Review: Mr. Scruff - Ninja Tuna (Vinyl Debut Edition) (Ninja Tune)

It's that time of year to look back and we've definitey seen 'Ninja Tuna' before, whether it was when it came out in 2008 as a trendy gatefold CD cover or Memory Stick to this years' repackaged triple LP edition that came out in March!

That was never going to hang about for long as a special 3 x LP edition as Mr Scruff has been as busy as ever as a DJ, especially with his big festival and back-to-back appearances with Aroop Roy (last seen on YATM on remix duties for Beb Lee Harding - see review HERE).  

Anyway, here's a quick look back to 2008 when I was scribbling away for www.flyglobalmusic.com in pre-bandcamp days.

Download the expanded edition and for a bit more Ninja Tune retro, don't forget The Cinematic Orchestra's 'Every Day' that come out last year, see review HERE.

WeOutHere Festival 2024 - Listen Back: Mr Scruff, Charlie Dark, MC Kwasi & Vanessa Freeman at Love Dancin’ HERE

Artist: Mr Scruff

Title: Ninja Tuna (Vinyl Debut Edition)

Release date : 29th March, 2023

Label : Ninja Tune

Catalog Number : ZEN143XX

Format: 3 x LP [Sold Out] / Digital

It was only the other week that Gilles Peterson was interviewing Mr. Scruff (aka Andy Carthy) and he definitely said there was no forthcoming album, well he was wrong because here is the first plate of hot Ninja Tuna
That’s no typo, Scruff is now on his new label Ninja Tuna (as you know, when he’s not drinking tea, he’s drawing pies and fish) so after the release of some single “bait”, here’s the full album catch. It’s nearly ten years since Keep It Unreal that first got Mr. Scruff into the hearts of the nation, six years since Trouser Jazz (as an aside, I was in France when this came out and they couldn’t get enough of it) and since then we’ve had the re-issue of his debut Mr. Scruff on Ninja and various compilations (Mr. Scruff’s Big Chill Classics) so it’s about time you’re thinking. And I must admit, I’ve missed the cheeky Mr Scruff jazz wobbly funk. And it looks like his music bizz mates have too as they’ve all turned up to help out. Roots Again & Again Manuva, Tru-thoughts finest Quantic and Alice ‘Lemon’ Russell, the girl of the moment Andreya Triana, that man Pete Simpson [see more of him HERE), soul legend Phillip Mitchell and loads more. The brand new video for “Music Takes Me Up” featuring Alice Russell can be watched right here. The first track is like his mission statement ‘Test The Sound’, “Who wanna mess around?, Scruff rockin’ the drums” as the whole album is his usual mix of jazz-soul-funk dance floor fish and chip supper boogie; everyone loves Mr Scruff. If you get Scruff and Will ‘Quantic’ Holland together on a Latin trip wobble, that’s a ‘Donkey Ride’ on a dancefloor tune (fans will also enjoy the curry mile of Brazil for the ‘Stockport Carnival’). Ms. Triana has just appeared on TM Juke & The Jack Baker Trio album (check out HERE and her other appearances on FLY) and ‘Hold On’ adds to her every growing reputation as a sweat soul singer. Talking of soul, Mr. Simpson is on his usual immaculate form and funkers can just ‘Get On Down’! That one hurts so much - Scruff and Prince Phillp Mitchell we salute you. Really this is so good you’ll want to ‘Bang The Floor’ with delight (classic Scruff bass line) and ‘Whiplash’ gets silly as a hairy bumpercress jazz sandwich. Mr Manuva is as reliable as always and joins in the fun ‘Nice Up The Function’. Nowhere near as prolific as Shawn Lee, Mr. Carthy has got the same Miles Of Styles mentality. And it’s all dancefloor tested and approved as when he’s not making his own music, he’s out DJing improbably long sets sustained by pots of ninja tea and a giant pickle or two. Ninja Tuna is now on tour and loads from the album and the usual mix of jazz, funk, soul, northern soul, disco, house, hip hop and the occasional Scruffy “odd-ball” leftfielder. All very recommended. Forthcoming Dates: November 2008 1/11/08 - Manchester - Music Box 6/11/08 - Swansea - Sin City 7/11/08 - London - ALBUM LAUNCH @ Matter, 02 Main Room Mr. Scruff all nite Room 2. Jazzanova (Sonarkollektiv) DJ set & Kelvin Brown (Eyes Down/Electric Chair, Manchester). Tickets £15 advance from matterlondon.com, ticketweb, ticket-text.com. Tube: North Greenwich River: Thames Clipper from central London to Queen Elizabeth II pier. 8/11/08 - Bristol - Academy 13/11/09 - Leamington - The Assembly 14/11/09 - Sheffield - University 15/11/08 - Cambridge - The Junction 20/11/09 - Edinburgh - Liquid Rooms 21/11/08 - Glasgow - The Arches 22/11/08 - Dundee - Okupa December 2008 5/12/08 - Brighton - Concorde 2 11/12/08 - Cardiff - Solus 12/12/08 - Nottingham - Stealth 16/12/08 - Val D’isere - Dicks T Bar Reviewed: Mr. Scruff - Ninja Tuna (Ninja Tuna) Cat. No: ZENCD143 Release date: 6th October 2008 Tracklisting: 1 Test The Sound (1:41) 2 Music Takes Me Up feat. Alice Russell (5:28) 3 Donkey Ride feat. Quantic (5:14) 4 Hairy Bumpercress (6:31) 5 Whiplash (6:01) 6 Nice Up The Function feat. Roots Manuva (3:56) 7 Bang The Floor (3:43) 8 Get On Down feat. Prince Phillp Mitchell (5:54) 9 Hold On feat. Andreya Triana (5:04) 10 Give Up To Get (6:45) 11 Kalimba (5:21) 12 This Way feat. Pete Simpson (5:32) 13 Stockport Carnival (5:30) Links www.mrscruff.com www.myspace.com/mrscruffofficial www.ninjatuna.com www.ninjatune.net Dolphin-friendly tuna? Don’t believe it - Independent Thursday, 12 October 2006 Gilles Peterson :: 31.07.08 :: Mr Scruff In The Studio Mr Scruff feat Kaidi Tatham - Give Up To Get - Ninja Tunes (60:00) Mr Scruff feat Alice Russell - Music Takes Me Up - Ninja Tunes —Gerry Hectic Tuesday 4 November 2008

