Here it is! The second entry to our "very" series! Again, we carefully compiled some of our favorite songs and crafted them into blissed-out versions of their former selves.

Vinyl only, comes in hand printed silk screen sleeve.

Oye Records

RSS Disco - Dev's Child / B1

Laid back soul sounds as the inimitable Andrew Ashong joins forces with Albert's Favourites label founder Jonny Drop. 

Sultry vocals compliment the yearning sound of horns (courtesy of former Funk Lovin' Criminal, Brian "Fast" Leiser) and mellow, warm bass movement. A magical combination dropping hints of what's to come on the full length LP in April.

The Puzzle Dust MP3s

The Puzzle Dust

Jonny Drop • Andrew Ashong - The Puzzle Dust

Mr Bongo proudly presents the debut album from Tasmania-born, Melbourne-based, Finn Rees. Gliding across a swirling palette of saturated hues, Dawn Is A Melody feels vintage yet vibrant, new but familiar at the same time. A spiritual, deep and textured jazz record, tipping its hat to greats from the past, capturing memories and reformulating them into new ideas with the help of some of Melbourne’s finest talent.

Expert keys player for the likes of 30/70 and Elle Shimada, alongside one-half of Close Counters, this debut LP was Finn’s conscious departure from the realm of groove-based jazz. Instead, Dawn Is A Melody places the piano and arrangements centre stage, giving Finn and his fellow Melbourne crew freedom to explore the spaces in between, new emotions and alternate soundscapes.

In Finn’s own words: “My intention with Dawn Is A Melody was to create a world; a microcosm of colour. Something rich and beautiful that allowed the melodies and compositions to reach their full potential. It was driven by hope, curiosity and the search for beauty and reassurance in this ever-changing world. The emotion behind the music is really about the journey of life, growing up and changing, as well as my relationship with Tasmania’s natural landscapes where I grew up, a part of the world that is incredibly unique and beautiful.”

The album arcs between opening, middle and end. Beginning with the optimism of ‘Looking Up’ and ‘Lagoon’, the former a celestial, string and harp marbled slice of positivity, the latter a spiritual journey of exuberance and hope, Finn’s fingers dancing across the ‘70s Yamaha grand piano. From there the songs blossom outwards with the cinematic soulful journey of ‘It’s Behind Me Now’ and Brazilian-inspired ‘Expansion’, as the divine ‘Crossing’ signals a transition to a new realm. The energy is transformed from the rich cosmic textures to a more intimate and personal feeling with ‘Ablaze’, ‘Between Spaces’ and ‘As It Passes’ which blissfully fades down to simply piano and strings to close out the record.

Recorded at Rolling Stock in Collingwood, Melbourne, Henry Jenkins was drafted in as recording and mix engineer, his minimal vintage mic setups giving a live aesthetic and warmth to the arrangements. Lucky Pereira and Blakely McLean Davies form the rock-solid rhythm section, with a hand-picked line-up of other Melbourne talent on display, including Cheryl Durongpitikul on tenor sax, Siwei Wong on harp, Audrey Powne on trumpet and Allysha Joy on vocals to name only a few.

Plotting a course from Alice Coltrane, through Herbie Hancock, to Arthur Verocai, this is a debut nourished by the past but firmly made in the present. A record unable to be age-stamped, casting ambiguity as to when, what era and by whom it has been crafted. Like a vintage lens capturing a current scene, Dawn Is A Melody is warm and familiar yet focused on the here now.

Finn Rees - Between Spaces

Mungolian Jetset - A City So Convenient

Ruban (UMO) and Kody Nielson (SILICON) present SB-03. Free download for Xmas 2015. Written and performed and recorded by Ruban and Kody. Cover pic by Jenny Nielson

SB - 03

Soundway return once more to the Caribbean and are proud to present ‘Ifetayo’ by Black Truth Rhythm Band originally released in 1976. Led by the charismatic Oluko Imo, ‘Ifetayo’ was the only release from the Afro-centric, Trinidadian band and is re-issued here for the first time on CD, vinyl and digital. Whereas most of their peers at the time were looking to the funk of the USA & James Brown for inspiration, Black Truth Rhythm Band looked to Africa, fusing rhythms from Africa & the West Indies with elements of jazz, funk, calypso and soul.

