Jo Stance - Jo Stance

label: Ricky-Tick
releasedate: October 13, 2010
cat #: RTCD019

Back in 2007 Ricky-Tick Records introduced Stance Brothers and their album Kind Soul, a gritty instrumental soul / funk setting masterminded by and fully canned by Teddy Rok at his home studio.

Fast forward a couple of years, and we are blessed with a magnificient new album from ”A Magnificient New Talent” (as declared on the cover). A singer by the name of Jo Stance.

Although Jo Stance is a standalone project, not meant to be a straight continuation to what made the Stance Brothers, the connection is evident in more ways than just the name. The album is recorded in pretty much the same manner, at home using analog multitracks, with the duo responsible of nearly all the sounds, only helped out by friends on horns, Jukka Eskola and Timo Lassy – or should we call him Diamond T. Sparks (remember him?) on this occasion?

In fact I’m told that this session would not be without Mr. Sparks, who initally drove Teddy Rok to produce some of Jo’s album, which later on took the current form.

I’m so very glad it turned out this way, because the result is astounding. Last summer many top clubs and various DJs picked up the 45, ”Hey Girl!”, making it a bit-of-a-hit for afficionados from Helsinki to Brooklyn, NY. The tune’s laid-back, vibraphone driven melody was ideal for the summer breeze, alright, but I was still caught off-guard when I first listened to the whole set.

I knew Jo could sing the Soul, she had done so on the background of the great Finnish soulman Tuomo, and Huba, to name but a few, but to step out into the spotlight is something very different. I feel the singers in Finland usually tend to be a bit wary, as if a bit excusing to be on the mic. But that can’t happen singing soul. You have to lay it all on the table so as to tell you’re the star.

This is where I think Jo Stance succeeds with flying colors. Whether she is in-your-face raw and powerful – the way you know I love it – like in ”Sticky” (an absolute future classic), ”Treated” or ”Changes”, or heart-warmingly mellow as in ”Me and You” or ”No More Tears”, she feels real, the songs feel really close to her.

This is the one of the most significant records out of Finland this year (there is still one gem waiting at the Ricky-Tick HQ…) and the best Finnish Soul album since 2006′s ”Keep Reaching Up” by The Soul Investigators. The album is a homerun for Jo Stance as a singer, for Teddy Rok invading new territories as a soul producer, as well as Ricky-Tick for expanding their release range into soul music.

5/5 by Janski Arnimaa

CD/LP + mp3/ Digital out in Finland now, with international release to follow (will elaborate on the dates later)

http://www.jostance.com/

http://www.myspace.com/jostance

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jo-Stance/156441657708658

Webstore with international shipping options @ http://www.recordshopx.com/

Four Tet - There Is Love In You

label: Domino
releasedate: January 25^th 2010
cat #: WIGCD254
style: house

Domino releases Four Tet much anticipated new album on January 25. “There Is Love In You” is Kieran Hebden’s fifth album and his first proper full-length in over four years offering nine new gems. Two pre-album singles, Love Cry and Love Cry Remixes are already out including Joy Orbison‘s fantastic retake of the equally great original version. Check FT’s new website for his latest Plastic People Mix and more on this release: www.fourtet.net

Four Tet – Love Cry – Joy Orbison Remix

José James - BLACKMAGIC

label: Brownswood Recordings
releasedate: 1st Feb 2010
cat #: ?
style: jazz

2010 will be the year of José James. After his much loved debut solo album “The Dreamer” released two years ago, he is ready to share his second one called “BLACKMAGIC” produced by the likes of Flying Lotus, Moodyman or Taylor McFerrin. Expect nothing but quality beats with the touch of José’s magical voice. Detroit Loveletter, Touch and Love Conversation are the main highlights. Gilles Peterson‘s website has the full monty on the album including background story plus audio previews. Since Verve Records signed JJ, there is also going to be a special album of jazz standards in duet with pianist Jef Neve called “For All We Know” on Impulse Records around May.

Jose James – Black Magic (Simbad Dub) UNRELEASED by simbad

Silhouette Brown - Two

label: 2000black
releasedate: 8 February, 2010
cat #: ?
style: soul

The first Silhouette Brown album became an instant classic when it came out in 2005. 5 years later Dego, Kaidi Tatham and the mighty Bembe Segue are back with “Two” maintaining the same top quality and soulful vibes now joined by extra US guests like Lady Alma or Sadat X. The Japenese Especial Records will put out the sampler Leave A Note and 2000black is releasing the album in early February. You can follow SB on twitter and 2000black.com is set to be relaunched very soon. Happy New Year to All!

Silhouette Brown – Leave A Note feat Lady Alma

Out on 26 October 2009, with more info on 4hero.bandcamp.com.

Take a look at the video of Ayanna Witter-Johnson’s cover of Give In.

The new LP is a move forward to more electro-robotic sound but without loosing their intimate soulfulness. Yukimi Nagano is as magical as ever and now the edgy, uptempo beats are providing great context to her hypnotic voice. Each new track can be taken as a gem, though Feather (this will be the first official single), Looking Glass or Thunder Love purely radiate out of the whole. Fortune and Blinking Pigs have already been released on a single earlier this year. The album cover is designed by the Japenese artist Hideyuki Katsumata who also made the animation for LD’s nice Fortune video last year.

Tracklist: 1. A New 2. Looking Glass 3. My Step 4. Feather 5. Thunder Love 6. Never Never 7. Runabout 8. Swimming 9. Blingking Pigs 10. Come Home 11. Fortune (free official dl)

Here is a tasty live video of the new song Never Never from their worldwide album tour. (thanks to pathanapong)

Machine Dreams is out 31, August on Peacefrog Records. Buy on sight!

Official Website: www.little-dragon.se

You can already listen to some of the new songs BlackMagic, Lay it Down, Beauty or Save Your Love for Me (a cover of Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderly version) on his myspace page or alternatively on Beyondjazz radioshow here. The Black Magic got the remix treatments from Simbad and an up & coming UK talent Joy Orbinson. The latter is heavily played by mr Gilles Peterson.

Saxophonist Timo Lassy out of Finland has also teamed up with Jose for his forthcoming single The More I Look At You, check the lovely preview at  www.myspace.com/rickytickrecords His seven-inch will be out in July.

The Friends We Love project shares a special live video here with JJ showcasing his previous and forthcoming stuff:

José James is currently on tour and will be performing live at Gent Jazz Festival tomorrow.