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)

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

Floating on the Walls

Track 4 off of Jack Barone & Robohands' collaborative EP 'R.F.I.'

Under Under Under

“Blue Mirror” feels just like its name—a reflection, tinted and warped, with a psychedelic edge that pulls the ear inward. Producer-composer-instrumentalists Jack Barone and Andy Baxter (Robohands) once again explore eastern-inspired psychedelia, blending ancient scales with synths and modern techniques to create something immersive and surreal.

Blue Mirror

DAYUM!

Latrell James - DAYUM!

“Safe and Sound” is the first single from Brooklyn producer Bad Colours’ upcoming album 'Promise'. With sparse vocals, the track is an uptempo heater packed with infectious energy and glossy synths, channeling a Disclosure-style bounce.

Safe and Sound

Big Crown Radio Episode 046 comes by way of Los Angeles’ own J.Rocc. The World Famous Beat Junkie treats us all to a mix of Surprise Chef’s catalog as only he can. One of the funkiest DJs on earth running down the catalog from one of Australia’s finest instrumental outfits.

Follow J.Rocc:
https://www.instagram.com/jrocc210/

BCR Radio Episode 046 - J. Rocc - Cooking For Chefs (Side A)

Stimulator Jones makes his Bastard Jazz debut with "Paradise Untold," blending East Coast hip-hop grit with a hard-hitting drum break, West Coast G-Funk vibes through bright, expressive synth leads, and a classic London touch in the form of grimey analog bass. The track is topped off by Stimulator's signature falsetto, delivering a soulful meditation on new love. The result is smooth as butter, sure to resonate with longtime fans and win over plenty of new ones.

Paradise Untold

Radiate

https://daviesmusic.bandcamp.com/track/justify

Robyn Florence & DAVIES - 'Justify'

Purchase 12" & Digital  https://thependletonssf.bandcamp.com/album/funk-forever

The Pendletons return with their latest EP, Funk Forever, a Jazz flavored boogie affair with soul inspired song-writing that evokes old school vibes while still staying fresh and current.  Horn lines, Yamaha dx7 keys and snapping hip hop inspired drum programming topped by sweet singing with heartfelt themes, the group carves out a bold new sound on these 5 solid tracks.  Featuring Elive, Potatohead People and Ishtar. 

The Pendletons are a long-standing boogie-funk and modern soul project of E da Boss (of Myron and E on Stone's Throw) and Trailer Limon. The group emerged with their very first release in 2010, a 7" inch of "Coming Down/Waiting On You" on the Slept On record label, which set the tone for the group to emerge... it instantly became a cult classic receiving constant play at nights like Sweater Funk and Funkmosphere, and fetching for serious sums among collectors. Most recently, in 2016, they released the EP “Gotta Get Out”.  The title track caught the ear of renowned DJ Gilles Peterson, who liked it enough to release it on his Brownswood Bubbler compilation. 

In 2018 the group is hitting the ground running with a brand new EP out this spring, and a full-length album to follow later later in the year on the renowned Bastard Jazz label.  Now armed with a horn section, a vast array of accomplished jazz and funk contributors, and a knack for quality song-writing, the Pendleton’s sound has shaped into something fresh and unique, setting it apart from the legions of imitators. 
credits

Buy 12" / Digital

The Pendletons - In The Mood

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