Echo Romeo
Your Tears

Eight years after the critically acclaimed Alien Cartoon, Senegalese producer IBAAKU returns with JOOLA JAZZ LP !An alchemy of jazz, electronic sounds and Casamance music in the tradition of Touré Kunda and Xalam in their day.The album is also accompanied by a short film:a manifesto of resilience in the face of the sound poet's personal historybut also a questioning of the way in which technologies technologies and cultures come together to reinitialize our imaginary.Identity: The meeting point of electronics, jazz and the musical tradition of Casamance.The realization of this new project is associated with a research approach to traditional Casamance rhythms, vocals and instruments.A reference to Spiritual Jazz is also present, through stories and approaches ; while the skeleton of IBAAKU's tracks remains experimental,with strong influences from the emerging African club scene.

After his acclaimed debut EP « Cotonou » on Alma Negra’s record label, James Stewart comes back with his new EP Atlantic River Drive for Mawimbi Records, featuring two collaborations with Ghanaian kologo musician Ayuune Sule as well as two remixes from Simbad aka SMBD.James Stewart met Ghanaian kologo musician Ayuune Sule, after booking several shows of kologo music star King Ayisoba in Lyon. Stewart was quick to witness the bluesy tone of Ayuune’s voice and his kindness as a musician, despite his impressive stature. Quite logically, Stewart invited Sule to record vocals on two of his ongoing demos at Bruno Patchworks’ recording studio (Voilaaa, Mr. President, Da Break), with the idea of making a rather unheard crossover between traditional kologo music and contemporary styles that would both appeal to Ghanaian crowds and a Western audience. Stewart then had a number of his arrangement ideas re-recorded by a talented cast of musicians, resulting in a brilliant mix of acoustic and electronic textures, sounding both vintage and modern.Nodding to Eddie Palmieri’s landmark record “Harlem River Drive”, “Atlantic River Drive” is a stomping dancefloor track, drawing from the 6/8 feel of kologo music and the energy of contemporary club music. The track can be read as a tribute to the musical cross-pollinations between the African continent and its many diasporas, which Stewart has dedicated a long part of his life to, but also as a more intimate story about his life and family. All words were written by Stewart and then translated by Sule in his native Fra fra language from Northern Ghana.“Where Are We Going?” is a two-part journey that reminds us that we should care about each other, about our communities while we don’t know what the future is made of. An important and much welcome message to navigate through these troubled, uncertain times. Referencing congolese N’dombolo tracks, the track has two parts and rich arrangements, with its first part going deep with syncopated clarinet hooks and playful percussion parts, and its second part moving to a four-on-the-floor pattern and an entrancing baritone saxophone solo. The EP also features Worldwide FM and Brownswood maestro Simbad, who delivers two dancefloor-ready reworks of the track “Where Are We Going?” under his SMBD moniker, turning it into a spiritual, dubby journey, as well as an emotional house music track

As Halloween hits, so does French producer Walter Mecca on Favorite Recordings, with his new 7 inch boogie anthem. "Gaab Squad" is a tribute to early-80s boogie, plugging vintage synths, slick West Coast vocoder and drum machines... the result is heavy! "Disco Rouge" is a spatial Disco track in the pure French disco tradition of the likes of Jean-Pierre Massiéra, Disco & Co…

**** DIZONORD DEADSTOCK ****Dizonord team discovered DJ Moppy’s label Animal Right Records back in 2016 on a Detroit Threads’ shelf. ARR-002 was previously released in 2017, check Larkspur for a luminous and sweet house music track and there are lots more breaks the LP. A concept collaboration album featuring the vocals of Lailah Reich & the production of DJ Moppy... For the flowers & bees & trees...

Parisian DJ & producer’s duo, Cléon & Jazzy Pidjay, are back as Last Bongo In Paris, with a hot new 12inch filled with Latin & Brazilian soul-funk vibes... With raw drums, heavy breaks and jazzy flavor, these 5 tracks EP should quickly become a hit for all groovers and dancefloors!!Cléon & Jazzy Pidjay have been united through their love of music and hip-hop culture for a while. DJ Cleon is one of the finest producer in France for breakdance battle music, also respected as a fine wax digger, mixing all kinds of music together, such as disco, funk, soul, jazz, breakbeat, hip-hop and more old and new records. Alongside his mate Jazzy Pidjay and his great production and mixing’ skills, they give a new dancefloor life to hidden and forgotten musical treasures, through funky uptempo tracks.

Out now on Nowadays Records, Phazz & Everydayz joined forces to release their debut collaborative concept LP, Almeria. The new 10 tracks project features a smooth combination of hip-hop infused future beats that will make you feel a real spirit of cohesion between the two French producers. Phazz has already gained respect from the likes of XXYYXX, Cashmere Cat & Just Blaze while Everydayz is a rising musician who will cement his spot in the scene after this release. Check it out!