Review: SHOLTO - Letting Go Of Forever (Root Records)

Is it any wonder that Oscar 'SHOLTO' Robertson is one of directors of "resurgenct cinematic psychedelia and library music"?  This guy will be at the awards in the future.

On the back of last years' 'The Changin Tides Of Dreams' album, as supported by Jazz Fm and BBC 6 Music, 'Letting Go Of Forever' is a massive double LP of a massive 26 tracks that is heavily Italian OST a la Piero Umiliant. Alessandro Alessandroni etc with West Coast mastery of a David Axelrod with jazz-funky leanings and where there's vocals in French (Elle Músa), Stereolab isn't far from your mind.
 

Amazing to think this was produced in a studio in Hackney as we've got big strings (arranged by Clementine Brown), wandering flutes (Arthur Sajas), twinkling vibes (James Larter) and Rachel Horton Kitchlew on harp, some dreamy synths with SOLTO on drums that does give us the impression of a Cinematic Orchestra session.

Whilst Lalo, Herbie and Quincy's 60/70s soundtracks have been an influence, there's that DJ Shadow sample culture and more recently, the Australian revisonists (Surprise Chef, The Pro-teens, Karate Boogaloo etc), this is a relaxed set; remembering it's time to let go of forever.

And if you can check Worldwide FM today for Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Basement featuring " live session with Sholto, featuring performances from his latest album", check it out HERE.  

P.S. here's one for future Jonny Trunk and Mike Wallace's of the world, get the vinyl now.

Artist: SHOLTO

Title: Letting Go Of Forever

Release date: 15th November, 2023

Label :  Root Records

Catalog Number :2 x LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Rita Satch - Breathe (Silk Throne Records)

There is a tendency in the music biz that you have to be in [insert you're own prefered location whether it be capital city, West/East Coast or some iconic recording location] and whilst this can't be denied, there is another thought that it's just as important to make your own -  as Rita Satch might say, "Don't forget to breathe" as she takes us on a joyride of R&B soul-pop.

Rita might have been born in Uzbekistan but  having been brought up in Melbourne/Naarm she and her 5-piece band fits into the music culture that keeps on giving from 

Surprise Chef to Lance Ferguson to Tamil Rogeon to Allysha Joy and most recently, Ella Thompson (see review HERE).

In fact, Rita and Allysha both worked with Tamil on his 'Son Of NYX' album (the one before, last months' 'Wave Theory' on BBE - see review HERE) so she know her soul and funk as do her collaborators on 'Breathe' being fellow Melbourne/Naarm big 'eds, Paul Bender (Hiatus Kaiyote), Daniel Mougerman (The Bamboos), Ash Griffin (The Vaudeville Smash) and Javier Fredes. 

No surprise to us Yogi/QiGung/Tai Chi experts that the inspiration for 'Breathe' was the result of some meditative exercise and it's on that salutary note, there's a lesson for us all here.

Artist: Rita Satch

Title:  Breathe / Joyride

Release date: 13th November, 2024

Label: Silk Throne Records

Catalog Number: TBC 

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Soul Of Hex - Constellation EP (Delusions Of Grandeur)

Who doesn't have the occasional delusion of grandeur these days?  Well, Jamie Odell (aka Jimpster) has more than reasons than most as his label, Delusions Of Grandeur repeatedly find the best in house music for the dancefloor big heads - this time with Mexican duo, Soul Of Hex.

Formed in 2014 in Tijuana, Soul Of Hex are now on their fourth release on Delusions Of Grandeur (although you would have found them on loads of trendy charts over the past 10 years including Tim 'Beats In Space' Swteeney) and have managed their contacts lists to get top guest for this 4-track EP.

Fans of Javonntte (aka Brian Garrett) will have lost count of how many house tracks he's graced and with Mariana Phelts they've gone old skool heavy piano on the lead track, 'Constellation' with the bonus of a bit of space dub too!

Soul Of Hex contributed to a 12" a couple of years ago sharing with Motion Parallax who returns the favour and features on a track called 'Face Down' that again borrows a heavy bassline and repeated vocal, similar to the big keys on 'All Night' and spoken rant that always works well in the clubs.