 

Review: Leon Raum - Basement Meditation EP (Sonar Kollektiv)

Leon Raum is a producer, drummer and multi-instrumentalist who has managed to interupt his busy schedule to produce this 4-track 'Basement Meditation EP'.

As ever, Sonar Kollektiv are first to get in the basement with Mr. Raum as he gets into his musical savasana with 'Cascade', 'For QnD', 'Champloo' and 'All Night'.

Very different to other recent releases on the label like Mieke Miami's 'Birdland' (see review HERE) or Jono McCleery (see review HERE) but then there's clear links to hip-hop beats via Madlib/Dilla so in some ways, you can see the lineage; especially from a drummers perspective.

So the constant gripe is these tracks are too short, especially 'Champloo' and 'All Night' - the latter destined to be a house hit with a bit of an extension edit a la Theo Parrish.

It's impressive to find out this whole project is just Leon Raum sorting out his beats and loops in the basement and we're always keen to hear jazzy beats and he's definitely found a groove that's got more movement to it than pure meditation.

P.S. Artwork by Penelope (Leon's sister)

Artist: Leon Raum 

Title: Basement Meditation EP 

Release date: 13th December, 2024

Label: Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number: SK508

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Julian Marazuela - Lights + Vincenzo Remix (Be Adult Music)

We love to be adult when it comes to a Vincenzo remix but in the case of Julian Marazuela's 'Lights', we're like rabbits caught in the glare of headlights,

Vincenzo's remix is deep and dreamy as we've grown to expect; also Sumsuch/Will Brock 'Free Born Man' (see review HERE) and his own 'Extrasolar' (see review HERE) - is there a light source theme going on here?

But there's two other versions, 'It's Time To Close' and a 'Solstice' mix and both are mezmerising.

This is strangely Xmas/winter solstice/Balearic so it'll be more than interesting to see what version makes the December Colour & Pitch mix so stay tuned.

And in case your still not sure how in demand Vincenzo is, don't forget he's got a track on Razor-N-Tape's annual 'Family Affair' compilation, no on Volume 4 - see review HERE.

Artist: Julian Marazuela 

Title:  Lights + Vincenzo Remix

Release date: 12th December, 2024

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM392

Format: Digital / Bandcamp.

