Forestorn "El Chico" Hamilton (1921–2013)

Written by Tom Csatari

Chico Hamilton’s influence on drummers, composers, arrangers, educators and even jingle writers is uncanny and wide-ranging. Originally a trap-drummer from L.A., “El Chico” cut his teeth playing in pioneering bands with Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker and Lena Horn, before moving to New York in the early 50s. Hamilton was an important figure in the founding and development of The New School Jazz, with a knack for treading the line between chamber music, crossover jazz, and the avant garde (his famous Quintet with Jim Hall even appeared in the film The Sweet Smell of Success). 

We’ve created a career-spanning Spotify playlist—tracklist below with some short attempts to describe the music...

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/58g2AmGGQ5pQr7nWf7rfTY

1. Lena Horne - "I’ve Got a Right To Sing The Blues"

Just wait for the drums to kick in--softly and sweetly--at around 2:00. Chico got his start in this vocalist-led big band music, as well as the jump blues microgenre. There are a few other examples of his playing in this context, but they’re all quiet--he’s usually linking up with the acoustic guitar, never overplaying. 

2. Jimmy Witherspoon - Six Foot Two Blues

A flat-tire shuffle blues which wouldn’t be anything without Mr. Hamilton’s deep desert beat. 

3. Gerry Mulligan Quartet - Walkin' Shoes

Chico was a huge part of the west coast cool jazz scene, taking part in the first recordings on the Pacific Jazz label with the famed Chet Baker / Gerry Mulligan pianoless quartet. 

4. Lester Young - She's Funny That Way - Remastered 1995

Slow ballad, brush-drum playing with the coolest of cool: Lester Young. 

5. Gerry Mulligan Quartet, Chet Baker - Moonlight In Vermont

Classic west-coast-cool-jazz ballad with one of the first examples of Chico’s mallet playing.

6. The Chico Hamilton Quintet - The Squimp

Ripping casual-classical music. Jim Hall throws it over the edge. The sound of a mid century modern sonic diorama. 

7. The Chico Hamilton Quintet, Buddy Collette - Buddy Boo - Live/1955

Dirty. Filthy McNasty. And still smooth. 

8. Chico Hamilton - The Dealer

A ripping boogaloo with Larry Coryell on guitar and Charles Lloyd on tenor saxophone. Raw. Hip. Mod. Retro futurist “jazz” with a side of droned out blues bliss.

9. Chico Hamilton - El Chico

Gypsy Drone Jazz. 

10. The Chico Hamilton Quintet - El Toro

Chico had that beat that was chilled out but immovable. Rarefied.

11. The Chico Hamilton Quintet - A Rose For Booker

Excursions into a misty unknown of folky jazz experimentalism—the intro and outro bass/guitar/flute/mallet blend is uncanny. 

12. The Chico Hamilton Quintet - Homeward

Nomadish, genre-bending rhythmic music verging mixing groove with avant. 

13. The Chico Hamilton Quintet - Lady Gabor

Couple different time signatures going on at once here: earthen multi-meter with free-time group breaks. Visionary orchestration & arrangement.

14. Chico Hamilton - Denise

1970s commercial crossover “swinganova” drawing on Chico’s work as a studio gem and jingle writer. 

15. Chico Hamilton - Nomad

Long form electro-tribal jams which cannot be quantified. 

In an event sponsored by Blue-in-Green:RADIO, hear Uncivilized, deemed “The Bernie Sanders Jazz Band” by Impose Magazine, and operating “its own fuzzy, folky, big-hearted thing” (New York Times), play El Chico live, delving into its own brand of experimental Americana at Barbès on July 27th in Brooklyn, New York, or stream it on TÉLÉ-BARBÈS at home via YouTube.  The show will also be aired on Blue-in-Green:RADIO in its entirety in August 2021.

Uncivilized Plays El Chico (Feat. Ben Stapp)

Rachel Housle—drums & percussion; Ben Stapp—tuba; Nick Jozwiak—cello; Kevin Sun—tenor sax; and "Uncivilized Tom" Csatari—guitar & effects

Tue, 27 July 2021

08:00PM - 09:30PM (EDT)

Barbès

376 9th st

Brooklyn, NY 11215

This event is LIVE at Barbes (12 max capacity), and Streaming free online.  

Live stream tickets: https://www.viewcy.com/e/uncivilized_plays_el

Jez Lloyd (Ink Project/Blind Colour) guest mix #2

In a show that initially aired 5th July 2021, Blue-in-Green:RADIO was proud to play host - for the second time! - to Jez Lloyd who jumped on our airwaves to present an incredible guest spot.  While Jez's last visit saw him delve into reggae, rock'n'roll and some downtempo electronica, this time we're treated to an exquisite, chilled-out and soulful selection that is just bliss.

  

As founder of Ink Project and Blind Colour Records, Jez has helped to cement his efforts as a true pioneer within the realms of soul-infused electronica having amassed a fantastic catalogue of music and incredible support from the genre's heavy-hitters.  Currently celebrating the release of their third album, 'Rhythm Spirit', both Ink Project and Blind Colour have also achieved the monumental milestone this year of having been making and releasing music for ten years!  It's a genuinely staggering achievement and theirs is a fantastic body of work amassed over those years. 

We're thrilled to have the time to delve into Jez's musical headspace for the second time for a genuinely thrilling and innovative set... 

TRACKLIST:

1. Malibu – Held

2. The Amorphous Androgynous - Physically I’m Here, Mentally Far, Far Away

3. Scott Walker - Big Louise

4. Stubborn Heart - Out Of My Hands

5. Hibernation - Clockwork Butterfly (Superchill Space-Jazz Mix)

6. The Nomad - Mr Selector (Misled Convoy's Waiting for Your Sound Remix)

7. Mystic Tribe A.I. - Telepathic Seduction

8. Matthew Dear - Supper Times

9. Morcheeba - Sounds of Blue

10. Mara TK - Highly Medicated

11. Shankara NZ – Oceanic

12. Ink Project – New Phase feat. Coreysan

13. Salmonella Dub - Soul Love Trippa

For more on Ink Project and Blind Colour:

- Biography: blindcolourmusic.tumblr.com/artists-ink-project

- Ink Project Instagram: www.instagram.com/blindcolourmusic

- Ink Project Facebook: www.facebook.com/InkProjectMusic

- Ink Project Twitter: twitter.com/inkprojectmusic

New music round-up ::: July 2021 (vol.2)

'Gonna Get Love' by Randa and The Soul Kingdom

It's incredible to think that Randa and The Soul Kingdom's debut, self-titled album was released as far back as 2009.  Still sounding as fresh and innovative now as it did upon first release, Randa Khamis led the charge with a personality-driven, powerhouse vocal.  Backed by an all-star cast whose initial iteration featured Lance Ferguson (Menagerie, The Bamboos) on guitar and Ivan Khatchoyan (Cookin on 3 Burners, The Traffic) on drums, Randa and The Soul Kingdom went on to steal hearts of funk & soul fans the world over through dare-you-to-sit-still tracks like 'Feel It In Your Soul', 'Not Gonna Let You' and 'Lysistrata's Quest'.   With two albums released through the revered Freestyle Records, this year marks the tenth year since the band's last album release and excitingly offers a thrilling reinvention of their sound.  Heavier guitars, bolder production and a typically awesome Randa vocal plunge 'Gonna Get Love' somewhere within the realms of classic rhythm'n'blues and 60s psychedlic soul.  With this single the precursor to album #3, 'Gonna Get Love' whets the appetite for exciting new directions for Randa and The Soul Kingdom and we couldn't be more excited to be along for the adventure.

