Better Me *for ...

8) Grecale

This goes out to my lil cousin who sadly passed away on New Years 2018...
Rest In Power Charnelle Williams 
13 April 1994 - 01 Jan 2018.

NTS Apron Show - 3rd Jan 2018

'All This Trouble' is the first track to land from Jonny Drop’s 2nd album "The Only Sound".  Warm, hazy Jazz is covered by a patchwork of percussion and beats that clearly display his sensibilities as a drummer. This early taste of the new album, due in June, is one of the closest heir’s to the "Sub Plot" crown, but confidently points at the producer’s development, which will be clearly heard in his new material. 

Jonny Drop’s debut, "Sub Plot", was the very first album release on the fledgling Albert’s Favourites label at the beginning of 2016. The initial offering, a 7” of album favourites 'Mind Field' and 'This Is The One' had quickly been picked up on by the good people at BBC Radio 6 Music as well as some of Drop’s personal heroes including Kenny Dope, Mr. Thing and Nightmares On Wax. But when the infectious rhythms and warm production of the beat tape landed, its impact was greater than anyone at the label could have hoped. 

Although Jonny never stopped producing beats in the following years, he was also kept busy as a drummer, playing live for Andrew Ashong, The Bongolian and Connie Constance, whose Boring Connie EP he also laid down beats for. Then in early 2018 his band The Expansions delivered their celebrated "Murmuration" LP. All the while, with the support of his label family, Drop had been evolving his solo sound too.

"The Only Sound sees a huge progression in my writing direction, as I collaborated with multiple vocalists and musicians, instead of the usual 'one-man band' approach. The development of these processes make this LP a steady departure from the beat-tape influence of my past releases, and hopefully, showcase the more original sound I've been working to achieve over the past few years."

Preorder Album: https://albertsfavourites.lnk.to/MXxbhPR

The Only Sound

Preorder Album

Exclusive Premiere: Jonny Drop "All This Trouble" (Albert's Favourites)

DR001 Dance Regular ‘Body Music Vol 1’

6 track VA Featuring James Rudie, Xtra Brux, Trev, Szajna, Ishfaq and Captain Over.

Dance Regular is a brand new label set up by EVM128 and James Rudie of CoOp presents Selectors Assemble. 

Not wanting to be pigeon holed into one particular genre the label’s ethos is just good music that moves your body, genre spanning through House, Bruk, Soul, Jazz, Boogie, Half Time, Jungle, Raggage, and beyond.

This is the first Various Artists compilation to kick off with, then to follow this, there are EP releases throughout the year from the likes of Duke Hugh (Rhythm Section / HW&W) Xtra Brux, James Rudie (CoOp Presents / Selectors Assemble) Captain Over (XVI / Wha Wha 45’s) Trev, Ishfaq, Footshooter and more. The label has various club nights in London this year too, for more information and to keep in the loop, head to the website www.danceregular.com 
subscribe to the mailing list and follow the social links.

Body Music Vol 1 is Available on Vinyl and Digital from June 14th 2019

Early support from:

LEFTO: Worldwide FM / Studio Brussels

James Rudie : Good Fry Up
“I can’t tell if James was influenced by the Dilla or Sa-Ra Creative Partners sound of the late 90s or early 2000s but there are similar elements in that tune; the rhodes, the slightly off beat or not quantized drums and the allround crispy sound… James’ tune is maybe what these guys would be making these days if they were up to making house music dancefloor killers…” LEFTO

IG CULTURE : CoOp Presents / Selectors Assemble / Worldwide FM / Rinse FM

Body Music Vol 1 :

“Hot Music coming out of East, the new home of London Bruk beats. This debut is full of dope sounds from fresh artists. Ya’ll need this one! Keep an eye on this up and coming label” IG CULTURE`

ALEX ATTIAS : Vision recordings

Body Music Vol 1 :
"This EP is full of dope jams for the dance and for the mind. These are essential deep, funky and raw broken tunes, thanks guys!" ALEX ATTIAS

JEREMY SYLVESTER : Urban Dubz / Nice n Ripe
"Every Tune is Fiyah!"

