Review: Paa Jude - Seaman Jolly (Asona / BBE Music)

All aboard 'Seaman Jolly' the album by Paa Jude that sounds more like a title of episode of this much chuckled at 'Captain Pugwash'. 

It may only be four tracks, along with the title track, 'Mente Gyae', 'Odo Refre Wo' and 'Ofie Nipa', BBE have gone back to the treasure trove of Asona Records for the best of Ghana's Burger Highlife. 

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You'll recall Burger revival of Kantata, A.K. Yeboah, Sam Yeboah's Hi-Life Sensation and Eric Agyemand & his Kokroko Band and Paa Jude is another influencial player that we'd have never have heard of if it hadn't been for DJ Jerry Frempong's wife sorting out the garden shed where Jerry's dad had left his Asona records master tapes.  After bringing in BBE's Pete Adarkwah, it was time to re-issue this history.

A for a minimal 101 on Burger, back in the 60s, the sounds of US soul, funk and pop (with associated electric instruments and production started to influence traditional Ghanan Highlife bands.  By the time Anthony Frempong was recording 'Seaman Jolly' in South London, there were other influences in the air like a dancehall dub of 'Mente Gyae' that seems short even at 10 minutes long.

'Odo Refre Wo' sounds like it's been influenced by hit by Lionel Richie at his 80s peak but it's more to do with the feel of the track than the sound whilst the percussion of Papa Cudjoe keeps it bouncing along like we're riding a pony; another one at 9 minutes that ends as if they were ready for some King Tubby 12" extended dubs. 

The title track sounds very traditional at a high paced with beautiful batimcking vocals and a tweaked keyboard solo; no English lyrics so I couldn't tell you if this is a fond quayside farewell but to say it's 'Jolly' would be an understatement.

By the time of 'Ofie Nipa', they have nailed the 'Seaman Jolly' reggae-higlife sound and it's joyous

Of course this type of muscial cross-fertilization is nothing new when it come to "royalty", such as the visits of James Brown and Sun Ra to Africa whilst Fela Kuti was big mates with Ginger Baker (Cream) and Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull).   And whilst, Paa Jude's 'Seaman Jolly' may not rank with such big names, this is a BIG album and you're not going to find an original copy so many thanks to the Frempongs and BBE for making this re-issue happen.

Artist: Paa Jude

Title: Seaman Jolly 

Release date: 10th January, 2025

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE763

Format:  LP / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Omar - Lovey Dovey / This Thing Called Life (Instrumental) (IMPRESS!VE Collective)

We've been impressed by all releases so far on the Impressive Collective so, stating the obvious, Omar 'The Man' is going to be impressive on this new single, ' Lovey Dovey' / 'This Thing Called Life' due out on 10th January.

You can't help love Omar's vocals even if the title is a bit soft and then, 'This Thing Called Life' is a big string orchestrated instrumental that sounds 70s OST, but update!

Fits in nicely with Jessica Lauren's 'Film (see review HERE) and whilst it sounds heretical to say that an instrumental track by Omar is the must have of 2025; there, I've said it!

NO DIGITAL : BANDCAMP LINK Lovey Dovey / This Thing Called Life (Instrumental) | Omar 

Artist: Omar

Title: Lovey Dovey / This Thing Called Life (Instrumental)

Release date: 10th January, 2024

Label :  IMPRESS!VE Collective (an imprint of BBE Music)

Catalog Number:BBE801SLP

Format: Vinyl 7"  / Bandcamp  

Review: Tigerbalm - Profunda Alma (Razor-N-Tape)

This isn't the pain relief that you get in jars to relieve itching, this is 'the' Tigerbalm in total 'Profunda Alma' featuring Joy Tyson.

Razor-N-Tape got all tropical before Xmas with this 5-tracker where Tigerbalm (aka Nicola Robinson) indulges her Afro-Latin obession (as you may guess from the cover artwork).

Renewing the 'International Love Affair' association with Joy Tyson, 'Profunda Alma' is the Rio beach Night Club tension set to the colour abandom of New Year Fireworks; at the disco of course, with cuíca.

Tigerbalm's 'International Love Affair' album attracted some name remixers like Chico Mann, Daniele Baldelli, Emperor Machine and Bustin' Loose (aka Tom Lilly at the Disco Express - see interview HERE) this release is going to get the Make-A-Dance duo, London based Ben Lewis and Josh Ludlow, top of many lists for tripped out dubs.

With the groovey Make-A-Dance Tribal Dub and a Make-A-Dance Acid Mix, this is great 12" for many an occassion.

Not only that, to mis-quote SNL, "More cuíca!"  And that we get with 'Vem Cá' featuring João Selva; with added bonus of a Yuksek remix.  The original sounds like it could have been on the 'new' Brasil of a 'SIM, SIM, SIM' (see review HERE) whilst Yuksek takes it up to the jazzy mainroom and he's the hot name at the moment after the Chilam Balam release last year (see reviw HERE).  Not exact Azymuth/Airto/etc for 'more cuíca!' but it's getting there.

