Review: FSQ - Freak Out For Fitness (Remixes) (Soul Clap Records)

Another release for the holiday season or the gym as FSQ get on the body max treadmill with others on the remix to funk up and get sweaty.

Soul Clap have no doubt spotted the Daft Punk / Roger connections on the 'Freak Out For Fitness' infusion on the original version by FSQ (aka Funk, Style Quality) that was written by Chuck Da Fonk and One Era.  

So what better than to put ya Jane Fonda's leg-warmers and channel your inner Oliva Newton John's sex appeal with enthusiastic encouragement from ChatGPT to "maintain", "push" and "push harder" for a big one int the mainroom - either to get you fit for the festive season or ready for the gym member in January with a fun Lisbona Sisters Remix. 

Charlie 'Soul Clap' Levine has made a name for himself as an artist and remixer. His remix is an improvement on the original as it pumps Hi-Intensity 80s synth-pop kettle bells; you can just imagine how the MTV video would match the synth wobbles.

We also get at the third time of asking, the Third Attempt remix and instrumental which is the most groovy of the set concentrating on the 'Freak-Out' rather than the harder pushing.

All remixes require that "Give it all you've got" attitude as you 'Freak Out For Fitness' from Boston to the rest of the world.

P.S. if it helps, Chuck Da Fonk's fitness regime with the inspiration for this release as he lost 70lbs/30kgs which is some serious sweating.

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Artist:FSQ
Title: Freak Out For Fitness (Remixes)
Release date: 5th December, 2024
Label: Soul Clap Records
Cat. No: TBC
Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Prepared - Modul Eins (Compost Records)

I think 'Prepared' was the motto of the Boy Scouts at one time, it was proudly and historically on Aston Villa's club badge before big footie executives dropped it, so here's one Prepared we can trust with 'Modul Eins' on Compost Records.

'Modul Eins' is the first single from the album 'Module' that's due for release early next year, i.e. don't spend all you're Xmas money.   And you'll want to start the new year with this exciting trio.

Like the InFiné label some years ago that flirted with jazzy-electronic-classical-minimal some years ago or Norma Winstone's backing band at this year's WeOutHere Festival (with Tuba and Sam 'Floating Points' Shepherd on synnths/keys), Plantford and even Daedelus, the unusual combination of trio Chris Gall (prepared piano), Flo Riedl (bass clarinet) and Christoph Holzhauser (drums) have a modern 'Take 5' vibe as vibrant as the cover artwork.

We only get 'Modul Eins I' (a downtempo introduction) and 'Modul Eins II' (an upbeat swing) on the single and it's sounds to me a bit Munich beer hall mixed with BadBadNotGood and The Bad Plus - how good is that?  It's very GoodGoodPlus!

Be Prepared!

Artist: Prepared

Title: Modul Eins 

Release date: 4th December, 2024

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT6046

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Jimpster & Bishy / Come Down (Freerange Records)

We'll all come down at some stage of the game but this 'Come Down' is the brilliant pick me up from Jimspter & Bishy

Bishy is another producer in Essex (you daren't say there's something in the water these days) and they've definitely hit on a roots of deep house vibe with dreamy Afro-beat inspired dance with fuzzy vocals and spoken word.  It's just right track for when you think you've had enough and then, this come on and you're ready to go again in that Jimpster knows the dancefloor best way.

And if you want to get totally submerged in the heady drum circle trip-out, there's dub mix too!  

Even though Jimpster has been at the cutting edge of electronic music for such a long time (I think I first saw him in early 2000s), he's been working with so many people recently like Philippa (the New Zealander now based in Berlin - see review of her Cosmo Klein & The Campers remix HERE), Crackazat (another keyboard whiz who shares the interest in live improvisation) and fellow workaholic producer Atjazz, he's also releasing music on his Delusions Of Grandeur label, most recently Soul Of Hex's 'Constellation EP' (see review HERE) and even resurrecting an old aliase, Loxodrome (see review HERE). 

And not only that, everything he turns his magic hands to is dancefloor heaven - so "COME [ON] DOWN" as they used to say.

Note: Check out 'Come Down' as featured on Colour and Pitch's 'Best Of The Month' mix.

