Tag: Jazz

Floating Points – Crush

The making of Crush was powered in part by the lasting creative energy Shepherd felt during a string of dates supporting the xx, for which he performed alone with only a modular synthesizer. Contrary to his intent, his sets were typified by a newfound level of dynamism and a lack of regard for merely easing early arrivers into the mood for the headliners. That approach is sensed through much of Crush. Shepherd created the overwhelming majority of it on his own, albeit with more than enough gear — including his Rhodes Chroma, this time controlled with a customized tablet app — to stage a 2019 equivalent to the photo on the back of Herbie Hancock’s Sunlight.

Various Artists – Indaba Is

‘Indaba Is’ is a collaboration with 2 luminaries of the South African Music scene pianist / songwriter Thandi Nthuli and The Brother Moves On’s Siyabonga Mthembu who act as curators / musical directors on the project.

Nikitch & Kuna Maze – Débuts

‘Débuts’ is France-via-Brussels duo, Nikitch & Kuna Maze’s (aka Nicolas Morant & Edouard Gilbert) first full length album. Building on their collaborative EP “Mush”, ‘Débuts’ continues to explore the melting point between jazz and club culture, interspersed with the signature sounds of broken beat, Chicago footwork, UK garage, Detroit house, and underpinned by their road-tested new live format.

Marcos Resende & Index – Marcos Resende & Index

Far Out Recordings brought us the first issue ever of the self-titled debut album from 1976 that was never released before. This is a fresh taste of the glory days of progressive Brazilian instrumental music. The album is incredible and it only took 45 years to be publicly released. Jokes apart, it could have never been out so we are very grateful to both Marcos Resende and Far Out Recordings for doing this. Thanks to them we are blessed to discover such an incredible project. Feels like unveiling a lost treasure.

Mark Guilian – BEAT MUSIC!

Mark Guiliana is a world renowned drummer hailing from New York City. Back in 2019 he released this incredible album that displays very impressive beat music to say the least. With a laidback style the album takes you on a journey of discovery with impressive rhythmic and a unique perspective on contemporary electronic music. A bit like the soundtrack of a futuristic dystopian sci fi movie, the album tells a story while exploring an handful of genres. Check it out if you didn’t know about it yet, you’re in for a good surprise

Misch and Yussef Dayes – What Kinda Music

One of the biggest happening in the world of music in the last few months was “What Kinda Music” a collaboration between Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes. The album made such a buzz and the love it got is totally deserved. The two musicians are touring together and they might come near you in 2021. Our local date is already sold out months in advance though. Even under times like these some events are not to be missed. The album came out on legendary Jazz label Blue Note. If you are living under a rock and haven’t heard this one yet well check it out without further ado, we thought we’d mention it though.

Don Cherry – Om Shanti Om

This album was actually recorded by RAI (the Italian public broadcasting company) in 1976 for a documentary and Black Sweat Records blessed us last Summer with a new press on vinyl. Don Cherry brings together the world in one album, with different musicians from every continent the African core of the music expands in an international way in Om Shanty Om. A very spiritual journey that will take your mind away and floating around the most beautiful places of this world. Big recommendation here! check it out.

Key Elements – Key Elements

Here’s the Key Elements debut album that was released in 2020 at the Berlin based label Sonar Kollektiv. Key Elements is a trio formed by Marian Tone (DJ/producer), Waldi (drums) and Jim Dunloop (keyboard & Bass). With this album they delivered an exciting experience inspired by hip hop, jazz, ambient, electronic and funk music. This is a super enjoyable album to listen and vibe to. Check it out!

Takuya Kuroda – Fly Moon Die Soon

New York based Japanese Jazz musician and producer Takuya Kuroda released his new album with the label First Word Records a few months back. The album is filled with positive vibes and hits exactly the right spots when it comes to our music needs right now. This is a perfectly arranged album, the project for Fly Moon Die Soon started in 2018 and took about 2 years to complete. The result is astonishing. Have a listen.

Etuk Ubong – Africa Today

Etuk Ubong is a Nigerian Trumpeter and band leader. His music draws from Jazz and African inspirations, he developed his own genre he call “earth music”. With a strong message his music flows perfectly. The album released with the label Night Dreamer was captured live and directly pressed into disc at Haarlem’s Artone Studio, an incredible studio equipped with amazing vintage setup. This method of recording takes us back at least half a century ago. Providing one of the purest form of sound. Thanks to the incredible sound engineering work it’s like you’re sitting in the recording studio with the musicians. Collaborating with Michael Awosogo and musicians from the UK & Netherlands. The album was recorded just in one sitting from start to end on the last day of a five days session. The result is simply breathtaking.