..... The Jelly Jazz Record Reviews Page
..........................Music we love right now...
...................................Reviews by Pete Isaac & Griff

Top choice rekkid!

.45's

Lefties Soul Connection
'Code 99'
(Melting Pot Music)

Amsterdam's finest organ combo are back once again on the mighty MPM doing what they do best. Which is of course HARD drums with cookin hammond, guitar and bass. These guys are rsing through the ranks steadily and surely and picking up fans all the time, as anyone who sees them live will testify. Catch them live in Europe mostly, but they do venture to the UK sometimes (they've played Jelly Jazz a few times!) and they also have a killer club night in Amsterdam called Struttin', go there and buy this record...

Listen to:
'Code 99'

Baby Charles
'Hard Man To Please'
(Record Kicks)

The new Baby Charles 45 drops on Record Kicks and it's a seriously tough cookie with Dionne Charles grinding out the raw and funky vocal. This Brighton based band is gonna get better and better, just you see!

Listen to:
'Hard Man To Please'

Trio Valore
'Return Of The Iron Monkey'
(Record Kicks)

Wjen you have a set of musicians with this pedigree (Stave White, ex Style Council, Galliano, JTQ. Damon Minchella, ex ex Ocena Colour Scene, Paul Weller band. And Seamus Beaghen, ex Madnes, Supegrass, Death In Vegas) then you know that something serious will follow. And it does, this is pure Mod jazz and funk, expertly played and conceived. Look out for the full LP on 6th Oct!

Listen to:
'Return Of The Iron Monkey'

Diplomats Of Solid Sound
'If You're Wrong' Lack Of Afro Mix
(Record Kicks)

MONSTER! DOSS new 45 with Exeter music maestro Lack Of Afro on the mix, this is KICK ASS make no mistake. Everything LOA touches turns to gold, certainly can't wait to drop this on the dancefloor.

Listen to:
'If You're Wrong'

Check out the awesome full length LP too...

London Elektricity
'Syncopated City'
(Hospital)

The don of Drum & Bass, Tony Colman trumps him self with the latest London Elektricty LP, Syncopated City. This is so much more than Drum & Bass, even for Hospital! Tony can't help but show his true colours with this, it's as clear as day that he is a proper musician and his craft is complete. Making real song based D&B with dynamic arrangements and ridiculously complicated programming. He must have spent every waking second for months putting together the beats and melodies and we thank him for it, a wonderful progression in an exciting musical form.

Listen to:
'Just One Second'

'All Hell is Breaking Loose'

'Syncopated City'

Bahama Soul Club
'Sugar Cane' LOA remix
(Buyu)

From the man behind the dancefloor bizniz of JuJu Orchestra comes The Bahama Soul Club. Oliver Belz certainly knows a thing or two about bossa and the LP 'Rhythm is What Makes Jazz Jazz' is a corker. From the LP comes this great remix 12" with Smoove and Lack of Afro taking two of the best cuts and adding a British dancefloor flavour. LOA turns in yet another deep production with oomph on the drums and requisite organ and bass adding texture. The man has pure funk blood flowing through his viens.

Listen to:
Sugar Cane' Lack of Afrom remix

Various Artists
'Arriba La Cumbia'
(Crammed Discs) Belgium

It had to come. After getting serious attention from the likes of Quantic and Soundway Records' Miles Cleret, this ancient traditional Colombian music is finally going global. Described as the 'bomb with the century long fuse', traditional cumbia is the perfect compliment to balkan gypsy music with it's accordians and clarinets and exotic minor melodies. Somehow though the chugging beat also lends itself really well to hip hop and even house tempo interpretations. This mix by DJ Russ Jones covers traditional cumbias through to contemporary cumbias from Basement Jaxx, Mo Horizons and Up, Bustle & Out. Check the new sound now vying with reggaeton for the soul of South America!

Listen to:
Aniceto Molina 'El Campanero'

Up, Bustle & Out 'Cumbion Mountain'

Alberto Pacheco 'Cumbia Cienaguera'

Various Artists
'Hardhitting - The Wewerka Archives in the 60s and 70s'
(Sonorama) Austria

A rich collection of previously unreleased German Library music by legendary producer Hans Wewerka. Reputed to have produced over 12000 recordings in a full and productive career, it was perhaps natural that Wewerka would have a vast collection of unreleased material in his basement. Thankfully Sonorama was on hand to compile this collection of funky jazz and soundtrack tune from the 60s and 70s. Classic Jelly Jazz dancefloor fodder!

