Gerardo Frisina
Mystical Funk / Spaced Out

Favorite Recordings proudly presents Deux, the second album of French Jazz-Funk quartet Aldorande. In this new chapter, the four explorers pursue their interstellar trip on the Aldorande planet, deploying their ever deeper love for the 70's Jazz-Funk & Fusion scene. Extending their first visions of this new world, the bigger-than-life arrangements of this second album reflect again their high attention to dramatic narrative schemes, breezy Brazilian vibes, tempestuous funky grooves and strong cosmic melodies from outer space. Classic and contemporary at the same time, Deux is built for the like-minded souls still looking for the perfect beat.Twisting time and space but never forcing the groove, the band dives more profoundly into the Cortex influence of their compositions, with intense female back vocals fitting perfectly into their cinematographic vision. Like a cry in space, could these esoteric incantations be heard by Aldorande's divinities? Or will they be more impressed by the super-tight rhythm section with its bangin' basslines or an irresistible blend of drums and percussion? In the end, they probably would have to surrender after hearing the infinite echoes of the synthesizers and horns reflecting in the atmosphere. Deep and thoughtful, the travel has only begun but it seems that so much has already been experienced. Breaking the code, they opened the gates to a rebirth. One that could be only accomplished by finding the “Pierre des Mondes”, deeply buried somewhere on Aldorande - the only key to solve the riddle of the groove. Mission accepted.You'll find in Aldorande some of the best French jazzmen including bandleader and founder Virgile Raffaëlli on bass (Setenta & Joe Bataan, Camarão Orkestra), Florian Pellissier on keys (Iggy Pop, Setenta, Cotonete & Di Melo, …), Mathieu Edouard on drums (Chassol, De La Soul) and Erwan Loeffel on percussion (Camarão Orkestra, 10LEC6). On this album, they took the initiative to invite two guests on some tracks: AOR singer Al Sunny and killer guitarist Laurent Guillet (Le Soldat Rose, Setenta).

Club culture in France would have been different if not for Micky Milan (real name Milan Zdravkovic). He is one of the true trailblazers of what is known today as French Boogie.It all started when he was the in-house DJ of the highly popular club L'échappatoire in the Parisian suburb of Clichy sous Bois. In those days, he was well connected with Champs Disques, back then, the hippest record shop located on the Champs Élysées and had privileged access to the best imported U.S. 12" thus making his club the undisputed stronghold of disco funk.A significant fact is that he is one of the very few French artists signed on the legendary U.S. Salsoul record label with the song "Quand tu danses". Teaming up with funkateer and close friend François Feldman, the track was recorded with Feldman on keyboards along with the Gibson Brothers on percussions, drums and keyboards, a French group, originally hailing from Martinique and Kamil Rustam who later went on to work to the who&who of soul and funk music adding his powerful licks of funky guitar. The influence of Lamont Dozier of "Going back to my roots", fame is that of a tutelary god all over these tracks. The goal behind this EP is to highlight Micky Milan’s multifaceted musical talents, from disco funk to jazz and synth pop. The record contains two tracks never previously released on vinyl, the groovesque “Paris amour” built on guitar riffs carrying the sexy voice of Alexandra and the instrumental version of "Quand tu danses"; epitomizing the essence of funk and the power of a sound on par with the American productions of the time. Hail to the pioneer.

The Parisian jazz / funk collective The Big Hustle returns with the release of their third LP titled For Life published by Betino’s records. The Big Hustle here definitively asserts its identity, once again demonstrating the strength of the collective, and positions itself as the guardian of "real" organic music from the US jazz / funk tradition of the 70's. The group has chosen for this new opus to refocus on the musical core of the band. However a few selected guests are present, for example the virtuoso saxophonist Baptiste Herbin, and Marie Sané, rising star of the Parisian soul scene.The group returns to a musical approach close to their first LP, favoring instrumental titles to vocal pieces. The artistic orientation here has been to favor mastery and precision over spontaneity and the raw side of the beginnings. Funk in all its forms remains the essence of this album, especially on « 78 Funk ». We can also identify influences from jazz, afro pop, hip hop, modern gospel to rock. The overall sound of the album is marked by a more advanced and worked production. We can discover new sounds brought by the post production work that evoke the sound of dub, hip hop etc ... Nicolas Gueguen (Beat Assailant, NTM, Booster…) is once again in charge of the mixing process and brings his savoir-faire to reveal the best of each track and highlight all the subtleties of the arrangements and the interpretation. For Life stands as the continuation of the artistic path of The Big Hustle : an odyssey in the making through the African American musical tradition of yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Big Hustle is definitely ready to evolve in the current musical world and well beyond. For Life!

Beatsqueeze presents two original electro funk tracks produced by the legendary producer Crazy B from Birdy Nam Nam. Limited vinyl to 500 copies with sticker included.