Check out our selection of future and old classics for this week's Heavy Rotation!
→ This week! US/Colombia afro-latin funk beach hit "Pambelé" by Captain Planet and Jimena Angel, the inspired heavy synths and beats of British producer Palm Skin Productions, new LP on London-based label Rhythm Section by Montreal raised Gayance. Heading to Nigeria to wrap this week up with two amazing sought-after highlife and afro-funk reissues: The Good Samaritans from 1982 on the label Analog Africa and Remi Kabaka's Son Of Africa LP from 1977, originally released on Chris Blackwell's label Island Records, now reiussed on BBE.
Captain Planet (Los Angeles) and Jimena Angel (Colombia) join forces to create the infectious groove-filled uplifting track "Pambelé". Blending Afro, Latin, and funk styles, this single is part of Captain Planet's upcoming album "Sounds Like Home" set to be released this month. The Captain, a world-trotting DJ and music producer, incorporates his vast knowledge and appreciation of classic music into his compositions, while Jimena Angel, a pop singer from Colombia, brings her passion and knowledge of her Colombian heritage to the vocals. A perfect beach hit!
Hailing from St Leonards-on-Sea, Palm Skin Productions (AKA Simon Richmond) drops his latest EP, Trickle Up, on which he unleashes "Stealing The Sunset," a pulsating track with infectious beats and intoxicating synths. Released in March 2023 via Tru Thoughts, the EP is a call to arms against "trickle-down economics". With thirty years in the industry, Richmond has collaborated with some heavy-hitters, from DJ Krush to Depeche Mode.
Mascarade, the debut album from Montreal raised Gayance, showcases bold and inventive soulful electronica beats. One standout track is the soulful electronica banger, "Clout Chaser's Anthem", featuring the exquisite vocals of Janette King and the striking rapping of Hua Li. The whole album deserves a repeated listen and showcases Gayance's wide creativity.
Analog Africa presents Dance Edition No.20, featuring the intoxicating highlife music known as Edo Funk! "Ughamwen-Rhienenemwen" by The Good Samaritans from the LP (aka "No Food Without Taste If By Hunger") showcases bouncy bass lines, raw trance-like grooves, wah-wah guitars. Philosopher Okundaye produced the band's first album at Phonodisk Studio in Ijebu-Igbo, east of Lagos with a 24 track. This reissue has been newly mastered by Nick Robbins and approved by Philosopher Okundaye himself, bringing "The Good Samaritans" back to turntables around the world.
With pure afro-funk grooves, Remi Kabaka's "Meteorite" from the LP Son of Africa, released on the infamous Chris Blackwell's Island Records in 1976, is a sought-after gem. Kabaka was a cornerstone of British West African music and a session player for legends such as The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood... Son of Africa was his foray into the UK West African Funk scene and is a 30-minute masterpiece of sinuous, spare funk. Don't miss this limited BBE Music reissue, complete with updated liner notes.
Following up on his 2022 LP "Okra", Australian David Versace releases new single "Marseille Movement" next Friday on La Sape Records. It's a beautiful, fun and well crafted piece of contemporary latin jazz, gathering musicians from both the London and the Australian scene. Future classic premiere only on Le Mellotron !
Last month, we introduced you to the work of Portuguese producer Pedro Ricardo with the track "Do Outro Lado do Mar" from the amazing Jazzego compilation Granito featuring many interesting Portuguese jazz projects. Today we're super happy to Premiere "Cantar das Kandakinhas", one of our favorite tracks from Pedro's first LP Soprem Bons Ventos, which translates to "Good Winds Blow". A beautiful folk track filled with a delicate guitar reminiscent of the artist's Portuguese background, airy vocals and some mysteriously repetitive background vocals. Haunting! The LP is out this Friday 17th of February via never disappointing Soundway Records!
After his critically acclaimed previous LP "Navegar" back in 2021 (which features the Le Mellotron highly rotating "Se Você"), Carioca, Lyon-based João Selva is already back and about to release his anticipated new LP "Passarinhos" on Underdog Records, teaming up once again with hardest working French producer in the tropical funk music business, Bruno Patchworks! The album is packed with future Brazilian funk classics, including the super addictive "Sete Ventos" which we are super happy to premiere here!
Only a few weeks after the release of their beautiful EP "Sequences", French jazz/hip-hop quintet is already releasing their first mixtape tomorrow on French Menace label. A solid contribution to the genre and a confirmation of the band's virtuosity. We're proud to contribute today with the Premiere of "Quiet Storm", one of the many already future classics on the album.