Falling That You Know – JIM

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Essential new EP from ‘JIM’ that’s James Baron of Crazy P, a move away from the dancefloor into singer / songwriter territory. Out now via Bandcamp, see link below to listen & buy.

‘Since first emerging as part of Crazy P in the late 1990s, James Baron has released a lot of great music. However, he’s previously put out very little quite like the Falling They You Know EP, his first solo outing as JIM on NuNorthern Soul.

As those who’ve followed his career closely will tell you, Baron has worked on a number of lauded projects outside of Crazy P, including Ron Basejam (his nu-disco focused solo alias), Secret Stealth (a sample-heavy collaboration with Nottingham stalwart Bob Sadler) and White Elephant (a Balearic-minded outfit featuring Crazy P partner Chris Todd and old friend Benjamin Smith).

The FALLING THAT YOU KNOW EP sees Baron exploring an explicitly stripped-back, sensatory and soft-focus sound. It features a quartet of hazy home recordings created using little more than an acoustic guitar, piano, keyboard and some toy instruments belonging to his children. The music stretched across the EP is warming, wide-eyed and picturesque, with Baron showcasing his rarely heard singing voice as well as a finger-picking guitar style he’s spent the best part of 18 months perfecting.

Those with a wide-ranging musical palette will spot subtle sonic references to some of Baron’s lesser-known musical inspirations, including singer-songwriters Ned Doheny and Nick Drake. There’s a folksy, homespun charm to the campfire-ready bliss of loved-up opener ‘Falling That You Know’, where Baron delivers his own thoughtful lyrics atop shuffling shaker percussion, layered acoustic guitar, smooth bass, synth-strings and sustained piano chords.

Arguably even more impressive is ‘Phoenix’, a swelling, simmering and sweeping semi-acoustic cover of the Cult track of the same name featuring backing vocals from Crazy P chanteuse Danielle Moore. Magical and mesmerizing, Baron’s version takes the goth-rock classic in a stunning, sunset-ready new direction.

Baron’s dedication to the finger-picking style long associated with British and American folk music comes to the fore on ‘Whisper in the Wind’, a future early evening singalong that gently builds across six spellbinding minutes. From a delicate and pared-back start, Baron layers up instrumentation including additional guitar by White Elephant’s Benjamin Smith, drums courtesy of Crazy P sticks-man Matt Klose, and his own mazy, spacey synth lines.

Then there’s closing cut ‘You Know What To Say’, an effortlessly emotive, tactile and atmospheric affair that cannily distils all that is good about Baron’s latest solo venture into three magical minutes. It offers a near perfect end to an EP of rare pastoral beauty.’

Jamu – Chris Coco

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Lovely new album release from Chris Coco, file under ambient / deep listening / jazz / cosmic / balearic. Perfectly timed for the return of the sun, slow burning deepness that’ll reward some time and repeated listens, get it at Bandcamp link above and get your best headphones ready for a treat…

‘This is a new album project called Jamu. It is the second collection from Chris Coco inspired by the magical island of Bali, following on from the 2017 album Return To Good Karma. The title is the name of a drink made of local herbs sold by street vendors that is good for health and vitality. I hope we have created a musical version of that healthy juice with our particular variety of ingredients.

This project was made in collaboration with a close group of musician friends. Each person played their part separately on the simple original grooves and soundscapes, inspired by the rhythm or what the last player or singer had laid down. We built a ‘live’ sound without ever playing together. After that I used the live parts to edit and process to eventually create the finished work.’

Released March 5, 2021

Not Going Out – Alex Aguayo

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‘With light at the end of tunnel and thoughts of dancing again etching ever closer, Higher Love Recordings first release of 2021 sees them teaming up with Mexican producer Alex Aguayo for some unashamed hands in the air peak time electronic righteousness. The EP comes with 2 different takes on the original from label owners, Balearic Ultras and Whiskey Pickle’s Adam Warped.

Not Going Out starts with a bang, knocking out a four to the floor Italo electro cowbell beat and layering the synths to a proper almighty breakdown. A sustained reach for the lasers attack then ensues. What’s your name and what you on pal?

The Balearic Ultras provide the first remix. Developing the sound around Alex’s emotive synths, they add big breaks and a splash of acid. The tracks builds and builds for over 4 minutes before unleashing the ‘Rave Again’ breakbeat.

Rounding the release off is Adam Warped’s delicious slice of electronica. It features dance music’s most famous birds, subtle electro breaks and lush key and guitar work from Adam. A completely different take on the tune that would work as the sun sets over Sant Antoni de Portmany or at 4am on Sunday morning in Lost Vagueness with European Bob.

Not Going Out…. but….. Not Long Now….’

Releases February 26, 2021 – Buy at Bandcamp here.

Need Somebody – Hazy James

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Future classic klaxon! Here’s a cracking new release on Our Starry Universe, ‘Need Somebody’ from Hazy James is a slow burning, melancholic chugger. Over it’s melodic eight minutes it builds in intensity and brightens in atmosphere, a piece that will reward repeated headphone plays and could really work in an early hours ‘lose yourself’ club set (we can dream right?).

It’s paired with a b-side remix from ALFOS legend Sean Johnston in his Hardway Brothers guise. Sean keeps it deep and chugging as you’d expect but raises the temperature with hypnotic bells, loon birds and euphoric builds, expect this to delight the ALFOS faithful in Sean’s ‘Emergency Broadcasts’ over the Spring, yep it’s a banger 🙂

Need Somebody is out on Our Starry Universe 5 March on 12” vinyl and digital via Bandcamp – Listen buy via player below