Review: LEONOIR - Chombona (Ostowana)

"Get ready to dance and feel the rhythm with 'Chombona' - a perfect anthem for dance celebrations. Don't miss out on this unique addition to the Afro house scene!"

That's what Ostowana say and even though it's so hard to follow the release towards the end of last year, Cranky and Salah Fafah featuring Hassan Tays with 'Ayamargi' (see review HERE), this vocals and instrumental combo will go a long way to brighten up the new year.

Leonoir's debut is that connection with deep and Afro house and with the synths to swing it along, it's a bit of train ride; which is always good news. 

Artist: LEONOIR 

Title: Chombona

Release date: 17th January, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST087

Format: Digital

Review: Vincenzo - Lake Bell (Be Adult Music)

Vincenzo is back in 2025!

 

Nearly two years since Be Adult Music released 'Extrasolar' / 'The Witching Hour' (see review HERE), 'Lake Bell' has some of the sweeping Ibiza sunshine that was on the now classic Sumsuch & Will Brock 'Born Free' remix (see review HERE) but as an instrumental.

Check it out!

Artist:  Vincenzo 

Title: Lake Bell

Release date: 16th January, 2025

Label: Be Adult Music 

Catalog Number: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ben Sun - The Henge (Razor-N-Tape)

Fans of big stones, soltices and salutations should turn towards Ben Sun's 'The Henge', the eight track album to rock your start of the new year.

The cover artwork by Ben is a cross between Led Zepplin's "mysterious" symbols, Tai Chi's extended yin-yang design with a test card surround.  Why? dunno, as this is as far from Chinese heavy metal TV repairs as you can get.

What it is close to is electronic dance that's ready for a sun set or a sun rise with a varying rhythms that's not consistently dark, moody, meditative or upbeat but manages to combine all in a conherent tapestry.

You get the idea from tracks like 'Autumn Phase' and the warped chant, acoustic boogie of 'Bootstand (Strange Soil)' the playfully percussive synth-up of 'The Khan's Reverie' and the "mixtape introduction", 'Living Things'.

Those lost is a tradition chinese folk and Christmas harp music, head for 'Moon Lion' (not too far for fans of Küf Knotz & Christine Elise's 'Yü / Cascade' - see review HERE) but we also like the beach sounds of 'Ten Thousand Shells' for some Balearics and the space bouncy 'Azha (The Nest)'.

'Photoelectric' is the big dancefloor tune and it's similar to Ben's last release on Razor-N-Tape, 'Distant Messenger EP' which came out about the time of his live ambient set at We Out Here Festival.  He's also had releases on Jimpster's Chyphon Recordings (as recently see with Loxodrome - see review HERE) and Delusions Of Grandeur (as recently seen with Son Of Hex - see review HERE) and 'The Henge' feels like a combination of all this, a electronic high point that's warming in so many ways.

No wonder fans as diverse as Linkwood and Laurent Garnier are on this already so they're well prepared for the next Summer Solitice.

Artist: Ben Sun

Title: The Henge
Release date: 17th January, 2025
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : TBC
Format :  Digital / Bandcamp LINK The Henge | Ben Sun

Review: Sun Sone - Patience (Earthly Measures)

Earthly Measures, "an independent label based in London - focusing on music from all corners of the globe" have found a guiding light in Sun Sone and both are rewarded for their 'Patience'.

The Sun Sone (aka Luke Martin) debut album release if full of the producer's love of West Coast Dub Lab experiental beats/hip-hop/Latin/Flying Lotus/Kamasi Washington with OST/Library assignations with Jon Hopkins, James Blake, Rayuichi Sakamoto (RIP), Bill Laswell.

The seven minutes of 'Cascade' particularly fits this bill with previous singles, 'Body' and 'Apogee' celebrating the global and the combination of 'Echo', that even crams in some glitchy jazz tape-loop elements, we can move this on the dancefloor.  

The Latin/World tracks that will gain attending are 'Train' and 'Nothing Happens Twice' and if this was a different label, the likes of Atjazz and Osunlade would be signing up for the remixes especially as he uses an array of percussive instruments from all over the globe that Sone "elegantly massages.. to create a sound which is familiar but also alien" (again, this really fits the last two tracks, 'Just Be' (like a warped James Blake) and 'Inhale' (gospel house meets post-punk-world with SHOLTO; as he's another fan of the OST/harp).

The eight tracks might not have a recognisable theme, possibly due to the length of time the album took Luke to make (a mere 10 years - hence the album title 'Patience') but you can't say any track is 'dated' as the Sun Sone project comes across as self-contained as well as original and exciting.

It was Earthy Measures' 8 Birthday on 12th November, after starting out as a club night in a Dalston (Ed. so trendy) basement in 2016, so it's quite an achievement for 'Patience' being their 22nd release!  Expect support from usual suspects in leftfield electronica, Gilles Peterson, Lefto, Bill Brewster, Steve Barker and the rest. 

Artist: Sun Sone 
Title:  Patience 
Release date: 17th January 2025
Label : Earthly Measures
Catalog Number : EARTHLY022 (TBC)
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Radic The Myth - Back To You (Freerange Records)

Radic The Myth may not be a legend at the moment but 'Back To You' has got that feel of being on the cusp as Freerange Records continues its love of promoting South African based deep house.

After all the excitement of Jimpster & Bishy's 'Come Down' last month on Freerange Records (see review HERE), it's 'Back To You' with an EP by Radic The Myth. 

After releasing tracks on the influential Stay True Sounds label and having 'Rainy' on Stay True Sounds Vol.4, Compiled By Kid Fonque, and 'Ubuntu (Unity)' selected for Vol. 5 (see review HERE), the 3 tracks on Back To You, being the title track, 'Phone Calls' and 'Summer Solstice' are even further from obvious 'Afro-house' and much more iin the Chicago corner of Jimpster's label. 

The stutter of 'Back To You' plus the echo/dub vibe makes this a grower, especially as there's a "warm sub bass" in the house.  'Phone Call' is loft spoken world Parrish/Moodymann tradition with the Chicago Loop train system in support.  , 

And for some, the most exciting element is Jimpster addding his synth/keyboard talents to 'Summer Solstice' with infusion of jazz that is one of his trademarks attributes.

This EP compliments his other tracks, especially the dancefloor favourite, 'Ubuntu (Unity)' or indeed long-time supporter, DJ Andy Garvey's favoutrite, 'Return Of The Zulu Gangsta' (check out Andy's Delectabeats show on Afrodisiac Radio HERE every Sunday) and if there is going to be a Freerange equilvalent of 'There Ain't No Album!' lets have it before the summer solstice; hopefully with dub versions too!

Artist:  Radic The Myth

Title: Back To You EP

Release date: 17th Janurary, 2025

Label : Freerange Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp LINK https://radicthemyth.bandcamp.com/album/back-to-you-ep

Review: Stimulator Jones - Stimulator Tracks Vol. 2 (Star Creature)

"What we're gonna do right here is go back, way back, back into time." - well, we are but we're also going to look forward to Vol. 2 of 'Stimulator Tracks' from Stimulator Jones on Star Creature as he's being inspired by the past to find star tracks of the future.

You don't have to go that far back to get Vol. 1 as it was only this summer that we had the four track 12" that squelched it's boogie acid on the dancefloor particularly 'Night Walk' as the acid drops on synth backing vocals in a 80s disco groove that works it's magic every time.

Could Vol. 2 match this or even be better?  Well, I suppose once you've jumped ships from Stones Throw after a couple of albums of beats/jazz/funk/soul of 'Enviroments Striving For Perfection' you're going to have more than one weapon in ya arsenal.  And this is deep in manoevres from backroom to mainroom with 'Cytoplasm' - as your 303s go cyborg crazy in a bubblin' soup.

Talking of mainrooms, what's that classic I can here interupting our backroom get down on 'Fantasies'; this is track on it's own is going to make this 12" fly as it crosses many decades of house - you've got to get up to this one. 

'Hold Plz' is like another Chicago loop soundtrack with a killer bassline whilst the lead track, 'Cali Red' is the most danceable of the lot with disco space synths and sirens warning us that this is a big track.

Mr. Jones' appeared on the emerging talent showcase, Gilles Peterson's 'Brownswood Bubblers' back in 2017 (Ed. that's Vol. 12 that also featured Madison McFerrin and Chip Wickham!) was an indication that we'd see him in the future so it was no surprise that 'Stimulator Tracks Vol. 1' was great; and now I believe Vol. 2 is even better!

Buy Link: Stimulator Jones - The Stimulator Tracks Vol 2

Artist: Stimulator Jones 

Title:  Stimulator Tracks Vol. 2 

Release date: 17th January, 2025

Label : Star Creature

Catalog Number : SC1258

Format: 12" / Digital / Bandcamp Link HERE The Stimulator Tracks Vol 2 | Stimulator Jones 

Review: DB Cohen - For the Love Of Ella (Ramrock Red Records)

Ramrock Red Records know how to get jazz heads interested in what was originally penned as a theme tune of a TV rom-com, no doubt centred on hilarious antics of characters played by the likes of Wilfred Pickles, Karl Howman or Bill Nighy!

