Review: The Alex Santos Orchestra is a self-described "orchestra" orchestrated for the express purpose of sanctifying one Alex Santos' lifelong love for jazz and Latin music. Following the much loved 'Alex Santos Y Su Orquesta', 2021's next step in Latinizing said quasi-conceptual ensemble, we've now landed in the project's live ambit. 'The Alex Santos Orchestra On Tour' captures just two live highlights from a much more recent outing (given the mystification surrounding the project, this may or may not have happened). Whatever the case, these recordings span both potentialities, retaining something of a highly-strung Hammond organ come upfront-drumkit drama on the B-side, 'Mr Clean', and an equally stirring version of the main theme from 'The Godfather' on the A.
Review: Soul Jazz Records promise this is a one off and strictly limited pressing of Alien Starr's 'World Of Ecstasy.' It is a faithful reproduction of the original in terms of art and sound and has been restored from the label after they included it on their excellent recent Space Funk 2 - Afro-Futurist Electro Funk In Space 1976-84 compilation. tUSA in 1985 featuring big slap bass energy, hand claps, drum funk and electro boogie bass. .
Review: Since her debut EP and LP arrived in 2019, Arlo Parks has grown into one of the most vital voices in modern British soul. Following on from 2021's Collapsed In Sunbeams album, My Soft Machine comes on mellow and magnificent, backed up by a strong cast of collaborators but very much steered by Parks at the helm. There's space for crossover pop hooks on the likes of the Paul Hepworth-produced 'Weightless' while Phoebe Bridgers lends her skills to 'Pegasus', and everything feeds into a universal dose of ear-catching neo-soul and artful pop fit for every home. This special edition of My Soft Machine comes pressed in translucent pink wax, housed in a black cloth tote bag and with a friendship bracelet to cement the bond between Parks and her audience.
Review: American singer-songwriter and rapper Ashnikko dropped their much-anticipated debut album this August through Parlophone and Warner Records and has been teased with no fewer than fine well-received singles. It is a concept record based around "a commentary on environmental disaster and the rapid evolution of technology" which honestly seems not so much a concept as just a statement of our current reality. The artist displays plenty of rage both lyrically and in terms of delivery here, with industrial hip-hop and rap, nu-metal and trap all distilled into something confrontational yet triumphant.
Review: Images And Anthems - Book I is an album by Lars Bartkuhn from back in 2008. The artist who is also known for his work in Passion Dance Orchestra and as Laurentius is a master of super cool jazz and laid-back lounge electronics that have hints of 80s nostalgia without being too slavish. Originally this one came only on CD and digitally and now it makes its first foray onto vinyl thanks to First on Vinyl out of Japan. Tracks like the lush 'Pulse' are gloriously airy and spring-like montages while there is a little woozy romance to 'Before It Enters My Mind'.
Review: There are as many opinions on 'Now & Then' as there are people, but regardless of your own thoughts on this revived Lennon sketch there's no denying the arrival of the final Beatles single has been one of the major musical events of 2023. Collectors and completists, meanwhile, of which we gather The Beatles have more than a few, will be trampling on top of each other to get hold of these Japanese editions of the single.
Review: Following a string of singles on Timmion and its lesser-celebrated Stylart Records offshoot, Jonny Benavidez offers up his debut album, My Echo, Shadow & Me. In keeping with Timmion's successful formula, Benavidez is accompanied by the label's sensational (and undeniably authentic-sounding) house band, Cold Diamond & Mink, for a stroll through alternatively loved-up, heartbroken and irresistibly funky soul songs inspired by records from the 1960s. It's a winning formula all told, made even more special and rewarding not by Cold Diamond & Mink's backing and production - which is as good as ever - but the sensationally soulful and sensitive nature of Benavidez's voice.
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