Review: Toribio - Daylight ft. Sharin (Crackazat Remix) (Juliet Records)

Cesár and  Sharin Toribio have seen the light of day; with Crackazat on the remix for our favourite pre-seasonal fesitval track of the year, 'Daylight' as yellow as a sunflower.

 

Unseasonally, summer sunshine themed release with artwork like Carlos Niño and Mia Doi Todd have gone to Kew Gardens' Hot House for a photo shoot.

But 'Daylight' ain't West Coast, it's a great house anthem track as Cesár adds his production skils and drum programming in his New York studio with piano, Fender Rhodes, Juno 60, Moog and anything else available to Sharin's stunning vocals.

And if the original was hot, the ever in demand Crackazat is on the remix.  Whether its Stay True Records, Freerange (with Jimpster), Local Talk (where he was embedded in Sweden) or any other label he's been on,  Crackazat (aka Ben Worral from Bristol) knows how to weave his improvised jazzy keys and 'Daylight' becomes very active nightime entertainment.

In the original and alternate mix options it's a track that certainly hit the funky, soulful, jazzy brief and if you need more Toribio, there's no better place than the collaboration with Brandon Markell Holmes, 'Go Ahead' (see review HERE); not least because it comes with another Byron The Aquarious remix (like Igor Jadranin's 'Contemporary Outdoors' that's 'Massive' for 2025).

If you're familiar with Toribio and Sharin as Conclave, you'll know how good these guys and that Juliet Records have seen the 'Daylight' with this one.

Artist: Toribio 

Title: Daylight ft. Sharin (Crackazat Remix)

Release date: 13th December, 2024

Label : Juliet Records

Catalog Number : JLT-02

Format: 12" vinyl   / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: BBE Staff Selections 2024 (BBE Music)

Many people's highlight of the year, the annual 'BBE Staff Selections' gets release just before Xmas, impecable timing as ever.

Just released from the office playlist this is the chance to add those exclusive musical treats as you get select J Jazz reissues, Jessica Lauren’s trailblazing 1997 album, Rahaan’s soulful Chicago disco and get Louie Vega’s unreleased percussion mix of musclecars' 'Tonight'.

And just in case case you've got room for one more, try the £5 Xmas Raffle (with a great prize), Sidiku Buari's 'Merry Christmas And Happy New Year' [winners announced 13th December]. 

Artist: Various Artists

Title:  BBE Staff Selections 2024

Release date: 20th December, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE814

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Elasi - Amaemi / Iceberg (Trident Records)

We like to think we're eclectic at YATM but what do ya reckon to Fashion-I-Pop DnB?

Long been fans of Italian jazz and we like some 'Ciao Amore' with a wealth of 60s Italian female singers and Italo-house but this is a new one on us.

Italian singer, songwriter, producer and DJ Elisa Massara (aka Elasi) has got a HotFingers touch on electronic pop from the leftfield.

'Amaemi' is the warped DnB track which gets bonus points as it sounds like the vocals are in Japanese; it's going to turn heads on the dancefloor.  Whilst 'Iceberg' is like Stereolab goes lo-brow-mainstream from an Italian nursery school. 

Both tracks are from a forthcoming album so who knows what she'll come up with?

Artist: Elasi

Title: Amaemi / Iceberg
Release date: 13th December, 2024
Label : Trident Records

Catalog Number : TBC
Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: VA - Family Affair Vol. 4 (Razor-N-Tape)

The NYC to the world present that comes via those trendies at Razor-N-Tape (now on Vol. 4) is the compilation that gives the most for the dancefloor that's 'Family Affair'.

If you've been a fan of Razor-N-Tape's yearly round-up of friends and family since Vol. 1 in 2021, the first thing you'll notice about this years' Vol. 4 is they've swopped the black frame album art theme for a snappy pop-art-ish 3x3 tile, which would work great if they created drinks coaster products (Ed. we'll want 10% of future sales).

You'll also notice that the quality of Vol. I's "affair", like heavyweights Dimitri From Paris, DJ Rocca and the then lesser known, Clive From Accounts (who only last week had his Fred Everything remix released on Lazy Days Recordings - see review HERE), is still being used as the formula.

