Isaac Aesili's  'Runaway' EP is a story of his journey from his South Pacific homeland in Aotearoa, New Zealand to his new South-East Asian base in Bangkok, Thailand. The title track "Runaway"  is a boogie blazing Juno 106 synth-driven modern funk jam that harks back to the sounds of Isaac's earlier Funkommunity and Sorceress productions. "Creatress" is a mystic hip hop instrumental ode to mother nature abundant in dense jazz harmony yet simultaneously spacious and tranquil. "Motion" is a bouncing deep house joint that evokes positive reassurance with a lush, rolling bassline that evolves into a soaring climax featuring Isaac's signature majestic trumpet. "Jazzmin" is the calm after the storm where a solitary Rhodes melody, an ambient andante beat, and haunting horns speak of overcoming turbulent times through returning to a place of peace.

Isaac Aesili is a Māori musician, DJ and music producer from New Zealand living in Bangkok. Internationally acclaimed solo artist and the producer and creative force behind Funkommunity, Sorceress and Karlmarx. Isaac’s original productions have been supported internationally by DJs such as Gilles Peterson, Benji B, and Lefto. His trumpet playing features on many collaborations including ‘Midnight in Peckham’ by Chaos in the CBD (Rhythm Section) and ‘Layer’ by Julien Dyne (Wonderful Noise/BBE). A world-renownedmusician on both trumpet and percussion, Isaac is a member of the Lord Echo band. His music fuses Soul, Funk, Jazz, Brazilian and Afro Latino styles with R&B, House and Electronic music. Isaac’s new EP ‘Runaway’ drops on 16th July 2021 on Bastard Jazz  Recordings.

Isaac Aesili - Jazzmin

Buy / Stream the album here : https://orcd.co/breakthewall

Effortlessly dismantling the barriers between R&B, soul, funk, disco and jazz sounds, MF Robots present long player ‘Break The Wall’, on BBE Music. 

Astonishing musicianship, pristine production and top-tier songwriting, ‘Break The Wall’ immediately calls to mind those iconic American rhythm sections of the 70s and 80s. The music is energising, uplifting and the potent result of a highly accomplished musical partnership maturing, growing and hitting their stride together in lock-step. 

Jan Kincaid and Dawn Joseph met as members of one of the UK’s most successful Acid Jazz bands, which influenced Mark Ronson, D’Angelo, Jamiroquai, Erykah Badu and The Roots to name a few. Founding the Brand New Heavies was an important chapter for Jan, but once he and vocalist and songwriting partner Dawn began working together, the chemistry was instant and irresistible. It was time to turn the page, and soon MF Robots was born. 

“When we made our first album, we didn’t have a band as such. We basically made a lot of the record at home and called on other musicians as and when we needed them. Our sound was developing organically, and when we finally released the record to great critical acclaim, it was time to get out on the road,” says Jan. “We put together a band of likeminded young musicians, playing intimate gigs and big festivals all over Europe and beyond, growing tight as a unit, so that when it came time to think about making this, our second album, we knew we had an extra level of musicianship full of personality that could realise our vision.” 

Inviting band members Alex Montaque (keys), Naz Adamson (bass), Mark Beaney (guitar), Jack Birchwood (trumpet), Ben Treacher (sax) to improvise and contribute their own ideas over song-sketches laid out by Jan and Dawn gives ‘Break The Wall’ a special sense of offthe-cuff brilliance. Even on the polished final product you can detect a collaborative, fluid and unhurried approach to production that’s all-too rare these days. 

There’s guest performances from bassist Gail Ann Dorsey (‘The Love It Takes’, ‘Make Me Happy’) and guitarist Cory Wong ('Shine', 'Make Me Happy'), the former a top-flight session player who’s collaborated with Lenny Kravitz and David Bowie among others, the latter a member of the incredible Vulfpeck collective and an accomplished solo artist in his own right. Mixed by Clinton McCreery and mastered at The Carvery in London, the album was completed in March 2020, just before the World went into COVID19 lockdown. 

As for concept behind the project, “the name of the band, MUSIC FOR ROBOTS, is an entirely tongue in cheek one. It’s a poke at the generic nature of a lot of present day pop music, of a certain “factory” songwriting style and lack of real individuality and personality in ‘manufactured’ music. We want to create strong Soulful music with a timeless classic feel, drawing from a lot of diverse influences that makes you feel good, so maybe you can lose yourself for a little while. We want to create something that touches a feeling in people, the way that we are touched by a lot of great music and want it to still sound good in years to come.”

 In this long player, the duo’s musical mission has been both accomplished, and surpassed. The title ‘Break The Wall’ could not be more apt.

Break the Wall

MF Robots - Make The Call

Stargazing from the sands of the Niterói beach, Tempos Futuros is low-end-led Brazilian futurism from one of Brazil’s most prolific and influential bassmen. As one third of legendary Brazilian trio Azymuth, Alex Malheiros has pioneered a one of a kind fusion of space-funk, samba and jazz since the early seventies. His playing can be heard on the records of Jorge Ben, Milton Nascimento, Roberto Carlos, Marcos Valle and Mark Murphy (to name a few), and he’s performed and toured with everyone from Stevie Wonder to Chick Corea.

