New releases this week: Jazz

Review: A year after dropping his acclaimed album 'Billy Valentine And The Universal Truth' with Flying Dutchman and Acid Jazz Records, Billy unveils a fresh take on a soul classic. Recorded at LA's prestigious Henson Recording Studio, alongside producer Bob Thiele Jr. and a stellar band including Larry Goldings, Pino Paladino, Jeff Parker, James Gadson, and John Philip Shenale, he introduces three new tracks. His rendition of Gil Scott-Heron's 'Lady Day & John Coltrane', debuted on Gilles Peterson's BBC6Music, mesmerising live audiences. This special edition 7" includes a unique edit of 'Home Is Where The Hatred Is', not previously available on vinyl.

Review: Nestor Alvarez's Midnight in Havana on Original Gravity delivers an electrifying Afro-Cuban instrumental jam that transports listeners to the vibrant streets of Havana. With a mesmerising flute lead and dynamic jam sessions, the track exudes a captivating energy that feels like a theme song for the city's bustling nightlife. The infusion of Cuban soul adds depth and authenticity to the music, immersing listeners in its rich cultural heritage. On the B-side, Alvarez offers a creative cover version of the Happy Mondays' 'Kinky Afro,' reimagined with a Cuban twist. The fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and the iconic melody of the original song results in a fresh and exciting interpretation that showcases Alvarez's versatility as a musician. Fans of Latin and Cuban dance music are sure to eat this up.

Review: 'Practice What You Preach' is a standout track from the German funk band Poets Of Rhythm's debut record of the same name, first released on Soulciety in 1993. After a long hiatus on the albums front before a return to the limelight with a follow-up Ninja Tune LP in 2001, these guys nonetheless remained surely active on the 7"s circuit, which has sustained them since then. Little did we know or predict, however, that there existed a part two to the same track, which is essentially an instrumental version of the original 1993 track. On the B comes a fresh funker formerly released under the alias Mighty Continentals, with the band's Bo Baral laying down a rare solo guitar situation and singing about, well, god knows what.

Review: Darvid Thor, Henry Jenkins and Hudson Whitlock (of the bands Karate Boogaloo and Surprise Chef) founded the low-key Frollen Music Library in 2021. Now aided in kind with a public release of their works by Spasibo Records, a heartwarming dialogue is facilitated between two isntitutions by way of a new four-track EP. Hand-picking four sweet treats from two earlier releases put out between 2021 and 2022 respectively - 'By The Phone (You Rang?)', 'Jaw Breaker' and 'Sei Cardigani Di Ball' all hailing from the former's Sweet Treats Vol. 1 compilation and the final track '1/4 Cup Of Sunflower Oil' from the following year's The Fretted Neck' album - these tracks are laid-back, nonchalant refractions of talent, across which the aforementioned cycle through said covers of Ennio Morricone, Pierro Piccioni and Piero Umilliani's standout score cuts with ease.

Review: The Great Revivers is a funk and library band with a focus on organ laced grooves that hails from Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was formed around a decade or so ago from members of bands Wake&Bake! and The Reggaenauts and has put out a steady stream of very danceable 7"s since then. 'Adventures Begin' is their latest and it comes on the Spasibo label with lashing of loquacious saxophone and some nice loose, live drumming. Flip it over for something more laid back and starry eyed - 'Estrellas' has a soothing late night feel and brims with musicality.

Review: Soul Direction has served up plenty of the best material by The Soul Surfers, who love everything from original funk to playful covers - one of which, their take on William DeVaughn's 'Be Thankful For What You Got' is particularly superb, and lands soon. This 7" features tunes the group prepared for an annual hip-hop festival called 'Yalta Summer Jam' and features one side primed and ready for the b-boy battles with its big breaks and bumping kicks, and a sunny and breezy flipside for whatever party plays out afterward.

Review: The Soul Surfers & Shawn Lee have linked their creative energies once more with a new pair of singles for the cultured Spasibo Records. Both tracks on this limited gold vinyl were recorded in 2018. One was captured at Moscow's Magnetone studio during Lee's visit for the premiere of a movie documenting his prior recording with The Soul Surfers, and the other was recorded remotely with The Soul Surfers at their Nizhniy Novgorod headquarters and Lee at his London studio, The Shop. The collaboration is a fruitful one with two sublime and timeless funk cuts featuring some bittersweet replaying of classic melodies.

Review: German funk act The Poets Of Rhythm have more than left their mark on a scene that wasn't so popular back in their heyday. They have got plenty of great albums to explore and several superb singles, of which this is one. 'Practice What You Preach' is a track from their debut album released on Soulciety in 1993. Despite a hiatus from albums until their return with a Ninja Tune LP in 2001, the band remained active in the 7"s circuit. Surprisingly, a part two to the same track exists, serving as an instrumental version of the original 1993 release. On the B-side, a fresh funk track, previously released under the alias Mighty Continentals, features Bo Baral delivering a rare solo guitar performance alongside ambiguous lyrical content.

Review: Spasibo Records present a fresh 7" by the Vicious Seeds, hailing from St. Petersburg. With vibraphonist Pavel Chizhik taking centre stage (Chizhik isn't usually a member of the band), 'Village Hassle' makes for a cleverly collaborative rare groove and instrumental reggae-soul release. The titular A-side flaunts Chizhik's vibraphone via the mix alone, fleshing out its low-end elements against a driven instrumental backbeat; 'Monthly Rainfall', meanwhile, goes for all-out slow-jammed soul by way of cross-sticked snares and offbeat chord plucks run through short-release springs.

Review: Originally part of the 2014 album I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me, 'Hit 'Em Like Ali' stands out as a vibrant and infectious track in Australian artist Chelsea Wilson's collection. Its energetic and riotous vibe has earned it a place as an unheralded modern deep funk classic. Spasibo Records now grants it a well-deserved single release on nice coloured vinyl. Co-produced by Jake Mason of Cookin' On 3 Burners, the heavyweight instrumental backing track, making its debut on the flip side, showcases Melbourne's top funk musicians. With blistering breakbeats, heavy horns, flanged guitars, and weighty bass, it's a track designed to captivate.

Review: Spasibo Records introduces a new 7" vinyl by St. Petersburg outfit the Vicious Seeds, this time on yellow and green wax. In an unconventional move, vibraphonist Pavel Chizhik takes the spotlight and the result is that he truly enhances the band's signature sound. 'Village Hassle' offers a unique blend of rare groove and instrumental reggae-soul - the A-side highlights Chizhik's vibraphone prowess, intertwining it with a dynamic instrumental backbeat. On the flip side, 'Monthly Rainfall' delves into a soulful journey, characterized by cross-sticked snares and offbeat chord plucks which create an atmosphere reminiscent of slow-jammed soul with a contemporary twist.

Review: Spasibo Records has been busy lining up plenty of great funk sounds that all seem to be dropping at once. One of them is this limited yellow and red marbled vinyl from The Great Revivers. The band hail from St Petersburg in Russia and these two instrumental tunes are perfect examples of their lush library funk sound. Both were recorded pre-pandemic back in 2019 at a vintage studio in an old church. The organs really shimmer and bring the heat to opening cut 'Adventures Begin' while 'Estrellas' dial down into a more late night and intimate atmosphere before the funky breaks and neat guitar riffs come on with full force.