'Deeper in Love' by Nick Corbin

It's still surprising to consider that last year's 'Sweet Escape' album was actually Nick Corbin's debut solo release.  With so many years under his belt as the singer and songwriter for New Street Adventure, whose debut record was released through Acid Jazz in 2014, Corbin's indelible touch has further graced projects from Lack of Afro and Emma Noble before ultimately pouring his passions into the burgeoning roster of Big AC records.  We've previously marvelled at the efforts of Big AC - the label Corbin founded alongside DJ Sophie Heath - and the brilliant singles from vocalist Carmy Love whose  'Thinkin About You' single from earlier this year benefitted from the penmanship of Corbin himself.  While at home as part of a team that nurtures inspired new UK talent, Corbin finds himself equally adept centre-stage as perfectly exemplified in his current 'Deeper in Love' single.  A scintillatingly sweet slice of summer soul, Corbin's great vocal is displayed alongside wonderful production perfectly capturing the inescapable sound of 60s soul.  

'Shades of Blue' by The Soul Sound Collective

There's something undeniable about the Soul Sound Collective's ability to make music for the summertime.  Maybe it's those twinges of 70s soul and Roy Ayers that seem to permeate so many of their compositions... whatever it is, it's a winning formula we hope the collective never lose sight of.  From the band's instrumental, Sade-ish vibes of debut single 'Stay A While' (released as far back as November 2018) to their work with a variety of different vocalists across a range of singles and EPs, last year's more eclectic 'Experimental Journey' EP to current single 'Shades of Blue' - the evolution of their sound is exciting to see as these subtle shifts in direction show a band continually looking to learn and encapsulate new energy and new sounds.  Featuring long-standing Soul Sound Collective members Tim Higgins on bass, Simon Lee on guitar and Craig Sims on everything else - including a notably excellent vocal that Sims is unveiling for the first time - 'Shades of Blue' may genuinely rank amongst one of the group's best ever releases which is really saying something when considering the scope of fantastic music credited to their name.

Uncivilized Plays El Chico (feat. Ben Stapp) [27th July 2021]

Written by Tom Csatari

You know Chico Hamilton and you don’t; he’s upfront with purpose but the mystery is preserved. (I overheard someone say something about his writing the jingle tune to Jello, but it’s unconfirmed.)

There was always a wide variety of instrumentation in Chico’s ensembles (featuring unorthodox Jazz instruments like cellos, guitars, and trombones), and, as would make sense from an award-winning drummer, rhythm was always at the forefront of the rearrangements and reimaginings. (Miles Davis seems like a relevant correlative here, but Chico had a very different thing going on.)

Known for a sprawling 50-album-plus discography of his own albums—and as a side-person cutting his teeth with Lester Young, Chet Baker and Lena Horn—Chico might be best pigeon-holed as one of the greatest interpreters of American song. Chico’s proclivity for eclecticism had an interesting impact on his arrangements: a blend of bossa, swing, and rumba was cast over old songs and classic standards. No album is more illustrative of this characteristic swirl than the Impulse!–released El Chico from 1965.

El Chico takes Hamilton’s swinganova reworkings of the old songbook to new heights, with the added sound of Hungarian psychedelic-jazz troubadour Gabor Szabo’s acoustic guitar added to the fray alongside members of Mr. Hamilton’s somewhat commercially successful quintet: Albert Stinson on upright; Jimmy Cheatham on Trombone; Sadao Watanabe on alto sax/flute; and guest percussionists Willie Bobo and Victor Pantoja. The results of this confluence are romping and ragged: at one point on "Conquistadores" (basically a studio jam), the percussionists can be heard egging Szabo on with yells and yips while the whole thing reaches out into the sunset ether. There are a lot of fades on the album, but it holds together as a sort of cinematic, Latin-inflected noir which is humanistic and modern in the same breath. (Watanabe’s boppish lines are often the urbane foil to the tribal rhythms underneath, while Hamilton’s own drum set is mapped on a driving boogaloo beat that is bouncy but driving.)

