JAZZ; NUJAZZ; BROKEN BEATS; SOUL; HIP HOP; FUNK; BRASILIAN RUNNINGS
SOUL ASYLUM by Andrew Allen
January 2008
As usual at this time of year things have slowed down on the new release front so I thought I’d take the opportunity to catch up and review some of the delights which appeared towards the end of 2007.
First up...
Jonny K – Bills To Pay/Afraid Of The Dark (Fryer Mantis) UK 7”
Originally released on the Florida based Dash Records in the mid 70s this long forgotten 7” gets a welcome reissue by Fryer Mantis. ‘Bills To Pay’ is a superb funky soul outing with a groove reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Freddie’s Dead’ and a rapped tale of money woes. ‘Afraid Of The Dark’ follows in a similar vein but with more emphasis on the funk.
Erykah Badu – Honey (Universal/Motown) US 12”
The high priestess of neo-soul returns with a tasty mid-tempo soul bumper from her forthcoming ‘Nu AmErykah’ set. Produced by 9th Wonder (Little Brother) ‘Honey’ has a distinct feel-good summer vibe about it which is perfect for casting away those winter blues. I for one can’t wait for the album.
Tribe – Livin’ In A New Day (Community Projects/Planet E) US 12”
Detroit techo master Carl Craig has reassembled the surviving core members of the Tribe collective, Wendell Harrison, Phil Ranelin, Marcus Belgrave and Doug Hammond for a new studio album due for release in Spring 2008. ‘Livin’ In A New Day’ is the first taster from that set and follows in the tradition of Tribe Records. This is a spiritual jazz epic laden with horns, cosmic keys and a spoken message about the need for peace and love in these turbulent times. On the flip side is a shorter version in the shape of Carlos Nino’s Spaceways Radio Edit.
Soul Vigilantes – Do It Like Roger/When I Go To Bed (Love Monk) Spanish 12”
Both ‘Do It Like Roger’ and ‘When I Go To Bed’ are taken from the album ‘Background Noise’. The former pays homage to Zapp front-man Roger Troutman and the original mix is an electro-funk jam complete with vocoder, very much in his style. The Elektrons Data Transfer mix retains the electro elements but cranks up the beats to create a main room house cut. Although ‘When I Go To Bed’ is pleasant enough in it’s original form, far better is the Griffi Remix, which transforms it into a bubbling digital soul cut utilizing elements of Marcos Valle’s ‘Parabens’ and features an outstanding vocal performance from Aqeel.
Nomumbah feat. Nadirah Shakoor – Like A Rainbow (Sonar Kollektiv) German 12”
Following their impressive ‘Love Moves’ album on Yoruba Records Nomumbah keep the pressure on with ‘Like A Rainbow’. This initially appeared on the recent Sonar Kollektiv compilation ‘Beats, Bites & Oxle’ but it’s nice to see it on 12”. This is a monster deep techy house outing packed with swirling synths and sweet vocals from Nadirah Shakoor. Also included is an instrumental dub version.
Reel People feat. Darien – Alibi (Papa) UK 12”
Reel People are back and have lost none of their magic on this new cut from their forthcoming sophomore set ‘Seven Ways To Wonder’. Introducing Darien, who has a certain Stevie Wonder quality to his vocals, ‘Alibi’ (Album Mix) is a euphoric Latin tinged soul dancer reminiscent of some of Blaze’s works. The Rasmus Faber Remix maintains the Latin edge but ups the tempo and introduces a 4/4 rhythm which should ensure this track sees some peak-time action, whereas his RaFa Epic Dub is a deep and moody affair.
Shuya Okino – United Legends: Replayed By Sleep Walker EP (Especial) Japanese 12”
Sleep Walker take on Shuya Okino’s (Kyoto Jazz Massive) ‘United Legends’ album replaying tracks in their distinctive Jap jazz style. The full album has already been out for a few months now but this EP includes the best cuts from that set such as the breathtaking live version of ‘Love Is The Key’ featuring vocals from Josh Milan of Blaze, ‘Thank You’ with Fertile Ground’s Navasha Daya and the Yukimi Nagano fronted ‘Pieces Of You’.
