Review: Berke Can Özcan & Jonah Parzen Johnson - Folk Memory (We Jazz Records)

We Jazz have consistantly released edge pushing jazz that's not only imaginative and original, it's also accessible - just like  Berke Can Özcan and Jonah Parzen Johnson's 'Folk Memory'.

As edgey as the label's last two album's Pauli Lyytinen's 'Lehto / Korpi' (see review HERE) and Pete Evan's 'Extra' (see review HERE) here's a seven track album that sort of falls between the two whilst gaining fans like Enrique Domenech with it's dreamy, ambient meanerings like the title track or the more minimal/OST-ish 'Portrait Of A Brick' or the more progressive, 'The Cloud'.

The album was apparently recorded across continents, this debut album was a initiated from a meeting in 2022 of Brooklyn based Jonah Parzen Johnson (baritone sax) and Berke Can Özcan (drums/percussion) at a concert in Istanbul.  So impressive the connectivity of the duo, the album sounds like more musicians are involved; even the mostly solo 'The Saint' (Johnson being a bit of a solo expert - see review HERE) and the creepy/electronics of 'The Others'.

Don't be put of by the title as there's mere glimses of 'folk' in the tracks; the most obvious being the title track whilst the rest of the album is definitely jazz; like the experimental (and my current favourite track) 'That's Not What This Is' (it's a bit gamelan, a bit sax ballad building to a climax) and 'São Paulo' (warning: this is not a Latin jazz-dance track) and it's been suggested that this is an album for fans of the disperate trio of jazzers Alabaster DePlume, Joe Lovano & Paul Motian -  I can't argue with that and I think you'll find yourself returning to 'Folk Memory' many times; like muscle memory.

Enrique Domenech "Amazing Bandcamp listening event today. Amazing album! Thank you to Berke & Jonah and congratulations for the new album"

Artist: Berke Can Özcan & Jonah Parzen Johnson
Title:  Folk Memory
Release date: 1st November, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP77

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Florian Gasperini - Âme (Be Adult Music)

More beauty from Be Adult Music as Florian Gasperini's 'Âme' is true.

We're still in love with David Manso's 'Like An Oven' with Kanedo and Deephope Remixes (see review HERE) and here's some more goodness.

This 3 track EP is as deep and spellbinding as the artwork - infact, they should have called it 'Âme' / 'Mariana' / 'Japa Mala' as they all stand-out and a perfect follow up to Gasperini's  'Hijos Del Sol' release (see review HERE).

There's some great Balearic-styles about at the moment so stay tuned.

Artist: Florian Gasperini 

Title:  Âme

Release date: 31st October, 2024

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM386

Format: Digital / Bandcamp.

Review: Will & James Ragar - The Baton Rouge EP (BBE Music)

If you can remember back to the start of 2023, BBE introduced us to the brothers Will and James Ragar with their Southern Louisiana folk/jazz/blue eyed soul that was totally ignored in 1981 when orginally released: well they're back! 

Well, sort of, because if their 'Forever' / 'Bayou Paradise' (see review HERE) these earlier tracks were even more ignored.  Which was a shame for them but great for us now after nearly 50 years since they were written/produced.

You'll recall these sessions were recorded in Baton Rouge with an engineer who had worked with in the Allman Brothers, these tracks are like a 'deep' southern folky Supertramp/Little Feat' particularly 'Spill The Beans'.

Definitley one for fans of Paul Hillery's 'Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours' and 'Children Of The Setting Sun' series (see review HERE).  

Artist: Will & James Ragar 

Title: The Baton Rouge EP

Release date: 1st November, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE730EDG / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Joi N' Juno - Samemala (The Album) (Canopy Records)

The Joi N' Juno single 'Samemala' got folks excited so you can only imagine how excited we are to hear 'Samemala (The Album)' that's out on Portufal's Canopy Records.

This looks feels and sounds like a Afrobeat release in the Paris DJs Soundsystem/Grant Phabao's Afrofunk Arkestra ballpark so perhaps no surprise the multi-instrumentalist, composer and full-time studio engineer to boot David Baluteau (aka Joi N’Juno) originally made a name for himself as the lead singer in the French band 'La Phaze'. 

Now he's 'grown up' he's found time produce his debut album as Joi N' Juno (is that an original Roland Juno keyboard on the cover?) but this ain't no 70s whiz keyboard music, it's rooted in the original 70s/80s disco/funk groove a là Rogers de la Niles (recommend his BBC Radio 4 chat with John Wilson aired this week - check it out HERE) with Ghanaian Hi-Life and Fela's Afrobeat and that soul-pop edge; Osibisa seems a big influence on tracks like 'Endialo' and 'Muzik' and 'Moky Danza'.   

You can also say their fantastic synths and horns on the album which makes it sound really of its time (Ed. that's "now" too!) - could it be The Ibibio horns on here that make it sound as good as the Sol Power All-Stars (see review HERE).

There's some really radio friendly tracks like 'Sond'eyamone', 'Don't Give Up' and 'Wake Up Song' but all the eight tracks are dancefloor/club ready so you know leading DJ's like Laurnet Garnier, Kiko Navarro (he of Afroterraneo - see review HERE) and Jimpster (by the way, did you know one of Jimpster's other projects was Loxodrome's 'Drop Out EP' (review coming HERE soon) are going to be ontop of this album; and you should be too!

Artist: Joi N' Juno
Title:  Samemala (The Album)
Release date: 1st November, 2024
Label : Canopy Records
Catalog Number : CNPY012
Format:  LP and all the Digitals - Samemala - Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music - Linktree / Bandcamp 

Review: The Secret Garden - Names In The Sky feat. Jo Wallace (Ramrock Red Records)

Whether it's the Garden of Eden, The Garden of Earthly Delights or indeed, The Secret Garden, here's the flowering of Mrs Ramrock on vocals for 'Names In The Sky'.

Jo Wallace, the boss at Ramrock HQ, has made an appearance previously on the label (see review HERE) was introduced by Dan The Drum (he of 'Jazzcazz - see review HERE) to Alex of The Secret Garden and the result is this great track, 'Names In The Sky'.

Whilst older readers may imagine a John Gordon Sinclair /  Clare Grogan moment on the "End Of Summer" headland/beach but this is always going to be "current" which is kind of ironic as Alex's inspiration and the title was inspired by a Nancy Wilson track from 1968.

But don't get the impression that this is all dreamy stuff as the track (with the instrumental) is serious disco-boogie-funk ready for the spaceship dancefloor (and possibly a dubby remix from the Morris & Wallace team?)

Another winner from Ramrock and perfect timing as ever. 

Artist: The Secret Garden

Title: Names In The Sky feat. Jo Wallace

Release date: 28th October, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR070

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Natasha Kitty Katt - Intergalatic Vampire (F*CLR Music)

Natasha Kitty Katt (aka Intergalatic Vampire) has created a track that envisages what a space boogie comic artist would take to the dancefloor - without any cheesy efx: Natasha is a serious Marvel/DC. 

Natasha Kitty Katt follows up the 'Synaptic Juice' (featuring Suki Soul) release (see review HERE) with the equally impressive (and seasonal) 'Intergalatic Vampire'. 

This track is taken from the forthcoming album  'Synaptic Juice' that's earmarked for vinyl and digital release Q1 of next year.

Natasha Kitty Katt continues to DJ internationally so keep an eye open for when she's near you; but watch ya neck!

Don't forget last years' 'Batt Dance' (see review HERE) featuring 'Lost Boy' Billy Wirth and there's a 𝕹𝖆𝖙𝖆𝖘𝖍𝖆 𝕶𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖞 𝕶𝖆𝖙𝖙  USA Oct Tour 24 (see dates below) with a Halloween Special in Miami!

Artist:Natasha Kitty Katt
Title: Intergalatic Vampire
Release date: 1st November, 2024
Label: F*CLR Music
Cat. No: FCLR035
Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Fabio Tullio - Entanglements (A.MA Records)

Bandcamp Friday means you can pre-order Fabio Tullio's 'Entanglements' from A.MA Records for it's 1st of November release date.

When I first heard the opening and closing track of Fabio Tullio's album 'Entanglements', I was immediately reminded of in Norma Winstones' set at We Out Here Festival back in August; not only for Marta Capponi's vocals, but with Norma's backing band was Sam 'Floating Points' Shepherd!

And what Fabio has done here has gone his 70s jazz-fusion influences tuned into a larger band/arrangement that feel quite effortless; especially the 7 minutes of 'Untitled Spirtual (Intro - Journey - Dilemma).  

There's also the impressive 'The Balance' the grows into a bit of a blow out vs. Gwis' piano that'll work for fusion fans especially with the guitar comes in whilst the track 'The Return Of Mr. Crohn' is the obvious choice for fusion noodling - a tad Sonny Fortune vs. Mahavishnu circa Jean-Luc Ponty?  

Italy's A.MA Records are pretty jazz eclectic so this another one not to miss out on as I'm sure that there's more entanglements on the horizon.

Fabio Tullio: Tenor / Alto / Soprano Saxophones / Synth 

Alessandro Gwis: Piano / Electric Piano / Keyboards 

Andrea Colella: Double Bass / Electric Bass 

Massimiliano De Lucia: Drums

Andrea Gomellini: Guitar 

Marta Capponi: Vocals 

Valerio Vantaggio: Drums 

Claudio Corvini: Trumpet / Fluglehorn

Artist: Fabio Tullio

Title: Entanglements

Release date: 1st of November, 2024 (Pre-Order on Bandcamp Friday, 25th October)

Label : A.MA Records

Catalog Number : CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

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Review: Raz & Afla - Echoes Of Resistance (Wah Wah 45s)

It's worth repeating, the label that is WAH WAH 45s is in its 25th year and the anniversary celebrations are ongoing and one such highlight is the full album release of Raz & Afla's 'Echoes Of Resistance'.

We're long term fans of the label and the singles previously released, 'What's Going On' (the Hectic extension being very exclusive at the moment), 'Ebo Be Me' and 'Shikor Shikor' (see review HERE).

Of course, the worry would be that is there any more gems left on the album?  Well, in short there is!

Raz Olsher (electronics) and Afla Sackey (percussion and vocals) have produced an even better album than Dom Servini was telling me at We Out Here Festival early in the year; Mr. Servini being the head honcho who has been almost everywhere for the past 25 years promoting the label.

Even a track with a multiple repeated chant of 'On Da Fone' sounds like a run-a-way double headed freight train - going down hill with a great wobble to it. And just when you think there's a rest on its way, 'Stefana' and 'We Taya' get busy - as we've just had Fela Kuti's birthday, 'We Taya' is a reminder of his influence and legacy.

It's been said, "There are moments of pure euphoria and unadulterated joy too though, as tracks like 'Mon Ni Fere', 'Voodoo Zeezee' and 'Baby Moo' inspire elated, tribal dance floor pleasure" and I'm not going to argue against that (especially 'Voodoo Zeezee') but when they really get down, 'Ano Be Mumu' is like a dirty dubstep verson of their sound and I can't wait to hear that on a proper sound system - I'm betting 'friend of Dele Sosimi' Medlar's already had the call! 'Voodoo Zeezee' too! 

Their debut album from 2022, 'The Cycle' was great but 'Echoes Of Resistance' is even better, [I can't overstate how good it is] and it's going to be the icing on Wah Wah 45s birthday cake this year.

Artist: Raz & Afla

Release:  Echoes Of Resistance 
Release Date: 25th October, 2024
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Catalog Number: WAHLP031
Format: Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Transmission Towers - Crooked Transmissions (É Soul Cultura)

This album starts with the chant of "Well I'm back" and never a truer word said for this "new" album on Luke Una's transmissive label, É Soul Cultura.