Before that talking of love and r,omance, if you're a fan of Ella Fitgerald and were looking for cover versions for a re-launch of your radio show, look no further than 'Ella' from 1969 for 10 Super Hot pop-pickers choices.  

And nothing to do with this release by DB Cohen (last seen on YATM with 'Manchild' - see review HERE) where he's sailed upstream from the Essex delta blues, picking up Dr. Feelgood and Chris Hill's Soul boys from Canvey Island, only to dock around the corner from Loftus Road (a reference for all the fans of The Libertines out there).

This is energetic indie rock rampage that'll attract Acid-jazz-mod-rockers that have been touched by the Latin Soul of Snowboy and is slated for the tracklist of Craig Charles' BBC 6 Radio show; (he of 'Trunk Of Funk' - see review HERE).

Sounds like a late alternative feature to me whilst we await the album 'On Target' release

Artist: DB Cohen 
Title:  For the Love Of Ella 
Release date: 10th January, 2025
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR072
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Terrence Parker - All Eyes on You (Somethin' Here) (Big Beat USA / Atlantic Music Group)

"This special release is dedicated to Detroit DJ Legend Ken Collier.  His untimely passing deeply touched me personally, as he was one of a small feew who always supported me & my music.  Because of Ken Collier, Detroit developed a dance scene, which inspired artists & producers to make dance records, which gave birth to TECHNO which has provided careets for many of you in the business today.  So I dare ask all of you techno producers, DJs, record labels, record shops, techno magazines, clubs which play techno muis and fans of techno to pay respect to Ken Collier just as you would our other fine music inovators".

So read the dedication on the Intangible Records & Soundworks release of 'Tribute', a label run by Terrence Parker, when it was originally released in 1996 as a tribute to Ken Collier who passed that year and was acknowledged as a mentor figure for DJ´s like Alton Miller, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson and many other known and unknown Detroit producers and DJ´s of today.

Parker has gone back to and 'All Eyes On You (Somethin' Here)' that features the vocals of Jakke Erixon with a new 'Terrence Parker Remix', an extended version, radio edit and instrumental versions.

What was thought as Techno, House, Dance etc back in the mid-nineties is somewhat different to today but you can't deny 'All Eyes on You (Somethin' Here)' sounds big and bouncey mainroom in it's new form.

Could this be a trend to go back to the 90s - as recently seen as Whirlpool Productions' 'Fly Hi Mel Tormé / 'Gimme' (see review HERE)? I hope so.

Artist: Terrence Parker 

Title: All Eyes on You (Somethin' Here)

Release date: 10th January, 2025

Label : Big Beat USA / Atlantic Music Group

Catalog Number :TBC

Format: Digital 

Review: Tomislav Danilo & Alexander Church - Nocturnal Constructs Part 1 (Life Scripts)

Don't be put off by the sounds of a distant Mr. Oizo on the opening track, this ain't no stuffed  toy, this is serious! Or is it?

"Nocturnal Constructs" is a series of 10 EPs released under Life Scripts, a sub-label of Configurations of Self, run by Alexander Church.

The series explores the hidden depths of the human psyche, inspired by psychological theories of the self and the elements of our personalities that remain internal, shaping our creative output in unseen ways. Alexander Church, currently studying for a PhD in psychology, uses this series as an exploration of the interplay between these internalised aspects of the self and external artistic expression.

The series adopts a dual identity, with Alexander Church using his middle names, Tomislav Danilo, as a representation of the darker, more introspective aspects of his personality. light and dark, repression and creativity, control and chaos.

Influenced by the Dada movement and the surrealist works of Max Ernst, the series draws on abstraction and dissonance to uncover deeper truths about the self and rooted in the ethos of Dada and Surrealism, Nocturnal Constructs transforms sound into a mirror, reflecting the complexity of human nature.

Tracklist:

1) Broken Symmetry
2) Dark Design
3) Shadows of Control
4) Echoes of the Fallen

Artist: Tomislav Danilo & Alexander Church

Title: Nocturnal Constructs Part 1

Release date: 10th January, 2025

Label : Life Scripts

Catalog Number : LS008

Format :  Digital  / Bandcamp

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