In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live

Days to Come (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

n an ever-expanding musical universe, Azymuth have long existed as a celestial giant, drawing countless artists, musicians and followers into their orbit. Marking fifty years since their 1975 debut album Azimuth, their new album Marca Passo proves that the band’s alchemic brew of Brazilian jazz-funk and cosmic samba soul remains as vital as ever, as the group honours the profound legacy of their departed founders.

Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Marca Passo is the first full-length release since the passing of founding drummer Ivan "Mamão" Conti in 2023, following the earlier loss of keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami in 2012. Alex Malheiros, the sole remaining original member, sees his stewardship of the band’s musical legacy as his spiritual duty. He is joined by the equally devoted Kiko Continentino (Milton Nascimento, Djavan) on keyboards, who has been with the group since 2016, and new recruit Renato Massa (Marcos Valle, Ed Motta) on drums.

Yet since their earliest recorded music, Azymuth have always been far greater than the sum of their parts. The "three-man orchestra’s" unmistakable sound is rooted in Brazil's MPB studio scene of the 1970s and early 1980s—a time when artists blended traditional Brazilian rhythms with global jazz, rock, and emerging psychedelic and progressive elements. Marca Passo continues this legacy, seamlessly fusing Brazilian musical traditions with global influences while showcasing the exceptional musicianship that powers Azymuth's distinctive, multi-dimensional sound.

The album is produced by studio mastermind Daniel Maunick, responsible for Azymuth’s two previous studio albums, Fênix in 2016 and Aurora in 2011. Daniel’s credits also include albums by Marcos Valle, Sabrina Malheiros and Terry Callier. Azymuth also invited Daniel’s father, British jazz-funk royalty Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick, of Incognito, to play guitar on a new version of Azymuth’s eighties classic “Last Summer In Rio”, in tribute to the song’s composer, José Roberto Bertrami. Equally, “Samba Pro Mamao” is a new composition dedicated to Azymuth’s beloved original drummer, Ivan “Mamão” Conti.

Marca Passo releases on limited edition blue, red & black vinyl LP editions, CD and digitally on the 6th June 2025, via Far Out Recordings, supported by European and North American tours.

Azymuth - Andaraí

Azymuth - Arabutã

Dances Of The Red Planet (A Vision Of Panorama Remix)

Dances Of The Red Planet (A Vision of Panorama Remix)

Proudly presenting ‘Transe’ the first single taken from Zé Ibarra's forthcoming second album. You may be familiar with the hypnotic entrancing tones of Zé’s vocals, through his work in the four-piece, Latin Grammy award-winning Brazilian powerhouse, Bala Desejo and the band Dônica. Zé has also toured with Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento on vocals and guitar, a real honour but also a reflection of Zé's craft to be selected in the band by such a musical titan.

A classic singer-songwriter, 'Transe' sees Zé starting as the song would have been written, simply an acoustic guitar and his voice flowing in an intimate dance. It’s an instantly comforting tone reminiscent of classic Brazilian songs from the past (think Caetano Veloso), before the song builds with ghosty string arrangements, vocal overdubs, and percussion. The energy in Zé's voice intensifies to a climax, as the dial swings in a more contemporary direction powered by a grooving bassline. 

Speaking about the song, Zé mentions, “This song represents, at this moment, a side of me that is still little explored and more intimate. It moves between pop and conceptual, creating an experience closer to a film than a traditional song. This effect is reinforced by the guitar and bass of Frederico Heliodoro, who is also part of Milton Nascimento's band."

‘Transe’ therefore shows a more experimental side to Zé beyond the scared partnership of voice and guitar. Mixing elements of jazz, MPB, and progressive rock, it’s rich and dynamic with a cinematic feel that is full of suspense. A stunning single and a taste of what is to come from one of the finest modern-classic musicians in Brazil’s blooming contemporary scene.


Transe

With two critically acclaimed compilations already under his belt, DJ / collector miche returns to Mr Bongo with the third instalment of his With Love series. Testament to his ever-expanding taste, Volume 3 casts the net deeper and wider than before. The first single from the compilation comes courtesy of John Simmons with his feel-good modern soul anthem, ‘Ain’t Nothing Like The Love’.

A sought-after 1981 rarity, this nugget of modern soul stepper gold, was the only release on Michigan’s Sabrina Records. Originally written by Simmons, Phillip Ballou and David Nathan in 1978, the song was supposed to be part of Ballou’s a proposed solo record deal that never materialised. Simmons, who was a member of The Reflections and later went on to become musical director for Stephanie Mills and Whitney Houston, then recorded his own version for the tiny independent label Sabrina in ’81.  

Subsequent versions of the song by Philip Ballou and David Nathan have been released digitally; Simmons’ original recording is making its debut appearance with this compilation. It’s a deep cut dripping in early boogie, synthesised swagger, gospel-tinged soul vocals and a heavy dose of uplifting energy.

