Late last year Toby Glider a.k.a Liquid Pegasus released his phenomenal album; Novelty on CityBaby Records . This was listed as one of Aswad's favourites of 2020 and was one of the most notable releases across the board. On the show Aswad and Toby Glider get together and discuss about the makings of the album, influences, Japanese 80's culture and even the notorious artwork created by Chris Hopkins + more! The show also features new music from a talented roster including Frankfurt Funk, Madd3e, Big Jacks, Kutcorners, Angela Apigo and Soul Supreme.

S3 EP5 - Toby Glider

Original track from The Blackbirds.
All instruments, chops and vocals by Karmasound.
Artwork by D.Botigué

Rock Bruk Park (FREE DL)

Buy the Vinyl here: https://orcd.co/littleorphanboy

‘Little Orphan Boy’ is the second single taken from album ‘This Is Brian Jackson’, presented with remixes by Two Soul Fusion, a.k.a. Louie Vega and Josh Milan.

The veteran artist’s first true solo LP in over 20 years, ‘This Is Brian Jackson’ is produced by Phenomenal Handclap Band founder Daniel Collás. Collás lovingly re-frames and updates ideas and demos that Jackson first laid down back in 1976, right around the time he recorded ‘Bridges’ with Gil Scott-Heron, for a solo project that never saw the light of day... until now.

Alongside his ‘Two Soul Fusion’ partner Josh Milan, Louie Vega gives the album’s closing track ‘Little Orphan Boy’ two truly vintage remix treatments, taking the song on an eclectic, soul-stirring, timeless journey. The extended ‘Two Soul Fusion’ mix calls to mind the golden era of Masters at Work productions, featuring a Latin-infused percussion groove, shimmering organs and in-the-cut funky guitar lines. The ‘Downtempo’ remix lets Brian Jackson’s vocals ride over a head-nodding, stripped back, yet equally soulful arrangement.

“A dream to work with Brian Jackson” says Louie Vega. “I mean, he’s a big part of our musical landscape and has been a huge inspiration in our lives. From way back to my early years in the Bronx, through to my DJing and producing career, into productions like Nuyorican Soul, Elements of Life, Kenlou, Brian and Gil have always been with us! Now to work on such an amazing song with Brian’s keyboard work and lead vocal, it made it so much easier for Two Soul Fusion (Josh and I) to find that pocket and groove. We had to create anepic piece and take you on a trip through several styles, it was calling for it. That’s due to the original work of Brian Jackson, a true Master at Work & Two Soul Fusion hero!!! I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next on the horizon with us and the one & only Brian Jackson.

Brian Jackson: "I have always loved the musicality and the rhythmic power that surges through the artistry of Louie Vega since I first heard him in Masters at Work. I made a silent wish that one day I would hear one of my songs given that special treatment. Imagine my elation to know that it would finally happen - with a song I wrote and recorded 45 years ago for a solo project that might have never happened if not for producer Daniel Collás and BBE chief Peter Adarkwah! Louie, along with Two Soul Fusion partner Josh Milan and I are alike in so many ways, I knew that if we ever got together, magic would happen and well... here’s to magic! My love and gratitude to Louie, Josh, Daniel, Peter and the beautiful BBE family.”

Brian Jackson - Little Orphan Boy (Two Soul Fusion Downtempo Remix)

This Italian duo goes by the name of Re:Fill and they fuse 1970s jazz-funk, UKs broken beats, and Brazilian-like atmospheres into a refreshing sound for the dance floor. The album 'Cycles' will be released via Cognitiva Records and out tomorrow.

Release: June 3rd
Full article: www.steppinintotomorrow.com

★ PREMIERE ★ Re:Fill - 'Impulse'

One way to sum up Teddy Bryant is a very talented individual. Singer, songwriter, arranger & producer are some of the many labels which can be associated with him. In this episode, together Aswad and Teddy go to great lengths to discuss his recent and past musical events. They talk about his debut solo album, In the Beginning — which was released last year on Nothing But Net Records. An album which appeared on many 'Best of 2021' lists. They also discuss his recent efforts and collaborations with super producer, Space Ghost — The Heaven Sent EP. The show features new music from a highly talented roster, and wraps up with a tribute mix bow on top.

