PZB 101

Friday, March 03, 2023

Kendrick Scott - Corridors

Drummer and composer Kendrick Scott presents Corridors, a striking new album that finds the Houston-born drummer and composer paring down to a trio featuring saxophonist Walter Smith III and bassist Reuben Rogers. The anticipated follow-up to A Wall Becomes A Bridge, Scott’s much-lauded 2019 release with his band Oracle, Corridors features eight original compositions and one new arrangement of a beloved tune from the Bobby Hutcherson canon.

Tracklist:
1. What Day Is It?
2. Corridors
3. A Voice Through the Door
4. Open Door Closes
5. Isn’t This My sound Around Me?
6. One Door Closes, Another Opens
7. Your Destiny Awaits
8. Another Opens
9. Threshold

Yazmin Lacey - Voice Notes

Yazmin Lacey is a singer-songwriter who knows something about coming into her own. She came to music late, she says – “It's never late, but late in the perspective of that I'm doing it now,” – almost as if by fate. And throughout her time in the music scene, the 33-year-old has used her music as an exercise in capturing those moments and putting them into song, as if a snapshot of the intimate parts of her own life.

Debut album Voice Notes is yet another record of those moments. It follows on from three stunning EP’s; Black Moon (2017), When The Sun Dips 90 Degrees (2018) and Morning Matters (2020), a trilogy of sorts, named in part by the settings in which they were written. Voice Notes is similarly inspired by something that helped the album spring to life. A long-held tool of her music-making and way of sharing melodies with collaborators, it’s a method of communication deeply special to her. “For me, a voice note represents an immediate reaction to something,” she says. “[It’s] unfiltered and raw in the way that you can hear it.

Made out of studio jam sessions alongside collaborators like Craigie Dodds, JD.REID, Melo-Zed and executive producer Dave Okumu, the recording process intentionally captured the beauty of imperfection. Lacey opted to forego a polished sound to give way for rawness, the chance to “hear someone's pauses, their stops or the cracks in their voice” much like the album’s namesake.

Sonically she is uncategorisable, made up of many styles and influences. “There's lots of different flavours in there in terms of different ways I express myself,” she shares. “The things that I listen to, music that I love – it’s hard to place it. In some ways I would call it soul because that's where it comes from, my own soul. But I always avoid that; it's all perception.”

She has gained support from Evening Standard, The Guardian and BBC Radio 6 Music, holds fans in the likes of Questlove and notably appeared on COLORS in 2020 with song On Your Own. But besides those wider accolades, it is the smaller, unseen parts of her life that become the story of Voice Notes, and the intimate personal observations Lacey chooses to share with listeners. “For me, it's my reactions to my lived experiences,” she says. “It's the next chapter of all I've learned musically and in life through making those three EP's, and me letting go of a lot of stuff that has happened over the last few years.”

It is those experiences captured in the moment – “breakups, moving, starting again, making mistakes, losing yourself, finding yourself, and being able to tap back into the wider picture of what's important” – that come to the forefront, imperfections and all.

Tracklist:
1. Flylo Tweet
2. Bad Company
3. Late Night People
4. Fool's Gold
5. Where Did You Go?
6. Sign And Signal
7. From A Lover
8. Eye to Eye
9. Pieces
10. Pass it Back
11. Tomorrow's Child
12. Match in my Pocket
13. Legacy
14. Sea Glass

Emmaculate - Deep Rooted

FOLIAGE RECORDS are excited to present the next version of our compilation series DEEP ROOTED.

DEEP ROOTED is here to get its hands dirty and dig amongst the elements to unearth some real deep and soulful gems.

Next up, donned in bibs & braces and with a shovel in hand we welcome EMMACULATE to superbly curate our seventh DEEP ROOTED edition.

EMMACULATE has uprooted something really special and discovered music from the likes of ATJAZZ, INCOGNITO, GLENN UNDERGROUND, KARIZMA, KELLY G, TERRY HUNTER, COFLO, THAKZIN, JIMPSTER, REEL PEOPLE, DJ FUDGE, ROCCO RODAMAAL, RICHARD EARNSHAW, SHANNON CHAMBERS, OPOLOPO and of course EMMACULATE.

There are 2 superb exclusives on the album including EMMACULATE’s remix of MEA CULPA by SIMON KIDZOO & MILLDYKE plus an unreleased mix of BREAK AWAY his collaboration with JULIUS THE MAD THINKER & KAYE FOXX.

Enjoy Digging!!

