The Sorcerers – Summoning the Monkey God [ATA017]

December 30, 2019January 23, 2020 hipodromeata records, ethiopian, funk, jazz, the sorcerersLeave a comment

‘Summoning The Monkey God’ covers a wide range of influences: Ethiopiques Ethio-Jazz rubs up against European library music of the 60s and 70s. The Sorcerers seamlessly blend these disparate elements into one cohesive sound. Based in ATA Records’ home of Leeds, The Sorcerers form the backbone of the ATA Records house band including drummer Joost Hendrickx (Kefaya, Shatner’s Bassoon, Abstract Orchestra) and ATA label heads Neil Innes (Bass & Guitar) and Pete Williams (Woodwinds & Percussion). Bass clarinets, flutes, and esoteric percussion that sit alongside bass, guitar and drums are essential to The Sorcerers sound providing cinematic textures on top of a solid rhythmic foundation.

Ambros Seelos – Ambros Seelos [369.059]

December 7, 2019December 5, 2019 hipodromealbum, ambros seelos, disco, funk, jazz, private records, sony music, synth popLeave a comment

Private Records is back with the archives of SONY Music and the library archive of Ambros Seelo. The German musician Ambros Seelos recorded this psychedelic Disco, Afro Funk and Jazz magic during the 1970’s and early 1980’s.

Remus Miron @ Transilvania Culturala (TVR Cluj) 31.10.2019

November 10, 2019November 7, 2019 hipodromefunk, jazz, lektronikumuz, remus miron, rock, romanianLeave a comment

Surprise Chef – All News Is Good News [COK004]

November 10, 2019October 15, 2021 hipodromealbum, college of knowledge records, funk, jazz, surprise chefLeave a comment

Surprise Chef is a 4-piece instrumental jazz-funk group from Melbourne, Australia. ‘The College Of Knowledge’ is their self-run label and ‘All News Is Good News’ album was recorded straight to tape in the band’s home studio.

VA – Radio Verde (Compiled by Americo Brito and Arp Frique) [CW003]

October 20, 2019October 18, 2019 hipodromeafrobeat, americo brito, arp frique, cabo verde band, cabo verde show, cape verde, colorful world, compilation, djarama, elisio vieira, funk, galaxia 2000, jose casimiro, niels nieuborg, outernational, rush hour, soulLeave a comment

Arp Frique returns with a brand new release on his imprint Colorful World Records in collaboration with Rush Hour. A compilation of 12 Cape Verdean gems assembled with the help and knowledge of Americo Brito, there is a very special story behind it. Americo Brito, who features on Arp Frique’s original Nos Magia, is a proud and important member of the Cape Verdean community in Rotterdam. His story reveals the historical connections between radio, vinyl, Cabo Verde and Rotterdam’s international music scene in the 70s and 80s. Cape Verdeans have migrated all over the world, mainly to cities with big harbours, like New York, Boston and Rotterdam (Holland). Rotterdam became one of the main destinations (next to Portugal) on the European mainland. When Americo, like many of his friends and relatives moved to Rotterdam, he quickly became infected with the music virus. Surrounded on a daily basis by Cape Verdean music in Portuguese pensions and small hotels, this was where sailors ingested a dose of “sodade” through the interpretations of their beloved music by the local Cape Verdean artists. Americo took to the stage with his band Djarama in the 70s and 80s. Here he works with Rotterdam local Arp Frique to serve up Cape Verdean music old and new with plenty of traditional Funana and Coladeira sounds next to jams influenced by wave, disco and funk, jazz, reggae and Latin pop.

