sampled by

sugi.wa
jarjarjr.
swum
jinsang
bsd.u
moow
digitalluc
philanthrope
etc

Home

Bastard Jazz is proud to present the debut EP from producer and multi-instrumentalist Simon Mavin. Most well known as the Grammy nominated keyboardist/co-producer and co- writer of the celebrated Australian band Haitus Kaiyote, Simon’s had a hand in multiple projects across the spectrum, but has yet to release under his own moniker until now.

The EP, which features two original tracks and two remixes from fellow Aussies Harvey Sutherland and Close Counters starts out was recorded in-between projects at the Grove, a small recording sanctuary in Melbourne. In Simon’s studio, he had installed a library of keyboards. 30-40 synthesizers, all of which were painstakingly patched in to be simultaneously accessible and ready to record in an instant. A drum kit in the corner was constantly mic'd up, and everything routed through a multitude of analog mixing desks providing different flavours of tone and texture. The Grove had such appeal that it was chosen as the studio to record the Gilles Peterson compilation ‘Sunny Side Up’ on Brownswood Recordings.

Things kick off with “Good Hair Day”, a track originally blossoming from an infectious piano loop in which fellow collaborators Nick Lam and Henry Hicks added guitar parts and bass parts. What’s resulted is a danceable, infectious feel-good dancefloor jam with an ultra funky synth bassline that harkens back to Herbie Hancock’s 1970’s repertoire. Harvey Sutherland takes the tempo up and takes the track deeper into outer space with deep synth work, four on the floor drums, and a punchy bassline for late night sessions.

On the flip, “Only You & Me” is a lower tempo, slow burning joint with a live drum loop played by Nick Martyn, with an alien bassline, squelching keys, otherworldly oscillating vocodor parts and jazzy keyboard solos. Up and coming trio Close Counters take the song into new territory, stripping things down with a classic Broken Beat vibe, a driving bassline and synth stabs from the original, moving things squarely on the dancefloor – definitely a track for the breakers in the building.

Buy 12" Here

Simon Mavin - Only You & Me (Close Counters Remix)

Brazilian 7" singles (compactos) are often the source of hidden treasures. Those special obscure nuggets that tend to be overlooked and flicked past in shops and flea markets. Carlos Bivar's 'Amargo Amar' is one such find, nestled as a B2 on the end of a four-track 7" EP on Esquema Records from 1978. This seldom-seen slice of Brazilian sunshine is the second single taken from miche’s third With Love compilation on Mr Bongo.

The ZBETO EP is one of only two 7” singles that we are aware of, released by the pianist, singer, and songwriter Carlos Bivar. 'Amargo Amar' starts with the swagger of a ‘70s Blaxploitation soundtrack, transitioning into a loose Brazilian MPB-funk. Floaty keys, uplifting horns, and backing vocals elevate the energy, as Carlos' lyrics ride the groove. This song is a sheer delight and an example of the talented output of independent Brazilian musicians, as equally great and bold as their major label contemporaries.


Amargo Amar

Track 1 on Jack Barone & Robohands' collaborative EP 'R.F.I.'

Floating on the Walls

Elseward

“Shaky Escalator” captures a moment of New York disorientation, inspired by a lurching subway ride and shaped by the playful, rhythm-driven energy of Peter Matson’s band, Underground System. Aroop Roy, a mainstay of London’s underground scene, reworks the track into something deeper and more hypnotic. His remix transforms the original’s off-kilter groove into a pulsing, acid-tinged journey, connecting NYC’s raw edges with London’s late-night sound.

Shaky Escalator (Aroop Roy Remix)

Almost fifteen years since the release of her self-titled debut LP on Mr Bongo, reggae’s orator of love Hollie Cook is returning to the label for Shy Girl, her fifth studio album and her most authentic yet. Woven with tight grooves, beautiful vocals and catchy melodies, Shy Girl hears singer and songwriter Hollie Cook revel in her contemporary lovers rock sound, more confident and open to vulnerability than ever before.
 
A sun-drenched exploration of love in all its guises, Shy Girl tells stories of the magical and the melancholy, the heart-lifting and heart-breaking, across 12 luscious, analogue reggae compositions - the culmination of a soft-hued and instantly recognisable “tropical pop” sound that Cook has made her own.
 
Put together across three years and four cities – from LA and NYC, to Vejer de la Frontera in Spain and Cook’s hometown London – Shy Girl was written with long-time collaborators, The General Roots Band, and features a contribution from legendary dub MC Horseman, who lends his voice to the album’s first single ‘Night Night’.
 
The album opens with the title track ‘Shy Girl’, a buoyant and elastic slice of lovers rock that was written in a moment of spontaneous intuition, and bubbles with a charisma and positivity that Cook radiates. “I’m not a natural show-off,” Cook explains. “The Shy Girl theme is me. It’s just about being my most vulnerable self and being as true to the music that Iove as possible.” It is this honesty which shines throughout, from the chugging deep dub of ‘Frontline’, complete with raking electric guitar lines, to the bittersweet roots ballad ‘We Share Love’, which closes out the album.

It's clear to see that Cook’s songwriting draws on a lifetime of musical influences and inspirations. From her father, Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook’s record collection and touring with post-punk icon Ari Up’s The Slits, to her love for strong female-led pop music and the bassweight of London’s sound system culture. Enamoured with the music of Janet Kay and Phyllis Dillon, Shy Girl represents a homecoming and a coming-of-age for Hollie Cook, distilling and refining a shimmering reggae sound that will capture your heart, as it first captured hers. 


Hollie Cook - Holding On

Saturne

Reflections

Faced with an overwhelming tide of political and social events, Thes One and Dj Day have channeled their frustration and disillusionment into a spontaneous art piece combining raw beats from the MPC, lyrical scratch work and a puzzle of forgotten vinyl. As number stations ring alarms and old alliances descend into chaos, the EP is an s.o.s. transmission from the two Náufrago lost within their own country...

Thes One live on the MPC3000/Ren + DjDay live on the turntables

Vinyl presale info to follow.

**Free Download**

Thes One & DJ Day - Náufrago EP

Intr0beatz's Monthly Edition April 2020

Brooklyn boutique record label. Purveyors of fine beats worldwide.