Remember this is the Tigerbalm to take away any new year dancing pain and it's going to last long into the night/year. 

Artist: Tigerbalm

Title: Profunda Alma
Release date: 4th December, 2024
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : RNTR074
Format :  Digital / Bandcamp LINK https://razor-n-tape.lnk.to/ProfundaAlmaEP

Review: Whirlpool Productions - Fly Hi Mel Tormé / Gimme (Running Back)

Before we leave New Year behind, let's run back to a time when Whirlpool Productions could releasse 'Fly Hi' feturing jazz vocal legend Mel Tormé for disco house heads!

To follow on from the Right Temp Pro concept (with the Mingus Portrait Remixes - see review HERE but more pertantly Yellowtail with Mark Murphy - see review HERE), this release has a history back to the early 90s when it was originally released on 5th & Madison before being picked up by Logic Records in the UK.

Whirlpool Productions were a Cologne/Koln based music project that had a huge hit with 'Disco To Disco' (that was re-issued by Great Stuff Recordings and more recently, on a 10" as a Rockers Hi-Fi remix and we know more Biggabush related releases are planned after I met him a We Out Here Festival in the summer; also see HERE).

There's so much history here, I was even asked "is this Frank Sinatra?" which would be a long stretch but Mel's vocals are so clear and pure (even when he did his London shows in ) but I'd say it's more in the Mario Biondi 'his Is What You Are' envelope.

The only problem is it's not long enough, even with 2 remixes (a Zanzibar mix and a Morels Flying Underground remix) but that's may be why I can't get enough of it.

You're not going to go too far wrong with the other side of 'Gimme', again with 2 remixes (a Move D remix and a Gimme Shelter remix; the one with added squiggy synths) 

In 12" and digital formats - see links below - and that's why you'll come running back to this one. .

Artist: Whirlpool Productions
Title:  Fly Hi Mel Tormé / Gimme
Release date: 6th December, 2024 

Label : Right Tempo Pro

Catalog Number :RBDC12

Format :12" Vinyl/ Digital / Bandcamp LINK Fly Hi / Gimme | Whirlpool Productions | Running Back

Review: Gerardo Frisina & Toco feat. Luzia Dvorek - Deixa Passar (Schema Records)

Back in 2021, I said that Gerardo Frisina's 'Moving Ahead' was the Album Of The Year'.  He followed that up with a double album, 'Joyful Sound' and now it's time for his latest monster 12"!

It's been a while since the 'Joyful Sound' album (see review HERE) but even longer since the 'Frisina Meets Toco' EP, 5 years to be precise so definitely time for a reunion. 

And joining them on this 12", featuring Luzia Dvorek, the totally world-class Gianluca Petrella (trombone) plus Eduardo Taufic (piano).

If you're new to Mr Frisina, it's worth going way back to catch up with the most recent albums or even early 12s [now on Bandcamp] like 'Gerardo Frisina Blends Sabu Martinez & Shaib Shihab' and 'The Gods Of The Yoruba/Cohete' as he's been the best now for a very long time.

The jazz dance trio of Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge and Colin Curtis love this and it's a great start to the new year.

Artist: Gerardo Frisina & Toco feat. Luzia Dvorek

Title:  Deixa Passar 

Release date: 3rd January, 2025

Label : Schema Records

Catalog Number : SC541

Format: 12" vinyl   / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Seven Drops ft. Izzy Day - Edge OF Time (Mass Digital Remix)(Be Adult Music)

Seven Drops, joined by the incredible voice of Izzy Day, brings us 'Edge Of Time' to start the year with Mass Digital adding the perfect finishing touch with a stunning remix.

You don't need to have a good memory to know that Be Adult Music's last release was on Boxing Day, Detrás Del Vitral's 'Memories In Motion' (see review HERE).

So as we leave Merry Xmas and head towards having a Happy New Year, both tracks (original and the remix) get us feeling all dreamy and warm of spirit.

Artist: Seven Drops ft. Izzy Day

Title:  Memories In Motion

Release date: 2nd January, 2025

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM395

Format: Digital / Bandcamp.

Review: Various - Gator Boots Vol 20 (Gator Boots)

Even for JKriv, 2024 was a busy year so it's there's no shame in looking back at one of his many projects that came out late last year.

Yes, JKriv (aka Jason Kriveloff) steps outside of his Razor-N-Tape family (see review of Vol. 4 HERE) to give the a polish up some "Cabo Verde & Ghanaian pearls" with some NYC disco dancefloor.