Listen to:
Joe Haider 'Beat Power'

Olaf Kuebler 'Soulin''

Bill Grah 'Jupiter Beat'

Danny Massure
'What it Ain't'
(Spring Strut) USA

Seattle based producer Danny Massure's LP 'What it is' has had the full remix treatment and we now have 'What it Ain't'! A whole raft of well respected remixers have jumped on board for this project and turned out some dancefloor excellence. Absolute highlight is Kinski's Dakatri mix of Rock the Afro, a relentless wah wah led Afro groove punctuated with horns and breakdowns. This is nothing but dancefloor gold, a track that will get you into an Afro trancelike state, lovin' it! Plus Plymouth DJ Aldo Vanucci has a mix on here too, a wicked downbeat club rocker with an awesome piano drop in the shape of 'Tell Your Boss'.

Listen to:
'Rock The Afro' Kinski's Daktari Mix

Listen to:
Tell Your Boss' Aldo Vanucci Mix

Regal
'The Mack'
(Unique) Germany

Now this was out in June but somehow it escaped the Jelly Jazz radar, but who cares about when things were released anyway. Whenever you find it it's new music. This is one of the best things I've heard on Unique for a while, mainly because I'm a complete sucker for the marriage of funk and breaks, and when they are this good, I'm a happy boy. Regal lays down a super solid Clav (I think) line with heavy chugging beats underpinning it before superfly wah wah kicks in. This is dancefloor breaks gold with the added bonus of Lack of Afro, Edseven and Flevans remixes to make up a seriously fabulous 12", get it now!

Listen to:
'The Mack' Club Mix

'The Mack' Flevans mix

Gypsy Brown
'Life is a Trip'
(Freestyle) UK

How would you describe this one? Latin, jazz, funk, Brazilian, or a whole hotch potch of all of that, yes that's it. What a genius slice of music, utterly irrististable. Having dropped this on a few dancefloors now, I can safely say this is a very popuar tune!

Listen to:
'Life is a Trip'

Dub Traffik Control
'Special Request'
(Bastard Boots) USA

New York City dub reggae beats at their very best. Dub Traffik Control have consistley wowed this reviewer with their seriously heavy productions. Absolutely top class stuff.

Listen to:
Dub Traffik Control
'Special Request'

'Warrior'

Beatconductor
'Brand New Secondhand'
(Spicy) Sweden

The Beatconductor is back, and armed with tons of percussive jams aimed squarely at the dancefloor. 'Brand New Seconhand' is the new 16 track LP absolutely packed with the kind of music we know him so well for. This prolific producer must spend every waking second in his studio mastering the art of production, and it shows. His attention to rhythm sections and the dynamics of arrangements come shining through in all tracks here. Seek this baby out.

Listen to:
'Jibaro'

'Rocksteady Skank'

'Guarambembere'

'Marakech'

'Senor Blues'

Greenwood Rhythm Coalition
'Honey'
(Bastard Boots) USA

Greenwood can do no wrong in my opinion and here's another example of why they are fast becoming Jelly Jazz heroes. Droppin' quality beats is not second nature, but FIRST nature for this crew. Here they take a well know singer and create the freshest dub backing for her, and what a result, pure class. Also included on the 12" is a cracker in the shape of Captain Planets rework of Cleva, a right royal hip swinger of a groove, gonna be caning this at Jelly Jazz for sure.

Listen to:
'Honey' GRC Relick

'Cleva' Captain Planet Remix

Ruckus Roboticus
'Here We Go'
(Grease) USA

DANCEFLOOR ANTHEM ALERT! Good god, as JB would say, here's a US 12" of mighty proportions released in conjunction with Ruckus Roboticus' LP 'Playing with Scratches'. This is all about the remixes... Diesler turns out a monster groove whilst 'Lesson 7' is an epic funk cut up that will destroy dancefloors across the globe, just LISTEN TO IT NOW. Absolutely AWESOME stuff basically!

Also check the full LP which is quite literally bonkers. There's some serious beats going on underneath tons of creative samples, scratches and jiggery pokery with the 1's and 2's. The next thing needed is a full remix LP of every track, and if they were the same high quality as the 12" above it'd be the funky breakbeat LP of the year.