Jorge Navarro – First Time On A 45 : Argentina Funk Special [MUKAT066]

October 5, 2019October 3, 2019 hipodromefunk, jazz, jorge navarro, mukatsuku recordsLeave a comment

Mukatsuku struck gold again on this latest first time on a “45” issue. It boasts a couple of lesser-known jazz-funk fusion jams which originally featured on Argentine musician Jorge Navarro’s 1977 album “Navarro Con Polenta”, an LP that has never been issued outside of South America. A-side “Funk Yourself” is a bustling, high-octane jazz-funk Hammond licks and spiralling horns jumping above a Blaxploitation style backing track. “Repartamos El Funky” is a more laid back but no less musically intricate affair, with a variety of high-grade electric piano and guitar solos riding seemingly endless jazz style drum solos and rubbery bass. Juno hand-numbered copies come in exclusive sleeves and this 45 not be repressed. DJ Support comes from Ge-ology, Dom Servini, DJ Food,The Allergies,45LIVE.net ,Dr Bob Jones and more

Kanot – Bottenmannen [HNR032]

October 4, 2019October 4, 2019 hipodromeanton kolbe, disco, funk, hoga nord rekords, jesper jarold, kanot, lindha kallerdahl, psychedelicLeave a comment

Kanot is Jesper Jarold and Anton Kolbe. With the help of Lindha Kallerdahl’s expressive vocals, Jarold and Kolbe weave an eclectic yet durable sonic textile. Call it music for psychadelic hiking, primitive dance beats or speculative folk music – most of all, it is unrestrained music, for the smartest and the dumbest kid in the classroom. In the dense, and at the same time airy production, some drums anchor themselves steadily into the ground while others lash out like reverberating rhythmic gunshots. The tones from Jesper’s guitar and fretless bass float like leaves on the Drangme Chhu River, at times almost drowning in effects only to resurface in surprising and skillfully chiseled melodies that could play forever.

Moon B – Udaya [HOOP001]

August 2, 2019August 1, 2019 hipodromealbum, funk, hoop sound, house, moon b, sean sandersLeave a comment

Moon B takes a step out of his comfort zone with ”Udaya”, giving a lesson on how it isn’t the tools at your disposal, but rather how you use them. A stalwart of vintage analogue gear under normal circumstances, he’s harnessed the full power of his iPad to conjure up 8 cuts of slick, lo-fi boogie that emanate with a smoky warmth. Gone are the genre-hopping sensibilities of earlier releases, replaced with a renewed focus on what really counts: the funk.

VA – Groove Of ESSR: Funk Disco Jazz From Soviet Estonia 1974-1988 [FER003]

July 20, 2019July 19, 2019 hipodromecompilation, disco, estonia, funk, funk embassy records, jazzLeave a comment

The groovier side of Iron Curtain is uncovered by Funk Embassy Records. Recorded between 1974-1988, the compilers have unearthed funk, disco, soul, jazz, instrumentals, library music and covers from the Estonian Radio archives. This is the sound of ESSR (Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic) as heard at music halls, radio, TV shows and cafeterias along with underground parties and semilegal jazz clubs. The selection ranges from folk-funk, psychedelic soul, dancefloor certified disco, Isaac Hayes reminiscent blues-funk, contemplative jazz-funk, Piero Umiliani-esque library music, funk-rock, in-your-face b-boy break to a flute-led master piece by Uno Naissoo – one of the founders of the Estonian jazz scene who organized the notorious Tallinn Jazz Festivals (1949-1967).

Aldorande – Aldorande [FVR152LP]

June 30, 2019June 29, 2019 hipodromealbum, aldorande, favorite recordings, funk, jazz, soulLeave a comment

Ready for an adventure running parallel to their lives in common units, the quartet boarded a starship to set off on an astral expedition. The mission began perfectly, according to plan. From the very first measures, the travellers were released from the Earth’s gravity. Very quickly, their home planet appeared tiny and distant, before disappearing completely. Comets and novae lit the way through the fathomless depths of interstellar space. Their preliminary, in-depth studies of seventies jazz-funk were a great source of inspiration. Very early on, they knew that this sonic esthetic would allow them to travel even farther, navigating only with organic instruments and no digital backing or enhancements. Commander Virgile Raffaëlli’s bass lines guided their journey, offering a calm, yet vibrant foundation for the smoother phases and turning up the power to bring them through turbulence and meteor showers safe and sound. Like a compass, the bass indicated the direction and traced a groove that the loyal, valued crew could follow as their travels continued. Mathieu Edouard’s drums solidly locked down the rhythm to avoid any sudden jolts, working in tandem with Erwan Loeffel’s jet-propelled percussion. On the keyboards, Florian Pellissier drew harmonies and riffs from the synthesizers and electric pianos to oil the machinery and lighten the load when the ensemble needed to rise a few feet. The crew’s almost telepathic cohesion was key to their success, allowing them to express interior emotions with just a few notes.

Manu Dibango – African Voodoo [HC63]

June 30, 2019August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, album, funk, hot casa records, jazz, manu dibango, outernational, soulLeave a comment

Fantastic and rare album by Manu Dibango, the Afro Soul Maestro. These files were recorded in 1971 at Pathé-Marconi studio (Boulogne Billancourt) for professional sound illustration intended for the cinema, television and advertising. The jazzman experimenting with all genres was then beginning to convert solely to what soon to be called “Rare Groove” somewhere between Soul, Jazz and Afro-Funk, with a hint of Latin clave. In 2019, these tunes have not aged and the sound can be considered as “Huge” by many crate-diggers. These recordings were not supposed to reach the club or radio audience, it was more free sessions, a moment during they can open their imagination and test their “Afro something”, like Manu Dibango call it. Theses recording sessions included the best of the french soul scene at this time, Yvan Julien (Trumpet), Slim Pezin (Guitar), Jacques Bolognesi (Trombone), Lucien Dobat (Drums), Emile Boza (Percussions, Manfred (Bass) and the conductor himself at the vibraphone, marimba, saxophone, organ. This album is a wonderful return to the future and should satisfy the need of the Afro-Soul
aficionados.

Ebo Taylor & Pat Thomas – Disco Highlife Reedit Series [COMET087]

June 30, 2019August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, comet records, disco, ebo taylor, funk, leo nanjo, leon x leon, outernational, pat thomasLeave a comment

Comet presents the first release from the new Disco Highlife series, featuring remastered originals by Ghanaian legends Ebo Taylor and Pat Thomas and disco reedits by LeonxLeon and Leo Nanjo.

Camarão Orkestra – Nação África [FVR154]

June 30, 2019August 30, 2023 hipodromecamarao orkestra, caribbean, disco, favorite recordings, funk, outernational, patchworksLeave a comment

Nação África is the new single by Camarão Orkestra, the most Brazilian of Parisian bands. Sinewy bass and battery pulsating, it’s stitched to the dancefloor that “Nação África” spreads its groove. And it’s with a variety of keyboards and synthesizers that the tight production maintains a level of constant motion, surrounded by the burning riffs of the brass section and Amanda Roldan’s refreshing vocals. Patchworks provide two remixes to close the record.

Medline & Stéphane Carricondo – A Quest Called Tribe [MBLP05]

June 1, 2019May 31, 2019 hipodromealbum, funk, hip-hop, jazz, medline, my bags, stephane carricondoLeave a comment

“A Quest Called Tribe” begins with a series of portraits drawn by Stéphane Carricondo in 2017 dedicated to Hip-Hop legends. As close partner in art Medline proposed to create a soundtrack for them, and first interpreting ATCQ’s classics with elements of the past, present and future. The best way to materialize this multidimensional tribute was obviously a vinyl. And it’s the one we unveil today. On the visual side, ATCQ’s portraits are composing the front cover and, assembled into a great scene, are printed on a colorful A2 poster. Stéphane Carricondo’s natural lines are highlighting each member’s soul map. The alchemy of the dark ink on emptiness gives to them an impressive sparkle of life. On the musical side, the classic themes are transformed into a polymorphic fusion, were jazz, funk and soul from the original sample sources converse with Tribe’s characteristic beats. Medline added a hint of his magic, unique rhythms, improvisations, arrangements, original orchestration and inspired melodies. The album is an ode to the band that marked both artist’s life and mind. A cultural print and school of sound that designed Hip-Hop foundations. With a blooming expression Medline and Stéphane Carricondo are going to the roots of ATCQ in a quest for the tribe.

