Review: Magic Source, a German outfit headed up by producer Björn Wagner, return to French label Favorite with their first new single since dropping their sophomore long-player 'Voyage Spectral' in 2023 - an organic, Afro-infused cosmic disco take on A Guy Called Gerald's first-gen rave classic 'Voodoo Ray' that features vocals from French artists Gizelle Smith (daughter of Four Tops guitarist Joe Smith, fact fans!) and Mounam. It'll play well on Afro-leaning floors but the accompanying 'Interplanetary Bounce', a straight-up funker, may perhaps have broader appeal, both tracks coming complete with matching radio edits.
Review: A little slice of musical history here, as French label Favorite re-issue the 1981 sophomore long-player by Venezuelan jazz-fusionists Esperanto (not to be confused with the 70s Anglo-Belgian prog rockers of the same name). Inspired by a trip to the titular US city and recorded in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Caracas, 'Vegas' is a mostly instrumental affair that's long on fluttering jazz-funk guitar and wailing sax; vocals, when they do appear, are largely of the female, soulful variety. Standouts for this reviewer include the uptempo and delightfully cheese-tastic opener 'Tell Me This Is Love' and, at the other extreme, the moody jazz of 'Kenny's Place'
Review: French label Favorite, headed up by Charles Maurice AKA Pascal Rioux, specialise in reissuing obscure funk, soul and jazz from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Here, the label boss brings us the fifth in a series of compilations celebrating the more "sophisticated and grown-up" end of the late 70s/early 80s soul spectrum - which means lots of smooth soul-jazz and 'quiet storm' stylings. It'll all be a bit suave/sickly/smoochy for some, admittedly, but there are some quality mellow moments on offer for sure - see, for instance, the lounge-funk of Esperanto's 'Kailua' or Sugar Cane's blissed-out 'What You Do To Me'.
Review: A new one from Paris' Favorite Recordings. After two acclaimed LP's as Mr President released over the last decade, Bruno Hovart is back. "One Night" is Soul and Disco with a modern touch, fitting all the criteria to become an instant club classic. With special guest vocalists like Jennifer Zonou (Hawa), Cindy Pooch & Celia Kameni (Saving Coco) and Sabba MG (Mr President's previous releases). Title track "One Night" is a sensual and loungey deep jazzy house joint reminiscent of early noughties grooves by Naked Music or Hed Kandi, there's also a wonderful rendition of Roy Davis Jr and Peven Everett's classic "Gabriel".
Review: When it comes to crafting cracking slabs of revivalist disco/jazz-funk fusion, Andre Solomko has previous form. In fact, his 2018 single "Le Premier Disco Sans Toi" is one of the strongest Favorite Recordings releases of recent years - and that's saying something. His latest release is not quite as energetic and celebratory, but it's certainly every bit as alluring. In its "Extended Disco Version" form, "Recalling You" is a sublime chunk of deep disco/jazz-funk fusion full to bursting with breezy female vocals, mazy electric piano solos, squelchy synth bass, punchy jazz horns and vintage electronic flourishes. Acclaimed create digger and re-editor Charles Maurice provides an accompanying "Dub" mix, stripping out most of the vocals while emphasizing the Ukranian producer's killer beats and bass.
Dope On Plastic (feat Raashan Ahmad) - (3:53) 117 BPM
Skit Twister - (0:50) 117 BPM
Soundshake - (3:27) 116 BPM
Theme Of Trevor & Lisa - (4:02) 115 BPM
My Friend (feat Jehro) - (4:32) 96 BPM
Time - (1:28) 70 BPM
Soul Clap (feat Rita J) - (4:26) 115 BPM
Tango Hustle - (4:56) 123 BPM
Until Vibes - (0:59) 76 BPM
Dance To The Drummer's Beat (feat The Real Fake MC) - (3:54) 122 BPM
Get Off - (3:44) 128 BPM
Review: Nope, not a Mike Leigh film about a council estate couple, Trevor & Lisa are in fact a Parisian Funk trio comprising Sebastien Despicht, Mikael Prignot and Stephane Ugolini. Dedicated to the art of live performance, these guys have rinsed the French gig circuit and their resulting musical dexterity has now manifested itself in this debut album. It's a rollicking good listen with standouts including the breaky "Night Of The Wolf", the electro-boogie of "Soundshake" and the spacey, voicebox-led experience that is "Time".
Review: Buddy Sativa is another of the French soul jazz artists causing a stir at the moment. On "Mystic Voyage" he drops two tracks that merge keys, brass sections, bass and percussion in that classic Parisian way. A talented musician, Sativa knows how to compose music in various different styles and is therefore able to communicate his vision of music across a number of platforms.
His first instrument of composition was always keys, then came the machines and samples, allowing him to build the tracks around his key parts. The title track is a cover of Roy Ayers, reworked with Savita?s own approach. For him, Ayers' music was essential to the development of his own and was therefore an obvious choice for someone to cover. After a hazy intro, Sativa sets off into his improvisational swing jazz style. A big band with bright brass joins a heavy rhythm section in a full on jazz tribute to the original. Sativa's interest in and knowledge of rhythm, particularly through west African drums, becomes more apparent on "Una Peripecia" though. Although it is actually Onra on drumming duty within the track, we hear all the elements of percussion that Sativa holds dearly.
His workout on the keys joins Onra's drums and deep bass, creating a latin jazz feel that resides throughout. This is imaginative and improvisational jazz with a contemporary feel. As French imprint Favourite Recordings continue to press music of this sentiment to such high standards, the world is becoming more and more familiar with the likes of Buddy Sativa.
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