Tracklist

S4 EP6 - Teddy Bryant

Monzanto Sound blend neo soul with jazz, psychedelic funk and motorik flare, on first single "Nuff Blues" from their upcoming EP 'Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow' due out Autumn 2022 on None More Records.

Vocalist Mimi tells us, “I envision a scorned lover, torn between love, pain and rage, reflecting melancholically on an unfortunate situation where they surrendered and lost themselves completely for the one they love”.

Monzanto Sound is a band from London fusing together different styles from the African Diaspora and combining them with a hypnotic, psychedelic edge. They are a high energy, rhythmic group with an ear for space and simplicity capable of getting any crowd moving. Their sonic aesthetic is something that is considered carefully as they incorporate synths and effects in a way that has more inspiration from 90s dance and electronic music. 

Lead singer Mimi Koku writes intentional, captivating lyrics, which have an emotional honesty that speak on multiple levels. The band have been described as a blend of Can, Fela Kuti and Sade with dubby off kilter funk grooves.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Exclusive Premiere: Monzanto Sound "Nuff Blues" (Forthcoming on None More Records)

Dreamy new jazz from Clear Path Ensemble. Perfect for a hot, humid day.  "Drumatix" is taken from their forthcoming on Soundway Records, "Solar Eclipse". 

Led by percussionist Cory Champion, Clear Path Ensemble bottles the energy of New Zealand’s bubbling new jazz scene and distills it into moody morsels of differing styles. From electric jazz to ambient, experimental, house and funk – it’s a DIY, jam-session attitude towards composition, as the band members freely cherry-pick from a vast orchard of influences.

Solar Eclipse

Exclusive Premiere: Clear Path Ensemble "Drumatix" (Soundway Records)

Notoya is the brains behind Tokyo Condition, a record label and online web shop operating from within Tokyo. In the last few years, Notoya has reissued private press records and focuses on lesser known artists from the past and modern day. He recently collaborated with french label We Want Sounds, to create a compilation highlighting artists from record label Nippon Columbia, the wonderful project - Tokyo Glow. On the show we welcome back Ryan Erik Williams, who joins Aswad in conversation with Notoya to discuss the inspirations of Tokyo Condition and the current impact of City Pop within modern day. They also highlight some of the releases from Tokyo Condition and discuss the partnership with HMV Japan.

S4 EP9 - DJ Notoya (Tokyo Condition)

Selections from the test press LP of the album by STR4TA - STR4TASFEAR - Out 11th November 2022

STR4TASFEAR PREVIEW

Today's atmpospheric exclusive comes from a MIMS favourite of late, Robohands, as we share "Claws", forthcoming on Bastard Jazz.

Robohands, aka Andy Baxter, joins the Bastard Jazz family with a new EP titled “Giallo.” Partly inspired by Italian Giallo (meaning “yellow”) film soundtracks of the late 70s and 80s, as well as the experimental sounds of pioneering krautrock bands like Tangerine Dream and NEU! Armed with an old Juno 60 synthesizer, Andy wrote, recorded, and mixed all the parts himself, including the live drums, adding in multiple layers of effects.

Spread across 8 tracks, “Giallo” spans atmospheric meditations (“Giallo;” “Claws;” “Relax”) to jazzy improvisational explorations (“Fear”), interwoven with brief solo instrumental tapestries (“Horror;” “Float By Like Clouds;” “For the Different”). There is an elegant cinematic quality to the EP, further refined by Robohands’ production prowess and technical chops. “Giallo” builds on the Robohands sound, taking it in an exciting, more experimental direction.

Exclusive Premiere: Robohands "Claws" (Forthcoming on Bastard Jazz)

“I want to Reno”

Studio Funk - podcast show created and hosted by Aswad. Showcasing his discoveries, music collection, and interviews the leading names in modern funk and soul.