BeatCaffeine’s Weekly Record Rundown 06.20.25
For this edition of BeatCaffeine’s Weekly Record Rundown, we dive into the remarkable Marc Decho EP for Colin Curtis’s label, the debut 12inch by the new duo project from Italian producers Nicola Conte and Nico Lahs, Right Tempo’s compilation highlighting the golden era of jazz-infused house music, and a superb lo-fi jazz recording by Netherlands-based multi-instrumentalist Ruben Drenth dedicated to the Bonsaika.
Marc Decho — ‘Forget The World’
(Colin Curtis Presents)
The latest release on legendary jazz dance and Northern Soul DJ Colin Curtis’ superb imprint label features the much anticipated release from Toronto-based producer and electric bassist Marc Decho, titled Forget The World. Receiving a lot of praise on Curtis’ weekly Jazz Dance Fusion show, this brilliant four track EP blends together 70s inspired jazz funk, spacey cosmic grooves, a mix of UK broken beat and Afro-Brazilian rhythms. Joining Decho on the session is James Hill on Fender Rhodes and synths and Marito Marques on drums, percussion and electric kalimba. Another must-own EP release from Colin Curtis Presents!
Nicola Conte & Nico Lahs present Tema Due — ‘EP1’
(Schema Records)
Italian nu-jazz pioneer and producer Nicola Conte teams up with fellow Bari-based and rising producer Nico Lahs on an exciting new project called Tema Due. The duo’s debut EP for Schema Records, simply titled EP1, features two massive tracks for the dancefloor. “Macumba De Oxalà” fuses together heavy-hitting Afro-jazz percussion, deep house grooves and exotica textures. The flip takes things down just a few notches with a more hypnotic balearic cut with some soulful vocals by Oakland-based Lalin St. Juste (also of The Seshen). The great news is this is just the beginning, with a second 12” and a full-length double LP on the way.
Various — ‘Caviar Jazz’
Compiled by Da Funkie Junkie & Cosmic Girl
(Right Tempo)
Milan-based label Right Tempo has recently issued an impressive new compilation covering the golden age of jazz inflected house music from 1995 to 2005, titled Caviar Jazz. This eight track recording was compiled by Da Funkie Junkie and Cosmic Girl, who are both pioneers among the disco, garage and soulful house scenes in Malaysia and Asia, and features music by Jo Boyer, I:Cube (including a Daft Punk remix), Cricco Castelli, Frankie Knuckles, Mondo Grosso, Janet Jackson, and more. This compilation brilliantly captures this fruitful era of timeless dance music.
Ruben Drenth — ‘Bonsaika Suite’
(self-released)
Netherlands-based multi-instrumentalist and virtuosic trumpeter Ruben Drenth has recently released an impressive recording dedicated to the care and nurturing of Bonsaika trees. The ten track album incorporates trumpet solos, double bass from Daniël Muskitta, analog synths and lo-fi beats in what is truly one of the most uniquely sounding albums of the year.
