Review: No Era & Sorensen - Wind Shifter (Ostowana)

Ostowana have picked up on their usual hybrid North African trade winds with a banger of a 'Wind Shifter' from  No Era & Sorensen that's already timeless.

A more than solid January following on from LEONOIR's 'Chombona' earlier this month (see review HERE) whilst this could connect with some Indo-house; watch this space!

Artist: No Era & Sorensen 

Title: Wind Shifter

Release date: 31st January, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST089

Format: Digital

Review: Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange - Celebrate Some Time (Energy Exchange Records)

Wow! There are some fantastic musicians in the Naarm/Melbourne area and luckly for us northern hemisphere residents, Ziggy Zaeitgeist in based in Berlin and the single 'Celebrate Some Time' is out today.

The reason it's a good thing he's in Berlin is that this new track features Ghanaian Eric Owusu and putting his Ghanaian-German Afro-Rock group background with Ziggy's ZFFE (that we first came across on Secretsundaze 'Kreuzbery Kix' EPs a few years ago), this is perfect Cymande meets the polyversal sounds of Philophon (that are also Ghanian/Berlin based - what chance a Jimi Tenor remix?  One for another day).  And the track gets a bit spaceship synth dubby at the end!

This is modern "West African Disco" at its best and what's just as exciting is that there's an album coming out called 'Inspire // Radicalise' in April that features a cast of 1000s (well, quite a few in reality).

This is going to be a benchmark album for 2025 and the let's celebrate (some time) now!

Artist:  Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange

Title: Celebrate Some Time (Single)

Release date: 30th January, 2025

Label : Energy Exchange Records

Catalog Number : -

Format: Digital / Bandcamp (order LP - BUY LINK: INSPIRE // RADICALISE)

Review: Mirlaqi - Life As A Whole (Star Creature)

Chicago's Green Velvet was a big fan of the Star Creature x Mirlaqi EP, 'Système' that came out 5 years ago so it must be time for a view of life as a whole via four tracks from Geneva's finest.

With 'Origins' and 'Oceans' with respective remixes by Lay-far and Saine, this is a big hits as Timour Nigolian (aka  Mirlaqi) went to Chicago to hang out with Star Creature's Tim Zawada and was inspired to produce these tracks.

At YATM, we're long-time fans of Lay-Far (see review HERE from 2016) and as he never disappoints, his remix of 'Origins' is quite a bit pacey so I prefering the spaced out synth soulful end of the day BRUK boarders on the original.

Saine's 'Ocean' remix gets down on the beach walk and finds some low down synth action whist the original is dominated by clean sparkly jazz-funk keys that's and whispy vocals that's just right for the indoor mainroom.

This is already in demand by DJ ears as descerning and diverse as Pittsburg's Dubmission (Kerem Gokmen), Scotland's Simon Harrison (Basic Soul Show) and Ramgate's Jo Wallace (Ramrock Records).  And not only is Star Creature hot with this release, co-head honcho Tim Zawada's latest radio show on OpenLab, currently on #2, is also worth keeping up to date with; see links below. 

OpenLab:  Star Creature Vibes Radio 02 – Tim Zawada HERE

BUY LINK:   https://www.traxsource.com/artist/568939/mirlaqi

Artist: Mirlaqi 

Title:  Life As A Whole

Release date: 31st January, 2025

Label : Star Creature

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Robert Burbridge ft. André Espeut - Leaf (Tangential Music)

We often think of turning over a new leaf every year in January and what better way to start with the single by Robert Burbridge ft. Andre Espeut called simply, 'Leaf'?

  

Well, it's a bit of a surpise actually as we know Mr Burbridge as he's mates with Richard E (now a LA resident and he's OK post fire) as he did a remix to Richard's 'Too The Moon' track (see review HERE).

And he's teamed up with the well known voice  of André Espeut, as in Inkswell (see review HERE), King Bee (see review HERE) - Ed. André Espeut is always in demand.

