Review: Danny Murano - Scientifical (Incl. Tash, Horatio, Rabo Remixes) (Leisure Music Productions)

No sure what to make of this/artwork as it's kinda Pirates Of The Carribean meets Lee 'Sractch' Perry in Miami - apart from that, it's a dancefloor treat.

And regular readers with know, all at YATM like a remix as they are often better than th e original.  Well, in this case Tash, Horatio and Rabo are up to the task as there's not a lot between them and the orignal.

The possible reason for this is, if I mention Austria's Dub Club?  Yeah, building on the legacy of Stereotyp, Makossa & Megblast, Capitol A, Hubert Tubbs, this is a new generation of percussive rhythms of Latin/Afro origin with groovy "dub-inspired soundscapes" in the Balearic club house.

Great to add to the seasonal party set.

Artist: Danny Murano
Title: Scientifical
Label: Leisure Music Productions
Release Date: 6th December 2024

Cat.Number: A198

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Tracklist:

1) Scientifical
2) Scientifical (Tash's SciFi Remix)
3) Scientifical (Horatio Remix)
4) Scientifical (Rabo Extended 5AM Remix)
5) Scientifical (Horatio Techno Remix)

Review: Unionen - Unionen (We Jazz Records)

With the spirit of a Led Zep album via the echoes of Colosseum, did someone say jazz-rock is back, even with a hint of prog-concept!   

Here's a bit more history, when Sweden and Norway had an agreement with a common monarch (1814 - 1905), it was known as Unionen so there's no better name for the collaboration of Ståle Størlokken  (Supersilent), Per "Texas" Johansson, Petter Eldh (Koma Saxo, Peter Evans, ENEMY and many more) and Gard Nilssen (Supersonic Orchestra) as this hints of a supergroup.

That said, the eight orginal compositions do vary from the rockin' '6983' (a golden era perhaps, 1969-83?) to 'Ståhlbad', 'Tomikron' and the title track with varying degrees  atmospheric sax, piano, bass and percussion that you'd expect from a We Jazz 'Supergroup'.

It's been a fantastic year for We Jazz and Unionen end it with a 'composite' of sorts as this album could be said to have tied many of thier (be the band or even the label?) disparate parts all together.

This album has already reached the appreciative ears of Tom Ravenscroft, Deb Grant and Guy Garvey (all on BBC 6 Music) but it's so much more than a one track album.

Per "Texas" Johansson; tenor saxophone, clarinet, contrabass clarinet, cor anglais & flute 
Ståle Storløkken; grand piano, fender rhodes & synths
Petter Eldh; double bass, electric bass & mpc
Gard Nilssen; drums & percussion

UNIONEN LIVE
27.3. Fasching, Stockholm, SE

Artist: Unionen
Title:  Unionen
Release date: 6th December, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP79
Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The Freestones - Our Experience (Remembering Jimi Hendrix) (Notami Jazz)

We all know the genius that was uniquely Jimi Hendrix, oft. immitated but never equalled, but here's something of a homage plus in the form of jazz interpretations by The Freestones.

This album is more than just a clever title as The Freetones are more than capable of doing a note-for-note cover versions which is why they've arranged their own versions of some of the Hendrix catologue sometimes to the extent that you wouldn't recognise the classic rock trio roots owing much to the arrangements of Stefano Conforti (Soprano, Alto & Tenor Sax).

This is particularly true of the opening tracks 'Gipsy Eyes', 'Have You Ever Been', 'Third Stone From The Sun' and 'Angel' (co-arranged by the electric guitarist Tonino Monachesi) that move from the modal to Latin flavours and on 'Angel', can you faintly hear Jimi singing along?

The remaining band members are Giuseppe Barabucci (Double & Electric bass) and Marco Brandi (Drums) with Andrea Canzonetta (Trumpet, Flugelhorn) and Antonio Ciccotelli (French Horn) joining in on 'Gipsy Eyes' and the 'hits', 'Purple Haze', 'Hey Joe' and 'Them Changes' (the one Buddy Miles track from the 'Band Of Gypsys' evolution from the Experience').

Whilst you will immediately recognise 'Purple Haze' it's actually a funky arrangement by jazz-funk legend David Sanborn (who passed in May this year, RIP) and Marcus Miller.

Two of my favourite Hendrix tracks are 'The Wind Cries Mary' and 'Little Wing' and appropriately both arranged by Monachesi here.

These guys have clearly been immersed in the music of Jimi, if not the era, so whilst the title is clever, the nine tracks are even better.

Artist: The Freestones 

Title:  Our Experience (Remembering Jimi Hendrix)

Release date: 3rd January, 2025

Label : Notami Jazz

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  CD Edizioni NOTAMI

Review: Emilia Sisco - Introducing Emilia Sisco (Timmion Records)

Is this the best Christmas present there is this year? Emilia Sisco's debut album being released on Timmion Records is perfect for the advent calender.

Following singles with Cold Diamond & Mink like, 'Let Me In' (see review HERE) and the album opener, 'Say Yes', Emilia Sisco makes a late bid for debut album of the year.

As deep and soulful as you'd imagine from Timmion Records with the house backing band (you'll recall this years' album by Jimi Tenor - see review HERE) are as perfect as any New York Daptones or the equally improbable new soul/funk guys outta Melbourne like Audrey Powne,Tamil Rogeon or even The Pro-Teens. 

All of these tracks are mini-masterpieces or potential singles.  'Your Girl' is particularly strong but this is vintage soul quality; 'Love So Devine' is a prime example but there's no duff track here, from the horns, guitar and sweet gospel harmonies, 'Certainly', 'Too Late' and 'In These Binds' excell.

The label are keen on 'Don't Let Nobody' but by the end of the ten tracks, you'll be in love with the sound of Emilia Sisco and her songs of love and pain; we're already in love with the Cold Diamond & Mink guys.  

I'm feelin' a bit like Joe Tex after this which is a bit weird as Emilia's voice is so pure but it indicates how well she delivers these emotional songs - amazing for a debut album.

Artist: Emilia Sisco 

Title:   Introducing Emilia Sisco

Release date: 6th December, 2024

Label : Timmion Records

Catalog Number : TRLP12016

Format:  LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

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.

.

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