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

Artist:  Jimpster & Bishy

Title: Come Down

Release date: 9th December, 2024

Label : Freerange Records

Catalog Number : FRD302

Format: Digital LINKS / Bandcamp 

Review: Audrey Powne - Souled Out (remixed by Joe Claussell) / Feed the Fire Remixes (remixed by Atjazz & musclecars) (BBE Music)

Just a quick reminder that Audrey Powne not only had one of the debut albums of the year but also some heavyweight remix 12s, out on BBE.

This is a good time of the year to catch up with top albums of 2024 like Ms. Powne's 'From The Fire' (see review HERE).along with the Atjazz and Musclecars remix 12" (see review HERE).

Not only that, there's a three tracker of 'Souled Out' by legend Joe Claussell as a Cosmic Arts Interpretation mix, Joaquin's Sacred Rhythm version and a deep version.  Claussell has been the top man for all spiritually deep dubbiness and this is him at his best.

Apparently, the album is being touted as 'Jazz Album Of The Year', definely debut or even drop the 'jazz' - BBE is due a gong too!

Artist: Audrey Powne

Title:  Souled Out (remixed by Joe Claussell) / Feed The Fire (Atjazz & Musclecars Remixes)

Release date: 4th October / February, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE753SDG / BBE753ELP

Format: 12" x 2 / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: The Pro-Teens - MF TEEN: Your Concurrence In The Above Is Assumed (College Of Knowledge Records)

Long term fans of the Australian top chef series that's based in the Melbourne schools of instrumental hip-hop beats like Karate Boogaloo and Surprise Chef will know of The Pro-Teens are the next champions of the rank, especially with their new forthcoming album.

The Pro-Teens', 'Kon Queso' taster for the new album 'MF Teen: Your Concurrence In The Above Is Assumed' is typical of the quality of the 'compilation' that's led by Karate Boogaloo's and Suprise Chef's drummer/percussionist.

As you can guess from the artwork/title, these guys have re-imagined instrumental beats version on the original 'MF' DOOM - all caps of course - and in many of his guises from MM.. FOOD, Vikto Vaughan, Danger Doom to arguably the most successful, the Madvillian. 

Their 'Doomsday' was played on Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music) on his Worldwide show (19.10.24 - see HERE - that's the show that featured Wojtek Mazolewski, see review of his 'Beautiful People' album HERE) along with the original which is an indication of the respect these have for their hero (plus Madlib). 

It's been a little over 4 years since MF DOOM passed away and he seems as popular as ever so it seems timely that the Pro-Teens take on a tribute as the vinyl diggers to follow for instrumental funk hip-hop.

Artist: The Pro-Teens 

Title: MF TEEN: Your Concurrence In The Above Is Assumed

Release date: 6th December, 2024

Label: College Of Knowledge Records

Cat. No: TBC

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Cosmo Klein & The Campers - Soul Fiction Remixes (Best's Friends)

About 20 years ago, there was a label called Best Seven, with a freestyle sound "with main influences being Reggae/Dub and Soul" so it's great to see Daniel Best is still going strong with his contact's book as Best's Friends with a remix version of Cosmo Klein & The Campers' 'Soul Fiction'.

The "old" contact's book included favourites like Lightning Head (aka BiggaBush - my mentor), Joe Dukie (Fat Freddy's Drop), The Black Seeds (these were a great live band), Frost & Wagner and my favourite, Eva Be (who is still DJing Cle Kahlcke / LoYoTo) so it's really exciting to see DJ, Producer, all-round Berlin-based mover and groover Daniel W. Best is still at it with Best's Friends Music. 

The original Cosmo Klein & The Campers' soul, pop, funk album came out last year but this time it's been given a Best Seven style remixed make-over including dancefloor omni-present Art Of Tones (who have a track 'The Magic Count' on the 'Best Of 2024' EP that's also coming out today - see review HERE).  'Nothing But Love' has a Indo-biting dust vibe that could be a nice warm-up to 'The Magic Count'. 

