Category Archives: Switched On

Switched On: Boozoo Bajou – Finistère (Pilotton)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is the first long playing release from Boozoo Bajou for nearly ten years. The Nürnberg duo of Florian Seyberth and Peter Heider are up to their fifth album, and in that time they have seen little reason to change a musical philosophy that has seen them produce some high quality down tempo music over the last 20 years.

Finistère sees them migrate to a new label, their own Pilotton imprint, presumably giving them more autonomy over musical decisions. These include vocalists JULES and Steve Spacek, who contribute guest slots along with co-producers Fürsattl and MODALiST.

The vinyl edition contains exclusive album versions.

What’s the music like?

Boozoo Bajou have the knack of making their music sound completely effortless from the first note., and so it is with this album. “You don’t have to say anything, you don’t have to do anything”, says the voice on Pen Ar Bed – and so it proves. This is music borne of the outdoors, with slow, dusty beats that creep across the sonic perspective, with easy guitar-based material close up and various atmospherics far off.

The beats are typically slow and dub-infused, with heat-soaked panoramas opening up on tracks like Tough Times. This is one of two excellent vocals from JULES, who adds more of a vocalise to Tiefer, later on in the album. She is complemented by Steve Spacek, whose contribution to Sparks features a beautifully measured vocal that takes the groove unexpectedly near to Sade territory.

Of the instrumental tracks, the tick-tock of Orfeu marks the easy passing of time, Calcutta Glow ambles easily down the street and Viajantes, an exotic-sounding number, comes to the listener through a thick heat haze of atmospherics. All these and No Catch, a sultry number, could easily last for twice as long and not outstay their welcome.

Höhensonne is rather lovely in its extended mix, the glare of the sun beating down on the listener, the musical equivalent of the middle of a hot day.

Does it all work?

It does. Boozoo Bajou play to their strengths throughout, the collaborators are very well chosen and the music finds just the right balance between laziness and emotional involvement.

Is it recommended?

It is, without reservation – an album that proves every bit as good as the last four Boozoo Bajou albums. These guys know the meaning of the word ‘consistency’!

Listen

This album is due for release on Friday 3 November, when a Spotify link will appear here.

Buy

You can explore purchase options for Finistère from the Boozoo Bajou website

Published post no.1,994 – Monday 30 October 2023

Let’s Dance: Abel – Cosmic Law (Atjazz Record Company)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Steve Butler‘s brief is to deliver polished music under his moniker of Abel, for which this is his second album.

To do it, he has enlisted a team of live musicians, who are well worth name-checking as they are some of the best in the business. Lloyd Wright, who plays regularly with Smoove and Turrell, plays guitar and bass, while extra bass is added by Stan Woodward a member of Knats along with trumpeter Ferg Kilsby. Meanwhile Ross Hillard (Magic Number) gives out bass on Traveller. Vocals are supplied by Rona Ray and Sabrina Chyld.

What’s the music like?

This is an excellent and classy dance music album, and the live musicianship is the cherry on the top, right from the sultry introduction with Kilsby’s muted trumpet before the beat drops on Traveller. The instrument also takes the lead in the smooth grooves of In My Dreams.

The vocals are excellent, both Chyld and Ray complementing the hot weather grooves with effortless ease. Ray’s regretful vocal on Can’t Let You Go is an emotive one, while Sabrina Chyld’s pair I Just Can’t Wait and Come And Save Me are very nicely done.

The instrumental numbers are great, too – Glasshouse, Jazz In The Room and the percussion-rich Latin Love are all very nicely done.

Does it all work?

It does. Whether chilling by the pool in Mediterranean heat or ready to hit the floor in a sultry club, Abel’s music is more than fit for the job.

Is it recommended?

It is. Cosmic Love offers up sunny vibes from Abel to brighten up the dreariest of days.

Listen

Buy

Published post no.1,993 – Sunday 29 October 2023

Switched On: Sofia Kourtesis – Madres (Ninja Tune)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The story behind Sofia Kourtesis‘ debut album is an inspiring one. It is dedicated to neurosurgeon Peter Vajkoczy, for the life saving surgery he performed on the Peruvian DJ’s mother. Following the sad loss of her father, Sofia’s mother had become gravely ill, but she sought out Vajkoczy, dedicating a track to him, and rather wonderfully he agreed to treat her mother – who is now better and living in Berlin.

Madres, the Spanish word for mother, is a musical depiction of the emotions Sofia has gone through in the course of her own mother’s illness – but also represents Vajkoczy’s part in the album, for he joined Sofia on nights out in Berghain. As well as documenting her mother’s recovery, Madres is a document from Kourtesis to her home country, containing percussion and field recordings from her homeland, as well as documenting the pain of being ostracised for her queerness.

What’s the music like?

As uplifting as much of the story told above, but with deep emotional fluctuations. Kourtesis writes fluently, making richly expressive house music that has attractive twists and turns. The voice of Kourtesis complements her warm synth registrations. Only one track has guest vocals, but it’s a cracker, Estación Esperanza harnessing a strong percussion soundtrack while featuring the voice of Manu Chao. Lead single Si Te Portas Bonito is an absolute beauty, a hot weather treasure with full bodied synths and the voice of Kourtesis herself.

Vajkoczy – a tribute to the man himself – has a persuasive rhythmic lilt, while true euphoria is reached from the wonderful How Music Makes You Feel Better, an ode to the power of recovery at the hands of our favourite art form. Meanwhile Funkhaus goes more for the jugular, a propulsive dancefloor winner.

Does it all work?

It does. Madres is a beautifully executed album, its ebb and flow ideally managed so that Kourtesis hits all the right spots.

Is it recommended?

Very much so. A fine debut from a bona fide dance music talent.

Listen

Buy

Published post no.1,992 – Saturday 28 October 2023

New music – Sofia Kourtesis: Madres (Ninja Tune)

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by Ben Hogwood

Tomorrow sees the release of a highly anticipated new album from Peruvian DJ and producer Sofia Kourtesis. Arcana has been getting to know Madres, and can confirm the anticipation is definitely worthwhile – as you will read in a review soon. For now, here is one of the album’s standout tracks, the sultry Si Te Portas Bonito, a summer beauty. Listen and enjoy!

You can listen to clips from Madres, and explore purchase options, at Sofia’s Bandcamp page:

Published post no.1,990 – Thursday 26 October 2023

New music – Universal Harmonies & Frequencies: Multidimensional Transformation (Yeyeh)

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by Ben Hogwood

Here is a striking track from the team of Hieroglyphic Being (aka Jamal Moss) and his collaborator, saxophonist, producer and composer Jerzy Maczyński. The two are to release their Tune IN album on Yeyeh at the start of December under the banner Universal Harmonies & Frequencies, and if this single Multidimensional Transformation is anything to go by, it is going to be quite a melting pot of beats and ideas. The signs are good!

Have a listen below and see what you think:

Published post no.1,984 – Friday 20 October 2023