
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Catalog Number: -
Format: Digital / BANDCAMP

Jamie Finlay - Keyboards, synthesisers, vocals, bass guitar & percussion
Ellen Beth Abdi - Vocals
Kemani Anderson - Vocals
Caitlin LM - Vocals, saxophones & flute
Hannah McGuigan - Vocals
Matt Steele - Fender Rhodes
Errol Rollins - Drums
Bryan Corbett - Trumpets, flute & trombone
Chris Bowden - Saxophones
Dan Carpenter - Flugelhorn
Atholl Ransome - Saxophones
Dan Gresham - Additional keyboards

Review: Always Friends - Significant Other EP (Remixes) (No Way Back)

For some, there's no way back, be it former Presidents or Prime Ministers (in this heavy election year) but for the label, No Way Back, there's another chance with remixes on the 'Significant Other EP'.

Always Friends have rallied round their six best mates for an EP of half a dozen dancedloor house tunes for the summer months ahead.

 

You may recall the original release from earlier this year as Always Friends, aka Brad Eller and 50% of Glass Slipper (they of 'Incidental Introspection' - see review HERE) and Duo Electro, but he says this solo project intends to be equally split between deep house, dub techno and euphoric vibes merged into one.

By having remixes by Soledrifter, Demarkus Lewis, Southern Oracle, Col Lawton, Daniel Allen and Cuillere re-inforces the best of these tracks.

Particularly liking Brad's Austin neighbour Cuillere with his stutter dub-house take of 'Little Chant' which takes us into the garden with green-House but you're going to love it all, from the main room of the title track (as remixed by Soledrifter) whilst Demarkus Lewis (who has been involved in hundreds of remix) gives 'Safe Passage' a big bounce beat. 

Another mate from Austin, Southern Oracle (aka Davey Schacheri) is another one who favours a bouncey beat and Glass Slipper has already had a release with Col Lawton this year whilst Col had a track on a Staybad, 'Staybad & Friends' with Daniel Allen a couple of year ago; incestuous significant other, but in a good way.

Allen's 'Moving Foward' has the power and warp speed of a Inter-City on a return ticket - No Way Back has got this dancefloor foward facing.

P.S. Don't forget to vote.

Artist: Always Friends 

Title: Significant Other EP (Remixes)

Release date: 14th June, 2024

Label: No Way Back

Catalog Number: CAT1064720

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

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Review: New Regency Orchestra - New Regency Orchestra (Mr Bongo)

Mr. Bongo can't be acussed of living in the past as they champion both old and new music equally: but here's a masterstoke with the New Regency Orchestra as they present a dozen hot Latin tracks as their debut album, 'New Regency Orchestra'.

 

The Guardian (Ed. who?) have apparently got their knickers twisted about the new nostalgia in music (e.g. Northern Soul revivals in Bristol and Deptford, Streaming services and even 80s band superfan cruise ships!).

But this is not a new thing (remember DJ Chris Hill's Glenn Miller Big Band revival in Canvey?) but when there's a new 18-piece Afro-Cuban big band that's re-livng 1950s NYC salsa, mambo and all things Latin, it's time to get ya dance shoes on, hot and sweaty .    

This is not half-baked Kid Creole & The Coconuts tribute but a full on Tito 'The High Preist Of Salsa' Puente BIG band/Fania Allstars comprising some of the London's best jazz musicans envisaged by Lex Blondin (Total Refreshment Centre, Church of Sound) and the mostly instrumental tracks are a proper homage to the period/now and echos the Latin jazzdance scene (Gilles Peterson, Paul Murphy etc) that re-discovered Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker's foresight of hooking up with Machito and Chano Pozo; who were still.colamborating in the 70s.

Whilst there's a heavy dance background to this, it's taken to a modern level with the beautiful feel of 'Scarlet Mambo Hour' and the near modal, 'Sahib & Tito' in contrast to the very busy vocal tracks, 'Papa Boco' and 'Labasta Leigo' and the "Cuban in New York", 'Harlem Jamboree'.

Apparently there are plans for live appearances at festivals this summer which will be totally mad, especially the Blondin re-work of 'Mambo Rama' which reminds me of what Jerry Dammer's was doing with his Spatial AKA Orchestra almost exactly 10 years ago.

Old or new, this is a fantastic album and, for some, a fantastic future journey into some of the best music ever recorded anytime/anywhere.

P.S. In the future, get anything you see by Sahib Shihab - or stream it/him. 

Artist: New Regency Orchestra
Title: New Regency Orchestra
Release date : 14th June, 2024
Label : Mr Bongo
Catalog Number : MRBCDLP307
Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Reeview: V/A - I Like It Like That (A Collection Of The Sought Ater And Sold Out Fania 12 Inch Singles) (Mr Bongo)

I was reminded this week that Fania Records are cellebrating their 60th year and before we hear much more of that, time to dig out a much loved Mr Bongo CD from 2008!

Apart from the CD, I seem to recall that there was some companion 12" to go along with this set: 14 tracks remixed by so of the big names at the time including Aaron Jerome (now better known as Sbtrakt), Quantic, 4 Hero, Bugz In The Attic and some big names then and now, Louie Vega (of course), DJ Andy Smith, Ashley Beadle and Gilles Peterson.

The remix CD seems to have "disappeared" (we used to have so much fun with this back in the day when the Salsa Class from up the road came down to our Wednesday night session in Bournemouth) but CD2 is still with me with 14 tracks of originals featuring legendary music from Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Tito Puente, Ray Barretto and Rubén Blades among many others.

Expect to hear Robero Roena's 'Take Five', 'Saona' by Nora Morales and, of course, 'I Like It Like That' by Peter Rodriquez throughout the summer.

This is not currently available on Mr Bongo's Bandcamp site so the campaign starts here for the re-issue; in the meantime, check out the new Mr. Bongo album, 'New Regency Orchestra' that's packed with Fania flavas (see review HERE). 

Happy birthday Fania.

"Kicking off the year-long celebration and available now is a newly remastered reissue for La Gran Fuga (The Big Break), the 1970 masterpiece from the magnificent salsa duo Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe. The Gold-certified sixth collaboration has been newly remastered, featuring (AAA) lacquers cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed on 180-gram vinyl, with a classic tip-on jacket and, as an added bonus, an 11” x 22” insert featuring Izzy Sanabria’s famous cover art—an FBI wanted poster with the bandleader’s mugshot—which took inspiration from Colón’s “Malo” alter-ego. La Gran Fuga is also finally available in 192/24 hi-res digital audio on all major music platforms"

Original review 18th July 2008 - FlyGlobalMusic.

Review: Aderemi Kabaka - Roots Funkadelia (BBE Music)

If you don't know already, this is an incredible record and a truely rare Afro-funk monster with 5 all-killer tracks.

We know that Remi's album, 'Son of Africa' (see review HERE) was fetching over £700 for originals before BBE re-issued it and 'Roots Funkadelia' recorded four years later in 1980 is even more sort after.

Why is that? Because this album had no international deal at the time of its release in Nigeria which is amazing as it was recorded and mixed in LA at Motown with The Commordores brass section!

They certainly give it that Motown/70s/Stevie sharpness with the funk of a brick house Afro-Parliament inspiration.

'Afro Beat' and 'Ikaope' are worth the price of this album alone but you get LKJ walkin' rap on 'Togetherness' in a War-style reggae, 'Festival' is a wah-wah joy and 'Funky Lagos' is the roots that he's sitting on with respect to 'Funky Kingston'.

If you come to hear me DJ at Chilled Cider Festival later this month, you will definitely hear one of these tracks - and none of them are chilled!  Totally hot - no idea why this wasn't a major hit.

Artist: Aderemi Kabaka 

Title: Roots Funkadelia

Release date: 7th June, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE768

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp