Review: Tom Noble Presents... 'House Of Spirits' (Razor-N-Tape)

Tom Noble Presents... 'House Of Spirits' is coming out just at the right time to make that big dancefloor impact; it can't be faulted.

Razor-N-Tape were founded by Aaron Dae ad JKriv and If you haven't come across the label yet, imagine them as the Brooklyn base of the "disco" trinity of Rocksteady Disco (Detroit) and Toy Tonics (Munich) who all started out serving the dancefloor at about the same time, these guys.

In fact, the label is having its 12th anniversary celebrations and this release is the cherry on the proverbial cake as 'House Of Spirits' has taken Tom Noble the best part of 15 years to produce!.  

And don't get the idea that this guy is just a bit lazy about this, he's crammed a history of disco into this release as well as running the label/shop 'Super Elevation' (also based in Brooklyn) plus releasing records on other label including Tim Sweeney's Beats In Space (god, I used to love Tim's WNYU shows).

So whilst the cover is like a cross between a Deep Purple/Dimtri From Paris mash up with Playboy magazine, the music is fantastic.   If you haven't heard recent singles 'Please Take Me There' and 'Times Are Changing' (this one also had a Harvey Sutherland remix), you've already got the idea of the classic golden era funky disco Tom's able to produce.

In fact, I'd go further 'Love Trip' is a like Arthur Russell's tribute to 'Miss You' (how cool it that?) whilst 'Holding On' gets the strings out for what sounds very early Brit-jazz-funk mixed with gospel house. the smoocher 'Diamond Girl' is a touch cheesy but that's what it was like at Room At The Top, Gossips and Oscars (insert your own favourite 80s club).

It's not that there's lots of disco misappropriation going on, the sum really adds up to more than the parts and whether it's Patrick Adams, Mizell Brothers or Nile Rodgters, Tom having decades of club music knowledge (Ed. the word 'Musicologist' is banned on YATM) has made these tracks as cool and as club friendly as if they'd come out at any time in the past 40 years; 'Times Are Changing' being proof that times ain't.but 'Times Running Out' is perhaps a warning to us all (not forgetting Brit-jazz-funk crossed the pond with Rod Temperton!) whilst the heavy synth chugging track, 'Moving Away' (arguably the best track) is the the "Hello" to playing the album again.

P.S. Update, 'Love Trip' is arguably the best track as Gilles Peterson played 'Love Trip' on his BBC 6 Music Show 'Prime Cuts' show 26.10.24 "Yes, excellent new music from Tom Noble album [his] new record with 'House Of Spirits on the brilliant always Razor-N-Tape on November 22nd"

Artist: Tom Noble Presents...

Title: House Of Spirits

Release date: 22nd November, 2024

Label : Razor-N-Tape.

Catalog Number : TBC

Format :  Digital - House of Spirits / Bandcamp

Review: Reuben Vaun Smith - Land Of Music (Ubiquity Records)

At one stage, Ubiquity Records were everywhere with thier distinctive 12" covers making them stand out from the crowd: that honor is now with Reuben Vaun Smith with his  'Land Of Music' that's in its own Pangaea of a musical supercontinent!

Ubiquity was founded back in 1993 in San Francisco and they've always had a sunny West Coast vibe to their artists and Reuben Vaun Smith's fits that criteria with the Balearic nu-disco quality of the 12 track album 'Land Of Music'.

If you're a fan of James Alexander Bright (see review HERE) or the "beach" series of Paul Hilary's 'Children Of The Sun' (see review HERE) or Lucky Sun (see review HERE) or even a combination of the three, Reuben along with the vocals of Lucy Saddler and guitar of Chico Mann (who himself has been ubiquious on so many labels over the years) are the combo for you.

This album was recorded mostly on a boat moored in the Mediterranean, an inspiration that's reflected in the titles, like the instrumentals 'Colours In The Sky' and 'Marina Scene' whilst 'Lost In Space' with Ms. Saddler and the title track are a bit funkier, as is 'House Boat Mayday' with Reuben on vocals.

It's really hard to believe the house-boat studio story as the production is so clean, (this is not "lo-fi" as previous RVS releases have been described), with the synths (and percussion) on top of the waves for the dreamy funk of 'Signature Whistle', 'Talking To People' and the closer 'Agua Vida'.

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There's more than enough sunny sounds on this album to keep us warm through the winter and I expect worldwide dancefloors will have it as a go-to summer haven (the track 'Summer Haven' in particular enjoys the disco synths vs. sax vs. percussion that fits much of the sea bed of this album).

More on a downtempo groove, we've got 'Disappear For A While' which is almost downtempo, chill-out synth pop; and it's really great and a favourite along with the 'Marina Scene' Stingray-disco, the too-slow-to-disco-jazz-funkish-jam 'Firefly', the marvellously warped piano bar 'We Dance The Sky' that sounds like a track taken from a Verve Remixed compilation (possibly in the a Shirley Horn's 'Return To Paradise' envelope).

As you can tell, this is a strangely individual album that's really accessible - even then, it's quite a lot to take in - also recommend his half-hour long one track EP, 'Bimba Sound' (see below link).

James Alexander Bright's mates, the Flying Mojito Bros. (see review HERE) will love this (Ed. that's trendy) and I must mention the artwork, Nadiuska and Priscila Furtad (aka Uinverso) are based in Brazil and have imaginatively captured a the vibe of 'Land Of Music' and you will too, especially if you were into his previous albums 'Da Cuckoo YaYa' (great title), 'Sounds From The Workshop' and 'Warm Nights'..

Artist: Reuben Vaun Smith 
Title: Land Of Music
Release date: 22th November, 2024
Label: Ubiquity Records
Cat. No: -
Format: Digital LINKS / Bandcamp

Review: Afterlife - Metacosm (Subatomic)

Post death postulations are not really at the top of your average music fan, even after Halloween, but when it comes to Afterlife's album 'Metacosm', it's all looking good for us.

Whlst the cover looks suspiciously like a wallpaper from the Mildmay Club, the music on 'Metacosm' is anything but dated in the 60/70s.

In fact, Afterlife's 8 tracks here are pretty cosmic, especially 'Summer Of Dub' which stands out as it's the only proper dubby track on here but I'd be keen to have this on a 12" as it'll be in my top ten of the year!

And the rest of the album, is equally as good as we go from warm synth drenched beaches of 'Baja' to Steely Dan influenced jazzy dreams of 'Ice Nine' - is that ice melting into cocktails, or the environment having a melt down?

And if we need to escape this planet (and make a nuisance of ourselves somewhere else), lets go to the Tangerine Dream-werk kraft shelter for a gentle synth-a-cade 'I Saw You Dancing On Mars'.  

'Tonal' and 'Chickens' ups the pace so you can get you on the actual dancefloor with our own electric dreams; I'd say the same for the title track but it reminds me a dubby version of the theme to BBC's 'Click' (not one of my favs I'm affraid); perhaps a deeper dub like 'Summer Of Dub' remix would win me over?

There's lots of synths, keys and electronics gone into this by Steven Miller (aka Afterlife) and there's more to this chillout exploration than you'd guess - funnily enough, wasn't Pete Lawrence (aka Mr. Big Chill himself) saying the other day that DJ Johnnie Walker "introduced" him to the sounds of Steely Dan?   

So as we now enter the winter months, let 'Metacosm' be the album to make Afterlife be the cool Balearic beach of 2024.   As I've indicated, this album is full of warmth that leaves the listener with a beautiful afterglow.  

P.S. More on the cosmos from the plant world at Weeds Up To Me Knees (see HERE)

Artist: Afterlife
Title:  Metacosm
Release date: 22nd November, 2024
Label : Subatomic
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: JUNO DOWNLOAD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Freddy da Stupid - Back To Pangea Part II (BBE Music / Batakari)

Going back to Pangea - the original one - would take quite some time but as far as Freddy da Stupid is concerned, 'Part II' is with us now.

There's fantastic artwork to go with this return to nature with a 3-track "journey to the primordial supercontinent, symbolizing the union of cultures and the primordial essence of African sounds" in the context of original, Jazzapella (very orgnically glocky this one) and dub versions.  

The combination of Afro house and 3-step puts us in a Afro-Latin dancefloor soup of synth and percussion that's fantastically hypnotic and Balearic at the same time. The dub brilliantly incorporates the sounds of the forests that matches that intense artwork.

Freddy's debut album, 'Bantu Origins' (Ed. can a sense a theme going on here?) came out last year but this is his debut on BBE Music / Batakari so reaching a wider audience, I wonder if a forthcoming album is going to be 'Back To Pangea Part I' or 'Back To Pangea Part III in a what came first senario, chicken or pterodactylus egg?

Artist: Freddy da Stupid

Title: Back to Pangea Part II

Release date: 15th November, 2024

Label : BBE Music / Batakari

Catalog Number : BAT010SDG

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: The Baker Brothers - The Next Last Party (Fish Legs Records)

You couldn't believe the excitement in the office when a new album from The Baker Brothers arrived as the South Coasts' finest in soul-funk reappear - like a sunrise!

Not long after 'Sunrise' featurng Hannah Williams (Ed. did I ever tell you the story of being in a queue for sandwiches behind Hannah once?) 

The disco-boogie-funk brothers founded on the south coast as a trio, Dan Baker (Keyboards, Guitars, Synth, Vocals), Richard Baker (Drums) and Chris Pedley (Bass).

Chris was always a bit of a frontman and he's an in-demand bass player (often featured with gospel soul/house legend Vanessa Freeman and 'Reel People' regular).  Now, as the only surviving original member the 'expanded' Baker Brothers band, the sound is more of a sophisticated jazz-funk soul of 70s purity that seems to be getting a 'revival' audience these days. 

And if you think 'The Brexican' is a broken beat instrumental that reflects the "polarizing effects of Brexit", these guys knows their breaks and I'm sure that they'd have half a mind on Babe Ruth's much admired/sampled, 'The Mexican' that's got even more implied poigniancy post Trump2.

Equally, when it comes to the old days, 'Yesterday, Holding On' is strong links in the yacht rock groove with West Coast horns (via the South Coast) and a sexy sax solo.  Another stand-out its the laid back 'No Sweat' which annoyingly fades out but there's no let up as the band are joined on vocals by Frankie Connolly on 'Western Morning' that's soulfully uplifting and would suit many a radio station playlist; as would 'You Are The One' and 'Heatbreaker' as Level 42-ish soul-funk-pop.

Another guest, NOLO joins for the Thundercat influenced 'Sleepwalking' and it's more for the BBC 6 Music DJs but it's clear that even now, The Baker Brothers are finding thier sound as even with a smoothing of the orginal band's funk, there's more of a focus on songwriting like on  'I Hate It When You Go', 'Unrest' (love the horns on this) and 'All The Time'.

The more you listen to this album, the more excited you get; plus it really fits in with any 70s Brit-funk or a NYC disco vibee (watch out for Tom Noble Presents... 'House Of Spirits' - see review HERE) and it's great to have The Baker Brothers back, even if it's just to play 'The Next Last Party'.

PS, there's no connection with the film, 'The Fabulous Baker Boys' (1989) in the making of this recording; Chris is no 'Susie Diamond'.

Artist: The Baker Brothers
Title: The Next Last Party
Release date: 15th November, 2023
Label :  Fish Legs Records
Catalog Number : LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Jullian Gomes, Kuniyuki Takahashi & Sio - Let Me Go (Atjazz & Osunlade Remixes) (World Without End)

When there's an Atjazz vs. Osunlade "battle" on the remix, two/four for Atjazz one/two for Osunlade there no losers here as they confound listeners as they are just so consistently excellent.

You'll recall it's been just over a year since the original single of 'Let Me Go' (see review HERE - that turning into a Colour & Pitch Sessions mix favourite), which followed the earlier single, the collaboration with Jordan Arts on 'Home (see review HERE) and then the album, ' Bruno & The Birds (see review HERE)

One of the issues is that Atjazz has two remixes (and the instrumental versions) of his "Galaxy Aart" and "Astro" imprints whilst Osunlade goes with his trusted "Yoruba Soul" verson.  And just to compound the thought process, the original is included that features Kuniyuki Takahashi (piano) and Sio deamy vocals

It's quite balmy as the vocal versions remind you how good the original is whilst the instrumental remixes remind you why Atjazz and Osunlade are THE go to remixers for Afro-house beats; particularly the Astro and Yoruba Soul remixes and the instrumentals with some space synth goodness.

The album came out last November and that's definitely worth checking back on with these remixes.

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

Artist: Jullian Gomes, Kuniyuki Takahashi & Sio
Title: Let Me Go (Atjazz & Osunlade Remixes) 

Release date: 15th Noverember, 2024

Label: World Without End

Catalog Number: WWE013

Forman: Digital (https://bfan.link/Let-Me-Go-Remixes) Bandcamp

Review: Alexander Flood - Life Is A Rhythm (feat. Cazeaux O.S.L.O) (Atjazz Record Company)

Once more, the Atjazz Record Co. have trawled the world of music and produced proof that 'Life Is A Rhythm' with Alexander Flood and Cazeaux O.S.L.O.

This is quite a bit different from the Ernesto & the Basement Gospel's 'Is It True?' released on the label last month (see review HERE) but we've come across Cazeux O.S.L.O a couple of times in the past, Hannah Macklin's 'Mu' (see review HERE) and Rat Child's 'My Morning and Afternoon's Work' (see review HERE) but not Alexander Flood.

This is an early first outing prior to Flood's album release early next year.  You may recall the sort after aussie drummer was part of the jazz-funk-soul-hip-hop 'Shaolin Afronauts' but 'Life Is a Rhythm' (Ed. There's a drummer's title if ever I heard one) is one for folk that love that Roy Ayers proto-house disco matched with spoken word and flute (Erica Tucceri) gang solos.

The Joe Causell, Osunlade et al vibe is aided with Brazilian percussionist Aduni on congas and Cuban percussionist Alexander Scull Castillo on bata so instrumental version is just as compeling as the vocal (both being nearly 8 minutes long); the rest of the band is made up of Dylan Paul (bass) and Finn Rees (keys) and is there a touch of '1000 Fingered Man' to this - always a good sign!

Once more, proof that there's a big scene down under and this track will hold the dancefloor - definitely earmarked for the Colour & Pitch session mix this month so be prepared to be impressed.

Artist: Alexander Flood feat. Cazeaux O.S.L.O

Title: Life Is A Rhythm
Release date: 15th November, 2024
Label: Atjazz Record Company
Catalog Number: ARC260ADS1
Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Ella Thompson - Ripple On The Wing (Hopestreet Recordings)

Fans of Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo, Ziggy Zeitgeist, Godtet, JK Group and no doubt many more, will know that there's lots of interesting sounds coming out of Australia from a hip-hop, jazzy, soul, funk, beats base.  And here's another as Ella Thompson's new album, 'Ripple On The Wing' comes out this today.

The Hopestreet Studios are definitely busy as this is Ella's second album on the Hopestreet label and whilst the cover looks like some lost 70s folk album, she's definitely not a lost offspring of Richard and Linda.

In fact this his more of a soul-pop 60s beats vibe a la to Amy Winehouse (Ed. Did I ever tell you the story of having a chat with Amy in Camden High Street outside the Cobden pub - now closed!) with US sixities soul entrenched nodding to The Shangri-Las and Daptone channelled into a while back Sharon Jones/Charles Bradley and Timmion Records are still doing to this day.

These are heady comparisons but the house band has all the Memphis soul you could wish for and she's a star ready to happen outside of the recent singles ‘Let There Be Nothing’ and 'Omen' (both outstanding) that BBC 6 Music have supported with DJ(and more) legend, Craig Charles.  Particularly, 'Don't Be A Taurus' that wraps everything together with a warm glow.

