The debut partnership of Carol Maia and Jeremy Gustin has delivered an album of rare alchemy. With thousands of miles between Carol’s home studio in Rio de Janeiro and Jeremy’s in Brooklyn, and with the help of a few friends from their respective cities, they have created a record that is intimate, softly experimental and transcendental in its poetic beauty. Read / Listen.
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Charlie Chimi ‘Disco Chimi’ (Club Coco) - a review
What would a record by a Dominican Republic-raised Cuban artist now residing in Brooklyn sound like? Well, all of those places at once if you’re Charlie Chimi and this is the debut artist album for Coco Maria’s new label. Afro-Cuban rhythms, no-wave garage punk edge, homemade funk and a fearless middle-fingered attitude towards generic straightforwardness are all here. It’s also fun, surreal, irreverent and ace. Read / Listen.
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Guinu 'Palagô' (Razor-N-Tape) - a review
Known mainly for their underground housey/disco dancefloor projects, this could be a surprising album release from New York’s Razor-N-Tape label. Though maybe it’s not. Brazilian musician, songwriter and producer Pedro Guinu has delivered his own respectful exploration of Rio de Janeiro’s musical heritage with great original songwriting that takes inspiration from 50 years of Rio’s musical treasures. Touching on MPB, AOR, Brazilian Boogie, Samba, Bossa and more contemporary genres, it’s complimented with a rock solid dancefloor-ready bottom end that makes this much more than a tribute. Read /Listen / Buy
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Sandy Barber 'I Think I'll Do Some Stepping (On My Own)' Remixes (BBE) - a review
Two KILLER remixes here from the Don John Morales and OPOLOPO of Sandy Barber’s brilliant 1978 disco-funk workout 'I Think I'll Do Some Stepping (On My Own)' out now on BBE! Read / Listen / Buy
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Billy Bang 'Lucky Man' (BBE) - a review
‘Lucky Man’ is a new soundtrack release by BBE and IF Music of the documentary film that follows a Vietnam veteran as he returns to the country 40 years after as he searches for redemption and healing through improvisational collaboration with local musicians. That veteran was Billy Bang, one of the greatest jazz violinists of all time and it is an extraordinary journey…. Read / Listen here
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Siduku Buari 'Disco Soccer' (BBE) - a review
If you love your disco, this 11 track album from 1979 is a must…the real sound of NYC nightlife seen through the eyes of an unconventional artist…read/listen here…
Read MoreRammellzee: It's Not Who But What (Red Bull Arts Documentary)
A 9-minute cosmic journey that explores the legendary artist, graffiti writer, hip-hop pioneer, myth-maker, and New York cult icon, RAMMELLZEE. (courtesy of Red Bull Music) - ESSENTIAL VIEWING!
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David Wertman & Sun Ensemble 'Earthly Delights' (BBE) - a review
Fantastic reissue on BBE (again) of this 1979 spiritual jazz album by David Wertman and his Sun Ensemble. Free, loose and deeply emotional…read/listen more here
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