Bastard Jazz US 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Trailer Limon and E Da Boss (he of Myron & E fame) have been recording as The Pendletons for the best part of a decade, serving up occasional slices of revivalist electrofunk and turn-of-the-'80s soul. They're at it again here, popping up on Bastard Jazz with a double dose of goodness made with the assistance of some of the Bay Area's finest musicians. The headline attraction is undoubtedly the Howard Johnson hook-up "You Do You", a rich and evocative chunk of mid-tempo disco-soul blessed with mix-friendly drum breaks, seductive instrumentation (think glistening funk guitars, toasty bass, punchy horns and fluid pianos) and a slick, smooth lead vocal. "Life To Me", a more sugary affair built around distinctive slap bass, sustained chords, relaxed drums and subtle synth flourishes, is similarly impressive.

Review: Posy is the alias of Portland-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Rudy Klobas, with a unique sound that intersects jazz, R&B and electronica. The Abroad EP catalogues a period of time spent travelling Japan in the spring of 2019, with a collection of found sounds on the month long trip eventually becoming the foundation for the release. From the sensual and emotive island dream of 'In My Mind' featuring Denitia's gorgeous vocal delivery, the heartfelt neo-soul affair 'Sakura' (featuring another breathtaking vocal this time by Jennyfire) and ending with the chilled-out blunted beats of closer 'Train to Kawazu'.

Review: 2017 was the year that electronic wonk-funk saw its heyday, and uncoincidentally, it was also the year that B. Bravo (Adam Mori) saw the release of his first album 'Paradise'. 2022 is the year the genre should make a comeback, after just five years. If such were to be the case, Bravo's second album 'Vizionz' would be the catalyst. Charting collaborations with rapper Def Sound and singer Sally Green, this one points towards only the best detuned sonics, synth bass licks and Miami heat-hazed vizionz.

Review: Steel City electro-funk wizard BusCrates shows that not only American counterparts like Dam Funk can lay down seductive funk smoochers with his second full-length album, Control Center. Soraya Watti is on hand to provide smooth and soulful tones on 'On My Way', the only track with a voice, and its beautifully downbeat gem that harks back to classic Erykah Badu tunes from days gone by. Elsewhere there are whimsical synth laced daydreams like 'Four Track Mind' and sax-led slow motion funk wigglers like 'Prisms'. It's a gorgeous album for both background play and up front listens.

Review: Daniel David (FKA Trailer Limon) makes a great impression on Bastard Jazz with his first solo record. This 7" finds him link with the Jazz Mafia for a feature after he has done plenty of work with the legendary San Francisco duo the Pendletons. Because of that he is credited with helping to kickstart the Bay Area's modern funk resurgence but here he shows he has plenty of his own skills too. 'Tambor De Cura' (with Guinu) is bustling jazz that is vibrant and vivacious with big horns, steamy jungle atmospheres, humid pads, bird calls and many other great details that form a hefty groove. 'Devotion' is then a funky jazz fusion with cosmic pads and lush vocals.

Review: Potatohead People have got many classic joints in their arsenal and have worked with legends like Illa J and Slum Village's T3. Their Nick & Astro's Guide To The Galaxy album is another seminal record from the Canadian duo which saw them work with Vancouver producers and multi-instrumentalists Nick Wisdom and Astrological. It comes on red and black splatter vinyl and features plenty of signature boom-bap produciton, future soul vibes and classic jazz references as well as deep house, boogie and funk overtones to make it rhythmically playful and stylishly diverse, but unified by the superb mic work.