'Batonga' is particularly powerful in a post-go-go which will sit with either Pedro Ricardo (see review HERE) or even Boddhi Satva & Dino D'Santiago's 'Moda Boddhi' (see review HERE).

However, the one for the party percussion disco is JKriv's rework of 'Valsadeira' in the summer Fania vibe with the bonus of a 'Jkriv Drum Tool'.  And for those that like a up-down shakin' dance (although I can't see it making Ally Pally anytime soon) there's the jazzy-rock sunshine of 'Ofo Kakra Sika Kakra'.

This one reminds me of Osibisa / Cymande influences and Gator Boots has previously released 12s by YATM favourites like Sol Power All-Stars (see review HERE), Inkswel (see review of his latest album HERE), Japan's Dazzle Drums, Soul Clap and many more: all on vinyl!

Definitely a label to follow even if will the idea of Boots made from Gators would be a step to far for this footwork team.

Artist: Various

Title: Gator Boots Vol 20 

Release date: 30th July, 2024

Label: Gator Boots

Catalog Number: GB20

Format: 12" Vinyl

Review: Detrás Del Vitral - Memories In Motion (Be Adult Music)

Here's one for Boxing Day, Detrás Del Vitral shares 'Memories In Motion' from the always grown-up, Be Adult Music.

We thought Be Adult Music would be ending the year on the high of Julian Marazuela's 'Lights' with the Vincenzo Remix (see review HERE) but there's just enough time to squeeze in another as a treat for the festive season on Boxing Day.

Both tracks, 'Painful Choice' and 'Ripples Of Memory' are emotionally charged that's reflected in the cover artwork.

'Painful Choice' is like an elongated journey whilst 'Ripples Of Memory' go synth-house with lonesome piano which is loses itself until the vocals start.

Be Adult Music have had a great year [again] as they celebrated their 8th Anniversary (see review HERE) along with their sister labels, Be Adult Roots (as with Prosis - see review HERE) and Be Adult Weapons: 2025 looks likely to be be adult than usual.

Artist: Detrás Del Vitral

Title:  Memories In Motion

Release date: 26th December, 2024

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM394

Format: Digital / Bandcamp.

Review: Bosque Sound Community – 12 Angry Mushrooms (A.MA Edizioni, A.MA Records)

Definitely time for some jazz fusion from Italy and the combo calling themselves the Bosque Sound Community ride the Serbian wave on the SI-Jazz mushroom hunt.

The band/group/community were formed in Belgrade in 2015 and it's definitely different to the label's last release,  Fabio Tullio's 'Entanglements' (see review HERE) judging by the first track 'San Franciso Waltz' as not only is it not an angry mushroom, it's 15 minutes of solid jazz fusion that owes much to the greats like Chick Corea, Jaco Pistorious and Wayne Shorter in a post Weather Report vane, it's got great solos, particularly the keys, soprano sax and the flute.

For '12 Angry Mushroom' it's but one of 5 tracks, 'Twelve Angry Mushrooms' Parts 1 & 2 (that's got the added bonus of some deep strings, 'Please One For Goodbye' (the calming/mournful one) and 'Arsen D' (the heavily percussive one with snake charmer appeal for those that like to express themselves on the jazz-fusion dancefloor; did someone say, "Jaco / Weather Report"?).

All tracks are composed by founder/leader/bassist Milos Bosnic with Stevan Milijanovic (piano/keys), Aleksa Milijanovic (drums), Aleksander Radulovic (percussion), Aleksandar Petkovic (soprano sax) and flautist Milena Jancuric (flute).

It's a great album and those DJ types like Peterson, Beadle, Parnell will be on this and I think Patrick Forge will particularly enoy the title track for it's intensity.

Good to see that the home of Red Star are getting support from Italy

Artist: Bosque Sound Community 

Title: 12 Angry Mushrooms 

Release date: 20th December, 2024 (Pre-Order on Bandcamp Friday, 13th December)

Label : A.MA Records

Catalog Number : CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Küf Knotz & Christine Elise - Somewhere / Patience (Independent)

Küf Knotz & Christine Elise take us 'Somewhere' into the future and have shown us 'Patience' as there new album is due out soon.

On the last Küf Knotz & Christine Elise single we were singing the praises of Christine's harp playing (see review HERE) and still do.  This latest single features her vocals on two tracks, 'Somewhere' and 'Patience'.

Both tracks are draw on R&B,conscious hip-hop, funk and soul and whilst it's Xmas time, it's a shame there not instrumental versions, particularly as there's an angelic harp solo on 'Patience'; perhaps, we'll have to wait until the new year. 

And, indeed, there is their fourth album called 'Grow' which is due out next Spring and with the backing of these two tracks in particular as they are very radio friendly. 

Artist: Küf Knotz & Christine Elise

Title: Somewhere / Patience

Release date: 20th December, 2024

Label: Independent

Catalog Number: TBC

Format: Digital