Jose James – The Dreamer (Brownswood) UK CD
Fresh for Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label is the stunning debut long player from Jose James. Jose possesses a distinctive smoky quality to his voice which sits perfectly on this ten track selection of largely down-tempo jazz works. ‘The Dreamer’ which initially appeared on ‘Brownswood Bubblers Vol. 1’ is present and correct along with the original mix of ‘Blackeyed Susan’. Other highlights include ‘Love’, a slightly funkier outing with a live almost drum ‘n’ bass rhythm and an inspired version of ‘Nola’, originally performed by Bill Lee and Ronnie Dyson on the Spike Lee movie soundtrack ‘She’s Gotta Have It’. Touch down anywhere on this album though and you won’t be disappointed. If I had to make one slight criticism it would be that ‘Equinox’ and ‘Resolution’ from the limited edition 10” haven’t made it on to the set.
Phuturistix – Breathe Some Light (Phuture Lounge) UK CD
It’s been almost two years since ‘Cohiba’ dropped but finally the full length album is here and it’s been well worth the wait. Both ‘Cohiba’ and ‘In The Sun’ from the 12” are present plus another twelve quality broken-soul excursions. It kicks off with a killer cosmic funk intro entitled ‘Let There Be Love’ featuring a distinctive spoken word performance from Chris Jam, before moving into the flute laced ‘Everyday’ and ‘Breathe Some Light’, a great collaboration with Atjazz. With other solid moments such as ‘Eager For The Years’ featuring Michelle Amador, ‘Afrodisiosity’ with Fyza, ‘Hurt Ya Twice’ and the two Oezlem fronted tracks, ‘More Than The Eye Can See’ and ‘Women Of The Night’ this is one album you can’t afford to miss!
Domu presents Pete Simpson – Look A Little Further (Papa) UK CD
In my recent review of the Elektrons album, on which Pete Simpson is featured, I commented that he is a talented but under recorded vocalist. Well to my welcome relief here is a full length set from the man with the added bonus of Domu on production duties. It comprises of ten beautifully crafted, largely mid-tempo soul/boogie cuts which are all nothing short of brilliant, so there’s absolutely no point in me trying to select highlights. Just do yourself a favour and buy what will be a heavy weight contender for best album of 2007!
Herbie Hancock – River: The Joni Letters (Verve) UK CD
For his latest project Herbie delves into the Joni Mitchell songbook. With a band including Wayne Shorter and vocal performances from Norah Jones (‘Court And Spark’), Corinne Bailey Rae (‘River’), Leonard Cohen (‘The Jungle Line’) and Joni herself (‘Tea Leaf Prophecy’) this makes for a pleasant listening experience and could well see some airplay on the likes of BBC Radio 2. The real standout here though is a version of one of my all time favourite Joni tracks, ‘Edith And The Kingpin’ featuring Tina Turner. I can’t say I’ve ever been a huge fan of Ms Turner but here her vocals are more restrained than usual yet retain those wonderful earthy tones which sit perfectly on this glorious laid back jazz interpretation.
The John Betsch Society – Earth Blossom (Heavenly Sweetness)
French CD/LP
‘Earth Blossom’ from drummer/percussionist John Betsch is one of the rarer releases on Strata-East but thankfully Heavenly Sweetness have picked it up for reissue. Originally released in 1974 this is a beautiful example of spiritual jazz and features the haunting title track plus the percussive masterpiece ‘Ode To Ethiopia’ which has long been in demand.
Anne Wirz – Infini (Heavenly Sweetness) French CD
‘Infini’ is the debut album from Parisian based jazz vocalist Anne Wirz. She’s backed in the main by a trio (piano/Fender Rhodes, bass and drums) on this largely self penned set, much of which is sung in French. For me though it’s the covers which she excels on such as Sathima Bea Benjamin’s ‘Music’ and her amazing interpretations of ‘Maiden Voyage’ and the Carlos Garnett/Norman Connors jazz-dance classic ‘Mother Of The Future’.