As you're no doubt aware, Odell's Dad was in the drummer in original 70s jazz-funkers Shakatak and that heritage no doubt helped him fall for More Lotion's guitar action with the funky keyboards on 'Dimension' - currently my favourite as it's another that reminds me of a juiced-up Sun Palace's classic 'Rude Movements' that had been obscure 70s Brit-funk before David Mancuso 'found it' for his New York Loft Parties.

Can't think anything other than all four tracks will be big (in the constellations) this year as we dance 'All Night' our way into 2025.

PS. If you're on Apple, try "Freerange Records In The Mix 026, Soul Of Hex" DJ Mix HERE!

BUY LINK: https://soulofhex.bandcamp.com/album/constellation-ep

Artist: Soul Of Hex
Title: Constellation EP
Release date: 15th November, 2024
Label :Delusions Of Grandeur
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Arpy Brown (FKA Athlete Whippet) - But I Miss You Everyday (Future Disco)

I used to love the Future Disco compilations back in the day introducing us to loads of new names that promised to be our soundtrack to the dancefloor for years to come - and they are at it again, here's London/Berlin based Robin Paul Braum (aka Arpy Brown and formerly know as half a Athlete Whippet).

Your not likely to forget a name like Athlete Whippet, especially as his two-centre lifestyle has got him releases on labels as inspirational as Toy Tonics, Aus Music, Rhythm Section International (recommend label boss Bradley Zero's appearance on BBC 6 Music's 'tour' of John Peel's collection - see HERE) and "new talent" finders Tartelet Records (having a track on the 'Medusozoa Vol. II comp as couple of years ago - see review HERE).

'But I Miss You Everyday' is a five track EP that's his 'ode' to longer distance relationships being the title track plus a dub version, 'Thought You Would Never' (plus a dub version) with 'Close Enough' that's a collaboration with Aphty Khéa.

All tracks are synth driven (Ed. Arp?) disco hotties and 'Close Enough' has got that classic vocal and lyricism to make it stand out ("reach out to you") in club and radio.

PS. fans of Bradley should know Rhythm Section INTL are having a 10 year Anniversary Show at EARTH on Friday 13th December, be there or... 

 

Artist: Arpy Brown (FKA Athlete Whippet) ft. Aphty Khéa
Title:  But I Miss You Everyday EP  

Release date: 15th November, 2024

Label: Future Disco

Catalog Number: tbc

Format: Digital  But I Miss You Everyday EP / Bandcamp  

Review: Mulatu Astatke and Hoodna Orchestra - Tension (Batov Records)

The only tension in the air here is the wait it's been since this brilliant collaboration between Mulatu Astatke and Hoodna Orchestra have this album come out, 'Tension' is released today!

This is easily one of the top ten album's of the year and if you don't know the work of Mulatu, just be aware that he is the founder of Ethio-jazz being the mix of Latin jazz and traditonal Ethiopian music, that has crossed the genre boundaries of jazz, psych, funk, hip-hop, spiritual jazz and more.

Strut, Soundway, Mochilla have all released Mulatu's music as he became more recognised for the originator/founder he is since 1972's 'Mulatu Of Ethiopia' album (sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines if I remember right and ironically recorded in New York) which gained popularity on the back of the soundtrack to Jim Jarmush's 'Broken Flowers' film and latterly, the 'Ethiopiques' compilation series.

So what's six tracks on 'Tension' like?  Well, Batov's got their finest in psych/soul/funk in the Hoodna Orchestra with the additional bonus of Neal Sugarman (Dap-King) who also produced the album.

'Tension' is a huge misnomer as all the trademark vibes by Mulatu are of effortless cool: even on a thrusting funk of the title track - could be a OST track itself.

'Dung Gate' and 'Major' have been previous singles that have been favoured by obvious publications (Songlines, Uncut, The Guardian, etc) and BBC 6 Music's great and good, Cerys Matthews, Huey Morgan, Gilles Peterson and GP old producer, Benji B on BBC Radio 1.

