Check out our selection of future and old classics for this week's Heavy Rotation!
→ This week! Rising Aboriginal Miss Kaninna releases her first single, Ghanaian King Ayisoba released vibrant new LP on Glitterbeat, and a new delivery from brilliant DJ, record collector and taste maker Rebecca Vasmant's label with Glasgow-based collective Azamiah. Looking back at Sunbear's 1977 LP with funky and enchanting "Let Love Flow for Peace" and the great puerto rican Bobby Valentin's folky "Fire And Rain" from his 1970 LP "Algo Nuevo" on Fania.
Melbourne-based Yorta Yorta, Kalkadoon and Yirendali woman Miss Kaninna is making a statement with her debut single, "Blak Britney". Released on May 4th by Soul Has No Tempo, the infectious track is an anti-establishment anthem and a call of empowerment to aboriginal women. With razor-sharp bars over elastic synths and crisp percussion, Miss Kaninna takes in elements of pop, rap, and R&B. Her provocative lyricism and bold songwriting encapsulate her experiences as a young Blak woman in Australia. An artist to watch!
King Ayisoba's "Good Things God Knows" presents an uplifting and infectious fusion of Afro-pop styles, driven by the artist's signature kologo sound. With its spirited vocals and lively rhythms anchored by resounding talking drums, this track highlights Ayisoba's shamanic stagecraft and restless sonic experimentation. Hailing from the Upper East Region of Ghana near Burkina Faso, the artist has achieved international acclaim as a performer and collaborator, leading to his recent LP "Work Hard" via German label Glitterbeat Records.
Glasgow-based collective Azamiah has released a soulful jazz track titled "Night Woman". Led by powerhouse vocalist India Blue, the band’s sound is influenced by the rhythm and grooves of the natural world. The song features soulful horns and vocals accompanied by piano, bass, drums, saxophone, percussion, and trombone. The track was released on May 3, 2023, under Rebecca’s Records, a Glasgow-based label run by DJ and music collector Rebecca Vasmant.
Hailing from LA in 1977, Sunbear's self-titled debut on Soul Train Records (later Solar Records) showcased their soulful, funky sound. "Let Love Flow for Peace" is a standout track, with enchanting piano and dreamy vibes that contrast perfectly with its killer funky bassline. Sunbear's core duo of Ahaguna G. Sun and Werner "Bear" Schuchner only recorded one album before moving on to other R&B projects. Despite their brief career, they left behind a glorious slice of soul and funk.
Fania's 1970 release "Algo Nuevo" from the legendary Bobby Valentin features the soulful, folk-influenced track "Fire And Rain". Valentin's versatility as a trumpeter, bassist, arranger, composer, and record label executive is on full display here, offering a fresh and dynamic take on the evolving Salsa genre.
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.