The repertoire on El Chico contains four Hamilton originals, each on-brand with a certain melodic and chordal language that the drummer-composer would explore on more conceptual late-career albums like the funk-inflected Nomad (1980), and the long-form crossover success Peregrenations (Blue Note, 1975). “El Moors” ends with a drum feature, speeding up into mayhem, before returning to the modal, eastern-tinged main theme, while “Helena” feels like the soundtrack to a dance sequence in a Polanski film—it’s no surprise that Chico and his quintet starred in the 1957 crime drama Sweet Smell of Success and scored it as well.

The covers on El Chico wind the obscure into a rarefied groove space. The group’s Bossa-Nova version of “People”, originally recorded by Barba Streisand for the Broadway show Funny Girl, was probably Chico’s most signature track, with Szabo’s raw, bent strings twisting it to and fro. “Strange” was a common-sounding melody popularized by Nat King Cole; “This Dream” was boiled down to a samba-ish vehicle for improvisation, with Szabo’s fretboard work stealing the show. The real curveball is “Marcheta”, which was written as a Mexican Love Song for a Hollywood film by one of Johnny Mercer’s favorite collaborators, Victor Schertzinger: here it’s reworked into a repeated form which moves between unison playing and a heart-wrenching chord progression while Watanabe floats on top, this time with a flute.

The record is in some ways a sign of things to come with Mr. Hamilton: the addition of Charles Lloyd on flute and saxophone a few years later would explode the group into fame and later disabandement as each of the younger players—after being discovered and mentored by Chico—moved on to become a star with their own groups, sometimes with the maestro himself steering the drum chair (Gabor Szabo’s Spellbinder for instance).

This is effortless music with pulse and an eye towards the unknown.

In an event sponsored by Blue-in-Green:RADIO, hear Uncivilized, deemed “The Bernie Sanders Jazz Band” by Impose Magazine, and operating “its own fuzzy, folky, big-hearted thing” (New York Times), play El Chico live, delving into its own brand of experimental Americana at Barbès on July 27th in Brooklyn, New York, or stream it on TÉLÉ-BARBÈS at home via YouTube.  The show will also be aired on Blue-in-Green:RADIO in its entirety in August 2021.

Uncivilized Plays El Chico (Feat. Ben Stapp)

Rachel Housle—drums & percussion; Ben Stapp—tuba; Nick Jozwiak—cello; Kevin Sun—tenor sax; and "Uncivilized Tom" Csatari—guitar & effects

Tue, 27 July 2021

08:00PM - 09:30PM (EDT)

Barbès

376 9th st

Brooklyn, NY 11215

This event is LIVE at Barbes (12 max capacity), and Streaming free online.  

$20 suggested

Live stream tickets: https://www.viewcy.com/e/uncivilized_plays_el

Millennium Jazz Music [Blue-in-Green:PODCAST + In Focus]

Welcome to Blue-in-Green:RADIO's bumper-sized celebration of London's Millennium Jazz Music which sees us unveil an exclusive 2-hour mix from label founder Gadget as part of our In Focus label series along with a chat with Gadget himself comprising Episode #93 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST.

With the MJM brand established in 2003 by the indelible talents of producer, musician, DJ, rapper and beat-maker, Gadget, the label continues to achieve some staggering successes through the support of an ever-expanding, faithful and devoted fanbase.  Through their revered Jazz Jousters series, a slew of releases from inspired homegrown and overseas talent and a distinctly unique vision, Millennium Jazz Music continually find new ways to present inspired and innovative new projects while many times paying homage to the music and artists that have served as their greatest inspiration. 

Our chat with Gadget for the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST looks at his own journey into music, what led him to starting the label and we delve into discussion about Jazz Jousters along with some of MJM's other notable releases.  Again, a massive thanks to Gadget for his time and we hope you enjoy the episode.

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#93_Gadget of Millennium Jazz Music

Episode #6 of Blue-in-Green:RADIO's record label series, In Focus, saw us celebrate the awesome catalogue of London's Millennium Jazz Music.