Listen to:
Ruckus Roboticus
'Here We Go' Diesler Remix

'Lesson 7 What's Funk' Dancefloor edit

For the LP 'Playing with Scratches'

Parker
'To Eternity'
(Rocstar Recordings)

Bristol's fine and widely regarded turntablist Parker has burried himself in the studio and (some might say) finally got his shit together. This debut album proves that one doesn't have to build up to something special, one can get it bang on the very first time, just like fellow Bristolians Portishead who did exactly the same with Dummy, must be something in the Brizzle air. To Eternity is a breathtaking array of ideas, taking in luscious strings, old school funky hip hop sensibilities, soundtrack atmospherics and kick ass production. This is no straight up hip hop LP though, as some might expect. It's future soul with the wonderful 'Back Again, it's get your fingers covered in grime to create something like the dancefloor burner 'Dig n' Swing' and it's a homage to Native in the form of the deadly hip hop killer 'Western Soul'. I hope he feels incredibly proud of this debut, because I just can't see that anyone would find this dissappointing. Go out, buy this. Period.

Listen to:
Parker
'Western Soul'

'Dig 'n' Swing'

'Back Again'

Various
'Shapes'
(Tru Thoughts)

Tru Thoughts Shapes series is such a good intoduction to the wonderful TT catalogue. Collecting tracks from many of the labels considerable roster, and chucking in exclusive edits and remixes to give the release an edge, it's not just a simple compilation. This latest Shapes is a double cd to boot, 27 tracks of jazz, funk, drum and bass and a myriad of ecclectic sounds. So step up Hint, Lizzy Parks, Natural Self, TM Juke, QSO and many more for an excursion into the very healthy UK music scene. Check out the 2 tracks below which are my personal faves from the cd, an unreleased Quantic gem and some KICK ASS D&B!

Listen to:
Quantic
'Disco Caribe'

Me&You
'Wouri River' Redeyes mix

The Bamboos
'Sidestepper'
(Tru Thoughts)

One of Jelly Jazz's favourite bands for sure, and having had them play live with us about 5 times, we can confidently say thay kick the proverbial butt when it comes to funk! The new LP has dropped and once again it's a polished set of uptempo funk and soul with guest vocalists Kylie Auldist, Megan Washington and TY dropping in to add serious flavour. Heavyweight funk from Oz and in our DJ box for a long time to come....

Listen to:
'Nightsport'

'Funky Buttercup'

'King Of The Rodeo'

Beatstalkers/Hooded Horsemen
'Heard it Through The Grapevine' / 'Tide'
(Foot Forward Music) Germany

Mash ups? Well yes, but this is so much more. Dancefloor music of the highest order, just watch the floor fill when you throw down 'Heard it through the grapevine'... This is the first release on this new label from Germany and I can't wait for the next one if the quality continues like this.

Listen to:
Beatstalkers
'Heard it Through The Grapevine'

Hooded Horsemen
'Tide'

DJ DRM
'Bhuna Beats ep'
(Bastard Jazz)

DANCEFLOOR MONSTER ALERT! DRM's newest dancefloor banger drops on Bastard Jazz. Fat squelchy bass driven ska music at it's best, period!

Listen to:
'Blinger On'

Dusty
'Keep it Raw'
(Jazz & Milk) Germany

The main man at Jazz & Milk has turned out an indulgent yet very striking 12" prior to his forthcoming LP. The perfect marriage of real live musicians and 'clubby' production that makes this so much more than a sample based 'jazzy' dancefloor 12". True to the ep name, every track here is definitely RAW, from the downtempo fusion of the title track, the insane latin club rocker 'Loco Para La Pista' to the jazzy groove of 'Voodoo'. It's a joy to hear musicans letting loose with the bonus of solid production to give that added oomph. A Jelly Jazz dancefloor winner.

Listen to:
Dusty
'Keep it Raw'

'Voodoo'

'Loco Para la Pista'

'Tap Tap'

Danny Byrd
'Supersized'
(Hospital)

Yes yes yes, I knoooooooow, this came out back in May. But it's only hit the Jelly radar now! And that's through the unbelieveable cut 'Red Mist'. Jelly Jazz had the pleasure of joining the Hospital Record crew for Hospitality in London recently, and I must admit by spending a fair bit of time in the main room when London Elektricty, Fabio and Randall were on, I finally fully got the D&B vibe! It was an electric atmosphere which has caused a re-look into D&B!!! Digging into recent Hospital releases, this one jumped out as being pretty special, fast soul music at it's very best. Check the Hip Hop intro of Red Mist before it launches into an incredible head spinning groove, kinda sounds like something Massive Attack would do if they signed to Hospital, and 'Soul Function' with Danny's trademark cut up vocals is just sweet as.

