Well, well, well… This time, this is it as we’ve definitely jumped into 2K4 with its cohort of questions on almost everyone’s lips like what will this new year bring us, will it be better than 2003, and the likes ? These added to what appears as the most important one : the mutation that we’re living nowadays with the inceasing development of the technologies and the obligation that is made to us to define new codes in order to nothing but survive... Yes folks, you’ve clearly understood : we’re talking about survival and this concerns the whole recording industry which means YOU in a way or another, should you be an actor of this world or simply a fan. Could it be that what has been taken as a friend for a long time – in other words, technology – might be seen as a potential enemy ? Feel free to drop us a line on our forums section. Nevertheless and as already said before, we can only get stronger if together instead of showing these too numerous individualistic attitudes that are the usual ones that might be seen when say the ship shows signs of wreck. No, brothers, never count on us to be like these too numerous publications who, by offering their colums to the richest, have progressively lost the sense of the values, showing us nothing but a world of artifices at light years from the truth and selling their souls. It’s f****** time to restaure the idea of respect… Respect to the savoir faire, respect to the talent but, most of all, the respect to each other, knowing that only time will tell…

What will this new year bring us ??? Damned too early to have an answer. At least, this first month of 2004 has definitely its moments albumswise…

Would be quite surprised to hear you saying that you’ve never heard of Schema Records. Well if so, guess that you’ve missed quite a lot already so far with acts like Nicola Conte, Fragmentorchestra or The Dining Rooms, to name but a few. Not to mention this talented trumpeter delivering us what has to be taken as its most achieved effort so far : the aptly entitled Hi Note ! In the true vein of what this respected italian label has delivered so far, Frisina goes one step further, subtly modernizing the world of latin jazz, with a bunch of killer grooves from " Inviolation " to " Heading From What I Know ", "Joyas ", " Bluesanova " and " Saeta 03 ", to name but a few. All in all, an album cointaining descarga pearls as well as chill out jewels (more info : www.ishtar.it).

Our second step brings us straight to the opposite part of Europe – in other words, Scandinavia – with one half of Puddu Varano, Morten Varano and brit singer,Lady Z, united under the Slow Train moniker (Murena Records). Could this be the revival of nu soul. Well, it depends first on what is to be taken as soul and, subsequently, nu soul. What we have here could well be taken as a sort of post Soul II Soul work due to its fluidity, thus with a bit of electronic and a drop of pop elements, judging by the concept of their " In The Black Of Night " (the first cut to be taken from their debut-LP), the groovy " Naturally ", the gliding " Stoned Boy " and even the dubby atmospheric " Inna City Woman ", meanwhile elsewhere is the moving "Intituition " with some dancefloor appeal (more info : www.murenarecords.com).

Although their names (Gianni Siravo & Roberto Santo) sound italian, they represent one of the most progressive sides of the grooves in their native country… Their moniker ? Sequel, hailing from Zurich, Switzerland.

Some of you may have heard of them while getting their hands on the One Steap Ahead compilations series from Straight Ahead record label (cf. " Upsolid "). Well, they have very more on offer this time, as they release their debut-LP called Motorized Instinct. The fact that they have it issued on Jazzanova’s label, Sonar Kollektiv tends to confirm their credibility on the modern jazz funk scene and you surely won’t be disappointed. Surrounded by various guest vocalists, they give us a serious but sober lesson of twisting the vibes ; from the electratmospheric soulful and plaintive " I’ve Been Waiting " to the flexible and funky " Disease ", the housey " Neptune, Moon & Mars ", the compact " Be There " showing their know how on the broken beat area as shown by the sharp " Disorder " at the end of this trip (more info : www.sonarkollektiv.de).

If already familiar with IDMW.com, the Novanova moniker should sound familiar to you as this french duet (but is it still existing really) sees its new effort – Memories –on F-Com nominated as our album of the month. Needless to say that if ever into the contemplative sounds at their very best, this album will with no hesitation soon become one of your favourite of the genre or shall I say state of mind (more info : www.fcom.fr).

