Tawiah - "Recreate"

October 18th is an auspicious date. In my life, it's the day that Pledge-O-Rama, UMFM's annual funding drive starts (though you can support great campus/community radio ANY TIME). In the world at large, it's the album release date for Starts Again, the new record by London, UK neo-soul singer Tawiah.

"Recreate" is the first single from the album and it's a promising note to begin on. REALLY dig the arpeggiated harp on this one and not surprised to discover string arrangements are by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson.

While this is Tawiah's debut full-length, she has previously worked with a murderers row of RR faves: Cinematic Orchestra, Blood Orange, Mark Ronson, Kindness, Cee-Lo, Wiley, Zed Bias and Eric Lau

And the record comes out on the always-on-point First Word Records who continue to amass a brilliant roster of artists.

Myele Manzanza - "Family Dynamics" / "Itaru's Phone Booth"

I don't think I've ever done this before, but I'm going to include two tracks from the same record on this post instead of singling one out.

While I enjoyed 2016's OnePointOne release from Kiwi drummer/composer Myele Manzanza, I never posted about it. But because he's on the ever-reliable (and award-winning) First Word Records, I've kept an ear open for what he's up to. A Love Requited drops today and was one of the first things I listened to this morning. The album starts strong, but it's in the beginning of the second-quarter that things REALLY start to cook. "Family Dynamics" is the cleanup hitter and deserving of that spot in the batting order because it swings for the fences. Pianist Matthew Sheens - who has worked with First Word's Ross McHenry, has some lovely, deft runs on this track and Jake Baxendale's alto-sax just comes alive after minute two.



That's immediately followed up by "Itaru's Phone Booth," which is a lovely, restrained number that pulls the pace back a touch without losing any of the album's momentum.



Do yourself a favor and give A Love Requited a full listen over this long weekend.

Teotima - "Cracks"

Due out next Friday (May 24th) the new album from UK soul-jazz collective Teotima, Weightless, has some serious heft. Which makes sense considering the group is 14 members strong and "Cracks" clocks in at over 7 minutes.

The great thing about a lengthy track like this is it provides room for all the players to contribute and have their moment. The crisp horn section gets particular shine around the 5 minute mark after subtle contributions up to that point.

If you're a fan of the likes of Nostalgia 77 (whose Ben Lamdin engineered this "as-live to tape" recording") and big soul-jazz ensembles, then mark your iCal to check out the full-length when the always-on-point First Word Records releases it on the 24th.

14KT - "The Power of Same ft. Muhsinah"

We interrupt my slew of looking back at 2018 posts to bring you a little forward facing music. RR mainstays First Word Records have announced the addition of Michigan / LA beatmaker and producer 14KT to their ranks and today (December 14th) is the release of the first single from his 2019-due debut IAMABEENIE.

"The Power of Same" features urgent, yearning vocals from Muhsinah whom I haven't heard before but have now flagged for future reference. No surprise she came recommended by Tall Black Guy who put her in touch with 14KT.

If the full-length features more of this jazzy production, soulful vocals and insistent beats, there's a strong chance it'll be among my rear-facing posts at the end of 2019.

Yazmin Lacey - "Something My Heart Trusts"

It's only one song, but velvet-voiced Yazmin Lacey is back with her second release via First Word Records. Following up March's "90 Degrees" is this slow-burner with a groove that Lacey luxuriates in.

Officially out tomorrow, you can stream it now, below.




I can't fault First Word for the baby-step approach to Lacey's releases but I WANT MORE GOODNESS!!

Yazmin Lacey - "90 Degrees"

I posted about UK soul-singer Lacey last summer around the time of her Black Moon EP and I've written about many a release from First Word Records over the past five years. So I was beyond stoked to get a message from both Lacey and the label in my inbox today announcing the forthcoming - THIS FRIDAY - release of a new single and the fact that Lacey is now on the roster.

"90 Degrees" begins with a snapping snare drum and a walking bass line after which Lacey glides in and just OWNS the microphone. I WISH she blew up big when the Black Moon EP dropped, but maybe on the heels of playing Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards and with this single more people are going to feel her heat.

Kaidi Tatham - "Hard Times"

NOT the Baby Huey cut, but still pretty darn funky, this is the lead-off track from Belfast organist Kaidi Tatham's EP of the same name due out December 1st on First Word Records.

Did not recognize Tatham's name but apparently he's provided musical contributions for artists including Amy Winehouse, Slum Village, Mulatu Astatke, Soul II Soul, Leroy Burgess, Amp Fiddler, Macy Gray, King Britt, DJ Spinna, Mr Scruff and IG Culture.

Now THAT is a list.

Ross McHenry - "The Outsiders Part 3"

YESSSSSSS.

Opened up my email to discover an update from Bandcamp that Ross McHenry is set to follow-up Child of Somebody with The Outsiders, due out November 10 on First Word Records.

Only the one track streaming so far, but it's another sweet slice of jazz from the Australian multi-instrumentalist. I'm definitely keen to hear it in the context of the three part suite in the middle of the record. Love the way this one builds.

Profusion - "Where Do I Begin?"

Formed from a connection on MySpace (!!??) Profusion is a collaboration between Emeson and K15. Subtle beats and smooth vocals = contemporary soul.

Children of Zeus - "I Can't Wait"

The description for this track on First Word Records' Bandcamp page is "Hashtag baby making music... This is grown folk shit. Classic slow jam material."

It don't get more apt than that.

Bastien Keb - "Pick Up"

Not as flame as "Chicken Stomp," the first track from Bastien Keb's forthcoming 22.05.85 is a bit of a slow-burner, but it's a promising taste of more to come.

Essa - "Evade and Seek"

Just do yourself a favour and put Tall Black Guy in your Google Alert so you never miss a thing he's up to. This collabo with UK emcee Essa just the latest in an unending stream of the goodness.

Quiet Dawn - "New Dawn" ft. Oddisee

Whatever happened to records coming out on Tuesdays?

Regardless, this drops today so after you stream it here, go pick it up. Chances are if you read this blog the mention of either Oddissee or First Word Records will be enough to sway you. Quiet Dawn's a Parisian producer, which means Oddissee's behind the mic and not the boards on this one.

Various - Two Syllables Volume Nine (First Word Records)

If you're up-to-date on Reductive Reviews, then names like Tall Black Guy, Souleance and Yosi Horikawa will be familiar to you even if the label First Word Records doesn't ring a bell or this is your first experience with the Two Syllables compilation series. Bookmark First Word Records because it's about to become your favourite new label if it wasn't already.

Souleance X Bonafide Beats #42

To quote the MC around the 7 minute mark, "Ain't no no time for faking tracks." Definitely no time for that, but you need to make the time for this 50 minute mix.