STUART PATTERSON : Love Vinyl 
"The broken resurgence continues apace with this ace EP merging many styles, pick for me is Trev.

P&D by www.primedirectdist.co.uk

Pre-Order

Exclusive Premiere: ISHFAQ "Hypnosis No.9" (Dance Regular Records)

Ruby Rushton - Prayer for Yusef (Malik Hendricks edit)

https://dego.bandcamp.com/album/too-much

dego ‘Too Much…’

After a steady stream of releases from the 2000 Black label which serve as a first course, Dego returns with his third album ; A full length LP of his contemporary adventures in modern sound. This album combines Dego’s consistent forward looking musical explorations with a host of instrumental and vocal collaborators introducing us to new talents and reminding us of those we may have heard before. Dego continues to find new perspectives within the musical landscape.

Collaborating with singers and songwriters all expressing a distinct sense of where, collectively, we are now. There can be no doubt that this is a time of questions in every way, changes in the world and industry that will affect us all. How and what role music plays in this journey is explored as with any artist in a personal and pensive way from a tear to a smile. There is no preaching here, only statements and explorations. Individuality and sonic diversity combine and reflect the many inspirations and evolutions of style. Cooking up a strong and distinct genre-defying mix of soul, two step, funk, jazz, boogie and R&B, all dance music’s that focus on heritage and natural rhythms.

Listening to the music is a relief and delight for lovers of groove and song-craft. It's a 21st century statement accessible and raw, whilst highly advanced in sound design and production. Holistic in breadth and deep in vision, it provides a way into this music for many, and challenges the cultural conversation about jazz without compromising or pandering. Music that utilizes a raw and sincere true openness narrative.

Release date September 6th 2019 on 2000BLACK

01 A Strong Move For Truth Ft Nadine Charles

Clear Path Ensemble is the neu project and brainchild of Wellington jazz and sonic arts graduate Cory Champion. Also producing left field house and techno under the name Borrowed CS, Clear Path Ensemble is Cory’s first offering to the jazz gods. Having spent many years playing drums alongside some of New Zealand’s most talented musicians in the revered Wellington jam session scene this release is an amalgamation of the energy & spirit that the Wellington scene encompasses.
Walking over the blurred lines of psychedelia and spiritual jazz and taking cues from planetary rhythms and celestial oddities, CPE invokes a higher sense of self through the transformative power of sound. In it’s truest essence these are a collection of cosmic compositions and a release that in our opinion is one of the heaviest to ever emerge from the New Zealand neo-jazz scene.

Clear Path Ensemble

Clear Path Ensemble - Sacred

Follow Me (Remixes)

Follow Me (Steven Julien Remix)

Jason Hogans - Kitchen Hype

This month we have the pleasure of welcoming fico(@fico1), one of the guys behind the reputable Abysmal Lounge collective (@abysmal_lounge). The Japanese DJ, based in the city of Fukuoka, takes us into a soulful and eclectic musical journey showcasing real knowledge behind the decks. "The Connection" is a mesmerizing 45-minute selection, prescribed for the ones leaving behind the bad sensations.

"Here are some music I found during the pandemic. Hopefully these will lift you up in this tough time as they did to me, till the day we can hang out with mates like we used to."
- fico

Setlist:
Shopping dos Antiquários - Guerrinha
Hope (Solo) - George John
BDQ003 - Brasileiro Garantido
Under the Thunder - Reuben Vaun Smith
Laidback & Groovy (Original Mix) - The Vision
Lait de Coco (Vocal) - Maya
La vie - Ichon
Offering Bounce (feat. Jacob “JD” Crouch) - Jarren
Ecstacy Beach - manuel darquart
Débora - Altay Veloso
Pen Burns The Paper - Diamond
An Ode To Midnight - Jeigo
Purple Haze (Edit) - Soichi Terada
Stay - Nørus
Mean Pizza - submerse
Soak It Up - MJ Cole & Kojey Radical

Clear Path Ensemble - Sacred

Cosmic Compositions