And there's definitely some synchronicity between the two of them as André's "lyrics and hook-laden vocals" top the string laden 'stadium' pop-rock sound of the track.  

It's a bit of a grower as it's like a Balearic friendly version on the Stones with touches of Mod, gospel and soul.

Quite a lot different to the last release from the label on YATM, Franck Biyong's 'Radio Masoda' that came out towards the end on last year (see review HERE) but equally as likely to get on the radio: perhaps this does mean everything.

BUY LINK: https://bfan.link/leaf

Artist: Robert Burbridge ft. Andre Espeut 

Title: Leaf

Release date: 16th January, 2024

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number : TBC

Format :  Digital 

Review: Igor Jadranin - Contemporary Outdoors (A Vision Of Panorama & Byron The Aquarius Remixes) (Star Creature)

The landscapers out there will be familiar with the modern concept of bringing the outdoors in, Igor Jadranin's 'Contemporary Outdoors' is all about... dancefloor & party!

The Star Creature label has made a name for itself with sourcing the best in underground electro boogie, disco, soul and funk like Raf Reza's 'Why You Gotta?' (see review HERE), Stimulator Jones' 'Stimulator Tracks' (see review HERE) and now, outta Belgrade, Igor Jadranin!

You wouldn't think the guys at Chicago HQ would have to go so far a-field, but Igor's six tracks are from the 'Heavy In Stereo' leftfield and synth ready for the dancefloor along with 'Massive' and 'Anemoia'.  It's strange that Igor has managed to obtain a raw / vintage sound that's smooth to glide to all at the same time.. 

So who thought it's be a good idea to have remixes by Byron The Aquarius (there's a 'Contemporary Outdoors' Instru mix plus a bonus, 'Midnight') with a 'Contemporary Outdoors' A Vision Of Panorama remix.   

As you might have guessed, A Vision Of Panorama (Ed. Bar?), is synthned out Balearic vibe house fusion but let's go straight to Byron The Aquarius  as this is MASSIVE in the same area as his 'Go Ahead' remix on Brandon Markell Holmes & Toribio hit on Toucan Sounds (see review HERE).  It may be too late for Midnight new year timings but 2025 is going to be fine with this release as this is well up to the standards of Igor's Latin jazz-funk synth monster 'Anemoia' or the Ashley Beedle North Street mix of 'Middle Proves' (love out to Ashley, Jo and all North Street/Ramrock people - see HERE).

You could say, "Another adventurous 12” for Tim Zawada’s Star Creature that blurs the lines between sounds and styles, keeping the Windy City label at the high risk high reward side of your DJ crate" - and you'd be right.

Artist: Igor Jadranin 

Title:  Contemporary Outdoors (A Vision Of Panorama and Byron The Aquarius Remixes) 

Release date: 31st January, 2025

Label : Star Creature

Catalog Number : SC7067

Format: 12" / Digital / Bandcamp BUY LINK 

The Contemporary Outdoors EP | Igor Jadranin | Star Creature Universal Vibrations

Review: MATTERS UNKNOWN - Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal (Bridge The Gap)

It was only this week that Gilles Peterson mentioned worldwide jazz amassadors Ezra Collective and Nubya Garcia in the same breath, so it won't be long before he's championing MATTERS UNKNOWN and new release, 'Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal'.

You'll recall that MATTERS UNKNOWN (the project of Jonathan Enser), has already had rave reviews of the single 'I Am The Birds' (see HERE), featured on 'Transmissions From' (a compilation on Blue Note) and part of the Total Refeshment Centre community, the trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and member of Nubyian Twist continues his own exploration of inspirations of London's new jazz scene that was once known as the 'We Out Here' generation at one point ('We Out Here' being the compilation album on Gilles' Brownswod label back in 2018). 

'Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal' is a 5 track EP that is clearly evolved from a love of Fela, Dilla, Cedric Brooks, King Tubby as well as Donald Byrd, Matthew Halsall, Christian Scott, Roy Hargrove and all points in-between; even Coltrane/Ashby Afro-harping on 'I Am The Birds' that features the group Onipa.

