Review: Jessica Lauren - Alefela / Shibuya (BBE Music)

Jessica Lauren's fans are many and it's no surprise at all that BBE have acknowledged her excellence with this brand new single. 

As part of the new IMPRESS!VE Collective roster is keyboard player, composer and producer Jessica Lauren debuts with a single release, 'Alefela' / 'Shibuya'

Known to us as the Mrs Emanative in Nick 'Emanative' Woodmansey's group (as recently showcased on the album 'Abstract Intuition' (see review HERE) but she's also been part of bands with Jean Carne, Tom Browne, Dexter Wansel, James Mason, UFO, The Heliocentrics and (really!) Demis Roussos (this was around the time Emanative performed at Favela Chic; but that's a different story).

However, that was around the time her 'Film' album was being touted for a re-issue so with these two tracks from that original 1997 recording that was originally released a couple of years later on MELT2000 as a CD only release.

After last months' 'Ascend It' by Tamil Rogeon (see review HERE) with its 70s Miles/Herbie fusion and if you're into the 100mph jazzdance; this is definitely boiling up to it.  This is so "Gilles Peterson / Patrick Forge Dingwalls" I fully expect both Lauren and Tamil at next years' We Out Here Festival).  

That said, you don't need the gift of the gab of a DJs to be talking about this one, "our Jessica" time is now and no doubt it'll be recorded on film too.

Artist: Jessica Lauren

Title: Alefela / Shibuya 

Release date: 20th September, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :BBE643SDG

Format: Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Rahaan Presents The Ones - The Ones (BBE Music)

You'll be a hard soul not to be moved by the disco funk of 'We Are The Ones' as it's a stonking loco of a track - and it's not the only one!

We remember the 3 track EP from last year, 'We Are The Ones', 'Fire' and 'Forever' (see review HERE) and new there's a further 7 funky drenched soul on the double LP release. 

As regular readers know with like a bit North African influence, fusion and jazzy vibes so  the melange of 'City Rain Supreme' takes the Michael White 'The X Factor' gold medal for this year.

Other tracks are more a mix of soul n' house like the Balearic  'What You Are To Me' and the inner city 'Toy Boy' before reaching 'The Promised Land'.  And then off to the beach with the sixties surf-twang of 'Star Seed' before getting Stevie Clavinet funky with 'Manifest Into Movement'

This is a fantastic album mix of Rahaan's Chicago house roots to his residency at Buddha Lounge along with musicians Todd Swope (electric guitar), Carnell Newbill (bass) and Kenny Anderson, ex-Ohio Players horn section.

This is The Ones you need.

Artist: Rahaan Presents The Ones 

Release date: 20th September, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE733 2xLP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Lampen - Halogen (We Jazz Records)

Many have tried the post-ambient answer to Fripp and Eno's debut album 'No Pussyfooting' and Lampen's 'Halogen' shines a light on the jazzy end of the genre.

Lampen is Kalle Kalima (electric guitar and electric bass) and Tatu Rönkkö (drums, percussion and electronics) and their locational base is between Helsinki and Berlin and the tracks feel like that at times with the Krautrock/tech history of the German capital and the jazzy 5 corners culture of Finland with the guitar at the centre.

The nine tracks have a lo-fi continuity to them but then can sway between some Methany-esque Balearics ('Soleil Du Sud 1') that can go almost jazz-rock/fusion (in a good way).  On a track like 'Geborgszug' and the title track, with their long build-ups could even be thought of as prog with the Mars Volta-esque guitar trash/caress, but don't let this put you off, this is a sophisticated album and it's as hot as a halogen lamp.

This release has a timeline to the label's last release, Pauli Lyytinen's 'Lehto / Korpi' (see review HERE) and if you're lucky enough, you can see Lampen on tour with the album plus they'll in Helsinki for the We Jazz Festival in Helsinki, they will appearing together on the bill with The Necks.

Artist: Lampen  
Title:  Halogen
Release date: 20th September, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP67

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Tamil Rogeon - Wave Theory (BBE Music)

Yet another super talent from down under, Tamil Rogeon is the only 'Wave Theory' you need this year - BBE are on the crest of the wave!

We were very impressed with the taster single 'Gift Of The Gab'/'Ascend It' (see review HERE) and that's no surprise after having the the seal of approval from Greg Boraman for his 2021 album, 'Son Of Nyx'.

It's not going to be often that you can find a guy and jazzy and funky as a Herbie that's playing a violin/viola!  Not even Jean-luc-Ponty!   And when he's mates with the incredible Audry Powne (vocals/trumpet) as in, 'From The Fire' (see review HERE) we are all in for a proper treat with the six tracks on the album that are all proper 'jazz' length.

The launch party is on 3rd October at BBE HQ (see HERE) so get your tickets now 'cos this really is the hottest ticket in town.

  

Artist: Tamil Rogeon 

Title: Wave Theory 

Release date: 4th October, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :
BBE642 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Egidio Rondinone - OOPARTS (Out of Plan Artists) (A.MA Records)

'Out of Plan Artists' sounds like A.MA Records' equivalent of the NFL's annual player draft lottery drama, but no - it's better than that!

If you can imagine DJ Shadow becoming a jazz drummer who has played with the Paolo Achenza Trio (which included US jazz-innovator Greg Osby at one point) turning his beat-matching/sampling skills on the A.MA Records back catologue with a jazz band to boot.

If that sounds contrived, the actual album definitely is not as 'Supa Dupa' is just that melange of techno frieght train in a deep soul house wagon ('One For Little P' by Paolo Achenza 4), the BRUK-esque Zappa/MOI, 'Gold Diggers' ('Sirena' by Walk Tall) with killer trombone by Gianluca Petrella (credits include Mario Biondi, Nicola Conti, Enrico Rava and 100s more).and 'Maha  Seenthy' ('Solo Ida' by Enrico Le Noici, who we know from 'Electric Nuts - see review HERE).

These tracks are going to be picked up by all the best DJs from Rimini to Margate to Melbourne to Miami; totally worldwide.

Very different to the label's last release, Katarina Kochetova's 'Beyond Motion' (see review HERE) but this is out of plan (whatever than means).

Artist: Egidio Rondinone 

Title: OOPARTS (Out of Plan Artists)

Release date: 20th September, 2024 

Label : A.MA Edizioni / A.MA Records

Format : LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Zé Nigro - Gorjeios (feat. Arthur​ ​Verocai) / Trincheira (feat. Saulo Duarte) (NuBlu)

With a career of 30 years already, is this the release to make Zé Nigro the next overnight sensaton like Seu Jorge a few years ago?

What better way to get attention than to get a superstar name on your record.  Ever since Arthur Verocai released the album 'Arthur Verocai' in 1972, there's breen adulation far and wide for a the Brazilian jazz-funk masterpiece.  

Even though Verocai approaching his 80s, he's happy to join Zé Nigro (they are mutual fans of each others' work) on a track called 'Gorjeios' and it's an instant classic of string heavy MPB/OST.

Saulo Duarte may not be so well known, he's a guitarist who lives in São Paulo, and 'Trincheira' is a bit of a trip-hop chill dub.

Both tracks are from a forthcoming album and are going to get lots of attention from all the usual suspects before then. 

Artist: Zé Nigro 
Title: Gorjeios (feat. Arthur​ ​Verocai) / Trincheira (feat. Saulo Duarte) 
Release date: 20th September, 2024
Label : NuBlu
Catalog Number : -
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: DJ Oil - Rise Of A Cosmic Dancer (Tangential Music)

The oil industry may not be the shiny future it once was but DJ Oil is an altogether different matter as he charts the 'Rise Of A Cosmic Dancer' on his new album.

Couldn't have been better timed with all the current chatter of privately funded space walls by billionaires but equally, as it came out l week, this takes a little while to absorb how massive these 11 tracks are (similar to his 2015 BBE album 'The Phantom'; the one with the scary "death mask" cover image).

In fact, were told DJ Oil (aka Lionel Corsini) has been working on this collection between 2007-2013 and it's a proper smorgasbord of Franco-Afro-futuristica house jazz Detroit hypnotic boogie; like a Sun Ra inspired Theo Parrish World album.

 

Like I say, it's quite a lot to get your head around, from the near 12 minute awesomeness of 'Ithaka Dancer' and the also lenghty 'Ashes In Namibia', 'Kwani And Ashes', 'Yaka Di Bongo' and the 'Garifunas Ley Del Fuego' featuring Ji Dru.

There's cosmic links to Frank Biyog's 'Radio Masoda' (Ji Dru for one) that was released earlier this year (see review HERE) but in truth, 'Rise Of A Cosmic Dancer' is a one-off that's out of this earth.

Artist: DJ Oil

Title: Rise Of A Cosmic Dance

Release date: 5th September, 2024

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number :  

Format :  Digital 

Review: Jonson, Jonson & Jonson - Keep Falling For It (Ramrock Blue Records)

It's like waiting for a Jonson, like a London bus phenomenon, three come along all at once - and boy/girl, will you keep falling for this one!
 

It's rare for a Ramrock Blue release these days, you have to go back to last April for The Descendants featuring Mazen Bedwei 'Telling Lies EP' (see review HERE) and Eeskra's 'Belong EP' (see review HERE) but as soon as you here the start of both/either/and/or of the vocal and instrumental versions of 'Keep Falling For It', you'll know that it's been worth the wait.

The 'Blue' imprint of Ramrock is for their soul releases but this is deeper than blue, more Marvin than Marvin; like Marvin, Marvin & Marvin you might (but won't) say!  

I'm not sure if it's disappointing to find out the vocals are by Joe Cang and not Joe Jonson (not the snooker player) but it's hard to reconsile that this track wasn't recorded in some Motown studio in the 70s as, apart from Joe on vocals and bass, it's just Danny Schogger (piano) and Phill Thornalley (drums) because this is so soulfully lush.

Get it on people as this is going on repeat, repeat and repeat so expect to see the group picking up industry awards for this one with thier proud mother, Mrs Ramrock (Jo Wallace) next to them.

Artist: Jonson, Jonson & Jonson 

Title:  Keep Falling For It 

Release date: 9th September, 2024

Label: Ramrock Blue Records

Cat. No: RBR023

Review: New King - Summer Sun (Mr Bassio Vocal + Vocal Lite Remixes + TOSS Remix) (Ramrock Red Records)

If there ares any sun kings out there, beware, there's a New King in town and about to be crowned!

Regular readers will know that we've been closely following the progress of the New King's 'Summer Sun' releases (see review HERE for the Original with a D.Foe remix and HERE for the Stefano De Santos Remix).  Now the Bank Holiday has passed and the kids are back at skool, is this the best of the triptych?

Well, trippy this triptych is and I've been saying, "New King are Rob Clydesdale and Mark Daniels from D.Foe, featuring the amazingly ethereal vocalist, Noah and Ruben Campos" and these vocals and Ruben's flamenco guitar expertise comes to the fore on Mr. Basso two vocal versions as it's out-there to D.Foe's "Balearic dub".

T.O.S.S does take them all into a main room beach environment where the summer sunburns are re-heated.

Some think that the Ramrock family should do a 3-part release for all thier works (but not Joe Probert's 'Hold Up' that came out recently - see review HERE) and I'd say all three of these releases are proof of that.

PS. Many will have seen the support Ramrock's "Daddy" Ashley Beedle has received this week and the GOFUNDME campaign; equally, if you feel like X-Press 2 to support by choosing 'music', this is another way, especially on a Bandcamp Friday.

ASHLEY BEEDLE’S FUNDRAISER FOR URGENT HELP AND ONGOING CARE HERE

Artist: New King

Title: Summer Sun EP (Mr Bassio Vocal + Vocal Lite Remixes + TOSS Remix) 

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR069

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Masahiko Satoh, Takeo Moriyama, Leon Brichard and ldris Rahman - Live At Café OTO (BBE Music)

The 'Live' jazz album has had quite a few detractors in the past, but 'Live At Café OTO' is the exception - no rules to prove for this quartet as it's an exceptional performance.

Not everyone is lucky enought to have a niche leftfield jazz cafe on their doorstep so for those that missed the quartet of Masahiko Satoh (pianist/composer), Takeo Moriyama (drums), Leon Brichard (bass) and Idris Rahman (sax) in trendy East London, this is 'THE' must have album this year.

You'll have spotted that the line-up included J-Jazz heavyweights Satoh and Moriyama; yes it's Moriyama - he of 'Live At Lovely's (see review HERE that's well include in the 'live' jazz album exception).

And when I say heavyweigh, we're talking Olympic standard as you'll need to roll with the punches of the first 10 minutes of 'Morning Snow' (these guys can certainly do it live with one take) which leads into a gentle as a snowflake second half: and this is just the first track!

'Ringo Oiwake' is not such an onslaught be Satoh and Moriyama work incredible well (or should that be 'free' in tandem.  Hardly surprising as they first performed free/modern jazz in Japan in the 60s.

'East Plants' features Idris who has been a leading light in the UK for decades himself from Ill Considered (with Brichard), The Soothsayers (and the Youthsayers pre-shoot) and (with his pianist sister Zoe) Jerry Dammers' Spatial A.K.A. Orchestra to name just three.

They all come together for a special version of Fumio Itabashi's 'Watarase' (with drum solo of course) and you can almost feel the atmosphere in the room on 'Other Worlds' (Rahman is magnificent).

The set ends as it sort of began with a group structured 'free' noise, 'Chiasma' that is reminiscent of the much missed Unsafe Festival of Improvised and Experimetal Music currated by Steve Harris (RIP) in Poole that was unfortuneately never recorded.

Café OTO is a frequent hang out of the best in the current UK jazz scene mix, such as another drummer Emanative (check out his latest album HERE) but at least this new album, Live At Café OTO, has captured such a truly magnificent gig for eternity. 

A must purchase and big thanks to Tony Higgins and Mike Peden who have championed the J-Jazz scene and don't forget their mush have book about all things J-Jazz (see review HERE) and don't forget there's another live album that's J-Jazz/Berlin, Aki Takase Trio's 'Song For Hope' (see review HERE) that was recorded in early 80s, where the renown pianist was joined by, you've guessed it, our man Takeo on drums.

Artist: Masahiko Satoh, Takeo Moriyama ft. Leon Brichard and ldris Rahman

Title:  Live At Café OTO

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE737

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp