Review: In keeping with the approach of its predecessors, the fourth annual Boogie Angst compilation brings together "cool cuts" from the past year and a smattering of exclusives and previously unreleased gems. As you'd expect from a label helmed by Kraak & Smaak, it's a genuinely joyous and celebratory affair, packed to the rafters with party-starting workouts. For proof, check the revivalist disco-boogie cheeriness of Titeknots' 'Feels Good 2 Me', the future soul shuffle of 'Treat U Good' by Moods, Noah Slee, Lyriya & Meron, the summery electrofunk sunshine that is Art of Tones' kaleidoscopic rework of LUXXURY's 'Just Like It Was Before', the Rhodes-laden warmth of Kraak & Smaak's nostalgic 'All I Need' and the spiritually-enriching Latin deep house shuffle of Osunlade's Yoruba Soul rework of his Casbah 73 collaboration, 'Let's Invade The Amazon'.
Review: Volume 7 in the series but for once we can't really say "you should know what to expect by now" because what this compilation really goes to show is just what an eclectic and diverse camp the long-running Manchester label has become, with tracks on 'Paper Cuts #7' ranging from the near-ambient Balearica of Aniso Tropics' opener 'Apricot Memorex' to the self-explanatory synth-y stylings of La Guardia de la Luz's 'Trance Aleman de los 90s' via the uptempo strut of Jahn Solo's 'Disco'. So all we can really do is point you in the direction of some standout cuts, which for this reviewer would include D.S.D's luscious 'Just Can't Stop' and Benny Pitcher's 'Transatlantic Motion', which is like a little musical nod to the days when Paper comps were called 'Splinter'.
Review: Four typically solid contemporary funk jams here from Sound Exhibitions regular Funk Windows, coming just two weeks after his/her/their last release, the 'Africa Funk' EP. This time out, the Afro stylings are put on a back burner; instead you get the slow-building title cut (which would make a fine set-opener), 'Roller Night' which has a slightly more wonked-out/off-kilter feel, and then 'Bisca' and 'Low Down', both of which up the jazz ante somewhat, the former rocking some fine sax and a cut-up, chipmunk-y vocal while the latter has a similar MO but busts out the flutes. The EP as a whole is a headnodder's delight.
Review: Daydream Utopia emerges as a deep journey into atmospheric downtempo & electronica, designed for immersive listening experiences if only brief! Evoking a sense of inner and outer space exploration, the album's ethereal soundscapes offer a soundtrack for introspection and dreaming realities by blending warm analog tones with futuristic nostalgia. Chris Coco invites listeners to ponder existential questions while navigating their own thoughts, offering a place for balance, clarity and purpose should you get it. From the enigmatic "Synesthesia" to the introspective "Tokyo Ame," each composition sparks curiosity, whether it's decoding hidden meanings or exploring the depths of human connection. For lovers of ambient synth!
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