Listen to:
Danny Byrd
'Red Mist'

'Soul Function'

Greenwood Rhythm Coalition
'GRC ep'
(NYC Trust)

Now this has been out for a while, but I only just found it, better late then never. Just awesome funked up and trancy beats from New York on Monk One's Label. Can't get enough of this, and look out for the brand new GRC single coming very soon.

Listen to:
'Over Easy'

'Pepita Stew'

Check the NYCTrust web site for more music, free tracks and a whole shed load of awesome mixes from Monk-One and others.

Natural Self
'The Art of Vibration'
(Tru Thoughts LP)

Natural Self has just released his new LP on Tru Thoughts and boy has he stepped up to the mark with this one. Maturing as a producer at a frightening rate, he's crafted a minor key odyssy of complex arrangements infused with a jazzy temperament, Afro flavours, hip hop and soul. Plus of course top class beats (as expected). He's putting togther a live band for a tour later in the year which is very exciting, and we certainly hope to bring them down to Jelly Jazz.

Listen to:
Natural Self
'In The Morning'

'All Right Turn It Up Now'

The New Mastersounds
'Plug & Play'
(One Note)

Hip Hip Hooray, the New Mastersounds have a new LP out, and in my book that's a reason to rejoice! (now I always say this, but) This has to be the best NMS album yet. The boys have put together a mighty strong set taking in funk, soul jazz and Afrofunk which gives it a broader depth not seen on their other (excellent) LPs. Add too vocal duties from Dionne Charles who turns out a much better performance than she does on her own recent LP, probably due to having Eddie Roberts driving her talents. This is an LP where you can clearly hear a band fully in their stride, it's super tight, sounds effortless and the richness of composition is outstanding. Expect to hear this at Jelly Jazz getting maximum plays, and that's every track on the thing! Check out the two samples below and you'll see what I mean.

Listen to:
'Idris'

'Looking For An Answer'

TM Juke
& The Jack Baker Trio
'Boto & The Second Lines'
(Tru Thoughts)

Quite possibly LP of the summer! TM Juke and persussionist Jack Baker have concocted a feast of feverous festival music borne out of jam sessions whilst on tour with Alice Russell. So you might say this is the sound of bus stations, airport lounges and waiting rooms by musicians with time to kill, and luckily for us musicians DO have a lot of time to kill when criss-crossing countries. The boys have used that time well with this release, going from an original concept of cover songs done in Latinized way to a full blown set of original material with fabulous roped in talent from Alice Russell, Gecko Turner and others. The sound is rooted in South America but draws upon jazz, carnival, soul and so on to give a sun drenched, Mohito driven party feel. It's also very much a live album, recorded over 2 months and often with 1 take sessions, the intensity and honesty of the music shines brightly. One for the beach, back yard BBQ's and general summer fun where ever some appropriate music is needed. Absolutely love it!

Listen to:
TM Juke & The Jack Baker Trio
'That Gut Feeling' Feat. Andreya Triana

'Spread It On' Feat. Alice Russell

'Party Favours' Feat. Gecko Turner

Quantic Presenta
Flowering Inferno
'Death of the Revolution'
(Tru Thoughts)

Will Holland's output continues in fine fettle with another LP under his belt. This time he tackles dub reggae from his studio in Colombia and not surprsingly does a damn fine job of it. The move to Colombia has been a rewarding experience for him and indeed fans of his music, with many new influences and colloborations to explore. Working mainly as a multi-instrumentalist on this LP, Senior Holland weaves a striking collectionof tunes that fuse Studio 1 atmospherics with Ethiopian jazz, modal chord structures and toches of Colombian influence. Not so much a dancefloor record (although the title track is a contender), this collection of deep dub will add a raw and moody flavour to your summer soundtrack.

Listen to:
Flowering Inferno
'Death of a Revolution'

Midnight Lab Band
'Run Riot'
(NYC Trust)

The latest NYC Trust release see's MLB drop a slice of future disco tinged with Afro Latin flavours. This is why Jelly Jazz was born, to be able to play this kind of music to as many people as possible, love it!

Listen to:
'Run Riot'