'Race Against The Sun' comes in two versions, the original that eminates from 'The Shine' via Cuba and a Wonky Logic remix which warps more towards a jazzy-broken beat 

One that's closer to the Black Country features singer/MC/producer NEONE The Wonderer from Wolverhamption.  You may recall he also featured on last years' Nubyian Twist album track 'Pray For Me Part 1' (and K.O.G featured on Part 2) and here he stars on 'What Are You About'.  'Permission To Malfunction' is the "jazz" track which is an instrumental mixture of all before but shamefully to short; could even have gone dubby at the end.

In addition to Gilles Peterson, you'll likely to here MATTERS UNKNOWN on BBC 6 Music on Huey Morgan and Deb Grant whilst Jazz FM's Tony Minvielle, Dom Servini and China Moses are already fans.

Artist: Matters Unknown

Title: Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal
Release date: 24th January, 2024
Label : Bridge The Gap
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Brian Auger's Oblivion Express – Closer To It (Soul Bank Music)

Whether you were around at the time of the original release or not, this "jazz / funk / fusion masterpiece" never gets old and is as sort after now as it was in 1973!

The re-issue of the 'Closer To It' couldn't be better timed as Gilles Peterson has 're-visited' his jazzdance roots on his BBC 6 Music radio show and in New York this January! Gilles' mate and 'Crock Happy' partner Chris Bangs is estatic about the history and the remastered 6 tracks themselves and even birthday boy Sir Rod Stewart has acquired a replica of the Oblivion Express for his 00 gauge model railway!

Well, not sure about Sir Rod (Auger's mate in the 60s with Steampacket) which was follwed as leader with Trinty featuring Julie Discoll (the Auger/Discoll album 'Encore' was re-issued a couple of years ago - see review HERE).the Oblivion Express was where Auger's prowess as bandleader/composer/keyboardist/singer and more in the jazz rock soul fusion innovation with the monster Hammond B3.

Not convinced? Well how good have you got to be to take on a cover version of Marvin Gaye's 'Inner City Blues' and win? Well this band did perfected by Auger and Lennox Langton on congas/percussion. It's a shame it's not as long as the other cover, Eugene McDaniel's clasic 'Compared To What'.

Back to the dancefloor 'Whenever You're Ready' that features the rest of the band in addition to Auger and Langton, Barry Dean (bass), Godfrey MacLean (drums) and Jack Mills (lead guitar) and whilst Brian's vocals may not be of the stature of Discol/Tippetts it sounds a bit West Coast soul/yacht especially on 'Happiness Is Just Around The Bend' (better known by The Main Ingredient's cover version), 'Voices Of Other Times' and the big one down the Electric Ballroom, the instrumental 'Light On The Path'.

When you think that this album was released in the same year as Emerson, Lake & Palmer's 'Brain Salad Surgery' extravaganza, a trio fronted by Keith Emerson's 'classical prog rock opera' organ, 'Closer To It' definitely is closer to it, hence the longevity and all this new excitement for the best best train ever, the Oblivion Express.

NOTEL Vinyl LP ONLY 2025 // Digital 2023 Release

Artist: Brian Auger's Oblivion Express

Title: Closer To It

Release date: 24th January, 2025

Label: Soul Bank Music/K7

Cat. No: SBM019 

Format: Vinyl LP ONLY 

Review: Will & James Ragar - The Acoustic Album (BBE Music)

This album by Will & James Ragar is no pretender, it's the real deal of beautiful folky rock and you'll be so glad to be able to say, you are mine.

After their 'debut' on BBE with 'Forever/Bayou Paradis' (see review HERE) and 'The Baton Rouge EP' (see review HERE), who would have thought that there would be a 16 track double album to follow?

Will and James Ragar were born in Texas and Arkansas respectively and their 'Will and James Ragar One' album, recorded in 1980, was championed by Paul Hillery (he of Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours fame and note,  Volume 3 is coming out soon).

