Paul Murphy curates a covers heavy Jazz Room comp for BBE

Paul Murphy's dancefloor-ready 13-track Jazz Room Vol. 2 collection is out May 5th. Read all about it and hear a few swingers.

Here's the scoop...

Welcome to the second Volume of the Jazz Room series compiled by DJ legend and label owner Paul Murphy. Following the success of the original Jazz Room compilation released by BBE in 2019, Paul has compiled a double vinyl volume of jazz dance tracks that range from heavy funk of New Orleans to Latin grooves and contemporary jazz from the new generation. Tracks written by Dizzy Gillespie sit with those penned by Raúl Monsalve and Fela Kuti. 

Paul's own label, Jazz Room Records, specializes in re-issues and it is his expertise in finding the rare and the obscure and matching with the new and the fresh that creates the joy filled atmosphere on this compilation. The Jazz Room, Vol. 2 really is as much for the party people as it it for the headz and links the audiences from his legendary gigs in the 1970s and 80s at the Electric Ballroom, 100 Club and The Blue Note to those at his current appearances at Spiritland, Shiftless Shuffle and Brilliant Corners. 

Indeed, among the rarities and the global rhythms in this collection are some excellent cover versions of tracks from the aforementioned Fela Kuti, The Stranglers, Azymuth and The Human League (yes, The Human League). What Paul Murphy has done here is compile a selection of tracks that could easily be a DJ club set, a soundtrack to a party, a Summer festival highlight or a night of music appreciation with a favourite tipple and partner. Pre-order a copy of The Jazz Room Vol. 2 via Bandcamp right here.

Check out Cheick Tidiane Seck's spin on Randy Weston's "Niger Mambo," Daniel Crawford's breezy Robert Glasper-style update of Fela Kuti's "Water No Get Enemy," the Florian Pellissier Quintet's crack at "The Hipster" by Harold McNair and Fast 3's radical Hammond-led reorganization of Human League's "Don't You Want Me?" following the track listing below. 

The Jazz Room Vol. 2 compiled by Paul Murphy

1. Eternal Buzz Brass Band - Sounds Good

2. César's Salad - Manteca

3. Chip Wickham - Rebel No. 23 (7" Edit)

4. The Stance Brothers - Roll Call

5. Cruisic - Jazz Carnival

6. Daniel Crawford - Water No Get Enemy 

7. Los Po-Boy-Citos - Fried Neckbones and Some Home Fries

8. Raúl Monsalve y los Forajidos - Black & Decker

9. Clare Fischer - African Flutes

10. Cheick Tidiane Seck - Niger Mambo

11. Florian Pellissier Quintet - The Hipster

12. Take Vibe - Golden Brown

13. Fast 3 - Don't You Want Me?

Accidental bassist JJ Burnel talks about The Stranglers and more

Listen to JJ Burnel's informative and entertaining chat with Wyatt Wendels for My Planet Rocks from November 21. 

Wendy Rae Fowler previews new album with Stranglers & PiL covers

Listen to Wendy Rae Fowler's versions of "Golden Brown" and "This Is Not A Love Song" off Warped: Resurrection out Nov 5th.

Here's the scoop...

Wendy Rae Fowler has shared a brand new single - her own unique rendition of the Stranglers’ classic, ‘Golden Brown’. Whilst maintaining all the twinkling emotion of the original, Wendy makes the cover completely her own; adding a distinctive whimsical allure, a truly spellbinding rendition, exuding its own haunting grace.  

You may not think you know Wendy Rae Fowler, but you probably do.

Wendy Rae Fowler penned and performed the theme music to the dark-noir thriller, The Killing (AMC), and her music has been featured on Orange is The New Black (Netflix). Her work has been variously described as “Brutal and Beautiful” by The Sunday Times and “Eerie and unforgettable” by The Guardian. 

She was a founding member of We Fell To Earth and has collaborated with numerous bands and artists, including vocals on Queens Of The Stone Age’s ‘Feel Good Hit of The Summer’, Mark Lanegan (Bubblegum, Field Songs, Here Comes That Weird Chill), Eagles Of Death Metal (Death By Sexy) and Maya Jane Coles. Her music has also featured on the critically acclaimed film Jeune et Jolie and the BBC Documentary A Year in an English Garden: Flicker + Pulse. The single ‘This Is Not A Love Song’ off her new album has been recently featured on CW’s The Republic Of Sarah and she has just composed the original score for the documentary film Clay + Bone, featuring Will Self. 

‘Golden Brown’ is out now via all digital music platforms. It is taken from Wendy Rae Fowler’s upcoming album Warped: Resurrection, which is set for release on 5th November via Ghost Rhythm Records. Pre-order it via Bandcamp right here. Listen to her versions of "Golden Brown" and "This Is Not A Love Song" below. 

R.I.P. Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers

Sadly, Stranglers' keyboardist Dave Greenfield passed away on Sunday from complications due to COVID-19. He'll be greatly missed.