Review: Ernesto & The Basement Gospel - Is It True? (Atjazz Record Company)

Is it true? Original mix plus eight others! You bet it is and Ernesto gets into the basement for this soul-gospel-house future classic.

The original is outstanding as Atjazz Record Company gets even deeper than their last release (Magic Number's 'All I Ever Wanted' with remixes (see review HERE) so on this one there's a Dirtytwo remix, a Peacey remix, a Atjazz remix, a radio mix, a Peacey radio mix,  a Peacey instrumental radio mix a Peacey instrumental remix, a Atjazz instrumental remix - not much time go to church after all that lot.

You may recognise Ernesto from the 90s as 50% of Swell Seesion (with Andreas Saag), as Pinku Vääty or as Jonathan Bäckelie, Swedish soul singer/musician/producer and mover/shaker in the Gothenburg Jazz Hipsters.   With so many credits on club friendly releases, is it any wonder Peacey is abel to jazz-house up 'Is It True?' and it's the one I'd put money on for radio/dancefloor action.

Atjazzy and Ernesto go back many years (Exceptional Records days I guess) and Dirtytwo are fellow Swedes, production duo from Norrköping who have caught the ears of Peking House, Razor 'n' Tape, Local Talk, JKriv, Homero Espinosa and many more; i.e. proper incrowd as opposed to SHM.

Seems like a good time to make Sweden trendy again - it must be true!

As featured on Colour & Pitch sessions, October 2024 with Will Sumsuch

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

Artist: Ernesto & the Basement Gospel

Title: Is It True?

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label: Atjazz Record Company

Catalog Number: ARC248SD

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Inkswel & Andre Espeut - Dangerous Times (Compost Records)

Inkswel & Andre Espeut have brought us some renewed hope of soul and love with thier track, 'Dangerous Times'.

Long term fans will recall that nearly ten years ago Inkswel was making his name on BBE with his 'Super Foods' series (see review HERE - side note, always worth checking of a Kid Sublime remix; one of Paul 'Jazz Room' Murphy's favourites don't you know?)

And then, last year he re-imerged on Compost Records as Inkswel & Colonel Red with the 'Holders Of The Sun Remix EP' (see review HERE) and his latest single, 'Dangerous Times' is a fore taste of a new album with London based Andre Espeut who is well known in deep soul circles and has collaborated with many a YATM favourite from Elbert Phillips to King Bee (see review HERE) and Situation to name just three.

This pair are perfect partners to sooth us with this modern soul room and the album, 'Synchronicites', indicates how well these two pair up.

Artist: Inkswel & Andre Espeut

Title: Dangerous Times

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT6044 

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos - Overjoyed Through The Noise (Mello Music Group)

When your influences are as diverse/equal as Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Madlib, Q-Tip and more, this is an area where a new generation is taking us even further out and Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos don't need a Musk$ spaceship to get us 'Overjoyed Through The Noise'.

Blvck Spade has been making hip-hop beat in St. Louis and with a group of free-jazz thinkers, The Cosmos, they are going cosmic.   It's a full live band of Joey Ferber (guitars), Precious Brown (vocals), Kudda (keys), Dhoruba Shakur and Dorian Simms (both drums), Hodge (perucssion), Vintvage Vibes (saxes), Joshiah Burton (trumpet) and Antionio Brown (keys/arrangers).

Mr. Spvde has said that this group is akin to "bring[ing] the feel of my Dad back in the Room" and as it's record live, I get it as I recall seeing Gil Scott-Heron at Dingwalls many moons ago and this club recording has the same vibe to it (plus the jazz-funk heritage of a Brian Jackson; who is still bringing it live as recently as WeOutHere Festival this year and on BBE).

Two drummers and a percussionist certainly helps with the 70s vibe, especially on the title track, 'Never Be Another' and there's a poetic lilt on 'What You Won't Do' and a great horn section. 

So somewhere between a less-political Gil Scott-Heron band and a small Sun Ra Arkestra - and who wouldn't want some of that?

Artist: Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos

Title:   Overjoyed Through The Noise

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label : Mello Music Group

Catalog Number : -

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: D.B Cohen - Manchild (Ramrock Red Records)

Troubadour D.B Cohen has a new album coming out and if it's all as good as 'Manchild', Ramrock fans (and everbody else) have got something great to look forward to.

DB Cohen's been drinking at the corner of 'Scratchcards & Wine' (see album review HERE) but on this new single, 'Manchild' he's channeling his inner Muddy 'Mannish Boy' Waters with a bit of Captain Beefheart.

And if you're recording in the hear of the Essex delta, you've just gotta call Mark 'Snowboy' Cotgrove - Latin jazz dance legend last seen on YATM supporting Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21 album on Wah Wah 45s, 'The Confluence' (see review HERE).