And this 'acoustic' album of songs from the late 70s to mid-90s is very much in Hillery's ball park as not only are they folky, funky and trippy - until now, almost unheard of.

Think of various incarnations/eras of Terry Callier, Crosby, Stills and Nash and Richie Havens that are craving to be The Allman Brothers as if they were a duo like Bert Jansch and John Renbourn.

And talking of guitar greats, we're told the recording was done with a Rainsong (Will) and a hand made S. Yairi (James) which apparently means the they could record both guitars and their vocals into layered harmonics; it certainly sounds that that the brothers have managed to capture their brotherly love and more as a musical duo; mention of Bourbon St. on the track 'Let's Pretend' having special resonance after recent events in New Orleans.

The album lets you drift away in purpose of relaxed excitement in an imagined lost past that's availabe today that BBE are to be congratulated for bringing this music to the masses and ifat Mr. Young does or doesn't end up going to Glastonbury this year, this is a more important release.

P.S. Whilst noting, this album is worlds apart from BBE's other album release this month, 'The Best Of Acona Records' (see review HERE soon) that's hailing from a similar period and is equally great.

Artist: Will & James Ragar 

Title: The Acoustic Album

Release date: 24th January, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE730

Format: 2XLP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Frits Wentink - Heartbeat FM EP (Wolf Music)

Here's the new Heartbeat FM, not a radio station but a  four track release to tune-into when you're on the dancefloor.

Following on from Frits' own 'Together EP' (see review HERE) and this previous EP, 'Remember That Feeling', this new 12", 'Heartbeat FM' is not so much a move from the dancefloor as a move back to the dancefloor with more soulful paise.

The lead track 'Rhythm And Blaze' is Mr Wentink's exclusive 'Birthday Present' for the label for it's 15th year so justifiably it's in turn with hands in the air gospel deep house funk.

But the dancefloor doesn't get any less busy with 'Lost In The Moment' which has similar vibe but more 80s in the synths and vocals to fuel your inner Millie Jackson, 'Turbo Passion' ups the bounce of sweat soul aerobics; "ohhh yeah .... like you used to do.

So this is a more than good EP but those of you that enjoy a bit of the dark side in something of the night in your house,  'Nocturnal' is gloriously down low in the organ department and Mama ain't going to help you out.

What with the recent release of 'The Symington Avenue EP' from Toronto Hustle x Sean Roman (see review HERE), this is a busy time for Wolf fans but how do we love it.

BUY LINK https://www.phonicarecords.com/product/frits-wentink-heartbeat-fm-wolf-music/200705

Artist: Frits Wentink 
Title: Heartbeat FM 
Release date: 24th January, 2025
Label :Wolf Music Recordings
Catalog Number  WOLFEP078
Format: 12" VINYL / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Tonarunur - Geimotheque (Dream Chimney)

The cover looks a like a Sun Ra meets Jan Hammer meets Herbie Hancock re-imagination and the 4 tracks kinda of sound like that too!

Well they do from a jazzy key world but wash it down with some ambient synth boogie house and you've got a pretty near perfect EP.

What a way to start a new year with the best track of 2025 - all 11 minutes of 'Lifting Off' with ya best go-go jazz funk: amazing!

The EP kick off 'Give Me Your Word' which is too slow to disco, but not enough and in the middle, 'Whose Future?' and 'Will I See You Again?'.  Great questions as at seven minutes long each, you certainly get you're synth bang for your buck.

So such a surprise to find out Tonarunur is from Reykjavik, Iceland which is obviously the home of space boogie disco, right! (Especially as he's a fan of 'Intergalatic Vampire's like Natasha Kitty Katt - see review HERE).

I have no idea what a 'Geimotheque' is, but if it's a dream disco for smokers, count me in - this is 'Inspector Morse' for 2025!

Artist: Tonarunur 

Title:  Geimotheque 

Release date: 24th January, 2025

Label : Dream Chimney 

Catalog Number :TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp BUY LINK: https://dreamchimney.bandcamp.com/album/geimotheque