Various – Prime Numbers EP1 (Prime Numbers) UK 12”

Manchester’s Trusme and Matt Triggs launch their new Prime Numbers label with this solid three track deep house EP. First up is ‘RIP’, an amazing Detroit influenced discoid piece from Linkwood with what sounds like Minnie Ripperton vocal samples thrown in for good measure. Next is the jazzy down-tempo ‘Jah Bless’ by NapiHedz and last but by no means least is Reggie Dokes’ ‘Black Thoughts’. If this is a taste of what’s to come from Prime Numbers I can’t wait to hear more.

www.myspace.com/trusme

Middlewood Sessions – Red Waters/Astro Blue (Wah Wah 45s) UK 12”

Sheffield’s Middlewood Sessions gained a great deal of attention with their debut release ‘Fall Back’ for Brownswood last year. Their follow up has been picked up by Wah Wah 45s and continues the soul/jazz vibe with ‘Red Waters’, a fierce and funky horn driven fusion instrumental, which should see some action on the jazz-dance scene, and the outstanding orchestrated ‘Astro Blue’ which is very much in the vein of 4hero or Charles Stepney productions.

www.myspace.com/middlewoodsessions
www.myspace.com/wahwah45s 
www.wahwah45s.com

Various – Soul Unsigned EP 001 (Soul Unsigned) UK CD

Phil Driver’s monthly Soul Unsigned show on Solar Radio, as the title suggests, is dedicated to showcasing soul music by unsigned artists or independent self financed releases. And that’s exactly the same ethos behind his brand new label of the same name which kicks off in fine style with this solid four track EP. Although all are recent recordings they are very much 80s influenced, particularly ‘Leave It All Behind’ by Felix, an immaculate down-tempo shuffler reminiscent of Loose Ends. Not to be overlooked though are the boogie flavoured ‘Tonight Alright’ by Excellent Gentlemen and ‘Blow Your Mind’ from Groove’s Back Productions featuring AmariM.     

   
www.myspace.com/soulunsignedmusic
www.soulunsigned.com

Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Pt. 1 [4th World War] (Universal/Motown) CD

After wetting our appetite with the brilliant single ‘Honey’ Erykah Badu’s much anticipated 4th studio album is finally here. Ms Badu’s music has always been innovative and on ‘New Amerykah’ she pushes the neo soul boundaries further with the help of The Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Madlib, 9th Wonder (Little Brother) and James Poyser on production duties. The set opens with ‘Amerykahn Promise’ which is essentially Erykah’s remix/replay of Ramp’s ‘The American Promise’ and ends with ‘Honey’, included here as a bonus track. In between we’re treated to killer tracks such as ‘Soldier’ and ‘Master Teacher’, two low slung bumpers, the Roy Ayers influenced ‘The Cell’, ‘Me’, a dreamy cut with subtle trumpet undercurrents from Roy Hargrove and the gorgeous ‘Telephone’. ‘New Amerykah Pt.2’ is due later this year!

www.myspace.com/erykahbadu
www.erykahbadu.com
www.universalrecords.com

Vladimir Cetkar – We Will Never End (Vladimir Cetkar) US CD

Macedonian native and New York resident, Vladimir Cedkar is a guitarist, vocalist, composer, arranger and producer whose debut studio album ‘We Will Never End’ is pure class. He cites George Benson and Earth Wind & Fire amongst his influences and it shines through the up-tempo feel-good grooves ‘All For You’, ‘Born For The Screen’ plus the string laced jazz-funk cuts ‘The Open Space’ and the title track. How this guy hasn’t been picked up by a major label I’ll never know!     
www.myspace.com/vladimircetkarmusic
www.vladimircetkar.com

Carmen Lundy – Come Home (Afrasia) US CD

Following her recent guest appearance on Quasimode’s ‘The Land Of Freedom’ the great jazz vocalist Carmen Lundy is back with her ninth album to date. ‘Come Home’ is a stunning collection of, other than a version of ‘Nature Boy’, original compositions and features players of the caliber of Geri Allen on keys, percussionist Mayra Casales and of course her brother Curtis Lundy on bass. From the opening magical moments of ‘Lost In San Rafael’ Ms Lundy takes you on a journey of emotions with dancers such as ‘Gossip’, the uplifting title track and funky Fender Rhodes workouts on ‘Lil’ Lu’ through to brooding numbers such as ‘My Wedding Vow’. A new Carmen Lundy release is always something to behold and ‘Come Home’ is certainly no different!  

www.myspace.com/carmenlundy
www.carmenlundy.com
www.afrasiaproductions.com

Francisco Mora Catlett – Outer Zone (Premier Cru) US CD

Percussionist Francisco Mora Catlett follows up his superb ‘River Drum’ album (Premier Cru 2005) with the equally impressive ‘Outer Zone’. As with ‘River Drum’ this set combines deep/avant-garde jazz with elements of Latin. It kicks off with the spaced-out intro ‘Space Chord’, a theme he returns to throughout the album, before moving into masterpieces such as the fierce ‘Saints Of Congo Square’, ‘PaLos Mayores’, a tough fusion excursion and the mellower ‘La Lu Banche’. Releases on Premier Cru are not always easy to come by but do some digging and your efforts will be greatly rewarded!

www.myspace.com/franciscomoracatlett
www.franciscomoracatlett.com
www.myspace.com/1ercru
www.premiercrumusic.com  

The Stance Brothers – Kind Soul (Ricky-Tick) Finnish CD/LP

The Stance Brothers are brothers Isiah (vibes/keys) and Dwayne Stance (bass/guitar) plus drummer/percussionist Byron Breaks. Produced by Teppo ‘Teddy Rok’ Makynen (Teddy Rok Seven/The Five Corners Quintet/Nuspirit Helsinki), ‘Kind Soul’ is the trio’s debut album and features a fine selection of funky jazz cuts. ‘Steve McQueen’, ‘Jay’s Lament’ and ‘Roll Call’ from the singles are included but better in my opinion are the string laced boogie flavoured ‘Bright Moments’, the conga driven ‘Upside The Head’ and the cosmic Roy Ayers influenced ‘Mean Spirit’.  

www.myspace.com/thestancebrothers
www.myspace.com/rickytickrecords
www.ricky-tick.com

Two Banks Of Four – Junkyard Gods (Sonar Kollektiv) German CD

Rob Gallagher (Earl Zinger/Galliano), Dillip Harris (Demus) and the crew are back with their third album as Two Banks Of Four. As with previous releases ‘Junkyard Gods’ fuses deep jazz sensibilities with modern production techniques to create a twisted yet beautiful soundscape. Valerie Etienne is on hand to provide her gorgeous vocal tones on delights such as ‘Queen Of Crows’, the spiritual ‘Shadowlands’ and the waltz ‘Dead Afternoon’. With other strong moments including ‘Go’ and ‘Flags & Words’ this makes for an unmissable and innovative album.

www.myspace.com/twobanksoffour
www.2bo4.com
www.myspace.com/sonarkollektiv
www.sonarkollektiv.com