Dennis Young – Primitive Substance [AOTNLP026]

June 1, 2019May 31, 2019 hipodromealbum, athens of the north, dennis young, experimental, funk, jazzLeave a comment

Dennis Young is best known as the marimba player and percussionist for Liquid Liquid. After Liquid Liquid disbanded in 1985 he continued to record electronic music. He composes his own music, which combines influences from rock, jazz, dance, electronic and world music while incorporating unique rhythms and colorful musical textures. The “Primitive Substance” album’s timeframe ends in the year 2004 and the recordings have a jazz feel to it, yet still had dance music elements mixed in.

Cap’tain Créole – Ni Bel Jounin [BM1804]

June 1, 2019August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, beaumonde records, cap'tain creole, funk, outernationalLeave a comment

Cap’tain Créole – formerly known as Trenchtown Meditation – was a band formed in 1984 by Clément, José, Jean-Pierre and Serge. Cap’tain Créole was a pioneering creole-speaking French reggae band with the aim of exploring new musical horizons. With the help of 3 new members – among them a sax player and a trumpet player, both coming from the jazz scene, Cap’tain Créole recorded their unique outing, Ni Bel Jounin.

John Cameron – Jazzrock [BEWITH059LP]

May 26, 2019February 28, 2020 hipodromebe with records, funk, jazz, john cameron, kpm, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

‘Jazzrock’ is an aggressive, percussion-heavy album with an energy that leaves jaws on the floor, killer funk breaks from 1972 by the mighty John Cameron. Breaks and beats for days with electric piano, bass loops, and pounding percussion. Funky jazz with a deep, tough, soundtrack feel.

Alan Parker / John Cameron – Afro Rock [BEWITH058LP]

May 26, 2019May 23, 2019 hipodromealan parker, album, be with records, funk, jazz, john cameron, kpm, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

‘Afro Rock’ was recorded at Morgan Studios by John Cameron and Alan Parker in London in 1973 as a collection of stripped-down African rhythms, virtuoso jazz instrumentation, fuzzed up wah wah guitars and spaced out library breaks. The percussion is effortlessly funky, and those flutes so melodic, it’s as if the LP was crafted with the beat lovers of the future firmly in mind. As Cameron himself described it in Unusual Sounds, this is “heavy duty drum-and-bass salsa music”.

Gruppo D’Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza – Niente [ROMA111LP]

May 19, 2019May 17, 2019 hipodromealbum, ennio morricone, experimental, funk, gruppo d'improvvisazione nuova consonanza, jazz, re-release, reissue, the roundtableLeave a comment

Founded in Rome in 1964, ‘Il Gruppo D’Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza’ was a collective of noted and noteworthy composers who challenged the very structure and performance of music itself. Today the most celebrated of its members is the renowned film composer Ennio Morricone but each contributor has an intriguing history in Italian music. Drawing on Jazz, Serialism, Musique Concrete and other extended techniques, the group performed on many of Morricone’s experimental soundtracks of the 1970s including, A Quiet Place In The Country and Gli Occhi Freddi Della Paura). The collective improvised live (according to strict exercises) and in the studio (recording for RCA, Deutsche Grammaphon, General Music and others). In 1970 ‘Il Gruppo’ (as ‘The Group’) recorded The Feed-back (for RCA Italy), an insane amalgam of avant-improvisation and motorik Krautrock-influenced beats that understandably has become one of the most collectable ‘Library Music’ related LPs ever issued. In 1971 ‘Il Gruppo’ returned to the studio to record a sequel. This is that record. For reasons unknown Niente was never originally issued but one listen will convince that not only is it the sequel to one of the most sought after LPs of all time, but it is also by far its superior. Brain melting jams collide with unhinged intensity in a hothouse of Italian avant-improv. You have been warned.

Giovanni Damico – The Boogie Tracks [SC1215]

May 18, 2019April 13, 2022 hipodromealbum, disco, funk, giovanni damico, star creatureLeave a comment

Star Creature continuing it’s pursuit of bold LP’s, this time teaming up with Italian disco don, Giovanni Damico. With recent major dance floor releases on Lumberjacks In Hell & Kalakuta Soul, Damico shifts gears to his Italian roots to give us a modern funk twist on Italo & space time boogie.