Various
'Tropical Soundclash'
(Sofrito)

This baby has been enjoying some heavy rotation at Jelly Jazz sessions and getting plenty dancefloor reaction! The Tropical Treats crew from Sweden have teamed up with Sofrito to produce 4 carnival treats taking in Cumbia, Afro funk and Caribbean disco. The perfect marriage of raw tropical music, bang up to the minute production and arrangements. It's amazing really, the rise in Latin and tropical music in the UK is unlikely yet definitely on the rise, but then we're always in need of sunshine! If you like Quantic, you'll love this, and get along to the next Sofrito night in London with Quantic, Frankie Francis, Hugo Mendez and more, should be killer!


'Cumbia Colombiana'

'Rift Valley Groove'

'Tabou Fo The People'

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Various
'The Dutch Nu- Jazz Movement'
(Social Beats)

Deep compilation from Social Beats focusing on 'Nu-Jazz'. A term and movement well formed now, and one that produces occasional brilliance, much creativity and let's face it, some absolute self appreciating toss. This comp avoids the latter and sits with the former, with some striking songs from the likes of Jazzinvaders, Flowriders and State of Monc. One can clearly hear the influence of Miles Davis creeping in on tracks like 'Yu' by State Of Monc, a fusion tour de force. Whilst more straight ahead jazz and rhythm structures can be found on 'Happy Little Cloud' from Monsieur Dubois. Whilst not strictly the kind of music we play at Jelly Jazz (which what these review pages are meant for!), this is worth a look for the more adventurous and forward thinking fusionists..


Monsieur Dubois 'Little Cloud'

Monsieur Dubois 'Something Nu'

Various
'2 Syllables Vol. 4'
(First Word)

First Word kick off 2010 with a stellar compilation of, well, eclectic mad science that sounds a little like a DJ set from Mr Scruff! It's a melting pot of everything, from ragtime to dubstep to funk to electo-hip-hop and 2 joyous cuts from Elphino, one of the best 'dubbed out electronica' artists out there. Thoroughly modern music for the genre bashing music fan and a honest representation of the joys of First Word, check it...


Herma Puma 'Pimp Rocker'

6Toys 'Sisters Of Soul, Brothers Of Funk'

Andy H 'Come On Now'

Break Da Funk
'Tajniak'
(Funky Mamas & Papas)

Funk and hip hop freaks, the Break Da Funk crew from Warsaw in Poland drop their latest slice of breakin' pressure. Obscurely sampletastic, very inventive and fun, and most definitely designed for gettin' busy on the dancefloor. They have also avoided adding a major name rap vocal or sample, there is too much of that in too many records at the moment, mash ups are getting boring! But anyway, this is pressed up on a lovely picture sleeve 7 inch, nice and loud, fat sound, get it while you can!

Break Da Funk on MySpace


'Nonono'

'Tajniak'

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Various
'Nigeria Afrobeat Special'
(Soundway)

Soundway rule when it comes to music from the four corners, building a reputation for opening minds, making discoveries and opening up new shapes for the dancefloor! Kicking off 2010 another chapter in their Nigeria series explodes out the stereo with an Afrobeat Special. This baby is DEEEEEEEEEEP, ever so funky and full of wailing saxaphones, relentless poly-rhythmic grooves and epic songs. Every track on here (except one) has never been reissued before, typical of Soundways dedication to bringing new music to our ears. They also buck the trend by putting the 5 bonus tracks on the triple vinyl pack rather than the CD.

Fela & Africa 70 'Who're You'

The Anansa Professionals 'Enwan'

Godwin Omabuwa 'Do The Afro Shuffle'

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Various
'The Future Sound of Russia'
(Hospital Records)

The strongest compilation series at Hospital is by far The Future Sound of's. These groundbreaking and geographically specific sets showcase up and coming producers alongside established masters of the genre and they always make for a rewarding and exciting listen. Delving into the huge country that is Russia and unearthing truely stunning D&B from the likes of Subwave, Bop, Engage and Electrosoul System amongst many more, Hospital have yet again proved that their filter is the most precise out there. Everything on this sounds amazing, with some cuts like Mr SizeF & Unquote's 'Hours Have No Reverse Motion' pushing the boat out so far it's disappered over the horizon when it come to forward thinking D&B. Overall a striking set and a fine addition to the series.

Subwave 'Stars Get Down'

Engage 'Helium'

Mr SizeF 'Garmoniya Mirov'

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Deep Street Soul
'Deep Street Soul'
(Freestyle)

Blimey, it's taken what seems forever, but the debut album from Australia's Deep Street Soul is finally out. We've been dropping tracks from this almost all year at Jelly Jazz club sessions and on the radio to great reactions. On first hearing this I predicted it would be one of the strongest funk LPs of the year and I'm proud to say that that statement was indeed correct! This is just super tough Meters' stylee funk all the way, played with panache and gritty dancefloor driven arrangements. It also has that 'certain something' that other 'new' funk acts miss, whether that's a deeper understanding of the genre, a rock solid grasp on what needs to be achieved in the studio or basically out and out talent shining through the song writing and musicianship, this has it. 12 gut bustin hip shakin rump rollin funk groovers from the next BIG funk act from Australia.

Look out for the Deep Street Soul UK tour next year, and of course Jelly Jazz will be putting them on!


Listen to:
'Kick Out The Jams feat. Tia Hunter'

'Papa Jumps'

'Crate Diggin''

'Greenbacks'

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Quantic & His Combo Barbaro
'Tradition in Transition'
(Tru Thoughts)

Contender for album of the year. Quantic's new project has come to fruition after 2 years in the making. And one has to say this is his very best work to date (along with The Flowering Inferno, also made in Colombia). After upping sticks and relocating to Cali, Will has certainly discovered a new rich vein in his creative process. Working with legendary pianist Alfredo Linares and a melting pot of Colombain and UK musicans, his Combo Barbaro is where he was heading all these years without neccessarily knowing it, until recently that is! This is just pure brilliance from start to finish, evocative, refreshing and challenging, an album that is entirely respectful whilst pushing the music firmly forward. Orchestral at times, soulful throughout and packed with funky latinized riffs, toots n grooves, Tradition in Transition will be a jewel in your record collection. Just buy it alright!

Jelly Jazz Interview with Will about the making of this LP here.

Listen to:
'I Just Fell In Love Again'

'The Dreaming Mind'

'New Morning'

'Undelivered Letter'

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Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro
'same'
(Jazzman)

Contender for funk album of the year and coming out of the blue thanks to Jazzman Records. MMK were previously the band of choice for Japanese funk freaks with records out in Japan but nowhere else. This has 8 dancefloor bombs that reference everything that is great about funk music. It's gritty, raw, full of energy, messy in the best way possible and has unreal arrangements. Just drop 'Yellow Soul Force' or 'Eastwood Magic City' on a dancefloor and watch the sparks fly. Pure class.

Listen to:
'Baggy Pants'

'Eastwood Magic City'

'Time Has Come'

'Yellow Soul Force'

'Don't Touch Just Watch Me'

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