Berlin based Swedish saxophonist Otis Sandsjö returns with the sequel of his album Y Otis. Released on the Finish label We Jazz Records. The album is absolutely exceptional, taking jazz into the future with beautiful and modern free-form inspired by contemporary electronic music but entirely instrumental. It’s a lovely piece of music and comes on this awesome “glow in dark” psycore edition. One of the highlights of 2020!
Released on the brilliant First Word Records, “Nothing Remains Unchanged” is the new album by the incredible Aussie producer and multi-instrumentalist Ross McHenry. Joined on this album by jazz luminaries Eric Harland (drums), Ben Wendel (saxophone) and NYC-based Australian pianist Matthew Sheens. Recorded over the course of three intense studio days in New York. The album is flowing like a gentle river it feels relaxed and energized at times offering a great listening experience. Without a doubt one of the highlights of the year 2020!
Hailing from Wellington, New Zealand Cory Champion’s Jazz project, Clear Path Ensemble releases his debut album via the New Compositions record label with the assist on vinyl distribution by HHV records. Cory’s already known for his left field, techno and house music productions and this is his first project into Modern & Spiritual Jazz. The album will take you on a personal journey following into the artist’s story telling through improvisations and free form. A liberating experience, like being transported into an imaginary world filled with music and instruments.
For our first blog post of 2021 this album felt like the perfect fit. “In Search of Hope” feels like the right keywords to set the tone for this new year. Kaidi Tatham brought us this incredible album last year released under the First Word label. Filled with hope and positive vibes the album uplifted every listener’s spirit during one of the toughest years of our existence. That’s why this album is a great listen at the moment when we’re hopeful and staying positive for a fresh start this year.
The German label Tramp Records released this 4 parts compilation gathering an international roster of Jazz artists & bands. With many live recordings capturing the magic of a stage performance. The selection of music is raw, deep and spiritual to use their own words. They did us the honor to include Organic Pulse Ensemble in volume 4. Please check out the project directly via Tramp rec.
Prophecy is an incredible album by Sydney, Australia based musician Laurence Pike. He wrote and recorded this album in the Summer of 2019 during the catastrophic times of the bushfires. The rest of the world had an apocalyptic year in 2020 but for most Australians the proving times began half a year before. Prophecy has an existential theme around these crazy times we live in. A little bit like shamanistic ritual music Prophecy gives us matter to reflect over the drum arrangements and jazzy contemplative melodies. Here’s a serious(ly) good album with an heavy theme that will absorb you entirely and live you with an feeling of meditative serenity. It was released in the Summer of 2020 on The Leaf Label.
Little throwback today with one of our favorite albums of the last decade that is an absolute gem on vinyl as well. Released on the imprint Innovative Leisure back in 2016, “IV” by the Canadian band BBNG was an instant classic and illustrate to perfection the genius in the quartet’s music. The album feels from start to end like an escapade into a alternate/bizarro world where rules aren’t the same. A little bit like a soundtrack to a master piece movie all in one. One of these great albums that sound fresher every time you go back to it. And if you’re not familiar yet make sure you give it a listen!
Organic Pulse Ensemble is just one very talented multi instrumentalist musician and song writer from the north of Sweden. Which if you are not being told really doesn’t feel like it. He has the art of making his music feels like it’s being played live by a band while in reality it’s just genius work with a multitrack recorder. His music is the culmination of spiritual and free form jazz. For this incredible album “The Light Comes Black” that was released on Urban Waves Records early in 2020 the subject is the very long day & night cycle that the Northern part of our world is experience and how magical it is when the sun comes back after sometime months of night time. A must discover if you aren’t familiar yet!
Danish double Bassist Jasper Høiby brought us this new album Planet B which is the first in a series. Jasper masterfully creates and writes music, with a strong message and a lot of inspiration and meaning. Planet B starts with an intense intro talking about our place in the universe then slowly zooms in different places on earth following multiple stories at once. A beautiful album that will take you on a journey of realization. An incredible piece of work to say the least. Planet B was released with the UK record label “Edition Records” earlier this year. Can’t wait for the follow up!
The Diabolical Liberties is the project by Rob Gallagher (aka Earl Zinger and Doug Carramouche) and Alex Patchwork (head of square-pushing). High Protection & The Sportswear Mystics is their first LP release and brought to you through the record label On The Corner. This fantastic album is described as an unpolished gem of a record that falls clumsily in the gaps between post-punk, electronica and jazz. Like a poetic journey of self discovery and reflection into the past, it will bring you back a few years into a sweaty & smoke filled basement club where people were dancing their balls off after munching on unspeakable substances. This is a great album to have a transcending experience on. The vinyl came with a really nice booklet which has photos and words that expands on the album. Definitely a must have record in any respectable collection.
