Posts

Posted on

Repair Your Soul – Episode 3

Episode 3, heads down, dancefloor business for most of this one.  Mellowing out slightly to finish up on the sofa 🙂

Linkwood – Solar Panel
DJ Spider – Antikythera Mechanism Part 2
Greater Manchester Housing Authority – Astronaut
Neue Grafik – Bed Stuy’s Mood
Overmono – Yell0w_Tail
Steve Spacek – Gimme Da Love (The Maghreban Remix)
Hidden Spheres – McKenna’s Mind
Marc and OVEOUS – On Again (Dubstramental)
Afrikan Sciences – Acoustic Nightmares
G.U. featuring Swaylo – Love Sought After
Trinidadian Deep – I Want
Patrice Scott – Movin It
DJ Normal 4 – Aeo ft. Aenx (Rythm Mix)
Ultramarine – Breathing (Early Mix)

Posted on

EPs / Singles of 2018

These are the EPs that did it for us in 2018, it was hard to get it down to ten, what do you think is missing?

10. Kyoto Jazz Sextet – Rising (Ron Trent remix)

Taken from a 2017 Blue Note album, picked up by Local Talk for a little remix action. Ron keeps most of the original elements in check, adding a little of his trademark house thump and keys. One for the end of the night.

9. Ultramarine – Breathing

A lovely little hypnotic taster of a forthcoming album from Ultramarine, who’ve been in the game since the early 90s. These are apparently early versions so a turn differently when the album arrives. The title track with it’s haunting sax is an absolute beauty.

8. Linkwood – Fresh Gildans

Kicking off with a super-charged electrofunk belter of a tune in ‘Fresh Gildans’, this is another great release from the Firecracker label. The varied b-side jams are not to be ignored either. Linkwood’s other release, ‘Night Theatre Volume One’ EP is also worthy of your attention.

7. 30/70 – Elevations

Rhythm Section put together a great remix package for Australian soul band 30/70. As well as the remixes there is a little stripped back live track. All the remixes on offer here are ace, but it’s the Setwun one that stands out for me.

6. Drummotive – Coral EP

Next Phase Records have been putting out marvelous atmospheric music for a good while now. Rooted in but not limited to drum & bass, this EP was a particular highlight for me. Coming off like classic Mo Wax at times, this is music to lose yourself to.

5. Selectors Assemble Volume 2

Broken Beat’s second coming is in full swing right now, not that it’s really ever been away for some of us. Curated by Co-Op originals IG Culture and Alex Phountzi, but with plenty of young blood along for the ride. All 6 tracks are fire, I can’t pick a favourite.

4. Sonar’s Ghost X GMHA – 3 X 2

OK we’re biased here, but this is so good. Big up Mr Stanton and GMHA, smashing it with a late entry to the list.

3. Kamaal Williams – New Heights / Snitches Brew

I think this is the best Kamaal Williams record yet. New Heights is great, but ‘Snitches Brew’ is like nothing you’ve ever heard before. Listen at least once a day and become as obsessed by it as I am.

2. Afrikan Sciences – Reciprocity

In my opinion Afrikan Sciences is one of the best out there (and he is out there in every way). He had quite a few releases this year, including a couple of excellent self-released albums. This EP came out on his original home Deep Blak Recordings, back in February. I have to say the whole thing just blew me away. Put ‘Hullman Z’ on, crank up the volume and see where it takes you!

1. Karmasound – Probabilidades

Karmasound’s 2018 EP for the Phuture Shock Musik label is absolutely rammed with broken infused gems. The tracks where he pushes the tempo up to the max work the best for me, but the whole thing is pure heat.  For me, this has been the EP of the year.  Looking forward to his new single, ‘Can See Thru You’ which is coming early Jan.

Posted on

Albums of 2018

This is my top 10 albums of the year, any I’ve missed or got completely wrong?

10. Space Ghost – Endless Light

Lovely warm analog sounds from Space Ghost out of Oakland California on this LP for Tartelet Records.  This album is a bit like your favourite blanket.  A collection of mellow synth funk which occasionally shifts gear towards for the dancefloor.  Not really heard this one played much, maybe a little under the radar?

9. Mansur Brown – Shiroi

Black Focus Records got a lot of attention in 2018, mostly for the also excellent Kamaal Williams album.  But for me this album from guitarist Mansur Brown was the stronger of the two.  There’s so much going on, I feel like I notice something new on each listen.  Smokey late night vibes, very enjoyable

8. Pursuit Grooves – Felt Armour

I’ve always had a soft spot for the productions of Toronto’s Pursuit Grooves.  This self-released album is hard to define.  Crunchy, industrial, electronics like nothing you’ve heard before.  Another album that’s probably a little slept on, but I recommend you seek it out.

7. MGUN – Axiom

Don’t Be Afraid had another cracking year, and this is I think their finest release of the year.  The sophomore album from Detroit’s MGUN.  This one’s full of raw party jams, but works equally as an album you can listen to start to finish on your cans.

6. Bantam Lions – Romantic Views

Bantam Lions follows up his amazing ‘Short Stories’ album with this more experimental but just as excellent collection.  The album has a haunting lo-fi feel, with a lot of the tracks being little 2 minute vignettes rather than twelve inch bangers.

5. Mildlife – Phase

Taking in jazz, funk, disco and a little pych, this album was a highlight of my summer, even though it came out a lot earlier in the year.  The debut album from Australian band Mildlife is hard to resist by even the coldest of souls.

