Review: Based in Hanover, Germany, Mo' Horizons started out as the DJ duo of Ralf Droesemeyer and Mark Wetzler in the late 90s, but have expanded over the years into a loose musical collective blending a variety of jazz, funk and world music flavas. Quite a bewildering variety, in fact: with cuts ranging from the self-explanatory 'Anotha Bossa' to the Afrobeat of 'Mango Woman', the scorching Latin funk of 'Havana Boys', the Balearicisms of 'Sunset In Palmar', the straight-up reggae of 'Good', the equally self-explanatory (and entirely unexpected) 'Balkan-Maasai Party' and the subdued big beat shuffle of 'Sudoeste', 'Mango' is an album that keeps you on your musical toes but, crucially, is coherent enough for none of it to jar.
Review: Jembaa Groove is a multicultural band led by bass player and composer Yannick Nolting and vocalist /percussionist Eric Owusu. Taking inspiration from the Ghanaian Highlife sound of the '70s, the Berlin-based duo recruited a seven piece band in pursuit of their self-described Afro-soul sound, which takes in aspects of traditional West African sounds like Mali, Adowa and Wassoulou. Notable tracks such as the lo-slung and sensual opening cut "Aawoya", the uplifting horns section throughout "Adesane" and the electrifying soul-jazz of "Bassa Bassa" are worth it alone.
Review: Maintaining a fresh approach to releasing and compiling music, Agogo out of Austria presents the second volume of their Two Tribes series. Bringing together 14 tracks from a plethora of artists, the LP keeps with its MO of building a musical bridge between Africa and Europe. A highlight straight off the bat is Alma Negra's "Oh Mar" next to the equally subby grooves of Rabii Harnoune & V.B. Kuhl's "Invitation To Dance". More afro-futuristic elements come into play thanks to tracks by Kaleo Sansaa, Lua Preta and Dowdelin's soulful downtempo joint, "Vis La Vie". Other spiritual jazz comes through Karthala 72's "Heavy Revolution", David Nesselhauf and The Kutimangoes "Money Is The Curse", to more vocal numbers by Guts, Onipo's "Yenimo", and Octa Push, Alai K & Isaac Anyanga's "Nyatiti".
Review: One of Africa's most influential and enduring musical figures, and big time player in the Ethio-Jazz scene, Mulatu Astatke presents the To Know Without Knowing LP, an inspired work and second collaboration with twelve piece global-funk-machine, Black Jesus Experience. Laced with cool jazz and lounge vibes to wax poetics in both "A Chance To Give" and "Living On Stolen Land" find more laid back, alluring and sultry numbers in "To Know Without Knowing", with hotter rhythms coming through "Ambassa Lemdi" and the cocktail vibes of "Blue Light". Afro-beat free fusion and soul.
Review: The long-running Agogo label drops a compilation that's tailor made for home listening. Although it is released in the depths of winter and focuses on broken beat and jazz, the tracks on Two Tribes are still evocative enough to make the listener long for the summer. From the murmuring tribal chants of Jacob Mafuleni & Gary Gritness' "Zvichapera" to the lazy, languid tones of Elias Agogo's "Some Music", the vivid, brass-led Afro jam that is Tiliboo Afrobeat's "Dekondor" and the dubbed out house of Trio Toffa's "Titon To", there is enough depth and variety on offer here to provide the sound track for sandy beaches and warm sea breezes.
Review: Tel Aviv's Hoodna Orchestra, who blend African and Middle Eastern influences with those from jazz, rock and funk, serve up two tracks from their second album 'OFEL' - soon to be released worldwide - and to say the EP's "eclectic" would be like saying Ronaldo's "pretty good" at football! 'Ofel I' starts out as a sleazy blaxploitation taxi ride, before taking a left turn through a nearby souk while Nik Turner-esque sax blares away on top. 'Breathe', meanwhile, marries similar sounds to a simple, plangent guitar riff reminiscent of Echo & The Bunnymen or The Cure. It's a ker-razy trip, daddio, but one you'll be very glad you took...
Review: Linear John's productions are straight down the line smooth, and here he presents a whole album's worth of his louche crooner gems. Hits With A Twist conjures up images of romance and intrigue in vintage Mediterranean summer nights. Boasting 11 Latin-tinged swingers, highlights include the Austin Powers-in-60s-Rio vibes of "Slates", the bluesy trip-hop of "When It Comes To Ladies" and the liquid elastic bass on space-boogie wonder "Shaken & Disturbed". Groovy.
Review: Being a bit of a musical clever clogs, ROJ leader, David Hanke, based the title of their recent album Paradise Lost on John Milton's famous poem of the same name. Now we get a follow-up collection of remixes that utilises the title of Milton's own sequel: Paradise Regain'd. Highlights include Skeewiff's clavinet-heavy hip-house rework of "Fire", Ride Of The Renegades' raspy, blues-rock version of "Hellesens" and its back to the days of Gypsy Woman on Titenots' retro house mix of "Neverday".
Review: Savages T Suefo are a larger than life Hungarian duo who recently saw their work remixed on one collection. Now, to address the balance we get another collection, Remixes Y Reworks, which sees the very best SYS remixes of others compiled onto one album. There is a whopping 15 tracks on here with plenty of thrills and spills included. Some of our faves being the sassy rag-time strut of "Wonder" by Anima Sound System, the slinky worldbeat grind of "Ait Oumrar" by WDR Big Band and the gently soulful reggae-pop of Marcel's "Make It Alone".
Review: Any (of the many) fans of luscious lounge lizards Mo' Horizons currently tearing their hair out with anticipation of their new album can now whet their appetite with this stop-gap treasure trove courtesy of Agogo. Divided into two halves, we initially have the Hannover duo (Ralf Droesemeyer and Mark Wetzlar)'s latest LP, The Banana Soundsystem, overhauled and remixed before being treated to a further selection of the pair's most impressive remixes of other artists. Mo' Horizons like to celebrate 'the art of musical cross fertilization' and it's never been more true here, with 21 tracks overflowing with international influences.
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