The 'difficult' (not in Dan's case') second album, 'On Target' is due out in November and  Snowboy production so more excitement next month.

Artist: DB Cohen 
Title: Manchild
Release date: 18th October, 2024
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR067
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Mackwood - Master Changes (5dB Records)

London-based drummer, producer, songwriter and bandleader Mackwood release a debut album that is diverse and talented as he is.

We've been following Mackwood this year with 'Habits' featuring anaiis and Quinn Oulton (see review HERE) and 'Yella!' featuring Charlie Stacey (see review HERE) but the album is fantastic!

Another track similar to 'Habits' is 'Thunder' that features Eert Evil and Klanja (it's BRUK, soulful, proggy and great all at the same time), 'Talk' and the rest of the album is instrumental modern nu-jazz funk electronica at its best; particularly 'Master Changes' (Parts i and ii), 'Dog' (brilliant post Roy Hargrove 'Golden Era')  and 'Flush Draw'.

'Master Changes' has got it all as you'd expect from an album inspired by artists as varied as Curtis Mayfield to Nubya Garcia to Holst to Four Tet (I'll tell you the story of me one and only meeting with Kieran Hebden one day; that's enough about me).

There's an album launch party at Peckham Audio next Tuesday (22nd October) so it would be a good idea to catch this before Mackwood gets to be massive 

 

Artist: Mackwood 

Title: Master Changes

Release date: 17^th October, 2024

Label: 5dB Records
Cat. No: 5DB24004

Format: Digital

 

Review: Frits Wentink - Together EP (Wolf Music)

If you're a fan of the label Wolf Music, you know that they are more than together when it comes to the best in disco / boogie / house and so when, Frits Wentink comes on strong, "It's all about you" and getting down.

When you hear 'About You', you'll know exactly why Stu Clark and Matt Neale (they being Wolf Music) were spot on going back to the Frits for their next big release as it's been a while since Wentink went all glitchy with 'Frogs, Toads & Newts'.

Fair to say, that raised eyebrows in 2019 (having been originally produced in 2014!) but you'll find tracks on the 'Together' EP more mainstream, even if 'Idle Dancer' is anything but idle; more of a heavy percussive manic race whilst 'Ambassador' take a more soulful dubby space synth vibe. 

Talking of which, any label that starts with remixes of Atmosfear's classic, 'Dancing In Outer Space' (The Revenge and Greymatter reworks) know their history and dancefloor.  And whilst they been equally adventurous with the Medlar 'Cub Dubs' release (yeah, the Medlar that works with Wah Wah 45s' Dele Sosimi - see review HERE), the simple "steal" of a 80s classic bassline with some soulful vocals and a repetitive "we do", "ha" and "together" with a bit of a sax break has got Frits top of the pile on 'I Want It All'.

If you were lucky enough to hear Frits plays these track at the Paorama Bar in April, you won't be able to contain youself six months on to get this, put your orders in now.

 

Artist: Frits Wentink 
Title: Together EP 
Release date: 17th Octomber, 2024
Label :Wolf Music Recordings
Catalog Number  WOLFEP076
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Zé Nigro - Silêncio (NuBlu)

Still totally overwhelmed by the recent single by  

Zé Nigro?  Well wait 'til you here the full album 'Silêncio' as it will open your eyes to the fantastic soundscape that you can't hear as loud as you can.

Opening up with this years' classic, 'Gorjeios' that features the Don, Arthur​ ​Verocai, (as released with 'Trincheira' featuring Saulo Duarte - see review HERE) this might only be a 9 track album but each one is superb as it's modern-Música popular brasileira with yacht rock, cool reggae/dub (a la Fat Freddy's Drop) and jazz-funk electronica.

The cover of Bob Marley's 'Reaction' fits in with the album vibe with many collaborations; Fernanda Broggi 'Calor', 'Nem um Pio vs. Silêncio' (featuring Russo Passapusso, the singer/composer from Bahia) and I think this beats the title track in its dreamy version.

For the dancefloor 'Andarilha das Galáxias' with Souto MC which brings the Latin rap to soul-funk-rock and some dubby-out electro-funk 'Jararaca Snake (Remix)'.

If there is a gripe, could these tracks have been longer - it's so varied, perhaps Crooked Man could do a job on this (the full Crooked Man version of Transmission Towers is on its way - check the single review HERE).

Back in Brazil, this is a great companion to the work Mr Bongo is doing with fellow Brazilians like Dora Morelenbaum, ('Pique' is out tomorrow, see review HERE) so expect to here more from Zé Nigro as 'Silêncio' is a must have this year.