So we've had the original album (see review HERE) and then the single 'My Shadow' (Crooked Shade) / 'Mega' (Crooked) (see review HERE) and here's the full album version by Crooked!

The album starts with 'Mega' but it's 'Up' that gets us engrossed with its dub/version/remix style of 'Part 2'.  

Crooked Man (aka Richard Barratt) has got some Perry/Sherwood/Weatherall influences to draw upon and much more as his credits range from Róisín Murphy's 'Róisín Machine' (and 'Crooked Machine') to remixing Escort's 'Cocaine Blues' and working with the late Richard H. Kirk.

So Crooked Man has got form in this type of mutation and 'Crooked Transmissions' is a pretty diverse album, such as 'Up' gets transmitted to a higher plain of Sheffield synth pop heritage and with this "out-there" adventurism, most of the tracks are quite lenghty which is great for the dancefloor; particularly like 'Everything (Gone Crooked)' that's got a bit of PIL's 'Metal Box' to it and the warped 'Planetary Alignment (Bent Crooked)' where the lazer beams have been deflected (in fact, this need to be longer).

Talking of warped, what the George Clinton is 'One (2 Crooked)' about? It's like Talking Heads have had an electro shock lobotomy - brilliant.

It's not all experimental, 'My Shadow' has a dnb vibe, there's the chill-out dub 'Go Slow Heart' and 'Sparse' goes a bit trip-hop-pop. But is it all a build-up to prepare us for 10 minutes of 'Roller Skater (Crooked Wheels)'?

In fact, this is one of those albums that's so well produced and deep on every level, it's really hard to say what your favourite track is (so i won't) but if you had any thoughts that this was some hurriedly put together 10 track remix 'throw away' release, you'd be miles of the mark - I predict this is going to be 'Album Of The Year' on many a chart. 

In some ways the original album and this, lets call it a follow-up, is very much Luke Una, (check his Luke Una presents É Soul Cultura compilations on Mr Bongo, see review HERE) as he's not a man to get tied down musically and I wonder what the future plans for Transmission Towers (Mark Kyriacou and Eleanor Mante) could possibly be?

Artist: Transmission Towers

Title: Crooked Transmissions

Release date: 25th October, 2024

Label: É Soul Cultura

Cat. No: ESOULDIGI01

Format: All the Digitals / Bandcamp

Review: The Cromagnon Band - Mode (BBE Music)

BBE Music's had to wait a while to get The Cromagnon Band's second album, 'Mode' on the shelves but this is going to be a surprise hit as its such a classy release - and apparently they do live gigs too!

You couldn't get further away from BBEs last release, the brilliant album from Waaju, 'Alouane' featuring Majid Bekkas (see review HERE) but then there is a trippy, psych rock, jazz funk underbelly to both so perhaps they aren't that far away!

That said, I don't think Mr. Bekkas will be joining them any time soon as the trio, Bert Page (keys, sax, clarinet), Lenny Walker (bass) and Tom Watt (drums) are more in a jazzy-OST-library groove.

It's pretty dramatic at times ('Bad Night') and I like that they can 'slip into psuedo prog-rock a la Deep Purple meets Black Sabbath at the gates of DJ Shadow's film noir soundtrack collection 'Contrary  Motion' and 'Phrygia') and there's even some Ethio-synth Kasbah flute gang wierdness to 'Crooked Usage'.

Any fans of 70s Hancock/Schifrin/Barry soundtracks and instrumental hip-hop will love this especially when it really comes together on the last 3 tracks; 'Hadley's Hope', 'Not Nothing' and the monster prog-ish 'Mandelbrot'

Their debut album clearly caught the attention of BBE and if you're after some obscure Jonny Trunk style release, save your dosh instead and get 'Mode', the not so difficult second album by The Cromagnon Band - you'll be so much better off in all sorts of ways.

Artist: The Cromagnon Band

Title: Mode

Release date: 25th October, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number:BBE787

Format: LP, Digital / Bandcamp