4. Makaya McCraven – Universal Beings

Everybody’s been talking about the jazz revival this year.  I’m not sure it’s ever been away, but it’s great to see the music getting a lot more attention in 2018.  This for me was the jazz album of the year.  I picked it up when I was looking for interesting music to play on a modern jazz show I put together for NTS earlier this year.  The album is made up of a series of live performances in New York and Chicago alongside studio recordings in London and LA.  The album features many of the great young players of modern jazz and makes for a stunning listen

3. X-Altera – X-Altera

Not content with putting out a new album under the Dabrye alias, the man of many names, Tadd Mulinix knocked me for six with this one.  X-Altera is influenced by a love of jungle and drum & bass alongside a re-connection with melodic techno.  All this retro love and the result is an album that feels amazingly fresh

2. Insolito Universo – La Candela Del Rio

I absolutely loved this album, so much it was one of the first blog posts.  The album is a mix of traditional Venezuelan styles with a modern electronic edge.  A blast from start to finish, great artwork too!

1. Max Graef – Lo Siento Mucho Pero No Hablo Tu Idioma

So here we have my favourite album of the year.  Max Graef’s second album (under his own name at least) is an absolute belter.  Very different to his earlier stuff, I really love the out-there, lo-fi vibes.  Also worth checking out the Ratgrave album Max was involved in this year, also sick!!

Posted on

Sonar’s Ghost X GMHA – 3 X 2

Out today, Sonar’s Ghost goes head to head with GMHA for the Sector 12/12 label. As well as being absolute fire, it’s all for a good cause with all proceeds going to support a local homeless shelter.

It’s not a well kept secret that Sonar’s Ghost is one Dominic Stanton flexing his post retirement production skills. The EP opens up with ‘Loveboat’, a glitchy, channel-hopping number that was previously given away as a freebie with a limited run t-shirt. ‘Ol Blue Eyes’ is next with a little rolling drum & bass flavour. Dominic finishes his (virtual) side with ‘The Moltern Mole’, a crunchy dub number. Be warned, we recommend listening to this one with a decent set of speakers to fully enjoy that b-line.

GMHA takes over for round two kicking off with the absolutely gorgeous ‘Hypnotica’. The off kilter drums on this one are an absolute delight. Next up is ‘Rack and Ruin’ which starts off all moody electronics until the banging kick smashes us round the chops halfway through. Finally we have a lovely little downtempo vibe, ‘Marget’ to close the set. Purchase here.

Posted on

Repair Your Soul – Episode 2

Episode 2 of the Repair Your Soul show with Neil Sherwood.  We start with a lovely little jazzed up hip hop beat from Cat Therapist.  Move through the monumental new one from Kamaal Williams, that guitar solo damn!  Touching on a couple of nice DNB tunes and a slightly pitched up Linkwood.  Before hitting the broken house techno stride with a few killers in the 130s.  Enjoy the ride!

Cat Therapist – Springtime
Kamaal Williams – Snitches Brew
Harvey Sutherland – I Can See (Rings Around Saturn Remix)
Footshooter – Mars (feat. And Is Phi)
Linkwood – Fresh Gildans
Max Graef – Midi Lisa
Overmono – Quadraluv
Bad Channel – A
Pacific Coliseum – Ocean City
Partner Music – Patu
Kaidi Tatham – Freddie Can’t Run Away
Feeling Kréyol – Las Palé
Kevin Murning – Mode’s Arp (190 In The Polo Edit)
Alex Attias & Sidi Touré – Agabory

Posted on

Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti – Poison Fruit

Update – First single Bacurau now available

Ivan Conti is best known as the rhythm section of the fantastic long running Brazilian jazz funk group Azymuth.  Azymuth have been going since 1973, but this isn’t the first time Ivan has put out a solo project.  Discogs tells me his first solo album came out way back in 1984 featuring this rather fetching cover!  One for the shopping list no doubt.

R-1661897-1525274626-6372.jpeg

Currently there is only a little 6 minute teaser mix of a bunch of tracks from the new album, but it’s enough to get excited about for sure.  The album’s been produced by Daniel Maunick (aka Dokta Venom) and Ivan’s son Thiago Maranhão.  The label is promising experiments with sounds more commonly associated with the modern dancefloor.   The album is due on Far Out Recordings in the new year.  A couple of remix EPs which have preceded the release are still available with remixes from big hitters IG Culture, 22a crew, Max Graef and Glenn Astro

Posted on

Cat Therapist – Jobs

A cool little beat tape on the way from ace Birmingham based label and fanzine Futurepast Zine. The artist behind this one is Cat Therapist, a new one to me. At time of writing five tracks are available, all jazz injected, experimental, hip hop vignettes. The full set will be released on the 6th December as digital or limited cassette. Pre-order at the link below.

pre-order at Bandcamp

Posted on

Overmono -Whities 019

Just released is the final release of 2018 from the always on point Whities label. Real life brothers Tessela and Truss are behind this one under the name Overmono. Lead track ‘iii’s Front’ is all about the intricate detailed drums. The level of programming here apparently took the duo two weeks to perfect those beats. ‘Quadraluv’ brings a pulsating gauzey aspect to the EP, with the breaks sneaking in towards the end. ‘Yell0w_tail’ completes the set with it’s angular beats and icy electronics. Whities have had an exceptional year and this is a fitting finale.

Posted on

Pinty – Tropical Bleu

So here we have a brand new MC from Peckham with a new EP forthcoming on the mighty Rhythm Section. First track is out now Tropical Bleu. The music has a woozy downbeat feel, definitely something you’d expect from Rhythm Section. Pinty’s lyrics ride the beat effortlessly, bringing something a little different. Full EP City Limits will be released early next year. Worth checking out Pinty’s earlier self-released material from a few years back in the meantime. Links below!

Stream or Buy the new single

Pinty’s previous release