Words by Justin Turford
As usual, a diverse selection this month but I suppose the one thing they all have in common is their fusion of ideas and cultures, a fluidity of influences that create something new and fresh. Enjoy!
Unknown Mortal Orchestra ‘Earth 1’ (Jagjaguwar) - Huge fan of these guys generally but this is a different side to their talents. Trippy, jazzy, even Krautrock-ish, ‘Earth 1’ is the first track from ‘IC-02 Bogotá’, part of “an instrumental series called the IC where they spend time in a chosen city and improvise and collaborate on non-vocal music. Recently the band spent time in Colombia to make music and initiate their new keyboard player Christian Li.”
ESINAM & Sibusile Xaba ‘Ready To Love’ (W.E.R.F. Records) - ‘Ready To Love’ is a bright, percussive, and melodically playful track anchored by a driving bass line, inspired by Ghanian highlife and the rhythmic movements of ESINAM’s baby during pregnancy. Sibusile’s Zulu lyrics reflect themes of pure, infinite love that flows straight from an open heart. From their debut collaborative album, Healing Voices, - scheduled for April 25.
João Leão ‘One Of These Things First (Undiú)’ (LOCAL DISH) - The B-side of a new 7” from the Brazilian-Canadian artist. João's gorgeous, lofi rearrangement of Nick Drake's ‘One Of These Things First’, combining it with the nearly wordless João Gilberto classic ‘Undiú’, originally written with lyrics as ‘Lamento De Vicente’.
Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti & Frank Rosaly ‘BALADA PARA LA CORPORATOCRACIA (Andy Moor Remix) (International Anthem) - A powerful, sledging remix by Andy Moor (of legendary Dutch anarcho-punk band The Ex) of one of the many stand out tracks on their ‘Mestizx’ album from last year.
Joe Armon-Jones ‘Kingfisher (feat Asheber) (Aquarii Records) - Ezra Collective original, keyboard player, composer, and producer Joe Armon-Jones is set to release ‘All The Quiet’ (Part 1) – his first new solo album in six years. His third studio LP is a huge two-part album, with ‘Part I’ released March 28th, and ‘Part 2’ released June 13th on Aquarii Records.
Céline Dessberg ‘Чинтамани "Chintamani" (That’s Love Records) - The B-side of the ace new 7” by French/Mongolian artist Céline Dessberg - a bit chanson, a bit groovy soul and really quite special due to the her lyrical use of her Yatga (traditional Mongolian harp).
Nadeem Din-Gabisi ‘Chariots’ (Moshi Moshi Records) - Award-winning poet, visual artist and filmmaker (and member of Steamdown Collective), Nadeem’s new single seamlessly blends sharp lyrical prose, afrobeats-y dancing rhythms and fat horns reminiscent of ‘Rye Lane Shuffle’ by Moses Boyd. “The concept for the Chariots video was inspired by Chariots of Fire (1981), Marathon Man (1976), the books, life story of Dambudzo Marechera and The Roots Manuva video for Witness (1 Hope) from 2001 The character I’m playing, ‘Jack Surname George’ is running, running on the spot, sometimes toward, sometimes away from something. That something is him, his thoughts, his country, his angels, his demons, his friends. Jack ran to one of the homes of British academic achievement in Cambridge University and found himself at odds with himself. He’s found himself on the outside being called to move and speak about that which has afflicted him, brought him to this land and to get others to do the same.”