Tracklist:
1. Simon Kidzoo & Milldyke – Mea Culpa (Emmaculate Remix Edit)
2. Julius The Mad Thinker & Emmaculate – Break Away (feat. Kaye Fox) [Mi Casa Holiday Remix Edit]
3. Incognito – Freedom to Love (Emmaculate Remix Edit)
4. The Light (Guakacvo Tech - Melodius Mix)
5. Kelly G. – Feels Good (Yeah!) [Emmaculate Remix]
6. Reel People – Butterflies (feat. Vanessa Freeman) [Emmaculate Dub]
7. Thakzin & Ray T – Donât Let Me See (Edit)
8. Black Whole
9. Terry Hunter – Madness (Emmaculate Mad on Acid Remix)
10. Coflo & Emmaculate – Division
11. Funkky & Mavhungu – Mitodzi (Jimpster Remix Edit)
12. DJ Patisso – Doha (Main Mix Edit)
13. Tomahawk Bang & Karizma – Iwannagobang (Kaytonik's Consent Dub)
14. The Realm & Atjazz – On the Road (feat. Kelli Sae) [Manoo Abstrakt Dub Remix]
15. DJ Fudge – Mazal (Main Mix)
16. Reel People & Vanessa Freeman – The Light (4phlash Rework Edit)
17. Imaani – Found My Light (Atjazz Remix Edit)
18. Funkky & Nomvula SA – Ngiyeke (Eric Kupper Remix Edit)
19. Richard Earnshaw & Kholi – Addicted (Vocal Mix Edit)
20. Atjazz – See - Line Woman (feat. Dominique Fils-AimÃ©) [Karizmaâs Last 1ne Dub]
21. Shannon Chambers – Basement Funk (Re - Funked)
22. Kelli Sae & Michael Gray – Believe in a Brighter Day (Rocco Rodamaal Remix Edit)
23. Marc – Coltrane
24. Jimpster & Rich Medina – This Thing (Turbojazz & Sean Mccabe Remix Edit)
25. D'Moov & Nicole Henry – For the Love of You (Shannon Chambers Remix Edit)
26. Glass Slipper & Atjazz – Unification Vibration (Main Mix Edit)
27. Reel People & Muhsinah – Something New
28. Nathan Haines – Earth Is the Place (feat. Verna Francis) [Fk Edit]
29. Opolopo & Angela Johnson – Sunshine (Vocal Mix Edit)
30. Taola – Njelele (Jazzuelle Remix)

De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising

Seminal hip-hop group De La Soul have gained control of their back catalogue which will finally be available on streaming from March this year. At the same time, their classic debut 3 Feet High and Rising will be reissued physically, on vinyl, CD and cassette tape.

De La Soul's seminal debut album 3 Feet High and Rising was released on March 3, 1989 and is widely considered among the most influential hip-hop albums of all time. It marked the first of three full-length collaborations with producer Prince Paul and contains the singles, “Me Myself and I”, “The Magic Number,” “Buddy,” and “Eye Know.” The album title came from the Johnny Cash song “Five Feet High and Rising.” It is listed on Rolling Stone’s 200 Essential Rock Records as well as their list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. It is also featured on The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.

Sampling artists as diverse as Hall & Oates, Steely Dan and The Turtles, 3 Feet High and Rising is often viewed as the stylistic beginning of 1990s alternative hip hop (and especially jazz rap). 3 Feet High & Rising was chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry for its cultural significance and general excellence. The album will finally be available on streaming services and in-stores on its anniversary, March 3, 2023.

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. The Magic Number
3. Change In Speak
4. Cool Breeze on the Rocks
5. Can U Keep a Secret
6. Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge)
7. Ghetto Thang
8. Eye Know
9. Take It Off
10. A Little Bit of Soap
11. Tread Water
12. Potholes in My Lawn
13. Say No Go
14. Do as De La Does
15. Plug Tunin' (Last Chance to Comprehend)
16. De La Orgee
17. Buddy
18. Description
19. Me Myself and I
20. This is a Recording 4 Living in a Fulltime ERA (L.I.F.E.)
21. I Can Do Anything (Delacratic)
22. D.A.I.S.Y. Age

De La Soul - De La Soul is Dead

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Oodles of O's
3. Talkin' Bout Hey Love
4. Pease Porridge
5. Skit 1
6. Johnny's Dead AKA Vincent Mason (Live from the BK Lounge)
7. A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays"
8. WRMS' Dedication to the Bitty
9. Bitties in the BK Lounge
10. Skit 2
11. My Brother's a Basehead
12. Let, Let Me In
13. Afro Connections at a Hi 5 (In the Eyes of the Hoodlum)
14. Rap De Rap Show
15. Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa
16. Who Do U Worship?
17. Kicked Out the House
18. Pass the Plugs
19. Not Over Till the Fat Lady Plays the Demo
20. Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)
21. Skit 4
22. Shwingalokate
23. Fanatic of the B Word
24. Keepin' the Faith
25. Skit 3
26. WRMS: Cat's in Control
27. Skit 5

De La Soul - Buhloone Mindstate

Traclist:
1. Intro
2. Eye Patch
3. En Focus
4. Patti Dooke
5. I Be Blowin'
6. Long Island Wildin' (Skit)
7. Ego Trippin' (Part Two)
8. Paul's Revenge (Skit)
9. 3 Days Later
10. Area
11. I Am I Be
12. In The Woods
13. Breakadawn
14. Dave Has a Problem...Seriously (Skit)
15. Stone Age

VA - Record Kicks 20th Rare Box Set

Record Kicks celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a limited edition "Rare Box Set" consisting of ten 45 vinyl with the very best of the label's catalogue out March 3rd.

The boxset is limited to 500 copies worldwide and it will also be released on digital format on that same day, March 3rd. The artwork by Japanese artist Ruminz is an homage to Afro-American culture. Of the 20 tracks on the "Rare Boxset", 11 tracks are previously unreleased on 45 vinyl, while 9 are reissues of mega in-demand gems.

Among the tracks released for the first time on 45, you'll find label's Funk & Soul heavyweights such as "Easy To Come Home" by Sydney funk maestros Dojo Cuts, "Your Love is Mine" by British funk band The New Mastersounds feat Corinne Bailey Rae and remixed by Nostalgia 77, "50 Foot Woman" by Hannah Williams & The Affirmations, "Soul Connection" by The Diplomats of Solid Sound and "Soul of My Life" by The Tibbs. For the first time on 45 vinyl, there are also two singles from the masters of Cinematic funk Calibro 35: "Stainless Steel" from their legendary album "Traitors" and "Ungwana Bay Launch Complex" from "S.P.A.C.E.", The Diasonics with "Andromeda", taken from their debut album "Origin Of Forms", and Whatitdo Archive Group's "Blood Chief" from the band's album "The Black Stone Affair".

On the reissue's front, among the rare tracks that by popular demand finally see the light again on 45 vinyl we find: the afrofunk cover of The Artic Monkeys' "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" by Baby Charles, JB's classic "Soul Power" by Kokolo remixed by Lack Of Afro, The Bluebeaters with "Catch That Teardrop" and "Toxic (One Drop Version)" singles, northern soul floorshaker "I'm a Good Woman" by Hannah Williams & The Tastemakers and deep funk stormer "I'm Not Your Regular Woman" by Marta Ren & The Groovelvets.

The "Rare Box Set" is just the first of many upcoming initiatives that will be revealed during the year to celebrate the Milan's label 20th anniversary. Side by side with similar imprints like Daptone, Big Crown, Colemine or Timmion Records, under its motto "The explosive sound from Today's scene", Milan-based record label and music publishing Record Kicks has been pitching the contemporary funk & soul scene since 2003. With over 250 releases under the belt, the label has released bands from all over the globe and earned support of VIP fans such as rap superstars Jay-Z, Tyler The Creator and Dr. Dre, who took inspiration from the label's catalogue by sampling it.

Tracklist;
1. Dojo Cuts - Easy to Come Home (feat. Roxie Ray)
2. The Tibbs - Soul of My Life
3. The Diasonics - Andromeda
4. Whatitdo Archive Group - Blood Chief
5. Calibro 35 - Stainless Steel
6. Calibro 35 - Ungwana Bay Launch Complex
7. The New Mastersounds - Your Love Is Mine (Nostalgia 77 Remix) [feat. Corinne Bailey Rae]
8. Gizelle Smith - June (TM Juke Remix)
9. Hannah Williams;The Tastemakers - I'm a Good Woman
10. Hannah Williams;The Affirmations - 50 Foot Woman
11. Marta Ren;The Groovelvets - I'm Not Your Regular Woman
12. Martha High - Answer to Mother Popcorn
13. Kokolo - Soul Power (Lack of Afro Remix)
14. Tanika Charles - Soul Run
15. Diplomats of Solid Sound - Soul Connection (feat. The Diplomettes)
16. Trio Valore - Rehab
17. Baby Charles - I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
18. The Liberators - The Directive
19. The Bluebeaters - Catch That Teardrop
20. The Bluebeaters - Toxic (One Drop Version)