Written and recorded in Niteroi, Brazil, overlooking Guanabara and the beaches, mountains and forests of Rio de Janeiro, Tempos Futuros has deep roots in Brazilian soil. The rhythms of Malheiros’ homeland have always permeated his music. But just like the Oscar Niemeyer designed Niterói Contemporary Art Museum which stands spaceship-like over the water, Tempos Futuros - while inspired by terrestrial forms, reaches out deep into the great unknown. 

Produced by acclaimed London-based producer Daniel Maunick, who has worked with Marcos Valle, Azymuth, Terry Callier, and Ivan Conti, the funk comes full circle. Daniel’s father Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick and Alex Malheiros shared a reciprocal stream of influence throughout the 80s, between London and Rio; Azymuth and Incognito; brit-funk and samba-funk. But just as with Azymuth’s music, you can also hear the influence of stateside jazz-funk masters like Roy Ayers, Weather Report, Lonnie Liston Smith, Mtume and Pleasure.

Tempos Futuros features Alex’s daughter, a Brazilian star in her own right, vocalist Sabrina Malheiros, Brazilian percussion master Sidinho Moreira,  London based saxophonist Sean Khan, Marcos Valle’s go-to drummer Massa, and keyboard player Dudu Viana.

Alex Malheiros - Retrato (feat. Sean Khan)

I'M HERE - CORNELL CC CARTER (Snippet)

TONIGHT - CORNELL CC CARTER (Snippet)

With the jazz-leaning electronic producer Hemai, Swiss trumpeter Bodo Meier finds the perfect remixer to give his Afro Latin inspired jazz a subtle electronic edge.

Hailing from Switzerland, Bodo started playing the trumpet at 8 and very quickly turned to jazz and improvisation. For the last 12 year, he's been touring intensely with a variety of artists across the globe.

In 2012, a tour through Brazil with the rock band Underschool Element in 2009 and in Senegal with percussionist Mory Samb started a deep connection with the Afro-American music heritage . Today, Bodo is involved in many projects and bands with Latin American music.

Bodo moved to London in 2015 and became very active in London's music scene. He started collaborating with guitarist Tjoe Man Cheung. Together they recorded two albums and toured twice in Hong Kong and China in 2016 and 2018. Now back in his native Switzerland, he writes and arranges music for his own band as well as others and released his debut album 'Approaching Change' on Berlin label QFTF. 

Bodo's debut EP, 'Eclipse', follows the release of singles 'Lamento Olvidado' and 'Roadrunner'. Both supported by the likes of Kev Beadle, Soho Radio, Twisted Soul and Jazz FM. It sees Bodo collaborate with electronic sensation, Tru Thoughts signed producer Hemai, for a dancefloor remix of 'Roadrunner' and swiss collective Alma Negra for their own take on 'Lamento Olvidado'.

Producer and multi-instrumentalist Louie Hemus AKA Hemai sonically melds soul and jazz with an electronic tinge. “Production-wise I’m experimenting with the concept of space; bringing together my favourite sounds from around the world and the universe and merging them with UK roots”, he explains. 

Born and bred in the UK’s second capital Birmingham, Hemai grew up around jazz culture, music and live musicians, taking influence from the likes of Herbie Hancock, The Gilberto’s and D’Angelo to modern day acts like Zero7 and Corinne Bailey Rae.

His 2019 debut EP “Eyes, Closed” received upfront support from Gilles Peterson, Erica McKoy and Papaoul (Worldwide FM) and from his home station BBC Radio West Midlands. The release was closely followed by Hemai’s official remix of Oscar Jerome’s “Gravitate” and being titled one to watch by BBC Introducing’s Jaguar on her Hot List 2020, cementing the now London-based artist’s place in the thriving UK jazz and electronic scene.

Follow Bodo

Exclusive Premiere: Bodo Maier "Eclipse" (Hemai Remix)

Old-school velvet, new-school voltage. Twelve tracks follow a charming thief through speakeasies, rooftops, and one last gamble for love. Distorted brass, walk-bass, vinyl crackle, and crowd shouts—built for late nights and louder speakers.
#ElectroSwing #EDM #Trap #CinematicPop #NoirPop #HeistStory

Smile Like a Lockpick

Next up on PAPA RECORDS we are delighted to welcome for a debut release, the fantastic vibes of SOUL INSCRIBED.

SOUL INSCRIBED are a Hip Hop fusion band and Beatbox crew hailing from New York. Formed by BABA ISRAEL and YAKO 440 we are proud to present remixes of the new single SOUL SHINE courtesy of RAINY & LEON and fellow New Yorker ELI ESCOBAR.

