For the latest installment in the 'Katakana Edits' series, which is now nearly halfway through its second century, we're back in the hands of Goji Berry, who's helmed nine previous releases in the series including four of the last 12. 'You're Never Gonna Get It' is of course a rework of En Vogue's 1992 smash 'My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)', but the real surprise is 'Yo VIP' - it turns out some Hammond organ was all Vanilla Ice's 'Ice Ice Baby' ever needed to make it utterly irresistible. Now check out the hook while the DJ revolves it...
The Niceguys are back with their latest release, "Confident", a vibrant, feel-good anthem that's sure to get stuck in your head. Fusing infectious hooks with a rich blend of old-school and modern sounds, this track features the soulful, gospel-infused vocals of Greg Blackman alongside the smooth, charismatic flow of underground hip-hop legend Louis Logic.
Greg's powerful voice shines on the chorus, delivering pure, uplifting energy, while Louis Logic, known for his collaborations with icons like MF Doom, brings witty, laid-back verses that add a perfect old-school touch. The result is a track that feels both fresh and familiar, designed to resonate with fans of classic soul, hip-hop, and modern funk alike.
The sun-soaked Love International festival's in-house compilation series returns for its sixth volume, with DJ/producer and long-term friend of the family Palms Trax flexing his curatorial muscles via a collection packed to the rafters with obscure and overlooked fare. Starting with the fragile, folk-jazz brilliance that is Linda Waterfall's 'Clarity', Palms Trax treats us to a deliciously eclectic and eye-opening mixture of off-kilter electro-funk ('Did It Have To Be Me' by Frank E Jefferies Jr), squelchy European proto-house (El Pedro's 'La Luna'), bubblegum (Novidade's 'Masingita'), Adriatic-friendly synth-pop oddities (Angelo Malila's 'Hideaway'), hybrid electronic-acoustic percussion workouts ('Brasilia Drums' by Zardoz), psychedelic progressive rock (Gert Thrue's 'I Play The Body Electric') and cosmic rock (Flayer's 'I Wanna Get Back To Your Love').
Magic Number is Leicestershire lad Ross Hillard, and here we get new mixes from Kaidi Tatham of a track that first came out last December. In its Original form, which is also included, 'Better' was a fragile and light-of-foot modern jazz number, complete with vintage-sounding horn parps, but in Tatham's hands it's reworked into a gentle and mellifluous slice of modern soul that comes accompanied by a matching instrumental for maximum playability. The Original wins out for this writer but Tatham's rubs probably have more commercial appeal - and the sterling performance from guest vocalist Sophia certainly deserves to be heard.
A superb collection here that embraces a range of musical styles but manages to assemble its diverse parts into one very pleasing whole. The one thing 'Funky Afro Jazz Grooves' doesn't actually have much evidence of is any obvious Afro influence - the artists are mostly European and while there are hints of African flavour (especially in the percussion and organ sounds) here and there, the overall vibe of the album is more in a straight-up funk, jazz and jazz-funk vein, veering into house and disco towards the end. But from Vito Lalinga's moody, cinematic 'Jazz Reserve', to LAINZ, Black & Brown's herbalistic headnodder 'Good Morning Lainz' to the heady 4am amyl rush of LTJ Xperience's 'Deeper', there are delights aplenty to found here, so dive on in!
Les Hommes' latest album, Sì, Così, is a sonic journey through a cinematic soundscape, blending elements of jazz, lounge, and experimental music. The trio's signature blend of mid-century organ, grooving rhythms, and ethereal melodies is in full force on this release. The album's opening track, "Veronique," sets the tone with its languid pace and melancholic mood. The cricket-chirping background adds a touch of natural beauty to the synthetic soundscape. The Lowrey organ and bass clarinet create a haunting atmosphere that is both inviting and unsettling. Throughout the album, Les Hommes experiment with different tempos and textures. "Pulsar-Driven Groovetronics" is a high-energy track with a driving rhythm and pulsating bassline. "Folky Modalisms in Waltz Time" offers a more relaxed and introspective vibe, with its gentle melodies and folk-inspired harmonies. A must-listen for fans of experimental jazz, lounge music, and cinematic soundtracks.
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