'Major' is so good, like a 60s Cowboy film  with a North African feel of Morricone on a Farfisa organ and 'Hulata' which follows is like slo-mo funk version (featuring Mulatu on piano - this guy is in his 80s!) with a sound of a Sun Ra Arkestra; shame the climax doesn't break down into a Sun Ra and His Astro-Intergalactic-Infinity Arkestra meets Salah Ragab plus The Cario Jazz Band in Egypt free jazz explosion (perhaps being saved for a 12", we live in hope) 

'Yashan' returns to the cloppity clop of a jazz night club where James Bond would hold court and 'Deliah' (not the "Why, Why" Tom Jones tune) the one for the Flute Gang and some nice twangy guitar.  

And in mentioning, Bond and Jones, the whole album is drenched in 60s Mod-jazz cool of New York - Addis - London, but produced today - it's nearly perfect (the only downside, is it me but does the artwork look like the guy that impersonates Albert Einstein of the energy advert?) 

Artist: Mulatu Astatke and Hoodna Or8chestra

Title:  Tension

Release date: 8th November, 2024

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR103

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Scorpio Leisure - No Apologies (The Oddball Creatives VHS Remixes) (Ramrock Red Records)

If you know your VHS from your Betamax, you're half way to loving this one already as The Oddball Creatives return to Scorpio Leisure's 'No Apologies' for a remix treat.

Fans of twangy guitars a la a slo-mo dub of Chris Isaak's 'Blue Hotel' (I know that there's loads of you out there who are) with an eerie post Halloween presence of 'Bela Lugosi's Dead' (Bauhaus, 1979) but with vocals by Hettie Noir in a 80s disco (and now there's even more fans out there into this), will love what The Oddball Creatives (aka Joseph Malik and Daniel Walls) have done on the remix of 'No Apologies' as it's got them instant access, past the Bouncers (Security), straight into the best of basement clubs with this one (plus the instrumental version).

This is so on-trend these dayz (Ed. ohhh, very VHS!) with post-punk disco re-emerging with 'Two Synths, A Guitar (and) a Drum Machine' (Soul Jazz) , 80s revival of Skeet (Almost Unknown/Efficient Space) and a look back to Edinburgh's Fast Product label.

You'll recall the Malik/Walls partnership we're responsible for the totally synth-funky 'Only Fans' from last years' 'Album Of The Year' (see review HERE) and but most recently the X-Press 2 remixes, see review HERE). 

The 'No Apologies' remix fits nicely in the ball park of F*CLR's Natashia Kitty Kat (also Edinburgh based) after her recent release, 'Intergalatic Vampire' (see review HERE) and don't forget Scorpio Leisure's 'Give Us Some Space' (see review HERE) that's equally great.

Now, where can I get one of those Poker/Golf/Tennis visors?

Artist: Scorpio Leisure
Title: No Apologies (The Oddball Creatives VHS Remixes) 
Release date: 8th November, 2024
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR071
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Loxodrome - Drop Out EP (Cyphon Recordings)

Well, you might not recognise the name Loxodrome, (possibly for good reason) but you'll know Jamie Odell (aka Loxodrome, Jimpster and many more) who released the original 'The Loxodrome EP' in 1994! Here's the follow up!

You'd have thought Jimpster would have enough work on his keyboards with running labels Freerange and Delusions Of Grandeur along with DJing and seemingly endless quality remixes to have the time to slip back 30 years to check out some acid droppin' tech house?  Well he has and it's as hot now as it was with the emergence of 303 emulators. 

The title track is quite jumpy and eye-2-eye contact dancefloor warped and mixed with some Star Trek-ed flight command star date time to "tune in and drop out" in a club way, not a Timothy Leary's '66 revival way. 

The last track, 'Fornax A' sneaks onto a Balearic Peech Bros, NYC seashore which you might have to save for next summer but the meat (vegan options are available) of the EP is 'Emberfall' and 'Emberfall (Dub)' which has elements of 'Drop Out' and 'Fornax A' that creates something bigger than the knob twiddling parts.

Cyphon Recordings have also released artists like Kirk Degiorgio (As One), DJ Rocca, Yuu Udagawa (she of the recent Compost remix releases 'Ride it'/'Set Me Sneakers' - see review HERE) and the Odell/Loxodrome is definitely going to give them an even higher profile.