Totally different from another favourite from down under, Audrey Powne or even Ella in The Bamboos (can 'Medicine Man' really be 2012?) but we do live in blessed times and , I urge you all to take this out for a spin, it's another stunner! (or should that be ripper?)

P.S. just spotted, the backing band on the album is the Surprise Chefs, a Hiatus Kaiyote and co-produced with a Karate Boogaloo! get 'em on Celebrity Master Chef Australia - they need a new soundtrack and get Mel back.

PPS. A bit different to Hannah Macklin's 'Mu' (see review HERE) also from Hopestreet Recordings.

Artist: Ella Thompson

Title:  Ripple On The Wing

Release date: 15th November, 2024

Label : Hopestreet Recordings

Catalog Number : 

Format:  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Oaagaada - Music Of (We Jazz Records)

Oaagaada's 'Music Of' album is as free as (We) Jazz (Records) by a "mysterious quartet from rural southern Finland".

Well, I don't know what's in the waters of rural southern Finland but where these guys are concern, it sould like the spirits of Coltrane, Ayler, Coleman et al. particularly Albert Ayler on 'Serriterri' with his military background.

'Seagull Shapes' sounds like Ivor Cutler is about to add his whimsicle poetry at any moment whilst the seagulls oversea from the rooftops with their muted squarks in reverence.

The opus on the album is four part 'Suite Tuli' in which all four members of the quartet 'let go' and are as free as the cloudless skies of their homeland; particularly like the restrained Part II and the 'lets make some noise' Part I, Part III sounds a bit electronic at times and Part VI, at nearly 11 minutes long, "perfectly reflects [thier] organic musical ethos" and let's you  absorb the Oaagaada performance.

And you'd never guess all this from the afro-jazz inspired opener, 'Oag -Ada Sweet' (Ed. wasn't she in Coronation St. in the 60s?) and some (jazz) distance from Berke Can Özcan and Jonah Parzen Johnson 'Folk Memory' that came out at the start of the month (see review HERE) but this is the 'Music Of' Oaagaada - who are these guys?

P.S. The band celebrates the album's release with a performance at Helsinki's We Jazz Festival on 29th November at Kahvila Sävy.

Sami Pekkola, sax & shruti box
Tuure Tammi, trumpet
Tero Kemppainen, bass
Simo Laihonen, drums & log drum

Artist: Oaagaada 
Title:  Music Of
Release date: 15th Novhember, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP62

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Agile Experiments - Loukoumades (None More Records)

None More Records may be a "DIY completely Independent record company" but that doesn't mean they can't release an album that is totally cool and out there at the same time - this is Agile Experiments' 'Loukoumades'.

On the old, "don't judge a book" rule, Agile Experiment is the master chef in the kitchen when it come to these 15 track.

We've just had SHOLTO new album, 'Letting Go Of Forever (see review HERE) with his live performance on Gilles Peterson's Worldwide FM yesterday in an ambient/OST/library style and 'Loukoumades' is like the hip-hop brother that's gone to Madlib via Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Produced from improvisation by Dave de Rose (drums), Gustac Penka (guitar) and Marius Mathiszik (sound artist), this is the album Jah Wobble/Bill Laswell/DJ Shadow should have produced with ENO in a krautrock/dub/hip-hop style.

Pure co-incidence that both SHOLTO's and this album should be released on the same day but each are brilliant (save for my usual gripe with these type of albums, the tracks are too short!) But hey, if Peterson is a fan of Agile Experiments (as is his fellow BBC 6 Music DJ Don Letts and DJ legend, Bill Brewster), I think we should be too!

P.S. 'Loukoumades' is the Greek word for doughnut with J. Dilla's 'Donuts' album for inspiration.

Artist: Agile Experiments 

Title: Loukoumades

Release date: 15th November, 2024
Label : None More Records
Catalog Number : NMR016 
Format: Digital / Bandcamp