Review: Cranky, Salah Fafah Feat. Hassan Tays - Ayamargi (Ostowana)

A tribute to Raiss El Hajj Mehdi Ben Mbark by Cranky and Salah Fafah featuring Hassan Tays in the form of 'Ayamargi' is more than uplifting.

I can't say I know much about Amazigh music but one of their heroes, the 90 year old Raiss El Hadj Mehdi Ben Mbark (المهدي بن مبارك), the Moroccan religius singer and acknowledged pioneer of Amazigh religious song, has passed away in Casablanca.

Apparently his passing is in somewhat mysterous circumstaces which is made the more tragic as he'd been working on this update of his song 'Manik Arad skergh Ayamargi'.

The aim of fusing "modern elecctronic sounds" and traditonal North African folk/world with the vocals of Hassan Tays is definitely in the "job done" folder and equally a great companion to othe releases on Ostowana, just like the 'Angelito EP' by Miserez (see review HERE) as we all encounter sunrises and sunsets in out lifetime. 

Artist: Cranky, Salah Fafah Feat. Hassan Tays  

Title: Ayamargi 

Release date: 8th November, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST080

Format: Digital

Review: Ludivine Issambourg - Above The Laws (Heavenly Sweetness)

When you're talking about name dropping album guest artists, to misquote a film, "You had me at Brian Jackson"!  Yes, Gil Scot-Heron's famous keyboardist/flautist partner is on this album and he's not even the primary flautist as  Ludivine Issambourg continues to pay tribute to the Law family on 'Above The Laws'.

This album follows her 2020 release, 'Outlaws (A Tribute To Herbert Laws)' and there were not many folks above the Law (family) back in the 70/80s on the jazz funk scene (by coincidence, only yesterday, I was reading on the rear cover of NYPA's 1977 album, "Special thanks to Eloise Laws for her sex background vocals"!)

Getting back to Jackson, he's on here with a version of 'Angel Dust' on vocals and keyboards and it was noticed on his recent BBE album and live at WeOutHere Festival this year when he did some tunes made famous by both of them (notably 'The Bottle') and it was evident how much he sings like Gil; and Louie Vega got him to guest with him and his band, Elements of Life, on stage too that was a magical experience).   And like 'The Bottle', the track 'Angel Dust' is a dark story that doesn't match the original Fairy Tale story book use of the title.

And when I say "jazz funk", I mean "FUNK" has an equal billing, check 'Hop Scotch" (featurng Laurent de Wilde on keys) and ACT label regular, Nils Landgren on 'bone with 'New Morning'; and when it comes to name dropping, who hasn't he worked with over that past 30 years?

So, you'll remember last night, no word of a lie, looking at me copy of Ronnie Law's 12" 'Let's Keep It Together' (from the album 'Fever' 1976, UAG 20007) and here's a Afrobeat version of 'Fever' featuing Céline Bonacina (on sax) and where Issambourg shows off how magic she is on flute.

Apparently, she's going on an extensive European tour next year to promote the album and this is going to be really big before that happens; Flute Gangs and Jazzdance DJs, there's a new heavenly sweetness in the air to dance and spin to, Ladies and Gentlemen, Ludivine Issambourg!

BANDCAMP - Listening Pary - Above The Laws

November 7, 2024 at 6:00 PM GMT

Artist: Ludivine Issambourg

Title: Above The Laws

Release Date : 8th November, 2024

Catalog Number : TBC-

Label : Heavenly Sweetness

Format:  Black vinyl 180g LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Yoav & Jabulile Majola - Stranger, Nyoni Yami & Running (Independent)

If you were surprised by Bradley Zero's professed love of Simon & Garfunkel recently?  Well as Peckham's finest celebrates '10 years of Rhythm Section International' as well as his kissa bar, Jumbi with Paul Camo being featured on Worldwide FM, perhaps they should give the pairing of Yoav & Jabulile Majola as a couple of diamonds from South Africa.

Why the surprise at Mr. Zero's love of Simon & Garfunkel?  I don't think I've heard anything on the RSI label that is anything close to that style (check out the leftfield dance roots like Chaos In the CBD, FYI Chris, Al Dobson Jr., Heny Wu and many more) so you don't expect he'd be into poignant storytelling and soulful vocals which the pairing of Yoav and Jabulile Majola have excelled at here with the three tracks, 'Stranger','Nyoni Yami' and 'Running'.

