Review: Julian Marazuela - Seven Islands (Be Adult Music)

This might be 3 track, but Julian Marazuela's 'Seven Islands' is the lucky number for Be Adult Music's latest release to prepare us for a summer in the Balearics (other idealic island archipelago locations are available).

For those looking to enjoy carefree summer sounds, this EP of 'Lights', 'Carnaval' and the title track will transport you to a world of cooling breeze and sandy feet: plus, its flute gang friendly.

It's been almost exactly a year since his debut release on Be Adult Music, 'The Traveller' and works great next to their last release, David Ol's 'I Need Your Love' (see review HERE).

P.S. This week, Sumsuch's Colour & Pitch Sessions for June played the track 'Lights' (track 5) and full soundcloud link below.

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

Artist: Julian Marazuela

Title: Seven Islands

Release date: 27th June, 2024

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM368

Format: Spotify and Beatport Exclusives

Review: Gaspare Di Lieto meets Sonia Sanchez, Amina Baraka, Genny Lim & Amiri Baraka - A Journey Into Poetry (Notami Jazz)

You'd be hard pressed to find a more important album than this as Gaspare Di Lieto takes 'A Journey Into Poetry with Sonia Sanchez, Amina Baraka, Genny Lim and Amiri Baraka and they all having something to say.

When you think of the conjunction of jazz and poetry, the obvious names of Jack Kerouac, Tom Waits and Gil Scot-Heron spring to mind.  More recently there's Anthony Joseph (as seen HERE) and Jasmin Tutum (as seen HERE) but here's some new names to us.

Picking just one track per performer out of this 11 track album, Sonia Sanchez ('Peace'), Amina Baraka ('Being Colored'), Genny Lim (the tribute to Abert Ayler, 'Shady Past') and Amiri Baraka's 'Afrika' are all superbly backed by Gaspare Di Lieto's band: Di Lieto (piano), Alfonso Deidda (soparano sax), Giuseppe Plaitano (tenor sax), Aldo Vigorito (bass), Tommaso Scannapieco (bass), Gaetano Fasano (drums) with the perfect jazz accompliment: particularly the spiritual blues of 'Shady Past' and Japanese peace garden of 'Monlam Chemo'.

As the poems talk, the sax(es) sing in perfect harmony/angst/spirit.

It's not the most easy or dance friendly album we'll hear this year, but it's likely to be more lasting, influential and important.

PS. Check out the lyrics/poems HERE.

Title: Gaspare Di Lieto meets Sonia Sanchez, Amina Baraka, Genny Lim & Amiri Baraka 

Title: A Journey Into Poetry

Release date: 30th April, 2024

Label : Notami Jazz.

Catalog Number :  

Format: Digital 

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