Artist: Zé Nigro 
Title:  Silêncio 
Release date: 17th October, 2024
Label : NuBlu
Catalog Number : -
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Waaju featuring Majid Bekkas - Alouane (BBE Music)

This is a bit of a surprise as Morocco's Majid Bekkas joins forces with Waaju to produce the most 'WOMAD' of albums that surpasses the live album experience with 'Alouane'.

Majid is in his 60s now and acknowledged as one of the top performers of Moroccan Gnawa music that has attracted collaborations in the past with top jazz artists as varied as Pharoah Sanders, Peter Brötzmann, Archie Shepp, Nguyên Lê and many more. 

So who better to ask to join Waaju for a live recording of 'Alouane' (translates as 'Colours' in Arabic) which was Bekkas first visit to the UK at the time of recording. The inspiration for a 9 track album came from Waaju's drummer Ben Brown and it's his arrangements of traditional Gnawa songs give the feel on Mali desert blues meets a jazz-rock fusion trip.

Heavily percussive and supplemented by some busy guitar and sax, Majid's vocal performance easily enhances the album and it's the likes of existing fans Gilles Peterson, Jorda Rakei, Jazz FM et al will be on top of this one.

Artist: Waaju featuring Majid Bekkas 

Title:  Alouane

Release date: 11th October, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number :BBE608

Format: 2 x LP, Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Franck Biyong - Radio Masoda Remixed (Tangential Music)

Tangential Music are celebrating Fela Kuti's birthday today with a 4-track EP from Franck Biyong's album 'Radio Masoda', its like icing on the cake.

As fans of the album 'Radio Masoda' that came out back in May, (see review HERE) is supplemented with 'Jela Kubwa' remixed by Aint4perfect (getting a bit of a groovy slo-jam vibes), 'Oladipo' featuring Chief Udoh Essiet and Fela's co-hort at the  formation of Afrobeat Tony Allen (RIP) with a Yann Jankielewicz remix, 'Mbopi Road' (Max Doblhoff Remix) and the 'original' Aint4perfect / Franck Biyong track, 'London to Nairobi'.

Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome Kuti was born this day in Abeokuta, Nigeria in 1938 and there's no better way to celebrate his birthday with remixed tracks of Cameroonian guitarist/singer/composer Biyong who spent 12 years working with Tony Allen with 'Oladipo' being a tribute track.

Aint4perfect (aka Woni Kimani) has really worked the 'Jela Kubwa' into a Afro-baleriacs funk that's a really is the groovy baby - a must have in a top quality release.

Artist: Franck Biyong 

Title: Radio Masoda 

Release date: 15th October, 2024

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number : TAN0038EPG1

Format :  Digital 

Review: Phil Dawson ٤-tet - Shifting Sands (Mainline) ft. Khadijatou Doyneh (Funkiwala)

The second single from the forthcoming album is just as impressive as the first, Phil Dawson ٤-tet is on solid ground with  Shifting Sands (Mainline) featuring Khadijatou Doyneh.

It's fairly amazing how we get links from Phil Dawson to Medlar, in this case via the previous single, 'Ilé (Iyesa)' that featured Rowland Sutherland plus Dele Sosimi and Biola Dosunmu (Dele having worked with Medlar on Wah Wah 45s - see review HERE) and, unsurprisingly, what a great combiation of vocal and Afro-jazz for flute gang fans.

The second single to be taken from Phil Dawson's forthcoming new album ‘Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time’, 'Shifting Sands (Mainline)' centres itself around a poem by spoken word artist Khadijatou, philosophising from her immediate surroundings (kinda reminds me of Kameelah Waheed - see reviews HERE & HERE) with a warped Ghanaian-style highlife guitar, 70s jazz-funk-inspired Fender Rhodes, with more flute futurism from Sutherland sounding more Jimi Tenor than Jimi himself (see review HERE).

Like Mr. Tenor (in his Philophon role), UK guitarist, composer and bandleader Phil is embeded in Hi-Life, Afrobeat, South African music having worked with a who's who including Hugh Masekela, Tony Allen, Mulatu Astatke, Osibisa (don't forget Sol Power All-Stars' 'tribute' that's just come out - see review HERE) as well as London based Lokkhi Terra and Soothsayers.

The band will be performing at Pizza Express Dean Street in London on October 22nd https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/phil-dawson-quintet-feat-khadijatou-doyneh
to promote the album, 'Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time' will be released on November 29th

Artist: Phil Dawson ٤-tet
Title:  Shifting Sands (Mainline) ft. Khadijatou Doyneh
Release date: 25th October, 2024
Label : Funkiwala
Catalog Number : -
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp