Explosion
Jaroesoe Nanga Trobie

After a first album released on Comet Records in 2011 and acclaimed by the media (Selection FIP, playlist Radio Nova, Vibrations, Songlines, Gilles Peterson, Laurent Garnier, etc…), the ©© Les Frères Smith collective is back with an even more ambitious new LP. Recorded the old school way and mixed by genius producer Masta Conga in line with the tradition of the great albums of the analog era, which results in a warm and heavy sound ; a production worth the ones by the Nuyorican Daptone Records or Truth & Soul.

1976's sweetness from gabonese-born singer Pierre Akenbengue !

Following on from Gladys Knight & The Pips, Ramrock Retro have a real goldie on their hands here. Aaron Neville's 'Hercules' is an affecting tune that immediately gets the emotions going. The effortless vocal conveys real soul as the drums swing deep and horns bring the class. A falsetto coo at the breakdown takes things to the next level before the drums power on once more. Flip it over for 'Use Me' by Al Jarreau. It's a familiar sound but whichever version you prefer the results are always the same - deep cut and libidinous slow motion funk that hits different. Aaron NEVILLE / AL JARREAUHerculesRamrock Retro

This EP – taking 4 years in the making – marks the first ever 12” release of the elusive downtempo italo-boogie tune “Guarda l’Amore”, sung by the mysterious italian duo Gianni & Donatella, only previously available on the impossibly rare 1987 “Disco Italia” compilation LP, released on the tiny italian “Disco In” label.Our archives diggin’ job proved to be incredibly fruitful, to the point that we’ve unearthed four *previously unreleased* demo tracks sung by tracks author Walter Canducci along with Gianni, supposed to be part of an LP release that ultimately never saw the light of the day….until now, and guess what – they’re jaw-dropping!Starting with the slap-bass funk bomb “Si, No”, then going into the late-night love maker “Amore Mio”, topping it all with the mellow beach vibes-infused “Come Allora”. On top of that, you’ll also get an alternate “Guarda l’Amore” demo version.We will never know how these lo-fi demos would sound if the original project of Gianni & Donatella singing on all tracks succeeded, but the only existing recorded evidence can sure give a feel of this unique italo-boogie studio project, that has a space in the most respected DJ bags only.

Spanish reissue label Rocafort present this wonderful slice of highlife from Konkolo Orchestra, this time on nice blue wax as well as a plain black version. It's not exactly clear where, or indeed when, exactly the band came from, but their sound is all you need to worry about. 'Blue G' is a lilting, shuffling message of love and support for future generations, and from the message to the effervescent musicality, it's a no-brainer. On the flip, 'That Good Thing' is an instrumental that spirals outwards on the sweetest keys, joyous brass and dreamy guitar, driven by a pattering drum section to radiate good vibes wherever it's played.