Artist: Loxodrome 
Title: Drop Out EP 
Release date: 8th November, 2024
Label: Cyphon
Catalog Number  -
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Goshawk ft. Lyma & Greg Blackman - Loyalty EP (Lumberjacks In Hell)

We love a bit of 'Loyalty' here at YATM so when we got the nod that Greg Blackman is featuring on a release by Goshawk that also features Dutch artist Lyma called 'Loyalty', our eagle eyes/ears were ready to focus on our prey.

LYMA  (aka Lyma aka Tjerk Lammers) is an Amsterdam based producer/singer/songwriter and mate of Lumberjacks In Hell's founder Marcel Vogel so he fits in perfectly with this soul-disco-house track by Goshawk (aka Matt Rivem) that's sounds reminiscent of Jamiroquai/Loverbirds productions with Stee Downes so that sounds like a winner to me.

The Jamiroqua comparision is even sharper on with the two versions of Goshawk's '1 Up, 1 Down' being the original that bounces with some nice synth lazer beams and funky bass with a glitchy Lyma remix [warning for a bit of potty mouth at the start]. 

Greg Blackman (as in 'Over Again - see review HERE and 'Wait To The Morning' - see review HERE) is a [rock]star here on the 'Ain't Gonna' that's a heavy handed piano banger soul vocal skat that's similar to Omar at his best - there's some great wobbly keys too.

Lumberjack's In Hell have released tracks over the years by some of our other favourites (including Rahaan, Inkswell who have both had recent releases along with Soulphiction (RIP), Prequel and Lay-far to name just a few) so the more open minded Amsterdam ADE people will be playing these tracks; even though Lumberjacks In Hell sound like they should be at a Grunge flannel shirt convention in Canada, these guys axes are sharp for any dancefloor.

P.S. Mr Vogel, "impressed by @petefowler artwork!!!" 

Artist: Goshawk ft. Lyma & Greg Blackman 

Title:  Loyalty EP

Release date: 8th November, 2024 

Label : Lumberjacks In Hell

Catalog Number : LIH046

Format :  Vinly 12" / Digital  / Bandcamp BUY LINK https://lumberjacksinhell.lnk.to/LoyaltyEP

Review: Magro - Tokyo Tree EP (Sonar Kollektiv)

It's fair to say that Magro grew up emersed in music and after a move from Stugartt to Berlin nearly 10 years ago, he got his hip-hop 'Golden Era' beats tuned-in and 'Tokyo Tree EP' is a 8 track that's for today. 

Sonar Kollektiv are as equally emersed as Magro as the mulit-aspect hip hop and the EP is improved with the soulful vocals of Jess Reis ('Pursuit') and other tracks with vocals/rap; 'Beauty' featuring Oswin Benjamin 'Grief' featuring Moses Yoofee and 'Need A Friend' with Rapturous.

All three are highlights of the EP whilst the rest will more than satisfy fans of old skool Dublab/Flying Lotus jazz fusion beats especially the title track.

Artist: Magro

Title: Tokyo Tree EP

Release date: 8th November, 2024

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK497D 

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Inkswel & Andre Espeut - Downtown Love feat. Abstract Rude (Compost Records)

This ain't rude, it's focused 'Downtown Love' with Abstract, Inkswel and Andre Espeut.

I said in the review of the single, 'Dangerous Times' (see review HERE) that, "this pair are perfect partners to sooth us with this modern soul room and the album, 'Synchronicites', indicates how well these two pair up." Well, you know the old saying that two's company, three's a crowd?  Not in this case when Inkswel and Andre Espeut are joined by West Coast rapper 'Abstract Rude'

Mr. Rude, aka Aaron Pointer, is either best know for his work on Netflix or back in the day with the Freestyle Fellowship members Aceyalone & Myka 9 or even DJ Vadim on label's from Alpha Pup to Big Dada - but what you can say is, he's always spot on.

And that's the case with 'Downtown Love' a bouncey soul track that's give you that uptown feeling.

Really looking forward to hearing this new album coming out on the 29th November.

Artist: Inkswel & Andre Espeut

Title: Downtown Love feat. Abstract Rude 

Release date: 8th November, 2024

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT6044 / Digital / Bandcamp