No doubt this is something to do with his choice of residency at the moment, the Greek island of Santorini as there’s a laid back feel to the album like the opener ‘Thira’, ‘Fingerblood’ and ‘Inspiration’.

The problem for me with anything that mentions Aquarian is that it raises Hectic feelings of a pathological hatred of ‘The Age Of Aquarius’ stage show number. Having said that, the title track has enough Osunlade in to overcome that. So with that hurdle out of the way, what’s the rest of the album like?

Thankfully, Aquarian Moon is a ‘concept’ of variety. You get a full range of influences from ethnic dance jazz (‘The Day We Met For Coffee’), electro space boogie (‘Flow’), funky flute/sax (‘TwoPhish’) and many more all with the trademark Afro-Latin tribal rhythms that Osunlade is known for.

‘Circles’ and ‘Oia In Winter’ are proving to be a favourites at the moment in a gentle funk, big part broken big drum type way with string breezes (you need them in this weather).

He’s not forgotten his dance floor fans. Be patient with ‘SokinSikartep’ whilst ‘Casablanca Soul’ and ‘Music For The Gods’ are much more obvious club tunes.

At the same time as being dance floor-friendly, this is an album that you can comfortably listen to at home or on the move (on a personal note, it was great listening to this coming back from Wychwood Festival last week in the heat of a summer evening)

Osunlade has had a 20-year recording career in which he has collaborated with a wide range of artists and, arguably, he’s now at his best. There are rumours of live gigs to support Aquarian Moon with a full Yoruba Soul Orchestra. Now that’s definitely one not to miss.

Hectic Mix Nomination - ‘The Day We Met For Coffee’ and ‘In Flight’ (it’s the hidden track with aqua bass wobble)

Reviewed: Osunlade - Aquarian Moon (BBE) Cat. No. BBE CD 073 Release date: 12th June 2006
Tracklisting:
1. Thira (2:52)
2. Aquarian Moon (7:20)
3. The Day We Met For Coffee (4:18)
4. Flow (6:42)
5. TwoPhish (5:21)
6. Fingerblood (3:00)
7. Circles (3:44)
8. Oia In Winter (4:37)
9. SokinSikartep (5:32)
10. Casablanca Soul (4:48)
11. Music For The Gods (6:42)
12. Inspiration (3:22) (Hidden Track) ‘In Flight’ (4:26)

Links:
www.yorubarecords.com
www.souljazzrecords.co.uk
www.bbemusic.com
Afro Funké: Thursday June 1, 2006 “Join us this Thursday, as we lay it on thick with a heavyweight line-up of DJs, live horns, and the official record release party for Osunlade’s new album!!” Zanzibar, 1301 5th St. Santa Monica, CA. 90401 www.zanzibarlive.com
www.afrofunke.com
www.myspace.com/afrofunke
www.santorini.com