From the imagination of drummer and percussionist Tim Doyle, the "Chiminyo" cape is flung over the shoulders once more for the release of the standalone single 'Oceans'. Not too far removed from the 'NRG 2' release from late-last year and with the promise of more releases over the coming months, this synthpop gem serves as another outstanding reminder of Doyle's boundless versatility. It's not as if further reminders were really even necessary - outside of the Chiminyo project, Doyle continues to lap up praise and plaudits following his sensational Uniri and Cykada releases through Astigmatic Records as well as continuing to chalk up touring and collaboration duties for an elite selection of UK jazz talent. Continuing to run the gamut of Chiminyo's electronica-themed recordings to Maisha's rousing spiritual jazz performances, Doyle continues to deliver as a supreme London-based talent.
The always sensational Leona Berlin returns with her first single of the year, hopefully as a pre-cursor for much more to come. With two full-length albums to her name, along with a clutch of standalone singles, remixes and collaborations, Berlin's Bandcamp page continues to deliver as the hub of her musical gems. A genuinely essential voice for contemporary R&B and neo-soul, Berlin's sincere and impassioned music always results in an annual highlight which proves to be the case once again for latest single 'Taking Off'. The cosmic-disco-inspired track finds Berlin suitably at home as her typically excellent vocal finds itself firmly at home on the uptempo number.
The brilliant jazz-funk collective return with an excellent track in continued anticipation for their upcoming album release. 'Vortex', which will be revealed as the band's fourth album to date, is already proving to set expectations high following the album's two enthralling singles unveiled thus far in 'Final Approach' and now with 'Love Will Come Around'. Showcasing a mildly more focused sound than the typically energetic jazz-funk - and not forgetting the elegant twinges of broken beat - that we normally associate with Resolution 88, it's a change of pace that looks set to deliver an outstanding album within the quartet's catalogue. Not really renowned for their vocal contributions, 'Love Will Come Around' has the added bonus of featuring leading UK vocalist Vanessa Haynes who sounds incredible over the band's luxurious soundscape.
The release of 'Fragile' marks a very welcome return for producer and musician Ben Blackadder who once again partners with singer and songwriter Rebecca Armstrong (Rea). The duo's previous collaboration - for the debut Blackadder single 'Near' - was a notably sublime affair and still ranks incredibly highly within the catalogue of David Hanke's Bathurst label. The lush production and terrific vocals are again revisited for current single 'Fragile' which for this go-round opts to inject a splash more dancefloor-friendly energy into the composition while retaining its enviable organic characteristics.
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