VA - 25 Years of Mr Bongo [Mr Bongo Records, 2014]

Mr Bongo started life in 1989 as a small record shop underneath Daddy Kool’s Reggae Store on Berwick Street in London. They were the first shop to sell vinyl releases from independent hip-hop labels such as Def Jam, Rawkus, Nervous and Big Beat outside of the USA. They also became the established bearer for hard-to-find, classic Latin music, particularly Brazilian, outside of the Americas. Such characters as Gilles Peterson and clubs such as Dingwalls championed this music and in the following years Mr Bongo established itself as the leader and provider for whole scene.

The Gregg Foat Group - Live at The Playboy Club, London (2014)

 The Greg Foat Group are currently the resident band at the Playboy Club, located in Mayfair, London. Earlier this year a couple of nights were recorded for Jazzman, and the results are here for all to enjoy. Recorded live and direct onto 1" analogue tape the album captures the energy and atmosphere of the group at their regular gig. Awash with library-esque soundtrack-themed jazz grooves with a modal edge, jazz has never been so much fun! This is the 3rd album by the Greg Foat Group on Jazzman, and is the first album to be recorded live at the Playboy Club for over 40 years.

Emma Donovan & The PutBacks - Dawn (2014)

Acclaimed indigenous vocalist Emma Donovan and Melbourne rhythm combo The PutBacks come together to bring you "Dawn", an LP of hard hitting and heartfelt soul songs telling stories of grief, struggle and redemption. "Dawn" is a gritty, uniquely Australian record, simultaneously classic and contemporary. The songwriting is in turns optimistic, angry and melancholic, and on occasions bruisingly honest. The music is fluid, live and raw, recorded in one room on eight channels of analog tape and the electric connection between Emma and the band comes through in every beat.

Cherry Boop & The Sound Makers - The Way I Am (2014)

“THE WAY IAM “ sounds like a Soul Music album from the 60’s, but it is the new album from“Cherry BOOP and The Sound Makers “.

This LP is a brave step back to the roots of this fantastic, “ Afro-­Americain“ music...The songs are not “Ghetto Brothers“ vibes, their singer is more of a “Marilyn Monroe “ Soul type! The album really is a daytrip from Girona (Spain) where it was recorded to Philadelphia (USA) where it was mixed and mastering.

Olivier Pot composed every track (helped for arrangements by J Barrientos), he used those good vintage microphones, or Wurlitzer, or Glockenspiel and Vibraphone to make it sound like in good old time...