It only seems like five minutes since we were reviewing the debut album ‘Circles’ from Thando Tshoma, the South African producer we know better as Jazzuelle. Fresh from the plaudits he had for that, Tshoma returns with an album that in all truth takes his music to a higher level. ‘Rebirth’ is essentially a deep house record but it brings in some really well chosen guests to add a bit of spice. Each one of Lars Behrenroth, Jonny Miller, Shimza, The Jinn, Dwson and Fka Mash make a telling contribution but it’s probably the Behrenroth collaboration ‘Proxima’ that just shades it, an ultra-cool piece of writing that brings back memories of early Matthew Herbert amongst others. Meanwhile ‘Supernova’ captures a wider space, panning out to include the night sky with echoes of claps and other percussion to set the nocturnal scene. Jazzuelle’s organic tracks are boosted by really cool keyboard sounds and smoky, middle distance atmospherics that place us in a warm and welcoming dark space, with deep, funky beats and hooks to grab onto. Tshoma is on to something really special here, keeping a high quality threshold throughout and subtly shifting his sounds to keep the music living and breathing. A superb album of comforting and stimulating deepness.
Ben Hogwood
5 out of 5
JAZZUELLE – REBIRTH – GET PHYSICAL
