Various Artists - Jump Start Music

I'd like you to imagine you've worked hard all week, had a delightful Friday evening to start the weekend, awakened on a sunny Saturday morning and need some music to get you started as you get ready to go out and have some fun.  Jump Start Music is the soundtrack that will accompany you on that Saturday, putting you in good spirits whilst the sun is shining.  Compiled by DJ Ginger Tony from Solar Radio, this 14 track selection includes house, jazzy, latin, and funky grooves to brighten up your day. 

The opening track sets the right mood and puts a smile immediately on your face.  "I Believe" by 45 featuring Stephanie McKay has gutsy vocals and a beautiful melody that made me drift back to yesteryear.  Sumptuous backing vocals, pianos and keyboards blending perfectly, along lyrics of believing in love and dreams coming true make up this outstanding track.  Still on a high of positive energy and affirmation, I was disappointed with the next track, which didn't carry this feeling on and sounded slightly lacklustre in comparison.  "Something's Changing" by the Wet Cookies may have worked elsewhere on the album, did not jump-start me.  However Ginger Tony, almost sensing my dismay, immediately picked the pace again with jazzy track "Do What" by The Jivers; and people, now the fun begins.  From here on in this album is a nonstop rollercoaster of rhythms, grooves, instruments, all handpicked to elevate your spirit.  The instrumental "Un Grao De Ariea" by Club des Belugas takes you away to Brazil with its beat, melody and full-on instruments, you can almost taste the cool caipirinha and feel the sun upon your back.  The sassy horns and funk of "Don't Bring me Down" by Mo'Horizons will make you smile and bob your head.  In comparison, the dark deep bass of "Dig n' Swing" by Parker, featuring the light and jazzy vocals of Laura Collins will make you hum and sway. 

"Love Is In Town" by Germany based Brenda Boykin was the standout track for me in this collection.  A tight jazz track fueled with horns, drums, samples, and the most sensuous, deep rich voice I have heard in a long time; nu -jazz at its best!  Other notable tracks in this collection include the joyful "Sands of Time" by Monday Michiru, the dramatic "Squeeze Me" by Kraak & Smaak, bossa nova infused "Day by Day" by The Jazzinvaders, and modern dancefloor anthem  "Higher High" by Ralf GUM featuring Daniel Thomas. 

This collection of songs is guaranteed to get your Saturday morning started.  Play it as you get ready to face the weekend; play it in your car as you cross town; play it on a grey day winters day and imagine what the forthcoming summer will bring.  Like any collection, there are a couple of tracks that sound like fillers and could easily have been sacrificed.  However like any good collection, you get introduced to artists you may have never heard of before, leading to what may be the start of a new musical love affair.   Once again Soul Unsigned Records have shown they know their market and continue fill their niche slot beautifully.  Highly recommended.

By Ricardito