We're incredibly proud to announce that helping us navigate the exceptional catalogue of music that MJM has accumulated over the years is the label founder himself, Gadget. With tracks selected and mixed by Gadget and dubbed "A Naughty Forty", this two-hour mix serves as the definitive introduction to the label's fantastic music. Showcased through 40 tracks, the selections delve into the realms of hip-hop, left-of-centre soul and eclectic instrumentals.

With the MJM brand established in 2003, the independent label has become a hub to inspired and dynamic music from across the world.

A massive thank you to Gadget for taking the time to bless us with this incredible show and hope you will enjoy celebrating Millennium Jazz Music's monumental releases with us...

Blue-in-Green Sessions · In Focus ::: Millennium Jazz Music ("A Naughty Forty"); mixed by Gadget

TRACKLIST:

Click on the album links below for more details on each project or for more info on MJM's releases, please visit: https://millenniumjazz.bandcamp.com/

1. Gadget Introduces the ‘Naughty Forty’ Guest Mix

2. FakeHunters - The Way We Move | Pieces of Eight LP by The Jazz Jousters (Anniversary #8)

3. Stay Classy - No Sorrow | Bump LP (Cassette)

4. Loowps - Stream Mugs | Pulling Strings LP by The Jazz Jousters

5. Flame Griller - Red Zone | The Flame Grilled Collection I & II (12" Vinyl)

6. &aute&rom - Deepcat | The Big Payback Compilations Vol.7 by The MJM Artists

7. George Kush - Green Eyes | The Big Payback Compilation Vol.4 by The MJM Artists

8. Bare Beats - Beauty Is Broken | Millennium Manège LP - Millennium Jazz Music & Tour De Manège Label Collab (2x12" Vinyl) 