There's two options, a 5-track 12" featuring DJ Rocca's comptemporary in the cosmic disco style, Ilija Rudman ('Discoteka Parmida'), Yasmin ('Real High'), Barcelona's Arnau Obios ('Pagan Mambo', a lively Afrobeat), label co-maestro JKriv's rework of Bessa Simons' 'Sii NaNa' plus one of our 2024 favourites, Vincenzo with 'Love Accurate' (also see the incredible Vincenzo remix of 'Free Born Man' by Sumsuch & Will Brock - see review HERE and his own 'Extrasolar' on Be Adult Music - see review HERE).

The digital 10 track also features future names like the Underground System's "Afro-Punk-Disco" (very NY), Dennis Liber and Yasmin Kademian on Latin-Italo-disco ('Baila Exotica') and Misiu's 'Belsize Funk' (too good to be influence by Belsize Park 80s jazz-funk? And Mike Misiu who was on Family Affair Vol.2 with Philippa who has just has a remix released on Best's Friends - see review HERE) and on Vol. 3, Yuu Udagawa who had her tracks remixed by JKriv and Fred Everyting earlier this year (see review HERE).

So it's clear that those that you don't know on Vol. 4 now will probably go on to get better known within the Family Affair dispora of dance so get it now to get ahead of the game and enjoy this wide ranging festive get together.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Family Affair
Release date: 13th December, 2024
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : TBC
Format :  12" - 5 track viyl / Digital / Bandcamp

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Review: The Mighty Tiny & The Many Few - Be The Good People (And&)

It's not that often a DJ is so impressed with a debut album release that he plays all seven tracks!  That's what's happened with The Mighty Tiny & The Many Few's 'Be The Good People' on And&.

Drenched in soul-jazz R&B and crafted with vintage techniques it's got a feel of Emilia Sisco's debut just out on Timmion Records (see review HERE) but for a 60s - 90/00 soul vibe; particulary 'Young World' and 'Life Called River'.

"Walshy Fire (Major Lazer) bridges cross-continental connections in collaboration with Grammy-winning composer and writer Randy Valentine, a South London-based artist hailing from Clarendon, Jamaica. Joining them is Copenhagen-based improvisational jazz visionary Steven Jess Borth II, aka CHLLNGR (I Am An Instrument) along with the crème de la crème of Danish jazz talent, including Morten McCoy, Jonathan Bremer, Rumpistol, Mikkel Hess, and more. For over two decades, Randy Valentine has cultivated a distinctive voice in music, and his latest work with the concept band The Mighty Tiny and the Many Few brings this artistry to life in a fresh, vibrant way. Brought together by Steven Jess Borth II and Walshy Fire, the band unites over 15 musicians from three continents, celebrating collaboration and shared joy. Alongside Ånd&, the team has crafted a musical masterpiece that resonates with a global perspective and a collective spirit of creative expression.

'Be The Good People' is both a statement and a declaration of revolutionary love - a bold call to action. This seven-track album blends soul-drenched, horn-driven, and timeless instrumentation with forward-thinking, insightful lyrics inspired by life’s triumphs and challenges. The result is a powerful musical journey, promising to be a rewarding ride for every anchoring ear."

This is so deeply Invicta Radio right up to Solar Radio soul, ‘Be The Good People’ is out on the independent label Ånd&.and if you've not checked out Enrique Domenech's radio show, it's below, and of course, Gilles Peterson's BBC 6 Music show is ahead of us all playing the title track.

December 8, 2024: Show #109 | REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR - Enrique Domenech presents Freeforms#36 Download HERE 

November 23, 2024: 

Gilles invites guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento and vocalist Thandi Ntuli into the studio - track track starts at 1:21:00 HERE

Vinyl LP Version coming in March 2025 

Artist: The Mighty Tiny & The Many Few

Title: Be The Good People
Release date: 15th November, 2024
Label :And&
Catalog Number : TBC
Format :  Digital / Bandcamp /

Review: Various - Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 3 Compiled by Fred und Luna (Compost Records)

Fred Und Luna (aka Rainer Buchmüller) passed away on the 8th Februry this year so it's with some sadness that Vol. 3 of his 'Future Sounds Of Kraut' is a posthumous release but then, it's also a fitting tribute too!

And whilst we don't want to dwell on the sad circumstances, the best of the 14 tracks (3 being exclusive and previously unreleased) feature Fred und Luna; the opener 'Der Allgemeine Tenore' and the disco-jazz friendly 'Water Map' featuring the 'free' Organza Ray.

