|
Hoorah! It's been a long time coming, but the album from this Canadian act is finally here. We got a taster for their new retro/contemporary jazzy sound with a single in August. The EP featured the breaks-driven "Soul Sugar", the 70s funk indebted "Driving To Montenegro" and the jazzier "Blow", all of which made it to the album. Now joining these tunes are the likes of the fretlessly rhythmic "Blues For BL", the crazy flute frenzy of "The Kelly Affair" and the gentle piano intricacies of "Snowfall".
In a break from their high quality re-issue campaigns, Hot Casa switch focus to the contemporary for their newest release. Fourteen-armed Parisian Latin-funk combo, Setenta, are back with the highly anticipated follow up to their 2010 debut Funky Tombao. Boasting as many tracks as they have arms, "Latin Piece Of Soul" sees the band really fine tune the fusion sound they always sought to achieve, particularly on tracks like the wah-wah and organ freak-out of opener "Colorblind", the Afro-electro-funk of "Guapeta" and the disco influenced "Mambo Machine".
Here we have two rare-as-hen's teeth cuts from disco-era boy/girl duo Aurra. They largely released on Salsoul and had the likes of Larry Levan remix them, so you can kind of guess what to expect. "Satisfaction" is classic early 80s electro-boogie that recalls the sleazy glamour of Prince proteges Vanity 6. "My Lovin Is For You" is more the kind of jheri-curled smooth ballad that the likes of Champagne were known for.
Jukebox Jam always excel themselves in their selection of re-issued vintage gems. Still, there's something extra special about seeing the work of the late, great and iconic Mexican guitarist/activist brought into the digital age. It may be electronic, but with these two raw Latino anthems you can almost smell the booze, the ponchos and everything else found in a little after hours bar down Mexico way.
Here we have the debut album from self-confessed 'sunshine pop' musician Lucas Arruda. Now 30, Lucas spent his formative years playing in hard rock bands but was converted to soul and jazz by a deadly seductress (a vintage Fender Rhodes actually) in his early 20s. This impressive long-planned long player features a cornucopia of styles and moods, including the lazy 70s soul of opener "Physis", the gentle Rio-funk of "Tamba (Pt1), the smooth vocals of "Who's That Lady?" and the lilting bossa nova of "Alma Nova".
| |