Soul Shine

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Soul Inscribed - Soul Shine (Original Mix)

From the moment I heard this young lady's voice on the "Elle" album, I knew she was something special. So much so that I tracked her management down on Twitter to see if she'd be interested in possibly working together. I found out from her manager Mildred (Hej, Millie!) that they were actually working on a concert DVD at the time and they were looking to put some remixes on the accompanying CD as bonus tracks. Without hesitation, I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish it in time to make it to the retail release, but she has graciously allowed me to share it with you guys. So, here it is. Something sexy for the dancers out there. "In Your Hands"...THE REMIX!!!

p.s. To hear the original version and all of Ntjam's releases, go to her website www.ntjamrosie.com and thank me later!!! 

Ntjam Rosie- In Your Hands (Applejac's Sounds Of Mecca remix)

The release last autumn of Reel People’s first full studio album in 10 years was, it’s fair to say, a moment. Retroflection stylishly recreated soul, disco and boogie classics behind the collective’s formation nearly 20 years ago and exposed its rarefied DNA like never before. Now band leader Oli Lazarus widens the collective, inviting the world’s finest producers and remixers to add their funky splices to the Retroflection blueprint. Retroflection Remixed, featuring Mousse T., Osunlade, DJ Spinna, John Morales, Atjazz, Terry Hunter, Sebb Junior, Scott Diaz, Da Brownie, Tall Black Guy, Matt Cooper’s OUTSIDE, BusCrates and Art Of Tones, is a majestic rebooting of the soulful flow that swept us away in 2018.
	
Art Of Tones get’s his sparkly mitts on Don’t Stop The Music, swaggering synth ‘n’ bass riffs further underlining Angie Stone’s classy strut through Yarbrough & People’s 1980 hit, whilst Buscrates – true to the name of his remix – pumps irresistible funk bounce into I’m In Love, a truly lowdown re-skinning of Reel People’s Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King tribute where Navasha Daya’s vocal sounds sassier than ever.

Osunlade eases us in with an elegant re-interpretation of Reel People’s Pleasure cover Joyous, deep throbs of electronica and rippling percussion carrying loops of the vocal and that iconic sax solo to stunning new heights – or depths. Similarly, Atjazz dims the lights and intensifies the mood for his take on Twilight. Where Reel People played impressively close to Maze’s original, Atjazz treads to shuffling jazz drums, double-bass and piano. The build of parts is spine-tingling stuff. Matt Cooper and his outstanding OUTSIDE project also take on the mantle of Joyous, and serve us a full fat disco jazz funk odyssey.

There are a number of uptempo treats too. Take Sebb Junior’s snappy piano-house routine for the Mica Paris-fronted I Want To Thank You – a sparkling turbo-charge to Alicia Myers’ early Eighties gospel-R&B vibe – or NYC mix legend John Morales’ ecstatic nine-minute mirrorball twirl of Geraldine Hunt-anthem Can’t Fake The Feeling complete with epic drum and vocal (Daya once again) breakdowns. Respected UK house DJ-producer Scott Diaz gives the Sharlene Hector-led cover of Side Effect’s Always There greater guitar-licked urgency but without compromise to the song’s soulful poise and power, and revered Chicago veteran Terry Hunter is a match made in heaven for Tony Momrelle, who soars through the former’s soulfully-charged remix of Buttercup (Carl Anderson’s mid-Eighties, Stevie Wonder-penned gem) with all of its funky drums, b-line twists and warm musical arrangements. German maestro Mousse T. hands us a nostalgic rework of Teena Marie’s I Need Your Lovin’  featuring the female powerhouses Vulu Malinga, LaDonna Harley-Peters and Sharlene Hector.

Elsewhere, South African talent Da Brownie dresses Reel People’s peppy, Omar-fronted update of Skipworth & Turner treasure Thinking About Your Love in sharp, finely-detailed deep dance threads, and Detroit star Tall Black Guy (TBG) sprinkles considerable amounts of summer samba magic over Momrelle’s other Retroflection outing Can We Pretend - a stunning re-awakening of the Bill Withers and Jose Feliciano collabo for the second time in mere months. There’s room yet for DJ Spinna to expand the reaches of Keep It Up (Anthony David’s luscious rendition of Milton Wright’s deep-soul bomb) with another of his transcendental space-funk remixes. Mind-blowing.

Retroflection Remixed

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Reel People feat. Navasha Daya - I'm In Love (BusCrates Remix)

This is Dezaray Dawn's signature track infused with the Deep Soulful House sounds of Mecca from DJ AppleJac. Atlantis is truly representing with this one. As heard on Ava DuVernay's short film "The Door" feat. Gabrielle Union.  Available at iTunes. Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CNM0ha87eU0
www.dezaraydawn.com
www.soundcloud.com/applejac
www.applejac.bandcamp.com

Written by Dezaray D. Frazier for Sol Heir Music
Produced by AppleJac for Sounds of Mecca Entertainment

I'M HERE - CORNELL CC CARTER (Snippet)

IZIPHO SOUL

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