But like Vols 1 & 2, this is all the what you' ad expect from modern kraut-electronica that 

can be traceed by to the originators Tangerene Dream, Kraftwerk, Neu! Cluster, Klaus Schulze and loads more and if you like, ENO (Ed. controversial).

And if modern is 2023, Philipp Johann Thimm's 'Meine Muse' as reworked "for The Düsseldorf Düsterboys" is probably the most Kraut on the album in that it's glichy, techno with an undercurrent of folky Stereolab.

Compare with a more trad.Kraftwerk. 'Zum Schmalen Handtuch' (Niklas Wandt) in German and 'Lambda' (Von Spar) in English, the synth/drum fest. 'Nachtraucher' (Christian Nainggolan) that sounds like a stream train from space and then an actual 'Space Taxi' (Sula Bassana) with a swarm of bees.

For a 14 track compilation, you might think they'd be a couple of duff tracks, but not in this case possibly because it is hard to define what is Kraut [musically], ever lone the future sounds of the past electronic innovatons of 70s/80s meets tradition and culture of 60s hippy commune / improviations / squats to world percussion of today.  If you were going to push me, the duo called Twonky comes closest with a track called 'Dream Is Impossible'; oh, and a close second, get some post-punk disco 'Wer Macht Die Arbeit' by Savage Art 

So what you do get in Vol. 3 is a further education of what the previous editions brought to our attention and thankfully Fred und Luna was able to confirm these selections (along with ideas for a Vol. 4) before he passed as he was happy that Compost release this 'Sign Of Life' from him.

As on Vol. 1 and 2, the collage on the cover was designed exclusively by the fantastic artist Norika Nienstedt from the Kraut metropolis of Düsseldorf.

Various - Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 2 Compiled by Fred und Luna (see review HERE)

Various - Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 1 Compiled by Fred und Luna (see review HERE)

I think we should repeat Compost Record's press statement: "We are deeply saddened that we lost a very close friend, a true creative musician, artist , poet, soulmate and beloved human being with a great sense of humour. Rainer Buchmüller aka Fred und Luna died after a long carcinosis. Our thoughts and prayers in these days of mourning are with his wife and family. Rainer Buchmüller aka Fred und Luna has made several albums, first one on Frank Wiedemann’s Bigamo label, then three albums plus several Maxi - Singles and 7 inches on Compost Records and Elaste Records. Rainer had several alter egos, too. Under his Fred und Luna moniker he recently compiled the highly acclaimed “Future Sounds Of Kraut” compilation series for Compost. Rainer also wrote circa 120 poems in the vein of Ernst Jandl, Dada, Kurt Schwitters. Rainer, we love you! R.I.P."

Artist: Various Artists
Title: Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 3 compiled by Fred und Luna
Release date: 6th December, 2024
Label: Compost Records
Cat. No: CPT 645
Format: 2xLP / Digital LINKS / Bandcamp

Review: Ralf GUM feat. Monica Blaire – AWA (Atjazz Remixes) (Foliage)

Definitely only one label for Ral Gum's tropical garden-house track 'AWA' (with the wonderful vocals of Monica Blaire) and that's Foliage.

The original that came out at the begining of the the year was supported by all the DJs (including Bob Hill and Andy Garvey) and was earmarked as a big release.   No surprise there as Ralf had been a busy boy with another collaboration with the vocalist Clara Hill on 'Don't Talk'.

So when it comes to a remix, who is the best pair of hands/knobs to turn to?  Atjazz of course!

With the instrumental, you can really tell to depth he goes to whilst creating this jazz bruky space dub wondering; but you can't beat the remix with some great lyrics from U.S.[Detroit] based vocalist Monica (also featured on 'Don't Look Down', see review HERE and the fantastic version of 'It's Not Right, But It's OK', see review HERE)

Foliage are ending the year strong as this remix package follows the Sean McCabe & Jill Rock Jones release 'Only You (see review HERE) but they're not going to be able to beat this remix of 'AWA' - or are they?

PS. Have you noticed how the artwork background colour changes from white to black with original and remix; effective stuff.

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

Artist: Ralf GUM feat. Monica Blaire

Title:  AWA (Atjazz Remixes)

Release date: 6th December, 2024

Label: Foliage Records

Cat. No: FN106

Format: Bandcamp / Digital