It`s an eclectic selection from The Insider this time out. We find them mediating for a moment with Blendreed`s spiritual saxophone set, and then slowly moving through Miles Away`s super soul selection, to Bosq`s very Balearic shake of Martin Buscaglia`s mad latin fusion, Lulu & Lyma`s deep diva house, and, finally, Ralph Session`s floor-filling Freaknik. 

Super selections and wonderful words by our favourite four-to-the-floor expert, The Insider. 

BLENDREED / ARMAUN / TENRORIO COTOBADE

Forget the mindful meditation class and listen to Armaun by Blendreed instead. The work of French saxophonist Musina Ebobissé, Armaun stands for Ambient Resistance Music Against Urban Noise. Taking a stand against the interference of invasive noise of city life in 2024, the playful and peaceful tones of Ebobissé`s sax, hypnotise listeners into a hypnogogic state. A soothing balm for ears, a cashmere blanket for minds,  as each breath goes deeper, stress vacates the body. Fusing jazz and ambient to form a thing of beauty with a tangible,  relaxing effect, you might compare this audio elixir to the music of Eno or Jon Hassell. It also shares DNA with the Terry Riley`s tape-loop experiments. 

MILES AWAY: ONE / MILES AWAY RECORDS

Miles Away: One is the debut compilation on Miles Away Records, the imprint brought to life by former Acid Jazz label manager Dominique Williams. Personally, I am so thankful for his deep digging and dedication to finding these dusty gems, hunting down original artists, and the sometimes painstaking process of legitimately licensing, so that the world can enjoy these hard-to-find audio beauties. From Idris Muhammad’s spiritual-jazz recording of I’m A Believer to Yes It’s You by Eugene Smiley, from Ruth Waters Superstar to Paulina Virgo’s Vale Valor, and the pick of the comp, for me, the timeless cover of the Stretch cut Why Did You Do It by Lady Africa Margaret Singana. Pretty much played by everyone in the know right now. Buy this album and take your home collection to a whole other another level.

MARTIN BUSCAGLIA / CEREBRO, ORGASMO, ENVIDIA & SOFIA / LOVEMONK

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Martin Buscaglia is a key figure in the Uruguayan music scene. Famous for fusing Latin rhythms with psychedelic grooves. In 2006 Martin released the album, El Evangelio Según Mi Jardinero’ on Madrid-based label, Lovemonk. The set has has since become one of the Uruguay’s most iconic long players with its mix of funk, and Candombe. Lovemonk have now lifted the song, Cerebro, Orgasmo, Envidia & Sofia, sung by Arnaldo Antunes, from the LP, for a 7” single.  The OG is flipped by perfectly pitched remix by Boston-born, Medellin-based super talent Bosq. Who resists the temptation to bump the track up, and instead keeps it in the mid- tempo zone. The 45 alsos features some scribbles on the centre label that really made me giggle.

LULU & LYMA / HOTMOLTENLAVA / LUMBERJACKS IN HELL

You gotta give it to Marcel Vogel, the Amsterdam based underground hero whose ear for primo alternative disco sounds shows no sign of letting up. Established in 2010, his Lumberjacks In Hell label and has a stellar list of releases that include Jamie 3:26, Rayko, Karizma and Giovanni Damico. New signing Lu/Lu & LYMA now drop Hotmoltenlava. The duo consists of Lucas van Ee and Tjerk Lammers who are both heavily involved in the Amsterdam music scene. Here, Lu/Lu produces while LYMA supplies a deep and soul drenched vocal. The resulting mix of super sexy RnB and smooth house rhythms marks a triumphant return for LIH, breaking the imprint`s 2 year hiatus. 

RALPH SESSION / FREAKNIK / FREERANGE RECORDS

Ralph Session’s star is certainly in the ascendancy. The Brooklynite, now based in Barcelona, has created an unmistakable NYC house sound, and been making all the right moves with his releases on Razor-N-Tape, Local Talk, Large, Nervous and Exploited Records. His own label might be called Half Assed, but it and Ralph are most definitely highly credible. For his Freerange Records debut Ralph join forces with Juliet Mendoza – an esteemed vocalist who has graced sides on Planet E, Ocha, and Shaboom. The E.P. features 4 takes of the track, Freak, with Frizner Electric`s Ladymonix providing a modern Detroit flavour on her remix. The E.P. proves that while Ralph may be part of a new generation of producers, he has all the hallmarks of his deep house ancestors in abundance.