Album

Abel – Cosmic Law

Abel, Album, Catalogue, Deep House, News, Release, , , , , , , ,

► STREAM & DOWNLOAD

Follow: Abel

There’s a rich sense of heritage to be gained by listening to ‘Cosmic Law’. It’s the new album on Atjazz Record Company from Abel, the distinctly polished house project from renowned DJ and producer, Steve Butler. From catching the house bug in the late 80s as a devout collector, his DJ career went from strength to strength. It saw him perform across some of the UK’s most prestigious nights, not to mention internationally.

Since Abel’s first album, 2017’s ‘Rough or Smooth’, Steve Butler has fraternised with some of the scene’s major players. For ‘Cosmic Law’, he’s also collaborated with some notable talents and musicians. Lloyd Wright delivers guitar and bass performances on the album and is a band member of Smoove and Turrell. Relish bass performance by Stan Woodward and trumpet by Ferg Kilsby, both members of Knats, whilst label mate Ross Hillard, a.k.a., Magic Number, drives ‘Traveller’ with his legendary bass skills. In addition, revel in exquisite vocal performances by both Rona Ray and Sabrina Chyld.

The scene is set as ‘Cosmic Law’ opens with ‘Traveller’. It initiates the theme of journeys through music and life, all in harmony with the universe. ‘Let’s Meet Again’ ushers in atmospheric keys and warm strings. It’s adorned by a trumpet performance that wouldn’t sound out of place in a smoky jazz club in the early hours. Together, they dance over a bouncy, percussive 4×4.

‘Can’t Let You Go featuring Rona Ray’, hears this earthy vocalist paint a picture as emotional as the sentiment behind the title. A bracing performance and a heart-stopping breakdown close this gem. Rona’s second appearance on ‘Cosmic Law’ is ‘In My Dreams’. Its moody verse is switched up a gear by an irresistible chorus, cementing the meaning behind the title of this song. Add a bouncing bass line, and you’re sure to hit repeat.

‘I Just Can’t Wait’ will perk up the ears of anyone passionate about the Balearic sound. It covers an original song by Mandy Smith, and the hugely talented ARCo regular, Sabrina Chyld, takes this classic to new heights. ‘Latin Love’ conveys just that. Nylon-stringed guitar, lush percussion and an uplifting atmosphere ascend us into the early hours.

“The title of this project supports my beliefs in a universal force”, reflected Steve. “After a Deepak Chopra meditation, the album started taking its intended shape, and I was soon connected with the talents of Stan, Ferg and Rona Ray”, he mused.

Include keys, additional production and mentoring courtesy of the owner of the eponymously named home of this release, and we have 11 songs of sheer substance. All convey the force behind this long player’s name. So to sink into this magnificent release, what are you waiting for? Experience ‘Cosmic Law’ now! Available on Atjazz Record Company through all leading streaming and download sites.

Abel - Cosmic Law

Abel – ‘Cosmic Law’ album pre-order now at Bandcamp

Abel, Catalogue, Release, , , , , , , ,

Abel’s Sophomore album ‘Cosmic Law’ is now available for Pre-order at Bandcamp.

There’s a rich sense of heritage to be gained by listening to ‘Cosmic Law’. It’s the new album on Atjazz Record Company from Abel, the distinctly polished house project from renowned DJ and producer, Steve Butler. From catching the house bug in the late 80s as a devout collector, his DJ career went from strength to strength. It saw him perform across some of the UK’s most prestigious nights, not to mention internationally.


Si Tew – Quietude

Album, Si Tew, ,

It’s been some time since we’ve received a long player from Si Tew. The word ‘Quietude’ knows no time, though. It conveys a sense of calm or tranquillity in a person or place. So please, keep this in mind when listening to Si Tew’s brand new and eagerly-awaited album on Atjazz Record Company which bears the name ‘Quietude’.

Quietude is a magnificently mindful, far-reaching, and eclectic collection of music. Incidentally, Si Tew is the artist’s real name. The point is that this musician’s genuine nature shines throughout. Straight away, Quietude immerses its listeners, captivating them like the intro to a high-budget movie, with each successive piece of music forming an aural scene. Tracks echo ambient, downbeat, through to deep house, with elements passing knowing winks to influences as far and wide as Bonobo, Lapalux, Fourtet, Floating Points, Ludovico Einaudi, and Max Cooper.

• STREAM & DOWNLOAD!

Inkswel – Astral Love

Album, Artist, Catalogue, Inkswel, Release, ,

• Buy 12″ Vinyl, Stream & Download

Is it a multi-genre ‘hybrid’, or is the ‘Astral Love’ LP a compound in its own right? It is, most certainly, a composition of sound formed from a very rich heritage that we’re about to examine in abridged form. ‘Astral Love’ is an awesome, inspiring collection of skillfully performed pieces that draw heavily on hip hop, nu-disco, funk and, of course, soul.



Those of non-Antipodean persuasion won’t require, nor appreciate this overly-simplified initial commentary. But, ‘down under’ gifts us with some truly spellbinding interpretations of the arts; food of course, and certainly, very firmly, music. Initially cultivating his craft from Adelaide, to cherry-pick ‘just some’ of the ‘feathers’ in Jules Habib’s cap, might go something like this: 2011 releases on Amsterdam’s BOOGIE BASH; a plethora of remix work from there onwards; outstanding releases on Dopeness Galore; notable ‘tech’ releases on RUSH HOUR’s ‘Store Only’ series; Hot Shot Sounds which included a collab with REGGIE B; Outerspace Connection on the monumental BBE; Planetself on TOKYO DAWN. And now, ‘Astral Love’, on UK-based Atjazz Record Company. But, relax, this will all make perfect sense soon. Very soon.

‘Astral Love’ bears all of the aforementioned ingredients, crafted by Jules Habib under his Inkswel moniker. It’s a bold, accomplished collection of skilful tunes, featuring talent spanning a global alliance of like-minded performers, all of whom are now very much at home, together on Atjazz Record Company.

‘Green Tea’ features a spectrum of antioxidants. It’s a mindful brew of positive rhyme skills, including from Los Angeles-based SCARUB, and it’s further sweetened with vocal hooks by LEILAH REICH, all outstandingly served over Inkswel’s signature sound.

Inkswel’s rich heritage shines throughout the vivid title track, ‘Astral Love’, and so too do the remarkable jazz-driven vocals of a second L.A. native, DWIGHT TRIBLE, perhaps first heard courtesy of Ninja Tune. Inkswel’s own Planetself and MICHELE MANZO further radiate the love throughout this positive head-nodder.

Following on, a gorgeous break begins the journey that is ‘Eachother (Fallin)’: a tale of two souls, elegantly woven throughout a distinctive vocal performance from South London-based singer-songwriter, ANDREW ASHONG.

‘How I Stay’ asserts a tougher direction for the album; a move towards the dancefloor, whilst retaining the now established essences of positivity. An uplifting, layered vocal is masterfully delivered by Jazz Cafe regular, COLONEL RED.

“Beautiful vibes” – Natasha Diggs
“Disco Nu Disco Vibe, Nice!” – Jelly Bean Benitez
“Brilliant LP” – Ashley Beedle
“Great release” – Orin ‘Afronaught’ Walters
“Some great music here!” – Jimpster
“Fantastic sounding album” – Hector Romero
“Sounds massive” – Mark de Clive-Lowe
“Cool!” – Danny Krivit
“Reall good stuff!” – Alex Barck/Jazzanova
“Excellent production throughout!” – Marcel Vogel
“Loving this!” – Rainer Trüby
“Big!” – Jay Scarlet

So now we’re back in Derby, UK, or is it Melbourne or Adelaide? New York, Philly or Detroit even? This eclectic collection of songs, all of which are written and performed without compromise and straight from the heart, deserve a moment on your ears. And you deserve some time with this album. ‘Astral Love’ is available through all major sites now. Click here for links..

Thee Gobbs – It’s Time – His Debut Album Is Finally Here! #itstime

Album, Artist, Release, Thee Gobbs, ,

From his beginnings as a Sound Engineer at the well-known Jazzworx studios, via his two smash releases on Atjazz Record Company, ‘THE LOVE’ and ‘LIKE A DRUM’ Thee Gobbs has announced  himself to an international audience and now this young South African prodigy is finally ready to release his debut album: It’s Time.

► DOWNLOAD

Starting with his debut smash ‘The Love’ we are taken on a ride that covers every aspect of Thee Gobbs’ emerging sound. Dripping with smooth South African soul, the album gently nurses us on a journey that develops and improves as it comfortably caresses our senses.  Gobbs effortlessly adds in those tastes of inventive jazz that separate the good from the great, surprises us with the occasional disco riff, and then hammers the sonic sensation home with emotive and soulful lyrics delivered by some of the finest talent in the scene today.  Johannesburg-based TSHOLO lends his smooth voice to a couple of tracks, SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARD winning AFRO’TRACTIONjoins in an epic duo with MONEOA on the impressively bilingual ‘U Know It’.  Add in other contributions from Nolly Nollz, Kabomo, Merldy B and Bantu Soul (known for his well-received collaboration on BLACK COFFEE’S seminal ‘Even Though’) amongst others and you have a aural offering that delights as much as it soothes and satisfies.