9. SmokedBeat & Lizzy Parks – Get Up and Go | Smoked Mood vol.3 (Vinyl/Cassette)

10. Pawcut - Robotnik ft. Gadget | Locations: Russia LP by The Jazz Jousters (Upcoming 12" Vinyl Release)

11. Penpals - Golden | The Big Payback Compilation Vol.4 by The MJM Artists

12. Says Who? & DJ Vindictiv - Oceans | The Big Payback Compilation Vol.5 by The MJM Artists

13. Jazz Spastiks - Hot spot | Piano baps LP by The Jazz Jousters

14. Freud - Soul Slap | The Big Payback Compilation Vol.3 by The MJM Artists

15. K. Sparks & Es-K - Flipside | Urban Couture LP (12" Vinyl)

16. Linkrust ft. Tone Stretch | Drive Me Back To  Abidjan LP (Cassette)

17. Gadget - Home Sweet Home | Millennium Manège LP - Millennium Jazz Music & Tour De Manège Label Collab (2x12" Vinyl)

18. Mr. Moods & Erik Jackson - Inspiration | Mr. Moods Jazz Jousters Sessions vol.2

19. AK420 - Morning Light | A Matter of Wax vol.1 (12" Vinyl Series)

20. LeeN & Stay Classy - Breather ft. Tiece | Untitled Upcoming LP

21. Audiophysical - SloMo ft. Simple Machines | The Big Payback Compilation Vol.3 by The MJM Artists

22. Pigeondust - Never Be Blind | Flocking Together - Donald Byrd leads The Jazz Jousters

23. Téhu - Once | The Big Payback Compilation Vol.3 by The MJM Artists

24. GooMar - S.N.S.T | Bite Size Moments Singles #24

25. Diligent Fingers - Coffee On The Balcony | Pieces of Eight LP by The Jazz Jousters (Anniversary #8) 

26. Slone - For You | The Nap #3 by Kayo & Slone (Cassette)

27. Kayo - L0V3 part 2 | The Nap #3 by Kayo & Slone (Cassette)

28. Creestal - Xcape | Pardon My French  - On The Radar vol.3 (Cassette)

29. Dusty Ohms - It's tight | The Bare Dusty beat Tape #2 (Cassette)

30. Erik Jackson - A spiritual Thing | Sidenote: 1969 LP by The Jazz Jousters (Cassette)

31. Jazz Spastiks - Sleeponomics | Intomental LP (Upcoming vinyl and cassette release)

32. Garcia's Grooves - Vibration | The Relentless LP by The MJM Artists for the Urban Vault Blog

33. Tough Crowd - See How It Goes | We're All In This Together EP

34. Billa Qause - Donuts | The Big Payback Compilation Vol.6 by The MJM Artists

35. RickMal & Jaze Baqti - Music To Your Ears | The Big Payback Compilation Vol.6 by The MJM Artists

36. NoName Kolektyf & SmokedBeat - Morda (In Polish) | The Big Payback Compilation Vol.3 by The MJM Artists

37. Gadget - Teary Eyed Beauty | The Big Payback Compilation Vol.6 by The MJM Artists

38. &aute&rom Sway With Me ft. Samnelly | Mellowtation LP

39. Flitz&Suppe - Starshine | Sidenote: 1969 by The Jazz Jousters (Cassette)

40. Skinnista - Cloak and Dagger | Pack of Random vol.2 EP by The MJM Artists

'Virgo Stellar' by As Valet

'Virgo Stellar' marks the new album release from the exceptionally-talented Parisian beatmaker and producer, As Valet, released through Futuristica Music.

Having now achieved the remarkable milestone of his fourth solo album, Cris "As Valet" Davidas seems to find himself in the midst of an incredibly creative period of music-making.  Having already handled the production for LaNote's 'Rebirth' album - also released through Futuristica earlier this year - As Valet's use of lush samples, hip-hop-inspired production and soulful presentation helped LaNote in delivering an absorbing and profound debut solo album paving the way for his own return to the label that first introduced both artists to the world, through the future soul classics of Electric Conversation. 

With 2021 the year that sees Futuristica Music celebrate their fifteenth year within the music industry, it's certainly proved a time for reflection.  With the label revisiting past projects by Marc Rapson and Rise through their subsequent reissues this year, along with an extraordinary Futuristica 'best of' compilation still on the way, solo albums from both As Valet and LaNote this year makes the experience all the more poignant.  A tightly-knit unit that paired group members As Valet, Oz, LaNote and Gus La Temp, the collective released two fantastic projects in 'Communication' (2007) and 'Electric Conversation' (2013) that will forever take pride of place amongst the label's most awe-inspiring releases.

While past solo projects - 'Primitive' (2010), 'A.K.W.A.' (2016) and 'Inner Journey' (2020) - have each continually demonstrated As Valet's boundless talents and versatility, much of those projects found their sound rooted within an instrumental hip-hop aesthetic boasting a mish-mash of styles and clever use of samples throughout.  'Virgo Stellar', however, looks to see As Valet's style evolve into exciting new dimensions.  Even the album's front cover artwork cleverly foreshadows the experience for the listener - kneeling down to the floor while regarding the alternative perspective his reflection presents indicative of the album's distinctly new approach.  Following the aforementioned solo albums, 'Virgo Stellar' finds its home within an inspired soulful style of electronica - music at times perhaps more akin to those glorious Electric Conversation recordings.

With vocalists LaNote and J.Mcfysian sharing vocal duties across nine of the album's ten tracks, the pair are afforded a diverse and eclectic musical backdrop with which to create their own magic.  'Lost' - aided in large part by its excellent accompanying Paris-at-night video - boasts subtle twinges of 90s trip-hop that really help to enhance the tone of isolation conveyed by J.Mcfysian's vocal; LaNote shines on the sublime production of 'Come True' and the heavier and dustier hip-hop style drums of 'Bluffin' hark back to some of the glowing moments from last year's 'Inner Journey'.

