Review: This suite of reworks of SunPalace's much-admired early '80s jazz-funk obscurity 'Rude Movements' may well be the biggest remix package we've ever seen, thoagh it should be noted that many of the reworks are available in short and extended takes. Either way, there's much to enjoy, from the warming, solo-laden deep house brilliance of Moodymann's revisions and the sparkling, kaleidoscopic Opolopo takes (proper dancefloor jazz-funk for house-heads), to the 11-minute, synth-heavy bliss of Francois K's SATS Dub Extended Version and the sun-drenched Latin house of Frankie Feliciano's delicious rework. Elsewhere, the 'Atmosphere' mix is a starry ambient delight and Kenny Dope's various revisions boast the toughest, bounciest percussion programming.
There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of) (remastered) - (11:01) 146 BPM
Lanquidity (Alternate mix) - (8:20) 73 BPM
Where Pathways Meet (Alternate mix) - (6:31) 92 BPM
That's How I Feel (Alternate mix) - (12:10) 95 BPM
Twin Stars Of Thence (Alternate mix) - (9:51) 85 BPM
There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of) (Alternate mix) - (10:55) 159 BPM
Review: It's quite the statement to have the words 'definitive edition' next to the music of Sun Ra however if it's Strut on the case you can imagine this going the whole nine yards. This re-release dates the avant-garde jazz classic back to 1978 when Sun Ra and his Arkestra appeared on Saturday Night Live for the first time. Directly after the show the band recorded Lanquidity in a single session. Delivering 10 alternate, largely unheard versions of Lanquidity, the album's longer sessions come via the free jazz grooves of "That's How I Feel" to the strung out and rather bizarre "There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of)". Definitively alternative versions no less than bona fide.
Review: Gold-Plating the sound from a legend of the New York scene, Grammy-winning remixer Louie Vega delivers us a sweetly refined compilation of Luisito Quintero's percussion music! With tributes to deceased heroes such as Fela Kuti and Tito Puente, plus his own version of Ray Barretto's classic "Acid", this compilation offers a veritable treasure trove for percussion fans that encompasses everything from Afrobeat and bossa nova to Latin jazz. Check out the bongo-based percussions of "Four Beat Mambo" to the outlandish carnival-style energy of "Quintero's Jam". Hot summer nights and the city...can you feel it!
Review: Alongside Schema label-mate Nicola Conte, Gerardo Frisina has been at the forefront of the Italian nu-jazz scene for the best part of two decades. In that time, he's released a string of fine albums, though this full-length excursion - his sixth in total - is Frisina's first since 2014. Like previous sets, it's rooted in jazz and the heavily percussive rhythms of South America, but also looks to dub and deep house for inspiration. While some of the album's more traditional moments are very good - see the breezy "Blue Latin" and "Naquela Base" - it's those blessed with heavy sub-bass and lashings of echo and delay (check "InCantao" and "Baracoa") that hit home hardest.
Review: Once known as the Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviors, The Fantastics! are a soul, funk, jazz and lounge time collective outta the UK. Having debuted on BBE with their Take A Shot single, the group fully arrive with their debut LP of the same name. Featuring vocals from soul sensation Sulene Fleming, who features across four of the album's 10 tracks, instrumental highlights include the skippy and light hearted broken beats of "Oblique" next to cooler jazz and brass sections of "Pyramid". Sultrier numbers come out of "St Tropez Blue" with Mark Norton's saxophone taking over next to more rocky numbers like "The Bounce" and the full on, nutbush city limits stomping jam, "Can't Decide". Quality all round.
Review: Kicking around for ten-plus years in the inter-continental jazz scene is German ensemble The Bahama Soul Club who breathe new life into their project with a new album, Bohemia After Dawn! It presents the outfit's fifth studio LP which this time finds its spirit through the coastlines of Algarve where it was recorded. Drawing deep inspiration from the multicultural verve of young worldly folk drawn to the bohemian coasts of the most southwestern part of Europe - where hippiesque hedonism, infinite musical diversity, and offbeat enchanted lifestyles fuel the scene - downtempo percussion, subby beats and strong vocals ultimately meet in tracks like "Castelejo (Hommage E Vitor Hugo)". Highly relaxed, uber-cool and with a surprisingly fresh and sweet summer sound, Bohemia After Dawn delivers a unique blend of soul, jazz, funk, blues, bossa nova and multicultural sounds.
