Review: Mieke Miami - Birdland (Sonar Kollektiv)

The word 'Birdland' means a lot to many shades of jazz fans so you have to have a great self-belief in your craft as Mieke Miami releases her new album on Sonar Kollektiv. 

The German singer Mieke is on her third album and has gone the extra mile on these twelve tracks as not only as the vocalist, co-producer and composer, she performs on bass clarint, flute sax, keys and programming.

A big change from her folky debut on Sonar Kollektiv back in 2016 ('In The Old Forest') but then the gentle instrumental 'Pharaohs Sand' and the jazz-funkier 'Mahady O'Mahony' is an indication of how jazz this album is. 

Whilst Mieke's contribution is considerable, it certainly sounds like a 'live' band and the cover of 'Son Of A Preacher Man' (as made famous by Dusty Springfield) is going to get some attention; but don't overlook the psych-folky jazz of 'The Tiger And The Snake', the Afro-beats of 'The Light' and the contasting 'Fire' and 'Very High'.

A couple of months ago, RAH & The Ruffcats released 'Orile To Berlin' (see review HERE) on the label and it's an indication of the quality of their artists; those with memories of those multi-genre Sonar Kollektiv compilations 'Secret Love', will love this as it's so varied whilst beig superb throughout.

Title: Mieke Miami  

Title: Birdland

Release date: 27th September, 2024

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK494D 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Mike Casey - Valencia (Independent)

"In Spain, I did love and adore you" could have been a sub-title to Mike Casey's new album 'Valencia' as the LA based saxophonist was recorded at Berklee's elite campus in the Spanish city.

You may remember we were introduced to Mike earlier in the year with 'Calle Pizarro' (see review HERE) and it was also supported in the UK by Jazz FM, BBC Radio 2 and now All about Jazz.

Mike's ninth album since 2017 has sees that he's now in a nu-retro of modern jazz a la Blue Note, Prestige, Atlantic jazz hey-days as these 8 tracks seem like they could have been recorded live so that there's less of electronic/hip hop/dn'b influences that jazz-tapas types might expect.

 

The opener 'The Beauty Of Everyday Life' sets the tone in a Duke Pearson type way that cools its way with MIke's tenor leading the track from the dawn into the light of day.   The spiritual jazz influence can be found on 'Universal Gratitude' that features Eve Matin's harp with busy percussion by Xerach Peñate Santana.

The fact that this is a "Berklee" album, Casey had access to some of the best musicians around so also listen out for Sam Borrello doing a Grant Green fusion on electric guitar until he goes full on Santana(Carlos)/McLaughin on the title track and German 'Choby' Scheufler doing a Jaco to match.

Whilst Casey can match Borrello's fusion, he's at his best in the sirocco stream of snake charmer on 'Ghazal' (with Jason Faust (piano) and Issaya Whitsides on some busy drums in support) and on the single, 'Calle Pizarro'.

After listening to this album, you can't help but feel Casey's was in the right place at the right time to have his own international band of 'Tomorrow's Warriors' that evolved out of 'Valencia' which none of them or us will forget.

Title: Mike Casey 

Title: Valencia

Release date: 23rd September, 2024

Label : Independent

Catalog Number : -

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Various Artists - Shapes 25 (Tru-Thoughts Recordings)

"Tru-Thoughts has become one to the most respected independent labels in the world since being set up as a volatile hotbed of British soul, funk and multi-hued musical hybrids in 1999 by Brighton club-runners Robert Luis and Paul Jonas".

So said the well respected journo Kris Needs almost 10 years ago to the day and what has happened in those intervening years?  Only more idiosyncratic soul-driven quality, including Will Holland/Quantic (with "the mighty" Alice Russell on 'Look Around The Corner' and 'Furthest Moment'), Bobobo ('Terrapin'), Hidden Orchestra ('Spoken'), New Orleans' Hot 8 Brass Band (with their version of 'Sexual Healing') and Zed Bias (with the equally mighty Omar) with 'Dancing'.

There's loads more on this 30 track album and loads more that could have been included, as per my recent chat with Robert Luis at the WeOutHere Festival (more Lightning Head - see review HERE or BiggaBush's 'Different Style'- see review HERE - although the Magic Drum Orchestra are represented), Hot 8 Brass Band's cover of 'Ghost Town' (Jerry Dammers also being at WOH singing the praises of his Coventry connections with the Rhythm Doctor and  Madtone's EP 'LP Livicate' featuring Jasmine Tutum - see review HERE).

Back to 'Shapes 25', there's lots more to look out for including one of our favourites from last year Palm Skin Productions' 'Trickle Up' (see review HERE) and Nostalgia 77's 'Cheney Lane' (remember interviewing Ben Lamdin when the 12" of this came out).

What has changed over the past 10 years, you're not going to get these 30 tracks on vinyl all in one place but perhaps that's a good thing too as this is a "very special label".

P.S. by strange coincidence, Kris Needs was in Bournemouth last year to see David Kitt - see review HERE.

Artist: Various Artists
Title: Shapes 25
Release date: 13th September, 2024
Label : Tru-Thoughts Recordings
Catalog Number : TRUDD 537
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

PS. Also, check the Robert Luis Worldwide FM Takeover HERE

Review: Fred Everything & James Alexander Bright - Breathe (Rocco Rodamaal Remixes) (Lazy Days Recordings)

We're definitely big fans of both Fred Everything and James Alexander Bright so we were super excited when they got together for 'Breathe', but who's Rocco Rodamaal?

Well, Rocco might not be the most prolific producer/remixer out there but he's definitely well connected with the likes of Atjazz, Osunlade and Afro-house communities.

That said, when he's come to one of the most popular tracks from Fred Everything's recent album 'Love, Care, Kindness & Hope' (see review HERE), the colaboration with 'friend of YATM', James Alexander Bright (see review HERE), there's a big chilled approach that includes dub and beat versions.

Definitely aimed at the DJ world and you can't go wrong with any of these versions.

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

Artist:  Fred Everything & James Alexander Bright 

Title: Breathe (Rocco Rodamaal Remixes) 

Release date: 20th September, 2024

Label : Lazy Days Recordings

Catalog Number : LZD

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Mamman Sani & Tropikal Camel - Nijerusalem (Batov Records)

Those out there that ever thought that Batov should celebrate their 100th release with an electronic album by a duo that reflects their Middle Eastern/North African roots, 'Nijerusalem' is what you've been waiting for.

Mamman Sani (synths/vocals) and Tropickal Camel (various electronics) have created a bit of a lo-fi global album that hints at 'Who Is William Onyeabor?'

The eight track album was the unlikely result chance meeting of the two main players in Uganda at the Nyege Nyege Festival.  The single, 'Nomadic' has a North African space-ska groove that's sounds a little like some Madtone with sand on his sandals; the dub is cool too.

It's a shame that not all of the tracks have a dub take but you never know if there's enough support for this album, the 'Deluxe Edition' may well be on the cards. The vocal track 'Venusian Lady' is a bit Malian but watch out for the lyrics and prepare yourself for 'Fulani UFO' (flute gang friendly), 'Sultan Umnaru's Trip' and the dubby 'Touareg Spaceship'.

We loved Bolbec's 'Victime De l'aube' that was released August (see review HERE) but in terms of dancefloor friendly, 'Nijerusalem' will turn heads.

Artist: Mamman Sani & Tropikal Camel 

Title:  Nijerusalem

Release date: 20th September, 2024

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR100

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Raffy Bushman - Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (Bridge The Gap)

Raffy Bushman's name might sound like someone from Ned Kelly's gang fused with a 1930s Eton toff, but this guy is serious jazz-bad in a good good way with an EP that's so now and definitely not gone tomorrow.

Expect to hear modern fusion of post-bop, trap and hip-hop in the on reflective new album but what you really need is more of the lead track, 'Fitzcarraldo' - as mad a jazzdance juungle fever as the film (Walter Herzog - kids, it's a "must see" classic).  I'm in advance negotiations as to how we can make this track longer and still keep it perfect. 

There's four other tracks on this EP and you can't help but be seduced by the piano playing of the title track.

Expect all your big head to be on this already; Peterson, Forge, Parnell, Beedle plus Deb Grant (6 Music), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2) as it's a BedBadNotGood meets Roy Hargrove meets Mike Post meets Ezra Collective and more.

Artist: Raffy Bushman

Title: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow 

Release date: 20th September, 2024

Label: Bridge The Gap

Catalog Number: 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

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