Keeping the New Zealand connections going, the Berlin-based Kiwi, DJ & producer Philippa takes us on a Fat Freddy's Drop bounce on the dubby 'Life Back Home': and just to let you know, '& The Campers' came about as the original album was mostly recorded by Cosmo visiting his jazz mates around the country in his 1988 Hymer Camper (now you know this, you'll see loads of Hymer camper van conversions on the road).

The jazzy mates are most obvious on the Moods' remix of 'Head' and back to the reggae, 'I Do Love You' is remixed by the Frost outta Wagner, Oliver Frost and it's very radio/commercial/hit friendly.

Talking of popular DJ Friction is well known in Germany being in 90s DMC DJ Battles and hip-hop band Freundeskrels but his remix of 'Nothing But Love' is a funker and comes with the instrumental version.

And when it comes to worldwide well known, we get 'Right Here, Right Now', the Opolopo remix and instrumental version. Sweden's Opolopo is regular remix name on YATM (see review HERE) has just released his own album with Angela Johnson. And perhaps it's because the title is not that 'Right Here, Right Now; (thankfully), the instrumental sounds brilliant.

This is such a varied album and in keeping with a German theme, if you said the originals have been Jazzanova-ed in house, dance and reggae/dub, not even Thomas Tuchel could improve this.

Artist: Cosmo Klein & The Campers 

Title: Soul Fiction Remixes 

Release date: 29th November, 2024

Label: Best's Friends Music

Catalog Number: TBC

Format:Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Jono McCleery - Reconcile (Sonar Kollektiv)

Will we ever be able to reconcile that Jono McCleery's debut album on Sonar Kollektiv is his best todate? 

I say that as Mr. McCleery has been lucky enough after his debut in 2008 to worked with lots of folks that we love to follow like his work on Ninja Tune (with Fink and Portico Quartet), 'Realise' with Part-Time Hereos (which was included on Wah Wah 45's 15th Birthday release, and now they are 25!) and also with lots of 'dance' artists, like the diverse range of  Maceo Plex, Catz N' Dogz, Karol XVII & MB Valence and Laura Vane!

This might sound a bit odd for the "Nick Drake" we've been waiting for but 'Reconcile' is a distinct change of direction as it was mostly recorded as an instrumental, in a log cabin of all places.  That might sound a bit dull and flat to most of our readers but the production kind of creeps up on your here with added strings/keys/electronics that's makes in far from a campfire recording.

The singles, 'To See You Again' and 'So Messed Up' (see review HERE) are indicative of a more laid-back approach and you can easily see why Sonar Kollektiv were impressed with a downtempo soul chill sound.  And you can tell form the titles that there's a bit theme of introspection ('The One', 'Only You'. 'Like I Do', 'I Try To Remember' etc) and there's a bit of Thom Yorke-ism to this (we're told Radiohead's Phil Selway is a fan of Jono) and Jamie Woon (Ed. I met him once at Cargo years ago).

The title track is particulary stripped back and you can feel some real blues porch heritage to McCleery's vocals and acoustic guitar style and then, at the other extreme, is the 'Let's Get Back To It' that's the most elegantly produced track.

With the help of co-producers Matt Kelly, Greg Haynes (aka Fybe One) and Jesse Koolhaas this album (eight tracks) has a beautiful longevity to it and you never know, if Florence and The Machine can have it at the Proms, the full Jules Buckley experience at the Royal Albert Hall - now wouldn't that be something of a reconcilation?

Artist: Jono McCleery 

Title: Reconcile

Release date: 29th November, 2024

Label: Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number: SK499

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Phil Dawson ٤-tet - Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time (Funkiwala)

 

The latest in the must have albums of 2024 is 'Don't Waste Your Ancestor's Time' as Phil Dawson ٤-tet take on the past is now!

We've been introduced to Phil Dawson ٤-tet with the single 'Shifting Sands' (Mainline) featuring Khadijatou Doyneh (see review HERE) and we know the guitarist/producer learnt at the feet of legends like Hugh Masekela (as influential on the new compilation, 'Chakalaka Jazz - A Selection Of South African Gems  see review HERE), Afrobeat co-creator Tony Allen (as featured HERE), Ethio-jazz 'founder' Mulatu Astatke (who's new album was released last week - see review HERE), Osibisa and many more on the UK jazz/fusion scene.