Regardless of the project that As Valet turns his hand to - be it any one of his solo albums, his production or remixes for other artists, or even his fantastic 'Cosmic Radio' radio show - there's an incredible attention to detail throughout each of those projects.  Art created through passion and feeling, no wasted moments and music with its own raison d'etre.

As Valet is an absolute master of his craft and 'Virgo Stellar' is further evidence of his limitless artistry.

New music round-up ::: July 2021

'What If Nile Rodgers and Fela Kuti Were Friends' by All Day Breakfast Café

As host and curator of Windmill Brixton's Jelly Jams series - a residency dedicated to free-flowing, open-minded performances and collaboration - guitarist and producer Jelly Cleaver has long waved the flag for this inspired approach to music-making.  As explained in the title, this glorious 8-minute composition explores the harmony and correlation between the seemingly worlds apart genres of disco and afrobeat and, in genius fashion, finds ways to highlight their musical parallels while also celebrating their differences at the same time.  It's disco, it's afrobeat, it's jazz... at any point when you think you've cracked the code, the song changes and introduces a further captivating dimension to it.  The song is the very embodiment of a Jelly Jams performance.  Following on from All Day Breakfast Café's first single - the high energy disco-funk of 'Old School Struggling' - the sextet couldn't have our excitement set any higher for the upcoming release of their 'Builder's Brew' EP scheduled for later this year.

'Mmasùna' by Muriki

From the Italian Redgoldgreen record label that strives to celebrate selections from afrobeat, reggae and dancehall comes the new project from saxophonist Attilio Errico Agnello.  Formerly of the funk & afrobeat collective Funky Mama - who released their debut four-track EP back in 2012 spearheaded by the brilliant single 'Ottobre' - Agnello now unveils his new musical project in the form of Muriki.  A project that continues his affection for the afrobeat aesthetic, 'Mmasùna' is the lead single from the project's accompanying EP that also saw the recent release of 'Involution' featuring Valentina Bausi.  'Mmasùna' on the other hand works best primarily as an instrumental excursion with an understated vocal only appearing near the song's conclusion.  Bursting with energy, Muriki's horn-heavy funk explosion delivers as a perfect introduction to the group.

'High Life' by Leona Berlin featuring Sedric Perry

In the build-up to Leona Berlin's sophomore album release - the official follow-up to her excellent self-titled debut album in 2018 - Berlin has racked up some really first-rate singles including 'Cage', 'Wrong Lane' and the anthemic 'Feminine Energy'.  New single, 'High Life', pairs the Berlin-based singer, songwriter and producer with US vocalist Sedric Perry for an awesome collaboration genuinely ranking amongst one of Berlin's best.  Produced by drummer and frequent collaborator Magro, 'High Life' boasts a warm and infectious groove that finds both Berlin and Perry so at home on a track that brings out their absolute best.  (While on the topic of Magro, definitely look out for 'Running' from his own 'Tripping' album released earlier this year featuring a typically scene-stealing vocal from Berlin.)  Always keen to present new facets to her music and never afraid to try new things, Leona Berlin secures another win with this fantastic single which will hopefully not leave us waiting too long until the release of the new album.

'Cette Lettre Là' by The Vogs

Delving through the releases of Q-Sounds Recordings' ever-expanding catalogue is a continual pleasure.  With some staggering projects from Lisa Melissa & The Mess, The Supertights, Principles of Joy and Laura Llorens & The Shadows of Love, the label based in Seine Saint-Denis, France, boast some fantastic contemporary funk and soul music.  The new single by the latest inductees into the Q-Sounds fold, The Vogs, comes in the form of a double A-side (along with 'Pour que tu ne m'oublies pas') introducing their blend of exquisitely-presented Northern Soul that is a real treat.  With a five-star performance from Vogs vocalist, Elodie, the band members provide the perfect backdrop steeped in its authenticity and commitment to the genre.  Currently busying away putting the finishing touches on the new album, we definitely look forward to more music from the Vogs/Q-Sounds pairing.