From an early stage in their career it was the African influence that set Black Truth Rhythm Band apart from other West Indian bands. Formed in 1971, the group looked further a field than the USA for their influences, more specifically to Africa, even going as far as giving themselves African names and dressing in African clothes. At the time finding African records in the West Indies was particularly difficult, making the bands choice of influences even more rare.

In 1975 Imo took his musicians into the studio to record the album ‘Ifetayo’. Imo played bass, kalimba, conga, flute and percussion as well as lead vocals.  The album was released the following year in 1976 and despite being released in the US, remained an underground, albeit unique and forward thinking record that has remained out of print for years now.

‘Ifetayo’ was to be the only release from Black Truth Rhythm Band but Imo continued his music and love of African rhythms, going onto record with Fela Kuti in 1988 and later on perform with members of Fela’s Egypt 80 band.

All formats comes with a non-album bonus track. The vinyl edition comes with bonus 7″

Black Truth Rhythm Band - Umbala

* Read More: https://boltingbits.com/string-theory-con-moto/
* Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sY0uzk5BNH8
* Pre-order: https://wearerhythmsection.bandcamp.com/album/modularity

Bolting Bits favourites Rhythm Section are continuing to showcase their impeccable A&R skills with the perpetual search for new and raw talent from across the globe. Next up on the docket for the South London imprint headed by Bradley Zero is a four track EP from String Theory, the 21st release on the label. We struggled to unearth any info on the Glaswegian production duo and there may not be any as of yet, considering this is their debut EP. This gives us all the more reason to dive straight into the music.

A four tracker that impeccably nestles itself in among the ranks of Rhythm Section International's already laudable discography, the "Modularity" EP combines a number of different elements and influences to form a polished selection of tunes. The aptly titled release has a heavy use of modular synthesis throughout the tracks, but that's not what makes it stand out. It's the way that it is combined with raw instrumentation and jazzy influences that's really got us singing this mysterious Scottish duo's praises.

Shifting our focus to the premiere, Con Moto does exactly what we just described. A bouncy rhythm and jazzy chords alongside a blooping modular synth line open this one up until the live bass takes centre stage, strutting its stuff along. This call and response takes place a number of times throughout, all while the different instruments try and take the spotlight from the bass, at times managing to find equilibrium all together. From the swelling strings and chords to the surprise cheeky organ and sultry, squelchy synth line, this is one instrument battle we can't stop listening to. Needless to say we're going to be keeping our ear out for String Theory in the future. You can pre-order the Modularity EP from Rhythm Section's Bandcamp.

RS021

PREMIERE : String Theory - Con Moto

The Sunflower is like no other. A flower of ultimate dedication, it basks in the glory of sunbeams all day, it’s head constantly and carefully tracing the source of light and warmth’s every move. A superb ally to nature anywhere it is found, it has unique nutritional value, oils and seeds available to all who cultivate it. It’s the reason they are found across the globe.

This is the ethos behind Ronin Arkestra. Formed in Tokyo in 2017, Ronin Arkestra brings together some of the finest and most creative players in Japan’s Jazz and and electronic scene. The collective includes members of Kyoto Jazz Sextet, WONK, Cro-Magnon, Root Soul, Sleepwalker, Sauce81, Kyoto Jazz Massive and, of course, band leader Mark de Clive Lowe. 

Kicking it all off is ‘Stranger Searching’, where lush electronics meet beautifully executed Jazz in full story mode. A constantly driving beat push this track along through its various chapters, with each member of the band given time tell their tale. Horns from Shinpei Ruike, Kohei Ando and Wataru Hamasaki tie everything together in beautiful harmony.

Ronin Arkestra - Stranger Searching

Summoning the Monkey God

End Credits (feat. Chip Wickham)

GooMar - Turkish 113

'Cactus Dance' the opening single from 'III' is the distillation of the GODTET sound. Part Dub, part Funk and any other musical adjective available to categorize this uncategorizable sound. Godriguez's latin roots shine their brightest vicariously through the band on 'Cactus Dance' as his guitar playing acts as needle and thread weaving and tying the fabric of GODTET.

Out December 4th. Find out more here:
http://www.musicamacondo.com/2020/10/premiere-godtet-cactus-dance/