As a special treat to polish off this already impressive effort from an admired SA producer we have also included a selection of remixes from some of the the most-respected artists the scene has to offer, including: SEAN MCCABE, TRUESELF, FISH GO DEEP, the great ROCCO and ATJAZZ to boot!

Atjazz gives us the lowdown on his 20YA anniversary release!

Artist, Atjazz, Atjazz, Catalogue, ,

Photo by: Keyboard Magazine from 1999.

20YA That Something Else! is a collection of music from my early days of production. My first album ‘That Something’ has never been re-issued on any format since 1998 and I though it was a good opportunity to allow new listeners of music sound to hear where it all began.

Further to this I have DAT tapes loaded with 10’s of songs from those original sessions that were never used and stay on the cassettes until the mastering sessions for the 3x CD release.

CD1 is a re-mastered re-issue of ‘That Something’ with a few edits and an up-to-date version of ‘Wind & Sea’ which was one of my first big songs.

CD2 is a collection of music created in my basement studio between 1995 & 1997 and has been edited and mastered for the release.

CD3 is reclaimed music and some old & new remixes. A classic and still a favourite remix of ‘Slide It In’ from Charles Webster, I’d say this remix was far ahead of its time and sounds perfect for the crunchy house market which is very popular today. My two side men, Si Tew & TrueSelf bring some future sonics to their awesome reworks of ‘Story’ & ‘Peanuts’. This just gives a balance of what was and what is now.

Listen & Purchase the CD from Juno Records here > https://goo.gl/4izzxh

I do hope you enjoy these early works, it’s a tough job releasing music today that has such history and was made on such a small amount of basic equipment, it goes to show that some music doesn’t really go out of date and I hope this also allows a little step-back and patience in today’s busy world.

Atjazz x

 

 

 

Jullian Gomes – Late Dreamer

Artist, Jullian Gomes, , , , , , , , , ,

Jullian Gomes – Late Dreamer, Now available for pre-order from iTunes, Google Play & Amazon MP3.

From the age of 13, Jullian Gomes secretly gambled every cent of his school lunch money on buying deep-house records; no doubt with the unknown knowledge that someday, these records would change his life forever.

• iTunes – Pre-order
• Google Play – Pre-order
• Amazon MP3 – Pre-order

Only a few people know this but Jullian used to sneak, yes! sneak into local clubs in and around Pretoria / Tshwane from a very early age. At this time nothing could stop this young man being ‘in the moment’ to enjoy the music that has now, amazingly, become his full time career. Maybe his parents will be ok with the knowledge of his secret nightlife now knowing how incredibly skilled and loved their son has become throughout the world of dance music. Jullian Gomes is truly a very dedicated individual, and this young musical maestro has in just a few years leaped forward and galvanised a career for himself in a very competitive industry.

From his brief visit to London for the Red Bull Music Academy in 2010, to releasing his debut album ‘Late Dreamer’ in 2016, Gomes, with a lot of hard grafting built up his relationships and very quickly covered a lot of very bumpy and obstacle-ridden ground to get him to where he is today. To say this man is ‘Here To Stay’ is a massive understatement.

Late Dreamer is unmistakably the sound of ‘Jullian Gomes’ – wonderfully laid back, thick chunky beat-ridden soulful house music featuring some incredible talent. From the teachings of the wonderful wordsmith OVEOUS, to South Africa’s most celebrated female in dance music ‘Bucie’, Liquid Deep’s ‘Ziyon’ and talenteers Lazarusman, Daev Martin, Sio, Kabomo, Bobby, UK-based Sarai Jazz, and Martin Iveson. A clear and well though out collection of songs, that together make a warm and attractive addition to the world of electronic soul music.

This debut album started out its life in a spark of realisation with Jullian’s mind working in overdrive thinking way back to a time where it all started for him. Working his day job to make his daily bread and thereafter falling asleep in his home studio in the dark of night pushing to carve his musical career. Waking up one morning ‘late’ to go to his day job, he asked himself the question “What am I late for?” this lead to Jullian’s priorities shifting wildly planting the seed that he may be too late to follow the dreams he had for all these years.

This album and indeed Gomes’ whole musical career is the biggest leap of faith he has ever taken and it sure has paid off. Jullian may be in his own eyes a ‘Late Dreamer’, yet he has proved time and time again that dreams can come true if you believe.