Review: Sai Galaxy - Visions Of The Chronicle EP (Independent)

I do love a Chronicle whether its Jazz, Evening or in this case, 'Visions Of The Chronicle' by cherries fan (see artwork), Sai Galaxy.

Since 'Nomalizo' came out (featuring bambam - see review HERE) we've had more space travel planned by the big heads as they put toes on/into the dark side of the moon and manned travel to Mars but the real one to watch on the dancefloor is Sai Galaxy as he takes up on his spaced out disco trips.

Not only that, there's been a meeting of the minds with 'the' Craig Charles as 'Rendezvous' has been included on the 'Trunk Of Funk' compilation on BBE that came out last week (see review HERE) (and in all honesty, is Sai's track 'Hold Me Tonight', featuring Steve Monite, even Afro-funkier?) we've got a whole new EP that's spacey, funky and just disco juicey.

Little surprise that he seems to have little to no difficulty finding vocalists to work with - but wait a minute, 'SaxInSpace' features MsElenous and it's all deep hard sultry sax, plenty of space synths and Horatio Luna on funky bass.  But wait a minute, 'DrumsInSpace (DJ Tool)' is mainly the raw percussive elements and it's a mad as a jazzdance in Birmingham, a basement in Soho and the Rings of Saturn combined (in a drumming circle of course).

And of then there's the just as big matter of 'KeepItMovin' in two versions, featuring the vocals of Nynno and the instrumental.  This is solid space disco funk that's got some Acid Jazz/Brand New Heavies flavas but brought into the Disco3000 timezone - with classic keys and synths.

Don't wait 'til Vol. 4 of Mr. Charles' next 'Trunk Of Funk' comes out and chance your arm on what track he includes, get all four now as the 'Visions Of The Chronicle' - perhaps we need one super long version Sai?  Either way, this release will keep you movin' in all the right directions.

P.S. This artwork is worthy of a 12" release?

Artist:  Sai Galaxy 

Title:  Visions Of The Chronicle ft.Nynno and MsElenous

Release date: 27th June, 2024 

Label : -

Catalog Number :  -

Format: Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Joseph Malik - Only Fans ft. Digital Liquid (X-Press 2 Remixes) (F*CLR Music)

The Joseph Malik / Digital Liquid track 'Only Fans' gets a big remix treatment by the only fans that could, X-Press 2!

Well, Ashley Beedle might be on the cards but it's be a while since he, Darren House and Darren Rock were rockin' up at Top Of The Pops with David Byrne doing the chart hit 'Lazy'.

But since Ashley went off to do his own thing (and sometimes teaming up with Yam Who?), the two Darrens (aka Rocky and Diesel) really are X-Press 2 as the pair of them are they're anything but lazy these days having released a  brand new album last year, 'Thee' on Acid Jazz and remixing David Kitt's 'Till The End' (from the album on Warm, (see review HERE) and even more recently, having Jim's 'Phoenix - X-Press 2 On Fire remixes' release to heat up the dancefloor (did you see what they did there?).

And you always worry that a remix of a loved track might not be quite right.  Not with these guys as they clearly love 'Only Fans' as 5 versions get a near endless train of synth funk (in a good way).

A 'Front Room' original, radio edit, instrumental at over 20 minutes all together put you in a dancefloor daze but some of us DJ's don't get close to that front room and get intimate in the back room venues; and the 'Back Room' vocal and instrumental versions are perfect knob twiddle tracks - so much bass 'n' synth for those dark moments.

And did somebody say don't forget the backing vocals, original versions and the video? See review HERE.

Artist: Joseph Malik  

Title:  Only Fans ft. Digital Likquid (X-Press 2 Remixes) 

Release date: 5th July, 2024

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : FCLR033

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Joseph Malik: Lead vocals, BVs

Darren Morris: Keyboards, percussion
Daniel Walls: Bass, synth
Jo Wallace: BVs

Review - Higgins / Peden - J Jazz - Free and Modern Jazz Albums From Japan 1954 - 1988 (BOOK)

As an accompaniment to the amazing J-Jazz 'Free and Modern Jazz Albums From Japan 1954 - 1988' book by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden, BBE have gone the extra mile and produced a compilation CD of even more J-Jazz goodness.

So what started out a specialist project in 2018 as a compilation, has grown into its own 'genre' of rare and exclusive Japanes jazz that only 'heads' like Higgins and Peden have the knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to get this documented for a far wider audience that the music (some very limited vinyl/some CD only) re-mastered and onto brand new vinyl; with the obligatory OBI strips.