As miche mentions, “This is pure hands-in-the-air business that’s guaranteed to make the dancefloor smile. I’ve adored this track ever since Zaf Love Vinyl played it about 6 or 7 years ago. Big love to Russell Paine for helping me get this one over the line.”

With original’s trading hands for £1000+, this remastered reissue as part of With Love 3 will be a welcome sight to many.


Ain't Nothing Like the Love

ALL IN (feat. Rimarkable)

Ain’t For Me

Happy And Blessed

Buy / stream the single: https://BBEmusic.lnk.to/OuterSpaceConnectionRemixes
Taken from the album 'Unity 4 Utopia', out now: https://bbemusic.lnk.to/InkswelU4U
’Outer Space Connection’ is a jazzy gem of a track featuring soulful vocals from Steve Spacek & cosmic production touches from ‘disco minimalist’ Harvey Sutherland. Assembling an elite group of remixers to rework the track, Inskwel and BBE are proud to give this unique song its moment in the sun.
First up, much hyped Italian duo The Mixtapers (Sonar Kollektiv) fully embrace the acid-jazz feel of the original track, taking it into outer space with jazzy keys, smooth pads and a slinky bass-line. French-Chilean ‘amplified soul’ artist Medline is next, re-imagining ‘Outer Space Connection’ as if The Soulsonic Force were jamming with Frank Zappa’s band. Australian DJ/producer Edseven supplies a low-key broken beat version, introducing eerie, off-kilter chords and dubby vocal effects into the mix. Last but definitely not least, Punk rocker turned new-wave/indie pop producer Worldwild delivers an arresting and nostalgic rework, summoning up the glorious 80s with its tight guitar licks and emotive synth chords.

Inkswel - Outer Space Connection (The Mixtapers Remix)

Kyle Hall - The Shark Ep - Forget The Clock - FTC02

Vinyl Out Now and Available here!

https://forgettheclock.bigcartel.com/product/kyle-hall-the-shark-ep-ftc02

https://www.juno.co.uk/products/kyle-hall-the-shark-ep-vinyl/1002100-01/

https://hardwax.com/14971/kyle-hall/the-shark-ep/

https://diskunion.net/clubt/ct/detail/1008210946

https://www.rushhour.nl/record/vinyl/shark-ep

A1. Shark
A2. Vexed
B1. Distant
B2. Slam Deep
B3. Channel & Transmission(hidden bonus track)  

Written and Produced By Kyle Julian Hall
Artwork By Michio James
Shark Mixed by Pirahnahead at Rust Belt Studios
Distant and Slam Deep Mixed by Miloco Studios
Mastered By Beau Thomas Ten Eight Seven
Pressed by Archer Records 
Photography By Em Gorzelnik

℗ By KMFH Music Works BMI
© Forget The Clock LLC 2020

The Shark Ep

Kyle Hall - Shark - The Shark EP - FTC02 -Forget The Clock

Join the BBE Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/yfBFX

Founded in 1996 by Peter Adarkwah, Barely Breaking Even (BBE Music) started life as a London club night, taking its name from the eponymous Disco record by the Universal Robot Band.

The label grew from the vibrant early 90's club scene with its first release, Stop & Listen compiled by Dr Bob Jones in 1996, opening the door to iconic series' such as All Back To Mine & Late Nite Tales.

A tonne of releases followed, ranging from Disco to Funk, Jazz to House. In the year 2000, the label celebrated Masters at Work's 10th Anniversary with a mighty box set that featured near 80 tracks.

A year later BBE Music spawned the Beat Generation Series of artist albums, notably introducing J Dilla (Welcome 2 Detroit) & a young Will.I.Am's first solo outing, alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, Madlib & DJ Spinna, all of whom contributed to this seminal set of long players.

A quarter of a century and well over 500 titles later, having worked with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Questlove, Hugh Masekela, DJ Premier, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, Kon, RZA, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, DJ Shadow, David Rodigan and John Morales among many others, BBE Music looks to the future, celebrating its rich heritage while continuing to release a bounty of fresh titles.

The label’s most recent projects include an expansive reissue series from pioneering Nigerian label Tabansi, new imprint ‘Batakari’ in association with Boddhi Satva and the critically acclaimed ‘J Jazz’ Japanese Jazz multi-album project, not to mention the recent landmark 500th label release: a brand new version of 'Barely Breaking Even', featuring Leroy Burgess, Patrick Adams and Louie Vega.

In 2021 BBE Music is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the label is offering up some special projects, from the 20th Anniversary edition of J Dilla’s ‘Welcome 2 Detroit’, through David Bowie tribute album ‘Modern Love’, to a special new ‘Worldwide’ compilation from old friend Gilles Peterson. BBE Music will also be looking to the future with more exciting original artist projects, plus merch collaborations events and more...