Oku Onuora
Reflection In Red

Taking the tradition of Jamaican music to utilise the same rhythm tracks for infinitum, here, as an accompanying release to the boogie version of I’ve Been Waiting For You (ERC081), is a twist on that ideal, not using the riddim but an actual remake of the song, with a digital reggae cover of Glen Ricks’ classic.Released some 8 years after the Seraff Records single in 1991, the re-titled I Have Been Waiting saw Ricks team up with dancehall legend Philip “Fatis” Burrell and his Xterminator label.Starting with the Kings & Lions label to release the likes of Sugar Minot and Tenor Saw, Burrell soon launched the Vena (1985) and then Exterminator (1988) – later Xterminator – labels as vehicles to the rising dancehalls stars, to much acclaim.This limited 10” release showcases perfect digital re-versions, using Ricks’ soulful vocals across a simple bells and horns topped “casio” riddim. The transference comes in traditional vocal and version, so who better to craft a special extended “digimix” than returning to the ‘cut’n’paste’ skills of DJ Duckcomb. Again he steps up, mixing seamlessly between originals, adding desk dubbing when required and bringing a new flavour to Emotional Rescue.

For their next release, Futuribile looks to the work of Salerno star Carlo Fontana, presenting a set of hard-to-find & unreleased treasures titled ‘La Musica Del Sud.’Carefully remastered at the West Hill Studio, the collection of tracks — which features contributing arrangements from Tullio De Piscopo — forms a moody pop funk paradise, with jazz horns and soul brass layered together, and amorous vocals crooning, supported by lush harmonizations and greasy gliding bass. Disco beats and exotic drums dance, prismatic pads and soft synths seek the stars, piano and guitar sing a spaced out blues, and amidst the moving grooves and deep swinging jams, moments of beautiful balladry emerge to touch the spirit.Carlo Fontana's work is further testimony to a courtly and sophisticated musical aesthetic in vogue in Naples (and surrounding areas) between the 70s and 80s which had as its main proponents and protagonists exceptional musicians such as Joe Amoruso, Tony Esposito, Pino Daniele, Elio D'Anna, Enzo Cervo and many others.