'Predictions' by 79.5

Much has been made about the stunning debut outing from the New York City collective 79.5.  Their debut release on Big Crown Records had been a long time coming with their first single, 'Terrorize My Heart', unveiled as far back as 2016, but what the band have delivered here with 'Predictions' made every waiting minute blissfully worth it.

Headed up by singer/songwriter Kate Mattison and produced by Big Crown co-founder Leon Michels (of El Michels Affair and producer of Aloe Blacc's 'Good Things' amongst a slew of other projects), 'Predictions' flits effortlessly between styles and eras of soul music - the distinctly charming analog sound of Big Crown is prevalent throughout but there's also a strong element of contemporary "nu" soul permeating through as well.  So much so in fact that 'Terrorize My Heart' can also boast an additional remix from the production genius of  Detroit's Tall Black Guy that we'd urge you to pick up!

It's precisely this unpredictability of different sounds, styles and genres that Mattison & Co attempted to define the band at the outset - their name "79.5" is the dial of the fantasy radio station that was to serve as the melting pot for their own musical endeavours within soul, disco, house and jazz.

Mattison, who is having an excellent year thus far contributing vocals to new albums from Durand Jones & The Indications ('American Love Call') and Big Crown label-mate Lee Fields & The Expressions ('It Rains Love'), trades off great vocals with band mates Nya Parker Brown and Piya Malik who have really found the magic in their union, sounding incredible throughout the album but perhaps displaying their three-part harmonies to particular stunning effect on the latter half of 'Fireman'.  The band is comprised of a host of great musicians including Adrienne Hailey on bass, Izaak Mills on saxophone, flute and percussion, and Raymond McNaught on drums.  Michels himself guests on keys and percussion and Daptone Records drummer Homer Steinweiss (famed for his work with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Mark Ronson and The Rongetz Foundation) also appears.

As mentioned, 'Terrorize My Heart' and 'Fireman' are early favourites but for an album also armed with tracks like 'Wavy', 'Facing East' and 'Boy Don't Be Afraid', picking out individual songs seems a waste of time for such a well-rounded and frankly perfect album.  Our only gripe is that we didn't discover this gem earlier!

'Part Time Millionaire' by Flevans + Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #12 with Flevans

Nigel “Flevans” Evans’s eclectic and versatile productions have made him a shining light in the UK for years now.  Having established himself with his debut project ‘Make New Friends’ (a collection of EP projects) released in 2004 through Brighton’s Tru Thoughts record label, the DJ/producer/multi-instrumentalist introduced his sample-based and beats-driven project holding its own against releases from label-mates Quantic and Bonobo.

Subsequent Flevans projects have masterfully kept fans guessing – with projects ranging from instrumental compositions like ‘Unfabulous’ (Jack To Phone Records, 2007), vocal-based collaborative projects like ’27 Devils’ (Tru Thoughts, 2009) or the alternative-electronica of alter ego AOTOA for Jalapeno Records.  ‘A Distant View’, released through LOA Records in 2016, proved a real treat for fans that had waited patiently for new music.  Definitely a project that fell into the category of instrumental sample-based dare-I-say masterpiece, the album was propelled by a mix of drum-heavy breakbeat funk and down-tempo gems like ‘Stripped’ and ‘A Distant View’.

And in a comparatively short time, Flevans returns with ‘Part Time Millionaire’ as an official member of the Jalapeno Records stable.  Themselves coming off a great run of projects with last year’s ‘Ruthless Day’ by Gizelle Smith and the new project from Aldo Vanucci ‘Digging For A Living’.

In typical Flevans fashion, the follow-up to ‘A Distant View’ may not be at all what people would have expected.  Partnering up with a dream team of contemporary funk & soul vocal talent, 'Part Time Millionaire' showcases more strings to the bow and does so effortlessly.  Laura Vane, the artist cited as being “the catalyst for this album” – sounding just as good backed by Flevans as she typically does by The Vipertones – guests on several songs including the infectious sing-a-long single ‘Invisible’ and the brilliant reworking of Lauryn Hill’s ‘Ex Factor’, Elliott Cole beautifully brings to life two Flevans-penned tracks ’15,000 Words’ and ‘Two Steps’, long-time collaborator Sarah Scott breathes life into ‘It Just Goes’ and Jalapeno label-mate Izo FitzRoy guests on the organ-driven ‘Some Day’.

‘Part Time Millionaire’ serves as another win for Jalapeno amongst their slew of recent album releases solidifying their name as one of the finest funk & soul labels the UK can lay claim to.  Flevans has always had a unique ability to keep his projects as unpredictable as his long list of talents and abilities would allow him to be, and while fans rejoice in this thrilling release, the obvious question now is... what's he going to do next?

'American Love Call' by Durand Jones & The Indications

If the first album by Durand Jones & The Indications got people talking then the band's follow-up record seems to have them screaming in the aisles.

The relatively young band, formed while students attending the Indiana University in Bloomington, won over a dedicated and loyal fan base following the release of their 2016 self-titled debut, released through Ohio's Colemine Records.  Their distinctive style of garage-band soul music proved so perfectly apt for the brilliant Colemine Records, who themselves came off an excellent 2018 with releases from Orgone ('Undercover Mixtape') and Ben Pirani ('How Do I Talk To My Brother').

With Durand Jones's gospel-inspired vocal taking centre-stage and writing/producing duo Aaron Frazer and Blake Rhein at the helm, lightning was captured in the proverbial bottle with gritty, soulful gems like 'Smile', 'Can't Keep My Cool' and 'Is It Any Wonder?'. 

'American Love Call' sees the collective return nearly three years later with, dare I say it, a more well-rounded and even more soulful record than its predecessor.  Heavy on the strings, the album really finds itself at home with a series of lush ballads steeped in beautiful vocals (shared between Jones and Frazer) and quality musicianship with standouts including 'Listen To Your Heart', Don't You Know' and 'Sea Gets Hotter'.  There's also an added level of support from some stunning outside artists including background vocals from Kate Mattison from Big Crown's awesome 79.5 and Dala Records stalwarts Patrick Sargent on sax and Freddie Deboe on flute.

From the socio-political opener 'Morning in America' - with perhaps the best line of the year so far with "It's morning in America but I can't see the dawn" - the album is a call to arms, a rallying call for new energy and perhaps a new more united stance for a country that's found itself pulled in conflicting directions.  'American Love Call' is an exquisite soul record from a fantastic band.