Sittin' In Da Park

Look at the gorgeous looks on the cover. Now imagine a voice that is so seductive it puts that face in the shade. The 1st time i listened to this album I got goosebumps & i'm not exaggerating. There is something about her voice that just sends me in to a daze. I just can't help imagining her singing sweet nothings in my ears. maybe i let a liitle too much information pass my keyboard just then. Lizzy's is a voice that perfectly matches the Adventerous Jazzy backgrounds created by Riaan Vosloo of the Nostalgia 77 Octet. I've never heard a backdrop quite like it & though it's obvious spine is Jazz, there is a little something that takes it somewhere else that i cant quite put my finger on. It's that wonderous quality that keeps this quietly alluring piece of work on regular rotation on my speakers & will continue to do so for long time to come. And I gotta say, if this lady ever performs live with a band to match the music on this cd it will surely be a wonderful show to behold. A masterfully executed & gorgeously sung album.

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Lizzy Parks - Raise The Roof selection

Heavens Above!

With the MOBO's here (more on that in a later post) the issue on whether Britain really has got talent rears it's ugly head once again. With Grime being the UK's biggest urban attraction, things may not look that great from an outsiders point of view. One listen to Big City Calling, will leave any doubters on good stead. Leaning heavily on Jazz with a little Funk, Soul, Nu-Jazz & Hip Hop sprinkled evenly throughout, John has created a superb collection of what i like to call, chillax music. From the superb Funk stylings of Hanoi Lullaby & the title track to the uplifting vibe of Transatlantic Love Affair, things are pitched nicely. Vocally John isn't going to win any awards but that is not to say that he doens't get the job done. This is the type of release we should be shwoing off over here. Unfortunately the opposite will happen. Blogs such as mine will praise it. People in the now will seek it out. I'm sure i'll see Johns name on the bill at some lowkey Jazz venues as well. This albbum deserves better than that.

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John Heavens - Big City Calling selection

Salad Is Good For You

I love discovering good music from new artists that i;d never even knew existed. Lettuce brings up visions of a band of thick rimmed glasses wearing 4 eyed geeks (i wear glasses myself so no comments on that please) trying their hearts out with some weak guitars. Rage!, however had me in full 'dance while you clean mode' for most of the afternoon that i 1st heard it. Brilliantly funky, there is a sassy spine to this album that is evident right from the intro horns of the opening track, correctly titled, Blast Off. The other big plus is that the album is constantly uplifting. Even when the pace is slowed down, that vibe is never relinquished. King of The Burgs, Speak E.Z. & Dizzer. However the standout on this album & one of my favourite tracks of the year, is the amazing Movin. On up featuring a perfect vocal from Dwele. Uptempo live instrumentation was made for songs like this. If there is such a thing as Hard Funk, this is it at it's best. Ignore this at your peril.

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Lettuce - Rage! selection

Express Delivery

The Brilliant Kathrin deBoer, Ricky Fabulous & DJ modest (did the purposely pick those names) released arguably Tru thoughts best release of 2007 (the other side of said arguement is below) with Turntable Soul Music. With the quality the constantly put out, that is quite a feat in itself. Now the return with my personal Tru Thoughts favourite of 2008. The Express follows a similar formula to TSM but the direction has taken a Blues turn. k\athrin has always been a ridicluously talented vocalist & doesn't disappoint. She subtly underplays the vocals which gives much more depth to the overall sound. But fans of their 1st album should have no fear as their is still the underpinning of a Hip Hop vibe here too, with tracks like Rumble Strip & How Many Times blending the 2 overiding sounds perectly These guys only know how to make quality & god knows what Kathrin will do if she ever gets a solo release under her belt. Get It Now!

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Belleruche - The Express selection

Bamboo Shoots

After releasing possibly Tru Thoughts best release of 2007 with Rawville (the other contender is above), Side Steppers has finally hit the shelves. The tried & supremely tested Bamboos formula is followed with the usual gusto & effortless delivery. As well as usual suspect Kylie Auldist her usual great self, another fellow aussie, Megan Washington & One of my favourite emcees, Ty brings an alternative edge to proceedings on Can't Help Myself. No surprises here. The music & the guests are all top notch. Some could say that it's OK to branch out a bit, as long as you don't lose your roots. I personally say that if it ain't broke don't fix it & this is definately an example of that. I've said it before & i've said it again. Tru Thoughs/Zebra Traffic just don't do bad music. Anything involving these guys is quality & this is no different.

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The Bamboos - Side Stepper selection

Holy Something Else bonus tracks Batman!!!

3 Ill bonus tracks that didn't make the ridiculously superb Something Else. Which was in turn made by a man with a ridiculously fit wife. Enjoy (the pic & the tracks)!


Robin Thicke - Everybody's A Star, Ebb & Flow
& I'm Coming Home

Issue One

The 2nd issue is here people. click the pic (or Here) for your monthly dose of niceness. Interview with Freddie Joachim. Plus Lone Cats, Mr. J Medeiros, french musical magicians Hocus Pocus and more.......