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People like to say in France that music tempers the manners and it’s exactly what happens while listening to Café del Mar – Dreams 3 compiled by our very own Bruno (Leprêtre). Yes folks, be assured of finding some paradisiac aural moments on this 14 tracks collection paying a tribute to beauty. The beauty of one of the most famous spots worldwide – Ibiza – at its very best when relieved of its ultimate hordes of drunken hooligans, when out of all these cliches that have made its summer reputation. Not one of these numerous so called lounge compilation but the genuine side of atmospheric muzak to tear up your minds and hearts, with acts like Bliss, Gaia Project, Zino & Tommy, Buffalo Sanchez or Hibiki Connection. Merci Bruno ! (more info : www.cafedelmarmusic.com).

Many of you, to say the least, never got the chance to see Kerri Chandler in full effect. And when I say full effect, I trully mean it as trully shown two times in a raw at Sunslice Festival in Toulon, France, when acting like the master of the game, surrounded by two guest DJ’s and live drummers ! This to tell you that Kerri is not only a DJ in its traditional form, but more of a DIY showman, working not only with desks but almost everything we may imagine (sampler, special FX, additional drum kit, etc) to provide a rare effect on the crowds. This added to his numerous skills as… DJ/selector, singer, composer, arranger, producer and you are in front of one of the best performers worldwide in his genre. Another demonstration been given there with this Live version of his Trionisphere album recorded at Space Lab Yellow in Tokyo (more info : www.kingstreetsounds.com).

Loads o’good thangz 2 come dis month out of the King Street/NiteGrooves camp, with the release of Abstract Afro Journey mixed CD by none other than Ron Trent. The one and only at the desks, providing amunitions from Anthony Nicholson, USG, Mateo & Matos, Ananda Project, Dennis Ferrer, Kerri Chandler, DJ Spinna and Blaze… And you got almost everyone on this mental trip carrying the landmark of the master (more info : www.kingstreetsounds.com).

A bit sad to come to talk about Bang The Party as this weekly NYC rendez-vous launched in 1997 doesn’t exist anymore ; at least in its original form. Nevertheless, its promoters, Lorie Caval and Eric Clark better known under the E-Man pseudonym have managed to leave some trace of their work. The latest being not only a DJ but also a vocalist as notoriously shown on his numerous collaborations on display there, should it be with Markus Enochson, DJ Romain or Kerri Chandler on the anthemic " Brooklyn : Where I Live ". In fact, one could say that this collection is B’Klyn at its best, versatile and emotional featuring Urban Soul’s marvelous " Happy ", the unmissable " Chuckie’s Turn " being one

of the best Glenn Underground’s tunes to date and the percussive " Fort Greene Jazmataz " from Brooklyn Soul Boys. And the good news for those who’ve passed on this is that Jellybean Recordings release it this month on vinyl (more info : www.jellybeanrecordings.com).

Not that many series achieve their 12th issue these days. Well, the much respected Jazz In The House has done it (thanks to Phil Asher !), although I’m not too sure if we still can speak about jazzy house or housey jazz !!! At least, these selections from the West London guy are surely the best to come out from the Slip’N’Slide camp these days, so we won’t complain, finding tracks from DJ Oji & Una, Blaze (although not originally on S’N’S this time), DJ Jorj revamped by the latest, Blak Beat Niks, Nathan Haines and Reel People amongst others. If not really surprising, not too bad neither (more info : www.kickinmusic.com).

Technology : friend or enemy ? Ask the question to those numerous musicians searching for a tomorrow and the answer will come from itself. Well, you’ve guessed it and if not a brilliant demonstration is once more given by the ever boiling french jazz scene and most particularly by Wise. Their Electrology debut album sounds like another breathe of fresh air pushing the improvisations to some nu limits, as demonstrated on " Paname Panic " as the opener to this 10 tracks collection. And this is just the beginning. Quite like the swinging " Insights " with its spoken words, the sensuality of " Trail Of Tears Pt.2 ", the confidential atmosphere of " Eleven Pt.2 " and the fluidity of " Le troisième homme " with its cinematic feel (more info : www.naive.fr).

Speak soon,