RADIO: Jus Like Music Show w/ B.A.N.G. interview (07 Apr 12)

The latest edition of The Jus Like Music Show on NTS is now available to stream and download via our podcast feed. We featured an interview with the enigmatic spoken word emcee, B.A.N.G., that we recorded recently in east London.

B.A.N.G. spoke to us about his lifestyle, his artistic processes, and his charitable endeavours! All interspersed with a few tracks from his recent Ice Cream For The Eskimo album.

Beyond that, we played a solid selection of new music, including tracks from Gang … [read more]

EXCLUSIVE STREAM: Rough Fields – Edge of the Firelight

We’re very pleased to be able to bring you an exclusive first stream of Edge of the Firelight, the debut album from the much acclaimed Rough Fields.

[Now the album has been released, the stream has reverted to 90-second clips. Purchase the full release here.]

Released on Monday 26 March on the Bomb Shop label, Edge of the Firelight is the long awaited ten-track longplayer from James Birchall, AKA Rough Fields.

Rough Fields’ series of limited edition cassette EPs at the … [read more]

REVIEW: Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again

Michael Kiwanuka‘s much anticipated debut album, Home Again, is out now via Communion Records. Beyond a year or two of underground gigs, highly sought after EPs, radio appearances and a handful of accolades, the album is here.

Most reviews for this album start either with the words ‘neo-soul’ or ‘BBC Sound of 2012’, but let us consider this without any of that baggage. We’re not here to necessarily review the man’s chances of success, we’re just here to say what we … [read more]

REVIEW: Gang Colours – The Keychain Collection

For those who may not yet be familiar with Gang Colours, let’s start with the introductions; Gang Colours is the artist name for Will Ozanne, a young producer from Southampton, signed to Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings imprint, and it’s really not hard to see why the much-revered DJ fell in love with Ozanne’s music.

The first track on Gang Colours’ debut album, The Keychain Collection, is called Heavy Petting, and it’s the best opening to an album I’ve heard in years. It … [read more]

FREE: Monster Sneaker – Paintball

Enjoying high acclaim from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Mr Scruff and Bonobo, plus commercial popularity with compilation appearances (including Hed Kandi) via their own projects, Monster Sneaker is a new production partnership from Tru Thoughts buddies; Xavier Jean (Azaxx | Tru Thoughts) & Jonathan Radford (Diesler | Tru Thoughts / Freestyle / Unique Records). The boys have been hard at work crafting a sound to bring soulful rhythms back to the dance, and now they’re ready to share it!

So, to celebrate … [read more]

VIDEO: Ifan Dafydd – Treehouse

This is the official video for Treehouse by Ifan Dafydd, lifted from the EP of the same name which is out right now on Push & Run.

I’m sure Mr Ifan Dafydd is sick of hearing the comparisons, but it really does feel like he’s picked up where James Blake stopped to go and have a more drawn out moody sing-song in the charts. Either way, Ifan Dafydd has snatched that baton from James Blake and is so far doing a fantastic job. … [read more]

REVIEW: Portico Quartet – Portico Quartet

Portico Quartet‘s self-titled third album has finally landed via Real World Records, the label originally started by Peter Gabriel back in 1989.

The UK-based Portico Quartet, so named after inclement weather at an early gig called for a performance under a portico, return at the beginning of 2012 with a slight alteration in personnel. Nick Mulvey, who previously played Hang, the angelic Swiss instrument that gave distinction to Portico Quartet’s early material, has left to pursue solo projects, and is replaced by … [read more]

REVIEW: Various Artists – Spiritual Jazz 2: Europe

Following on from 2008′s first incarnation of Jazzman Records‘ compilation, Spiritual Jazz, comes a second excursion into the rarely defined sub-genre, entitled; Spiritual Jazz 2: Europe. As the name purports, this compilation focusses on spiritual jazz music from Europe. Specifically it focusses on music created between 1960 and 1978, all under the tagline of being; Esoteric, modal and deep jazz from the European undergound.

Out right now on CD, 2xLP and digital download, Spiritual Jazz 2 contains eleven absolutely exquisite tracks. The … [read more]

EVENT: Submotion Orchestra at The Scala, London

Submotion Orchestra are back in London to dazzle audiences with their unique blend of organic, orchestral sounds and dubbed out, electronic stylings. They will be playing at the illustrious Scala at London’s King’s Cross on 15 March, and thanks to our lovely friends at Soundcrash, we have an exclusive 2-for-1 offer on tickets for this event!

SPECIAL 2-for-1 OFFER: Tickets are ordinarily £14 each, but if you use our special link you’ll get two for that price. You’ll need to be quick though, … [read more]