IMANI - "Just Another Love Song"

Not surprised to find this on Bandcamp's Album of the Day page. The lead-off track to Out Of The Blue, a holy grail record from early 80s San Fran, the song belies the title. Portugal's Mad About Records are responsible for the re-issue and making this available for significantly less than the original 500 copies are going for.

Paper Tiger - "The Cycle ft. Steve Spacek"

Has it really been 14 years since Steve Spacek released Space Shift? When I saw his name featured as guest vocalist on this track from Paper Tiger's forthcoming Rogue Planet LP, I did a quick Google search to see just how long ago that broken-beat soul masterwork came out. It's been almost a decade and a half since "Dollar"'s slippery spacey vibe first entranced me (not to be confused with Aloe Blacc's "I Need A Dollar" from 2010).

While he's had some singles and 12" it wasn't until last year's Natural Sci-Fi on Eglo that he was well and truly back and it appears that's continuing on into 2019. Leeds UK sextet Paper Tiger create a wonderful, funky cut for Spacek's vocals to float atop and make me wish for a record where they feature as his backing band the whole way through. It's a great pairing. Rogue Planet comes out April 5 and while it doesn't feature any other collabs, the other tracks streaming on Bandcamp suggest they don't need the talents of a vocalist like Spacek to make a record that sings.

 

Hackney Colliery Band - "Superhero Disco (The Reflex Version)"

Early Christmas present from label Wah Wah 45s as they approach their twentieth anniversary. Hackney Colliery Band are longtime RR faves and it's nice to hear the Reflex version of "Superhero Disco" as part of this mammoth (26 songs!) compilation of nuggets from the UK label remixed, re-worked or otherwise reconsidered. Also featuring tracks from the likes of Henri-Pierre Noel, Dele Sosimi and the Gene Dudley Group among others, this is a nice taste of what the label consistently cooks up, but with a few extra spices thrown in.

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.

The Tibbs - "Lies"

Dutch funk/soul band The Tibbs released their full-length record Takin' Over mid-2016 on RR fave Record Kicks and have likely been touring the heck out of it, leaving little time for the studio.
But this morning, in my inbox, "Lies" landed and the actual 45 will be dropping December 1st.

What a  showcase for Elsa Bekman this tune is - she gets breathy, she growls, she howls and she absolutely OWNS this performance. She may be backed by the solid musicians in the band, but when she sings "I've gotta do this by myself," it's in some way a statement about her role on this cut.

Yazmin Lacey - "A Mother Lost"

The entirety of the Black Moon EP is worth your time, but start with the subtle, jazzy "A Mother Lost." Yazmin Lacey's vocals manage to somehow seem both light and effortless, while conveying weight and depth in this beautifully sad song.

Butcher Brown - "Pontchartrain Causeway"

It's Wednesday as I write this. Which some people call "hump day." Not saying / just saying... but here's your soundtrack.

Nomade Orquestra - "Samurai"

This one just dropped on Friday and I'm sorry I missed it then or it would have made the soundtrack to my weekend. Funky, smooth, lovely, "Samurai" is just a stellar slice of sunshine.