After 28 albums, where could/what more could our intrepid j-jazzers do? Well this tomb of a book is the answer and it's definitely pièce de résistance (it's the same in Japanese apparently) at 400 large format pages and cover the golden era of Japanese jazz post war when the Japan were on a huge economic and cultural up-swing.  Initially the jazz musicians were thought of mere copyists but as more US musicians toured Japan, notably with the release in 1962 of The Horace Silver Quintet's 'The Tokyo Blues' (the one with the Japanese ladies on the cover), they could see that there was something special going on.   And if you still think Horace Silver is 'Hard Bop' - check out the CD/digital download that starts with Tohru Aizawa Quartet's monster 'Philosopher's Stone'.

Understandably, there's a small limited print run of 2000 copies so don't delay to get your mits on this unique book.

Note: The book now comes with a digital download of the accompanying CD. If you have previously pre-ordered the book and would like the digital download of the album, please contact us for a download once the book is released.

Artist: Higgins / Peden 

Title:  J Jazz - Free and Modern Jazz Albums From Japan 1954 - 1988 (BOOK)

Release date: 5th July, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE634  Order from Bandcamp 

 

Review: Various - The Craig Charles Trunk Of Funk Vol. 3 (BBE Music)

Coincidence is amazing sometimes isn't it? There we are at the big festival this weekend and I overhear someone say, "Craig Charles plays all the best remixes on his Funk & Soul show" and the next day, we get 19 tracks on the The Craig Charles Trunk Of Funk Vol. 3 compilation.

It hasn't been that long since Craig interviewed Ramrock Records' Jo Wallace for their 10 year anniversay Trunk Of Funk mix and whilst there's no Ramrock artists, he's plucked out a couple of BBEs, Roy Ayers 'Tarzan' and Sly Johnson's 'Trust Me' (from the album, '55.4')

And if you've got any of Craig's previous compilations (or listened to his Radio shows), this is more of the same high quality soul, jazz, disco, funk, hip-hop, gospel and house along with those exclusive 'Trunk of Funk' remixes.

Particularly, putting life back into Beggar & Co's 'Somebody Help Me Out' (as your grandparents - or Surfin' Dave), Smoove (he's done so many) update of 'Mercy' by The Third Degree and The New Mastersounds' 'Watchu Want'.

There's many more and tracks from his many favourite artists/band/vocalists like Kylie Auldist, The Nextmen Dave Lee & Omar that fit in with diggers delights like Sunlightsquare's cover of 'I Thought It Was You' (as your grandparents again), The Harlem Gospel Travelers and new future stars Sai Galaxy (watch out for new release 'Keep It Movin') and She, She, She.

Mr Charles has come a long way from Red Dawf and Corrie and long may his trunk be full of funk that he's willing to share and let us all enjoy. 

Craig Charles' Funk & Soul Show is on BBC 6 Music Radio every Saturday. 

Artist: Various

Title: The Craig Charles Trunk Of Funk Vol. 3 

Release date: 5th July, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE764

Format: Vinyl 2xLP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Black Diamond - Furniture Of the Mind Rearranging (We Jazz Records)

Black Diamond are not the type to be re-arranging deck chairs on their own Titanic as this new jazz album sails into port with all the passengers and crew fully on board.

As unauthodox as any jazz musicians from Chicago, Artie Black and Hunter Diamond (Ed. did you see what they did there; Black Diamond?) lead the group that can be both duo and quartet incarnations.

As a group, as in the single 'Say To Yourself', the busy group has a mix of the modern BadBadNotGood and a good old fashioned waltz; jazzdance? 

'Zeotic' develops into a two-handed jazz-waltz with Black & Diamond seeming dualing for who leads.  Also check the video below for 'Carrying The Stick'.

In addition to the "off-kilter", the first three sides of the double album being the quartet of the sax/flute/woodwinds of Black and Diamond joined by Matt Ulery (double bass) and Neil Hemphill (drums) these guys do dabble in delicate chamber music, minimalist duo meditations on side four.

This album is their debut on We Jazz Records and I expect not thier last; a must to see live if you're in and around the Chicago area this summer (see dates below).

Artist: Black Diamond 
Title: Furniture Of the Mind Rearranging 
Release date: 5th July, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP70
Format: 2xLP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

BLACK DIAMOND LIVE / 2024
May 30th Merriman's Playhouse, South Bend Indiana
May 31st Ginger Rabbit Columbus Ohio
June 1st Con Alma, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
June 2nd Hobnob Theater, Butler Pennsylvania
June 4th Ann Arbor Public Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
June 14th The Green Mill, Chicago Illinois
June 15th The Green Mill, Chicago
August 25th Bucktown Arts Fest, Chicago

Review: Sababa 5 & Yurika - Kokoro (Batov Records)

The perfect answer to anyone who says there's nothing new in music anymore, this is so fresh, Surfin' Dave has promised to hang up twangin' guitars!

Regular readers will know that we love a Japanese element, whether it's the incredible 400 page ' J Jazz - Free and Modern Jazz Albums From Japan 1954 - 1988', the more focused compilation 'East Wind: Revolutionary Japanese Jazz in the 70s' or 'DJ Notoya Presents Funk Tide: Tokyo Jazz Funk from Electric Bird 1978-87' or even the 'Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985' with features a hose of female vocalist doing J-Reggae/Dancehall!

'Kokoro' is more is that ball park as Middle Eastern/surf rock/pysch/disco as a backing band to Yuirka.  The Japanese singer joined the band on stage and fans have already fallen in loved with their tracks 'Tokyo Midnight, 'Nasnusa' and 'Crossroad Of Love' but there's even more on the eight track album; particularly the synthed belly dancin' 'Empty Hands' and the sing-a-long title track and 60s sounding J-pop, 'Halilim Halilim'.

If you're happy with the Batov 7" release series or the Middle Eastern Grooves compilation (see review HERE), you're going to love this even more.  

Batov's DJ Kobayashi recently featured Wah Wah 45s Dom Servini (more on WeWah25 to come) but it'd be cool to see him take on DJ Notoya - that'd be heavyweigh sound clash.

Artist: Sababa 5 & Yurika

Title: Kokoro

Release date: 5th July, 2024

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR098

Format: LP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Or Kantor - Sarda Sarda (Anova Music)

If there's one modern surf album you need this year, this is it!  In fact, it's the type of album that could change your life!

The cover looks dodgy?  A bit 70s Greek holiday.  Or even Scandavian?  But what's that at the bottom, "The neo-surfterranean sound of Or Kantor"!  Well it's all those cross genre surf meets Morricone/OST to Batov Records to Astake's Ethio jazz as leftfield Balearic soft rocks off baby.

Crazy to find that Or is a London based painter and tattooist.and we're told that the music reflects his artwork of Mediterranen Sea inspired beaches and small towns.

Not sure I'd want Or to permanently mark my skin but 12 track album (not a bad 'un amongst 'em) has left a mark on me; the first vocal track is a bit of a surprise 'Rising Tide' which goes a bit more Hank Marvin 60s but he sounds more like Nick Cave than Cliff.

It's going to be 'Album of the Week' all over as the new the South East Asian psych funk has had it's day and it's time to move to Hoxton (and anywhere else that's trendy with it's own sea side view, twangy guitars and big organs.

Expect to hear this at the Chilled Cider festival as it overlooks the Atlantic all the way to the Brasilian coast; the Med is on your left.  Andrew Weatherall would have loved this.

Artist: Or Kantor

Title:  Sarda Sarda

Release date: 28th July, 2024 

Label : Anova Music

Catalog Number :  -

Format:  LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Joseph Malik - Only Fans ft. Digital Liquid (F*CLR Music)

OK, I know you expect some clever double entendre / entendres for this review with the title and the featured artist; but you ain't going to get it from me as this track (and instrumental) is for everyone.

 

The F*CLR massive have recently been on a dancefloor roll Miss N.K.K from her remix of Mr. Malik's 'With A Capital T' remix (see review HERE) and her own magnificent synthed out 'Galactic Love' (see review HERE).  For their latest hit, 'Only Fans', Joseph has jumped over the imaginery divide from Ramrock to F*CLR for his soul to be acided-up as inspired 70s ghetto funk groover in both vocal and instrumental options s.

'Only Fans' might get a few stray Google search hits but if you're looking for great dance music, this is the place to come... and don't forget the album, 'Proxima Ebony' (see review HERE).

And did somebody say X-Press 2 remix?

Artist: Joseph Malik ft. Digital Liquid

Title:  Only Fans 

Release date: 28th June, 2024

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : FCLR032

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Cee ElaAsaad Feat. Masaki Morii – TRIBE (Ensouled)

We are 'TRIBE' - the gang are gonna love this!

We've been lucky enough to follow Cee ElAssad on Ensouled with the first release, 'CLEVER' when he was assisted by Jaidene Veda (see review HERE) that was followe by Trinidadian Deep's equally impressive 'Moments Of Sounds EP' (see review HERE).

You can still hear his Morrocan roots but this teaming up with Japanese producer Masaki Morii there's deep Afro-House soul that's got at least one foot in Detroit's dancefloor.

A full-on dub version would be cool but as the message is, "We are a Tribe, We are interconnected, You and me, We are interconnected" - sounds like You And The Music anthem to me.

P.S. This week, Sumsuch's Colour & Pitch Sessions for June played the track 'Tribe' (track 9) and full soundcloud link below.

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

Artist: Cee ElAssaad ft. Masaki Morii
Title: TRIBE
Release date: 28th June, 2024
Label : Ensouled

Catalog Number : ENSLD003

Format: Digital  

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