Review: Ishmael Ensemble - Rituals (Severn Songs)

The new sound of Bristol is with us with a Ishmael Ensemble's 'Ritual' which brings us a future dozen anthems.

Following the release of singles 'Madrid' / 'Dust' (see review HERE) and 'Ezekiel' / 'Fever Dream' (see review HERE) the album is finally with us with eight new tracks.

In truth, not sure why a number of the other tracks were chosen as singles like 'Blinded', 'Leviathan' and 'Grounded' at least; and I'm guessing that there's going to be lots of focus on 'Butterflies' that features the vocals of Holysseus Fly - see of 'Out Of The World' (see review HERE).

Expertly weaving indie, soul, jazz, psych, trip-hop, electronica, gospel and hints of dubstep/d'n'b (well it's Bristol after all), it's very BBC 6 Music friendly with fans including the main DJs Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Tom Ravenscroft, Mary Ann Hobbs being fans of their early work.

Founded by saxophonist/proudcer Pete Cunningham, 'Rituals' is a big jump up from the debut album 'A State Of Flow' which the Guardian hailed as an 'Album Of The Month' so expect even more praise for this one as UK/EU tours follow in October/November.

Artist: Ishmael Ensemble

Title: Rituals

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label: Severn Songs

Catalog Number: SEVS

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Miserez - Angelito EP (Ostowana)

Don't think this EP is as yogic as the cover but Ostowana have an eye for the sunrise/sunset tracks and here's two from Mizerez.

Sylvia, Sue and Laura (my favourite yoga teachers) are not fans of house, organic or otherwise, but the percussion and mantra on 'Aaya' is definitely more there sort of thing.

Hardly a downward dog more from last months' 'Handwork EP' by Arrumar but just as hypnotic.

Artist:  Miserez  

Title: Angelito EP , 

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST070

Format: Digital

Review: Mahuki - Gratitude (Independent)

Show some gratitude for the new album by Mahuki and certainly don't judge the record by the cover, this is not flat, grey or gloomy - quite the opposite!

So you know Edinburgh is known as the Granite city but soon it'll be also known as the home of the Scottish answer to the Ezra Collective vs. Soothsayers (or even Youthsayers, who were fantastic at WeOutHere Festival) and throw in a bit of Kneebody (remember their remix/cover of Daedelus' 'Platforming'?) all with a string section to your Afro-funkin' reggae-dub AWB jazz-rock!

'Obsolute Absolute Pt. 2' is an obvious starter to get you excited, back that up with 'Warrior Path' (no wonder Jazz FM's Dom Servini was a fan of this one when it came out as a single0 and the 70s TV Themesque 'Opening Credits': these guys are clearly immersed in many different genres and equally adept at arranging into their own sound.

The band are led by Honza Kourimsky and includes members on Nimbus Sextext (as in 'Impulsive' - see review HERE) and on the downtempo 'Presence' they are joined by the trumpet of James Brady. 

The centrepiece of the album is the fantastic 3-part title track and as good as corto.alto were at WeOutHere (saw them at the very packed Bawnswood stage), how good it would be if Mahuki were there next year with them?

There's a Bandcamp listening party on 5th September so that's the place to be (at 7PM GMT).

Artist: Mahuki
Title:  Gratitude
Release date: 6th September, 2024
Label :
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

 

Review: Joe Probert - Hold Up (Ramrock Red Records)

Ramrock's Jo Wallace knows you know after nailing down Bristolian Joe, now living in New Zealand, you can be sure this guy will hold up as a super talent.

Almost exactly a year since 'The Nose EP' (see review HERE) we thought that this guy was as funky as a mosquitos you know whats it but clearly he's also absorbed some of Joe Dukie's soul as he adopts more of that classic Motown soul soaked strings on 'Hold Up' (thats as equally impressive as vocals and instrumental versions)

Note, the label are adamant that there's no remixes or edits of these two tracks and you've got to admit, it's a perfect as it is.

This track has that type of impact of 'Sixteen With A Bullet' (Pete Wingfield) or 'I Can't Stand The Rain' (Ann Peebles) [kids, ask your grandparents] that shouts "MAGIC" at you!

Clearly the Ramrock team have done it again, amazing consistency release after release - we love 'em and Joe's album is going to have a huge impact.

Artist: Joe Probert

Title: Hold Up EP

Release date: 2nd September, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR066

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: New King - Summer Sun EP (Stefano De Santis Remix) (Ramrock Red Records)

Sun King's beware, there's a New King in town and about to be crowned!

Of course, a week is a long time in the reign of a New King because, just last week we were introduced to New King and their Summer Sun EP (Original Vocal + D.Foe Remix - see review HERE) and then we've got a Stefano De Santis take as vocal and instrumental versions.

You'll recall fellow "Ramrocker" Stefano from his 'Stick With Rhyme' and 'Unreachable Galaxy' releases (see review HERE) and he adds a layer of low down Latin jazz-funk shuffle and you get a vocal and instrumental version that's ready for a dancefloor warm-up.  

DJ Colin Curtis is a big fan of Stefano and he's worked with WheelUp too - Curtis and WheelUp where Djing in spiting distance of each other the other week at WeOutHere Festival so all of tthem know what get gets us on our feet.  

As you'll know, New King are Rob Clydesdale and Mark Daniels from D.Foe, featuring the amazingly ethereal vocalist, Noah and Ruben Campos.

So this is the 'middle' release of this 'Summer Sun' triptych so equally excited to hear the final installment..

Artist: New King

Title: Summer Sun EP (Stefano De Santis Remix) 

Release date: 30th August, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR068

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Natasha Kitty Katt - Synaptic Juice ft. Suki Soul (F*CLR Music)

Followers of Franko-Dracula dungeon house will have Natasha Kitty Katt's 'Synaptic Juice' on 24-hour syringe pumps from today as 'Synaptic Juice' featuring Suki Soul is released on F*CLR Music.

With both NKK and Suki drenched in disco/house/boogie, that juice is more than synapated on the dancefloor on both vocal and instrumental versions.

This week, "the Intergalactic Disco Vampire", herself was the featured Guestmix (#438) on SlothBoogie (see below) and this first since the 'Batt Danse EP' come out with Billy Wirth (see review HERE).

Natasha is more and more demand as a DJ too so expect more than just "beam me up, Scotty" reference when you see her out at Glitterbox, Ibiza etc [NB.‘Synaptic Juice’ is taken from an episode of ‘Star Trek – Voyager'] 

SlothBoogie · SlothBoogie Guestmix #438 - Natasha Kitty Katt

Artist:Natasha Kitty Katt ft. Suki Soul

Title: Synaptic Juice  

Release date: 30th August, 2024

Label: F*CLR Music

Cat. No: FCLR034

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: South London Samba - Tempo! (Biodiversity)

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South London Samba's five track EP, 'Tempo!' has all the umph of MDO in a super samba school south of the river.

There used to be a local samba band that used to play pre-match at Dean Court many years ago and at local events and they were always perfect to raise the sunshine spirits at the start and end of the season.   And as this new footie season starts, here's a project that'll get your feet a-movin'.

Some folks might think that there should be more cuíca in the band (apparently, it's harder to play than it looks) but this is south bank samba that's as much African influences and Brazilian.

They has been doing the festivals and led by Adam Ouissellat, they celebrate over 10 years since they formed.

This is hard school drumming; shame we can't organise a South London Samba vs. Magic Drum Orchestra drum off!  Or can we?

Artist: South London Samba  

Title:  Tempo! 
Release date: 30th August, 2024
Label : Biodiversity
Catalog Number : -

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

 

Review: Pauli Lyytinen - Lehto / Korpi (We Jazz Records)

We Jazz Records never cease to promote exceptional jazz and in the case of Pauli Lyytinen's 'Lehto / Korpi' it so happens to feature the natural environment of Finland.

There's a strong yin and yang going on here musically with 'Letho' Parts I-V and 'Korpi' Parts I-IV except the solo sax piece, 'Letho IV'.

It's said that this album is heavily influenced by 'free jazzer', Evan Parker's 'With Birds' album and there's a great 'connection' with birds (electronic or real) on 'Letho II' and 'Korpi III' but 'Letho V' is a great match of sax and ENO-esque electronics.

Other tracks have more for a choral backing reminiscent of Jan Garbarek's project improvising with the Hilliard Ensemble and then at other times, there's the controlled 'honk' of a Peter Brötzmann (al la Canadian geese).

For those into Nordic Noir, 'Korpi IV' is proper light and (dark)shade drama that the cover artwork represents.

And talking of the former Roxy Music keyboards/synth man, it's great to see/hear that it's not only ambient 'founder' ENO (with his 'EarthPercent' charity) is flying the flag, there's jazz ambient projects as far as Okinawa, Japan (as present by former BBC Radio 3 jazzman, Nic Luscombe, see introduction HERE) 

After a long weekend at the WeOutHere Festival, in the middle of nowhere in the very large grounds of a country house, 'Lehto / Korpi' is the back-to-natural that you now get at home.

Artist: Pauli Lyytinen 
Title:  Lehto / Korpi 
Release date: 30th August, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP59

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Katrin-Merili - Beautiful Things EP (Independent)

'Beautiful Things' is not the obvious nu-sou-jazz pop release from Paris based Estonian, Katrin-Merili.

One for fans old soul, your Moonchild's of late, possibly Allysha Joy (see review HERE) or even Kyra (see review HERE).

The 5 track EP which she co-produced with Sacha Arnaud which has found her touching some personal events in her life including her Mum's cancer diagnosis and long distance love ('Hold My Body') but don't get the impression that this is dark Nordic-noir soul; if anything, quite the opposite.

'Beautiful Things' and 'Girl In The Mirror' are reflective with a positive outlook that reminded me of Corrine Baby Rae who I recently saw at the WeOutHere Festival (Corrine is 45 now you know!)

'Overjoyed' jets a little more jazz keys (Katrin-Merili has worked with Roy Ayers) and the radio plays will come from 'Hold My Body' and my favourite 'Dangerous'.

Definitely one to look out for.   And by coincidence, talking WeOutHere, there was a lot of talk about Gilles Peterson's interview with Chris 'The Rhythm Doctor' Long (currently resident in the capital of Estonia, Tallinn), Jerry Dammers (caught watching Johnny 'reggae legend' Clarke the day after his brilliant set) and the 'LP Livicate EP' (see review HERE) - now that's pretty "Worldwide" so why not Katrin-Merili at next years' festival?

Artist: Katrin-Merili

Title: Beautiful Things EP

Release date: 30th August, 2024

Label: Independent

Cat. No: -

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Erdi Irmak - Roshomon / The Sun (Be Adult Music)

Hot after their 8th Birthday Party, Be Adult Music is growing up fast with Erdi Irmak's 'Roshomon' EP with remixes by Serious Dancers and MRSFLV.

In fact, Erdi's track 'Easy Now' was undated for the 8th Anniversary compilation (see review HERE) but there's original of 'Roshomon' (with MRSFLV remix) and 'The Sun' (with Serious Dancers remix).

But can these Serious Dancers be serious and both versions are as kaleidoscopic as the artwork and dancefloor heat guaranteed.

We know MRSFLV from 'Beatiful Others' (see review HERE) and the sounds of the Far East get speeded up for this beautiful 'I Can't Stand The Rain' temple of a track.

What a month it has been for BAM fans, as it started with  Midnight Workouts' 'Losing Me' (original with remixes Nikos Diamantopoulos, Mauro B, St.Ego) (see review HERE) and ending with this one.

'The Sun' is definitely shining on these guys.

Artist: Erdi Irmak

Title: Roshomon (Original with remixes by Serious Dancers & MRSFLV)

Release date: 29th August, 2024

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM376

Format: Digital / Bandcamp.