And why is all this important?  Well it clearly is at the root of this album - as in the title - and all the lesson's he's had from the musical ancestors are have produced a deep fusion post Miles and denched in flute gang (again, last weeks' Flute Gang 'Album of the Week', Ludivine Issambourg's 'Above The Laws' - see review HERE that embraces more jazz-funk musical legends, the Laws family - happy 85th Birthday Hubert 10.11.24)

This is also 'out there' boarding on the free jazz space age on 'Now Rise Up' and on 'Pralaya' (which fade out far too early on the guitar solo for me) but evey track is a blend of Afro-futuristism fusion that's as cool on the jazzdance floor (especially, the spiritual space jazz of the ten minute monster opening track, 'Ghanaba')  as the headphones.

This is no suprise really as, in additon to Khadijatou,, the ٤-tet include saxophonist Tony Kofi (he's been brilliant for decades and also check out the duet album 'Alrera Vita' with Alina Bzhezhinska, see review HERE), Sam Leak (piano), Dele Sosimi, John Martin (tenor), Nick Walters (Trumpet), Biola Dosunmu (vocals), Justin Thurgur (Trombone - last seen on YATM on Wah Wah 45s Eparapo, 'Take To The Streeets' - see review HERE'') pluas a guest appearance from Tamar Collocutor!

Such a shame we missed the launch party at the Pizza Express last month but at least the album is a latest testament to how good these guys are and how well our ancestors spent their time (well, some of them)

Artist: Phil Dawson ٤-tet
Title: Don't Waste Your Ancestors' Time
Release date: 29th November, 2024
Label : Funkiwala
Catalog Number : -
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Matters Unknown - I Am The Birds (Bridge The Gap)

When you've got a Nubiyan Twist (Tom Excell) and Kweku Sackey (K.O.G) on your project together with a track on a Blue Note compilation, trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist and composer Jonathan Enser is in a position to declare, 'I Am The Birds'!

When you've just had a track on a Blue Note label compilation, 'Transmissions From Total Refeshment Centre' (where our good friend Emanative had a gig this week promoting his latest album, see review HERE), Jonathan thoughts went onto fusing orchestral arrangements with jazz, garage, dancehall and afrobeats.

We know K.O.G from his Heavenly Sweetness works (see review HERE) and his appearance on Nubiyan Twist's 'Find Your Flame' but Jonathan tells us, “The inspiration came from a transformative period in my life, where I was regularly confined to bed for days due to the excruciating chronic pain that ultimately led to my amputation. At this time, an Indian bean tree outside my window became a place of solace. The tree attracted bright green parakeets, which, though not indigenous, found a home in the urban environment. These birds, vibrant and free, became my companions, symbolising resilience, freedom, and the boundless possibilities of the mind and spirit. The parakeets offered me a vision of life beyond my suffering, where creativity and imagination could transcend the physical body.”

What with LEDJ's 'Circuit Breaker' that came out last month (see review HERE) what a great time it is to be a Afro-beat inspired jazz fan and it's going to be even better in the new year as there's an EP due, 'Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal' (24.01.25).

Artist: Matters Unknown

Title: I Am The Birds
Release date: 29th November, 2024
Label : Bridge The Gap
Catalog Number : -
Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Witch 'N' Monk - Outfox (Independent)

Witch 'N' Monk are a wily duo who have outfoxed the experimantal electronic jazz avant-guarde with this new album, 'Outfox'.

Based in the hedonistic city of Berlin, Muricio Velassierra (originally from Medellin) and Heidi Heidlelberg (London) are flying higher than the most wanted with their Latin hybrid electronica with soprano vocals.

Yep, it's odd and to prove their experimental .cojones, as their 'single' they release a "sonic geocache" experiences in your top cities - Berlin, London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, Amsterdam [everybodies talking 'bout pop music] where you walk through the music.

Without doubt, the most intereting single of the week!

Album release 26th February, 

 

Artist: Witch 'N' Monk
Title:  Outfox
Release date: 29th November, 2024
Label : Independent
Catalog Number : -
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp