Review: ANAN - Room (Space Echo Records)

Perfect for the weekend, this is 'Room' is an open house!

You may recall we got a bit excited about the single, 'Etna' / Back' (see review HERE) with the "outta-jazz dance Latin space vibes" of Cumbia dub us with ANAN (DJs Roberto Agosta and Massimo Napoli (Galathea).

The album 'Rooms' is much of the same - in a good way - with all sorts of psych, jazz, acid, dub, Afrobeat, Latin, soul rooms for us to get lost in.

It's like Jimi Tenor Philophon is the overseeer with flute gang dub 'Zoom', deep Afrohouse ('Naif'), deep space bossa dub ('Back' - Ed.this is so good) and the 'lost in space' soul-jazz dub, 'Lola'.

Three tracks come with The Invisible Sessions - 'Eden', 'Etna' and 'Call' which would be a very nice 'Jazz Version' 12": this version of 'Eden' is the garden spiritual you'd expect; Roy Ayers (RIP) would have loved it whilst 'Etna' goes a bit jazz-funkin' Lonnie Liston Smith in this format.  Add Ravi Shanker/the Coltranes and Sun Ra and there's 'Call' - is this the best album we're going to here this year?!?!

I love that the non-The Invisible Sessions version of 'Eden's just as good but it's all most Italian with echos of The Invisible Sessions on Schema.

'Room' is the first class carriage journey; very jazzy-beats-dance-dub so expect support from all DJ fans like Peterson, Forge, Beadle, Curtis, Parnell, Hill, Hectic and the like. 

Artist: ANAN  

Title: Room

Release date: 21st March, 2025

Label : Space Echo Records

Catalog Number: TBC   

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Produced by Massimo Napoli and Roberto Agosta
written, composed and produced by Massimo Napoli, Roberto Agosta and Salvatore Bruno

Salvo Bruno "Dub": programming, bass, piano and keyboards
Luciano Cantone: vibraphone on “Eden”, "Call and "Etna" / Fender Rhodes and Bongos on "Etna" - Acoustic Piano on "Call"
Kadi Koulibaly vocals on “Naif”
Gendrickson “Pucci” Mena: trumpet on “Eden”
Riccardo Onori: guitar on “Lola”
Mario Pappalardo: organ solo on “Lola”

Recorder in Nicolosi (Catania) at Studio Dub

Review: VA - Horse Meat Disco Presents Disco & Boogie from Brazil Vol.1 (Mr Bongo)

The fact that the title includes 'Horse Meat Disco Presents' and 'Brazil Vol. 1' should be enough to get everyone excited, to add 'Disco & Boogie' is just the icing on the cake, samba on the carnival, chips on the plate, etc.

The horse logo may not be as rampant as the early HMD Strut compilations, but many of these 16 tracks are 'hard' - no only in so much that us mere mortals won't hard the chance to find originals (as will welcome back Max from "his final week working in Rio"!) but even for disco/boogie standards, 'hard to find' is also edgy as the opener by the 'Harmony Cats' sets the tone.

Mr Bongo fans will recognise the name Jorge Ben and the summer-funk of 'Rio Babilônia' along with Marcos Valle's classic, 'Parabéns (Dança Do Daniel)' (one for the flute gang) and straight-up boogie-disco of Robson Jorge/Lincoln Olivetti's 'Suspira'.

No surprise that the HMD guys would go for the dust biting intro of 'Pássaro Selvagem' (Os Carbonos) that wanders into a rain forest or the heavy Earth, Wind & Fire horns of 'Sol De Verão' by the un-Brazilian sounding 'Lafayette'.

As you can gather, there's tracks that you won't have heard of but are influenced by the International sounds of the time but I can't pin down my current favourite, 'Venha (Remix)' by the mostly unknown Zé Carlos (Ed. could it be a Latin Edwin Collins?)

Much like the long awaiting Vol. 2 of ' The Original Sound of Mali' that came out last month (see review HERE), this compilation has taken 13 years since the quartet of James Hillard, Jim Stanton, Severino Panzetta and Luke Howard started this labour of love; Luke himself visiting Brazil for the first time in 2003, to context, a time of "four-to-the-floor bordom", which gave HMD themselves a leg up - see Rough Guide to Brazilian Electronica HERE).

Partly due to licencing issues and due to their own success (Ed. who remembers the Ponica roadblock appearance?) it's finally here in it's double LP glory this is a musical mix as vibrant as 70s World Cup squad!  "Goooooooooooooalllllllllllllllllll" as someone might say.