The duo's voices at time match the folky-pop duo and the 'Nyoni Yami' track sung in Zulu is particular is very touching.

There's an album called 'Unyazi' that's had a limited home country release but these three tracks will be their introduction to a world audience.

Worldwide FM - Jumbi takeover with Paul Camo. 

Review: Jessica Lauren - Film (IMPRESS!VE Collective)

You know the saying, "great minds think alike" and this certainly applies to Jessica Lauren's album 'Film" and IMPRESS!VE Collective's Greg Boraman as here's the very impressive new release on his label.

You can't get much different from thier last release (the equally brilliant,  Ginger Johnson And His African Messenger's 'African Party' - see review HERE) and like the previous re-release of that album (albiet on mp3 for me), I've loved the original CD release of 'Film' since it was originally released.

Not only because I met her some years ago and suggested it should be re-issued (Ed. great minds eh!) but it's quite ageless jazz groove.  In fact, the reason I got the original CD was that Jessica had made a name for herself in the jazzdance scene with soul-jazz/jazz funk/Chris Bowden produced album 'Siren Song' and the first track from 'Film' is a futuristic jazz-funk OST 'Uptown'.

And the rest of the album follows this lead of modal jazz, library, electronica, Latin with Ms. Lauren's keyboard skills to the fore, like the beautiful 'Stone Garden', the Christmas Box 'A Pearl For Iona', spacey 'Live Your Life' and 'Ajua' plus a touch of neo-classical 'Coming Home'.

Lots of Schifrin /Hancock 70s funky keys/synth/harpsichord experimentation OST biz going on with tracks like 'Shibuya' and 'I Love You My Brother' (like an updated 'Get Carter' if you like).

Jessica's been a big supporter of Emanative (she was on his/their last album 'Abstact Intuition' - see review HERE) and his love of spirtual jazz is evident on this release of 24 years ago; was Nick Woodmansey even born then?  And whilst on the subject, you may recall the pair of them were on the Emanative remix of the Yellowtail 'Seasons In My Mind' featuring Mark Murphy no less (see review HERE).

'Uptown' and 'Treasure Island' were picked for single release at the time of original release and both tracks stand up today as quality so, as you can imagine, your usual DJ suspect are on this already now it's finally out on a 2024 vinyl release, like Gilles, Patrick Forge and DJ Colin Parnell (Stomp Radio) who featuring a track on his show a couple of weeks ago.   

Thankfully, the artwork is a 1000% improvement on the original and fitting for this great album.

Artist: Jessica Lauren

Title: Film

Release date: 1st November, 2024

Label :  IMPRESS!VE Collective (an imprint of BBE Music)

Catalog Number:BBE643

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: musclecars - Double Honey Pack (Louie Vega & Maurice Fulton) (BBE Music)

After rockin' the WeOutHere Festival this year (and no doubt everywhere else musclecars have performed), BBE release the 'Double Honey Pack' knock-out version of this years' album where Craig Handfield and Brandon Weems (the duo known as musclecars) go head-to-head with alternate versions and remixes with music legends Louie Vega (also at WeOutHere Festival with The Elements Of Life) and Maurice Fulton.

You'll recall we were very excited about musclecars being represented on the Audrey Powne single, 'Feed The Fire'(see review HERE) and then we got 'Ha Ya (Eternal Life)' (see review HERE) followed by the album 'Sugar Honey Iceed Tea!'.

Well, it's a good job we're still on this as the 'Double Honey Pack' even supasses them all as the 'Ha Ya! (Enternal Life) (Planetarium Mix)' is the spiritual flute gang jazz-house classic of the year and 'I Don't Remember The Last Time I Saw The Stars' is 11 minutes of pure Latin-jazz-house perfection.

It's a bit pricey for the double vinyl verson (worth it for 'Water (Spiritual Mix)' on its own) but with all the dancefloor remix version, to mis-quote this weeks' budget statement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, "think of it as an investment in the future".

Get It tonight!

1. Tonight 05:55

2. Tonight (Louie Vega Bronx Dub) 05:50

3. Tonight (Louie Vega Remix) 08:22

4. Hello? (Maurice Fulton Remix) 06:44

5.  'Ha Ya! (Enternal Life) (Planetarium Mix) 07:35

6. I Don't Remember The Last Time I Saw The Stars 11:10

7. Water (Spiritual Mix) 08:30

8. Tonight (Louie Vega Bassin Dub) 05:38

9. Tonight (NV South Jersey Dub) 03:48

10. Tonight (Louie Vega Remix Brooklyn Solo Dub) 08:22

11. Tonight (Clean Version) 05:55

12. Tonight (Louie Vega Remix) (Clean Version) 08:22

Artist: musclecars 

Title: Double Honey Pack 

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE763

Format: 2 x LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: LCGC feat. Annette Bowen - Rather Be (Ayce Remixes) (Papa Records)

LCGC and Papa Records have teamed up with Ayce so that we'd 'Rather Be' listening to Annette Bowen all day - prepare yourself!

Wow! What a follow up to last months' previous release on Papa Records, Soledrifter's 'Too Loud' feat. Alexandra Morrison, the Tedd Patterson Remixes (see review HERE) but did they know, hen it comesw to Ayce Remix of 'Rather Be' you just can't be TOO LOUD, TOO JAZZ FUNKY, TOO SOULFUL or just TOO FULL OF JOY TO BE DANCIN' TO THIS ONE!

You can definitely feel it as the LCGC (aka  London Community Gospel Choir) give Annette Bowen a lead but there's an equally cool 8 minute instrumental version too1

This is as hot as Chris at Canvey Island diggin' in the Goldmine as the 'Rather Be' sets sail on the Thames to the world of dancefloor happy.

Artist: LCGC feat. Annette Bowen 

Title: Rather Be (Ayce Remixes) 

Release date: 1st November, 2024

Label : Papa Records

Catalog Number : PAPA156

Format :Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Fred Spider presents.. Chakalaka Jazz - A Selection of South African Gems (Heavenly Sweetness)

Heavenly Sweetness have got Fred Spider to put together a compilaton called 'Chakalaka Jazz', a selection of South African gems' and gems they are.

DJ Spider, aka Fred “Voom Voom” Spider moved from France to Spain and kept heading south until settling in Cape Town in 2010 where he set up Voom Voom Records to re-issue rare soul, funk, disco, boogie, and jazz.

'Chakalaka Jazz' firmly concentrates on jazz (Ed. no surprise there then) and perhaps, unlike some other compilations of South African Jazzkind, as Fred lives there, he's been able to digg for those musical nuggets that featuring locals, exiles and expats with "a reverent nod to the golden years of the '70s" and spiritual awakenings; although the actual tracks span 1969 to 2003!

So don't expect Hugh Masekela (the "father" of South African jazz), Dollar Brand/Abdullaah Ibrahim or Soweto boot bashing as these tracks are more at the The Indigenous Afro-Jazz Sounds Of Phillip Tabane And His Malombo Jazzman end of obscurity (and pricey).

Clarence Wilson, Gibson Kente, The Soweto Boys, The Drive, The Cliffs featuring Mankunku Nogozi, The Four Sounds, The Jazz Ministers, The Tailfeathers (thier track, 'The Tailfeathers' is pretty 70s soul-jazz funk and as obscure as you're likely to get) are all new names to me and it's all exceptional.

Cassidy Clarke Band's 'Doctor AL' is prime 70s Rockford Files era TV theme (like The Clarke / Duke Project but better!) and picking up on the current love of spiritual harp (Ashby - Coltrane - Alina Bzhezhinska - Amanda Whiting), you've got Zim Ngqawana's fabulous 'Kubi'; very Coltrane, John & Alice!

Not so keen on the chanting parts of closing track, the 13 minute long 'Magwaza' (Johnny Dyani) but the solos are as good as any Riverside/Blue Note/Impulse!/Prestige etc classics so, this is clearly YATM's 'Album Of The Week'.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Fred Spider presents.. Chakalaka Jazz - A Selection of South African Gems

Release Date : 1st November, 2024

Catalog Number : -

Label : Heavenly Sweetness

Format:  2 x LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

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