BUY LINK: https://www.mrbongo.com/collections/horse-meat-disco/products/horse-meat-disco-presents-disco-boogie-from-brazil-vol-1-vinyl-2lp-cd

Artist: Various Artists 

Title: Horse Meat Disco Presents Disco & Boogie from Brazil Vol.1 

Release date: 21st March, 2025

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP302

Format :  2xLP Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Matteo Pastorino – Lightside (A.MA Records)

As a bass clarinetists, even in jazz, it's not the most common of instruments - even more chance of making a name for yourself then?

Normal clarinets ain't been a thing since Akker Bilk (Ed. ask your grandparents) or at the other extreme, the children's introduction to the orchestra with Prokofieve's 'Peter And The Wolf.

But there's non of that with Matteo's 'Lightside' who is joined by Domenico Sanna (piano), Dario Deidda (bass) and Armando Luongo (drums).

The opener. 'Gorèe' is a teaser as to how deep Matteo is whilst 'Coming Back' and the tiltle track, show a deep and spiritual vibe of the Bass Clarinet which multi-instrumentalist Alfred Weisberg-Roberts (aka Daedelus) used to draw up in his mulit-layed hip-hop electronic tapestry.

And talking tapestry, 'Les Annèes Folles' is like a weaving river flow with Matteo and Domenico setting the pace from the front whilst the 'best' example of the group's playing are 'Scarabocchio' and the closer, 'Marzo'.

Their 'Tigre' is a mellow jazzcat and 'Elvira' is no mistress of the dark; shadey but no mistress.

So a bit of an eye opener plus a solid jazz album that follows in the footsteps of Miloš Čolović's 'To The Beat of My Footsteps' (see review HERE), A.MA are not letting the grass grow under thier jazzy feet.

Artist: Matteo Pastorino 

Title: Lightside 

Release date: 21st March, 2025

Label : A.MA Records

Catalog Number : AMCO4

Format: CD / Digital / Bandcamp (Pre-Order on Bandcamp Friday, 14th March)

Review: Lorenzo Galardi - CYDONIA EP (EXODUS Recordings)

This is extraordinary from Exodus Recordings after Mr. X has given space travel such a bad name, Lorenzo Galardi re-imagines Ennio Morricone 'Mission to Mars'  as a four track EP, 'CYDONIA'.

Starting from the cover image of 'Monument House of the Bulgarian Communist Party, 1981, Bulgaria' to the pre-blast off opener 'Ignition', this is something a bit different as we go into 'Orbit' with communication radio waves getting warped and distorted. 

The title track is HSTT (High Speed Train Techno) with haunting space winds that's for long speed journeys; if Sun Ra did/does techno, this would be close to it.   

So when it comes to the remix, not surprising we get someone who is out-there (Ed. Argentina?) who had a EP out last year, Hakkon's 'Neural Petterns' (on Conceptio Hipnotico) that takes 'CYDONIA' into the testing phase of wind tunnel to bombard it with echo signals - and it passes the test.

Not sure if Ricardo Villalobos is still available for a minimal remix but this is fun in the meantime as Lorenzo Galardi is on a mission.

Artist:  Lorenzo Galardi 

Title: ICYDONIA EP

Release date: 21st March, 2025

Label : EXODUS Recordings

Catalog Number : EX09

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Georgie Sweet - Smaller / All That We Were (First Word Records)

Georgie Sweet's debut on First Word Records is the single 'Smaller' / 'All That We Were' and although there are retrospective elements in the lyrics, there's more than future indications that all that they are will be growing bigger.

Whether that'll be bigger in terms of recognition, financial success, self-or any other yard stick that we tend to beat ourselves up with but I know that with the aid of Marc 'Heat' Rapson (who has supported her since day one with her debut album on Futuristica Music alond with DJ Simon S, Deborah Jordan and K15!)

I know the Futuristica Music team are excited that Georgie's singing and songwriting has developed and they'll be many more stories to share; where's the 'Gerry Hectic 7 Extension Edit' of 'Stories' I here you say?

The last time I saw Georgie in Bournemouth was just before she was off to London to check out some opportunites - it seems to be working out fine as she’s previously supplied vocals to 'Balance', the title track of the highly-acclaimed sophomore album by Children of Zeus, along with Akemi Fox. 

Watch 'Smaller' grow, that's all I'm saying.

P.S. the video is great!

BUY LINK: https://lnk.to/fw330

Artist: Georgie Sweet

Title: Smaller / All That We Were

Release date: 20th March, 2025

Label: First Word Records 

Cat. No: TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Partyfine Volume VII - Universalismo (Partyfine)

Yuksek's reputation means that he's got easy access to loads of dancefloor favourites that want to be a part of the most up-to-date Partyfine compilation series and No. 7 has a bumper collection so why not call it 'Universalismo'?

What fantastic artwork to accompli this 13 track compilation (Ed. is that you and Mrs Hectic?) that includes some of our favourites like Tigerbalm (remember 'Profunda Alma' - see review HERE), Partyfine's own Chilam Balam (see review HERE) and, of course, Yuksek himself (check out that video below!)

Yuksek is now known for being a bit of a maverik who loves anything from acid, disco, house, indie, house, Latin, leftfield, synth-pop, world and more.  You certainly get a taste of that in the first three tracks with Tigerbalm's 'Cumbia Calypso' featuring Jimena Angel, 'Ceasy' by Alex Blex and Claap!'s 'Caracas'. 

It's been 20-ish years since Yuksef started out and I remember thinking that his electro based releases on the flamboyant Relish Records were a bit different so you're in for a 'surprise' when he and Chilam Balam get on a Klub mix of Bertand Burgalat's 'Nuit Bleue' that's so 70s disco (with a bit of 'Ring My Bell'n'dub): this is dance music of the Lacey Lady, Room At The Top, Goldmine and Maison Royale 'Nite Club' all rolled into one.

Yuksek also features on the Juveniles' 'Roll With That', his track 'Hyprasesorial' featuring Voyou & Paula as remixed by Bellaire; well it is his label after all.

That said, if you ever get over 'Nuit Bleue', Weekend Affair's 'Promenons-Nous' (Klub Mix) is another Saturday night space boogie banger, like a Wang Chung protege.

The Mang Dynasty remix of Chilam Balam's 'Yaxuma' is a previously unreleased track (and it's black hole heavy!) and there's even time for some more Latin coolness with Invigo's 'Otxie Otxia', Jimena Ángel's 'Llegó La Luz' before finishing on more Claap! (and Destiino) 'Viiens' (set your phazers to 'Acid' and your "ga-ga" to "gou-gou") and chill out to 'Noix De Coco' by Tchiki Boum.

 

An "outstanding collection of tasty disco sounds" indeed but so much more, if you want to impress your friends at a party, fine - if you want to impress yourself, even better.

BUY LINK:: https://partyfine.bfan.link/partyfinevol7

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Partyfine Volume VII - Universalismo

Release date: 21st March, 2025

Label: Partyfine

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Ostowana Of Organic House Vol. 1 (Ostowana)

Consider this compilation a 'Best Of' if you will as it's got some great tracks on it, perhaps it's time to fully switch to organic?

Some people have trouble with the term/phrase 'organic house' or even the concept but when it comes of Ostowana they are the best when it comes to the traditional ethnic grooves from North African, Moroccan, Arabic and putting artists together. 

Not exactly a cast of 1000s but in these 10 tracks you've got the best of Aziz Ozouss, Blade SA, Cranky, DeDeXgErande, Desert Raven, Enam, Exit Onli, Hassan Tays, Hind Ennaira, Khalid Elhamri, Lilyass, Omary, Sabry, Salah Fafah, Seguya Sadam, The Black Types, The YONA, DJ SK.

Even so, it's hard to fault 'Nkosi Ya Wolo' (see review HERE) and 'Ayamargi', that came out late last year (see review HERE) but as a 'best of', it's all great especially if you like a bit of late night 'shopping' in 'The Kasbah' (Lilyass featuring DJ SK); definitely one for our man in Marrakesh (DJ Bob Hill, not Herbert Lom) or get lost on the camel train with those 'Desert Echoes' (Blade SA).

And if you need a 'companion' to last months' 'Ostowana Of Afro House Vol. 1' (see review HERE) you need not walk through the Saharan sands any further.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Ostowana Of Afro House Vol. 1

Release date: 19th March, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST098

Format: Digital

Review: Plastic Bamboo - Cinerama EP (Star Creature)

The mastermind of Star Creature, Tim Zawada, has a knack of attracting to the Chicago based label the best in dance floor friendly tracks and the 'Cinerama EP' is six of the best!

Plastic Bamboo are on an intergalactic world of music space ship with an incredible variety of "fuel" in a Balearic, boogie, disco, funk, house, jazz and even zouk mixture that's in this cosmic rocket.

Camille Bertin (aka Plastic Bamboo) has created an inflight movie that's been ready on the launch pad for a while but you'd never know and as they say, patience is a virtue.

How long?  'Touki Bouki' could have been waiting since Miami Vice went to Chinatown with 'A Scene At the Sea' riding back up, 'Woman In The Dunes' stays on the beach with some jazz-bougie keys to the foreshore a la instrumental Shalamar dub for nearly 6 minutes.   What this woman is doing in the dunes we have no idea but it's a killer of a track.

'Zabriskie Point' is as cinematic synth boogie funk as you can get whilst 'La Salamandre' and 'Bad Boy Bubby' are at more of the space-disco end of this EP and are more likely get noticed first; particuarly 'Bad Boy Bubby' as it's early Human League on Italo-house roller disco speed skates with pan pipes! 

Apparently, Mr. Zawada has said, "I was literally just waiting for the record to come out so I could by it and play it" and you'll feel the same now that is actually out: pre-order now to avoid disappointment.

BUY LINK:  https://starcreature.bandcamp.com/

Artist: Plastic Bamboo

Title:  Cinerama EP

Release date: 21st March, 2025

Label : Star Creature

Catalog Number : SC1251

Format: Vinyl 12" /  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Alina Bzhezhinska & Tulshi - Whispers of Rain (Tru-Thoughts)

Finally, when spring is springing, here's some 'Whispers of Rain' that are cooler than cool.

Alina Bzhezhinska is one of the ever increasing jazz harpists that are taking the instrument back to Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby's spiritual heritage.

You'll recall that she joined forces with saxophonist Tony Kofi last year with 'Altera Vita' (see review HERE) and now she's with Ibiza-based producer/engineer/DJ Tulshi for this single.

Sounding exactly how you'd expect it would sound being influenced by John Coltrane's 'After The Rain' and Tulshi looking out on a rain shower with a cup of tea in his hand; quite zen, quite Japanese ornamental garden.

There's a tour and an album launch - at the Vortex with Mr. Kofi - see below:

Whispers of Rain’ Live Dates:

23/06/25 - Brilliant Corners, ‘Whispers of Rain’ - New album listening party, London
3/07/25 - Peggie’s Skylight, ‘Whispers of Rain’ - Preview show, Nottingham
4/07/25 - The Vortex, ‘Whispers of Rain’ ft. Tulshi, Tony Kofi & Ni Maxine, London
16/08/25 - The Bear Club, ‘Whispers of Rain’ ft. Tony Kofi, Luton
16/09/25 - EastSideJazz ‘Whispers of Rain’ ft. Tony Kofi, London

Previous support for Alina Bzhezhinska includes: Jazzwise, Irish Examiner, Jazzitalia, Downbeat, Youandthemusic (Ed. that's us!), The Entertainment Factor, The Quietus, All About Jazz and more

Artist: Alina Bzhezhinska & Tulshi 

Title: Whispers of Rain 

Release date: 18th March, 2025

Label : Tru-Thoughts

Catalog Number : TRUDD649

Format:  Digital Bandcamp  

Review: VA - City To City: Lisbon (Freerange Records)

I love this type of concept compilation, a 'City To City' exploration of music and in this case your city is: Lisbon!  Via Freerange Records who have selected six tracks by six different artists to showcase the city.

Well, I say series as I can't believe this won't be a huge success as this includes tracks from Kasper From Lisbon ('Mereces'), DJ Honesty ('Jazz Mutant'), Jorge Caiado ('Good Days'), Megatronic ('Casey Screams'), Moreno Acido ('Until The Break Of Dawn') and Yen Sung & Photonz ('Changes').

And like all good city breaks, these are names that are new to us.  Well, that's apart from Megatronic who has just appeared on JKriv's outstanding 'Intuition EP' on the title track - see review HERE).  And she also steals the show here with some post-acid "Wow, Wow" 

Although I said "steals the show", 'Until The Break Of Dawn' is dancefloor Latin, 'Changes' is out-there Theo Parrish-ness and 'Jazz Mutant' is Pots'n'pans Ping-Pong vs. keys and bouncey bass; watch 'em jazzdance move to this! 

It's good to know that Kasper From Lisbon wasn't overlooked and 'Good Days' is certainly that as Jorge managed to find time from running his Carpet & Records store/label that's in the centre of the city.

If anyone remembers those Rough Guide City Break releases; was it London, New York, Berlin, Tokoyo?  You get the idea, this is a great EP and somewhat different from the last time we had a Freerange Records release (being, Radic The Myth's 'Back To You EP' - see review HERE) who had a track himself featured on last years' 'City To City: Johannesburg'.  That was the first in a "series shining a light on new and established producers from the world's most influential house music cities". 

And just to back it up Soul Fusion Portugal (8-15th May, 2025) is hosting Atjazz, Jimpster, Crackazat and many more yet to be announced including local DJs, sounds like Freerange have it covered.

BUY LINK: JUNO.CO.UK  https://www.juno.co.uk/products/city-to-city-lisbon-vinyl/1076270-01/

FESTIVAL LINK: Soul Fusion Portugal 2025

Artist:  Various Artists

Title: City To City: Lisbon 

Release date: 21st March, 2025

Label : Freerange Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp